HasLab Transformers Victory Saber is now over 17K and Stand Tier has been Reached

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm just thinking, if it was a Bumblebee or an Optimus Prime under $50, I could understand marketing to the parents. The fact that it's around $200 (after taxes) of an unrecognizable character (to a parent that would be "shoppinging off the ads" to find a gift for their child), it just really doesn't make sense. I would be very interested to know how many parents with no affinity for Transformers backed this because they were looking for a gift for their kid that likes Transformers. I need stats Hasbro

What makes no sense to me is that this toy comes out in 2022 and we don't have a sure date.

Parents do make big purchases for their kids, but it's usually for special events and it's of things they know they want then. Asking parents to spend 200$ for a toy released sometime next year with no guarantee that their kid will still be into it then? Just feels like a charade to make it seem like they are still a fully family friendly company and are not dedicating themselves to just fans, for even this particular product.

Unless Hasbro is talking to parents of 30 year olds who still live with them in the basement.

King Kuuga wrote:These things always move fast at the last minute. You love to see it. I'm quite confident now we'll cross the 20k.

That would be cool. Personally, I really wanted that stand after I saw it coloured. Just looked awesome. especially since Victory Saber is such an interesting looking spaceship, having that personalized flight stand just adds to it.

I do not need it to reach 20K at all. While that shield looks good for the city mode, I won't ever really configure it that way. And I am not a big fan of the micromasters. But hey, if it gets there I aint gonna complain. It is a cool looking shield and definitely adds to the Gundam look.

Well the irony of all this is, while I am purchasing this for myself primarily...It is ultimately for me and my son to share. I know some parents will buy 2 of some things (one for them and one for their kids)...but ultimately I have to face the realization that when my son eventually grows up and moves out, he may very well take ALL of the collection with him. It's not something I'm willing to argue our cause a rift about. If he wants them all, C'est la vie. If not, then I will be just as happy. Of course I'm going to "encourage" him to keep them perhaps in my home where they would be more secure. I don't imagine him taking these to a college living environment , or any small apartment he may rent. Of course this is still 3 years away at minimum, but time flies I'm tellin ya! I wish I could afford a 2nd one, but I'm happy just being able to back one form myself.

I bet that makes Retroblasting’s blood boil!

william-james88 wrote:

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm just thinking, if it was a Bumblebee or an Optimus Prime under $50, I could understand marketing to the parents. The fact that it's around $200 (after taxes) of an unrecognizable character (to a parent that would be "shoppinging off the ads" to find a gift for their child), it just really doesn't make sense. I would be very interested to know how many parents with no affinity for Transformers backed this because they were looking for a gift for their kid that likes Transformers. I need stats Hasbro

What makes no sense to me is that this toy comes out in 2022 and we don't have a sure date.

Parents do make big purchases for their kids, but it's usually for special events and it,s of things they know they want then. Asking parents to spend 200$ for a toy released sometime next year with no guarantee that their kid will still be into it then? Just feels like a charade to make it seem like they are still a fully family friendly company and are not dedicating themselves to just fans, for even this particular product.

I didn't even think about it not coming out until next year. Kids' tastes are very fickle. My son is going from Transformers, to Beyblades, to Power Rangers, to Pokemon and back again. It changes weekly. You can't buy anything unless you plan on giving it to them right away because you wait too long and they might not be into it anymore.

I too want to know who the parents are throwing $200 around because they read an ad, and see if they want to adopt me. They really should word it "Parents, collectors, enthusiasts..." Are they just trying to fool... I'm not sure... Themselves?

william-james88 wrote:Unless Hasbro is talking to parents of 30 year olds who still live with them in the basement.

Not cool, man.

cruizerdave wrote:I bet that makes Retroblasting’s blood boil!

Every Haslab has funded (sans cookie monster). The guy is just an unhappy, jaded collector. I admit, I walk that line myself sometimes, and I try not to be too critical, and I apologize when I do. I am all for wanting the best toys possible, for the least amount, and readily available, but unfortunatley that's just not real life all of the time. I loved the debate recently between Mike (Retroblasting), and Scott (Spectre Creative), if not for Scotts bad internet for the first 30 minuets, it would have been a much more enjoyable watch.

Epsilon Delta wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm just thinking, if it was a Bumblebee or an Optimus Prime under $50, I could understand marketing to the parents. The fact that it's around $200 (after taxes) of an unrecognizable character (to a parent that would be "shoppinging off the ads" to find a gift for their child), it just really doesn't make sense. I would be very interested to know how many parents with no affinity for Transformers backed this because they were looking for a gift for their kid that likes Transformers. I need stats Hasbro

What makes no sense to me is that this toy comes out in 2022 and we don't have a sure date.

Parents do make big purchases for their kids, but it's usually for special events and it,s of things they know they want then. Asking parents to spend 200$ for a toy released sometime next year with no guarantee that their kid will still be into it then? Just feels like a charade to make it seem like they are still a fully family friendly company and are not dedicating themselves to just fans, for even this particular product.

I didn't even think about it not coming out until next year. Kids' tastes are very fickle. My son is going from Transformers, to Beyblades, to Power Rangers, to Pokemon and back again. It changes weekly. You can't buy anything unless you plan on giving it to them right away because you wait too long and they might not be into it anymore.

I too want to know who the parents are throwing $200 around because they read an ad, and see if they want to adopt me. They really should word it "Parents, collectors, enthusiasts..." Are they just trying to fool... I'm not sure... Themselves?

I always assumed its a required legal disclaimer. We have kids rhat browse this site , see the postings, this is one of those "ask your parents..." Type things that Hasbro has to include

Once the TT and 3P orders flood into the total, I'll be surprised if the number end at below 20k backed units.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Once the TT and 3P orders flood into the total, I'll be surprised if the number end at below 20k backed units.

This is, imho a matter of fact. I have no doubt in my mind that we will break that 20k mark. the question is if it will go high enough for them to churn out an extra tier, like they have with previous haslab projects.

doubt it, but its neat to dream.

already planning on trying to 3d model a teeny slug figure of Jan for my resin printer though

This probably happens more often, but just kind of keeping tabs to see when it hits 18K. It did take a little dip (was at 17970, then went down to 17945). Nothing to really be of much concern about, but still you just don't expect it

Sabrblade wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Unless Hasbro is talking to parents of 30 year olds who still live with them in the basement.

Not cool, man.

As a 33 year old who lives with his in laws, I took no offense. Would love it if my mom (either one) bought this for me.

cruizerdave wrote:I bet that makes Retroblasting’s blood boil!

Any chance on keying me in on what this refers to?

I was kinda hoping for a last minute 23K tier that had something else included, since I am thinking this is going to top out at around that level. Oh well, I am glad it is hitting the tiers. I would have been a disappointed if it didn't hit the tiers. I love rescue-themed Transformers and adding more Micromasters is pretty awesome. The shield isn't that important to me, since I actually want to put the V-Lock Cannon in the spot it takes on the ship mode (I love symmetry).

We're past the 18,000 mark.

william-james88 wrote:

cruizerdave wrote:I bet that makes Retroblasting’s blood boil!

Any chance on keying me in on what this refers to?

Retroblasting is a channel for a Toy Collector/Reviewer on YouTube named Michael French. I haven't watched too much of his content, but from what I've seen, he is a very bitter and jaded toy collector. He has vilified Hasbro on several occasions, and has made his opinion quite well known about his disdain for the whole Haslab crowdfunding process (he believes all these big ticket items should be sold at retail).

This debate is actually a good watch, you can skip the first 30 mins though as Scott Neitlich was having internet issues the whole time. It raised a lot of good questions, unfortunately with very few answers though.

I bet that these are already made, they're just wasting time to see how much $$$ they can get out of it. Though i do want it too

So I ended up ordering a second one, number 18,221, and shortly after it was already up to 18,264. It's going to be an interesting weekend. I just hope that at some point they don't pull a Unicron and change the number "20,000+".

Emerje

Emerje wrote:So I ended up ordering a second one, number 18,221, and shortly after it was already up to 18,264. It's going to be an interesting weekend. I just hope that at some point they don't pull a Unicron and change the number "20,000+".

Emerje

They didn't do it for Galactus...I think we're good.

Flashwave wrote:

Epsilon Delta wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm just thinking, if it was a Bumblebee or an Optimus Prime under $50, I could understand marketing to the parents. The fact that it's around $200 (after taxes) of an unrecognizable character (to a parent that would be "shoppinging off the ads" to find a gift for their child), it just really doesn't make sense. I would be very interested to know how many parents with no affinity for Transformers backed this because they were looking for a gift for their kid that likes Transformers. I need stats Hasbro

What makes no sense to me is that this toy comes out in 2022 and we don't have a sure date.

Parents do make big purchases for their kids, but it's usually for special events and it,s of things they know they want then. Asking parents to spend 200$ for a toy released sometime next year with no guarantee that their kid will still be into it then? Just feels like a charade to make it seem like they are still a fully family friendly company and are not dedicating themselves to just fans, for even this particular product.

I didn't even think about it not coming out until next year. Kids' tastes are very fickle. My son is going from Transformers, to Beyblades, to Power Rangers, to Pokemon and back again. It changes weekly. You can't buy anything unless you plan on giving it to them right away because you wait too long and they might not be into it anymore.

I too want to know who the parents are throwing $200 around because they read an ad, and see if they want to adopt me. They really should word it "Parents, collectors, enthusiasts..." Are they just trying to fool... I'm not sure... Themselves?

I always assumed its a required legal disclaimer. We have kids rhat browse this site , see the postings, this is one of those "ask your parents..." Type things that Hasbro has to include

I had this same discussion with a guy on Facebook and there are apparently parents who do buy these Haslab projects for their children. Supposedly, this one guy backed Unicron for his preteen daughter which I honestly don't know if he's serious and just using it for bragging or just full of it. Either way, I find it hard to believe anyone would be buying something like that for their child. Even more so here with Star Saber being so obscure that there's a contingency of adult fans who have grown up with Transformers since the 80s who have no idea who Star Saber is. I personally think that Hasbro needs to just accept that a lot of their products, especially these and any store exclusives, are more than likely being brought by adults for themselves than for kids. At the very least change their wording to "parents and collectors pre-order here" or something.

CyclonusG1 wrote:Even more so here with Star Saber being so obscure that there's a contingency of adult fans who have grown up with Transformers since the 80s who have no idea who Star Saber is.

Hey, that's me!

And yet I still backed this...he just looks awesome. Plus the accessibility is a big factor. If it's easy for me to get an exclusive kinda thing, I just want it, because I know I can get it fairly easily where other people may not be able to.

sol magnus wrote:

Emerje wrote:So I ended up ordering a second one, number 18,221, and shortly after it was already up to 18,264. It's going to be an interesting weekend. I just hope that at some point they don't pull a Unicron and change the number "20,000+".

Emerje

They didn't do it for Galactus...I think we're good.

I don't get it.
You mean they displayed the number of backed units as "number+" instead of showing the precise amount?

-Kanrabat- wrote:

sol magnus wrote:

Emerje wrote:So I ended up ordering a second one, number 18,221, and shortly after it was already up to 18,264. It's going to be an interesting weekend. I just hope that at some point they don't pull a Unicron and change the number "20,000+".

Emerje

They didn't do it for Galactus...I think we're good.

I don't get it.
You mean they displayed the number of backed units as "number+" instead of showing the precise amount?

Go on Pulse and look for yourself under the Haslab tab. Galactus shows they had 31520 not 30000+

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

sol magnus wrote:

Emerje wrote:So I ended up ordering a second one, number 18,221, and shortly after it was already up to 18,264. It's going to be an interesting weekend. I just hope that at some point they don't pull a Unicron and change the number "20,000+".

Emerje

They didn't do it for Galactus...I think we're good.

I don't get it.
You mean they displayed the number of backed units as "number+" instead of showing the precise amount?

Go on Pulse and look for yourself under the Haslab tab. Galactus shows they had 31520 not 30000+

This is why there are so many conspiracy theories about Hasbro beefing up the numbers to make it look like a bigger success than it was. It had said 8,000+, but according to TFWiki it got bumped up to 12,000+ a month after the campaign ended and then at some point dropped down to the current 10,000+. Weird stuff.

Emerje

The Haslab page seems to be constantly behind. It still hasn't acknowledged that VS tier 2 has been unlocked, and the images of tier 1 and tier 2 are still Grayscale images.

Also, we know the Haslab Sentinel has shipped, but they still haven't moved it down the the "past projects" category along with SW Sail Barge & Unicron. The number of backers for the Sentinel still shows 21,885 Backed with a Target of 8K. If after it gets moved down to "Past Projects" it gets changed to 8K+, then that might be a time to raise questions.

Emerje wrote:

o.supreme wrote:You are not the only one. I wanted to know as well. Will was doing some research. The numbers were just guesstimated (It would be nice if Hasbro actually told us), but I think we were guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 50K units for a Titan, and 100K for a CC. Of course those would probably vary slightly depending on how well the previous one sold. Having to do a 2nd (even if much smaller) run like Omega Supreme and Scorponok is a good sign as opposed to going on clearance like Fort Max or Trypticon (*though to be fair I think Tryp was more of a distribution issue. If Walmart and Target chose to carry it at the time , not just TRU, it probably wouldn't have ended up at Ollies for $40)

Yeah, a lot of Trypticon's problems came from TRU closing. Everyone in the industry, including Hasbro, thought other retailers would step in to pick up the slack. There were reports of stores that don't have toy sections starting new ones, traditional retailers expanding their toy aisles and Amazon taking in more orders. Probably that last one was the only one that happened as they ended up with a glut of Trypticons, but Hasbro didn't get the B&M orders they needed for casual buyers, impulse buyers and parents and had to liquidate their stock which must have been pretty excessive. Hasbro's new plan to reduce the initial stock, monitor demand and then restock nearly a year later if needed is probably the right move for them.

Now, that said.

STAND UNLOCKED! currently sitting at 17,550!

Emerje

That's how I missed out on Predaking. I was waiting for a deep-discount sale where it would've ended up under $100. I almost missed out on Omega Supreme too.

william-james88 wrote:

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm just thinking, if it was a Bumblebee or an Optimus Prime under $50, I could understand marketing to the parents. The fact that it's around $200 (after taxes) of an unrecognizable character (to a parent that would be "shoppinging off the ads" to find a gift for their child), it just really doesn't make sense. I would be very interested to know how many parents with no affinity for Transformers backed this because they were looking for a gift for their kid that likes Transformers. I need stats Hasbro

What makes no sense to me is that this toy comes out in 2022 and we don't have a sure date.

Parents do make big purchases for their kids, but it's usually for special events and it's of things they know they want then. Asking parents to spend 200$ for a toy released sometime next year with no guarantee that their kid will still be into it then? Just feels like a charade to make it seem like they are still a fully family friendly company and are not dedicating themselves to just fans, for even this particular product.

Unless Hasbro is talking to parents of 30 year olds who still live with them in the basement.

Between you and I, I think it's to cover that adult collectors make up for more of their sales than they care to admit to.

19K 26+ hours left.... looking good

00:24:33 left to get 893 more backers. C'mon people, I NEEDZ MY SHIELD.

Flashwave wrote:00:24:33 left to get 893 more backers. C'mon people, I NEEDZ MY SHIELD.

We got this.

Are Japan's and 3P orders even counted yet? Because I'm sure we are already WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY past the 20K mark at this point.

Also, for those on the fence... DAFOK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

I'm not sure how this works. Since they plan to charge everyone on October 11th. Monday is a Federal Holiday in the U.S. and banks are closed. I guess they can get payment from all non U.S. orders, but the rest will come from people's accounts on Tuesday the 12th.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Are Japan's and 3P orders even counted yet? Because I'm sure we are already WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY past the 20K mark at this point.

Also, for those on the fence... DAFOK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Pretty sure they are beig tallied as that number goes up. Adding that many orders into their system can take time depending on how they are done. I just checked and it was sitting at 19,226. We should pass the finish line by sunrise, at this rate.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Are Japan's and 3P orders even counted yet? Because I'm sure we are already WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY past the 20K mark at this point.

EB Games/Zing pre-orders in Australia closed days ago (though I'm sure as News Crew you were already aware of that) so those figures will no doubt be added in. I would imagine the independant/individual online retailers already have their figures in so that would just leave the Japan orders if they haven't closed yet.

Burn wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Are Japan's and 3P orders even counted yet? Because I'm sure we are already WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY past the 20K mark at this point.

EB Games/Zing pre-orders in Australia closed days ago (though I'm sure as News Crew you were already aware of that) so those figures will no doubt be added in. I would imagine the independant/individual online retailers already have their figures in so that would just leave the Japan orders if they haven't closed yet.

RobotKingdom.com closes there's just before the deadline, according to the newsletter I put up on Friday, but I think they're the only ones left besides TT Mall

19,326 at the time of writing. I have full confidence we've secured the 20k threshold with uncounted orders. Looking forward to this bad boy.

Burn wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Are Japan's and 3P orders even counted yet? Because I'm sure we are already WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY past the 20K mark at this point.

EB Games/Zing pre-orders in Australia closed days ago (though I'm sure as News Crew you were already aware of that) so those figures will no doubt be added in. I would imagine the independant/individual online retailers already have their figures in so that would just leave the Japan orders if they haven't closed yet.

This here News Crew despise Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I just play by ear. At least I'm doing my role as an anti-spam warrior and welcoming new users. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If only Takara's orders are left to be counted, and there's still time for some latecomers to back the thing, I'm confident the 20K mark will be reached and beyond.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Burn wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Are Japan's and 3P orders even counted yet? Because I'm sure we are already WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY past the 20K mark at this point.

EB Games/Zing pre-orders in Australia closed days ago (though I'm sure as News Crew you were already aware of that) so those figures will no doubt be added in. I would imagine the independant/individual online retailers already have their figures in so that would just leave the Japan orders if they haven't closed yet.

This here News Crew despise Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I just play by ear. At least I'm doing my role as an anti-spam warrior and welcoming new users. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If only Takara's orders are left to be counted, and there's still time for some latecomers to back the thing, I'm confident the 20K mark will be reached and beyond.

I think they'll make it, but I do wonder if the developers are watching on tender hooks to see if the buyers are going to getvall the rewards, to see if they managed to gauge interest right compared to Unicron.

TT Mall orders just closed. So now it's a wait to see. Of course we don't know if this will be ALL TT orders or if it's just the ones since the last surge on Thursday, either way, seems like 20K is guaranteed.

*edit*, just got the inevitable "last chance" email from Hasbro. Looks like they are gambling and playing the FOMO card vs "those that are waiting until 20K to place their order" and waiting to add in any remaining 3P or TT orders.

o.supreme wrote:TT Mall orders just closed. So now it's a wait to see. Of course we don't know if this will be ALL TT orders or if it's just the ones since the last surge on Thursday, either way, seems like 20K is guaranteed.

*edit*, just got the inevitable "last chance" email from Hasbro. Looks like they are gambling and playing the FOMO card vs "those that are waiting until 20K to place their order" and waiting to add in any remaining 3P or TT orders.

It;s at 19721 as of a minute ago.

Anyone else been sticking around watching the numbers go up? Less than 300 left for tier 3.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:Anyone else been sticking around watching the numbers go up? Less than 300 left for tier 3.

Emerje

Same here.
Sigh of relief once we cross the 20G mark.
Until then...

triKlops wrote:

Emerje wrote:Anyone else been sticking around watching the numbers go up? Less than 300 left for tier 3.

Emerje

Same here.
Sigh of relief once we cross the 20G mark.
Until then...

Shouldn't take much longer, it's moving at a pretty fast clip right now so maybe another hour? Currently just needs 130 127 124 more orders.

*edit* Man this is moving fast, already under 100. Forget what I said about an hour, it could be done in 20 minutes.

Emerje

66 now...

1:42 EST 46 to go
1:45 EST, 40 to go
1:51 EST, 27 to go
1:55 EST, we are +17 over 20G now

12 to go!

20,000 reached!

Emerje

I'm not surprised.
Now let's see if 2k more backers could be added for a secret 4th stretch goal.

Well, we've now hit 20000, at least according to Pulse UK so that should be the shield secured!

Ladies and gentlemen…. we got ‘em.

But the question is; will they pull a Galactus and show off a super secret fourth tier? And if so, what would it be?

Still climbing. I fell asleep for a few minutes and woke up to find a completed funding. Pretty cool.

Seems fitting