The Energon Pub

touch_of_Jazz wrote:I can see why a delay would seem somewhat logical. Perhaps Hasbro wants to see how well the new series is received by fans and those new to the series before committing to mass production of it's product.

The toys are already designed. I doubt they would intentionally wait for the series to flop before releasing them. If that happens, they'll be a lot harder to sell.

I'm guessing that between the overwhelming success of the movie series, and stepping up production to meet demand and christmas, they are probably behind hand with production on future series. In addition, there was talk about shifting production to Thailand and Vietnam, which may also cause delays.

O_o...well, I can honestly say I did *not* see that one coming.

That's one heck of a delay. Hopefully (for their wallets sakes) the show will keep kids completely enthralled until June. Although, a buffer of five months is very much like eternity to a five year old.

I have a feeling we're going to see another round of Movie toy issues.

"Do you have Animated Optimus Prime?"

"No. We know. The show's on the air. No, there are no toys for it yet. No, we don't know why. Try eBay."

Kids will grow impatient and tired quickly and not care once the figures come out. Heck, I switched from TFs to TMNT in a heartbeat, then on to Batman The Animated Series, and back to G2/BW.

Sooo...yeah, this is not a smart move. I realize they have their reasons (legitimate or otherwise) but I think this could be a big mistake.

And if it pushes back Classics/Universe 2.0...I'm gonna be P.O.ed. BAD.

...I wonder if this has something to do with the writers strike?

Follow me for a second...

Kids follow the cartoon.
Kids buy the toys.

It's a symbiotic relationship, of course.

However, with this strike seemingly unending...perhaps they're spacing out what episodes they do have to keep interest going, then release some of the toys, then try and produce more episodes.

Of course this is really stretching it, but it's a guess.

This strikes me as a really dumb move by Hasbro. The toy release simply has to follow the cartoon release in quick succession. If they were delaying the cartoon because of toy production delays, that would make a whole lot more sense.

Autobot032 wrote:...I wonder if this has something to do with the writers strike?

Follow me for a second...

Kids follow the cartoon.
Kids buy the toys.

It's a symbiotic relationship, of course.

However, with this strike seemingly unending...perhaps they're spacing out what episodes they do have to keep interest going, then release some of the toys, then try and produce more episodes.

I don't think this will be a problem... animation writers are in a different union and are not affected by the strike.

voice of hoist wrote:This strikes me as a really dumb move by Hasbro. The toy release simply has to follow the cartoon release in quick succession. If they were delaying the cartoon because of toy production delays, that would make a whole lot more sense.

I wouldn't really call it a dumb move, more like they messed up. How can they delay the cartoon when it's already slated to appear in Cartoon Network's schedule?

Considering that they're airing the TV show for the first time in December, this seems like a terrible move! Maybe the toys should come out after the series is established, but half a year? I'm not sure I believe this rumor. Maybe that's the release date for Stealth Bumblebee or other repaints. Wave one would have to come out earlier for any kind of economic sense, no?

1) If Stealth BB has battlemask head, I'll buy it.
2) More time to save for animated = excellent.
3) Dammit, I was hoping for one limb to be construction gear.

I was planning on getting a few animated toys for my niece... but now I'm afraid that she'll be too old for them by the time those things hit.

So, I wonder if they just pushed the Animated line back so it wouldn't be competing with the Allspark line?

And if they're going to be doing movie repaints for a little bit longer, I'm crossing my fingers for a repaint of Dropkick as G1 Kickback!

Yeah, fat chance, but a guy can dream, right?

I got to thinking about something (perhaps we've covered this, I don't know) and it dawned on me that they're most likely holding the toy line back so as not to run into another shortage like they did this year with the Movie line.

1.) Loose and packaged figures are hitting eBay already. If it was due out in June, these specimens would hit closer to the release date. (Tells me they've already got batches of the figures pre-made, but they're waiting for more so they can *FLOOD* the shelves and not hear about any shortages.)

2.) As stated before, many of the new lines premiere in the late Summer/early Fall season, and this one would be way too early. (I think it would also be the first of the TF lines to do that as well. IIRC...all of the TF lines, from the '80s on came out in the fall.)

3.) As stated before, the Movie line is still out there and they most likely don't want to have to compete one against the other in terms of sales. (Makes sense too, I mean the Movie line is dying a slow death and coming to an end, and Animated is their main focus. Gives it more of a wide berth and breathing room on it's own.)

4.) Classics/Universe 2.0 is definitely coming out this fall and will have it's own spot on the shelves, but it'll still compete with Animated. (Difference is...the Movie line HAS to make money and they have to move it now, now, now. Contracts and whatnot. Whereas they can take their sweet time with C/U2.0 and let it build in popularity due to us collectors. Oh sure, kids will want a piece of that pie as well, but not as much with Animated plastered on their screens.)

Now, if this *is* the case, and they're holding it back to meet demand...it's a baaaaad idea.

The Movie did stellar box office business with big names attached to it, which helped the adults get into buying the figures. The robots were a hit with people of all ages, especially the kids who were the main buying force of the line. If it wasn't a collector or parent or other adult, it was a kid and they all wanted a Movie figure. (As evidenced by the empty shelves on Black Friday....after a full balls to the wall restock, the likes of which I've never seen before.)

Animated doesn't have a movie to push it through. Collectors are polarized on it. A lot of adults will be turned off by the aesthetics.

Will it sell? Sure. Will it do as well as the Movie line? No.
Because of this, if they plan to meet demand (and a little over) will it raise hell on the pegs and shelves and restocks will be few and far between (especially on subsequent waves)? Yes.

There's the problem. We're gonna be stuck with shelves full of these figures because they'll want to meet the demand of the public, but I think they'll sorely overestimate the demand and we will suffer for it.

Alternators suffered to make room for the current big lines at the time (Armada, Energon, Cybertron) and most people didn't even get to see half of the Alternator figures that were for sale.

For example, the Wal-Mart in Hermitage had Alternators Optimus Prime, Mirage, Ravage and Rumble, but most times even if they were in stock (which was rare) you couldn't find 'em. No room because the pegs and shelves were covered in Cybertron stuff. In fact, the Ravage & Rumble Alts weren't even in the Toys Department. No, they were in the seasonal foods aisle on the other side of the friggin' store and no one paid attention to them. Dust collected, so they move a few over to Toys, they sold out almost instantly, the people were directed over to foods, then (and only then, weeks later) were they finally sold out. (although they are sitting on one last Rumble as we speak.)

The same thing will happen to C/U2.0 because of the space requirements of Animated. If we're even that lucky.

Now, I could be very, very, very wrong on all of this (and I'd like to be, so I'm crossing my fingers) but if I'm right...this is going to suck.

For everyone involved.

Stealth Bumblebee is a must buy for me, especially since he has a battle mask resculpted head. Good thing I love the mold. On the Animated toys delay, it's not a big deal to me. I'm still on the fence about many of them anyway, and it'll give me more time to save up for the ones I will buy.

hmm...i'll keep a good eye out for the anamatied line might get some of them but the stealth bumblebee and cliffjumper are must gets for me!

Are you serious man this sucks i was hopin to to be able to buy them by my birthday but at least i have more time to get money