Back Packaging of Revenge of the Fallen Scout Wideload

I'm sorry but this fig looks omg ugly as hell, he looks like half a prototype.
I normally don't rant this much about a figure but this one looks so unfinished.

So he's like a mix between G1 Tracks and BW Depth Charge?

Zeds wrote:Hasbro/Tomy are not even trying anymore. Would it kill them to apply some paint? Profits are down that much?

I believe it's their way of preping us for day the when we have to paint our own TFs. The cartoon series will be Transformers: Colorformers (or Color Masters)...the premise of the show is that TFs have developed new infiltration techiques. Not only scan local lifeforms/vehicles...but the ability to alter their color at will. Every episode will feature 3 color schemes for everyone.

What? They're taking "Robots in Disguise" to a new level.

Not long after that test run, "Virtual Transformers"...you buy a card...packaged kinda like calling cards at a supermarket checkout, and you input a code on their website (after registering with a modest fee of course), and you have a "protoform", you get to design the color, alt-mode(s), weapon(s), transformation style, and personality. To "play" with your TFs, you get to send them into battle against other "collectors" and earn points...(doesn't this sound familiar?)...then when you earn enough points (or xp), with another modest fee, Hasbro/TakaraTomy will send you a real plastic version of your TF.
[/conspirist rant/prediction over]

I don't mind the alt-mode of Wideload, but the paint apps are lacking. I do like that Energon EXpress signage though.

I'm surprised that there's no "NEST Global Alliance" logo, unless it's on the sides of the bubble.

Is it really surprising that the paint job on Wideload is minimal? Seriously? Unless one is new to the movie line toys, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Hasbro skimps big time on the bot mod paint apps for movie line toys.

That alone isn't even the sole issue. Often, Hasbro will use the strangest choices for colours in plastics as well, often using very flat coloured plastics to add insult to injury. The good news is, movie line toys don't have a lot of paint to strip so custom painters can get to their work even quicker...the sculpts for the molds are great, the colour choices are usually terrible.

Sure, Wideload looks extremely underpainted but look at Rollbar. It has no paint apps in bot mod except for the head, which has a painted head crest, eyes, mouthplate, and chin. Basically, less than 5% of the figure has paint in bot mode. I don't count the back and shell kibble because the majority of its paint apps are for alt mode(headlights, windshield, Autobot insignia) and aren't coherent part of bot mode. The only extra paint is within the shell kibble, right behind the shoulders, but it's blocked by the shoulders so...it was wasted.

So on topic, the bio isn't impressing me but it's better than nothing.

I'm going to buy this figure because I love the mold. I have Rollbar and I really enjoy the figure. Due to the severe lack of paint on the figures, I think they are prime candidates for custom paint jobs. They're fairly inexpensive so I might pick up an extra Rollbar to practice painting on.