The G1-Focused Masterpiece Speculation Thread

Discussion in 'Transformers Toy Discussion' started by Superquad7, Dec 1, 2011.

  1. jackisking

    jackisking Well-Known Member

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    Not for a while anyway, the license is being used by a Chinese right now. Previously Mattel had it.
     
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  2. Sam

    Sam Arrival

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    I wonder if there was something planned for this gap that has been cancelled.

    Sure, it's possible Starscream was originally planned for March or April and they simply decided/needed to push him back to June.

    Or it's possible they planned for MP-28+ and then decided to skip that repaint (or delay it until a release like Kup, to help Kup sell better?).

    Perhaps they wanted to release MP-44+ but decided not to because the Diaclone Battle Convoy is coming out soon.

    Maybe they're saving MP-25+ to tie in with Blaster, who in turn will tie in with v2 Soundwave, so still a few years out. Or maybe they're giving up on any more anime + repaints altogether, and they'll just do v2s instead. Guess we don't know how well 17+, 18+ and 19+ sold.

    Maybe they wanted to do Detritus, but because of Hound's poor QC they chose to wait a while. Perhaps they'd rather get out a Hound reissue first to restore confidence in the mould.

    Maybe they did have plans for that rumoured Cliffjumper, but ran into a snag with Porsche that ended up putting him back on the backburner.
     
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  3. Scowly Prowl

    Scowly Prowl Still calculating variables...

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    Well, no one has the licensing rights to dinosaurs. Or UFOs. Or impractical hovercraft. Just an observation.
     
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  4. Ikkstakk

    Ikkstakk Well-Known Member

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    You mind if I reply to this in the SS thread? (I mean I just did, so...) :lol 
     
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  5. Enterlaw

    Enterlaw Well-Known Member

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    I have been summoned!!! Max Rawhide basically conveyed what I said correctly. I would clarify my take a little deeper. If you're going by a hard and fast rule of thumb, then anything that would identify a car without a doubt would, I would advise, require a license. Examples of this would include the distinctive teardrop shape and "bug eye" headlights of the classic Porsche 911; if you had a toy that looked like a Jeep AND had the 7 slats in the grill; if you made a toy car that looked like a BMW AND it had the "00" in the middle of the grill, etc. I'm not saying any of these would be "slam-dunk evidence of trademark infringement," trademark law is arcane, full of loopholes, and judges often make mistakes interpreting Trademark Law, all intellectual property law actually.

    It's like a continuum - on one side, think of the Masterpiece Transformers. They are licensed, have the logos of the car manufacturer on the toy, the box, there is no doubt they are 100% fully licensed - it's part of the marketing, it's that obvious. On the OTHER side, you have, say Transformers Animated Jazz. Same general color scheme, character shares some characteristics, it's fairly recognisable as the character in both modes (if one is familiar w/ Transfandom) to be evocative of the original, but there isn't any actual infringement. Look at actual auto manufacturers, there are a lot of cars that look like or evoke other cars or historical cars, but aren't outright imitations. This is generally allowed because it's tough to prove

    In the present case, I would also agree, I don't think that the SS Jazz is licensed, though there may be a courtesy agreement in place (this is total speculation, I have NO KNOWLEDGE of the inner workings of Hasbro, etc.), whereby Porsche, via the clear relationship that Hasbro/TT has with them (see Masterpiece Bumblebee, SS Bumblebee, Earthrise Bumblebee, etc) is aware of Jazz, is content that it doesn't refer to itself as a Porsche, it based on an outdated look and model of yesteryear, and has agreed not to raise a stink. It doesn't have the Porsche badge on it, and the paint scheme, again while evoking the Martini racer of the late 70's/early 80's, is pretty basic and not that identifiable as compared to, say, the original G1 toy w/ all stickers applied.

    My guess, and this is just a guess, I haven't researched this, it's just spitballing, is that, as we get farther and farther away from the 80's, and the cars from G1, it's going to be less and less of an issue to do a closer approximation or general likeness of some of these cars and it could open up more alt-modes for as-yet-created characters (I have ideas Hasbro, come talk to me). Most of those cars don't have all the same characteristics anymore, though there are some I'd tread carefully (Ford Mustangs have an enduring look and trademarkable attributes, for example). The SS Jazz looks great for those of us from the 80's but actually looks closer to the cartoon than the actual car, though there are, of course, similarities. Again, I think there's at least some sort of tactic handshake agreement between the trademark parties to not push back on SS Jazz since the SS "Dino" looks much less like his car mode in the film (although, again, here, the car in the film was real vs. a Jazz based on the cartoon). For some reason, it looks like Hasbro is far more concerned w/ pissing off Ferrari than Porsche, again, though, this is speculation based only with what I can see w/ my own two eyes.
     
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  6. Ikkstakk

    Ikkstakk Well-Known Member

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    Whoa! A wild Enterlaw appears!

    Good to see you back 'round these parts.
     
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  7. Enterlaw

    Enterlaw Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, I'm always around a little, but since the Masterpiece's are all Beast Wars and non-licensed G1, I have had less opinions I felt added to the conversation. There's only SO many times we can do "will there be an MP Jazz" or "we'll never get a so-and-so".
     
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  8. Paco Grande

    Paco Grande Well-Known Member

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    I’m assuming you mean G1 characters with debated licenses like Jazz or Mirage. Because Hound is licensed and I expect more licensed G1 characters going forward. Speaking of which I’m looking forward to Spinout releasing in a week.
     
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  9. chchchch

    chchchch Chunky Coherent

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    Also Bumblebee v2, Starscream v2...

    Hey did anyone ever wonder if Starscream should really be v3
     
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  10. Stryder Wolfe

    Stryder Wolfe Is it...Safe???

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  11. WinstoBot

    WinstoBot Well-Known Member

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    I’ll just assume MP Hoist is coming soon since they just had one in the Generations line (who looks pretty darn good) and characters have a habit of showing up in both MP and Generations line close with in a year or two. Which leads to my mini rant about how jealous I’m feeling that the Generations line is getting so many virtually Masterpiece Lite figures and we are still moving at a snail’s pace. The new deluxe Runamuck figure has serious hints of Masterpiece elements like, substantial flat white paint on white plastic on nearly the entire body, G1 cartoon inspired look with full on false chest plate to achieve the correct proportions and even false wheels to get the Battle Charger feet correct. The new Studio Series Leader Grimlock is the same size as MP Grimlock and all cartoon details and look. They really do scratch that G1 itch of wanting our toys to look like the cartoon we watched as kids. I collect both lines, so it’s not like I’m missing out... I’m wishing TT could move faster.
     
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  12. 4249david

    4249david Click my avatar, you won't regret it...

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    Really? I thought he was a solid inch or so shorter... and isn't MP08 actually a tad short?
    I'd expect a new MP to be FT Dibots size (rather than Gigapower size).

    But yeah, the mini MP route has made me pick up the battle chargers just in case nobody ever makes them in MP. Those sorts of things are what keeps me from committing to S3 figures... if I end up collecting S3, and someone has done them in MP, I'll have the ER ones MISB and be able to move them on, especially Runabout who's limited.

    I've already covered the SS86 cast in MP, and if I pose with Unicron I'll use the Legends sized figures I've picked up, but I do waver on the Dinobots. I can't see TT doing all five, and it's really frustrating!
     
  13. Sam

    Sam Arrival

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    The MP line is definitely quality over quantity, but it sure can sting a little bit to see how quickly and easily the WFC toys are being thrown out. At the same time, I know they're fun but not at all the same level as MPs are now. MPs have superior articulation, no hollowed out surfaces for cost cutting measures, plus alternate face expressions! I'm surprised at the amount of accessories the new Hot Rod comes with but he seems to be the exception not the rule, while with MPs it's the standard (only MP-45 was the exception to that rule).

    If I was after owning every character I definitely would have gone the 3P route by this point, as I'm sure anyone who really does want certain B and C listers most certainly already has done (and if you haven't, why not?!).


    I see the Masterpiece line not as a 'complete' cast but as the cast of an episode (they almost never had all the cast in just one episode anyway!). Or like it's its own TV show, a sub-line of G1. So at this point I'm not expecting every character to join in, but it sure is exciting to find out which of our beloved characters will become a series regular!
     
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  14. jackisking

    jackisking Well-Known Member

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    you look and see what they can do at the Generations price point, and it does make you anxious about what they could pull off on an MP. Of course the biggest obstacle is the lack of support in Japan, that prevents them from cranking them out. I think if the MP line could operate at smaller runs it would be a different story, but because a run has to be so big to make sense, they have to selective about who they do.

    That said, Huffer looks pretty good.
     
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  15. WinstoBot

    WinstoBot Well-Known Member

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    Regarding the size of SS Grimlock, I’m just going by what the leaker said since he already has it in hand. It’s obviously too small for MPs but they are perfectly oversized for the Generations line. Add to that , the heavy rumors that they’ll make nearly all the Dinobots in that size and G1 deco and I can’t say no. It’s the closest we’ll get to G1 Sunbow Dinos.

    Of course, @Sam is right about these lacking the quality and engineering of MPs for sure. But....for the price, not bad. They’re getting 2 out of 3 right and at 1/5 the cost. The Beast Wars Megatron, and Dinobot , wow. I only do G1 Sunbow and even I think the Beast Wars look real nice.
     
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  16. Paco Grande

    Paco Grande Well-Known Member

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    Yup that SS Grimlock is pretty damn nice for a non-MP and I'll be buying all the SS dinobots for the same reasons as you. And MP-8 height is definitely not large enough for MP but surprisingly large for SS. It's good enough for now.

    Also that Kingdom Huffer that was just shown looks great and it would be nice to get an MP of that too.
     
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  17. WinstoBot

    WinstoBot Well-Known Member

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    I know right?!? Plus, someone said maybe the new Huffer has a mount to pull ER Prime’s trailer and my brain immediately went to MP44’s trailer without our MP Huffer to help out. It feels like someone else is stealing from our playbook....even if it’s from the same company.

    Maybe I should take Sam’s POV and see MPs as special events, not meant to be completed.
     
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  18. Brum Bot

    Brum Bot "Give them Victory... or Give them Death"

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    I can only echo some of the previous sentiments in here. As much as I love my MP’s the glacial pace of the line really frustrates me and I have started to enjoy some of the mainline releases. Trailbreaker, Cliffjumper - and I’ll probably be in for Cyclonus and the toy coloured Galvatron.

    And as rightly said above it’s probably the only chance to get good sized, screen accurate Dinobots before I die. See initial frustration quote.
     
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  19. Paco Grande

    Paco Grande Well-Known Member

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    Hasui designed MP-10 and at the time he wanted to include Huffer as an accessory, but couldn't because of the budget. Hasui is now working on SS figures and most likely WFC as well so it makes perfect sense. I keep wondering how many of the WFC and SS designs are based on concepts Hasui had for MPs.
     
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  20. WinstoBot

    WinstoBot Well-Known Member

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    I wonder that every time I look at the WFC Heads. I see Sideswipe, Wheeljack, Smokescreen, Bluestreak, Prowl, and I’m thinking; that looks just like the old MP heads shrunken down. ...And since Hasui is mainly running most of the Generations line...yup.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2020
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