Should BotBots count as Transformers action figures?

[GoktimusPrime]

Yes, this is another UCM poll (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=217). The poll is on an external link so that non-OTCA fans can participate as well. As always, participation is voluntary. Walk away from this thread now if you don't like it. Thanks. :)

https://www.playbuzz.com/item/b9f56d70-5688-4653-8cd4-5437976b5e2a

https://i.ibb.co/ck2fHSs/temp.jpg

[kup]

Anything official that transforms into a character should count.

[GoktimusPrime]

Anything official that transforms into a character should count.
There are some Happy Meal toys and model kits that can transform into individual characters and are official, yet they were elected as not counting. So under this already existing standard should BotBots still count?

Disclaimer: I personally have no opinion either way, and as such I'm abstaining from voting on this poll. But just opening this up for discussion and obviously whatever the majority votes on will become the set standard on the UCM.

[Tha_Phantom]

There are some Happy Meal toys and model kits that can transform into individual characters and are official, yet they were elected as not counting. So under this already existing standard should BotBots still count?

Yes they should as they are produced directly from Hasbro and are transforming toys, they aren't accessories like headmasters and they are not licensed/produced by an external party like McDonalds.
Bot Bots is an ongoing toyline being produced alongside other lines like Siege, Studio Series, etc which all count as Transformers. So to me the answer is quite clear that they are Transformers (albeit simple ones). Being simple in design is not enough for me to ignore them!

[DELTAprime]

Since the fandom has decided things like Happy Meal toys and Decoys don't count I think BotBots shouldn't either.

That said if it were solely up to me then everything would count.

[Omega Metro]

Hasbro/Takara makes them and they transform and are part of the Transformers brand so they are included. What I dislike is when 3P/KO figures are called ‘Transformers’. They are not. They are generic transforming robots.

[GoktimusPrime]

What I dislike is when 3P/KO figures are called ‘Transformers’. They are not. They are generic transforming robots.
Article 01 explicitly states that only official toys can be considered Transformers. This was the only rule in the UCM that was never put to the vote as it is a legal fact.

[KELPIE]

https://i.imgur.com/oTvY8vO.jpg
.

[Omega Metro]

Article 01 explicitly states that only official toys can be considered Transformers. This was the only rule in the UCM that was never put to the vote as it is a legal fact.

That’s good:D. I’ve never read this ‘Article 01’ and don’t even know what UCM stands for (and I really don’t care:)). It’s just my own opinion.

[Tha_Phantom]

Since the fandom has decided things like Happy Meal toys and Decoys don't count I think BotBots shouldn't either.

These are false comparisons IMO. Bot Bots are not promotional items made by an external party, they are Hasbro products with their own toyline and they can transform, unlike decoys.

[Bidoofdude]

I think so. They just seem like smaller one-step changers to me. Similar to Botshots too.

[Handsprime]

Answer: yes

They aren’t based on any previous characters or franchises, so they count.

[TaZZerath]

I think so. They are being heavily promoted, they have clear robot and alt modes, they are officially licensed Transformers products, they are being sold in stores.

I shudder to think what the KO market is gonna do with these guys though...

[Trent]

Yes, they count. For reasons mentioned above.


https://i.imgur.com/oTvY8vO.jpg
.

Those Super Wings are pretty cool toys. My son has the red one and it’s not bad. There are many far worse official TFs.

[griffin]

Of course Botbots count... they are produced and released by Hasbro as Transformers(r) toys, and are exactly like Micromasters - about the same size, and have Earthen alt-modes. (some Botbots may look like Happy Meal toys, but the reason why fastfood meal toys don't count is because they aren't sold by Hasbro... and often aren't produced by Hasbro either)

Also, if Botbots had been named and coloured to resemble existing Transformers characters, this question wouldn't have even be asked. (Micromasters were almost all original characters too, so that isn't a reason either)

[KELPIE]

I had to go back and read the link to find out what this is all about.

Yes these count, however I think it's ridiculous that other officially licensed Transformer items don't count.

I mean, I'm never going to go through and count my collection, however if I was, I'd either break it right down... i.e. G1 Transformers: 100, BW TF's: 10, Animated: 10 Miscellaneous:100

Then if someone said, nah, just all your transformers, I would put all those numbers together including the Miscellaneous which would certainly contain anything officially licensed.

[griffin]

The thing to understand about that counting method, is that it isn't how people MUST count their collection for their own total number... it was set up only for those people wanting to see how their collections objectively compares to others. And since it wasn't deemed fair to have one person dictating the counting method, it was put to a public vote. Unfortunately it means that some elements don't make sense or aren't popular after the small number of voters had their say.... but the total result is the "filter" to compare apples with apples, just for those who want to (and still have their own counting method for their own number).

[KELPIE]

Yeah I get that and I wasn't around whenever to plead the case of whatever counting method, nor am I privy to the arguments people made at the time.

I imagine there was some wrangling going on in order to reduce the count of some collections while bumping up the count of others, which in my opinion is fair game and all part of the fun.

Just posthumously reacting to the debate and airing my grievances considering I find myself enjoying non-Hasbro/Takara, officially licensed TF's more and more within my collection :)

In any case, back on topic these should included in counts.

[reillyd]

I side with Griffin on this - they transform, they are micro master sized, they have distinct names, they count.

I can see though why this matters. A new collector could rapidly inflate their collection count, particular if they get (accidental) duplicates. I have never believed though that the size of the collection is important. And I really hate to think how many I have, or how much I have spent.