The Energon Pub

New teaser from TFCToys' facebook page

Okay, the back cannons make sense now. They'll be feet on Predaking. That first one must be Razorclaw, with the seeker like null blasters going to the Predaking back cannons. It looks interesting that Rampage might have some small wings.

Alright, I'm committed to MMC, but I'll be keeping an eye on these. One last comment is that it appears all 5 members will be about the same height, with the legs being bulkier than arms. That would be an impressive engineering feat.

MMC wins this round. Too late to the party TFC

The way the wings look on Divebomb from the silhouette make me think the alt modes will be animal-like, but the other silhouettes, especially Rampages, make me think these will be vehicle alt modes. If so, it seems like a wise move market-wise considering the competition they're already facing, but I kinda doubt they decided to go that route.

I'll look forward to what they have to show off, but I doubt it will outdo what we've seen from MMC, especially in the eyes of G1-purists.

It wouldn't be much of a "bestiality" if these didn't have animal modes. Just sayin'.

I love me some TFC, but so far I'm not seeing anything that will make me cancel my MMC preorders.

Agamemnon wrote:One last comment is that it appears all 5 members will be about the same height, with the legs being bulkier than arms. That would be an impressive engineering feat.

Not really, the G1 toy pulled it off.
It make for a squat bodied, very bulky figure, which totally worked for the character.

I'm curious about this set, but I do think it may be too late for these guys. They need to get some actual images out QUICK, or maybe they should table this one for a few years until the other Predakings have run their course.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:It wouldn't be much of a "bestiality" if these didn't have animal modes. Just sayin'.

It could be just a hint to this project being Predacons and not necessarily that the alt modes have anything to do with actual animals.

IDW Predacons had vehicle modes, after all.

Hell, even pre-Beast Wars Predacons and Maximals had vehicle alts so, it isn't that far of a stretch.

I don't know anything about IDW's Predacons, but I doubt they're advertised as beasts if they aren't beasts. And neither IDW nor Beast Wars has anything to do with TFC.

I can see someone doing vehicle mode Predacons as a pre-Earth mode. But I don't see them being advertised as "beasts". Until I see better proof of this rumor I'm remaining skeptical.

*shrug* Not saying it's likely, just brainstorming from what I see of the silhouette and keeping my expectations broad as it -has- been done before in comics such as with the Dinobots and Predacons even though these comic depictions had nothing to do with dinosaurs or predator-type animals. Same with Maximals and Predacons, their alt modes had very little to do with mammals or predators.

Are TFC directly connected with IDW or other producers that depicted these characters like this? No, of course not. Yet, you can't say TFC has come up with any original characters either.

Is it likely? No, probably not. I'm just saying those silhouettes don't seem very animal-esque with the exception of Divebomb.

There's a clear difference between story elements and toy advertisements. And TFC's toy advertisements hints at a beast combiner, not a combiner that used to be a beast but are now vehicles. And they COULD have advertised that. And it would have made sense.

I mean, it's entirely possible TFC doubly blundered in their advertisement and that they really do have vehicle modes. But it seems like it goes too far to assume that they did that just because we don't see anything recognizable in completely blacked out silhouettes. This if TFC we're talking about here. They won't hesitate to change anything on a figure.

No, TFC's toy advertisement hints at sexual relations between humans and animals.

Interpret their advertisement however you want, Gauntlet... I'm not saying you're wrong just as I'm not demanding acknowledgement that I'm right. I'm just saying it -could- be.

That's fine. You COULD be right as well. Obviously TFC are not master advertisers or master English speakers. Really, if they're smart they WOULD make them vehicles. Since MMC already has a beast combining Predaking at TFC's usual size for less than TFC's usual price.

rpetras wrote:I love me some TFC, but so far I'm not seeing anything that will make me cancel my MMC preorders.

Agamemnon wrote:One last comment is that it appears all 5 members will be about the same height, with the legs being bulkier than arms. That would be an impressive engineering feat.

Not really, the G1 toy pulled it off.
It make for a squat bodied, very bulky figure, which totally worked for the character.

Yeah, I never was very impressed with the G1 combiner. It had impressive size, but I always thought the transformations were lazy. Still, you are correct that it did pull it off. But, it's pretty much the only example of doing so. FoC Bruticus doesn't look all that great and would look better with a larger central body. Also, no other modern 3rd party combiner with great articulation has pulled off 5 members of the same size (that I am aware of). If TFC pulls this off and it looks really good, I will give them props for good engineering. All other companies choose a larger central bot, and the results look good. (Except for that aweful Defensor stand-in, but that's a whole other argument...)

As far as interpreting the wording in the announcements, correct me if I am wrong, but all of these third party companies are in Asia, and therefore there are translation concerns that make interpreting the words a difficult prospect, at best. Anyone who has a great grasp of English would avoid the "beastiality" term. (Or correct the typo of the "rpbot".) Heck, I once heard that Japan produced "Chocolate covered colons" because it sounded cool. (I think they were even raisins. )

It would definitely broaden their market being that they're so late to the Predacon game, but the way Divebomb looks all but shatters that thought. Regardless, we'll both just have to wait and see.

Agamemnon wrote:Yeah, I never was very impressed with the G1 combiner.

He's one of my favorites! After Devastator, probably my 2nd favorite.

Agamemnon wrote:It had impressive size, but I always thought the transformations were lazy.

True, but a lot of the latter G1 bots suffered from the same thing.

Agamemnon wrote:Still, you are correct that it did pull it off. But, it's pretty much the only example of doing so. FoC Bruticus doesn't look all that great and would look better with a larger central body.

I think that is more a comment on FoC Bruticus I actually think that design COULD pull it off, for much the same reason as Predaking, but the scrawny nature of the toys turn that combiner into a craptacular fail heap.

Agamemnon wrote:Also, no other modern 3rd party combiner with great articulation has pulled off 5 members of the same size (that I am aware of). All other companies choose a larger central bot, and the results look good. (Except for that aweful Defensor stand-in, but that's a whole other argument...)

Just because it hasn't been done, doesn't mean it can't. But none of the other combiners really had that as a design element from the original toys either, they all use the larger central bot design, Devastator excepted of course.

Agamemnon wrote:If TFC pulls this off and it looks really good, I will give them props for good engineering.

Yea me too! I'm really curious to see what they have in store, and I wish they'd show us something besides silhouettes.
As the late comers, they need to do a lot more to convince me away from MMC.

Agamemnon wrote:As far as interpreting the wording in the announcements, correct me if I am wrong, but all of these third party companies are in Asia, and therefore there are translation concerns that make interpreting the words a difficult prospect, at best. Anyone who has a great grasp of English would avoid the "beastiality" term. (Or correct the typo of the "rpbot".) Heck, I once heard that Japan produced "Chocolate covered colons" because it sounded cool. (I think they were even raisins. )

I'm willing to cut them a little slack on this one. Their English is clearly better than my Japanese (or Chinese, Korean or whatever their native tongue happens to be.)

In the mean time, enjoy this site :
http://www.engrish.com/

TFC needs to release colour images of Divebomb (or Rampage), Tantrum (or Headstrong) and Razorclaw, as well as a colour image of a partially completed Predaking before the first of MMC's Preds hit retail.

They will also have to be just as good as MMC's version and at a much better price than what they normally do, otherwise, whats the point? Also, if they (for some reason) do have vehicle modes, again, whats the point?

Herc is fantastic, but what I've seen of Uranos so far (got the first two), I'm not as impressed. I like them, but not as much as Herc. That slight disappointment has me preferring to stay with MMC no matter what TFC manage to do.

I agree about Herc, he's great, love pretty much everything about it.

I have minor gripes with Uranos, mostly the lack of wrist articulation and the goofy arm transform on Eagle ... but I really like Blackbird, and the combined mode (well 3/5ths of it anyway) so far is working for me.

But I completely agree with the criticism that if TFC is going to play in the Predaking game, they need to put out pics, color renders, size comparisons, mock ups, test shots ... whatever they can show us, and they need to do it ASAP.

At the moment, TFC holds the top spot, for me, for 3rd party stuff, so I'm trying to give them as much leeway as I can. However, MMC is a close second in my book. I have all their Knight Morpher stuff, and it is amazing.

TFC makes the toys I wanted as a kid, a bit blocky, but solid and durable. Something I can transform over and over, and get enjoyment from that way. With Herc and the Areialbots, I've had a blast with the individual bots long before I got the full set together.

MMC on the other hand makes art.
The detail on the KM seekers is awe striking. The design of Cyclops is unbelievable, especially in hand when you can see the engineering that went into it.
But both contain fragile parts, and you need to treat them with care or risk breaking fragile bits.

Totally different design approaches from both companies and both have merit.

But even if TFC's stuff looks great, from what I have seen from MMC so far, theirs will be top shelf work, and if I can have 3/5ths of that in hand before we even get to see TFC's offering, Feral Rex will probably be the Predaking in my collection.

rpetras wrote:I agree about Herc, he's great, love pretty much everything about it.
But I completely agree with the criticism that if TFC is going to play in the Predaking game, they need to put out pics, color renders, size comparisons, mock ups, test shots ... whatever they can show us, and they need to do it ASAP.

Forgot about size comparisons, that is critically important.

rpetras wrote:But even if TFC's stuff looks great, from what I have seen from MMC so far, theirs will be top shelf work, and if I can have 3/5ths of that in hand before we even get to see TFC's offering, Feral Rex will probably be the Predaking in my collection.

And that's the problem for TFC, many of us can't afford two Predakings, so if we have already payed for one or two of MMC's, then we are definitely locked into MMC's version.

The colour image of MMC's Divebomb was underwhelming for me, can't stand the chest, and after thinking about it there could be a slim chance of me going with TFC. They have to get their act together very quickly, but there is a chance.

rpetras wrote:But even if TFC's stuff looks great, from what I have seen from MMC so far, theirs will be top shelf work, and if I can have 3/5ths of that in hand before we even get to see TFC's offering, Feral Rex will probably be the Predaking in my collection.

And that's the problem for TFC, many of us can't afford two Predakings, so if we have already payed for one or two of MMC's, then we are definitely locked into MMC's version.

The colour image of MMC's Divebomb was underwhelming for me, can't stand the chest, and after thinking about it there could be a slim chance of me going with TFC. They have to get their act together very quickly, but there is a chance.[/quote]

We are pretty much on the same page, man.

The first "new" pic of MMC Divebomb, didn't do anything for me, but I liked the latter one(s?). BUT if TFC threw down the gauntlet with something that looked equally nice ... and from the silhouette, I'm questioning if they are going with some radical design changes ... I could be tempted their way.

But I'm not getting 2 high dollar predakings. Not happening.

Mkall wrote:MMC wins this round. Too late to the party TFC

Funny, that was my first thought after seeing the shaded images.

Yeah, this is looking like Predacons for sure. Don't be dickheads TFC. You're wasting an opportunity. I'd be p!55ed off if I wasn't so exhausted by all this.

If I don't see a single prototype before I'm charged for Talon, Ares will be off my radar.

Sodan-1 wrote:Yeah, this is looking like Predacons for sure. Don't be dickheads TFC. You're wasting an opportunity. I'd be p!55ed off if I wasn't so exhausted by all this.

If I don't see a single prototype before I'm charged for Talon, Ares will be off my radar.

Already off mine. I love their Devastator and Superion, but one gestalt each is enough for me.

daimchoc wrote:New teaser from TFCToys' facebook page

It might sound stupid but these silhouettes look awful for predacon designs i just don't like there shapes at all.

MMC from everything we have seen already just looks perfect for me nothing is going to beat Feral Rex.

Autobot Genocide wrote:MMC from everything we have seen already just looks perfect for me nothing is going to beat Feral Rex.

If this truly is TFC's Predacons, I hope they wait to release the first figure until after either MMC or UT finish releasing their versions. I'm glad people have a choice in what to purchase, but as other people have said before, I believe the first two companies out have the lead. What MIGHT help is that we don't know their release plans yet. It took about 6 months from the last Hercules member until the 1st member of Uranos.

And I agree with you, the silhouettes aren't really selling the figures. But what can you really say without looking at actual product?

Suffice to say, I'm not that excited about the promos.