Hasbro Q&A/October 2009 - Revision history

Cyberlink420 at 16:19, 14 February 2019

2019-02-14T16:19:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:19, 14 February 2019
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	===TFViews.com===		===TFViews.com===
	#Does Hasbro consider Animated a successful line? We’ve heard that the figures themselves met and surpassed expectations from a design standpoint, but did the line as a whole, including the animated show itself, meet with the commercial success that Hasbro hoped for? And does the success in translating the figures into the animated style mean that other art styles that could depart from ~~“traditional”~~ Transformer aesthetics are being considered?		#Does Hasbro consider Animated a successful line? We’ve heard that the figures themselves met and surpassed expectations from a design standpoint, but did the line as a whole, including the animated show itself, meet with the commercial success that Hasbro hoped for? And does the success in translating the figures into the animated style mean that other art styles that could depart from "traditional" Transformer aesthetics are being considered?
	#How does prioritization work when it comes to unfortunate cost-cutting measures that scale back the scope of a figure’s design? Obviously, we know the design team wants to deliver the best figure within the budget they are allocated, but what goes into the decision-making process to make those ~~“Sophie’s Choice”~~ cuts? Why take out, say, ROTF Starscream’s pop-out missile launcher gimmick but leave moving gears? Or why remove Optimus Prime’s much-needed side window paint apps and hand articulation, but leave the sliding switch activation swords?		#How does prioritization work when it comes to unfortunate cost-cutting measures that scale back the scope of a figure’s design? Obviously, we know the design team wants to deliver the best figure within the budget they are allocated, but what goes into the decision-making process to make those "Sophie’s Choice" cuts? Why take out, say, ROTF Starscream’s pop-out missile launcher gimmick but leave moving gears? Or why remove Optimus Prime’s much-needed side window paint apps and hand articulation, but leave the sliding switch activation swords?
	#Recently Hasbro was quoted as saying about these Q&As that the questions asked should be not about specific future items so much as about policy and other ~~“behind~~-the-~~scenes”~~ stuff, otherwise it’s a waste of time, which we largely agree with. The thing is though, we believe our questions over the last six rounds have been excellent examples of trying to get that very ~~“behind~~ the ~~scenes”~~ type stuff revealed, and yet lately those questions have been largely met with short, shallow, PR-style answers that aren’t even always complete or on-topic. We’ve tried to ask about hypothetical scenarios such as ~~“what~~ would Hasbro have done if the 2007 movie line had tanked?” to gain a greater understanding of Hasbro TF policy is formed, yet have been told hypotheticals are off the table. These Q&As are fan-oriented rather than casual consumer-oriented, we hardcore collectors are excitedly trying to get detailed understandings from the source about how our favored brand works, so we’re really looking forward to those meaty answers and try to write strong, substantial questions to meet them. We don’t want to be the fans who just go ~~“when~~ will you make X?”, but with all due respect, why should we write deep, hard-hitting questions only to get brushed off? Is the problem that there’s only a relatively-brief, two-week turnaround, and if so, would you think extending that to three weeks would help improve the quality of the answers? What can be done to avoid being caught between the proverbial ~~“rock~~ & a hard ~~place”~~ of risking either PR non answers or PR shallow answers?		#Recently Hasbro was quoted as saying about these Q&As that the questions asked should be not about specific future items so much as about policy and other "behind-the-scenes" stuff, otherwise it’s a waste of time, which we largely agree with. The thing is though, we believe our questions over the last six rounds have been excellent examples of trying to get that very "behind the scenes" type stuff revealed, and yet lately those questions have been largely met with short, shallow, PR-style answers that aren’t even always complete or on-topic. We’ve tried to ask about hypothetical scenarios such as "what would Hasbro have done if the 2007 movie line had tanked?" to gain a greater understanding of Hasbro TF policy is formed, yet have been told hypotheticals are off the table. These Q&As are fan-oriented rather than casual consumer-oriented, we hardcore collectors are excitedly trying to get detailed understandings from the source about how our favored brand works, so we’re really looking forward to those meaty answers and try to write strong, substantial questions to meet them. We don’t want to be the fans who just go "when will you make X?", but with all due respect, why should we write deep, hard-hitting questions only to get brushed off? Is the problem that there’s only a relatively-brief, two-week turnaround, and if so, would you think extending that to three weeks would help improve the quality of the answers? What can be done to avoid being caught between the proverbial "rock & a hard place" of risking either PR non answers or PR shallow answers?

	*[http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/568#more-568 TFViews.com answers]		*[http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/568#more-568 TFViews.com answers]

Khajidha at 12:39, 12 July 2011

2011-07-12T12:39:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:39, 12 July 2011
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	===Unicron.com===		===Unicron.com===
	#Over the last few months, we have seen more 'appearances' of characters in their 'Classics/Universe' toy forms appearing in IDW comics (such as Prowl, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, etc...). Is this a coincidence or is Hasbro making a deliberate attempt to integrate the comics storytelling with toys that are/were/will be available? I guess what we'd like to know is if the G1 characters appearing with a more movie-like aesthetic that we have seen, is any possible indication of what we may expect to see in toy form in the future?		#Over the last few months, we have seen more 'appearances' of characters in their 'Classics/Universe' toy forms appearing in IDW comics (such as Prowl, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, etc...). Is this a coincidence or is Hasbro making a deliberate attempt to integrate the comics storytelling with toys that are/were/will be available? I guess what we'd like to know is if the G1 characters appearing with a more movie-like aesthetic that we have seen, is any possible indication of what we may expect to see in toy form in the future?
	#We are still trying to reconcile the Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons. There have been several theories: a.) There are only one construction vehicle that turns into one component robot and unites with fellow team members to form Devastator. This is the G1-paradigm. For this to be true, we must assume events in the movie are depicted out of order, that Devastator took his tumble off the pyramid, then each component transformed, off-screen back to robot form and rejoined the Autobot vs. Decepticon battle... b.) There are fictionally, more than one Decepticon with identical construction vehicle alternate modes. Fans should assume that the Mixmaster that go gutted by Jetfire is a different, non-related character to the cement mixer Decepticon component of Devastator. c.) There are fictionally only 1 construction vehicle that turns into a robot. But, Devastator, like the toy, is one entity comprised of 6 vehicles that don't turn into component robots. One could suppose that Scavenger, a different individual than Demolisher, could be controlling all the rest -non sentient vehicles? d.) Something else we haven't thought of???? Please provide us an official explanation?!		#We are still trying to reconcile the Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons. There have been several theories: a.) There are only one construction vehicle that turns into one component robot and unites with fellow team members to form Devastator. This is the G1-paradigm. For this to be true, we must assume events in the movie are depicted out of order, that Devastator took his tumble off the pyramid, then each component transformed, off-screen back to robot form and rejoined the Autobot vs. Decepticon battle... b.) There are fictionally, more than one Decepticon with identical construction vehicle alternate modes. Fans should assume that the Mixmaster that go gutted by Jetfire is a different, non-related character to the cement mixer Decepticon component of Devastator. c.) There are fictionally only 1 construction vehicle that turns into a robot. But, Devastator, like the toy, is one entity comprised {{sic}} of 6 vehicles that don't turn into component robots. One could suppose that Scavenger, a different individual than Demolisher, could be controlling all the rest -non sentient vehicles? d.) Something else we haven't thought of???? Please provide us an official explanation?!
	#Can you share any estimated release dates/store-locations for Transformers Animated items such as Season 3 on DVD, and/or toys like hydrodive Bumblebee, Blackout, Hot Rod and Arcee?		#Can you share any estimated release dates/store-locations for Transformers Animated items such as Season 3 on DVD, and/or toys like hydrodive Bumblebee, Blackout, Hot Rod and Arcee?
	#Will there be a Universe 3.0, with any new-mold homages to the Unicron Trilogy, like Hot Shot? Also wondering, was the announcement of a ROTF Bludgeon and Mindwipe an intentional homage to The Chaos Trinity from The War Within, and if so, are there any plans to release a Bugly toy to complete the trio?		#Will there be a Universe 3.0, with any new-mold homages to the Unicron Trilogy, like Hot Shot? Also wondering, was the announcement of a ROTF Bludgeon and Mindwipe an intentional homage to The Chaos Trinity from The War Within, and if so, are there any plans to release a Bugly toy to complete the trio?

Jimsorenson at 15:25, 7 March 2010

2010-03-07T15:25:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:25, 7 March 2010
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	*[http://unicron-events-interviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/hasbro-q-10212009.html Unicron.com answers]		*[http://unicron-events-interviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/hasbro-q-10212009.html Unicron.com answers]

			{{DEFAULTSORT:Hasbro Q&A 2009 10}}
	[[Category:Hasbro Q&A]]		[[Category:Hasbro Q&A]]

SkyJammer: Added ASM's October 2009 Questions

2010-02-05T03:40:03Z

Added ASM's October 2009 Questions

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:40, 5 February 2010
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	*[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 AllSpark.com answers]		*[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 AllSpark.com answers]

			===ASM===
			#Originally, Michael Bay had said Transformers 3 would debut in theaters in 2012. This past week he said the date had been moved up one year to 2011. Knowing that you can't get into specifics of what you are doing, has this put additional pressure on your team to get movie product on shelves a year earlier or has there always been a plan in place since the release date was never set in stone by the studio until now?
			#In the Revenge of the Fallen line, the toy called "Scalpel" was called "Doctor" in the movie. Does this mean Hasbro have "real" Transformer names for "Reedman" (the mantis-like creature who steals NEST's AllSpark shard) or Alice, is this a trademark issue raising its head, or is it a case of the movie name being changed too late for the toy name/packaging to be altered?
			#Based on past releases, it seems to be possible to repair older molds to restore detail lost with repeated use. Specifically, the G1 Jazz mold appears to have had its face detail corrected between the 2003 U.S. reissue and the 2004 release of the mold as Ricochet. Are there limits to how much damage can be repaired, or is it just a matter of whether it's economically feasible to repair a mold?

			*[http://www.asmzine.com/qanda/hasbro/transformers/qa1009.shtml ASM answers]

	===Ozformers===		===Ozformers===

SanityOrMadness at 21:52, 23 October 2009

2009-10-23T21:52:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:52, 23 October 2009
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	==Questions==		==Questions==
	===ActionFigs.com===		===ActionFigs.com===

	#How is the Human Alliance Assortment performing for Hasbro? Good enough to see more Decepticons like Rampage with Ron Witwicky and Ravage, or Sideways with Alice? When can we expect to see the Human Alliance Figures for Mudflap with Simmons and Barricade with Frenzy sets on shelves?		#How is the Human Alliance Assortment performing for Hasbro? Good enough to see more Decepticons like Rampage with Ron Witwicky and Ravage, or Sideways with Alice? When can we expect to see the Human Alliance Figures for Mudflap with Simmons and Barricade with Frenzy sets on shelves?
	#How is Hasbro feeling now about releasing more Leader-class ROTF figures like the upcoming Starscream? And how do they feel about making more Leader-class figures like Blackout / Grindor?		#How is Hasbro feeling now about releasing more Leader-class ROTF figures like the upcoming Starscream? And how do they feel about making more Leader-class figures like Blackout / Grindor?
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	===Action Figure Insider===		===Action Figure Insider===

	#What is the status of the G1 Robot heroes wave with Laserbeak? Can we still expect to see it after the Christmas Movie push??		#What is the status of the G1 Robot heroes wave with Laserbeak? Can we still expect to see it after the Christmas Movie push??
	#Can we expect Transformers Universe Classics to reappear in 2010?? There are so many G1 Transformers left to redo.		#Can we expect Transformers Universe Classics to reappear in 2010?? There are so many G1 Transformers left to redo.
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	===AllSpark.com===		===AllSpark.com===
			#Why do none of the "Generation Two" homages released in the past year or so (Universe Inferno, Legends Green Tank Megatron) have the distinctive Generation Two faction symbols? Especially in the case of Inferno, that's almost the only thing that made G2 Inferno distinct from G1 Inferno. (Noting the Universe Inferno was explicitly part of the "25th Anniversary" line that was especially supposed to honor the franchise's past)
			#How do the 7 Primes in Revenge of the Fallen relate to the original 13 Transformers? Are they a part of that number, leaving 6 as non-Primes? Or are they a separate group entirely?
			#The deco artist comments on various exclusive items released during the original movie line, and the comments on the first wave of Universe toys, were well liked by the various fan communities, as well as giving an insight into the development process that goes towards making Transformers. Would it be possible to get some more of this developer commentary in the future?

			*[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 AllSpark.com answers]

	#~~G.B.Blackrock asked - Why do none of the "Generation Two" homages released~~ in the ~~past year or so~~ (~~Universe Inferno~~, ~~Legends Green Tank Megatron~~) have ~~the distinctive Generation Two faction symbols~~? ~~Especially in~~ the ~~case~~ of ~~Inferno, that~~'s ~~almost the only thing that made G2 Inferno distinct from G1 Inferno.~~ (~~Noting the Universe Inferno was explicitly part of the "25th Anniversary" line that was especially supposed to honor the franchise's past~~)		===Ozformers===
	~~#NightViper asked - How do the 7 Primes~~ in ~~Revenge of~~ the ~~Fallen relate to the original 13~~ Transformers~~? Are they a part of that~~ number, ~~leaving 6 as non-Primes? Or are they a separate group entirely~~?		====September====
	#~~Mecheon asked - The deco artist comments on various exclusive items released during~~ the ~~original movie line~~, ~~and the comments on~~ the ~~first wave of Universe toys,~~ were ~~well liked by the various fan communities~~, ~~as well as giving an insight into the development process~~ that ~~goes towards making Transformers. Would it~~ be ~~possible~~ to ~~get some more of~~ this ~~developer commentary~~ in the ~~future?~~		#Is Australia expecting to get in the last Animated toys: Activators (Fireblast Grimlock, Soundwave); Deluxe (Electrostatic Soundwave, Freeway Jazz, Arcee, Cybertronian Ratchet, Rodimus Minor, Cybertronian Ironhide, Fugitive Waspinator); Voyager (Goldfire Grimlock, Hydrodrive Bumblebee, Blackout, Wingblade Optimus Prime, Thundercracker).
			#Do we have a scheduled release date for Australia yet, for Legends Class Constructicons, Wheelie, Soundwave, Arcee, Jolt?
			#How have the sales/popularity of the Transformers Brand ranked against Hasbro's other product lines (like Star Wars, etc) in the last year or financial year? Is Transformers number 1 in Australia, or somewhere down the list of Hasbro product lines?
			#Is the Large Combiner Devastator set still just a 'direct import' item (mentioned at the AU Toyfair), that we won't see at national chain stores? Because the marketting people at Toyfair were estimating it to retail for $150-155, but Toyworld are pricing it at $180-220.
			#It was mentioned that questions should be limited to things from within the last 10 years, but surely records should exist for this one - In what month in 1984 were Transformers toys first available in/to stores in Australia? (so that we can no for sure when the 25th anniversary is/was for Australia)

	*[http://www.~~allspark~~.com/~~forums~~/~~index~~.php?~~showtopic~~=~~63609 AllSpark.com~~ answers]		====October====
			#It was previously mentioned that Kmart were going to be the exclusive source for the Human Alliance figures. Are they still getting them, and if so, is there an approximate month of release?
			#Will we be seeing the Movie 2-pack 'Back Road Brawl' with Hoist and Mixmaster or the 'War for the Skys' Legends 4-pack?
			#Are the Robot Heroes Battle Scene packs going to be released in Australia?
			#Will the new Mighty Muggs be released in Australia, or are they going to be a TRU exlcusive now (as suggested at a recent American Convention)?

			*[http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=5922 Hasbro Australia Ozformers answers for September & October 2009]

	===Parry Game Preserve===		===Parry Game Preserve===
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	===TFormers.com===		===TFormers.com===

	#Over the past 25 years the Transformers' list of characters and figures has evolved exponentially, with so many characters to chose from how does Hasbro chose which ones will be made into actual figures and what is the process Hasbro goes through with the current figures that are out to decide which ones will get repaint and which ones will not?		#Over the past 25 years the Transformers' list of characters and figures has evolved exponentially, with so many characters to chose from how does Hasbro chose which ones will be made into actual figures and what is the process Hasbro goes through with the current figures that are out to decide which ones will get repaint and which ones will not?
	#When creating the Star Wars / Transformers Crossovers line, why were the figures made out of the Star Wars characters, and not Cybertronian Robots with character pilots?		#When creating the Star Wars / Transformers Crossovers line, why were the figures made out of the Star Wars characters, and not Cybertronian Robots with character pilots?
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	===TFViews.com===		===TFViews.com===

	#Does Hasbro consider Animated a successful line? We’ve heard that the figures themselves met and surpassed expectations from a design standpoint, but did the line as a whole, including the animated show itself, meet with the commercial success that Hasbro hoped for? And does the success in translating the figures into the animated style mean that other art styles that could depart from “traditional” Transformer aesthetics are being considered?		#Does Hasbro consider Animated a successful line? We’ve heard that the figures themselves met and surpassed expectations from a design standpoint, but did the line as a whole, including the animated show itself, meet with the commercial success that Hasbro hoped for? And does the success in translating the figures into the animated style mean that other art styles that could depart from “traditional” Transformer aesthetics are being considered?
	#How does prioritization work when it comes to unfortunate cost-cutting measures that scale back the scope of a figure’s design? Obviously, we know the design team wants to deliver the best figure within the budget they are allocated, but what goes into the decision-making process to make those “Sophie’s Choice” cuts? Why take out, say, ROTF Starscream’s pop-out missile launcher gimmick but leave moving gears? Or why remove Optimus Prime’s much-needed side window paint apps and hand articulation, but leave the sliding switch activation swords?		#How does prioritization work when it comes to unfortunate cost-cutting measures that scale back the scope of a figure’s design? Obviously, we know the design team wants to deliver the best figure within the budget they are allocated, but what goes into the decision-making process to make those “Sophie’s Choice” cuts? Why take out, say, ROTF Starscream’s pop-out missile launcher gimmick but leave moving gears? Or why remove Optimus Prime’s much-needed side window paint apps and hand articulation, but leave the sliding switch activation swords?
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	===TFWiki.net===		===TFWiki.net===

	#Are any of the Thirteen original Transformers (like The Fallen and Vector Prime) female?		#Are any of the Thirteen original Transformers (like The Fallen and Vector Prime) female?
	#In ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'', there is a red bulldozer Constructicon that Starscream ( refers to as "Rampage". However, in the credits, this red bulldozer is identified as "Skipjack," while the toyline has consistently featured a yellow bulldozer named Rampage. Are there actually two Rampages, or was Starscream's line in error?		#In ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'', there is a red bulldozer Constructicon that Starscream ( refers to as "Rampage". However, in the credits, this red bulldozer is identified as "Skipjack," while the toyline has consistently featured a yellow bulldozer named Rampage. Are there actually two Rampages, or was Starscream's line in error?
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	*[[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009: Answers\|TFWiki.net answers]]		*[[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009: Answers\|TFWiki.net answers]]

			===Transformerland.com===
			#As there has been speculation on the cancellation of ROTF wave 5 voyager figures in the European market, will the later waves also be subject to such a cancellation and will the wave 5 voyagers class figures be released eventually in the European market?
			#When are we going to start seeing the previously promised new Transformers Animated toys on the shelf?
			#Will you be making any more Gestalt/combiner teams in the future?

			*[http://www.transformerland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3669 Transformerland.com answers]

	===Unicron.com===		===Unicron.com===

SanityOrMadness at 04:00, 23 October 2009

2009-10-23T04:00:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:00, 23 October 2009
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	{{comicstory\|seriesissue=[[Hasbro Q&A]]<br />October 2009\|prev=Hasbro Q&A/August 2009\|title=[[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009: Answers\|Click here for TFWiki answers]]\|next=Hasbro Q&A/December 2009}}		{{comicstory\|seriesissue=[[Hasbro Q&A]]<br />October 2009\|prev=Hasbro Q&A/August 2009\|title=[[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009: Answers\|Click here for TFWiki answers]]\|next=Hasbro Q&A/December 2009}}
	A question archive of, and links to the answers from, the October 2009 Hasbro Q&As, released on ~~10/22/09~~ or shortly thereafter.		A question archive of, and links to the answers from, the October 2009 Hasbro Q&As, released on October the 22nd or shortly thereafter.

	==Questions==		==Questions==

Hooper X: Parry Game Preserve added.

2009-10-22T23:33:13Z

Parry Game Preserve added.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:33, 22 October 2009
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	*[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 AllSpark.com answers]		*[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 AllSpark.com answers]

			===Parry Game Preserve===
			#Figure variants, like the black vs. grey Timber packed with Snake Eyes in the GI Joe line, make for exciting chase toy hunting in stores. Have you considered introducing that concept into the Transformers line?
			#How will the recently announced accelerated time table of the third Transformers movie effect your design efforts for upcoming movie products?
			#Does the team have any favorite figures, in particular, as we enter the next phase of the Revenge of the Fallen line?

			*[http://www.parrygamepreserve.com/newsDetail.php?jID=1159 Parry Game Preserve answers]

	===Raving Toy Maniac===		===Raving Toy Maniac===

Hooper X at 23:22, 22 October 2009

2009-10-22T23:22:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:22, 22 October 2009
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	{{comicstory\|seriesissue=[[Hasbro Q&A]]<br />October 2009\|prev=Hasbro Q&A/August 2009\|title=[[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009: Answers\|Click here for TFWiki answers]]\|next=Hasbro Q&A/December 2009}}		{{comicstory\|seriesissue=[[Hasbro Q&A]]<br />October 2009\|prev=Hasbro Q&A/August 2009\|title=[[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009: Answers\|Click here for TFWiki answers]]\|next=Hasbro Q&A/December 2009}}
	A question archive of, and links to the answers from, the October 2009 Hasbro Q&As, released on ~~TBD~~ or shortly thereafter.		A question archive of, and links to the answers from, the October 2009 Hasbro Q&As, released on 10/22/09 or shortly thereafter.

	==Questions==		==Questions==

Hooper X: ActionFigs & TFViews added.

2009-10-22T13:04:13Z

ActionFigs & TFViews added.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ==Questions==
 ===Action Figure Insider===
@@ Line 33: / Line 41: @@
 *[http://tformers.com/transformers-hasbro-answers-your-burning-questions-episode-6/12508/news.html TFormers.com answers]
 ===TFWiki.net===

Nevermore: /* Questions */

2009-10-22T08:07:56Z

Questions

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 ==Questions==
 ===AllSpark.com===
@@ Line 10: / Line 18: @@
 *[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 AllSpark.com answers]
 ===TFWiki.net===
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 *[[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009: Answers|TFWiki.net answers]]
 [[Category:Hasbro Q&A]]