Fan-backed Hasbro project: Unicron

[KELPIE]

I think it's funny all the people asking for electronics to be added.

That's the worst thing they could do to this and I'm glad it's not included.

[1AZRAEL1]

I would imagine the galvatron will be better and this is just a quick done up piece. They've got a while to perfect it. But not a reason I want it but cool anyway

[1AZRAEL1]

So it's been extended until October 6th now. Should make it easier for some.

[griffin]

So it's been extended until October 6th now. Should make it easier for some.

Yes... the main Hasbro Pulse page (https://hasbropulse.com/collections/haslab/products/transformers-war-for-cybertron-unicron) has been extended to the end of NYCC, so maybe their current numbers just aren't quite at 8,000 yet and they need an extra little push like they got at SDCC.

It must have been a snap decision, as the Australian product pages still end August 31st.
(just in case this is just an extension for American orders, pre-order here before the end of tomorrow just in case)

[1AZRAEL1]

Couldn't hurt for everywhere else to extend too, so we'll see what happens. Would give more of a chance now.

[Sinnertwin]

Couldn't hurt for everywhere else to extend too, so we'll see what happens. Would give more of a chance now.

We need a legitimate looking scenario to fudge the numbers.
Let's give them another 4 weeks. Sounds great! Lunch?

[Tober]

Typical, I just backed it last night at 3 AM.

Now to wait until 2021 when I can start making jokes about paying off my Uni fees*...


*patent pending.

[reillyd]

I suspect they may just need more time to integrate the international orders, which seem to be quite large. There was a HUGE jump up to 5000 after doing this, and it may be that they are anticipating last minute orders across the globe to make the difference.


I rather suspect if its close enough they'll fudge the numbers though, because they spent SO much design money getting it to this stage. But if they don't make enough profit (this is my real concern) we won't see future haslab offerings on this scale.

[griffin]

The TakaraTomyMall listing has now ended (https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g8000000001310/) (they had their cut-off today), but have added a note to say that the reservation period is to be extended, but people have to wait a bit for it to resume.

The Zing & EB listings still end tomorrow, and now that it is the weekend, they are unlikely to be extended before it ends. It's possible that they could re-open the pre-orders, but who's going to take that risk if they wanted one. We had a such a great deal for Unicron with only $100 needed until it is released, anyone who wants one who can afford that amount, should order by tomorrow night. I don't think that an extension here would generate too many more orders, as everyone knew about the deadline being tomorrow, and didn't have to pay a large portion of the toy to secure one. If you are still undecided today after 3 weeks of it being available here, or are still not sure if you can (or should) afford this $848 toy, another month won't make much difference.
The extension may only end up being for those two places that require full payment upfront (Japan & America), as it wasn't as fair for them to pay all of that this quickly.

I'll keep an eye out on Zing/EB next week anyway, in case they put back up the listings.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I rather suspect if its close enough they'll fudge the numbers though, because they spent SO much design money getting it to this stage. But if they don't make enough profit (this is my real concern) we won't see future haslab offerings on this scale.

Well that’s the multi-million dollar question - if they make enough profit. If Unicron turns out to be a cash cow then it’s possible that for the 40th or even 45th anniversary of Transformers we could see a Cybertron/Primus figure on a similar scale. Whilst not nearly as iconic as Unicron, I could see most folk who shelled out for The Chaos Bringer considering shelling out similar cash for his similarly scaled counterpart.

[DELTAprime]

Well that’s the multi-million dollar question - if they make enough profit. If Unicron turns out to be a cash cow then it’s possible that for the 40th or even 45th anniversary of Transformers we could see a Cybertron/Primus figure on a similar scale. Whilst not nearly as iconic as Unicron, I could see most folk who shelled out for The Chaos Bringer considering shelling out similar cash for his similarly scaled counterpart.

Given that Haslab Cookie Monster failed a couple of days ago I bet Hasbro was not willing to take any more egg on their face by having Unicron fail also. If it's true that BBTS, RK and others have not been added yet then Unicron might make it without any fudging of the numbers, but I bet if he doesn't reach the goal legitimately he will make it after the numbers are fudged.

[Magnus]

I think it's funny all the people asking for electronics to be added.

That's the worst thing they could do to this and I'm glad it's not included.

Give the size and cost, I think it makes sense to ask if an electronics box would be included - it would add a little extra value to the piece by having it actually 'do something'. The torso is certainly big enough to house a sound box, and it may be possible to wire the neck with metal contacts to power an LED in the head.


I suspect they may just need more time to integrate the international orders, which seem to be quite large. There was a HUGE jump up to 5000 after doing this, and it may be that they are anticipating last minute orders across the globe to make the difference.


I rather suspect if its close enough they'll fudge the numbers though, because they spent SO much design money getting it to this stage. But if they don't make enough profit (this is my real concern) we won't see future haslab offerings on this scale.

The previous Haslab project, Jabba's sail barge, hit its target within the original time frame, so Hasbro likely felt confident that they could meet their target within the original deadline.

There has been speculation that the 1000-order jump was due to international pre-orders being incorporated into the count, as "1,500 Sales Via Hasbro Affiliate Retailers" had been announced by Hasbro a couple of days ago, so maybe you're right.

[Bidoofdude]

Give the size and cost, I think it makes sense to ask if an electronics box would be included - it would add a little extra value to the piece by having it actually 'do something'. The torso is certainly big enough to house a sound box, and it may be possible to wire the neck with metal contacts to power an LED in the head.


I really like the idea of electronics in this guy, given it’s not very invasive. LED eyes would be really cool and add to the spectacle of having him display all huge in a menacing pose. A voice chip would be super cool, but it may just be because I am a sucker for electronics in toys, coming from the UT (Cybertron) era.

Though I get why they did it, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad that the new Omega Supreme and Trypticon didn’t have walking/rolling electronics, even if I’d never use them.

[reillyd]

I suspect some third party will make a replacement head (since it is attachable) with electronics. Shockwave lab does a lot of low cost led's for example. I would prefer a sound chip with unicron talking myself, but lights would be cool too I guess.
Still you can queue up some sound clips on an iPhone if there isn't a 3rd party electronics release, and it will almost be as good. I'm not going to let anything take away the shine of owning the planet killer Unicron

[Ultra Mackness]

Things are getting exciting - at the moment Unicron is up to 6869 backers, with 5 days to go...

https://hasbropulse.com/products/transformers-war-for-cybertron-unicron

[Jazzman]

Hard to believe they won't produce it with that many backers already...

[Raider]

Hard to believe they won't produce it with that many backers already...

I tend to agree. I also suspect that the current total doesn't include all international purcahses yet. With all the marketting and little extras they have gone tot he trouble of showing, my money is on this making the 8k target.

[griffin]

Two new bonus items announced in it's final week...

- a digital comic bundle from IDW through comixology (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/01/haslab-unicron-exclusive-digital-comic-bundle-revealed-special-cover-by-andrew-griffith-397369) with "Unicron" cover (it is rather vague with being "exclusive", in that it could just be existing comics that haven't been offered in that combination before)

In addition to this once-in-a-lifetime figure, HasLab: Unicron backers through HasbroPulse.com will now receive an EXCLUSIVE digital comic bundle, made in partnership with @IDWPublishing and available only through @comiXology!

- a Hotrod figurine (to go with Galvatron), an Autobot shuttle, and a stand for the floating head of Unicron. (they also note that the hands have more articulation now (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/01/unicron-international-orders-factored-in-397321), but the original images looked to me like they they already had 15 points of articulation)


Things are getting exciting - at the moment Unicron is up to 6869 backers, with 5 days to go...

https://hasbropulse.com/products/transformers-war-for-cybertron-unicron

I think they might have just updated more of their international orders, which might have included the Europe, which only recently had a retailer there offering it.

[Paulbot]

I saw a tweet claiming the digital comic was the IDW TFTM adaptation but don't know if that was sourced info or a guess.

The Autobot shuttle is a little disappointing to be honest. Those shuttles never interact with Unicron. The ships the Autobots try to escape the Moonbases on, or the Quintesson or Junkion ships would be better options.

[griffin]

As pointed out by someone on facebook, the bonus digital comics might only apply to orders placed with Hasbro Pulse. The Unicron page is rather vague about it, so it could go either way.

Unicron was on display at NYCC this weekend (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/03/new-york-comic-con-2019-coverage-haslab-unicron-on-display-397450), showing off the newly announced accessories (with the yellow looking very bright - the Unicron on screen was orange (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Unicron/Generation_1), so I wonder if these hand-painted prototypes are just a little off with the final colours).

From the aggressivecomics website, an interesting interview with Takashi Kunuhiro (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/03/interview-with-takara-tomy-senior-product-designer-takashi-kunihiro-about-haslab-unicron-397441) (Takara Tomy Senior Product Designer), noting that he had originally wanted the Unicron toy to be 100cm tall, but the sheer weight of all of that plastic wouldn't be able to work in planet mode, so it was scaled back to being about 70cm tall.


How did you first hear about this project?
2 years ago when we heard that Unicron has been selected as part of the Haslab project I was ecstatic! Being on the same platform as Star Wars, I felt happy that Transformers in now seen in the same spotlight. My immediate thought was that I wanted to make this at least 100cm in size. But very quickly after, I had a feeling of “this is going to be an extremely complicated project” and as I looked around the room with other senior designers we all felt the same without saying a word.


Where did you even start with the idea of designing this giant toy?

There were a lot of trial and error at the beginning of this project. The biggest setback was how we started our thinking from looking at the previous largest Transformer toy we’ve created and that’s Titan class Fortress Maximus. My first instinct was that Unicron has to be at least twice as big if not more than Fortress Maximus. So I consulted with Ono-san, our senior designer who made the original G1 Fortress 30 years ago and see if there’s anything we can learn from his development of the toy.


So how did the learning of Fortress Maximus apply to Unicron?
I quickly realized that it doesn’t. Not in the slightest bit. Ono-san had a lot of creative liberty within Fortress as long as he can create a big, cool robot that convert into a big base. On the other hand, our Unicron is inspired from the 1986 movie character where he has distinct Robot and Planet mode design.


Then what would you say was the biggest challenge in designing Unicron?
The biggest challenge is to make the planet mode a perfect sphere with absolutely no space/crack from any 360 angle. As if that’s not a challenge enough, Unicron has unique robot features so I knew the conversion steps was going to be extremely complicated to build. Another challenge worth mentioning is that even if I wanted to recycle parts like his horn, the size varies as robot vs planet mode so I couldn’t. Therefore, we ended up with twice as much as parts for Unicron and much heavier toy than Fortress. Speaking of weight, if I made this toy as big as 100 cm like my first instinct, there was no way plastic could hold that much weight to create the Unicron shape.

[Borgeman]

From the aggressivecomics website, an interesting interview with Takashi Kunuhiro (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/03/interview-with-takara-tomy-senior-product-designer-takashi-kunihiro-about-haslab-unicron-397441) (Takara Tomy Senior Product Designer), noting that he had originally wanted the Unicron toy to be 100cm tall, but the sheer weight of all of that plastic wouldn't be able to work in planet mode, so it was scaled back to being about 70cm tall.

Doesn't make much sense to me tbh, I could see the "too heavy for robot mode" possibility in terms of balancing/posing, but in planet mode its a big ball, can't see how could weight make any difference. Maybe to the stand, but you'd make a better stronger stand.
Obviously that would all increase cost, so potentially $$$ came into it as well.

[Zommael]

Well, it's funded now, so that's exciting.

[DELTAprime]

I genuinely think Hasbro doesn't actually have 8000 customers for Unicron and they just fudged the numbers to avoid having more egg on their face after the abysmal interest in the Cookie Monster Haslab project.

[griffin]

This is odd... the extended deadline was supposed to close in about 40 minutes time (2pm Brisbane time), but they've added another 24 hours onto the clock (https://hasbropulse.com/products/transformers-war-for-cybertron-unicron) and noted that the deadline now ends October 7th in America (tomorrow afternoon our time).
And they have removed the actual count now, just noting that it is 8000+ on the counter.

Hope this is just a temporary measure until they get the final numbers in from around the world, and give us a total number to see how well it actually went.
If their total official number is over 9000, that should cover any drop outs and cancellations over the next year (particularly from countries like ours that didn't pay all up front).

They won't tell us, but I'd love to see what percentage of their 8,000+ backers were from countries that had to pay up the full amount (US and Japan), to see how much money Hasbro ended up raising for this project. Not that they needed the money for this project, but they needed to make sure there was enough numbers to buy it, and if they charged some money up-front, it would mean people were more seriously wanting it. (unlike pre-orders at sites that don't take any money, it is a lot easier to cancel without a second thought on pre-orders that were just placed as a back up, leaving the site with unsold extras)

[Ralph Wiggum]

The clock is no longer showing up on the page, so I guess that?s that. I don?t think we?ll ever get the full picture of how many backers were direct from Haslab and how many were from overseas preorders. I said previously this was a bit of a dog?s breakfast of a crowdfund campaign with the extended deadline and the way preorders were mixed in with pledges.

I wish the best of luck with Hasbro in completing this figure on time and I hope people commit to their preorders.

[griffin]

The clock is no longer showing up on the page, so I guess that?s that.


Looks like it might have been a glitch, or someone on the website stuffed something up when updating the counter... because the text has been changed back to October 6th.

I hope the public holiday here today doesn't hold up our final numbers from EB Games to Hasbro... as the product page is still active on their website, so probably won't be taken down until tomorrow.
At least Hasbro Australia was getting updated numbers every few days from EB Games to give to Hasbro America, but I imagine that Hasbro America will allow a few days for final numbers to come in, as a cut-off date doesn't seem to be a problem after extending the deadline an extra six weeks.

[griffin]

Two new bonus items announced in it's final week...

- a digital comic bundle from IDW through comixology (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/01/haslab-unicron-exclusive-digital-comic-bundle-revealed-special-cover-by-andrew-griffith-397369) with "Unicron" cover (it is rather vague with being "exclusive", in that it could just be existing comics that haven't been offered in that combination before)


Those Americans who were able to order directly from the Hasbro Pulse / Haslab website, have just been emailed with their access code (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/14/haslab-unicron-exclusive-comic-bundle-available-to-backers-now-400662) to their exclusive digital comic content... which is noted as being a couple of existing comics, with one being the IDW version of the Movie adaptation with a new cover art (which we saw already).

[Trent]

Well that’s a rip. Not that anyone would have backed for that alone but still disappointing.

[Paulbot]

:confused:

It was always clear it was existing comics with a new cover...

[DELTAprime]

It would seem that at one point WFC Unicron was going to have a rather cool looking "city mode".

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/haslab-unicron-city-mode-concept-art-revealed/44302/

[griffin]

I dunno... it looks like a pregnant Unicron in stirrups giving birth.
(Or more seriously, I think it looks more like a fan mode that I don't think looks much different to the robot mode)

[Sinnertwin]

Every robot has a city mode if you pull it apart, point an arm this way, a leg that way and lay it flat.

[Paulbot]

every bot has a city mode (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/8900-The-Many-Modes-of-Universe-Silverbolt)!

I feel like the final Unicron will be able to do something like this

[Lint]

Yeah a butterflied alt mode does not a city make.

[Bidoofdude]

I actually really like that “city” mode, it shows some cool movie bits with a cool setting for some scenes. I’d be disappointed a little if none of those bits at all made it somehow into the body of the final toy. Probably a structural thing.

Also, it may just be the photo lighting of the paper, but that diagram has a lot more orange with a dark grey, versus the yellow and blue we’ve seen thus far (which hopefully changes).

[BigTransformerTrev]

Every robot has a city mode if you pull it apart, point an arm this way, a leg that way and lay it flat.

Yup, like the Scramble City Combiner commanders. Some of those ‘base-modes’ they were sporting were pretty suss - especially Motormasters

[Raider]

Yup, like the Scramble City Combiner commanders. Some of those ‘base-modes’ they were sporting were pretty suss - especially Motormasters

That one always confused the shit out of me as a kid. I'd look at it and just go "why did I bother" and quickly put it back into one of its proper modes.

Unicron for me will only be in bot or planet mode. Why be a city when you can be a freaking planet!

[Tha_Phantom]

Lucky that Hasbro anticipated a lot of the feedback here and didn't include that "city" mode in the final version. :p

[Paulbot]

I really liked Motormaster’s base mode - but would mistransform it so the legs were spread out making it more city like. And of course without the launcher gimmick or a Trypticon to connect it to, it was never living up to its full potential.

[Tha_Phantom]

I really liked Motormaster’s base mode - but would mistransform it so the legs were spread out making it more city like. And of course without the launcher gimmick or a Trypticon to connect it to, it was never living up to its full potential.

Heh, the spring-loaded launcher on the Takara version is quite cool.

[Krayt]

Unicron Update #1 (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/haslab-preview/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-1?utm_campaign=20200110_HasLabUnicron_BackerUpdate 1+%28L4cdY9%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=HasLab+Unicron+Backers_1102020&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJkYXZlbnBvZUBnbWFpbC5jb20iLC Aia2xfY29tcGFueV9pZCI6ICJMcXB2V1MifQ%3D%3D&fbclid=IwAR3DB1P1nizyuyDjcaSrYg4l6M94u5a6cE-0t-8TQiXhU2qZ28a3iaSKOfY)

[griffin]

For news postings please copy some of the text into the post in case the link gets taken down or edited, and people then don't have to click on links that could be mining their data or be a ransom-ware site if the link is posted by a hacked account here.


Posting of News by others is welcomed and appreciated (less work for me to do :p ), but there are a few things I recommend when posting a News article here.

- Please Quote or transcribe the outline (or entire content - it's your choice) of the News. Don't just post a link.

[Paulbot]

This video (from an official Hasbro website) is very interesting and for those that haven’t seen much about how a toy is made you’ll learn a few things.

[reillyd]

This must have been a monumental effort to arrange if they took over fifty people doing it! 372 pieces seems like a lot - so I wonder whether this would make it the most intricate Transformer released yet (although some of those Masterpiece ones are pretty involved too - but it did say double the tools for a Titan class). I'd hate to have to be assembling one of these from scratch, and I think its going to be a [B]huge task to actually transform him back and forth. I'm really excited to see more behind the scenes videos like this: would be great to see it being assembled

[Magnus]

For comparison, Jabba's sail barge has 250 parts, for anyone who's wondering. (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/unboxed/haslab-jabbas-sail-barge-update-3)

It's been argued before that part of the reason Unicron is so expensive is that custom tooling needs to be made for what would be a limited production run. That tooling can't really be reused for different figures.

[griffin]

From the link above...


HASLAB WAR FOR CYBERTRON UNICRON: PRODUCTION UPDATE #1

Unicron is almost ready for what we call tool start.
Tool start is when we begin the process of manufacturing the tools, or molds, that will be used to create each piece of this massive figure. However, before tool start, we need a tool layout. A tool layout is the plan that organizes all the pieces that make up the figure into different tools. One tool might make five small pieces, while another tool might make one big one. The number of pieces in a tool vary based on the material, color and size.

To plan this out we used what's called a tooling model, a grown physical model of the figure. We took the Unicron tooling model apart, laying out approximately 372 pieces, so that we could plan which pieces go into which tools. It was sort of like when Rodimus Prime blew up Unicron at the end of the 1986 film. Pieces of him, everywhere.

We can only run one type of material in a tool at a time, so we had to figure out which parts of Unicron would call for the same material. We also had to consider the strength and durability of certain plastics. Unicron will be made of a total of 6 different types of plastic. If you watch our update video, you might catch big bold letters like ABS, PP or PA on the tool layout sheets. We didn't get the alphabet mixed up; those identify the different types of plastic.

Beyond material, we also needed to consider the color of the pieces and which combination of pieces best fit into one tool. Ultimately it came out to 59 different tools, which include tools for the to-scale shuttle ship, Galvatron, and Hot Rod slug figures. That's double the number of tools used in the average Titan Class figure!

So, that's where we're at. After a trip to Hong Kong, two very long days, coffee, about 50 people all working and planning together, and coffee, we have a tool layout. That tool layout will be used to create the tools into which we'll inject various types of melted plastics. Once they cool, what we'll pull out will be the individual pieces that will make up a Unicron figure. Then, those pieces will all be hand-painted and assembled into the insatiable Planet Eater!

As noted above, there is a video included in the update #1 (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/haslab-preview/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-1) posting to watch - it only goes for 56 seconds and shows the grey model broken down into its parts and layed out to show the mould trees/plates for the plastic moulding machines.

[DELTAprime]

Update 2 for Unicron is here. Lots of pictures of test shots, the mould for the head and the packaging.

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/haslab-unicron-update-2-including-test-sample-and-comparison-photos/44786/

[griffin]

Just pasting up the text and most of the images from the Hasbro Pulse page (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/haslab-preview/haslab-unicron-update-2) at that Seibertron link...

In these chaotic times, the Chaos Bringer finds order.
Even working from home, our engineers are working hard to keep Unicron development on track. Below you'll see images of what we call a T1 sample, which stands for Test 1. It's the first time we run the molds with plastic so the sample is very rough. It's not the final colors and the parts don't all fit exactly right at this stage. We normally don't see T1 samples in Rhode Island, usually we wait until EP1, which stands for Engineering Pilot 1, to get the first samples. But for the immense Planet Eater we wanted the samples earlier in the process.
Here is 1 mold which includes the face of Unicron. This is what the plastic is run through in the factory.



http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2020/050906.jpg

And here is the T1 sample, standing at 27 inches tall when on his stand. This is the first photo of him in plastic, albeit a funky array of colored plastics. Without rings, he is 16 inches wide, but with rings, he hangs over our engineer's side table at 32 inches wide. And not including the stand, he has a depth of 11 inches. The stand itself has a width and depth of 21.5 inches.
Since we're still in these very early stages, all dimensions are approximate and subject to changes.


http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2020/050902.jpg

It was also crucial to see how Unicron compares in size sitting next to the common house cat.
Our engineer's cat, Charlie, was ready to assist. He's a professional sitter.

As you can see, the results show Unicron is very big.




http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2020/050905.jpg

This next shot isn't of the T1 sample, it's a model our instructions designer is using as he works on the instruction’s booklet for Unicron from his beautiful kitchen.
The Chaos Bringer really brings the whole room together. And fills the space nicely in planet mode at 33 inches tall and 37 inches wide including his ring. Without the ring he's 20 inches wide.

Again, since we're still in these very early stages, all dimensions are approximate and subject to changes.




http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2020/050904.jpg

And here we have some more very important engineering testing.
We really want to make sure Unicron is durable, so our trusty engineer's assistant, Charlie, did a bite test.
He checked both horns. He's very thorough. But not even the fangs of this "ferocious" feline could defeat such a formidable foe.
However, there was one thing left inconclusive, does this make Charlie The Planet Eater Eater?




http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2020/050903.jpg

And now, a sneak peek of final package graphics:

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2020/050901.jpg

If you were wondering what possible vessel could hold the mighty Unicron, the answer is this giant 26” x 26” x 26” box. Fun Fact: Our 6-foot tall brand manager can fit inside. We checked.
Despite the unique circumstances and a little cat hair on the sample, we're still plugging along, working to bring you the Bringer of Chaos you've been anxiously anticipating.

Stay tuned for Unicron Update #3 down the line when we'll bring you even more updates on our development process.

[reillyd]

Seeing how big Unicron is in a typical kitchen or living room, I am starting to worry about where to keep him now...... and if I should have preordered a second one...... oh well, next years problem, right?

[DaptoDog]

Seeing how big Unicron is in a typical kitchen or living room, I am starting to worry about where to keep him now...... and if I should have preordered a second one...... oh well, next years problem, right?

To me I'm surprised about the width in robot mode of 32 inches. I had earmarked my wide red cabinet to display him but Unicron's going to be about 2 inches too wide for it with the rings on. Would probably look lame without the rings. I might have to place his body on an angle and turn his head to make it work.

[1AZRAEL1]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1127650650938599&id=198624970507843

New images. Damn if there isn't a massive amount of detailing going into this beast.

[Krayt]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1127650650938599&id=198624970507843

New images. Damn if there isn't a massive amount of detailing going into this beast.

They are the old pics from the latest Generations book.... came out start of the year

[1AZRAEL1]

I hadn't seen em. Guess I missed it. Was being shared around as new too. Whoops.

[griffin]

Some sites were posting them up as new news, as it looks like the publisher is just making those images free to all, six months after the book was released.

[nalops]

I'm reconsidering whether I should still get Unicron. It's more of a space issue than a money issue although 848 is a lot of money.

[Bumblebee2000]

I probably don't have the space or the money, but I sort of regret passing on it at Zing and I do know some other retailers did it differently
but where are you looking at it for $848?

[1AZRAEL1]

Some sites were posting them up as new news, as it looks like the publisher is just making those images free to all, six months after the book was released.

That might explain why I missed it.

He's gonna stand massive. I have a spot I can put him, even if he has to crouch just a bit to help him fit under a shelf

[nalops]

I probably don't have the space or the money, but I sort of regret passing on it at Zing and I do know some other retailers did it differently
but where are you looking at it for $848?

Oh, I have a preorder down at Zing and I'm pretty sure that's the price they were offering at?

[griffin]

That might explain why I missed it.

Yeah, releasing the images online was probably something Hasbro wanted them to do, after enough time for the printed copies to sell out. It is good for others to be able to see these images... legally that is. ;)

[Krayt]

Some sites were posting them up as new news, as it looks like the publisher is just making those images free to all, six months after the book was released.

It wasn’t the publisher putting the pics out, just one of the TF sites (TF-Vault) scanned the pages... they even said “we don’t normally do new stuff...”

[Bumblebee2000]

Oh, I have a preorder down at Zing and I'm pretty sure that's the price they were offering at?


Hmm that sounded a little too good for Zing, not too different when you're talking about that much money but that's part of the reason I thought it was an import

I could just as easily be confused because of $400 combiners vs $200 elsewhere, understandably theres no reason Hasbro Australia release = Takara import and I dont actually remember, but hmm I could have justified that over a few years from deposit to release...

[UltraMarginal]

Taking the exchange rate in to account Zing actually had the best deal in the world at the time. on par with the Pulse price and only a $100 down payment.
I'm starting to regret not buying a second.

[1AZRAEL1]

Taking the exchange rate in to account Zing actually had the best deal in the world at the time. on par with the Pulse price and only a $100 down payment.
I'm starting to regret not buying a second.

Me too. Wish I grabbed another through Zing/EB

[Bumblebee2000]

Yeah whatever it was, it was a great price. I do kinda wish I picked it up as its a very impressive figure which has become clearer now that production has started rather than most of the decision period being a region-locked idea
On the other hand nothing is going to scale with this even so I would also just buy a commander class of it and Primus
Like I'm sure if they did a second limited run they would get some people hit with FOMO regret but I also dont know what I'd do even now. Not that I expect a second run because of the logistics of this figure and production-style, just saying.

EDIT: Or a giant head, I feel like someone has made that. I'm totally fine with just that and maybe the same face options as the Haslab. Primus is way more flexible, battlemaster, Rodimus-like, just an idea.

[Unicran]

It'll be interesting to see the secondary market (ebay & other e-platforms) pop up next year.

[1AZRAEL1]

It'll be interesting to see the secondary market (ebay & other e-platforms) pop up next year.

I think it will be interesting too. You might have people wanting them, and see some go up for sale, but also wonder how it will go because the economy isn't going to bounce back easy. Some people may sell out of necessity. Interesting times ahead

[philby]

I'm reconsidering whether I should still get Unicron. It's more of a space issue than a money issue although 848 is a lot of money.

my lego star wars UCS is still in the box, glad i rushed out and bought it on release a few years ago lol
im still getting this unicron anyway but i know what you mean

[griffin]

Another update to Unicron (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/haslab-preview/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-3), which says that it will have instructions that are 32 pages, and take about an hour to transform (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/08/06/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-3-packaging-instructions-416633).

[Autocon]

We could do races! :p

[danny-boy]

Another update to Unicron (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/haslab-preview/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-3), which says that it will have instructions that are 32 pages, and take about an hour to transform (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/08/06/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-3-packaging-instructions-416633).

Wow. I don't think I'll ever transform it. I'm only buying it because the planet mode is absolute perfection. Hopefully it comes packed in planet mode.

[Lint]

Another update to Unicron (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/haslab-preview/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-3), which says that it will have instructions that are 32 pages, and take about an hour to transform (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/08/06/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-3-packaging-instructions-416633).

10 seconds into the video and I'm like "what have I done?!?"

[DELTAprime]

Am I the only one that wants a Moon Base 2 for their Unicron to munch on?

[Magnus]

Wow. I don't think I'll ever transform it. I'm only buying it because the planet mode is absolute perfection. Hopefully it comes packed in planet mode.

It does. The Hasbro Pulse page shows an unboxing, and while assembly is required, the base figure itself is in planet mode.

[danny-boy]

It does. The Hasbro Pulse page shows an unboxing, and while assembly is required, the base figure itself is in planet mode.

Thanks. So happy to hear that.

[jimoinj]

It's almost 2021. Any idea when we will start getting these from EB?

[JJJ]

There have been no official announcements. All we have is reports that some UK retailers who will be providing Unicron have been told to expect it at the end of January (and have told their customers so).

[griffin]

Global release date is currently February, which for us could also be from then...

Everyone make sure you are well into saving up ahead of February and not leaving it too late if you didn't want to risk giving EB your money in advance.

[nalops]

It was slated for an early 2021 release from the very beginning of the campaign but pandemic most likely had an effect so I'd expect at least a month or 2 delay.

[griffin]

Another update on the Hasbro Pulse website (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/hasbro-pulse-premium-previews/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-update-4), showing the final product (the colours look really nice now), and shipping testing in its BIG box (I could probably even fit in it).
The shipping testing is to make sure that it's packaging/toy can survive most expected shipping elements, like vibrations from travelling across the ocean and on roads, and from people dropping it from a holding height... and to make sure that it isn't crushed if other packages (or other Unicrons) stacked on top inside a truck, shipping container or in the warehouse.

[JJJ]

Another update on the Hasbro Pulse website (https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/hasbro-pulse-premium-previews/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-update-4), showing the final product (the colours look really nice now), and shipping testing in its BIG box (I could probably even fit in it).
The shipping testing is to make sure that it's packaging/toy can survive most expected shipping elements, like vibrations from travelling across the ocean and on roads, and from people dropping it from a holding height... and to make sure that it isn't crushed if other packages (or other Unicrons) stacked on top inside a truck, shipping container or in the warehouse.

Have been seeing comments about porch pirates over on TFW2005 with wry amusement. Happy to be picking it up from EB Games.

[DELTAprime]

Robot Kingdom has pictures up of Unicrons in their warehouse. Not long to go.

https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/01/26/haslab-unicron-possible-shipping-date-427883

[1AZRAEL1]

3 boxes high is human height. Insane.

[Sinnertwin]

How would that even fit in a normal car?

[1AZRAEL1]

Put the seats down if you can, or strap it to roof racks. Glad mine is getting delivered

[Flukey]

A little disappointed being late to the collectors game and not around when it first went up for preorder to grab it but hey you win some you lose some..

Jealous :) but look forward to seeing peoples images of the figure..

How are many of you planning to display it, robot or planet mode?

[Paulbot]

How would that even fit in a normal car?


Put the seats down if you can, or strap it to roof racks. Glad mine is getting delivered

I think the cost of a maxi-taxi from the shops to my place will be my "shipping fee"


How are many of you planning to display it, robot or planet mode?

Maybe 6 months in one mode, 6in another?

[Jaxius._]

You all need a hatchback
I’ve fit desks, shelving and everything else in one

[DELTAprime]

You all need a hatchback
I’ve fit desks, shelving and everything else in one

We have a big SUV. I still am going to be paying for my new desk to be delivered. Less hassle.

[SMHFConvoy]

Just an idea, why don't the board members who live near each other hire a van from Bunnings and pick Unicron up together?

That way if necessary you have help to lift the boxes into the van, saving your backs.

[reillyd]

How would that even fit in a normal car?

Crap in a hat! I hadn?t thought of that. Mine doesn?t support folding the seats down, and I know its going to be too tall to put in a boot. And even if by chance it does, I bought two. Think I?m going to have to call in a favour from a friend with a ute.

[G1Optimal]

Would not be suprised if it, would not fit in some houses front and back door lol

[Sinnertwin]

Crap in a hat! I hadn?t thought of that. Mine doesn?t support folding the seats down, and I know its going to be too tall to put in a boot. And even if by chance it does, I bought two. Think I?m going to have to call in a favour from a friend with a ute.

Thats what I'm saying lol trying to squeeze a 65x65x65cm behemoth over the wheel arches & in may present an issue for some, but as Paul and SMHF alluded to maybe delivery and/or group van hire if you don't have a hatchback.

[JJJ]

You all need a hatchback
I’ve fit desks, shelving and everything else in one

Yup, me too. Have been bemused at the responses I've had over on TFW2005 about how I won't have any trouble fitting it into my car.

[Gehirn]

Just take it out of the box, then fold the box up and put it in.

No need for any vans, utes, etc.

[Paulbot]

Just take it out of the box, then fold the box up and put it in.

Anyone got a child seat we can borrow for this loose baby-sized figure? :)

[nalops]

And to think I was just going to take it by bus hahaha.

[Tha_Phantom]

Anyone got a child seat we can borrow for this loose baby-sized figure? :)

Pfft child seat? Unicron is a big boy, no need for that. :p

[Skyfire]

Just need a bike and ocky straps ;).

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50880584012_a7a9caea87_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kw9hYu)

[Autocon]

Why not front passanger seat?

[Thurmus]

Why not front passanger seat?

You may find depending on the car the angle of the pillar due to the windscreen may block the top left corner of your box from going in.

[Jaxius._]

Could always get one of those extra large ubers

[Thurmus]

Or a mini van taxi.

[Autocon]

I measured this out..... tis a big boy!

[danny-boy]

I just called up EB Games to switch to home delivery but they can't do it. It looks like I will be collecting.

I wonder if the robot mode will look out of place in a Masterpiece collection...

[griffin]

Robot Kingdom has pictures up of Unicrons in their warehouse. Not long to go.

https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/01/26/haslab-unicron-possible-shipping-date-427883

The photo with the people in it really gives a good sense of scale with these... and is also not the most flattering of photos for two of the guys (one with the butt-crack and tramp-stamp, and one with a hole in the jeans right at his butt).

[Skyfire]

The photo with the people in it really gives a good sense of scale with these... and is also not the most flattering of photos for two of the guys (one with the butt-crack and tramp-stamp, and one with a hole in the jeans right at his butt).

The biggest Transformer ever... and griffin's looking at butts. Buttformers. (http://eatmorebikes.blogspot.com/2012/10/buttformers.html)

[Thurmus]

Has anyone heard from EB about their release date? I checked my order today and it said:

Estimated release: Fri 31st Dec 2021

[nalops]

Has anyone heard from EB about their release date? I checked my order today and it said:

Estimated release: Fri 31st Dec 2021

No but weirdly mine says 15th March.

[Bidoofdude]

Has anyone heard from EB about their release date? I checked my order today and it said:

Estimated release: Fri 31st Dec 2021

How did you check the order? All I can seem to find is the deposit in Order History, but nothing else with a date or anything.

[nalops]

Should be an option up top saying open preorders.

[griffin]

From JAN 7th here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26624-Unicron-at-Zing-EB-Games?p=637546#post637546), and also told to me again today that they are still on track for this date....


For those who have one on order at EB/Zing, they are on track for release/pick up early-mid March. That's current info from Hasbro as of today.
So if you are still saving up or paying it off in advance, you have about 8 weeks left.... plan ahead, because I'm sure they will easily find new customers if you aren't able to pay for it as soon as it arrives.

So now it is down to about 5 weeks left... if anyone is still yet to start paying it off, or saving up the rest of what they owe (to pay on pickup), time is running out.
Because when they come in, the stores may not want to hold them for more than a few days, as they will be too big to keep in the back, and they won't want the big brown boxes blocking areas of the store and get in the way of customers (who can't touch or buy them).

[Sinnertwin]

The biggest Transformer ever... and griffin's looking at butts. Buttformers. (http://eatmorebikes.blogspot.com/2012/10/buttformers.html)

I didn't even notice until you pointed it out -i skimmed over the photos.
Now I'm staring at mens butts.

[Krayt]

Should be an option up top saying open preorders.

That vanished months ago for me....

[1AZRAEL1]

I've paid for mine already through another company. So am looking forward to getting it, hopefully around the same time as other sources like EB/Zing

[Gehirn]

New update with a video on assembly.
https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/hasbro-pulse-premium-previews/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-update-5

[Krayt]

So.... the maw... thoughts?

[JJJ]

Well, I'm not ranting and raving like the ... people ... over on TFW2005... So much stupid over there, I've had to unsubscribe from the thread (again...).

I don't mind it, but I've not really looked at it too closely. What's the point? I've bought it, and it'll turn up later this month (or maybe next month). It's on the way. The time to have any changes made (if there was one) was months ago.

Anyway, I'm not fussy. I'll simply be happy when it arrives.


And now, having watched that video above and seen just how they paint it (I did wonder if it was all manual, or if there was some automation), there's no way in hell I'm going to complain about the price. Can you imagine the cost if it was made in a non-3rd-world country with a decent standard of living and decent wages?

[Paulbot]

Oh no, so much styrofoam. That noise puts me on edge somewhat shocking. Even thinking about it as I type this I'm getting goosebumps.

[Thurmus]

I am dreading the answer JJJ, but what are they tearing up about?

[JJJ]

I am dreading the answer JJJ, but what are they tearing up about?

The colour of the plastic surrounding the teeth in the planet mode maw. In the prototype that plastic was orange. As seen in the latest videos (got to 2:48 in the video a few posts up), it is now the blue-grey of the shell.

Yep, that's it.

Now sure, it isn't entirely cartoon accurate, but ... bloody hell, some of those people over there have insane entitlement issues. The last few weeks, especially since it was announced that Robotkingdom has physical possession of stock, have been full of people angrily demanding this, that, and the other from Hasbro like their little worlds depend on it.

[griffin]

TFW have a heap of screenshots here (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/02/04/haslab-war-for-cybertron-unicron-production-update-5-final-assembly-packaging-and-shipping-date-428327), if anyone wanted to use them for reference or to show off details or its size to others.

[Jaxius._]

The colour of the plastic surrounding the teeth in the planet mode maw. In the prototype that plastic was orange. As seen in the latest videos (got to 2:48 in the video a few posts up), it is now the blue-grey of the shell.

Yep, that's it.

Now sure, it isn't entirely cartoon accurate, but ... bloody hell, some of those people over there have insane entitlement issues. The last few weeks, especially since it was announced that Robotkingdom has physical possession of stock, have been full of people angrily demanding this, that, and the other from Hasbro like their little worlds depend on it.

I couldn’t agree more they are acting rather childish. Like I understand like all franchises the fans can be bad (spend 5 minutes amongst star wars fans online in some groups and you’ll wish you went the way of the death star) but i expect better from grown adults.

We aren’t kids, things aren’t ever perfect, in what fantasy world is anything the exact way you expect it?

[Borgeman]

Ignoring the fanboy outrage, I do wonder why they would change it though. Looking up the prototype transformation vid they posted way back shows the maw and front of the planet just fold away into a backpack (the lazy backpacking/shellforming aspect is the real crime here :p), thus the blue wasn't needed for the robot mode. So considering they've had it "animation accurate" all this time, what caused the change?

[danny-boy]

So considering they've had it "animation accurate" all this time, what caused the change?

Is it animation accurate though? They?ve taken too many liberties for it to be a close representation of Unicron from the movie.

[Sinnertwin]

It's only 50% animation accurate anyway. Im certain they said inspired by & not a direct copy.
The Hasbro bot mode is a lazy mess of dangling shells which look nothing the source material -Zeta Toys' 3P Unicron puts Hasbro to shame there. Their planet mode however is the downside to having a screen accurate bot.
As for Mawgate, meh.

[Thurmus]

Just fix it with Reprolabels.

[Krayt]

Interesting tid-bit:

When we got Zing pricing, we were better off than the US price in a straight conversion (can’t remember how much)

Now we are about $100 overpriced (today’s exchange rate)

[Borgeman]

Is it animation accurate though? They?ve taken too many liberties for it to be a close representation of Unicron from the movie.

Sorry, I didn't mean to infer it's properly animation accurate, just meant that the parts that matter looked to be more closely faithful, rather than the general look/overall engineering.
And besides all that, the maw was previously shown to be all the one yellowy orange colour. It is curious to say the least.

I'd surmise more than a few of the angry rabid people probably planned to keep him in planet mode, being the better looking (and probably more imposing) mode, aaaand now their dreams are ruined

[JJJ]

Ruuuuuuuuuned, it's all RUUUUUUUUUNED FOREVAH!!!11!!!1! eleventy.

Fans. Ugh.


Interesting tid-bit:

When we got Zing pricing, we were better off than the US price in a straight conversion (can’t remember how much)

Now we are about $100 overpriced (today’s exchange rate)

I did that caculation about a month ago. With the increase in the value of the Australian dollar, back then AUD $848 was USD $571, now it is USD $657. Not really bothered; I mean yes, it would be nice to pay less for it, but when I see what other people are being charged for postage (especially that poor bastard in, I think, central or eastern Europe)...

[valkyrie_76]

Ruuuuuuuuuned, it's all RUUUUUUUUUNED FOREVAH!!!11!!!1! eleventy.

Fans. Ugh.



I did that caculation about a month ago. With the increase in the value of the Australian dollar, back then AUD $848 was USD $571, now it is USD $657. Not really bothered; I mean yes, it would be nice to pay less for it, but when I see what other people are being charged for postage (especially that poor bastard in, I think, central or eastern Europe)...

Wasnt postage more than the item itself? Something like $700US for EMS?

[JJJ]

It was so much I've blotted it out. Really happy I'm going to be able to drive 5 minutes and pick it up from EB.

[Krayt]

More missed paint being realised... top teeth ARE painted, but bottom teeth are blue plastic....

[griffin]

Some people in Asia are now posting up images and videos of Unicron (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/02/07/transforrmers-war-for-cybertron-haslab-unicron-in-hand-images-428487), so places like Robotkingdom must have already been shipping out their stock to the locals.
There are some nice comparison shots with other big Transformers, and previous Unicron toys.

[JJJ]

Niiiiiiiiiice...

Come on EB! :)

Oh, you're kidding - they put blast effect posts on it! Hilarious!

[Krayt]

Nice to see extra spots for the tiny slug bots.... was worried OP wouldn't have a spot to fit...

But there are heaps more.... so are there more slugs to come?

[1AZRAEL1]

What I can't seem to grasp is why the screw holes are visible on is left arm. Seems like an oversight to me. Still, I am looking forward to trying to find a place for him when he arrives.

[G1Optimal]

https://youtu.be/UNlxSUmc4Ao

[Sinnertwin]

What I can't seem to grasp is why the screw holes are visible on is left arm. Seems like an oversight to me. Still, I am looking forward to trying to find a place for him when he arrives.

They probably just mirrored that part of the assembly
There's a sprue included with covers for them for you to play arts and crafts hour and plug them gaps ;p

[Tha_Phantom]

There's a sprue included with covers for them for you to play arts and crafts hour and plug them gaps ;p

Did not know that. That's cool that they at least included a fix for it.

[JJJ]

Did not know that. That's cool that they at least included a fix for it.

It isn't a fix as such, that sprue of screw covers has been visible in production updates right from the start (or so I recall). It was always going to come like this.

[1AZRAEL1]

I must have missed those parts. So I guess I'm ok with it anyway

[reillyd]

That video of the assembly process was incredible. I had no idea how much of it was hand painted: I?d just assumed it was mechanically automated. I?d always wondered though how they masked off parts of a toy that were NOT to be painted... I use masking tape on customs, but that would be way too slow for mass production.

I?d love to know how many people it takes to manufacture a Unicron. I?d hate to be the guy at the end having to transform them all for shipping though. Guess you?d get real fast at doing it though after the 10,000th Unicron transformation.

[Skyfire]

That video of the assembly process was incredible.

My thoughts also. I love knowing how things are made. Manufacturing, even just toys, is a testament to human ability.

Available to collect in Singapore (https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/singapore-transformers-sightings.155093/page-1006#post-18802158) yesterday.

[1AZRAEL1]

People are already bitching about the change in paint apps being false advertising *smh*

[jimoinj]

I don't mind the maw so much, but don't understand why they couldn't make the lower teeth white

[JJJ]

People are already bitching about the change in paint apps being false advertising *smh*

I saw that the thread over on TFW2005 jumped 50 pages in one day when the review appeared. I scanned a few posts and was not disappointed. Am leaving it alone permanently.

[SMHFConvoy]

The anger over the gummy Galvatron that's no bigger than a 5 cent piece is peak 1st world problem :rolleyes:

[Jaxius._]

The anger over the gummy Galvatron that's no bigger than a 5 cent piece is peak 1st world problem :rolleyes:

I just find it sad people don’t notice the fact there’s 2, one to be eaten which is larger and then the tiny tiny one

[Sinnertwin]

People are already bitching about the change in paint apps being false advertising *smh*

I mean, i can see their point. Personally it wouldn't bother me, but if you've been shown samples of x all the way up to production & then someone changes it to Y, I can see why they would be frustrated. Much like the bottom row of teeth not being painted etc

[Krayt]

I just find it sad people don’t notice the fact there’s 2, one to be eaten which is larger and then the tiny tiny one

What? There isn’t 2....

[Jaxius._]

What? There isn’t 2....

Theres the one thats eaten (modelled after tr galvatron) and then the tiny one
https://imgur.com/gallery/Xc6oPm7

[danny-boy]

I think the blue maw ruins the look of planet mode. I?m amazed it does though as I wouldn?t have thought it would have made that much of an impact...but there it is.

[Tha_Phantom]

Theres the one thats eaten (modelled after tr galvatron) and then the tiny one
https://imgur.com/gallery/Xc6oPm7

Are both included with the final product though? I had a skim through some YouTube reviews and only noticed the smaller Galvy.
Happy to be proven wrong. Maybe the larger Galvy is well hidden in the box or something.

[Thurmus]

Maybe someone can set up a small business where people send their teeth in, they air brush them and post them back. Repro Sprayers.

[Krayt]

Theres the one thats eaten (modelled after tr galvatron) and then the tiny one
https://imgur.com/gallery/Xc6oPm7

The larger one is the initial announcement version, the smaller one is the final product. You only get one galvatron

Initial was also based off TR Galvy, but final is more G1.... and really badly done.... being compared to a wingsuit

[Jaxius._]

The larger one is the initial announcement version, the smaller one is the final product. You only get one galvatron

Initial was also based off TR Galvy, but final is more G1.... and really badly done.... being compared to a wingsuit

That’s disappointing then


Maybe someone can set up a small business where people send their teeth in, they air brush them and post them back. Repro Sprayers.
I’d be happy to do that, just have to see what silver matches

[Tha_Phantom]

People are already bitching about the change in paint apps being false advertising *smh*

This might just be the saddest TF-related YouTube video I've ever watched.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co9IfJkGKLo&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR0z49LYYPSsUa7rZp_UgaJiCds3pg1vD73r78bAr tcn_xGY8XHelyIqcrY

[Bidoofdude]

This might just be the saddest TF-related YouTube video I've ever watched.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co9IfJkGKLo&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR0z49LYYPSsUa7rZp_UgaJiCds3pg1vD73r78bAr tcn_xGY8XHelyIqcrY

It's a little disturbing to see so many fans easily and quickly cross this line of being entitled about stuff like this. False advertising is a stretch, 'disappointing' is maybe the strongest word that could be accurately applied. The worst part is that these people are like "what are you gonna do about it Hasbro?", rather than reaching out and asking if they would consider doing it for the fans. I've had a look at the Unicron thread on TFW a couple times this week, and the amount of squabbling is unfathomable from what are supposed to be grown adults, and just disappointing.

The teeth thing is laughable though, such a minute detail. Despite quite a lot info clearly showing that the production process is finished and them already being shipped out, a lot are still in denial as if there will be a last minute change or spare part. You don't have to be super intelligent to figure out that this is final and Hasbro won't be doing anything about it. I am thankful Hasbro made this many changes after hearing fans' feedback already, especially the attention to colours. Some will never be satisfied it seems.

I am slightly disappointed they scrapped the planned diorama/playset mode, it looked quite cool and unique as an extra thing you could otherwise ignore.

[JJJ]

The thing that annoys me the most about that thread on TFW is how many people in it stirring shit are literal trolls getting away with it. They've made it clear that they aren't getting Unicron, and they never wanted it in the first place (some didn't even go for Zeta's Cell Unicron). All they're there for is to make idiotic complaints and demands. And TFW won't do a thing about it (don't bother reporting flagrant breaches of their own rules if you aren't in the in crowd, i.e. a friend of a mod, or they'll warn you that you might get punished instead...).

Bah. The site has a sucky culture, and actively brings out the worst of fandom.

[SharkyMcShark]

There are usually differences between announcement pics for figures (from conventions and the like) and the final version. That's standard.

[Thurmus]

What was the planned diorama mode?

[Kranix]

Bah. The site has a sucky culture, and actively brings out the worst of fandom.

Spot on.

I'm having a break from that place, I get no enjoyment posting there any more. For me, Transformers are all about fun and so many posters on there suck all the fun out of this hobby.

[JJJ]

What was the planned diorama mode?

Think titan in city mode. The design sketch that has been made available doesn't look promising, and I'm very glad it was scrapped. I don't care for the idea itself; I get that others do. But what was sketched would have horribly compromised the other two modes.

[griffin]

What was the planned diorama mode?

Apparently it was in last year's Generations book (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/haslab-unicron-city-mode-concept-art-revealed/44302/).

It basically has Unicron lying down on its back... looking like someone giving birth... :p

[Sinnertwin]

I'll say it again, everything has city mode if you blow it apart and lay it down

[Bidoofdude]

Think titan in city mode. The design sketch that has been made available doesn't look promising, and I'm very glad it was scrapped. I don't care for the idea itself; I get that others do. But what was sketched would have horribly compromised the other two modes.

I'm in it for the various movie scene bits you can see in it, provided of course that they do not intrude on the integrity of the figure. Must not have been the case though if they scrapped it. I wonder how close you could get to it with the final figure, if they even share the same transformation scheme.

[Thurmus]

That doesn't look great. Weird how one foot is under the ring and one is over.

[Seraphim Prime]

The diarama mode would have been cool, as the movie had so many scenes internally within Unicron that it would have been nice to homage.

But I think realistically, the diarama feature was not going to be a major part of the play pattern (if indeed any "play" will happen with most of the Unicrons purchased) that it makes sense to have removed for the sake of the design.

The blue maw is disappointing. I understand why people feel jilted by it - all production samples and prototypes seemed to indicate that it would be a wholly yellow maw the way it appeared in the movie, and is a very noticeable difference to the source inspiration. For it to be changed without warning or explanation at such a late stage is disappointing and somewhat betrays the trust and excitement that the process up to now had generated.

Will it stop me from enjoying this figure - no. Do I understand the anger - yes.

[JJJ]

But it wasn't changed at a late stage. It was clearly visible months ago in a previous update, if people had bothered to look.

[Krayt]

But it wasn't changed at a late stage. It was clearly visible months ago in a previous update, if people had bothered to look.

Depends where you say it was visible...

The update from the Instruction guys house.... had 2 unicron, and "Blue maw" was mostly unpainted. "Yellow maw" appeared to be the original prototype.

Or the video with the unboxing, where paint wasnt final, and some of the plastic was swapped for final (head base plastic for example). That had blue maw, but was not described as final product, or match the final update

[Borgeman]

If you dig through most of the vitriol online, the level-headed disappointment basically is:

- A yellow maw was advertised in the crowd-funded preview images, that's what people were expecting for their money.
- All updates along the way showing various steps mean nothing from a final colour POV (the last update from recent weeks could be an exception) because it shows prototype/unpainted/unmatched parts, so the assumption holds the colours will be as expected come release.
- Final product deviates in this regard, and it is a significant deviation/alteration due to its prominence. Most significantly, given its prominence for the planet mode look, the fact that its change wasn't alluded to in any way is what cuts deep for most


There was likely some combination of changes made to the design and the covid affected working climate (and soaring postage, especially for that behemoth) that meant that choices were made to either save some money in implementation (molds or paint apps) and/or not delay the release from early 2021 as planned.

[Sinnertwin]

I love that you can form a separate, mostly in tact planet planet mode by removing all of his leg and back kibble

[Tha_Phantom]

I love that you can form a separate, mostly in tact planet planet mode by removing all of his leg and back kibble

Guess you could fly some Siege tetrajet shells around the planet while having the bots fight Unicron's bot mode.

[Sinnertwin]

Guess you could fly some Siege tetrajet shells around the planet while having the bots fight Unicron's bot mode.

Double the fun for half the price. I'd buy that for a dollar!

[Trent]

Double the fun for half the price. I'd buy that for a dollar!

But not for $850?

[Sinnertwin]

But not for $850?

Naw, I may buy from RK instead. They have free delivery!

[spiderken17]

Ok, so not getting this and not really being interested in it i haven't really been following this thread. I just had a peruse and had a quick scan of various complaints made elsewhere and my conclusion is WTF! Seriously, people are complaing this much about a toy not being 100% cartoon accurate? "Oh no, my optimus has slightly different shade of red than the tv show". They better start a long list of TFs that dont look or transform like the cartoon they're from.
Man, people are dumb.

[Krayt]

Ok, so not getting this and not really being interested in it i haven't really been following this thread. I just had a peruse and had a quick scan of various complaints made elsewhere and my conclusion is WTF! Seriously, people are complaing this much about a toy not being 100% cartoon accurate? "Oh no, my optimus has slightly different shade of red than the tv show". They better start a long list of TFs that dont look or transform like the cartoon they're from.
Man, people are dumb.

It’s not a slightly different shade.... it’s a total miscolour.

More like red-leg SS Devy instead of Yellow leg... but this one won’t be fixed in a later wave

[DaptoDog]

It's WFC Unicron. Not G1 totally accurate Masterpiece Unicron. Crazy how much is being made of it. Can't wait to have mine.

[Tha_Phantom]

More like red-leg SS Devy instead of Yellow leg... but this one won’t be fixed in a later wave

Don't worry, no less than 5 different 3P companies will make upgrade kits for it.

[Lint]

Don't worry, no less than 5 different 3P companies will make upgrade kits for it.

You can cover up that unsightly maw with the self destructing Moon Base 2 accessory kit!

[Jaxius._]

If the teeth are really annoying i already have some people sending the head to me for painting

[danny-boy]

It's WFC Unicron. Not G1 totally accurate Masterpiece Unicron. Crazy how much is being made of it. Can't wait to have mine.

It's not totally G1 accurate and it definitely belongs with the WFC line but is this the closest we'll get to a Masterpiece Unicron?

[DaptoDog]

It's not totally G1 accurate and it definitely belongs with the WFC line but is this the closest we'll get to a Masterpiece Unicron?

Probably and I'm good with it. This is coming from someone that almost exclusively collects MPs. There is the 3P option which hits the aesthetic but is too small in my view to go with Masterpiece figures.

Who knows, maybe FT will put one out one day...but given their supposed Fort Max is going to be ~1.2m can you imagine how big a Unicron would be???

[JJJ]

Ok, so not getting this and not really being interested in it i haven't really been following this thread. I just had a peruse and had a quick scan of various complaints made elsewhere and my conclusion is WTF! Seriously, people are complaing this much about a toy not being 100% cartoon accurate? "Oh no, my optimus has slightly different shade of red than the tv show". They better start a long list of TFs that dont look or transform like the cartoon they're from.
Man, people are dumb.

If that elsewhere is the same elsewhere I've read, then yuuuuuuuuup, the entitlement, it burns.

[spiderken17]

Don't worry, no less than 5 different 3P companies will make upgrade kits for it.

The first 3P company that produces and upgrade kit that solves the issues can ask whatever price they want and will make more money than God

[G1Optimal]

The paint issue might not be hasbro/takara tomy fault

it might be a paint issue where the correct colour was chosen but when mixing the paint it turned out wrong

[Krayt]

I never noticed before, but since reviews have started coming out, the different flaps on the hips at the front are really getting to me....

[griffin]

Moved the last 40-odd posts to the Australian topic (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26624), as it was mostly discussion about the shifting release date here.

[griffin]

Hasbro have put up their official transformation video for Unicron... which compliments the various fan videos out there (it is possible that the Hasbro video has some things wrong as well, but should be the most reliable).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzXY6RZs46k

[Starganderfish]

I funded a Unicron through my local EB Games shop, finalised the purchase and collected the figure approx two weeks ago. After checking posts and reviews, I decided I no longer wanted the figure. Put it up on eBay and sold it quickly for a reasonable price (reasonable for me and for the buyer). Knowing Hasbro and their reputation, I stated in the listing:
"This is a Crowdfunded, limited edition product and is sold Mint in Sealed Box. I am unable to offer warranty support or exchange if there are any manufacturers issues with the item. The figure does not include the digital comic bundle because that was a timed exclusive, however, all other accessories are included."
I received the below message from the buyer this morning:
"Hi I got my item today and I was very pleased with how quickly it arrived and to see how well it was protected. Unfortunately upon transforming it I found an issue, the locking piece used on the left leg is the wrong one, it is the piece from the right leg (I have 2 right leg parts), this means that the left leg will not lock properly. I have included a photo of my copy as well as a comparison to the photo in the instructions and a comparison to another person's unicron in the 2nd and 3rd photo. it it most obvious that its the wrong piece when you look at the curved part of the piece, which on my copy is facing towards the ground when on the other 2 correct images it is facing towards the top"
Not having the figure, or even having opened the box to look at it, I can't say with any certainty if this is a mistake in transformation or an issue with the figure.
Is this a known or common issue? Is there an easy fix for it? Is it a piece that's upside down, or the wrong piece (two rights instead of a left and right)?
I'm hoping that the buyer, eBay and Paypal won't be difficult about it because the listing clearly stated the item was sold "as-is", but I would like to at least try to do the right thing by the buyer, if this is something that they can fix themselves. Alternatively; if it's a case of "Hasbro sent me two right pieces" I will direct them here and to the TFW2005 board and they might find someone who got two left pieces and can do a swap.

Has anyone else seen this, or (fingers crossed) is this just the buyer mis-transforming?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51156536143_15c642551b_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51157408695_e2b3de5dd2_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51156301701_4d737f0bbe_b.jpg

[JJJ]

Well shit.

That is indeed the wrong piece.

That strap should, when the leg is unfolded, extend toward the front of the leg, and have both the semi-circular cut-out and connector port at the top.

In a least-worst case scenario, it isn't strictly necessary to hold things in place properly - the main folding armature for those plates clips in quite snugly on its own.

[griffin]

That's the first one I've heard of in Australia that's defective.
I'd be really surprised if you could find someone with two oc the other part to trade one... as it would be really really rare.
Best chance is to contact Hasbro Australia customer service and ask if they can help.
Fortunately, as noted in the post above, it isn't a vital part that prevents transforming or displaying the toy... it will just be really annoying if you know it is there.

[Starganderfish]

Thanks for the advice folks.
The buyer came back and said that Hasbro Pulse customer support refused to offer any support because it was bought through EB Games. The buyer is asking for a partial refund.
I've emailed Hasbro Pulse Customer Support and EB Games Customer Support myself now to ask for a replacement part. EB Games obviously can't supply the part, but if they wanted to they might be able to reach out through their Hasbro Supply chain, because AFAIK, they are an authorised reseller of Hsabro for Aus.
I may also reach out to Hasbro Australia and see if they can do anything.

After PayPal and eBay fee's, I'll probably be lucky to break even on this so I'm reluctant to offer any kind of partial refund. I'll see what I get back from Hasbro myself and then talk to the buyer, see what they expect.
I can definitely understand their disappointment and have been in a similar position myself but there's a reason I explicitly wrote on the listing that the product was sold as-is and there would be no support or warranty. If they couldn't abide by that, they really shouldn't have bought it.
However, I am trying to help as best I can.

If they get completely unreasonable, I'll just tell them to ship it back, and then refund their purchase price.

Geez I hate HasTak. Takara has dropped the ball majorly with recent Masterpiece releases, and Hasbro's retail items have had a bad reputation for years. This kind of crappy lack of QC and refusal to offer Customer Support though... no excuse for that. Hopefully the buyer just messed up the contact with HasbroPulse Support and I can get some kind of remediation.

[Krayt]

Send the buyer your receipt and make them return to EB....

[MayzaPrime]

Honestly, if it was me... I would not accept any responsibility for a manufacturing issue if it was unopened. This is outside of your control, had it been opened and you didn't mention it in the description then yes, it would be your responsibility. The buyer has accepted the risk and bought it, then you shouldn't be expected to do anything more. I agree with Krayt... send them the receipt and they can return it to EB.

[Tha_Phantom]

Honestly, if it was me... I would not accept any responsibility for a manufacturing issue if it was unopened. This is outside of your control, had it been opened and you didn't mention it in the description then yes, it would be your responsibility. The buyer has accepted the risk and bought it, then you shouldn't be expected to do anything more. I agree with Krayt... send them the receipt and they can return it to EB.

Yeah, this. Plus you even said as much in the eBay listing.
It's a risk we all take when buying sealed toys on the aftermarket. Just so happens this one is more expensive than most, but the same standard applies.

[JJJ]

These aren't unreasonable replies (I agree with them - it was bought unopened, as is, and knowing full-well the circumstances of its production), but, well, it's Ebay.

Was this paid for via PayPal? If so, then they will almost certainly rule in favour of the purchaser, no matter how ridiculous, and transfer the money back. Which is great when dealing with dodgy vendors, but shitty for everyone else if dealing with a dodgy purchaser, which this is starting to resemble.

[Skyfire]

If it was factory sealed and advertised as such then one would think you are in the right Starganderfish. You are already going beyond the call of duty to help the buyer and they might not be satisfied anyway. But it really doesn't matter what I or any other OCTA member thinks, the ultimate decision is eBay's and you ought to see what their policies and their people state in regards to the matter. I suggest not doing anything outside of eBay's environment such as sending the buyer parts privately or your EB Games receipt - such things can void your eBay/Paypal guarantees and cannot be submitted as proof to eBay/Paypal later on.

Good luck.

[1AZRAEL1]

Admittedly it sucks. But as people say, you clearly stated it was sealed, and it's a risk buying MISB stuff. You've gone above and beyond to resolve it, I just hope they're reasonable enough to see that and not pursue refunds.

I haven't got my Unicron yet, but I do hope I don't have issues with QC. This one seems small in comparison to, say, missing his head.

[griffin]

First of all, Hasbro Pulse only deals with America. That's why they will not have anything to do with a non-American customer.
Our stock in Australia didn't come from America, it came directly to Australia through Hasbro Australia, like with any other Transformers toy at an Australian retailer.
You have to deal with Hasbro Australia. It is their responsibility with all products sold within Australia that they imported, and if it requires Hasbro in America to help out, the Australian branch will be the only Australian people that they will talk to.

Secondly, you sold the item sealed AFTER it was no longer being sold. It is now a secondary market sale and since you aren't a retailer, it isn't your responsibility to make sure the product is perfect, or make amends if you didn't intentionally sell a defective item. If it was a year later, or any other sealed Transformers toy that is no longer in stores, the buyer has to accept what they get when they open the sealed box. The fact that this has just been released is giving the buyer a slim chance that Hasbro might be able to provide a replacement part... but that won't last for much longer, because they can't be expected to be providing replacement parts for toys that are no longer available from months or years ago.

The fact that you are trying to do something to resolve the problem should be thanked by the buyer, because they still have a toy that is going to be worth a lot more than what they paid, even with that one small defective part.
Not to mention, you had it stated clearly in your listing, that if there are any problems, you can't know because it is sealed, and you can't be expected to fix it.


What I would probably do if I was the seller, is give them a photo of the EB Games receipt, and tell them to contact Hasbro Australia for a replacement part or advice (and they would have proof of purchase of the toy, even if it wasn't actually them who bought it directly from EB Games). And if you sold it for over $1000, maybe refund $100 or so to compensate for the hassle... but beyond that, I believe that you have already done enough for a sealed second-hand item, even under Australian Consumer Law.