JP United Artfire?

[griffin]

Two online stores have listed pre-orders for a JP United Artfire (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/un-32-artfire-175283/), but don't have too much else in terms of details (what it looks like, or when it is being released).
They've listed a product code (UN-32), but could TakaraTomy really be planning to release a regular edition Artfire toy at about the same time as the Million Book exclusive edition is released (scheduled for December)?

I can understand Hasbro or TakaraTomy releasing a version of an exclusive released in the other company's market, but "competing" or devaluing the limited edition figure they are producing themselves, seems a very strange.

It's hard to rule anything out when it comes to Transformers toys, but this is certainly one thing that will need to be watched, as fans would probably love to have a more affordable version of United/Classicverse Artfire, after how expensive Stepper ended up being.

[GoktimusPrime]

Aaaaaaaahhhhh?!?!? This after I've already pre-ordered my Generations book and Artfire toy (and I've already purchased the JPY to pay for it). :o United Artfire has costed me $71... so if a regular store release version comes out for say approx. $45, then it feels like I would have 'wasted' $26 on an overpriced Voyager. :( Even if the regular version doesn't come with the Mini-Con... $26 is way too much to pay for a Mini-Con! :o

It's odd... with lesser known obscure characters like Stepper and Artfire, one would think it'd make more sense to release them as limited exclusives rather than flooding regular retail shelves with them and risk having them shelf warm as kids and casual collectors look at them and think, "Who's that?" :confused: I never agreed with the decision to release Gentei Thundercracker, Skywarp, Thrust and Dirge was limited exclusives - I reckon they would've sold as regular store releases - but I was understanding of the decision to release lesser known characters like Artfire and Stepper (who are even obscure to most Japanese fans) as limited exclusives.

I'm not bothered by the fact that my exclusive Artfire won't appreciate as much, because I don't intend to sell it... I'm bothered by the fact that I could've saved $20-30 by skipping the exclusive and getting the regular version! HasTak did the same thing with Thundercracker, Thrust and Dirge -- people who got the BotCon or Gentei versions, when the Generations versions came out -- while glad for people who missed out on the previous versions, must've been miffed about paying extra for the BotCon/Genteis. I know I felt that way when Generations Thundercracker came out -- which I bought, because Gentei Thundercracker suffers from mould degradation (I should've kept Classics Skywarp too; I was too hasty in selling him after getting Gentei Skywarp). :rolleyes:

[kup]

I can understand Hasbro or TakaraTomy releasing a version of an exclusive released in the other company's market, but "competing" or devaluing the limited edition figure they are producing themselves, seems a very strange.
.

Since the merger, Tomy is gradually proving to be 'another Hasbro' in the way it handles Transformers, specially when it comes to fans. Releasing another slightly different Artfire would not surprise me.

[SkyWarp91]

More Artfires = INcreased opportunity of acquiring the mould = Good enough for me

[1orion2many]

The real question is will it be detrimental to future limited releases with people deciding to hold off waiting for a regular release? Another question is will the very people doing the limited releases decide to stop because people don't buy their version anymore?

[Sky Shadow]

At this point we really don't know what's going on here. Time will tell if it's another Botcon/Gentei Seeker scenario.

[kup]

TFsource wrote:
Although we don't have a picture yet, we have some details from Takara Tomy on the differences in the Million Publishing vs. United Artfires.

We have learned a little more on the Million Publishing vs. United Artfire details! Coloring will be different, Million Publishing will include two partners, Nightstick and Sparks, the UN version will include one, likely "Nightstick" but that is not for sure. The million publishing version will be limited, UN-32, will not. There may be more differences such as packaging, etc. If you want to change your preorder accordingly, please email customercare@tfsource.com now, so that we can modify your order!
http://tfsource.com/products/view/product_id/4225/
http://tfsource.com/products/view/product_id/4693/

Pictures of the Million Artfire can be found below, no picture on UN-32 yet!
http://millionhero.jp/tfg2012/artfire.html
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/tfsource-news-million-publishing-vs-un32-artfire-differences/25135/

To me, this sounds as if both Artfires will essentially be adequate representations of the characters but with differences. Therefore those differences are likely to be similar to how Botcon'07 Thundercracker differs from the Generations Thundercracker release - Both are good representation of the character but they are different.

It seems to be more about if you want the extra Targetmaster or not.

[valkyrie_76]

Thats alright then as I can keep one sealed and open the cheaper one :D

[1orion2many]

Thats alright then as I can keep one sealed and open the cheaper one :D

Lies, You open a Transfomer:eek::p:D

[gdmetro]

Thats alright then as I can keep one sealed and open the cheaper one :D

Good thinking. Solved my conundrum.

[GoktimusPrime]

Eeeh, I already have too many versions of this mould -- Henkei Inferno, United Grapple, BotCon Pyro... I'm only really getted United Artfire cos it's a relatively cheaper alternative to getting G1 Artfire* (i.e. it'll probably be as close as I'll ever get to owning an Artfire). *sigh* This really does feel like the whole BotCon/Gentei Seeker thing all over again. (-_-)

------------------------
*Which I also have an abundant amount of that core mould - G1 Inferno, reissue Inferno, G1 Grapple, reissue Grapple, Hauler...

[kaiden]

i read that the 2 will have different paint jobs and the united version comes with only 1 minicon.

i will probably just get the united version to save some money. still need to get a cheap stepper.

[griffin]

UPDATE - A regular edition Artfire is a false rumour, according to Takara (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/united-artfire-denied-by-e-hobby-takara-tomy-175331/).

There will only be the Million Publishing version.

[SkyWarp91]

What the heck did i put a preorder down for at bbts then?:rolleyes::confused:

[Sky Shadow]

At this point we really don't know what's going on here. Time will tell if it's another Botcon/Gentei Seeker scenario.

Wise words indeed. :p

[GoktimusPrime]

UPDATE - A regular edition Artfire is a false rumour, according to Takara (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/united-artfire-denied-by-e-hobby-takara-tomy-175331/).

There will only be the Million Publishing version.
*phew* That's a relief for me...

What the heck did i put a preorder down for at bbts then?:rolleyes::confused:
lol... good question! :D

Wise words indeed. :p
See watcha did thar. ;)

[Decepticon]

I need this badly!:D

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

What the heck did i put a preorder down for at bbts then?:rolleyes::confused:

Some plastic, wishes and a pinch of fairy dust!:D

[reillyd]

Looks like it was a bogus tip, with Takara Tomy and Ehobby denying a general release. (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/united-artfire-denied-by-e-hobby-takara-tomy-175331/)

[SkyWarp91]

Some plastic, wishes and a pinch of fairy dust!:D

BBTS still has the item listed in my pre-orders, perhaps they'll cancel it sometime soon when they get the official word themselves from TakTom

[SkyWarp91]

Hi - We have just confirmed with our suppliers that only the Million Publishing version of Artfire will be made, and as a result we are cancelling all pre-orders for the Transformers United version. We apologize for the inconvenience. We have cancelled all preorders and removed the item from our site.

Thanks
www.bigbadtoystore.com

:rolleyes:

[GoktimusPrime]

So BBTS actually listed an item for sale and accepted pre-orders based on a rumour?!? :confused:

[griffin]

They've done that for years. It's how they get a jump on the other online stores that may wait until it is solicited by their suppliers... and also gets a jump on locking in the desperate fans who want to secure a limited edition item. When the item is confirmed, they adjust their estimate price to an actual price (I don't think they charge until it ships anyway), and IF they only got a small amount of the foreign or limited item, the people who reserved it first gets it.

[SkyWarp91]

(I don't think they charge until it ships anyway), and IF they only got a small amount of the foreign or limited item, the people who reserved it first gets it.

They don't charge until it gets in-stock. Like have-it-in-their-own-hands in-stock, not the other oh-we-forgot-to-adjust-our-numbers in-stock. Which is why I love shopping at BBTS because nothing can go wrong even when I preorder items that are based on rumours.