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Starscream + Rumble = WANT

I am in love!

never can have enough new seeker molds!

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 PRESENETATION - 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.

I think the figure looks great and I will buy.

But I am very unhappy with "Generations" being morphed into "Fall of Cybertron". If it must be cybertronian, I would rather have gotten a real pyramid seeker. Im sure we will never see Thundercracker. Thats how it usually goes.

No G1 Trailbreaker, Hoist, Skids ??? And I-Gear basically owns the mini-bots. (not legally but in fans hearts)

My thanks to Mach and DevastaTTor for providing all these photos and all this information. Compared to the Toy Fairs in the last couple of months we're getting absolute gold.

Now, to business.

I don't know why I keep looking at news articles about RiD or Arms Micron: it's like repeatedly rubbing my face in a used nappy. They're not getting any better and it hurts me mentally whenever I do.

Rumble looks pretty cool. The blues a bit bright for my liking but it's a nice design. I'd happily get him but probably call him something else. A Cyberverse version might be welcome.

I know it makes sense to repaint Ironhide in to Kup but I don't think it suits him. Truth be told I'm not loving the mold much at all. Robot mode looks a little basic.

As for FoC Starscream; WOW! There's still a whole year for them to muck it up though.

Although this figure looks really good, I am a little bummed that we will still have FoC figures taking up Generations spots in 2013. Especially if Grimlock takes another in wave 1 and is a deluxe. Make him a voyager and I'll forgive you Hasbro.

STARSCREAM YESS!!!

This will be my true seeker set (if I can complete them, but I probably will. I got Hercules so I can spend that much on whatever takara local snackbar exclusive third seeker they make)

Wow, just wow. Faith in Hasbro was already restored when they announced FOC Bruticus, now it thickens.

Shut up and take my money!

damn lugnuts spit crap argh!

That stars team is awesome and definitely makes him look sinister.

Nice to see a reformat on the rumble/frenzy idea. And ironhide? Hope we get a better paint app than the suburban green

Doubledealer93 wrote:

This. This. This. This. This.

We just received the following press release from our friends at Cybertron Con 2012, see below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 000 FANS SHOWED UP TO OPENING DAY OF RESORTS WORLD TM SENTOSA TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON CON

Fans queue as earlier as 20 hours before official opening

Singapore, 11 March 2012 – More than 15,000 fans gathered at the first Resorts World Sentosa Singapore TRANSFORMERS 2012 Cybertron Convention 2012 (‘Cybertron Con’) today, marking a successful first day of the four day event, a first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

100 of these enthusiasts, some of whom started queuing as early as the day before, were eager to qualify to meet the godfather of Transformers Toys, Mr. Hideaki Yoke. The creator of the much-loved toy collection also personally autographed 100 of the limited edition sets purchased by the first 100 in the queue. 23-year old Brendan Yip, a marketing student and avid enthusiast, beat the crowds by queuing at 4pm the day before, and was the first to greet Mr. Yoke as doors opened at 11am.

Yip remarked, “It was worth it. I arrived last night and have been queuing for more than 20 hours. I love Transformers and the team that made these toys and franchises happened. I feel extremely honoured to be the first in line and have my Optimus Prime autographed by Mr. Hideaki Yoke.”

The centre-piece of the event is the 22-foot tall Optimus Prime, made up of 3,000 pieces of metal, weighing a staggering 900 kilograms. Elated fans clamoured to have their photos taken with the life-sized Autobot, sharing an indelible memory at Cybertron Con 2012. Convention-goers who were more adventurous even went up to the scaffolding located opposite the Optimus Prime to take a snapshot with the massive figure at a closer proximity.

Another highlight that wowed fans was a display of customised model kits by 50 local designers, hobbyists and celebrities at the ‘Transformers Re-Imagined’ booth. Local film director/producer Eric Khoo, fashion designer, Daniel Boey as well as singing duo Jack & Rai showed convention-goers an alternative interpretation to the 28-year franchise, marking the first of its kind in Hasbro history. Transformers fans can show their support for their favourite designs created by the customisers and hobbyists by voting on http://www.facebook.com/TransformersSingapore. The winners will be announced on the final day of the event, 14 March, Wednesday at 5pm, with the winners from the Hobbyist Category and Designer Category receiving an exclusive golden Optimus Prime, or a unique silver Bumblebee respectively.

Fans also got up close and personal with the representatives from various Transformers franchises, posing questions about the movie, toys and cartoon franchises to the panel that comprised the brand director, producers and Mr. Yoke. The panel sessions attracted close to 300 people as the creatives disclosed the latest news regarding the Transformers. Much of the news delighted die-hard followers of the Transformers brand who were glad to hear of the latest developments to be expected in the coming weeks from Hasbro.

Said Mr. Kenneth Ho, 36, a Research and Design Engineer by profession, “I was surprised to hear so much from the Transformers Brand Team as well as from Hasbro Studios! As a big fan of the new Transformers: Prime animation series, it’s really exciting to hear of what’s in store in the coming series”.

The inaugural Southeast Asian edition of the Cybertron Con provided a great opportunity for families to get together and share an intimate moment on a Sunday. Many parents who were fans of the entertainment franchise growing up, were spotted bringing their children along and explaining to them the various Autobots and the Decepticons, which amounted to over a thousand figurines and toys, sprawled across a retrospective display gallery, showcasing the 28 years of Transformers history.

Fans who wish to get in on the action at the once-in-a-lifetime event at the Resorts World Sentosa, can do so till Wednesday, 14 March 2012, the final day of the event. Enthusiasts who wish to take advantage of the school holiday period to organize a trip down to the biggest Transformers event to hit Singapore shores can visit the convention tomorrow from 10am.

For more information, please visit www.cybertroncon.com or the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TransformersSingapore.

Ticketing details are available at www.rwsentosa.com.

About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com



© 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



About Resorts World Sentosa

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Singapore’s first integrated resort is located on the resort island of Sentosa. Spanning 49 hectares, the resort opened in January 2010 and welcomed 15 million visitors in its opening year. RWS is home to the region’s first-and-only Universal Studios theme park, a Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, a casino, luxurious accommodation in six unique hotels, the Resorts World Convention Center, celebrity chef restaurants as well as specialty retail outlets. The resort also offers entertainment ranging from its resident theatrical circus spectacular Voyage de la Vie, to public attractions such as the Crane Dance and the Lake of Dreams. Still to come are a destination spa and the world’s largest oceanarium, the Marine Life Park. Resorts World Sentosa is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group.



For more information, please visit www.rwsentosa.com.