Love the Poll idea, but it seems too little too late at this point, since the product is already in production. As an academic discussion I'm all for it, but unfortunately history can't be rewritten.

To be honest, the only option I'm totally against is purple. If TFC decided at the zero hour to go green (not the environmental marketing type, but the color) then I'd be all for that just as heartily as black. Again, I don't see the color as the thing- it's the toy that's the thing.

 

That's the danger of setting the precedence of taking customer's opinions into account. As much as they should be given credit for not only listening to what they had to say, but also implementing them as far as changing molds/coloring in the final stages, it will also be expected of them going forward into their future projects.

I do not fault them for listening to opinions, and making their customers happy, and trying to get the most sales as possible, I mean they are trying to make money after all. I give them a TON of credit for not being too stuborn in their vision to take contructive criticism and applying it to their product.

But like I said earlier, in hindsight, I kinda like how their original Herc looked. And while I may be in the minority, I am sure I'm not the only one that is thinking this. But like you said, it is just a matter of individual tastes.

 

The secret is...

As a team of Construction vehicles, even the almighty Devastator is subject to OSHA regulations and must have approved safety goggles.

 

Dude... where did you get the Swoop/Snarl? Customs?

 

Can't be 100% sure... but they look an awful lot like FrenzyRumble's custom Masterpiece Dinobots...

 

The biggest danger any company can make is in giving the customer exactly what they want. Why? Because people often don't know what they want until they see it, and if they feel all they have to do is stomp their collective feet loud enough to get what they want, then the magic of the creative process and 'artistic' decision making quickly disappears.

Personally, I respect a company more that follows its own vision while also respecting its fan base. Making zero hour changes every step of the way simply to satisfy a vocal minority eventually wears thin- for company and customer. A company must have a vision first and foremost, follow that vision even through the tough times, and let the product speak for itself. If something overwhelmingly underwhelms, fine, change direction. But in the end the company should be in the business of moving intellectual properties forward, and not in making every sector of fandom gushy with glee.

3rd party is a little more difficult to nail, because they are essentially making glorified KO's; therefore, literally catering to a vocal minority, but I still think even in that case they run a major risk in cowing to fan quibbling. Again, stick to the vision and let the pieces fall where they will. There's always the next iteration to get it right, and ultimately I feel fans will respect that more.

 

That bolded part is so true and somewhat pathetic as that's basically how some have behaved in a metaphorical sense. I appreciate the optional stuff they seem to have come up with that people wanted like the visor and chest shield as they can be removed or added by the user, but the kowtowing to a very vocal minority is sad and does inhibit the creative process. It's too bad and hopefully they learn from their mistakes on this one.

 

HELLS YEAH!!! just received crank and structor!! its friday and i got PAID!!!! who's feeling like a boss??? THIS guy!!!

 

Yeah? You called?

 

This is about the right scale if you watch the 86 TF movie!   Great pix, can't wait to see you post up more when we all have a complete Herc!

 

Agreed, and these are great examples of..what I'll call 'taking the collective pulse of fandom' prior to even going into pre-production. In other words, I doubt the visor and chest shield were last minute decisions based on Messageboard suggestions and or griping. I'm pretty sure TFC has had this vision of the figure all along, and kudos to them for doing their homework beforehand rather than waiting for someone(s) to yell loud enough before they made it happen. Of course, I could be giving them entirely too much credit, but I'm willing to take that risk when the product is this exemplary.

 

payton34, once you have a complete Herc you should do a posing shot of Herc double axe handling Sludge!  

 

MY EYES! THE GOGGLES DO NOTHING! - YouTube

 

just had the dr crank and structor boxes in my hands only to have them taken straight off me again   up close deffo the best looking of the 4 out so far!! can't wait til christmas morning so i can crack these bad boys open!!  

 

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/427090-masterpiece-dinobots.html

 

No no, you do it like this:

 

Actually they're made by Sculpt-bot.

Already have that planned.  

 

lol...looks like he's feeding his dog scooby snacks  

lol...i can totally see that as a PSA