The Energon Pub

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)

william-james88 wrote:And now, dear readers, here is an example of how to ask the same type of “are we getting this” type of question, but to get a better answer. One question was “is Slipstream coming any time soon”, and the answer from Hasbro was “Anything is possible”, obviously. BUT I found another way around that:
Q: Have there been any obstacles to getting the rest of the Age of Extinction Dinobots, since we got none after Grimlock.
A: There may have been at the time if the same characters were available in the Platinum line (not a certainty, memory is foggy on that), but as of right now there is no obstacle, no reason for them not to eventually show up, nothing stopping Hasbro from making them. However, G1 Grimlock appearing in the SS line did put the possible release of Bayverse Dinobots on hold.

Thanks for asking this one! Kinda bummed that we'll be seeing the whole G1 Dinobot team in SS before even a second AOE Dinobot, but I'm glad the question was aked.

Just curious, would you guys actually preffer closed boxes? I was surprised that question was asked because I sure wouldn't. I can better tell if my toy is intact with a window.
If it's this plastic free window idea or a closed box, I sure won't pick closed box.

And don't worry EvasionBB, I got your back!

SpaceEagle wrote:

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)

Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.

SpaceEagle wrote:I still cannot forget being told it's been "debated" by adults for a long time, that was the hardest I've ever laughed. I don't even understand why it's something to be upset about anyway, people ask me "Why are you buying kid's toys?" and I tell them "Because I like them." Simple as. They're cool robots and I like having physical representations of 'em.

It's a simple childish attitude that certain adults still have when collecting toys. They feels insecure about their hobby and needs confirmation that what they do is "grown up". I was exactly like this in my first years of collecting. I guess what "woke me up" was when a parent once comes to visit and told my room looked like a "kindergarten room". I politely told him to F-off and that I can have the hobby that I wanted. Then from Rescue Bots to Masterpieces, from Barbie to Dolfie Dream, I collect what I want, and I don't give a single F about what others think. It's pretty liberating.

william-james88 wrote:Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.

Those kinds of packaging are the BEST for toys with gimmicks where one gimmick can be tried. Those are pretty much essentials. But for the "serious" toys, the fully closed boxes are better. Especially when lots of small accessories are involved.

william-james88 wrote:

SpaceEagle wrote:

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)

Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.

And how many times have they done that with action figures and immediately regretted it when heads and other parts were ripped off? "Try me" works well for play sets, vehicles and sturdy figures made for toddlers, but it's awful for action figures with ball joints and heads that pop off or just small figures in general. On one hand the closed box keeps the figures safer, but on the other it's terrible for MIB collecting and you can't inspect the figures beforehand. I don't know what the ideal solution is without plastic, probably what they're doing now. Takara Tomy has already started doing closed boxes for all SS figures (maybe not Core), we'll see how long Hasbro can keep from doing that.

Emerje

So it looks like the PulseCon Hero set is shipping a little early. Sure are a a lot of Pulse orders coming in early, SG Flamewar and Slicer are also shipping next week as well as the ZAP Dragonzord (not actually sure if Pulse is getting that early, but BBTS is, wasn't due until January).

Emerje

Good Q&A. Really disappointed in the live action Dinobots answer, continues to suck.

I think the best thing from that is the fact that Roberts and Milne are getting Tarn figures. Well done Hasbro.

Sabrblade wrote:It's been mentioned elsewhere that the whole thing with the name "Convoy" being unavailable for Hasbro to use as a trademark due to it having been trademarked in Japan is that, apparently, some company in Japan seems to have recently trademarked the name so that now even Takara themselves can't use it.

Takara hasn't released a Transformers toy with "Convoy" in its name since MP-49 Black Convoy back in July 2020, so if this is the case, then that would explain why they named the MP Lio Convoy black redeco "Dark Amber Leo Prime" instead of some name containing "Lio Convoy".

Likewise, other recent Japanese-only toys of G1 Optimus have been named "Optimus Prime" by Takara instead of "Convoy", like the recent Canon camera figure.

Are you sure that's not just them trying to keep in step with Hasbro? They still use Convoy in the Diaclone line without any issue. We've had Battle Convoy V-Max, Battle Convoy V-Shadow, and this year Powered Convoy. I'm sure they would have been given the option to renew if it was about to expire before another company snatched it out from under them.

Emerje

After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.

This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?

Emerje

I don't understand your questioning here when bringing in Marvel Legends and the Age shown there. What is it you are wondering?

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

That's an interesting take, considering every collector I've talked to preferred the window box too so that they can inspect the paint deco on the figure. There are also a few MIB collectors out there for every line. So I personally don't see it as a kid only thing.

IMO it feels like talking out both side of your mouth time with a PC answer that's actually BS.

william-james88 wrote:

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.

Mkall wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.

Rumor has it that the Nemesis is the next titan class figure, with the decepticon-symbol face on the legacy ii poster being them and not tarn

Full-Tilt wrote:

Mkall wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.

Rumor has it that the Nemesis is the next titan class figure, with the decepticon-symbol face on the legacy ii poster being them and not tarn

Given how prominent it is in the teaser poster, that's what I was thinking too. Here's hoping.

william-james88 wrote:

Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.

Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.

You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.

Whoa..."Now he said sick'em boy but what I heard was"....

No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"

Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"

Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"

Masterpiece is pretty much an afterthought now in the minds of many Hasbro Collectors, Beast Wars or otherwise. They created a blip with Jetfire, but then it went back to "oh, yeah...they still do Masterpiece."

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"

Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"

Question like "will we get" which include both yours on MPs and the one on new fembots are completely useless. You have to ask "why" or "what" questions. Questions about the future will get you nowhere since Hasbro won't reveal anything that way. Speculation questions of unrevealed stuff will just get you a "we'll see" so just as useless.

And asking Hasbro about Takara MPs is doubly useless since it's not even their toys. The only MP line Hasbro has a say in is the MPM line.

Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.

william-james88 wrote:Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.

He doesn't count that as Beast Wars.

sol magnus wrote:Masterpiece is pretty much an afterthought now in the minds of many Hasbro Collectors, Beast Wars or otherwise. They created a blip with Jetfire, but then it went back to "oh, yeah...they still do Masterpiece."

Yeah, I see that now. I didn't notice it so much until recently. It's so strange that they will market and put emphasis on the MP line only on a release by release basis? You would think an expensive line, dedicated to collectors. Would receive a bigger push by both Hasbro and Takara.

"Come see MP-44 - THE GREATEST OPTIMUS PRIME EVER!"
Fast forward to early this year: "So now we've completed the 2.0 mold versions of the three default seekers. A very well received Skids (and two redecos). Plus, we're about halfway through our first MP Combiner team... BUT JETFIRE/SKYFIRE IS HUGE!"

william-james88 wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"

Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"

Question like "will we get" which include both yours on MPs and the one on new fembots are completely useless.

That's why I thought to rephrase the question. To which faction will be the release after Skyfire.
I recall a lot of those wishy-washy answers with BFS. It turned out they were outright blanking their customers to cover for a license they no longer had. Different situation to Hasbro's general dismissive attitude to direct questions.

william-james88 wrote:Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.

Sabrblade wrote:He doesn't count that as Beast Wars.

^This

I really shouldn't have to draw attention to the 'apples and oranges' distinction between Mainframe Beast Wars and the Takara shows.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

sol magnus wrote:Masterpiece is pretty much an afterthought now in the minds of many Hasbro Collectors, Beast Wars or otherwise. They created a blip with Jetfire, but then it went back to "oh, yeah...they still do Masterpiece."

Yeah, I see that now. I didn't notice it so much until recently. It's so strange that they will market and put emphasis on the MP line only on a release by release basis? You would think an expensive line, dedicated to collectors. Would receive a bigger push by both Hasbro and Takara.

"Come see MP-44 - THE GREATEST OPTIMUS PRIME EVER!"
Fast forward to early this year: "So now we've completed the 2.0 mold versions of the three default seekers. A very well received Skids (and two redecos). Plus, we're about halfway through our first MP Combiner team... BUT JETFIRE/SKYFIRE IS HUGE!"

william-james88 wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"

Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"

Question like "will we get" which include both yours on MPs and the one on new fembots are completely useless.

That's why I thought to rephrase the question. To which faction will be the release after Skyfire.
I recall a lot of those wishy-washy answers with BFS. It turned out they were outright blanking their customers to cover for a license they no longer had. Different situation to Hasbro's general dismissive attitude to direct questions.

william-james88 wrote:Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.

Sabrblade wrote:He doesn't count that as Beast Wars.

^This

I really shouldn't have to draw attention to the 'apples and oranges' distinction between Mainframe Beast Wars and the Takara shows.

The what faction question would get you either a "not our line, not our business" or "wait and see" answer.

I'm also happy to see the age old question about who the toys are primarily aimed at has been settled (here at least)

ZeroWolf wrote:The what faction question would get you either a "not our line, not our business" or "wait and see" answer.

Indeed. But asking about lines on hiatus would be a "burning" question.

ZeroWolf wrote:I'm also happy to see the age old question about who the toys are primarily aimed at has been settled (here at least)

I'm astonished that even was a question? Unless it has "collector" etched into the box somewhere. The rest have all been aimed at kids. From 1984 to 2022...

william-james88 wrote:

SpaceEagle wrote:Ah, very interesting answers, though it kinda also felt like no-brainer answers. Still very nice to get some form of closure especially in regards to stuff like Minerva and that mystery Junkion.

Some are no brainer, and yet whenever I tell fans that they are not the major buyers of Legacy and SS they look at me like I'm high. My personal question was just to have it on paper again if anyone tells me these toys arent made for kids.

And to be fair, they won't reveal anything new in these talks, just further explain stuff so it usually ends up being no brainers, but they need to be said regardless. I did like that discussion on boxes though.

I know I'm behind and barely catching up on the comments, but I'm glad you asked about the target audience. Even though most of us know we're buying toys that are meant for kids, it's nice for the "debate" to be officially put to rest