Movie 'Preview' toys now out in Australia.

[willocrew]

so who thinks premiums will be available this time around? raises hand

ill be the sucker who buys everything!

Imo, since the leaderclass figures are new molds, it stands to reason that hasbro would want to produce as much repaints as possible.

But I think it ultimately depends on how well the leaderclass sells.

Anyone care to make a guess how well a $90 toy would sell in todays economic doom and gloom? I recall seeing lots of $80 ultimate bumblebee earlier in the year (2009).

[GoktimusPrime]

Ultimate Bumblebee's always been a shelf-warmer, even during the boom. You have a point though - they should be focussing on making more affordable toys in a time of economic downturn. I don't know how many parents would be willing to get their kids both an entire set of Constructicons and Zordastator. I'm already telling myself that I can only have one or the other but not both and I reckon a fair few parents would be giving their kids the same ultimatum.

[i_amtrunks]

I'm already telling myself that I can only have one or the other but not both and I reckon a fair few parents would be giving their kids the same ultimatum.

Unless of course his role in the film is craptacular, and kids are not interested in the combined figurine...

[Bartrim]

Unless of course his role in the film is craptacular, and kids are not interested in the combined figurine...

I think it'll be the opposite. I think that alot of kids will be overawed at "Big D" on the big screen and will go for the combined figure. It'll probably depend on how much screen time the individual constructicons get and how much carnage Devy causes.

[i_amtrunks]

I think it'll be the opposite. I think that alot of kids will be overawed at "Big D" on the big screen and will go for the combined figure. It'll probably depend on how much screen time the individual constructicons get and how much carnage Devy causes.

Of course. But if we only see Devy for a few minutes right near the end, sucking up some sand before being taken down, then is "awesome" factor will be greatly nullified.

[GoktimusPrime]

For kids the role in fiction really doesn't matter as much as the quality of the bloody toy. If a toy is good, kids will use their imagine when playing with the toy and give them a good story or what not. At the end of the day, I want to collect these toys as TOYS. Sure, a significant part of my motivation to collect them is influenced by the movie, no doubt's there - but first and foremost I want them to be well engineered and fun to play with. And once the Legends set comes out you don't need to be Perceptor to work out what most kids and parents will opt for.

[i_amtrunks]

For kids the role in fiction really doesn't matter as much as the quality of the bloody toy.

I've got to disagree on one point with you there Gok.
Iif a Kid has seen/read the fiction then the character plays a massive part in the popularity and playability of the toy. The leader/stronger characters are infinitely more popular toys than the supporting cast.

However, if the toy is from a fiction that the child has no exposure to then I digress, that the design and quality of the toy has a far greater impact of the popularity/playability.

[griffin]

For kids the role in fiction really doesn't matter as much as the quality of the bloody toy. If a toy is good, kids will use their imagine when playing with the toy and give them a good story or what not. At the end of the day, I want to collect these toys as TOYS. Sure, a significant part of my motivation to collect them is influenced by the movie, no doubt's there - but first and foremost I want them to be well engineered and fun to play with. And once the Legends set comes out you don't need to be Perceptor to work out what most kids and parents will opt for.

I think you'd be in the minority there. The toys, to fans and non-fans have been like merchandise, in that they are bought to relive or reimagine the character we are familiar with from the cartoon, comic, etc. We might use imagination, but the foundation comes from what we already know about those characters, and how they are portrayed in official media. You wouldn't know if it is a good toy until after you buy it, so kids and parents need to make their decision based on what they do know. That's why show characters outsell non-show characters, reguardless of how good each toy is to play with. Most kids or parents will grab a familiar character over a random toy based on its look on the shelf. Appearance is a factor if it is a range of toys that doesn't have any promotional material (like Universe), but when you have Movie and Animated characters featured on the big or small screen, kids and parents will recognise or be interested in those characters. Especially if they get a prominent role like Devastator appears to be.

That was why the Beast Wars Cartoon heavily featured the bigger toys, because Hasbro knew that the cast was limited, so needed to promote the more expensive toys (Primal, Megatron, Depth Charge, Rampage, Dragon Megatron, Tigerhawk, Optimal Optimus).

It's basic marketting, by featuring the product you want most to sell, and in the case of the Movie, Hasbro find out which characters are featured most, and prioritises them with the larger toy forms and/or multiple toy releases.

[Bartrim]

I've got to disagree on one point with you there Gok.
Iif a Kid has seen/read the fiction then the character plays a massive part in the popularity and playability of the toy. The leader/stronger characters are infinitely more popular toys than the supporting cast.

I agree with that. I never had Roadbuster and Whirl as a kid because I never saw them on the cartoon (yes I am aware they featured in the comics but growing up in Ulladulla in the 80's TF comics were few and far between)