Does anyone else just not care anymore?

[Skullcruncher]

Strange... I don't recall quoting you so I'm at a loss to understand why you feel the need to explain yourself to me Fact - it is bandwagoning when we see an increase in board registrations and activity every time a movie is released... or an increase in people wearing Transformers apparel... or shiny new Autobot logos on cars etc. etc. Like I said, it's not a bad thing, just human nature to associate themselves with current trends.

Many new members have a long standing interest in transformers, and they bay films just gave them that extra push to become active in either collecting or the community. Bandwagoning to me would be like new sports teams - where groups of people are following the team because of the hype and they dont really know much about the sport itself

Also didn't Hasbro's stats show that toy sales doubled in the year following the release of the first Bay film? I personally think there are pros and cons about Transformers having become more mainstream since the 2007 film came out. Either way, many of us were devoted fans long before the film came along, and we'll remain devoted fans long after they're gone.

And you are surprised? Newer members can't be devoted?

[GoktimusPrime]

Hmm, I noticed you joined just after ROTF was released in 2009. You must of loved that movie. Do you have an Autobot logo on your car and a Tshirt? Cos i don't.

5FDP was a member here before making his current account. Also a lot of people are fans of Transformers long before joining OTCA. SMHFConvoy's a relatively new member, but I can personally atest that he's been a fan of Transformers for MUCH longer than his join date suggests.

Many new members have a long standing interest in transformers, and they bay films just gave them that extra push to become active in either collecting or the community. Bandwagoning to me would be like new sports teams - where groups of people are following the team because of the hype and they dont really know much about the sport itself

Some (not all) people who identify themselves as Transformers fans are like that. I've occasionally bump into people who parade around in Transformers apparel or have TF badges on their cars etc., and when I strike up a conversation with them about Transformers it becomes abundantly clear thast they don't really know much about Transformers itself (beyond what pretty much every man and his dog would know ).

And you are surprised?

I didn't say that it came as a surprise. Far from it, it was something I was definitely expecting. That's why when news of the live action movie came out (about 10 years ago) I went and hunted down the remaining early G1 TFs that I still needed (all two of them ) just in case the increase in fandom would drive aftermarket prices for G1 toys up. In hindsight I'm glad I did it, because both of the toys that I needed and acquired have since been KOed.

Newer members can't be devoted?

I didn't say that either.

It all depends on whether or not they decide to remain devoted to Transformers or if they choose to quit. Some people may change the nature of their devotion (e.g. become more fans of the comics rather than collecting toys), but they still remain dedicated and devoted to Transformers.

[5FDP]

Many new members have a long standing interest in transformers, and they bay films just gave them that extra push to become active in either collecting or the community. Bandwagoning to me would be like new sports teams - where groups of people are following the team because of the hype and they dont really know much about the sport itself

I agree with your first point however disagree with the analogy of your second.

A friend of mine - from memory he registered here under the handle Optus Prime, has always been interested in Transformers, he just didn't have time to devote himself to an online community such as Ozformers as he was already active in several others.

I wouldn't consider it 'Bandwagoning' for people to start following a new team based on hype alone because at least they were there from the beginning unlike an existing team that has just made the finals for the first time. In a Transformers sense, there were quite a few kids at my school in the 80's that hadn't heard of Transformers and therefore knew nothing of them aside from word of mouth i.e. hype, in the school yard (no internet back then - go figure ). Quite a few of them still collect to this day. I would hardly refer to them as Bandwagoners.

[DELTAprime]

I'm went through a period where most Hasbro's lines since DOTM didn't appeal to me. DOTM was ok, but the line got cut off half way through. The FE line was good but never saw the light of day in most retailers around the world and most PRID toys just didn't seem as good as previous toys since the team that made the older lines got moved to other IP's. I can count on two hands the number of Hasbro releases I've bought since DOTM. But Generations Metroplex is a must have, and I've ordered the Triple Changers and the IDW wave. I just wish they where getting released in Australia.

Takara on the other hand has always had my interest. Fort Max, the Masterpiece line, Alternity and Arms Micron are all far more interesting to me than anything Hasbro did between DOTM and this years Generations releases.

[Trent]

Not sure what your deal is but I'd suggest getting your facts straight before pointing the finger at anyone. I was a member here in early 2006 under the handle S0undwave. Personal reasons and the board being relocated meant that I was absent for a little while. Now go away little man.

I wouldn't consider it 'Bandwagoning' for people to start following a new team based on hype alone because at least they were there from the beginning unlike an existing team that has just made the finals for the first time. In a Transformers sense, there were quite a few kids at my school in the 80's that hadn't heard of Transformers and therefore knew nothing of them aside from word of mouth i.e. hype, in the school yard (no internet back then - go figure ). Quite a few of them still collect to this day. I would hardly refer to them as Bandwagoners.

So anyone that became a fan because of the movies, which would easily qualify as the peak of the hype surrounding the TF franchise, these people are somehow beneath you in your perceived fandom hierarchy?

I know it probably wasn't your intention, but that is how those 2 posts read.

[5FDP]

So anyone that became a fan because of the movies, which would easily qualify as the peak of the hype surrounding the TF franchise, these people are somehow beneath you in your perceived fandom hierarchy?

I know it probably wasn't your intention, but that is how those 2 posts read.

Reread what I wrote, it may actually make sense. I was defending people who follow something new based on hype alone which when applied to your question would include anyone who became a fan from watching the movies, and this somehow makes me an elitist? Or should I be apologising because I corrected someone trying to discredit me that I was a member on this forum before the movies were released?

If your arguing the opposite to me but labelling me an elitist by inferring I believe there are fans beneath me in my ‘perceived fandom hierarchy’, then you are a hypocrite. If that’s not the point you are trying to make, then I don’t know what you are implying. I’m sorry, but that’s how I read your post.

[GoktimusPrime]

^+1. None of what 5FDP said came off as being elitist to me, and if anything he's been trying to rationalise/defend the actions of people who follow popular trends.

Whether someone became a Transfan long ago or recently, I think the key factor is commitment to the franchise. Those of us who've been active in the fandom long enough have seen plenty of people come and go, and almost everyone claims to be a 'die hard fan' when they sign up. But actions speak louder than words; if we're all still here in 10 years' time and we're still just as passionate about Transformers, then we'll know that we're absolute fanatics (which is what the word "fan" is short for).

I met 5FDP 10 years ago at the OTCA booth at Sydney Supanova 2003. Here we are 10 years later and we're both still absolutely nuts about Transformers. So IMHO time will be the ultimate judge of who the truly committed fans are, irrespective of when you started.

[Sky Shadow]

So anyone that became a fan because of the movies, which would easily qualify as the peak of the hype surrounding the TF franchise, these people are somehow beneath you in your perceived fandom hierarchy?

Anyone who became a fan because of the movies, and years later is still solely a fan because of the movies is definitely at the bottom of my perceived fandom hierarchy.

[Starscream77]

How about we just let this one go guys before it spirals further.
A fan is a fan in my book and just leave it there

[UltraMarginal]

How about we just let this one go guys before it spirals further.
A fan is a fan in my book and just leave it there

tru dat