Hasbro's Construct-Bots: Transformers With Interchangeable Parts

[Megatron]

Hasbro Introduces Construct-Bots: Transformers With Interchangeable Parts! (http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2013/01/construct-bots/)

From the article:

Hasbro's Construct-Bots are set to be revealed tomorrow (22/01) at the UK Toy Fair. They will come in four different sets, but all of them will have parts interchangeable with the rest, and each will come with a re-sealable case to ensure parts won't get lost:

•The Scout assortment of Construct-Bots will each retail for $9.99, and will have 10 characters, including Starscream and Ironhide.

•The Elite assortment of Construct-Bots will each retail for $14.99, and will have 10 characters, including Wheeljack and Soundwave.

•The Triple Changer assortment of Construct-Bots will each retail for $24.99, and will be just Bumblebee and Blitzwing — but they’ll each transform into both a car and a jet.

•The Ultimate assortment of Construct-Bots will retail for $34.99, and will come with both Optimus Prime and Megatron. Both Transformers will include projectile-firing launchers.

Check out the link for pics!

[Starscream77]

Some of thos alt modes are horrible

One thing i am digging is some of the head molds though, i smell some customs :D

[Bidoofdude]

They seem pretty crappy, but removable pieces may be good for some custom work. :p
I imagine you could make them look a little better if you moved some parts closer together.

[Megatron]

I would just leave them as they are, as the interchangeable parts feature doesn't interest me.

[Paul Agnew]

Oh no! It's Built To Suck Rule: EXTREEEEEEEEME! :p

[kup]

Yay! More shelf and peg warmers! :rolleyes:

At this rate, no store is going to want any TF toys at all.

[Shirokaze]

Loving some of the head sculpts, but I'd probably put these in the just for kids basket.

[mknell]

Some of thos alt modes are horrible

One thing i am digging is some of the head molds though, i smell some customs :D

Yeah the head molds are quite nice indeed

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Oh my no. The faces are the only saving grace on those things.

Nice to see the return of Blitzwing so there is one plus. Hopefully we'll se a better toy out soon

[i_amtrunks]

So Bumblebee is a triple changer now?

Hasblow are doing everything they can to make him as expensive as they can. Some of the robot modes look alright, but what on earth are Megatron and prime meant to turn into? I do not mind some of the smaller figures, their prices are comparible to Bionicles and Hero Factory, but only at their US$ prices, Australian markups will make them overpriced so they'll shelfwarm.

I wonder why Hasblow is so adamant on trying to take Lego on?

[Megatron]

So Bumblebee is a triple changer now?

Hasblow are doing everything they can to make him as expensive as they can. Some of the robot modes look alright, but what on earth are Megatron and prime meant to turn into? I do not mind some of the smaller figures, their prices are comparible to Bionicles and Hero Factory, but only at their US$ prices, Australian markups will make them overpriced so they'll shelfwarm.

I wonder why Hasblow is so adamant on trying to take Lego on?

...a monster-truck/tank thingie? lol

[llamatron]

People have been desperate for a triple changing Blitzwing...

Hasbro are master trolls.

[griffin]

They do look very bionicle-ish...

It certainly won't appeal to established fans, but then, it's not us they are marketing this to. Young kids will love these.
Hasbro will still be producing a lot of "traditional" Transformers for our demographic, but as they've been saying for a few years on their marketing materials (at BotCon and ToyFairs), they are endeavouring to capture other demographics. Because traditional Transformers has quite a narrow demographic. We are still their core demographic, but they are trying to expand more to sustain the Brand if any of the Core series has a downturn (like they have in the last couple years). And I think they acknowledge that these won't appeal to established fans, but do get the Brand in the subconscious of adjacent demographics... like getting a foot in the door with Crossovers or toddler toys (Rescue Bots), to which those people may become fans of the Core lines we support.

I can understand the need to be creative with the TFs brand though, as the basic concept can only go so far before the general public get bored and need a break from it. Toylines suffer if they last too long in Western Markets (due to Western retailers demanding fast turnover of new stock, and new concepts), so can often come back with success after a hiatus.
Western retailers (led by Walmart) are the catalyst for killing off successful toy brands, because they prefer to have something "new" on the shelf next week/month/year, no matter how successful it is... because they have no interest in supporting someone else's Brands.
If it succeeds, they made money for that financial year and move onto next year's products to keep the shelves looking new.
If it fails, there are plenty of other Toy companies with product to then buy.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

...a monster-truck/tank thingie? lol

That's been the classification for Megatron for a while now. Well a "Something/something thingie" anyway

They do look very bionicle-ish...

It certainly won't appeal to established fans, but then, it's not us they are marketing this to. Young kids will love these.
Hasbro will still be producing a lot of "traditional" Transformers for our demographic, but as they've been saying for a few years on their marketing materials (at BotCon and ToyFairs), they are endeavouring to capture other demographics. Because traditional Transformers has quite a narrow demographic. We are still their core demographic, but they are trying to expand more to sustain the Brand if any of the Core series has a downturn (like they have in the last couple years). And I think they acknowledge that these won't appeal to established fans, but do get the Brand in the subconscious of adjacent demographics... like getting a foot in the door with Crossovers or toddler toys (Rescue Bots), to which those people may become fans of the Core lines we support.


That' very true and if they can keep the brand in the minds, despite the slow sale of 'proper' Transformers, at least we should still see the market for t-shirts and other random Merchandise.

Although I am STILL waiting for a TFPrime Coffee mug. Come on people, get on with it!!@@

[kup]

Did kids 'love' Kreo?

[Megatron]

That's been the classification for Megatron for a while now. Well a "Something/something thingie" anyway


Yup. He's just experimenting. :D

[SMHFConvoy]

:rolleyes:
Actually I like the look of the heavily photoshopped SS and Ironhide. I do see a gold mine of parts for customs.

[i_amtrunks]

Did kids 'love' Kreo?

Not sure how the stock/ordering situation of the kreo sets went in Australian retail, but I'd say not. I know I didnt get half my sets until they were heavily reduced. That is what strikes me as odd about the decision, kreo must have been popular/ a good seller in Walmart at some point for them to tell Hasbro they want more similar products.

Or perhaps Hasblow is going down more of a "minifig" and bionicle style lego competitor path.

[The_Damned]

Did kids 'love' Kreo?

my kids did

[The_Damned]

Damn you hasbro how dare you try something new with Transformers.

[kup]

Damn you hasbro how dare you try something new with Transformers.

I don't think that what Hasbro is doing could be called 'New'. Yeah new for Transformers but otherwise seems a little too copycat as far as that other toy line is concerned. Only that this seems more like a second fiddle rip off.

[SMHFConvoy]

Damn you hasbro how dare you try something new with Transformers.

I know! How dare a toy company MAKE toys? What are they thinking?

[Defcon]

These might be great for kids! I think these look to be a better concept than Kreo. Nice to Blitzwing get a spot. Lol for the triple changer bumblebee!

[The_Damned]

I don't think that what Hasbro is doing could be called 'New'. Yeah new for Transformers but otherwise seems a little too copycat as far as that other toy line is concerned. Only that this seems more like a second fiddle rip off.

hmm i dont recall the lego ones being able to transform or constructed into vehicles, but then again i dont know to much about them so i could be wrong.

[swoop]

I like the bumblebee but would of preferred it to be named sandstorm. Imo they look better than the kre-o sets and if this is how they are going to try to compete with lego than I'm all for it.

[kup]

hmm i dont recall the lego ones being able to transform or constructed into vehicles, but then again i dont know to much about them so i could be wrong.

http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1350836665_31007-1.jpg

But to be fair, saying that Lego is not ripping off Transformers there would be a bit of a 'kettle calling the pot black' situation :p

Plus the popular parallel people are making is with the Bionicle line due to style.

[Gouki]

How about the fandom tries for the next month to not over react when Hasbro producing new kids toys that will appeal to kids. Since, you know, they're for kids. Anybody else buying them is just a bonus and Hasbro doesn't need to squat to make these more appealing to anybody but kids.

I personally, don't think they look to bad. And it's definitely something new for Transformers. I don't think Hasbro are so much trying to take on Lego but see Lego raking in the dollars and never ever ever leaving the public consciousness, and want to know how they can combine that with their existing properties while keeping total control. Construction sets didn't work for them, so they'll try Lego others big draw customisable action 'figures'.

[fatbot]

Although I am STILL waiting for a TFPrime Coffee mug. Come on people, get on with it!!@@



http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=VND10184&mode=retail

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/images/products/out/large/VND10184.jpg

[The_Damned]

http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1350836665_31007-1.jpg

But to be fair, saying that Lego is not ripping off Transformers there would be a bit of a 'kettle calling the pot black' situation :p

Plus the popular parallel people are making is with the Bionicle line due to style.

i was referring to bionicle or hero factory not creator when asling about about converting stuff

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

How about the fandom tries for the next month to not over react when Hasbro producing new kids toys that will appeal to kids.

WE NEVER OVER REACT GODDDQAMIYT!

I remember well the measured debate that arose from that first image of Transformers Animated, oh and the incredibly Gentlemenley Trukk Vs Monkey discussion of 1996

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=VND10184&mode=retail

Well, there it is...

Umm, yeah. Not too sure I want to go to the effort of importing a coffee mug though, but thanks:o;)

[Quickstrike]

They remind me more of Xevos than Lego/Bionicle. Man, Xevos was a really cool toyline. We never got them in Australia did we?

I really like Bumblebee and Soundwave.

[tinyJazz]

At least this gives someone the opportunity to put a tf head on a moenicle. :D

Actually, maybe don't do that.

Bumblebee looks killer for once. I kind of like these.

[Paulbot]

Not my thing, but I agree that Bumblebee looks the best of these. The flying mode is reminiscent of his G1 Cybertronian form, but when I first scrolled through the pictures I thought his plane mode was Sunstorm. His robot mode is the coolest looking "Bumblebee" I've seen in a while and happily not too Movie/Prime influenced.

All the robot modes generally look alright, and definitely better than the Kre-O, but I wonder if they'd work better as mix and match toys if they weren't identifiable characters. Name recognition is a selling point so it might not help sales though.


People have been desperate for a triple changing Blitzwing...

Hasbro are master trolls.

That was my thought too. But maybe we're a step closer now? [/wishfulthinking]

[Lint]

It's official, hasbro has given up on transformers :rolleyes:

[GoktimusPrime]

...doesn't appeal to me. I guess I'd rather see them try something new than just throw more Bumblebee repaints at us. :p

[SofaMan]

I don't mind them. I mean, much like Kre-O, I probably won't bother with them until they get reduced, but they actually make me think a bit of those Marvel and DC superhero Bionocle things Lego have been doing lately. They make the whole merging/interchanging thing a feature of them too.

[klystron]

We're being punked, right?

[Gouki]

...doesn't appeal to me. I guess I'd rather see them try something new than just throw more Bumblebee repaints at us. :p

They are trying something new with Transformers. It's not a repaint.

[SMHFConvoy]

I feel like a lot of this thread's content misses the point. If you don't like the Hasbro version you can rebuild it your way.

[Ultra Mackness]

Although I'll admit my initial reaction was an emphatic "what the....!!', I'm beginning to think that this could be a golden opportunity to set up Shockwaves laboratory the way it should be, with transformers parts hanging from the walls. I'm not going to pull apart anything G1 to achieve this, so I might invest in a couple of the cheaper sets.

Maybe. I'm still convincing myself this is a good idea.

[GoktimusPrime]

They are trying something new with Transformers. It's not a repaint.
(O_o) :eek: (o_O) I... I said I'd rather see them try something new than see more repaints of Bumblebee.

i.e. new stuff > Bumblebee repaints

[griffin]

I feel like a lot of this thread's content misses the point. If you don't like the Hasbro version you can rebuild it your way.

I think they do get the point... which is why it isn't being easily embraced by fans who prefer a "more traditional" self-contained, convertible toy.
Which is expected, because us "traditional fans" (the core demographic of the Brand), prefer to have toys that are stamped as "Transformers" (noun) actually be transformers (verb). But people have to realise that "Transformers" (the noun) is a Brand, that doesn't require it to only be slapped on items that transform (in a traditional sense, or at all).
Actionmasters was the first occurrence of the Brand name (noun) being used on product that didn't match the verb... and a lot of fans (of the verb) didn't like it.
For a Brand that is almost 30 years old, Hasbro decided about 5 years ago that future sustainability of the Brand name, required greater diversity of the name (noun) across other concepts that didn't involve the conversion concept (the verb).
If our Brand name wasn't also a verb, people wouldn't instinctively expect the toys to transform, or at least transform in a traditional sense (these toys appear to be a protoform concept with a core that barely transforms, and needs attachments to create both modes).

Preliminary observations, good or bad, are valid and acceptable here, provided they remain civilised and rational.

[kup]

They don't seem to be expanding that well since isn't there a loss of sales since?

[i_amtrunks]

I'm all for the diversification of the brand, I think one of the smarter things Hasblow did a few years ago was get back to 1980's level or merchandising, stationary, shirts, mugs, anything and everything being branded with tf (around the movie/animated time).

I only question their move into competing with lego. Their BTR series failed miserably, and then Kreo was not a great success (potentially due to the heavy focus of overselling wave 1) and these figures may just go the same way and end up doing more harm than good to the brand.

Lego is not unchallengeable, and I think the transformers brand could compete against it in the future, but not currently on the back of very flawed and poorly designed toys we have had recently in the kreo line. I would have preferred to see a break for 12-18 to clear off the rest of the Kreo still on shelves, then bring out these figures.

Strangely, the characters seem to be targetting the older collectors, but the toys themselves are most certainly targetting the younger demographic. If there were more movie/Prime designs in these figures (Wheeljack is the only real one that imitates recent media versions) then I could see more sense in the toy design choices. To me, it seems that Hasblow is unfocussed with what it is doing, trying to please everybody and in the end pleasing nobody.

[The_Damned]

Hasbro i don't know who this other company Hasblow is, can make what ever they like doesn't mean that you have to buy it or understand their reason's for doing something different. Maybe they should just abandon making transformers would people be happy with that.

[Lord_Zed]

I'm not sure they will appeal to me but I don't have an issue with Hasbro trying it out, however If there going to try a new idea in the vein of Lego, couldn't they also make some new characters rather than just the same guys from every other line?

Lego some how manage to forge a new story and new characters each year for all their comparable lines, where as Hasbro just tote out the usual gang.

[The_Damned]

I'm not sure they will appeal to me but I don't have an issue with Hasbro trying it out, however If there going to try a new idea in the vein of Lego, couldn't they also make some new characters rather than just the same guys from every other line?

Lego some how manage to forge a new story and new characters each year for all their comparable lines, where as Hasbro just tote out the usual gang.

some new characters would be nice

[SMHFConvoy]

Griffin, this new line look appears to transform in a traditional sense. There just seems to be a customisable endoskeleton that armour can be attached to in a pleasing arrangement depending on the builder's taste. Furthermore the more figures you have in the range the more variations can be made.

[Hursticon]

Will be purchasing Soundwave... that'll be it though as beyond him I can't see a use for these things other than custom fodder. :o

[Gouki]

Which is expected, because us "traditional fans" (the core demographic of the Brand)

No. Just. No. The 'traditional fans' do not make up the core demographic. Children make up the core demographic.

And Gok, sorry, misread your initial post.

[SMHFConvoy]

No. Just. No. The 'traditional fans' do not make up the core demographic. Children make up the core demographic.

Seconded

[griffin]

I actually meant that, it was meant to be "not the core demographic of the Brand". Leaving out just one little word changes the whole thing.

[Gouki]

I actually meant that, it was meant to be "not the core demographic of the Brand". Leaving out just one little word changes the whole thing.

All good. I'm sure you've seen at other places the depressingly large number of people who truly believe that they, as adult collectors, are the core demographic. Thought it was a bit of an odd thing for you to say, too.

[Bidoofdude]

All good. I'm sure you've seen at other places the depressingly large number of people who truly believe that they, as adult collectors, are the core demographic. Thought it was a bit of an odd thing for you to say, too.

Don't forget we're not all adults.:p

[SMHFConvoy]

Now that we have obligatory argument about something new out of the way. Will these sets be compatible with Hero Factory parts? It looks more Lego technic than HF or the standard bionicle part. If they are compatible will this be a trademark breach?

Trademark doesn't apply to the generic Lego block as the patent expired in1989 (google it) but it probably will apply to the HF and bionicle parts.

[Gouki]

Don't forget we're not all adults.:p

If you're over thirteen you're arguably outside the core demographic. If you're under thirteen, you shouldn't be using forums.

[Bidoofdude]

If you're over thirteen you're arguably outside the core demographic. If you're under thirteen, you shouldn't be using forums.

That's weird, because I'm slightly over 13...:p;)
I find that I can fit in with most subjects, though not at a larger buying scale, as I don't have a job.;)

[Gouki]

That's weird, because I'm slightly over 13...:p;)
I find that I can fit in with most subjects, though not at a larger buying scale, as I don't have a job.;)

'Fit in' as in you can keep up with the conversation? That's not what I meant. When you sign up to a forum you tick a box that says you are 13 years or over and thus able to use it. So yeah, there actually isn't a single person who fits into Hasbro's core demographic, and if they say they do, well they're a liar.

[griffin]

I know a lot of public sites have an age "restriction" (not that a kid under that age would adhere to it). I don't think our forum sign-up requirement has an age restriction though, but if I recall, mentions that people under 16 should have parental permission/approval. I'm sure I changed it, based on the probability of having the odd kid from the target demographic (8-12 year olds) joining up, as we've had kids that young before.
I could be wrong. It's been a while since I looked.

[sideswipes brother]

These are worse than ball chaffe..:mad: