The Energon Pub

No proper thread to ask this question, so Ill create one...

Why were the words "3rd party" removed from this section and changed to "Unlicensed" ???

I'm curious about the rationale behind the decision. Obviously a statement is trying to be made. But if nobody understands the statement or its rationale, then the name change has little meaning.

Is Unlicensed an incorrect term for these toys?

Because you can have licensed products made by someone other than Takara or Hasbro.

Like these product to make the point clear

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail ... agecnt%3D1

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/review ... agecnt%3D1

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail ... agecnt%3D2

among many others. So among the many products out there, there are 3rd party licensed and unlicensed. Simple as 1 2 and 3.

Burn wrote:Because you can have licensed products made by someone other than Takara or Hasbro.

I would be inclined to believe the word “official” covers those licensed products you speak of.

Example: CM Corps dolls

But that type of stuff gets front paged because it is licensed. Why change these backpages which were specifically designated for 3rd party products ? Is the term “3rd party” something you guys are trying to avoid using ?

Rated X wrote:Why change these backpages which were specifically designated for 3rd party products ?

Because you have third parties that manufacture licensed Transformer products.

Licensed products go into the licensed Transformer products forums. Unlicensed products go into the unlicensed Transformer products forum.

Reckon it makes more sense that way and is less confusing for people.

May have something to do with the recently announced partnership with TFCC. They're technically 3rd Party too, and I would think the site is trying to create a distinction between unofficial and officially licensed products.

megatronus wrote:May have something to do with the recently announced partnership with TFCC. They're technically 3rd Party too, and I would think the site is trying to create a distinction between unofficial and officially licensed products.

I can get behind all of the previous logic offered in this thread. "3rd Party" is essentially a buzz word that the majority of the fandom got behind and has been used rampantly for years. Logically, "licensed" and "unlicensed" are better terminology, and also prevents the unfortunate use of the term "4th Party" that I've seen in other discussions (ie - a company such as Shadow Fischer makes an upgrade for a FansProject figure).

Hopefully this clears up the issue. I'm totally fine with changing the forum's name. Now back to watching Ring of Honor. I'd love a Maria Kanellis fembot.

Burn wrote:

Rated X wrote:Why change these backpages which were specifically designated for 3rd party products ?

Because you have third parties that manufacture licensed Transformer products.

Licensed products go into the licensed Transformer products forums. Unlicensed products go into the unlicensed Transformer products forum.

Reckon it makes more sense that way and is less confusing for people.

I guess I can understand that logic. Although I was under the assumption that once something gets branded "official" by obtaining a hasbro licence, its no longer a "3rd party". Im not sure why people would get confused. But then again, we do have some characters on here...

I kind of support the term "3rd parties" because of what it has come to symbolize. Especially on this site where they are both denounced and glorified.