Says the guy with Ironhide as a UI!

 

The G1 combaticons are already getting a second reissue, I don’t think MMC has any problem with demand right now

 

MMC's releases so far have translated into enjoyable, succinct, and shockingly tidy experiences to flip back and forth in complete spite of the All-In-One gimmick and that's exactly why I've bought into them. I can understand how some of you would want a kit or a frame to address at least some of the stature and aesthetic compromises but it really is defeating the entire point. Any upgrade kit would have fight an uphill battle turning the components into something they are expressly not while then having to directly compete in the space of any Fanstoys, XTB, or Zeta/Moon efforts. These releases will be designed first and foremost to do all in their power to look big and sexy on a shelf. It would be a risky endeavor for any kit maker to overcome and not just "leaving money on the table" as it were.

 

Well, this isn’t passive aggressively insulting to anyone else at all. No sirree.

You know, it’s possible to say toon style isn’t for you while not simultaneously implying that anyone who does like it has the preferences or mental capacity of a small child. That’s extremely insulting to me and a slew of other board members.

 

Some people would do well to understand the concept of artistic integrity.

And also be reminded of the adage "You can't please everybody".

 

I am speaking about my own opinion and point of view on -my- collection. You are the one bringing in 'mental capacity' and childlike preferences. I find the hyper-toon look childish, if you do not, then you have no reason to be insulted and my opinion should hold no bearing on your collection. We all collect with our own standards and preferences, and no one's tastes are better or worse in this.

And some would do well to understand the concept of a public forum where people can discuss things.  

 

I love MMC's approach so much. It's just so easy to go between modes. I've said it before, but MMC is second only to Takara themselves in making the transformation flow well. And that's incredibly refreshing coming off of XTB's Commander Stack.

 

I feel like a lot of people are missing that an upgrade kit will eventually exist at the very least in 3D printed form, and one already exists for Bruticus (which I have, and it's awesome, but I'd much rather have it injection molded), and that these are specifically the kits I've been talking about. The design process will be done one way or another by some dude in China who is insanely dedicated toward creating these damned things for numerous combiner teams. The only question is if someone will ever work out a deal to mass produce the design with injection molding, and if that someone will be MMC.

I understand that MMC is not particularly keen on the idea simply because they don't like the idea as a matter of principle and want to stick to their guns, but that makes me sad since it would be an easy way to make everyone happy. Maybe they and people such as yourself will never be able to understand why people like me derive so much joy from taking a group of combiner components and "armoring them up" into a toon accurate representation of their combined mode, and that's fine, but it should at least be possible to understand that people do derive joy from it, and that it takes no joy away from people who derive joy from the all-in-one experience.

 

If there’s enough demand, I’m sure there will be upgrades for those that want them. I’m also just as sure they will never be offered by or through MMC.
Happy for those that want them though and hopefully some company will fill that niche for those fans.

Meanwhile, each new pic of Streetwise is just making me more excited for my copy to arrive.
Thank you to those posting them.

 

MP-36 and MP-44 are the only Takara MPs I've handled after, oh, Ironhide, I think, and both of them were more miserable to transform than anything MMC's ever done.

 

Well, my Streetwise just made it to Heathrow.

I expect it to arrive some time next year...  

 

The figs are stand a lone masterpieces

 

Crazy part is that what we are discussing is an option that would indeed please everybody. Nobody is complaining or being negative about the company or their products. As far as ive read we all appreciate them for one thing or another. We have been talking about an upgrade kit that would be cool to see and discussing the possibilities/merits of said kit. The discussion has been comparatively civil. Unless you count my comment about how lame it is that the response was "wont do it, people might complain", which i stand by bc it is. All I know is you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink or some such nonsense. Idk.

 

ARSE BISCUITS!!!

 

leave my delicate arse biscuits out of this discussion, thank you very much.

 

Re: the all-in-one, I'm very happy MMC chose that direction. Not just because that is how it should be -- the combiner parts should be part of the individual team members and not magically appear out of thin air (and no, I don't like the dissapearing Prime trailer either). Also important to me, is that I don't care that much about combiners, so I like that I don't have a bunch of parts left when I display the individuals. And I dislike how some fiction, most notably the G1 cartoon but also the DW comics, made Combiners huge. They shouldn't be: their size should be determined by the combined size of the individuals.

Thus, for me and I fully respect different opinions, I'm happy with MMC making them all-in-one and the size they are. Actually, I think some of the individuals are a bit too big and as such the combiner a bit too big.


Also...

...yeah, became impatient and ordered Navigant. I think the G2 version looks better in a team, but it would look off when combined -- which I'll likely do once or twice in a blue moon. Might still get the G2 deco, likely will, but will have to find a different use for him.

 

MMC is a small company, all 3P transformer companies are small. You might think that them doing a frame upgrade kit isn’t risky but it is because how many people would really buy it instead of just getting another company’s version? Like let’s use their Assaultus aka Bruticus as an example. The limb bots retail for $105 on average and Onslaught for $160, so $570 all together but I have seen some stores sell them as a set for $550 so let’s go with that. Zeta Toys Bruticus goes for $400 which includes the frame making it more toon accurate. So let’s say that MMC created an upgrade kit frame or partnered with another company (which doesn’t really seem likely but whatever) to make one, how much would it go for to make it the same size as Zeta’s? Bare minimum I would say is $150 as the existing upgrade kit for MMC Bruticus is $50 and that just adds boots, a bigger gun, a new head, and a new chest plate. So how many people would go with MMC Bruticus at $700 vs Zeta Bruticus at $400 when the frames make them almost identical in combined mode, which seems to be the deciding factor if you want an upgrade kit. I bet not enough for MMC to make a profit as currently there are 5 people in this thread that say they would want an optional frame for MMC combiners. 3P is a very niche market and companies have to stand out to be successful. MMC found a gimmick that has been very successful for them that no one else is doing right now. There is no reason to copy what someone else is doing at a higher price range as that would surely be disastrous for MMC.

Then there is the fact of how would it affect the all in one function of the sets. If you look at sets that have a frame design the torso bot is closer to limb bot size as it needs to fit into the frame and the frame needs to stay proportional to the limbs. Currently the MMC torso bots are bigger than the limb bots, closer to the scale of the G1 toys. So would all future MMC torso bots be smaller to accommodate the frame, resulting in an all in one combination to look terrible with a tiny torso, or would the frame be too big and the limbs look really small when in that configuration? Either way people would not be happy and MMC would surely not sell nearly as many figures as they currently do but while production costs more due to the additional frame.

Lastly, when one of the actual designers at MMC gives their reason for not doing something and the response is “that is stupid. I want it!” that is not being civil. That is just rude.

 

I wont continue a discussion with this as a point. If you have a point cool. Use your words and express it. Dont just gloss over the fact that it is possible and there seems to be interest or it wouldnt even be a topic no matter how unlikely you may think it is 

Ps: I said lame. Not stupid. Dont put words in my statements. Also referring to be being afraid of complaints being lame.

 

Ill clarify for those that think im being negative towards mmc or @RVDA. Mmc makes amazing individual figures. They also have cool, albeit not my preferred choice combiner engineering. The all-in-one is really a cool concept and i do appreciate what goes into it. I dont however like the size of the combiners and last i checked im allowed to note that. At least as much as mmc is allowed to note that it doesnt matter that i dont like it and continue to do their thing anyway. And that is also commendable. What i said is lame is that the concern seemed to be more in people asking why they made a kit(not even complaints mind you). And like i said, no offense, but to me thats lame. I hope these guys have thicker skin than that to shirk off into a corner bc some guy on the internet said a response they gave was lame. As for the upgrade kits. Make em. Dont make em. Ill be fine either way. It was a discussion and thats all. Then i remembered this is tfw and if I don't like what you like then im being rude 

 

You said what you needed and have been generally cool about it.


I don't feel the need for all combiners to be two foot tall monstrosities alleviating me of all shelf space, but I get those that want consistent scale between them.

I'll be weird for TFW...I respect your opinion that differs from mine