Feedback on Future Racketboy Mascot

[noiseredux]

If I'm being honest, I don't feel the site needs a mascot OR a rebrand.

[AmishSamurai]

Personally I think that the website could do with another name. That's just me, I understand that Racketboy was chosen since it was Nick's nickname and it seemed like a good choice at the time, but I feel that this website is way bigger than just one person now. Not to demean you personally, but I think that this website going through a rebrand is the absolute best course of action right now.

that's crazy talk. Seriously. This site IS Racketboy. That's what it's called. That's what we know it as. And changing it would be.... weird.

I'm not saying that, I'm saying that rebrands aren't the worst thing ever. Plenty of successful websites have rebranded themselves, something that appeals to a wider range of customers. I believe that a strong brand is most important for growth at this stage of the website's life. This could mean a strong mascot (something I don't believe is necessary or even possible considering the name) or a rebrand.

were we to rebrand/rename, I think it should be as low-key as possible. Maybe make an extended name - Racketboy Retro Forums or something.

[racketboy]

Well, the extended name has traditionally been "Retro Gaming with Racketboy"

[Flake]

Super Racketboy? Racketboy CD?

[Ack]

If we go along with a new mascot (which I don't mind), would he be unveiled at the time the main page is redone? I ask because, while it's not necessarily a rebranding of the overall website a la what I believe Niode is shooting for, the site is still going to be changing in such a way as to appeal to new customers. If a mascot is unveiled, that would probably be the best time.

I also feel I should point out that no matter the change, some will like it and some will hate it. Think about how many of us got all crotchety over when the forums changed. Yet the site has continued to grow, and I believe it will regardless. We should instead be asking if whether a rebranding, new design, or new mascot will facilitate or expand that growth, or whether it will constrict it. I don't believe it will stop, but we could speed it up or slow it down. We should also ask ourselves if we want any of those options.

As for the design, I want to see the character as both a 16-bit and an 8-bit sprite before making final judgment, but I worry that the current design is too cluttered. I'm ok with keeping the headphones and goggles or just goggles or just headphones. I think the legs are what bother me. But let's see how it turns out in 16- and 8-bit. David Mauro may come back and say it simply won't work as an 8-bit, which may help facilitate some changes in the design.

A couple of points brought up by forum members:

Limewater, while I understand where you're coming from with the animal mascot idea, I think we need to keep it a human boy to stay true to the website's name. Then again, I'd admittedly feel a little odd about working for a website with an animal mascot moreso than one with a chibi human being.

SpaceBooger, as we're both fans of comic books, what if the guns looked more like something like Rob Liefeld designed them? You know, absolutely ridiculous to the point that we can't compare them to realistic weapons? Or if he were pictured with something like the Super Scope or Konami Justifier?

I like the idea of changing him to appear in the costumes of various characters as a sort of homage to the classics we play. I also like the merchandising opportunities I can imagine. Ah, merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made. But if we go that route, considering a female alternative might not be a bad idea either.

[racketboy]

But if we go that route, considering a female alternative might not be a bad idea either.

Maybe we need a "racketgirl" companion

But good insights, Ack!

[lisalover1]

I like the headphone mascot better; it is more stylized. I think I would like to see Racketboy have a mascot; he could introduce all the site's articles.

[alienjesus]

Considering we were trying to avoid him looking like Beat, I personally think he looks a little TOO close to Raz from Psychonauts. Hes got the goggles, hes got things that look like headphones, and his clothes even look similar.

[lisalover1]

Another thing; I really like the chibi style. It's reminiscent of 16-bit character sprites.

[Jrecee]

What about a mascot who looks like a mashup of multiple classic game characters? A hedgehog with a gun arm and a mustache? In a pixel art form.