I don't understand why fans are so skeptical that two of the most popular G1 characters of all time will ever appear in the Classics style, which now comprises close to 70 non-exclusive Deluxe and Voyager figures with no end in sight. Again, "not coming out next month" doesn't mean "never coming out." They just aren't going to release an Animated, movie-style, WfC style, AND a slavish-to-G1 style Soundwave in the same year, when they know perfectly well that G1 Soundwave is a Name they can use to ignite fan interest in yet another iteration of the line. (Shockwave is probably being held back to whet everyone's appetite for the movie version, after that he'd be fair game as well. Since there is a WfC2 coming I wouldn't be surprised if he comes out in that style, which is perfectly acceptable to me.) Also, frankly, there is no way in hell Soundwave is not on the shortlist for a Masterpiece.
Boycott a movie-verse style or deluxe Shockwave? Are you serious? For every fan that would 'boycott' the figure, there'd be 10,000 not able to find it at retail because it's hot. I'd prefer an updated Generations figure, in the movie or WfC style over an out-dated and clunky G1 design any day, but that's just personal preference.
Almost every other Decepticon is in Deluxe size anyway. Deluxe Shockwave would be in scale with Starscream, Bruticus, Cybertronian Megatron, and any number of others. I'd happily buy him in Deluxe or Voyager, myself.
I can see this being the way forward. Jet to laser gun is a really easy transformation if the jet has a gigantic cannon for the whole forward section - just fix it so the wings can fold down and make a grip, and there's your fan gun mode. Very Sixshot. Far as a Classics Shockwave goes though, I'm happy with my Energon one. He's not perfect, but he is as good a fit as we are likely to get any time soon.
A boycott would never work, because the fandom isn't able to act as one. We're only a collection of individuals with coinciding (largely selfish) interests, rather than having a shared (selfless) purpose.
^ Indeed, Hasbro actually isn't incompetent/disrespectful enough to actually piss us all off at once. Considering that pleasing one fan will no doubt send another into a frothing rage no matter what anyone does, I think they are doing about the finest job they could.
After Transformers 3, hopefully. Hasbro has a weird thing about not releasing two characters with the same name in different lines.
Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Soundwave, and I'm sure others would like to have words with you.
But they are rare excpetions. Usually Hasbro tries to only do that with high profile characters. The more obscure characters only get one release in one line at one time. However, since Shockwave might become popualtr enough due to the movie to merit a Generations toy, I could see it happening. Also, I hope it's the WFC version because that's as good a design as any.
I'm assuming they hid under the fact that they throw Autobot or Decepticon right above the name on the package. Hasbro would have to throw in something like that, should they make a Generations Shockwave. Look at Jazz.
^ I thought Hasbro reclaimed the rights to Shockwave. On the original topic, I think we'll ge one eventually, personally I'm hoping for a Voyager Shocky sometime. If that means waiting two years for the third movie stuff to die down then so be it.
