The Energon Pub

Welcome to the latest episode of the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast! This episode features your charismatic host RodimusConvoy13, plus Megatronus, Jon3.0, and xRotorstomx - listen in as we discuss the latest news, toys, and more.

Episode #160 "Grappling with Memory" is available directly and in our RSS Feed, and should appear on iTunes and Stitcher Radio within 24 to 48 hours of when you see this news post.

Another episode of the Twincast Podcast, another round of new product sightings. This time, it's Titans Return Titan Masters + Deluxes Wave 3, and the highly anticipated RID Bisk. So, who's not picking these up?



Now that Thanksgiving has passed - and with it all the sales we'll likely see the week before Christmas and after the New Year - we can grapple with a dose of self-reflection. Seibertron.com staff member william-james88 asks: "What price do you guys look at when wondering if a toy is worth the price?" Oomph. That's a doozy,



Masterpiece Inferno is here, and, as is usually the case, the Twincast crew has some thoughts. Live thoughts. The liveliest. So live, that Jon3.0 opens his figure on air. After this live unboxing, the Twincast tackles the fandom's heretofore armchair accolades and critiques. Did I mention it was live?



Combiner Wars is back - or rather, ending. Takara's upcoming Baldigus appears to be the last known release of Combiner Wars molds, and as we look forward to more fabulous Titans Return figures, we conduct a post-mortem to understand how Combiner Wars marked a turning point for the brand.



Machinima is back with news of seasons 2 & 3 announced. Jon3.0 - the voice of Machinima's Optimus Prime - gives us an inside look at how the sausage is made, while others voice their critiques and hopes for the future of Machinima's work.



Bragging Rights is here. Last time, we geared up for a good old fashioned Black Friday smackdown. Now, it's time for the ACTUAL smackdown. Who got what this Black Friday, and who was brave enough to make more purchases after our consumer-driven culture's most shameful day?



Ummm... who the heck is Grapple?

I wish I'd bitten at the $75 Fort Max sale going on for one day only... sigh...

That MicroMaster in sins of the wreckers would be Stakeout.

Mr.MicroMaster wrote:That MicroMaster in sins of the wreckers would be Stakeout.

Never mind way to go Clair

A mention of Wahlberg and Bisk together without acknowledgement of Ted? All I can say to that is "You owe me lobstah money!"

This was a fun, silly episode. Had my smiling like a dork through my day in the office! Cheers!

Big Grim wrote:This was a fun, silly episode. Had my smiling like a dork through my day in the office! Cheers!

Thanks, we had a good time doing it.

A couple of thoughts for the future of the podcast, if I may.

First, a positive:

As a father, I love Rescue Bots! Such a fun and happy way to bring the newest of generations into the fandom. I would absolutely love a podcast dedicated to this line, looking and talking about how we introduce our children to this franchise that we so love. Great idea, I hope to see something come from it!


Now, a bit of a negative. I always hate giving criticism online, as I always worry I'm coming across a bit mean. I hope nobody takes it personally. That said.....


The last few episodes, when you talk of new toys, it has sounded less like fans discussing new items, and more like Hasbro is paying you to say good things. Now, I genuinely believe you all do love the new stuff as much as you say, I just think it would be good to include somebody with a less rosy opinion for the sake of more balanced discussion. I understand that there are limits and difficulties in getting people on the cast and all of that, don't get me wrong. If everyone that can be on the show happens to love the product, than so be it, I get it.

As someone who is, lets just say, less than thrilled with recent official product, it would be nice to hear from somebody who isn't such a fan. I just like to hear a multi sided discussion.

All that said, I do enjoy the podcast, please keep up the good work, thank you all.

Ironhidesh wrote:Now, a bit of a negative. I always hate giving criticism online, as I always worry I'm coming across a bit mean. I hope nobody takes it personally. That said.....


The last few episodes, when you talk of new toys, it has sounded less like fans discussing new items, and more like Hasbro is paying you to say good things. Now, I genuinely believe you all do love the new stuff as much as you say, I just think it would be good to include somebody with a less rosy opinion for the sake of more balanced discussion. I understand that there are limits and difficulties in getting people on the cast and all of that, don't get me wrong. If everyone that can be on the show happens to love the product, than so be it, I get it.

As someone who is, lets just say, less than thrilled with recent official product, it would be nice to hear from somebody who isn't such a fan. I just like to hear a multi sided discussion.

All that said, I do enjoy the podcast, please keep up the good work, thank you all.

Criticism is always welcome!

Can you provide an example or two to give us a better idea of what you mean?

I will say that the job of the podcast isn't to be balanced - we're there to be opinionated. For example, I know I tend to be really upbeat on official Generations product (these days at least). Sometimes there's a consensus, sometimes not. But what's important is that we've engaged you in a way where you feel comfortable continuing the conversation by saying "I disagree!"

Ironhidensh wrote:A couple of thoughts for the future of the podcast, if I may.

First, a positive:

As a father, I love Rescue Bots! Such a fun and happy way to bring the newest of generations into the fandom. I would absolutely love a podcast dedicated to this line, looking and talking about how we introduce our children to this franchise that we so love. Great idea, I hope to see something come from it!


Now, a bit of a negative. I always hate giving criticism online, as I always worry I'm coming across a bit mean. I hope nobody takes it personally. That said.....


The last few episodes, when you talk of new toys, it has sounded less like fans discussing new items, and more like Hasbro is paying you to say good things. Now, I genuinely believe you all do love the new stuff as much as you say, I just think it would be good to include somebody with a less rosy opinion for the sake of more balanced discussion. I understand that there are limits and difficulties in getting people on the cast and all of that, don't get me wrong. If everyone that can be on the show happens to love the product, than so be it, I get it.

As someone who is, lets just say, less than thrilled with recent official product, it would be nice to hear from somebody who isn't such a fan. I just like to hear a multi sided discussion.

All that said, I do enjoy the podcast, please keep up the good work, thank you all.

Duly noted and feedback is appreciated.

I think in general, that I'm kind of the quality hard-liner. It just so happens that I've really, honestly enjoyed the past six months or so of retail releases.

Counterpunch wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:A couple of thoughts for the future of the podcast, if I may.

First, a positive:

As a father, I love Rescue Bots! Such a fun and happy way to bring the newest of generations into the fandom. I would absolutely love a podcast dedicated to this line, looking and talking about how we introduce our children to this franchise that we so love. Great idea, I hope to see something come from it!


Now, a bit of a negative. I always hate giving criticism online, as I always worry I'm coming across a bit mean. I hope nobody takes it personally. That said.....


The last few episodes, when you talk of new toys, it has sounded less like fans discussing new items, and more like Hasbro is paying you to say good things. Now, I genuinely believe you all do love the new stuff as much as you say, I just think it would be good to include somebody with a less rosy opinion for the sake of more balanced discussion. I understand that there are limits and difficulties in getting people on the cast and all of that, don't get me wrong. If everyone that can be on the show happens to love the product, than so be it, I get it.

As someone who is, lets just say, less than thrilled with recent official product, it would be nice to hear from somebody who isn't such a fan. I just like to hear a multi sided discussion.

All that said, I do enjoy the podcast, please keep up the good work, thank you all.

Duly noted and feedback is appreciated.

I think in general, that I'm kind of the quality hard-liner. It just so happens that I've really, honestly enjoyed the past six months or so of retail releases.

I'm generally positive about all the figures I get because I only get the ones I really want. I just really love the Titans Return line. I think it's fantastic.

Ironhidensh wrote:The last few episodes, when you talk of new toys, it has sounded less like fans discussing new items, and more like Hasbro is paying you to say good things.

I wonder if they would pay us?

Nah but for real, I think all my negative energy has been going so hard towards Revolution that I probably haven't been looking at the toys very critically. I think I crap on Dezarus a bit in 162, but on the other side of my mouth I praise the limbs in the set.

RiD/TAV is a good example of something that presumably does not appeal to a large section of the fans that
listen to our show, but generally when it comes up, I bet it does sound to many like we're shilling it. Objectively, if these were compared to some same arbitrary set of standards as the Generations line, many of these would be figuratively slaughtered in a critical light. However, I think within the context of what that line is trying to do and for the bulk of the audience/age range it is aimed at, it's great. Ratchet's vehicle mode still needs some more damn paint though, and not even the TAV version helps, it only adds paint in bot mode!