The Energon Pub

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:By no means should our preferences dictate the prediction of sales.

That is indeed true. I get that this mold was designed with the kiddos in mind, and as a dad to two upcoming TF fans, I appreciate that. This will be a hit with the kids, I'm sure.

It just makes no sense to me why Hasbro and Amazon would release an exclusive (usually for collectors) early release (usually for collectors) premium pricing (usually for collectors) of a leader-class figure (usually for collectors) of a shell-former mold (collectors usually hate).

This whole thing is a mish-mash of ideas aimed at collectors using a mold that will pretty much only appeal to the kids.

TimothyR wrote:also..

really?.. you can't transform rotf leader prime correctly? .. that's a shame.

You ain't gotta be like that.

Jones wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:By no means should our preferences dictate the prediction of sales.

That is indeed true. I get that this mold was designed with the kiddos in mind, and as a dad to two upcoming TF fans, I appreciate that. This will be a hit with the kids, I'm sure.

It just makes no sense to me why Hasbro and Amazon would release an exclusive (usually for collectors) early release (usually for collectors) premium pricing (usually for collectors) of a leader-class figure (usually for collectors) of a shell-former mold (collectors usually hate).

This whole thing is a mish-mash of ideas aimed at collectors using a mold that will pretty much only appeal to the kids.

You'd be surprised at how many collectors and scalpers would actually get this, only for its perceived monetary value and (poorly projected) future demand

I just realized what it is that I dislike so much about this Prime. No, it's not that it's over priced. No, it's not that it's a shell-former. No, it's not that it's ridiculously easy.

It's the chrome.

Yes, I said it--the chrome! It makes me think that Optimus is an Easter chocolate candy, and all I have to do is unwrap him, and there will be a chocolate petro-bunny inside.

But there won't be.

I can't have this Optimus in my house, otherwise he'd make me crave chocolate all day.

Noideaforaname wrote:

(Sung to the tune of the G1 show)

Shellformers
Robots stuffed in shells

There's no way to go from mode to mode, so we just tuck them in un-der the hood, a-and there you go.

Shellformers
Robots stuffed in shells

Shellformers
Doesn't really transform.

Black Bumblebee wrote:I just realized what it is that I dislike so much about this Prime. No, it's not that it's over priced. No, it's not that it's a shell-former. No, it's not that it's ridiculously easy.

It's the chrome.

Yes, I said it--the chrome! It makes me think that Optimus is an Easter chocolate candy, and all I have to do is unwrap him, and there will be a chocolate petro-bunny inside.

But there won't be.

I can't have this Optimus in my house, otherwise he'd make me crave chocolate all day.

I can't have this in my house because while I have low self esteem, I do have a bit of pride.

Spleenzorio wrote:

I heard you like Optimus Prime so we put an Optimus Prime inside your Optimus Prime so you can roll out while you roll out

Black Bumblebee wrote:It makes me think that Optimus is an Easter chocolate candy, and all I have to do is unwrap him, and there will be a chocolate petro-bunny inside.

It's like getting a giant chocolate rabbit, only to bite into and find it's just a hollow shell instead of solid chocolate.

It's hard to hate on it until you see the back, then it becomes quite clear this is not intended for any of us. Its meant for kids, and kids alone.

MenaceRX wrote:It's hard to hate on it until you see the back, then it becomes quite clear this is not intended for any of us. Its meant for kids, and kids alone.

Until you look at the price, the packaging, and the availability, after which it becomes quite clear that this is a toy designed for kids but being marketed to adults.

Jones wrote:
It just makes no sense to me why Hasbro and Amazon would release an exclusive (usually for collectors) early release (usually for collectors) premium pricing (usually for collectors) of a leader-class figure (usually for collectors) of a shell-former mold (collectors usually hate).

This whole thing is a mish-mash of ideas aimed at collectors using a mold that will pretty much only appeal to the kids.

Like Jones said.

GuyIncognito wrote:

MenaceRX wrote:It's hard to hate on it until you see the back, then it becomes quite clear this is not intended for any of us. Its meant for kids, and kids alone.

Until you look at the price, the packaging, and the availability, after which it becomes quite clear that this is a toy designed for kids but being marketed to adults.

And read its press release which clearly states this is geared towards adult collectors.

ZackRoyer wrote:Sorry guys... I Couldn't resist...

I think this figure actually looks pretty solid, but this has me dying laughing. Well done, sir.

Clearly Hasbro has a very different idea of what "adult collectors" want than Takara-Tomy does. TT makes a huge line of Masterpiece figures for their adult collectors. Hasbro adds chrome to an oversized kids' toy and jacks up the price.

Dead Metal wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:

MenaceRX wrote:It's hard to hate on it until you see the back, then it becomes quite clear this is not intended for any of us. Its meant for kids, and kids alone.

Until you look at the price, the packaging, and the availability, after which it becomes quite clear that this is a toy designed for kids but being marketed to adults.

And read its press release which clearly states this is geared towards adult collectors.

To be fair, barring the MPs, every TF toy Hasbro releases is designed child-friendly, even if it's one geared towards the collector market.

Amazon hasn't even shipped mine yet and it's supposed to be here tomorrow. Looks like a free month of Prime coming up for me, courtesy of Prime

Sabrblade wrote:To be fair, barring the MPs, every TF toy Hasbro releases is designed child-friendly, even if it's one geared towards the collector market.

Exactly. TT caters to adult collectors by making a special line of figures for them. (And by frequently re-issuing classic figures from old lines.) Hasbro "caters" to adult collectors by slapping chrome on a kids' figure and raising the price, or begrudgingly bringing over one or two MP figures per year.

TT seems to embrace the collector market and devotes resources to it accordingly, while Hasbro seems to view it as an annoyance that they need to pacify as cheaply as possible (or exploit).

TT makes action figures for collectors of all ages. Hasbro makes kids' toys, some of which appeal to adults.

GuyIncognito wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:To be fair, barring the MPs, every TF toy Hasbro releases is designed child-friendly, even if it's one geared towards the collector market.

Exactly. TT caters to adult collectors by making a special line of figures for them. (And by frequently re-issuing classic figures from old lines.) Hasbro "caters" to adult collectors by slapping chrome on a kids' figure and raising the price, or begrudgingly bringing over one or two MP figures per year.

TT seems to embrace the collector market and devotes resources to it accordingly, while Hasbro seems to view it as an annoyance that they need to pacify as cheaply as possible (or exploit).

TT makes action figures for collectors of all ages. Hasbro makes kids' toys, some of which appeal to adults.

And there's nothing wrong with this since Hasbro profits off children('s parents) while Takara profits off collectors.

It's simply the nature of the business.

GuyIncognito wrote:TT seems to embrace the collector market and devotes resources to it accordingly, while Hasbro seems to view it as an annoyance that they need to pacify as cheaply as possible (or exploit).

I disagree with this statement. While I can see why many collectors feel this way about the two companies, I get the strong feeling that this is a strong example of "the grass is always greener on the other side." I also attend several annual private press events that Hasbro has intended for the fan community. I will be attending Hasbro's 8th annual fan media day on February 15th in New York City. This is the 8th time I've been to this event. Hasbro also now has a much smaller and more festive event that is somewhat similar held in conjunction with NYCC and obviously has a very large presence at SDCC and BotCon. I have several times a year to share my thoughts face-to-face with Hasbro.

Throughout my 14 years of doing Seibertron.com, I can say that they honestly care what we (the fans) have to say. Sometimes the demands of the larger children's market and retailers such as Wal-Mart outweigh the demands of fans. Takara Tomy doesn't have to deal with the demands of the world's largest retailer (Wal-Mart) and outside of Toys R Us they deal with much smaller shops and have much lower production runs which enables Takara Tomy to cater more to us.

I also think Masterpiece Grimlock, Masterpiece "Targetmaster" Rodimus and Generations Skywarp are also examples of where Hasbro has gone the extra mile for fans. I'm sure there are many other examples that often get overlooked.

Seibertron wrote:

Throughout my 14 years of doing Seibertron.com, I can say that they honestly care what we (the fans) have to say. Sometimes the demands of the larger children's market and retailers such as Wal-Mart outweigh the demands of fans. Takara Tomy doesn't have to deal with the demands of the world's largest retailer (Wal-Mart) and outside of Toys R Us they deal with much smaller shops and have much lower production runs which enables Takara Tomy to cater more to us.

See? That's the reason we can't have nice things like our fellow japanese friends.

I always think this is the best example of Hasbro slapping Takara's face.





Back to topic. Wait! What's the topic? Oh, this!

ZackRoyer wrote:Sorry guys... I Couldn't resist...

Josh Burcham posted this on Twitter.

Well I guess TF4 Prime is pretty geewun afterall

Oh my Primus... All the Bay-movies' designs are so horrible, and their toys are even worse... I can't stop finding them horribly ugly.

ZackRoyer wrote:Sorry guys... I Couldn't resist...

F*cking winner of the day.

Call me crazy, but I really really want one of these.

OptiMagnus wrote:Call me crazy, but I really really want one of these.

You're not. So do I.

I just want the retail version. The chrome is kind of offsetting.

PrymeStriker wrote:

OptiMagnus wrote:Call me crazy, but I really really want one of these.

You're not. So do I.

I just want the retail version. The chrome is kind of offsetting.

As do I. W/ chrome of course. And I'm curious as to wether the Generations version will be engineered differently so all these whiners can shut the hell up.

And no, I refuse to believe the one shown at NYCC is a Leader class. It's a voyager.