by Sowndwave76 » Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:42 pm
- Motto: "They wanna play my emotions, but I'm like the ocean-- too calm to get upset by somebody's notion."
- Weapon: Concussion Blaster Gun
I'm probably almost alone in this opinion, but I've said for years now that I'm into TF because of the characters' bot modes...
If I were that into cars and motorcycles and jets and tanks, etc., I'd have a collection of models.
Considering Hastak hasn't truly prioritized screen-accuracy until relatively recently, there have been plenty of figures in the past that have sacrificed robot appearance and compromised that more to benefit alt modes. And as we all know, there's only so much you can do in terms of engineering, especially for a triple changer. Even the most "toon accurate" figures still miss the mark. Where people start freaking out is when these more toon accurate versions are compared to previous ones, where, as I said before, screen accuracy clearly wasn't the priority.
An example is SS86 Ironhide. This version is going to be tough to beat in the realm of appearances... And yet, compared to the animation model, his shoulders are too wide. His lower legs are too bulky. I'd also say there are probably proportion issues with his chest/torso.
I'll pause to say I'm not complaining, I'm being objective. In fact I have very little to complain about in general with newer G1 character figures. I have loved the SS86 subline.
For me, some (almost a lot) of the more recent figures are most likely the "definitive" versions. Some are so good, that I don't know how a new mold could be justified when the amount of improvement would be minimal.
And for me personally, this is where I'd probably start bowing-out of buying new, "improved" versions. Especially with increasing prices.
Another unpopular opinion (and speculation)--
Hastak is pushing out more G1 characters knowing that people like me are going to retire sooner than later. While I won't argue that G1 will always be relatively popular, being "popular", and maintaining solid, profiting sales are two totally separate things. I turn 50 in 2026. Between that and the 40th anniversary of the animated movie, for me, the end of that year will be the perfect time to bow-out. And there's no way I can be alone in this.
And for those of you who can't fathom leaving this hobby, this very thought had never crossed my mind just 3 years ago. Of course there were still some figures on my "really want" list, but to stop altogether-- never a thought. And sure, if you're currently in your 30's, maybe you will continue all the way into your 70's... That seems like a far, far stretch imo, but sure, it's possible.
Just seems that in time that something-- financial goals, changes in interests, relationships, and/or other life goals-- could cause enough of a shift to leave these little plastic toys behind.
