A long debated subject among the Transformers community has been the issue of Prototypes, Testshots, and the extent to which Hasbro goes in order to prevent these pre-production samples from getting out.  I cornered Aaron Archer at BotCon while he was oogling over Viagra Prime's scratch build War Within Grimlock during the judging and got some answers to clear up some of the speculation.

 

Read the Full News Story Here

 

 

Interesting. I don't really blame Hasbro for not wanting an inferior product out there, but it does seem like it would help if they owned their own production facilities.

Fair enough. I can't really blame either side on this. I mean, it's perfectly understandable that Hasbro don't want their protos on the market.

 

But on the other hand, protos are an awesome collectors item.

I had said quite a few times that half the stuff that comes out is via "unofficial" means yet are quite legal in terms of retailer samples and corporate gifts

I think Archer shouldn't bother with these prototype issues. They don't own the factories so they can't guard them or reprimand the owners, they can't prosecute the sellers and I haven't heard of anyone whining about how crappy a proto looks and thinking that will be 100% what the product would appear on the market.

So...this just confirms that Hasbro feels the way we thought they felt?

Interesting. I don't really blame Hasbro for not wanting an inferior product out there, but it does seem like it would help if they owned their own production facilities.

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Aside for the fact that would possibly push up prices...........

 

 

 

Do Takara own their own factories? (anyone know for sure?)  I  wouldn't have thought they do.....  but if they don't how come *their* stuff so rarely leaks out?

A: You can't have the Hong Kong or Shanghai police go in and raid a guy's apartment for a Transformer. Plus that seller may have attained the item by legal means. You can't prosecute someone who bought it legally from another person. But Aaron couldn't comment on what specific actions they take beyond taking down ebay auctions, indicating that there is more that is done.

 

 

Ha! Loopholes are great

Personally I think it only adds in creating future sales. It increases awareness about upcoming products and blows up the hype.

Interesting. I don't really blame Hasbro for not wanting an inferior product out there, but it does seem like it would help if they owned their own production facilities.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Aside for the fact that would possibly push up prices...........

 

 

 

Do Takara own their own factories? (anyone know for sure?)  I  wouldn't have thought they do.....  but if they don't how come *their* stuff so rarely leaks out?

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Contrary to popular belief, contracting does not necessarily mean cheaper.