R.I.P Spooktacular-pay respect

[Bucky Underbelly]

That's well said, Kabukiman.



Been actively collecting Sideshow stuff and lurking around these parts since the early 2000s. More than a decade now. This all gives me a sad.

Also, does anybody else find it ironic that the current move toward social media has made the company feel remarkably less social? Odd, that.

I guess the up side is, I'll also be saying good-bye to a week's worth of sustained anxiety and stress that I used to endure, hoping and praying that I wouldn't miss a giveaway or sale on something I really wanted. No more hitting refresh at 4 AM.

Look, I'm trying to find a bright spot here!

 

[BadMoon]

My first taste of Sideshow was Spooktacular 2005. In those six days of insanity, I learned so much about Sideshow, how much attention and love goes into each and every product they produce, I learned about their devoted fans and became one myself. Oh yeah, I ordered some product too.

Ever since that first taste, Spooktacular has become an ingrained portion of my Halloween celebration. Something I look forward to every year. Friends would ask "What is this thing you're so obsessed about? Is it a sale?" and I'd laugh "You poor fool, Spooktacular isn't a sale!" Spooktacular is so much more than a sale, it's a celebration, an online convention, it's something so unique that it really can't be described, it must be experienced.

This year, it seems I can answer "Yes, it's a sale."

It seems a bit unfair to call this year the death of Spooktacular this early in the event, but it really seems that way, and Sideshow has given no indication to make us think otherwise. So far, we've seen sales, and we've seen enter-your-name type contests, and we're promised some new product announcements later.

There's no creative contests (except the pumpkin carving one), there's no mocking (in good fun, of course) staff cackling at our frustration, there's no peak behind the curtain, there's no interaction with the artists, there's no need to explore Sideshow's catalog, there's no... Spooktacular.

Of course, there's plenty of time for that to change, but with no chat, and no interaction with Sideshow here or anywhere else, it's not looking likely.

For me, Spooktacular was the soul of Sideshow. And if Spooktacular is indeed gone, then that kinda speaks to the current state of Sideshow Collectibles.

Here's a thought. Maybe if people weren't such whiney **** heads, when given the opportunity to communicate with SS staff, they may still do it. If I read constant negativity I wouldn't want to roll out the red carpet, give away free stuff, or put my people in front of the firing squad to be verbally abused by nerds over the internet.

 

[GrueSam]

I knew it was over when they stopped offering 1:6 zombies.

Never give up hope, Marc. Never.

 

[superdoug]

Well in their defense with all the free Star Wars and Joe stuff they've been tagging onto orders they have been giving a lot of freebies away just making you buy something to get it.

It must have been a very taxing event to put on with all the time in chat and the contests and scavenger hunts too. I bet as everyone got older and had families it became more and more of a strain.

I know its gotten a lot harder for me to be in Spook as the years go by.

 

[Ardeth Bey]

Very nicely put, I agree 100%
As for the whining comment, yes, some people may whine..... However most of us speak louder with our wallets.....as for me I keep buying!

My first taste of Sideshow was Spooktacular 2005. In those six days of insanity, I learned so much about Sideshow, how much attention and love goes into each and every product they produce, I learned about their devoted fans and became one myself. Oh yeah, I ordered some product too.

Ever since that first taste, Spooktacular has become an ingrained portion of my Halloween celebration. Something I look forward to every year. Friends would ask "What is this thing you're so obsessed about? Is it a sale?" and I'd laugh "You poor fool, Spooktacular isn't a sale!" Spooktacular is so much more than a sale, it's a celebration, an online convention, it's something so unique that it really can't be described, it must be experienced.

This year, it seems I can answer "Yes, it's a sale."

It seems a bit unfair to call this year the death of Spooktacular this early in the event, but it really seems that way, and Sideshow has given no indication to make us think otherwise. So far, we've seen sales, and we've seen enter-your-name type contests, and we're promised some new product announcements later.

There's no creative contests (except the pumpkin carving one), there's no mocking (in good fun, of course) staff cackling at our frustration, there's no peak behind the curtain, there's no interaction with the artists, there's no need to explore Sideshow's catalog, there's no... Spooktacular.

Of course, there's plenty of time for that to change, but with no chat, and no interaction with Sideshow here or anywhere else, it's not looking likely.

For me, Spooktacular was the soul of Sideshow. And if Spooktacular is indeed gone, then that kinda speaks to the current state of Sideshow Collectibles.

 

[pixletwin]

Never give up hope, Marc. Never.

Oh I have hope. It just lies squarely with Dooley and Shrunken Head Studios.

 

[The Josh]

Having been one of the "original" Spookateers back in 2004, my sense of loss for this event is huge. Never mind the lack of freebies and bargain prices - for me, that aspect was the least of its charms. It was Spook that got me out of mostly lurking; it was Spook that made me interact with other members on this board during all-night chats and with whom I made strong friendships with; it was Spook that gave me the courage to fly to SDCC the next year on the spur of the moment, by myself, to meet up with these friends and Sideshow folks to continue strengthening our bonds in person.

I suppose every company outgrows their roots in some way. I understand their gradual absence away from our boards through the years, but nipping down this event to its current permutation is heartbreaking. Might as well not even have the event.

Bye Spook -- was great knowing ya.

Here's a thought. Maybe if people weren't such whiney **** heads, when given the opportunity to communicate with SS staff, they may still do it. If I read constant negativity I wouldn't want to roll out the red carpet, give away free stuff, or put my people in front of the firing squad to be verbally abused by nerds over the internet.

 

[swabie2424]

I have a theory. Maybe Sideshow Chris left and they farm out the work on the site and nobody knows how or wants to do it all?

 

[Buttmunch]

I knew it was over when they stopped offering 1:6 zombies.

*seems like I said that somewhere once before....

Or have they?

 

[superdoug]

I have a theory. Maybe Sideshow Chris left and they farm out the work on the site and nobody knows how or wants to do it all?

That could be true.

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

I remember my first spook I got a ton of free LOTR helms and Buffy figures... Second spook I finally landed the London After Midnight PF at 50% off (or was it 75%?). Then the spook after that I won free zombies. After that spooks sort of got boring as the tourists flooded in, clogged chat, and made a general nuissance.

Toe is right. This thread is about 3-5 years too late.

that was my first spook. I won a helm & a hunchback of notre dame 12"

 

[MadCow]

I just found an old pic in my files that I made for Spook a few years ago. Seems fitting more so today then ever. It was the beginning of the end...

 

[Something Sexy]

I just found an old pic in my files that I made for Spook a few years ago. Seems fitting more so today then ever. It was the beginning of the end...

Haha, that was a good one.

 

[Something Sexy]

Shall we do a button contest in this thread?

 

[pixletwin]

Or have they?

Doubt it. I would sooner believe SSC was reviving the 1:6 LotR line tan that they would dabble in zombies again.

 

[CAhobbit]

I have a theory. Maybe Sideshow Chris left and they farm out the work on the site and nobody knows how or wants to do it all?

Sideshow Chis is still alive and kicking with Sideshow. Theory squashed.

-SideshowAlex

 

[SepticFlesh]

Well...Apparantly this whole "Spooktacular" thing was before my time as a collector and a member of this message board, but regardless...rest in peace our once loved entity.

 

[swabie2424]

Sideshow Chis is still alive and kicking with Sideshow. Theory squashed.

-SideshowAlex

Oh thank God! Sideshow Chris is tricksy, and it would have been horrible if he had left!

 

[VASith]

Sideshow Chis is still alive and kicking with Sideshow. Theory squashed.

-SideshowAlex

 

[MadCow]

Sideshow Chis is still alive and kicking with Sideshow. Theory squashed.

-SideshowAlex

Well then he's probably happy that he doesn't have to babysit a bunch of lunatics for a week.