The Energon Pub

By bigget Transformers regret was not buying Fortress Maximus 30 years ago b/c I thought he was too big. And then waiting years for it to be reissued.

Banjo-Tron wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:Metroplex is a large character. He is more than just a house. They don't throw around the term city former for nothing.

LOL I know Metroplex isn't a 'houseformer'! What I mean is, space is a premium in the UK, more so than the US. I think my dad's living room over there has similar dimensions to my house. There aren't many storage options for a 2ft Transformer available to me. I suppose I could put him in the spare bed...

Boy did i completely misread your post or what?

Stormrider wrote:By bigget Transformers regret was not buying Fortress Maximus 30 years ago b/c I thought he was too big. And then waiting years for it to be reissued.

I relate with that. Because while I am 100% glad to have the chance to get the reissue of that iconic character, I also regret not have what it takes to obtain a MISB Grand Maximus in a C-9+ box.

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:When I decided to get a better look (and not really liking all that I see), I realized that they announced this piece around 1-2 months BEFORE TOMY starts to ship out Fortress Maximus. I mean... It felt like they just had to make it 2" taller, as if they needed to compensate for not being able to reissue their version of Fortress Maximus.

I hadn't actually considered that, but it's a very interesting point. You have to wonder exactly when this being designed was originally authorised.

Has anyone though about his three "normal"-sized components: Six-Gun, Slammer and Scamper? I'm hoping that they will show those three additional characters at SDCC 2013 this year. If those bots doesn't come with it, then I hope 3rd parties should get right on it.

Another concern that I have is his articulation and if he has any die-cast parts? I hope he has some on his feet because I don't want this large figure tipping over all of my other figures.

What do you all think?

aliasangel wrote:Has anyone though about his three "normal"-sized components: Six-Gun, Slammer and Scamper? I'm hoping that they will show those three additional characters at SDCC 2013 this year. If those bots doesn't come with it, then I hope 3rd parties should get right on it.

Another concern that I have is his articulation and if he has any die-cast parts? I hope he has some on his feet because I don't want this large figure tipping over all of my other figures.

What do you all think?

Last I heard a Legion Class Scamper will be included. As for die cast, that hasn't been used for a main US toy line in ages. The last recorded use stems from 1986 (tho Europe had some stragglers via the reissues in 1991), giving true meaning to the Beast Wars quote: "die cast construction, it's a lost art"

I can't wait till this comes out. Very excited.

How did this pass the dreaded drop test? Fort Max was never done again because he wouldn't pass the drop test (that's the rumor I always heard.) How is a, larger, Metroplex going to pass the same test?

SJ21 wrote:How did this pass the dreaded drop test? Fort Max was never done again because he wouldn't pass the drop test (that's the rumor I always heard.) How is a, larger, Metroplex going to pass the same test?

What are you talking about? What drop test?

Hasbro came out a few years back and said that Fort Max couldn't be reissued by them because he failed the drop test (ie it breaks in ways that could potentially injure a small child).

If Matroplex has passed it, you have to wonder whether the toy has been designed with certain fracture points built into it.

GuyIncognito wrote:

SJ21 wrote:How did this pass the dreaded drop test? Fort Max was never done again because he wouldn't pass the drop test (that's the rumor I always heard.) How is a, larger, Metroplex going to pass the same test?

What are you talking about? What drop test?

The Drop Test is a Toy Safety test. A toy is dropped from a certain height, possibly breaking it (or not). It's to see if a toy will break, and how (like in sharp shards, little pieces, anything that could harm or kill a child). Needless to say, if it doesn't break, keep any heavy toy on the 1st floor of your house

Fortress Maximus is stated to fail the test since 2001, but how was never made clear to my knowledge, which makes Metroplex even more interesting. Keep the question handy for the BotCon Hasbro Q/A panel!

My guess would be that the screw posts are designed with a build in sheer strength weakness at the needed tolerances to break into the parts as a whole. If the posts were taking the brunt of the force in the right way, then chances are you'd see it breaking into the individual assembly pieces rather than sharp, jaged edges. Now I could be wrong about that, but it's the only possible explanation that comes to mind.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

SJ21 wrote:How did this pass the dreaded drop test? Fort Max was never done again because he wouldn't pass the drop test (that's the rumor I always heard.) How is a, larger, Metroplex going to pass the same test?

What are you talking about? What drop test?

The Drop Test is a Toy Safety test. A toy is dropped from a certain height, possibly breaking it (or not). It's to see if a toy will break, and how (like in sharp shards, little pieces, anything that could harm or kill a child). Needless to say, if it doesn't break, keep any heavy toy on the 1st floor of your house

Fortress Maximus is stated to fail the test since 2001, but how was never made clear to my knowledge, which makes Metroplex even more interesting. Keep the question handy for the BotCon Hasbro Q/A panel!

You know what is interesting? I can find, without trying at all, the discussions you and others had when "Welcome to Transformers 2010" Predaking was announced. I can find official details tied to Galvatron's madness. I even found comments from Hydra about Chip Chase, which hinted that UNITED EX may have been intended for the Binaltech version of the animated continuities. But at no point are there actual available information on the "Fortress Maximus drop test." I call this a conspiracy concocted by the original owners who planned to sell their wares on eBay.

But then I found this 2010 report on how to test toys: http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/112103/testtoys.pdf

According to this, if the drop test is the same (check out "Table 2" of the drop test section), it was tested under the earliest age group recommended for the toy. And that it failed the number of drops (at a safe distance) before breaking. Which has me guessing that it breaks after less than four drops at 3 feet (give or take 5 inches). Which has me thinking that either Hasbro managed to work around these issues... Or... Is marketing it to an age group not covered by these tests. (Namely, the drop test only entails up to 96 months of age.)

Also, folks... Remember that this is still not Hasbro's biggest mass-produced toy made for a major toyline. That honor still goes to G.I.Joe's very own U.S.S. Flagg. It stands, from end to end, a whopping 5 feet! And it still not an accurate scale model for those figures. (And now you know. And knowing is half the battle. G.I.Joe!!!)

96 months is 8 years, so that's a good age to stop the more rigorous tests for IMO.

Just how heavy is Fortress Maximus anyway? I ask because I read that if a toy is over a certain weight limit, then it's introduced to a different test, the Tip-Over test (section 9.3.5.3). *poke*

This may explain how Metroplex was possible, by ironically making the toy bigger and heavier

Nice find btw

Is Metroplex tipping going to be the new thing? you know like cow tipping?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:96 months is 8 years, so that's a good age to stop the more rigorous tests for IMO.

Just how heavy is Fortress Maximus anyway? I ask because I read that if a toy is over a certain weight limit, then it's introduced to a different test, the Tip-Over test (section 9.3.5.3). *poke*

This may explain how Metroplex was possible, by ironically making the toy bigger and heavier

Nice find btw

Thanks. I try to give my best when duty calls. (Even though I should be doing email, and try to find a collector who wants to buy my MIB Diaclone: Train Robo No.1 piece.) And according to Cliffbee.com, he weighs a whopping 5kg (11 lbs.).

Besides, I think you may be spot on about this Metroplex. But now, I am going to be thinking about the original Metroplex and how he must have fared with the drop test.

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:Also, folks... Remember that this is still not Hasbro's biggest mass-produced toy made for a major toyline. That honor still goes to G.I.Joe's very own U.S.S. Flagg. It stands, from end to end, a whopping 5 feet!

Actually, it's 7.5' long and it's spectacular (have one on display in my collection room) .

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote: And it still not an accurate scale model for those figures. (And now you know. And knowing is half the battle. G.I.Joe!!!)

Actually it's not too bad. The runway could be a little longer and the conning tower could probably have a few more levels to it under the deck, but tbh, it actually works pretty well .

Anyway, going back to the drop test, maybe they did slap a higher age recommendation on this. If so, I wonder what that would mean for a stateside Fort Max reissue.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

aliasangel wrote:Has anyone though about his three "normal"-sized components: Six-Gun, Slammer and Scamper? I'm hoping that they will show those three additional characters at SDCC 2013 this year. If those bots doesn't come with it, then I hope 3rd parties should get right on it.

Another concern that I have is his articulation and if he has any die-cast parts? I hope he has some on his feet because I don't want this large figure tipping over all of my other figures.

What do you all think?

Last I heard a Legion Class Scamper will be included. As for die cast, that hasn't been used for a main US toy line in ages. The last recorded use stems from 1986 (tho Europe had some stragglers via the reissues in 1991), giving true meaning to the Beast Wars quote: "die cast construction, it's a lost art"

Interesting that die-cast is being brought up. I just read an article that because the cost of shipping is dramatically going up all around the world, retailers are looker for less heavy materials to cut down on costs. This is one reason of many reasons why die-cast is being phased out.

Bowspearer wrote:

KUMA-NIN Maximus wrote:Also, folks... Remember that this is still not Hasbro's biggest mass-produced toy made for a major toyline. That honor still goes to G.I.Joe's very own U.S.S. Flagg. It stands, from end to end, a whopping 5 feet!

Actually, it's 7.5' long and it's spectacular (have one on display in my collection room) .

Actually it's not too bad. The runway could be a little longer and the conning tower could probably have a few more levels to it under the deck, but tbh, it actually works pretty well .

Anyway, going back to the drop test, maybe they did slap a higher age recommendation on this. If so, I wonder what that would mean for a stateside Fort Max reissue.

Did I recently tell you that my inner child hates you for having it, but is over it because the original animated series does nothing for me as an adult?

But despite that, I think that Hasbro may have no current intention to reissue Fort Max. Atop of him, they had said nothing about continuing their Commemorative series (which sucks for Artfire fans). But even then, I think guidelines would disallow them to change the age group, as they can say it is made for a certain age group... But still sell it in stores that target a different age group.

No matter. All I know is that they can eventually consider making a Masterpiece sized version of Fort Max. But until that day comes, we have them making this big boy.

I think a Masterpiece-scaled Fort Max would cost at least a thousand dollars. Probably not happening. Metroplex is the best we're getting until they make a 2'2" Transformer in 2039 (26 years from now, as this comes 26 years after Fort Max. Yes, it's unlikely they would be that exact, but I'm allowed my fun).

That Bot wrote:I think a Masterpiece-scaled Fort Max would cost at least a thousand dollars. Probably not happening. Metroplex is the best we're getting until they make a 2'2" Transformer in 2039 (26 years from now, as this comes 26 years after Fort Max. Yes, it's unlikely they would be that exact, but I'm allowed my fun).

I disagree on grounds that the same thing was said about the original Fortress Maximus being reissues. And that incarnation costs around $250-$350, depending on the seller. The same was said about certain incarnations of an upward price of $200-$300, again depending on the seller.

So using Convoy's scale and additional components as a lump sum example when it comes to the gimmick and extras... The most he would be is $250-$300, once again depending on the seller.

Well, when I say Masterpiece-scaled, I mean a figure that is to scale with the current MP releases like Sideswipe is scaled to Optimus, not a figure that is the same size as them (which would actually be smaller than regular Fort Max). A Fort Max to scale with MP Sideswipe would be the size of a person, at a conservative estimate. The only way that's going to be $300 is if he's got minimal articulation and a bare-bones transformation.

That Bot wrote:Well, when I say Masterpiece-scaled, I mean a figure that is to scale with the current MP releases like Sideswipe is scaled to Optimus, not a figure that is the same size as them (which would actually be smaller than regular Fort Max). A Fort Max to scale with MP Sideswipe would be the size of a person, at a conservative estimate. The only way that's going to be $300 is if he's got minimal articulation and a bare-bones transformation.

Seeing as this is "supposed" to be FOC Metroplex toy...for it to scale in with even FOC Optimus, it would need to be even bigger than a human. In the game, Optimus was barely the size of Metroplex's fingernail (if he had fingernails) when standing on his hand in the beginning of chapter 3 (or was it 4?)



I honestly doubt Metroplex can scale in with any TF, except his fellow titans Fortress Maximus, Skorponok, Trypticon and Omega Supreme. The best one can hope for is maybe a mini-statuette of OP to be included with the toy, although it would have to be either 3rd party or the Takara Tomy version--such tiny figures would never get past Hasbro's toy safety regulations, as they'd be choking hazards.

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:

That Bot wrote:Well, when I say Masterpiece-scaled, I mean a figure that is to scale with the current MP releases like Sideswipe is scaled to Optimus, not a figure that is the same size as them (which would actually be smaller than regular Fort Max). A Fort Max to scale with MP Sideswipe would be the size of a person, at a conservative estimate. The only way that's going to be $300 is if he's got minimal articulation and a bare-bones transformation.

Seeing as this is "supposed" to be FOC Metroplex toy...for it to scale in with even FOC Optimus, it would need to be even bigger than a human. In the game, Optimus was barely the size of Metroplex's fingernail (if he had fingernails) when standing on his hand in the beginning of chapter 3 (or was it 4?)



I honestly doubt Metroplex can scale in with any TF, except his fellow titans Fortress Maximus, Skorponok, Trypticon and Omega Supreme. The best one can hope for is maybe a mini-statuette of OP to be included with the toy, although it would have to be either 3rd party or the Takara Tomy version--such tiny figures would never get past Hasbro's toy safety regulations, as they'd be choking hazards.

Well Optimus does appear in the window at Plex's throat.

CBratetron wrote:

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:

That Bot wrote:Well, when I say Masterpiece-scaled, I mean a figure that is to scale with the current MP releases like Sideswipe is scaled to Optimus, not a figure that is the same size as them (which would actually be smaller than regular Fort Max). A Fort Max to scale with MP Sideswipe would be the size of a person, at a conservative estimate. The only way that's going to be $300 is if he's got minimal articulation and a bare-bones transformation.

Seeing as this is "supposed" to be FOC Metroplex toy...for it to scale in with even FOC Optimus, it would need to be even bigger than a human. In the game, Optimus was barely the size of Metroplex's fingernail (if he had fingernails) when standing on his hand in the beginning of chapter 3 (or was it 4?)



I honestly doubt Metroplex can scale in with any TF, except his fellow titans Fortress Maximus, Skorponok, Trypticon and Omega Supreme. The best one can hope for is maybe a mini-statuette of OP to be included with the toy, although it would have to be either 3rd party or the Takara Tomy version--such tiny figures would never get past Hasbro's toy safety regulations, as they'd be choking hazards.

Well Optimus does appear in the window at Plex's throat.

Better than nothing, I guess.

I know they're fudging Metroplex's scale, and I don't mind. He'll tower over Legends and dominate Deluxes and Voyagers, even if they're not accurately scaled with each other. If they ignored scale with the MPs again to do a Fort Max, that'd probably be fine. But the whole point of remaking Optimus was to set a trend of MPs being in scale with one another in bot mode. Doing an out of scale Fort Max would sort of undermine that, even if it's the only realistic way they could do it.