Also, noteworthy point: QMx is not a manufacturing company. I'm not sure why it's important to point out that they "manufactured ZERO"?? Please tell me you don't think Master Replicas built all those sabers in house??
Well, it seems the majority of these licenses go to companies that DO manufacture props. Sure, there's some outsourcing, but they're still overseeing the manufacture of props. After all, Master Replicas didn't have Roger Christian and John Stears build all those lightsabers.
MFX made their sonics, not Nick Robatto. Even if they outsourced (which they did), it was their task and they got it done.
Similarly, QMx has Kenney Palkow make the Tesla guns, which are beautiful, expensive, and time-consuming to make. I'm not sure how they handle the Farnsworth, but they can't seem to keep it on sale, despite consistent demand. And, as dozens of RPFers can tell you, it's not that hard a build.
My point here is that QMx needs to learn to make props if it wants to sell props. Because all this vaporware is damaging to their reputation.
You're right that every prop company has gone out of business. Adam Savage even mentioned that in the ducats where he talked about recasting. But I think this is where QMx is really smart! Their little stuff (posters, shirts, mini figurines, keychains) all carries a high profit margin, which can help to offset the difficulties of being a prop company. If they combine what they're known for with what they would LIKE to be known for, I think they can be successful.
But they need to learn to make props.
I get what you're saying about intentionally catering only to the big-spending prop replica elite, but that argument holds a lot more water if there's any evidence that they're
capable of getting these things made. And so far? There isn't. Not outside of completely static props pulled out of a mold and painted. (See: Start Trek phaser, Mal Reynolds' gun, etc).
