Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

I just watched a video with two Hasbro representatives, which covered a wide variety of topics but was principally about the retro line.
And at 9:20 they talked about some huge announcements where licensed 3rd parties were going to be able to license the original G1 cad designs, to produce not-transforming robot or alt-modes as figures, statues, and other types of product. Does anyone know more about this? I seem to have missed it, but did they have any partners announced? They did mention super7, but I’m curious if there were others in the pipeline or announced.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AF64f3-8mLg&feature=sharea

From what I read, it is to allow for more licensed collaborative toys, produced by other companies, but not transforming.
Probably something like the non-converting R.E.D. toys, which are accurately sculpted to match Transformers characters, done in branding or colours that represent those other companies. I'm thinking something like the Christmas deco Optimus by Super7, but with sculpting provided by Hasbro, and having any sort of colour scheme.

It sounds like Hasbro just wants to allow others to make Transformers Branded toys, like they outsourced Micro Machines (which they still own, but don't currently want to produce and sell them), so that they still make a commission off those toys through licensing, but with the condition that they don't convert (so that Hasbro maintains the exclusive monopoly on transforming Transformers toys).

Third party toys are allowed to transform, so long as they don't do so in a way that Hasbro toys transform. Robosen Optimus Prime is an example of this; its transformation feature/gimmick is something that Hasbro would never do. But yeah, the majority of licensed third party toys don't transform.

Aren't R.E.D. made by Hasbro?

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Originally Posted by reillyd

I just watched a video with two Hasbro representatives, which covered a wide variety of topics but was principally about the retro line.
And at 9:20 they talked about some huge announcements where licensed 3rd parties were going to be able to license the original G1 cad designs, to produce not-transforming robot or alt-modes as figures, statues, and other types of product. Does anyone know more about this? I seem to have missed it, but did they have any partners announced? They did mention super7, but I’m curious if there were others in the pipeline or announced.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AF64f3-8mLg&feature=sharea

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You haven't missed much. It's pretty new, came out of the licensing expo last month. I haven't watched your video but its all in honour of the 40th anniversary.

“We will start [2024] by celebrating the landmark 40th anniversary of Transformers by providing our licensees with 3D files of the original G1 toys for the first time ever. With this, our partners will be able to reissue original licensed products and reimagined innovations leveraging the authentic vintage artwork from the G1 toy line and Marvel comics. Pulling it all together, we’re digitally releasing the ‘80s animated TV series soundtrack with an exciting bonus track that taps into nostalgia and re-creates the excitement, tone, and pop culture moments of 1984.”

I'm excited to get more G1 merch, however I'm not sure how excited I am for merch strictly CAD'd from the original toys. They weren't exactly the most dynamic things.

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Aren't R.E.D. made by Hasbro?

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They are.

Look at ThreeZero's DLX Ravage that came with Soundwave. He can transform from tape to animal & back. So yes, I'd say officially licenced third parties are allowed to transform.

and I forgot Toys Alliance MAS-03 Soundwave came with a Lazerbeak that could transform from tape to animal &back.It was also officially licenced.

Every English language news post I've seen about Masterpiece Rigorous misspells his name as "Riggorus," and as far as I can tell, this comes from Google Translate. :eek: I've yet to see any official sources that shows the official Romanised spelling for his name; so far it's all in Japanese ("rigorasu"; which is the Japanese rendition of "Rigorous"; Riggorus would be "riggorasu"*). Even tfwiki is going with "Riggorus." :eek: I know that MP packaging and instructions always feature Romanisation of TF names, so I'm curious to see how TakaraTOMY will spell it.

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*More than just a spelling variation, double-consonants in Japanese are always pronounced as doubled consonants.
Consider the difference in how we say "missing" vs "misspelling" in English. We only pronounce 1 's' in "missing," but both 's's in "misspelling." Japanese works like this.

So it comes down to a question of whether the people who made the toy say the name as "Rig-orus" or "Rig-gorus", yes? And whether or not anyone further along cares about that detail?

And now that this kerfuffle is out there, I wonder if it will carry over to a possible Generations yellow Diaclone Trailbreaker?

I'll mostly refer to it as yellow Trailbreaker regardless of the official name. I'm just happy it's happening.

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Originally Posted by JJJ

So it comes down to a question of whether the people who made the toy say the name as "Rig-orus" or "Rig-gorus", yes? And whether or not anyone further along cares about that detail?

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The people who made the toy would say "Rig-orous," not "Rig-gorous." Given that no official Romanisation has yet to appear, I think that sticking with the actual spelling of "Rigorous" would make more sense. I discussed this toy's name with some native Japanese speaking fans last week, and they interpreted it as "Rigorous." If TakaraTOMY chooses to spell it as "Riggorus," then fine, so be it. Makes about as much sense as "Lazorbeak" or "Vehical," but I accept that official spellings are official.

It would be interesting to see if Hasbro follows suit with a CHUG Rigger'us. CHUG seems to be doing better with these Diaclone redecos than MP; at least we have both Deep Cover and Clampdown in CHUG. Still waiting for an MP Deep Cover. Although CHUG hasn't given us a red Mirage character yet (I can understand MP not doing it, due to vehical licensing issues).

I expect it's a lot easier to crank out another Generations re-colour - everyone expects it, and few people care (much) about how well the details match the expectations. MP, on the other hand, lives or dies on the details.

I'm starting to wonder if Hasbro has simply run out of places to stuff their Diaclone repaints, given the small number left and the way they've kinda dried up the past year or so.