Latest news with #miniatures
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Why is everyone so obsessed with Labubu dolls?
In today's evolving lifestyle scene, a curious trend has taken root: the rise of collectables and miniatures. Among these, Labubu – a quirky, bug-eyed character with a mischievous grin – has become an unexpected sensation. From toys to cakes, Labubu's presence is everywhere, captivating Gen-Z and millennials alike. The mixed-method model of research reveals that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have significantly influenced this trend. Constant exposure to trending items creates a strong urge among Gen-Z and millennials to own them, with the concept of FOMO (fear of missing out) playing a substantial role. 'Gen-Z has grown up in a rapidly changing, digitalised, and unpredictable world, which can create feelings of global uncertainty and instability. They may feel they have no control over what is happening in the world, or even in their own lives. The act of collecting and curating these items provides a sense of control in a manageable and predictable world, which can be incredibly soothing. In addition, these objects often evoke positive emotions, linking to childhood memories and offering a much-needed emotional reprieve,' said Dr Amir Firouzjaei, a Chinese medicine practitioner at Dubai-based medical centre Wellth. In the UAE, the demand for miniatures and collectables is steadily rising both as keepsakes and in creative formats like desserts. Mini-cakes, in particular, have become a popular choice for gifting and celebrations. As the country continues to embrace this miniature (r)evolution, it's evident that sometimes, the smallest things can make the most significant impact. Despite the high pricing of certain items, people continue to invest in them whether as souvenirs while travelling, as unique birthday cakes, or simply as a hobby. Passionate community of collectors Hassan Tamimi, CEO of The Little Things, said the excitement surrounding Labubu has gone beyond the usual collector demographic, drawing in a more varied and diverse audience to retail locations and digital channels. This rising interest has significantly boosted the entire collectables segment and focused efforts to support the passionate community of collectors across the Middle East. 'Miniature collectables are often priced quite high, yet people are still willing to buy them. The blend of nostalgia and new fandoms, coupled with the thrill of collecting, continues to fuel the vibrant and evolving collectables scene in the region,' he said. Dubai-based collector Utkarsh Shivaraj shared his journey into the world of designer toys and miniatures: 'As a child, I admired characters in cartoons and movies for their unique designs. That fascination grew into a passion for collecting. What started as buying one item every few months has turned into a regular hobby that sees me decorating my home with visually striking pieces.' 'Collecting designer toys and miniatures brings emotional comfort and helps me reconnect with my inner child. It's a creative escape, where I imagine a fictional world that makes me feel like the main character, surrounded by my favourite characters even if they aren't real,' added Shivaraj. Miniature objects often evoke strong emotional responses due to the Baby Schema Theory, which suggests that features like large eyes and small noses trigger caregiving instincts in humans" Carolyn Yaffe Carolyn Yaffe, counsellor and cognitive behaviour therapist at Medcare Camali Clinic in Dubai, provided insights into the psychological appeal of miniatures. She said: 'Miniature objects often evoke strong emotional responses due to the Baby Schema Theory, which suggests that features like large eyes and small noses trigger caregiving instincts in humans. 'Characters such as Labubu or Grogu possess these traits, tapping into our innate desire to nurture and protect. Miniatures represent a 'contained world,' offering feelings of comfort and safety. Their small size reflects intimacy and manageability, making them less threatening. In bustling urban environments like Dubai, these miniatures can serve as calming, portable sanctuaries, symbolising peace amidst chaos,' she added. Desire to nurture and protect Maneet Singh, psychotherapist and mental health counsellor at Keyani Wellness Center, shares the sentiment, noting: 'In stressful or uncertain times, people often value emotional comfort over practical utility. Miniatures can evoke memories, reflect identity, and spark joy. When something makes us feel safe or seen, its emotional worth can easily outweigh its price.' For Sahil Sajan, director at Milano by Danube, the ongoing Labubu trend is particularly intriguing. 'It's captivating to observe how such unique designs resonate with people and evolve. These collectables represent stories, cultures, and personal experiences. Incorporating them into my living spaces adds a layer of personality and nostalgia, making each piece a cherished part of my journey,' he said. 'As a content creator,' said FelyJoy Gonzales, 'I've seen first-hand how miniature desserts capture attention instantly. They're not just food, they're eye candy. These tiny creations are super aesthetic, playful, and unique, which makes them perfect for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Sometimes, I even find mini items that resemble things from back home, and that connection makes the memory stronger.' As the collectables landscape continues to evolve, it's evident that these miniature treasures offer more than just aesthetic appeal, they provide a tangible connection to cherished memories and cultural identities, resonating deeply with collectors across the Middle East and beyond. KT Luxe
Geek Dad
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
State of the Game: ‘Marvel: Crisis Protocol'
I've made no bones about the fact that I'm a big Marvel fan. From growing up with Marvel Comics in the 80's, to enjoying the X-Men Animated series in the 90's, to the MCU, you can always 'Make Mine Marvel.' So it's no surprise that one of my earliest reviews at GeekDad was my review of the then-new Marvel: Crisis Protocol miniatures skirmish game from Atomic Mass Games. Fellow contributor Robin Brooks also chronicled his first game with MCP here on GeekDad in 2022. Since that first review, Atomic Mass Games has been going strong with releases for Marvel: Crisis Protocol . Thanks to our friends at Atomic Mass Games, I recently received a few of the newer kits to share with our readers. What Is Marvel: Crisis Protocol ? Marvel: Crisis Protocol is a miniatures skirmish game for 2 players, ages 14 and up, and takes about 90-120 minutes to play. The easiest way to get into the game is with the current starter box, Marvel: Crisis Protocol – Earth's Mightiest CORE Set. This box retails for $119.99, and is available on Amazon or at various games stores. It basically is a completely reworked version of the original core box, containing new miniatures and terrain, and different versions of the same characters from the core set. If you still want the original core set, that is still available and retails for $99.99. As with the Earth's Mightiest CORE Set, the original core set is available on Amazon and at your local games stores. Even though both core sets contain rulebooks, the rules are also available online, and are periodically updated when changes are made to the game. Everything Atomic Mass Games sent over. Image by Paul Benson. Catching Up With Marvel: Crisis Protocol Atomic Mass Games sent over a variety of character packs to take a look at, as well as a piece of terrain. I assembled all of the kits, though didn't have time to paint them (AMG also sent along a big box of Star Wars: Shatterpoint squad packs, which I'll be covering in future articles). The Inhuman Royal Court box. Image by Paul Benson. Inhuman Royal Court Character Pack While most Character Packs in Marvel: Crisis Protocol tend to contain one or two characters, as the game has matured, some older characters are getting repackaged into larger boxes containing 4 characters of the same affiliation. In this case, these 4 figures are all part of the Inhumans affiliation. (Characters that share an affiliation will often get bonus abilities when they team up together). Here's a look at everything inside the box: Everything in the Inhumans Royal Court box. Image by Paul Benson. Here's a look at the 'healthy' side of the Stat Cards. As you can see, Maximus has a leadership ability, 'Call Me Maximus the Magnificent', which can only be used if other characters in his squad share his affiliation. As all of the characters in this box have the 'Inhumans' affiliation, he's good to go! A look at the Inhumans' various stats and abilities. Image by Paul Benson. Like all MCP Stat cards, when a character takes a certain amount of damage, they become injured and you flip their card to the 'injured' side. The characters then become stronger, but if they take too much damage, they'll be knocked out and removed from the game. The 'injured' side of the Inhumans stat cards. Image by Paul Benson. The Character Pack also comes with 6 Team Tactics cards, which are one-shot abilities chosen when you build your roster for a game. There are 4 affiliated cards, and 2 unaffiliated. The included Team Tactics cards. Image by Paul Benson. Here are the assembled miniatures, as well as painted versions courtesy of Atomic Mass Games: This slideshow requires JavaScript. The Inhuman Royal Court Character Pack retails for $49.99, and is available on Amazon or from your favorite games store. The Immortal Hulk Character Pack Yes, Marvel: Crisis Protocol already had a Hulk, but the Immortal Hulk is meaner, and greener. The Immortal Hulk box. Image by Paul Benson. Here's everything that comes in the Character Pack: Immortal Hulk box contents. Image by Paul Benson. The Immortal Hulk is not simply a new sculpt for the Hulk, but he actually has different abilities and stats. Here is the original Hulk's Stat card: The OG Hulk from 2019. Image by Atomic Mass Games. And here is the Immortal Hulk's card: Immortal Hulk smash! Image by Atomic Mass Games. As you can see, there are many differences between the two characters. For your games, you could choose to have both Hulks in your 10-character roster, but when you build your squad, you can only use one of them. The Immortal Hulk Character Pack also comes with 2 Team Tactics cards, both unaffiliated: Immortal Hulk's Team Tactics cards. Image by Paul Benson. Here's the completed miniature: The assembled Immortal Hulk. Image by Paul Benson. And here's what he might look like painted up: A professionally painted Immortal Hulk. Image by Atomic Mass Games. The Immortal Hulk Character Pack retails for $39.99, and is available on Amazon or at your favorite games store. Mephisto Character Pack One of Marvel's more powerful villains is the demonic Mephisto. The Mephisto Character Pack. Image by Paul Benson. Here's everything that comes in the box: Mephisto Character Pack contents. Image by Paul Benson. Like many of the newer releases, Mephisto comes with Stat cards and Team Tactics cards in multiple languages. This simplifies production as Atomic Mass Games can use just one sku for multiple countries. Mi nombre es Mefisto. Image by Paul Benson. Mephisto comes with 4 unaffiliated Team Tactics cards: Mephisto's Team Tactics cards. Image by Paul Benson. Here's a look at the assembled miniature: Mephisto, assembled. Image by Paul Benson. And here's what a professionally painted version looks like: Painted Mephisto. Image by Atomic Mass Games. The Mephisto Character Pack retails for $34.99, and is available on Amazon or at your favorite games store. Gwenom & Scarlet Spider Character Pack This character pack has 2 members of the Web Warriors affiliation, the Venom symbiote infused Gwenom, and the Peter Parker clone Scarlet Spider. The Gwenom & Scarlet Spider box. Image by Paul Benson. Here's everything that comes in the box: Contents of the Gwenom box. Image by Paul Benson. Here are the Stat cards: Scarlet Spider and Gwenom Stat cards. Image by Paul Benson. And here are the Team Tactics cards. There are two affiliated cards, and one unaffiliated. The 3 Team Tactics cards included with Gwenom & Scarlet Spider. Image by Paul Benson. Here are the assembled miniatures, as well as a look at Atomic Mass Games' painted versions: This slideshow requires JavaScript. The Gwenom & Scarlet Spider Character Pack retails for $39.99, and is available on Amazon or at your favorite games store. Tomb of Dracula Terrain Pack Finally, Atomic Mass Games sent me a beautiful terrain piece. Terrain in any miniatures game is important, but in Marvel: Crisis Protocol, it is doubly so as characters can interact with buildings in various ways, including, if they're strong enough, tossing them at other characters! The large box for the Tomb of Dracula. Image by Paul Benson. As this is a terrain piece, the box consists primarily of sprues: All the parts needed to assemble the Tomb of Dracula. Image by Paul Benson. The one other addition to the box is two One-Shot cards. These can be used optionally in a game to add flavor to the match. The Tomb of Dracula One-Shot cards. Image by Paul Benson. Here's a look at some of the assembly of the Tomb of Dracula: This slideshow requires JavaScript. And here is the completed model: The assembled Tomb of Dracula. Image by Paul Benson. And of course, so you can see what it can look like painted, here's a professionally painted Tomb: A painted Tomb of Dracula. Image by Atomic Mass Games. The Tomb of Dracula Terrain Pack retails for $119.99, and is available on Amazon or from your favorite games store. Marvel: Crisis Protocol – State of the Game A picture is worth a thousand words, and I think you can tell from the photos in this article just how detailed and dynamic the miniatures and terrain are. While the models looked great in the original core box, the sculptors have definitely stepped up their game since then. This is especially evident when you compare the sculpts from the newer Earth's Mightiest CORE set to the original core set, as both sets have different versions of the same characters. Assembly of the models is quite easy, with minimal mold line cleanup, and no fussy little bits to fumble with as with the original Baron Zemo model. Just looking at the models makes me want to get a game together, and examining each character's abilities definitely makes the gamer in me want to take them for a test drive. Part of the fun of a game like this is in building your roster, and figuring out which characters will work best with each other. And can we talk about the Tomb of Dracula? That terrain piece is stunning. My only regret is that Atomic Mass Games didn't send along the Monsters Unleashed Character Pack to go with it, but they had a very good reason: that item is so popular right now, that it's currently sold out! The Monsters Unleashed Character Pack figures. Image by Atomic Mass Games. Overall, I think things are very bright for Marvel: Crisis Protocol moving forward. There's still a deep well of untapped characters from Marvel Comics, and Atomic Mass Games has a planned a steady release of them. At this year's Adepticon convention, they announced several products that extend well into 2026, including some new Starter Packs that will each have an entire 10-character affiliation roster included right in one box. In the immediate future, I'm really looking forward to dynamic releases like the Phoenix & Phoenix Unleashed Character Pack. If you've never played Marvel: Crisis Protocol, or used to play and put it on hold, this is a great time to get into the game. For more information on Marvel: Crisis Protocol, visit the Atomic Mass Games website. Click here to see all our tabletop game reviews. To subscribe to GeekDad's tabletop gaming coverage, please copy this link and add it to your RSS reader. Disclosure: GeekDad received a copy of this game for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Marvellous Miniatures Workshop (w/t) hosted by Sara Cox has been commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer
BBC Daytime has commissioned eight episodes of its new series, The Marvellous Miniatures Workshop (w/t) made by MGM Alternative and presented by TV presenter, author, podcaster and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox. Professional model makers will bring places, people and iconic moments in time back to life via miniature models. These special, one-off models, will not only celebrate cherished and emotional family stories, but also tap into our collective cultural heritage around events, design and fashions, or common themes. Whether it is a life event, a snap-shot of mid-century design or a memory tied to trends of the past, these models will serve as tiny yet powerful windows into the way things were. To ensure the models are as authentic as possible, the miniaturists must embark on an investigative journey to uncover the personal stories behind each request, as well as dig into historical and cultural references to craft them as true and realistic as possible. MGM Alternative will use the latest technology and microscopic cameras to get up close and personal, capturing the minute details and craft that goes into creating these special models. Audiences will be taken on an emotional journey from start to finish, from meeting the people who want to capture their special moment, their background on why it's so important to them, to the research that goes into getting every detail correct. There will be challenges along the way, from identifying accurate furnishing colours and materials from over half a century ago, to recreating interiors and buildings that have long since been derelict. At the end of each episode is the big reveal; Have our Miniaturists faithfully re-created the place of so many memories for our contributors? And how will they react when they see their childhood memories brought back to life? Rachel Platt Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime comments, 'Many of us will remember our first set of building blocks, train set, or dolls house, so what a thrill to have one of those miniature worlds created around your own special memory. Combining the nation's love of model-making with stories that are at once deeply personal and wonderfully relatable, each episode of this genuinely delightful series will be full of emotion, nostalgia - and exceptional skill.' Sara Cox comments; 'We all have life events that hold a special place in our heart, so I'm absolutely thrilled we are going to be recreating cherished memories and moments in time using the astonishing skills of our miniaturists. This show taps into our fascination with the tiny, from fantasy film to classic literature and as a naturally very nosey person, I personally can't wait to find out the beautiful backstory that inspires each creation. Dom Bird SVP, MGM Alternative UK comments, 'MGM is delighted to be growing our slate of BBC programmes in 2025, with this original new series combining deeply personal stories and incredible craftsmanship with joyous surprises and reveals. These perfect replicas will bring back to life those locations that changed and shaped people's lives, while the models will be small, the heart and joy in this series promises to be huge.' The Marvellous Miniatures Workshop (w/t) has been commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer by Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning, Rob Unsworth. The Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime is Rachel Platt. The programme is made by MGM Alternative UK, the Series Producer is Nicki Stoker. HD3
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Warhammer 40K maker Games Workshop expects higher annual profit
May 23 (Reuters) - British miniature wargames maker Games Workshop (GAW.L), opens new tab on Friday said it expects core operating profit for the year ending June 2025 to be 18.3% higher than a year earlier, as it benefits from robust demand for its popular "Warhammer 40K" series. The company sells its costly and fantastical medieval fantasy-themed wargame miniatures through both direct sales and third-party retail outlets. The Nottingham-headquartered company which last year struck a deal with Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab to adapt its Warhammer 40k universe for film and TV, expects FY 2024-25 core operating profit of at least 210 million pounds ($282.45 million), up from 174.8 million pounds a year earlier. The recently promoted FTSE 100 firm also said it expects annual core revenue to be up 12.4% to 560 million pounds. ($1 = 0.7435 pounds)
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
In troubled world, grown-ups find joy in doll's houses
A log burns in the hearth in the artfully lit drawing room. The armchairs look plush and inviting. Glasses and a bottle of wine stand ready as a grandfather clock keeps time. It is all straight out of a glossy magazine and yet every carefully crafted item in the room could fit into the palm of one hand. "I love Victorian (19th century) houses and always wanted to live in one but it never happened," laughed doll's house enthusiast Michele Simmons, admiring the cosy miniature scene by historical specialists Mulvany & Rogers. The 57-year-old corporate recruiter revived her childhood passion for doll's houses during the pandemic and has since "flipped" about 10, buying them, doing them up and selling them on. She and her daughter thought nothing of flying all night from Boston in the United States to hunt for tiny curtains and a child's crib at the leading Kensington Dollshouse festival in London. "I love it! You don't think about anything else when you are doing this," she told AFP, admitting she often had to be dragged out of her work shed to feed her children as she became so absorbed. Exquisite miniatures The annual festival has been gathering some of the world's finest miniature craftspeople since 1985, celebrating a hobby that has seen rising interest recently and a mushrooming of online activity. It showcases tiny versions of anything needed to furnish a house, from chandeliers and paintings to mahogany dining tables and kitchen items, all with steep price tags. Doll's houses may be traditionally associated with children, but this high-end miniature collecting is very much an adult hobby. "This is craftspeople working on just exquisite things," said self-confessed "tiny-obsessed" Rachel Collings, who bought toys from renowned miniaturists Laurence & Angela St. Leger. Every single one of her purchases, which cost at least £40 ($53), fits easily into a small plastic container and will be added to her collection of equally small items. "I've got half a cut lemon. Just imagine the size of that. A lemon squeezer and a pastry brush and a hand whisk that actually works," said the 47-year-old editor. "It's an inner child thing. These things are just so beautiful." Doll's houses originated from Europe in the 1500s when they were used to display the miniature possessions of the wealthy. Just as at the London festival, these so-called "baby houses" were strictly for adults, not children. Retired midwife Susan Evans, 67, on her annual pilgrimage from Colwyn Bay in north Wales, does not just have one doll's house. "I have a whole village," she said. "It's got 18 Victorian shops, a school, a manor house, a pub and a now a church," she said, adding that the church had cost over £4,000. Initially the hobby was just a stress-buster to help her unwind, but she has now raised thousands of pounds hosting groups to visit the display in her home. "It's my passion. It's escapism and it's about using your imagination, which I think is very good for your mental health," she said. 'In control' Kensington Dollshouse organiser Charlotte Stokoe said there was currently huge interest in doll's houses and miniatures compared to before the pandemic. "When the world itself is going a bit crazy with so much stress in everyone's lives, it's quite relaxing. You are in control," she said, adding that many people had delighted in pulling out old doll's houses during the Covid lockdowns. And at a time of rising costs, she said, people had "discovered they can do interior design that maybe they can't do with their own homes -- in small scale it's so much more doable". Medical anthropologist Dalia Iskander of University College London (UCL) has spent three years researching the subject for her forthcoming book "Miniature Antidotes". "For many people it's a way of exploring their own experiences and memories and imagination and incorporating that into these miniature worlds," she said. A whole range of medical issues such as depression or anxiety could all be explored through miniatures in a "beneficial" way, she added. Miniatures enthusiast Collings said the hobby had become such a source of happiness that her 12-year-old daughter also got involved. She urged anyone to give it a try. "When everything is difficult, there are these tiny things," she said. "Sometimes I just go and sit and look at them and it just makes me happy."
