The Energon Pub

News Credits: 23 · Sat Nov 08, 2008 5:49 pm

Thanks for giving us fans the chance to ask some questions. We appreciate it!

- It's great to see that other TF lines are getting some love in the Universe line, but what happened with Cheetor and Dinobot? I mean, Cheetor looks like an amalgamation of his 4 versions and Dinobot just looks... off.

- Previous question aside, will we see more Beasties characters? (Universe Depthcharge and Rampage could work as a two-pack with a DVD or something. Maybe make one a Voyager and one a Deluxe, like the Comic Packs.)

- Since Universe spans TF history, is there any chance of seeing a Transtech figure or another "figure that never was"/"Lost Figure"? A "What Might Have Been" segment of the Timeline could be interesting to say the least!

Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:06 pm

1. Are you planning to re-release Classics Ultra Magnus?

2. Are planning to reissue any other G1 toys?

3. When do you guys get the info on the location of botcon?

4. Will we see Headmasters with thier Nebulon partners in the Universe line?

5. Will we see any other combiners that don't combine like you guys did with Universe Silverbolt and Onslaught?

News Credits: 10 · Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:51 pm

What is the likelihood of us seeing the Japanese Lio COnvoy mold brought over to the states? He would fit perfectly within the theme of the Universe line, and he's a very sought after figure amongst the American collectors. Considering the success of Big Convoy when he was brought over, I'm surprised this was never considered before.

News Credits: 409 · Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:10 pm

1. Any more Ultras in the works? Perhaps Hot Spot and Motormaster?

Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:04 am

Hi just a couple of simple questions

1) With the already explained reason to why 'fan choice' transformers can't be made, is there any plans to release the vast amount of human/alien characters over the years in a GIJoe articulated style and packaging (eg Spike, Coby or Snake from g1 season 3 cartoon)?

2) Will Hasbro release characters from the old action masters line as transformable toys whether they repaint or not?

Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:18 am

wheeljack? when why and how can we get to see more of him in the future- in any of the toy lines, ?? why are you not ready to talk about him? is there something coming in the future? wheeljack could be in any of these story lines and rightfully belongs there as well. :APPLAUSE:

Sun Nov 09, 2008 2:42 pm

1. The alt mode for animated swindle is cool and a somewhat of a modern version of the G1 Swindle. Will we be seeing a universe version of both animated Swindle and animated Jazz in the not so near future?

2. Most characters in the TF universe are male, but there were a few fem-bots in the 1980s cartoon as well. Will we be seeing any of them in the universe line?

3. I loved the way the Dinobots looked in IDW's Spotlight Shockwave. Are we gonna see any of them in that way?

4. I know that the a repaint is much cheaper to make than a new mold, but it seems that the Universe line is getting too much repaints from the late Cybertron series. Are we going to expect more repaints in future waves?

5. Hasbro said combinors in the unverse line are a no-no. We already have an Ultra Class Silverbolt and an Onslaught, and being both characters as the main body of gestalts in G1, can't hasbro work with that so that we have a g1 accurate combinors? I mean by adding extra parts to the rest of both teams or something like that.

News Credits: 1 · Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:07 pm

(1)are there going to be any more triple chagers in the universe
line like broadside or blitzwing.
(2)will there be new voagers of pe exsisting tf's like a voager astrotrian,starscream or onslought.
(3)repiant,repiants and more repiants are you going to make new molds for universe!

[zero-kaiser's YouTube Channel] · Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:43 pm

First-Aid wrote:1. Can you go more in depth into the process of the creation of a average Transformers figure, maybe including things like how many prototypes you design, the length of the process, and a rough percentage of how many Transformer toys never even see the light of day?

ill second this.. hearing more details about the design process would be very interresting indeed..

omega666 wrote:Will the TF:ROTF figures BE premium editions?

im sure im not the only one who was a lil annoyed by the first films premium figures release... this would be interresting to know in advance if possible..

i know only 5 questions will be submitted, so ill get my two cents in now

3. would you be able to hint or tell us who else we can expect to see in Classics 2.0/Universe? if i named TFs id like to see be id here all day, but some idea who we can look forward to would be nice

4. i know this was asked a couple of times previously, but, ive been loving Classics 2.0/Universe, what does the future hold for this line after RotF? will it be continued or replaced with something else until TF3 comes around?

5. i really liked the recently released Minicon 12 pack, any plans for more packs of Minicons?

6. im sure with some research online this could be answered, but i was curious for some insight into this. who does Hasbro see as a leading competitor for Transformers? 20 years ago or so this was kind of obvious, He-Man, M.A.S.K., Ghostbusters, etc. but not so much now,..

if i can think of anymore questions ill be sure to post again, even if my questions dont get answered ill be looking forward to reading the answers to those that do

thanks again for giving us fans the chance to ask you guys our questions!!

News Credits: 129 · Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:51 am

What are the sizes of typical production runs (how many?) for a given toy?

How much smaller is a production run of store exclusive toys?

Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:36 pm

Hi just a couple of simple questions

1) With the already explained reason to why 'fan choice' transformers can't be made, is there any plans to release the vast amount of human/alien characters over the years in a GIJoe articulated style and packaging (eg Spike, Coby or Snake from g1 season 3 cartoon)?

2) Will Hasbro release characters from the old action masters line as transformable toys whether they repaint or not?

**continued from before**

3) Now that hasbro & takaratomy have included other tf universes to the 'universe/classic' line how many other non g1 charatcter are planned?

4) What what Go-bot rights do hasbro own? by this i don't mean the gen 2 line or recent(ish) kiddy toys, whether it be original toy moulds 3d/2d,characters, characters designs or just character names etc...?

5) Why have hasbro chosen not to use the name 'Slag' for triceratops dinobot figures (Beast machines & Animated) when it has been allowed as a form of slang in a few tv series?

News Credits: 409 · Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:55 pm

Counterpunch wrote:What are the sizes of typical production runs (how many?) for a given toy?

How much smaller is a production run of store exclusive toys?

I've always wanted to know that.

Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:46 am

One question,

1.) I've read somewhere that one of the reasons that the Alternators comeback was postponed is that the rights to reproduce the cars likenesses have lapsed. Since the upcoming movie have vehicles whose likenesses will be reproduced in toys, wouldn't that be a good oppurtunity to release Alternators based on the movie cars?

News Credits: 1082 · Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:45 am

olokin wrote:One question,

1.) I've read somewhere that one of the reasons that the Alternators comeback was postponed is that the rights to reproduce the cars likenesses have lapsed. Since the upcoming movie have vehicles whose likenesses will be reproduced in toys, wouldn't that be a good oppurtunity to release Alternators based on the movie cars?

We entered the Alternators question before. Alternators will not be coming back in the foreseeable future.

Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:01 pm

1. Are there any plans for the Universe/25th line to include more comic characters, like Jhiaxus, Bludgeon, Straxus, Thunderwing, Nova Prime, Sentinal Prime and others?
2. Are there any plans to release some updated japanese and european exclusives in the Universe/25th line like, Overlord, Star Saber, Deathsaurus, Liokaiser, just to name a few?
3. With Takara releasing the Encore line, does Hasbro have a any plans on reissueing some of the more obscure charactersor anyone at all?
4. I know I was in the minority, but I did not like the designs of the movie figures, and for a whole year I did not purchase any transformers at retail. Are there plans to continue the Universe/25th/ or Animated line while ROTF toys hit the shelf.
5. Is there any chance of seeing some of the unused Titanium figure molds or exsisting molds to be rereleased all in plastic?

News Credits: 5 · Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:06 am

Given significant fan demand for the set to be completed, the three remaining Decepticon Jets from the Classics line were produced as 2007 BotCon exclusives (primarily because it was not seen as economically feasible to market six extremely similar characters at general retail). Are there any other teams or groups that might recieve the same treatment in the near future, whether they may be retailer, store, HasbroToyShop.com, or OTFCC exclusives (i.e. Dinobots, Wreckers, 'females', Rainmakers, combiners, etc)?

Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:43 am

-Genocide- wrote:4. I know I was in the minority, but I did not like the designs of the movie figures, and for a whole year I did not purchase any transformers at retail. Are there plans to continue the Universe/25th/ or Animated line while ROTF toys hit the shelf.

I agree. I simply did not care for anything related to the movie and haven't purchased anything having to do with it- not even the tickets. It's not because the film wasn't an "accurate" portrayal of G1 Transformers, (I love Beast Wars and Animated) but rather that the designs for the characters just weren't appealing to me, and the characters themselves were so dull.

News Credits: 409 · Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:46 am

1. Can you explain the typical pipeline for a toy from concept to finished product, including time & constraints?

2. Why are small Chinese companies able to produce exact replicas of several G1 Transformers? Are they using lost/stolen molds? Or, are they using reverse engineering?

3. Does Hasbro have any plans to reissue the figures that these small Chinese companies are producing as KO? Example - Dinobots, Reflector, Cyclonus, Wheeljack, Constructicons, etc.

Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:22 am

my Q:
is megs. going to be a gun? i would very much like to know.
pleeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz answer.
(the more zs i put, the better my chances are)

News Credits: 1082 · Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:51 am

Burritotron wrote:my Q:
is megs. going to be a gun? i would very much like to know.
pleeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz answer.
(the more zs i put, the better my chances are)

Classics Megatron is clearly a gun. Movie Megatron the idea was shot down from the beginning by MBay.

Animated Megatron is a helicopter.

SoooTrypticon wrote:
-Genocide- wrote:4. I know I was in the minority, but I did not like the designs of the movie figures, and for a whole year I did not purchase any transformers at retail. Are there plans to continue the Universe/25th/ or Animated line while ROTF toys hit the shelf.

I agree. I simply did not care for anything related to the movie and haven't purchased anything having to do with it- not even the tickets. It's not because the film wasn't an "accurate" portrayal of G1 Transformers, (I love Beast Wars and Animated) but rather that the designs for the characters just weren't appealing to me, and the characters themselves were so dull.

Answered. All hiatus. Animated may still be there in remnants, but I believe it has been stated it will be all movie.

-Genocide- wrote:1. Are there any plans for the Universe/25th line to include more comic characters, like Jhiaxus, Bludgeon, Straxus, Thunderwing, Nova Prime, Sentinal Prime and others?
2. Are there any plans to release some updated japanese and european exclusives in the Universe/25th line like, Overlord, Star Saber, Deathsaurus, Liokaiser, just to name a few?
3. With Takara releasing the Encore line, does Hasbro have a any plans on reissueing some of the more obscure charactersor anyone at all?

1. Answered. They have stated that they like to explore other options for inspiration for releasing figures. They clearly said that they have taken inspiration from the comics before (The Fallen, War Within Titanium, Classics Jetfire), and will continue to do so, when the characters can fit.

2. Stated as... "This is a celebration of all Transformers brand, so yes, pulling from other sources than just US based sources is something they are open to." In other words, yes, and let us surprise you...

3. Stated as, yes we will be doing more G1 toy re-issues in the 25th anniversary in fall 2008. No specific characters are mentioned.

News Credits: 7 · Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:06 am

Why was Ironhide allowed to be released with such obvious engineering flaws?

They did notice that he can't fully transform right?

Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:14 am

1. Will there be a release of a Universe Ratchet from the Universe Ironhide mold?
2. Will any other Legends figures get a new, higher class mold, just like Hound?
3. Since there will be a Ravage accessory for Hound, will there be a new Universe Soundwave mold to store Ravage in?
4. Since there are already Universe Galvatron and Cyclonus figures, will there be a release of a Universe Scourge?
5. Will there ever be a new Jhiaxus mold?

News Credits: 16 · Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:21 am

tigertracks 24 wrote:
-Genocide- wrote:4. I know I was in the minority, but I did not like the designs of the movie figures, and for a whole year I did not purchase any transformers at retail. Are there plans to continue the Universe/25th/ or Animated line while ROTF toys hit the shelf.

Answered. All hiatus. Animated may still be there in remnants, but I believe it has been stated it will be all movie.

Can you link me to the answer? I was under the impression Animated would run alongside the movie line.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:49 am

I apologise for posting again.... but I have 2 more questions

6. Why are the G1 Micromasters redone as voyager/ultra class figures rather than Minicons or Legend class?

7. Now that Takara are releasing both Thrust (with weird looking wings) and Dirge (both released as Botcon Exclusives in the West) and even Ratchet under their Henkei line. Will Hasbro follow suit and release both seekers in their show accurate forms? (well ratchet would be great as well)

Many thanks

News Credits: 23 · Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:10 pm

AdventPrime wrote:3. Since there will be a Ravage accessory for Hound, will there be a new Universe Soundwave mold to store Ravage in?

Ravage stores on Hound's back in altmode.

Arlekkin wrote:6. Why are the G1 Micromasters redone as voyager/ultra class figures rather than Minicons or Legend class?

You mean G1 Minibots? They ARE being remade as Legends. Powerglide got a 'promotion' but Beachcomber, Cosmos, Warpath, Bumblebee, and Brawn didn't.

Arlekkin wrote:7. Now that Takara are releasing both Thrust (with weird looking wings) and Dirge (both released as Botcon Exclusives in the West) and even Ratchet under their Henkei line. Will Hasbro follow suit and release both seekers in their show accurate forms?s

No chance of Thrust since was an exclusive. A Dirge would be great.