BotCon Storylines

[Verno]

Is there something in their policy though that they can only use moulds from that year?

All I'm saying, is that with a bit of planning, they could produce a great story, that adds to the over-all sstoryline of Transformers (something previous BotCon comics I've read haven't done), and uses suitable moulds from any line in the past decade that fits the bill.

[GoktimusPrime]

Is there something in their policy though that they can only use moulds from that year?

I believe so. Hasbro can offer them a limited range of moulds to use. They're not allowed to choose any mould that's still in current use, so they tend to choose moulds that were recently disused. Hence why BotCon exclusive toys are usually used from moulds that are not current but not too old.

e.g.
+ BotCon 97: Packrat & Fractyl, repaints of 1996's Rattrap and Terrorsaur
+ BotCon 98: Antagony & Vice Grip, repaints of 1997's Inferno & Powerpinch
+ BotCon Japan 98: Double Punch & Grizzly-1, repaints of 1996/97's Scorponok (actually his prototype colours) & Polar Claw
+ BotCon 99: Sandstorm & Windrazor, repaints of BW Scorponok & 1998's Fuzor Silverbolt
+ BotCon 00: Apelinq & Shokaract, repaints of 1998's TM Optimus Primal & Rampage ("Rampy" to his friends (if he had any ))
+ BotCon 01: Tigatron & Arcee, repaints of 1999's BW Ravage & TM2 Blackarachnia
...and so on and so on... and of course this year's Stunticons were all repaints/redecos of Animated moulds (2008-10)

It's uncommon for current moulds to be allowed for convention exclusive toys (although it does sometimes happen, e.g. Onyx Primal, JafCon reissue Convoy etc.) -- but either way, it's HasTak who decides or approves which moulds are allowed to be used.

For example when I was planning the Sabretron 2004 convention in Sydney, I contacted Hasbro Australia to see what mould(s) we could use as exclusive toys... and the proposal was to use RiD Spychangers. Hasbro approved of the idea, but in the end I didn't accept their offer because they wanted me to order a production run of no less than 1000 figures (and considering that we had approx. 200 attendees, it just wasn't worth it).

[Verno]

For example when I was planning the Sabretron 2004 convention in Sydney, I contacted Hasbro Australia to see what mould(s) we could use as exclusive toys... and the proposal was to use RiD Spychangers. Hasbro approved of the idea, but in the end I didn't accept their offer because they wanted me to order a production run of no less than 1000 figures (and considering that we had approx. 200 attendees, it just wasn't worth it).

Well there is a fantastic busniess opportunity if ever I've heard one!

Get the 1000 toys produced, then flog them off at $250 a piece to all the 'completists' around the world who 'have' to get it. Mwaa haa haaa!

[griffin]

Men in Black had the same idea when they did BotCon 96... and the fans revolted to the extent that it was deemed one of the worst BotCons, and their 1997 convention was a failure. (and it took them about 6 or 7 years to sell all their Onyx Primals)

These days though, yeah, 1000 figures of any size could command huge prices with the number of dedicated & completist collectors out there (with scalpers jumping on board as well to dry up numbers even more)

[Verno]

Lets make it happen! Time to enact some revenge!

[Hursticon]

Men in Black had the same idea when they did BotCon 96... and the fans revolted to the extent that it was deemed one of the worst BotCons, and their 1997 convention was a failure. (and it took them about 6 or 7 years to sell all their Onyx Primals)

Urgh... I hate hearing stories like this.
(Coz now they cost a mint! )

Lets make it happen! Time to enact some revenge!

LOL

I vote repainting the BW Snarl/Tasmania Kid mold into actual Tasmanian Devil colours and calling him BW Outback!