I still think that this is a custom and that BBTS is going on unverified information at the moment.

I understand your anger in the whole collecting aspect [sgt__york ] and that is why I have chosen not to be a completest of the MP line. Also this has spilled over to the Alternity line as well, which I may get a few from the line, but not collect them all.

 

I would just get the Leader SS at TRU and call it a day. Like I said, including a Bayverse TF in the MP line is an oxymoron.

 

I would much rather have the Coneheads than this one.

 

Could be worst, could be MP-M01 Devastator :puke

so it will be plastic and not die-cast???

 

 

As i've said... the MASTERPIECE line is becoming very diluted. It probably has a very high profit margin, and they are doing more and more to get some profits out of it. But they are killing the image, imho.

 

why would it be die-cast.. the ONLY figure that had substantial die-cast was the prime mold.. the other figures REALLY don't warrant it. didn't you see that with the failure that was the titanium line..

 

plastic is clearly better for transformers figures. especially when it comes to joints.

 

how is it becoming diluted? every figure has been great.. not to mention buster prime and, if this is real, leader starscream are both masterpiece quality figures. his new paint job definitely adds to that quality.

 

how are they killing the image.. every masterpiece figure has been an incredible representation of the character.. prime was practically perfect, megatron, in my opinion, is great, especially the p-38 mode. starscream, thundercracker, and skywarp are all great, especially their f-15 modes, and grimlock is perfect.. and if this is a true masterpiece movie starscream.. then he'll fit right in, his paint looks incredible, his robot mode is practically perfect (especially for how many details it has) and his alt mode is great..

 

Like I said, including a Bayverse TF in the MP line is an oxymoron.

 

how exactly does that make any sense..

Leader Prime and Starscream seem to have more detail and complexity then the regular MP figure.

 

I actualy consider them on par and as such. If this is a legit release, I understand the figure warrenting the class, but it'll really get me both rolling and heated about the average price screw on TF items.

 

As for the purity of the MP line and all that crap, IDK, thats so repaint jaded that I can't even say I care anymore. Instead I'll look at the quality of the figure.

 

Complex designs, good materials and likeness. Leader Prime and Starscream have it compare to say, the kibblie break at a touch steamrolled megatron, or nonpossable again kibble ridden Seeker Jets...

 

I will agree that they could use some diecast, but only because I like diecast. Then again, outside of the prime mold, all the MP figures could use some die cast too.

 

So basicly, I'm not gonna fanwank and get all huffy and puffy about what a MP figure should be. Leader Starscream and Prime have the merrits.

 

What I will complain about(if this is legit) is the basic price screw to fans cause they're hoping someone will pay double just cause of a quote of paint and a box.

 

I know that sounds rediculious, but you know, they've done it before (king grimlock)

liege.. i agree with you about the price.. but that's nothing new.. takara masterpiece figure.. and regular figures for that matter are always almost double the price.. especially when they have a different paint scheme. for instance buster prime.. demolishor shanghai attack exclusive, desert combat rampage.. hell, even the regular hftd deluxe figures.. these are all either more than double, close to triple the price of the hasbro version.

 

Like I said, including a Bayverse TF in the MP line is an oxymoron.

 

how exactly does that make any sense..

 

Bayverse figures are far from any type of "masterpiece", so calling them one or making them part of this line is an oxymoron.

 

Oxymoron - Definition

liege.. i agree with you about the price.. but that's nothing new.. takara masterpiece figure.. and regular figures for that matter are always almost double the price.. especially when they have a different paint scheme. for instance buster prime.. demolishor shanghai attack exclusive, desert combat rampage.. hell, even the regular hftd deluxe figures.. these are all either more than double, close to triple the price of the hasbro version.

 

Is buster prime a takara MP ???

Leader Prime and Starscream seem to have more detail and complexity then the regular MP figure.

 

I actualy consider them on par and as such. If this is a legit release, I understand the figure warrenting the class, but it'll really get me both rolling and heated about the average price screw on TF items.

 

As for the purity of the MP line and all that crap, IDK, thats so repaint jaded that I can't even say I care anymore. Instead I'll look at the quality of the figure.

 

Complex designs, good materials and likeness. Leader Prime and Starscream have it compare to say, the kibblie break at a touch steamrolled megatron, or nonpossable again kibble ridden Seeker Jets...

 

I will agree that they could use some diecast, but only because I like diecast. Then again, outside of the prime mold, all the MP figures could use some die cast too.

 

So basicly, I'm not gonna fanwank and get all huffy and puffy about what a MP figure should be. Leader Starscream and Prime have the merrits.

 

What I will complain about(if this is legit) is the basic price screw to fans cause they're hoping someone will pay double just cause of a quote of paint and a box.

 

I know that sounds rediculious, but you know, they've done it before (king grimlock)

 

And king grimlock is the first one that I did NOT get. Fortunately, it was "NOT" a Takara release, but basically a 3rd party - so much easier to be exclused from being an official release.

 

The fact that Takara and Hasbro are "BOTH" releasing the "SAME" damn toy in ghost starscream and black prime AND sleep prime... has caused me to "NOT" buy any more HASBRO MP's. It makes no sense to buy 2 of them, at these premium price points, for the EXACT same thing.

 

I would have no issues with the movie line being done as a SUB-SERIES of Masterpiece - at least then it can survive or die on it's own merits. Personally, I seriously doubt there is enough demand for it given the hasbro versions. But if they release it as the mainstream masterpiece, it will be the FIRST one that is not G1 and a distinct break in the previous direction they have done. Rodimus makes perfect sense. Movie starscream does not. If Hasbro was doing it - fine. If it's a sub series, fine. But I have a major issue with it as mainstream masterpiece.

 

I had 3 series going, and they have slowedly killed off each one. MP is the "ONLY" one that I have left, and the figures only come out about once every 8 months. If this one is mainstream, i'm basically done collecting TFers. I love the ones I have, and will consider them complete.

 

IMHO, the decisions they make ward off would be, loyal followers. They did it in the 2nd year of G1 (1985) when they flooded it with characters, the plastic got happy-meal-esque, and they begin introducing (imho) stupid characters. Even as a kid, I lost interest in TFers then. From a 'toy' perspective, they have done it with the 2nd MOVIE as well. I have 'every' movie from 07, but actually spent $400 on toys from the 09 movie and took them back for a refund. All I have are a few of the leaders. And I now have "ZERO" interest in any toys from 11 movie - REGARDLESS of how great the movie is, or how great the toys are. That doesn't mean I won't enjoy the movie and the ones that I do have - but they ended the series for me, so I have no reason to pick it back up and have a break in the continuity.

 

They would always have the sales from the non-collecting Xmas parents/kids due to proper advertising and buzz. But they lose a more loyal following that would actually spend money. I know you hate the price gouging, and i've been one 'willing' to pay a higher price, as long as I'm getting what I want with the continuity. As they interupt that - then I'm done - and I don't pick/chose - i'm all in - or i'm all out.

Why did T/T make "Buster Optimus Prime" instead of MP Movie Optimus Prime...?

 

He's even BETTER of a toy than Leader Hellscream (But not by much!)

I have Leader Starscream in hand now, and I do have to say that in terms of mass he is way more substantial than MP Starscream and has at least the same level of detail and complexity as any of the MP line.

 

That having been said... I got mine for less than $35. Yes, TRU was having a sale and I got him online so I saved on tax... but still, even at the $45 price point, Hasbro has proven that they can turn a profit on a large, highly complex figure. So the idea of paying twice that for a Masterpiece figure is really starting to seem like Takara is just gouging our eyes out here. I collect Starscreams so I am a bit angry myself for having to pay that kind of mark up on this. It's not right.

 

Also, as Masterpiece HAS thus far only been G1, I can see where the people who are angry over this are coming from. I've never been a completionist as far as any given line is concerned, so I don't really care from that standpoint... but if I were I'd probably also be pissed for the same reason. They probably should have called it Ultimate Starscream or something instead and packaged it like Buster Prime.

 

I do think Takara is wrong for :

a) charging so much for a figure when their costs clearly do not warrant it and

b) including it into a line in which it clearly does not fit.

 

I'd be happy to buy one for $45 and have one of my friends in Japan ship it to me. Significantly more than that and we have a problem.

 

If this is even legit =P

 

Leader Prime and Starscream seem to have more detail and complexity then the regular MP figure.

[...]

What I will complain about(if this is legit) is the basic price screw to fans cause they're hoping someone will pay double just cause of a quote of paint and a box.

 

Liege, that pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject (though I would be tempted to say that I don't think Prime quite makes the grade because he's not heavy enough. =P =P)