Hasbro Question and Answer, round 5.

[SynjoDeonecros]

Guys, enough about my asking for Ravage, okay? They did say they had plans to release the figure during the 10th anniversary that fell through, and they did release new versions of BW Cheetor and Dinobot in Universe, with hints of more BW-inspired figures in the future (like the hinted Voyager Rhinox), so my hopes for a new BW Ravage is more feasible than most other "OMFG PLZ GET ME THIS FIGURE" expectations.

At least my question about fan alt modes got more favorable attention from this site.

It's still randomly namedropping your OMG FAVOURITE CHARACTER in an attempt to get them to drop any new info about a new one. It's not going to happen any time soon--if you want it so bad, track down X-9 Ravage.

If you don't like me pointing out that I don't like you bringing it up, then you can always not bring it up anymore.

Already have him. And how many people have namedropped THEIR favorite character in an attempt to get them to release info about a new model for it? Like I said, at least my "namedropping" has some basis in possibility; they already voiced how their plans to release the figure in the BW 10th Anniversary series went belly-up because they lost the mold, and they HAVE released new versions of BW figures in Universe, with hints at plans to do more in future sets, so it's not like say...someone desperately wanting original-flavor Arcee, even though it's been long established they had no plans to do it.

Besides, wasn't it fan demand that pressured Hasbro to redesign Alternators Ravage? Don't forget, there was a huge outcry over the original figure, and it didn't stop until Hasbro released a version of it that conformed to EVERY SINGLE FEATURE the fans wanted, so don't count out the character's popularity OR Hasbro's willingness to satisfy their fans.

[onslaught86]

As much as I dislike getting caught up in this sort of thing, I reserve a special sort of dislike for people that do nothing but harp on about how Hasbro should totally release Shitty Character X that no-one else (Or worse, TOO MANY PEOPLE) cares about. G1 Arcee sucked, the prototype was awful, it wasn't released for a reason, and I don't want to hear about it again.

You get points because I've never encountered anyone else who wants a new BW Ravage that much, though. Heh! Downside there is that I highly doubt he's that far up Hasbro's priority list. We've had Alts Ravage, 25th Ravage, and Robot Heroes Ravage, plus Movie Ravage and Robot Heroes Movie Ravage, as well as Movie Soundwave's Ravage missile (It sorta counts). Also numerous Reissue Ravages. That's a decent amount of Ravage, and enough coverage to stop him from being as high a priority as, say, a new Rhinox.

I would not have turned down a reissue of Metals Ravage, especially one with silver instead of tan, and I was saddened to hear the mould's been lost. It's not something I'm losing too much sleep over, as I personally don't care much for robots with cat heads, but that's me.

[SynjoDeonecros]

As much as I dislike getting caught up in this sort of thing, I reserve a special sort of dislike for people that do nothing but harp on about how Hasbro should totally release Shitty Character X that no-one else (Or worse, TOO MANY PEOPLE) cares about. G1 Arcee sucked, the prototype was awful, it wasn't released for a reason, and I don't want to hear about it again.

You get points because I've never encountered anyone else who wants a new BW Ravage that much, though. Heh! Downside there is that I highly doubt he's that far up Hasbro's priority list. We've had Alts Ravage, 25th Ravage, and Robot Heroes Ravage, plus Movie Ravage and Robot Heroes Movie Ravage, as well as Movie Soundwave's Ravage missile (It sorta counts). Also numerous Reissue Ravages. That's a decent amount of Ravage, and enough coverage to stop him from being as high a priority as, say, a new Rhinox.

I would not have turned down a reissue of Metals Ravage, especially one with silver instead of tan, and I was saddened to hear the mould's been lost. It's not something I'm losing too much sleep over, as I personally don't care much for robots with cat heads, but that's me.

It's not like I'm scheduling a live petition outside of the Hasbro workshop until they make a Ravage figure, myself, and I AM happy with the amount of Ravage figures we're getting, but here are the facts: There were plans to release Metals Ravage in the BW 10th Anniversary set, that fell through because they lost the mold. They have already started remaking BW Figures for the Universe line, and have announced plans to release more when the line picks back up. And, they've already given into fan pressure when they released the second Ravage Alternators figure. It might not be that high of a priority for them, but you cannot deny that, if they wanted to bring the figure back, and if the fans wanted it enough, now WOULD be the best time for them to do so. They wouldn't even have to do much, just modify the mold for the Universe Cheetor figure a bit so the cat head becomes the robot head instead of the robot chest, and repaint it, much like how Metals Ravage was a modified version of Transmetal Cheetor. The only reason why I'm getting so persistent with this now is because Hasbro has already opened the door to the possibility when they started releasing BW figures in Universe, and I want to see them take advantage of it before the opportunity's lost.

[Dominic]

The thing is that we only get 3 questions every 2 months. It it probably best if we try to come up with something other than "what are the odds of you making...., and here is how to do it if you decide to" questions that other boards ask.

I am going to come in next week and organize the questions we have for some kind of vote. Feel free to toss out more ideas.

Dom

[Onslaught Six]

I am prematurely blowing my figurative load and voting for 86's question. Yay undocumented features question.

[Dominic]

Here they are. Remember, we can only have 3, so choose wisely.

I know the deadline is the 13th, but lets call it the 10th, to make sure we are in good shape. (We cut it a bit close with rounds 3 and 4.)


I like how these are shaping up to be largely "magazine" interview questions. Hopefully, Hasbro will as well.

While many of us understand the need for Hasbro to tighten up on its intellectual property, there are some worries about the ramifications it may have. For example, what about sellers that have sold items with semi-official sanction, such as the Lukis Brothers? Will they be grand-fathered in based on past precedent (the Vector Sigma accessories)? Will Hasbro attempt to fill the market void left by now banned fan-items? The existence of this (unlicensed) market proves a demand. Might Hasbro find an official license holder to make these sorts of items?

There are some undocumented features that are clearly present in certain toys, yet aren't noted in the instructions at all. In some cases, these are obvious, in other cases less so. Sometimes these are unfinished and understandably left out (Ala Universe Galvatron's third mode), yet some are simply inexplicably left out of the documentation, such as the gun for TFU Sideswipe/Sunstreaker connecting to the robot's shoulder. What do the designers think of elements designed into toys, but undocumented? Is there any possible outlet for 'correct' transformations and undocumented design elements? Are these intentional little "extras" that the designers like to add? Does Hasbro keep track of this sort of thing?

Can you possibly discuss any toys that have turned out better or worse than expected these past few years (say 07 to now), in terms of sales or just being able to look at a finished product and think "________"? What toys from past lines would you revise? What toys are the design team especially proud of? (Yes, we are asking for your favorites.)

Given that a frequent theme in fan Q and A letters is "when will you make, or re-release, _____?", is it likely that there could be some kind of referendum process set up, (similar to local political referendums), to allow fans to petition/suggest certain toys be produced or re-issued?

Remember, this list is not final. We can add questions up until dead-line. And, anything we do not use can get carried over to Round 6.

Dom

[Onslaught Six]

I'm good with just the first three, even if I think the first one is likely to be asked by another site, but slight overlap isn't always necessarily bad. That last question seems pretty inneresting, though, and seems like a good result from the discussion we've had.

Hey, those two sentences rhymed!

[Dominic]

really want to wow us,
attempt to post in haiku.
Like Sky-bite would speak.


Okay, in all seriousness, do we want to keep things light this round? If nothing else, the heaviest question on the list may be asked by somebody else.

Dom

[Onslaught Six]

Well, I'm interested in that revise-past-designs question, partly because it's mine, but also because it sounds like it'll garner a better reaction than TF Wiki's attempt. (Question 1).

[138 Scourge]

G1 Arcee sucked, the prototype was awful, it wasn't released for a reason, and I don't want to hear about it again.

Can we ask if they plan to release the G1 Unicron?

Okay, for serious, I like the first three. The thing about last one is, well, it seems unlikely to do much. I think that there's unofficial petition stuff already, and Hasbro apparently listens to fan demand when they can, but when it comes to "please teh diehards" or "do stuff that'll do well in general release", I can bet which one they're goin' for.

Of course, I can't be unsympathetic to Synjo's position here, either, because lord knows I've done my share of wishing for that Metals Ravage to be re-released, too. And asking for other re-releases that I didn't even get when they happened.