Wolfman Jake wrote:Fenrir, this isn't so much about Hasbro bashing as understanding why different markets, served by essentially different companies, are getting different versions of what is 99% the same product. Hasbro has (self-imposed) price point restrictions to consider, as well as differing toy safety laws based on the markets they serve versus Takara Tomy. As for which Devastator came "first," I think we've all learned that the way HasTak operates over the past few years leans heavily towards "pretooling" instead of "retooling." When a new mold is made, they are also co-developing how to reuse as much as possible for another character or variation down the line. We don't know for sure without confirmation from the designers, but the way engineering like this usual works, is that you start with something MORE complex and then gradually simplify the design into the final product. It's much more likely that the design team made Devastator to the current specifications seen at the Tokyo Toy Fair reveal FIRST. Then Hasbro asked for some concessions to fit the production into their price point ($150.00 USD). The design team revised the design to fit Hasbro's needs, but went with their original work for Takara's market since they didn't have the same budgetary restraints. So, yes, the most likely explanation is that Devastator started life as the Takara version and then changes were made from there for Hasbro, meaning that Hasbro definitely had the time and option to pursue the Takara version for their SDCC exclusive, but for some reason decided NOT to go that route for their "premium" exclusive offering this year. Maybe it IS a matter of toy safety standards, or Hasbro just didn't think most buyers would notice or care. Without knowing the specifics, it's easy to see how the SDCC version seems more like a missed opportunity, knowing that it's aimed at a very different demographic (collectors) as compared to the mass retail release. I'm sure they're not going to have any trouble selling out all their Devastator stock later this year, regardless of the concessions their releases have made compared to the Takara Tomy version to be released later. The only people who really get pinched on this are the collectors (us) who will of course want the superior product and will have to shell out additional money to get it. Kids and parents buying for them won't care about a few missing elbow joints, guns, or a "shades optional" head sculpt. Again, I'm not bashing Hasbro, but helping people understand where these decisions come from and why they are made.
*At et al, I ddin't shorten WMJ post so please don't hurt me..........*
The bane indeed to us collector WMJ. Kind of like the gotta catch 'em all to get our plastic crack fix.
We all know that Hasbro has to answer to the stock holders and stringent child safety rules. Sell in bulk and get it over with to recoup their investments. Of course R and D costs and advertising notwithstanding. At times some of their decisions are indeed weird or maybe there's some reason to that weirdness? And Japan.good old even weirder Japan that can sell a Sentinel Scorponok that doesn't transfor and still profit(?) from it. Decisions made on boh sides of the Pacific indeed makes your head spin.
We may never know what back room deals happened prior to releasing Devstar just like what I read about how it was Takara who pushed on their engineers to create Fortmax while Hasbro was kind of waffling ......
Hasbro bashing.....kinda getting old indeed. Everyone should criritcize if there really is an issue to point out.
Heck, really hated the FOC phase when TFs were released in such hollow and weenie sizes. Well now we later learned that plastic costs were waaaaaaaay up there to begin with......... Again the bane to us collectors. Ze price indeed! Can we do something about it? I guess, well we can be more frugal in buying which line that fits our tastes but aside from that......we just bite the bullet. Buy or not buy.
And there are times the most vocal of critics don't even make sense.........really......you know what I mean.....