Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

They've actually had MPSW on the drawing board for quite some time. The last thing HasTak need to worry about are third parties releasing coinciding figures, when it comes down to it - the sheer number of people are going to be buying into a Masterpiece figure rather than a third party equivalent.

Well actually they do need to worry unless we are getting some official pics soon. For if you read for example these messages here, you will notice that many are still sceptical what comes to MP SW. I' "afraid" that many will buy rather this 3rd party toy if it comes first. So Takara should gave us some proofs already. THAT would most likely change some thoughts and it might keep people waiting this one.

Blurrz wrote:

• Reissue Fort Max

Dorkimus wrote:Well actually they do need to worry unless we are getting some official pics soon. For if you read for example these messages here, you will notice that many are still sceptical what comes to MP SW. I' "afraid" that many will buy rather this 3rd party toy if it comes first. So Takara should gave us some proofs already. THAT would most likely change some thoughts and it might keep people waiting this one.

So you're saying that HasTak are worried about a smaller and minut company, releasing a figure that only hardcore collectors are going to buy at retailers that are only online. The price for that product is relatively the same or more expensive than the product HasTak is going to release. A HasTak product that by my word, is going to be way better than this third party product. HasTak's product is going to be released to just about everyone, at regular retail and online retail, in which the multitude of people who are going to buy it will be through the thousands. Yeah. They're worried.

Dorkimus wrote:

They've actually had MPSW on the drawing board for quite some time. The last thing HasTak need to worry about are third parties releasing coinciding figures, when it comes down to it - the sheer number of people are going to be buying into a Masterpiece figure rather than a third party equivalent.

Well actually they do need to worry unless we are getting some official pics soon. For if you read for example these messages here, you will notice that many are still sceptical what comes to MP SW. I' "afraid" that many will buy rather this 3rd party toy if it comes first. So Takara should gave us some proofs already. THAT would most likely change some thoughts and it might keep people waiting this one.

I'm sure Takara is not sweating this. And what's with all the griping on this thread? At worst, we'll be getting two solid options to choose from. I would buy AW in a heartbeat; if Takara's offering is truly superior ("Soundwave superior...") then that's only in our best interest as fans.

Andrius wrote:And what's with all the griping on this thread? At worst, we'll be getting two solid options to choose from.

This is the most logical post I have read here so far... Seriously, it doesn't matter if it is HasTak or a third company: they are first devoted to your pocket rather than you, so I don't get all the passionate discussion regarding HasTak X third companies. We all should be happy with the increasing of competition and the increasing of options. And yes, Hastak should watch its back: maybe there is no big challenge to its market share yet, but arrogance (as the opposite of creativity) is the death of any large company.

Blurrz wrote:So you're saying that HasTak are worried about a smaller and minut company, releasing a figure that only hardcore collectors are going to buy at retailers that are only online.

It's funny though. Hasbro and Takara could very easily stop the third party companies, or at the very least slow them down considerably.

Take Apple for example. Look at what they do to companies that knock off their products or even come a hair close to looking like their products. They take them to court with their highest paid lawyers and sue the crap out of them. They are one of the toughest companies out there and will pay through the nose to protect what they've made.

All it would take is a few phone calls to the online retailers and tell them, "You stop selling third party Transformer products and sell our stuff only. Or we'll just stop distributing to you."

I honestly think Hasbro likes the game though. They may put up a front and make frowny faces, but do they actually care? Maybe slightly, but they definitely aren't making a big enough move to show it.

For me it comes down to a few different things. One is which looks the best. The 3rd party MP Soundwave or the Takara version. Another thing is the price. Given the fact that both the newest MP Optimus Prime and Rodimus are around $200+, I hate to see what Takara will charge for Soundwave. They will probably include up to 4 cassettes just to raise the price even higher than it could be. I'm no opposed to lots of cassettes, but I am opposed to paying $200 or more. I simply can't afford it. If the 3rd party version wants to stay competitive they'll have to charge less than recent masterpiece Transformers. So I'm hoping the 3rd party one will be cheaper, although it isn't likely since 3rd party stuff usually costs an arm and a leg. The last thing is build quality. I have no doubt that the Takara version would have a quality build. But I have several 3rd party Transformers that are high quality as well.

Takara needs to get on the ball and release some prototype images before the 3rd party Soundwave is released, or they will undoubtedly lose some business. I will probably buy whichever comes out first, that is assuming the 3rd party Soundwave looks as good as the prototype suggests it will. If Takara announced that they will for sure release a MP Soundwave before the end of the year, then I might wait to see which is best at the best price.

Guys! Fort Max is on the table! Can't we all just hug this Soundwave business out now?

Fort Max in 2 years? *starts saving up now* really gonna be looking forward to that one. MP Soundwave, i may pick up if its at a good price.