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william-james88 wrote:

-WonkoTheSane- wrote:I think at this point, They don't want people who have a budget, They want people with endless caverns of disposable income.
That isn't me. And I assume, Isn't a lot of others as well.

Your right, it isn't me either. I wanted to get at least one mold of each MP release but that's not gonna happen. Same with MPM. I will continue buying BW MPs though, they will be the only MPs I buy.

It was possible to get everything when the MP came out at our local Toys R Us for relatively cheap. But now with this "no Quebec" policy and those Japan exclusives that need to be imported at high cost, one have no longer any choice but to be very selective.

Starscream is a prominent character and he needs a proper update.

It's kind of ridiculous that characters like Sunstreaker and Inferno have alternative facial-features but a leading guy (and as expressive as Starscream) doesn't. Even the stock face doesn't do him justice. (Not to mention the ladder magic vs the nose cone and lid on his back. And no waist rotation etc.)

Even when MP-11 first came out it was fairly outdated.. (I think it was close to the original MP-3 before the other guy took over and made unfortunate changes.)

Burn wrote:You forgot Don't want + Can Afford

Or as I call those people: me

Cyberpath wrote:It's kind of ridiculous that characters like Sunstreaker and Inferno have alternative facial-features but a leading guy (and as expressive as Starscream) doesn't.

Well ... I mean, the original did. The "two faced" thing taken very literally.

...

The Seekers are the ultimate money maker. One mold can produce at least 10 variations (Starscream, Dead starscream, Ghost Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, ACid Storm, SunStorm, Dirge, Thrust, Ramjet) and Geewunners will eat them up.

I will continue to reiterate this: G1 is a dead horse, decayed,s molding, smelly, desicrated. I enjoy G1. It was fun. But we are literally to the point where there is no more imagination in Transformers creation. Nothing new. The ONLY breath of change was Michael Bay's take on them which, while the movies were meh on the large part, offered a few unique takes that we'd never seen before (robots with wheels for feet, new body stylings, truly alien robotic forms that were sleek and not blocky). Until G1 is put to bed (or its influence is DRAMATICALLY reduced), every "new" line will consist of: Optimus Prime truck, Megatron tank, Starscream plane with 5-10 additional repaints, Bumblebee, and six to eight "established" redone G1 characters. For a toy line with a basis of changing, it sure stays the same a lot. I'd love itif the designers came out with a press conference with the following main point: "As Monty Python intoned frequently...'and now for something completely different". We need a new "Beast Wars", and by that I mean something to spice things up, something to re-interest the kids (let's face it, right now collectors are the ONLY ones buying Transformers), something unique that fits in with the overarching theme of Transformers- great disguises for fun toys with core characters that are relatable and fun without being over the top. Ideas could be like Transformers: BC (ALL dinosaur and prehistoric alt-modes, set prior to Beast Wars); Transformers with mainstream characters with lifelike and 1:32 scale alt-modes (think Alternators on steroids, but with construction vehicles, actual fighters and bombers, trucks, motorcycles, offering new and unique robot modes for familiar characters, like Bay intended); Transtech (nuff said) or Transformers: FutureTech. I'm so done with the rehashing...just tired of it...

(falls off of soapbox)

First-Aid wrote:*Snipped*

I completely agree. I like G1, but I like other things too, you know? And when the selling strategy of "make core characters + a few others in a matching aesthetic, then start over again with a new aesthetic and the same core characters + a few others (but different ones)" is so obvious and so predatory, it gets tiresome. They're never going to complete the full cast in a unified aesthetic with every figure being satisfactory. There will always be one figure that gets shafted so you buy the next iteration when they change the design philosophy again, and then are compelled to buy the rest of the line, ad infinitum. And it won't even be D-listers that get the "Whoops! We messed up, better luck next time!" treatment; Megatron and Starscream both got rather desultory figures in ER (Starscream being more or less an upscale of a figure from 2006). They will continue to sell us the same characters over and over again with slight variations and different secondary-tier characters, never actually giving you the chance to have a complete cast in a matching aesthetic and consistent quality. This is bad enough with CHUG figures, but when they're doing it with the MP line, it's unacceptable. And all the while they think they can get away with it, they'll do it. The only way to win the "complete G1 cast bait and switch" game is not to play.

I definitely think we need something new and interesting for the collector's market, a new incarnation of the Transformers that isn't just trying to be G1 but "serious". Heck, Studio Trigger have been wanting to make a TF anime for years now, give them a shot! People love what they do (Little Witch Academia is the most fun I've had from a TV show in years) and they love the franchise.

Emerje wrote:And stop saying this is taking a slot from a more deserving character. There isn't a finite number of slots and the line shows no signs of ending. You've waited this long for the next character to be announced, at worst you'll have to wait another half a year for another to be announced.

Emerje

I don't really have a problem with Starscream himself taking the slot IMO, Or even really the other two inevitable seekers. I may even buy the Starscream myself, If I like it. Its the coneheads, Which will almost certainly follow, possibly the rainmakers, (If the MP11 mold is anything to go by) Probably Sunstorm or Acid storm, And maybe a Ghost Starscream (Which I may also buy). See, In the beginning of my diatribe, I said Starscream or the seekers aren't really the problem. But when you add the inevitable repaints in (I count a likely number of ten) Then its different. Takara will want to get their moneys worth out of a new mold.
Plus, If you already have a lot of money invested in the old mold (I do) It can be slightly frustrating. Between movie MPs, Beast wars MPs, And ten possible Starscream repaints, It'll definitely take longer to get an MP Jazz, Mirage, Ect, Ect. Some people probably just want to complete the 84' 85' cast (I used to be one of those) And it'll now take longer and longer.
Rant over.

Also, Feel free to disagree with the rant, I understand.
No hard feelings.
No opinion is really wrong, Just a way of seeing something a different way, As you too probably do. Theres nothing wrong with that.

-WonkoTheSane- wrote:I don't really have a problem with Starscream himself taking the slot IMO, Or even really the other two inevitable seekers. I may even buy the Starscream myself, If I like it. Its the coneheads, Which will almost certainly follow, possibly the rainmakers, (If the MP11 mold is anything to go by) Probably Sunstorm or Acid storm, And maybe a Ghost Starscream (Which I may also buy). See, In the beginning of my diatribe, I said Starscream or the seekers aren't really the problem. But when you add the inevitable repaints in (I count a likely number of ten) Then its different. Takara will want to get their moneys worth out of a new mold.

Thing is, at least with the MP-11 mold, all of those repaints were store exclusives in Japan. Only Starscream was ever sold at general retail. Not only that, Thundercracker didn't become a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive until three years after Starscream and Skywarp wouldn't make it to TTM until another year later (despite being available in China for a year prior). The only Starscream repaints released in Japan between Starscream and Thundercracker were Sunstorm the same year as Starscream (an Amazon Japan exclusive) and Acidstorm the following year (as a TRU "USA Edition"). So really only MP-11 took a regular MP space, all of the other repaints were exclusives and they took their time completing the original Seekers. I doubt it would be any different this time around so there isn't any reason to worry about the line being overrun by Starscream repaints.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

-WonkoTheSane- wrote:I don't really have a problem with Starscream himself taking the slot IMO, Or even really the other two inevitable seekers. I may even buy the Starscream myself, If I like it. Its the coneheads, Which will almost certainly follow, possibly the rainmakers, (If the MP11 mold is anything to go by) Probably Sunstorm or Acid storm, And maybe a Ghost Starscream (Which I may also buy). See, In the beginning of my diatribe, I said Starscream or the seekers aren't really the problem. But when you add the inevitable repaints in (I count a likely number of ten) Then its different. Takara will want to get their moneys worth out of a new mold.

Thing is, at least with the MP-11 mold, all of those repaints were store exclusives in Japan. Only Starscream was ever sold at general retail. Not only that, Thundercracker didn't become a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive until three years after Starscream and Skywarp wouldn't make it to TTM until another year later (despite being available in China for a year prior). The only Starscream repaints released in Japan between Starscream and Thundercracker were Sunstorm the same year as Starscream (an Amazon Japan exclusive) and Acidstorm the following year (as a TRU "USA Edition"). So really only MP-11 took a regular MP space, all of the other repaints were exclusives and they took their time completing the original Seekers. I doubt it would be any different this time around so there isn't any reason to worry about the line being overrun by Starscream repaints.

Emerje

I don't know they may have seen how many repaints Hasbro managed to sell of Siege Starscream

ZeroWolf, all of those except for Thundercracker were themselves exclusives.

This thing still just feels like a waste of resources and effort. I think it would be better to refresh the MP-03/MP-11 mold instead, and concentrate the remaining resources on more worthy things. Like refining the upcoming MPM Ratchet or reworking MPM Ironhide.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:ZeroWolf, all of those except for Thundercracker were themselves exclusives.

This thing still just feels like a waste of resources and effort. I think it would be better to refresh the MP-03/MP-11 mold instead, and concentrate the remaining resources on more worthy things. Like refining the upcoming MPM Ratchet or reworking MPM Ironhide.

Are those still in scale though? Plus cartoon accuracy above all else is in effect now, meaning those releases wouldn't pass.

You're right, they were exclusives, but I was joking anyway. As for the mpms, you could get another whack at Ironhide if they decide to do a DotM version, with exploding chest replacement!

ZeroWolf wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:ZeroWolf, all of those except for Thundercracker were themselves exclusives.

This thing still just feels like a waste of resources and effort. I think it would be better to refresh the MP-03/MP-11 mold instead, and concentrate the remaining resources on more worthy things. Like refining the upcoming MPM Ratchet or reworking MPM Ironhide.

Are those still in scale though? Plus cartoon accuracy above all else is in effect now, meaning those releases wouldn't pass.

"Cartoon accuracy above all else" can die in a fire and the person pushing it should be demoted fetching coffee and making copies for people. We need a return to "Cartoon accuracy plus" (as in, cartoon accuracy plus the parts and details the cheapo animation doesn't show, thereby avoiding the design being compromised by bending over backward trying to make the wheels disappear), to avoid more disasters like MP-45 and MP-47.

And yes, the MP-03/MP-11 mold is still in scale. As a matter of fact, it and MP-08 Grimlock were essentially what dictated the new scale. MP-09 Rodimus Prime was made to be in scale with them rather than with MP-01 and MP-05, MP-10 was made to be in scale with MP-09(and boasts of this on its box), all new MP molds since (except for Star Saber) have been scaled to MP-10...

I do not have the room, money, or inclination to even get Starscream, let alone the nigh-inevitable repaints. I passed on Optimus Prime 3.0. I passed and mercilessly mocked Bumblebee 2.0 in the thread dedicated to him-remember that? I've got the six Seekers I need in a quite-nice MP mold.

At this point, actually, when it comes to Masterpiece? If it's someone I've already got, I'm not upgrading!

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:ZeroWolf, all of those except for Thundercracker were themselves exclusives.

This thing still just feels like a waste of resources and effort. I think it would be better to refresh the MP-03/MP-11 mold instead, and concentrate the remaining resources on more worthy things. Like refining the upcoming MPM Ratchet or reworking MPM Ironhide.

Are those still in scale though? Plus cartoon accuracy above all else is in effect now, meaning those releases wouldn't pass.

"Cartoon accuracy above all else" can die in a fire and the person pushing it should be demoted fetching coffee and making copies for people. We need a return to "Cartoon accuracy plus" (as in, cartoon accuracy plus the parts and details the cheapo animation doesn't show, thereby avoiding the design being compromised by bending over backward trying to make the wheels disappear), to avoid more disasters like MP-45 and MP-47.

And yes, the MP-03/MP-11 mold is still in scale. As a matter of fact, it and MP-08 Grimlock were essentially what dictated the new scale. MP-09 Rodimus Prime was made to be in scale with them rather than with MP-01 and MP-05, MP-10 was made to be in scale with MP-09(and boasts of this on its box), all new MP molds since (except for Star Saber) have been scaled to MP-10...

I thought that the scale had been set with mp 10, interesting to know. Thank you.
As for cartoon accuracy, I feel the same. Though I don't think it's helped that cartoon accuracy took over the line as it did. If it had been the mission statement from the get go and not mission creep, it probably wouldn't bug me so much.
Like the beast wars mps, from the get go you knew they were all about cartoon accuracy, so it's not a big deal.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:ZeroWolf, all of those except for Thundercracker were themselves exclusives.

This thing still just feels like a waste of resources and effort. I think it would be better to refresh the MP-03/MP-11 mold instead, and concentrate the remaining resources on more worthy things. Like refining the upcoming MPM Ratchet or reworking MPM Ironhide.

MPM is Hasbro initiated so it's an entirely different set of resources. Ratchet and Ironhide are the way they are because Hasbro said "good enough!"

Also if animation accuracy wasn't selling they would have stopped that trend long ago. Clearly Japan has spoken with their wallets and this is the result.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:MPM is Hasbro initiated so it's an entirely different set of resources. Ratchet and Ironhide are the way they are because Hasbro said "good enough!"

Wonder how this is gonna turn out. Also wondering if it will use that Starscream head from MP-44

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Wonder how this is gonna turn out. Also wondering if it will use that Starscream head from MP-44

The only thing I don't like about that is the mouth... I'm hoping for more of a smirk, or slightly crooked grin.
I am really anxious to see him, and the price.

If it's going by other mps it will have multiple facial expressions or swappable heads anyways, least of the worries for a mp about the head or face.

Starscream is so expressive I hope that his new MP will have more expressions than normal. Alternative heads are unnecessary in his case, in my option.

And I hope they cut back on unnecessary accessories (if it will keep the price somewhat in check.)

Cyberpath wrote:Starscream is so expressive I hope that his new MP will have more expressions than normal. Alternative heads are unnecessary in his case, in my option.

And I hope they cut back on unnecessary accessories (if it will keep the price somewhat in check.)

I was just referring to the fact that the main one I want to keep on his head I would like to be subtle; so not just a plain, blank expression, but nothing overly crazy.
Agreed there isn't a need for additional head sculpts.

And I also hope they don't throw in a bunch of unnecessary extras to justify some outrageous price.
I don't want a crown, cape, etc... Nor any "blast" pieces.
I'm wondering if there will be a damaged foot representing the scene in the '86 movie since similar additions came with Megatron and Prime.
Throw in a few energon cubes, call it good, and I'll be happy...
I just don't want this figure to be more than $250-$280.

Watch this figure be revealed to have every single one of his body panels removable to expose a translucent "ghost" version of himself hidden underneath his opaque "living" body.

Sabrblade wrote:Watch this figure be revealed to have every single one of his body panels removable to expose a translucent "ghost" version of himself hidden underneath his opaque "living" body.

That would be crazy!
Please no!

Keep the costs down and just make that a separate figure (if at all)!

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Watch this figure be revealed to have every single one of his body panels removable to expose a translucent "ghost" version of himself hidden underneath his opaque "living" body.

That would be crazy!
Please no!

Keep the costs down and just make that a separate figure (if at all)!

That would likely be a separate release like last time, as an exclusive probably. However, I can't see them bucking the trend with accessories so there will be a few i reckon bundled in three alternate heads at least and every item he ever held on screen.

ZeroWolf wrote:That would likely be a separate release like last time, as an exclusive probably. However, I can't see them bucking the trend with accessories so there will be a few i reckon bundled in three alternate heads at least and every item he ever held on screen.

Yeah, MP Ghost SS as an exclusive makes a lot of sense.
Man, the more I've thought about it, the more I really don't want a cape...
Whether plastic or fabric, that's a relatively large item I'm sure Hastak would use to up the overall cost. I don't mind a crown, but I suppose they won't do one without the other.
Maybe we'll get the crown after Galvatron smashes it. I think it would be kind of cool if they could mold it so parts are thin enough to sit under a figure's foot without unbalancing the figure.

When you all think we'll get an official reveal?