The Energon Pub

News Credits: 174 · by **Hellscream9999** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 2:57 pm

william-james88 wrote:
MemphisR56 wrote:
Does this mean he'll have a transparent visor part on the helmet on the final colour production model, I wonder.

Yeah I am pretty sure its for the visor.

I don't know, maybe they're just using different colors to show what mold they came from, or they use whatever plastic they have left over, plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; plus haven't other prototypes used clear plastic, but the retail version then lacked it?

But beyond anything else, this mold is starting to look really dynamic, and fun, I may actually get Soundwave - just hope he comes with a tank cassette, as the bird cassettes are really weak :HEADHURTS:

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:00 pm

Hellscream9999 wrote: plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; :

Anything? So you forgot about RID Drift and Bumblebee too?

News Credits: 174 · by **Hellscream9999** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:03 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote: plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; :

Anything? So you forgot about RID Drift and Bumblebee too?

Didn't get them, don't look at anything bumblebee; but yeah the blue sword I guess; but that's quite the drop in the ocean for the year

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:07 pm

Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote: plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; :

Anything? So you forgot about RID Drift and Bumblebee too?

Didn't get them, don't look at anything bumblebee; but yeah the blue sword I guess; but that's quite the drop in the ocean for the year

blue sword?! Did you miss his windows? The whole roof is painted cear plastic. He is 1 fifth clear plastic, same as Drift (who you should get)

The platinums have a bunch of lear plastic too as did te Hasbro MPs, but thats another thing.

News Credits: 1 · by **Gunmetal** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:15 pm

Counterpunch wrote:
Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

I know what you’re going to say: it was justified by the fiction. However, there’s no reason to assume that IDW won’t include most of Titans Returns as well, just as they included Ultra Prime.

No, it's different. When Blurr was made a Targetmaster, something was added. He got a gun partner that you could ignore if you so chose.

The core toy and character were unchanged.

william-james88 wrote:
Randomus wrote:It worth noting though that (I assume) few complained when they made Blurr a Targetmaster.

Or Optimus a Powermaster. Or when Grimlock became a Pretender.

But there were massive complaints from kids when they all became action masters.

Oh, people complained about Pretenders at the time and moreso about the characters that became Pretenders.

BUT...

When this all happened, Prime, Grimlock, Bumblebee etc had been off the shelves for a long while and kids were happy to be able to get ANY version of that character.

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:Not to defend the new-stuff haters, but that was when all of the GEEWUNers were still kids, so they would have seen it as a cool new feature.

First off, I don't think I was so obtuse as to be mentioned in the same breath as anything that could be considered a "new-stuff hater." Before most current board members were on their way to see the 2007 movie, I was taking up the sword and shield for RiD and Armada, two franchise elements much harder to defend that CW or TR, against a sea of G1 purists.

So I'll have no one on this board inferring any bit of close mindedness on my part.

On to the point...

Make whatever cool, different, radical, innovative updates you care to make for any character. I support all of it.

The only thing I'm arguing and I cannot understand why I have to do so with such frequency or in such plain blunt terms, is that classic, traditional characters should be given a quality toy, with modern engineering, without gimmicks, that homages the original character.

Is this point really so hard to digest?

If the only Classics/Generation Soundwave we ever get is a Headmaster, then we really haven't gotten a Classics/Generations Soundwave; have we?

No one would disagree with me if this was a discussion about Masterpiece figures. Classics/Generations does for retail lines what MP figures do for collector lines. Sure, there is more leverage to alter/update the design. If Blaster was a set of turntables or Starscream's jet mode was updated to a more modern jet, I have no issue with that. Must like Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Hound etc all got updates but still kept their core attributes. Prime went from an 80's flat nose cab to a sleeker more modern semi.

They didn't have designs that diverged into a different category.

You don't see me complaining about Combiner Wars Autobot cars who can combine now. For one, they all have true classic styled versions. For another, the design change could be ignored for those who don't like it or embraced by those who do.

Disagree with me or not over the scale of the problem, but turning non-headmasters into HM characters is not a similar update.

Randomus wrote:When you think about it though, we're basically saying that you can tweek a character for the first two years of existence, then he's locked that way forever.

I am 100% specifically NOT saying that. Tweak away! Change ad nauseam. Pervert beyond all recognizable distinction! Change. Transform. Kiss Play for all I care.

But give me that one, unadulterated, modern update first.

Then proceed on your way to any and everything ya'll can imagine.

Okay, I get you...and I'm on board with all of that.

I think therefore that the real debate here is not whether this is an appropriate Blaster, but whether Blaster should have received an MP toy by now. If I had to choose between a Generations or and MP figure, I’m with you...MP all the way...but I don’t think we should have to. Ultra Magnus was allowed to have both, in under a year no less. (How great is it that we had a year-end review where you guys had to choose between them?)

I guess I just don’t want to see a situation where midrange designs like Generations get forced into complying with MP expectations, much like has happened with third parties.

News Credits: 174 · by **Hellscream9999** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:17 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote: plus, hasbro hasn't used clear plastic for anything - other than Shockwave - in over a year; :

Anything? So you forgot about RID Drift and Bumblebee too?

Didn't get them, don't look at anything bumblebee; but yeah the blue sword I guess; but that's quite the drop in the ocean for the year

blue sword?! Did you miss his windows? The whole roof is painted cear plastic. He is 1 fifth clear plastic, same as Drift (who you should get)

The platinums have a bunch of lear plastic too as did te Hasbro MPs, but thats another thing.

Yeah, I did miss bumblebee on the shelves - like he wasn't even there :saint:

And from that pic, I couldn't even tell you that he had clear windows; I wanted him, but his unpainted facial hair went too far for me to try getting him >:oP

by **SJ21** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:19 pm

I just don't know if I'm buying this new Blaster. I like the Fall of Cybertron version of him and Soundwave. They scale well with my Classics. Their minions also scale well and they have the storage/eject gimmick.

As someone said above, Blaster wasn't a headmaster. He also never turned into a base and he's too big.

But he looks so good in bot mode.

I'm so conflicted.

News Credits: 25 · by **Ironhidensh** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:28 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote: If you want something new, then create a new character, don't mess with something that's already established.

Then we would never have the G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime.

I'm not seeing the downside to that. :-P

Seriously though, I'd would have much rather had a new character, then a new Optimus. Incremental, not supplemental.

I'll grant you, kids don't care, and as a child I didn't care. Thing is, I'm not a kid, I'm an adult and my tastes and preferences have changed, and now days I don't like change all that much. I do like updates, however, and I don't feel like I've gotten one for Blaster. I refuse to get FOC Blaster as he is a repaint, and the original Blaster was no Soundwave repaint.

Like I've said in other threads, it may be time for me to move on. I keep tabs on this thread, hoping to see something that makes me feel different, but I don't.

Plus, with more and more children showing up on the threads (sorry, if your under 25, I now consider you a child), I'm starting to feel like the creepy old man, trying to hang on to his youth. >:oP

News Credits: 174 · by **Hellscream9999** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:30 pm

SJ21 wrote:I just don't know if I'm buying this new Blaster. I like the Fall of Cybertron version of him and Soundwave. They scale well with my Classics. Their minions also scale well and they have the storage/eject gimmick.

As someone said above, Blaster wasn't a headmaster. He also never turned into a base and he's too big.

But he looks so good in bot mode.

I'm so conflicted.

To be fair, neither was optimus back then either >:oP

But if you have the full set of foc cassett-i-friends, I don't think you'd need these to replace them, but he datadiscs could use this blaster as a display stage ;)^

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:30 pm

SJ21 wrote:I just don't know if I'm buying this new Blaster. I like the Fall of Cybertron version of him and Soundwave. They scale well with my Classics. Their minions also scale well and they have the storage/eject gimmick.

As someone said above, Blaster wasn't a headmaster. He also never turned into a base and he's too big.

But he looks so good in bot mode.

I'm so conflicted.

Do like I am doing. Keep your foc soundwave and blaster for your classics, thats the soundwave in the comics anyways:

And get the blaster and soundwave to face off along with these guys in he new scale the gen line has given us (aka, the discount MP line)!

News Credits: 3 · by **DedicatedGhostArt** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:31 pm

SJ21 wrote:I just don't know if I'm buying this new Blaster. I like the Fall of Cybertron version of him and Soundwave. They scale well with my Classics. Their minions also scale well and they have the storage/eject gimmick.

As someone said above, Blaster wasn't a headmaster. He also never turned into a base and he's too big.

But he looks so good in bot mode.

I'm so conflicted.

I'll probably wait till the Soundwave version comes out, because Blaster is a less prominent character than Soundwave, and it's an amazing looking mold.

by **Rated X** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:31 pm

Decepticon Sunstorm wrote:
Rated X wrote:Ill stick with my Unique Toys Soundblaster who is actually made to scale with existing figures rather than being kiddie size like hasbro is trying to pull here.

Great, but you've already said that at least twice now. I don't have a problem with you sticking with him, but please stop proclaiming it every time TR Blaster is mentioned.

I base my comments on how I feet at the current time of posting. I dont keep track of posts I made a month ago. Maybe if Hasbros choices for this character didnt suck so much, I would have something more positive to say. Not only is it out of scale, they made him a freaking headmaster and a mini city bot just for the hell of it. My comments are no more redundant than the dozens of other negative comments made about this figure for the same reasons I stated. You know whats really getting redundant?

You singling out my comments amoung an entire sea of negativity. #-o

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:33 pm

Hey wait, didnt they also make rodimus a micromaster?

And Optimus a Base Bot?

In the same release? :michaelbay:

News Credits: 174 · by **Hellscream9999** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:41 pm

Ironhidensh wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote: If you want something new, then create a new character, don't mess with something that's already established.

Then we would never have the G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime.

I'm not seeing the downside to that.

Seriously though, I'd would have much rather had a new character, then a new Optimus. Incremental, not supplemental.

I'll grant you, kids don't care, and as a child I didn't care. Thing is, I'm not a kid, I'm an adult and my tastes and preferences have changed, and now days I don't like change all that much. I do like updates, however, and I don't feel like I've gotten one for Blaster. I refuse to get FOC Blaster as he is a repaint, and the original Blaster was no Soundwave repaint.

Like I've said in other threads, it may be time for me to move on. I keep tabs on this thread, hoping to see something that makes me feel different, but I don't. Plus, with more and more children showing up on the threads (sorry, if your under 25, I now consider you a child), I'm starting to feel like the creepy old man, trying to hang on to his youth.

So, do you not like any of the offerings?

Is it that you just aren't fond of head titanmasters?

I grant you that this line does seem more overtly child-oriented than any other gen line, what with the 'playset' design, but that doens't seem very far removed from being able to link up the G1 combiner torso's with G1 metroplex and company way back in the day;

I'm still excited for Skullcruncher and his gang, and Stormbringer Astrotrain; Sentinels kinda-sorta new too, so I'll probably be getting him; but not much else, as nothing there really appeals to me; Blasters slowly winning me over, so I might look into Soundwave, cuz

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:43 pm

Ironhidensh wrote:
Like I've said in other threads, it may be time for me to move on. I keep tabs on this thread, hoping to see something that makes me feel different, but I don't. Plus, with more and more children showing up on the threads (sorry, if your under 25, I now consider you a child), I'm starting to feel like the creepy old man, trying to hang on to his youth.

If you like Headmasters and want to see perfect G1 homages to them, then I recomend you keep a lookout. Hasbro is going to be giving 3p a run for its money, wait and see.

Hasbro is in a tough position right now since it now has the fans to cater to and not just the kids who are more accepting of new stuff. As someone who studied business, I am impressed with how they handle their transformers brand to satisfy as many groups as possible while still maintaining a bottom line.

News Credits: 174 · by **Hellscream9999** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:46 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote:
Like I've said in other threads, it may be time for me to move on. I keep tabs on this thread, hoping to see something that makes me feel different, but I don't. Plus, with more and more children showing up on the threads (sorry, if your under 25, I now consider you a child), I'm starting to feel like the creepy old man, trying to hang on to his youth.

If you like Headmasters and want to see perfect G1 homages to them, then I recomend you keep a lookout. Hasbro is going to be giving 3p a run for its money, wait and see.

Hasbro is in a tough position right now since it now has the fans to cater to and not just the kids who are more accepting of new stuff. As someone who studied business, I am impressed with how they handle their transformers brand to satisfy as many groups as possible while still maintaining a bottom line.

Yeah, people seem to be passing it off after seeing only 1 wave of figures >:oP

News Credits: 41 · by **Cobotron** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:47 pm

@ Counterpunch - :lol:

Sorry m'man, didn't mean to stir up trouble. I agree with you that I would like to see traditional "Classicified" updates of most characters, and then go nuts on wacky stuff. Or go nuts and THEN bring it back home. Either way.
MPs are marvelous for what they are, but they're not toys. I too would like simple updated toy versions of the "old guys". Classics could have carried on for years and I would have been happy.

But we have all been "shoehorning" for years. I mean, I just picked up Super Link Laser Wave, and I'm an inch away from putting him on my Classics shelf. :lol:

As far as the wacky stuff. I personally am all for it. Keep it fresh. Keep it fun. I trust, and want Hasbro to do what they think is necessary to keep the brand going. Since I look at these things as little pieces of art. I am always happy to see a new artist/designers take on an old idea. Equally, I am happy to get new characters and ideas to expand the universe.

Randomus wrote:(How great is it that we had a year-end review where you guys had to choose between them?)

I couldn't choose between them, so I chose them both!

Hellscream9999 wrote: And from that pic, I couldn't even tell you that he (Drift) had clear windows; I wanted him, but his unpainted facial hair went too far for me to try getting him

Oh. Now now buddy pal. I know your no slouch when it comes to creative handy work. I'm not buying that excuse from you. All it took for me was some Testers, a brush, and about 2 minutes. Hell Seibs used a sharpie. If that's your only reason, you are missing out.
Now if you had sad,"He's just not evil enough for my taste", I would have bought it. :twisted:

News Credits: 3 · by **DedicatedGhostArt** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:48 pm

Hellscream9999 wrote:
Yeah, people seem to be passing it off after seeing only 1 wave of figures

Yeah cummon people, we have a chance finally of having Beast Wars Headmasters! :-P

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:49 pm

Hellscream9999 wrote:I'm still excited for Skullcruncher and his gang, and Stormbringer Astrotrain; Sentinels kinda-sorta new too, so I'll probably be getting him; but not much else, as nothing there really appeals to me; Blasters slowly winning me over, so I might look into Soundwave, cuz

Oh man, this line excites me so much, I will be buying more of this than I did CW!

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:54 pm

As long as TR doesn't pull a CW and redeco the same few molds ad infinitum I'm excited. Hardhead and Skullcruncher are definite buys for me. Glavatron too.

News Credits: 3 · by **DedicatedGhostArt** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:56 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Oh man, this line excites me so much, I will be buying more of this than I did CW!

What's cool about this line is, some of the figures look like they would not be used like 5 times as retools. With these figures most of them either wouldn't be good for retools, or only have like 1 retool option at the most. (Sentinel Prime into Astrotrain and Blaster into Soundwave.) Take Hardhead, Galvatron, and Blurr for example, Hasbro would have to make a PRETTY BIG STRETCH to turn those into different characters, and would have to COMPLETELY retool them like they did with CW Swindle to even make them look a little like whatever characters they want to retool them into. :-D

News Credits: 4835 · by **william-james88** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 4:00 pm

Cobotron wrote: I know your no slouch when it comes to creative handy work. I'm not buying that excuse from you. All it took for me was some Testes, a brush, and about 2 minutes.

What you do with your toys behind closed doors is your business but please think of the children.

News Credits: 3 · by **DedicatedGhostArt** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 4:03 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Cobotron wrote: I know your no slouch when it comes to creative handy work. I'm not buying that excuse from you. All it took for me was some Testes, a brush, and about 2 minutes.

What you do with your toys behind closed doors is your business but please think of the children.

Omg you just made my day! :lol:

News Credits: 174 · by **Hellscream9999** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 4:04 pm

Cobotron wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote: And from that pic, I couldn't even tell you that he (Drift) had clear windows; I wanted him, but his unpainted facial hair went too far for me to try getting him

Oh. Now, now, buddy, pal. I know you're no slouch when it comes to creative handy work. I'm not buying that excuse from you. All it took for me was some Testers, a brush, and about 2 minutes. Hell Seibs used a sharpie. If that's your only reason, you are missing out.
Now if you had sad,"He's just not evil enough for my taste", I would have bought it.

That, and my budget and financial situation didn't allow for too many extra figures outside of the cw line and Fracture, Salvia Prominon, and Nighbird ate that up; plus, wehn he first came out, I hadn't seen the show, or knew if I was going to get any of the figures form that line anyways.

So by the time I was interested in getting him, the artic deco was announced, which I was more interested in - plus, if you pay hasbro for that drift, you're telling them it's okay to leave out important paint apps and still charge $15 for it (this is the most honest reason I can give for not buying the initial release, it's about the problem itself, not how it manifested, or could be fixed, in a figure - I won't support hasbro for lackluster and/or underpainted figures - I'm not okay with that)

But he is also not evil enough. He should've been given the 'nemesis' treatment, maybe put some splattered energon on his swords :twisted:

News Credits: 41 · by **Cobotron** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 4:08 pm

william-james88 wrote:
Cobotron wrote: I know your no slouch when it comes to creative handy work. I'm not buying that excuse from you. All it took for me was some Testers, a brush, and about 2 minutes.

What you do with your toys behind closed doors is your business but please think of the children.