Maybe I'll get Skids, Swerve and Tailgate. They're pretty much IDW Masterpieces, kudos to Alex Milne (Hasbro's BETTER be paying you royalties for those, dude). Too bad they don't fit the old CHUG aesthetics, otherwise I'd buy them all.

BW... couldn't care less. Rhinox looks like a Masterpiece, though. I won't be surprised if TT releases him in Japan as a MP, specially when they're seriously considering Primal and LioConvoy for MPs.

Funny they didn't mention anything about reissue G1 Predaking.

 

I would say "Traditionally" Transformers look like an evolution of Microman just look at the Microman Titans they are rather Transformers like.

I don't think all Japanese Robot Anime looks like Gundam OK maybe Mobine Callibur does a bit - but he transforms into something that doesn't.

And even something that do still show a truth to themselves like Patlabor for example they have a slight Gundam aspect to them but in general they are skinnier and sleeker looking and ore elegant. were as other stuff I'd say is a generic type but is more of a Mechwarrior look bulkier and more military sci fi. So if Transformers suddenly started looking like Videogame Robots (such as in Armoured Core) I'd raise an eyebrow.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x112/ngeekhiong3/MSJ-06II-A.jpg

What I mean by looking like Gundam is a specific reference to design cues that exist on 2 things being used on the current comic designs - they contain things like exploded parts as seen in Movie designs. (I.e skids shoulders) or legs that don't flow but instead are like a number of blocks (i.e skids again) that does not look right to my eye - Naturally some Transformers have always looked rather Gundamish too a price example would be Energon Bulkhead who couldn't look much more like one if they tried.

I am spotting it in other places too though for example Transformers Prime Soundwave.
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x112/ngeekhiong3/SVMS-01.jpg

I alos realise that Gundam and Transformers share some ideas sometimes like the way in Transformers Energon or Beast Wars Neo some chracters have a representation of their alt mode or character theme on their helmets.... and Gundam Sentai or other robot lines also does this sometimes.
Personally I just wish for things to keep their brand identity as much as possible. sure it's a giggle sometimes but it's not want I want as a default style in all instances I don't want Transformers to look like Gundams as I say ; But I also don't want them to look like Armoured Core or Sentai either. That is no disrespect to those brands it's just those are "other brands" and not Transformers and it does not always work if you crib to much from elsewhere.

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I think Prowl is under decorated and does not work so well in car mode due to an absence of black on the doors or rear bumper area that they shoved more black on the robot helped a bit - and I've since noticed his windows are actually clear and then over-painted in a dark clear blue so I suppose you can use stripper to remove the paint if it bothers you at all. But Prowl to me is Black and white across his whole car mode & not white with a Black nose on the car. So he looks a little lacking in contrast to me.

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No I don't mind Skids - as I said I'll cut them some slack for the weird legs and durpy face.. it's not Hasbro's fault the IDW design has a durpy face. and I like the guns even if it maybe totally unsuited to an archaeologist to have 10 guns and 16 rockets on his body. I like the car mode so much I'll deal and frankly I'm giving a sigh of relief as Skids is a lot less dreadful than (the tiny) Trailcutter. even if skids was smallish it doe snot matter so much if he's a compact car as it does on a pick up truck.

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I don't really see much of Vintage Orion Pax in the current toy ; to me I get the strong impression (in robot mode at least) of the pre-Earth Transformers Animated Optimus Prime toy. I do like the Orion Pax mould though even if I do tend to think it look more like Kup overall... I suspect this might make a rather spiffy repaint or custom perhaps as Pointblank ?

I think the only problem with the toys is that you'd mainly want to use them as a robot due to how small they are as vehicles... I am not sure yet if I think IDW Megatron or Scourge is the better of the two blended wing toys of recent times ?

I do wonder if perhaps there's some potential to apply the expanding idea to Megatron and Orion Pax (or perhaps they will get KO'd) they look like they would both gain a lot more interest if they were simply larger... anyway Tiny Megatron's often seem a bit 'wrong' to me.

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As to the idea of what reasons kids buy toys - I suspect it requires further extensive research.

1) The name recognition ; I.e Bumblebee, Megatron, Optimus, Starscream ?
2) The toy itself - (the name does not matter) if it looks cool ?
3) Faction ; They only buy Heroes ?
4) Other factors ?

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I don't really know what is "Most" important to me overall - other than the obvious ; i.e don't make to many Bumblebees and for crying out loud make some Bigger Decepticons from time to time.

I have no specific preference for Beasts or vehicles for example ; I like both.

I suppose some people see "Gimmicks" as a Kiddy play pattern but i'm personally very fond of enhanced play options over and above the basic aspect of Transformation play - even if it's something as simple as a C-clip or a Minicon or a 5mm weapon.

I tend to be more forgiving of flaws in a toy if it has that "Enhanced play" aspect to it - so the new samurai's have some horrible design flaws in their design but as you can do such a crazy amount of stuff with them that really expands their function I'm prepared to forgive them those flaws quite readily. If they didn't combine though I'd say they were not the best designs in the world.

A recent example of something's I really have not enjoyed is something quite simple really which is to many Beast Hunters Predacons have compromised wing joints or necks.
Just as I see an essential feature of a Spider-Man toy is the ability to look up ; I also see it as quite important that Dragons should have mobile wings and movable heads/necks - and probably tails too. So the lack of that disappoints me.

I don't know if the same is true of a typical 7 year old kid though.

 

The wording is odd, does this mean:
A) We found a toy a fan (or third party) made and are going to mass produce it
or
B) We found a coloring of one of our toys by a fan and going to mass produce that paint scheme
or
C) You get a plastic tree, some pins and screws and get to build a transformer (aka transformers model kit?)

I _really_ hope it is C because that would just be awesome I have not had more fun than when I was able to get the unassembled (knockoff) classic transformers from kotoys.com (Benjamin Meyer's Personal Blog: Transformers Sideswipe Kit Review and Build Instructions) and put them together. I would pre-order more than one so fast...

 

Since you're quoting me, I guess I'll answer your question. It's D)None of the above. For the 30th Anniversary Hasbro is going to release what can be called a "fan-built bot". They've so far put up two polls where we fans can vote for different options (faction, alt-mode, gender, etc...), and whatever details come out with the most votes will be going into the design of this character. They're also going to have IDW add this new character to their comics.

 

They can go screw off. Simple transformations = crappy looking robot modes. I LOVE G1, but the G1 toys are nowhere near as great as the modern day stuff. Simple transformations belong in legends class or Robot Heroes. Nuff said...

 

I guess you've never had a kid ask you to transform a figure because they can't do it themselves due to it being overly complex. If kids get frustrated with the toy than parents will stop buying them and that will hurt Transformers and Hasbro. Adults have Generations and Masterpieces, let the kids have the other lines.

 

You mean adult collectors aren't the main demographic for the toylines? Blasphemy.

 

I imagine there's gotta be some stuff held back for presentation at SDCC. The fan-built bot is apparently one. Maybe further MP news is another, maybe not. Seriously, we're getting Acid Storm and Soundwave (and all his effin' tapes) this year, so we're probably past the Masterpiece Hasbro quota for this year anyway. It's unlikely we'd hear anything about stuff for summer/fall 2014, and Hasbro's probably still figuring out how/if to bother with licensing, and handling the smaller car MPs (would TRU want singles, 2-packs, other?)

 

Simple toys for simple minds? I think it would be better to keep challenging minds of kids instead of making it too easy. I will wait and see if Hasbro regrets this path but, till then i'll only be buying Cosmos and payload so far.