WYOMISSING, PA – Verde Mantis, a coworking company that emerged from the Penn State Berks LaunchBox, is partnering with TheGeekGrid Studios to bring a Fallout 76 life-size suit of armor to life in preparation for the upcoming PA S.T.E.A.M. Fest on Aug. 21-22. Fallout 76 is an online action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios, in which players explore an open world that has been torn apart by nuclear war.

In 2019, Penn State alumnus Joe Sinclair founded Verde Mantis LLC, the first company in the area to be focused on making 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, easy to use. The innovative 3D Mantis Printer automates the 3D-printing process, thereby eliminating the 3D-printing learning curve. 

The new venture emerged from the Penn State Berks LaunchBox, located within the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading. Sinclair attributes his lifelong interest in additive manufacturing to his introduction to 3D printing at the Penn State Berks Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (CEED) Center, more than 10 years ago. The Flemming CEED Center is located in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building at Penn State Berks. Verde Mantis is Sinclair’s third startup company focused on 3D printing.

“We are honored to announce our partnership with TheGeekGrid Studios on a project dedicated to the T60 Armor set in the popular video game Fallout 76. This project will highlight the Mantis 3D Printer and its ease of use, which allows creators and makers to create projects faster and easier than ever before,” explained Sinclair. “This is an amazing opportunity for two local companies to work together to highlight the elements of 3D printing, gaming, cosplay, and STEAM creativity, all wrapped in one.”

In this collaboration, Verde Mantis will use its expertise in 3D-printing technology, 3D modeling, engineering, and print finishing and painting, while TheGeekGrid Studios will provide knowledge of gaming and cosplay to guide the replication and creation of the life-size armor. The two companies plan to document their journey, from designing, printing and replicating the armor, through live feeds, blogs and videos. Their goal is to help cosplayers bring their own creations to life. 

For more information on Verde Mantis, contact Many Heard at mandy@mantis3dprinter.com or visit the Verde Mantis website for more information regarding this event. 

About TheGeekGrid Studios

TheGeekGrid Studios, formerly known as WeDiscoverGeeks, was founded in 2013 by Kat Mahoney in order to provide information to parents, educators, and community members on the positive effects of today's video games, social media, and STEAM education. Mahoney is a mother of three; two of her children are diagnosed with “high-functioning Autism.” Her experience with these concept helped her own children to overcome many educational and emotional obstacles and proved invaluable to their growth and development.  

About PA S.T.E.A.M. Fest 

In 2018, Mahoney founded the PA S.T.E.A.M. Fest in cooperation with ArtsQuest in Bethlehem. The festival brings STEAM education awareness to families, digital educators, businesses, institutes, and community members. PA S.T.E.A.M. Fest focuses on a mix of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Makers (STEAM) and Video Games centered around a post-modern industrial theme with steampunk, gothic, and post-apocalyptic sub-genres. The event is held at Bethlehem SteelStacks.​