The feeling I get is that most miss them. While I'm not asking for a copy of the G1 style bios I would like to see the concept return, but not just as simple "printed on the back" summaries. It would take an investment on Hasbro's part but I think if they included QR codes in the packaging and released an app (and update with every wave and) that once you scan the code you get a virtual trading card of the character which then will have his bio, his power meters as well as info on their first appearance in different media (cartoon, comics, movies, etc) and maybe include a short clip from an episode the character was featured (G1, Beast Wars, RID, etc etc) And then the more bios you collect you can unlock some features in the app.
I think the Titans Return style of card was great, but maybe instead of the stats on the back being so large they could be made a bit smaller to fit a paragraph bio on it, and maybe the quote could be on the front next to the character art.
They've reduced their bios to single sentences which are getting shorter and shorter. There's no way Hasbro would put that much effort into something like that. Neat idea though.
So often Hasbro seem to forget these are characters they're releasing, not just toys. The original profiles/bios were a big part of laying the foundation for the brand to endure. I would say it's still worth investing time and money to developing them properly rather than one sentence on a pack that is barely defining. Definitely it would be a good idea to link packaging bios to an app. That way things can be updated and also could form part of a game to help keep Transformers products relevant in this day and age of smartphone obsessions.
And not only that but enhance the play value if...say, instead of video clips in the app then just audio clips. Now you can recreate scenes from an episode or the movies that feature the characters who's codes you've scanned. I think kids would love that.
Siege is flexing it right now with codes. Scan a blacklight code (red decoder) and you get in universe info, a wallpaper, and for us, leads to new figs and G1 references.
I just want one side to be artwork of the toy, and the other side to be a profile and tech specs, like Takara does.
Well said. Personally I'd be happy with just a straight re-use of the G1 tech specs. As a kid, I loved reading them in the toy shop. It was a great way of giving non show or comic characters personality. Cool looking toy aside, I loved Kick Off's portrayal as a vengeful ex gladiator. As a huge fan of the G1 comic, I loved seeing the mention of Polyhex from the comics on his tech specs. It was great to see the gap close between the toys and the comics. Otherwise, I'd love them to re-use the Dreamwave More than meets the eye profiles. They really fleshed out lesser known Transformers such as the Micromasters. They could also use the Armada More Than Meets the Eye and IDW Beast Wars profile books to flesh out any new release of characters from those lines. The Collector's Club profiles are also good enough to use. Another thing I loved about the G1 tech specs is they were generic enough so they don't really tie the characters to a particular continuity but still fleshed each character out nicely.
As far as stats go, don't be afraid to give some ratings below 5. It seems in recent years when they do have stats, they are all pretty high. Its like they think kids won't buy a character if he has a 3 in something. Don't want to buy a loser.
