Hasbro America fan presentation

[griffin]

On November 18th in America, Hasbro organised an online presentation to invited American fansites, showing off a number of upcoming toys and promotions.

The major bits have already been reported in other separate news topics, while the rest will be noted here.

Titans Return Powermaster Optimus - already noted here.

Optimus Prime will be able to transform into a base, vehicle and robot. His partner is Apex who becomes his head.

Titan Fortress Maximus - already noted here.

2016's Titan Class figure will be Fortress Maximus! As many fans expected, the figure will be an extensive retooling and redeco of the Titan Class Metroplex figure. Based on this artwork, it is a very extensive rework of the base mold. The figure of course will feature the "Headmaster" gimmick and transform into a base that other bases in the line can connect to (such as Blaster). Only the artwork below was shown with a full reveal being "saved" for Toy Fair 2016.

Fan-vote - already noted here.

It was also mentioned that 2017's Titan Class figure will be put up to a vote!

Gen2 Bruticus - already noted here.

Combiner Wars G2 Bruticus
Ever since it was revealed at SDCC 2015 that Hasbro was releasing Generation 2 themed redecos of Superion and Menasor, fans have wondered "What about that awesome Dudicus named Bruticus?!" and Hasbro has finally answered that question with the reveal of a "Generation 2" Combaticon boxed set! Even better? The set will include Legends Class Shockwave with a color scheme based on his G1 Action Master color scheme! For fans of classic homages, this is one exciting set.

The bulk of the rest of the reveals was for Robots In Disguise, and the focus on Minicons for 2016.
A third type is joining the torpedos and buzzsaws, called cyclones, which are like cannon balls (spheres).

Minicons and Deployers.
A lot of redecos, and some of the names don't match up with the Game App, so we'll have to wait until in-packaging images are seen.

• Wave 1: Blizzard Strike Slipstream, Swelter (robot), Decepticon Back (spider) and Decepticon Hammer (dragon)
• Wave 1 4 Pack: Blizzard Strike Backtrack, Blizzard Strike Swelter, Scorch Strike Undertone and Scorch Strike Beastbox
• Wave 2: Scorch Strike Jetstorm, Glacius (robot), Ransack (drone)
• Deployer Wave 1: Overload with Backtrack, Blizzard Strike Drift with Jetstorm
• Deployer Wave 2: Crazybolt with Decepticon Hammer

Continuing the Mini-Con theme are 2-packs with larger toys, that are new moulds, smaller than the Warriors... with armour/weapons parts.

Mini-Con Battle Packs
The other extension of the "Robots in Disguise" line will be Mini-Con "Battle Packs". Each of these will include a figure that is roughly Commander Class in scale (think the old Scout Class). Their articulation is roughly that of a Warrior Class figure (with perhaps one or two points of articulation lost). These figures will come with several armor pieces that can be combined into a large weapon. Some of the armor act as homages of sorts. Optimus Prime's armor becomes a giant axe (his signature melee weapon) and Grimlock's armor forms "T-Rex head halves" on his shoulders akin to "Age of Extinction" Grimlock. These figures will be paired with enemy Mini-Cons to "battle".

• Wave 1: Optimus Prime with Lord Doomitron and Sideswipe with Decepticon Anvil
• Wave 2: Bumblebee with Major Mayhem and Grimlock with Decepticon Back

Looks like Hasbro are getting into the super deformed market that is popular in Japan, with a set of toys called "Alt-Modes".
-Megatron
-Optimus Prime
-Nemesis Prime
-Starscream
-Skywarp
-Thundercracker

Alt-Modes
Inspired by cute figures from other brands seen in Japan, the "Generations" Alt-Modes are super deformed Transformers figures with a transformation element. Each figure is inspired by a G1 character featuring a large head and a tiny body that transforms in one step. These figures will be blind packed and appeared to be about the size of a Legends Class figure. For those curious the symbol tab on the top of the head can fold down.

Q&A

At the end of the session there was a round robin Q&A session. Here are some of the highlights of the information that came out of that session:

• There are plans to bring in other generations into the 2016 line (including homages to the 1986 movie and Beast Wars).
• The "Year of the Monkey" Optimus Primal is meant to celebrate the anniversary of "Beast Wars"
• The Q&A confirmed Powermaster Optimus Prime is an extensive retool retaining only some of the joints, connection points and a couple parts. Even the cab has some differences.
• The Battle Packs were a challenge to design due to having to turn the armor into weapons.
• Fortress Maximus was very challenging to work on due to its size, costing, weight and the fact that it has to work with other bases in the "Titans Return" line. It is a retool of Metroplex, but an extensive one.
• One of the hardest parts of designing the "Titans Return" line was the interaction of the "Master" figures across the line. The scales of robot heads in particular was an issue (which the "helmet sections" helped solve).
• When asked why the more traditional "engine to humanoid" form wasn't used, Hasbro emphasized they wanted to keep the play pattern consistent (head to robot) instead of having too many types of "Masters" mixed up in the line.
• No comment when asked about Masterpiece Decepticons.
• Don't read into Decepticon Hammer have two different trees (one Autobot, one Decepticon) in the two pictures. It was a photo error.
• The "Cybertron Con" trademark was positioned as a successful convention in Asia and they wanted to protect the trademark as much as possible. Botcon 2016 is happening as planned. No further information was provided.
• Hasbro knows fans outside of Japan want the Deluxe Groove, but nothing specific was said other than "We love Groove".
• Hasbro did not rule out more G1 reissues in 2016.
• The "Stars City Neon" deal (the parent company of Victory Hill exhibitions) aims towards installments like an exhibition and not fan conventions.
• Jerry Jivoin will be leaving the brand team at the end of the year for a position in marketing at Hasbro Italy.

[tinyJazz]

Nice of Hasbro to do something like this.

... so, is minicon Back, back then?

Also

The "Year of the Monkey" Optimus Primal is meant to celebrate the anniversary of "Beast Wars"

Oh come on. If it's celebrating Beast Wars why is it in G1 colours? Should have been black, white and red. :/

[Verno]

The "Year of the Monkey" Optimus Primal is meant to celebrate the anniversary of "Beast Wars"

Meant to, but doesn't.

Air Attack Optimus Primal (designed as a Beast Machines toy, not a Beast Wars toy), released during Robots in Disguise (not Beast Wars) and painted like Primal Prime (a Beast Machines character, not Optimus Primal, nor even a Beast Wars character). It's a damn abomination.

[Handsprime]

Nice of Hasbro to do something like this.

... so, is minicon Back, back then?

it is, but it isn't as good as the previous ones.
Then again I prefer little Transformers instead of lil transformers