DNA DESIGN | About DK-96: Design Explanation & Future Development Plan

First, here is the most direct conclusion:

We will develop DK-96C.

The following explanation is a bit detailed, as we would like to clearly explain the original design concept behind DK-96, as well as our plans for future development.

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Hello everyone,

Since DK-96 was announced, we have continued to follow discussions across different platforms, and we have received a great deal of feedback and suggestions regarding the product’s design direction, combined mode, and possible future upgrades.

We understand that the current design direction of DK-96 is somewhat different from what some fans originally expected.

Because of the questions and discussions this has created, we would like to use this post to explain the original design considerations behind DK-96, as well as our plans for future development.

At the same time, we would also like to apologize for not communicating these design intentions clearly enough in the early stages.

Thank you for being willing to share your genuine thoughts with us directly. 

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Q1 | What was the original design concept behind DK-96?

From the very beginning of development, the main design direction of DK-96 was:

“Upgrades for the individual figures.”

Because of this, most of the parts and functions included in the kit were designed primarily to improve the overall appearance, playability, and display options of each character in robot mode, vehicle mode, and as individual figures.

Only a limited number of design elements were intended to extend into the combined mode.

However, through the feedback we received after the announcement, we now clearly understand that:

Many fans expect more from Nexus P than upgrades to the individual characters. They also want further improvements to the complete combined mode.

We have received that message clearly, and this demand will now be incorporated into our future product development plans.

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Q2 | Why does the DK-96 combined-mode head require a separate rear head piece?

The main reason is:

There is not enough physical storage space inside the original figure.

If we wanted the larger combined-mode head to remain completely integrated and stored inside both the robot and vehicle modes without removing any parts, the available internal space of the original figure would not be sufficient for the head proportions we wanted to achieve.

However, we still wanted the combined-mode head to have a fuller and more complete silhouette.

For this reason, we ultimately added a separate rear head enhancement piece.

This design allows for two different ways to use the kit:

With the rear head piece installed - The combined-mode head has a fuller and more complete shape and proportion.

Without the rear head piece installed - The figure can retain a fully integrated transformation without removing parts.

We wanted to leave that choice to the player. Depending on your own collecting and play preferences, you can choose between a more complete appearance or a fully integrated transformation.

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Q3 | Why didn’t DK-96 include a dedicated Nexus P combiner frame from the beginning?

During the original planning stage of DK-96, one of our considerations was that:

The official manufacturer might release a related combiner frame or supporting product later.

Because of this possibility, we did not immediately begin developing another complete combiner frame at that time.
In addition, there are still two related characters that have not yet been fully revealed.

Our original plan was to wait until the designs, structures, and complete lineup of the remaining official characters became clearer before evaluating the next stage of upgrades for Nexus P’s full combined mode.

Our thinking at the time was:

If the official manufacturer could provide the necessary combiner components through larger-scale production, the overall cost for players would usually be more reasonable than having a third-party company develop and manufacture those parts separately in smaller quantities.

However, after DK-96 was announced, the large amount of feedback we received made one thing very clear:

The demand for a dedicated Nexus P combiner frame is significantly higher than we originally expected.
Because of this, we have re-evaluated our original product plan and will adjust our future development direction accordingly.

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Q4 | Will DNA DESIGN develop a dedicated combiner frame for Nexus P?

Yes.

We have now officially added a dedicated Nexus P combiner frame to our future development plan.

At this stage, we will first complete the female Prime-related development project that is currently in progress.

After that is completed, we will begin further design research and development for the Nexus P combiner frame.

Before the complete official character information is revealed, we will also begin preliminary research based on the currently revealed characters and silhouettes, including:

Overall proportions
Body structure
Joint configuration
Weight-bearing capability
Range of articulation
Part interference
Connection methods with the existing figures

However, we would also like to make one point clear in advance: A complete combiner frame is a relatively complex product from an engineering perspective.

From visual design and mechanical structure to joint strength, weight-bearing tests, part revisions, tooling, and final production, the product must go through multiple rounds of testing and verification.

For this reason, we do not want to announce a specific release date before the design has been sufficiently tested and validated.

Our team will continue pushing the project forward as much as possible.

Our current goal is:

To complete the major design work and engineering verification within this year, and depending on actual development progress, push the project as far as possible toward tooling and production.

Once we have progress that is suitable for an official announcement, we will share further updates through our official channels.

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Finally, thank you for all your feedback

Once again, thank you to everyone who has followed and discussed DK-96.

Whether your feedback is supportive, critical, or offers a completely different direction, as long as it is rational, specific, and constructive, we will read it seriously and take it into consideration.

During product development, we may not always be able to meet every player’s expectations perfectly.

However, direct and genuine feedback from the community helps us understand much more quickly what players truly care about, and it also helps us re-evaluate our original design direction.

DK-96 was originally developed primarily around upgrading the individual figures. And now, we have also clearly heard your demand for a complete combined-mode upgrade.

We will carry this feedback forward into our future development. Once again, thank you for your continued support, patience, and suggestions for DNA DESIGN.