The Energon Pub

angelicbeef wrote:So when I was a preteen and beast wars is the greatest show ever (no, I didn't use the wrong tense), I wrote to Hasbro begging for playsets that resembled their ships, ark/predator. Both my friend and I signed it. I wanted it so bad I had made my own ark from egg cartons lol. the response I received was something like "We're glad you love our toys, but because you had the idea and offered it us we cannot use it without purchasing the idea for legal reasons". I replied instantly saying they can have the idea! Alas, I must settle for a 3 inch titanium and accesory from a 10th anniversary for my fantasy.

My point is, if we want something we should make designs, engineering ones, or even similar prototypes, like jizai. Then market this talent. Also, sending letters to a big corporation I hopeless. I don't want secretarys just throwing it away or replying with a copy/paste answer. I believe the best way to approach this is to go to botcon and let your voices be heard by the real decision makers/designers of Tf's. Isn't that one of the points of the panels?

I'm so grateful for the classics/universe/masterpiece lines. If we want mass produced original designs, we should be sharing molding techniques, mass producing parts, and selling kits similar to gundams.

Just the humble view of a buisiness man and daydreamer.

well from what I've seen on fan videos, was that the point of the Botcon Hasbro panels was to plug their new upcoming toyline, take questions from fans, which all seem to be the same question just worded differently, then the panel answers with some vague response, and everyone is sooo struck like a deer in the headlights from all the merchandise and action going on, that in the end of the trip and fun, their important issue ends up being nothing but a brainfart to the Hasbro personell...

that guy at the back of the table, whom you think is writing down ideas given by fans, is just doodling your face and making fun of you..

either way, Hasbro will do what they want to do, we will keep buying out of fear of pissing off the Hasbro gods, and them cancelling the entire line and genre all together..so basically we as a fan community are just a bunch of smart assed whimps, talking our heads off over crap that really in the end, will never matter to Hasbro.. you want to make a difference for us fans, get a resume together, get a job at Hasbro, and fight the corporate execs for creative projects line, and then come back here to the forum and get our 2 cents.. that's the only realistic way i can see anything being done..

heh, I work in the plastics industry, each tf is made of about 2 maybe 3 dollars worth of material (depends on if it has screws/paint apps/or translucent material). Making molds that will produce a gundam like kit would cost about six to eight hundred for a deluxe figure. After that, its all profit baby. of couse I left out packaging shipping and manufacturing costs(which really isn't a lot when hundreds of figure can be molded in a day). Hasbro gambles with what toys may be successful. You re all familiar with shelf warmers, hasbro was also worried the moie mightve been a flop, notice the tfovie delux shortages? same as wii shortages. Its a risky business and they take a very conservative view. maybe they need better marketing to avoid another dung beetle or movie leader megatron?

now my points are, we can make our own damn robots.
We can suggest hasbro recognizes what sells, ie. A proportionate robot mode(human in appearance), little kibble (robot showing in alt mode), characters highlighted in more than 1 episode (so kids value and desire more than Prime, hotshot, and Megs), and most importantly a badass alt mode.
We can also suggest they look at the most succesful figures, and emulate their key features (see above).

I've noticed Hasbro has used cheaper material in bots, and invested more in flashy glossy packaging. If they made their toys more durable like from g2 to BW, they'll make both kids and collectors happy. the move to thinner pieces and cheaper plastic was a big step back. optimus primal could kick a tonka trucks ass and still be ready for some stuffed animal love afterwards.

/ok, I'm tired
//end rant

Quality, not quantity! we can't afford every figure and neither can kids!

skywarp-2 wrote:

angelicbeef wrote:So when I was a preteen and beast wars is the greatest show ever (no, I didn't use the wrong tense), I wrote to Hasbro begging for playsets that resembled their ships, ark/predator. Both my friend and I signed it. I wanted it so bad I had made my own ark from egg cartons lol. the response I received was something like "We're glad you love our toys, but because you had the idea and offered it us we cannot use it without purchasing the idea for legal reasons". I replied instantly saying they can have the idea! Alas, I must settle for a 3 inch titanium and accesory from a 10th anniversary for my fantasy.

My point is, if we want something we should make designs, engineering ones, or even similar prototypes, like jizai. Then market this talent. Also, sending letters to a big corporation I hopeless. I don't want secretarys just throwing it away or replying with a copy/paste answer. I believe the best way to approach this is to go to botcon and let your voices be heard by the real decision makers/designers of Tf's. Isn't that one of the points of the panels?

I'm so grateful for the classics/universe/masterpiece lines. If we want mass produced original designs, we should be sharing molding techniques, mass producing parts, and selling kits similar to gundams.

Just the humble view of a buisiness man and daydreamer.

well from what I've seen on fan videos, was that the point of the Botcon Hasbro panels was to plug their new upcoming toyline, take questions from fans, which all seem to be the same question just worded differently, then the panel answers with some vague response, and everyone is sooo struck like a deer in the headlights from all the merchandise and action going on, that in the end of the trip and fun, their important issue ends up being nothing but a brainfart to the Hasbro personell...

that guy at the back of the table, whom you think is writing down ideas given by fans, is just doodling your face and making fun of you..

either way, Hasbro will do what they want to do, we will keep buying out of fear of pissing off the Hasbro gods, and them cancelling the entire line and genre all together..so basically we as a fan community are just a bunch of smart assed whimps, talking our heads off over crap that really in the end, will never matter to Hasbro.. you want to make a difference for us fans, get a resume together, get a job at Hasbro, and fight the corporate execs for creative projects line, and then come back here to the forum and get our 2 cents.. that's the only realistic way i can see anything being done..

Completely incorrect. You should delete your own post in shame.

Let's see what Hasbro has done: Classics and then Classics 2.0, MP Starscream in the US in the right colors, G1 Soundwave reissue, etc. All for us because we asked for it.

Q. What if we ALL got together and DEMANDED what we want from Hasbro?

A. Nothing, Hasbro (or anyone in any line of work) rarely respond to the DEMANDS of fans. They will and should however give fans the right to reply about their products and suggest ways of bettering them. Hasbro do this more than most actually! You can communicate with them by letter, email, they browse message boards like this, and you can attend conventions specifically put on for so they can talk with the fans publicise their new lines gauge reaction and listen to or opinions and suggestions. One only has to look at the Beast Wars 10th Anniversary line, Classics and G1 reissue to see that they listen to what the fans want, however they cannot and will not pander to their ever whim, and why should they?

Most fan wish lists are unrealistic and many would be financially damaging to the brand. Just because you have 10,000 fans signing a petition demanding something is no guarantee it will sell or even be popular. Fans are very fickle, they'll pick fault with it they say is not like the imagined it to be or it’s too expensive or to badly distributed or whatever. We may not all agree with every decision Hasbro make or even like them that much, but they do attempt to give collectors what they want if they can do it in a profitable way, that's enough for me and all you can reasonable expect of them.

Yours AK

GetterDragun wrote:

skywarp-2 wrote:

angelicbeef wrote:So when I was a preteen and beast wars is the greatest show ever (no, I didn't use the wrong tense), I wrote to Hasbro begging for playsets that resembled their ships, ark/predator. Both my friend and I signed it. I wanted it so bad I had made my own ark from egg cartons lol. the response I received was something like "We're glad you love our toys, but because you had the idea and offered it us we cannot use it without purchasing the idea for legal reasons". I replied instantly saying they can have the idea! Alas, I must settle for a 3 inch titanium and accesory from a 10th anniversary for my fantasy.

My point is, if we want something we should make designs, engineering ones, or even similar prototypes, like jizai. Then market this talent. Also, sending letters to a big corporation I hopeless. I don't want secretarys just throwing it away or replying with a copy/paste answer. I believe the best way to approach this is to go to botcon and let your voices be heard by the real decision makers/designers of Tf's. Isn't that one of the points of the panels?

I'm so grateful for the classics/universe/masterpiece lines. If we want mass produced original designs, we should be sharing molding techniques, mass producing parts, and selling kits similar to gundams.

Just the humble view of a buisiness man and daydreamer.

well from what I've seen on fan videos, was that the point of the Botcon Hasbro panels was to plug their new upcoming toyline, take questions from fans, which all seem to be the same question just worded differently, then the panel answers with some vague response, and everyone is sooo struck like a deer in the headlights from all the merchandise and action going on, that in the end of the trip and fun, their important issue ends up being nothing but a brainfart to the Hasbro personell...

that guy at the back of the table, whom you think is writing down ideas given by fans, is just doodling your face and making fun of you..

either way, Hasbro will do what they want to do, we will keep buying out of fear of pissing off the Hasbro gods, and them cancelling the entire line and genre all together..so basically we as a fan community are just a bunch of smart assed whimps, talking our heads off over crap that really in the end, will never matter to Hasbro.. you want to make a difference for us fans, get a resume together, get a job at Hasbro, and fight the corporate execs for creative projects line, and then come back here to the forum and get our 2 cents.. that's the only realistic way i can see anything being done..

Completely incorrect. You should delete your own post in shame.

Let's see what Hasbro has done: Classics and then Classics 2.0, MP Starscream in the US in the right colors, G1 Soundwave reissue, etc. All for us because we asked for it.

Spoken like a true Botcon Attendee...

GetterDragun wrote:If you went to BotCon, you'd realize how much they want to do stuff for us and how much they try to sneak in things for fans.

I stand by my earlier statements...


Also reread the posts of how cheap transfomers are to make from the expert guy whose in the Plastics industry... then come back and tell me a figure is too costly for Hasbro...

it's like people saying back in the day, oh it's gonna bankrupt the company to get a Unicron figure!!! It'll never be made, it'll not sell because it's just a planet and not a car or plane of something functional..

they could make some of the little suggested figures we ask for.. they just don't

And it's not that they don't hear us, they do...what I'm saying is, it goes in one ear, and comes out the other side.. sometimes things get stuck in there, like US MP Starscream, G-1 Soundwave reissue, classics..classics 2.0..

hmmmmm hold on a second...

Those series and toys seem like perfectly guaranteed sales and not risks.. maybe that's why they released them, and not because of fan requests, but because they knew they were safe sells!!! Hasbro has analysts that can demographically calculate the risks of a toy being produced based on profits in that particular line..

Hasbro hearing us, is fine, but actually listening to us...I'm not so sure that's really ever done...

What of the obscure or fan favorites outside the "SAFE" profit guarantees??

I still stand by my statement!!!

skywarp-2 wrote:either way, Hasbro will do what they want to do, we will keep buying out of fear of pissing off the Hasbro gods

This isn't entirely true, from my standpoint at least. I will only buy what I feel is a quality product. If Hasbro puts out a line that isn't cutting the mustard I flat out won't touch it. Hasbro isn't going to stop making Transformers, they make the company too damn much money. But if a line is a stinker and we know it, speak with your wallets and not a petition. They'll straighten up if an entire line is failing.

lanzajr26 wrote: But if a line is a stinker and we know it, speak with your wallets and not a petition. They'll straighten up if an entire line is failing.

Or they'll outright drop the franchise as not profitable anymore.

lanzajr26 wrote:

skywarp-2 wrote:either way, Hasbro will do what they want to do, we will keep buying out of fear of pissing off the Hasbro gods

This isn't entirely true, from my standpoint at least. I will only buy what I feel is a quality product. If Hasbro puts out a line that isn't cutting the mustard I flat out won't touch it. Hasbro isn't going to stop making Transformers, they make the company too damn much money. But if a line is a stinker and we know it, speak with your wallets and not a petition. They'll straighten up if an entire line is failing.

Precisely I haven't touched the movie line for that very reason. Doubt it'll make a difference but at least I know I've stay true to myself and not bourght crap I dont want just becuase I feel obliged as a fan to support the franchise.

Yours AK

Sarri wrote:

lanzajr26 wrote: But if a line is a stinker and we know it, speak with your wallets and not a petition. They'll straighten up if an entire line is failing.

Or they'll outright drop the franchise as not profitable anymore.

LOL yes of course, because one bad line will totally bankrupt the entire Transformers franchise.

Alex Kingdom wrote:Doubt it'll make a difference but at least I know I've stay true to myself and not bourght crap I dont want just becuase I feel obliged as a fan to support the franchise.

Yours AK

I'm not sure who spends their money like this. "Well, Hasbro made it, so I should buy it".

I'd like meet one of those folks who puts a companies best interest before their own wants/tastes for their hobby.

Alex Kingdom wrote:I've stay true to myself and not bourght crap I dont want just becuase I feel obliged as a fan to support the franchise.

Yours AK

At least use the proper wording : you didn't buy them because you didn't like the designs, not because they're crap because thousands and thousands of happy buyers will prove you wrong.

Can he get sued for making custom transformers like that?

It does look cool though.

megatroptimus wrote:

Alex Kingdom wrote:I've stay true to myself and not bourght crap I dont want just becuase I feel obliged as a fan to support the franchise.

Yours AK

At least use the proper wording : you didn't buy them because you didn't like the designs, not because they're crap because thousands and thousands of happy buyers will prove you wrong.

I didn't buy them becuase I thought they looked like crap and the characters were crap, Therfore they are 'crap I don't want'. Is that good enough for you?

Yours AK

Briggs wrote:I'm not sure who spends their money like this. "Well, Hasbro made it, so I should buy it".

You'd be surprised... I know many comic collectors that are just like this. They'll buy anything and everything from a certain publisher or artist, no matter how crappy the product. Completionism is a disease!

the more general we are in our requests, the more likely we are to get them.

if its a particular repaint you want, do it yourself.

if you like energon prime and want another mighty morphin power prime megazord, that would be useable suggestion, not a good one, but itd be more likely to work.

want lower costs and better molds? (looking at you movie megs) then say lights and sounds don't add any satisfaction or fun. or for gods sake make it sound like in the movie or shows.

with the advent of the internet and posting reviews of tf's and their pros and cons, we aren't just influencin eachother, but designers as well. Itd be a great idea if a site popped up for consumers (moms and dads) to help them pick out which robot is which and get the right one for their kid.

You want hasbro to hear uou? let the market do the talking.

ok just from reading your title, it wouldnt happen, hasbro is made of millions of pricks and assholes

lanzajr26 wrote:

Sarri wrote:

lanzajr26 wrote: But if a line is a stinker and we know it, speak with your wallets and not a petition. They'll straighten up if an entire line is failing.

Or they'll outright drop the franchise as not profitable anymore.

LOL yes of course, because one bad line will totally bankrupt the entire Transformers franchise.

see it's that type of comment that Sarri wrote that leads to people being blind or ignorant about another's distaste for a particular line.. its as if they feel the need to jump your butt until you buy a damn figure, so they won't have to worry about Hasbro canceling the entire line.. that's an exaggeration, but you see my point.. if someone dislikes a particular line, we are so ready to pounce on them or defend Hasbro, that we don't take the time or effort to see their point of view and understand why.. like AK, for example, he doesn't like the movie line up, ok, well let's hear why that is, instead of jumping off the deep end and saying , HASBRO IS GREAT!!! HASBRO ISN'T THE PROBLEM, YOU ARE!! and really discuss the pros and cons..

angelicbeef wrote:the more general we are in our requests, the more likely we are to get them.

if its a particular repaint you want, do it yourself.

if you like energon prime and want another mighty morphin power prime megazord, that would be useable suggestion, not a good one, but itd be more likely to work.

want lower costs and better molds? (looking at you movie megs) then say lights and sounds don't add any satisfaction or fun. or for gods sake make it sound like in the movie or shows.

with the advent of the internet and posting reviews of tf's and their pros and cons, we aren't just influencin eachother, but designers as well. Itd be a great idea if a site popped up for consumers (moms and dads) to help them pick out which robot is which and get the right one for their kid.

You want hasbro to hear uou? let the market do the talking.

Angelicbeef, your words speak truth to me, like a finely cooked Steak on an open grill...MMMMMMMM.. thanks

skywarp-2 wrote:
Spoken like a true Botcon Attendee...

seriously, dude.. get over the botcon thing. there aren't even subatomic particles left of that horse.

lanzajr26 wrote:

Briggs wrote:I'm not sure who spends their money like this. "Well, Hasbro made it, so I should buy it".

You'd be surprised... I know many comic collectors that are just like this. They'll buy anything and everything from a certain publisher or artist, no matter how crappy the product. Completionism is a disease!

Exactly! And there's a whole heap of completest lurking here on these very boards that (although they might not like to admit it) will find it very hard not to buy every figure in every line Hasbro serve up just because they feel they have too. It's an addiction.

Yours AK

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:

skywarp-2 wrote:
Spoken like a true Botcon Attendee...

seriously, dude.. get over the botcon thing. there aren't even subatomic particles left of that horse.

the deathly bones of that horse keep rising and reconstituting every time I see a new post or message regarding classics 2.0.. it's a scar and sting that will be felt for life...if not just by me, because I speak my mind about, then by the countless of others who were unable to get a complete seeker collection...

an not all of us can buy 7 copies of dirge to repaint him, or ramjet or whoever it was that was in the stores.. until now..some of us just suck ass at painting.. but we shouldn't have had to in the first place...oh well...

I write HASBRO all the time, sometimes they humor me with a response, sometimes they dont. Remember HASBRO is a global thing.

But hey, a waterfall starts with just one drop of water, and look what comes from that.

Write a letter, and I will sign and post it.

First Gen wrote:I write HASBRO all the time, sometimes they humor me with a response, sometimes they dont. Remember HASBRO is a global thing.

But hey, a waterfall starts with just one drop of water, and look what comes from that.

Thank you Confucius.

lanzajr26 wrote:

First Gen wrote:I write HASBRO all the time, sometimes they humor me with a response, sometimes they dont. Remember HASBRO is a global thing.

But hey, a waterfall starts with just one drop of water, and look what comes from that.

Thank you Confucius.

Confucius isn't as smart as me.