Combiner Wars wave 1 toys official images

[griffin]

Well said, griffin

It's the unfortunate reality of the situation and I reckon we've got it pretty good with the 'collector' classes of TF's. The local pricing of those releases, on the other hand, is a matter for another debate!

One thing I forgot to mention, is that we should still voice our concerns, desires and complaints, as major toylines like Classics and Generations, which don't have movies or cartoons or gimmicks to sell them*, only exist because of the interaction of the fans with Hasbro's Designers... and even fans becoming Hasbro Designers. We just have to be realistic with what they can deliver to us collectors.

I've found that they are pretty good with the serious toy fans/collectors through conventions and observations of fansites, and don't just hastily dismiss/ignore us or what we like or dislike... but they can only go so far.


(*it is extremely rare for retailers to take on an action figure toyline that doesn't have tv/movie backing or a gimmick - as we've seen in this country in the last couple years with Generations - so if it wasn't for the collector interest and demands for these homage toys, I seriously doubt Hasbro would ever risk creating a major line that is not an easy sell to their customers, the retailers)

[Gofigure]

I actually dig these the more I see. That superion is coming out quite good. I will probably only buy for my kids next year along with stunticon however I would almost consider these for myself

[Bidoofdude]

One thing I forgot to mention, is that we should still voice our concerns, desires and complaints, as major toylines like Classics and Generations, which don't have movies or cartoons or gimmicks to sell them*, only exist because of the interaction of the fans with Hasbro's Designers... and even fans becoming Hasbro Designers. We just have to be realistic with what they can deliver to us collectors.

I've found that they are pretty good with the serious toy fans/collectors through conventions and observations of fansites, and don't just hastily dismiss/ignore us or what we like or dislike... but they can only go so far.


(*it is extremely rare for retailers to take on an action figure toyline that doesn't have tv/movie backing or a gimmick - as we've seen in this country in the last couple years with Generations - so if it wasn't for the collector interest and demands for these homage toys, I seriously doubt Hasbro would ever risk creating a major line that is not an easy sell to their customers, the retailers)

And yet from what we see/hear, whenever a new Generations product hits the shelves in the US (and here when FOC came out), they sell out pretty quickly, with most of the mainline (stuff with media) toys still lining shelves. They still sell, but new Generations stuff seems to sell like hotcakes.

It may only be from the perspective that we see it, but when I was at the Armageddon Expo here in October, there was a bunch of TF stuff available and I saw many kids go through the shop (Alternate Worlds) and the only things they ever picked up and had a look at were the Generations toys. They essentially ignored all the AOE, Construct Bots and Beast Hunters. A lot of kids looked at Gears and Skids, in particular.

I don't think we've had that much of a strong media presence for TFs here anyway. Prime and Prime Beast Hunters shows didn't hit here until long after the hype and the episodes shown were few and far between on paid channels (Cartoon Network).

[griffin]

A gallery of Voyager Optimus, on its own and combined.

[griffin]

It's worth checking out the source site (while it exists) for the seven Generations toys recently shown off, as there are a lot more photos there than were mirrored at the TFW links. (I just use the TFW links as it is more likely a permanent archive of its mirrored images)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Wow. It's interesting to see what a difference colour makes. While I agree that Prime looks like he's standing on a couple of dudes, i think it's due to the blue clashing.

I think Motormaster will look much better thab Op. I was going to skip Op and just get MM. I will be sticking to that plan.

[Bartrim]

just saw the pics of prime combined with various limbs... and it is hideous.

my first thought was 'HIIIISSSSS KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!!!!'

It looks like Prime is awkwardly standing on top of 2 other guys especially when you see the back view

im just gonna stay away from these.

That does... not... look good.

I think it might have something to do with Prime being the colours that he is. I don't intend to get Prime anyway. I'm sure the combined Menasor toy will look a lot better and I am loving Superion.

[k.wong23]

Superion Looks great!

I agree with griffin's perspective that there needs to be a balance for the three demographics. As collector's we can't be selfish and have it all...without the young ones generating a large portion of demand perhaps we wouldn't have as many products and the TFORMERS franchise as big as it is today.

Waiting for MotorMaster

[Gofigure]

Wow. It's interesting to see what a difference colour makes. While I agree that Prime looks like he's standing on a couple of dudes, i think it's due to the blue clashing.

I think Motormaster will look much better thab Op. I was going to skip Op and just get MM. I will be sticking to that plan.

tend to agree man....will make a great MM

Cant wait....love all these actually and find it very cool we actually are getting G1 combiners so cool!!!!!!!!!

[Verno]

Very well said indeed, Griff, and thanks for the info -- I was unaware of the change in target demographics. That point leaves me a little confused, however.

From what you've said, it means Hasbro is chasing a relatively young audience as its main bread and butter (you identified "young kids" and "pre-teen kids" as two of the three main demographics), but if my memory is correct, all four of the Michael Bay Transformers films have had a rating of M here in Australia (not recommended for children under 15) and PG-13 in the US, yet that seemingly isn't Hasbro's target market for the toys?

TF1 came out in 2007, which means a kid of 13 years-old then is now 20.

You also said that (and I'm assuming you're citing Hasbro on this) "Generations toys were for both Collectors and pre-teen kids", but I find that hard to believe given the comparatively obscure media (comics) featuring the characters. Perhaps with the upcoming Combiner Wars event in the IDW comics, Hasbro will advertise the toys and comics more to try and increase awareness, but at present, they're hardly mainstream, and pre-teens are unlikely to get on-board because they haven't got that relation to character that a Movie or TV show brings. Basically, what I'm saying is that Generations seems to be solely targeted towards Collectors.

Take the upcoming Superion for example. He's had the occasional toy, but Superion as a character: he's been seen in ancillary media (computer games and expanded universe fiction), but not in a mainline TV Show or Movie since... the 80's? And yet here he is, getting an updated toy. I can understand the appeal of a gimmick (combining) by retailers, and it does help attract additional (non-Collector) buyers, but this guy is clearly for the Collectors -- aged 25+.

I'm not disagreeing with anything you've said, Griff. I think I'm just very confused about Transformers full stop.