The Energon Pub

Ive only been collecting new transformers for four months now but had them all as a child. My cousin and I shared the same passion for transformers as children and often played together as a result.
Our adventures together with our transformers were a large part of my childhood and so it was only natural for me to show him the new classic,universe and generations figures. When he saw them he began collecting at once and now has a nice collection.
So I was talking to him the other day about the masterpiece figs and how I wanted to start collecting them as well. He responded by telling me he liked them but they wouldnt go together when he played with them. I was a bit confused at first by what he ment by "play" but he cleared it up for me. When he says play he means PLAY.
He sets up a scene and acts it out with his figures as we did when we were children.
It struck me as weird but I didnt let him know it as I didnt want to ruin his fun. I did tell him that I do not go to that extent with my collecting and he urged me to try it. He says its the most fun he has of all his entertainment activities.
Now, I am guilty of picking up my figures and poseing them around avary once and awhile. Ill even set them up to look as though a battle is ensuing, but I dont actually play like when I was a child.
When I told my wife what he said she kinda laughed and thought it would be cute if I were to do that. (although Im sure that were I to actually do it the cute would be replaced by a m.i.w.)So I asked myself if I was just being closed minded. Was I just thinking the way I was programed to think? Adults arent supposed to "play" with toys and so thats why I dont? The answer I came up with was no. I wouldnt get any thrill out of actually playing with toys anymore and so I dont.
My question is does anyone else play with their figs like my cousin does? Was it normal to kind of get a bit weirded out when he first told me of this behavior or am I just an a$$ hole? I wouldnt knock anyone who does or does not play with their figures I just wanted to know to what extent the collectors on this sight go with their figures.

Take care all
Scott.

I let my neighbors kids who are like 7 and 9 play with my legends and some that are to scale with them. (stratosphere and demolisher) They use dice to see if someone dies or gets hit so the outcome is never the same. I get to hear all the hooping and hollering coming from the other room.

When I collected classics I had them set up in a battle scene, I didn't fire the weapons and do the voices or anything though. So there's nothing wrong with it in my opinion.

Though I do transform a Skywarp every now and then and wave it around, making jet noises.

I never play with them, and come to think about it, I never really played with them when I was a kid either. I remember being about 6 or 7 and not wanting to play with my Transformers or Power Ranger figures because I did not want them to get scratched up or anything. I'd merely transform them and "display" them on my dresser. The only figures I ever played with as a child were my Ninja Turtles and Jurassic Park figures. In my mind, Transformers and Power Rangers weren't toys, they were display pieces that had to be admired from a distance.

I still feel that way. I'm 26 and the closest I come to play with my Transformers is rearranging my display when I need to dust.

Yes.

There's a reason they are classed as toys...

Lately I've started to display more of my figures than I have in previous years, but I still play with them more than I display them. It's not something I advertise, but I feel it keeps me young at heart (although 21 is hardly old). I don't play with them often, but when I do, it's usually a full on play session, with voice acting, sound effects, battles, and story all provided by me. Plus, it helps me to perfect my Peter Cullen impression

The only playing I do is when I 1st get them and need to transform them to either their 'bot mode or alt-mode for displying. I may do a battle scene here and there but I don't play with them like I would if I was a kid.

This is a closely guarded secret of Transformers fans. We don't even speak of it openly amongst ourselves. See? People are already denying it. The first rule of Play Club is we don't talk about Play Club.



zzzzooom! vroom! pew pew! "Autobots, transform and ROLL OUT!"

It is my biggest regret in life selling off my Transfomers i had when i was a child. I get about 7 of them in total. I hate myself for doing it, i used to play with them all the time i would do the end scene of Transformers comic where bludgeon (Skullgrin substitute) would massacre all of the autobots then did it with cyclonus and scourge.

I did play with my toys and re-enact battles for a time. Then i discovered i actually broke about half of the new ones i bought which i was not happy about sa they cost a lot of money. Breaks included:

Blitzwings wings he fell of my chesterdraws
Stunticon dead end his head broke in half no idea how that happened
A brand new TM Crosshairs i got the handle snapped in the holster on his back.
Also damaged my MP Primes leg
Lost some bits to my MP Megatron

Did anyone else maange to break them??

I'm 31 and yes, I play with them. Heck, I play video games, so why not with my TFs?

Most of that consists of transforming them back and forth (which is part of the play, always has been) and displaying them in various poses.

I don't do sound effects or bash them against one another, but I let battle scenes play out in my head. I paint in the missing details and so on.

These were meant to be freed from their prisons and transformed like the box says. I goof with the gimmicks, and everything. Lights and sounds included!

Oh and *LE GASP* I even opened and transform the $200.00 Rodimus Convoy Masterpiece. <George Takei>OH MY!</George Takei>

And when I get my grubby mitts on the Ark, I'm opening that sucker up, throwing in batteries and makin' all kinds of fun with it.

Heck yeah. I might grow older, I might have to be serious most of the time, but I don't have to completely grow up.

Screw that.

I hate saying this, but aside from the 'play with' area, I have been known to fall asleep with one. I hugged my LC Ironhide last night, hehehe. Yeah, I'm cheating on G1 Starscream.

Oh, and I'm 31 too.

to be honest, everyone that transforms a transformer, in a video review, showing off to others, or for there first try, it is actually playing with them. you are fiddling with the object, and i took this in the other day TOY is an entertainment, something to stop you being bored. we all transform our transformers don't we?

As you may have read so far, decepta-scott, there are various ways that "play" is found by different people. I think that's a good thing. We can all enjoy our hobbies in our own ways.

decepta-scott wrote:So I asked myself if I was just being closed minded. Was I just thinking the way I was programed to think? Adults arent supposed to "play" with toys and so thats why I dont? The answer I came up with was no. I wouldnt get any thrill out of actually playing with toys anymore and so I dont.

This is one of the best answers to the question of "Why don't I play with toys as an adult?" I've ever read. It's honest and doesn't clutter the explanation with unnecessary rationalization. You don't play with toys because it just isn't fun for you.

decepta-scott wrote:My question is does anyone else play with their figs like my cousin does? Was it normal to kind of get a bit weirded out when he first told me of this behavior or am I just an a$$ hole? I wouldnt knock anyone who does or does not play with their figures I just wanted to know to what extent the collectors on this sight go with their figures.

I'm not someone who plays in the manner that your cousin does but I do "play" in my own fashion. I collect toys as well as model kits so my way of playing would be posing my figures and models for display.

I do think it's normal to react in the way you did. It would be nice to say that we all shouldn't care how other people do things as long as they don't harm anyone else but the truth is that among modern social norms in the vast majority of cultures in our world insist that adults do not play, only children do. So when we encounter something that we're not accustomed to, it's natural to react with a sense of confusion and aversion to what we don't think is the norm.

I had a fairly positive experience when some friends of mine, who are now close friends, first saw my collection of mecha models and action figures. We're all avid golfers and so one night we gathered at my house to watch some PGA. My computer desk, which serves as one of my display stations in my home, is located in the rec room where we were watching golf. My friends were glancing at my collection every once in a while and one of them finally asked what was on my desk. I took them over and pointed out the various gunpla, Transformers, NECA, S.I.C., and S.H. Figuarts figures that were crowded around my computer.

I simply told them that I like to play in my spare time, and that "play" for me takes on many forms whether it be working on model kits or posing toys to put up on my desk. I also added, jokingly, that I consider chasing a small white ball around thousands of yards of varying terrain outside one of the other ways that I "play" in my spare time. Once I teased them with the simple and unsophisticated description of golf that we've heard many times, something clicked and they understood, I think, my interest in toys. Ever since then, they always check out my collection for new additions when they come over.

I transform 'em and pose 'em - so yeah, I play with my TFs.


I have to admit that many times I've flown a jet TF around in my hands making jet noises!

If you can't have fun with them, then why buy 'em, I say!

heck yes! i'll admit it i'm 19 and yeah i play with them.i dont go to the extreme but i start thinking of a battle and the dialogue. i usually pose my g.i. joe figs with them. joes with the autobots and cobra with the cons. as i type i am having alot of fun with the ark, it is honestly so much fun.

I don't know what the precise definition of "play" is, but if transforming TF's and posing them in battle scenarios are considered playing, then yeah.

I tend to treat my figs as pieces of art, really. I'd pose them, and just sit and stare at them for almost an hour, admiring the sculpt and articulation of the figure. I do this especially with figs I've touched up or model kits I've built. While I still haven't found the time for it, I do plan to someday build custom bases and dioramas for specific characters.

Convotron wrote:As you may have read so far, decepta-scott, there are various ways that "play" is found by different people. I think that's a good thing. We can all enjoy our hobbies in our own ways.

Very true. There's really no right or wrong approach to it. TF's are for all of us to enjoy as we like.

Convotron wrote:I had a fairly positive experience when some friends of mine, who are now close friends, first saw my collection of mecha models and action figures. We're all avid golfers and so one night we gathered at my house to watch some PGA. My computer desk, which serves as one of my display stations in my home, is located in the rec room where we were watching golf. My friends were glancing at my collection every once in a while and one of them finally asked what was on my desk. I took them over and pointed out the various gunpla, Transformers, NECA, S.I.C., and S.H. Figuarts figures that were crowded around my computer.

I simply told them that I like to play in my spare time, and that "play" for me takes on many forms whether it be working on model kits or posing toys to put up on my desk. I also added, jokingly, that I consider chasing a small white ball around thousands of yards of varying terrain outside one of the other ways that I "play" in my spare time. Once I teased them with the simple and unsophisticated description of golf that we've heard many times, something clicked and they understood, I think, my interest in toys. Ever since then, they always check out my collection for new additions when they come over.

I had a similar experience with my old college friends, except it's almost a given that we'd have model kits and TF's on our desks, seeing as we were all studying industrial design. Heheh, the best thing about being involved in the creative industry is that you get to "geek out" your place and no one bats an eyelid!

BTW, it's not a doll, damn it! It's an action figure, ya hear me?! An action figure!

Yes on the occasion I do play with them, I set up battle scenarios too (sometimes my girls 18 and 6 join in with their TF's)..
I will say this, it is a hell of a stress reliever too, just to cut loose, have fun and get away from life..

It is sort of therapeutic now that I think about it.

Galvatron X wrote:I transform 'em and pose 'em - so yeah, I play with my TFs.


I have to admit that many times I've flown a jet TF around in my hands making jet noises!

If you can't have fun with them, then why buy 'em, I say!

Here here!! I do the same. I like to bug my wife with stuff like that....flying Starscream around her or making my MP Grimlock chew on her. yes, I play with mine. I feel that's what they were meant for. They are two (or more) toys in one, so why not?

Why the hell else would I collect them? They look cool and I play with them.

I don't act out stories with them like I used to. Every now and then, I pretend they have a battle, but not to the extent I did when I was younger. The last time I played with them all-out (voice, sound effects, attacking, story) was probably during the 10th grade. I don't have the imagination for it anymore. I'm sure I'd break toys more often if I did.

Tekka wrote:Though I do transform a Skywarp every now and then and wave it around, making jet noises.

I do this with my toys as well.

Ireally would love to play with my toys, I want to get the bruticus maximus set so i can have a scene where he smashes up a lego villiage i will one day make. Also im on benefits so yes i do occasionally play with my toys. I just break them which is annoying...

My favourite toy is scorponok he is so awesome i always wanted to get Fortress maximus so i could have a big battle between the two. That would make my day but he is tooo expensive at the moment.

Great! Thank you guys for submitting so many replies. You have answered my questions perfectly. I must admit I wouldnt have thought that so many fans out n out do the damn thing dialouge n all but Im glad you guys have fun.
The more I think on it the more I envy those who can set up a scene with a premeditated story and all that and then play the whole thing out the way I did as a child. I had so much fun playing and alot of the reason I collect is so I can revisit that feeling. I only get a certain ammount of that feeling back when Im looking at or posing my figures though. I can even feel that "somethings missing" feeling as I look at them. Those of you that REALLY play with theese figures however have regained every bit of that joy. I can only imagine how fun that must be. I wish I were able to enjoy that as I did when I was a kid but for whatever reason my brain just isnt wired that way.
LOL at those of you who said they broke their figures durring play. Im sure it wasnt funny when it happened but in hindsight Ill bet you guys laugh at it. I cant imagine the look on your faces as your fav bots arm came off right at the time he was to be blasted. I just hope no permanent damage came to any of those seriously expensive figs out there.
LOL at flying a seeker in jet mode around your wifes head and doing the jet noise too.
I do it to try and annoy my wife but shell just grab up another one and do it right back.
After reading theese responses I totally agree that all of us play to some extent.
I love to pose and repose my figures, I love to transform my seekers every once in awhile and I cant wait till my devastator is complete so that I can set up a big honking battle sceene!!! Heres to having fun!!!
Take care all.

I don't believe anyone who says that they don't.

I take one or two off the shelf and transform them back and forth while I am watching tv. I usually shoot my girlfriend with the missiles or make them fly round her, making battle noises.

So yeah, I play with my toys. Why else would you buy them?

Powermaster Jazz wrote:I don't believe anyone who says that they don't.

That's cool, as long as WE the individuals know the REAL truth others opinions on those facts are meaningless! Interestingly enough I swear on all I thought of this topic when just the other day a member commented on "playing" with his TF and it made me think. So great minds think alike decepta-scott, thanks!

Now IMHO I believe there is a fine line between playing like a 5 year old would and organizing (my term for TF use). My wife thinks them as toys and that I'm playing with my toys and that's fine. They are found in the toy section at a store but for me they are collectibles, I collect TFs so they are treated as such. For those that collect comics if you find a toy or figure it doesn't make it a toy section or a toy store? No, but you found it at a collectible store that primarily deals in comics.

I get it though, its a toy and it should be played with but I don't view transforming as playing with the damn things. Now if I got Megs in one hand and Prime in the other and say " Its over Prime" then IMHO I'm playing. I do admit like a previous member commented I act like I'm playing in front of my wife just to get a rise out of her which works every time! But if a person is a collector of fine China I doubt that person would be using it to serve and drink from...but maybe there is that 1 person that might I guess. Yes it's still a tea cup and with dish but not to be used just marveled and appreciated.

We all cannot transform every fig we own under the sun in one sitting (for big collection owners) but we could try. So when want I grab the few TFs I have in mind, transform and set up for stance. I feel I will have plenty of time to actually play with toys when we have our first kid. So until then, I will enjoy TFs the way I have been the past 15 years you go play with yours and I will go organize and enjoy mine...'nuff said!!