Why doesn't TakaraTomy employ more MP designers?

[griffin]

Masterpiece toys are like BotCon toys...

When they release one or two a year and they become exciting with added anticipation (and more affordable to collectors who have a tight budget).

But if they release 15-20 per year because of how well received the 1-2 per year are, each one becomes less exciting because it's about every two weeks (which results in many getting 3 or 4 at the same time to save shipping), so the concept itself also becomes diluted to the point of it being treated as no more special than any other main-line... and then there is the cost means many collectors have to sacrifice ones they want because they can't afford that many in a year.


That's what happened with the BotCon toys when FunPub took over. They just don't hold the same excitement anymore because FunPub flooded the market with "BotCon toys"... and the rare times that they had a good year of toys, many can't afford all the ones they want.

So for me, "less" is "more" when it comes to Masterpiece toys. Keep the number limited, and even though it can be a frustrating wait, it is also an exciting wait in the final weeks.
Like hand-crafted artwork over mass-produced printings - quality over quantity... if they turn it into a major source or revenue to spit out 20+ a year, they will streamline the process to the point of producing toys that will become no better than mainline deluxe toys.

[drifand]

I would think releasing 5-7 max is the tipping point. Most of the mps release are not actually new anyway, and are repaints and hence why people are feeling bored.

Magnus, Wheeljack, Bumblebee were what I liked. Skywarp, green/purple prime, gold megatron are not what I be considering as a release.

Starsaber would be something for me to look forward to than mp Exhaust.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Yeah i was just thinking it'd be nice to have 4 new moulds a year (1 every 3 months). I agree that the wait helps build appreciation but at ~6-9 months (longer usually if you're disregarding redecos) from reveal to release, when i look back i feel you spend so much more time waiting than enjoying them! I'm probably more excited when they're first shown and promo pics come out, than when they actually release!

Last year was good for new moulds but on a poor schedule imo, why release Bumblebee and Magnus just a month apart? A more even spread would be better.

Ideally i'd love for them to be surprises and be able to buy at the shops after discovering a new one was out; no early announcement. I could avoid news but the need to preorder and there being virtually no retail presence (here) makes that impossible.

[griffin]

Yes... too long a wait, and if there are flaws or criticisms, they seem worse for making us wait so long for the next toy.

One every three to four months is good with a couple redecos each year, as we get about 6 months of hints, designs, prototypes and colour product images, which can then overlap with the previous one to cover those who are more selective and skip some.