The Energon Pub

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:I see. It's weird that Spike (and technically, Daniel) were a part of this line before the first onscreen Decepticon.

Why? They aren't going by screen order in any way whatsoever.

I just mean in terms of popularity and demand. Surely more fans out there would buy a new rendition of Laserbeak as a solo release, over Spike Witwicky? I imagine many would have thought Spike was due to come with someone else, as an accessory ala Daniel.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:I just mean in terms of popularity and demand. Surely more fans out there would buy a new rendition of Laserbeak as a solo release, over Spike Witwicky? I imagine many would have thought Spike was due to come with someone else, as an accessory ala Daniel.

I mean, I would buy both?

As it stands, Rumble is a rumored figure for SS86. Which is definitely going to be annoying when he's blue and not red, but I digress. If Rumble is coming, I would think Laserbeak has a better than good chance of being made. Then, I can complain about them dissing Buzzsaw again.

sol magnus wrote: Rumble is a rumored figure for SS86. Which is definitely going to be annoying when he's blue and not red, but I digress. If Rumble is coming, I would think Laserbeak has a better than good chance of being made. Then, I can complain about them dissing Buzzsaw again.

Oh yes, Rumble & Frenzy being in this line is going to open that can of worms again...

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

sol magnus wrote: Rumble is a rumored figure for SS86. Which is definitely going to be annoying when he's blue and not red, but I digress. If Rumble is coming, I would think Laserbeak has a better than good chance of being made. Then, I can complain about them dissing Buzzsaw again.

Oh yes, Rumble & Frenzy being in this line is going to open that can of worms again...

Rumble is red
Rumble is blue
Rumble is both
And Frenzy is too!

Sabrblade wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

sol magnus wrote: Rumble is a rumored figure for SS86. Which is definitely going to be annoying when he's blue and not red, but I digress. If Rumble is coming, I would think Laserbeak has a better than good chance of being made. Then, I can complain about them dissing Buzzsaw again.

Oh yes, Rumble & Frenzy being in this line is going to open that can of worms again...

Rumble is red
Rumble is blue
Rumble is both
And Frenzy is too!

See there's perfect redeco opportunity, they sell all four options at once or even a Voyager Class boxset of the same molds in different colours!

Well the best part about that debacle is there's nothing stopping anyone from being say a blue Frenzy and using the power of imagination, calling him Rumble

Just sell them in a 2-pack and have the packaging not specify which is which.

Sabrblade wrote:Just sell them in a 2-pack and have the packaging not specify which is which.

Echoes of the same fence sitting they enjoyed with Kingdom Cyclonus, anyone?

Sabrblade wrote:Just sell them in a 2-pack and have the packaging not specify which is which.

*chef's kiss*

Perfect

Just my 2 cents; I would’ve loved to have had multiple Core class releases of cassette characters, and yes, before/over/more than Spike.
Sometimes I do wish Hastak would be more creative in their releases & make 2-packs, multi-packs, weapons/accessory packs.

Sabrblade wrote:Just sell them in a 2-pack and have the packaging not specify which is which.

So this, but on purpose.



Emerje

Sowndwave76 wrote:Just my 2 cents; I would’ve loved to have had multiple Core class releases of cassette characters, and yes, before/over/more than Spike.
Sometimes I do wish Hastak would be more creative in their releases & make 2-packs, multi-packs, weapons/accessory packs.

I think retailers are the primary obstacle for that, though they've been more creative with exclusives, especially on Pulse. WfC had a few accessory packs, and we're kind of getting one with Red Cog, but I don't think Legacy opens up the same options. Maybe I'll feel differently after we see the Energon creatures, though. If the heads were as swappable as in other action figure lines, I would like to see battle-damaged heads as SS86 accessories, but I don't think that's feasible right now.

AcademyofDrX wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:Just my 2 cents; I would’ve loved to have had multiple Core class releases of cassette characters, and yes, before/over/more than Spike.
Sometimes I do wish Hastak would be more creative in their releases & make 2-packs, multi-packs, weapons/accessory packs.

I think retailers are the primary obstacle for that, though they've been more creative with exclusives, especially on Pulse. WfC had a few accessory packs, and we're kind of getting one with Red Cog, but I don't think Legacy opens up the same options. Maybe I'll feel differently after we see the Energon creatures, though. If the heads were as swappable as in other action figure lines, I would like to see battle-damaged heads as SS86 accessories, but I don't think that's feasible right now.

Maybe... I'm not sure it's due to retailers.
If it were the norm to have 2-3 of these packs per year as part of the regular wave assortment, I doubt retailers would pass on an entire line of toys just because a couple slots aren't figures.

I think a ton of people would be interested in weapons/accessory packs...
There are so many options, between blast effects, weapons, etc.
Why not make additional blasters, swords, etc. that aren't from any original series?
And of course, in that mix they could make weapons that were/are seemingly missing from various releases-- swords for the Dinobots, blast effects that appear more like fire, etc.

If Hastak made two weapons/accessory packs for the year, and between those there were swords for the Dinobots and at least 5 flame-like blast effects (and of course at least a few more pieces included)... I'd buy both in a heartbeat despite the other items they came with.
I'm not at all into fossilizers, but I'd totally understand these packs having a few extras designed for those figures as well.
When you look at how much 3P companies charge for add-on kits, including single, non-articulated items such as weapons... There's clearly a market for these type of extras.
I'd be very okay with paying $10-$11 per pack.

The boxes could be the exact same size as the one for the Core class figures, and wouldn't even need a window cut-out.
This would suit both collectors and fans, as well as increase the playability factor for kids.
And if Hastak used any of those weapons/accessories as pack-in's for future releases, fine.
Also, it's a safe bet that there would be those out there that would buy multiple packs...
It reminds me of Scourge, Sweep, and Gnaw...
For every collector or fan who skipped one of these, there were plenty who bought 2 or more.

Just my opinion, but I'd prefer this option over something like that drone pack-- I would've been okay with some of those accessories, but I had zero interest in the figure, which was the bulk of that cost.

I get this may not be completely realistic, but I am surprised this hasn't happened yet...
Seems to me it could be marketed as a nod to collectors/fans, and bottom line it would make Hastak money.

The thing about the retailers is that they are more concerned about selling to children instead of adult collectors. Hasbro makes toys that appeal to both, but it's the kid customers that the likes of Walmart and Target care more about.

Sabrblade wrote:The thing about the retailers is that they are more concerned about selling to children instead of adult collectors. Hasbro makes toys that appeal to both, but it's the kid customers that the likes of Walmart and Target care more about.

Right, but as I said, more weapons and parts that add to play value are a legit component of accessory packs... I'm not talking add-on kits for specific figures that replace original hands, feet, heads, etc.
Weapons packs (or whatever you want to call them) could be marketed in a way that shows they're for the toys as an additional play gimmick. Which they really are.
I think this would be appealing to a wide-range of consumers.
A kid could take a sword that was originally intended for a Dinobot, and use it for any TF figure.
Whereas collectors would buy these to help enhance their display(s).
That's part of the beauty of this idea.

Why not make a pack that's SS86 themed? And one that's fossilizer themed?
Possibly one that's mixed, and/or generic? There are a bunch of different options.

Using previously designed blast effects in different colors (heck, some could be the exact same as ones previous released), and making weapons that only require sculpting (no converting engineering required); seems that could be profitable for Hastak.

Even though I'd prefer something like this be free of being tied to a figure...
Make a SS86 pack that has a Core class Laserbeak ($11), weapons, effects, etc. ($2-$3 worth), and sell it for $22.99...
Do the same thing for a fossilizer pack-- make a new Core mold, throw in 4-6 new parts that are compatible with any fossilizer, a weapon, and a couple blast effects (if budget allows)...
I think there would be people who would go crazy for these things.

Part of what has me thinking this is SS86 Hot Rod...
I do believe he is legitimately a voyager class figure, just by himself.
And he was packed with 2 guns (that are slightly different designs), 3 blast effects (I'm counting the matrix "light" as one because it's basically the same in material and sculpted detail), the matrix, AND the "spinning" blade (which actually spins and has a little molded detail)...
All of that tells me that those pack-in's don't cost much money to make.
Even if that matrix and the light piece had been previously released with say an earlier Optimus Prime, they were still able to throw those in there and be on budget.

So either in an accessories/weapons pack, or a pack/set that includes a Core class figure, they could include enough weapons, accessories, etc. to where even though it's not actually $12 or $23 worth of plastic, it could very much appear to be really, really close to it.

This is a hypothetical tangent, but I really believe these sort of "packs" would sell extremely well.

New SS reveals/ pre-orders on Pulse this morning. All stuff already seen. The only comment I have about SS86 Arcee is...why bother? I know the paint apps are slightly different, but most casual purchasers won't even notice. I guess this opens the floodgates ( much like SS Cliffjumper repaint from ER) for any toon accurate toy from the last 3 years to get released again in SS86...

o.supreme wrote:New SS reveals/ pre-orders on Pulse this morning. All stuff already seen. The only comment I have about SS86 Arcee is...why bother? I know the paint apps are slightly different, but most casual purchasers won't even notice. I guess this opens the floodgates ( much like SS Cliffjumper repaint from ER) for any toon accurate toy from the last 3 years to get released again in SS86...

Arcee is not a mere redeco of Thrilling 30 Arcee, she's a heavy retool.

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:New SS reveals/ pre-orders on Pulse this morning. All stuff already seen. The only comment I have about SS86 Arcee is...why bother? I know the paint apps are slightly different, but most casual purchasers won't even notice. I guess this opens the floodgates ( much like SS Cliffjumper repaint from ER) for any toon accurate toy from the last 3 years to get released again in SS86...

Arcee is not a mere redeco of Thrilling 30 Arcee, she's a heavy retool.

It's basically the front half of T30 with the back half of Kingdom, I think? I have both of those and I'm ordering this one too, for some reason.

AcademyofDrX wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:New SS reveals/ pre-orders on Pulse this morning. All stuff already seen. The only comment I have about SS86 Arcee is...why bother? I know the paint apps are slightly different, but most casual purchasers won't even notice. I guess this opens the floodgates ( much like SS Cliffjumper repaint from ER) for any toon accurate toy from the last 3 years to get released again in SS86...

Arcee is not a mere redeco of Thrilling 30 Arcee, she's a heavy retool.

It's basically the front half of T30 with the back half of Kingdom, I think? I have both of those and I'm ordering this one too, for some reason.

The entire backpack, lower torso, arms, and legs are all completely new and different.

Honestly I'm so tired of seeing "basically" the same Arcee sculpt for the third time since ER that this has no interest for me, especially at $6-8 more than I got the ER figure for. Since I don't transform them that often and they're displayed in bot mode 99% of the time the ER version will be fine.

I have sense that this version will shelf warm just as much as the past two iterations.

Till-all-R1 wrote:Honestly I'm so tired of seeing "basically" the same Arcee sculpt for the third time since ER that this has no interest for me, especially at $6-8 more than I got the ER figure for. Since I don't transform them that often and they're displayed in bot mode 99% of the time the ER version will be fine.

I have sense that this version will shelf warm just as much as the past two iterations.

I pretty much feel the same way...
What bothers me the most is that I feel that this release could be the start of some relatively lame releases in a subline that I have absolutely loved...
But between this Arcee, and what I'm guessing is going to be a mehhhh release of Ironhide...
Thankfully at least for me, I'm still beyond excited about Sludge.

I also agree with your last point... I don't see how this version of Arcee is going to do very well, just based on the fact that there have been multiple releases of this character very recently.

Actually, ironhide might fair better if they put this effort into Arcee instead of just straight up using the ER mold. I'm not going to say hope for something better (as you know what they say about hope) but things have shifted it seems.

ZeroWolf wrote:Actually, ironhide might fair better if they put this effort into Arcee instead of just straight up using the ER mold. I'm not going to say hope for something better (as you know what they say about hope) but things have shifted it seems.

Literally the only thing I didn't like about Earthrise Inferno was the feet. I don't know if they'll keep or rework the battle sled/shield, but even if they don't, that should be a pretty nice figure. I don't know if that means I disagree or if "meh" is good enough for me.