Masterpieces - are we spoiled?

[Sinnertwin]

Some good info here
Anybody care to do a graph with only unique moulds & no repaints or remoulds?

[DaptoDog]

Some good info here
Anybody care to do a graph with only unique moulds & no repaints or remoulds?

I got you.



By number of unique moulds the line has never been stronger. Though while 2019 yielded 3 new G1 moulds, Hound is the only new G1 mould of a previously unreleased character in the last two years.

Note: I'm no expert on Alternators / Binaltech so didn't include them in this for the early years, though it is an interesting perspective Paulbot.

[Sinnertwin]

Thanks DD! Really puts it into perspective for me looking at how many new designs they've released over the last few years.

[Raider]

Thanks DD! Really puts it into perspective for me looking at how many new designs they've released over the last few years.

Yeah good job mate. I never would have guessed that 4 was the high point on original G1 releases and that we had 3 last year. 2018 though... yikes... they owe us now. Gimme more original G1! I want Dinobots and more Decepticons!

[GoktimusPrime]

Looking at DaptoDog's first chart, we can see that the average number of MP releases per year in the first half is 3 (2.8), whereas in the second half the average annual number of MPs is 11 (10.6). This means that the second half has seen nearly quadruple (x3.8) the number of MP releases. In DaptoDog's second chart, we can see that the average number of annual MP releases in the first half is 1 (0.8), whereas in the second half it's exactly 4, so by this count the number of annual MPs in has quintupled (4/0.8=5).

So no matter how we choose to move these goal posts, we can see that the average number of MPs released per year in more recent years has greatly increased compared to those released in the early years. If we average those averages...
* Counting all MPs = x6
* Discounting variants and duplicates = x4
* Counting MP releases = x4
* Counting new MP moulds = x5
So we can see that average the number of MPs released per year has quintupled (x4.8).

[Raider]

Yay for math! I think the point was simply to show that the numbers as posted on the wiki aren't a true reflection. Yeah if we use averages of course it's a contrast. If we reduced it to looking at the last 2 years for unique G1 MPs then it is only 1.5. From those 3 in 2019, as was pointed out, only 1 was a new character. So we have 1 new character only in 2 years.

Yes there has been a lot across all areas and many repaints. It is not just a matter of quantity.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

So, getting back to the original question/thread title, My Two Cents is...

No, Not Really.

MPs are high-end collectibles. Having high expectations for them is entirely reasonable compared to 15-odd-years-ago mainline releases. And a lot of the grievances leveled against contemporary MPs are legitimate. A $150+ toy really shouldn't break out of the box.

That said, Transformers fans are often pretty much the definition of an Unpleasant Fanbase. So there's that. But adjusting your expectations to the standard of the line in question is entirely reasonable, and MPs have gotten pretty pricey in recent years.



I'm totally waiting on official MP Insecticons btw. And Blaster plus cassettes, and Cyclonus, and Scourge. Plus a red redeco of MP Sunstreaker, and a few more besides. But I can wait - I'm pretty sure they'll come eventually.

[Raider]

I'm totally waiting on official MP Insecticons btw. And Blaster plus cassettes, and Cyclonus, and Scourge. Plus a red redeco of MP Sunstreaker, and a few more besides. But I can wait - I'm pretty sure they'll come eventually.

But I want them all now! And reasonably priced! And perfect representations in bot and alt mode!

Completely agree with your post. Blaster and the cassettes to square off against Soundwave would be awesome.

[drifand]

So, getting back to the original question/thread title, My Two Cents is...

No, Not Really.

MPs are high-end collectibles. Having high expectations for them is entirely reasonable compared to 15-odd-years-ago mainline releases. And a lot of the grievances leveled against contemporary MPs are legitimate. A $150+ toy really shouldn't break out of the box.

That said, Transformers fans are often pretty much the definition of an Unpleasant Fanbase. So there's that. But adjusting your expectations to the standard of the line in question is entirely reasonable, and MPs have gotten pretty pricey in recent years.



I'm totally waiting on official MP Insecticons btw. And Blaster plus cassettes, and Cyclonus, and Scourge. Plus a red redeco of MP Sunstreaker, and a few more besides. But I can wait - I'm pretty sure they'll come eventually.

Tada, totally with you. I mean seriously how TT is going to over engineer this will be beyond me for MP insecticons. There be no dumb no licensing excuses etc. But hey go figure on their choices on making MPs.

People are just done waiting, 2018 was the worse for G1 Mps

I do not like Hasui pieces and partly was because they were half arsed not painted during that period, may not be entirely his fault but it put me off, especially wheeljack was not fully painted like what it is now.

To make matters worse fanbase were so EXCITED about mp-44 starscream head they wanted another remake. OMG how are we going to finish this line?

One of the major issues that began was people treated Masterpiece line as an Action figure not a high end collectors item and now when they actually do apply quality paint is so expensive.

I have to say, one of the peak points for TF MPs was during Ultra Magnus - Grapple. I was still very relying on TT than even looking at 3P companies.

If we are honestly spoiled for choices, nobody will be seriously bothered with the 3p companies have to offer, but this appears not to be the case.