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Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:42 pm
by Seibertron
Sabrblade wrote:Clarification on the decision to use this mold from Jesse Wittenrich's Twitter:

Initially there was some indecision about what mold to use for Megaplex. Character-wise there had to be a toy for him. But there weren't many of the available jets that worked. So there was some hemming and hawing as they were mulled over. And then Fun Pub got their hands on the Dreadwing mold! Pretty much everyone that had a chance to play around with it loved it. Seriously, if you never got TF Prime Dreadwing, go out and get one now. It's a fantastic toy. After the mold was decided, then came the discussion about the head. It's not your typical Megatron bucket head, but we noticed a few things about it that worked for Megaplex. Like the other Machine Wars fans out there, we really enjoyed the...quirks of the original packaging. And looking at Megaplex's original art. We saw something. Since Megaplex reused UK Falcon's box art, he had these funky eyebrows sweeping off the sides of his head. Megaplex art: http://tfu.info/1997/Decepticon/Megaplex/megaplex.htm … Falcon art: http://tfu.info/1992/Decepticon/Falcon/falcon.htm … Then we looked at Dreadwing. And he too had funky eyebrows sweeping off the sides of his head. But Dreadwing still had this very distinct styling to his helmet with all of its curvatures and ornamentation. Then we looked at Skywarp's styling (and a couple of the souvenir figures) and we saw that same style and ornamentation on Dreadwing's head. And putting them all together, they looked like a team. They looked very cohesive - the sculpts just fit together perfectly. So we stepped back and looked at everything. A fantastic mold, a head that - while not the first thing we thought of - still worked. And the decision was made. Megaplex had his mold!And yes, the mold came available VERY late in the planning stages. But there was still a little bit of time to discuss the head.


This sounds like rationalizing a poor decision. Where's the discussion about how much more money it would have cost to make a head instead and how much more that would have increased the cost of the set or concerns about making the set too expensive that it wouldn't sell, etc? You know, the actual business side of these decisions instead that allow cost saving measures such as this to go through?

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:43 pm
by Seibertron
Sabrblade wrote:With a slight modification to the head connector, the GDO Megatron head can fit onto the Dreadwing mold.

Note: Not my pic.

Image


Please no. That is a horrible Megatron head.

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:45 pm
by PrymeStriker
Jesse Wittenrich wrote:Seriously, if you never got TF Prime Dreadwing, go out and get one now. It's a fantastic toy.


Go out and get one? How? You can't find the damn thing.

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:50 pm
by Seibertron
PrymeStriker wrote:
Megatron Wolf wrote:But with that aside how come theres no remolding? If hes suppose to be a clone of megatron shouldnt he look like megatron? The original toy did.


Because four new heads is the limit, and they already used them on Hoist, Skywarp, Strika, and Obsidian.


While I understand that, it's unfortunate that those choices were made. Megaplex should have had a new head over everyone else. He's the clone of Megatron. If he doesn't have a Megatron head, then he's not very clone like and definitely not very Megatron-like with a jet for a body. What made the original Machine Wars Megaplex believable was that he had a Megatron head so the jet mode worked. When you remove the Megatron head, the jet body goes out the window for Megaplex being a Megatron clone.

What's unfortunate about this choice is that I can easily see Megaplex/Dreadwing/Skyquake now being painted into "Megatron" to help pull off the whole Megaplex is a clone of Megatron bit. That's the part that really makes me cringe.

Order of importance for new heads: Megaplex, Strika and Obsidian. Hoist was a waist because they should've just used the Movie 2007 TRU Hoist in MW colors. If he wasn't available, they shouldn't have done him. Skywarp would've been fine as a MW colors Classics Seeker (which I'm sure a lot of you are extremely tired of getting the most used mold EVER) or figured out something else for him.

These sets are becoming increasingly frustrating year after year ever since the 2009 set (and arguably the 2008 and 2007 sets depending on where you stand with the Classic seekers and Shattered Glass).

Re: Why I think this year's Botcon Boxset Stinks

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:51 pm
by Seibertron
Mkall wrote:Anyone who knows me well knows that I will be quick to call FunPub out on errors, but just as quick to jump to their defence. In every previous Botcon Boxset I found far more positives than I did negatives.

Not so this year's. In my oppinion Fun Pub messed up in their Boxset design. Here's why I believe this to be the case

First, only 3/5 characters are actually from Machine Wars. This is the Box Set that is teased publicly to every fan out there. They have been saying "Machine Wars" for the last 4 months which means the box set SHOULD BE Machine Wars, not Machine Wars and others... this was supposed to bring people to the event and cause excitement, not cause confusion. Don't get me wrong, I like Strika and Obsidian, but they should've been attendee-only figures in their own pack of two.

Second, the aesthetics are all over the place. There have one movie mold, one TF: Prime mold and 3 Universe/Generations/Classics Molds. Sure the molds may "work" for the individual character, but they don't work for those who like a unified look... If I get the box (big If right now), then I'm going to leave some in the box because they don't work with the aesthetics I collect.

I think I'm just going to get the few figures I like off of eBay this year. Sorry but this is a low set for me. The lowest in a very long time.


I merged your topic with the other 5 topics and turned it into a massive Machine Wars: Termination discussion topic.

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:03 pm
by Sabrblade
Seibertron wrote:Please no. That is a horrible Megatron head.
Truth be told, I agree. Though, I find it to be more "silly" looking than outright "horrible". 8-} But I agree that it doesn't look right.

On the other hand, the un-Megatron-like smirk does kinda seem fitting for a guy whose supposed to be a fake Megatron, in a "looks like Megatron and yet doesn't seem like Megatron" sort of way. ;)

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:11 pm
by Sinnertwin
PrymeStriker wrote:
Jesse Wittenrich wrote:Seriously, if you never got TF Prime Dreadwing, go out and get one now. It's a fantastic toy.


Go out and get one? How? You can't find the damn thing.


:lol: They're practically shelfwarming everywhere, didn't you know ? ;)

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:18 pm
by Sabrblade
Sinnertwin wrote:
PrymeStriker wrote:
Jesse Wittenrich wrote:Seriously, if you never got TF Prime Dreadwing, go out and get one now. It's a fantastic toy.


Go out and get one? How? You can't find the damn thing.


:lol: They're practically shelfwarming everywhere, didn't you know ? ;)
Ah, you must mean the Cyberverse Commander class version. :P

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:23 pm
by Nemesis Maximo
I can dig it, I jost...don't. I am not a Geewunner, but I wish they would keep the sets aesthetically similar.

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:22 pm
by RiddlerJ
Maybe they should've used one of the CHUG Megatron molds in Megaplex's colors and just scrapped the jet idea. WFC Megatron was a flying tank.

It's a shame they didn't wait a couple years for this theme. They could've used the new IDW Megatron jet mold that's coming out.

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:25 pm
by Dr. Caelus
Cybershark wrote:And making characters that literally Nobody wants or cares about in Machine Wars and Beast Machines?


Actually, I really want Obsidian and Strika, and I'd want Dreadwing if they'd painted him like MW Starscream.

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:33 pm
by Shadowstream
If by "Machine Wars Themed" they mean a bunch of random exclusive repaints that no one in their right mind would give a second look, then yeah that sounds about right.

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:40 pm
by Mkall
I will say this in The Club's defence about their Machine Wars themed set: They chose molds from different lines. Remember that the small figs were new articulated molds and the bigger figs were all G1.5 molds, so in that they're celebrating the line's diversity...

...yeah even I can't convince myself of that one.

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:42 pm
by Seibertron
Mkall wrote:I will say this in The Club's defence about their Machine Wars themed set: They chose molds from different lines. Remember that the small figs were new articulated molds and the bigger figs were all G1.5 molds, so in that they're celebrating the line's diversity...

...yeah even I can't convince myself of that one.


I'm right there with you. I don't think anyone actually cares about that. It was a retail exclusive line full of repaints and molds that were never used in G2 or released in the US for G1.

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:42 pm
by Mindmaster
Cybershark wrote:And making characters that literally Nobody wants or cares about in Machine Wars and Beast Machines?


"Nobody" seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. There are a some people who are excited for this set. I've never owned a BotCon set ever, and I would love to get my hands on it, just to have 1) the thrill of owning a set and 2) Classics-ish Strika and Obsidian. Plus, Megaplex would be somewhat interesting, if it wasn't for the laziness on FunPub's part and not doing a new head for him.

Show me a chart with all the statistics, and citations, then I'll yield. >:oP

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:13 pm
by ILL-Star
I agree with FunPub. Even before the Machine Wars theme was revealed I thought Dreadwing's head resembled Megatron's. Plus G2 Soundwave is a clone of G1 Soundwave and he looks entirely different, including his head. Same with G2 Mirage and Bumblebee. In this Universe, being a clone doesn't mean that they look identicle. They carry over iconic traits and personalities. And remember that they're also modified by Jhiaxus. And though I feel that everything in this set makes sense, what does it matter anyway? I'd rather have characters Hasbro's not likely to release again than another stupid Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and all the other typical names.

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:37 pm
by Rated X
Seibertron wrote:
Rated X wrote:
Seibertron wrote:This would have worked with a new G1 styled Megatron head. But without it, it doesn't look like a clone of Megatron at all. It looks like a recolored Dreadwing. Megaplex with a new head would have sold the set alone. I thought reveals 3 through 5 were supposed to be the ones that wowed us all?

:HEADHURTS: :HEADHURTS: :HEADHURTS: :HEADHURTS: :HEADHURTS:

And for good measure ...

:michaelbay:

And they wonder why there's such an explosion of 3rd party products over the past 1/2 decade. These poor decisions/choices to save a buck are really frustrating. Believe in your products, do them right so that no explanations are needed, toss in a modified weapon for Hoist so he's got a tow hook, a new head for Megatron Megaplex, and charge us 20 to 50 bucks more for the set.


So if Dr. Wu makes a Megatron head that installs easy without damaging the figure, are you in ?


Of course not ... just saying they should do it right the first time.



I agree they should get it right the first time. But seeing as how the Funpub heads arent original to the Hasbro mold anyways, Im suprised you wouldnt support someone righting this wrong. Wasnt the Longarm 2012 custom class Shockwave head and cannon not made by the Hasbro factory ? Werent they 3rd party parts added to the kit by Funpub ? Maybe if we create a buzz on these fansites we can get them to do something like that. 4 months is enough time for any resin artist if the money is right...

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:44 pm
by Manterax Prime
Welp.....there's $400 I won't be shelling out....yet....

Maybe the souvenir and attendee exclusive figs will win me over.
I'd really like to go this year as I've never been to Botcon, but something has to catch me......

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:52 pm
by Seibertron
Rated X wrote:I agree they should get it right the first time. But seeing as how the Funpub heads arent original to the Hasbro mold anyways, Im suprised you wouldnt support someone righting this wrong. Wasnt the Longarm 2012 custom class Shockwave head and cannon not made by the Hasbro factory ? Werent they 3rd party parts added to the kit by Funpub ? Maybe if we create a buzz on these fansites we can get them to do something like that. 4 months is enough time for any resin artist if the money is right...


My resin accessories are not with my Longarm figure. I just want them to do this set right. Frustrating to see poor or bad decisions being made.

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:03 pm
by Rated X
Seibertron wrote:
Rated X wrote:I agree they should get it right the first time. But seeing as how the Funpub heads arent original to the Hasbro mold anyways, Im suprised you wouldnt support someone righting this wrong. Wasnt the Longarm 2012 custom class Shockwave head and cannon not made by the Hasbro factory ? Werent they 3rd party parts added to the kit by Funpub ? Maybe if we create a buzz on these fansites we can get them to do something like that. 4 months is enough time for any resin artist if the money is right...


My resin accessories are not with my Longarm figure. I just want them to do this set right. Frustrating to see poor or bad decisions being made.



So Im guessing one of these two things...

A. You disapprove of Funpub adding the resin Shockwave head to the kit behind Hasbro's back ?

OR

B. You just prefer the Longarm Jazz head ? (I know you dont like SG purple Autobots)

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:15 pm
by Seibertron
Rated X wrote:
Seibertron wrote:
Rated X wrote:I agree they should get it right the first time. But seeing as how the Funpub heads arent original to the Hasbro mold anyways, Im suprised you wouldnt support someone righting this wrong. Wasnt the Longarm 2012 custom class Shockwave head and cannon not made by the Hasbro factory ? Werent they 3rd party parts added to the kit by Funpub ? Maybe if we create a buzz on these fansites we can get them to do something like that. 4 months is enough time for any resin artist if the money is right...


My resin accessories are not with my Longarm figure. I just want them to do this set right. Frustrating to see poor or bad decisions being made.



So Im guessing one of these two things...

A. You disapprove of Funpub adding the resin Shockwave head to the kit behind Hasbro's back ?

OR

B. You just prefer the Longarm Jazz head ? (I know you dont like SG purple Autobots)


I don't disapprove of it. They can do whatever they want. Not sure what you mean by not liking SG purple Autobots.

Please don't turn this topic into something it's not. This topic is not here to discuss my views on 3rd party products.

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:24 pm
by Sabrblade
Found this. Thought is was funny.

Image

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:26 pm
by RAcast
Sabrblade wrote:Found this. Thought is was funny.

Image

XD Except that Botcon Machine Wars Megaplex =/= Megatron's stand in, according to his bio at least.

Of course, the original MW Megaplex was still a different color than Megatron... still not inconspicuous. >.>;

Re: BotCon 2013 Machine Wars Megaplex Revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:36 pm
by Bounti76
Seibertron wrote:I just want them to do this set right. Frustrating to see poor or bad decisions being made.



What do you feel are the poor/bad decisions here, the Machine Wars theme, or the way the molds are done? What would you have done differently? Just wondering.

Re: Botcon 2013 "Machine Wars: Termination" set revealed

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:51 pm
by KNM2012
Yeah... No. Hasbro? I know that you supply the molds, but I think you would have been wise to recommend it with a more "MW" Megatron style head. So yeah... I'll stick with my Takara Tomy stuff, and seek out a Ginrai instead of being disappointed with the laziness of this piece. >:oP