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DevastaTTor wrote:Here's my recap of today's (March 11th) panel at Cybertron Con. Pretty long but I wanted to make sure I covered everything.

Today I attended day 1 of Cybertron Con in Singapore. I attended the Hasbro/Takara Tomy Brand Development and Products panel discussion. Here are my notes-I apologize that they’re a little spotty: was hard to write and shoot pictures at the same time.

Today’s panel consisted of:

• Hasbro Transformers Global Brand Director, Jerry Jiovin
• Hasbro Transformers Global Brand Design & Development Vice President, Aaron Archer
• Takara Tomy Transformers Design Legend Hideaki Yoke
• Takara Tomy Transformers Executive Kei Ikezawa (missed his actual title)

MAIN PRESENTATION - 2:00-2:30PM

Jerry Jiovin was the MC for the presentation portion of the Brand/Product panel. He discussed a lot of different products lines in 30 minutes and included video clips as he introduced each of the topics.
Universal Studios Transformers: The Ride
1. Discussed how happy they were about the recent launch of the ride in Singapore and about the upcoming May opening for the Transformers ride in Hollywood.
2. Showed the Super Bowl spot for launch of the ride in the US
3. Slide for Universal exclusive Evac, both Legion and Deluxe class figures
4. Slide for Universal release of DOTM deluxe Bumblebee and Optimus Prime (with Mech Tech)
5. Slide for Universal release of DOTM voyager Optimus Prime and Megatron
6. All Universal figures will be in special packaging and only available in the park stores in May.

Transformers Universe MMO/3rd Person Game
1. Launching the game online in late 2012/early 2013
2. Jagex Studios primary developer for game, Net Dragon developing game for China market
3. Expecting online and viral marketing campaign coming soon
4. Game features 4 playable characters in 6 different worlds/environments
5. Showed the trailer for the game
6. Slides featuring Defensor and Megatron shown along with some game screen shots

Transformers Rescue Bots
1. Showed introductory slide for the new program
2. Previewed the trailer for the show
3. Several slides highlighting the current product line: individual figures and play sets
4. Plans in place to launch Rescue Bots in Asian markets soon

Transformers Kre-O Building Sets
1. Announced upcoming releases: 29 new Kreons figures and 16 new Transformer robot sets
2. Showed the commercial where Bumblebee dances at the stop light.
Transformers Prime
1. Highlighted all the Asian channels/providers currently carrying

Transformers Prime
2. Showed extended trailer – believe it was for season 2
3. Jerry admitted that he hasn’t been this excited about a Transformers show since G1 during his youth; loves the current story line and future potential.
4. For some reason, the Movie Trilogy toys were slotted in the middle of the Transformers Prime segments – showed slide with Asia-only DOTM repaints including Soundblaster and G1-head Wheeljack (slide also included Movie Ride Evac) and another slide for the Movie Trilogy Optimus Prime with trailer (deluxe sixed, not Con exclusive)
5. Multiple slides highlighting the current Transformers Prime Robots in Disguise figures, one featuring the upcoming Knockout and Hot Shot figures (deluxe wave 3).
6. Introduced the Weaponizers, Prime figures with weapons that pop-out in both robot and alt modes – slides featured Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, initial release Fall 2012.
7. Slide for Prime remote control toys: initial wave includes two cars, Bumblebee and Knockout. Both can transform from car to robot via the remote control. Coming fall 2012.
8. Additional slides for the Prime Entertainment Pack we saw recently along with images of the current Cyberverse Legion and Commander figures (including Ironhide) and the vehicle play sets.
9. Cyberverse scale chart comparing the Legion and Commander class figures to the upcoming Optimus Maximus figure/play set. Will hold 9 Cyberverse figures-releasing falls 2012.
10. Final slide with the packaging.

Bot Shots
1. Describes them as “snack-sized samurais” with singular purpose to brawl.
2. Global launch of figures and online game: March 1. Player vs. player game launching May 1. Games not yet available in all markets.
3. Shows Bot Shots commercial
4. Several slides of the Bot Shot products including the recently released Optimus Prime and Megatron launchers.
5. Put emphasis on the chase variants of Bot Shots-clear versions
6. Showed several screen shots of the online game

Transformers Generations
1. Transformers Fall of Cybertron game will be the big focus for the upcoming Generations figures
2. Showed the game trailer
3. Slides showing all of the deluxe figures we’ve already seen: Prime (v2), Jazz, Shockwave and the Bruticus figures.
4. Interestingly, during the Q&A session, one fan asked if they’d be releasing a more game accurate colored version of Bruticus. Jerry said that they’re actually still working on the final colors for the initial release-are aware of fan comments online.

CYBERTRON CON REVEALS AND Q&A SESSION - 2:30-2:55PM

End of Main Part of Presentation, on to Cybertron Con 2012 exclusive reveals.
• First up, Prime Robots in Disguise wave 5 figures Sargent Kup and Rumble. See my earlier post for more and pictures.
• Next, Asia-only repaints for additional G1 characters. See news post for more.
• Big surprise: previewed 2013 Generations release of Fall of Cybertron Starscream. See news post for more.

Q&A Session
Didn’t get notes on all of the questions but here are a few that stood out-questions and answers are paraphrased below.

1. Q: Are you planning on releasing any additional Leader class figures for the DOTM movie line?

A: No, but we missed an opportunity to produce a Leader Shockwave. Underestimate the importance of the figure in the movie.

2. (This one was a cringe-worthy moment) Q: Third party toy makers are producing some amazing toys. Any plans to collaborate with one to produce what could be the most incredible Transformer ever?

A: No. We do not condone what they do and would never work with them.

3. Q: Any plans for a release of a Generations Fall of Cybertron Grimlock?

A: Stay tuned…

4. Q: What other Generations figures are in the pipeline right now?

A: Right now, big focus is Fall of Cybertron figures-nothing else at this time but more to come afterward.

5. Q: Any plans for Dino from Dark of the Moon.

A: No, Ferrari would allow the license for it.

6. Q: Any plans for a Beast Wars or Victory revival (actually two questions)?

A: They’re working on a lot of new ideas that will extend show into new areas while bringing back original concepts from the past.

7. Q: What’s the working title for Transformers 4?

A: Just calling it Next Transformers movie for now.

8. Q: (To Yoke-san) Looking back, what is your favorite Transformer?

A: (disappoint most fans) currently likes the Prime deluxe Vehicon. (whatever)

9. Q: Any plans to produce the other Dreads from Dark of the Moon?

A: No, movie line is over mostly over for now.

End of Presentation

Will add, one touching moment during the Q&A session, one fan was nearly moved to tear with addressing Yoke-san.

DevastaTTor wrote:
1. Q: Are you planning on releasing any additional Leader class figures for the DOTM movie line?

A: No, but we missed an opportunity to produce a Leader Shockwave. Underestimate the importance of the figure in the movie.

DevastaTTor wrote:2. (This one was a cringe-worthy moment) Q: Third party toy makers are producing some amazing toys. Any plans to collaborate with one to produce what could be the most incredible Transformer ever?

A: No. We do not condone what they do and would never work with them.

amtm wrote:maybe they should get their designers to take a few lessons from them. After all, there's nothing they can do to stop them, but there's a lot they could learn from them.

amtm wrote:

DevastaTTor wrote:2. (This one was a cringe-worthy moment) Q: Third party toy makers are producing some amazing toys. Any plans to collaborate with one to produce what could be the most incredible Transformer ever?

A: No. We do not condone what they do and would never work with them.

Sounds like someone's irked that they got showed up in their own game. Ok, so they don't want to work with them, but maybe they should get their designers to take a few lessons from them. After all, there's nothing they can do to stop them, but there's a lot they could learn from them.

amtm wrote:

DevastaTTor wrote:

DevastaTTor wrote:2. (This one was a cringe-worthy moment) Q: Third party toy makers are producing some amazing toys. Any plans to collaborate with one to produce what could be the most incredible Transformer ever?

A: No. We do not condone what they do and would never work with them.

Sounds like someone's irked that they got showed up in their own game. Ok, so they don't want to work with them, but maybe they should get their designers to take a few lessons from them. After all, there's nothing they can do to stop them, but there's a lot they could learn from them.

Rated X wrote:I dont think 3rd party companies condone what Hasbro does either. Hasbro has butchered the brand for profit and turned it into a joke.

Autobot032 wrote:I hate it when people ask about the 3rd party products. Next time some idiot stands up and asks that question, something heavy should be flung at their head and then they should be dragged out of the room and promptly beaten.

Why? Because they're going to piss off Hasbro and end up ruining it for the rest of us. Do they not get that their stupidity is a problem? I mean, c'mon. You don't ask the victim of knockoffs whether or not they like it and would be willing to work with those people.

Come on people, use a little more common sense. I'm almost (key word: almost) willing to buy a ticket to Botcon '12, just to be the guy in the audience who flips out and chases down the idiot ruining it for everyone else.

The Dino thing REALLY bothers me because it's Hasbro's lame excuse for an out. We know they've produced figures with vehicle modes that just barely skirted the licenses. Or, at the very least, they could've given him an accurate robot mode with a completely different vehicle mode. Still, it might not stop TakaraTomy from creating their own Dino. Even an accurate one. I just think that's a cop out. They just didn't want to spend the money. I'm finding it more difficult to spend my money on Hasbro.

Rated X wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:I hate it when people ask about the 3rd party products. Next time some idiot stands up and asks that question, something heavy should be flung at their head and then they should be dragged out of the room and promptly beaten.

Why? Because they're going to piss off Hasbro and end up ruining it for the rest of us. Do they not get that their stupidity is a problem? I mean, c'mon. You don't ask the victim of knockoffs whether or not they like it and would be willing to work with those people.

Come on people, use a little more common sense. I'm almost (key word: almost) willing to buy a ticket to Botcon '12, just to be the guy in the audience who flips out and chases down the idiot ruining it for everyone else.

Im gonna ask the infamous 3rd party question at Botcon in Dallas. Hope to see you there.

Autobot032 wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:I hate it when people ask about the 3rd party products. Next time some idiot stands up and asks that question, something heavy should be flung at their head and then they should be dragged out of the room and promptly beaten.

Why? Because they're going to piss off Hasbro and end up ruining it for the rest of us. Do they not get that their stupidity is a problem? I mean, c'mon. You don't ask the victim of knockoffs whether or not they like it and would be willing to work with those people.

Come on people, use a little more common sense. I'm almost (key word: almost) willing to buy a ticket to Botcon '12, just to be the guy in the audience who flips out and chases down the idiot ruining it for everyone else.

Im gonna ask the infamous 3rd party question at Botcon in Dallas. Hope to see you there.

Ya know, if you press the little quote button, the quote system actually works?

Rated X wrote:I dont think 3rd party companies condone what Hasbro does either. Hasbro has butchered the brand for profit and turned it into a joke.

Rated X wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:I hate it when people ask about the 3rd party products. Next time some idiot stands up and asks that question, something heavy should be flung at their head and then they should be dragged out of the room and promptly beaten.

Why? Because they're going to piss off Hasbro and end up ruining it for the rest of us. Do they not get that their stupidity is a problem? I mean, c'mon. You don't ask the victim of knockoffs whether or not they like it and would be willing to work with those people.

Come on people, use a little more common sense. I'm almost (key word: almost) willing to buy a ticket to Botcon '12, just to be the guy in the audience who flips out and chases down the idiot ruining it for everyone else.

Im gonna ask the infamous 3rd party question at Botcon in Dallas. Hope to see you there.

Ya know, if you press the little quote button, the quote system actually works?

LOL, Im still learing.

If you do chase me out the room follow me to the nearest bar.

Burn wrote:

Rated X wrote:I dont think 3rd party companies condone what Hasbro does either. Hasbro has butchered the brand for profit and turned it into a joke.

It's always been a brand about profit. Why would you think otherwise?

Autobot032 wrote:

Rated X wrote:I dont think 3rd party companies condone what Hasbro does either. Hasbro has butchered the brand for profit and turned it into a joke.

This is one of the only times we've agreed. And I fully agree with this statement.

Rated X wrote:

Burn wrote:

Rated X wrote:I dont think 3rd party companies condone what Hasbro does either. Hasbro has butchered the brand for profit and turned it into a joke.

It's always been a brand about profit. Why would you think otherwise?

I have no problem with them making profit. I do have a problem with them bullying 3rd party companies that are trying to please the fans. Im a fan, not a stockholder.

Burn wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Burn wrote:

Rated X wrote:I dont think 3rd party companies condone what Hasbro does either. Hasbro has butchered the brand for profit and turned it into a joke.

It's always been a brand about profit. Why would you think otherwise?

I have no problem with them making profit. I do have a problem with them bullying 3rd party companies that are trying to please the fans. Im a fan, not a stockholder.

You have a problem with them trying to protect their own creations?

eh, whatever, this debate is old.

griftimus prime wrote:you suck hasbro. YOU SUCK! no leader shockwave? what are they smoking?