Is Fansproject Ready to Return to the 3rd Party Scene?

It's wrong how just the sight of "FansProject" in the title of a news article made me squeal like a girl and made a mess of the keyboard.

After all this waiting, they're still going to tease us??!! Evil. Just evil.

The colours are looking distinctly Magnus. I admit I did not see that one coming.

Please sir...can I have some moar?

Those definitely aren't Grimlock colors, so it has to be a different Heartmaster than the WWII Grimlock they showed.

Nevertheless, it's nice to have Fansproject back, those guys are cool.

What scares me a little is that there may be some sort of trailer add-on later, especially if the leaning away from a WWI Grimlock color scheme. Doubtful, but it could happen-meaning I would HAVE to buy it too.

In any case, hope they show more in Singapore in a few weeks! (fingers crossed)

Meh.. screw heartmasters...
Need me some new Headmasters..

These guys have set the bar on what a 3rd party company is as far as the quality, aesthetics, and overall customer satisfaction and for that I will forever be a customer!!!

mmmmmm...i like it seems to be following the powermaster/breastmaster lineage. I want some more pics though. Good to see Fansporject back in the game. with them and Maketoys coming out with some cool stuff this year, i know where my money is going. Now how bout some pics of those not stunticons that have been rumored to be coming?? And a little request..how bout some autobot gesalt love...i want the technobots or protectobots!!!!

Cyber Bishop wrote:Meh.. screw heartmasters...
Need me some new Headmasters..

Gotta agree there.

unless it's a homage to an existing canon TF, I'm not interested

If it were anyone but Fansprojects, this would be an easy pass for me. He's not even a real character ... at least, as far as we can tell.

Awww... I was hoping that Stunticon rumor was true.

DrLegend wrote:Awww... I was hoping that Stunticon rumor was true.

It may yet prove to be true, but they take YEARS to make a figure.

DrLegend wrote:Awww... I was hoping that Stunticon rumor was true.

I suspect they're saving the big surprises for times closer to events like CybertronCon or BotCon. If this indeed Heartmaster, we've known about this for well over a year.

cannonfodder4000 wrote:Those definitely aren't Grimlock colors, so it has to be a different Heartmaster than the WWII Grimlock they showed.

Nevertheless, it's nice to have Fansproject back, those guys are cool.

It's the same one. Here's how we know;

-

I know there's some similarities to War Within Grimlock (as well as Prime) (the smoke stacks), but it's easier to come to the conclusion this may not be based on any one particular Transformer. Especially considering Grimlock never had a Powermaster form to begin with.

Also, the designs are really not that similar (WW Grimmy and this "Heart Master"). At least from my view.

Mkall wrote:

Cyber Bishop wrote:Meh.. screw heartmasters...
Need me some new Headmasters..

Gotta agree there.

unless it's a homage to an existing canon TF, I'm not interested

More for me.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:If it were anyone but Fansprojects, this would be an easy pass for me. He's not even a real character ... at least, as far as we can tell.

Good, if he isn't! I guess I'm really the only person who doesn't want 30 versions over 20 years of the same 10 or so characters.

This is a question to anyone who thinks highly of Fansproject (I know I do):

What if this is NOT a homage? Let that gestate...1...2...3...and

What if Fansproject feels they are now ready to move their storyline out of existing canon and into their own universe. The crystal thing at fanspjectcore.com would indicate an original story biulding. A story filled with new characters. FP Characters. Would we still be fans of Transforming toys that are not... Transformers?

I never knew Fansproject left. Ive had my insceticons since November, which they were sitting in my Pile of Loot maybe 3 months since the first one was released. Thats about 6 months total. Can they have a chance to chill and enjoy their profits ??? Or maybe some time to design a new figure ??? I think this whole "Fansproject has disappeared" mentality is overreacting.

As far as the whole Powermaster idea, all I can say is I hope it's not another Prime.

GetRightRobot wrote:This is a question to anyone who thinks highly of Fansproject (I know I do):

What if this is NOT a homage? Let that gestate...1...2...3...and

What if Fansproject feels they are now ready to move their storyline out of existing canon and into their own universe. The crystal thing at fanspjectcore.com would indicate an original story biulding. A story filled with new characters. FP Characters. Would we still be fans of Transforming toys that are not... Transformers?

I could be. I know I've welcomed more than a few new characters to the TF universe since the early days of the line. Comics and cartoon have made a lot of really mediocre toys very sought after (G1 Bludgeon being a prime example) because of their portrayals of the characters, but also, virtually fictionless toys that have been good have become favourites of mine (some of the PCCs and HA Basics, for example) and I already have a couple of FP items that are really nice. I wouldn't write them off just because they're not emulating a Hasbro character.

GetRightRobot wrote:This is a question to anyone who thinks highly of Fansproject (I know I do):

What if this is NOT a homage? Let that gestate...1...2...3...and

What if Fansproject feels they are now ready to move their storyline out of existing canon and into their own universe. The crystal thing at fanspjectcore.com would indicate an original story biulding. A story filled with new characters. FP Characters. Would we still be fans of Transforming toys that are not... Transformers?

I think most fans will if we can see the logic behind them. This might not be a direct homage, but the idea behind it ties back to official themes and concepts.

I don't know if I'm interested in a non-TF character. This may be $80-$100; that's a bit much to pay for a toy of someone I have absolutely no connection to.

If FP could establish a baseline with fans, that allows the connection to Cybertronians and carried traits we would all recognize but not infringe on Intellectual Property rights, then they would be free to move to a more official capacity than any other 3rd party company. There are tons of hobby/comic book shops that stock expensive, collector driven toys similar to what FP offers. I might also clear them of any future legal action. I'm just saying, they have my support based solely on their quality of product.

I have a feeling you guys are in for a big surprise/shock from FP in the near future........

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I don't know if I'm interested in a non-TF character. This may be $80-$100; that's a bit much to pay for a toy of someone I have absolutely no connection to.

Not trying to start anything, but I am curious. What would earn a purchase for you, when it comes to Transformers and Transformers related toys? It doesn't seem to be quality in the product. Or rarity/exclusivity. Because those are all traits this figure has.

Would you only consider purchasing this, or any Transformer figure if it's based on a pre-existing character? Does the same apply to Hasbro/Takara figures?

Besides, we still don't have a complete picture of what we are getting.

Spazicon wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I don't know if I'm interested in a non-TF character. This may be $80-$100; that's a bit much to pay for a toy of someone I have absolutely no connection to.

Not trying to start anything, but I am curious. What would earn a purchase for you, when it comes to Transformers and Transformers related toys? It doesn't seem to be quality in the product. Or rarity/exclusivity. Because those are all traits this figure has.

Would you only consider purchasing this, or any Transformer figure if it's based on a pre-existing character? Does the same apply to Hasbro/Takara figures?

Besides, we still don't have a complete picture of what we are getting.

A great, exclusive toy is very desirable and I'd be lying if I didn't say this was tempting. BUT it's also expensive and there are other rare, exclusive, expensive figures that I want. Lately I haven't been very good with my TF budget, but I'm aiming to get back on track with that.

In general, yes I tend to only buy toys of existing characters, even from Hasbro/Takara. I mean, there've been exceptions (such as the KO Seekers), but I'm just not that into new characters. And even this focus is very narrow - I'm a Season 1-TFTM guy, beyond that the characters hold little meaning for me.

Honestly, I'm all for unique and original characters. Especially if they design and overall transformation of the character evokes "Transformers". Heck, that's why I'm getting United Axalon. Just another bot in this big ole universe.

El Duque wrote:I have a feeling you guys are in for a big surprise/shock from FP in the near future........

Aah! Stop toying with us!

I'm actually kind of hoping it isn't a TF Homage and they do branch into their own story.

I know purists would drop them in a second, but I'm all for the unhinged variety. Especially since they've never done me wrong. They still get an easy invest with me.

GetRightRobot wrote:This is a question to anyone who thinks highly of Fansproject (I know I do):

What if this is NOT a homage? Let that gestate...1...2...3...and

What if Fansproject feels they are now ready to move their storyline out of existing canon and into their own universe. The crystal thing at fanspjectcore.com would indicate an original story biulding. A story filled with new characters. FP Characters. Would we still be fans of Transforming toys that are not... Transformers?

I answer that with this:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I don't know if I'm interested in a non-TF character. This may be $80-$100; that's a bit much to pay for a toy of someone I have absolutely no connection to.

I'm open to the idea of a new take on things, just not at 3rd Party prices. Not to mention my personal feeling that if you take away the highly desired character aspect of FPJ's work, it's not nearly as impressive...

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Spazicon wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I don't know if I'm interested in a non-TF character. This may be $80-$100; that's a bit much to pay for a toy of someone I have absolutely no connection to.

A great, exclusive toy is very desirable and I'd be lying if I didn't say this was tempting. BUT it's also expensive and there are other rare, exclusive, expensive figures that I want. Lately I haven't been very good with my TF budget, but I'm aiming to get back on track with that.

In general, yes I tend to only buy toys of existing characters, even from Hasbro/Takara. I mean, there've been exceptions (such as the KO Seekers), but I'm just not that into new characters. And even this focus is very narrow - I'm a Season 1-TFTM guy, beyond that the characters hold little meaning for me.

So if this was based on War Within Grimlock, with the Powermaster/Godmaster gimmick, would you be interested again? If so, is the color scheme, not the actual toy design the issue?

Prime Evil wrote:Honestly, I'm all for unique and original characters. Especially if they design and overall transformation of the character evokes "Transformers". Heck, that's why I'm getting United Axalon. Just another bot in this big ole universe.

That's how I feel. Cool Transformers toy is cool Transformers toy. I literally have dozens of variants, and re-releases and redecos, and retools and remakes, and re-imaginings of most figures/characters out there, already. This is a welcome change for once in awhile.

Alas, to each his own; your collection not mine; yadda yadda yadda.

Aside from the green canopy, the colors scream Soundwave, but that wouldn't make sense... we already know the prototype bears little resemblance. I'm really not sure who it could be. Might just be someone new!

If it IS a Transformer character we all know and love, it has to be some highly stylized take on it. Think: Powermaster Getaway Prime. Or something of that nature.

Requiem Prime wrote:I'm actually kind of hoping it isn't a TF Homage and they do branch into their own story.

I know purists would drop them in a second, but I'm all for the unhinged variety. Especially since they've never done me wrong. They still get an easy invest with me.

if there's one thing our fandom has in abundance, it's an unhinged variety.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I don't know if I'm interested in a non-TF character. This may be $80-$100; that's a bit much to pay for a toy of someone I have absolutely no connection to.

This is exactly how I feel.

I was willing to shell out the $500+ dollars for Hercules because Devastator is my favorite Transfomer (can't you tell?). The investment was worth it at that price for those Characters.

However, I am sort of conflicted with the new Perfect Effect RC motorcycle figures. They look amazing and I'd love to have them decorating my shelf but not at $100 a pop. Even Fansprojects Insecticons look great and don't break the bank but since I don't have any emotional investment towards them (never liked the characters or the figs) I simply had to pass.

I'm happy to hear Fansproject is still alive and kicking but based on current rumors/assumptions, I'll have to pass on this one.

Spazicon wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Spazicon wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I don't know if I'm interested in a non-TF character. This may be $80-$100; that's a bit much to pay for a toy of someone I have absolutely no connection to.

A great, exclusive toy is very desirable and I'd be lying if I didn't say this was tempting. BUT it's also expensive and there are other rare, exclusive, expensive figures that I want. Lately I haven't been very good with my TF budget, but I'm aiming to get back on track with that.

In general, yes I tend to only buy toys of existing characters, even from Hasbro/Takara. I mean, there've been exceptions (such as the KO Seekers), but I'm just not that into new characters. And even this focus is very narrow - I'm a Season 1-TFTM guy, beyond that the characters hold little meaning for me.

So if this was based on War Within Grimlock, with the Powermaster/Godmaster gimmick, would you be interested again? If so, is the color scheme, not the actual toy design the issue?

Prime Evil wrote:Honestly, I'm all for unique and original characters. Especially if they design and overall transformation of the character evokes "Transformers". Heck, that's why I'm getting United Axalon. Just another bot in this big ole universe.

That's how I feel. Cool Transformers toy is cool Transformers toy. I literally have dozens of variants, and re-releases and redecos, and retools and remakes, and re-imaginings of most figures/characters out there, already. This is a welcome change for once in awhile.

Alas, to each his own; your collection not mine; yadda yadda yadda.

Well, with Grimlock it'd really have to be a t-rex with G1esque colors to catch my eye. But, basically, yes that'd be one way. If they tweaked the head to resemble a known TF more that'd add to it (although FP is known for their fairly divergent head designs).

Honestly, if the homage encompassed more than just the Powermaster gimmick I'd be more sold. Like a power/head/target master all in one. That'd homage an entire era for TFs all in one figure! But the fact is there've been a LOT of really expensive TFs recently. Time to budget more effectively.

You guys still think this is meant to be another homage? Seriously, would it be so crazy if just once you considered FP may be trying to do their own thing?

I would like to see an economy where a serious opposition to Hasbro's Transformers market could exist. So yeah, I'm hardly a purist.

Vicalliose wrote:You guys still think this is meant to be another homage? Seriously, would it be so crazy if just once you considered FP may be trying to do their own thing?

Actually the direction of the conversation for the past couple of pages worth of replies has focused on the idea that this may NOT be an homage, and how collectors would feel about it.

Member "Bendimus Prime" on the TFW2005 forums made an interesting theory, that this is a new version of City Commander (as some stated could be a possibility in this thread already, and specifically, it's a take on this form of Ultra Magnus (Energon);



Smaller robot in the chest, same color scheme, similar design elements (like the shoulder missile bays).

What do you guys think?

Spazicon wrote:Member "Bendimus Prime" on the TFW2005 forums made an interesting theory, that this is a new version of City Commander (as some stated could be a possibility in this thread already, and specifically, it's a take on this form of Ultra Mangnus (Energon);



Smaller robot in the chest, same color scheme, similar design elements (like the shoulder missile bays).

What do you guys think?

You mean like Powermaster Prime? The looks and colors would be off for both theories.

if they are going for a new headmaster, id say Ultra Magnus, however i think they'll redo an original headmaster, the colors remind me of Highbrow , who did have a top cockpit like what that looks like

Spazicon wrote:Member "Bendimus Prime" on the TFW2005 forums made an interesting theory, that this is a new version of City Commander (as some stated could be a possibility in this thread already, and specifically, it's a take on this form of Ultra Mangnus;



Smaller robot in the chest, same color scheme, similar design elements (like the shoulder missile bays).

What do you guys think?

not to s*** on anybodies speculation cereal, but i honestly think this 'its a new re-imagined Ultra Magnus' talk is ridiculous. Ive seen what theyre saying on TFW, and honestly, i think theres something in their water, its just getting a bit silly.

Theres nothing at all to link it to the character, im sorry but the colours in the picture could signify literally anything, its not screaming magnus at me. its widely known that there are several fansproject creations coming that arent magnus (Heartmaster, Causality 6 & 7, a new warbot) so why would they go back and re-do a homage to a figure theyve already rung dry with the commander armours???

I can sum up the argument against as follows

1. Theyve already done Magnus. multiple times. They want to bring out toys that EVERYBODY will buy, and not devalue their previous creations. And lets be honest, there will be massive fanboy outcries of 'my city commander is worthless now' if they reworked magnus (seriously, tell me im wrong)

2. Theyre moving away from the big characters and coming up with original classics compositions, the micromaster homages for example.

3. Why re-do a character theyve already done an arguably amazing job with????????? They arent stupid and the canon to pick from is pretty vast.

If its a WW Grimlock-esque figure then great, i'll be all over it. If its finally finishing causality then great. but Magnus? nope

I don't want it to be another Ultra Magnus inspired figure, which I am being very vocal about in this thread. However, I do find it fun to speculate, since we have so little to go on right now.

And you are right. There's no need for a new version of a figure they themselves put out already. Makes no sense. And design wise, he bears little resemblance to Ultra Magnus, other than the above mentioned toy's minor similarities, which itself was just a repaint of another character.

Stumpybot wrote:
1. Theyve already done Magnus. multiple times. They want to bring out toys that EVERYBODY will buy, and not devalue their previous creations. And lets be honest, there will be massive fanboy outcries of 'my city commander is worthless now' if they reworked magnus (seriously, tell me im wrong)

Even if this thing was meant to be Magnus in some fashion, it's not G1 Magnus so it really has no negative effect on CC either way? If Hasbro puts out a new Movie Prime, that doesn't devalue Classics Prime any...

Spazicon wrote:I don't want it to be another Ultra Magnus inspired figure, which I am being very vocal about in this thread. However, I do find it fun to speculate, since we have so little to go on right now.

And you are right. There's no need for a new version of a figure they themselves put out already. Makes no sense. And design wise, he bears little resemblance to Ultra Magnus, other than the above mentioned toy's minor similarities, which itself was just a repaint of another character.

I totally agree. Logically it seems to be the side of a cockpit, i saw a picture on another board comparing it to the prototype picture of heartmaster. The idea of FP doing some type of ****master gimmick is pretty cool. They hit on a great idea when they did Sidearm for Protector, and implementing the concept on an original figure could be fantastic, especially from one of the leaders in innovation within 3rd party figures, its not like they have a bad track record for quality control or bad figures

Kibble wrote:

Stumpybot wrote:
1. Theyve already done Magnus. multiple times. They want to bring out toys that EVERYBODY will buy, and not devalue their previous creations. And lets be honest, there will be massive fanboy outcries of 'my city commander is worthless now' if they reworked magnus (seriously, tell me im wrong)

Even if this thing was meant to be Magnus in some fashion, it's not G1 Magnus so it really has no negative effect on CC either way? If Hasbro puts out a new Movie Prime, that doesn't devalue Classics Prime any...

I just think, if theyve done one Magnus homage (and since he only had 1 G1 toy, most other appearance are repaints) then theres no logic to another new version. If its not a g1 homage, then paint it different colours and voila, no reference to magnus and we still get something awesome

I think, having looked into the design of heartmaster, that its taking a fair few design aspects from multiple sources and fashioning something NEW and ORIGINAL. I cant see any similarity to that magnus figure outside the shoulders and the presence of a smaller figure in the chest (integrated in a totally different way) and i can see some of the aspects of WW grimlock, but i honestly see this as being something new. Taking design ideas and building their own continuity. If they want to continue to grow as a company, its logical that they would want to take cues from hastak and build new things

GetRightRobot wrote:

Vicalliose wrote:You guys still think this is meant to be another homage? Seriously, would it be so crazy if just once you considered FP may be trying to do their own thing?

Actually the direction of the conversation for the past couple of pages worth of replies has focused on the idea that this may NOT be an homage, and how collectors would feel about it.

Ah, yeah. I kinda just skimmed across it like a dope.

So yeah, the colors and shape of the figure pretty much show it's not a homage. Doesn't even look like anything particular from the Brave series. Anyway, so long as the price isn't too bad I'll be getting it. Screw homages it's awesome looking!

I'd love a new Classics Ultra Magnus, having missed out on both City Commander and the white Optimus that goes inside him...however, this doesn't look anything like I'd want that to look, and I'm quite happy for it to be something else anyway.

While I'd be happy to have a new Fansproject item, my wallet is happy they have been taking their time

i just don't see the draw of this heartmaster thing. yeah, fansproject is awesome, i know, i own most of their products. however, while this may be a high quality, highly detailed set, i can't see how this would be profitable for them. a big part of why the third party exists is because there is a high demand for characters that the first party refuse to produce. this is not one of them. el duque, if you are wrong about the stunticons, i will hunt you down!

thunderjacker wrote:i just don't see the draw of this heartmaster thing. yeah, fansproject is awesome, i know, i own most of their products. however, while this may be a high quality, highly detailed set, i can't see how this would be profitable for them. a big part of why the third party exists is because there is a high demand for characters that the first party refuse to produce. this is not one of them. el duque, if you are wrong about the stunticons, i will hunt you down!

And you sir, are speaking on your own behalf.

Spazicon wrote:

thunderjacker wrote:i just don't see the draw of this heartmaster thing. yeah, fansproject is awesome, i know, i own most of their products. however, while this may be a high quality, highly detailed set, i can't see how this would be profitable for them. a big part of why the third party exists is because there is a high demand for characters that the first party refuse to produce. this is not one of them. el duque, if you are wrong about the stunticons, i will hunt you down!

And you sir, are speaking on your own behalf.

of course i am speaking on my own behalf, i wrote it. "I" being someone who pays a premium on third party toys. that being said, any third party company, especially one that calls themselves "fans"project, may want to consider what customers like me are willing to pay for, despite what they choose to design but, more importantly, what they choose to sell.

thunderjacker wrote:

Spazicon wrote:

thunderjacker wrote:i just don't see the draw of this heartmaster thing. yeah, fansproject is awesome, i know, i own most of their products. however, while this may be a high quality, highly detailed set, i can't see how this would be profitable for them. a big part of why the third party exists is because there is a high demand for characters that the first party refuse to produce. this is not one of them. el duque, if you are wrong about the stunticons, i will hunt you down!

And you sir, are speaking on your own behalf.

of course i am speaking on my own behalf, i wrote it. "I" being someone who pays a premium on third party toys. that being said, any third party company, especially one that calls themselves "fans"project, may want to consider what customers like me are willing to pay for, despite what they choose to design but, more importantly, what they choose to sell.

By stating;

thunderjacker wrote:i can't see how this would be profitable for them. a big part of why the third party exists is because there is a high demand for characters that the first party refuse to produce. this is not one of them.

You are implying that you are speaking for more than yourself.

Maybe it's a unpainted prototype..releax about the colors..