The Energon Pub

Hasbro's design panel was this past Sunday at BotCon 2009, which was kind of like a follow-up to the previous day's Hasbro Review and Q&A panel. Here're a few additional notes that I took.

1. Hasbro showed us Human Alliance Skids and Arcee with Mikeala. Looks nice!

2. EMP generator will attach to TFA Cybertronian Ratchet, comes with paddles for a "jump start"

3. All pieces of Wingblade Optimus fit on Voyager figure as well

4. ROTF Scout Brakedown is colored in G1 Brakedown colors in concept art

5. Deluxe Drift!!!!! Showed us some design drawings ... in very early stages

6. Leader class Starscream ... complete with hands! Gatling guns on his forearms w/ speech and TF sound, plus mech alive.

To view about Saturday's Hasbro Review and Q&A panel, click here.

Yay Drift!

It's good news that Hasbro is going to make Drift, But I feel bad for everyone who preordered the SG collect kit now. I guess they will release him when Universe starts back up after the Movie line finishes.

And Yay for Leader class Starscream! I knew I passed on the new Voyager version for a reason.

Leader starscream is totally gonna rock!!! Cannot wait!!!

hell yeah! these new TFs are going to be awesome!

Drift should make for a good, solid toy.
Nice to know he should be ready for the launch of the next wave of Universe/Classics.

i am liking the sounds of a leader starscream. as long as we get a leader blackout for tf3. anyway, yeah, this will save me some money in terms of collecting cus i was hoping to hear more about jungle attack ironhide. looks like the wave one voyagers i'm picking up is only demolisher (unless i hear of a better paint scheme )

Firebird wrote:It's good news that Hasbro is going to make Drift, But I feel bad for everyone who preordered the SG collect kit now.

Your pity is greatly appreciated. I'm still looking forward to getting, enjoying as part of my collection, and finally reselling him when the Hasbro one turns out to be better!

But how do Drift's designs compare to SG's prototype?

Will he have the swords and sheaths for them?

Burn wrote:But how do Drift's designs compare to SG's prototype?

Will he have the swords and sheaths for them?

I'm fairly certain the biggest differance will be Hasbro's Drift will be an Earth Car.

NuclearConvoy wrote:I'm fairly certain the biggest differance will be Hasbro's Drift will be an Earth Car.

Well, I just might have to keep the other one than!

Sweet leader class Screamer and Blackout, now when can i purchase my leader class Bonecrusher?

Seibertron wrote:1. Hasbro showed us Human Alliance Skids and Arcee with Mikeala. Looks nice!

Going by what's already been seen, my only gripe is that I feel like Skids should have had it's G1 deco. Even then, I think this'll be a get anyway.

Seibertron wrote:5. Deluxe Drift!!!!! Showed us some design drawings ... in very early stages

I'd like to see this go through. Is this confirmed, or is it just early stage concept?

Starscream is getting some respect and it aint from Megatron that's for sure.
This is cool having this confirmed. I can't afford one, but it's still cool news. I wonder how long it will take after those come out before someone has him done up G1 style.

...and then there's Drift! Dead Metal, I know you're itching to take a shot at me on this one. Please, by all means let it fly! I knew I couldn't step into this thread without a bullseye on my forehead and yet I'm still here.

If you want to know my opinion on the prospects of the figure...early design sketches mean just about squat to me. I don't believe it will actually happen and that opinion will not change until I actually see a pic. of a prototype at the very least and even then I will remain skeptical. There simply was not enough demand for this figure, not enough exposure to the profitable demographic and I predict that it will be the TFU version of Movie-verse Swindle. IF it actually comes to pass I will gladly be first in line to buy one but I just don't see Hasbro wanting to invest the time and resources, in this economy, on a project that is not guaranteed to be profitable.
Anything TFA is an instant win because of the huge fan base it encompasses but this project is already a dead horse.

Wingblade Optimus. I like the concept and the fact that it's a deluxe, and while it may be cool that parts are swappable with the Voyager size (a first I believe) won't they look rather awkard at that scale? Don't get me wrong, it's way better than trying to swap the other direction and having a toy face-plant or look like a stranded turtle, but I guess I'm just not picturing the useful aspect of this. Applying it as battle armor, now that I could handle.

I ordered the SGCollect kit, but this news doesn't make me regret it. If Hasbro does ever get around to making him he will probably be in his earth mode so the two will still be different in that respect. Also the SGCollect kit should be out this summer, who knows when/if Hasbro's will ever come out.

I get the feeling that if there's Drift concept art out there, that he may show up in some for or another. I get the feeling that IDW's "testing" the character to see if it has any widespread appeal. Maybe we'll see a Drift character in some future cartoon?

Mkall wrote:I get the feeling that if there's Drift concept art out there, that he may show up in some for or another. I get the feeling that IDW's "testing" the character to see if it has any widespread appeal. Maybe we'll see a Drift character in some future cartoon?

I think you are onto something there. Despite my earlier skepticism, you have a good idea which could explain the reason for the stage of development being just conceptual. The upcoming Discovery Networks deal and potential for a G1 like series could lead to someone on Hasbro's team already starting early development ideas for a new cartoon toy line. Actually, Universe may very well BE that new cartoon and RotF is just what Hasbro needs as a stop gap until the new cartoon and toys are developed.
Of course, if I'm right and I have (with your inspired help) figured out their plans so early in the game, they will be watching this post and Hasbro's snipers will be taking me out any time now...

T-Macksimus wrote:...and then there's Drift! Dead Metal, I know you're itching to take a shot at me on this one. Please, by all means let it fly! I knew I couldn't step into this thread without a bullseye on my forehead and yet I'm still here.

F**king bloody weaboo Drift is getting a god damned toy and you just have to rub salt into my wound.

I'm a bit sad that you think I'm hostile towards you, I'm sorry for that.

NuclearConvoy wrote:

Burn wrote:But how do Drift's designs compare to SG's prototype?

Will he have the swords and sheaths for them?

I'm fairly certain the biggest differance will be Hasbro's Drift will be an Earth Car.

Well that would just be silly. Quite silly indeed. Silly Hasbro.

If I recall correctly, the Hasbro guys said that Drift's sword will attach to his hip. Though I could be mixing that up with something they said about Bludgeon.

What I can't remember is what line Drift is supposed to be released under.

I approve of Drift as a character and for the upcoming toy.

Counterpunch wrote:I approve of Drift as a character and for the upcoming toy.

Seconded.

Paid for by the Committee of Getting More Comics Only Characters Onto the Shelves of Toys R Us.

Dead Metal wrote:

T-Macksimus wrote:...and then there's Drift! Dead Metal, I know you're itching to take a shot at me on this one. Please, by all means let it fly! I knew I couldn't step into this thread without a bullseye on my forehead and yet I'm still here.

F**king bloody weaboo Drift is getting a god damned toy and you just have to rub salt into my wound.

I'm a bit sad that you think I'm hostile towards you, I'm sorry for that.

Don't be sorry or sad. I have been something of a tool lately so when I told you to take the shot I did it with no malice intended and was giving you an earned or deserved "freebie". You can hold onto it for later. I'm sure I'll have another one coming before the summer is over.

I'm sorry to rub salt in that wound too. I know that most folks probably were not expecting me to take a negative turn on a figure that I was previously fighting so hard for, but once I took emotion out of the equation and just looked at the facts the way I figured Hasbro would likely look at them, that was the conclusion I came to. I freely admit that I have been having a hard time lately embracing optimism and I have been taking a colder, more methodical approach to some things.

I'll leave it to one of you to be hopefull about this figure for me. I know that there has to be at least one of you out there with enough enthusiasm over Drift for two people.