The Energon Pub

[shajaki]

It’s time for a new strategy that supports the fans instead of belittles them for showing anticipation.

you think theyre belittling us because theyre trying to protect themselves? the fact that theyre even making this devastator shows how much they appreciate us.

[ZeroWolf]

Looking forward to the toy show then. Still undecided so it will be down to a good look of the individual constructicons themselves that may win me over.

Then of course it will be waiting to see about the rumoured yellow exclusive SDCC set...Then takara's offering. How many releases of metroplex were there again?

4, two for conventions SDCC and Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong, then 2 standard retail, hasbro and takara tomy

I see was the Hong Kong one a different redeco or was it the takara one? There is some interesting repaint potential here like a six builder colour scheme.

[Rated X]

Least we can confirm it is more towards the classic Devastator than IDW,

Before I proceed, I want to point out that the following is not aimed directly at yourself, Roadbuster, but at the general public of this thread.

I see this "Classics vs. IDW" concern floating around enough to make me ask, aside from Prowl being a part of the equation, what exactly is the difference between a Classics-style and an IDW-style Devastator?

Prowl wasn't always a part of Devastator in IDW. That's only been a thing in recent years. Previously, IDW had Devastator formed by all six traditional Constructicons, as early as "All Hail Megatron #2" back in 2008.

I ask everyone who has been concerned about Devy being "more IDW than Classics", had Devy's new toy been designed to look like the following image (but with the iconic chest wings included), would it have been considered "too IDW" or "more like Classics"?

"Too IDW" is everything TFC Hercules was before the upgrade parts came out. The ugly non-visor head, silly tread wrists, and the horrible green cement barrel.

Im glad Hasbro didnt go that route.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Let’s say someone answers your bounty this weekend. You already know Hasbro wouldn’t appreciate this site leaking the image. But you know your website’s fan base would appreciate it greatly. You would have a tough choice to make. Who takes preference? Hasbro’s business interests or your own? Assuming increased web traffic translates to increased profits; would you be willing to miss out on an opportunity to see Hasbro’s failed secrecy practices continue?

So... what you're basically asking is: would he actually put his site on the line just for a few extra hits (which I must add would be rendered moot with the official reveal in just two weeks)? Hasbro can and will bite hard, you know?
I remember back in 2009/2010 we had a leaked image of Battle Ops Bumblebee on the site. Hasbro saw it and actually requested the image to be taken down. He complied and all was well. I'm pretty sure you remember the several of the Club leaks they had to keep under wraps as well. Same principle

Hasbro likes exposure like any other company, that we know. But sometimes the exposure has to be limited to a certain group, like stock holders, investors and retailers. I don't know the exact reasons, what I do know is that this Toy Fair is for them, not for us. Hasbro has the New York Toy Fair, SDCC and BotCon already for grand reveals to the public including the fans. Some fans may feel entitled to more, but a little modesty goes a long way.

[Desslok2201]

Looking forward to the toy show then. Still undecided so it will be down to a good look of the individual constructicons themselves that may win me over.

Then of course it will be waiting to see about the rumoured yellow exclusive SDCC set...Then takara's offering. How many releases of metroplex were there again?

4, two for conventions SDCC and Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong, then 2 standard retail, hasbro and takara tomy

I see was the Hong Kong one a different redeco or was it the takara one? There is some interesting repaint potential here like a six builder colour scheme.

Half of me says "Sixbuilder is a micromaster... End of story"
The other half of me is strangely intrigued

[Tsutsukakushi]

In defense of the Seibertron forum owner...

The Seibetron forum owner has already explained his actions for his bounty in a reply here.
He doesn't need to be put on trial and keep defending himself here by answering all of these questions defending his integrity.

The Seibertron owner is a fellow fan who has created this site because he loves the fans. he is not this big bad evil corporation leader.

[SW's SilverHammer]

Looking forward to the toy show then. Still undecided so it will be down to a good look of the individual constructicons themselves that may win me over.

Then of course it will be waiting to see about the rumoured yellow exclusive SDCC set...Then takara's offering. How many releases of metroplex were there again?

4, two for conventions SDCC and Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong, then 2 standard retail, hasbro and takara tomy

I see was the Hong Kong one a different redeco or was it the takara one?

Exact same as the SDCC version, only thing different is the minifigures were cast in gold and silver.

[Desslok2201]

In defense of the Seibertron forum owner...

The Seibetron forum owner has already explained his actions for his bounty in a reply here.
He doesn't need to be put on trial and keep defending himself here by answering all of these questions defending his integrity.

The Seibertron owner is a fellow fan who has created this site because he loves the fans. he is not this big bad evil corporation leader.

...which isn't evil, either

[sol magnus]

In defense of the Seibertron forum owner...

The Seibetron forum owner has already explained his actions for his bounty in a reply here.
He doesn't need to be put on trial and keep defending himself here by answering all of these questions defending his integrity.

The Seibertron owner is a fellow fan who has created this site because he loves the fans. he is not this big bad evil corporation leader.

...which isn't evil, either

I was gonna say, but you beat me to it.

[Optimum Supreme]

"Too IDW" is everything TFC Hercules was before the upgrade parts came out. The ugly non-visor head, silly tread wrists, and the horrible green cement barrel.

Im glad Hasbro didnt go that route.

Why do people get so up in arms at the notion of a green cement barrel? Why shouldn't it be green? I honestly don't care either way, it's a minor detail, but there's certainly nothing wrong with Mixmaster being colored the way he was 30 years ago.

[Desslok2201]

"Too IDW" is everything TFC Hercules was before the upgrade parts came out. The ugly non-visor head, silly tread wrists, and the horrible green cement barrel.

Im glad Hasbro didnt go that route.

Why do people get so up in arms at the notion of a green cement barrel? Why shouldn't it be green? I honestly don't care either way, it's a minor detail, but there's certainly nothing wrong with Mixmaster being colored the way he was 30 years ago.

There are so many things right with this Devy, that if we're down to the green vs. purple barrel issue, I'd say that's a feather in the cap of the designers. I'd like to send Klaus a few bucks so he could buy them a round on me.

[Rated X]

Let’s say someone answers your bounty this weekend. You already know Hasbro wouldn’t appreciate this site leaking the image. But you know your website’s fan base would appreciate it greatly. You would have a tough choice to make. Who takes preference? Hasbro’s business interests or your own? Assuming increased web traffic translates to increased profits; would you be willing to miss out on an opportunity to see Hasbro’s failed secrecy practices continue?

So... what you're basically asking is: would he actually put his site on the line just for a few extra hits (which I must add would be rendered moot with the official reveal in just two weeks)? Hasbro can and will bite hard, you know?
I remember back in 2009/2010 we had a leaked image of Battle Ops Bumblebee on the site. Hasbro saw it and actually requested the image to be taken down. He complied and all was well. I'm pretty sure you remember the several of the Club leaks they had to keep under wraps as well. Same principle

Hasbro likes exposure like any other company, that we know. But sometimes the exposure has to be limited to a certain group, like stock holders, investors and retailers. I don't know the exact reasons, what I do know is that this Toy Fair is for them, not for us. Hasbro has the New York Toy Fair, SDCC and BotCon already for grand reveals to the public including the fans. Some fans may feel entitled to more, but a little modesty goes a long way.

I remember a few of those instances, but it was never really clarified if it was removed to be "on good terms" with Funpub/Hasbro or if it was removed out of fear of lawsuit. I can understand an exclusive image being a target. But if the image originated on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram, what case does Hasbro really have? It's like the paparazzi, you can’t sue them. You cant stop them. It's freedom of the press. It's just my personal opinion, but I say Hasbro would have no case in court. Maybe they can sue the guy who took the pic, but good luck in finding him.

[Desslok2201]

Let’s say someone answers your bounty this weekend. You already know Hasbro wouldn’t appreciate this site leaking the image. But you know your website’s fan base would appreciate it greatly. You would have a tough choice to make. Who takes preference? Hasbro’s business interests or your own? Assuming increased web traffic translates to increased profits; would you be willing to miss out on an opportunity to see Hasbro’s failed secrecy practices continue?

So... what you're basically asking is: would he actually put his site on the line just for a few extra hits (which I must add would be rendered moot with the official reveal in just two weeks)? Hasbro can and will bite hard, you know?
I remember back in 2009/2010 we had a leaked image of Battle Ops Bumblebee on the site. Hasbro saw it and actually requested the image to be taken down. He complied and all was well. I'm pretty sure you remember the several of the Club leaks they had to keep under wraps as well. Same principle

Hasbro likes exposure like any other company, that we know. But sometimes the exposure has to be limited to a certain group, like stock holders, investors and retailers. I don't know the exact reasons, what I do know is that this Toy Fair is for them, not for us. Hasbro has the New York Toy Fair, SDCC and BotCon already for grand reveals to the public including the fans. Some fans may feel entitled to more, but a little modesty goes a long way.

I remember a few of those instances, but it was never really clarified if it was removed to be "on good terms" with Funpub/Hasbro or if it was removed out of fear of lawsuit. I can understand an exclusive image being a target. But if the image originated on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram, what case does Hasbro really have? It's like the paparazzi, you can’t sue them. You cant stop them. It's freedom of the press. It's just my personal opinion, but I say Hasbro would have no case in court. Maybe they can sue the guy who took the pic, but good luck in finding him.

If the image is grabbed from an online site, Facebook, Twitter, whatever, then fine. To use your paparazzi analogy, Seibertron became News of the World, or Weekly World News when he called for the picture to be taken and thus becomes liable for it when he posts an exclusive, and would incur the wrath of Hasbro at that time, because they can easily trace a line back to him, and let's not forget, it is their property which they get to choose the timing and manner of it's release.
That is absolutely the worst run on sentence I've ever written

[Peridot]

No hard feelings, but I liked the stance you first took better when you offered a bounty for clear pics. Just because the toy industry is a weird bunch of paranoid people, doesnt mean we need to support their weirdness. They really aint s**t without us fans who buy the product. If us fans were so unimportant, then they wouldnt have made a G1 Devastator. Us fans are the reason that toy exists. So its time for us fans to start being the puppeteers instead of the puppets. Getting those photos online was a great first step. We need more now, forget the 2 weeks. Just my opinion.

The "bounty" is still out there. I'd like to see pics as much as all of you. My stance hasn't changed. The only thing I've done since the original post is clarify that I don't want people doing things they're not supposed to be doing. I value my relationship with Hasbro and would like to maintain a good relationship with them because that is in all of our best interests.

Your mistrust in Hasbro and the corporate world is what really stands out in your above statement. They do an incredible amount of really cool things for us fans. Your comments come across as ungrateful or unappreciative. Maybe you don't have any need to feel those things, which is fine ... you don't have to. But your tone is harsh. It puts others on the defensive, which is what you may or may not intend.

Hasbro does an amazing job of doing this balancing act between doing things they think are going to make money (the most important thing here), making children, parents, fans, and collectors happy and obviously doing things that make investors or stock holders happy. It's a tough position to be in. Do they make all of those groups happy all of the time? Of course not, but I think they're certainly doing a great job of trying to find that perfect balance.

I understand what you’re saying. I just don’t agree with the whole “top secret” marketing strategy. It always fails so why even bother. Hasbro’s target audience is kids. Kids aren’t tuning in to toy fair updates online for the latest smuggled photos of a G1 Devastator character from 30 years ago. Kids are playing video games, watching TV or out playing sports or whatever. The only people glued to these updates is us 30 something G1 fans. So by Hasbro being all touchy about “unauthorized” reveals, they are taking a direct shot at us because we are the only ones who give a crap. As I said earlier, if Hasbro was worried about secrets so bad, they should stop sending TRU product information so many months early. All kinds of TF fans and scalpers work in TRU so the cat was let out the bag a long time ago. 2 weeks is a lot of time to someone who might have to make a financial decision based on a few pics. Some people want to sell their Hercules or Giant. Some people who hate the large size might now want to buy Hercules or Giant. Either way, I think the concept of secret reveals has failed. It’s time for a new strategy that supports the fans instead of belittles them for showing anticipation.

Let me pose an interesting question…

Let’s say someone answers your bounty this weekend. You already know Hasbro wouldn’t appreciate this site leaking the image. But you know your website’s fan base would appreciate it greatly. You would have a tough choice to make. Who takes preference? Hasbro’s business interests or your own? Assuming increased web traffic translates to increased profits; would you be willing to miss out on an opportunity to see Hasbro’s failed secrecy practices continue?

It's not a marketing strategy because they haven't even started marketing it yet. Again, this is for retailers. The public reveal comes after stores are actually interested in the product. Plus, the strategy you asked for already exists. It's called BotCon, SDCC, and NY Toy Fair.

[Emerje]

Personally, I'd like to know it it's going to have a retractable visor so fans can have their two-optics or visor Devastator.

I'd like to think if They can do it with Metroplex (or even a couple of smaller figures) they'll be able to do it with Devastator, too. I also think that since his added parts will certainly double as weapons like the G1 version and the other Combiner Wars figures then the head will probably turn into something rather than just sit on Hook's crane mode since it's too big to stick inside Hook.

Hasbro has the right to limit exposure of there products at toyfair. Toyfair is not for the fans, it's for the companies and the press.

Fans have the conventions that Hasbro sometimes shows up at and shows off newer products.

Please lets not turn this thread into a nasty free for all. With replies trying to fight the big corporation.

Hasbro probably has reasons why they limit fans from taking pictures and sharing info at the European toy fairs. those reasons could be as such.

1. Not to give competitors like Bandai, mattel and others more info than is needed.

2. Perhaps Hasbro gave exclusive pics and info rights to a magazine, paper, press, network, site or?

3. Hasbro might want to release all the info and pics publicly at a bigger event like the New York Toyfair.

4. The KO and 3rd party problem they have. Where Hasbro needs to reveal newer products as late as possible. So KO and 3rd party companies don't copy it and release it before HasTak does.

Please lets show some patience. The New York Toyfair is only Two weeks away.

Even if we don't see any reveals. It's not the end of the world. There are other things more important in life than lifeless plastic toys.

Numbers 1&4: Bingo.

All of the above actually. We've seen point two happen several times in the past with reveals first made at places like USA Today and MTV. Entirely possible that we'll see something in the major media online the day before Toy Fair.

As for point three, even though Hasbro has already shown Devastator in HK and UK, at their core they're still an American company and New York Toy Fair is the biggest show of all so they give that one special treatment.

I remember a few of those instances, but it was never really clarified if it was removed to be "on good terms" with Funpub/Hasbro or if it was removed out of fear of lawsuit. I can understand an exclusive image being a target. But if the image originated on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram, what case does Hasbro really have? It's like the paparazzi, you can’t sue them. You cant stop them. It's freedom of the press. It's just my personal opinion, but I say Hasbro would have no case in court. Maybe they can sue the guy who took the pic, but good luck in finding him.

Paparazzi is HATED by the entertainment industry, why would a Transformers fan site want to be hated by Hasbro for not abiding by their requests? No respectable fan site is going to do that. It's a great way to get blacklisted from one of their SDCC or NYCC invite only press shows. Interview at BotCon? No chance. Seibertron not playing by Hasbro's rules would probably mean the death of Seibertron.

Emerje

[william-james88]

Don't get why this whole hating on HasTak and calling them the big bad corporation. needs to exist on a toy forum dedicated to Hasbro's toy products.

Agree with others, HasTak does more than other toy companies do. by attending all of these toyfairs in other countries with newer products they unveil. Going out of there way to please the fans by attending all of those conventions. Creating Two whole entire Transformers toy lines for the older fans called Masterpieces and Generations.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I was certain Takara was the one helming he masterpiece line. They are the ones who choose which toy is next and are in charge of design, right?

[Seibertron]

These debates are becoming a bit much. You guys have got to lighten up. Hasbro's not an evil company. We'll all see pics of Devastator soon enough. I'm not shady as some have implied out of this. Lighten up. Have fun. We're enjoying the luxury of collecting toys while people are getting beheaded by ISIS overseas. All of us have got it pretty good. Smile. Enjoy your hobby folks. Collecting Transformers is fun stuff!

My wife's making popcorn.

Well, we're actually having family movie night watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) for the first time and my daughter requested popcorn. So there's that. It smells good. I'm having a couple of beers (Revolution Anti-Hero IPA from Chicago if you're curious).

Carry on. But lighten up please.

This is what we're always telling our 9 week old daughter who hasn't gotten the hang of smiling more than a few times a day yet:



"Why So Serious, Baby Madelyn?"

[Cobotron]

Collecting Transformers is fun stuff!
My wife's making popcorn.

My wife and kids are in bed. I'm gonna open the Bombshell I picked up today, than finish dusting off my Car Robot/RIDs that I got out of storage last night.
Have fun with movie night.

Happy Friday everybody.

[Seibertron]

Don't get why this whole hating on HasTak and calling them the big bad corporation. needs to exist on a toy forum dedicated to Hasbro's toy products.

Agree with others, HasTak does more than other toy companies do. by attending all of these toyfairs in other countries with newer products they unveil. Going out of there way to please the fans by attending all of those conventions. Creating Two whole entire Transformers toy lines for the older fans called Masterpieces and Generations.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I was certain Takara was the one helming he masterpiece line. They are the ones who choose which toy is next and are in charge of design, right?

I'm sure Hasbro has a say in some of it because they're ultimately looking for products that they can have in their markets too. If Takara just started making figures for the Japanese market and ONLY the Japanese market, things could get dicey for the rest of us pretty quick. It's the balance between Hasbro and Takara that makes all of this work so well.

[william-james88]

Sorry to derail the thread, but isn't that exactly what the Alternity line was?

[Seibertron]

Sorry to derail the thread, but isn't that exactly what the Alternity line was?

That wasn't a shared line. That was a line that they made exclusively for their market and the licensing deals Takara made were probably just for their market. Masterpiece is a shared line with a much greater interest worldwide. I'm sure Hasbro has a lot of interest in what the upcoming figures are in that line which they would like to release for their market. I don't foresee Star Saber being released here but Magnus, on the other hand, I would imagine would be released here.

[Rated X]

No hard feelings, but I liked the stance you first took better when you offered a bounty for clear pics. Just because the toy industry is a weird bunch of paranoid people, doesnt mean we need to support their weirdness. They really aint s**t without us fans who buy the product. If us fans were so unimportant, then they wouldnt have made a G1 Devastator. Us fans are the reason that toy exists. So its time for us fans to start being the puppeteers instead of the puppets. Getting those photos online was a great first step. We need more now, forget the 2 weeks. Just my opinion.

The "bounty" is still out there. I'd like to see pics as much as all of you. My stance hasn't changed. The only thing I've done since the original post is clarify that I don't want people doing things they're not supposed to be doing. I value my relationship with Hasbro and would like to maintain a good relationship with them because that is in all of our best interests.

Your mistrust in Hasbro and the corporate world is what really stands out in your above statement. They do an incredible amount of really cool things for us fans. Your comments come across as ungrateful or unappreciative. Maybe you don't have any need to feel those things, which is fine ... you don't have to. But your tone is harsh. It puts others on the defensive, which is what you may or may not intend.

Hasbro does an amazing job of doing this balancing act between doing things they think are going to make money (the most important thing here), making children, parents, fans, and collectors happy and obviously doing things that make investors or stock holders happy. It's a tough position to be in. Do they make all of those groups happy all of the time? Of course not, but I think they're certainly doing a great job of trying to find that perfect balance.

I understand what you’re saying. I just don’t agree with the whole “top secret” marketing strategy. It always fails so why even bother. Hasbro’s target audience is kids. Kids aren’t tuning in to toy fair updates online for the latest smuggled photos of a G1 Devastator character from 30 years ago. Kids are playing video games, watching TV or out playing sports or whatever. The only people glued to these updates is us 30 something G1 fans. So by Hasbro being all touchy about “unauthorized” reveals, they are taking a direct shot at us because we are the only ones who give a crap. As I said earlier, if Hasbro was worried about secrets so bad, they should stop sending TRU product information so many months early. All kinds of TF fans and scalpers work in TRU so the cat was let out the bag a long time ago. 2 weeks is a lot of time to someone who might have to make a financial decision based on a few pics. Some people want to sell their Hercules or Giant. Some people who hate the large size might now want to buy Hercules or Giant. Either way, I think the concept of secret reveals has failed. It’s time for a new strategy that supports the fans instead of belittles them for showing anticipation.

Let me pose an interesting question…

Let’s say someone answers your bounty this weekend. You already know Hasbro wouldn’t appreciate this site leaking the image. But you know your website’s fan base would appreciate it greatly. You would have a tough choice to make. Who takes preference? Hasbro’s business interests or your own? Assuming increased web traffic translates to increased profits; would you be willing to miss out on an opportunity to see Hasbro’s failed secrecy practices continue?

It's not a marketing strategy because they haven't even started marketing it yet. Again, this is for retailers. The public reveal comes after stores are actually interested in the product. Plus, the strategy you asked for already exists. It's called BotCon, SDCC, and NY Toy Fair.

The Titan Class Devastator has been listed in TRU computers for over a month. So there are retailers that have already committed to selling this product without a road trip to Germany.

And if the whole "Top Secret" stance isnt a marketing strategy, what exactly is it a strategy for ?

Devastator is 30 years old. His general appearance in G1 is no secret. 3rd parties have already raped Devastator and moved on. No "competition" for Titan Class Devastator exists for Hasbro moving foward. This is all just silly paranoia with no rhyme or reason.

And when Michael Bay's rendition of Devastator was new to the world, the toy prototypes wasnt hidden with the Ark of the Covenant. Now Hasbro is acting like a bunch of Free Masons over a stinking toy. WTF ?

[Desslok2201]

Well, we're actually having family movie night watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) for the first time

I'm so sorry.

[Rated X]

Seibertron not playing by Hasbro's rules would probably mean the death of Seibertron.

Emerje

That's debatable.

It might be the death of a healthy relationship between the retailer and the site, that I give you. But this website doesnt need Hasbro's permission to exist. Having Hasbro's "blessing" does seem like an easier way to run the site as a business, worry free. But I dont see Hasbro messing with any of the smaller non-profit TF fan sites.

[Seibertron]

Well, we're actually having family movie night watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) for the first time

I'm so sorry.

Just finished it. Thought it was a great movie. Had really low expectations and the movie turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.