Unicron at Zing/EB Games

[VERT]

People are cancelling in favour of the 3P version coming. And I copped flak for saying I prefer the Hasbro one anyway. The fandom sucks sometimes

Yeah it does. The 3rd party one is nice. But it's not what I want for a Unicron. It's so small. The Haslab one had better be funded or we will never see anything like this again.

[1AZRAEL1]

Yeah it does. The 3rd party one is nice. But it's not what I want for a Unicron. It's so small. The Haslab one had better be funded or we will never see anything like this again.

Wonder if Hasbro will look at their legal options because they now have something that is directly competing with their sales for something that is simultaneously being developed.

Whilst I'll be disappointed if it doesn't get made, I'll at least get my money back and put it towards my trip to Germany next year lol

[griffin]

It's their own fault for turning a blind eye all this time, not worrying about the small impact those unauthorised toys had on their mass-produced toys, so that when it finally affects something of theirs it's too late to then do something affective. It's now been 10 years since we started seeing actual toys instead of just accessories which means there are fans out there who treat them as legitimate TFs toys, chastising fans of the real toys if there is a dispute.

[BigTransformerTrev]

It's their own fault for turning a blind eye all this time, not worrying about the small impact those unauthorised toys had on their mass-produced toys, so that when it finally affects something of theirs it's too late to then do something affective. It's now been 10 years since we started seeing actual toys instead of just accessories which means there are fans out there who treat them as legitimate TFs toys, chastising fans of the real toys if there is a dispute.

I saw an example of that on one of the Aussie TF FB pages. I put up my review of Cyberverse Alpha Trion last night and mentioned how it was the most G1-reminicent Alpha Trion robot mode we've had (compared to the Legends, Timelines and Titans Return ones). One of the responses was a person posting pictures of several different 3P Alpha Trions that were more G1-authentic looking than the actual official toys. The mindset displayed was obviously these 3P ones were as valid as the official toys and perhaps Hasbro can blame themselves for letting it get to that state of affairs.

Personally I'm really hoping the official Unicron gets made. I'll even be designing my shelving for the new shed specifically to support the size and weight of a pair of them (one for each mode) as a central focal point of the back wall. Though I suppose if he doesn't get made I'll be saving $1700 I guess.

[1AZRAEL1]

It's their own fault for turning a blind eye all this time, not worrying about the small impact those unauthorised toys had on their mass-produced toys, so that when it finally affects something of theirs it's too late to then do something affective. It's now been 10 years since we started seeing actual toys instead of just accessories which means there are fans out there who treat them as legitimate TFs toys, chastising fans of the real toys if there is a dispute.

As far as I know, this is the first time they've had something competing at the same time. Fans Toys was developing their MP Soundwave and then Hasbro revealed their own so FT shelved theirs. They were hesitant to push the limits. Now it seems Zeta wants to push the envelope. I don't much like where it's heading. And not liking the way the fandom is fighting one another.

[UltraMarginal]

I saw an example of that on one of the Aussie TF FB pages. I put up my review of Cyberverse Alpha Trion last night and mentioned how it was the most G1-reminicent Alpha Trion robot mode we've had (compared to the Legends, Timelines and Titans Return ones). One of the responses was a person posting pictures of several different 3P Alpha Trions that were more G1-authentic looking than the actual official toys. The mindset displayed was obviously these 3P ones were as valid as the official toys and perhaps Hasbro can blame themselves for letting it get to that state of affairs.

There is a licensed 3rd party Alpha Trion that looks Amazing.
I think it's a bit hard to get now, but probably one of the main reasons I haven't chased after this Cyberverse version.

[hYpNoS]

I admit that 3p unicron is tempting but the face is putting me off, that and the mouth for planet mode and no color prototypes shown.

Also I'm a stupid sucker for big toys

[Sinnertwin]

As far as I know, this is the first time they've had something competing at the same time. Fans Toys was developing their MP Soundwave and then Hasbro revealed their own so FT shelved theirs. They were hesitant to push the limits. Now it seems Zeta wants to push the envelope. I don't much like where it's heading. And not liking the way the fandom is fighting one another.

I cbf looking up the exact time lines, but Magic Square and Transform Element have both released a G1 cartoon accurate Optimus in anticipation I believe of Takara's MP44.
Fans Toys Soundwave is back on despite an MP Soundwave reissue. The third party co's have been pushing the envelope for years now, I can't see why Hasbro would care all of a sudden?
Anyway, Hasbro have also dodged more than their fair share of licensing fees and stolen existing IP by changing a tail light here & a bonnet scoop there. Just look at all of the not-Lamborghini's floating around

[griffin]

Anyway, Hasbro have also dodged more than their fair share of licensing fees and stolen existing IP by changing a tail light here & a bonnet scoop there. Just look at all of the not-Lamborghini's floating around

That is true... in the early days it was mostly because it wasn't really necessary for toys, unless the toy was being marketed as an accurate replica... and more recently it would have been done to trim costs where ever possible.
And the difference between Hasbro and 3rd party "unlicensed" toys is that the Hasbro toys aren't trying to take away sales from licensed replica vehicles. People who are only wanting a licensed replica wouldn't want it "ruined" by odd robotic panels and moving parts - us Transformers fans just consider a license as a nice fancy bonus, not a necessity, as we generally prefer to have the toys looking like they do on the cartoon, or as the original series toy they are homaging. (obviously if it is a collector grade movie toy that is meant to replicate what is on screen, including its badging, accurate detailing and even its vehicle names, it should be licensed)
The 3rd party toys are only intending to take sales away from Hasbro, as most people who buy a 3rd party toy, don't buy the Hasbro equivalent or sell it off.... so they should be paying licensing or royalties to offset the lost sales. If someone with selective spending on Transformers starts spending a few hundred dollars a year on non-Hasbro toys, it's not usually in addition to their limited Transformers budget, it becomes part of it, which then money that Hasbro doesn't get.
And we all should know that the first toyline that Hasbro will cut back on if sales drop below a minimum amount is the Generations toys, as they don't have Movie or Cartoon support (the free advertising, that the retailers prioritise). Generations could even end up becoming a range of non-retail toys, like all of the exclusives that are set for the second half of this year... that could be the future of Generations - a smaller production run of each toy, just sold through online stores and independent retailers.

I do want to say though, that I am supportive of unlicensed accessories, as they require purchasing of a legit toy to enhance it... and because a lot of those items are things that Hasbro should have produced, but wont, so there is no competition with something legit.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I do want to say though, that I am supportive of unlicensed accessories, as they require purchasing of a legit toy to enhance it... and because a lot of those items are things that Hasbro should have produced, but wont, so there is no competition with something legit.

This^

I know it sounds stupid when talking about toys of cartoon characters but I've always kinda felt like that buying unlicensed 3P figures was somehow cheating and not supporting the brand (zero friggin judgement on anyone who does buy that stuff).

Thats why I've only gotten items that I've felt Hasbro/TT will never make. So my unlicensed 3P collection consists of some Quintessons, an Allicon and upgrades for CW Menasor and Universe Hardhead. Oh and some items other people have given me over the years like the 3P characters for Unicron Trilogy Bruticus and WST Grimlock. And some quite interesting mousepads of course