The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1 · Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:45 am

i've pretty much given up on finding transformers i want in stores for the time being. the last two times i order from BBTS it got here so quick and was so convienent that i'd just a well pay the extra to make sure i get the guys i want. Now my only problem is nobody has windcharger and i've gone a little overboard ordering the Fansproject stuff i want before it climbs to the prices the ultra magnus set has.

News Credits: 3 · Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:36 am

It think Hasbro made a huge mistake in marketing more than timing. There should not be a RTS sub-line linked to ROTF/movie-verse. Not only have had problems with the deluxe and voyager class figures, they seem to have cancelled the scout class releases.

Hasbro should have known stores don't like getting stuck with products that take up space and don't sell, and with the economy the way it is, especially over here, there is no way stores with go further in the red to get the current lines right before the movie (though that might get them close to the black) just to lose the shelf space for the DOTM line that will sell immediately, though it will have it's own shelf warmers as always.

Hasbro has made it clear Generations is supposed to run as one of the primary lines at all times, but even the new figures are in scarce supply because Hasbro has burned too many stores with old Nest (TRU on Telegraph has a lot) and HFTD figures they cannot get rid of.

My best guess is we'll see the scouts released either as part of DOTM after the initial waives or repackaged for generations. I also think we'll get the other size classes in a similar manner. However, I completely blame Hasbro for the lack of current Generations on shelves right now. If that is supposed to be a primary line it needs to be in stock in stores.

As for this 3rd party ban in Japan, I'm not at all surprised. These companies found ways to do things better, but branching out into full figures seems to have been the line not to cross. However, like the many compatible LEGO competitors, I expect these bans to disappear if the 3rd party companies can take the issue to court. Based on lines like Megablocks and Best Lock, just because it looks similar and is compatible does not mean it violates copyrights and trademarks (though blatant figures closely resembling protected designs might be problematic).

Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:57 am

Bradimus wrote:As for this 3rd party ban in Japan, I'm not at all surprised. These companies found ways to do things better, but branching out into full figures seems to have been the line not to cross. However, like the many compatible LEGO competitors, I expect these bans to disappear if the 3rd party companies can take the issue to court. Based on lines like Megablocks and Best Lock, just because it looks similar and is compatible does not mean it violates copyrights and trademarks (though blatant figures closely resembling protected designs might be problematic).

So Crossfire and Munitioner would be okay, but Faith Leader is still a knockoff?

News Credits: 194 · Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:14 am

I got my eHobby 3-packs from RobotKingdom today! They are awesome. My figures all look great. Cyclonus is a little lose, but still okay. I want one of those lighted shelves they put liquor on behind bars to display Cyclonus and Scourge! It would look so cool. I haven't transformed Galvatron yet, so I don't know if there's any issues with him. But at the same time, it's not the greatest figure, so I don't care too much. :grin:

Can't wait to get both versions of the Kup heads from iGear so I can put them on my Kups!

News Credits: 1 · Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:17 pm

Good thing you don't live in Japan or else you might not be getting those heads.

News Credits: 194 · Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:20 pm

autobot joe wrote:
RodimusConvoy13 wrote:Can't wait to get both versions of the Kup heads from iGear so I can put them on my Kups!

I don't think you're getting those heads. If I understand correctly, those preorders have been cancelled.

They haven't been cancelled. They've already been shipped out. I should have them this week I think. That was only one store that said they were told by Takara not to sell 3rd party products. I ordered directly from iGear. BBTS and the like should still get theirs as well.

News Credits: 1 · Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:18 pm

not really a sighting but i got my fansproject optimus trailer today! yay! also expecting my rodimus prime armor on friday along with a wreck-gar i ordered cause i was sick of looking for him.

News Credits: 194 · Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:20 pm

Where did you order the Wreck-gar from?

News Credits: 1 · Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:31 pm

i wish i had wreck gar. :sad:

Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:40 pm

ionacus wrote::sad: i wish i had wreck gar.

me too!

Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:49 pm

Still nothing new up here in Port Huron.

Which is okay, as it gives me a larger budget for Gundams and Saint Seiya Myth figures... (and video games)

News Credits: 1 · Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:47 pm

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:Where did you order the Wreck-gar from?

toy arena. i had to bite in and pay $20 for him but i figure better to just get him and be done with it. who know's when and what i'll pay for a windcharger eventually. i only need him, classics inferno and the ultra magnus armor and i'll have a complete classics collection.

News Credits: 3 · Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:05 am

Malicron wrote:
Bradimus wrote:As for this 3rd party ban in Japan, I'm not at all surprised. These companies found ways to do things better, but branching out into full figures seems to have been the line not to cross. However, like the many compatible LEGO competitors, I expect these bans to disappear if the 3rd party companies can take the issue to court. Based on lines like Megablocks and Best Lock, just because it looks similar and is compatible does not mean it violates copyrights and trademarks (though blatant figures closely resembling protected designs might be problematic).

So Crossfire and Munitioner would be okay, but Faith Leader is still a knockoff?

I think those might be a problem as well. I'm obviously not a lawyer, and I don't know enough about patent law nationally, let alone internationally. I can only make a guess based on common sense.

Still, I wonder if making a mold of something as homage to the character, but with a bit of a twist (like turning the cassettes into target masters with robot modes that look close to the original versions) are actually violations of the patent or if they differ enough to not be a problem?

Warbot (aka Springer) might be an issue as it's a clear modern update of the original character and toy.

There is a line, but I don't know where it is. I can only base my thoughts on LEGO competitors and GI Joe competitors.

-

On topic, I haven't seen anything new by me.

I'm looking forward to the new Cyberverse line as I really like Preview OP and some of what I've seen of the commander class figures. Aside from Voyager Shockwave and possibly Voyager SP I'll probably stick to that line for the movie. Prime is my first former Legends class figure, though he's a little bigger than his previous version. It looks like the new molds of the Legion class have good hip and knee articulation. As a former Micromaster collector (way back when they came out) this line now has my attention for similar reasons, with the improved articulation, size class differences, and hand held weapons acting as the icing on the cake that will hopefully ease my stomach from the ache of possibly missing out or having to wait a long time for certain G1 updates that were supposed to be in stores by now.

News Credits: 1 · Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:11 pm

ARRRRRG!!! It never freaking fails! I click "ship my loot" on BBTS after waiting for things to come in, and the very next day more sh*t comes in and it's always too late to add it even though it probably won't ship until Monday!!!

:BANG_HEAD:

News Credits: 194 · Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:44 pm

Wreck-Gar is currently in stock on HTS. Hurry fast! http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/transforme ... 6&ID=27824

News Credits: 194 · Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:48 pm

Well, They are gone now. that was fast.

News Credits: 1 · Thu Apr 14, 2011 3:39 pm

Thanks to RC13, I have a Wreckgar!! I guess I'll let you have the Wheeljack, Thundercracker, and Warpath when they come in the mail

.

Now I only need Perceptor to be 100% caught up

News Credits: 194 · Thu Apr 14, 2011 3:44 pm

tfpredaking wrote:Thanks to RC13, I have a Wreckgar!! I guess I'll let you have the Wheeljack, Thundercracker, and Warpath when they come in the mail .

Now I only need Perceptor to be 100% caught up

Cheryl and I are probably still going to go to Canada on Sunday, so I'll look for one there. Apparently they see them much more often.

News Credits: 5 · Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:48 pm

Novi TRU had some DCUC Wave 16. Everything except Robin and Riddler. I just grabbed the Az-Bats.

Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:36 pm

hey guys, im, new aroung here. Ive been looking for Wreckgar Perceptor and most of all Highbrow. Been searching for a few weeks now. cant seem to find anything but banzaitron, electrstatic jolt, and a few others that are everywhere.

any help would be appreciated

News Credits: 194 · Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:39 pm

HipHoptimusRhyme wrote:hey guys, im, new aroung here. Ive been looking for Wreckgar Perceptor and most of all Highbrow. Been searching for a few weeks now. cant seem to find anything but banzaitron, electrstatic jolt, and a few others that are everywhere.

any help would be appreciated

There was 1 Highbrow at the Ypsilanti Kmart as of Wednesday evening. I don't know if it's still there, but it's been there for quite a while, so you might have a chance.

News Credits: 1 · Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:21 am

Finally gave up and just ordered Perceptor off of BBTS. At least I'm completely caught up now.

I don't know when the movie toys are coming out for sure, but I suspect stores are not ordering the current lines in anticipation of stocking up on shelf-warming movie crap #-o

News Credits: 194 · Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:57 am

I got my iGear Kup heads today. The heads are really nice. Kup will probably require some clear nail polish on the neck ball joint. Otherwise his head is pretty loose. Luckily I keep some at work for TF repairs :grin:

I was inspired to do a little homage to se7en. I hate that movie, but I thought this was kinda funny.

News Credits: 1 · Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:23 pm

got my preordered thundercracker,wheeljack and warpath this afternoon from BBTS! woohoo!

News Credits: 1 · Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:53 pm

ChZuck wrote:got my preordered thundercracker,wheeljack and warpath this afternoon from BBTS! woohoo!

I envy you!! Mine came in Tuesday morning, processed until Wed morning, clicked ship my loot Wed around 1:30pm, and they still haven't been shipped :-x