There are only so many characters left undone. We're already starting to see companies re-do characters that have already been done, including officials, and in the case of FansToys their own figure. (Spindrift 2.0)

That said, it seems like it will be some time before that well has run completely dry. There is legit demand for a more elegantly engineered Megatron, a perfect Seeker (MakeToys isn't quite that), G1 Protectobots, Technobots, Terrorcons, and Seacons, Runabout and Runamuck, the Omnibots, a perfect Cliffjumper, and the rest of the Powermasters, Targetmasters and Headmasters. That's like 35 figures even if you only count the ones that haven't been done yet.

The fact that there still remain several combiners bodes well for the G13P scene IMO. Combiners were what kind of ushered in the modern era of 3P because TFC Toys, when they announced Hercules, could basically count on collectors going for all six of the figures, not just picking and choosing. Well, what's changed? If FT's strategy going forward is to do roughly a combiner a year, and their first two come off well (STABLE in COMBINED mode--we know the robots will look good even if they're no fun), they'll be able to stay in business at least five more years putting out the remaining G1 gestalts. SOMEBODY is going to occupy that Headmaster/Targetmaster/Powermaster lane that's been left tantalizingly open and just-filled enough to create momentum (My Chromedome, Hardhead and Pointblank are waiting for reinforcements; Weirdwolf, Mindwipe and the Horrorcons, likewise)

And that's not even getting into the Japanese stuff.

 

A lot.

Deluxe Insecticons
Deluxe Autobots
Omni Bots
Jumpstarters
Protectobots
A decent Blaster and Autobot Cassettes
A decent Blitzwing (common FT git busy with it. it's been years)
A decent Trailbreaker (looking at you again, FT)
A decent Springer (...Xtransbots... anyone home?)
Runabout and Runamuck
Sharkticon/Gnaw
A decent Perceptor

...just to name a few

 

Is that the combiner team of short-buses?

 

I've felt that lately it's been a Legends game more than an MP one. Lots out there I would like to preorder but stuff like the other 4 FT's Aerialbots aren't even around to order online yet. :/

XT has some good stuff they teased I might be interested in but other than the tease (new Junkions, Autobot Spike, Quints) they have been really quiet about them.

 

I don't think it'll die out but for sure we'll be seeing less of it the more G1 needs that's being filled. It's only a matter of time before third party companies will start moving on the other eras to fill the needs of their respective fans. Like how some companies are starting to give us BW and UT content right now.

 

Outside of the others mentioned…
Let us not forget Scorponok!

 

HAHAHAHA   ... didn't realize I misspelled. Yeah the old figures were pretty short bus. I'd still like to see MP versions.

 

That's a good a question... And honestly not really. There are a few like Astrotrain, Blitzwing... Dead End   but these are all being produced right now.

It's more that I find that IMO less products are being released, specifically by less companies. Looks like idd XTB and FT are the only consistent ones left.

 

We’ve gotten less of everything, not just Masterpiece.

And even what we get is 90 percent 84/85, even from Hasbro.

The lack of variety is horrible

It seems like barely any company is willing to touch the MPs I’m interested in, namely Japanese G1. And there’s a massive lack of decent chug stuff.

 

MP omnibots and punch/counterpunch pls

 

I think some of that's because the officials have actually begun producing items people have clamored for throughout the past 35 years (Arcee, finally.) and more recently the last 10-15. (Mirage update, a real Impactor, etc.)

If they're doing en masse and for cheaper MSRP, why would a 3rd party even try at this point? Unless they can beat Hasbro at everything, they shouldn't even try. It used to be they could beat them by quality, then by character, but now that both price and quality have sort of leveled out for Hasbro, there's really nothing 3rd party can do right now.

The only examples I can think of in which 3rd party has recently handed Has/Tak their @$$3$ are Magic Square and Transform Element Optimii. Both are better made and better looking than MP-44 and are a quarter of the price. You can own both and still have money left over compared to 44. That's where they win, it's a rarity, though. Takara priced themselves into a corner.

 

Call me insane but I want MP jumpstarters. They dont have to have the jump gimmick but I think they would be cool and to my knowledge nobody has done them yet.

I had Twin Twist as a kid and I loved him despite (or maybe because of) his crappiness.

 

I do not believe that G1 3P is diminishing. I do believe that it may appear this why because many companies are branching out. We have reached the point where fans who joined during the Unicron Trilogy are collector aged now, so some companies are looking there, and of course the movieverse has been rising in prominence over the last few years in the community.
It is not the case that G1 3rd party is dying out, just that the later parts of Transformers 35 year history are claiming their space in it.

 

I'd also be interested in MP versions of Twin Twist and Topspin, at an affordable price of course. And the Omnibots.
And Straxus, though I imagine he's pretty niche.
A decent MP Sharkticon wouldn't go astray either - hopefully XTB will get on to that once their Quintesson is released.

 

Every freaking year I hear or read this. The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The end is nigh!!!! For about 3 years now. So here's the long and short of it. Fans Toys ALONE has at least 2 years of G1 MP's planned that we know of. The same can be assumed for XTB/KFC DX9, and MMC/OC. You can bet that all or most will make:

- Combiner Menasor. That's 5 bots
- Combiner Defensor. That's 5 bots
- Combiner Aerialbots. That's 5 bots
- Combiner Bruticus. That's 5 bots

- Fans Toys has committed to releasing MP Astrontrain and Bltizwing, and has teased a Scourge.
- Fans Toys is working on their Autobot Minibots starting with Brawn, Warpath, and Beachcomber.
- Fans Toys is still working on their Decepticon Headmasters.
- MakeToys may still be working on their Autobot Headmasters.
- XTB has had success with their recent Minibots and is very likely to continue releasing more
- XTB still has MP Springer & Kup in development.

Plus we have quite a few G1 characters that other 3P's haven't tackled such as an MP Sandstorm, Octane, Gnaw, Targetmasters, Deluxe Insecticons, and more. Not to mention reissuing bots in toon colors. So no, there are no signs of G1 MP's (official or 3P) of dying out for at least another 3 years.

What we are seeing are 3P entities exploring other generations like Beast Wars, Armada, and even Bayformers. They're trying these out to seek out untapped new sources of profit, which is smart. Kids who were at least 10 years old in 2007 are not in their 20's. Kids who were 10 years old in 1998 are in their 30's. They too will have nostalgia for BW, Armada, and Bayformers. So in addition to G1 fans who have cash to burn, they can now also tap into 20-30 somethings who also have cash to burn.

Eventually, the sun will set for G1 MP's. But not yet. With Takara pumping out MP-44 that's still selling for $400+ and recoloring MP's into toon aesthetics, I don't see the end happening for a while. If anything, the cost of production rising may do more damage to all collectors eventually.

 

I hope so. That's not to say that I want companies to stop making G1 products because I don't want G1 fans to miss out, but the Transformers brand is massive and to restrict it to G1 feels like a waste. There are collectors who would like MP figures from RiD 2000 and imagine someone tackling Beast Machines. Even still, some new and diverse projects like the Samurai Leo Convoy are a great addition. Companies won't know what sells until they make it, but that is risky which is the problem. So it's easy to fall back on Optimus and Bumblebee. If they at least made renders and let fans say yes or no that would be progress.

 

Still plenty of figures to go on my list for G1 figures!

 

They could make G1 MPs of Retconned characters. I'd take earth mode vehicles for the 84 movie bots, Windblade, Lockdown, Drift, Bulkhead, etc

Also, the god damned Battle Chargers and Omnibots.

 

I'm just waiting on a decent Skids - he gets so ignored!

 

No way. My wallet is open to many undersized MPs to redo.
6 more G1 combiners to do by FT and perhaps other companies (not including the Seacons).
Combiner sized Triple-changer Broadside. His alt-mode has to be able to hold the Aerialbots (detachable decks would work like in model carriers)

Redo KUP, BLURR, HOT ROD & ARCEE (HM's and TM's) to near or the same size as SPRINGER like in the g1. I think MT can do this like Contactshot etc.

MASTERMIND CREATIONS NEEDS TO DO ALL THE g1 TARGETMASTERS AND HEADMASTERS individually MP larger like they did the Cassettes. Told you UPSIZING is better proven by the Tapes!

Mastermind creations redo All the MP cars upsized to 8.5-9 inches tall like they look in the cartoon in many SHOTS.

MMC Ocular Max has Riot and Furor shows has shown the way for those who want to see the G1 bots taller.

Targetmaster decepticons need to be done.

Transformer spys etc.

So many others to name we aren't even half way there to G1 prominance!