Six inches of happniess

[The early worm deserves the bird]

And -25 to Boredom

https://www.makeship.com/products/spiffo-plush?utm_source=steam&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=Q4_2022_The_Indie_Stone_Steam&utm_content=Role%20Playing%20Game_The_Indie_Stone

[Armagenesis]

Spiffo plush



Spiffo plush

[Paintbrush Poltergeist]

I won't go too deep into it, because I got a month long ban on another forum for it....
But I'm so appalled Project Zomboid developers decided to partner with Makeship to make these plushies when there's a huge controversy about them.

[Paintbrush Poltergeist]

Originally posted by EnigmaGrey:

Originally posted by Paintbrush Poltergeist:

I won't go too deep into it, because I got a month long ban on another forum for it....
But I'm so appalled Project Zomboid developers decided to partner with Makeship to make these plushies when there's a huge controversy about them.

I can’t find anything beyond a meme about makeship getting a cut of sales for a rock-shaped plush and a few posts last year about some people having their ordered plush not be delivered. But Google is generally pretty bad these days.

What controversy?

One of their CEO's operates and has ties in an area in Shenzhen known for child labour and sweatshops.
Makeship is based in Canada, but details on it's manufacturing are obfuscated on their website. Plushies bought off them have the "Made in China" tag along with all the other relevant washing and drying information so a lot of people are hesitant to support them until it's been cleared up that everythings above board.

From what I can tell on their Instagram page, this has been an issue for a long time.

[◬ ☥ 𝕄𝕚𝕝𝕜 ☥ ◬]

I've been wondering why every indie/smol/ea game is getting plushie deals the last year or so.

[Grizzly]

Originally posted by Paintbrush Poltergeist:

Originally posted by EnigmaGrey:

I can’t find anything beyond a meme about makeship getting a cut of sales for a rock-shaped plush and a few posts last year about some people having their ordered plush not be delivered. But Google is generally pretty bad these days.

What controversy?

One of their CEO's operates and has ties in an area in Shenzhen known for child labour and sweatshops.
Makeship is based in Canada, but details on it's manufacturing are obfuscated on their website. Plushies bought off them have the "Made in China" tag along with all the other relevant washing and drying information so a lot of people are hesitant to support them until it's been cleared up that everythings above board.

From what I can tell on their Instagram page, this has been an issue for a long time.

hm okey but is there actual proof that its child work and stuff or are that just ideas of people what could be, i mean from that it could also be fine work in china. dont say you lie but im not for cancel culture so i prefer proof to do that

[Grizzly]

Originally posted by ◬ ☥ 𝕄𝕚𝕝𝕜 ☥ ◬:

I've been wondering why every indie/smol/ea game is getting plushie deals the last year or so.

its cheap and pays good

[tilarium]

Originally posted by Underestimated:

Originally posted by ◬ ☥ 𝕄𝕚𝕝𝕜 ☥ ◬:

I've been wondering why every indie/smol/ea game is getting plushie deals the last year or so.

its cheap and pays good

+Plushies! Move over Furries, it's Plushies time to shine!

[Paintbrush Poltergeist]

Originally posted by Underestimated:

Originally posted by Paintbrush Poltergeist:

One of their CEO's operates and has ties in an area in Shenzhen known for child labour and sweatshops.
Makeship is based in Canada, but details on it's manufacturing are obfuscated on their website. Plushies bought off them have the "Made in China" tag along with all the other relevant washing and drying information so a lot of people are hesitant to support them until it's been cleared up that everythings above board.

From what I can tell on their Instagram page, this has been an issue for a long time.

hm okey but is there actual proof that its child work and stuff or are that just ideas of people what could be, i mean from that it could also be fine work in china. dont say you lie but im not for cancel culture so i prefer proof to do that

Nothing definitive to say "Makeship is doing this" but Shenzhen is a known hotspot for that sort of activity and their website doesn't go into much detail on the sustainability, how it works or about us page in regards to the manufacturing of their plushies.
An official statement would clear it up but I haven't been able to find one.

[Paintbrush Poltergeist]

Originally posted by EnigmaGrey:

Originally posted by Paintbrush Poltergeist:

One of their CEO's operates and has ties in an area in Shenzhen known for child labour and sweatshops.
Makeship is based in Canada, but details on it's manufacturing are obfuscated on their website. Plushies bought off them have the "Made in China" tag along with all the other relevant washing and drying information so a lot of people are hesitant to support them until it's been cleared up that everythings above board.

From what I can tell on their Instagram page, this has been an issue for a long time.

I can’t find anything about makeship specifically being involved in child labour.

This is painting with an extremely broad brush, imo.

Since PZ devs have a direct line with them (I'd assume anyway, since they started the campaign to make Spiffos), I was wondering if they've elaborated more on the process?

[DarkFenix]

Originally posted by EnigmaGrey:

Originally posted by Paintbrush Poltergeist:

Since PZ devs have a direct line with them (I'd assume anyway, since they started the campaign to make Spiffos), I was wondering if they've elaborated more on the process?

That’s quite the pivot.

No, I don’t think there’s anything to discuss given how this conversation started. Do your own research rather than assume any company manufacturing something in China must surely use child labour.

Probably why he got the ban on the other forum, wild claims with no research or evidence. He probably dipped into what would actually be considered libellous there and got shut down immediately.

[Deadflag]

Originally posted by ◬ ☥ 𝕄𝕚𝕝𝕜 ☥ ◬:

I've been wondering why every indie/smol/ea game is getting plushie deals the last year or so.

Because marketing for shills works, and funny plushies for children and manbabies are popular. Next up is the Spiffo body pillow.

[ronvon]

Originally posted by Deadflag:

Originally posted by ◬ ☥ 𝕄𝕚𝕝𝕜 ☥ ◬:

I've been wondering why every indie/smol/ea game is getting plushie deals the last year or so.

Because marketing for shills works, and funny plushies for children and manbabies are popular. Next up is the Spiffo body pillow.

Ah yes so buying a small item just so show how much you like the game that also supports the developers of the game makes you a manbaby,

[Deadflag]

Originally posted by lenard:

Originally posted by Deadflag:

Because marketing for shills works, and funny plushies for children and manbabies are popular. Next up is the Spiffo body pillow.

Ah yes so buying a small item just so show how much you like the game that also supports the developers of the game makes you a manbaby,

If it's a plushy made for children, absolutely. If they were offering a more appropriate line of merchandise it would be an excellent choice to support them. Coffee mugs of Spiffo, figurines, even a Spiffo tail much to my furry dismay. But a plushie?

[ronvon]

Originally posted by Deadflag:

Originally posted by lenard:

Ah yes so buying a small item just so show how much you like the game that also supports the developers of the game makes you a manbaby,

If it's a plushy made for children, absolutely. If they were offering a more appropriate line of merchandise it would be an excellent choice to support them. Coffee mugs of Spiffo, figurines, even a Spiffo tail much to my furry dismay. But a plushie?

I don't see your point, is your point that plushies are for kids and they shouldn't make merch of it?
Because I respect that opinion but I don't believe that it's true, However I do agree yeah it would be nice if it was a spiffo mug or figurine. But after all its really their choice to make what they want, I'm sure you can find mugs of project zomboid somewhere on etsy or all them other websites, Or even make your own.

[Paintbrush Poltergeist]

Originally posted by EnigmaGrey:

Originally posted by Paintbrush Poltergeist:

Since PZ devs have a direct line with them (I'd assume anyway, since they started the campaign to make Spiffos), I was wondering if they've elaborated more on the process?

That’s quite the pivot.

No, I don’t think there’s anything to discuss given how this conversation started. Do your own research rather than assume any company manufacturing something in China must surely use child labour.

All I asked was if you're able to get an official statement off them since you're working together to produce the plushie. I see you've decided that isn't in your interests to talk about it though, so this will be my last reply in this thread.

I didn't say because it's made in China it's using child labour.
I said they have hidden how the manufacturing is done on their website, and have ties to China (via a CEO of theirs) who has ties to Shenzhen, which a place where child labour is rampant. A quick Google search shows articles going back over 10 years. So some "pivot".
Here's one from 2019, so no, I'm not "assuming". Child labour does go on there sadly.
https://www.clb.org.hk/content/shenzhen-officials-investigating-child-labour-just-go-through-motions

Originally posted by DarkFenix:

Originally posted by EnigmaGrey:

That’s quite the pivot.

No, I don’t think there’s anything to discuss given how this conversation started. Do your own research rather than assume any company manufacturing something in China must surely use child labour.

Probably why he got the ban on the other forum, wild claims with no research or evidence. He probably dipped into what would actually be considered libellous there and got shut down immediately.

No, that wasn't why I got the ban, and asking a question that I feel is important (it's okay if you, or nobody else shares this view, I just try to personally limit purchases of things that may be involved with exploitation) is not libel.