Ozmasters, The MOTU General Discussion Thread.

[kup]

Scott's latest round (or 2) of answers have left many utterly speechless. His behaviour is even more unprofessional than normal!

I just feel like Scott's either quit, or has been told his days as Brand Manager of MOTUC are coming to an end. Perhaps the whole line is going to end soon (how does that make Subscribers, who bought in to 2013 because of the 2014 promises, feel?). Dunno - seems just seem a little weird right now.

You can read it between the lines, he doesn't have much of a 'poker face' when it comes to keeping emotion out of his postings. Mattel management has probably killed the line and since it was Scott's 'purpose for living' he is trying to hold it all in. After all, he is ego driven and revels at the whole 'Celebrity' status the line has given him with the MOTU fandom. Once MOTUC is gone, he will just be 'plain and simple' Scott.

Expect the formal announcement some time soon.

[Lord_Zed]

You can read it between the lines, he doesn't have much of a 'poker face' when it comes to keeping emotion out of his postings. Mattel management has probably killed the line and since it was Scott's 'purpose for living' he is trying to hold it all in. After all, he is ego driven and revels at the whole 'Celebrity' status the line has given him with the MOTU fandom. Once MOTUC is gone, he will just be 'plain and simple' Scott.

Expect the formal announcement some time soon.

If what you say is true, to many he will always be "that guy" who ruined MOTUC too!

[Robzy]

Expect the formal announcement some time soon.

If what you say is true, to many he will always be "that guy" who ruined MOTUC too!

I think you're both right!

As I wrote above, this is the feeling I'm getting after reading his recent posts. He's certainly taken it to a whole new level. His behaviour (for a paid professional) is astounding. So, the obvious conclusion to be drawn, is that things don't look good for the future of MOTUC, or Scott, or possibly both!

[Robzy]

Scott's certainly distancing himself...

I pass comments to Ruben all the time and while he doesn't post he reads a lot of the threads. But in the end, MOTUC are his toys to design and it is not my job to tell him how to do his job. I do pass along suggestions online, but I can't force him to do anything. That just isn't how Mattel works.

Let me see if I can explain this one a little better.

Think of MOTUC as a movie. If that were so, I would be the producer, Ruben is the director and the Horsemen are the actors.

It is Ruben's job (as dictated by management and Mattel structure) to translate the Horsemen's sculpts into articulated manufactured product (i.e. action figures).

Many times factors be it costs, artistic desire or even accident can affect things Ruben (or whomever is in the design seat)does. Sometimes fans have really liked these things (like when Terry darkened Shadow Weaver's robe), other times not as much (like when Ruben moved around Stinkor's glove).

But the bottom line is that it is Ruben's JOB to do these things. Much as a Director owns the artistic vision for a film. The actor (sculptor) can suggest things or provide a good starting point, but it is ultimately the director (designer) who creates the figure.

We do work as a team on MOTUC and lots of folks from across the group have contributed over the years I even got to suggest two accessories that were created, Panthor's helmet and King He-Man's sword, and I remember TC our previous engineer came up with the Orb of Grayskull concept).So we all chip in a bit.

I hope this clarifies. If you are expecting the Horsemen sculpts to be 100% the toy, I honestly just suggest managing your expectations. The Horsemen are great sculptors, but in the end it is Ruben's (or whomever is the lead designer's) toy.

Pretty cool, huh? Told you Scott wasn't to blame... it's all Ruben's fault!!

Seriously... pass the buck much? He's the Brand Manager right? It's a big picture of him on Mattycollector right? Not Ruben, right? He writes the "MOTUC Director's Commentary" right? But now Ruben's the "director" and in charge of all design decisions? Scott is powerless to stop Ruben swapping Stinkor's forearms?

This is the same guy who recently asked "Do I get any credit?"??!! Give me a break!

If we had more fans like you, the line would have no end in sight!

I read this and immediately picked up 2 things: 1, Scott only wants customers/fans who praise and thank him (for what?? - apparently he has no power whatsoever, according to his above statements), and 2, the line clearly has an "end in sight".

But, alas, this is the best one of all... In response to DR's latest screw up (they released several figures, like the Snake Men 2-pack, on sale early and many people bought them) he wrote...

Yes. This was an error and all sales will be canceled and refunded.

Only problem is, there are several people noting they've received an email from DR/Matty saying their item (the 2-pack) has been shipped So, how does that work? Maybe Scott's telling the truth, and he really does have no idea what's going on and no power to stop it. Fingers crossed there's any Snake Men left for the REAL sale day next week not to mention for the Subscribers (reminds me of the Fisto debacle).

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

But, alas, this is the best one of all... In response to DR's latest screw up (they released several figures, like the Snake Men 2-pack, on sale early and many people bought them) he wrote...



Only problem is, there are several people noting they've received an email from DR/Matty saying their item (the 2-pack) has been shipped So, how does that work? Maybe Scott's telling the truth, and he really does have no idea what's going on and no power to stop it. Fingers crossed there's any Snake Men left for the REAL sale day next week not to mention for the Subscribers (reminds me of the Fisto debacle).

I sense a punch up when Rueben reads these... Things are gonna be Icey in the mattel offices for a while. Sheesh.

If scott has no power and no idea as to what's going on, then he should probably shut up and if they want to have a correspondent with the fans, get someone who knows what's going on. Rueben seems to be the main man now...

As for the sale screw up, so what? they bought them and paid for them, obviously they wanted them. Ship them off. Apologise for releasing them early. What's the big deal? Make some more if they don't have enough for the subscribers, it can't be that hard.

Now all the people who bought them early have to buy them again? If I were in that group I certainly wouldn't bother. If matty collector were a company in Australia, I would have reported them to fair trading considering how immense and regular their cock ups seem to be...

[Tallestblue]

Again, one of the many reasons I preorder with BBTS. Yes, I'm paying extra but at least I don't have to worry about monumental screw ups like this.

[Robzy]

Why the hell is the onus on customers to show PROOF to the design team at Mattel that the black plastic on new MOTUC figures is chipping? I have a Spikor - his knee was chipped before I even opened the packaging. Plenty of people have dozens of photos online of their figures with chipping paint, and black being revealed underneath. It's like sh!tty quality 80s/90s toys all over again What "crack scientist" at Mattel thought this was a good idea? Ruben? Who honestly couldn't see what was going to happen with this??

Scott - you've been told!! It doesn't matter that you've only found 30 pictures of it... there aren't a huge amount of pics of Snout Spout's splittling trunk, Goddess' exploding torso, or Mr Stay Puft's yellowing body, but you've managed to acknowledge all of them as "errors" or "issues". So, he's passed it on? Yippeee... took long enough! Shouldn't have happened in the first place. Scott even states it was a "cost cutting" measure, and now they'll have to look for a new one. Cost cutting? Aren't we paying more per figure so we don't lose quality?? You know what's gonna happen - the 2014 line won't happen and fans/customers will get the blame cos we didn't just suck it up in regards to black plastic. They'll say they tried to save money but customers wouldn't let them! It will be our fault again!

This line has jumped the shark!