Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More
Thursday, October 20th, 2022 7:32PM CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company News, InterviewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 104,134
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The Seibertron site assisted a round table discussion today with Evan Brooks (designer), Marc Maher (designer), Delaney Norris (marketting) and Ben MacCrae (marketting) from Hasbro, answering questions related to the recent Legacy reveals. There would be no answers to any questions related to the Rise of the Beasts line (so I would not expect reveals of that any time soon).
Q: When will Shadowstrip and Crasher be formally announced?
A: It’s up to Walmart. Hasbro thought they would be revealed and made available by Walmart at the same time as Galaxy Shuttle but it doesn’t seem to be the case. They are waiting to hear back from Walmart.
Q (my question): Legacy/Studio Series toys are made with which primary audience/market in mind? And which demographic buys the majority of toys from those lines?
A: While the targets are “fans”, that is an internal name for the 8-12 year old market. These would be kids who are fans of Transformers toys since they grew up with the simpler ones in other lines and are ready for a more challenging conversion. While there are characters older fans are more likely to recognize, they are all still designed more with children in mind and the freedom with Legacy lets them bring other characters. Also, that demographic (8-12 year olds) is who these toys are bought for most.
Vehicle form factor is key, and kids gravitate towards the idea of a robot to vehicle conversion so there is no need to have a character that young kids know. The goal is giving 8 year olds the STEM feature of play with legacy and Studio Series. Nothing has changed since John Warden said that toys are designed with kids in mind. They are trying to make toys for kids that older fans also like. They are currently undergoing market research to see the percentage of sales from different demographics.
Q: Will there be more new characters like Scraphook?
A: Scraphook as a new character was easy since he is part of the Junkions who already have a theme/play pattern in the lore. Hasbro is constantly looking for ways to integrate new characters. Junkions are an easy place to mine for new characters and there will be more to come in the new year. Every time we have a chance to do something new, we try it though with Studio Series, that line is linked to pre-existing characters.
Q: Has the plastic type changed?
A: The main plastic types used for toys have not changed since the 80s, and the plastic used now is the same used in the previous Transformers lines (like WFC trilogy, ect). They are aware of the yellowing issue and if you have a product with that issue (or any issue) please contact the customer support team.
Q: Tarn is great, what took so long and how do we get the rest of the team?
A: Tarn is an amazing character, from a fantastic storyline. The Hasbro team are big fans of that. They had to bring him to life after seeing Tarn show up in so many other places. It was obviously the time for Tarn, but the rest of the DJD are a design challenge (not Nickel though, could be a core release). They are looking into it, and finishing off “mini collections” is still something Hasbro wishes to do. They try to have more synergy between comics and toys, hence why Knockout in the comics looks like the Legacy toy. His design (and others) were given to IDW from Hasbro. Legacy finally gave an outlet for freedom of having characters from anywhere, that’s why characters from IDW specifically are being integrated into the line. Just don’t expect the same alt modes.
***Seibertron user William-James88 suggested a Robotic scorpion which can be fan made into an electric chair for Kaon.***
Alex Milne and James Roberts will get a copy of the Tarn toy.
Q: Can you acknowledge the existence of the Legacy Minerva toy?
A: Yes, they can personally acknowledge that it exists. They have not heard from Walgreens as to their plan for releasing it yet. The official date of release would have been October 1st. Hasbro will do their best to continue releasing the Japanese characters, like Galaxy Shuttle and Victory Sabr. Mark apologises for Minerva not being a headmaster, but he wanted to release it in the line. Also, Minerva was chosen as a Walgreens exclusive due to the medical theme.
Q: Core class combining Dinobots, what challenges were there?
A: Lots of Challenges, Sludge is taking the biggest hit with the thunderous thighs needed for combiner mode. Not sure if they could do it at first, but it felt like it could be possible, so they didn’t wish to say “no”. They made it happen at Core class. They added a sixth Dinobot for the proportions to work without it having a deluxe torso.
Bringing them to core class was so that you could have the whole team on the shelf at the same year, harkening back to the G1 era. These toys are perfect for kids. Core class is meant to be well known characters that sell, at a lower price points.
***The Dinobots were not the first intent from the designer (ie. Monstructor/Dinokinginstead), but they were used for an easy sell to marketing.***
Q: Can you give more info on Override being a new mold in a line of redecos?
A: When Takara gets to design a character they have a lot of love for, you can sit back and see the wonder. (Lots of mold mathematics discussion which personally stumped your dear news editor.) Stuff like the Cyberkey hole for Override are design easter eggs made for fans who remember the older toy even though it is still made to sell to kids.
Q: Are there more female characters coming to Legacy and Studio Series?
A: Of course! So many awesome female bots, we will never say no. The female audience for transformers is immense, far bigger than most fans may think.
Q: Can we ever expect proper Pretenders?
A: Classic style pretenders shells are very hard to do (and sell to corporate) since the shells themselves become a mold of their own. Core class Bombusrt can fit into his G1 pretender shell but that is a happy coincidence.
*** Evan then proceeded to more heavily hint to the alternate use of those core class Dinobot molds (ie. Monstructor/Dinoking though nothing officially is said and we do not know how or when they will ever be made and available).***
Q: What criteria goes into choosing a Gobots character in a Transformers line?
A: The goal is to sell to kids so alt mode and colour come into play with the choice. It’s a group conversation to decide if it’s the right move or not. Gobots is still a tricky licence since another company owns what was originally GoBots. So it’s a very muddy situation. Always thinking 3 years ahead, it can take that long to get a toy associated to a toy from another “mini collection”.
Q: Any answers about the woes with Cosmos’ distribution?
A: No news on if we’ll see more cosmos at retail, everything is up to Walmart in terms of case allocation, nothing can be forced from Hasbro. The team was unaware of the solid cases in the UK since the marketing team was trying to get a solid box for the designers to have their own but was told that wasn’t a thing.
Q: Do all molds have second heads just sitting there for the future?
A: Been going on for a long time. It’s weird when there isn’t an alt head in a mold.
***The alt head for Titans Return Seaspray was a merman head from the G1 episode. Ben is a HUGE fan of Seaspray and would want another release before he retires.***
Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character. Transformers is not as character focused line like Marvel, it isn’t the character itself that sells the toys, it’s how the bot looks. There have been studies done and open windows are best for their target audience of 8 year olds seeing the robots on shelves. The leader class toys are higher priced and thus not likely an impulse purchase by parents, so they can look more like a toy aimed at collectors. Looking into all different boxing options, but right now open box for lower priced toys is the best for Transformers brand.
Q: Will there be more Japanese Beast Wars Characters aside from Leo Prime?
A: Leo Prime was an easy sell to corporate since he is a leader called Prime and a lion, both attributes familiar and appealing to kids. They keep testing the market and audience. The term Convoy is a trademarked name in Japan, so that name cannot be used on packaging by Hasbro.
Q: Is that Lockdown looking car in the poster a hint that we are getting Lockdown?
A: There is no comment on it being Lockdown or not but Hasbro is aware of the thirst for the Transformers animated universe (note from Editor: the toy on the poster is not Lockdown, it’s a deluxe Junkion toy like Scraphook)
And now, dear readers, here is an example of how to ask the same type of “are we getting this” type of question, but to get a better answer. One question was “is Slipstream coming any time soon”, and the answer from Hasbro was “Anything is possible”, obviously. BUT I found another way around that:
Q: Have there been any obstacles to getting the rest of the Age of Extinction Dinobots, since we got none after Grimlock.
A: There may have been at the time if the same characters were available in the Platinum line (not a certainty, memory is foggy on that), but as of right now there is no obstacle, no reason for them not to eventually show up, nothing stopping Hasbro from making them. However, G1 Grimlock appearing in the SS line did put the possible release of Bayverse Dinobots on hold.
The next reveals will be happening on the Premium member exclusive stream happening October 27th. Also, Hasbro is hyped for Eathspark and they hope you feel that too.
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Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147514)
Posted by SpaceEagle on October 20th, 2022 @ 7:42pm CDT
Posted by SpaceEagle on October 20th, 2022 @ 7:42pm CDT
Ah, very interesting answers, though it kinda also felt like no-brainer answers. Still very nice to get some form of closure especially in regards to stuff like Minerva and that mystery Junkion.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147515)
Posted by william-james88 on October 20th, 2022 @ 7:56pm CDT
Some are no brainer, and yet whenever I tell fans that they are not the major buyers of Legacy and SS they look at me like I'm high. My personal question was just to have it on paper again if anyone tells me these toys arent made for kids.
And to be fair, they won't reveal anything new in these talks, just further explain stuff so it usually ends up being no brainers, but they need to be said regardless. I did like that discussion on boxes though.
Posted by william-james88 on October 20th, 2022 @ 7:56pm CDT
SpaceEagle wrote:Ah, very interesting answers, though it kinda also felt like no-brainer answers. Still very nice to get some form of closure especially in regards to stuff like Minerva and that mystery Junkion.
Some are no brainer, and yet whenever I tell fans that they are not the major buyers of Legacy and SS they look at me like I'm high. My personal question was just to have it on paper again if anyone tells me these toys arent made for kids.
And to be fair, they won't reveal anything new in these talks, just further explain stuff so it usually ends up being no brainers, but they need to be said regardless. I did like that discussion on boxes though.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147516)
Posted by SpaceEagle on October 20th, 2022 @ 8:01pm CDT
I still cannot forget being told it's been "debated" by adults for a long time, that was the hardest I've ever laughed. I don't even understand why it's something to be upset about anyway, people ask me "Why are you buying kid's toys?" and I tell them "Because I like them." Simple as. They're cool robots and I like having physical representations of 'em.
Posted by SpaceEagle on October 20th, 2022 @ 8:01pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:SpaceEagle wrote:Ah, very interesting answers, though it kinda also felt like no-brainer answers. Still very nice to get some form of closure especially in regards to stuff like Minerva and that mystery Junkion.
Some are no brainer, and yet whenever I tell fans that they are not the major buyers of Legacy and SS they look at me like I'm high. My personal question was just to have it on paper again if anyone tells me these toys arent made for kids.
I still cannot forget being told it's been "debated" by adults for a long time, that was the hardest I've ever laughed. I don't even understand why it's something to be upset about anyway, people ask me "Why are you buying kid's toys?" and I tell them "Because I like them." Simple as. They're cool robots and I like having physical representations of 'em.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147518)
Posted by Emerje on October 20th, 2022 @ 8:56pm CDT
This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on October 20th, 2022 @ 8:56pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.
This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147519)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 20th, 2022 @ 8:59pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 20th, 2022 @ 8:59pm CDT
It's been mentioned elsewhere that the whole thing with the name "Convoy" being unavailable for Hasbro to use as a trademark due to it having been trademarked in Japan is that, apparently, some company in Japan seems to have recently trademarked the name so that now even Takara themselves can't use it.
Takara hasn't released a Transformers toy with "Convoy" in its name since MP-49 Black Convoy back in July 2020, so if this is the case, then that would explain why they named the MP Lio Convoy black redeco "Dark Amber Leo Prime" instead of some name containing "Lio Convoy".
Likewise, other recent Japanese-only toys of G1 Optimus have been named "Optimus Prime" by Takara instead of "Convoy", like the recent Canon camera figure.
Takara hasn't released a Transformers toy with "Convoy" in its name since MP-49 Black Convoy back in July 2020, so if this is the case, then that would explain why they named the MP Lio Convoy black redeco "Dark Amber Leo Prime" instead of some name containing "Lio Convoy".
Likewise, other recent Japanese-only toys of G1 Optimus have been named "Optimus Prime" by Takara instead of "Convoy", like the recent Canon camera figure.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147520)
Posted by SpaceEagle on October 20th, 2022 @ 8:59pm CDT
I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)
Posted by SpaceEagle on October 20th, 2022 @ 8:59pm CDT
Emerje wrote:william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.
This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?
Emerje
I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147523)
Posted by EvasionModeBumblebee on October 20th, 2022 @ 10:38pm CDT
Thanks for asking this one! Kinda bummed that we'll be seeing the whole G1 Dinobot team in SS before even a second AOE Dinobot, but I'm glad the question was aked.
Posted by EvasionModeBumblebee on October 20th, 2022 @ 10:38pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:And now, dear readers, here is an example of how to ask the same type of “are we getting this” type of question, but to get a better answer. One question was “is Slipstream coming any time soon”, and the answer from Hasbro was “Anything is possible”, obviously. BUT I found another way around that:
Q: Have there been any obstacles to getting the rest of the Age of Extinction Dinobots, since we got none after Grimlock.
A: There may have been at the time if the same characters were available in the Platinum line (not a certainty, memory is foggy on that), but as of right now there is no obstacle, no reason for them not to eventually show up, nothing stopping Hasbro from making them. However, G1 Grimlock appearing in the SS line did put the possible release of Bayverse Dinobots on hold.
Thanks for asking this one! Kinda bummed that we'll be seeing the whole G1 Dinobot team in SS before even a second AOE Dinobot, but I'm glad the question was aked.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147524)
Posted by william-james88 on October 20th, 2022 @ 11:17pm CDT
Posted by william-james88 on October 20th, 2022 @ 11:17pm CDT
Just curious, would you guys actually preffer closed boxes? I was surprised that question was asked because I sure wouldn't. I can better tell if my toy is intact with a window.
If it's this plastic free window idea or a closed box, I sure won't pick closed box.
And don't worry EvasionBB, I got your back!
If it's this plastic free window idea or a closed box, I sure won't pick closed box.
And don't worry EvasionBB, I got your back!
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147525)
Posted by william-james88 on October 20th, 2022 @ 11:20pm CDT
Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.
Posted by william-james88 on October 20th, 2022 @ 11:20pm CDT
SpaceEagle wrote:Emerje wrote:william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.
This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?
Emerje
I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)
Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147529)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:41am CDT
It's a simple childish attitude that certain adults still have when collecting toys. They feels insecure about their hobby and needs confirmation that what they do is "grown up". I was exactly like this in my first years of collecting. I guess what "woke me up" was when a parent once comes to visit and told my room looked like a "kindergarten room". I politely told him to F-off and that I can have the hobby that I wanted. Then from Rescue Bots to Masterpieces, from Barbie to Dolfie Dream, I collect what I want, and I don't give a single F about what others think. It's pretty liberating.
Those kinds of packaging are the BEST for toys with gimmicks where one gimmick can be tried. Those are pretty much essentials. But for the "serious" toys, the fully closed boxes are better. Especially when lots of small accessories are involved.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:41am CDT
SpaceEagle wrote:I still cannot forget being told it's been "debated" by adults for a long time, that was the hardest I've ever laughed. I don't even understand why it's something to be upset about anyway, people ask me "Why are you buying kid's toys?" and I tell them "Because I like them." Simple as. They're cool robots and I like having physical representations of 'em.
It's a simple childish attitude that certain adults still have when collecting toys. They feels insecure about their hobby and needs confirmation that what they do is "grown up". I was exactly like this in my first years of collecting. I guess what "woke me up" was when a parent once comes to visit and told my room looked like a "kindergarten room". I politely told him to F-off and that I can have the hobby that I wanted. Then from Rescue Bots to Masterpieces, from Barbie to Dolfie Dream, I collect what I want, and I don't give a single F about what others think. It's pretty liberating.
william-james88 wrote:Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.
Those kinds of packaging are the BEST for toys with gimmicks where one gimmick can be tried. Those are pretty much essentials. But for the "serious" toys, the fully closed boxes are better. Especially when lots of small accessories are involved.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147530)
Posted by Emerje on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:04am CDT
And how many times have they done that with action figures and immediately regretted it when heads and other parts were ripped off? "Try me" works well for play sets, vehicles and sturdy figures made for toddlers, but it's awful for action figures with ball joints and heads that pop off or just small figures in general. On one hand the closed box keeps the figures safer, but on the other it's terrible for MIB collecting and you can't inspect the figures beforehand. I don't know what the ideal solution is without plastic, probably what they're doing now. Takara Tomy has already started doing closed boxes for all SS figures (maybe not Core), we'll see how long Hasbro can keep from doing that.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:04am CDT
william-james88 wrote:SpaceEagle wrote:Emerje wrote:william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.
This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?
Emerje
I could see it as them just chucking something up to convince corporate but I also feel like it's probably still partially true since kids do love looking at big robos. (Which likely circles back to them using it as an excuse to convince corporate.)
Also "try me" open style boxes sell toys better, it's been a proven tactic in the toy industry.
And how many times have they done that with action figures and immediately regretted it when heads and other parts were ripped off? "Try me" works well for play sets, vehicles and sturdy figures made for toddlers, but it's awful for action figures with ball joints and heads that pop off or just small figures in general. On one hand the closed box keeps the figures safer, but on the other it's terrible for MIB collecting and you can't inspect the figures beforehand. I don't know what the ideal solution is without plastic, probably what they're doing now. Takara Tomy has already started doing closed boxes for all SS figures (maybe not Core), we'll see how long Hasbro can keep from doing that.
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147531)
Posted by Emerje on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:29am CDT
Posted by Emerje on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:29am CDT
So it looks like the PulseCon Hero set is shipping a little early. Sure are a a lot of Pulse orders coming in early, SG Flamewar and Slicer are also shipping next week as well as the ZAP Dragonzord (not actually sure if Pulse is getting that early, but BBTS is, wasn't due until January).
Emerje
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147538)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 21st, 2022 @ 7:06am CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 21st, 2022 @ 7:06am CDT
Good Q&A. Really disappointed in the live action Dinobots answer, continues to suck.
I think the best thing from that is the fact that Roberts and Milne are getting Tarn figures. Well done Hasbro.
I think the best thing from that is the fact that Roberts and Milne are getting Tarn figures. Well done Hasbro.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147542)
Posted by Emerje on October 21st, 2022 @ 7:26am CDT
Are you sure that's not just them trying to keep in step with Hasbro? They still use Convoy in the Diaclone line without any issue. We've had Battle Convoy V-Max, Battle Convoy V-Shadow, and this year Powered Convoy. I'm sure they would have been given the option to renew if it was about to expire before another company snatched it out from under them.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on October 21st, 2022 @ 7:26am CDT
Sabrblade wrote:It's been mentioned elsewhere that the whole thing with the name "Convoy" being unavailable for Hasbro to use as a trademark due to it having been trademarked in Japan is that, apparently, some company in Japan seems to have recently trademarked the name so that now even Takara themselves can't use it.
Takara hasn't released a Transformers toy with "Convoy" in its name since MP-49 Black Convoy back in July 2020, so if this is the case, then that would explain why they named the MP Lio Convoy black redeco "Dark Amber Leo Prime" instead of some name containing "Lio Convoy".
Likewise, other recent Japanese-only toys of G1 Optimus have been named "Optimus Prime" by Takara instead of "Convoy", like the recent Canon camera figure.
Are you sure that's not just them trying to keep in step with Hasbro? They still use Convoy in the Diaclone line without any issue. We've had Battle Convoy V-Max, Battle Convoy V-Shadow, and this year Powered Convoy. I'm sure they would have been given the option to renew if it was about to expire before another company snatched it out from under them.
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147556)
Posted by Mkall on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:18pm CDT
Posted by Mkall on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:18pm CDT
After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.
Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.
Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147560)
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:40pm CDT
I don't understand your questioning here when bringing in Marvel Legends and the Age shown there. What is it you are wondering?
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:40pm CDT
Emerje wrote:william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.
This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?
Emerje
I don't understand your questioning here when bringing in Marvel Legends and the Age shown there. What is it you are wondering?
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147562)
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:47pm CDT
You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:47pm CDT
Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.
Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.
You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147564)
Posted by Till-all-R1 on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:51pm CDT
Posted by Till-all-R1 on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:51pm CDT
That's an interesting take, considering every collector I've talked to preferred the window box too so that they can inspect the paint deco on the figure. There are also a few MIB collectors out there for every line. So I personally don't see it as a kid only thing.
IMO it feels like talking out both side of your mouth time with a PC answer that's actually BS.
IMO it feels like talking out both side of your mouth time with a PC answer that's actually BS.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147566)
Posted by Mkall on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:52pm CDT
That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.
Posted by Mkall on October 21st, 2022 @ 12:52pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.
Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.
You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.
That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147569)
Posted by Full-Tilt on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:02pm CDT
Rumor has it that the Nemesis is the next titan class figure, with the decepticon-symbol face on the legacy ii poster being them and not tarn
Posted by Full-Tilt on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:02pm CDT
Mkall wrote:william-james88 wrote:Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.
Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.
You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.
That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.
Rumor has it that the Nemesis is the next titan class figure, with the decepticon-symbol face on the legacy ii poster being them and not tarn
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147570)
Posted by Mkall on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:23pm CDT
Given how prominent it is in the teaser poster, that's what I was thinking too. Here's hoping.
Posted by Mkall on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:23pm CDT
Full-Tilt wrote:Mkall wrote:william-james88 wrote:Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.
Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.
You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.
That's probably for the best. Any rumours on the next Titan? Gotta admit my news-nose is very rusty.
Rumor has it that the Nemesis is the next titan class figure, with the decepticon-symbol face on the legacy ii poster being them and not tarn
Given how prominent it is in the teaser poster, that's what I was thinking too. Here's hoping.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147571)
Posted by Nemesis Destron on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:30pm CDT
Whoa..."Now he said sick'em boy but what I heard was"....
Posted by Nemesis Destron on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:30pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Mkall wrote:After humming and hawwing over it, I pulled the trigger and got the Legacy Titan Metroplex. It's precisely what I thought I was going to get, and I'm still disappointed. Oh well, fingers crossed for Metrotitan next year.
Or Grandus, or Sky Garry. A guy can dream.
You are getting none of those from Hasbro next year.
Whoa..."Now he said sick'em boy but what I heard was"....
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147574)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:50pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:50pm CDT
No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?" 
Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"
Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147575)
Posted by sol magnus on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:54pm CDT
Masterpiece is pretty much an afterthought now in the minds of many Hasbro Collectors, Beast Wars or otherwise. They created a blip with Jetfire, but then it went back to "oh, yeah...they still do Masterpiece."
Posted by sol magnus on October 21st, 2022 @ 1:54pm CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"
Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"
Masterpiece is pretty much an afterthought now in the minds of many Hasbro Collectors, Beast Wars or otherwise. They created a blip with Jetfire, but then it went back to "oh, yeah...they still do Masterpiece."
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147577)
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 2:04pm CDT
Question like "will we get" which include both yours on MPs and the one on new fembots are completely useless. You have to ask "why" or "what" questions. Questions about the future will get you nowhere since Hasbro won't reveal anything that way. Speculation questions of unrevealed stuff will just get you a "we'll see" so just as useless.
And asking Hasbro about Takara MPs is doubly useless since it's not even their toys. The only MP line Hasbro has a say in is the MPM line.
Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 2:04pm CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"
Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"
Question like "will we get" which include both yours on MPs and the one on new fembots are completely useless. You have to ask "why" or "what" questions. Questions about the future will get you nowhere since Hasbro won't reveal anything that way. Speculation questions of unrevealed stuff will just get you a "we'll see" so just as useless.
And asking Hasbro about Takara MPs is doubly useless since it's not even their toys. The only MP line Hasbro has a say in is the MPM line.
Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147580)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 21st, 2022 @ 2:27pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 21st, 2022 @ 2:27pm CDT
He doesn't count that as Beast Wars.william-james88 wrote:Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147587)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 21st, 2022 @ 2:40pm CDT
Yeah, I see that now. I didn't notice it so much until recently. It's so strange that they will market and put emphasis on the MP line only on a release by release basis? You would think an expensive line, dedicated to collectors. Would receive a bigger push by both Hasbro and Takara.
"Come see MP-44 - THE GREATEST OPTIMUS PRIME EVER!"
Fast forward to early this year: "So now we've completed the 2.0 mold versions of the three default seekers. A very well received Skids (and two redecos). Plus, we're about halfway through our first MP Combiner team... BUT JETFIRE/SKYFIRE IS HUGE!"
I recall a lot of those wishy-washy answers with BFS. It turned out they were outright blanking their customers to cover for a license they no longer had. Different situation to Hasbro's general dismissive attitude to direct questions.
^This
I really shouldn't have to draw attention to the 'apples and oranges' distinction between Mainframe Beast Wars and the Takara shows.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 21st, 2022 @ 2:40pm CDT
sol magnus wrote:Masterpiece is pretty much an afterthought now in the minds of many Hasbro Collectors, Beast Wars or otherwise. They created a blip with Jetfire, but then it went back to "oh, yeah...they still do Masterpiece."
Yeah, I see that now. I didn't notice it so much until recently. It's so strange that they will market and put emphasis on the MP line only on a release by release basis? You would think an expensive line, dedicated to collectors. Would receive a bigger push by both Hasbro and Takara.
"Come see MP-44 - THE GREATEST OPTIMUS PRIME EVER!"
Fast forward to early this year: "So now we've completed the 2.0 mold versions of the three default seekers. A very well received Skids (and two redecos). Plus, we're about halfway through our first MP Combiner team... BUT JETFIRE/SKYFIRE IS HUGE!"
That's why I thought to rephrase the question. To which faction will be the release after Skyfire.william-james88 wrote:AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"
Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"
Question like "will we get" which include both yours on MPs and the one on new fembots are completely useless.
I recall a lot of those wishy-washy answers with BFS. It turned out they were outright blanking their customers to cover for a license they no longer had. Different situation to Hasbro's general dismissive attitude to direct questions.
william-james88 wrote:Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.
Sabrblade wrote:He doesn't count that as Beast Wars.
^This
I really shouldn't have to draw attention to the 'apples and oranges' distinction between Mainframe Beast Wars and the Takara shows.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147593)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 21st, 2022 @ 3:04pm CDT
The what faction question would get you either a "not our line, not our business" or "wait and see" answer.
I'm also happy to see the age old question about who the toys are primarily aimed at has been settled (here at least)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 21st, 2022 @ 3:04pm CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:sol magnus wrote:Masterpiece is pretty much an afterthought now in the minds of many Hasbro Collectors, Beast Wars or otherwise. They created a blip with Jetfire, but then it went back to "oh, yeah...they still do Masterpiece."
Yeah, I see that now. I didn't notice it so much until recently. It's so strange that they will market and put emphasis on the MP line only on a release by release basis? You would think an expensive line, dedicated to collectors. Would receive a bigger push by both Hasbro and Takara.
"Come see MP-44 - THE GREATEST OPTIMUS PRIME EVER!"
Fast forward to early this year: "So now we've completed the 2.0 mold versions of the three default seekers. A very well received Skids (and two redecos). Plus, we're about halfway through our first MP Combiner team... BUT JETFIRE/SKYFIRE IS HUGE!"That's why I thought to rephrase the question. To which faction will be the release after Skyfire.william-james88 wrote:AllNewSuperRobot wrote:No "When is the Beast Wars MP line going to restart? Is the next MP after Skyfire going to be a Maximal or Predacon?"
Surely "burning" questions would be those that have been a subject of speculation for a while. Not just flavour of the month stuff like "when new fembot?"
Question like "will we get" which include both yours on MPs and the one on new fembots are completely useless.
I recall a lot of those wishy-washy answers with BFS. It turned out they were outright blanking their customers to cover for a license they no longer had. Different situation to Hasbro's general dismissive attitude to direct questions.william-james88 wrote:Plus, the latest reveal in the MP line was a beast wars MP, Lio Convoy Amber.Sabrblade wrote:He doesn't count that as Beast Wars.
^This
I really shouldn't have to draw attention to the 'apples and oranges' distinction between Mainframe Beast Wars and the Takara shows.
The what faction question would get you either a "not our line, not our business" or "wait and see" answer.
I'm also happy to see the age old question about who the toys are primarily aimed at has been settled (here at least)
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147597)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 21st, 2022 @ 3:38pm CDT
Indeed. But asking about lines on hiatus would be a "burning" question.
I'm astonished that even was a question? Unless it has "collector" etched into the box somewhere. The rest have all been aimed at kids. From 1984 to 2022...
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 21st, 2022 @ 3:38pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:The what faction question would get you either a "not our line, not our business" or "wait and see" answer.
Indeed. But asking about lines on hiatus would be a "burning" question.
ZeroWolf wrote:I'm also happy to see the age old question about who the toys are primarily aimed at has been settled (here at least)
I'm astonished that even was a question? Unless it has "collector" etched into the box somewhere. The rest have all been aimed at kids. From 1984 to 2022...
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147598)
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 4:02pm CDT
I know I'm behind and barely catching up on the comments, but I'm glad you asked about the target audience. Even though most of us know we're buying toys that are meant for kids, it's nice for the "debate" to be officially put to rest
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 4:02pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:SpaceEagle wrote:Ah, very interesting answers, though it kinda also felt like no-brainer answers. Still very nice to get some form of closure especially in regards to stuff like Minerva and that mystery Junkion.
Some are no brainer, and yet whenever I tell fans that they are not the major buyers of Legacy and SS they look at me like I'm high. My personal question was just to have it on paper again if anyone tells me these toys arent made for kids.
And to be fair, they won't reveal anything new in these talks, just further explain stuff so it usually ends up being no brainers, but they need to be said regardless. I did like that discussion on boxes though.
I know I'm behind and barely catching up on the comments, but I'm glad you asked about the target audience. Even though most of us know we're buying toys that are meant for kids, it's nice for the "debate" to be officially put to rest
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147599)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 21st, 2022 @ 4:06pm CDT
You'd think that wouldn't you, but then you see some people's comments on here the last time the debate reared it's head, and you realise that they missed the memo
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 21st, 2022 @ 4:06pm CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:ZeroWolf wrote:The what faction question would get you either a "not our line, not our business" or "wait and see" answer.
Indeed. But asking about lines on hiatus would be a "burning" question.ZeroWolf wrote:I'm also happy to see the age old question about who the toys are primarily aimed at has been settled (here at least)
I'm astonished that even was a question? Unless it has "collector" etched into the box somewhere. The rest have all been aimed at kids. From 1984 to 2022...
You'd think that wouldn't you, but then you see some people's comments on here the last time the debate reared it's head, and you realise that they missed the memo
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147600)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 21st, 2022 @ 4:14pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 21st, 2022 @ 4:14pm CDT
What a strange world we live in... 
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147601)
Posted by AcademyofDrX on October 21st, 2022 @ 4:29pm CDT
I've been very consistent with my pushback: "primarily kids" doesn't mean "not for adults," it means kids plus adults, ostensibly in that order. "They are currently undergoing market research to see the percentage of sales from different demographics." That tells me that Hasbro themselves don't have a good handle on it.
What I personally found more interesting is that Marvel and Hasbro skew older than TF, as reported by Ben Yee on the topic of closed boxes. I've always considered Generations to be the product class equivalent to Legends and Black Series, though only those two are uniformly in closed boxes. So at least implicitly, it seems like Hasbro is acknowledging those are more collector-oriented.
Posted by AcademyofDrX on October 21st, 2022 @ 4:29pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:AllNewSuperRobot wrote:ZeroWolf wrote:The what faction question would get you either a "not our line, not our business" or "wait and see" answer.
Indeed. But asking about lines on hiatus would be a "burning" question.ZeroWolf wrote:I'm also happy to see the age old question about who the toys are primarily aimed at has been settled (here at least)
I'm astonished that even was a question? Unless it has "collector" etched into the box somewhere. The rest have all been aimed at kids. From 1984 to 2022...
You'd think that wouldn't you, but then you see some people's comments on here the last time the debate reared it's head, and you realise that they missed the memo
I've been very consistent with my pushback: "primarily kids" doesn't mean "not for adults," it means kids plus adults, ostensibly in that order. "They are currently undergoing market research to see the percentage of sales from different demographics." That tells me that Hasbro themselves don't have a good handle on it.
What I personally found more interesting is that Marvel and Hasbro skew older than TF, as reported by Ben Yee on the topic of closed boxes. I've always considered Generations to be the product class equivalent to Legends and Black Series, though only those two are uniformly in closed boxes. So at least implicitly, it seems like Hasbro is acknowledging those are more collector-oriented.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147606)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on October 21st, 2022 @ 6:07pm CDT
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on October 21st, 2022 @ 6:07pm CDT
Chris McFeely had a good point. The toys are designed for kids because they have to be, there's no way they'd be sold at brick-and-mortar retail otherwise. The character choices are for adults, that just makes sense.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147607)
Posted by AcademyofDrX on October 21st, 2022 @ 6:31pm CDT
Because you can't find Funko products, NECA's horror line, or any other adult collectibles at Target or Wal-Mart, right?
I find it silly that we're always talking about this question like it's primarily a product one rather than a marketing one. From a product design standpoint, there's nothing fundamentally different between a McFarlane DC movie figure versus a Witcher or Warhammer figure, even though they're very different brands and stocked in different parts of a store. Hasbro's collector-ish lines are basically the same.
Of course there are other types of toy collectibles that are clearly not designed with children in mind like Figma, Figuarts, or Storm products, but Transformers Generations aren't similar to those. Hasbro isn't in that business--they did attempt it with Star Wars hyperreal, explicitly marketed to adults, but that was widely regarded as a failure. With that as a frame of reference, yes, obviously Transformers are designed for children. After all, that's the only way to get both kids and adults to buy them.
Posted by AcademyofDrX on October 21st, 2022 @ 6:31pm CDT
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Chris McFeely had a good point. The toys are designed for kids because they have to be, there's no way they'd be sold at brick-and-mortar retail otherwise. The character choices are for adults, that just makes sense.
Because you can't find Funko products, NECA's horror line, or any other adult collectibles at Target or Wal-Mart, right?
I find it silly that we're always talking about this question like it's primarily a product one rather than a marketing one. From a product design standpoint, there's nothing fundamentally different between a McFarlane DC movie figure versus a Witcher or Warhammer figure, even though they're very different brands and stocked in different parts of a store. Hasbro's collector-ish lines are basically the same.
Of course there are other types of toy collectibles that are clearly not designed with children in mind like Figma, Figuarts, or Storm products, but Transformers Generations aren't similar to those. Hasbro isn't in that business--they did attempt it with Star Wars hyperreal, explicitly marketed to adults, but that was widely regarded as a failure. With that as a frame of reference, yes, obviously Transformers are designed for children. After all, that's the only way to get both kids and adults to buy them.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147609)
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 7:15pm CDT
This round table interview confirms that it's not the case. Marvel Legends skew older and yet are sold in the kids toy aisles. Transformers definitely seems to be different than other action figure brands on multiple levels.
I don't have a bone in the fight, since it comes out to the same for me, I buy new toys
But as someone interested in the brand way too much, I like having my facts right and as it turns out, the target audience becomes the backbone to answering all pour other questions like: packaging, alt mode selection, character selection, price points, budget, market, plastic used, distribution and on and on.
So while it is good to have a quotable and direct answer right now, I was ready for any answer, I just wanted the truth. We knew what the answer was 5 years ago, but I wanted to know if it was still the same because Hasbro kept bringing up the word "fan" and such. As it turns out, a fan in the transformers line is 8+.
And it also helped me see something I (and Scott the toy guru) was wrong about. I wrongly assumed that since deluxes and marvel legends and black series were the same price point (though black series is PUSHING IT WAY PAST THAT HOLY HELL ARE THEY BECOMING RIDICULOUSLY PRICEY!!!) that they thus appealed to the exact same market and thus were designed with the same market in mind. I mean, it makes sense, logically, but it's wrong.
Also, important point to make, all we know here is this:
The proportion of sales in the Transformers Generations line for kids outweighs that for adults while the proportion of sales in the Marvel and Star Wars lines have a heavier weight of sales towards adults COMPARED to the TF line.
So that means that we still don't know if adults are the main people that end up with marvel legends of Black series (I'd assume so, given what was said but it wasn't made explicit)
And, very importantly, it does not mean that there are more adults collecting Black Series or marvel Legends compared to the amount of adults buying Transformers. The reason why that's important is because it could be that in terms of numbers, there are as much sales coming from adults in all lines, it just so happens that kids are also heavily involved with the sales numbers for Transformers. So, the importance of pleasing fans in the marvel legends line and black series line could be as important for the Transformers line.
Does that make sense?
That would explain Hasbro's big push in investor meetings for the Trasformers brand(also, they own the IP, so a big win for them if that's the case).
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 7:15pm CDT
chuckdawg1999 wrote:Chris McFeely had a good point. The toys are designed for kids because they have to be, there's no way they'd be sold at brick-and-mortar retail otherwise. The character choices are for adults, that just makes sense.
This round table interview confirms that it's not the case. Marvel Legends skew older and yet are sold in the kids toy aisles. Transformers definitely seems to be different than other action figure brands on multiple levels.
AcademyofDrX wrote:I've been very consistent with my pushback: "primarily kids" doesn't mean "not for adults," it means kids plus adults, ostensibly in that order. "They are currently undergoing market research to see the percentage of sales from different demographics." That tells me that Hasbro themselves don't have a good handle on it.
What I personally found more interesting is that Marvel and Hasbro skew older than TF, as reported by Ben Yee on the topic of closed boxes. I've always considered Generations to be the product class equivalent to Legends and Black Series, though only those two are uniformly in closed boxes. So at least implicitly, it seems like Hasbro is acknowledging those are more collector-oriented.
I don't have a bone in the fight, since it comes out to the same for me, I buy new toys
But as someone interested in the brand way too much, I like having my facts right and as it turns out, the target audience becomes the backbone to answering all pour other questions like: packaging, alt mode selection, character selection, price points, budget, market, plastic used, distribution and on and on.
So while it is good to have a quotable and direct answer right now, I was ready for any answer, I just wanted the truth. We knew what the answer was 5 years ago, but I wanted to know if it was still the same because Hasbro kept bringing up the word "fan" and such. As it turns out, a fan in the transformers line is 8+.
And it also helped me see something I (and Scott the toy guru) was wrong about. I wrongly assumed that since deluxes and marvel legends and black series were the same price point (though black series is PUSHING IT WAY PAST THAT HOLY HELL ARE THEY BECOMING RIDICULOUSLY PRICEY!!!) that they thus appealed to the exact same market and thus were designed with the same market in mind. I mean, it makes sense, logically, but it's wrong.
Also, important point to make, all we know here is this:
The proportion of sales in the Transformers Generations line for kids outweighs that for adults while the proportion of sales in the Marvel and Star Wars lines have a heavier weight of sales towards adults COMPARED to the TF line.
So that means that we still don't know if adults are the main people that end up with marvel legends of Black series (I'd assume so, given what was said but it wasn't made explicit)
And, very importantly, it does not mean that there are more adults collecting Black Series or marvel Legends compared to the amount of adults buying Transformers. The reason why that's important is because it could be that in terms of numbers, there are as much sales coming from adults in all lines, it just so happens that kids are also heavily involved with the sales numbers for Transformers. So, the importance of pleasing fans in the marvel legends line and black series line could be as important for the Transformers line.
Does that make sense?
That would explain Hasbro's big push in investor meetings for the Trasformers brand(also, they own the IP, so a big win for them if that's the case).
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147610)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on October 21st, 2022 @ 8:04pm CDT
Obviously you can but at least in my area they're in a separate section away from the main toy isle. Which in the case of some of the NECA figures I think is a good thing.
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on October 21st, 2022 @ 8:04pm CDT
AcademyofDrX wrote:chuckdawg1999 wrote:Chris McFeely had a good point. The toys are designed for kids because they have to be, there's no way they'd be sold at brick-and-mortar retail otherwise. The character choices are for adults, that just makes sense.
Because you can't find Funko products, NECA's horror line, or any other adult collectibles at Target or Wal-Mart, right?
I find it silly that we're always talking about this question like it's primarily a product one rather than a marketing one. From a product design standpoint, there's nothing fundamentally different between a McFarlane DC movie figure versus a Witcher or Warhammer figure, even though they're very different brands and stocked in different parts of a store. Hasbro's collector-ish lines are basically the same.
Of course there are other types of toy collectibles that are clearly not designed with children in mind like Figma, Figuarts, or Storm products, but Transformers Generations aren't similar to those. Hasbro isn't in that business--they did attempt it with Star Wars hyperreal, explicitly marketed to adults, but that was widely regarded as a failure. With that as a frame of reference, yes, obviously Transformers are designed for children. After all, that's the only way to get both kids and adults to buy them.
Obviously you can but at least in my area they're in a separate section away from the main toy isle. Which in the case of some of the NECA figures I think is a good thing.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147611)
Posted by Emerje on October 21st, 2022 @ 8:43pm CDT
It's not really a question, I'm saying it isn't factual. The age ratings on the boxes reflect the target minimum demographic, it isn't based on safety standards. Up until Combiner Wars Deluxe figures were 5+, then in 2015 it became 8+, and yet Cyberverse and Earthspark Deluxe, which skew a little younger despite being just as complex as Generations figures are 6+. In fact the entire Cyberverse and Earthspark line, all the way down to the smallest and most kid friendly figures are 6+ because that's the target demo. They adjust the numbers freely based on who they're trying to target. It's not an age rating it's a guideline to swerve parents towards the figures they want them to buy and nothing more.
And then you look at Hasbro's 6" lines, all of them are 4+. Marvel Legends, Star Wars Black, G.I.Joe Classified, all 4+. It's reasonable to believe if the ages on Transformers are based on target age demographics then the same should be true for all Hasbro toy lines. Therefore it simply can't be true that "Transformers brand skews younger" because the listed age says otherwise. It's a good excuse for why they have open boxes, and I'm content with the window boxes, but it probably isn't true.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on October 21st, 2022 @ 8:43pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Emerje wrote:william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.
This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?
Emerje
I don't understand your questioning here when bringing in Marvel Legends and the Age shown there. What is it you are wondering?
It's not really a question, I'm saying it isn't factual. The age ratings on the boxes reflect the target minimum demographic, it isn't based on safety standards. Up until Combiner Wars Deluxe figures were 5+, then in 2015 it became 8+, and yet Cyberverse and Earthspark Deluxe, which skew a little younger despite being just as complex as Generations figures are 6+. In fact the entire Cyberverse and Earthspark line, all the way down to the smallest and most kid friendly figures are 6+ because that's the target demo. They adjust the numbers freely based on who they're trying to target. It's not an age rating it's a guideline to swerve parents towards the figures they want them to buy and nothing more.
And then you look at Hasbro's 6" lines, all of them are 4+. Marvel Legends, Star Wars Black, G.I.Joe Classified, all 4+. It's reasonable to believe if the ages on Transformers are based on target age demographics then the same should be true for all Hasbro toy lines. Therefore it simply can't be true that "Transformers brand skews younger" because the listed age says otherwise. It's a good excuse for why they have open boxes, and I'm content with the window boxes, but it probably isn't true.
Emerje
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147612)
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 8:57pm CDT
Ah, now I see it. They answered that in a way when discussing STEM. The age on the box is the recomended age for play and they are doing it line wide. So for Generations, they are suggesting that an 8 year old can play with it, for cyberverse, they are saying a 6 year old can play with them (though one steps can be played with by a 3 year old) and Marvel Legends figures can be played with by 4 year olds, since there is no complexity to that toy. It's not accurate but that's how they are going about it. So that accounts for the dimensions related to the age on the box, then there us the box type (open or close) to give another dimension to an item's status as a collectible or not.
But the big part with the open box concept is that kids and parents need to see the robot/toy while for anybither franchise, the character is the selling point so seeing him or not us not as relevant.
It further puts the TF line as a seperate type of market/toy than an action figure by having different levels of STEM play.
Posted by william-james88 on October 21st, 2022 @ 8:57pm CDT
Emerje wrote:william-james88 wrote:Emerje wrote:william-james88 wrote:Q: Transformers boxes, can they go full closed box like other Hasbro lines?
A: Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, the Transformers brand skews younger, so seeing the robot inside does bring in more sales than a closed box with the image of the character.
This was the biggest takeaway for me and I wonder if it's even true. They said themselves that Transformers are aimed at an 8-12 demo and the packaging says 8 and up right on them, but Star Wars Black and Marvel Legends figures are 4+. We know Transformers only say 8+ because that's the target demo they decided on, previous Transformers lines had younger age ratings despite nothing changing in the quality and safety. I'm having trouble finding the truth in their statement, not that I mind them having the open boxes (though a plastic window would be preferred). Maybe this is just the line they used to convince corporate to let them keep the window even if it isn't true?
Emerje
I don't understand your questioning here when bringing in Marvel Legends and the Age shown there. What is it you are wondering?
It's not really a question, I'm saying it isn't factual. The age ratings on the boxes reflect the target minimum demographic, it isn't based on safety standards. Up until Combiner Wars Deluxe figures were 5+, then in 2015 it became 8+, and yet Cyberverse and Earthspark Deluxe, which skew a little younger despite being just as complex as Generations figures are 6+. In fact the entire Cyberverse and Earthspark line, all the way down to the smallest and most kid friendly figures are 6+ because that's the target demo. They adjust the numbers freely based on who they're trying to target. It's not an age rating it's a guideline to swerve parents towards the figures they want them to buy and nothing more.
And then you look at Hasbro's 6" lines, all of them are 4+. Marvel Legends, Star Wars Black, G.I.Joe Classified, all 4+. It's reasonable to believe if the ages on Transformers are based on target age demographics then the same should be true for all Hasbro toy lines. Therefore it simply can't be true that "Transformers brand skews younger" because the listed age says otherwise. It's a good excuse for why they have open boxes, and I'm content with the window boxes, but it probably isn't true.
Emerje
Ah, now I see it. They answered that in a way when discussing STEM. The age on the box is the recomended age for play and they are doing it line wide. So for Generations, they are suggesting that an 8 year old can play with it, for cyberverse, they are saying a 6 year old can play with them (though one steps can be played with by a 3 year old) and Marvel Legends figures can be played with by 4 year olds, since there is no complexity to that toy. It's not accurate but that's how they are going about it. So that accounts for the dimensions related to the age on the box, then there us the box type (open or close) to give another dimension to an item's status as a collectible or not.
But the big part with the open box concept is that kids and parents need to see the robot/toy while for anybither franchise, the character is the selling point so seeing him or not us not as relevant.
It further puts the TF line as a seperate type of market/toy than an action figure by having different levels of STEM play.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147617)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on October 21st, 2022 @ 10:49pm CDT
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on October 21st, 2022 @ 10:49pm CDT
I don't really mind the open windowless boxes, I just mind the odd shapes that make it hard to store the boxes.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147630)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:37am CDT
Well, those mainline boxes get thrown in the recycling bin anyway. Just keeping the MP, 3P, and truly special edition not too big boxes, plus the anime figures boxes is enough for me. Space is limited after all. Plus the mainline figures boxes are not truly meant to be kept. With their very thin cardboard and odd shapes, those gets pretty much destroyed when unboxing anyway.
The Select boxes, I keep because they are pretty damn nice and convenient to reuse elsewhere.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:37am CDT
chuckdawg1999 wrote:I don't really mind the open windowless boxes, I just mind the odd shapes that make it hard to store the boxes.
Well, those mainline boxes get thrown in the recycling bin anyway. Just keeping the MP, 3P, and truly special edition not too big boxes, plus the anime figures boxes is enough for me. Space is limited after all. Plus the mainline figures boxes are not truly meant to be kept. With their very thin cardboard and odd shapes, those gets pretty much destroyed when unboxing anyway.
The Select boxes, I keep because they are pretty damn nice and convenient to reuse elsewhere.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147644)
Posted by primalxconvoy on October 22nd, 2022 @ 4:32pm CDT
Technically, kids are the major market, not buyers. It's their parents that actually buy most of them. Of course the toys are aimed at kids. Hasbro sells "toys", which are legally aimed at and must be suitable for children of (insert age bracket here). However, in the answers given above, Hasbro fully acknowledged that "between the lines" sotospeak, they are also aimed at collectors too (such as larger figures parents are more reticent to buy, hence the fully boxed packaging). If Hasbro has a chance to sell to adult collectors within the confines of their mandates for kids, they'll probably take it.
Also, Takara sells these toys too, and the age range has/is, at times, higher (with 15+) being on the packaging for identical toys for Takara's market. That doesn't change the design process for the toys, but it shows that age ranges and demographics for these products is rather complex. It's not just one answer or the other.
Posted by primalxconvoy on October 22nd, 2022 @ 4:32pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:
Some are no brainer, and yet whenever I tell fans that they are not the major buyers of Legacy and SS they look at me like I'm high. My personal question was just to have it on paper again if anyone tells me these toys arent made for kids.
Technically, kids are the major market, not buyers. It's their parents that actually buy most of them. Of course the toys are aimed at kids. Hasbro sells "toys", which are legally aimed at and must be suitable for children of (insert age bracket here). However, in the answers given above, Hasbro fully acknowledged that "between the lines" sotospeak, they are also aimed at collectors too (such as larger figures parents are more reticent to buy, hence the fully boxed packaging). If Hasbro has a chance to sell to adult collectors within the confines of their mandates for kids, they'll probably take it.
Also, Takara sells these toys too, and the age range has/is, at times, higher (with 15+) being on the packaging for identical toys for Takara's market. That doesn't change the design process for the toys, but it shows that age ranges and demographics for these products is rather complex. It's not just one answer or the other.
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147646)
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 4:41pm CDT
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 4:41pm CDT
Instagram post is up for Leo Prime by markclonus
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147647)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 22nd, 2022 @ 4:43pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 22nd, 2022 @ 4:43pm CDT
This post is no good without the link.Razorbeast88 wrote:Instagram post is up for Leo Prime by markclonus
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147648)
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 4:46pm CDT
Those that have instagram can just go look at it without a link but here you go https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj_4CLXswFS ... MyMTA2M2Y=
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 4:46pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:This post is no good without the link.Razorbeast88 wrote:Instagram post is up for Leo Prime by markclonus
Those that have instagram can just go look at it without a link but here you go https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj_4CLXswFS ... MyMTA2M2Y=
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147649)
Posted by primalxconvoy on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:11pm CDT
That link was most useful for the many of us that haven't got an Instagram account, cheers.
It seems that Lio's mane has got some hinges, so is it possible to (fully?) emulate his "Lio Typhoon" attack? If not, I wonder if an add-on kit could/would be able to replace the whole lion head to be better painted and have a mane that reproduced more of the features of the original toy/anime?
Posted by primalxconvoy on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:11pm CDT
Razorbeast88 wrote:Those that have instagram can just go look at it without a link but here you go https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj_4CLXswFS ... MyMTA2M2Y=
That link was most useful for the many of us that haven't got an Instagram account, cheers.
It seems that Lio's mane has got some hinges, so is it possible to (fully?) emulate his "Lio Typhoon" attack? If not, I wonder if an add-on kit could/would be able to replace the whole lion head to be better painted and have a mane that reproduced more of the features of the original toy/anime?
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147650)
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:16pm CDT
I'll make sure to send the link with future posts as well
I hope the typhoon is possible, I hadnt noticed hinges that seemed to make it happen
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:16pm CDT
primalxconvoy wrote:Razorbeast88 wrote:Those that have instagram can just go look at it without a link but here you go https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj_4CLXswFS ... MyMTA2M2Y=
That link was most useful for the many of us that haven't got an Instagram account, cheers.
It seems that Lio's mane has got some hinges, so is it possible to (fully?) emulate his "Lio Typhoon" attack? If not, I wonder if an add-on kit could/would be able to replace the whole lion head to be better painted and have a mane that reproduced more of the features of the original toy/anime?
I'll make sure to send the link with future posts as well
I hope the typhoon is possible, I hadnt noticed hinges that seemed to make it happen
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147651)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:22pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:22pm CDT
It's common courtesy. If you have something to share with us, then share it.Razorbeast88 wrote:Sabrblade wrote:This post is no good without the link.Razorbeast88 wrote:Instagram post is up for Leo Prime by markclonus
Those that have instagram can just go look at it without a link but here you go https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj_4CLXswFS ... MyMTA2M2Y=
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147652)
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:22pm CDT
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:22pm CDT
I think the only thing I don't like about Leo Prime is the positioning of the lion front legs in bot mode
They hang out a little too much and on ball joints, seems like those will get loose later. But I guess that's also accurate and the bulkiness of the legs looks cool in alt mode. Plus the gimmick with using the claws as weapons
They hang out a little too much and on ball joints, seems like those will get loose later. But I guess that's also accurate and the bulkiness of the legs looks cool in alt mode. Plus the gimmick with using the claws as weapons
Re: Hasbro Answers Some Burning Questions from Fans: AOE Dinobots, DJD, Packaging Changes, and More (2147653)
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:23pm CDT
Will do, thank you
Posted by Razorbeast88 on October 22nd, 2022 @ 5:23pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:It's common courtesy. If you have something to share with us, then share it.Razorbeast88 wrote:Sabrblade wrote:This post is no good without the link.Razorbeast88 wrote:Instagram post is up for Leo Prime by markclonus
Those that have instagram can just go look at it without a link but here you go https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj_4CLXswFS ... MyMTA2M2Y=
Will do, thank you
