Anniversary Re-Editions: The Next Big Thing in Brand Collabs?

Just when you thought brand collabs couldn’t get any more tired, along comes the concept of anniversary re-editions. Hurrah! That’s the pipeline sorted for the next decade.

A Blast from the Past: Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton

Back in 2003, Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton dropped a range of luggage at a time when such fashion collabs still felt kind of fresh and novel. Now the Japanese pop artist is teaming up with the fashion giant again for a follow-up 20th anniversary (or 22nd anniversary) collection.

A Lackluster Re-Release?

The fun little animation above, featuring Murakami’s panda character and a flowered-up Louis Vuitton logo, was released to drum up interest in the late encore. Alas, it looks set to be the most interesting thing about the re-collab. The products? Basically the same as last time, it seems: a bunch of bags with gaudy repetitions of one of the best fashion logos all over them. Who said fashion was fickle? If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, I guess.

A Special Leather Tag, At Least

Of course, I’m being facetious. LV wouldn’t release exactly the same product again. Instead, we’re told that each new item will be stamped with a special leather tag to distinguish it from pieces from the original drop. Thank goodness for that.

A Skateboard, Too?

Of course, I’m still being facetious. Below, the Tiktokker Fishmeatdie provides a fascinatingly detailed comparison of the new drop with the original. It appear that there’s a skateboard too. I dare you to hit the local skatepark on that, sir.

Waiting for the Drop

LV diehards are invited to join the waitlist. For more radical branding news, check out the new Jaguar Type 00 EV design concept.

Conclusion

It seems that anniversary re-editions are the next big thing in brand collabs. While some might see it as a lackluster re-release, others might appreciate the nostalgic value and the chance to own a piece of history. Only time will tell if this trend will take off or fizzle out.

FAQs

Q: What is the significance of the anniversary re-edition?
A: It marks the 20th (or 22nd) anniversary of the original Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton collaboration.

Q: Are the products the same as the original drop?
A: No, each new item will be stamped with a special leather tag to distinguish it from pieces from the original drop.

Q: Is there a skateboard in the new drop?
A: Yes, according to the comparison video by Fishmeatdie, there is a skateboard included in the new collection.

Q: Can I join the waitlist?
A: Yes, LV diehards are invited to join the waitlist for the new drop.

Moons of Darsalon Details

Publisher: Dr. Kucho! Games

Developer: Dr. Kucho

Release Date: 6 February 2025

Platform: Steam (out now), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch

Format: Unity

Indie Game Moons of Darsalon

Moons of Darsalon has been in development for over eight years, and is certainly a passion project for solo developer Dr. Kucho who has battled temperamental AI, publisher small print and depression to bring the game to the best consoles, following its 10/10 rated release on Steam.

Inspiration and Design

Inspired by classic retro games, comics and films from his childhood – a bit of Lemmings here, a nod to Dan Dare there, a glimpse of Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy – Dr Kucho reveals the game, its art direction and design, is actually a blend of old and new.

Gameplay and Features

The game’s core loop of venturing to pixel-art planets to rescue stranded explorers, shepherding them Lemmings-style using simple commands feels comforting, but the new tech gives the nostalgia a boost. The environments can be tunnelled into and broken apart, built on and destroyed.

Development Challenges

Developed using Unity – "Because when I started messing around with engines about 10 years ago, Unity was way better than the others – and it was free" – Moons of Darsalon has been in development for over eight years. The solo dev readily admits Unity isn’t built for pixel art, "at least for proper pixel art," he says, which has meant coding everything to stop pixels from distorting. "And even then, you’re battling different resolutions, GPUs, and decimal rounding issues across hardware. It’s insane," comments Dr Kucho.

Conclusion

Moons of Darsalon has taken so long to make, but the end result is a game that combines retro nostalgia with modern tech. The game’s unique art style, gameplay mechanics, and level design make it a standout title that is sure to appeal to fans of retro games and indie gaming.

FAQs

Q: What inspired the game’s art direction and design?
A: The game’s art direction and design were inspired by classic retro games, comics, and films from Dr. Kucho’s childhood.

Q: How long has the game been in development?
A: The game has been in development for over eight years.

Q: What challenges did the developer face during development?
A: The developer faced challenges such as temperamental AI, publisher small print, and depression.

Q: What is the game’s release date?
A: The game’s release date is 6 February 2025.

Q: What platforms will the game be available on?
A: The game will be available on Steam (out now), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch.

Jaguar’s Radical Repositioning: A Bold Move or a Risky Roll of the Dice?

In a world where big brands often play it safe, Jaguar’s radical repositioning was a bold move that dominated the news cycle and ensured all eyes were on its Miami EV unveiling. The brand’s partnership with Skepta, a renowned British rapper, was a significant departure from its traditional associations with the likes of Sir Ian McKellen. This pivot was aimed squarely at a younger, more "progressive" audience, but it also raised questions about the brand’s commitment to its heritage and traditional customers.

A Risky Roll of the Dice?

While the rebranding effort was undoubtedly attention-grabbing, it also drew scrutiny. This wasn’t just a minor design refresh or a tweak to a feline tail; it was a radical repositioning aimed at a new audience. Differentiation is crucial in the crowded luxury EV market, but without a clear connection between heritage and future vision, the rebranding effort may feel hollow.

The Question Remains: Does Jaguar Have the Substance to Match the Style?

For me, the question remains: does Jaguar have the substance to match the style? Was this a bold strategic play at redefining its brand, or a risky roll of the dice? The brand’s goal is to be relevant in the luxury EV market, but to achieve this, it must differentiate itself without alienating its traditional customer base.

A Concern for Core Audience

Alienating a core audience, those who see Jaguar as a timeless symbol of classic British luxury, is a significant risk. For decades, the Jaguar brand has been synonymous with elegance and high-performance engineering. While all brands should plan for new customers, they should also remember that younger buyers may not be the ones driving immediate sales. The traditional customers who have sustained Jaguar for decades may feel like an afterthought.

Geographic Focus and Brand Activation

The brand’s geographic focus is another area of concern. While the shift from a UK-centric perspective may be necessary, it’s crucial not to forget the value of "Britishness" in the luxury car market. With Italian and German brands dominating the market, it’s essential to find a way to bring this heritage to the fore.

The Story of the Brand

A rebrand is an opportunity for a company to tell its story to the world, to show up on people’s radars, and reframe perceptions. With Jaguar, we’ve seen plenty of showing up, but very little storytelling. The brand’s pivot should be accompanied by a clear narrative, but instead, it seems to rely on clichés of originality and lean heavily into a representation of originality that gets lost in the culture wars.

Conclusion

Jaguar’s radical repositioning is a bold move, but it’s crucial for the brand to match the style with substance. The test isn’t just whether people notice the change but whether they believe in it enough to invest. As Marty Neumeier, an American author and brand strategist, might say: "don’t just zig when others zag – make sure the zig leads somewhere worth going."

FAQs

Q: What is Jaguar’s goal with its radical repositioning?
A: Jaguar aims to be relevant in the luxury EV market, but differentiating itself without alienating its traditional customer base.

Q: Is this repositioning a risk for Jaguar?
A: Yes, it’s a risk, as it alienates a core audience and may not be cohesive with its heritage and traditional customers.

Q: What is the concern about the brand’s geographic focus?
A: The brand’s shift from a UK-centric perspective may forget the value of "Britishness" in the luxury car market, allowing Italian and German brands to dominate.

Q: How should Jaguar approach its rebranding effort?
A: Jaguar should focus on telling its story, showing up on people’s radars, and reframing perceptions, rather than relying on clichés of originality.

In 1997, was there a sense that Final Fantasy VII was going to be something special?

Massively so. We were absolutely thrilled to be working on the title and knew it was going to be one of the most exciting video games ever released. Hype around the game was huge – and when we were supplied the assets for the campaign we were so impressed with the quality of the renders; we’d never seen anything like it before and were blown away by them. At that point, we knew it would be a special job to be working on.

With FFVII the series jumped to 3D and embraced a futuristic, cyberpunk aesthetic. Was it a challenge to convey this new look while staying true to the series’ roots?

The key art had already been done at that point in time but it was very clean and simple which we really liked. We knew we’d have to produce something very special for this, and at the time bricks-and-mortar retail was the absolute king, so translating the key art into in-store point of sale was a massive responsibility.

With artwork created in Japan, we had a suite of assets supplied and a huge range of restrictions about what we could and couldn’t do artistically – a big part of the brand building was to ensure total consistency, so we had to adhere to some very tight brand guidelines. Of course, that consistency paid off over the decades as Final Fantasy grew into one of the most beloved brands of all time.

The next game, Final Fantasy VIII, was the first time that the series’ characters were realistically proportioned – how did this change inform the Fluid team’s work on the ad art?

As the direction moved towards more realistic proportions, the emotional connection between gamer and character became stronger, and I think that’s reflected in the direction of the campaign. There’s a sense of resonance and affinity which could be developed in a more meaningful way, through an emotional, evocative, simple approach.

In 2008, Fluid team returned to the world of FFVII for Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Before, the likes of Cloud, Aerith, Zack and Sephiroth had been unknown – now, they were iconic. Did this affect how the team approached the ad art?

As the brand grew, gamers’ sense of affinity with the characters began to explode. Cloud, for example, was developing into an iconic character, and the fact they were recognisable allowed us to position them as the heroes or icons they were becoming. It was a show of faith in the characters and a testament to the growing love the passionate community had for the game.

Finally, in 2024 we have Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and another set of media kits. I love the choices made, especially incorporating the classic Shinra Electric Power Company logo. Can you take us through them?

Thank you! We looked to create a bold tactile kit – of the gameworld – that visually represented the travel into the wilderness and search for Sephiroth storyline.

As usual, we wanted the kit to be an immersive unboxing experience: a collectible keepsake with exquisite attention to detail that gave the 250 recipients insight into the game’s creation and storyline – whilst delivering kit-exclusive content, based on actual in-game items. A kit to honour both the FFVII Rebirth game and Final Fantasy franchise.

The box was embellished with an inner gatefold panel featuring localised marketing copy and stories from Creative Director Tetsuya Nomura, Director Naoki Hamaguchi and Producer Yoshinori Kitase, introducing the game and acknowledging its place in gaming lore. These three stories were randomly distributed across the recipients, to create buzz of “Which did you receive?”.

The kit was designed to look distressed, like it could have been found in the wilderness (of the planet) on Cloud’s travels. We also referenced the main characters being part of eco-terrorist insurgent group Avalanche – utilising an array of eco-credential materials: 100% recycled kraft paper; papers sourced from sustainable forests and/or produced using 100% green energy; recycled card; energy efficient LED neon; recyclable eco-bubble wrap; and biodegradable mailers.

Conclusion

The Fluid team has had the privilege of working on various Final Fantasy games, starting from the iconic Final Fantasy VII in 1997. Over the years, the team has developed a deep understanding of the franchise and its characters, which has allowed them to create memorable and impactful ad art. From the early days of 3D gaming to the modern era of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the team has consistently delivered high-quality work that has helped to shape the franchise into what it is today.

FAQs

Q: What was the biggest challenge in working on Final Fantasy VII’s ad art?
A: The biggest challenge was translating the key art into in-store point of sale, while adhering to tight brand guidelines and ensuring consistency.

Q: How did the team approach the ad art for Final Fantasy VIII?
A: The team approached the ad art by focusing on the emotional connection between the gamer and character, using a simple yet evocative approach to convey the game’s story.

Q: What was the inspiration behind the design of the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth media kits?
A: The inspiration was to create a bold tactile kit that visually represented the game’s storyline and gave recipients insight into the game’s creation and storyline.