Yeah, I haven't read anywhere where it said Alts were DONE.

Naw, that's just Doom and Gloom talk. We don't know if the Alts are finished or not.

I've posted this before, but here are some of the reasons why I'm betting Alts are done:

1. They were obviously more expensive to engineer than the average Transformer, which probably requires them to be a joint project with TakaraTomy. Considering the failure of the BT line, I'm guessing that any future input from Japan would be minimal at best.

2. I think HasTak overestimated car manufacturer interest in allowing cars to be licensed for the line, while at the same time underestimated the amount of micromanagement those licensors were to implement. This is also an expensive process because it involves a lot of back and forth with licensing agents and attorneys.

3. While there was a dedicated fanbase for the toys, I don't think they caught on with kids (due to their complexity), or non-TF (i.e. scale model car) fans - combine this with the additional expense for design and licensing requirements, and I'm not sure they ever sold well enough to be a "viable" line in Hasbro's eyes. Granted, due to the line ending there are a few hard-to-find figures (Mirage and Camshaft), but other than those two almost all of them shelfwarmed to some extent. (The early oversaturation of Smokescreen and Sideswipe also probably figures into stores feeling burned by Alternators, considering how badly these guys warmed the shelves for the first nine months of the line.) I'm sure if Alts were still selling well neither Rumble or Ravage would have ended up as store exclusives. It also has to say something if TRU (which has the added shelf space for more "collector-oriented" merchandise than Target/WalMart) gave up on Alts after the 2005 Holiday season.

My impression is that Hasbro's using the 6" Titanium line to fill the marketing niche the Alts once occupied.

 

Think about it

1. Choice of characters to date appeals almost directly to the adult fanbase the Alts once served. However, the tranformsations are easy enough that children can still play with them.

2. Simpler transformation schemes are much cheaper to develop. Value is added back by use of die-cast (the lack of which was usually considered a losing point in the Alts vs. BT discussion).

3. Lowered development costs means that Hasbro can go it alone if necessary. Production costs are undoubtedly lower as well, as the simpler designs are easier to assemble - my guess is the 6" Titaniums are a much higher margin product (especially since there are no licensing fees/royalty payments involved).

4. Character choice is no longer limited to Autobot cars or turning other non-car characters into automobiles - removing the "WTF?" factor that often plagued the Alts (and undoubtedly hurt sales).

5. Licensing could still be done in the future, if "real" cars or planes are desired down the road.

If I were Hasbro it makes perfect business sense to kill the Alts in favor of the 6" Titaniums.

i don't have rumble, but i REALLY like ravage. they should have been using ball-joints on doors since day one jmo. the alt mode has sacrificed opening hood, trunk, engine, and turning wheels (or shocks, depending on what alt your talking about), but it's one of the CLEANIST look alt modes around. his transformation, as well, was VERY unique and pretty complex for what it is. trying to figure it out was a toughy, on all the other alts you have to open the hood or trunk, ect... it's just really different, but so is the "bot" mode. this is a true ravage and i'm so glad i passed on the kitty vette.

 

now, if i can just get somebody to loan me another $20 i can go pick up a lil red civic...

 

EDIT

 

i forgot to mention, i LOVE his missles in alt mode, you can id them or go all james bond with them.

Actually, it has been said that the Alternators line was put on hiatus indefinitely. As of now, consider them dead. The only way to bring it back is if the movie garners more licenses for them to use.

 

If not, well then...

Where did it say that?

It was sometime after last year's BotCon iirc. I'm not sure if it was on the question panel, or what, but I was told by a few people that's what was said.

I just last night discovered the extra joint in Ravage's back legs and they really really improve what I already thought was a great figure. If you don't have Ravage yet, I highly suggest you go get him.

I just last night discovered the extra joint in Ravage's back legs and they really really improve what I already thought was a great figure. If you don't have Ravage yet, I highly suggest you go get him.

 

are you talking about the wheel? i thought that was really neat.

 

i second the recommendation of ravage, any fan of alternators should pick him up, he's so unique it's not even funny.

I just last night discovered the extra joint in Ravage's back legs and they really really improve what I already thought was a great figure. If you don't have Ravage yet, I highly suggest you go get him.

 

are you talking about the wheel? i thought that was really neat.

 

i second the recommendation of ravage, any fan of alternators should pick him up, he's so unique it's not even funny.

Yep, the rear wheels. I didn't even notice them until I saw some pics on the 2005 boards and after I started messing w/ Ravage last night. Those joints are well hidden and really add to the articulation of the bot. I am really impressed w/ this figure if you can't tell.