The Energon Pub

[Rated X]

The reason slingshot was eliminated was because Hasbro saw an easy way to screw CHUG collectors and make a s**t load of money doing it. Hasbro even went as far as to tell IDW to write a story to justify alpha bravos existance. He is a blatant repaint of vortex using slingshots deco even on the head. Its a huge insult to G1 fans who collect CHUG.

Want us to call the wahmbulance for ya?
Need some some cream for that butt hurt?

Seriously ... this just cracked me up big time. The thought of a grown adult getting so upset over a plastic toy that he's spun a conspiracy theory involving an evil money sucking corporation is just **** hilarious.

And I suppose you believe in some kind of alternative theory that doesnt involve profit ? I would love to hear the Burn theory on why Alpha Bravo and friends exist. Im guessing you believe 100,000 kids held a mass rally outside of hasbro corporate offices to protest the release of slingshot, wildrider, and groove? After all by your logic, CHUG is only for kids and adults play no role in 1980s G1 homages. Any theory that doesent involve corporate greed is THE REAL conspiracy theory buddy. I wish the corporate world had as much integrity as this small group of tf fans is willing to believe it does. Sorry, im not among the faithful.

Also Burn, while youe at it, do you care to explain why IDW drew the Alpha Bravo character as a vortex repaint long before anyone knew a toy would exist ?

I think you are in serious denial about alpha bravo. You really want to believe an IDW artist just came up with the character out of the blue and happened to make him look like vortex but painted like the combiner limb he was replacing ? Pure coincidence right ?

You know what X? I've had it with your ****! **** you! You are completely overreacting and blowing it way out of proportion. I'm starting to think you have mental issues, X. Seriously, what's your problem with good ol' Alpha Bravo? And he's made to piss off collectors? Please! That has to be the stupidest theory I've ever heard!

Youve had it with my s**t ?

With an account created in Jan 2015 and only 44 posts I gotta ask...how long have you been lurking on here ?

Calm your nerves (have a beer or something) and ask yourself this...

What is the logical reason to take Vortex and paint him just like Slingshot so he can replace Slingshot ? That doesnt seem a bit fishy ? Maybe I wouldnt believe the IDW storyline was a total marketing scam if they created a new mold INSTEAD of using Vortex...

[Burn]

It's just your belief, you go right on believing what you want. I'll continue to sit here and laugh my ass off at how lame you are getting so butt hurt over a toy.

And no, I don't need to answer your questions because I don't care what Hasbro's motives are.

They can do what they want. By all means though, keep coming up with crazy conspiracy theories about the evil toy manufacturers, heck, considering the passion you clearly have for it, maybe you could turn it into a sitcom? Bound to be a success considering how much I laugh at it.

[LegendaryAntiHero]

44 posts ain't bad for someone who registered in 2015.

[prjkt]

What is the logical reason to take Vortex and paint him just like Slingshot so he can replace Slingshot ? That doesnt seem a bit fishy ? Maybe I wouldnt believe the IDW storyline was a total marketing scam if they created a new mold INSTEAD of using Vortex...

I think your timeline seems to be a bit off here.

Alpha Bravo's first canonical appearance was in RiD 33 (24/09/14) while we first saw, the complete and finalised design for Alpha Bravo (and the rest of the first two waves) back in July, meaning the design phase was long over by that point.

As has been explained multiple times, Hasbro's original intent was to not have too many of the "same" on the shelves at the time, as kids' parents would be less likely to buy them. Hence the wave distribution - 2 jets, 1 helicopter and 1 race car, then 1 jet, 1 4wd ute and 2 quite different looking cars. Having three or four jets, especially if one was simply a repaint of another, on the shelves at the same time doesn't have that same diversity - which is why it was Air Raid, as a (p)re-tool of Sky Dive, was held back for wave 2. Wave 3 didn't have that issue, as the Protectobots are drastically different designs to each other.

Now, thanks to people like yourself who were clamouring that Hasbro has "ruined everything" by swapping Slingshot (who's name they couldn't use for legal reasons) for Alpha Bravo, and the same for Wild Rider & Off Road, Hasbro and Takara managed to create a workable alternative. Either way for Takara's more "geewun" versions, or grab the special, online only releases of the missing characters (with new names.)

Will this make them a bit more money? Sure, but in the grand scheme of things, not that much more. We as an adult fanbase are a very small percentage of their overall market, the fact that they have released Quickslinger and Brake-Neck at all is showing that, yes, they're listening to the fans, and providing an option for us - as it's most likely the fans using the online methods than little Timmy's mummy or daddy.

I think you need to dial back the hate, have a beer (as you suggested) and take a look at the broader picture. Do I personally agree with every decision HasTak make? Nope, but I get on with my life and enjoy my Transformers.

[Evil Eye]

The reason slingshot was eliminated was because Hasbro saw an easy way to screw CHUG collectors and make a s**t load of money doing it. Hasbro even went as far as to tell IDW to write a story to justify alpha bravos existance. He is a blatant repaint of vortex using slingshots deco even on the head. Its a huge insult to G1 fans who collect CHUG.

Want us to call the wahmbulance for ya?
Need some some cream for that butt hurt?

Seriously ... this just cracked me up big time. The thought of a grown adult getting so upset over a plastic toy that he's spun a conspiracy theory involving an evil money sucking corporation is just **** hilarious.

And I suppose you believe in some kind of alternative theory that doesnt involve profit ? I would love to hear the Burn theory on why Alpha Bravo and friends exist. Im guessing you believe 100,000 kids held a mass rally outside of hasbro corporate offices to protest the release of slingshot, wildrider, and groove? After all by your logic, CHUG is only for kids and adults play no role in 1980s G1 homages. Any theory that doesent involve corporate greed is THE REAL conspiracy theory buddy. I wish the corporate world had as much integrity as this small group of tf fans is willing to believe it does. Sorry, im not among the faithful.

Also Burn, while youe at it, do you care to explain why IDW drew the Alpha Bravo character as a vortex repaint long before anyone knew a toy would exist ?

I think you are in serious denial about alpha bravo. You really want to believe an IDW artist just came up with the character out of the blue and happened to make him look like vortex but painted like the combiner limb he was replacing ? Pure coincidence right ?

You know what X? I've had it with your ****! **** you! You are completely overreacting and blowing it way out of proportion. I'm starting to think you have mental issues, X. Seriously, what's your problem with good ol' Alpha Bravo? And he's made to piss off collectors? Please! That has to be the stupidest theory I've ever heard!

Youve had it with my s**t ?

With an account created in Jan 2015 and only 44 posts I gotta ask...how long have you been lurking on here ?

Calm your nerves (have a beer or something) and ask yourself this...

What is the logical reason to take Vortex and paint him just like Slingshot so he can replace Slingshot ? That doesnt seem a bit fishy ? Maybe I wouldnt believe the IDW storyline was a total marketing scam if they created a new mold INSTEAD of using Vortex...

Maybe you should re-evaluate your life choices when someone who's barely had any exposure to you is already utterly sick of you.

[Convoy]

Can't wait to see someone make a Groovatron with Hot Spot + 4 Deluxe Grooves + 1 Legends Groove

Behold, the mighty Groovatron!

Hahaha!
This is funnier than it should be and at this point in time would be one mighty spendy custom.
Well done!

[SW's SilverHammer]

Can't wait to see someone make a Groovatron with Hot Spot + 4 Deluxe Grooves + 1 Legends Groove

Behold, the mighty Groovatron!

Hahaha!
This is funnier than it should be and at this point in time would be one mighty spendy custom.
Well done!

Tengen Toppa Quint Giga Groove Defensor Formation!

[King Kuuga]

Can't wait to see someone make a Groovatron with Hot Spot + 4 Deluxe Grooves + 1 Legends Groove

Behold, the mighty Groovatron!

http://i.imgur.com/wflw7MB.png

Hahaha!
This is funnier than it should be and at this point in time would be one mighty spendy custom.
Well done!

Tengen Toppa Quint Giga Groove Defensor Formation!

I understood one of those references! (the TTGL reference) Bravo sir.

ALL HAIL GROOVENSOR.

[chuckdawg1999]

Also, if there was any doubt about the figure's exclusivity in Japan and the deco, this should squash it:

??????????????????????????3???????????????????????? | DENGEKI HOBBY WEB ????????

トランスフォーマーの合体戦士に焦点を当てた「ユナイトウォリアーズ」シリーズ第３弾は、サイバトロンのプロテクトボット合体戦士「ガーディアン」。5体のプロテクトボットたちのセットで、合体するとガーディアンが完成します。左足のプロテクトボット偵察員グルーブ（ポリスバイクに変形）は、国内オリジナルの完全新規アイテム！　タカラトミーの通販サイト「タカラトミーモール」（[url]http://takaratomymall.jp）にて限定販売されます。[/url]

※写真は海外版です。

※グルーブ以外は海外版のカラーリングです。国内版とは多少異なります。



【プロテクトボット合体戦士ガーディアン】

Focuses on the transformers Union Warrior series "unitwarriors" third's protectobots coalescence Warriors of Cybertron, and the guardian. And a set of five protectobots who completed the guardian. Protectobots crew left Groove (transformed into a police bike) is a domestic original full of new items! Will be sold exclusively at the Takara Tomy's mail order site Tomy(takaratomy) Mall (????????????????????????).

* Photo is the overseas edition.

* Non-Groove is the overseas edition coloring. Domestic version is slightly different.

Luckily it seems like Hasbro Asia is distributing it as well so BBTS and the like can get it for a reasonable price (only $25 more than Japanese asking price currently).

Randy

Um, the way that translation reads (badly mind you) it seems like Groove will get a release somewhere, somehow, outside of the set with a different deco.

Anybody else notice in the preview pics Blades is transformed wrong for limb mode, his arms are bent back.

Wasn't Guardian the repaint for Defensor that showed up in a later TF Japan series?

[King Kuuga]

Anybody else notice in the preview pics Blades is transformed wrong for limb mode, his arms are bent back.

That's a necessary mistransformation to give him full elbow articulation as an arm. For the Alpha Bravo version of the mold, it also makes him look closer to the other aerialbots, who all bend their arms in some way for arm mode.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Wasn't Guardian the repaint for Defensor that showed up in a later TF Japan series?

No, "Guardian" is Defensor's Japanese name back in G1. The norm seems to be for Legends and Unite Warriors to retain their original Japanese name, like the Masterpieces have despite other lines copying the US names. Here are some more:

Aerialbots: Airbot
Air Raid: Air Rider
Fireflight: Firebolt
Slingshot: Sling

Stunticons: Stuntron
Drag Strip: Drag Stripe

Protectobots
Defensor: Guardian
Blades: Graze

What you're thinking of is Guard City And I could see UW Guardian be redecoed into him.

[Genericon #378]

The reason slingshot was eliminated was because Hasbro saw an easy way to screw CHUG collectors and make a s**t load of money doing it. Hasbro even went as far as to tell IDW to write a story to justify alpha bravos existance. He is a blatant repaint of vortex using slingshots deco even on the head. Its a huge insult to G1 fans who collect CHUG.

Want us to call the wahmbulance for ya?
Need some some cream for that butt hurt?

Seriously ... this just cracked me up big time. The thought of a grown adult getting so upset over a plastic toy that he's spun a conspiracy theory involving an evil money sucking corporation is just **** hilarious.

And I suppose you believe in some kind of alternative theory that doesnt involve profit ? I would love to hear the Burn theory on why Alpha Bravo and friends exist. Im guessing you believe 100,000 kids held a mass rally outside of hasbro corporate offices to protest the release of slingshot, wildrider, and groove? After all by your logic, CHUG is only for kids and adults play no role in 1980s G1 homages. Any theory that doesent involve corporate greed is THE REAL conspiracy theory buddy. I wish the corporate world had as much integrity as this small group of tf fans is willing to believe it does. Sorry, im not among the faithful.

Also Burn, while youe at it, do you care to explain why IDW drew the Alpha Bravo character as a vortex repaint long before anyone knew a toy would exist ?

I think you are in serious denial about alpha bravo. You really want to believe an IDW artist just came up with the character out of the blue and happened to make him look like vortex but painted like the combiner limb he was replacing ? Pure coincidence right ?

You know what X? I've had it with your ****! **** you! You are completely overreacting and blowing it way out of proportion. I'm starting to think you have mental issues, X. Seriously, what's your problem with good ol' Alpha Bravo? And he's made to piss off collectors? Please! That has to be the stupidest theory I've ever heard!

Youve had it with my s**t ?

With an account created in Jan 2015 and only 44 posts I gotta ask...how long have you been lurking on here ?

Calm your nerves (have a beer or something) and ask yourself this...

What is the logical reason to take Vortex and paint him just like Slingshot so he can replace Slingshot ? That doesnt seem a bit fishy ? Maybe I wouldnt believe the IDW storyline was a total marketing scam if they created a new mold INSTEAD of using Vortex...

Why is it logical that you bitch about anything fresh and new?

[Genericon #378]

The reason slingshot was eliminated was because Hasbro saw an easy way to screw CHUG collectors and make a s**t load of money doing it. Hasbro even went as far as to tell IDW to write a story to justify alpha bravos existance. He is a blatant repaint of vortex using slingshots deco even on the head. Its a huge insult to G1 fans who collect CHUG.

Want us to call the wahmbulance for ya?
Need some some cream for that butt hurt?

Seriously ... this just cracked me up big time. The thought of a grown adult getting so upset over a plastic toy that he's spun a conspiracy theory involving an evil money sucking corporation is just **** hilarious.

And I suppose you believe in some kind of alternative theory that doesnt involve profit ? I would love to hear the Burn theory on why Alpha Bravo and friends exist. Im guessing you believe 100,000 kids held a mass rally outside of hasbro corporate offices to protest the release of slingshot, wildrider, and groove? After all by your logic, CHUG is only for kids and adults play no role in 1980s G1 homages. Any theory that doesent involve corporate greed is THE REAL conspiracy theory buddy. I wish the corporate world had as much integrity as this small group of tf fans is willing to believe it does. Sorry, im not among the faithful.

Also Burn, while youe at it, do you care to explain why IDW drew the Alpha Bravo character as a vortex repaint long before anyone knew a toy would exist ?

I think you are in serious denial about alpha bravo. You really want to believe an IDW artist just came up with the character out of the blue and happened to make him look like vortex but painted like the combiner limb he was replacing ? Pure coincidence right ?

You know what X? I've had it with your ****! **** you! You are completely overreacting and blowing it way out of proportion. I'm starting to think you have mental issues, X. Seriously, what's your problem with good ol' Alpha Bravo? And he's made to piss off collectors? Please! That has to be the stupidest theory I've ever heard!

Youve had it with my s**t ?

With an account created in Jan 2015 and only 44 posts I gotta ask...how long have you been lurking on here ?

Calm your nerves (have a beer or something) and ask yourself this...

What is the logical reason to take Vortex and paint him just like Slingshot so he can replace Slingshot ? That doesnt seem a bit fishy ? Maybe I wouldnt believe the IDW storyline was a total marketing scam if they created a new mold INSTEAD of using Vortex...

Maybe you should re-evaluate your life choices when someone who's barely had any exposure to you is already utterly sick of you.

Buuuuurrn. Oh, X, I think the wahmbulance is calling your name.

[shajaki]

Why is it logical that you **** about anything fresh and new?

[Rated X]

The reason slingshot was eliminated was because Hasbro saw an easy way to screw CHUG collectors and make a s**t load of money doing it. Hasbro even went as far as to tell IDW to write a story to justify alpha bravos existance. He is a blatant repaint of vortex using slingshots deco even on the head. Its a huge insult to G1 fans who collect CHUG.

Want us to call the wahmbulance for ya?
Need some some cream for that butt hurt?

Seriously ... this just cracked me up big time. The thought of a grown adult getting so upset over a plastic toy that he's spun a conspiracy theory involving an evil money sucking corporation is just **** hilarious.

And I suppose you believe in some kind of alternative theory that doesnt involve profit ? I would love to hear the Burn theory on why Alpha Bravo and friends exist. Im guessing you believe 100,000 kids held a mass rally outside of hasbro corporate offices to protest the release of slingshot, wildrider, and groove? After all by your logic, CHUG is only for kids and adults play no role in 1980s G1 homages. Any theory that doesent involve corporate greed is THE REAL conspiracy theory buddy. I wish the corporate world had as much integrity as this small group of tf fans is willing to believe it does. Sorry, im not among the faithful.

Also Burn, while youe at it, do you care to explain why IDW drew the Alpha Bravo character as a vortex repaint long before anyone knew a toy would exist ?

I think you are in serious denial about alpha bravo. You really want to believe an IDW artist just came up with the character out of the blue and happened to make him look like vortex but painted like the combiner limb he was replacing ? Pure coincidence right ?

You know what X? I've had it with your ****! **** you! You are completely overreacting and blowing it way out of proportion. I'm starting to think you have mental issues, X. Seriously, what's your problem with good ol' Alpha Bravo? And he's made to piss off collectors? Please! That has to be the stupidest theory I've ever heard!

Youve had it with my s**t ?

With an account created in Jan 2015 and only 44 posts I gotta ask...how long have you been lurking on here ?

Calm your nerves (have a beer or something) and ask yourself this...

What is the logical reason to take Vortex and paint him just like Slingshot so he can replace Slingshot ? That doesnt seem a bit fishy ? Maybe I wouldnt believe the IDW storyline was a total marketing scam if they created a new mold INSTEAD of using Vortex...

Maybe you should re-evaluate your life choices when someone who's barely had any exposure to you is already utterly sick of you.

Dude, what do you really know about my life ? (other than my Transformers taste and my likes that I show through my signatures) You really shouldn't go there because you know nothing about my life or how I act in person.

[Rated X]

It's just your belief, you go right on believing what you want. I'll continue to sit here and laugh my ass off at how lame you are getting so butt hurt over a toy.

And no, I don't need to answer your questions because I don't care what Hasbro's motives are.

They can do what they want. By all means though, keep coming up with crazy conspiracy theories about the evil toy manufacturers, heck, considering the passion you clearly have for it, maybe you could turn it into a sitcom? Bound to be a success considering how much I laugh at it.

Im more inclined to believe you cant come up with a better explanation for SG Vortex Alpha Bravo than that you don't want too.

Maybe I got my IDW release dates wrong since I don't read comics, but at the end of the day Hasbro tells IDW what to write in their stories. The comics even look like the toys transformation wise. No liberties were taken in aesthetics to make them look "cooler" than the actual plastic toys like in the G1 Cartoon (hence Ironhide, Reflector, Bruticus, etc) With that being said, it's all about money. As I said before, any theory that does not include corporate greed is the real conspiracy theory. Maybe you live in a smaller town where you're not exposed to corporate style people who have that mentality. I wish that was the case with me. Im exposed to their greed and power grabbing every day.

[Va'al]

Please, everyone: just give up.


This is not even a discussion, you're just piling comments on stuff.
Revert to main thread, thank you.

[Agamemnon]

So, I've been playing around with the Protectobots, sans Hotspot for right now, and I love them, including Rook. This has me really reconsidering the Unite Warriors version with their proper Groove. I'm keen on getting him, but I don't know that I want a second full set of Protectobots. Any thoughts on how much different the paint scheme is likely to be over Hasbro? The one pic of Defensor with prototype Groove looks like Hasbro deco...

#BackOnTrack

[Jelze Bunnycat]

So, I've been playing around with the Protectobots, sans Hotspot for right now, and I love them, including Rook. This has me really reconsidering the Unite Warriors version with their proper Groove. I'm keen on getting him, but I don't know that I want a second full set of Protectobots. Any thoughts on how much different the paint scheme is likely to be over Hasbro? The one pic of Defensor with prototype Groove looks like Hasbro deco...

#BackOnTrack

TakaraTomy likes to use Hasbro pics or figures if their versions haven't been finalised

If anything, we can expect them to be more show-accurate or toy-accurate, That would include:

- a black head for Hot Spot (toy-accurate)
- black trim with star tampos for Streetwise
- Blades being a sectioned off Red-White-Red

[Yotsuyasan]

Any thoughts on how much different the paint scheme is likely to be over Hasbro? The one pic of Defensor with prototype Groove looks like Hasbro deco...

Because, other than Groove, those are the Hasbro versions. Likely Takara doesn't have theirs finalized quite yet, and in such cases they often use the Hasbro ones for stand-ins. As for what the Takara one might look like, I would suppose something like this:



Their decos have thus far seemed to try and be as close to the G1 toys as possible, to the extent that they tried to pretend Drag Strip had six wheels.

[munkimus prime]

I wonder if botcon will give us any info on a retail release of Groove.

[grimdragon2001]

I kinda hope Takara's Hot Spot is better quality. my Hasbro one seems to have some tolerance and qc issues

[Yotsuyasan]

I wonder if botcon will give us any info on a retail release of Groove.

I guess it depends in part how open to interpretation the translation of the announcement that Deluxe Groove would be a Japanese only release is.

[Rated X]

Any thoughts on how much different the paint scheme is likely to be over Hasbro? The one pic of Defensor with prototype Groove looks like Hasbro deco...

Because, other than Groove, those are the Hasbro versions. Likely Takara doesn't have theirs finalized quite yet, and in such cases they often use the Hasbro ones for stand-ins. As for what the Takara one might look like, I would suppose something like this:



Their decos have thus far seemed to try and be as close to the G1 toys as possible, to the extent that they tried to pretend Drag Strip had six wheels.

I gotta disagree with that. The Takara Stunticons are meant to be G1 cartoon accurate, not vintage toy accurate. This is most notably visible in Dead End who doesn't have the yellow stripe in car mode. In addition, Dead End has a proper cartoon accurate grey chest and cartoon accurate head. The Wildrider head is cartoon accurate featuring his signature antenna on the sides of his head, rather than the boxy 1980's connector port head. Drag Strip could go either way because neither his vintage toy or the G1 cartoon had purple thighs or arms or purple graphics in car mode. Im guessing the purple is a homage to Botcon Animated Fembot Drag Strip. The head mold doesn't really homage anything G1 toy or cartoon with the exception of the cartoon antennas on the side of his head from the cartoon.

[Yotsuyasan]

Their decos have thus far seemed to try and be as close to the G1 toys as possible, to the extent that they tried to pretend Drag Strip had six wheels.

I gotta disagree with that. The Takara Stunticons are meant to be G1 cartoon accurate, not vintage toy accurate.

Rated X, I know this isn't something you hear on these forums very often... but you are right.

I realized just after making my post that I said "toy" when I should have said either "cartoon" or just a generic "as close to G1 as possible."

Of course, the cartoon Defensor wasn't really that well detailed:



So I wouldn't mind if they take a few details from the toys, as well.