Owen Morrison
Member
In one of speedcubing.org's recent videos, Daniel proves that all Gan cubes are basically the same by putting together a cube that uses pieces from the 5 most recent Gan 3x3s.
I would say that most of the hype comes from pre-orders being out on cube stores. I don't think that many cubers are old enough to have Instagram, and if they do have Instagram im not sure how much cubing they are looking for on there. I might just be weird but I never go on Instagram to see cubing stuff, I go there for athletics and stuff (probably because I prioritize athletics over cubing). I mean I was extremely hyped when I saw the RS3 2020 on TC for pre-order since I hadn't seen it anywhere else, and after looking at reviews it made me even more exited, but I don't see reviews first most of the time unless it was something like the valk elite where it was in development seemingly forever and it was a huge deal when testers got it. But I almost never buy a cube solely because I saw it listed at TC. The only time I did that was with the MGC 6x6 since my local vendor got it right as it came out and a comp happened to be the same day that they came in and since it was cheap, I got it (thats also the cube that made YJ my favorite company). But with stuff like GAN cubes, I saw the Air M promotion, got exited because I thought GAN was going to make something similar to the Air line of cubes that have superior stability to their modern cubes. Then I watched Dana's review and got upset that it was the same thing all over again. At least with the XS it was a little different from the X, so It's a better release from GAN even though it has many flaws.I know this is an old post, but I want you to answer this and tell me if I’m just being silly or if I’m actually making a decent point here. For the average cuber, how much of the hype for the new Gan cubes comes from Gan marketing their products on platforms like Instagram, and how much of the hype comes from places like cube stores and cubing youtubers? I feel like back when I was a mere uneducated slow cuber who was not on these forums, wondering which cube was the best, I would go to TheCubicle’s website, and see on the homepage “awesome new cool different Cube from Gan, the Gan xs”,
Again, I think that the XS was a better release from gan since it was different, but they only reason that they switched is that its different. The reason why no one that already had the X switch to the M, or people that had the XS switch to the Air M, is because they dont have a reason to, its just the same cube. The only reason I would see someone switching to the M or Air M from an X or XS is that their X/XS was dying and they wanted a replacement, and luckily for them, the M is an X and the Air M is an XS. Regarding the Valk Power, I think that Qiyi did imply that it was better, but they didn't do that to the degree that GAN did with the Air M and M. If Qiyi really wanted to say that the Valk Power was definitively better, then they wouldn't have made the Valk M that had a release that was more than a year later than the Valk Power. I also think that the community behind the Valk lineup was a little smarter in terms of knowledge on puzzle design. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of people that main GAN cubes that have vast knowledge in cube design, but overall the users of the valk tend to have more experience and knowledge in cube design than GAN users. Valk users tend to be more experienced in cubing since they value stability and control instead of just pure conercutting and "Clout". That sounds kind of dumb, I know, but from the comps I have been to the faster people are the less likely the chance that they use a GAN puzzle. And since the Valk users don't main a cube for the release date or price, they just went off their own times and then chose weather to switch to the Valk Power or stay with the Valk.Or I would type Gan xs reviews into YouTube and see all these YouTubers switching from the Gan x to the xs, as though it was a better and different cube. What I wouldn’t do is go to the Gan instagram page and see their latest post saying “brand new mechanisms with all new magnet adjustment system”. Am I the only one who feels like this? For your example with the Valk power, I don’t think that they marketed it as an “alternative.” The Valk power was the latest and greatest cube in the Valk line, and the only people who said otherwise were outside of qiyi as a company.
Gan makes good cubes. They make great cubes, amazing cubes. No one can deny that(I'm sure that even someone like Kit Clement(who hates Gan cubes(and also Gan)) would say that they just don't fit his preference). The problem that people have with Gan is that almost all their recent cubes have been very similar to each other. Gan doesn't make unique cubes. But their cubes are still good
It was better for a lot of people, but there were still people that switched to the Power, and I can applaud Qiyi for making) 5 different puzzles that are competition viable in the MS, Valk, Valk Elite, Valk Power, and Wuwei (and also the Thunderclap v3 after a spring swap for a few people). Sure, Gan made 9 Puzzles that are competition viable, but they are all the same 2 cubes with a slight alteration in size, core, and magnets.I had both and the Valk 3 was significantly better.
I actually think that your claim that GAN is paying off their sponsors isn't completely true
Sorry, I wasn't very clear with that statement. I was referring to this sentence from @I'm A CuberI'm not sure where you think I said this, but I'm sorry if I gave off that impression. That statement implies that sponsored cubers (myself included) have no integrity. It would be very irresponsible of me to suggest that.
The only video I can recall mentioning this at all is in a video I did with Phil where we talked about Gan cubes and sponsorship where I cite Feliks using the XS. My point was not to say that Feliks is being paid off, just that there's monetary incentive for him to use whatever is the flagship at the time. It's a bit pedantic, but saying whether someone is "paid" or "paid off" is very different. The latter implies using money to cover up a problem whereas the former just suggests that there is incentive to say good things about something, regardless of its quality. It's an important nuance in my opinion.
I don't think that this is true at face value, but I'm sure that GAN is coaxing their sponsorees to use their products in some capacity, even if they are inferior. For example, I don't think that Rami Sbahi thinks that the 251 is the best on the market, but he uses it anyway even though the MGC Elite or Valk have a high likelihood of being better for him.I think that Gan is paying off everybody reviewing their products to say that each cube is new and different
He didn’t choose Moyu because they kind of used him when he got the WR on one of their cubes a while back.Feliks has said many times that he uses gans cube by choice and for those of you that dont remember feliks was once asked to be sponsored from moyu but refused because he liked gan more also there are many people who use the xs by choice eg one of the most respected cubing youtubers J perm
Speaking of that. It was more evil and unenthical than anything gan has ever done by a magnitude.He didn’t choose Moyu because they kind of used him when he got the WR on one of their cubes a while back.
Though not saying it was evil and unethical, just moreSpeaking of that. It was more evil and unenthical than anything gan has ever done by a magnitude.
lol I was 99% jokingSorry, I wasn't very clear with that statement. I was referring to this sentence from @I'm A Cuber
I don't think that this is true at face value, but I'm sure that GAN is coaxing their sponsorees to use their products in some capacity, even if they are inferior. For example, I don't think that Rami Sbahi thinks that the 251 is the best on the market, but he uses it anyway even though the MGC Elite or Valk have a high likelihood of being better for him.
Now with the Gan 11 coming out, I'm wondering if GAN will actually make something unique for the first time in 2 years. Has there been any mech leaks?
That's true, but I would dare to ask if they change their designs to where it matters.GAN changes its designs, just not where it's that visible.
In one of speedcubing.org's recent videos, Daniel proves that all Gan cubes are basically the same by putting together a cube that uses pieces from the 5 most recent Gan 3x3s.
I think the real problem is the buisness model. They put a lot of bells and whistles most people aren't going to use to the fill potential.Price isnt always just what people will pay. It has to ensure a profit for GAN. Bear in mind its not only the cheap plastic and magnets. Gan also have to cover research and development which they seem to do more than others, say with customisation and the 356i.
Admittedly this should only make them slightly More expensive than the competition as they also need research and development.
After research and development, Gan make decisions on which ideas go forward. They seem to be the brand who are least price driven in these decisions, they regularly bring out complicated cubes with new components, that other brands might leave on the drawing board to ensure they can hit a price point. None of these decisions necessary mean Gans R and D is better, just that the way the make decisions means their cubes are likely to be more expensive.
Additionally we need to consider marketing. Gan seem to spend significantly more sponsoring cubers, competitions, you tubers etc etc. All that costs money and the only way they can do that is by including it in the cost of a cube.
Its a pretty standard business model. And it might make you feel better (or worse!) to know that buying a gan cube is also supporting people they support like Max and Feliks, and the events they support, like the world cups.
This also means alot of what you pay isn't going into increasing the quality of the cube you're buying!
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