The Energon Pub

"1.) Can we expect more store exclusive Generation 1 repaints of movie figures like the new Corvette Sideswipe into Generation 1 colors? Any hints to drop for us on which characters will receive Generation 1 style repaints (Devastator?). Can we expect premium style repaints with the ROTF line of figures as well?


-Whenever we redeco a figure for a store exclusive, one of our first inclinations is to go back and see if there is a way to bring the figure closer to a classic character, especially if it apears unlikely that the figure will be released in those colors otherwise. With Revenge of the Fallen, there are quite a few characters to choose from that have some fairly obvious alternative color schemes that are on our short list of potential items. Premium items are also on the short list because we are are sometimes able to offer a higher number of paint applications on figures if they are offered as store exclusives. While we can't provide exact details on any upcoming G1-based or Premium figures, rest assured that we will be making them whenever they make sense.

2.) Recent confusion with IDW's and HASBRO's answers gives us conflicting information. Will IDW's character Drift be getting his own toy, or not? Would it be a part of UNIVERSE or some other special line? How about other comic original characters getting toys like Impactor or Jhiaxus, which are not repaints? In the back of the Transformers Spotlight Vol 2 Graphic Novel, there is a great design for Nova Prime, which could be made as a toy, any chance of it being made?

-Every year as we develop our toy line, we try to fit in characters that make sense for the brand. With that said, every character, new and old, are always up for disussion. We certainly would love to make a toy after IDW's Drift and will do our best ot fit him into the line at the right time.

3.) Will there be toys of these new Season 3 TF: Animated Characters? What of the rumor that Season 3 is the last season of Animated? Any hints on what is the next on tap after the ROTF line is done, with the supposed end to Transformers Animated?

-There will be new toys of season 3 characters throughout 2009. Unfortunately, we cannot speak to any rumors regarding the animated series at this time."

1) - The press release posted on Hasbro.com just prior to Toy Fair indicated that there would be 10 Deluxe figures for Universe in 2009. 8 of those figures have been made public (Cheetor, Cyclonus, Hound, Starscream, Dinobot, Smokescreen, Hot Shot and Ratchet), leaving 2 unknown figures. Is there any chance that you can elaborate what these two figures are, or if one of them will be Red Alert, similar to Takara Tomy's release schedule with Henkei?

Hasbro: Unfortunately, the press release prior to Toy Fair regarding Universe Deluxe was incorrect. For 2009, there will only be 8 Deluxe figures (Cheetor, Cyclonus, Hound, Starscream, Dinobot, Smokescreen, Hot Shot and Ratchet).

tigertracks 24 wrote:Allspark's Q/A Answers For Round 1 2009

-no more Universe deluxes this year past Ratchet!

1) - The press release posted on Hasbro.com just prior to Toy Fair indicated that there would be 10 Deluxe figures for Universe in 2009. 8 of those figures have been made public (Cheetor, Cyclonus, Hound, Starscream, Dinobot, Smokescreen, Hot Shot and Ratchet), leaving 2 unknown figures. Is there any chance that you can elaborate what these two figures are, or if one of them will be Red Alert, similar to Takara Tomy's release schedule with Henkei?

Hasbro: Unfortunately, the press release prior to Toy Fair regarding Universe Deluxe was incorrect. For 2009, there will only be 8 Deluxe figures (Cheetor, Cyclonus, Hound, Starscream, Dinobot, Smokescreen, Hot Shot and Ratchet).

Q1) Can we expect to see Universe Classics Jazz, Soundwave and especially Wheeljack? TFUC seems like the perfect line to debut a true Wheeljack figure since he hasn’t really been given the proper treatment since G1. It also seems like a tease getting Ravage with Hound without a Soundwave out there!

A1) These are three of the names that keep poping up on our radar. Soundwave is difficult because we can’t make his alt mode a cassette player - kids today just wouldn’t even know what that is. I can tell you that he is being discussed for future release but nothing is definite at this time. Jazz is a favorite as well but nothing has been discussed as of now. Wheeljack on the other hand, has been discussed more in-depth and we’re excited about prospects for his appearance in the near future.

Barrelass wrote:As far as Soundwave goes, maybe I am just out of it (don't have any kids myself), but kids today still know what a radio is. Yea cassettes may be a little outdated, but we still have radios. And I highly doubt kids would think "what's this foreign object that I am putting in my radio", and even if they really really don't know what a cassette tape is, will they really be that opposed to little square boxes that combine with their radio? For christ sakes, you gave us ravage already, it's not like the tapes would be major figures in the line, and I honestly don't think you would have that big of a problem selling a radio as a character, especially when he was one of the characters that their dad (who is probably making the purchase) grew up with, and a popular character at that. But I could be wrong. Can't be any worse than a three headed dragon or some of the other things they have slapped together in the last year.

Megatron_Wolf wrote:Please give us Animated Hot Rod.

Scaleface wrote:

Barrelass wrote:As far as Soundwave goes, maybe I am just out of it (don't have any kids myself), but kids today still know what a radio is. Yea cassettes may be a little outdated, but we still have radios. And I highly doubt kids would think "what's this foreign object that I am putting in my radio", and even if they really really don't know what a cassette tape is, will they really be that opposed to little square boxes that combine with their radio? For christ sakes, you gave us ravage already, it's not like the tapes would be major figures in the line, and I honestly don't think you would have that big of a problem selling a radio as a character, especially when he was one of the characters that their dad (who is probably making the purchase) grew up with, and a popular character at that. But I could be wrong. Can't be any worse than a three headed dragon or some of the other things they have slapped together in the last year.

My point exactly. If they made a CASSETTE, why not make a Soundwave that's a CASSETTE PLAYER? Their answer to this defeats their own logic.

You have it completely wrong. You see they made a toy of Ravage for Universe, so they must think kids know what a cassette is, but they won't make Soundwave because these kids won't recognize the strange alien device that plays the cassettes! Righto. Yet somehow biplanes to alien spaceships, because kids see those every day in real life.

While we can't provide exact details on any upcoming G1-based or Premium figures, rest assured that we will be making them whenever they make sense.

tigertracks 24 wrote:Allspark's Q/A Answers For Round 1 2009

-no more Universe deluxes this year past Ratchet!

1) - The press release posted on Hasbro.com just prior to Toy Fair indicated that there would be 10 Deluxe figures for Universe in 2009. 8 of those figures have been made public (Cheetor, Cyclonus, Hound, Starscream, Dinobot, Smokescreen, Hot Shot and Ratchet), leaving 2 unknown figures. Is there any chance that you can elaborate what these two figures are, or if one of them will be Red Alert, similar to Takara Tomy's release schedule with Henkei?

Hasbro: Unfortunately, the press release prior to Toy Fair regarding Universe Deluxe was incorrect. For 2009, there will only be 8 Deluxe figures (Cheetor, Cyclonus, Hound, Starscream, Dinobot, Smokescreen, Hot Shot and Ratchet).

"
There will be new toys of season 3 characters throughout 2009. Unfortunately, we cannot speak to any rumors regarding the animated series at this time."

Stormrider wrote:Regarding the movie repaints - I am starting to get the feeling that the characters in the movie are dilebrately a different color than their G1 counterparts, just so that Hasbro can release a G1 repaint version later. Am I being too cynical?

1) Any plans for a 10th Anniversary line to celebrate ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, either repaints or reissues using ROBOTS IN DISGUISE figures? There is not a plan to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of RID at this time due to the many big events that are planned for the brand over the next few years. With that said, we will continue to look for opportunities to reoffer any great product lines from our past.

2) Will we see American versions of the Masterpiece Grimlock, Thundercracker, and Skywarp figures? We feel that the Masterpiece Series is a great offering that captures the timelessness of our brand for all fans of Transformers. As we continue to move forward with the brand we will look for the right opportunities to release these figures. With that said, I would certainly keep your eyes on the look out for one of these in the near future!