Hasbro New MP-Coding

[Bidoofdude]

Nope, sorry, did you just mentioned about optimus and starscream?
Before you know it we will get to mp-10 and 13. No offence here, mp-3 is mp-03 for me, I suggest from now on we need to name the whole bloodly figure to cause less confusion.

Should probably change "MP" to "MA" or something else if they were rebooting the numbers.

Thought I should view on ebay and show the damage done:

"Transformers Takara Masterpiece MP-01 Optimus Prime MISB Convoy 1st release"

"Transformers Masterpiece Acid Storm MP-01 TRU Exclusive New Sealed"

You make a good case. Just pointing out a minor difference that probably wouldn't change anything.

[drifand]

I don't like it, summarised for you. Thought this is obvious.
This thread was created for our thoughts about it.

If there isn't any point to discuss further we can close the thread and all move on, since basically is suck up and move on.

[Bidoofdude]

Is it possible someone could add a poll or something to the thread (e.g. A similar poll to the review sections on what you think). Thanks.

[drifand]

You make a good case. Just pointing out a minor difference that probably wouldn't change anything.

Nah, it wouldn't, we are all just discussing about the coding. As much as it could have been done better this is it. I don't think there is anything to turn the wheels anymore.

My thoughts are, bad coding. No more assumptions when someone is talking about a toy in code is expected that YOU know which figure I am referring to.
In simple terms, use the figure name and brand not codes.

[griffin]

It shouldn't be a problem for buying or selling, as no one should buy something without looking at it first (in person or in a photos). If they do buy unseen, than that's their fault. The name or labelling by one person is not a factor for purchasing, as it could be claimed that listing "Optimus Prime" could mean any version of Optimus Prime... and it is the buyer who just has to take a gamble on what they get.

The confusion however, relates to reference, listings, and discussion.
Ever since Generation 2, Transformers lines have been given abbreviations by Fans for convenience in listings and discussion, and Japan have always given product numbers... so there is an element of confusion in those instances, especially when fans try to agree on what to abbreviate each new series - like Animated for example. TFA was already taken (unofficially by Fans) for Armada, so then there was this long period of fansites trying to designate a term for Animated, and even retconning Armada as ARM instead of TFA (among some fans) so that Animated would be ANIM. But in the end, there is now no consistent term for each series after multiple possibilities emerged, and vocal groups support and use each.

For the minor lines, it gets even more inconsistent, because they were less important to worry about. (less discussion and listings meant it was less likely to need abbreviations just to make it easier)
The more common a line or series is, the more demand there is for acceptable abbreviations, and for the two Masterpiece lines, it was easy having one with product codes (MP10 etc), because if they were well known ones, it was obviously easier to just use the code among fans who are familiar with it... or in text when it isn't necessary or possible (if there is a character limit) to use the full names.
And what if you want to refer to the second mould version MP Convoy, you actually need to use the MP numbering, or else it could be confusing.

Ultimately, more details the better, and that's something I heavily recommend for here to avoid confusion and hostile responses for misinterpreting it... but I accept that we are in an age when txting has conditioned many of us to use, and expect, concise-as-possible (abbreviations where possible - or else it is either too long to send, or too much to bother reading).



Just do your best to include as much details as possible to avoid confusion from others, and you won't have a problem. And if someone else is being too "brief", especially if selling, just ask for clarification before jumping on them.

[drifand]

You are probably right.

I am only saying it in lay man's opinion. This was probably not the best thing they could have done but it has went that direction.

The good side is, meaning we expect reissues of the entire MP line to the TRU exclusive boxes. hence we be seeing a mp-10 since they are reintroducing prowl and others.

Like said, for now it may not be an issue as there is only up to mp-03 from the new box. It would be an issue when having a discussion down the road, I say probably 2 years time, or depending on how often TRU decides to release such toys.

Even currently as we speak, people have used mp-08 not mp-8 and the shortcuts will be our weakness.

[Bidoofdude]

You are probably right.

I am only saying it in lay man's opinion. This was probably not the best thing they could have done but it has went that direction.

The good side is, meaning we expect reissues of the entire MP line to the TRU exclusive boxes. hence we be seeing a mp-10 since they are reintroducing prowl and others.

Like said, for now it may not be an issue as there is only up to mp-03 from the new box. It would be an issue when having a discussion down the road, I say probably 2 years time, or depending on how often TRU decides to release such toys.

Even currently as we speak, people have used mp-08 not mp-8 and the shortcuts will be our weakness.

Hopefully we do see more reissues in the new packaging with Grimlock. I'd love to get my hands on an Optimus (I'm considering waiting now until getting YOTH) and a Rodimus, especially with fixes and the trailer.

[griffin]

You are probably right.

I am only saying it in lay man's opinion. This was probably not the best thing they could have done but it has went that direction.

The good side is, meaning we expect reissues of the entire MP line to the TRU exclusive boxes. hence we be seeing a mp-10 since they are reintroducing prowl and others.

Like said, for now it may not be an issue as there is only up to mp-03 from the new box. It would be an issue when having a discussion down the road, I say probably 2 years time, or depending on how often TRU decides to release such toys.

Even currently as we speak, people have used mp-08 not mp-8 and the shortcuts will be our weakness.

I do agree that it was a poor choice by Hasbro to copy TakaraTomy with numbering their MPs (which they don't need to), and then doing it the same way... which will get annoying for archivists/news posters like me (topic titles can only be so long... and if it had a unique code like HM-01, that would make my job so much easier).

But when it comes to sales, or even discussion, it is avoidable... just a nuisance that would never have been a topic of frustration if people at Hasbro had made up their OWN codes for their OWN products. Or just not have any at all. None of their previous Masterpiece toys have codes, so why start now.
It seems that toy codes are creeping into a lot of the Hasbro Transformers in the last year - Construct-Bots have them, The TFPrime Cyberverse toys have them, the '30 of 30 toys' obviously have them. Before we know it, all the toys will have numbers, as another incentive to "collect them all".

It doesn't work for me though, as I'm not falling for that completist attitude.

[DELTAprime]

It seems that toy codes are creeping into a lot of the Hasbro Transformers in the last year - Construct-Bots have them, The TFPrime Cyberverse toys have them, the '30 of 30 toys' obviously have them. Before we know it, all the toys will have numbers, as another incentive to "collect them all".

It doesn't work for me though, as I'm not falling for that completist attitude.

It's not just the last year. It started in 2011 with the Prime FE line and then spread from there. But for the most part Hasbro's way of doing it is just stupid.

Takara of course go with a unique letter and number combination for each toy like TG-14 for example. Hasbro goes Series 01 #001 but each line and size class has a Series 01 #001 so you can't even look them up by the number.

I keep track of ID numbers for my collection and I have five different toys numbered Series 01 #001.