Hasbro Answers Star Wars Transformers Question

So basically...little kids are dumb, and adult collectors got shafted because of it?

Why even call them Transformers and use the TF brand logo, then? Why not just call the line ForceMorphers or some such? Or even still, since it's been successful, why not take it to the next step and make it actual TFs like we wanted all along? I'd be willing to bet that the kids who Hasbro is worried about confusing will not care. I'm sure they'd want 'em just as much. I think it's only the fans (us) who pay much attention to the storylines anyway... and we have no trouble telling seperate universes apart. I dare say we're getting used to that by now.

What the hell do little kids know about G1, Star Wars, or GI Joe?
The hell with them. Make the products for the grown-ups WHO BUY THEM, because kids will want them anyway.

I don't want to miss the opportunity to get Hound that turns into a VAMP just because some kid who grew up with 'Sigma 6' and Cybertron' has no idea what 'Generation 1' and 'A Real American Hero' is. God damn!

Well, that was a load of horse shit.

Didn't want to confuse the "real" Transformers storyline? The fudge? Transformers have had numerous time lines over the years! One more wouldn't have hurt.

Wankers. Truth is they wanted to rape the name of the product that will be making them big money in the next few months to prop up a product line that is essentially over because they no longer have any more movies coming out.

Fricken heck... those are some volatile responses right there...
Let's all calm down a bit, eh? It's just toys o.O

Retarded Sales Analyst wrote:Believe it or not, we did not factor the collector very heavily into the SW TF line

No shit? We hadn't noticed.[/sarcasim]

I can't understand HOW these things are successful. They aren't moving in the Alexandria, VA stores and even kids are turning their noses up at them.

Are they really looking at Star Wars Transformers figures sales on its own or looking at something else?

RogueDeathangel wrote:Fricken heck... those are some volatile responses right there...
Let's all calm down a bit, eh? It's just toys o.O

I take it you collect toys? If so, then I'm sure you can see where our anger is coming from. As a fan of Star Wars, Transformers, and GI Joe, it really pisses me off when companies screw up this bad and then gloat about it to fan sites. Don't they see the potential in these toy lines? Do they REALLY think the success of the Classics is because of the kids who think they look cool despite having no Powerlinx/Key gimmick, and no because of the adult fans?

I guarantee that a transformers gi joe toy line will be successful
I wanted it when i was 8 yrs old and so will kids today.
hasbro is wrong in believing it will confuse kids, trust me it won't!
the truth is they just don't care about what is popular or what kids or collectors want

Hotrod wrote:Believe it or not, we did not factor the collector very heavily

Oh, so that's why you sell Primus, Unicron and Cybertron Starscream @ $75 a pop. A tradition that will no doubt carry over into the Darth Vader/Death Star waste of plastic.

I bet there was no R&D, it was all guesswork ;p

As for not wanting to "confuse" kiddies with the SWTF with the "real" figures is crap, Kiddies are going to be really confused after watching Energon, Cybertron, then going to the movie transformers.

I started collecting these toys and then someone came into my bar and told me that they sucked and even his kid laughed at how stupid they were, which for some reason made me go home and put them on ebay that night. They were cool for a minute and I wanted to see how they transformed but I realized that they really are not tformers but just have the name like you all have said. I felt screwed again the same way I felt about Machine Wars lol.

Yeah, any kid that likes playing with transforming robot toys would rather have this guy...



..than any of the big guys in back here.



Or even prefer this guy...



...to the big guy on the left.



...

I bought the Vader SWTF for my nephew a year ago - he loved it at first, 'cept now he doesn't even transform the damn thing into a robot because it doesn't hold up to the kind of stress a kid like him can put on it. I have to transform it back into a ship for him.

Hasbro's ignorance of collectors on both sides notwithstanding, the SWTFs don't have half the quality of engineering that most of the 6" Transformers Titaniums do. Of course, I've bought a couple for drawing references, but that's about ALL they're good for.

I still want a Night Raven Starscream w/Cobra Commander and Sidecar Bike Bumblebee w/Scarlett, dammit.

I think this interview is an excellent example the Hasbro does not take the collectors seriously.

Stormrider wrote:I think this interview is an excellent example the Hasbro does not take the collectors seriously.

QFMFT!

Ultra Markus wrote:I guarantee that a transformers gi joe toy line will be successful

You over-estimate the popularity of GI Joe outside of America.

Yes, it is popular in some countries, but not to the extent that it would warrant Hasbro investing money in a product that would require marketting outside of the US in countries where GI Joe is rarely available to begin wth.

And I highly doubt Hasbro would spend the money to produce a line solely for the US.

Burn wrote:

Ultra Markus wrote:I guarantee that a transformers gi joe toy line will be successful

You over-estimate the popularity of GI Joe outside of America.

Yes, it is popular in some countries, but not to the extent that it would warrant Hasbro investing money in a product that would require marketting outside of the US in countries where GI Joe is rarely available to begin wth.

And I highly doubt Hasbro would spend the money to produce a line solely for the US.

Okay, then label them as 'Action Force Transformers' for international release.

interesting, i guess

83457W422102 wrote:

Burn wrote:

Ultra Markus wrote:I guarantee that a transformers gi joe toy line will be successful

You over-estimate the popularity of GI Joe outside of America.

Yes, it is popular in some countries, but not to the extent that it would warrant Hasbro investing money in a product that would require marketting outside of the US in countries where GI Joe is rarely available to begin wth.

And I highly doubt Hasbro would spend the money to produce a line solely for the US.

Okay, then label them as 'Action Force Transformers' for international release.

I doubt that would make a difference either except in maybe the UK.

Burn wrote:

83457W422102 wrote:

Burn wrote:

Ultra Markus wrote:I guarantee that a transformers gi joe toy line will be successful

You over-estimate the popularity of GI Joe outside of America.

Yes, it is popular in some countries, but not to the extent that it would warrant Hasbro investing money in a product that would require marketting outside of the US in countries where GI Joe is rarely available to begin wth.

And I highly doubt Hasbro would spend the money to produce a line solely for the US.

Okay, then label them as 'Action Force Transformers' for international release.

I doubt that would make a difference either except in maybe the UK.

Yeah, good point. But GI Joe TFs WOULD be very cool, if done right, you know that! And knowing is half the battle.

i_amtrunks wrote:As for not wanting to "confuse" kiddies with the SWTF with the "real" figures is crap, Kiddies are going to be really confused after watching Energon, Cybertron, then going to the movie transformers.

I'd have to disagree. I think alot of kids know the difference between series, and understand that the movie is something completely new, not related to any previous series. Which is more than can be said of some adult TF-fans who still think the movie is "G1".

SKowl wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:As for not wanting to "confuse" kiddies with the SWTF with the "real" figures is crap, Kiddies are going to be really confused after watching Energon, Cybertron, then going to the movie transformers.

I'd have to disagree. I think alot of kids know the difference between series, and understand that the movie is something completely new, not related to any previous series. Which is more than can be said of some adult TF-fans who still think the movie is "G1".

Wouldn't surprise me if they couldn't, seeing as how Hasbro forced Galaxy Force to connect to Superlink (what a dumbass decision...).

The movie was said to be based on G1 to the point that Cullen is playing Optimus. We only thought it was going to be G1 because they said it was going to be and then tricked us! (yet again).

The WWII Transformers, or even Hearts of Steel Transformers would not be bad international investments. They're based on vehicles that actually exist. I still want a railgun Shockwave.

SSSOOOOOO what your saying is there is a chance.. from what i just got, there is no Gi Joe VS TF yeat, but Collector demand could spurr such a revolution in marketing and may get it produced, depending on colletor inquiries and demands.. so all at once, lets e-mail Hasbro on tuesday.. and send a message loud and clear,.........HISS TANK TRANSFORMERS!!!!

SKowl wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:As for not wanting to "confuse" kiddies with the SWTF with the "real" figures is crap, Kiddies are going to be really confused after watching Energon, Cybertron, then going to the movie transformers.

I'd have to disagree. I think alot of kids know the difference between series, and understand that the movie is something completely new, not related to any previous series. Which is more than can be said of some adult TF-fans who still think the movie is "G1".

UHHH oKay, as a G-Wuner... i know the movie sin't G-1, its based on G-1.. and your statement is a little insulting to G-Wuner's intelligence.. and we are not "super Old!!"
just the way you wrote "adult G-1 fans" makes it sound like a bad thing..

WOW! Hasbro just sugar coated that terd of an excuse fir such a crummy toy line.

yeah who cares what they say , the toys still suck lol, they're there to shut crying kids up at the store lol and then find them burried in sandboxes or sitting outside of a doghouse all chewed up lol .. Someone bought me one of these figures from the TFSW line and it fell apart right out of the package lol...The only one im intrested in buying is the deathstar vader and even then i may give it a new head...

SKowl wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:As for not wanting to "confuse" kiddies with the SWTF with the "real" figures is crap, Kiddies are going to be really confused after watching Energon, Cybertron, then going to the movie transformers.

I'd have to disagree. I think alot of kids know the difference between series, and understand that the movie is something completely new, not related to any previous series. Which is more than can be said of some adult TF-fans who still think the movie is "G1".

I usually take insults well, but I've seen that insult so many times on this board and others that I'm about to snap. Just because I prefer the G1 cartoon (and beast wars) over all the other cartoons since then (that in my honest opinion are crap), doesn't mean I think the movie was supposed to be G1. Quite the contrary, I knew from the begining it wasn't G1, but with all the references they've made as well as some vague promises to making characters we grew up with recognizeable (partially true, partially false), I can see where your blatant disregard for your fellow fan comes in.

Watch what you say and Have a nice day.

83457W422102 wrote:

Burn wrote:

83457W422102 wrote:

Burn wrote:

Ultra Markus wrote:I guarantee that a transformers gi joe toy line will be successful

You over-estimate the popularity of GI Joe outside of America.

Yes, it is popular in some countries, but not to the extent that it would warrant Hasbro investing money in a product that would require marketting outside of the US in countries where GI Joe is rarely available to begin wth.

And I highly doubt Hasbro would spend the money to produce a line solely for the US.

Okay, then label them as 'Action Force Transformers' for international release.

I doubt that would make a difference either except in maybe the UK.

Yeah, good point. But GI Joe TFs WOULD be very cool, if done right, you know that! And knowing is half the battle.

I'll agree to a point. Personally it'd be too hard for me to forget the horrible comics that would spawn what would no doubt be good figures (which would no doubt be screwed up by some stupid gimmick).

As much as I love Star Wars and Transformers, I'm not a fan of this line. I got Luke and Vader and seeing how crappy they were, I was done with these.

Not only is the idea of having mechs that look like people pretty dumb, Luke's S-foils can't open, and he can't even stand up. Luke looks dumb, and can't physically stand on his own, that makes for both a bad display piece AND and toy that isn't too much fun to play with.

Even if they didn't use TF mainstays like Optimus and Starscream, they could have at least made some new characters.

Well, I bought several SWTF's

Vader ( the TIE advanced one )
Greavous
Darth Maul
Obi-Won
Anakin
Luke
Palpatine

Out of those ones, only Luke is the one I am not too big on, the rest I like. And I'll get the others, whenever they show up in Michigan.....which will probably not be until november

Was I the only one that thought that the movie would be only slightly different than G1 on par with like alternators? Forgive my ignorance.

"Since this super-cool line has been well-received by both kids and collectors alike, you have seen us delve a little deeper to deliver more collector-focused concepts like transforming Imperial Shuttles, Clone Wars deco-vehicles, and Snowspeeders to deepen the collecting and playing experience."

Translated - "Since these things are shelfwarmers, and kids today already forgot about Star Wars, we acknowlege the fact that we screwed up. However, since we already sunk way too much money into this line, we will offer five different versions of the crappy Jedi-Starfighter mold, four different Darth Vaders, Clone Wars repaints of toys you already have, robots that don't stand on their own, and Chewbacca's with sombraros. Oh...and you will buy it because you are all fan-boys. Wa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha"

This makes me sick on the inside....

GeidiPrime wrote:"Since this super-cool line has been well-received by both kids and collectors alike, you have seen us delve a little deeper to deliver more collector-focused concepts like transforming Imperial Shuttles, Clone Wars deco-vehicles, and Snowspeeders to deepen the collecting and playing experience."

Translated - "Since these things are shelfwarmers, and kids today already forgot about Star Wars, we acknowlege the fact that we screwed up. However, since we already sunk way too much money into this line, we will offer five different versions of the crappy Jedi-Starfighter mold, four different Darth Vaders, Clone Wars repaints of toys you already have, robots that don't stand on their own, and Chewbacca's with sombraros. Oh...and you will buy it because you are all fan-boys. Wa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha"

Awesome translation. And you'd think Hasbro would be smart to continue Classics and Alternators. Of course Hasbro sees Alternators as a failure because there are like 20 Skids sitting on Wal-Mart's shelves. Plus they are focusing on a movie and give fans who don't like it (like myself) no alternative. Plus if this movie flops (like Ghost Rider) the toys will sit on the shelves. So yeah, I'm only buying 6 inch Titaniums this year along with Classics Ultra Magnus VS Skywarp, Devastator, and Jetfire if I ever find them.

Fireblast wrote:

GeidiPrime wrote:"Since this super-cool line has been well-received by both kids and collectors alike, you have seen us delve a little deeper to deliver more collector-focused concepts like transforming Imperial Shuttles, Clone Wars deco-vehicles, and Snowspeeders to deepen the collecting and playing experience."

Translated - "Since these things are shelfwarmers, and kids today already forgot about Star Wars, we acknowlege the fact that we screwed up. However, since we already sunk way too much money into this line, we will offer five different versions of the crappy Jedi-Starfighter mold, four different Darth Vaders, Clone Wars repaints of toys you already have, robots that don't stand on their own, and Chewbacca's with sombraros. Oh...and you will buy it because you are all fan-boys. Wa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha"

Awesome translation. And you'd think Hasbro would be smart to continue Classics and Alternators. Of course Hasbro sees Alternators as a failure because there are like 20 Skids sitting on Wal-Mart's shelves. Plus they are focusing on a movie and give fans who don't like it (like myself) no alternative. Plus if this movie flops (like Ghost Rider) the toys will sit on the shelves. So yeah, I'm only buying 6 inch Titaniums this year along with Classics Ultra Magnus VS Skywarp, Devastator, and Jetfire if I ever find them.

Ghost rider actually did fairly well, financially, although debatively whether or not the movie was good (I liked it though)