I think these topics piss Hasbro off. They've been showing TF major love non stop ever since Alts showed up. Only thing I never got in the passed few years was Alt Bumblebee but then they made up for it with classics. I say shut up and enjoy being a fan. I am. now where's some more money!?

Question - wasn't SW licensed by Kenner up until like 2 years ago?

Kenner was eaten by Hasbro sometime in the 90's.

I know SW a much larger fan base and get more collectors stuff and i've got no problem with that power to them. but when they do TF items they always seem twisted so that they can be marketed at kids and the collector factor is a bonus e.g. alt skids wtf were those decals about? and for the most part the alts were takara doing hasbro just feed them ideas. Takaratomy have gotten the collectors thing down Encore is awesome and I hope so will this Prime GTR

 

now if classics had that day of release sticker on them the new SW figs had that would be a nice way to feed the collectors and only ad a tiny amount to the costs

Takaratomy have gotten the collectors thing down

I agree, I do think that Hasbro is having some difficulty determining their demographic for TFs, and I do think they consistently underestimate the collector market. They could be driving it rather than responding to it.

 

*liked the decals on Alt Skids* :redface

they are getting better (they brought classics back), but it'd be nice to have something directed just at collectors.

See, I don't get this mindset. I don't fault you for having it, but I don't understand it.

 

I am a collector of children's toys. I don't want stuff made for an adult. If I did I'd collect sports memorabilia or firearms or something. But I collect toys. I want them to be durable and hold up to my playing with them, like toys should. I don't want Alts or Masterpieces, I don't want Hard Hero statues, I don't want anything I can't get at a Target, Wal-Mart, or Toys R Us. Fragile, meant for display, adults only stuff based on kid's toys is :fail

 

Gimme kid's toys or give me another hobby.

they are getting better (they brought classics back), but it'd be nice to have something directed just at collectors.

See, I don't get this mindset. I don't fault you for having it, but I don't understand it.

 

I am a collector of children's toys. I don't want stuff made for an adult. If I did I'd collect sports memorabilia or firearms or something. But I collect toys. I want them to be durable and hold up to my playing with them, like toys should. I don't want Alts or Masterpieces, I don't want Hard Hero statues, I don't want anything I can't get at a Target, Wal-Mart, or Toys R Us. Fragile, meant for display, adults only stuff based on kid's toys is :fail

 

Gimme kid's toys or give me another hobby.

The mindset involves a fundamental shift in the way pop culture is digested in this country. As has been said by many before me, what was once considered a sort of "geek culture" has become mainstream. Movies based on comic books dominate the box office, hit TV shows like "Lost" (and to a lesser extent "Heroes") operate as a serials, rewarding rabid fandom once associated only with "cult" media, and so-called nostalgic products are everywhere, much of it obviously for adults. You can go into Target or Wal-Mart and buy an adult-sized Transformers t-shirt, or Joker t-shirt, or even a friggin' Ghostbusters t-shirt. Even 5 years ago getting something like that in an adult size would require a trip to the mall or comic shop or internet retailer, which some people might see as too geeky. With widespread availability and acceptance, its a way to celebrate your fandom that doesn't require purchasing a children's toy, which is a stigma some people don't want to associate themselves with. So they buy a t-shirt that was clearly made for adults that they can wear proudly, and its as "meant for adults" as a $150 porcelain statue of Grimlock in robot mode. It all comes out in the wash.

they are getting better (they brought classics back), but it'd be nice to have something directed just at collectors.

See, I don't get this mindset. I don't fault you for having it, but I don't understand it.

 

I am a collector of children's toys. I don't want stuff made for an adult. If I did I'd collect sports memorabilia or firearms or something. But I collect toys. I want them to be durable and hold up to my playing with them, like toys should. I don't want Alts or Masterpieces, I don't want Hard Hero statues, I don't want anything I can't get at a Target, Wal-Mart, or Toys R Us. Fragile, meant for display, adults only stuff based on kid's toys is :fail

 

Gimme kid's toys or give me another hobby.

More power to you and stuff :thumb but I think exactly the opposite. If Gentle Giant had a brick & mortar store I'd never leave it.

The mindset involves a fundamental shift in the way pop culture is digested in this country.

Nah, the mindset Buddykiller speaks of existed way before geek got mainstream.

The mindset involves a fundamental shift in the way pop culture is digested in this country.

Nah, the mindset Buddykiller speaks of existed way before geek got mainstream.

But that mindset couldn't really exist without the internet. So its, what, 10 years old, tops?

I think these topics piss Hasbro off. They've been showing TF major love non stop ever since Alts showed up. Only thing I never got in the passed few years was Alt Bumblebee but then they made up for it with classics. I say shut up and enjoy being a fan. I am. now where's some more money!?

 

After thinking things over, I think they have the TF mindset down. Look at Animated. They have Optimus Prime for every single subline. Activator, Bumper Battler, Deluxe (x2), Voyager and Supreme. I bet they'll be more itarations as well. Why? Because Hasbro knows there's a niche completist market in this. They know certain people will buy every single Optimus Prime that they kick out. I think it shows. Same for Bulkhead or Bumblebee. When fans stop buying the same character in every class code for the same line, they'll stop that strategy. Remember, Hasbro is in this to make money. They really could care less what collectors want unless it's guaranteed profit.

 

Now, someone is going to try to shoot me down and say something :ghey like "What about BotCon seekers?" :badhorse I think Hasbro played the fans on that too while giving a premium marketing move to TFCC. Worked out rather well.

 

 

More power to you and stuff :thumb but I think exactly the opposite. If Gentle Giant had a brick & mortar store I'd never leave it.

 

A fellow GG fan.... sweet!