The first pirate action figures in almost twenty years are coming. The kickstarter is live now.
Ahoy there Planeteers! If you remember a few months ago, I brought you an interview with creator Quaid Cundall. Quaid was kind enough to spend some time with us and talk about his upcoming line of pirate action figures. I absolutely love all things pirate, so I was of course interested in this new line, especially when I saw how good the designs were. But after talking with Quaid, I fell in love with not just the line, but with his passion for this project. This is a labor of love and genuine passion for him.
Well, Quaid has been hard at work since we last talked, and his Tide Realm Corsairs launched their kickstarter at the start of May. I invited Quaid back to give us an update on this incredible project. So come sail the seas with Captain Quaid Cundall and learn how the Tide-Realm Corsairs are becoming a fantastic reality.
Since our last conversation, Tide‑Realm Corsairs has grown far beyond a cool pirate figure idea. What has changed the most between that first interview and where the line stands today?
The biggest shift has been clarity. When we first spoke, Tide‑Realm Corsairs was a passion project with a lot of raw energy behind it. Since then, the vision has sharpened into something fully realized — a world, a cast, and a product line that all reinforce each other. We’ve gone from “this would be cool” to “this is a fully developed universe with prototypes, lore, and a long‑term roadmap.” The momentum from the community has also been a huge part of that growth. Seeing people respond to the characters and the world has pushed us to elevate every aspect of the line.
When you look at the world now — the art, the lore, the characters — what part are you personally most proud of?
I’m most proud of how cohesive everything feels. The sculpts, the lore, the relics, the factions — they all speak the same creative language. It’s rare for a new line to have a unified identity this early, and that’s something I’ve worked very hard to build. The characters feel like they belong to the same mythos, and that’s incredibly rewarding.
Was there a moment during development where you realized, “This is bigger than just a toy line”?
Yes — the moment I saw the first fully painted prototype in hand. Holding a physical piece of this world made it clear that we weren’t just making figures; we were building a universe people could explore, customize, and tell stories with. That was the moment it clicked that Tide‑Realm Corsairs had the potential to become something much larger than a single wave of toys.
WORLD‑BUILDING & LORE
What makes the Tide‑Realm setting unique compared to traditional pirate stories?
Most pirate fiction leans heavily on historical realism or swashbuckling adventure. Tide‑Realm Corsairs takes that foundation and layers it with myth, deep‑sea magic, and ancient forces that shape the world as much as the characters do. The Tide‑Realm isn’t just an ocean — it’s a living, shifting battleground shaped by the remnants of god‑level beings. It’s familiar enough to feel grounded, but strange enough to feel limitless.
You’ve commissioned new illustrations and expanded the visual storytelling. How important is world‑building to the long‑term vision?
World‑building is the backbone of the entire brand. The figures are the entry point, but the world is what keeps people invested. Strong world‑building gives collectors context, gives customizers inspiration, and gives storytellers room to play. It also sets the stage for future waves, new factions, and new eras of the Tide‑Realm.
Are these characters part of a larger narrative arc? Should fans expect comics, fiction, or expanded storytelling down the line?
Absolutely. The characters are part of a much larger narrative framework. We’re already producing an audiobook that will release during the Kickstarter campaign, and that’s just the beginning. We have plans for expanded fiction, visual storytelling, and other formats as the line grows. The goal is to build a universe that fans can explore from multiple angles.
If someone backs the Kickstarter, what are they buying into beyond the figures themselves?
They’re buying into a world. The figures are the physical expression of a much larger mythos — one that includes lore, relics, factions, creatures, and a long‑term plan for storytelling. Backers are helping launch a universe that will continue to grow in depth and scope. And not just that. By nature of a Kickstarter, you’re not just supporting a product. You’re actually giving the brand new indie company the legs to stand on it needs in order to build a strong foundation and create a sustainable platform where product can not only continue to be produced but improve from year to year. You’re investing in the company’s ability to keep you fed with cool toys for years to come. Not just this first wave.
KICKSTARTER SPOTLIGHT
When does the Kickstarter go live, and where can readers sign up for notifications?
The Kickstarter launches May 1st. Readers can follow the project right now on our launch page to get notified the moment we go live.
What can fans expect when they land on the Kickstarter page?
A fully realized world. We’re putting a lot of effort into making the campaign feel like an immersive experience — clear character bios, high‑quality prototype photography, lore touchpoints, and a structure that makes it easy to understand what you’re getting and why it matters. We want the page to feel like the first chapter of an epic.
For someone who’s never backed a Kickstarter before, why is it important to jump in early?
Early momentum is everything. Kickstarter’s algorithm rewards a strong day‑one engagement, which helps push the project in front of more eyes. Early backers also help unlock stretch goals sooner, which benefits the entire community.
Is there an early‑bird strategy or day‑one momentum push fans should know about?
We’re encouraging fans to follow the pre‑launch page and jump in on day one. While we’re not able to offer traditional “early bird” pricing, early support directly impacts how quickly we can unlock additional content and stretch goals.
FROM KICKSTARTER TO FIGURES IN HAND
Walk us through the journey from funding to fulfillment.
Once the campaign funds, we move into final engineering, tooling, and production. From there, the figures go through paint mastering, factory QC, mass production, freight shipping, and finally fulfillment to backers. It’s a long chain, but we’re working with experienced partners to keep it smooth.
What are the biggest production challenges indie creators face?
Two things: cost and logistics. Tooling is incredibly expensive, and freight shipping has become unpredictable in recent years. Indie creators also have to manage everything themselves — communication, QC, timelines, and customer expectations. It’s a lot of moving parts.
How far along are the prototypes and manufacturing relationships?
Our Wave 1 prototypes are fully sculpted and painted. We’re in active communication with our manufacturing partners and have a clear path forward once funding is secured.
What steps are you taking to ensure quality control and timely delivery?
We’re working with experienced partners, including Four Horsemen Studios, who have a long track record of delivering high‑quality figures. We’re also building buffer time into our schedule and planning multiple QC checkpoints throughout production.
What does your ideal timeline look like from funding to fulfillment?
Our goal is to move efficiently but responsibly. Once funded, we’ll share a detailed timeline with backers, but our aim is to deliver within a realistic and transparent window that prioritizes quality.
STRETCH GOALS
Can you hint at the kinds of stretch goals you’ve planned?
Expect expansions that deepen the world and offer new ways to customize your crew. We’re building stretch goals that feel meaningful, not filler.
Were any stretch goals inspired by fan feedback?
Yes. The community has been vocal about certain archetypes they’d love to see, and we’ve taken that to heart.
How ambitious did you allow yourself to get?
Ambitious enough to excite people, but grounded enough to be achievable. We want stretch goals that feel like natural extensions of the world.
If the campaign exceeds expectations, how big could the Tide‑Realm become?
The Tide‑Realm is built to expand. We have plans for additional factions, creatures, historical pirates, and entirely new regions of the world. The potential is enormous.
CELEBRATING THE LINE
What makes Tide‑Realm Corsairs different from other 1:12 scale lines?
It blends high‑fantasy world‑building with the grit and texture of classic pirate fiction. The designs are unique, the silhouettes are striking, and the lore gives every figure a sense of purpose.
Three words to describe the line to a scrolling collector?
Epic. Nautical. Boundless.
Which Wave 1 figure are you most excited for people to get in hand?
Each captain brings something different, but there’s one in particular whose presence and silhouette really capture the spirit of the Tide‑Realm. I can’t wait for collectors to experience that for themselves.
What do you hope toy photographers, customizers, and storytellers do with these figures?
I hope they build their own legends. The Tide‑Realm is designed to be a sandbox — a place where people can create scenes, stories, customs, and entire crews that feel uniquely theirs.
CLOSING QUESTIONS
What would you say to fans who are on the fence about backing?
If the world, the characters, or the designs speak to you, this is the moment to help bring them to life. Kickstarter isn’t just a preorder — it’s a way to shape the future of the line. Early support helps unlock more figures, more factions, and more of the Tide‑Realm.
Tide‑Realm Corsairs feels like classic pulp adventure filtered through a modern fantasy lens. What pulp influences shaped this world?
The Tide‑Realm draws from the spirit of classic pirate myth — bold characters, dangerous seas, ancient mysteries — but reimagined through a modern lens. Think of the sense of discovery and danger from old adventure stories, combined with the mythic scale of contemporary fantasy. Tide-Realm Corsairs is crafted to define a genre that has remained undefined for far too long. Thank you SO much for your time and patience here, Mark. I’d love to hear any feedback and questions you may have for me before we decide how, when and where to roll this out.
One Final Addition from Quaid! Right as this article was going to print, Tide-Realm Corsairs just announced, beyond the three main captains we have seen, there will also be “Crew Builder Sets” available. I absolutely love the idea of army builder/customize focused figures. Here’s what Quaid had to say for this cool addition:
Tide Realm Corsairs Confirms Crew Builder Sets
Following the reveal of its initial captains, the development team is now confirming that additional figures are planned to expand each faction’s ranks, addressing one of the most frequently asked questions from the collector community.
At launch, Crew Builder Sets will support all three core factions within the line:
- The Gentlemen of Fortune
- The Perished
- The Tideborne
These sets are planned as stretch goals within the campaign and are already in active development. While specific designs and configurations won’t be revealed until the campaign is live, the inclusion of crew builders reinforces the line’s commitment to world-building, army building, and display versatility.
Thanks to Quaid, we also have a glimpse at the All-In package for for the Kickstarter. Check out all the goodies here, including the amazing color variants that will unlock!
We’ll end with this final bit from Captain Quaid himself. Be sure to get out there and back this
“Tide Realm Corsairs was always envisioned as more than a collection of individual characters,” the team shared. “It’s a living world—one where crews, factions, and rivalries can grow. Crew builders are a key part of bringing that vision to life.”
So there you go, Planeteers. One of my absolute favorite projects is going strong and getting closer to being in hand. I love this line already and I can’t wait to pose and shoot these. Kickstarter goes live May 1, 2026. I know I’ll be pledging day one. Hour one. Come along with me and join this fantastic crew.
