Prime 1 Studio Phase 1 Showcase Video Features AOE Gimlock, Movie Blackout and Scorponok

For the relatively rich guy who own a freaking MANSION.

-Kanrabat- wrote:For the relatively rich guy who own a freaking MANSION.

Maybe there are some movie stars who are fans.

Either way, they keep making these things, so some folks must be buying them.

Sabrblade wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:For the relatively rich guy who own a freaking MANSION.

Maybe there are some movie stars who are fans.

Either way, they keep making these things, so some folks must be buying them.

Yup, it adheres to the main models of commerce. These are expensive, but they definitely give a lot more for people who find value/prestige in owning these. Basically you are paying more to get a lot more and getting something that few others have.

-Kanrabat- wrote:For the relatively rich guy who own a freaking MANSION.

yeah it would have to be a mansion with its décor dedicated to everything transformers with all the statues, busts and artwork in every room

Ultra Markus wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:For the relatively rich guy who own a freaking MANSION.

yeah it would have to be a mansion with its décor dedicated to everything transformers with all the statues, busts and artwork in every room

Well, that's basically what I already have. But I ran out of space ages ago and my locker is gradually filling up.

My main point with these statues was not really the price. But WHERE in the freaking hell can the casual collector display such a MONSTER?
And it's not something you can just display on the floor like a Titan.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Ultra Markus wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:For the relatively rich guy who own a freaking MANSION.

yeah it would have to be a mansion with its décor dedicated to everything transformers with all the statues, busts and artwork in every room

Well, that's basically what I already have. But I ran out of space ages ago and my locker is gradually filling up.

My main point with these statues was not really the price. But WHERE in the freaking hell can the casual collector display such a MONSTER?
And it's not something you can just display on the floor like a Titan.

I can't, but if it was just me living in the house then maybe but with a wife and kids there's no way LOL

-Kanrabat- wrote:My main point with these statues was not really the price. But WHERE in the freaking hell can the casual collector display such a MONSTER?
And it's not something you can just display on the floor like a Titan.

On pedestals set up within their greenhouse gardens, silly.

I concur: if figurines of this kind continue to be made, then there's probably a market. (Alternative hypothesis: the artists never sell anything, but have found a continuing supply of gullible investors.) Whether the figures are effectively displayed is a separate question.

To be appreciated, any kind of high-detail objet d'art, 2D or 3D, needs to be surrounded by uncluttered negative space. (You can crowd a collection in a glass display case, and plenty of people do, but can you honestly say the individual figures look good that way?) That's easy with something the size of a refrigerator magnet or LEGO minifig, but once the pieces grow to this scale, you can either (a) fill a dedicated gallery with multiple pieces, (b1) put a single piece in a room shared by other purposes, or (b2) rotate the collection. That's what professional museums do -- public galleries display only a fraction of the collection at any one time. (An oil painting has conservation concerns that a plastic figure doesn't, but still...)

Ever been to a shopping mall in Las Vegas? There are gallery-stores full of oversized paintings, movie-prop replicas and fantasy garden statuary. The same question-pair "who's buying this / where do they put it?" arises. And then you get to the tier of Jay Leno's collection of classic cars.

Fans were not fond of the WFC show inspired high end statues revealed by Prime 1 Studios. While statues tend to be the only way to get a perfectly accurate character model, like with Bayverse designs, the WFC designs for Optimus and Megatron were based on the Netflix cartoon which simply used the original toy models. Not only are those more basic than a live action movie design, but since they are toys that transform, both Optimus and Megatron had a bunch of kibble and obvious backpacks. Nothing wrong with that on a voyager figure, but fans definitely mocked seeing those designs enlarged with a very hefty price tag. So fans voted with their wallets and there simply was not enough interest in making these statues happen, leading Prime 1 Studios to cancel them.

“To our beloved fans and collectors, We regret to inform you of the cancellation of projects Premium Masterline Transformers: War For Cybertron Optimus Prime (PMTF-05) and the Premium Masterline Transformers: War For Cybertron Megatron (PMTF-06)…

Unfortunately, due to the continually increasing cost of production combined with the insufficient amount of demand and interest, we have made the difficult decision to cease production and development of these statues…”

I don't understand why these even existed in the first place

Honestly, it's not just these items,I'm not sure how any company making extreme high end. Collectibles exists. I mean they look great, but I can't think of a single person, even the most hardcore fan of any characters TF, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, whatever....that would want a statue of said character that costs upwards of $1000.

I mean I get sideways glances from some people when I tell them I spent $200 on a 24 inch tall Transformer. Or they look at my wife like " you let him do that?" Which is especially annoying since I am the sole income earner for our family.

I can't imagine the conversation around a $2000 Joker Statue

Next, how about making perfectly show accurate Unicron Trilogie Statues, Eh, Prime 1?

o.supreme wrote:Honestly, it's not just these items,I'm not sure how any company making extreme high end. Collectibles exists. I mean they look great, but I can't think of a single person, even the most hardcore fan of any characters TF, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, whatever....that would want a statue of said character that costs upwards of $1000.

I mean I get sideways glances from some people when I tell them I spent $200 on a 24 inch tall Transformer. Or they look at my wife like " you let him do that?" Which is especially annoying since I am the sole income earner for our family.

I can't imagine the conversation around a $2000 Joker Statue

The same thought always pops in my head whenever I see this things...like, sure your money do what you want with it but like...a grand for some big statue that'll just...I dunno, look pretty in the living room? Especially odd considering this is based off of a toy that's significantly cheaper...and said toy can ACTUALLY be played with, transform, yadda yadda. At least 200 buckaroos will get you a massive toy that can pose as you see fit and can transform (Earthrise Scorponok, for example), but a grand for something like this is definitely a niche I can't understand.

The Netflix statues are indeed head scratchers. It's understandable that plans may have been in place before the show even aired. But seeing the show's reception AND how accurate the mainline toys are already accurate? If I were Prime 1 CEO I'd say no to go ahead with the sculpting/production right then and there.

Only hope Prime1 didn't spend much on the development up to the cancellation. If they were able to obtain the CAD files for these, there might have some significant cost savings on the sculpting.

o.supreme wrote:Honestly, it's not just these items,I'm not sure how any company making extreme high end. Collectibles exists. I mean they look great, but I can't think of a single person, even the most hardcore fan of any characters TF, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, whatever....that would want a statue of said character that costs upwards of $1000.

I mean I get sideways glances from some people when I tell them I spent $200 on a 24 inch tall Transformer. Or they look at my wife like " you let him do that?" Which is especially annoying since I am the sole income earner for our family.

I can't imagine the conversation around a $2000 Joker Statue

You'd be surprised actually, what's so alien to you or me is a no brainer to those with the money. They don't frequent this site though. Having lurked other places, I've seen people buying these and others. Heck, I've seen people buy far more expensive items then what these cancelled items would have cost.

You bourgeois & peasants (that's me right here)! From where I live (Toronto, Canada), I see 20-30 somethings driving Ferraris, Lambos & Maseratis all the time, like 90% everytime I drive out for more than 10 minutes on the main thoroughfare. Some have the Autobot/Decepticon 3D logo stickers at the back of their supercars. Other stickers say "this is my grocery car" "gift for my wife" etc.

These people simply have more "parents" money than they can ever spend. They don't care about money, they DO care about buying exclusive stuff for bragging rights.

The stories I hear from my wife who works at an insurance brokerage... man... no job, 20 somethings, owns 4~5 supercars and snapping up multi-million dollar homes. Paying a monthly insurance premium that's 3x more than my own salary.

These are for them.

o.supreme wrote:I mean I get sideways glances from some people when I tell them I spent $200 on a 24 inch tall Transformer. Or they look at my wife like " you let him do that?" Which is especially annoying since I am the sole income earner for our family.

Ask these people which of your bills they'd like to start paying...

SpaceEagle wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Honestly, it's not just these items,I'm not sure how any company making extreme high end. Collectibles exists. I mean they look great, but I can't think of a single person, even the most hardcore fan of any characters TF, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, whatever....that would want a statue of said character that costs upwards of $1000.

I mean I get sideways glances from some people when I tell them I spent $200 on a 24 inch tall Transformer. Or they look at my wife like " you let him do that?" Which is especially annoying since I am the sole income earner for our family.

I can't imagine the conversation around a $2000 Joker Statue

The same thought always pops in my head whenever I see this things...like, sure your money do what you want with it but like...a grand for some big statue that'll just...I dunno, look pretty in the living room? Especially odd considering this is based off of a toy that's significantly cheaper...and said toy can ACTUALLY be played with, transform, yadda yadda. At least 200 buckaroos will get you a massive toy that can pose as you see fit and can transform (Earthrise Scorponok, for example), but a grand for something like this is definitely a niche I can't understand.

While I agree, there's definitely worse on my opinon on the collectible market : Busts.

I'll really, never, never understand the point of busts. Transformers or any other franchise.

ExciKaiser wrote:While I agree, there's definitely worse on my opinon on the collectible market : Busts.

I'll really, never, never understand the point of busts. Transformers or any other franchise.

Mei neither. I find them creepy and unattractive.
Unless it's the classic ones from the Antique Roman era.



Those are freaking awesome.

But with a modern character with a modern design in colors? It just doesn't work for me.



All of my nopes.

I don’t know who buys these things. I’ve been inside my share of luxury apartments on Park Ave, 5th Ave, Central Park West etc. and I have yet to see a sci-fi statue. The closest would be Ralph Lauren’s suit of Storm Trooper armor.