Toy Fair 2013

{{#if: ToyFair2013.jpg | {{#if: February 10–13, 2013 | {{#if: | {{#if: New York, NY | {{#if: The Times Center |

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Date	February 10–13, 2013}}
Dates	}}
City	New York, NY}}
Venue	The Times Center}}

Toy Fair 2013, hosted in New York City from February 10–13, boasts "over 25,000 attendees, 345,500 square feet of exhibit space, 100,000 products with over 7,000 never before seen in the world, 1200+ exhibitors, [and] 1000 global media representatives."

MediaWiki was invited to Hasbro's 2013 Collector-Fan Media Day at The Times Center on Saturday, February 9, and wiki contributors Matt Karpowich and Greg Sepelak attended. Following a presentation starting at 1 p.m., fan representatives were allowed into Hasbro's product showroom.

Coverage

Venue and showroom

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  Predaking greets showroom visitors.

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Rescue Bots

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  The reign of Dr. Morocco begins!
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  More Morocco. (More-rocco?)
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  The reign of Doc Greene will probably be nicer.
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  Wall-mounted rescuers!
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  Beam Box logo
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  The Beam Box console
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  Boxback
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  Box side
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  Beam Box figurines
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• 
• 

Notes

• The Transformers brand presentation noted the large number of Rescue Bots fans, but did not specifically touch on new products.
• Hasbro will be introducing the Rescue Bots "Beam Box" system as a $49.99 video game console for preschool-age children. The Beam Box allows a child to "beam" a Rescue Bot into the console's video game world, where they can guide the character through 10 different adventures (such as Chase battling a MorBot) with a wireless controller. A figure of Optimus Prime will come with the system and unlock five games; each separately-available figure will unlock an additional, different game. The figurine packaging was so early that the backs were blank.
• The "Optimus Prime Rescue Vehicle" is a transforming Rescue Bots Optimus Prime with a car-carrying trailer (holds 4!) that turns into wings for Optimus Prime. Wings, you say?

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Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters

Cyberverse

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  Cyberverse Soundwave
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  Trailcutter, a retool of last year's Ironhide
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  Shockwave
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  Starscream is grabby

Notes

• The general Beast Hunters press release stated there will be 11 Cyberverse Legion figures, 9 Cyberverse Commander figures, and 3 Cyberverse Vehicles to collect.
• Cyberverse Legion wave 2 will consist of Soundwave with Sonic Saw, Prowl with Justice Hammer, and Hun-Gurrr with Dragontooth Saw.
• Cyberverse Commander wave 3 will consist of Starscream with Thunder Talon and Shockwave with Hyperflux Cannon.
  • Commander-class Trailcutter was on display in the showroom, but not mentioned in the press kit.

Deluxe Class

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  Skystalker barfs up his own head
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  Skystalker in beast mode
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  Ripclaw beast mode
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  Ripclaw in closeup.
  Pretty pretty lady.
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  Ratchet
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  Ratchet cosplaying as Dinobot II.
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  Dreadwing. His yellow is actually fluorescent!
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  Smokescreen sans hunter armor.

Notes

• Wave 3 will consist of Ratchet with Dragon Grinder Drill, Dreadwing with Dread Assault Cannon, and Skystalker with Cryostrike Disc Launchers.
• The Beast Hunters press release stated there will be 16 Deluxe figures to collect.

Voyager Class

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  Shockwave. The red "Beast Armor" is removable.
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  Shockwave up-close.
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  Shockwave in tanky-tank mode.
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  Grimwing in robot mode, close-up
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  Grimwing wiith Blackbeak
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  Grimwing in beast mode. Hi Blackbeak!
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  Ultra Magnus in robot mode.
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  Ultra Magnus in vehicle mode. Note the Arms Micron 5mm post-holes.
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  Magnus side-view. Check the jetpack!

Notes

• The Beast Hunters press release stated there will be 6 Voyager figures to collect.
• Wave 2 will include Shockwave with Hyperflux Cannon and removable beast armor. Like deluxe Smokescreen, Shockwave was intentionally designed with removable armor because a "core version" of the character had not been previously released.
• Ultra Magnus with the Forge of Solus Prime and Grimwing with the Blackbeak Grapple Launcher are slated for later. Grimwing is an Ursagryph (a combination of bear and falcon), stated to be designer Lenny Panzica's favorite mythological creature. Panzica rather emphatically requested the audience be informed of this fact.

"Ultimate" Class

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  Beast Fire Predaking!
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  Bio!
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  Boxpack!

Notes

• While the slide for Beast Fire Predaking stated that he was a Target exclusive, the presenters indicated that was an error when asked about it in the showroom.
• While Lenny Panzica designed Voyager Predaking, Chris Hicks designed Beast Fire Predaking. The Voyager version having three heads was apparently something Panzica snuck in during the design process (because three-headed dragons are awesome), and does not feature into the other versions of Predaking.
• According to design director Joshua Lamb, the "spinning dragon cannons" on Beast Hunter Optimus Prime's back were inspired by a dragon-headed fountain he saw while on a visit to Japan.
• Optimus Prime's "meat cleaver" weapon was originally designed as a more traditional sword. After this was deemed inadequately over-the-top, designer Panzica spent about an hour trying to draw up the most ridiculous weapon he could - a design which was subsequently approved. Score one for ridiculousness!

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Bot Shots

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  Bot Shots Warpath Launcher
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  It's a bunch of Bot Shots!
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  It's an Optimus Prime!
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  More launchers!

Notes

• In the interest of time, most of the Bot Shots slides were skipped.

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Construct-Bots

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  Thundercracker
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  Thundercracker and Starscream comparison
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  Megatron is real happy about this new line.
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  Scout Bumblebee
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  Hound
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  Angled Hound!
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  Triple Changer Bumblebee's boxback
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  Blitzwing's boxback

Notes

• The Construct-Bots press release stated there will be 8 Scout sets and 10 Elite sets to collect.
• When asked about the pronunciation of "Construct-Bots" (the presenters spoke the line name aloud as "construct-a-bots"), they indicated that the Autobot and Decepticon symbols on the packaging act as an "a" sound.
• Bill Rawley began the majority of the design style work on Construct-Bots line, then Lenny Panzica and Chris Hicks continued it. Joshua Lamb was heavily involved in designing the mechanics and engineering.
• Construct-Bots was directly inspired by Hasbro's late, lamented Xevoz line. Whether Construct-Bots will have intentional gag-parts like its forebear is still under discussion.
• Though on display in the showroom, Scout-class Hound, Thundercracker and Bumblebee were not shown or even mentioned in the press packet.
• A $34.99 Construct-Bots "Optimus vs Predaking" set was mentioned in the general Toy Fair Beast Hunters press release as coming out in October 2013. The set was not otherwise seen or referenced at Toy Fair itself, outside of a brief allusion to the Beast Hunters theme extending to the Construct-Bots line.

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Generations

Legends Class

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  It's Optimus Prime and Roller!
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Notes

• The Generations press release mentioned there will be Legends figure/partner sets for Megatron and Starscream, two releases not otherwise seen or referenced at Toy Fair itself.

Deluxe Class

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  Twintwist cardback

Notes

• The idea of packing comics with the Generations Deluxes was inspired by Jerry Jivoin and Joshua Lamb's time on the Marvel brand, specifically the Marvel Universe comic 2-packs they both loved.
• The Deluxe comics packs will begin shipping in the fall of 2013.

Voyager Class

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  Springer
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  Springer in all 3 modes
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  Springer in-box
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  Blitzwing
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  Blitzwing's jet & tank modes
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  Blitzwing close-up... one of his faces, at least.

Notes

• Joe Kyde was said to be the designer behind the Voyager Triple Changers, putting a lot of love and late hours in them.
• The Triple Changers have been in development for at least two years (!) to ensure that their alternate modes were distinct rather than "well, that's close enough, it looks kinda like something" and to smooth out their transformations.
• Designer Lenny Panzica apparently gave Blitzwing a ten out of ten.

Platinum Edition

Notes

• The Grimlock versus Bruticus 2-pack was inspired by the "classic" battle between the two in Transformers: Fall of Cybertron. The set was originally developed as a way for the Asian market to receive the San Diego Comic-Con deco for Bruticus; whether (or how) Bruticus will be different for the US release is still being determined, but either way it's planned for the Grimlock to have vac-metal parts.

Masterpiece

Notes

• The Masterpiece toyline will be re-introduced with a new logo that incorporates Japanese, meant to showcase the Japanese heritage of Transformers.
• The first two releases in the rebooted line will be Acid Storm and Soundwave with five cassettes (Buzzsaw, Frenzy, Laserbeak, Ravage and Rumble). Both will be Toys"R"Us exclusives and feature new package designs.
• Masterpiece Acid Storm is intentionally brighter compared to his Universe release in order to "pop" more.
• Unfortunately, neither figure was on display, nor were stock photos of them provided.

Titan Class

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  METROPLEX HEEDS THE CALL OF AWESOMENESS
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  Bio!
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  The Metrochest. Note the G1 Optimus & Arcee inside.

Notes

• GIANT METROPLEX
• Metroplex's creation was inspired by his appearance in the Fall of Cybertron trailer. At 24+ inches tall (they were shooting for an even 25", but couldn't quuuuite make it), he's intended to be the largest Transformer ever (and does, in fact, have two inches on Fortress Maximus). The Hasbro Asia team have nicknamed the figure "big baby".
• Metroplex was designed to be in scale with Legends class figures, and includes a Legends class version of Scamper.
• Features include light-up eyes, a flip-down visor, articulated pupils that can look around (controlled from behind), and electronic speech.
• According to one of the Hasbro presenters in the showroom, Metroplex will include a sheet of stickers for additional detailing.
• Metroplex's box was designed for either horizontal or vertical display, as some retailers have shorter shelves.
• The box-art for Metroplex depicts a green Trailcutter with a different head and an orange Springer with VTOL fans in place of rotors in vehicle mode, suggesting planned releases for Hoist and Sandstorm.
• Metroplex is absolutely covered in Cybertronian text. Translating all that will make his eventual wiki entry huge.

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Kre-O

Micro-Changers

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  Wave 2 packaging. Lugnut represent!
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  "Acidwing", aka Acid Storm
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  Bombshell
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  Bulkhead, based on the Animated incarnation
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  Groove, 4-wheelin'
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  More Groove!
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  Blot, who will likely end up named "Blight".
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  Arcee. Vehicle mode displayed in reverse.
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  Micro-Changer Vehicon.

Notes

• Micro-Changers wave 2 will consist of: "Blot", "Bombshell", "Acidwing," Bulkhead, Groove, Arcee, Powerglide, Scourge, Vehicon, Lugnut, Perceptor and Hoist.
• Micro-Changers wave 3 will consist of: Beachcomber, Kickback, Guzzle, Huffer, Long Haul, Nemesis Prime, Cheetor, Thrust, Ramjet, Seawing, Sharkticon and Nosecone. This wave was not present in the showroom, but was revealed in the press materials.

Micro-Changers Combiners

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  The full Piranacon set
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  Piranacon close-up
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  Snap Trap
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  "Mrs. Hrrrlsnnnn? Candygram."
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  Nautilator
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  Tentakil

Notes

• Micro-Changers Combiners wave 2 will consist of Defensor (First Aid, Hot Spot, Blades, Streetsmart), Piranacon (Snap Trap, Overbite, Nautilator, Tentakil), and Abominus (Prime-styled Windrazor, Rippersnapper, Sinnertwin and Hun-Gurrr).
• While both a presentation slide and showroom placard named Sinnertwin as part of Abominus, the Transformers team stated his name would likely become "Twinstrike" for the final release.

Autobot Command Center

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  The Autobot Command Center
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  The included "funky Rippersnapper". C'mon, guys, "Funky Rippersnapper" would be the best variant name!
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  Mock-up "Autobot Command Center" Arcee

Notes

• The first dedicated playset of the line, the Autobot Command Center, includes a command tower, repair bay, prison, weapons rack, and Kreons of Prime-style Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Arcee, and Shockwave, plus a beast-only Rippersnapper.

Customizable figure assortment

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  "Limited edition" Starscream and his extra parts rack
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  Starscream and Optimus Prime
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  Starscream is really photogenic, okay?
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  Ironhide and Soundwave
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  Megatron and Bumblebee
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  Ironhide
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  Optimus Prime

Notes

• A series of limited edition, short-run Kreons will be made, with foil embossing, and a lot of extra parts that can be stored on a rack, some chromed and clear-plastic. These will include Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave. Unlike the Micro-Changers, they will not be blind-bagged.
• The racks included with the figures can connect to the Autobot Command Center repair station, allowing one to "build out" their arsenal of accessories.
• As of Toy Fair, the customizable assortment did not have an actual name, but it will have one by the time it debuts.

Notes

• The event was kicked off by a presentation from Hasbro Studios Vice President of Development Mike Vogel, who wore a Twilight Sparkle T-shirt and teased the upcoming season of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic with a song clip.
• The presenters for the Transformers brand team were Global Brand Director/marketing director Jerry Jivoin and Senior Design Director Joshua Lamb. Jivoin began by outlining how the Beast Hunters masthead will encompass the main Prime line and stretch into Kre-O, Bot Shots, and Construct-Bots.
  • The Beast Hunters toys were said to have a street date of February 11, 2013. Whether any stores stuck to that date was another matter.
  • The official Transformers website will go to a full Beast Hunters theme on February 18, 2013.
  • IDW will be releasing Beast Hunters comics by the team of Johnson, Scott, and Padilla, evidently following up from Rage of the Dinobots.
  • The Transformers presentation proper started with an expanded version of the Prime clip shown at the 2012 New York Comic Con, featuring Shockwave explaining how he created Predaking, the "ultimate Autobot hunter," by cloning "fossilized remains." The third season is scheduled to premiere sometime in the spring of 2013.
  • Between Autobots, Decepticons and Predacons, there will be 40 characters in the Beast Hunters segment. Out of those 40, 13 will be Predacons.
• The Hasbro presenters specified that, for the new Generations assortment, they are intentionally avoiding "retro" - their goal is to take the spirit of what they've done in the past, but execute the concepts in a modern way. At the same time, the goal is to celebrate the "generations" of Transformers, so don't be surprised to see items from beyond Generation 1.
  • Hasbro teamed with IDW to devise the Generations character selection - "what you see in the books is what you're going to see in the toys".
  • To create the alternate modes for the new-mold Generations figures, the Hasbro design team consulted with high-end vehicle designers, who drew up designs based both on Hasbro's needs and what the characters were supposed to represent.

• Presenting for the Kre-O team was Senior Brand Manager Angus Walker.
  • Selection of Kreon human characters from the lore is based on a combination of what's appropriate for the characters, what's appropriate for the vehicles, and who's just cool. Kicker falls into the latter category.
  • The Toys"R"Us exclusive Devastator set with Ironhide was originally intended to include a green and purple Devastator build, but this idea didn't end up reaching fruition.