The Energon Pub

[Sabrblade]

They're talking about third parties rather than knockoffs.

Third party figures are a kind of knockoffs. They just knockoff visual IP designs rather than physical ones, regardless of how many artistic liberties and/or adjustments they may or may not make to said visual IP designs.

As far as I knew the definition of a knockoff - at least in the context of Transformers - was to try and replicate an already-existing toy. Third Parties stand distinct from that in that they are completely original toys, just based on existing designs (unless it's something like that fansproject glacialord thing)

"IP infringing item" would probably be the most apt description for a third party product, and which can also apply to the classic dollar store/outlet store "bootleg" kind of knockoffs.

[Kurona]

They're talking about third parties rather than knockoffs.

Third party figures are a kind of knockoffs. They just knockoff visual IP designs rather than physical ones, regardless of how many artistic liberties and/or adjustments they may or may not make to said visual IP designs.

As far as I knew the definition of a knockoff - at least in the context of Transformers - was to try and replicate an already-existing toy. Third Parties stand distinct from that in that they are completely original toys, just based on existing designs (unless it's something like that fansproject glacialord thing)

"IP infringing item" would probably be the most apt description for a third party product, and which can also apply to the classic dollar store/outlet store "bootleg" kind of knockoffs.

That's fair, but I still feel there is a clear definition that exists and should be acknowledged - especially as they're two very different things and, in the context of Transformers especially, would be important to not classify as the same thing (though they can come under the same umbrella).

[Ironhidensh]

I still feel Infernos transformation is some form of dark magic.

Heh. I'm a little sad I have to wait till Grapple comes out to experience the "magic".

Not sad enough to actually get Inferno, and set aside Backdraft, but a little sad all the same.

[fenrir72]

One thing to be sure with MPs, Inferno won't be SHELF WARMING the virtual shelves of online stores like Tracks and Roadrage

This guy is sure gonna be HOT!

[fenrir72]

Options are out there, yeah, but many want official. Official tends to do it better, and cheaper, than 3rd party.

Not anymore. Prices have leveled out pretty even, and quality is better in many cases.

Official is just a word that has lost its meaning. Don't let it keep you away from amazing transformer figures.

For some of us official is all that matters. Maybe it's lost meaning to those of you that don't mind owning knockoffs and bootlegs, but to the rest of us it's everything. I'll always support the companies that actually own the licenses over the ones that have stolen the likenesses.

And I don't know what you mean by the quality being "better in many cases", I've yet to see a single knockoff that I thought was superior to a Hasbro Masterpiece. Don't bother listing any to try to prove me wrong, I've seen them all, my opinion stands.

Emerje

Agree with you on this. If you want the official owners of the IP to produce what we want, we need to fork out our money to them first. Just imaging buying a 3rd party Fortmax costing like US$1000 when an official would cost only US$100. Same with Devastator. Compare that to the 3rd party ones.

[Ultra Markus]

Options are out there, yeah, but many want official. Official tends to do it better, and cheaper, than 3rd party.

Not anymore. Prices have leveled out pretty even, and quality is better in many cases.

Official is just a word that has lost its meaning. Don't let it keep you away from amazing transformer figures.

For some of us official is all that matters. Maybe it's lost meaning to those of you that don't mind owning knockoffs and bootlegs, but to the rest of us it's everything. I'll always support the companies that actually own the licenses over the ones that have stolen the likenesses.

And I don't know what you mean by the quality being "better in many cases", I've yet to see a single knockoff that I thought was superior to a Hasbro Masterpiece. Don't bother listing any to try to prove me wrong, I've seen them all, my opinion stands.

Emerje

Agree with you on this. If you want the official owners of the IP to produce what we want, we need to fork out our money to them first. Just imaging buying a 3rd party Fortmax costing like US$1000 when an official would cost only US$100. Same with Devastator. Compare that to the 3rd party ones.

even takara's versions seem to run cheaper than third party and most third party figures dont look right in the first place only a very few look so close to masterpiece for example a company called Transform and rollout has a Jazz figure thats sure to make you drool

[Burn]

You know, I TRULY hoped the very blatantly off-topic discussion regarding 3P's and KO's and what not would die on it's own, but I guess not.

So here I am, telling you all now, to keep it about Masterpiece Inferno.

I'm also going to say this, SOME OF YOU SHOULD REALLY KNOW BETTER BY NOW.

[chuckdawg1999]

Unless I'm mistaken - and I suspect I am - Isn't the reason most of the currently undone Season 1 bots are undone is because they can't get the licensing for their vehicles yet?
Then again, that doesn't explain Sunstreaker who's vehicle mode is supposed to be the exact same as Sideswipe's.

Sideswipe is a Lamborgini, Sunstreaker is a SUPER Lamborgini; Tomy only has the license to reproduce the regular Lamborgini. It's worth a note that due to the movie, Hasbro has the Lamborgini license too, but there might be another issue that Sideswipe hasn't been released by Hasbro.

One thing to be sure with MPs, Inferno won't be SHELF WARMING the virtual shelves of online stores like Tracks and Roadrage

This guy is sure gonna be HOT!

I see what you did there.

[Cyberpath]

I wouldn't bet on it. Every Masterpiece release since MP-25 is still in stock --

http://hlj.com/search/go?af=selectserie ... asterpiece

[camzilla51]

Nope, still black magic

[camzilla51]

"No matter how many times I see it, it's always outrageous..."

[Burn]

Nope, still black magic

Exactly! There's some strange juju involved there!

[fenrir72]

I wouldn't bet on it. Every Masterpiece release since MP-25 is still in stock --

http://hlj.com/search/go?af=selectserie ... asterpiece

hlj always has overstock

[Cyberpath]

I wouldn't bet on it. Every Masterpiece release since MP-25 is still in stock --

http://hlj.com/search/go?af=selectserie ... asterpiece

hlj always has overstock

Only since MP-25.

[fenrir72]

I wouldn't bet on it. Every Masterpiece release since MP-25 is still in stock --

http://hlj.com/search/go?af=selectserie ... asterpiece

hlj always has overstock

Only since MP-25.

Not just MP. Even in other anime related items. They are the go get to as a last resort if the main heavy hitters amiami and hobbysearch gets sold out. But we might be digressing here.

Shockwave, kinda expensive. The rest, well lucky for those who missed the boat. They better be bought until supply lasts.

[Cyberpath]

Not just MP. Even in other anime related items. They are the go get to as a last resort if the main heavy hitters amiami and hobbysearch gets sold out. But we might be digressing here.

Shockwave, kinda expensive. The rest, well lucky for those who missed the boat. They better be bought until supply lasts.

I don't know about other anime items, but we're talking about MPs, and those used to sell-out on HLJ until MP-25. Not a concern of mine, just pointing out a fact.

For anyone still on the fence about MP-25 through 31, I wouldn't worry about supply running out yet, none of them are marked "low stock."

btw, avoiding that Inferno video.. I like to leave something for when I have the figures in hand.

[Kurona]

Does anyone know if Inferno's original Diaclone (or Microman or whatever he came from) toy had any different colours to his Transformers release? Or Grapple? Because that'd be the one of this mold I'd eventually get. Because again, weird

[Ironhidensh]

Yeah, I think the Dia clone was called "Artfire"

[Kurona]

Yeah, I think the Dia clone was called "Artfire"

Nah, that's the retool they released in Headmasters to fill out the line.
http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Artfire
And is what I'd fall back on if there's no Diaclone guy. Especially since he'd likely come with a Targetmaster! How cool would that be?!

[Sabrblade]

Does anyone know if Inferno's original Diaclone (or Microman or whatever he came from) toy had any different colours to his Transformers release? Or Grapple? Because that'd be the one of this mold I'd eventually get. Because again, weird

Inferno and Grapple kept their Diaclone colors, minus some slightly extra chrome and molded Mitsubishi logos the Diaclone versions had.

[Kurona]

Does anyone know if Inferno's original Diaclone (or Microman or whatever he came from) toy had any different colours to his Transformers release? Or Grapple? Because that'd be the one of this mold I'd eventually get. Because again, weird

Inferno and Grapple kept their Diaclone colors, minus some slightly extra chrome and molded Mitsubishi logos the Diaclone versions had.

Awww, that's a shame. Artfire or Hauler it is

[Hero Alpha]

Inferno was made by witches! He looks so good, if only he was voyager size(for me anyway).

[Kurona]

Inferno was made by witches! He looks so good, if only he was voyager size(for me anyway).

What, you don't want a leader fire engine?
At least it's in scale with TR Blaster

[fenrir72]

Inferno was made by witches! He looks so good, if only he was voyager size(for me anyway).

Just asking but if they, Takara go by the scale of the original Diaclones, and upsize it to todays (i.e.MP scale) it won't fit in a Voyager scale. And, even if at least Takara is following a it of scale to allow interactivity like UM or Optimus carrying the cars inside them, it would look weird for Inferno, a fire truck to be the same size as the cars. And lastly, I don't think Takara can cram it's vodoo magic with his ladder in a Voyager scale.

[Hero Alpha]

Inferno was made by witches! He looks so good, if only he was voyager size(for me anyway).

Just asking but if they, Takara go by the scale of the original Diaclones, and upsize it to todays (i.e.MP scale) it won't fit in a Voyager scale. And, even if at least Takara is following a it of scale to allow interactivity like UM or Optimus carrying the cars inside them, it would look weird for Inferno, a fire truck to be the same size as the cars. And lastly, I don't think Takara can cram it's vodoo magic with his ladder in a Voyager scale.

I want an Inferno as good as this one in voyager scale because I only collect CHUG. Thats why I put the (for me) at the end, of course it wouldnt work for the masterpiece series.