FansProject's Protector Armor (Not-Rodimus)

[kaiden]

If I am correct though, they already planned this before we heard about MP Rodimus. Though the release of the coloured pictures does seem a little coincidental.

i remember seeing Protector back when Defender was first shown. I guess MP Rodimus was to compete against Protector and to celebrate 2010 and with all the gimmicks - damn!

[Sky Shadow]

Yeah, they've had this in the works forever. I actually think Masterpiece Rodimus is more likely to hurt their sales than help - are people really more likely to spend big dollars on a smaller unofficial product when they could just as easily spend big dollars on a better and bigger official one?

[SharkyMcShark]

I'd prefer MP09 over this, but in its defence I will say that I don't think they're directly in competition. I mean, its not really Rodimus Prime is it (vehicle mode aside)? It strikes me more as a hypothetical - what if Hot Rod had trailer armour like Ultra Magnus did?

I say this because generally the FP stuff has been very true to G1 thus far, whereas Hot Rod combining with trailer isn't something that ever happened.

[1AZRAEL1]

I'm sure it won't hurt either sales. They are different size classes, and I bet I won't be the only one to be buying both MP Rodimus and the Protecter upgrade. Can't really compare the 2 IMO, would like apples and oranges.

[jaydisc]

Yeah, I don't see these in competition. People who collect MPs will get MP Rodimus. People who collect CHUG or FP, will get Protector. People who collect by the character will get both.

As to timing, Protector has been in the works for over 1.5 years, well beyond the time anyone publicly claims to have known about MP Rodimus.

[kup]

Yeah, they've had this in the works forever. I actually think Masterpiece Rodimus is more likely to hurt their sales than help - are people really more likely to spend big dollars on a smaller unofficial product when they could just as easily spend big dollars on a better and bigger official one?

I agree, people who are unable/unwilling to get both toys will prefer the MP over the 3rd party upgrade. I know I do, the MP is the much better toy by far.

However that would only affect those who are only willing to get one toy of the character. It won't make a difference to those who want both for their MP and Classics shelves.

The FansProject release predates the announcement of MP Rodimus by a year or more so it's nothing to do with trying to cut into Hasbro's profits. However it is safe to say that the MP release will indeed cut into the Protector sales as not everyone is going to get both toys.

[kaiden]

However it is safe to say that the MP release will indeed cut into the Protector sales as not everyone is going to get both toys.

My Wallet laughs and says it bought both Protector and Shadow Scythe and has MP Rodimus preordered (but really, it secretly cries in a corner feeling empty inside...)

[Sam]

Looks well designed, but can't afford to get both this and MP Rodimus. :0

[Grievous]

The FansProject release predates the announcement of MP Rodimus by a year or more so it's nothing to do with trying to cut into Hasbro's profits.

Could it be Hasbro's way of trying too "defend" itself from 3rd Party companies?

Would Hasbro have gone for a different MP if not for the Protector kit?

[kup]

Could it be Hasbro's way of trying too "defend" itself from 3rd Party companies?

Would Hasbro have gone for a different MP if not for the Protector kit?

I doubt it. The existence of MP Rodimus is a Japanese driven effort to celebrate Transformers: 2010 which Hasbro has agreed with or it wouldn't have gone ahead.

I don't think Protector had any bearing in the decision to make the MP.