X (formerly Twitter)'s rival Mastodon is now making stuffed toys

[Garth Gator]

Mastodon, the open-source social network that’s been trumpeting its decentralized approach against X (formerly Twitter), has just unveiled its latest creation: a huggable, squeezable plush version of its mascot. This proto-elephant with impressive tusks isn’t just cute; it’s carrying the weight of the platform’s development on its stuffed shoulders, raising funds for its servers.

 

Priced at $45, the plushie is 35 cm (1.15 ft) tall, light-colored, and washable, making it as functional as it is charming. Mastodon describes it as “friend-sized and friend-shaped, with a soft surface material and soft, squishy stuffing… Perfect as a travel companion you can rest your head on, or to fill in for you at business meetings.”

 

 

Founder and CEO Eugen Rochko acknowledged in a blog post that while some would prefer a smaller design for display purposes, “the goal of the toy is to be a friend to those who need it, rather than simply collect dust.”

 

 

This plush release follows a successful run of other Mastodon-branded merchandise, including mugs, T-shirts, and pins, which sold out quickly. Responding to requests from users for a stuffed version of their mascot, Mastodon collaborated with artist Dopatwo to bring the design to life. 

 

The only requirements? It had to be cute, cuddly, and round—mission accomplished, it seems.

 

 

What can Twitter do? Make a soft toy shaped like an X?

 

Rochko added that the plushie has no official name or gender, leaving room for personal touches: “My prototype has received the name Mr Mastodon from a friend, and is sometimes referred to as ‘The Boy’ in the household. But everyone is free to pick for themselves.”

 

 

According to TechCrunch, within hours of its release, 176 plushies were sold, generating nearly $8,000—an amount that won’t cover a developer’s salary but will go toward essential server costs.

 

For now, the Mastodon Plushie is available only in the EU, with plans to expand shipping to the US, UK, and other regions once logistical delays are resolved.

 

• https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/15/x-rival-mastodon-has-started-selling-toys/ 
• https://shop.joinmastodon.org/products/mastodon-plushie 
• https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2024/04/mastodon-stuffed-toy-coming-soon/ 

 

 

Images: Mastodon [1][2]