The Energon Pub

Well, it IS expensive for something that doesn't even come assembled. Despite its awesomeness, many (including myself) won't be willing to shell out $120 or more for it.

You know what that needs to be even better? Rollar as a handcar:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handcar

Altitron wrote:

Shadowstream wrote:oh, so now it's stupid and overpriced

I'll politely disagree with you, especially now that I'm a part of the project team behind this figure, and will be producing professional-grade boxart, a G1-style tech spec, and a G1-style instruction booklet to be included with each kit.

Stay tuned to the fan art forum for a sneak peek of the aforementioned boxart, coming soon to a Seibertron near you.

- Alty

Wow, that sounds awesome. We would definitely like to have a peek.

Hmmm everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And its social norm that the truth is somewhat decided by the public majority so I think its ok to let people voice out their thoughts be it constructive or otherwise.

I do think it is expensive myself, but not overpriced. Compared to a real toy that is made in tens of thousands of units this is expensive, but in the category of resin garage kits (that's what it is in the first place), it's selling about half the price of what a similar type of kit goes for in Japan. This figure is made affordable to those who wanted it badly enough and meant for this group of collectors, I would not recommend it to people who would compare it to a real toy made and funded by one of the largest toy makers in the world. I would like to sell it cheaper as much as I can, but the material and labor costs (not including my own labor) is already more than half of the price set, meaning that one rejected set or one that is produced but not sold will offset the "profit" that I get from one successful transaction. So if the price doesn't work for most people, I'd have better things to do instead of trying to offer collectors an "overpriced" figure.

LOL I've got friends who jokingly suggested that handcar roller, it's a little silly but if you can come up with an idea that makes sense I might include that in for those who have supported this project if overall response is good enough.

griffith76 wrote:Hmmm everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And its social norm that the truth is somewhat decided by the public majority so I think its ok to let people voice out their thoughts be it constructive or otherwise.

I do think it is expensive myself, but not overpriced. Compared to a real toy that is made in tens of thousands of units this is expensive, but in the category of resin garage kits (that's what it is in the first place), it's selling about half the price of what a similar type of kit goes for in Japan. This figure is made affordable to those who wanted it badly enough and meant for this group of collectors, I would not recommend it to people who would compare it to a real toy made and funded by one of the largest toy makers in the world. I would like to sell it cheaper as much as I can, but the material and labor costs (not including my own labor) is already more than half of the price set, meaning that one rejected set or one that is produced but not sold will offset the "profit" that I get from one successful transaction. So if the price doesn't work for most people, I'd have better things to do instead of trying to offer collectors an "overpriced" figure.

LOL I've got friends who jokingly suggested that handcar roller, it's a little silly but if you can come up with an idea that makes sense I might include that in for those who have supported this project if overall response is good enough.

Thanks for stopping by. The price makes sense to anyone who has been collecting Transformers for many years. Hasbro would never produce HOS. Fans are really lucky. The design is incredible. The transformation is smooth and the details look great.


Questions -
1. When do you expect these to be released?

2. It was mentioned that you might do other characters from this series. If this production is successful, who would you like to do next?

3. How long does it take to create a figure?

4. If this first figure is successful, do you have any long term plans for the series, or yourself? Would you use different materials? Are you thinking about forming a company?

1. When do you expect these to be released?
I'm still changing a couple of small parts that I think do not work very well from the first 2 copies I fixed up for sabsabby85 to paint. After that I'll be making sets of molds one by one and get my part time worker to do casting while I continue making molds as a set can probably only last me about 15 casts and a few more if I'm lucky. So the early orders will be sent out hopefully during mid Feb when everything (like boxes, instructions and misc) are ready


2. It was mentioned that you might do other characters from this series. If this production is successful, who would you like to do next?

Megatron definitely. Someone suggested Shockwave since we have already seen a great rendition of Megs from Lobo but I won't know when such projects can be shut down or if things may not work out at all after some time. I'd want to make the main figures I want to have first.

3. How long does it take to create a figure?

Prime was my first attempt in modeling on 3D so it took about 2 months to design him on the computer and another month to prototype the parts out. On and off a lot more time making mods here and there as it didn't turn out well for certain parts. I hope I can reduce the overall time down to 1 month for design and 2 weeks for prototyping in the future with more experience.

4. If this first figure is successful, do you have any long term plans for the series, or yourself? Would you use different materials? Are you thinking about forming a company?

Short term, yes. I'll move on to each design as long as I can cover basic costs and expenses for the time I have to put into the projects. Once there is sufficient evidence and resources I'd try to make or organize a fan production to have the figures made in ABS.

I will be forming a toy company some day but not for making such projects but original and licensed figures. These projects are mainly for experience gaining and to fulfill my dreams to have my very own Transformer product/line. I have no intentions to steal or make use of Hasbro/Takara's designs or properties to build up my toy company. So if things really happen, let this be a true series of projects for fans and by fans. But of course there must be some form of incentives and profits for people who participate or invest in these projects for the risks taken.

Hello all,

I've been very fortunate to have had a first hand experience in repainting this fabulous kit. There's so much already being said about it so I shan't need to elaborate any further. Feel free to browse through and comment or criticize yeah. You could get more pictures from my blog, http://www.artsylovers.blogspot.com yeah. It's also now being listed on ebay in case you would like to take a look. Thanks for looking.

The black version is amazing. The colors scheme is great in both modes. I like how you stylized the red/blue version and so it came out looking like painted steel.