The Energon Pub

"we don’t do repaints just for the sake of doing repaints"

I laughed so hard when i read this i almost peed myself. Hell im still laughing. Theres a lot on that list that im excited for. Mainly Rodimus and Barricade. Cant wait. Only thing im wondering is if Barricade is going to be Sideways with his true name or the Mustang version of Barricade. Hope its the stang. Im relly interested in what this new show is going to be. I just hope it has better animation. CGI would be kick ass.

So much good news (and wallet-emptying) to think about. Good thing I'm sitting down.

One thing I'm excited for: Red Powerglide. Heck yeah.

Edit: MP SKYWARP?!?!?!? I read that wrong, I thought they said Movie. WOW. I hope I can get my hands on that. Once in awhile it pays to wait in this hobby.

Hmm. Movie battle set with blue Soundwave...should I have not purchased the one I just did??

Also: YES, Animated toys to continue. Arcee & Rodimus are musts. Perhaps Ratchet & Ironhide as well. Thundercracker too, even though I already bought the Legends one. Wingblade Optimus sounds interesting.

Maybe I missed this earlier, but in the gallery Ryan posted with the pics of the store exclusives, which store is getting the black U-Silverbolt repaint?? I saw two pics of it, but no box shots.

muswp1 wrote:Maybe I missed this earlier, but in the gallery Ryan posted with the pics of the store exclusives, which store is getting the black U-Silverbolt repaint?? I saw two pics of it, but no box shots.

I don't think we know yet. If I had to guess, I'd say Target. They've been getting a lot of the good stuff recently

If I wasn't so birthday hammered I'd be super pumped. Thanks for the shout out guys!!!!

It all sounds awesome and expensive BTW

This stuff sounds badass, will be poor by the end of next year.......

Couple of things mentioned at the Hasbro Panel that haven't been mentioned yet in this thread:

MP Grimlock WILL see a USA release, probably as a store exclusive like Starscream was.

Universe Onslaught will be repainted into Universe Hardhead. Repainted. No head remold.

Hasbro is ticked off over FansProject and other third party productions and hinted at the possibility of legal action.

Savage wrote:Hasbro is ticked off over FansProject and other third party productions and hinted at the possibility of legal action.

Oof. There's gonna be some flame wars soon...

Diem wrote:

Savage wrote:Hasbro is ticked off over FansProject and other third party productions and hinted at the possibility of legal action.

Oof. There's gonna be some flame wars soon...

Just to be clear, I'm not saying I think they're right or wrong. I also personally doubt such a case would actually make it to a real court, more likely it would be settled quietly. For the most part, it's a dispute that the fandom would be wise not to publicly or vocally take a side in, as that would only serve to aggravate the situation. Just enjoy your figures, official or unofficial, and let Hasbro deal with the business side of TransFormers.

Diem wrote:

Savage wrote:Hasbro is ticked off over FansProject and other third party productions and hinted at the possibility of legal action.

Oof. There's gonna be some flame wars soon...

nah, sure a few people might jump up in rage if Hasbro were to win, but i'm not sure if they even have much of a case.

It's not like these third party guys actually advertise their stuff as Transformers, sure, they make their stuff solely for, and based on the Transformers franchise, but they're original products and are in no way competing directly with Hasbro like the big knock-off companies do.

Of course you have to wonder how far they'll take this, will they go after the every day customiser next? The majority of which create their creations for their own collections, and even those who do sell them off aren't exactly competing against Hasbro.

nah, i'm sure this piece of news won't be much of an issue.

Savage wrote:

Diem wrote:

Savage wrote:Hasbro is ticked off over FansProject and other third party productions and hinted at the possibility of legal action.

Oof. There's gonna be some flame wars soon...

Just to be clear, I'm not saying I think they're right or wrong. I also personally doubt such a case would actually make it to a real court, more likely it would be settled quietly. For the most part, it's a dispute that the fandom would be wise not to publicly or vocally take a side in, as that would only serve to aggravate the situation. Just enjoy your figures, official or unofficial, and let Hasbro deal with the business side of TransFormers.

Good sage advice, Savage. Unfortunately, it's a topic that a lot of the fandom have strong opinions about. Even, even more than whether there should be a toaster TF.

Burn wrote:
Of course you have to wonder how far they'll take this, will they go after the every day customiser next? The majority of which create their creations for their own collections, and even those who do sell them off aren't exactly competing against Hasbro.

nah, i'm sure this piece of news won't be much of an issue.

I think what Hasbro have said is unnofficially they are fine with individual customs and add on items being sold as long as it doesn't become big business, - it's the high price full figures based on their characters that are in the pipeline that are the big no-no.

It's a shame that Hasbro isn't willing to fill the demand for niche characters for the collector market but is trying to stop people who are - although it's understandable.

Savage wrote:Hasbro is ticked off over FansProject and other third party productions and hinted at the possibility of legal action.

I don't want to come off as taking sides, but...I think it's just plain silly for Hasbro to be "ticked" over what FansProject and other companies do. If anything, they should be taking it as a compliment. They have no right to be offended.

So, does this mean that FProj should be able to go after the company that is making an upgrade set for their upgrade set? It's so ironic when corporations only preach business ethics when it benefits them personally. They are only "offended" because they see money going to a company other than their own, for projects that they are uninterested/unwilling to do themselves.

It makes about as much sense as automakers getting ticked at aftermarket suppliers. You don't see Jeep going after the lift-kit producers, do you? It's going to happen, whether they like it or not, so they should just accept the fact that people enjoy their product enough to produce parts and/or accessories for it.

This following is going to sound a little harsh, but I want to make it clear that I often defend Hasbro and their dedication to the fandom, especially during the past few years:

You don't want companies making Magnus Upgrades? Then stop simply repainting Prime white and do one yourself.

You don't want them doing trailers for Prime? Then do one yourself.

You don't want them making weapons kits? Then release your own.

The Collector's Club would be the perfect host for these kind of projects.

It's that simple, and it shouldn't be a legal issue. If I recall correctly, a few years back, they claimed they were going after Reprolabels for the same reason, and guess what? RL is still alive and well.

What's next, are you going to push for litigation that allows someone the right to customize a figure, but not the right to sell it? Please.

Hasbro, just don't waste the effort, because most of us here are smart enough to know that this amounts to nothing but corporate posturing. As a fan who truly appreciates what you do for us, it will take you down a notch, from my perspective, at least. If you really feel the need to go after someone, then keep after the KO companies, because they are the ones involved in copyright infringement, not FP and similar companies.

To revise the above, if you don't want other companies doing these things, then do them yourself. It's called "not having your cake and eating it, too."

(I know I'm off topic, but I had to address this.)

Rijie wrote:

Savage wrote:Hasbro is ticked off over FansProject and other third party productions and hinted at the possibility of legal action.

I don't want to come off as taking sides, but...I think it's just plain silly for Hasbro to be "ticked" over what FansProject and other companies do. If anything, they should be taking it as a compliment. They have no right to be offended.

I think they have the right to be offended, but not from FP, but from that noname freak chinese company that is putting out the G1 knockoffs. It is giving Hasbro a bad name with slag quality, and de-values original figures.

Rijie wrote:

Savage wrote:Hasbro is ticked off over FansProject and other third party productions and hinted at the possibility of legal action.

I don't want to come off as taking sides, but...I think it's just plain silly for Hasbro to be "ticked" over what FansProject and other companies do. If anything, they should be taking it as a compliment. They have no right to be offended.

Another company is producing mass-made, internationally-sold figures undeniably based on Hasbro's characters.

I can understand why Hasbro would want to draw a line there.

There are a lot of good arguments to FPs benefit: they're non-profit, they make products that don't directly compete with Hasbro's products, and may even enhance sales for Hasbro toys (such as Nemesis Prime). They fufill fan demand.

Taken individually, FP probably don't deserve to take the heat. Apart from issues with City Commander's neck, I've heard nothing bad about their products or their practices, bar the recent Powered Convoy scandal.

But Hasbro can't say no to knockoffs and yes to FP.

Hasbro can't afford to turn a blind eye, especially with a big property like ROTF hanging around. Saying no to knockoffs but yes to FP would create an awkward grey area a mile wide. After all, if FP are allowed to make City Commander with his copyright-nuzzling image, packaging, comic and name, then it effectively gives the green light to Hong Kong's very own CrapCo who decide to make a Jepfire armour for ROTF Prime and sell it around the world.

If this is the line that needs to be drawn to keep Hasbro's reputation and copyrights safe then that's just how it is.

I'm not trying to take sides either, and I'm not trying to rattle any cages. I just want to point out that Hasbro's motives might be more than just greed or posturing.

You guys make good points, I totally forgot about the upcoming stand-alone figures, that I suppose I can understand. Maybe I didn't word it correctly, they do have a right to be offended at KO companies and likeness rights.

But the upgrade/accessory kits? I think that my point still stands. If they don't want these things being made, they should do them themselves. Ultra Magnus is not simply a white Prime, most fans know this and want a little more, there nothing wrong with that.

Nobody even wanted Classics Magnus until the City Commander was released. Those sets were on clearance after a couple of weeks. The boards were full of annoyed collectors who didn't want to have to get Magnus just to get Skywarp. Now try to find a Magnus/Skywarp set for under $80. And it's because of FProj.

I overstated my point a little, I'll admit. But I still
think that the only right way for Hasbro to go about this is to simply make the things themselves,(EDITED IN)or, license/collaborate with these upgrade companies, then there would be no reason for companies like FProj to exist. It is simply the result of a passionate fandom, and that should be taken as a compliment.

It would make the most sense if Hasbro were to licence/approve smaller reliable companies to make add ons and niche market figures that they have no intention of doing - but I expect that lawyers would get in the way of anything so sensible happening.

Can we shift subjects because I have a quick question on those G1 Reissues....

All the other G1 Reissues had zero chrome.

The Insecticons, have chrome wings, antennas, etc.

If those parts are black, the figures will loose a lot of their appeal I think.

Will the insecticons have Chrome?

How much do you think the commemorative guys will cost?

Technically weird wrote:How much do you think the commemorative guys will cost?

Wasn't their a rumored 50 dollar reissue figure?

ChrisR291 wrote:Can we shift subjects because I have a quick question on those G1 Reissues....

All the other G1 Reissues had zero chrome.

The Insecticons, have chrome wings, antennas, etc.

If those parts are black, the figures will loose a lot of their appeal I think.

Will the insecticons have Chrome?

They will have vacuumed metalized parts apparently - so yes, chrome.

Rijie wrote:
But the upgrade/accessory kits? I think that my point still stands. If they don't want these things being made, they should do them themselves. Ultra Magnus is not simply a white Prime, most fans know this and want a little more, there nothing wrong with that.

Nobody even wanted Classics Magnus until the City Commander was released.

I understand your point totally. FP are filling a niche in what fans want that Hasbro isn't.

However...

Given that Ultra Magnus did, as you say, sell badly, then without the benefit of hindsight Hasbro really had very little incentive to make an add-on armour for it. And after FP's product had become popular there was little incentive for them to make such a thing either, since anyone who wanted one that badly would've bought one anyway.

On the other hand, Hasbro have released a very nifty Animated Ultra Magnus which I'd imagine has been in production since before FP announced City Commander. Arguably, Hasbro were trying to do what the fans want (make a decent UM) but FP snuck in and stole their thunder (and possibly sales). Not that FP knew Hasbro were making UM, so there's no blame on either side.

Besides, would City Commander be profitable if made by Hasbro? FP sold a (comparatively) small number at a high price to a small market. At general release would it've done so well?

[quote=Rodentus Prime]It would make the most sense if Hasbro were to licence/approve smaller reliable companies to make add ons and niche market figures that they have no intention of doing - but I expect that lawyers would get in the way of anything so sensible happening.[/quote]

It's a good idea, but again I'm not sure it's profitable. I don't know the figures but I can't think of any other add-on as popular or profitable as City Commander, and again that's only in a very small market. Hasbro would have to spend extra money on safety testing to make sure all of the toys their subsidiaries were making with their valuable brand names were on were safe, extra money on marketing, and extra money on infastructure to make sure that, say, a subsidiary didn't knock out a Counterpunch figure just as Hasbro were planning to make their own.

In addition, Hasbro would have to decide which niche market figures would even be profitable in the first place (a daunting task). After all, if a figure were guaranteed to sell well, well then Hasbro could make it themselves without another company getting involved.

Besides, Hasbro already make a number of niche figures, for the club and for Botcon. It's not their fault they can't make every niche figure we want. In a parallel universe somewhere, we would be playing with our official Hasbro City Commander while buying FP's Universe Nightbeat...sorry, FP's Detective.

Lot's of neat stuff coming in 2010. I'd like to some pics.

All this talk about FP's so confusing for someone who just wants to stick his head in the ground about all these 3rd-party stuff due to wanting them but being scared off by the ridiculously high prices they fetch and subsequently sticks to retail (I.E. me), but, well, yeah, the moment they started the individual figure kits (Springer & Broadside) I had a feeling Hasbro's intellectual property rights alarms were going off... Whatever happens next will just happen, it's not like we could hold a mass-demonstration outside Hasbro's offices to save FP (even if that were the case I doubt it would work), but it would be a shame if FP went down under - I hate the non-triple-changing mold reuses of Springer.

Anyways, back to the topic;

Seibertron wrote:------------------------------------------------------------
2010 SNEAK PEAK (SPRING)
------------------------------------------------------------
ROTF SCOUTS
Brakedown (homage to G1 Brakedown)
Skystalker (new futuristic drone jet mold)
Scattorshot (military truck w/ plow - offscreen character with pistols)

ROTF DELUXE
Lockdown (TFA character as a ROTF styled figure - looks awesome)
Ratchet (comes w/ MP Blaster)
Dirge (complete with conehead, actually looks really cool, huge missiles under wings)

ROTF VOYAGER CLASS
Jungle Attack Ironhide (redeco w/ new bumper that transforms into crossbow and huge guns, gattling gun, knives, sniper rifle)
Bludgeon (G1 style - holy **** is this awesome, tank, complete w/ samarai swords which come out of gun turrett, skull face, has samarai garb)

ROTF HUMAN ALLIANCE
Barricade w/ Frenzy (stores in front of vehicle or chest has some guns as well - very cool!)

UNIVERSE IN 2010
New version of series will continue in fall 2010

No, wait, seriously? Animated Lockdown given movieverse treatment and G1 Bludgeon going Voyager-sized ROTF in all his Metallicato-blades-of-death goodness and a heavily retooled Rambohide? The first Decepticon Human Alliance set (Frenzy isn't a human though, so isn't this kinda awkward to call it "Human" alliance)?

*facepalms* 2010's just too far away to just sit down and wait for...

Right then, thanks for the heads-up!

Diem wrote:Given that Ultra Magnus did, as you say, sell badly, then without the benefit of hindsight Hasbro really had very little incentive to make an add-on armour for it. And after FP's product had become popular there was little incentive for them to make such a thing either, since anyone who wanted one that badly would've bought one anyway.

On the other hand, Hasbro have released a very nifty Animated Ultra Magnus which I'd imagine has been in production since before FP announced City Commander. Arguably, Hasbro were trying to do what the fans want (make a decent UM) but FP snuck in and stole their thunder (and possibly sales). Not that FP knew Hasbro were making UM, so there's no blame on either side.

Besides, would City Commander be profitable if made by Hasbro? FP sold a (comparatively) small number at a high price to a small market. At general release would it've done so well?

Again, wonderful points made. Much like Hasbro were surprised at the success of the first Movie line, I also think that they were surprised that Universe outsold Animated in most places, and that Classics did so well, even though it simply started as a filler line.

The point about Animated Magnus is a good one, but he simply doesn't fit in with the Classics very well, imo, even though he is an excellent figure in his own right.

If Hasbro would have done a true Classics Ultra Magnus, then I believe it would have been profitable, even if it were a Club Exclusive. FProj's CC Armor has already passed the $125 aftermarket price(last time I checked), starting at around $85 at most online retailers, that's a good indicator of it's overall appeal.

Mass produce them with corporate QC, and yes, I do believe they could have profited nicely. I need not mention what the Cliffjumper Upgrade goes for nowadays, and that's just a head, a bumper, and some weapons.

Hindsight is indeed 20/20, but I still see the Bros. consistently underestimating the demand for Classic characters, even coming from today's kids. I know they can't give us absolutely everything we want, but I still think they have a pretty good idea, even if they are in denial about it.