The Energon Pub

News Credits: 30 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 11:33 am

Perceptor looks OK, but if it's just deluxe size, then I don't see much that sets it apart from the perfectly fine Titans Return version. As for Sweep, his lure may be simply because NOBODY was ever able to find Scourge himself! Boo!
And while having a Coronation Starscream would be funny, the bigger leader price tag is totally UN-funny.

Fri Aug 13, 2021 11:56 am

Obviously they are not, because they chose to take the pile of cash sent to them by the 2 mobile game companies to showcase their commercials instead of showing figures fans will be buying anyways.

Ah jeez, didn't think about that. Or maybe they got paid in fake exposure, like other Raid: Shadow Legends monkeys. The lady said the graphics looked amazing. Just reminded me of games on the Nokia 3510. Free-to-wait games are always so insulting when its a brand you like.

News Credits: 19 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:03 pm

Perceptor doesnt seem to do anything over the TR one (it seems to do less becasue no head/titan to drive tank) other thna availablilty. Easy pass for me, good for those that are still after him. I'm sure selects will give us magnificus so my TR repaint can happilly be Fractyl in a pre beats wars form (has swoops TR head).

SG Megatrons cthru plastic looks very blue and uncthru, liking the look and still may buy him.

Starscream is a big no at that price when compared to first walmart MP and the couple a bucks a third party add on. also with out the ungreebling its not very cartoon like other than for his extreme close ups. Give me a color change version is selects and I wont be able to say no tho.

Scourge was too small for my liking and same thing with the sweep, I like the bot mode but TR/TL still wins for me in alt. I'll pick one up on sale if possible because SS voyager prices here are off putting.

The chess set...I was thinking man Eaglemoss would only set back half that price if not even less with their magazine figurines...watches video...eagle moss hahahahahah,

Nope. for that price I would expect premium quality and premium pieces, sadly that's not what eaglemoss is known for.

On the brightside I dont have to support a toy companies kickstarter that has no need for a kickstarter and it makes me feel a bit better in hoping their future kickstarters wont appeal to me either (cautiosly raises eyebrow for the upcoming GI joe one)

News Credits: 1350 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:16 pm

I'm not going to lie, I completely forgot that this was happening. Turns out I didn't miss much. Ah well, always the 27th...

News Credits: 2 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:19 pm

Well, the figures are available for Pre-order. I did order the Starsscream coronation set. I think it'll be a nice display with the throne. Funny thing with Perceptor, you can't add him to your cart.
The sweep. I'll wait to see it in stores. 33 is a little high for an army builder.

News Credits: 11 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:19 pm

So they didn't announce Kingdom wave 4? That's surprising, even though Tigatron and Waspinator are the only things I actually want from that wave, I'm eager to get my pre-orders in. At this stage I wouldn't be surprised if wave 4 gets a quarter-assed reveal post on the Transformers Facebook page like Grindor, Thrust, Jolt and ROTF Bumblebee did.
As for what was revealed, nothing really catches my eye. The Decepticon throne that comes with Starscream is cool, buy Icdon't know if I can justify buying another Earthrise Seeker to gave it. Perceptor doesn't seem all that different from the Titans Return toy, but to be fair that toy was really good, so it's a tough act to follow for any new Perceptor.

News Credits: 4877 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:50 pm

o.supreme wrote:Judging by the comments in the livestream I'm not so sure.

Not so sure of what?

Fri Aug 13, 2021 1:06 pm

Haha I actually laughed when I saw the reveals and announcements and then saw how disappointed most people were in the forums. I’ve just gotten to the point where that’s what I expect from FFF’s, and I refused to get my hopes up for this one after how terrible the last ones have been. They always find a way to disappoint even the lowest expectations. They couldn’t even bother themselves to make a new Starscream mold for a freaking leader class figure. Somehow the news for a different packaging box was the most interesting information to be given here. What a sad day, just like ever other FFF.

News Credits: 51 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 2:11 pm

...wow, they would really rather reveal 3 figures that aren't even all made yet and don't come out until next year than actually reveal the next Kingdom wave or SS Sideswipe? No wonder it's almost all leaked. None of this even remotely interests me, what happened to FFF reveals actually being good like last year?

News Credits: 56 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 3:00 pm

It is super puzzling, but I guess as others have stated, Hasbro is a business just like any other, they will advertise whoever gives them $$$, no matter how unpopular the product is.

I know they'd never do this, but they obviously have a script. If they put out a public itinerary that breaks down the order of what will be featured,

1:00-1:15 Toy reveals
1:15-1:25 SG Toy Recap
1:25-1:30 Fathom Events TF:TM
1:30-1:45 Other TF Product
END

then fans could come and go and follow what they're really interested in. But then again, it's like being at a live panel, they don't want to book an hour, and speak to an empty room, except for maybe 10-15 minuets of content people actually care about.

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Hasbro just didn't reveal Kingdom wave 4 in a facebook post or something. I mean Siege wave 5 (which had some bumped up ER characters) was revealed because it was pre-pandemic, as was ER wave 1 & 2 (I think.... :-?

), then there was the long wait, as conventions were constantly rescheduled, and cancelled, before anyone knew what to do, then Hasbro started doing these fan events to reveal new product since conventions and toy shows were all cancelled.

For the past year or so, the reveals have been good to fair. I'd say today was the first REAL FFF that disappointed. Some have shown off more than others, but this WAS a real waste of time, for the fans. I'm sure Hasbro themselves loved it though, as did probably those that paid them to promote their product.

News Credits: 4877 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 4:39 pm

o.supreme wrote:It is super puzzling, but I guess as others have stated, Hasbro is a business just like any other, they will advertise whoever gives them $$$, no matter how unpopular the product is.

While it has been gradual, Hasbro has been changing what kind of company it is. From every time Brian Goldner opens his mouth, you can see that they set their eyes on being an IP and entertainment company rather than a toy company . They have the knowledge of a toy company, so they make use of that, but their goal is branding now and entertainment. We see that in their previous acquisitions. Their goal is to make and own characters that can then be licensed to kingdom come. They've been on the other side of that money making plan for a long time, giving money to Disney for the rights to make toys that might or might not sell and they are on the record in saying that it's not a winning model for them.

So we are, sadly, seeing what they learnt from Disney. Selling their IP to whoever wants it and all they have to do on their end is promote it to fans. This Fan First Friday is their IP plan coming to fruition with the Transformers brand.

News Credits: 251 · Fri Aug 13, 2021 11:51 pm

Livestream being lackluster aside, Starscream and Perceptor are nice looking. I appreciate that Starscream not only has his coronation gear but also a throne that Megatron will be using. I hope they do Magnificus from Perceptor so I can cheat and have him as Shattered Glass Perceptor. Already complained about the Sweep being literally Scourge with mirror hands so I’ll leave it where it lies.

News Credits: 1 · Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:18 am

Autobot_Benz wrote:At least we got that awesome Chess Set which I am sure barley anyone will purchase.

I mean it does cost more than Unicron, and consist of smaller ReAction type figures…

News Credits: 25 · Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:26 am

Glad I didn't waste my time watching them show off 3 more G1 characters. I have bought every retail release Studio Series figure, but I think the sweep and starscream will be the first two that I will pass on. Thankfully they are not numbered in the real SS line so it won't look to out of place. The slot that starscream took up really should have went to The Fallen. Preceptor is great since I missed the TR version and don't want to pay it's crazy prices. I might have to pick up two, one for my G1 shelf and another to replace the RTS one with my Wreckers.

I was surprised to see it was SS86 though, I was expecting/hoping for kingdom wave 4. I really want to see what slammer looks like.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · Sat Aug 14, 2021 1:40 am

Changewinds wrote:
Autobot_Benz wrote:At least we got that awesome Chess Set which I am sure barley anyone will purchase.

I mean it does cost more than Unicron, and consist of smaller ReAction type figures…

More than that these are hand painted figures from Eaglemoss which sell for $50 a pop at this size. Galvatron and Rodimus being $50 each is normal retail for them, it's the rest of the set averaging under $20 each that's unusual, and then you get the big chess board and hardcover book basically free. Only thing that annoys me about the set is they don't have a replacement for Hot Rod if you replace Optimus with Rodimus. I also think they're overestimating how many people will want this, $300K is a pretty large goal.

Emerje

News Credits: 20 · Sat Aug 14, 2021 1:44 am

Starscream is pretty underwhelming, not gonna lie. I do think it's pretty hilarious that they retooled his hands to articulate his fingers, but didn't give him swivel wrists, which would be a lot more useful. :lol:

Perceptor looks alright. He looks kinda chubby, but I guess that's accurate. The deco looks nice, except the unpainted red tank treads, but that nitpick might just be a me thing. I'm not sure I think it's better than the TR one at this point.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned how Perceptor having a tank mode isn't movie accurate.
It's almost like SS86 has the same design philosophy as Generations, and people have greatly exaggerated the differences in accuracy goals between the two lines. End rant, thanks for coming to my TED talk

Sat Aug 14, 2021 6:39 am

I pulled out my TR Perceptor last night. I put it in tank mode & thought of 2 things.

1. It looks more like a heavy mortar launcher, not a tank. I imagine it lobbing grenades at the Decepticons similar to the launcher in the movie they used against Devastator.

2. With a slight redeco he would make a great generic background army/troop builder. I could repaint him, put a different head on him & ignore the microscope mode and use the tank/mortar mode as the main vehicle mode (which I usually do anyway).

Now I can't un-see it.

I originally said I don't want this new one because my TR is good enough but now I want to buy 3 or 4 & not use them as Perceptor. I wish I thought of this back when the TR version was in stores for cheap. :-(

Oh yeah, I should mention that I use the tank mode backwards with the clear screen to the front & the cannon on the back shooting overhead. I think it looks much better that way & why it looks more like a mortar.

News Credits: 1350 · Sat Aug 14, 2021 7:18 am

That's not the tank mode as stated else where in the thread

as not even ss86 percy has the proper tank mode.

william-james88 wrote:
o.supreme wrote:It is super puzzling, but I guess as others have stated, Hasbro is a business just like any other, they will advertise whoever gives them $$$, no matter how unpopular the product is.

While it has been gradual, Hasbro has been changing what kind of company it is. From every time Brian Goldner opens his mouth, you can see that they set their eyes on being an IP and entertainment company rather than a toy company . They have the knowledge of a toy company, so they make use of that, but their goal is branding now and entertainment. We see that in their previous acquisitions. Their goal is to make and own characters that can then be licensed to kingdom come. They've been on the other side of that money making plan for a long time, giving money to Disney for the rights to make toys that might or might not sell and they are on the record in saying that it's not a winning model for them.

So we are, sadly, seeing what they learnt from Disney. Selling their IP to whoever wants it and all they have to do on their end is promote it to fans. This Fan First Friday is their IP plan coming to fruition with the Transformers brand.

I feel like this needs pointing out more. Its also a more logical move as Hasbro only stands to gain.

News Credits: 174 · Sat Aug 14, 2021 7:33 am

I'm guessing they're saving their big reveals for pulsefest, or whatever it is that's coming up, but this does really make it seem like the entire brand team is becoming increasingly out of touch with the fandom. It would have been cool to have included a short bit showing off the new red alert and made a surprise reveal that he was now in stock and ready to ship to end the segment, it would have at least ended on a high note, instead of a wet fart.

I'm happy for whomever wanted a coronation starscream, but it really feels like an insult with that price tag slapped on it, and for what, a throne, screw that; they wasted a fff revealing a recolored troop builder and a voyager with an add-on kit plus one new figure, all from the animated movie line that's literally taking ove the live action movie line like a cancer.

It's like what happened last time with wreck-gar and company, all the anticipated reveals we knew about and new figures we didn't, which could have been a big deal to us, got eschewed for animated stuff, they never even acknowledged the rest of the wave. Hell those figures are in stores now and we still can't get them on pulse!

I genuinely think they don't care about the live action movie figures or their audience, they just make the figures for people to buy, but don't take fans' love for them seriously, same for the beast era figures, they were all over hyping up all the earth mode **** from earthrise at every chance they could get, but everything else just gets a short blurb on facebook, or whatever; it makes me feel like they feel embarrassed that they have fans that like tf media other than the G1 cartoon, and it's sad.

News Credits: 9 · Sat Aug 14, 2021 10:40 am

Hellscream9999 wrote:I'm guessing they're saving their big reveals for pulsefest, or whatever it is that's coming up, but this does really make it seem like the entire brand team is becoming increasingly out of touch with the fandom. It would have been cool to have included a short bit showing off the new red alert and made a surprise reveal that he was now in stock and ready to ship to end the segment, it would have at least ended on a high note, instead of a wet fart.

I'm happy for whomever wanted a coronation starscream, but it really feels like an insult with that price tag slapped on it, and for what, a throne, screw that; they wasted a fff revealing a recolored troop builder and a voyager with an add-on kit plus one new figure, all from the animated movie line that's literally taking ove the live action movie line like a cancer.

It's like what happened last time with wreck-gar and company, all the anticipated reveals we knew about and new figures we didn't, which could have been a big deal to us, got eschewed for animated stuff, they never even acknowledged the rest of the wave. Hell those figures are in stores now and we still can't get them on pulse!

I genuinely think they don't care about the live action movie figures or their audience, they just make the figures for people to buy, but don't take fans' love for them seriously, same for the beast era figures, they were all over hyping up all the earth mode **** from earthrise at every chance they could get, but everything else just gets a short blurb on facebook, or whatever; it makes me feel like they feel embarrassed that they have fans that like tf media other than the G1 cartoon, and it's sad.

I know there are a lot of collectors/fans that are disappointed with stuff like this last reveal, the distribution of attention between G1 vs other series and live action movie figures.
And I'm sure that sucks and is really frustrating.

I think bottom line is Hastak is a company trying to churn-out as much profit as possible... As really most companies do.
Here's a thought I've had recently, and I don't think it's 100% correct, but I do believe it holds a lot of weight.
The G1 fan group has to be made up predominantly of "older" fans such as myself. I'm 45 in November.
I'm sure this is the case for every generation to an extent, however, it seems that nostalgia is really a powerful factor for those kids who grew up in the 80's. When you stop and think about it, there was a whole lot of pop culture-type stuff that started and/or blew-up in the 80's.
Anyway, maybe more importantly, is the fact that these kids of the 80's are now in a stage of life where some (you'd hope all, but at least most) have the financial means to buy the "extra" items that are nowhere close to "needs" or "essentials".
This isn't to suggest that younger people are all "poor", struggling, etc.
That's obviously not true. My younger brother is 8 years younger than me, and is a pharmacist...
Being single and kid-free has allowed him TONS of "wiggle room" financially.
Even after I retire, I'll never have an Audi and a Porsche...
Quick sidenote, he loved BW... Had a lot of those original toys. But he liked G1 as well.
The last 2 TF he's bought were MP Sideswipe, and MP Shockwave.
He's bought nothing since then, and that was now almost 5 years (roughly) ago.

IF people don't think Hastak zeroes-in on the various aspects of their market demographics, they're trying to fool themselves.
It's not just preferences of Hastak's higher-up's that steer the production ship...
Sure, those hands have influence no doubt.
But it's all about the Benjamins...

I know this could be wrong, but there have to be others like myself who are going to stop collecting sooner than later... Hunting in stores is more annoying than ever, even though it hasn't really become more difficult. Increased prices, more exclusives, etc. all have taken a chunk of enjoyment out of this hobby.
On top of my kids getting older and costs for them increasing... on top of different needs and wants.
This is why I've said in previous posts-- if Hastak wants a lot more of my money, they're going to need to deliver, and deliver sooner than later. When I say that, I'm meaning deliver for lots of people who have been in the game for a long time... I'm calling it right now, 3 years from now I MIGHT buy 1-2 figures per year. Past that; 4 years from now I'm not going to be willing to drop $28 on a deluxe, $38 on a voyager, or $58+ on a leader class figure, no matter which character, the appearance, the gimmick(s), etc.

Haters of G1, just be patient for a little while longer... As kids of the 80's bow out and sales of G1 figures finally start dropping, I believe there will be a huge shift.
But as long as Hastak has a pasture of healthy G1 cows...

News Credits: 1 · Sun Aug 15, 2021 11:55 am

Emerje wrote:
Changewinds wrote:
Autobot_Benz wrote:At least we got that awesome Chess Set which I am sure barley anyone will purchase.

I mean it does cost more than Unicron, and consist of smaller ReAction type figures…

More than that these are hand painted figures from Eaglemoss which sell for $50 a pop at this size. Galvatron and Rodimus being $50 each is normal retail for them, it's the rest of the set averaging under $20 each that's unusual, and then you get the big chess board and hardcover book basically free. Only thing that annoys me about the set is they don't have a replacement for Hot Rod if you replace Optimus with Rodimus. I also think they're overestimating how many people will want this, $300K is a pretty large goal.

Emerje

Somehow Imissed that they were Eaglemoss figures, despite it saying so in the first line. :lol:

. I do wonder if they’d sell them separately since there might be interest there rather than getting the whole set, which seems like a smaller crowd.

News Credits: 1646 · Mon Aug 16, 2021 7:15 pm

That was a very underwhelming show. I had at least guessed Kingdom wave 4 would be shown, but not to be. I am utterly confused as to why Shattered Glass needed recapping, when the other half of that SS wave could have been revealed or the Kingdom guys could have been revealed.

At the current rate, I am expecting a War for Cybertron Wednesday random email reveal of the Kingdom wave 4 after Tigatron is found in stores

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:26 am

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:That was a very underwhelming show. I had at least guessed Kingdom wave 4 would be shown, but not to be. I am utterly confused as to why Shattered Glass needed recapping, when the other half of that SS wave could have been revealed or the Kingdom guys could have been revealed.

At the current rate, I am expecting a War for Cybertron Wednesday random email reveal of the Kingdom wave 4 after Tigatron is found in stores

Because Shattered Glass is their exclusive line. This is their key promotion for it.

News Credits: 388 · Mon Aug 23, 2021 2:23 pm

Well, Transformers fans, it looks like we are going to have a big reveal this coming week! The Transformers official Facebook page has posted that on Friday, the Transformers team at Hasbro will be doing a Fan First Friday streaming event on their YouTube channel. This isn't anything unusual- they've been doing FFF and Transformers Tuesday events all year- but it looks like we're going to get something pretty big revealed. Given their use of the phrase "Let's say go!" in the post, it seems they're going to reveal the HasLab Transformers: Victory project that was teased several weeks back. Seeing as how that was Autobot Supreme Commander Star Saber's catchphrase in the Victory cartoon, it's highly likely that we'll be seeing a reveal of a Star Saber figure in a few days.

While their post is by no means a confirmation of a Star Saber figure, it's hard not to speculate that it will be a new version of the Fan favorite Autobot. If it turns out to be true, this would also be the first transforming version of Star Saber released in the U.S. market; his previous G1 and Masterpiece figures were only released in Japan, as was the Victory cartoon (though the MP was available from online e-tailers in the US).

So are you pumped to see what the big reveal is? Hoping to see what the remaining Kingdom figures are going to be? There's only one way to find out, and that's to tune in this Friday at 11am ET on Pulse's YouTube channel. See you all then!

(You can check out the original Facebook post by clicking the photo above).