G.I. Germ Fighters

Product Idea: G.I. Germ Fighters

G.I. Germs and G.I. germs online are a multi faceted, revolutionary toy concept being developed by the startup HeyMike Industries. They are a modern, stylized, miniature version of the traditional army man play toys.

As illustrated by the success of several undersized toy lines, there is a demonstrable public appetite for miniature figures and their accessories.

The demographic for G.I.Germs will, essentially, be boys between the ages of 7 and 12. While G.I. Germs are designed to appeal to this demographic they offer sufficient visual detail to evoke a true sense of interest among older children or even adults who find these details in the characters appealing.

The Strength of the G.I. Germs concept resides in the unique design of the product line coupled with a revolutionary advancement in the coupling of toys with an online portal. The potential of such portal to product synergy can be seen in massive popularity of such products as Webkinz.

G.I. Germs capitalizes on some of the core concepts of such a relationship and takes it a step further. Purchasing the action figures gives the user access to the free online game and actually shapes the user’s army.

There are four major components of the G.I. Germs Brand:

• Retail Products
• Online Products
• Online Game
• Online Community

Consumers can expect a deep, fresh experience when purchasing G.I. Germs and playing G.I. Germs Online.

Retail Product Line

Each G.I. Germ will stand, roughly, 1 1/4” to 1 7/8” of an inch in height and consist of an oversized head/torso combination and extremities (see fig. 1). The lower tier germs would be shorter in stature than the upper tier germs with the 4-star General being the biggest of the bunch.

In addition, each figure will come with a set of ‘props’ which are attached to the figure (helmet, sunglasses etc.). The lower tier germs will have fewer ‘less cool’ props while the upper tier characters will use their props to further display their uniqueness.

Environment/Treatment

G.I. Germs exist in a playful, organic environment. Therefore, the treatment of the characters tends to be ‘cartoony’ and the accessories will lack sharp edges. The characters are tough in a playful kind of way.

Style will be emphasized regarding the design of the characters and their accessories in order to further distinguish them from other military-themed toy lines. Vehicles will also be approached playfully with most having over-sized round, ‘doughnut-like’ tires.

The G.I. Germs’ operations center is a Microbe-based outpost: Secret-Base A14- ‘The CryptoSpore’.

Secret-base A14 is a playful rounded environment that has attached fission cannons for defense and can house accessories via a subterranean network of garages. (These also serve as toy storage when not in use) Further, the top of the Microbe can be opened to reveal storage compartments  for the individual characters.

Please see additional provided concept art detailing some of the working parts of the base.