Hasbro's Construct-Bots: Transformers With Interchangeable Parts

[GoktimusPrime]

They are trying something new with Transformers. It's not a repaint.

(O_o) (o_O) I... I said I'd rather see them try something new than see more repaints of Bumblebee.

i.e. new stuff > Bumblebee repaints

[griffin]

I feel like a lot of this thread's content misses the point. If you don't like the Hasbro version you can rebuild it your way.

I think they do get the point... which is why it isn't being easily embraced by fans who prefer a "more traditional" self-contained, convertible toy.
Which is expected, because us "traditional fans" (the core demographic of the Brand), prefer to have toys that are stamped as "Transformers" (noun) actually be transformers (verb). But people have to realise that "Transformers" (the noun) is a Brand, that doesn't require it to only be slapped on items that transform (in a traditional sense, or at all).
Actionmasters was the first occurrence of the Brand name (noun) being used on product that didn't match the verb... and a lot of fans (of the verb) didn't like it.
For a Brand that is almost 30 years old, Hasbro decided about 5 years ago that future sustainability of the Brand name, required greater diversity of the name (noun) across other concepts that didn't involve the conversion concept (the verb).
If our Brand name wasn't also a verb, people wouldn't instinctively expect the toys to transform, or at least transform in a traditional sense (these toys appear to be a protoform concept with a core that barely transforms, and needs attachments to create both modes).

Preliminary observations, good or bad, are valid and acceptable here, provided they remain civilised and rational.

[kup]

They don't seem to be expanding that well since isn't there a loss of sales since?

[i_amtrunks]

I'm all for the diversification of the brand, I think one of the smarter things Hasblow did a few years ago was get back to 1980's level or merchandising, stationary, shirts, mugs, anything and everything being branded with tf (around the movie/animated time).

I only question their move into competing with lego. Their BTR series failed miserably, and then Kreo was not a great success (potentially due to the heavy focus of overselling wave 1) and these figures may just go the same way and end up doing more harm than good to the brand.

Lego is not unchallengeable, and I think the transformers brand could compete against it in the future, but not currently on the back of very flawed and poorly designed toys we have had recently in the kreo line. I would have preferred to see a break for 12-18 to clear off the rest of the Kreo still on shelves, then bring out these figures.

Strangely, the characters seem to be targetting the older collectors, but the toys themselves are most certainly targetting the younger demographic. If there were more movie/Prime designs in these figures (Wheeljack is the only real one that imitates recent media versions) then I could see more sense in the toy design choices. To me, it seems that Hasblow is unfocussed with what it is doing, trying to please everybody and in the end pleasing nobody.

[The_Damned]

Hasbro i don't know who this other company Hasblow is, can make what ever they like doesn't mean that you have to buy it or understand their reason's for doing something different. Maybe they should just abandon making transformers would people be happy with that.

[Lord_Zed]

I'm not sure they will appeal to me but I don't have an issue with Hasbro trying it out, however If there going to try a new idea in the vein of Lego, couldn't they also make some new characters rather than just the same guys from every other line?

Lego some how manage to forge a new story and new characters each year for all their comparable lines, where as Hasbro just tote out the usual gang.

[The_Damned]

I'm not sure they will appeal to me but I don't have an issue with Hasbro trying it out, however If there going to try a new idea in the vein of Lego, couldn't they also make some new characters rather than just the same guys from every other line?

Lego some how manage to forge a new story and new characters each year for all their comparable lines, where as Hasbro just tote out the usual gang.

some new characters would be nice

[SMHFConvoy]

Griffin, this new line look appears to transform in a traditional sense. There just seems to be a customisable endoskeleton that armour can be attached to in a pleasing arrangement depending on the builder's taste. Furthermore the more figures you have in the range the more variations can be made.

[Hursticon]

Will be purchasing Soundwave... that'll be it though as beyond him I can't see a use for these things other than custom fodder.

[Gouki]

Which is expected, because us "traditional fans" (the core demographic of the Brand)

No. Just. No. The 'traditional fans' do not make up the core demographic. Children make up the core demographic.

And Gok, sorry, misread your initial post.