Nice observations, @RichP.

If I could have it my way, I'd also like to see some hood detailing.

I'm a big fan of the overall aesthetic direction of the Masterpiece line lately--the sleek smoothness, and especially the anime-esque geometry (flared legs, more organic curves, expressive robot faces).

Sometimes I'm not sure about whether I'd like something with a bit more detail though... Inferno's legs look so awesome in the toy art. The blocky gams we got on the Masterpiece I've absolutely grown to love. However, when they were first revealed I felt they looked a bit naked.

I think Hound's neck will similarly take some getting used to. I can see from the screen-caps you've provided above just why the designers have gone with the simple look. Although you've provided adequate evidence of how they could've equally easily chosen to embellish the hood with some panel lines.

I suppose at the end of it all, it's a compromise so that they can make a sleeker vehicle mode.

To accompany that GIF, Here is another little production gem from The Space-Bridge:

 

@Sam the head looks near perfect in that last shot at the 3/4 angle. The problem is with the straight on shots it looks gaunt, but it could just be poor lighting.



I agree with both of you that the attention to a uninterrupted alt mode is important now. Just look at Sunstreaker's hood for a recent example. The armature the head sits on might have had a small box rim plate surrounding the neck, though. That would bridge the neck/hood well for me and be consistent with the toon detailing.

I'm sure he'll have a flip down mask. Pretty cool gimmick, but gimmicks imo shouldn't take importance over the main design. I think the Hound design has nearly a perfect toon look. The dynamic pose they used may not be flattering his stocky proportions, though, and is most likely slimming him down.

I'm with you guys on the recent shift to toon looks. Totally. I wouldn't change a thing on Inferno, but Ironhide I'd hide the front chrome bumper to go even more toon. I couldn't be more excited about opv3. I just need some new info. The last figure king mag had nothing, and I'm left wondering what is wrong with this company. Like get it together now.

Edit: give Sideswipe some of Hound's neck and we'll be good. Cuz that dude ain't got shit for a neck. Never liked that about mp12.

 

Talking about added detail, is this a painted speedometer I see on the dash?



That's a nice little touch, looks like there's a few paint apps on the dash there.

I'd kinda love for Ironhide to have been given the bigger budget of Sunstreaker and Inferno, to hide those hip flaps and bumper. But I also accept his place in the growth of the line, everything else about him is sooo good, and he was a fucking great deal! Tons of accessories, a fun transformation and good articulation all for only a little bit more than the price of a regular carbot (at the time) - what a steal.

I honestly look forward to the day they redo Sideswipe (after the other Arkbots are done, of course).

I'd say we have to see something in the next Figure King, except now there's the Siege Decepticons to fill up the TF pages. In the meantime 17+ and 29+ will have to fulfil my pining. The 2019 Generations book will most likely come out at the end of November, and that usually contains full photo spreads and design sketches for upcoming MPs. I'd say we'll see something else on Hound and Prime this month, though.

 

Interesting. I totally missed the top view pic...that does make me wonder about the transformation and the insignia

 

Exactly... I'm dying for more v3 info!

 

Great catch on the dash details. Love that stuff! Bot mode is still most important for me, of course, but the attn to vehicle mode is sky high these days.

One thing that is odd about this line is how the budgets are worked out. It seems that each release has to be successful, but mainlines are fully fleshed out from the start. Suppose I'm seeing that as a big difference which it is. Just unfortunate that is the case. I might have to reach out for some info on this. If I learn anything I'll pass it on.

 

Everytime this thread bumps. But it would be too early for a Figure King, yet no more Japanese conventions happening soon.

 

Like the figure overall, but is it just me or is there something slightly off with his face (or at least his facial expression)?

 

I'll bet skip the hood insignia in vehicle mode. They're clearly going for that clean look; since the robot mode features the insignia on the shoulder/fender, I imagine they'll just leave it there.

 

I think it's the eyes. The cheeks seem sunken when viewed straight on, but the 3/4 angle @Sam and I posted looks better. Co uld be poor lighting there, but the eyes look sad or old.

Does the hood have a star where the head sits? Edit: Star was for the toy so probably goign to have two autobot insignias like Bumblebee.

 

Sounds about right

 

Sam and I posted a bunch of good stills on the previous page towards the bottom if you want to see some screencaps on top of the google image search stuff. His face (like all the others) varied in the cartoon to say the least.

 

Thanks!

 

Since I'm a MP toon guy, the 3rd party faces are so off, even to the point of lifeless to me. Except maybe the Maketoys Jazz, I don't get it.

Takara nails this. All their faces are full of Saturday morning cartoons. I don't see why 3rd party can't do it, but oh well.

I'm still waiting on Takara for Skids though and any other S1-3 guys. Only 3rd party MPs I jump on are the Maketoys Head/Targetmasters. Those are toon accurate and I can't see Takara jumping on the season 4+ characters anytime soon. (I don't count Artfire and TM Hot Rodimus)

 

Downbeat is pretty damn good, but I know TT will get to Jazz. If I had Downbeat it’d take away from the fun of anticipation. An odd part of the hobby that reminds me of Christmas mornings from the 80s. Waiting to see what I got.

I did have fans toys dibots at one point, but the colors were terrible and the face sculpts. That and too expensive left me out that game

 

I hear ya.

Downbeat's bot mode IMHO is Takara toon worthy (blasphemy I know, but I try and be objective). Transformation is clever, face looks great, but that rear of the car mode is lazy. I got Him and MMC Mirage/Sphinx through sales as "Meh-I've-spent-more-a-NYC-Happy-Hour" purchase but plenty of room for improvements to be had there for toon accuracy from Takara. Once Takara gets to those two, the 3rd party ones will go into storage. Or if it takes a long while, they'll go to my now 1yr olds when they get older.

I never go into the 3rd party Dinos, though I've been tempted, other than the oversized MP-8 KO, but I've paid my dues with purchasing MP-8 and MP-8x on day 1 so I'm fine with that one.

Hound, even with that rear neck thingy still looks to be my MP Hound over the other 3rd party choices. But I totally understand if others go 3rd party route. Especially if they have their nostalgia though the toys since the Maketoys one looks a lot more like the toy that the Takara mold is.

 

I can tell you, with upmost certainty that official only collectors spend much, much less than 3P collectors. And those that mix and match? I truly don't know how they do it.

I'm telling you because I used to be one of them. A new version of X character gets announced by 4 companies, you sell and "upgrade" only to be in the hole because their prices don't hold for jack. More so when TT announces their version of said "X" character.

Being on the official camp gives you that wallet relief, because yeah, while TT products are more expensive (whether you get more bang for your buck or not is debatable, IMO hell to the yeah) they are so spaced out that budgeting and managing stuff is much easier.

I've always said, that if saving $100 for a carbot that is scheduled a year away is undo-able in ones current economical situation, then maybe the hobby is not for you. Priorities first and all that.

But if you tend to buy it all, then my hat is off for you. You must be doing extremely well in life.

 

With Porsche unwilling to license to "war machines"? Good luck waiting on that one.

 

Plenty of fun stuff to do with one's life in the meantime.

No biggie.