The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 5:38 pm

Rated X wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Rated X wrote:Without the fans there would be no business.

True, but with Hasbro being well able to shut us down should we cross lines we shouldn't cross, well... A site needs its fans, but the fans need their site more.

I dont think hasbro would ever shut this site or tfw2005 down because its free promotion for their brand. All the factors made on how either site is run is based on the logic of those who run it. Both sites seem to apply a different logic. The fans opinion on which logic is superior will forever be split. Ethics will forever divide different types of fans and collectors. Just my opinion. But I personally dont think funpub has earned the right to garner the respect of any fan site. They make all these stupid requests for fan sites not to post their stuff early when it is already all over facebook. I kind of like the stance smaller fan sites take. They are non profit so they post what ever they feel like. Its the whole business thing that doesnt mesh well for some fans.

Businesses make knee-jerk reactions all the time to protect what they think is their interests. It would take one lawsuit to ruin this for everyone. How can you be so callous to ask Ryan to risk his livelihood for your own selfish reasons?

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 5:41 pm

Rated X wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Rated X wrote:Without the fans there would be no business.

True, but with Hasbro being well able to shut us down should we cross lines we shouldn't cross, well... A site needs its fans, but the fans need their site more.

I dont think hasbro would ever shut this site or tfw2005 down because its free promotion for their brand. All the factors made on how either site is run is based on the logic of those who run it. Both sites seem to apply a different logic. The fans opinion on which logic is superior will forever be split. Ethics will forever divide different types of fans and collectors. Just my opinion. But I personally dont think funpub has earned the right to garner the respect of any fan site. They make all these stupid requests for fan sites not to post their stuff early when it is already all over facebook. I kind of like the stance smaller fan sites take. They are non profit so they post what ever they feel like. Its the whole business thing that doesnt mesh well for some fans.

If a licensee or trademark owner makes a request for something to be taken down or not posted, you comply to help maintain a healthy business relationship.

Who knows, down the track by maintaining that business relationship the site could then start getting exclusive news.

It really is that simple.

btw, if you're upset that people argue with you because they don't know you? Maybe you should try talking to them privately rather than making snide remarks which will no doubt further the divide between you and them. :wink:

by **Rated X** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:43 pm

njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Rated X wrote:Without the fans there would be no business.

True, but with Hasbro being well able to shut us down should we cross lines we shouldn't cross, well... A site needs its fans, but the fans need their site more.

I dont think hasbro would ever shut this site or tfw2005 down because its free promotion for their brand. All the factors made on how either site is run is based on the logic of those who run it. Both sites seem to apply a different logic. The fans opinion on which logic is superior will forever be split. Ethics will forever divide different types of fans and collectors. Just my opinion. But I personally dont think funpub has earned the right to garner the respect of any fan site. They make all these stupid requests for fan sites not to post their stuff early when it is already all over facebook. I kind of like the stance smaller fan sites take. They are non profit so they post what ever they feel like. Its the whole business thing that doesnt mesh well for some fans.

Businesses make knee-jerk reactions all the time to protect what they think is their interests. It would take one lawsuit to ruin this for everyone. How can you be so callous to ask Ryan to risk his livelihood for your own selfish reasons?

Almost all news from fan sites is obtained through facebook updates and twitter posts. Hasbro and funpub never had control of leaks to begin with. I understand Ryan has vetted business interests. But the news is out there for free to begin with.

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:53 pm

Do you even try to understand why or are you just going to keep whining "I want I want I want it"? Don't answer I already know the answer.

by **Rated X** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:55 pm

Burn wrote:
Rated X wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Rated X wrote:Without the fans there would be no business.

True, but with Hasbro being well able to shut us down should we cross lines we shouldn't cross, well... A site needs its fans, but the fans need their site more.

I dont think hasbro would ever shut this site or tfw2005 down because its free promotion for their brand. All the factors made on how either site is run is based on the logic of those who run it. Both sites seem to apply a different logic. The fans opinion on which logic is superior will forever be split. Ethics will forever divide different types of fans and collectors. Just my opinion. But I personally dont think funpub has earned the right to garner the respect of any fan site. They make all these stupid requests for fan sites not to post their stuff early when it is already all over facebook. I kind of like the stance smaller fan sites take. They are non profit so they post what ever they feel like. Its the whole business thing that doesnt mesh well for some fans.

If a licensee or trademark owner makes a request for something to be taken down or not posted, you comply to help maintain a healthy business relationship.

Who knows, down the track by maintaining that business relationship the site could then start getting exclusive news.

It really is that simple.

btw, if you're upset that people argue with you because they don't know you? Maybe you should try talking to them privately rather than making snide remarks which will no doubt further the divide between you and them.

I agree with you on this. But sometimes I feel colectors shouldnt expect too much from hasbro because their market is kids. They throw us collectors a bone now and then, but the third party market caters to us. Im not a businessman or a stakeholder, just a collector and fan. But I do get what your saying.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:56 pm

Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Rated X wrote:Without the fans there would be no business.

True, but with Hasbro being well able to shut us down should we cross lines we shouldn't cross, well... A site needs its fans, but the fans need their site more.

I dont think hasbro would ever shut this site or tfw2005 down because its free promotion for their brand. All the factors made on how either site is run is based on the logic of those who run it. Both sites seem to apply a different logic. The fans opinion on which logic is superior will forever be split. Ethics will forever divide different types of fans and collectors. Just my opinion. But I personally dont think funpub has earned the right to garner the respect of any fan site. They make all these stupid requests for fan sites not to post their stuff early when it is already all over facebook. I kind of like the stance smaller fan sites take. They are non profit so they post what ever they feel like. Its the whole business thing that doesnt mesh well for some fans.

Businesses make knee-jerk reactions all the time to protect what they think is their interests. It would take one lawsuit to ruin this for everyone. How can you be so callous to ask Ryan to risk his livelihood for your own selfish reasons?

Almost all news from fan sites is obtained through facebook updates and twitter posts. Hasbro and funpub never had control of leaks to begin with. I understand Ryan has vetted business interests. But the news is out there for free to begin with.

Hasbro may not be able to prevent leaks in the shape of (stolen) toy samples, but it can exert dominance over promotional images of the toys taken by them, which we're dealing with now. If the source of a certain image found online can be traced to Hasbro or FunPub themselves and it has not been officially publicly released yet via Twitter, Facebook or any other readily accessible medium (which the Club Magazine does not fall under as it's restricted access), you can bet they'll take action. It wouldn't be the first time Seibertron.com was asked to take images down.

Since the Club has publicly released the promotional image of Cannonball on Twitter (thank you El Duque) after the initial reveal in the magazine, everything is honky-dory for now.

Seriously, must we go through this every single year?

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 7:10 pm

IMHO, I feel that this looks even better than the original Cannonball, as it eliminates the clunky kibble and chunky proportions in favor of a slimmer, more agile look.

And since this is G1 Cannonball, imagine what a meeting between the two would be like.

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 7:12 pm

Sabrblade wrote:IMHO, I feel that this looks even better than the original Cannonball, as it eliminates the clunky kibble and chunky proportions in favor of a slimmer, more agile look.

And since this is G1 Cannonball, imagine what a meeting between the two would be like.

What do Cybertronains use for lube?

News Credits: 251 · by **Mindmaster** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:40 pm

njb902 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:IMHO, I feel that this looks even better than the original Cannonball, as it eliminates the clunky kibble and chunky proportions in favor of a slimmer, more agile look.

And since this is G1 Cannonball, imagine what a meeting between the two would be like.

What do Cybertronains use for lube?

News Credits: 1 · by **Bumblevivisector** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:52 pm

I can see why many thought Breakdown would work better, since he has a hammer-hand like ol' GF First (Fast?) Aid, and Ratchet's sword-hands trick is still pirate-ish, but not quite as evocative an homage. Still, neither of them have a hookish claw like Red Alert.

Any chance they'll make some new socket-accessories for this Cannonball, as that would surely be less than the expense of a new head? I can't recall offhand what FunPub toys have done something similar, but there is a precedent for that, isn't there?

News Credits: 1 · by **Bumblevivisector** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:56 pm

Mindmaster wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:IMHO, I feel that this looks even better than the original Cannonball, as it eliminates the clunky kibble and chunky proportions in favor of a slimmer, more agile look.

And since this is G1 Cannonball, imagine what a meeting between the two would be like.

What do Cybertronains use for lube?

Say, those guys even have Slapdash's color scheme! Weird.

News Credits: 251 · by **Mindmaster** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:57 pm

Bumblevivisector wrote:Any chance they'll make some new socket-accessories for this Cannonball, as that would surely be less than the expense of a new head? I can't recall offhand what FunPub toys have done something similar, but there is a precedent for that, isn't there?

I don't think so... but it would be nice to replace one of the swords with a blaster that homages Red Alert. Then they'd have to redeco him into Red Alert (for either this year's "line" of figures or for the next round of TFSS if they're shooting for round three). :-B

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:07 pm

Couldn't they have just used a different weapons mold?

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:21 pm

Mindmaster wrote:
Bumblevivisector wrote:Any chance they'll make some new socket-accessories for this Cannonball, as that would surely be less than the expense of a new head? I can't recall offhand what FunPub toys have done something similar, but there is a precedent for that, isn't there?

I don't think so... but it would be nice to replace one of the swords with a blaster that homages Red Alert. Then they'd have to redeco him into Red Alert (for either this year's "line" of figures or for the next round of TFSS if they're shooting for round three).

Fun Pub toys seem to be limited to one remolded body part per figure. Cannonball's got a new head, so that's all the change he's afforded.

The swords the toy already comes work well for the pirate motif.

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:35 pm

Pirates didn't use just swords. What about axes, pistols, pikes, grenades, muskets, nets, or speed boats?

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:36 pm

njb902 wrote:Pirates didn't use just swords. What about axes, pistols, pikes, grenades, muskets, nets, or speed boats?

True, but the are the weapons most commonly associated with pirates.

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:41 pm

Sabrblade wrote:
njb902 wrote:Pirates didn't use just swords. What about axes, pistols, pikes, grenades, muskets, nets, or speed boats?
True, but the are the weapons most commonly associated with pirates.

Have any transformers ever had a grenade accessory?

News Credits: 23 · by **Madeus Prime** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:01 pm

njb902 wrote:Pirates didn't use just swords. What about axes, pistols, pikes, grenades, muskets, nets, or speed boats?

Well DOTM HA Sandstorm has a pistol that looks like an old fashioned blunderbuss

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:07 pm

njb902 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
njb902 wrote:Pirates didn't use just swords. What about axes, pistols, pikes, grenades, muskets, nets, or speed boats?
True, but the are the weapons most commonly associated with pirates.

Have any transformers ever had a grenade accessory?

Good question.

If not, then I could imagine a reason for that being toy safety laws not wanting tiny accessories that children could swallow and/or choke on.

News Credits: 1 · by **njb902** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:38 pm

Sabrblade wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
njb902 wrote:Pirates didn't use just swords. What about axes, pistols, pikes, grenades, muskets, nets, or speed boats?
True, but the are the weapons most commonly associated with pirates.

Have any transformers ever had a grenade accessory?
Good question.

If not, then I could imagine a reason for that being toy safety laws not wanting tiny accessories that children could swallow and/or choke on.

Legos

News Credits: 3 · by **Manterax Prime** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:45 pm

As I've heard it, Fun Pub uses molds that Hasbro has used. This explains why Cannonball isn't the Breakdown mold and Rewind has the Demolition Rumble mold.

Hasbro had planned to release Demolition Rumble to the pint where we got pictures, which is why the mold is available for Fun Pub to use.

However, Hasbro said the had NO plans to make Prime Breakdown, and as such, no Breakdown mold for Fun Pub.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:51 pm

njb902 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
njb902 wrote:Pirates didn't use just swords. What about axes, pistols, pikes, grenades, muskets, nets, or speed boats?
True, but the are the weapons most commonly associated with pirates.

Have any transformers ever had a grenade accessory?
Good question.

If not, then I could imagine a reason for that being toy safety laws not wanting tiny accessories that children could swallow and/or choke on.

Legos

Manterax Prime wrote:As I've heard it, Fun Pub uses molds that Hasbro has used. This explains why Cannonball isn't the Breakdown mold and Rewind has the Demolition Rumble mold.

Hasbro had planned to release Demolition Rumble to the pint where we got pictures, which is why the mold is available for Fun Pub to use.

However, Hasbro said the had NO plans to make Prime Breakdown, and as such, no Breakdown mold for Fun Pub.

Jesse Wittenrich said that Breakdown was Fun Pub's first choice:

The very first toy explored for Cannonball was Breakdown. Because on the face of it, it seems perfect.

But after playing around with the transformation, how that related to the deco, the mold layout, and the exaggerated proportions (tiny head is tiny!), it didn't really work. Ratchet was actually the third option explored, but the robot mode was just perfect for him. Vehicle mode coincidentally became another emergency vehicle which some fans may like...and others not so much.

by **Rated X** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 11:15 pm

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Rated X wrote:
njb902 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Rated X wrote:Without the fans there would be no business.

True, but with Hasbro being well able to shut us down should we cross lines we shouldn't cross, well... A site needs its fans, but the fans need their site more.

I dont think hasbro would ever shut this site or tfw2005 down because its free promotion for their brand. All the factors made on how either site is run is based on the logic of those who run it. Both sites seem to apply a different logic. The fans opinion on which logic is superior will forever be split. Ethics will forever divide different types of fans and collectors. Just my opinion. But I personally dont think funpub has earned the right to garner the respect of any fan site. They make all these stupid requests for fan sites not to post their stuff early when it is already all over facebook. I kind of like the stance smaller fan sites take. They are non profit so they post what ever they feel like. Its the whole business thing that doesnt mesh well for some fans.

Businesses make knee-jerk reactions all the time to protect what they think is their interests. It would take one lawsuit to ruin this for everyone. How can you be so callous to ask Ryan to risk his livelihood for your own selfish reasons?

Almost all news from fan sites is obtained through facebook updates and twitter posts. Hasbro and funpub never had control of leaks to begin with. I understand Ryan has vetted business interests. But the news is out there for free to begin with.

Hasbro may not be able to prevent leaks in the shape of (stolen) toy samples, but it can exert dominance over promotional images of the toys taken by them, which we're dealing with now. If the source of a certain image found online can be traced to Hasbro or FunPub themselves and it has not been officially publicly released yet via Twitter, Facebook or any other readily accessible medium (which the Club Magazine does not fall under as it's restricted access), you can bet they'll take action. It wouldn't be the first time Seibertron.com was asked to take images down.

Since the Club has publicly released the promotional image of Cannonball on Twitter (thank you El Duque) after the initial reveal in the magazine, everything is honky-dory for now.

Seriously, must we go through this every single year?

When TFCC mails out their magazine, they are publicly releasing it. Begging the members that get it first because they live in texas not to show the pages online is a bunch of crap. Were not talking about stolen samples here. As the consumer, I cant support this secret santa style of promoting upcoming figures. Its like they dont take their fanbase seriously, our money spent is all fun and games to them. Were not kids, were adults with cash so show us the goods.

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 11:23 pm

In reality, there's no reason why TFCC couldn't release a digital version to all members at the same time they begin mailing out physical copies.

It's NOT hard to create digital comics. They'd already have the masters scanned in for printing purposes.

Heck, even DC can do it, and they're pretty much incompetent at managing their own characters.

by **Rated X** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 11:26 pm

Manterax Prime wrote:As I've heard it, Fun Pub uses molds that Hasbro has used. This explains why Cannonball isn't the Breakdown mold and Rewind has the Demolition Rumble mold.

Hasbro had planned to release Demolition Rumble to the pint where we got pictures, which is why the mold is available for Fun Pub to use.

However, Hasbro said the had NO plans to make Prime Breakdown, and as such, no Breakdown mold for Fun Pub.

I wouldnt buy that personally. All the molds are sitting somewhere in a giant has/tak warehouse in china due to cheap labor. I think any mold is game if funpub wants to hammer out a deal. If has/tak wasnt planning to use the molds for the highest bidder, surely they would melt them down and make some much needed space. Not alot of people are authorized to use them, so they collect dust. So I cant see why takara wouldnt toss the breakdown mold to funpub. Thats my Opinion. I give it five years or less and bayformer molds will be on the table as well.