Hasbro Q&A/May 2009

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Question archive, and links to the answers from, the May 2009 Hasbro Q&As. Due to the flurry of activity surrounding BotCon 2009, the answers were two weeks late, arriving in early June.

Questions

16bit.com

With Revenge of the Fallen toys hitting stores any day now, are there any planned exclusives based on Universe molds for us to look forward to in 2009? Those exclusive AllSpark figures for Wal-Mart a couple of years back were pretty awesome, we'd love to see more of that.
Forgive us if this has been asked and we missed it, but we noticed that Takaratomy's Henkei line has both a "Legends"-scale Cliffjumper and a deluxe-sized Red Alert, which was a really cool revised version of Sideswipe. Are these going to be exclusive to Japan or is there a chance of them showing up in the US?
Given the interest in die-cast metal, are there any plans to do any metal versions of Revenge of the Fallen characters, be it Titanium, Masterpiece, or something else entirely?

16bit.com answers (scroll to the bottom of the page)

As 16bit.com don't provide individual pages/links for individual items, it isn't possible to link precisely to their answers.

ActionFigs.com

With the new movie, there are 2 main line toy systems for the Constructicons, one which turns from vehicles into individual robots, and another which converts vehicles directly into the combined robot mode. However, based on Hasbro info, neither system is "complete", one system does not combine, while the other doesn't have individual robot modes. Obviously, you guys know how to make combiners after 25 years of it. So what is the real reason behind this choice? And will there be a reversal of this decision down the line?
Not exactly toy-related, but could you share any insight on the origin of some of the more "unusual" character names from Transformers: The Movie? Most follow the rather straightforward conventions we've seen before (like Blurr, Hot Rod, Wheelie, Scourge), and Kup appears to be short for "pickup," but some are puzzlers. Is Springer named after Frank Springer, the late artist who drew the original Marvel miniseries (before if became a monthly)? What is an "Arcee"? Why is a zombie spaceship with no wind-based powers "Cyclonus"? And why the prefix "Galva-" in "Galvatron"?
In the last few years, a cottage industry has cropped up around Transformers collecting that lets consumers upgrade their TFs. Although the starts were murkier material, lately we've seen higher and higher-quality projects come to life, from sticker overhauls to add-on parts to important accessories, and more all made by the fans, for the fans. How does Hasbro feel about all the fan-made accessories such as the fansproject Classics Ultra Magnus upgrade kit, or the Lukis Bros' Animated Allspark?

ActionFigs.com answers via Internet Archive's Wayback Machine

ActionFigureCollectors.com

With the success of the new GI Joe Resolute online animated shorts is there a chance that Transformers will receive a similar treatment, possibly in a more "G1" style?
Are there any cross promotional plans with Shout! Factory in the works for the G1 DVDs? For instance a DVD and G1 Classic figure combo pack?
Can you give us some insight into the future of the Animated line and what might come after TF Animated in terms of both toys and cartoon?

ActionFigureCollectors.com answers

Action Figure Insider

My big questions is "Since Transformers Animated has it’s last season on the Cartoon Network, Is there any chance it gets picked up on the channel that Hasbro/Discovery have formed?"
I read a while ago that the Henkei versions of Thrust and Dirge will be used for the Classics 2.0 line in the future. Is this still in the works or has the idea been shelved?
Will any of the Titanium prototypes in 2007 like Bumble Bee (War Within), Cosmos, Arcee or Shockwave ever be used? For example the Target exclusive Titanium line or the Universe Classics line?

Action Figure Insider answers

AllSpark.com

How long is the ROTF line scheduled to run? While there may not yet be a concrete end date yet, is there product slated through Christmas '09 or even Spring of '10? When it ends, will we see a return to Animated and Universe, or something new?
Is there a difference between obscure characters and brand new characters to the Hasbro design team? Do Hasbro's toy designers prefer to have complete freedom in designing a toy (or repainting an existing one) to make a brand new character or the challenge of modernizing the appearance of an old character (either through a new mold or repaints) while still keeping it recognizable as being the same character?
Transformers fans have noticed that a number of the recent secondary and tertiary retail store exclusives have been prior figures in new packaging. For an example, there are the Cybertron Scouts in Universe packaging. Why is this done? Is it excess/leftover stock simply put into new packaging, or new stock manufactured solely for the re-release?

Allspark.com answers

ASMZine.com

Has Hasbro ever considered a subline of Transformers marketed to girls?
The recent Toys R Us exclusive Universe toys (Autobot Countdown and Darkwind) have an amazing number of paint applications, with many many parts that are completely covered in paint. Are these parts using the same "mask and overspray" method, just several times over (one spray for the flat part of the tire, two or three more to get the rounded side, etc), or is there some other process that doesn't take up more spaces in the allotment of paint applications?
During Energon and Cybertron, it was revealed at one point that freelancer artists were brought on to design one or both modes of a toy, and sometimes to flesh out the mechanical detailing of some designs. Is this practice still in use, or have things been consolidated under Hasbro's roof since the design work on the 2007 movie toys began?

ASMZine answers

CollectionDX

We've seen samples that Springer has been reinvented for the movie. Are there plans to recreate his G1/IDW-verse form in the later Universe line, and if so what scale?
Will Masterpiece Starscream is going to be re-issue? Any change in plans with Masterpiece Grimlock?
Are there any plans for an affordable Devastator figure?

CollectionDX answers

Cool Toy Review

Universe/25th Superion and Bruticus vs Movie2 Superion and Bruticus- so are these going to see release stateside and if so in which line? We have seen pictures online of these sets in both packaging styles but the Universe/25th sets continue to pop up at online auction from Asian sources. Please, please, please can we get these released in the states in the 25th/Universe packaging?!?
In the past, we have learned that Hasbro's Star Wars team's stance on re-releasing high demand exclusives was to wait until @ one year after the last available stock is sold to offer the exclusive again. Is this the Transformers team's rule as well? If so, can we please get the three 2007 Botcon seekers (Thundercracker, Thrust and Dirge) re-released in some form or another? I'm pretty sure the demand is there for these three. Maybe as a box set store exclusive or as a HTS exclusive Universe "Black Box" Special Edition wave 2? Even if some minor paint tweeks were done to differentiate them from the Botcon editions (like Classics Starscream vs Universe Starscream) I think a move like this would make a TON of Classics/Universe fans VERY happy. If it is Botcon agreement that is keeping this from happening, please ask the Star Wars team to Jedi mind trick the Botcon organizers to let this happen.
Since the last wave of G1 robot heroes have been canceled (Victory Saber vs. Dessarus, Optimus Primal vs. Jetstorm, Prowl vs. Laserbeak, and Ricochet vs.Predaking) will we see these after the movie waves? Any chance these could be released online though hasbrotoyshop.com? I really think that these packs worked well for the 25th anniversary as they represented different parts of G1 and G1 continuity... it would be a shame not to see them this year.

Cool Toy Review answers

Cybertron.ca

Is there anything planned for the Transformers brand in the next year that doesn't involve the movie in any way?
How much will the popularity and success of the ROTF Supreme Devastator set influence the inclusion of Combiners in future lines? Will we continue to see combiners that don't include individual robot modes?
Will the Target exclusive Shockwave and Sunstorm sets see a Canadian release?

Cybertron.ca answers

Figures.com

Dinobot fans here in the U.S. are sad since those characters won't be in the films, and Masterpiece Grimlock isn't being sold here. Do you have any news or hints that will cheer us, I mean them, up?
With so many toy lines going "small" these days, is there any chance of seeing Legends or even Mini-con-sized Transformers in the Star Wars Crossovers line? Or Marvel?

Figures.com answers

Parry Game Preserve

What retailer exclusives can the fans be excited about from the movie line? Any new announcements?
Another popular Hasbro action figure brand with a 2009 movie line is meeting the fans half way by sneaking in figures that aren't necessarily in the film, in order to keep the line fun and full of popular characters and to extend the anniversary. Will there be room in the Transformers RotF line to include non-movie characters, akin to the 'from the video game' figures from the first live action movie toy line? This might help ease the pain of losing the 25th Anniversary / Universe line so abruptly, while also making the marketing department happy!
Previous San Diego Comic Con Transformers exclusive figures have been made available through alternate outlets like HasbroToyShop.com and even the Transformers Collectors Club store. This year's SDCC G1 Soundwave reissue would be perfect for Botcon with this being the 25th anniversary of the line. Why aren't the SDCC exclusives made available at Botcon?

Parry Game Preserve answers

Raving Toy Maniac

After 25 years of Transformers figures, many are surprised (and a bit disappointed) that the Supreme Class Devastator's gestalt parts have no individual robot modes, and are only able to transform into the vehicles and the respective parts needed to create the combined form. Was there anything in particular that kept Devastator from being engineered like his predecessors before him?
Before facts were cemented about the Devastator figure, a lot of people were speculating what the hooks are for on the back of the voyager class Demolisher figure, helping to fuel the early impressions that the deluxe and voyager class versions would combine to create the final form. Now that it's not the case, what exactly are they for then???
The days following the last Q&A found many TF fans reeling at the sudden cancellation notices posted by e-tailers for future Animated figures. While the fate of Soundwave(blaster) and Arcee have been somewhat addressed by the TF Club and early reports at the very least confirm some kind of existence of new figures like flashback Ratchet and Blackout, there hasn't seemed to be any indicator as to what the fate of Hydro Jet Bumblebee will be. It was the first of the new figures to be shown off, and even had some e-tailers list it for pre-order. With the status of the other figures, will we still be seeing this new Bumblebee figure released alongside the Grimlock repaint it was shown off with?

Raving Toy Maniac answers

TFormers.com

Will newly-introduced Transformers Animated characters from Season 3 such as Rodimus Prime or Strika be produced for the toyline?
Do you ever check out fan forums like TFormers.com, for customization ideas?
Can we expect to see a "Premium" figure series in the upcoming movie line similar to the line from the 2007 film?

TFormers answers

TFviews

Some Transformers toys have very complex transformations. Is there an ideal level of complexity that the design team aims for, based on factors such as line and price-point? Are there examples of toys having been significantly revised or canceled for being too complex or difficult to execute, or for being too difficult for the market? Along similar lines, are there any toys the design teams are especially proud of for their significant yet satisfying complexity?
Among the fans, there are a few theories about this next one, so we figure we should just get it cleared it up once and for all. Why did the techspecs change the term “Firepower” to “Fireblast” a few years ago? The former not only was around since the inception of the line, but is a real and descriptive word, while the latter enjoys neither standing. Was there a concern that parents might not like the idea of their kids playing with toys that have “firepower” despite some figures bristling with cannons, or was it something else?
Retailer exclusives have become a growing part of the Transformers brand over the last few years, with more repaints, multi-packs, and even whole sub-lines showing up at specific retail chains. Heck, the roll-out for the 2007 movie line featured a major tie-in with Target. Could you give an overview of the process behind designing store exclusives?

TFviews answers

TFW2005

Will we see a Transformers series in the vein of GI Joe Resolute? With the recent announcement of the Hasbro and Discovery Kids joint venture there will likely be great opportunities for new Transformers animation.
How does Hasbro view custom fan-produced upgrade kits (City Commander Armor, Shadow Commander Armor, etc) and add-ons (Another War God Sword, Aerial Team Appendages, etc) for Transformers figures? Particularly with FansProject apparently moving into producing full, transforming figures that are based heavily on Transformers characters, is Hasbro largely accepting of these projects or might they be vulnerable to legal action in the future?
Is it possible that Universe (or something like it celebrating characters from all of Transformers' history) will return down the road? If so will any Transformers Animated characters be incorporated into the line?

TFW2005 answers

ToyArk.com

Will all the Revenge of the Fallen Constructicon characters all be released in the main line?
Will there be a Premium series for the Revenge of the Fallen line?
Are we going to see anymore Gobots turned into Transformers, like what happened with Crasher being redone as Fracture?

ToyArk.com answers

Transformers Collectors' Club

What are you thoughts on independent companies and fans making products that connect with your products for more playability? For example, the City Commander and Optimus Prime trailers from FansProject and BSTToys. What are Hasbro's thoughts legally as well as the designers' personal thoughts on how they are engineered?
Although online retailers are listing all future Transformers Mighty Muggs as canceled, pictures have surfaced online of packaged Mighty Muggs Jazz. Will Jazz, Shockwave and other Transformers Mighty Muggs still be produced and released, or is the Transformers Mighty Muggs line truly finished?
The last few waves of Animated and Universe figures have received spotty or limited distribution as retail chains gear up for the Revenge of the Fallen toy line. This is especially true for the last wave of Universe Legends including Cosmos, Warpath, and Wheelie. As most stores seemed to get only one shipment, if any. Are there plans for a wider distribution for these figures in the future? Or are fans that missed/ never had the opportunity to buy these toys out of luck?

Transformers Collectors' Club answers (login required)

Transformers Wiki

Given the advances in toy design over the last twenty years, if you could go back in time and impart one piece of knowledge to the Transformers design team of the 80s, what would it be?
Transformers Universe Overload is a redeco of Cybertron Defense Scattorshot in shades of green and brown, which makes him look a lot like the Generation 1 Micromaster Flak. But his bio makes him out to be the character Overload from the Unicron Trilogy, who the toy does not resemble in any way. What led to this peculiar combination of toy and bio?
In June 2007, Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast released the first series of the Transformers 3D Battle-Card Game (whose website is still functioning at http://www.wizards.com/transformers/ ). This was followed by the first expansion set, "Energon Wars", in October 2007. There were rumors of a second expansion set, supposedly exclusive to Target stores, which was canceled before anything was revealed about it. Was a second expansion set ever actually in development by WotC, and if so, can any light be shed on it, character or concept-wise?

Transformers Wiki answers

Unicron.com

In a previous Q&A, you told us that Rodimus Prime would still get the Transformers Animated toy treatment. We are wondering if you could expand on your plans for Transformers Animated toys through 2009 and 10. Are you still going to produce and sell toys like Animated Arcee, Electrostatic Soundwave, Rodimus Prime, Blackout and that underwater Bumblebee toy (and others)? When might fans expect to see them in stores?
We cannot wait for Revenge of the Fallen! Are there any characters that will appear in the film that have not yet leaked onto the internet? And if so who are they!? (Like Wheeljack for instance?) As an addendum to this question, any chance you could you provide us some photos before they show up on some random chinese auction website?
According to the press release regarding the development of a new television network; a collaboration between Hasbro and Discovery Communications: "Creative work will start in the next few months beginning with early stage development for properties including ...TRANSFORMERS... The creative team will have the capability to produce animated, live-action, and game show programming as well as content designed for digital and mobile extensions."

This press release raises dozens of questions for us! Please select one question from those below that you are most willing to answer:

— In general terms, what does this mean for the future of Transformers?

— Any possibility that TF Animated would continue into season 4 on this network?

— What is the soonest that a new Transformers television show could premiere?

— Should fans be expecting another revamp of the franchise fiction?

— Are you considering English dubs of Japanese series such as Headmasters, Victory, Beast Wars II or Neo on this new television network?

Unicron.com answers

Hasbro Q&A/May 2009

Contents

Questions

16bit.com

ActionFigs.com

ActionFigureCollectors.com

Action Figure Insider

AllSpark.com

ASMZine.com

CollectionDX

Cool Toy Review

Cybertron.ca

Figures.com

Parry Game Preserve

Raving Toy Maniac

TFormers.com

TFviews

TFW2005

ToyArk.com

Transformers Collectors' Club

Transformers Wiki

Unicron.com

Navigation menu

Hasbro Q&A/May 2009

Questions

16bit.com

ActionFigs.com

ActionFigureCollectors.com

Action Figure Insider

AllSpark.com

ASMZine.com

CollectionDX

Cool Toy Review

Cybertron.ca

Figures.com

Parry Game Preserve

Raving Toy Maniac

TFormers.com

TFviews

TFW2005

ToyArk.com

Transformers Collectors' Club

Transformers Wiki

Unicron.com

Navigation menu

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