Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[Diem]

Every year we send questions to Hasbro and almost every time we get answers that are not totally candid and satisfactory. Since then we at Seibertron.com have started answering the questions ourselves. Note that these answers are not from Hasbro or Takara, nor are they approved by those companies but are from experienced members of Seibertron.com.

If you have a question please post it in this thread during the next 7 days. Seibertron.com will use a combination of knowledge, educated guesses and occasional stabs in the dark to get you the answers you seek by the end of this year. And if you know the answers to any of the questions posted don't be afraid to share it in the thread!

[Samurai Bludgeon]

Hm...It's so strange to be able to ask a question that might actually have an intelligent/possible response lol.

1: Would Fans Project possibly do a TFCC Sideburn repaint version of the Protector armor upgrade? Given they are doing a Shadow-Scyther repaint for a severly limited figure it makes sense to me to do a Sideburn version for a much more accessible figure. (more of a FP-related question)

2: Since we are seeing a large number of TF-movie (animated 80's) figures i.e., Kup, Perceptor, Blurr(drift repaint), Wreck-Gar, and others; could we anticipate a new Ultra Magnus (not a prime repaint but a unique mold) or perhaps even a Sharkticon(not a BW/energon repaint please...)?

3: MMC(master mind creations, creators of Knight-Morpher) had mentioned to me in an email that they are working on a Bumblebee and a Starscream "hearts of steel" figures. When might we anticipate those figures? Also, could they be working on a "hearts of steel" Shockwave (my favorite "figure" from the series)? (again a non-hastak question).

4: If a 2nd "War for Cybertron" game is in the works does that mean more figures from the line? I understand a Starscream figure was in the works but may have been cancled, what could the reasoning behind no known future figures be? I understand the game did well but I do see alot of WFC BB shelf-warmers... Personally I would love a Jetfire, Shockwave, Starscream, Warpath, and maybe a Barricade or Slipstream. Also, could we ever hope for a voyager size or better WFC Trypitcon/Omega Supreme? I'm not asking for supreme or ultra, just anything for those 2 lol.

5: When can we anticipate the new "Devastator" combiner to be released/more pics of the other figures besides (i think it was) scrapper?

6: Could the recent surge of Classics Rodimus "repaints" be in response to the highly anticipated FP Protector armor? If so, could this mean that hasbro is sorta ok with FP doing this type of thing if hasbro is able to capitalize on it with new income from old products? I don't think Hastak would ever admit it but there's been the regular classics, Henkei, Crystal SOC set, the 2 releases with cyclonus, and the upcoming TFC Sideburn repaint, Shattered Glass, and Wildrider. That's a lot for a figure that origionally didn't have much fan-base love...

[leokearon]

1) Habro once stated that the buying ratio between Autobots and Cons is 50:50, so why do a lot of waves have more Autobots than Cons?

2)Why do Hasbro never fix moulds even when they know they have problems when they rerelease the moulds?

3)Why does Hasbro think we want tons of Bumblebees?

4) Why don't TFs have Tech Specs/Factfiles anymore, it would be nice to know something about the TF I'm buying?

[JelZe GoldRabbit]

Hm...It's so strange to be able to ask a question that might actually have an intelligent/possible response lol.

1: Would Fans Project possibly do a TFCC Sideburn repaint version of the Protector armor upgrade? Given they are doing a Shadow-Scyther repaint for a severly limited figure it makes sense to me to do a Sideburn version for a much more accessible figure. (more of a FP-related question)

2: Since we are seeing a large number of TF-movie (animated 80's) figures i.e., Kup, Perceptor, Blurr(drift repaint), Wreck-Gar, and others; could we anticipate a new Ultra Magnus (not a prime repaint but a unique mold) or perhaps even a Sharkticon(not a BW/energon repaint please...)?

3: MMC(master mind creations, creators of Knight-Morpher) had mentioned to me in an email that they are working on a Bumblebee and a Starscream "hearts of steel" figures. When might we anticipate those figures? Also, could they be working on a "hearts of steel" Shockwave (my favorite "figure" from the series)? (again a non-hastak question).

4: If a 2nd "War for Cybertron" game is in the works does that mean more figures from the line? I understand a Starscream figure was in the works but may have been cancled, what could the reasoning behind no known future figures be? I understand the game did well but I do see alot of WFC BB shelf-warmers... Personally I would love a Jetfire, Shockwave, Starscream, Warpath, and maybe a Barricade or Slipstream. Also, could we ever hope for a voyager size or better WFC Trypitcon/Omega Supreme? I'm not asking for supreme or ultra, just anything for those 2 lol.

5: When can we anticipate the new "Devastator" combiner to be released/more pics of the other figures besides (i think it was) scrapper?

6: Could the recent surge of Classics Rodimus "repaints" be in response to the highly anticipated FP Protector armor? If so, could this mean that hasbro is sorta ok with FP doing this type of thing if hasbro is able to capitalize on it with new income from old products? I don't think Hasak would ever admit it but there's been teh regular classics, Henkei, Crystal SOC set, the 2 releases with cyclonus, and the upcoming TFC Sideburn repaint. That's a lot for a figure that origionally didn't have much fan-base love...

1. Bulking up RiD Side Burn like that seems a bit out of character, no matter how much he matches Rodimus in style. Mind you it is possible, but you may get a better answer by mailing Fans Project themselves

2. They're not all TF:Movie, mind you (for instance, Perceptor was season 2), but it is rather odd that we're getting practically all movie figures in one go. Sharkticon is a possibility, but with Ultra Magnus already having a representation in the shape of the Classics repaint, he's not high priority. Besides, Optimus Prime hasn't had a trailer in ages due to cost concerns, so Ultra Magnus gets the low end of the stick by default.

3. Third-Party companies don't really have tight release schedules like Hasbro and TakaraTomy do, so estimating is hard to do. Just keep watch of the progress they made and be patient.

4. That's a distinct possibility, as the game needs some sort of promotion. Don't expect anything until next year though.

5. See answer 3.

6. Hasbro does keep tabs on those companies, but only to ensure they don't pose too much of a legal threat to their IP. The Rodimus mold was used so many times solely because Hot Rod was a major character in Season 3 or 2010 in Japan, which was celebrated this year.
Also keep in mind that the Collector's Club acts somewhat independently from Hasbro and TakaraTomy, as the club and BotCon can only use molds that aren't "in use" by either company. In other words, the club has to wait its turn for the production of its exclusive toys.

[JelZe GoldRabbit]

1) Habro once stated that the buying ratio between Autobots and Cons is 50:50, so why do a lot of waves have more Autobots than Cons?

2)Why do Hasbro never fix moulds even when they know they have problems when they rerelease the moulds?

3)Why does Hasbro think we want tons of Bumblebees?

4) Why don't TFs have Tech Specs/Factfiles anymore, it would be nice to know something about the TF I'm buying?

1. If you're asking about Generations, unfortunately back in 1984-1985 the Decepticons were seriously outnumbered, making picking Decepticons to reimagine a tad difficult. That's why they had to resort to non-show or comic characters like Straxus.

2. That's a bit harsh as Hasbro has fixed problems that some molds inherently had. Anyhow, that involves a slight redesign of a feature and that means "going back to the drawing board", something Hasbro does not tend to do as it takes up money and especially time.

3. It's not the collectors Hasbro pays attention to in this case: it's kids and their parents. Apparently Bumblebee, with Optimus Prime trailing behind, is their favourite character, so Hasbro sees him as a major cashcow.

4. Each Transformer does have a bio plus (completely random in most cases) Tech Specs but only for the US. Europe's bios are truncated in order to fit all 12 languages on a single card. Currently, the boxed TF's have the bios not on the back, but on one of the sides. That goes for the PCC 5-packs and HftD and RtS boxed figures.

[Mkall]

Why did Hasbro disice to use prodiminately open-handed designs in their newer figures instead of the closed-fist style they have been using?

[OptiMagnus]

Where is Ultra Magnus? I understand he already has one representation in the whole classics series, but Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Rodimus, Cliffjumper and Starscream already have or will have multiple representations too. Is he not "popular enough" to field a second figure?

[Didicos]

Since Alpha Trion is one of the original thirteen(as clearely stated in Exodus) and since the original thirteen are multiverse singularities, are all the incarnations of Alpha Trion(G1,RiD etc)the same bot?

[autobot-jolt]

With all the excitement of TF Prime goign on, I'm still confused. Are the 5 episodes IT? Is that all there is to TF Prime? And do you think they possibly might go back like in 2012 and make figures if Prime is well recieved?

[Rodimus2006]

1. Have you ever thought of using fan-creaed ideas, many of us have been making our own transformer characters and even coming up with unique ideas for a future Transformers Series have you ever thought about using fan-based ideas for a toyline or a new transformers series.

2. I my self have made many fan-made ideas and even an idea for a new toyline called TF-Shattered Dimensions. I and and others like me have even created our own tf charatcers such as my team called the Crimson Mauraders and their Combiner AKA: Crimison Maximus and my team group called the Train Depostiors and thier combiner called Train Wreck.

3. Why hasnt RID ever been brought to N/A on DVD it has been done many many times over in the UK. But has never seen a stateside release date and hasnt been seen sense it laste aired on the Fox Box back in the early 2000's.

4. Also you said that there could be new dvd-sets in the future could you ellobarote more are you talking about Beast Machines, Beast Wars and Armada which was owned by Rhino.

5. Why is there a hold-up on Animated Season 3 is there some sort of hold up or legal matters that keep it from getting made on DVD or something else keeping it. Many fans and my self included are anxiously awaiting S3 of Animated on DVD.