I've been in the fandom a long time. I remember distinctly when the first prototype pictures of Armada Overload were released. And the general consensus from the fandom was that those pictures needed to be taken down ASAP... or we might not get the figure at all. We've come a long way since then. I'm happy waiting for official word, and I even like looking at the rumor mill, but I don't mind leaks either. Knowing something's coming and seeing it in all its glory are rather different things.
I like rumors and random computer listings because it’s fun when everyone gets together and waits to see if they’re true or not and it’s great suspense. So is not knowing what we’re getting. But leaks that are straight from a reliable source and 100% true are exciting, but kind of boring, especially when there are pictures.
Leaks are exciting, as a fan I look forward to them. However as someone who was privy to some things years back, I understand the ramifications. If you're a dealer and get solicit info in advance, it is best not to say a word nor leak anything at all. It's different for fangroups overseas on social media, they're harder to track down and Hasbro might not deem that pursuit worth the risk. However I'm always baffled at how Hasbro(and their sometimes movie partner Disney) handles the leaks. Sending a cease and desist letter to a site may have worked better 10 years ago but what's become more prevalent since then? Social media Image search through search engines Oh Hasbro wanted the image down? Oh okay I'll just google it. Oh it's on Weibo? Okay let me use this web-based translator here and see if I can find that new Optimus figure on Weibo using Mandarin... In addition, leaks can be used to your advantage to promote toys. For example the Studio Series line. The CLEAR images(when they finally appeared) got many of us hyped up. Last year someone in Vietnam posted an early video review of MP36 Megatron and got most of us excited as hell....the guy inadvertently made an unofficial ad for Takara that way and it only served to increase the hype more. So leaks are a double edged sword and it's to companies advantage to get with the times. For example, what builds more hype, some overseas TF fan-group on Facebook or Weibo, or Hasbro Pulse? Rhetorical question.
The first internet "Chinese factory leak" I recall that popped up ahead of official images was around 1998 I think - a photo of in-package samples of BW Transmetal 2 Dinobot and Ramulus. There was a lot of legality uproar at the time that seems almost quaint now.
This right here. Knowing that a certain character is getting an official release has saved me from chasing down versions of the character that I hadn't gotten for expense reasons or the like, or has shown me that a certain newer version of the toy was not as good as the older version, so it was best NOT to try to flip my older stuff. I'm fine with leaks currently for this reason alone. However... I was in Iraq when the resin prototype of Universe Prowl was shown, and words can't describe the excitement of knowing that figure was being done. Funny thing was that Hasbro itself had a section on its Transformers website that showed stuff like resin prototypes. Oh how times have changed.
leaks are necessary in this day and age of no official convention or collectors club. I'd rather know what's coming down the pipeline for the next six months than walk into a store and find 10 deluxe size tfs for sale that you want but haven't allotted the funds for. just my two cents ¢ with the challenge and frustrating limitations of living on an SSDI check each month.
Well... I liked the leaks. But I preferred those, that were only rumors. It was really great so how it unfolded and the rumors became true. I think that was Titans Return. With Power of the Primes we got blurry pics and I was at first excited about a Rodimus Prime figure. The pic was so blurry, that my fantasy made him look great. I was really pumped. Then we got official pics and found out he was a Leader Class and I was disappointed. Not only was he too big, he looks ugly. So in that case it was the other way around. The blurry pics that left many things open for interpretation and the great experience with Titans Return let me anticipate something A LOT better than what we're getting right now. There are some figures that I'm getting, but overall I'm pretty underwhelmed with the reality this time. And even Dreadwing, who I like so far, could have been a lot better, if they did not use a CW mold for him. He needs a cockpit chest. Or at least a different transformation to make that happen. The Pretenders are nice. At that scale they make much more sense and I'm getting the Decepticon ones. Otherwise I would not be interested. So that surprised me and I really like what they did. So it's not all bad. But I would like for leaks or previews right now, because I'm looking forward to the end of Power of the Primes. I'm curious if the next line will be for me or if they are basically starting anew. Because I want the rest of the G1 line-up and not the old ones in cybertronian modes. If we get new guys in cool looking cybertronian modes, than I'm in. But I definitely want Spinister. No matter what the fan poll's result said.
Leaks are good, they are part of the marketing and hype machine. Many leaks are not leaks at all, just carefully orchestrated part of the overall marketing campaign...like a teaser trailer. Like many others have already stated, I appreciate the leaks because I then know that a release of something I desire is coming. I don't have unlimited funds and so knowing approximately when I will be making big purchases helps with the financial planning. And, as others have said, it may make you hold out for that release vice buying from another source, like 3P.
