Collectors often bemoan a lack of paint/detail on official Hasbro toys, or light/cheap-feeling plastic, or hollow parts, or simple transformations; however, I suspect that there are two big reasons the 'main line' toys, like Combiner Wars, Titans Returns, and Power of the Primes are simple or appear to be cheap.

The first is that they are childrens' playthings first and foremost. They can't be too complex, because a child might be confused or frustrated by a complex transformation. Also, they have to be simple and durable enough to withstand play and being dropped.

The second is that simplicity or a lack of detail keeps the toys affordable. Collectors seem to forget that the bulk of Hasbro's market is parents buying toys for children. The toys therefore have to be affordable enough for parents to buy them in numbers, and this is particularly true for toys like combiners. Keep in mind that costs rise over time, whether it's R&D, raw plastic, or factory operating costs, so something has to give if Hasbro wants to keep the toys at a certain price point.

I get the impression that some collectors seem to think that Hasbro should be catering exclusively to them.

Finally, remember that Hasbro has a lot of brands to maintain, not just Transformers. If Hasbro want to spend more money on Transformers, another brand may have to go without.