New designer for 2014 MP line

[Sinnertwin]

Really? - This is a thing?

Totally

I doubt that with Kobayashi returning we'll see larger scale MP01 sized figures with die cast etc. Changing a winning formula by returning to square one doesn't make sense to me.

[theshape]

As long as the figures are in the same scale i dont care. I dont want a line reboot or anything

[GoktimusPrime]

To be fair, MP Megatron and Rodimus were more challenging designs compared to most other MPs. With Megatron you're taking what is a streamlined/thin looking Walther P38 pistol and attempting to bulk it up as a robot and make it look like the cartoon. The original G1 toy transforms into a relatively skinny robot. It's not an easy feat. The challenge with Hot Rod is that the cartoon model has him transform into a robot with rounded legs and somehow the leg kibble (that can be seen on the original G1 toy) has somehow completely disappeared into thin air. That's a good portion of the rear part of the car mode. And on top of that, the rear of the vehicle has details which the original toy never had. So it's a more detailed vehicle that transforms into a less kibbled robot. Toy designers don't have the luxury of being able to defy reality, so obviously all those parts have to go somewhere in robot mode. This design challenge was arguably then compounded by making the toy be able to transform to Rodimus Prime in robot and vehicle mode. Now as expensive as that toy already was, there's a fair chance that a good portion of the development budget went into the trailer, somewhat similar to how MP10's cab robot is far less sophisticated than MP01's as a sort of "trade off" for having a trailer, Roller etc. Yes, MP10 does pull it off a lot better, but that toy came later so they would've had the luxury of reflecting on their mistakes w/ Rodimus. Also, Optimus Prime isn't quite as much of a reality cheat as Rodimus.

Personally as long as we don't see anything as atrocious as what we saw on the MP Lambo's shoulders, I'll be pretty happy if things continued to develop as they have been, although I do wish that they would lower the prices on these toys.

[Trent]

Admittedly, I'm a little concerned myself too - I'm sure we'll get awesome figures regardless but I'd definitely like to hear why Hasui has been taken away from Masterpiece Development.

How do we know he was taken away? He might have wanted to move on for all we know. Besides, I'll save my judgement until we see the first new MP which probably won't be for a while. I'd say that as Mayza said most of the design work for Wheeljack, Bumblebee and Ultra Magnus is already complete

Really? - This is a thing?

It's a size thing. There are people that think every MP should scale with MP-01

[Hursticon]

How do we know he was taken away? He might have wanted to move on for all we know. Besides, I'll save my judgement until we see the first new MP which probably won't be for a while. I'd say that as Mayza said most of the design work for Wheeljack, Bumblebee and Ultra Magnus is already complete

It was just a turn of phrase; basically I'd just like to know why he's no longer performing that job.

It's a size thing. There are people that think every MP should scale with MP-01

Much like the whole "Wingblade"-thing, the TF fandom is really starting to show some ugly faces in certain areas.

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't object to MPs getting smaller... what I don't enjoy is seeing the prices getting higher at the same time! Bad enough that Deluxes and Voyagers are getting smaller, but prices are remaining the same (so we're paying the same for less), but in the case of MPs we're paying more for less. Hasbro and Hasbro Australia have been really good with their pricing of the new MPs though I must say. Kudos to them.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Personally as long as we don't see anything as atrocious as what we saw on the MP Lambo's shoulders.

Perhaps it was the constant condemnation of the shoulders that caused Hasui to step aside?

[kaiden]

Perhaps it was the constant condemnation of the shoulders that caused Hasui to step aside?

haha probably

[Hursticon]

Perhaps it was the constant condemnation of the shoulders that caused Hasui to step aside?

haha probably

[Ploughmans Lunch]

I don't object to MPs getting smaller... what I don't enjoy is seeing the prices getting higher at the same time! Bad enough that Deluxes and Voyagers are getting smaller, but prices are remaining the same (so we're paying the same for less), but in the case of MPs we're paying more for less. Hasbro and Hasbro Australia have been really good with their pricing of the new MPs though I must say. Kudos to them.

I dunno, like anything I'd just blame the GFC.