http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/819f22d1d42609fb

 

neat.

 

Me thinks that's a lot of toys!

PWN3D

 

It's a shame that Transformers will probably never see a surge like that ever again.

 

Pages down already ?
I got an error message that files are unavailable...

 

I saved them to my PC ... so Ill post them for a bit for people to see:

Page 1


Page 2

 

That's sooooo hot!

 

Damn, those were the good ole days, glad I was a part of it.

 

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks motor master.

 

For that past few years there have been some (admittedly, very few) who have claimed that Armada was the most successful TF line. Of course, those of us that remembered the mid 80's laughed at them, but it's finally nice to have tangible documentation to hammer in the stupidity of their claims.

Now, if only Sunbow's documents regarding the success of the show would spring up. Nobody's claiming that Armada got better ratings than G1 (the only one delusional enough to make that claim has been banned from the 2005 boards 3 or 4 times), but it would still be nice to show evidence showing that the faults of G1 were more a sign of the times than the incompetence shown by Aeon and Voicebox.

 

If Hasbro does things right immediately before, during, and after the movie, we could. It won't offset the video game competition that was a drastically smaller issue in 1984/5, but they can easily create a demand that will enable them to outsell the next closest action figure line by 2 - 4 times.

But their course of action must be very, very different from what it's been the last 5-6 years. Orson, Tell your bosses to buck up, your marketing department to bring their 'A' Game, and reconsider the line-wide gimmicks, otherwise you'll very likely piss away the one chance to own the market again.

 

haha. eat that armada number 3 behind yugioh and star wars.

 

Fred is the man. And to think he wasn't going to include this in the variquest.

pike

Autocon representing!

=)

 

This quote is a major part of why Armada, Energon and Cybertron will never (IMHO) reach the level of G1:

"mere earth objects can transcend to majestic robots"

They knew it back in 1985. You'll never see Armada Prime on the roads, but you will see plenty of G1 Primes. Cybertron Starscream may be cool, but you had a chance of actually seeing G1 Starscream (& friends) at airshows or TV & Movies.

The idea that real, not fantasy, objects became robots was the biggest draw for me. The characterizations provided on TV and in the comics were just icing on the cake.

I'm glad there's now documentation backing up G1's success. It seems like we hear "GeeWun didn't sell many toys" or "GeeWun was less popular than other lines" quite often.

Its nice to know that my memories of G1 (EVERYBODY had Transformers by 1985, from ages 5 to 14) aren't just in my imagination.

 

That's very cool. Thanks for sharing and mirroring.

 

I want to make a counter-argument here. While we all want the TF line to succeed, there are risks in being the huge must-have toy. Everyone blames the fall of TFs on crappy toys like Headmasters and Targetmasters, which I'm sure has a lot to do with it. But isn't it also possible that many kids just got tired of TFs and moved on to something else?

Think of Pokémon, Beyblade, etc. They all had really successful runs and then the craze faded. Even Star Wars sales became a dissapointment for Hasbro at one time.

Being the #2 or #3 boys' toy has its advantages. It means a steady supply of toys are being released, but at the same time it's not a "craze" or "fad" that is gonna crash and burn. If you think of the toy lines that last a really long time (Barbie, Hot Wheels, etc.) they're usually not the latest fad, but an enduring toy that stands the test of time.

What's that old saying? "The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long." Something to that effect anyway ^_^

 

While there's merit to your statement, I have to say that if handled properly, a toyline can remain on top for a very long period of time. Look at Power Rangers.

Also, ranking second thru fourth does not guarantee a long life. There have been many 'second-bests' that have fizzled after a short run of moderate success. Look at He-Man.

TF's have the tools to stay on top for a very long time. Exceptional toys and a mythos, which if handled correctly, can have an enormously wide appeal (all age groups - BW) for a very long time. Hasbro's utilization of these tools the last few years has been eratic at best.

 

I don't think any current toyline can reach that level ever again.

But nice to know that G1 did.

-airfox