MMC already have a combiner in that series out, so they have the experience. XTB have not yet completed their Menasor, and the delay for many is worrisome, because it may mean that (for example) there are stability issues and whatnot. MMC's is smaller in scale. XTB's individual stunticons seem to have more issues than MMC's Combaticons.

That said, as a person who's keeping his stunticons in bot mode, I think they're OK, and despite some issues (e.g. some paint issues, some issues with transformation and tolerances) I'm happy with them.

 

"Folding ravage"

I doubt they'd do that but its a cool idea

 

The fantoys fan boys have gone too far.
If Takara wanted to do something with FT, it'd be shut them down.
Same with every other 3p company.

 

I truly fail to understand them either. It is like they lack basic common sense more and more. 2020 has really not been kind to them.

This is why good things don't last.


FT IS FINE doing what they've been doing. Period.

 

Ombibots are still G1, the fact there were two UT toys on display is a much bigger sign of moving into new territory

 

Missed out on Meteor a few years ago, hope to pick him up this time around.

 

Correct, but by "new territory" I mean characters that have not yet been attempted to date. Omnibots have been on a lot of people's wish lists, I think, because this far no company has taken a stab at them.

 

Why, though? Especially since they're adding value to Takara's actual products by filling out the MP toyline? I know for a FACT that I wouldn't have bought nearly as many official MP figures if I didn't have the realistic chance to complete the collection I wanted at that scale.

Also, the biggest reason Takara doesn't do more different figures is resource allocation. Basically it's not worth it to them. But FANS want this stuff... so what if they let somebody do it who it WAS worth it for, and then those people could kick $$$ up to them? It's all reward, no risk. It's not like their products are dragging down the quality of Transformers... if anything, their products are SUPERIOR to the official ones and harming Takara by comparison.

Finally, there can't be that many top-notch transforming robot engineers. You gotta get your talent from somewhere, right? Why not recruit your former competition, if they're good enough? Large corporations gobble up smaller-but-more-talented shops ALL THE TIME. Look at the computer game industry for example.

Aside from that... if they COULD have shut them down, they probably WOULD have. (Or rather, if they thought it was worth the combination of resource allocation on their part and loss of goodwill from the fandom, they would have... the fact that they haven't, and generally only intervene in the case of perceived direct competition, means they probably can't)

 

Leg articulation to be fair is definitely what the original super mode needed the most but yeah, they really over stylized it. I guess these aren't meant to be proper MPs or anything anyway but even they went a bit too far.

 

Rather than waiting if you have a specific suggestion you should address it to FH directly, they will at least consider it. Now while they haven't finalized a design makes it relatively easier to make changes. I've always used Facebook, but I expect they have other social media platforms you can reach out to them on.

Windblade was just something to do for fun. They like the idea and did it. There is a precedent of jets (Starscream) becoming cars with the Alternity line.

As stated this Superion is Legends scale, the first one for them so whatever you feel about their numbers it deserves a pass for giving a new branch a first shot at him. Not counting ones shown so far I expect at least 3 more, MMC (would be unique with the all-built-in gimmick), New Age (soft teased with their Legends Stunticon announcement), and more than likely XTB (for people who want smaller limb bots assuming they make them to match the size of their rival Stunticons, it does look silly facing XTB Breakdown vs FT Sky Dive with the size disparity). I would not be the slightest bit surprised if Magic Square did a Legends one as well. I have no idea what DX9 is thinking going forward (continuing Combiners or not).

Zeta Superion is Legends, so not nothing.

With Iron Factory they largely stopped participating in western conventions a couple of years ago. They would send samples to put on display in the dealer room, which may or may not include previously unseen updates, but there was no real dealer room for displays this time. As for actually showing stuff they keep to Chinese conventions. The last 2 or 3 years all new IF announcements have been in a show in December (I think SGC but could be wrong on that). I don't know why New Age and Magic Square didn't show anything, but it could potentially be making similar decisions as Iron Factory.

 

I wonder if "remolded parts and accessories" for the EX MTRM-11 could include built-in wing fillers, since those were available as separate accessories at one point. Very curious to see how it turns out - might be an MP-52 killer for me personally.

 

Sorry, don't really follow this train of thought. Why would Takara bother with trying to buy out or license anything to FT when they can do it themselves? Why would FT take on Takara as a partner when they are already successful without them? Not sure FT has anything to gain besides taking less profits and having a new corporate boss to deal with.

Overall, I'm thankful that a 3p panel presentation was put together. Not really excited about anything other than maybe moderately aroused by the mmc protectobots. Heh.

I don't know why nobody takes a crack at mp Runabout and Runamuck, Windblade, etc. Where was Zetas Protectobot set? I don't really care about the trains... Who knows... I know they can't please everyone but just feel there wasn't much for the G1 mp collector this time round.

 

My best guess is, if this is true, FansToys would see a Takara deal as secured longevity. Yes it's a new corporate overlord, BUT it isn't those same people actively opposing or undermining them like they have every right to do. Takara has more toylines to focus on than just Transformers and even then, Transformers is spread so thin that the cracks show in every facet with budget cuts in every line. If they could outsource the least active front with a company the fanbase has, by and large, shown warm reception to, it would mean profits for TakTom, security and officiality with FansToys, and more toys for the G1 MP crowd. Could open the doors to other companies or, if no one else, their designers, to come in and produce they want at the same level. I imagine MMC's lines would fit quite snuggly here. Of course, this is an uneducated guess by some 20 something in college with no business experience whatsoever

 

Omnibots steal the show!

 

OR there's a pandemic happening so they don't have the ability to come together as a company as easily as before so progress is slow and they have nothing new to show. A little common sense before spinning theories and conspiracies folks.

 

And FT can't show renders like XTB has? Plus, they seemed pretty fine when they were showing us Soundwave, Percepter and others, by the way with face masks during the pandemic, so no idea what you talking about Willis!

 

Way to go 3rd party! Way to not make anything I need or want for the forseable future! We are moving out of state in June, so I am glad we will be saving money on not purchasing any TFs in the meantime....sigh. XTB...get the damned trailer out...and finish toy versions of the Stunticons! Gcreaton...finish your Protectorbots! Ridiculous...

 

X transbots and gcreations:
Sorry had to 

 

Me personally, if I had to pick one, pretty obvious that Kidman doesn't have a chance at all. Pre-ordering Cacus the minute he goes up.

Though Kidman's does look interesting. If I can squeeze him in, I may get him as a one-off piece.

 

Do you spend all your free time complaining?

Planet X Grimlock is a completely new mold and different scale