Here is the fifth and final figure from the BotCon 2010 Box Set Generation 2: Redux… Sky-Byte! The “wildcard” from this years set, this figure will be available along with Autobot Spark, Breakdown, Streetstar and Clench.
UPDATE: And if you were waiting with bated breath for the online registration to go live, you’ll want to exhale. It won’t be up today or during this weekend, per the most recent message from Fun Publications.
BraveMax
If you have friends attending the con (which, posting on this board, you probably do), it's fairly easy to get the souvenirs at cost + shipping. There's a whole thread for that in the TFCC member forums, and while I haven't checked, I'd be shocked if there weren't one on this board.
I was living in Japan during Botcon 2007 (a very popular one, you will recall), and managed to get the box set, plus every souvenir exclusive and even the attendee bonus basically at cost. I'm not saying everyone can expect that luxury, but if you know you want it this far before the con (before reg's even gone up), you can do it. Start networking.
Therefore, I see no reason NOT to include the souvenirs. Even the attendees have to pay extra for those, but they're essentially PART of this year's "set".
Automorpher
I'm liking what I'm seeing this far. And that Skybyte didn't disappoint me like I thought he would.
neospark1
Pete,
This year's set ROXOR! You guys obviously put a ton of thought and effort into these guys.
One quick question (and sorry If I somehow missed this)? As this is a G2 set, how does a Predacon fit into the story? The Maximals and Predacons came well after the Great War for power consumption/reserves.
Thanks!
Neo
WhiteMocha
Totally, I agree! And nice photoshopping, it definitely helps amp up the character.
Ktulu
I agree it works well enough as is. It doesn't need asymmetry but it'd feel right for the character, unless the "story" for these guys does dictate otherwise somehow. The only thing I feel it really needs would be a less pronounced brow and slightly larger eyes.
Yeah, I photoshopped that too, but I don't wanna be a jackass
WhiteMocha
While the toned-down, more symmetrical headsculpt may not be quite as rich in personality as the original lopsided Sky-Byte face, I think it works well for what is essentially a Classics Sky-Byte. With the exception of Bumblebee's little smile, none of the Classics figures really have expressions, just blank default faces. So this sort of feels like Sky-Byte at default.
I think it looks really nice, myself. Sure, some asymmetry like Ktulu's image would have been great as well, but I still think this head is a fine representation of the character. And I love the vehicle mode, with it's painted-on eye, that's great.
I dunno, it seems a lot of folk disagree, but I think this set is really strong as a whole.
Pyro
That head looks really nice on the Sharkticon mold with his colors, it's like that mold was was made to become Sky-Byte.
As for the head being symmetrical. Maybe the figure's supposed to represent Sky-Byte in his younger days before something happened to cause his asymmetrical bits and upgrade to a giant head fin?
EmGo316
So far Sky-byte is my favorite of the set. He should have electronics so you can push a button and he sings his song for you. Sky-Byte, that's me!
Doom2099
Overall, I like most of the figs I"ve seen. I'm kinda iffy on slicer. The energon Downshift/Wheeljack mold was great in its time, but its lost a lot of its magic over time. I defininately feeling the Gnaw, but I just can't support the the Skybite figures. Personally, I'd rather have a teal and a regular blue Grimlock in the boxed set. Of course, I may just have to find someone to trade my Skybite to…
Beastbot X
THERE we go. THAT'S what was missing!
BScorpinok75
Still only wishing I could get my hands on Street Star/Wise from this box set. The rest just don't reach out to me personally.
The_Black_Sheep
Seeing the face up-close does make his sneer a lot better, a lot less corny . IMO I'd say Sky-Byte is probably the pick of this year's set.
bradforj
I might not have been clear in what I meant. I was saying that this set might be given some appeal by releasing more prominent G2 characters as club exclusives later on. They are still doing Shattered Glass figs (Cyclonus), so maybe filling in the G2 Redux with more desirable figures down the road will make this set more desirable in retrospect.
I will give the guys credit for making a very polarizing set this time around. It seems to be a love/hate it situation.
x BlackMagnus x
More like Pinch Loaf…
Sidecutter
The point stands though, we don't know what else they have in store. And to be fair, the additional souveniers are available after the con, albeit possbly costing more second-hand. And the cost for non-attendees is only the same in regards to the box set…the souveniers will cost us extra. The only thing you're not getting for that same cost is the attendee bonus, and I gotta say, that seems pretty fair since the attendees are the lifeblood of the show.
And I'm sorry, but at this point in the game? Nothing is going to be added, even if a thousand people all filled a single thread with desire for it. Six months ago, even, if we'd DEMANDED something specific, it wouldn't have been feasible. So saying they could add something is really just idle wishing. The planning and authorization chain for this stuff is just too long.
Ktulu
After seeing the closeup, I too like the head a lot better. It could've used some more weird asymmetrical bits though:
bradforj
I thought all 5 figures from the box set had been revealed. Are there more than 5 this year? Attendee exclusives don't count for us non-attendees (although we pay the same prices).
BraveMax
To be fair, we don't know that they WON'T have G2 Starscream, etc… We've yet to see ~3 exclusives, and yet to confirm another 2~4. So… Patience?
That being said… I feel I've been an outspoken critic of FunPub's organization and management (the processes and outcomes, not the people) for a while now, so maybe it will carry more weight that I (of all people) am willing to say this – I wasn't planning on going to Botcon again. My love of the brand has been wavering, and I'm not buying many toys these days. And I'm with you on last year's set – just on a personal taste level, it was underwhelming.
This set convinced me I needed it. So I find myself going again…
I'm not 100% happy with all the figures, but I find the choices unique, the paint schemes interesting, and I like most of the new heads. I'm hoping the story really knocks it out of the park – if it does, this could be one of my favorite sets. I've been going for ~10 years now, so that's no mean feat!
Then again, I'm picky about stories… Don't disappoint me, Pete – you've got it in you to make this awesome!!!
bradforj
Thank you for your reply. I can get a bit over-excited with my wording at times, but I have much respect for the effort put into staging Botcon each year. I guess this year just feels like a let down after the almost universally declared failure that was 2009. I figured you guys would come roaring back this year with something truly amazing (like P/CP).
Perhaps this set would have more "umph" if you added some major players to the G2 Redux lineup. Future club exclusives like G2 Starscream and Ramjet classics repaints, for example. It just feels like it is lacking something by having no major players.
Thank you again for your comments. It is good to know that you guys keep up with the opinions of everyone and don't just listen for the accolades.