It's the little things that add effect eh.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
I imagine maybe the standard 'con symbol on blood-red? With extra tattering for that weatherd effect? Glorious!
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It's the little things that add effect eh.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
I imagine maybe the standard 'con symbol on blood-red? With extra tattering for that weatherd effect? Glorious!
I'd try for something incorporating the 'con logo with the JSDF logo.
Last I checked Hasbro didn't charge more for toys because of big packaging. One assumes customised packaging would cost more than standardised one-size-fits-all packaging, and who do you think the cost is passed onto?Quote:
Originally Posted by kup
More images added to that last TFW2005 link above, or go here if not a TFW member.
Well... they kind of do. Whenever they put a small toy in a big package, they charge for the price point of the big package, not the small toy.Quote:
Originally Posted by FFN
Absolutely. They even admitted it themselves with the Classics Optimus figure, that it was too big for Deluxe pricing, so they packed it in Voyager instead. Same with the RiD Trainbots. They couldn't even get the AU retailers to buy those Trainbots because (according to Hasbro AU) they were overpriced at the voyager price-point (due to their smaller size), but were stuck with them being in that packaging and price-point.
But those are unusual circumstances, not how the toys are usually designed. Voy classics Prime was designed as a deluxe, and at one stage, they actually made a Deluxe class toy of him in resin prototype form.
The RID Trainbots were made under Takara's very flexible price points that Hasbro didn't have. They were never sold at the Maxcon/Mega Combat/Voyager pricepoint, because Maxcon/Mega Combat/Voyager replaced Ultra (USD$20) during Armada. The trainbots were sold under the Mega (USD$15) price point, which was then phased out after RID (Armada sold role play Star Sabers at $15, though).
I don't see how Hasbro's packaging is less customised than TakaraTOMY's. TakaraTOMY also have price points and standard packaging sizes, for example, all Deluxe Henkei figures come in the same size card and blister package. Also, aren't they all customised to a degree because they have individual toy name, package art, tech specs, photos etc.? The inside plastic tray would also have to be custom moulded to fit snugly over the toy too.
I personally don't like the feeling of paying big bucks for a toy where half the box is full of air. :/
The thing is, if Takara wanted to, they could release an ungodly huge Transformer right now that didn't fit into any size class, or one in between a Voyager and a Deluxe, for instance
But Hasbro is basically bossed around by Walmart in terms of size classes, so they don't get that freedom
that's a pretty good point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mecheon
Why has Hasbro prostrated themselves to Walmart to the point that it dictates its policy and product range?
I think its because some retailers have gotten so large that manufactures (who don't sell their own product and depend on others to distribute and sell), have to take heed to their needs or whims and fancies.Quote:
Originally Posted by kup
This book called 'The World is Flat' (the Goldman Sachs Finanace book of the year for 2006 and 2007) actually has a few chapters on this sort of situation and explains its mechenics better than me.
Walmart refusing to stock Transformers would be catastophic for Hasbro. Not the other way round.
gone are the days when the manufacturer could decide which 'leading department store' they want to place their product in.
I believe you are referring to the Sashimono :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Meangreen
Exactly ;). Now I have a name to put to them. Thanks Goktimus.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
No problemo. (^_^)
Oh really?Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
*looks at my Galaxy Force Deluxe Nitro Convoy, Noisemaze and Whatever Cybertron Defense Hot Shot Was Called*
*looks at my Galaxy Force Voyager Vector Prime, Starscream and Backguild boxes*
*looks at my Galaxy Force Ultra Jetfire (whatever his name was in Japan), Fast Gunner and Sonic Bomber boxes*
They're all different dimensions and sizes to best fit each individual toy. Hasbro doesn't do that. They do a standardized "one size fits all" packaging for all the toys of that class.
TakaraTomy wouldn't release a giant crazy Transformer without Hasbro's backing. Their market doesn't really support Transformers to the extent that Hasbro's does, unless they really enjoy losing money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mecheon
Takara haven't had their own mainline since they merged with Tomy, and whatever major lines they've released have been movie lines and redecos of Classics and Universe stuff. Most of TakaraTomy's own TF developments since the merger have been in the niche collector markets.
Can we drop this? We all know where each of us stand when it comes to our views of Hasbro's and Taktom's practices. No point to continue dancing around in circles.
So why not make a smaller standardised packaging? I still don't see the need to have oversized space-wasting packaging that's half full of air.Quote:
Originally Posted by FFN
It happened before the merger - with the exception of "high end collectable lines" like Music Label, Sport Label etc., Takara haven't had their own mainstream (i.e.: for kids) line of Transformers since Car Robot. After Car Robot Takara went nuts promoting Web Diver and Beyblade leaving Transformers by the wayside, something which infuriated Japanese Transfans and some fans would argue contributed or exacerbated Takara's financial troubles (leading to their merger with former rival Tomy). And we all know that TakaraTOMY's approach to Transformers just hasn't been the same as Takara's. :/Quote:
Originally Posted by FFN
The thing you have to remember is that Takara haven't done a kids line for one very, simple reason
Different markets
The collector's market in Japan is HUGE compared to the measly pickings that Western audiances have. By comparison, their children's market is tiny
I don't know about you, but whenever I've shopped for Transformers in Japan I'm always the _only_ adult in the aisle and I've occasionally had to fight through mobs of children to get to a TF toy. One time I was at a Japanese supermarketing sitting on the floor and rifling through a box of Transformer PVC figurines... all these other people kept walking past and staring at me; either amazed to see a grown man furious rummaging through TF products or amazed at my stunning good looks (:p). There may* be a slightly higher proportion of collectors:children in Japan, but I'd say that Transformers is still primarily a childrens' toyline even in Japan.
One thing that many Japanese fans criticised Takara for in 2001-2002 was their over-focus on adult collectors and not enough attention to sustaining the line for kids, which is what Transformers needs in order to survive. During those years Takara pumped out lots and lots of G1 reissues, but if you read the boards Japanese fans were complaining about the complete lack of any NEW TF products in Japan. Reissues are nice, but ultimately what Transformers needs (and what most fans want) are new toys. Those were really dry years for Japanese Transfans (2002 was a dry year for _everyone_ actually) until the drought was finally broken by Micron Legend (Armada); a childrens line of Transformers.
----------------------
*I say may be because you have to consider that:
1/ although Japanese high end products like G1 reissues, Masterpieces, Binaltechs, Music Label etc. are specifically targetted at adults (Ages 15+), there's also the fact that these toys are manufactured in limited quantities compared to their "low end" products for kids.
2/ Hasbro has also released their own versions of some high end lines, e.g.: Alternators, Commemorative Series reissues, Masterpieces etc.; albeit modified to comply with child safety standards.
Why not? Masterpiece Megatron was a giant crazy Transformer without Hasbro's backing. And in recentish pre-Tomy times, Brave Maximus was too.Quote:
Originally Posted by FFN
Megatron is practically one of the only ones, the others would have some form of Hasbro involvement, however minor. And Brave Max tanked.
Because they want to be able to fit all possible sizes and dimensions of figures that they can develop at this price point. Look at Long Haul, he originally shipped in vehicle mode but it barely fit into the depth of the box, so later assortments he fits in width-wise while in robot mode, and thus takes up much of the space in the packaging.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucyuj74gaiY
His review come up :)
Impressive.
Sweet, the review is out!
after seeing that review im defanatly going to get one he looks awsome!
Yeah, this is the ROTF one im most excited about. I dont think theres anything much cooler than a samurai robot with katanas.
It's looking more likely that Bludgeon might be out before Christmas, with so many of them showing up in collectors hands from asian ebay auctions.
Another review (translation) and more photos here:
http://www.seibertron.com/transforme...g-patch/17167/
This might be one toy I won't be waiting for a sale to buy.
Agreed...maybe. The current $50 voyager price tag is pretty ugly now that the US dollar has dropped. If I get it at full price, it will be my most exspenisve voyager class purchase to date. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by griffin
Aaaand still more pics of Bludgeon...
http://www.seibertron.com/transforme...ludgeon/17283/
The oranges don't look as bad in these pics, making me a little less worried about Hasbro screwing up this nicely designed toy.
Bludgeon was always orange though. I mean, where's all this green come from? He was orange :pQuote:
Originally Posted by griffin