The Energon Pub

I had a hunch that those new head molds would be held back for a bit. I think Hasbro wanted them to come out before the movie but I just don't think there will be time.

Seibertron wrote:I think Generations will take a hiatus until after the movie products die down. Maybe start up again in time for Christmas or for the fall product line.

This.

Universe ended, then we had RotF. Then came Generations.

I also think that a Classics line will return this year and not next, as happened with Universe (ran from 2008-2009, RotF in 2009-2010, Generations in 2010-2011). I would not be surprised if they run one or more lines concurrently in the fall after the movie hype has died down some (we already know that Prime figures are scheduled for the fall), and given the shelfwarmers we still see from RotF, I'm guessing they're not going to go so heavy on DotM toys.

I hope that made sense. I kinda feel like my comments are a bit disjointed.

Oh great. More bayformer waves, instead of stuff that are actual worth collecting. Even my four year old knows the difference between the good stuff and the crap (bayformers, every single time).

BUT at least it gives me time to focus on third party stuff, with some amazing things coming pretty soon.

I hope this isn't a quick end. Other than online retailers, I have yet to see RTS wave 2, Grapple, Frumble, or Windcharger.

I'm not surprised that United is gonna be short lived. This has been the story for most transformer lines since Beast Machines. There must be some kind of marketing tactic involved to mass produce short lived toy lines. God knows, we could use fifteen fifty more Optimus Prime and Bumblebee incarnations. I long for the days to return where we can get one transformer toyline that lives for many years like G1 and Beast Wars.

Blackstreak wrote:I'm not surprised that United is gonna be short lived. This has been the story for most transformer lines since Beast Machines. There must be some kind of marketing tactic involved to mass produce short lived toy lines. God knows, we could use fifteen fifty more Optimus Prime and Bumblebee incarnations. I long for the days to return where we can get one transformer toyline that lives for many years like G1 and Beast Wars.

Especially now when the engineering is at its peak. Sadly the people who call the shots aren't huge collectors but businessmen who might not see the ground level point of view as easily. I wonder, why DID TFs get so much better in their design... its not like it would have mattered that much to kids, even if it stagnated completely. I guess its the development team themselves wanting to make something cool, maybe they're collectors themselves... which then makes you wonder where they're really targetting these figures, at the core. Or maybe its just another rat race where they're simply competing with other toy makers in the similar fan-loved scene, and really don't even care that much about who buys them, but if they outdid their competitors.

Seibertron wrote:I think Generations will take a hiatus until after the movie products die down. Maybe start up again in time for Christmas or for the fall product line.

yeah id have to agree come the fall with the movie dying down and the holidays around the corner. besides they've made it clear that pcc are done after these last releases and with only a few tf:prime figures announced theyre bound to have more up theyre sleeve (both hasbro and takara)
still sad to see for those who like the metallic finish looks good but not my cup-o-tea.

MINDVVIPE wrote:

Blackstreak wrote:I'm not surprised that United is gonna be short lived. This has been the story for most transformer lines since Beast Machines. There must be some kind of marketing tactic involved to mass produce short lived toy lines. God knows, we could use fifteen fifty more Optimus Prime and Bumblebee incarnations. I long for the days to return where we can get one transformer toyline that lives for many years like G1 and Beast Wars.

Especially now when the engineering is at its peak. Sadly the people who call the shots aren't huge collectors but businessmen who might not see the ground level point of view as easily. I wonder, why DID TFs get so much better in their design... its not like it would have mattered that much to kids, even if it stagnated completely. I guess its the development team themselves wanting to make something cool, maybe they're collectors themselves... which then makes you wonder where they're really targetting these figures, at the core. Or maybe its just another rat race where they're simply competing with other toy makers in the similar fan-loved scene, and really don't even care that much about who buys them, but if they outdid their competitors.

Well, there's two perspectives here that are likely tied together. Transformers have, since day one 1984ish, been among the most playable toys on the market. Realistically, outside of toys where you actually create something (like LEGOs, Tinker Toys, Erector Sets, etc.) Transformers are among the best at helping with motor skills and problem solving development. Plus 30 minute colorful (and two plus hour cool looking) commercials help to provide more "want" ion children. Hasbro has really done well to continue to develop a decent universe (or universes) to continue the rich story lines and characterizations of the toys. All of this ties into the second related point: Transformers makes Hasbro a lot of money. As long as the engineering and creative processes continue to be profitable to Hasbro, they will continue to make the toys, TV shows, and movies.

This eight year old in a thirty something body will continue to buy multiple versions of the best toys, because I also have a son. He's young right now, but I have a Classics Jetfire ready for him one Christmas or birthday upcoming.

So, as has already been proven with the suspension of the Classics line, then the start-up and suspension of the Universe line, and the start-up of the Generations line (and to a lesser extent the RTS as these are also movie-tie-ins), Hasbro recognizes a money maker and will likely continue to milk that cow until all the butter has turned into energon. Or something like that.

I'm indifferent to this news except that now I feel more pressure to make a decision on United Wreck-gar. I feel like I'd better buy him as I don't know when/if I'm going for ever find the RTS version!

Agamemnon wrote:This eight year old in a thirty something body will continue to buy multiple versions of the best toys, because I also have a son. He's young right now, but I have a Classics Jetfire ready for him one Christmas or birthday upcoming.

So, as has already been proven with the suspension of the Classics line, then the start-up and suspension of the Universe line, and the start-up of the Generations line (and to a lesser extent the RTS as these are also movie-tie-ins), Hasbro recognizes a money maker and will likely continue to milk that cow until all the butter has turned into energon. Or something like that.

Haha, agreed.
lucky kid. It'd be funny if you bought him some future TFs when hes like 9, and then he hits puberty and forgets about them, so you sneakily add them to your own collection until he turns 19 and remembers

In either case I am glad you guys are bestowing upon your kids the interest in TFs, keep it up! Helps everyone, haha.

Maybe we should all wait until full details of the news comes out.

Besides; it tool EXTREMELY long for the toys to even make it on every store's shelves as of late. (Which is all the more reason why the US should manufacture toys instead of letting other countries do it on the cheap.)

El Duque wrote:It looks like the end could be near for Takara's Transformers United Line. According to a post at Autobase Aichi the new issue of Japanese Toy Magazine Kero Kero Ace is reporting that Transformers United will be coming to end with March's wave 4. There's been no news of any United figures scheduled for release in April, and the Dark of Moon line is scheduled for release in May. Are Scourge and company the end of the road for United?

Well based on the number of figures they've released so far, I'm not surprised as numbers wise it seems like the same number as they had for Henkei.
Looks like they're not going to do the Reflector repaint anytime soon then.

I'm already planning to buy Generations Warpath, Wheeljack and Thundercracker anyway so if Hasbro continues the line then I'll be happy. The cost for deluxes/voyagers imported from America isn't too much more than for the Japanese versions.

Looks over to his left and sees MISB United Kup, Wreck-Gar, Lugnut, Perceptor and Blurr, well my wallet will be happy as most of the stuff I was looking forward to like Hasbro Rodimus, Dinobots reissue, continuing United line has been put on hold or canceled and I don't buy movie toys so my TF expenditure is going to be way down this year.

Well, I'm not surprised. They probably don't want to overdo it and have stores be stuck with United stuff when DOTM comes around. Of course, Hasbro is doing the exact same thing. I know a lot of movie haters are angry about this, but it is what it is. The movie stuff just attracts more people and sells more I guess.

robofreak wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:

GetRightRobot wrote:For those who want repaints: you'll get them. Not one single "classics" figure has only been issued once.

Were Hound and Ravage repainted? Octane? Astrotrain?

I don't know why I do that...

Hound and Ravege: Repainted for Botcon 2010

Astrotrain: If you count Classics and Henkei as repaints then yes. Seeing how they both have very different color schemse

Octane/Tankor: To my knowledge he has not been repainted. He most likely will though. Just a matter of time.

Tell the truth, I kinda need a new Octane. Mine's leg keeps wanting to pop off, and I've tried everything, but nothing seems to get that dang leg to stay!

Jazz-1982 wrote:Looks like they're not going to do the Reflector repaint anytime soon then.

Wait, what? Is it just a reissue?

I sincerely hope this isn't the beginning of the end for all the Classics lines. If it's just a hiatus for the movie, that's just fine with me. No more Classics ever? Hell no.

juxtapose519 wrote:I sincerely hope this isn't the beginning of the end for all the Classics lines. If it's just a hiatus for the movie, that's just fine with me. No more Classics ever? Hell no.

It will come back. I'm more than sure that Botcon 2011 will announce some new goodies for all of us to enjoy.

Classics proved to be more successful than Hasbro had originally anticipated. I'm more than sure that the line will not die.

Keep in mind though that after the movie, we will see the introduction of the TF Prime line. We'll probably get 2 lines in the fall.

Hopefully this wont make getting the rumble/frenzy pack near impossible

This line was only ever a filler line to have toys on the shelves in between the movies.

I hope it'll continue myself. There's still plenty they can do. So far it seems to be doing well.

Mindmaster wrote:

robofreak wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:

GetRightRobot wrote:For those who want repaints: you'll get them. Not one single "classics" figure has only been issued once.

Were Hound and Ravage repainted? Octane? Astrotrain?

I don't know why I do that...

Hound and Ravege: Repainted for Botcon 2010

Astrotrain: If you count Classics and Henkei as repaints then yes. Seeing how they both have very different color schemse

Octane/Tankor: To my knowledge he has not been repainted. He most likely will though. Just a matter of time.

Tell the truth, I kinda need a new Octane. Mine's leg keeps wanting to pop off, and I've tried everything, but nothing seems to get that dang leg to stay!

Wow I have missed alot in this discussion. Need a new Octane, are you going to get the grey and purple Hasbro version or THE REPAINTED HENKEI BLUE AND PURPLE ONE?? HUH? Which of the TWO paint apps will your buy? Or will you buy BOTH of the OCTANE molds? One or the other of the TWO? Or BOTH perhaps?

GetRightRobot wrote:

Mindmaster wrote:

robofreak wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:

GetRightRobot wrote:For those who want repaints: you'll get them. Not one single "classics" figure has only been issued once.

Were Hound and Ravage repainted? Octane? Astrotrain?

I don't know why I do that...

Hound and Ravege: Repainted for Botcon 2010

Astrotrain: If you count Classics and Henkei as repaints then yes. Seeing how they both have very different color schemse

Octane/Tankor: To my knowledge he has not been repainted. He most likely will though. Just a matter of time.

Tell the truth, I kinda need a new Octane. Mine's leg keeps wanting to pop off, and I've tried everything, but nothing seems to get that dang leg to stay!

Wow I have missed alot in this discussion. Need a new Octane, are you going to get the grey and purple Hasbro version or THE REPAINTED HENKEI BLUE AND PURPLE ONE?? HUH? Which of the TWO paint apps will your buy? Or will you buy BOTH of the OCTANE molds? One or the other of the TWO? Or BOTH perhaps?

Bah! That's cheating to consider the Takara version a repaint of Hasbro. That's a technicality!

I had thought you meant the general re-paints we have seen. You know, like Ultra Magnus from Optimus Prime; Treadbolt from Jetfire; Smokescreen and Bluestreak, from Prowl; Red Alert and Sideswipe from Sunstreaker; the Seekers from Starscream; Tracks from Wheeljack, etc. If we don't count the Takara-Hasbro differences, and we don't count the convention exclusives, then we do only have a handful of deluxe, voyager, and leader molds from the classics line that have not been released as a new character, right? I can really only think of Megatron, Galvatron, Octane, Astrotrain, Cyclonus, and Hound/Ravage. (I'm purposefully leaving out the newest Generations/Reveal the Shield and United versions.) Plus, as I look at my classics shelf....have we really only had one scout released in Wheelie (and there was a repaint of Wheelie, right)? Or was Wheelie a legends figure? I cannot remember now.

Man, it's waaayyyyy past my bedtime. This eight year old has to get up tomorrow and teach Windows 7 to a bunch of college students...

[Edit] Okay, Cyclonus was re-released as a Target Exclusive in "Anime" colors. Maybe that's good enough... That leaves 5 and a half molds, I guess...

[Edit2] And as I went through the Seibertron galleries on Classics, I realized that Galvatron was also repainted to be more "Anime" accurate. Perhaps I should have limited my conditions to new characters, and not just repainting into other colors of the same character. If that's the case, then I stand by my original list. Except I didn't see a repaint of Wheelie in the galleries. But then I was also purposefully leaving out Legends figures, and Wheelie was indeed a Legends figure. Man, s/he was a huge Legends figure!

Naked Magnus wrote:Now you Henkei snobs will be forced to buy those "inferior" Hasbro toys.

Is that kind of comment really necessary? You realise you only make yourself sound like a snob...

Anyway, I find it amusing that BlackShadow will not be released in Japan. Quite the reversal from G1.

Im glade I have Scourge on pre-order at BBTS, but I think I'm going to have get the rest of this wave at Toy Arena or TFsource.

Mindmaster wrote:

Jazz-1982 wrote:Looks like they're not going to do the Reflector repaint anytime soon then.

Wait, what? Is it just a reissue?

There was a list of upcoming United figures that Seibertron got sent by an Asian retailer and 'Camera' was listed as a repaint or RTS Perceptor which was going to be Reflector.

No G1 reissue unfortunately, now wouldn't that have been great? There is that new third party one being made if you really want a new Reflector figure for your collection.

Naked Magnus wrote:Now you Henkei snobs will be forced to buy those "inferior" Hasbro toys.

To be fair to this particular Henkei snob, I buy both. I buy the Henkei version for myself and the Hasbro version so that you can't have one. QQ