BotCon Customizing Class Figure Announced - Animated Minerva

These are such a small group of people. It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth for SO many con goers who'd want these characters but couldn't get into the class. Don't they know we're completists?

I wish they'd at least sell some of these kits through the TFCC or something.

Look at the head: it's not just a redeco, it's a retool! Those antennae were not on Animated Arcee's original head.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Look at the head: it's not just a redeco, it's a retool! Those antennae were not on Animated Arcee's original head.

Oh, that makes it even worse.

Definitely a nice piece, but I am glad I'm missing the Animated Botcon this year. What I do miss are all the peeps there!! Have fun guize!!

Gosh dang. It's a retool. I want it for my Animated collection!!!! Darn you TFCC and Hasbro.

Awww man it's a freakin' class? Well I hope we find these on ebay eventually cuz I will be buyin'...'nuff said!

A nice choice!

What a bunch of smelly bullshit.

No one is learning anything about customization here, they're learning how to put a Gunpla together.

Not to mention, there seems to be no reason that BotCon can't make the kits available as a convention add on for little to no cost if they're going to bother making them at all.

I haven't even wanted nor really been envious of the past two year's custom figures, but all this is is an assembly line class.

Counterpunch is kinda 100% right. Plus, it's kinda near impossible to get into these classes.

It Is Him wrote:Counterpunch is kinda 100% right. Plus, it's kinda near impossible to get into these classes.

Goddamn right I am...

Even if I got into the class (which I will now and forever actually attempt to get into), I would sell the kit because it still seems non-official to me. I hate kits.

But hell, $75 to recoup 110% of the cost of the entire convention set and flight? Let's do it.

Quick, someone repaint it as Nightbeat to make the circle complete.

Also, yea agree 100% with CP. These are nothing but kits. I believe the last one that actually required a lot of painting was Overkill and even he was cast in the right colours from the start.

And god dammit, why not just sell these kits over their website, I love building stuff like that. Yes, I'm angry that I missed the KO Sideswipe kit.

And this is why I've been championing for them to increase the production run of the "Custom Class" figure and sell the kits to attendees just like the other figures.

CP is right with everything being molded the way it is now, there really isn't much customizing going on anymore.

Feeling kinda burned like normal with the custom class figure. Yes, I know I could pay for the class but then I'd have to pay another day in the hotel as well. These should be available for sale assembled and painted as another club figure for sale at the con. Make these classes a true custom class. I think the molds given out should be complete blanks that you customize. I dunno, still a little butthurt over G2 Sideswipe.

Fender Bender wrote:And this is why I've been championing for them to increase the production run of the "Custom Class" figure and sell the kits to attendees just like the other figures.

CP is right with everything being molded the way it is now, there really isn't much customizing going on anymore.

Like most issues I have with the club, I'll keep on saying something about this issue, knowing full well I'll be ignored by them.

Flux Convoy wrote:still a little butthurt over G2 Sideswipe.

We're all a little butthurt over G2 Sideswipe.

Dead Metal wrote:Quick, someone repaint it as Nightbeat to make the circle complete.

Awesome.

And god dammit, why not just sell these kits over their website, I love building stuff like that. Yes, I'm angry that I missed the KO Sideswipe kit.

This is one KO product that I can really get behind. I love building stuff. If we got some Kabaya-esque models here in the West, I would buy the hell out of it.

Yay. Owning a Minerva is still something for the elite.

The dork-elite.

I think you're on to something....

- Sell the kit as an add-on at Botcon and/or the Club (with instructions)
- Make the class for people to actually create a UNIQUE custom character... and actually teach customization techniques. (dry brushing, sculpting, weathering, rust, etc.)

Counterpunch wrote:

Fender Bender wrote:And this is why I've been championing for them to increase the production run of the "Custom Class" figure and sell the kits to attendees just like the other figures.

CP is right with everything being molded the way it is now, there really isn't much customizing going on anymore.

Like most issues I have with the club, I'll keep on saying something about this issue, knowing full well I'll be ignored by them.

Yeah, they're pretty good at hiding from the fan-dom for the most part. You pretty much have to flame the hell out of the club to get a response from them (which is funny AND sad at the same time). Usually it results in Pete defending their practices and not taking any of the negative criticism into account while promising a vague possible change, but never delivering.

The Club has flaunted the "Smaller Production Run = Higher Cost per Toy" excuse on Botcon exclusives and Club exclusives for YEARS. So how is it the club can afford to only make about 50 of these? Wouldn't that mean the cost of making this kit would be INSANE based on their logic?

In the interest of saving the club from going under by making such high cost/low production runs, I implore them to make more of these kits to sell.

its real sad to think ill never be able to get this one since i love the animated arcee mold

This one actually pisses me off. G2 Sideswipe already had me pissed since I wanted that one instead of having to make a custom.

This is a straight up retool and it's a limited custom figure? someone tell me where the logic is in that?

Cosidering that the oil needed for plastic is DIRT CHEAP compared to oil used for our cars, there is no reason convention figures are more expensive cause of lower production runs. They are priced higher because of the simple fact that they have the "convention exclusive" label.

I'm going to hope that this is an attendee add on or something cause if they are using retools now for the class then that's just wrong.

This figure should not have been the custom class figure.

Maybe I've just never looked hard enough, but I've never seen these Botcon CC figs on Ebay, therefore I too look forward to this being KOed.

My main question though, is don't those antennae impede her transformation? I haven't transformed my Animated Arcee in a few months, but isn't her head kind of snugly wrapped up inside her car mode?

What you guys should also take into account is that Fun Publications is a separate business, and that the molds they use require a license from Hasbro. In fact, everything they do, including BotCon uses some sort of Transformers license. And trust me, those don't come cheap.

You you what would be great? If someone casted the heads.
Then I'd make my own damn Minerva.

Bumblevivisector wrote:Maybe I've just never looked hard enough, but I've never seen these Botcon CC figs on Ebay, therefore I too look forward to this being KOed.

My main question though, is don't those antennae impede her transformation? I haven't transformed my Animated Arcee in a few months, but isn't her head kind of snugly wrapped up inside her car mode?

Not really. Her head is just in the back there covered up by her hands.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:What you guys should also take into account is that Fun Publications is a separate business, and that the molds they use require a license from Hasbro. In fact, everything they do, including BotCon uses some sort of Transformers license. And trust me, those don't come cheap.

So, they already have the license to make the things...

How about they make some more?

Counterpunch wrote:What a bunch of smelly bullshit.

No one is learning anything about customization here, they're learning how to put a Gunpla together.

Not to mention, there seems to be no reason that BotCon can't make the kits available as a convention add on for little to no cost if they're going to bother making them at all.

I haven't even wanted nor really been envious of the past two year's custom figures, but all this is is an assembly line class.

Well, as you put the figure together and paint it, you:
1) use the same techniques you would use in customizing a figure
2) learn more about the design and mechanics of a transforming figure.

Those came in handy when I was repairing my broken Universe Ratchet figure.

The customization class was my favorite part of BotCon last year. I'd recommend it to anybody, regardless of whether they were custom decos or not.

That said, I agree that FunPub should make these available to everyone. It would:
1) Give everyone a chance to own a figure they want, without having to pay ridiculous after-market prices.
2) Open up seats for people in the class who truly want to learn, and not just people who want the rare figure.

I've heard it said that Hasbro doesn't want kits going out, since it makes it easier for knock-off companies to rip off the molds. If so, they could easily provide kits that have been partially assembled. Instead of getting the pieces on the sprues, a fan would get two assembled arms, two legs, the head and the torso. They could paint and assemble the figure from there.

Or just make the damn figures available en masse. There's no reason for only 60 G2 Redux Sideswipes to be in existence, when well more than 60 want them.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:What you guys should also take into account is that Fun Publications is a separate business, and that the molds they use require a license from Hasbro. In fact, everything they do, including BotCon uses some sort of Transformers license. And trust me, those don't come cheap.

Plus, making a product costs more than just the sum of its parts (someone with a better understanding of the supply chain could explain this better). Factory time is way more expensive with smaller runs. Factories are likely charging Fun Pub more to produce 2,000 Animated Motormasters than they are charging Hasbro to produce 50,000 Crankcases (with missing fingers, no less). The reason for this is because Fun Pub doesn't have the clout to negotiate better prices, therefore they MUST charge more for lower run figures. Additionally, there's more hidden costs like marketing and shipping. That stuff's not free.

Uh guys, I know a lot of you are upset about the antennae business, but you're not using your heads. This won't be the only use of this head remold. One of the attendee exclusives will be using it, too. Guarantee it. It wouldn't make sense to create a new head mold JUST for the CC class.

Dead Metal joked about Animated Nightbeat. Maybe that's an attendee exclusive. We already know Fun Pub loves that character, am I right?

I dunno about yall, but I think my animated chicks look better...

It Is Him wrote:Uh guys, I know a lot of you are upset about the antennae business, but you're not using your heads. This won't be the only use of this head remold. One of the attendee exclusives will be using it, too. Guarantee it. It wouldn't make sense to create a new head mold JUST for the CC class.

Dead Metal joked about Animated Nightbeat. Maybe that's an attendee exclusive. We already know Fun Pub loves that character, am I right?

Unless the use of this is the troop builder pack as fembots, I truly hope you're wrong. That would mean that the accepted list of add-ons is wrong. Not that that is insane to think. Just disappointing.

please new thumbs!please new thumbs!please new thumbs!please new thumbs!please new thumbs!please new thumbs!please new thumbs! please new thumbs! thumbs!

It Is Him wrote:Uh guys, I know a lot of you are upset about the antennae business, but you're not using your heads. This won't be the only use of this head remold. One of the attendee exclusives will be using it, too. Guarantee it. It wouldn't make sense to create a new head mold JUST for the CC class.

Dead Metal joked about Animated Nightbeat. Maybe that's an attendee exclusive. We already know Fun Pub loves that character, am I right?

Excuse me for saying this, but one transgendered TF per convention is enough as it is.

I remember watching the registration page like a hawk last year and I was in the hunt to get the custom class but that class filled up faster than Kim kardashian.. I'd love to get into it but it's just such a pain. Im not sore about it this year, no intrest in animated what so ever but next year..Ohhhhh it's on.. Besides I think I owe Cp a shot or 4

Flux Convoy wrote:Unless the use of this is the troop builder pack as fembots, I truly hope you're wrong. That would mean that the accepted list of add-ons is wrong. Not that that is insane to think. Just disappointing.

I've had a feeling for a while that the rumored attendee list is way off, mostly because it reads like a wishlist rather than typical Fun Pub releases. Troop building fembots would be awesome, and smart, considering how ready we all were to kill each other over grabbing Arcee.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Excuse me for saying this, but one transgendered TF per convention is enough as it is.

What, Nightbeat can't be a woman? Or at least half of one?

It Is Him wrote:I've had a feeling for a while that the rumored attendee list is way off, mostly because it reads like a wishlist rather than typical Fun Pub releases. Troop building fembots would be awesome, and smart, considering how ready we all were to kill each other over grabbing Arcee.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Excuse me for saying this, but one transgendered TF per convention is enough as it is.

What, Nightbeat can't be a woman?

No. Neither can the rumored Autotroopers. And no, being controlled by girls in another continuity does not count.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

It Is Him wrote:What, Nightbeat can't be a woman? Or at least half of one?

No. Neither can the rumored Autotroopers. And no, being controlled by girls in another continuity does not count.

You know what I like about Animated, it's not afraid to bend the rules. It would be great to have more smart, savvy and independent female protagonists. Transformers would definitely benefit from having more of them.

It Is Him wrote:I've had a feeling for a while that the rumored attendee list is way off, mostly because it reads like a wishlist rather than typical Fun Pub releases. Troop building fembots would be awesome, and smart, considering how ready we all were to kill each other over grabbing Arcee.

I've thought the list was wrong too. I'm okay with that because I do like being surprised by cool out of the blue stuff. As long as that SG Galvatron is real I wouldn't really care. I'd love to have Toxitron too but I would vastly prefer him for Classics eventually. I loved Animated but as this is the last(albeit very cool) gasp, my excitement is practically nil. At least for the con figures so far. I always have a blast at the show. I know these will win me over once they're in hand though.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:I just died a little bit, right here. I'm so disappointed I couldn't go, now.

You and me both pal.

I was expecting a Paradron Medic, but this would have been equally as cool.

Minus 10 thousand happy points

I'm actually glad I didn't do the class. I wanted to see if I could learn something new about sculpting, airbrushing, plastic welding... actual customizing.
I already know how to build an effing gundam-esque bot. So glad I didn't waste the money.






<----Be nice and click on my ebay link.

If anyone doesn't want their Minerva, I'll take it.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Excuse me for saying this, but one transgendered TF per convention is enough as it is.

Whatyouchattin'? I'm with It Is Him, fembots FTW! Plus, I'm pretty sure that gender is fairly arbitrary in the world of giant robots...

Counterpunch wrote:What a bunch of smelly bullshit.

No one is learning anything about customization here, they're learning how to put a Gunpla together.

Not to mention, there seems to be no reason that BotCon can't make the kits available as a convention add on for little to no cost if they're going to bother making them at all.

I haven't even wanted nor really been envious of the past two year's custom figures, but all this is is an assembly line class.

I am a bit upset about this. But I'm a whiny bitch when I know I could own this, if they would just make it available.

Now we are having the custom class create main line real characters that people want and cannot make themselves without lots of skill.

And it has always been an assembly line. But the figures/sprues before last year, never received a different plastic mold color. It was already something that was existing, and then got painted or sticker to create the 'new' character. BTW the characters were originally just assemble Battle Ravage and paint to your heart's content at OTFCC. Then it was using Cybertron Scrapmetal to create BW Inferno for Cybertron, or Rumble/Frenzy (using the Codi Rumble head). It was not changed much from the red release, the main thing here was the new CODI head, which was previously very, very rare. Next came Classics Overkill from Grimlock that we painted and washed very heavily- sold exclusively in large numbers later on HTS, then it was create SG Nightbeat using the already existing club Nightbeat mold, some stickers, and some paint to make him an 'evil Autobot', but not much different than your regular club Nightbeat. Then it was SG Thunderclash from the Botcon set TC with the extras to make it SG.

Now they have decided to make it harder to get desirable characters. G2 Sideswipe, and Animated Minerva could easily be sold as exclusives, or in sets down the road.

I know the meaning of exclusive. I understand rarity and the desire to own something different. Great, but holy bejeepers, you're going to continue with Animated G1 and not even allow more than 100 of us a shot at having a complete set!

This is to me worse than the whole seeker deal (Deception, blah, blah, blah). You give us a crappy toy like transtech Cheetor to buy, and then make something like Animated Minerva so limited that basically a very small percentage can own this figure. Seriously? I hope you sit on transtech Cheetor for 15 years...

So even thought customs class folks are supposed to sign a paper saying they will never sell these on ebay, or any other auction site, I have an even worse chance of owning it. Oh look HASBRO there's an $800 G2 Customs Class Sideswipe on eBay right now.

SO if I can find one I now have to pay the price for a crispy G1 Minerva to get this Animated version?

G F'ing D.


I don't know why this is stuck in my craw so badly. I would just love to be a fly on the wall when 'the council' makes these decisions. I am blessed an ultimately I count myself a very lucky, and fortunate individual, and I know where toys rank on my list of priorities.

Just seems very poor to the collecting community in general to make the choices that they do many times.

Funpub already apologized to everyone for the G2 Sideswipe screw-up at Botcon. Their explanation was that they have the same guy host the class every year, he asked to do the Sideswipe mold that year and they obliged. When they saw the finished product, their reaction was (I paraphrase) "Oh Sh**, we didn't realize it would be THAT cool," and they promised to make a different G2 Sideswipe another time that would be available to more people.

It Is Him wrote:Funpub already apologized to everyone for the G2 Sideswipe screw-up at Botcon. Their explanation was that they have the same guy host the class every year, he asked to do the Sideswipe mold that year and they obliged. When they saw the finished product, their reaction was (I paraphrase) "Oh Sh**, we didn't realize it would be THAT cool," and they promised to make a different G2 Sideswipe another time that would be available to more people.

And that Sideswipe will be available for people to purchase tonight.

(like I reported 2+ months ago )

Counterpunch wrote:And that Sideswipe will be available for people to purchase tonight.

(like I reported 2+ months ago )

Really? Where? How much?

Dammit, you got me all excited...

Hal7300 wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:And that Sideswipe will be available for people to purchase tonight.

(like I reported 2+ months ago )

Really? Where? How much?

Dammit, you got me all excited...

Well, it's a G2 Animated Sideswipe from the Hot Rod mold...

so, ymmv.

Counterpunch wrote:

Hal7300 wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:And that Sideswipe will be available for people to purchase tonight.

(like I reported 2+ months ago )

Really? Where? How much?

Dammit, you got me all excited...

Well, it's a G2 Animated Sideswipe from the Hot Rod mold...

so, ymmv.

I misunderstood, sorry - hoped you were referring to the classics mold

It Is Him wrote:Funpub already apologized to everyone for the G2 Sideswipe screw-up at Botcon. Their explanation was that they have the same guy host the class every year, he asked to do the Sideswipe mold that year and they obliged. When they saw the finished product, their reaction was (I paraphrase) "Oh Sh**, we didn't realize it would be THAT cool," and they promised to make a different G2 Sideswipe another time that would be available to more people.

Wait, so it was a totally newly colored set of pieces and they did't think it would be cool. It's technically a black variant of an existing toy, it would complete the neo-G2 set with a major character.

Oh yeah, why would anybody want that?

Thanks, they never apologized to me. It was probably info in a panel that I missed.

Counterpunch wrote:
Well, it's a G2 Animated Sideswipe from the Hot Rod mold...

so, ymmv.

While that's cool and all, and it'll be Breakdown with G2 Sideswipe paint job which I will like the idea of, it does NOT replace the fact that I do not have a black variant of one of my favorite molds unless I pay $800 for it. Let's see, 4 car payments, one plastic toy...

What am kind of liking from what I am seeing, is them fleshing out Animated with more G1-inspired Colored bodies. I could accept this as Botcon exclusives for awhile.

tigertracks 24 wrote:Wait, so it was a totally newly colored set of pieces and they did't think it would be cool.

To be fair, Shawn and Pete pitched the idea to Hasbro, along with a bunch of other ideas, and then got surprised when that was the one that got chosen. Or so they say.