BotCon 2008 registration / details and images of convention toy exclusives as they're revealed

Comics, cartoons, movies and fan stuff.
User avatar
inflatable dalek
Posts: 24000
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:15 pm
Location: Kidderminster UK

Post by inflatable dalek »

Cliffjumper wrote: if Hasbro were insane enough to make Optimus a tiny cameo character for a couple of series, his sales would drop.
Indeed, and I'd bet Machine Wars Optimus Prime sold a hell of a lot less well than that years Primal toy, or indeed any of the TV featured BW characters.
User avatar
Jaynz
Posts: 3643
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:18 pm
Custom Title: RIP - see pixelsagas.com
Contact:

Post by Jaynz »

That's really the point.. the 'cool toy' factor is going to be a decent second to the 'character I like' factor.

Which is why I said that FP shouldn't be pushing complete nobodies as if the toy offering is all that mattered. This was 3H's biggest problem. Anyone CARE about Fractyl, Cat Scan, etc anymore?
User avatar
Treadshot A1
Posts: 2411
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:49 am
Contact:

Post by Treadshot A1 »

So, basically, "names do affect sales". Period.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
User avatar
Denyer
Posts: 33033
Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2000 4:00 am
Location: Perfidious Albion
Contact:

Post by Denyer »

Treadshot A1 wrote:if the toy wasn't good, naming it after classic characters WILL help it sell.
Can you think of examples where this is the case and the names haven't been attached to characters in recent fiction?
User avatar
inflatable dalek
Posts: 24000
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:15 pm
Location: Kidderminster UK

Post by inflatable dalek »

Denyer wrote:Can you think of examples where this is the case and the names haven't been attached to characters in recent fiction?

Have Hasbro/Takara ever given specific sale date for indervidual toys? Or are our guesses on what's hot and what's not based on secondary "I tried all the Walmart's and couldn't find Energon Ultra Mangnus/"Energon Ultra Magnus is clogging up every British town" observation?
Cliffjumper
Posts: 32206
Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2001 5:00 am

Post by Cliffjumper »

Pretty much. There's no hard data beyond what does or doesn't seem to be selling, and with the distribution of the past few lines questionable, that's not a good measuring stick.

And I can think of a number of examples that contradict Treadshot A1
- Spychanger Magnus and Prime figures warmed the pegs over here for years, while Energon Ironhide clogged up the shelves for ages.

Treadshot's broad idiocy should be addressed without muddying the main issue here, as he's just leaping on out-of-context bits of other people's posts to justify his own points (talking of MW Prime, any luck finding the mouth on him? No chippy answer to that one, eh?) - there's nothing to prove that an Energon redeco named after one obscure (to those beyond the fandom who make up the lion's share of the market) G1 character would have been sales gold compared to an Energon redeco named after another obscure (to those beyond the fandom who make up the lion's share of the market) G1 character. Nothing whatsoever.

With regard to convention exclusives/fan club figures, they're a totally different kettle of fish, and I agree that whoever produces them is mad to try and sell the things on the back of their own limp ideas, instead of giving fans what they want (as the fans make up 100% of the target audience in this case).

For the earlier stuff, I'm guessing either a) Hasbro was a lot more guarded about 3H or whoever using their trademarks or b) the old guard had delusions of grandeur, thinking they could actually create lasting characters (only Shokaract seems to have caught on to any degree).

Lately there does seem to be a swing towards doing it right, what with pre-BW/Classics/Evilverse (the concept might be laughable, but they are classic characters, probably) - they are limited slightly by the moulds they're allowed to use (with Hasbro snaffling up Cliffjumper, and Hubcap in either scheme only being a minor change from the official versions, there wasn't too much else they could have done to avoid the turd that was Bug Bite, for example), but then my view is firmly that if they can't get a good exclusive figure out of something, just don't bother in the first place - the real fiascos tend to come in from their need to make four figures, and an attendee figure, and a special advance booking figure, and a "promised to treat our comic as part of official continuity" figure, and so on...
User avatar
Warcry
Posts: 13934
Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2002 4:10 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Post by Warcry »

Cliffjumper wrote:For the earlier stuff, I'm guessing either a) Hasbro was a lot more guarded about 3H or whoever using their trademarks or b) the old guard had delusions of grandeur, thinking they could actually create lasting characters (only Shokaract seems to have caught on to any degree).
I suspect they gave 3H trouble in a lot of areas that the current club doesn't have to deal with. The most laughable example that springs to mind is that Hasbro at one point refused to let them use a Predacon mold for a Maximal character and vice versa -- and so 3H had to release Sandstorm the heroic Predacon and Onyx Primal the evil Maximal.

I figure the current regime has a freer hand in these sort of things because they're a proper company and 3H was 'just' an organization run by fans.
with Hasbro snaffling up Cliffjumper, and Hubcap in either scheme only being a minor change from the official versions, there wasn't too much else they could have done to avoid the turd that was Bug Bite, for example
Goldbug, maybe? Remold the head and slap a less-cheerful colour scheme on the guy (maybe even the gold chrome that made G2 Bumblebee so cool) and you'd have something twice as cool as Bug Bite.

It wouldn't take much work to turn Classics Bumblebee into the IDW versions of Runamuck and Runabout, either, and I suspect most fans would rather have those two than an ugly guy named after a Gobot that he doesn't look a thing like.
the real fiascos tend to come in from their need to make four figures, and an attendee figure, and a special advance booking figure, and a "promised to treat our comic as part of official continuity" figure, and so on...
I can't disagree with that. Even last year's figures, which are probably the most popular set of convention exclusives ever, weren't all as good as you might have hoped. The seekers were top-notch and Huffer was a very good choice, but rest of the set was a bit questionable. Weirdwolf and Springer had their names attached to figures that looked nothing like them (even if they were fairly cool), Dreadwind and Alpha Trion made two good molds look bad, and Bug Bite was just kinda...there. And then you had the clear Mirage that I've never, ever heard anyone talk about. Now, if they'd cut that down to four or five toys they could have had a lineup full of hits, but as it is...lots of misses in there too.

I suppose they figure they have to put out so many exclusives so that the price-gouging looks less offensive...
User avatar
Jaynz
Posts: 3643
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:18 pm
Custom Title: RIP - see pixelsagas.com
Contact:

Post by Jaynz »

Warcry wrote:I know they gave 3H trouble in a lot of areas that the current club doesn't have to deal with. The most laughable example that springs to mind is that Hasbro at one point refused to let them use a Predacon mold for a Maximal character and vice versa -- and so 3H had to release Sandstorm the heroic Predacon and Onyx Primal the evil Maximal.
Well, keep in mind that you're hearing about this stuff from Glen Hallit, and I can't comfortably take him at his word. After all, 3H had nothing to do with Onyx Primal.
Now, if they'd cut that down to four or five toys they could have had a lineup full of hits, but as it is...lots of misses in there too.
Last year, I would only really consider 'Clear Mirage' to be a waste, particularly considering the attention they were giving the non-existant Elita-One. Still, I would rather that some of the figures (say, Springer, Huffer, etc) be part of the Collector's Club, which has woefully little to actually collect, rather than convention exclusives.
User avatar
Warcry
Posts: 13934
Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2002 4:10 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Post by Warcry »

TFVanguard wrote:Well, keep in mind that you're hearing about this stuff from Glen Hallit, and I can't comfortably take him at his word.
Actually, I'm not even doing that. I heard about if (IIRC) on the TFWiki, which is even less reliable in some ways. Hence my minor edit above -- I suspect it's true and what we saw back in those days suggests that it is, but I can't prove it. :)
Last year, I would only really consider 'Clear Mirage' to be a waste, particularly considering the attention they were giving the non-existant Elita-One. Still, I would rather that some of the figures (say, Springer, Huffer, etc) be part of the Collector's Club, which has woefully little to actually collect, rather than convention exclusives.
That's actually not a bad idea, you know. Aside from the pointless clear Energon gestalt pieces, how many non-convention exclusives have they actually had? There's this Nightbeat, the Armada Jetfire repaint...and those are the only ones I can remember.
User avatar
Jaynz
Posts: 3643
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:18 pm
Custom Title: RIP - see pixelsagas.com
Contact:

Post by Jaynz »

Warcry wrote:Actually, I'm not even doing that. I heard about if (IIRC) on the TFWiki, which is even less reliable in some ways. Hence my minor edit above -- I suspect it's true and what we saw back in those days suggests that it is, but I can't prove it. :)
Onyx Primal became a Maximal later, but that was 3H's 'retcon' for their Wreckers stuff, which made no sense to me. Hasbro didn't really seem to mind when MIB made him a Predacon originally, so I don't know what's up with that.

As far as I can tell, given 3H's story, Sandstorm was always a Predacon... the 'heroic' bit was because they were teamed up with Maximals fighting the new enemy, either Shockaract or the Vehicons. (And this actually was an issue with a Beast Machines toy, Buzzsaw, who was supposed to be the same Buzzsaw as Beast Wars...)
That's actually not a bad idea, you know. Aside from the pointless clear Energon gestalt pieces, how many non-convention exclusives have they actually had? There's this Nightbeat, the Armada Jetfire repaint...and those are the only ones I can remember.
Let's see...
Anonymous Maximus (4 members so far)
Airazor
Astrotrain w Minicons
Nightbeat

...

Wow, oddly, I thought there was more than that. Does seem rather anemic, considering.
User avatar
Clay
Posts: 7209
Joined: Mon May 24, 2004 2:19 am
Location: Murray, KY

Post by Clay »

TFVanguard wrote:Movie Ratchet's G1 scheme actually sold out very quickly.. and 'Green' Ratchet was nearly a non-entity in the movie. So, you tell me where your logic lies.
In contrast, Movie Jazz is the biggest shelf warmer I've ever seen.
I dismiss your opinion because it's based in wrong fact. Fact that has been repeatedly established by nearly every Hasbro interview given since they STARTED given interviews on the franchise.
Can you link these? I've not read anything other than occasional News Releases on their website.
User avatar
Jaynz
Posts: 3643
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:18 pm
Custom Title: RIP - see pixelsagas.com
Contact:

Post by Jaynz »

Clay wrote:In contrast, Movie Jazz is the biggest shelf warmer I've ever seen.
I've got about 500 Camshafts around here that say otherwise. Jazz seems to be the weak figure of the actual movie characters, but he easily outsold Swindle, Camshaft, etc, as far as I can tell.
Can you link these? I've not read anything other than occasional News Releases on their website.
This usually comes up in the BotCon panel interviews, when they discuss trademarks and character names, etc. I imagine that they'll be asked and answered again at next month's BotCon as well.
User avatar
Springer145
Posts: 201
Joined: Wed May 15, 2002 12:40 am
Location: TN

Post by Springer145 »

I'm a bit confused, and I'm also this has already been addressed - I just didn't have time to read all 8 pages :halo:

I understand the mirrorverse thing, but why is Starscream still sporting a Decepticon head? He has Jetfire's paint, so it's absolutely perfect for an Autobot badge!

I like the Grimlock and Goldbug paint-jobs, and absolutely love the Prime - possibly only because the " 'til all are gone" quote...I find this amazing for some reason. I'm a little disappointed in the lack of originality in the Jazz paint-job though, I know it has switched-faction badging but they could have at least added some more black or purple or something.

::Edit:: I'm a moron...they just swapped the colors on all the badges, not the designs...(whistling very innocently) Ignore the question - the other comments still stand though!
Image

Xbox 360 gamertag: Skyfall865
User avatar
Denyer
Posts: 33033
Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2000 4:00 am
Location: Perfidious Albion
Contact:

Post by Denyer »

TFVanguard wrote:I've got about 500 Camshafts around here that say otherwise.
The rest of the world seemed to get all of the Energon Magnuses, and there are no shortage of other distribution skewings... until you get a large enough sample of areas, anecdotal data's of very little value one way or another.
TFVanguard wrote:Movie Ratchet's G1 scheme actually sold out very quickly
And how many were produced, versus the movie toy? How many of a later wave does a store order, when they still have stock of other figures? Etc.
TFVanguard wrote:This usually comes up in the BotCon panel interviews, when they discuss trademarks and character names, etc.
Again, you seem to be conflating two data points -- names and character exposure/development in media.
User avatar
RID Scourge
Posts: 13262
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2001 4:00 am
Location: In ur newz forum. Reading ur newz!

Post by RID Scourge »

I'd also wonder if that data could even be calculated. Doesn't Hasbro use the same product number for all figures in a given size's wave (ie Deluxe Wave 1 uses a given number that's unique from deluxe wave 2 and voyager wave 1, but isn't unique for each individual figure)?
User avatar
Nevermore
Posts: 10697
Joined: Wed Aug 28, 2002 10:30 pm
Location: Autobase Germany
Contact:

Two more BotCon exclusive Mini-Cons: Rampage and Divebomb (names unconfirmed)

Post by Nevermore »

From an auction site:

Divebomb

Rampage
Looking for a complete Energon Sky Shadow (from Superion Maximus).
Offering: Binaltech Hound, Swindle, Ravage (Corvette), Skids.
Can buy in stores: Robot Heroes Tigatron/Inferno, Ricochet/Predaking.
User avatar
Ackula
Posts: 3679
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 6:34 am
Location: CA
Contact:

Botcon 2008 Evil Rodimus Figure First Image

Post by Ackula »

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... ok-164573/

Image taken from an auction site, mirrored below for your convenience.

Image
Image
User avatar
Rack 'n Ruin
Posts: 1193
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:31 pm
Location: Debris, UK

Post by Rack 'n Ruin »

But where's the gratuitous beard shot?
Wreck and Rule!
User avatar
numbat
Posts: 2507
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:07 am
Location: Scotland, UK

Post by numbat »

I do like.

But, shall never own.

At least one good figure seems to be coming out of this year's otherwise dire lineup.

New sale thread added with a range of Transformers including Masterpiece, Botcon, CHUG, RID, Movies etc.

Looking for MP-11T Thundercracker and MP-9 Rodimus v2 (Takara version with as few QC issues as possible).


Check out my new sale thread now!

Also items on eBay.
User avatar
RID Scourge
Posts: 13262
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2001 4:00 am
Location: In ur newz forum. Reading ur newz!

Post by RID Scourge »

Hopefully they'll have a few left on their website after the con, or I'll be able to swoop in on theifbay before anyone knows they're up. Got Weirdwolf for a decent price [for a Botcon Exclusive-also I like Cyb Snarl and Weirdwolf's G1 fig. So I was totally gaga over the prospect of an update] last year because of it.
Post Reply