WTF @ TFW - 182 - January 13 2012

Discussion in 'WTF @ TFW Transformers Podcast' started by Vangelus, Jan 19, 2012.

  1. HMRC4EVR

    HMRC4EVR Well-Known Member

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    Being a long time Botcon goes (this year marks my 18th year), I've seen a lot of ups and down with the exclusives. There's been GREAT years like when we got Arcee from TM2 Blackarachnia and Tigertron from the Ravage mold or when we got the G2 set from Fun Pub two years ago. And there were dark times during the OTFCC years (not going into that-if you were a fan then you know what I'm talking about) or the unfortunatly lackluster Wings of Honor box set.

    But one thing I think a lot of people might not recall is that Fun Pub is limited by the molds that Hasbro and Takara can agree on that can be used and if their theme idea is approved by Hasbro.

    I'm not debating the set this year has some issues and in the past I've been critical of some of their choices on molds and such. But I've always tried to keep in mind that Brian and company are probably making the best choices they can within the legal and monetary constraints they're under, not to mention the red tape involved.


    So yea, the set this year has problems, but it's also not the worse one (to me) they've done. If you like it get it, if not, don't or just get the ones you like. Just remember there will always be things behind the scenes that prevented use from getting 'X'-but at the same time FP's choice could have kept us from getting a much worse 'Y'.

    Just trying to see both sides of the big picture.
     
  2. Insane Galvatron

    Insane Galvatron is not insane. Really!

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    Not sure if someone else did or not, but I know I tried. The biggest hurdle was allowing the landing gear to still fold up into it. That and I was trying to design it with the inflexibility of resin in mind ( ie: no socket joints ). Not an easy task. The limited space made other joint options unfeasible. The only way to do it would be to design it for injection molding, but tooling costs would make that far too expensive given the limited demand. Seriously, who would pay $25-$30 for a transforming drone?
     
  3. Computron34

    Computron34 Always Tired

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    And some of that love was deserving. Some VERY misplaced. I got tired of hearing it then. It's nothing new. Just making comments. Still like the show.
     
  4. Aaron

    Aaron Master of Crystalocution Moderator Content Contributor

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    We all have kept that in mind as well. I think a large issue that we have had this year is a lackluster set being sold as one of the best ever. Pete started out by setting the bar extra high and then failed to deliver. Sure if you are a Shattered Glass enthusiast that is going to give this set points, but calling it even in the top three is laughable. Animated, Games of Deception, Dawn of Futures Past, G2, hell even the first Shattered Glass set is better than this set.

    I think it is easy to reason out as well. They took a central idea and went with it. Making a set a follow on to another set will limit some people who will then want to have the old SG set. Also the choices seem uninspired. Granted we don't know what all was available to them as molds, but until Fun Pub opens up to let us know more about the process we can only hypothesize, and that is what we frequently do on our show. I would like to think with our combined experiences at BotCons and Hasbro trips and other knowledge due to real world experiences we can get close on our ideas and COULD understand what we are frequently told that we can't.

    But hey, what do I know.
     
  5. HMRC4EVR

    HMRC4EVR Well-Known Member

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    I didn't mean to imply that you and the guys at WTF @ TFW hadn't been a very open minded party for all the Botcon stuff going on, and if that's the way it came across I apolgize.

    I just wanted to point out a few things that newer folks who don't have the insider knowledge we have gained through the years might want to keep in mind as they get involved with the discussion so they can make an informed decision knowing all the factors invovled.

    And it's a shame I can't use 'fair and balanced' in a sentence anymore without my stomach turning over.

    Again, didn't mean any implications to you Vangelus or anyone at WTF.




     
  6. Computron34

    Computron34 Always Tired

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    I think the thing that's been bugging me, is there is not an opinion on the show that is "luke-warm" at best. Everytime Botcon talk starts, I know what it's going to be. Maybe that has to do with all the Twitter talk as well. I do wish we had another guest per episode for maybe a different perspective. But I know that's not always fees able.

    Just what I think. But what do I know.
     
  7. GogDog

    GogDog Logic's wayward son Veteran

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    We're not going to bring on a guest just to disagree with us. There are 5 hosts. If we all feel the same way about something, that's how the dice fell. If all 5 people on the show don't like something, there's probably a good reason for it. We're not going to ask each other ahead of time what we think, and if we all feel the same way, quickly ask someone to be on out of the blue just to disagree.

    If we all loved the Botcon set, should we track down someone who hates it, just so they can come on and tell us how bad it is? Probably not going to happen. It's fine that you disagree with us, opinions make the world go round. You're just going to have to cope with the dizziness for now, I'm afraid.
     
  8. AlanGarou

    AlanGarou Well-Known Member

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    Are you kidding? Vangelus has been bending over backwards to be as kind as possible to these sets. He's been a massive moderating influence on the others, to the point where it's almost gotten irritating in itself. FunPub has really dropped the ball with this set, and the podcast crew's reactions have been charitable if anything.
     
  9. Computron34

    Computron34 Always Tired

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    I never said you should bring someone on to disagree with you. I feel the same way about the set (mostly) as y'all. But does that mean I can't get tired of hear how crappy it is? Isn't this a place to post our opinions about the shows?
     
  10. GogDog

    GogDog Logic's wayward son Veteran

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    Who's not calm? I don't understand that statement. I just made eggs over medium in extra virgin olive oil, and I feel warm and relaxed, with a full tummy. Couldn't feel more relaxed. :) 

    You said our podcast was making you feel physically dizzy. You offered the idea of bringing on a guest to counter our opinions. I explained why that's not something we want to do. That's it, friend. I even told you we welcomed your opinion in my last post...
     
  11. Computron34

    Computron34 Always Tired

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    But you didn't make me any.......

    And I appreciate the communication. It' not like I was ordering y'all do to anything. The show is good, and I know we can't stay positive all the time. Lord knows I can't........

    Anyway. Looking forward to the next episode. :thumb 
     
  12. GogDog

    GogDog Logic's wayward son Veteran

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    I know you look forward to what the "TFW elite" have to say every week. I hope we continue to deliver for you. :) 
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2012
  13. Computron34

    Computron34 Always Tired

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    Hehe, caught that did ya? Sorry if that was wrong.

    Still waiting for the perfect show though. That will come when someone if 'off-topic' mentions Xevoz. Once that happens, it's over. But until then, keep up the good work.
     
  14. HMRC4EVR

    HMRC4EVR Well-Known Member

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    I mentioned this to ExVee over at Super Hero Time, but I think it would be an interesting exercise in crosstraining if all the major podcasts (WTF@TFW, SuperHerotime, RFC, etc..) all switched hosts around and get people out of their comfort zones and just see an 'outsiders' standpoint on the various fandoms.

    Logistically it'd be a nightmare to work out, but from a viewpoint of getting new takes on the fandoms it might reveal some surprises.
     
  15. Sideways77

    Sideways77 #1 flareup simp

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    I have the urge to buy DoTM Jolt now...

    I was also dissappointed that ukulele didn't show up again...
     
  16. Greyley

    Greyley Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. You're way more likely to get into uncanny valley territory when a human face is involved instead of a stylized robot face. I don't think they screwed up badly enough on Metalhawk to look creepy, but his human face does have a big derp factor. The original drawing looked fine, but the final product isn't a very good 3-D version of it.

    Does this help? Chaosbringer made a great visual explanation. :lol 

    [​IMG]

    ...you are my hero. :bowdown: 

    This is a brilliant idea! Good luck convincing anyone to try it, but it would be interesting to see what happens when people podcast with a different group of co-hosts. It could be a cool way to get some different perspectives and interactions.
     
  17. Slayershoop

    Slayershoop Pitter Patter

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    This is the 00 Qan(T) sword thing the question was talking about, I think that would be really cool for Drift too
     
  18. ZeroEdge

    ZeroEdge Geass'd

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  19. Wingnut

    Wingnut Stayin' Alive!

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    Vangelus,

    Sorry to hear I freaked you out. I swear that wasn't the intention. I must say I was totally taken aback by your reaction to the Spreem drawing. It was the highlight of MAGfest for me so thank you for that. I wanted to take a pic with you and the Spreem drawing but my camera chose that time to both run out of memory and battery life. (I'm usually much better prepared at a con for that eventuality.) I know someone on the panel took your picture and if you have access to it I'd like to have a copy. No worries if not. Thank you (and Spreem) again for signing the original sketch.

    And yes, I was having more fun with Rescue Bot Prime than my nephew on Christmas. I got myself a Rager too and yes the head may as well have been set in place with no articulation but I still like it. For me the selling point was his weapons. It just tickled me that he's sporting a pair of snub-nosed 38s. Lack of storage for them in alt mode bugs me too. And finally, thanks to you I've acquired my very first Bugmen/S.H. Figuarts. I kept being tempted by the Gold and Red Rangers at TRU but I'm just not a Sentai fan. So instead I got Kamen Rider 1 and 2 from the original series which I remember seeing when I was in my teens thanks to a friend who was a big Japan-o-phile. They were in Japanese so all it had going for it was the action which was more than enough to keep me interested. Anywho I can't believe the articulation on these guys! Okay enough off-topic talk. Thanks again and it was a pleasure meeting you at MAGfest.

    Cheers,
    Wingnut

    [​IMG]
    Internet Personality Vangelus by Wingnut, on Flickr

    OH! P.S.!

    You probably know this but Wreck-Gar and Junkheap's alt modes are just the right size for Bugmen to ride!
    [​IMG]
    Kamen Rider Junkion by Wingnut, on Flickr
    [​IMG]
    Kamen Rider Junkion by Wingnut, on Flickr
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2012
  20. Gammatron 64

    Gammatron 64 Well-Known Member

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    I think Vangelus is one of the least hateful people in existence. The guy is so committed to not hurting feelings that he wouldn't even shit on Twilight and My Little Pony because was afraid of offending their fans. If anything, that's an indication that he doesn't have enough hate. =p

    To be fair though, I think a lot of the complaints about BotCon are valid this year. Personally, I find FunPub's constant flurry of poor decisons and the shitstorm they create a steady source of entertainment.

    EDIT: On second thought, yeah, he hates FedEX. But they totally deserved it. You basically have to charge him $100, make him travel cross country then act like a total douche to his face to get him to hate you.