I don't know if this is News worthy or if it deserves its own thread, or if it has been mentioned before. This is the first I've seen it being mentioned in any listing.

BBCW Distributors :: Pre-Orders :: Transformers Generations Figures - WFC: Siege - Refraktor Reconnaissance Team 3-Pack - 0000

• Refraktor Reconnaissance Team Pack comes with Spectro, Viewfinder, and Spyglass figures. All 3 figures feature classic conversion between robot and G1-inspired Cybertronian spacecraft modes in 17 steps.
• Combine included figures to form Refraktor camera mode. Refraktor is an evil marauder - not a working camera.
• Special box inspired by classic camera boxes. Includes distinct instructions on how to work this non-working camera. Oh no! It’s KREMZEEK! He’s tearing through the package! The pack also includes a Kremzeek figure, a really annoying electronic pest.
• Pack includes 8 weapon and armor accessories. Multiple C.O.M.B.A.T. weapon ports on figure and vehicle enable weapon and armor accessories to attach in custom configurations.
  Ages 8+
  WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts may be generated.
  Not for children under 3 years.
  

Assortment is set to include:

• 4x TRA GEN HASCON EXCLUSIVE 2 (630509825226).

Sold as cases. Packed 4 per case.

It's interesting that this is what our Hascon exclusive would have been this year if the convention wasn't canceled. Also note this List this as Hascon Exclusive #2. I'm guessing the Vintage G1 Mini-Cassettes 3-Pack Gurafi, Noizu, Decepticon Frenzy was supposed to orginally be a Hascon excluivse as well, but I have no solid evidence on that.

 

Interesting. Well, I’m glad it ended up being a shared online exclusive or whatever it is since I’m doing these three instead of the mainline Refraktors.

 

That might explain why it's the only set this year not in the WFC or Select numbering.

 

Let me add some weight to that theory: here's ow we first heard about the Frenzy, Gurafi & Noizu 3 pack

Encore Noise, Graphy, and New Color Frenzy

The nature of the toys in the packs, Japanese tapes with Frenzy, does suggest they were onto something then when it's listed as "Exhibition Limited"

We heard nothing more till the SDCC surprise

Transformers Vintage G1 Mini-Cassettes 3-Pack Gurafi, Noizu, Decepticon Frenzy

 

Lets hope the second wave of the "Exhibition Limited" really does come to pass .

 

I think this confirms Hascon is dead.

 

Yeah. All of the other Generations molds this year have a Siege or Selects number with this set being the lone exception. This being a cancelled/resolicited Hascon exclusive makes a lot more sense.

It's a shame, really. On one hand, it would have been nice to have an official convention again. On the other hand, we're getting exclusive redecos in Selects that feel like convention exclusives without the markup. At least there's still the smaller fan conventions for those who want them.

 

Update- After looking at recent Shipping manifest The Refraktor Reconnaissance Team 3-Pack is indeed labeled as TRA GEN Hascon exclusive 2 on its shipping case. It looks like there was also supposed to be a Marvel Hascon exclusive that was Re-solicited (MVL Hascon convention exclusive) Sadly a Hasbro product number isn't provided so I can't tell what it is.

Hascon Buyers | Customers of Hascon (Product And Company,US Import Trade Data) — Panjiva

 

Hascon was a bad idea in the first place.

 

I guess a pretty box is a a sign that it was a convention toy.

 

No. All this confirms is that Hasbro have the product ready to go and with out being sure when, or if, Hascon would take place decided to make it an online thing and are now working on another potential Hascon toy.

 

Makes sense why it is not numbered.

 

Can we have Botcon back now please?

 

I don't know. I think I prefer this to a convention. Everyone just buys what they want from Pulse. No travel, no hassle, little worry of being one of x many produced.

 

I would like to see this too. I think TFcon is phenomenal, but an official convention has a certain energy to it. I also think multiple conventions (TFcon, BotCon, and perhaps even HasCon) can co-exist.

As for these toys originally being planned as HasCon exclusives, not surprising. I am not sure if it tells us anything about the future of HasCon. I'm sure Hasbro is still kicking around ideas to bring it back.

 

People keep talking like it's one or the other. If HasCon HAD taken place, 3-pack Refraktor would have likely been available online after the convention, and the price would likely have been exactly what it is now, produced in exactly the same numbers (although HasCon, unlike BotCon, hasn't told us what those numbers are).

 

Except why didn't they just SAY something about Hascon not being held this year? You need to announce conventions ahead of time if you want maximum possible attendance so people can make travel plans, etc., and this whole year Hasbro has been dead silent about it.

 

I'm confused. Hasbro did indeed announce that HasCon 2019 wasn't taking place... the only question was whether or not there would ever be another.

 

HasCon sucks, bring BotCon back.

 

This is true. Certainly it'll be a better gauge after MP10G to see if at an event and after an event will be able to satisfy everyone but the new format of Pulse having exclusives available after the convention is all right too.

Still, being able to obtain an item without having to go to a convention or pay after market mark up is what I enjoy and all I seek.