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Collectibles => The Black Series 6" Figures => Topic started by: speedermike on January 28, 2013, 10:06 AM

Title: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: speedermike on January 28, 2013, 10:06 AM
It seems that 6 inch figure rumors are floating around, with RS just posting something interesting.  Rumor is that  Gentle Giant and Hasbro who do Marvel Legends together ( is that right?) might have some Star Wars figures in the works.

At this point, I'm totally cool with that idea.  I've always wanted to see larger, well articulated figures.  And while what I love about the 3 3/4 is that the character selection is deep,  I know that larger figure collection won't get into obscure characters.  So, going into I know it will be somewhat limited.  I'm very curious about this if it comes up.  Who knows, maybe there will be some Toy Fair surprises.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jeff on January 28, 2013, 10:33 AM
There have been so many rumors since the Droid Factory Melt-Down.
- Hasbro is developing in-house 6" line for collectors
- Hasbro is moving to 6" scale for Episode VII
- Hasbro is letting Disney do a 6" line exclusive to their parks/stores
- Hasbro/GG team up for Star Wars Legends line

There has been a lot of smoke, it will be interesting to see if there is any fire... or more accurately, where that fire is located - regular retail or the Disney parks/stores. :P

And, I'll just go on record again that if they do a 6" line, I'm just not interested.  I'm too old to start over, especially at the $15/16 price point that these would invariably have.  More power to those that would buy, but not me.  I don't have the room.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jayson on January 28, 2013, 10:38 AM
Something about their story doesn't sound right. I don't ever remember hearing the GG was involved with Legends. Diamond Select does the Marvel Select 6-7" figures though.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Nicklab on January 28, 2013, 10:51 AM
I saw the RS post.  Let's wait and see. 

After this Droid Factory fiasco, the scaling down of the starfighter vehicle line, and the shrinkage of Star Wars shelf space at retail, do we REALLY believe that Hasbro is going to double down on Star Wars and launch a new scale of figures?  And mind you, this is IN ADDITION to the 12" figure line that has just started showing up at retail?
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on January 28, 2013, 11:19 AM
I don't think a new scale is difficult to believe.  It's a way to up the price point and get people to buy figures they already have.  I won't be at all surprised to see this, but I be they hold off until we're closer to the movie years.

Personally, I'm going to skip them outside of maybe a Fett or 1-2 other cool characters.  Redoing my Star Wars room has shown me I already have way more than enough stuf to display. 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Brian on January 28, 2013, 11:36 AM
I feel like the Star Wars action figure line should be 3 3/4" scale, since that is sort of what started it all - and at this point, many people have so much invested in that scale with figures, vehicles, beasts, playsets, and displays in general.  That being said, I've been thinking for awhile that a 6" collector line would probably come along at some point, and I'd be ok with that too.

Like everyone else, I'm low on display/storage space too so that would be a big consideration for me if this line came about.  However, I've been buying Marvel and DC stuff in that scale for years now, and do enjoy it (aside from the space they take up).  If they did a "Legends" style line, I think it should be kept very limited (20 or less per year), and if they came out of the gate with some OT characters (and they were well done, of course), I'll admit I'd likely bite on at least some of them.

Prior to the Disney/Episode VII announcement, I was sort of thinking that a Legends line might be the shot in the arm that the brand needed.  Now, it might be neat, but I would hope things would be back to 3 3/4" by the time the new movies hit (or, more likely, they'd have both scales running at once).  The one thing I would worry about some is that it seems like Hasbro is slowly shifting to the Mattel model with boys action figure lines, where they put out a cheap, small scale line "for kids" that is mostly crap and then have a more limited (and often harder to find) Legends scale line for "collectors".  I know when we get to the point of the new trilogy (and its toys) hitting, I'd be most interested in the 3 3/4" figures, vehicles etc., and I hope they don't start cheaping out on that line.  Figures like the BP Bespin Luke are one thing (despite the lack of articulation), but if things start looking like the Ultimate Spider-Man, Dark Knight Rises, Green Lantern, or upcoming Iron Man 3 stuff (that we've seen) in that scale, yikes.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: speedermike on January 28, 2013, 11:54 AM
While I don't know enough about it, this is what I am thinking.  The money examples I am going to give are only examples......perhaps tooling a 3/34 figure costs 1.00, and production costs 1.00 but that figure will cost 9.99 at retail, but few people want to spend 9.99 on a 3/34 inch figure.  Maybe 6 inch tooling is 1.20, and production is 1.20, but they can charge 12-15 and no one blinks.  It really might just come down to profit margin.  Hasbro is always talking about "perceived" value, like all the packs in and crap. Perhaps a new scale, even though expensive, would seem to be of much higher value.

Again, I am speculating out my ass.

For me, right now,  I'm not going to buy most 3/34 figures unless they are at least 50% new sculpt.  So, something new might be pretty cool. Granted I will always buy new 3 3/4 figs.  But they seem to be less and less these days.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Diddly on January 28, 2013, 01:14 PM
Like Brian, I would probably buy a few OT characters (Luke, Han, Vader, R2) in a larger scale just for the novelty, but no way I could go all in on a new scale. I don't even have enough room for 3.75 inch figures anymore, and the last few waves are boxed up in my closet waiting for me to find time to get new shelves.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 28, 2013, 01:42 PM
I won't buy into a new scale like that of basically the same figures we have, just larger.  I want what's left to be made in 3.75" and to see an improvement on what's out there already.

And I can't say I didn't see this coming if it pans out.  :-X
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Greg on January 28, 2013, 01:51 PM
I hope this news pans out, and I hope 6" figures do replace/become the "collector line". I have no interest in the scale, but it would be a fantastic point for me to call it quits on Star Wars. I have a long list of toys from previous years I want to pick up, and it's hard to do that while keeping up with new stuff. With a scale change, I would have no reservations about focusing 100% on older stuff.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 28, 2013, 01:58 PM
I think I'd really lean to customizing more.  I've always figured I'll get back to it more when I'm older and the line's in the *******.

a shift to a new scale would make me also look at older figures more favorably and buy up stuff I want.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on January 28, 2013, 02:08 PM
If it goes this route (saying bye-bye to the 4" scale), I might pick up the Bounty Hunters for sure and the ANH Heroes and villains.  But I'm not going to go all-in to a scale.  :(
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 28, 2013, 02:33 PM
I would buy the Fleet Trooper, Tarkin, and Bossk...  Gotta load up Bossk's Bungalow.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on January 28, 2013, 04:51 PM
Wow, the initial reaction towards a prospective 6" line is pretty negative (at Rebelscum, here, etc.).  What baffles me are the comments from collectors saying they don't want to "start over."  Who says you have to?  Why can't you continue to collect 3.75" figures AND (gasp) 6"?!  Nobody had to "start over" when they released Unleashed figures, did they?  You pick up what you like, it's that simple.   

Highly detailed, super articulated 6" figures of Star Wars characters?  Count me in, especially with regards to OT characters.  Start the line off on the right foot and begin by offering Boba Fett and Darth Vader, and you got a deal.  My only worry is what the retail price and availability will be.     
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jeff on January 28, 2013, 05:38 PM
What baffles me are the comments from collectors saying they don't want to "start over."  Who says you have to?  Why can't you continue to collect 3.75" figures AND (gasp) 6"?!  Nobody had to "start over" when they released Unleashed figures, did they?  You pick up what you like, it's that simple.   

I can't speak for everyone but when I said, "I'm too old to start over", I didn't mean literally start over from scratch and abandon all that came before.  I guess I meant, "I'm too old and too invested in 3.75" to start buying a new scale at this point in my life."

I'm not saying it's a terrible idea for Hasbro to try a 6" line.  I'm just saying that I don't have any space in my budget or my Star Wars room for a new 6" figure display, and I'm not interested in buying something if I can't display it. 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Greg on January 28, 2013, 06:29 PM
Wow, the initial reaction towards a prospective 6" line is pretty negative (at Rebelscum, here, etc.).  What baffles me are the comments from collectors saying they don't want to "start over."  Who says you have to?  Why can't you continue to collect 3.75" figures AND (gasp) 6"?!  Nobody had to "start over" when they released Unleashed figures, did they?  You pick up what you like, it's that simple.   

Highly detailed, super articulated 6" figures of Star Wars characters?  Count me in, especially with regards to OT characters.  Start the line off on the right foot and begin by offering Boba Fett and Darth Vader, and you got a deal.  My only worry is what the retail price and availability will be.   

My thinking is that if 6" figures are coming, they will be a replacement for the 3 3/4" collector-oriented line. I can't see Hasbro making both. A lot of others must be thinking the same way, hence all of the "starting over" attitudes. That being said, I have no problems whatsoever if 6" figures are indeed a replacement. I think it's exactly the type of change the line could use: a fresh restart beyond a simple packaging change. I really like Hasbro's 6" Marvel movie figures, and I imagine they would do a great job with Star Wars releases in that scale. I'm sure I would be tempted, but would ultimately refrain from buying.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on January 28, 2013, 07:02 PM
I hear ya Greg.  Even if the 6" line has some great offerings, personally, I plan to set up a small, modest collection, mainly comprised of main characters from the OT (ie Luke, Vader, Fett, Han, Chewie, Leia, R2, 3PO), due to space constraints.  I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens...

Indeed, it's challenging to simultaneously collect from multiple toy lines.  It makes it harder to keep focus, not to mention the additional time and money spent acquiring items.  However, many collectors are able to do it successfully, whether collecting SW figures and Lego items, SW figures and Marvel Universe figures, SW figures and Sideshow, and so on. 

With regards to my collecting habits, I've narrowed my focus to mostly OT figures/ships, so it wouldn't be hard for me to juggle a potential 6" line on the side.  If the 3.75" line is ditched (which I really feel is highly unlikely since it's been going strong for so long, not to mention it's what Star Wars collectibles are identified with), it wouldn't be a big deal to me.  I'm happy with what's been offered throughout the years.  Sure, I'd love a few more cantina aliens & Jabba's Palace goons, but I'm content with my collection.           
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on January 28, 2013, 07:21 PM
My thinking is that if 6" figures are coming, they will be a replacement for the 3 3/4" collector-oriented line. I can't see Hasbro making both. A lot of others must be thinking the same way, hence all of the "starting over" attitudes.

Why would you assume that?  Hasbro has very successful Marvel lines in both the 4" and 6" scale.  DCU figures like Batman and Green Lantern have been released in both scales.  Heck, even Prince of Persia and Pirates of the Carribean had 4" and 6" lines.  I can't see Hasbro just dumping their existing line of 4" after 30+ years.  If/when they release 6" figures it will be an add-on to the 4" platform, not in place of it.

I think the comments around "starting over" are based on building another lineup of duplicate characters from scratch.  Even if they stick to core characters, you're essentially starting over with Luke, Han, Leia, Darth, etc.  Most of us just don't have the space to go that route en masse without displacing some of your existing collection.  I have a huge space in the house dedicated to Star Wars, but I cannot imagine where I would squeeze in a collection of new 6" figures.  Finding room for the new 4" will be difficult enough.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 28, 2013, 07:48 PM
This comes up in military hobbies...  1:32, 1:6, 1:12, 1:18...  There's been a lot of scale choices, and that's only 4 of many more (1:35, 1:16, etc.).

I think for many people, changing scales is ultimately collecting something wholely separate and new.  I know I view that with 1:6 and 1:16-1:20-ish (Star Wars is technically 1:20 for the most part).  For me, that's a whole new toy line...  It would  be tantamount to me going and saying I'm buying Hobbit/LOTR figures now.

Like Jeff said, I'm invested, heavily, in the 3.75" line and it's many hundreds and hundreds of figures.  Army building alone, I've got a ton tied up in this.  It's become the scale I like.  I WILL pick up a 1:6 figure here and there.  I DO collect other lines (Lego LOTR/Hobbit), but for Star Wars I'm a 3.75" scale guy or nothing for the most part.  I am dedicated to this.

I view this as nothing different than the Unleashed line...  neat looking at the time, but it was something else to take up room that is tough to justify.

And I do see it, if they are somewhat abandoning 3.75", as basically your choice is to start over or not.  Anyone can pick up what they want, but that usually leads to more and more, and before you know it, now you have a 3.75", 6", 12", and beyond collection of crap.

My crap collecting needed a cut off point, and my point was when they decide to change scales.  At that stage, I'm out.  I didn't buy Mighty Mugs, and all kinds of stuff like that, and this is just another thing I think I'm very much not into not because it would be bad...  I think it might be very nicely done.  I just know it's time to turn the faucet off with things like that.  I did the same thing with Clone Wars actually.  Hitting much closer to home, I bought only what would look ok on a realistic shelf and not too toony, and that was fine by me.

My only anti-6" opinion is that, as with anything, it takes away from what I actually DO like.  So has everything else they've ever tried though, when you think about it.  From 12" figures to Mighty Muggs and those beans, it could all be bs'd that it took $ from the main 3.75" line at the time.  If 6" kills 3.75" then so be it.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on January 28, 2013, 07:53 PM
I think the comments around "starting over" are based on building another lineup of duplicate characters from scratch.

Building a lineup of duplicate characters?  Interesting....

Given that collectors have like a dozen figures of Vader on their shelves, alongside a dozen figures of R2 and Chewie, etc., I hardly think purchasing duplicate characters is a valid concern.

Quote
Even if they stick to core characters, you're essentially starting over with Luke, Han, Leia, Darth, etc.  Most of us just don't have the space to go that route en masse without displacing some of your existing collection.

If they were announcing a 60" line of figures, I could understand.  But a small 6" collection of core characters?  Collectors find room for their grand clone armies and such, and yet, those same collectors are going to be concerned about making room for a single shelf of 6" figures?  Another invalid concern.       
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 28, 2013, 08:16 PM
I think it is valid...  I've devoted my shelving space to 3.75" figures.  Not 3.75" and now a set of 6" ones.

I'd probably buy Bossk...  Not sure on RFT or Tarkin, but I'd buy Bossk for my Bossk focus and call it a day on any 6" figure "collection", per se.

Not to mention I view it as money saved to avoid that and stick with 3.75".  I'd rather focus on customizing then, and sort of continue 3.75" figure collecting on my own, though that's only in the case of the 6" line killing 3.75"...  hypothetically.

I would also say the duplicate character argument...  it's all in your POV.  Me, I don't have many duplicates of teh same character, in the same outfit, on my shelving.  CW Ani, ROTS Ani, AOTC Ani...  Everyone's different enough.

Not counting army builders, of course.  :-X
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Greg on January 28, 2013, 08:21 PM
Indeed, it's challenging to simultaneously collect from multiple toy lines.  It makes it harder to keep focus, not to mention the additional time and money spent acquiring items.  However, many collectors are able to do it successfully, whether collecting SW figures and Lego items, SW figures and Marvel Universe figures, SW figures and Sideshow, and so on. 

For me the potential redundancy of the 6" line is unappealing. I juggle a few different lines (Star Wars, GI Joe, Walking Dead, Marvel movie 6"), so while it wouldn't be a stretch to add in 6" Star Wars I would feel like I was collecting the same stuff twice. It's the same reason why I don't buy Hasbro AND Sideshow Joes, or Walking Dead figures AND Minimates. I prefer to focus on select formats/styles/sub-lines as opposed to picking and choosing from everything available.

My thinking is that if 6" figures are coming, they will be a replacement for the 3 3/4" collector-oriented line. I can't see Hasbro making both. A lot of others must be thinking the same way, hence all of the "starting over" attitudes.

Why would you assume that?  Hasbro has very successful Marvel lines in both the 4" and 6" scale.  DCU figures like Batman and Green Lantern have been released in both scales.  Heck, even Prince of Persia and Pirates of the Carribean had 4" and 6" lines.  I can't see Hasbro just dumping their existing line of 4" after 30+ years.  If/when they release 6" figures it will be an add-on to the 4" platform, not in place of it.

I don't think ALL 3 3/4" figures would go away, just the figures targeted towards collectors. I won't comment on the DCU Batman and Green Lanterns since I'm not familiar with those lines, but for POTC, TDKR, Green Lantern Movie, and now Iron Man 3 the 3 3/4" lines are very kid-targeted with the 6" figures aimed at collectors. As for Marvel Universe, it appeared to have been on the back burner for most of 2012 due to Legends. I only saw MU figures stocked in October and November, compared to ML which was stocked more regularly. I wouldn't want to see Hasbro try a similar balancing act for Star Wars, and considering their apparent lack of effort with the line I don't think they would bother giving it a shot.

Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Greedo The Green Menace on January 28, 2013, 08:23 PM
I don't care if it happens, but it's not for me. I might grab some of the really cool looking designs like Vader and Fett, but they'd be slim. As with most, I'm invested in the 3.75" line. If it starts looking like Iron Man 3 figures then I guess thats it. I've got other lines I can move onto, especially if Bridge Direct starts making 3.75" LOTR figures.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on January 28, 2013, 08:41 PM
I think it is valid...  I've devoted my shelving space to 3.75" figures.  Not 3.75" and now a set of 6" ones.

I'd probably buy Bossk...  Not sure on RFT or Tarkin, but I'd buy Bossk for my Bossk focus and call it a day on any 6" figure "collection", per se.

And see, that's the beauty of it.  Everyone will have a choice to pick & choose what they want from the 6" line.  I'm sure Hasbro won't force anyone to buy the entire line.  So if a collector has space issues, they can choose to only buy a few.  Or none.  Unless a collector lives in a cardboard box where space is ultra-limited, I'm sure collectors can manage to find enough room for at least a few 6" figs.     
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 28, 2013, 08:51 PM
I don't know.  To me, my collecting space is limited...  I'm picky and it's ever-evolving, and as it evolves it looks more cluttered I've found, so I actually look for ways to pair it down, not make it worse.

And then back to it taking away from 3.75"...  I think it inevitably would.  It could to any number of varying degrees, from very little at all, to actually completely killing 3.75" collector-focused figures, but that's rampant speculation at this stage.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Darby on January 28, 2013, 08:55 PM
Given the state of things is a bigger, more expensive figure likely? That's the part I don't get. You have the entire action figure industry trending towards the traditional SW size the last few years, and now we're going to change it?

Me personally I wouldn't collect them. There would be the one or two obligatory buys (Jawas) but that would be it.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 28, 2013, 09:03 PM
I don't think the industry's trended downward.  6" is a very collectable-focused scale...  If anything I think Hasbro figures they could sell them for more to us in shorter runs, if anything.  Sort of changing the business model around.

Meanwhile a cheap 4" line runs alongside it for the kiddies.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Pete_Fett on January 28, 2013, 10:56 PM
And, I'll just go on record again that if they do a 6" line, I'm just not interested.  I'm too old to start over, especially at the $15/16 price point that these would invariably have.  More power to those that would buy, but not me.  I don't have the room.

I'm with Jeff on this one - if they decide to only do the Sequel trilogy figures in a 6" scale, I will both be EXTREMELY disappointed that I won't get those characters in the 3.75" scale AND kinda happy that I'll be able to pair my collecting of Star Wars down even further...

Also, keep in mind that any plan they have now, will eventually succumb to failure like every other scale they try and maybe after a year of 6", they'll be going back and doing 'em all over again in the 3.75" scale anyway...
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Darby on January 28, 2013, 10:58 PM
Mass market toys are scaling down - Transformers, Dr. Who, most recently - but there are still collector lines at larger scales. I think that's the problem though. For a small(ish) collector market, 6 inch or bigger is still viable. That's not where Hasbro or any toy manufacturer can live, at least with a licence like SW, when the costs are what they are. Maybe something changes or there's an aspect to making these that is more cost effective than not, but I just don't see it myself.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 28, 2013, 11:11 PM
I think it depends on materials and styles...  Mego's a very good example of a larger, hyper articulated scale that's actually very cheap to manufacture.  The other possibility is the price point they're at...

6" is larger, but not terribly more expensive to make than 3.75", depending on how many individual parts, paint aps, and all the other things that go into any scale.  What they may be doing is setting a price point high enough to insulate them from potential shorter term cost increases.  $10 to $15 msrp may seem fair, but the reality is the average SW 6" figure manufactured similarly to the average SW 3.75" probably would cost virtually the same with minimal costs in materials for the larger size.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on January 28, 2013, 11:51 PM
I don't know.  To me, my collecting space is limited...  I'm picky and it's ever-evolving, and as it evolves it looks more cluttered I've found, so I actually look for ways to pair it down, not make it worse.

Exactly. Can I squeeze a chunk of 6" figures in somewhere?  Probably with some effort.  But like most people here my collection is already crammed with 4" stuff.  Another 4" Vader would fit right in with the shelving I use or in some 4"dioramma I have going. 

A 6" figure requires it's own space the way I'm displaying things or it would look ridiculously out of place, so if I'm in I'm probably going in for a shelf worth of stuff.  I already have existing stuff boxed away that I could put in that space, so starting another line just isn't motivating for me (especially at an estimated $100 per six figs).  A new scale would make an easy jumping off point for many collectors.  I'm sure Hasbro is wise to that.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on January 28, 2013, 11:52 PM
A retail price point of no higher than $15 would be ideal for me. 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Dressel Rebel on January 29, 2013, 07:52 AM
I won't buy into a new scale like that of basically the same figures we have, just larger.  I want what's left to be made in 3.75" and to see an improvement on what's out there already.

And I can't say I didn't see this coming if it pans out.  :-X

In Hasbro's 6" line for Marvel, they are on wave 3 or 4 now and already out of maybe 20-25 figures have made a good handful that have not been made in the 3 3/4" scale which has been around 4 years longer than the 6" scale.

Just off the top of my head they made 6" Fantomex, Hyperion, Red She Hulk, Protector, Dani Moonstar, Arnim Zola, Terrax.  I just wish they'd finish what they started in the 3 3/4" scale before they make those characters in a completely new line in a different scale.

What they did with Fantomex is equivalent to putting the Tonnika Sisters in Wave 1 of a new 6" scale of Star Wars figures.

Tell me we couldn't get at least 100 dorks together and go picket outside a Chinese factory. 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Paul on January 29, 2013, 08:19 AM
If it was focused on the OT, I'd probably be in.  I really liked the Wal Mart exclusive Avengers figures in the 6in scale last summer.  I still picked up the 4in figures, though.

I would rather the resources go this concept than Star Wars Battle Squinkies, Angry Birds, Transformer Cross-overs, Bend Ems, Animated or Prequel crap.

But that is just me.  I don't display my stuff like most of you guys do.  I hide my stuff in a few boxes in the bottom of a closet.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: shmashwitdaclub on January 29, 2013, 11:47 AM
BOOM!

Here is the first figure...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/01/29/hasbro-star-wars-black-series-action-figure-toys/1872035/


and news on the 3 3/4 inch scale:

Quote
The current "vintage"-style line of 3¾ figures will also continue under the Black Series banner.

but then this makes me cringe:

Quote
"Our focus here is the adult collector, the dad," DePriest says. "We know they have their own generation of youngsters they like to share the adventure with. It can be something for dad, and the 3¾ world can be something for the kids to share."

aka, the 3 3/4 possibly turning into 5 points of articulation garbage, like we are seeing Hasbro do with Spiderman/GI Joe/etc.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jeff on January 29, 2013, 12:01 PM
Let's keep this thread about the general 6" line and move the 3.75" news to the "Future of SW Thread" since it's about to get crazy in here, I think.  ;)



Back to the 6" - Luke looks great...  but $20 each?  I think I'd rather have the $160 instead of the 8 figures.  :-X

Also, I like how they say the new line will focus on the Original Trilogy... but then Darth Maul is in the first wave. :P

"The first wave of four, due out in early to mid-August, includes Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing Fighter flight suit, fan-favorite droid R2-D2, bad guy Darth Maul and an Imperial Sandtrooper."
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Pete_Fett on January 29, 2013, 12:05 PM
I was wondering the same thing Jeff - I wonder if it's a typo and the author really means "Darth Vader"...

I'm sure we'll see for sure in two weeks.

I think the Luke looks good - but not $20 good. Like I said in my earlier post, I am definitely not interested in collecting these. So I won't be collecting the "Black Series" (what a horrible name).
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: McMetal on January 29, 2013, 12:09 PM
This is what makes me cringe:

"The Black Series appeals to those newbies who want to start a series from the start as well as those hardcore collectors who gobble up anything having to do with the words "Jedi" or "Empire" and "are looking for something new and their interest isn't as piqued by the 15th cantina alien we have yet to do," DePriest says. "We realize folks want their iconic characters delivered up in a new way."

I don't want my iconic characters delivered in a new way, and my interest IS piqued by the 15th Cantina alien, because WHY HAVEN'T YOU MADE THEM ALL BY NOW ANYWAY? It's been 36 years!

Oy vey.

I'm pretty sure Marvel Legends are cheaper than $20 a piece too.

Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Pete_Fett on January 29, 2013, 12:31 PM
Don't worry McMetal - the more I think about it - even Hasbro KNOWS this line is doomed to failure and are probably making it to appease to their new masters at Disney.

When the first wave of four figures are still sitting on the pegs collecting dust come January 2014, they'll say that "We realize folks really didn't want their iconic characters delivered up in a new way, so we're once again focusing on what has been the backbone of the Star Wars collecting universe - the 3.75" scale."
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Scockery on January 29, 2013, 01:06 PM
Again with the Sandtrooper? Someone at Hasbro really had a thing for them.

The figure looks nice. But also showcases a reason why I don't do 6" figures. Pilot Luke there will never have anything to fly. Sure that's not a point for most people. I still operate under the premise that I'd like to fly Luke around in his ship even if I don't do that much anymore.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Nicklab on January 29, 2013, 01:12 PM
The X-Wing Pilot Luke looks okay.  But then, we've only seen 2 publicity stills of that so far.  I want to see more.

As for the line?  I hope that EACH release of every character (scene specificity excluded) is DEFINITIVE.  I would really hate to see figures issued that clearly have room for improvement, leaving Hasbro an opening to offer a new, improved version of the same character 4 years down the line.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: speedermike on January 29, 2013, 01:37 PM
I think that this looks fantastic.  10 years ago I would have passed on it, but at this point I say bring it on.  As I said before, I'm totally committed to the 3 3/4 line, but if it mostly becomes repacks, or resclupts of figures that are already well done, there's not much there for me.

If Luke X-Wing looks this good (his hips and legs look a bit wide) R2 is going to be really fun.  Personally, I bet they don't end up doing more that 20-25 of these.  In a few years it will be a footnote, but I think it's a cool one.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: speedermike on January 29, 2013, 01:39 PM

I don't want my iconic characters delivered in a new way, and my interest IS piqued by the 15th Cantina alien, because WHY HAVEN'T YOU MADE THEM ALL BY NOW ANYWAY? It's been 36 years!


I hear what you are saying, and I want that cantina dude as well.  But if they aren't going to make them, I'd rather something like this, than just a new 3.75 Luke X-Wing.
If I had to choose, and they were making both, yes I would go with a new cantina dude.  We'll see...
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Diddly on January 29, 2013, 01:55 PM
Hmm... I want to pass on all of this, as I have no room for a new scale, but I'll probably wind up snagging a few as impulse purchases. $20 a pop though... that's a DVD/Blu-Ray I'd be much happier adding to my collection. Or an old video game.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on January 29, 2013, 02:25 PM
Back to the 6" - Luke looks great...  but $20 each?  I think I'd rather have the $160 instead of the 8 figures.  :-X

I agree.  I wish the price point were a bit lower.  We're expected to pay about twice as much for 2" (that's what she said)?  Wow!

Also, I like how they say the new line will focus on the Original Trilogy... but then Darth Maul is in the first wave. :P

R2 could possible have his PT booster rocket glory.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on January 29, 2013, 02:30 PM
And how are R2 and Yoda 6" figures... They'll be 4"ers.  ;)  I guess Chewie will be 7 or 8.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on January 29, 2013, 03:25 PM
I was discussing this with a friend today and our feeling was that, for 20 bucks a figure, they had better include every conceivable accessory that the character had (removable helmets/switchable heads, multiple weapons, lightsabers AND lightsaber hilts, cloth robes/capes, and so forth) and that, for a character like R2-D2 or Yoda who are, as P-Siddy noted, much smaller than other characters, they should come with an even larger number of accessories.

The real ideal, I think, would be if they did a build-a-figure aspect of this and included the smaller characters in pieces.  Namely, you do a wave 1 with Maul, Luke, Sandtrooper (ugh, why not a regular Stormtrooper?), and someone else, and have each include a piece of R2-D2.  Ditto with wave 2: four figures, with extra parts to build a Yoda.  Wave 3 could be someone like R5-D4 or a Jawa.  That way, you're making each figure as important as the next, and offering something cool as a pack-in along with the higher price.

Just a thought.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 29, 2013, 04:28 PM
I think Luke looks absolutely stunning, as he should since 6" is almost doubling the scale...  If you were doing on-par, you'd be doing a massive disservice to collectors.  The helmet's deco is everything I WISH we'd get with any friggin' X-Wing Pilot in the 3.75" line.  They half ass the helmet decoes anymore.

Accessories are slim...  I agree with other sentiments there, that they should include extras.  A removable pistol holster/gunslinger belt would go a long way I think, and let you clip a saber hilt and holster the blaster.  A 2nd either worried, or "smiling" head would have been cool.

The price, like above I think for $20 you deserve more.  I'm not buying these...  I think they look good and if I hadn't spent since the late 80's/early 90's buying 3.75" stuff that I'd be interested slightly, but not too much.  The price would make me selective.  No PT at all even if I was considering them.

As it stands now, I'll get Bossk if they make him.  Tarkin perhaps, but not sure.

The wording in the story, disturbs me a little too, regarding the 3.75" line's future, but that's another discussion.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on January 29, 2013, 04:29 PM
Now that I think about the choices, they makes sense. 

-X-Wing Luke: reuse the body, resculpt the head and helmet (or add the neck-warmer and new boots for snowspeeder version) and you have Wedge or Biggs (can't see them getting too involved with other pilots right away and Biggs is kind of pushing it, but I'd put him at #3 pilot being released.
-R2: An easy repaint to make most any astromech.  A R5-D4 can't be too far behind.
-Sandtrooper: well, clean him up and take away the accessories for the Stormtrooper.

So 3 of the 4 choices already have repaint and some minor changes to make a new figure.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Greg on January 29, 2013, 06:29 PM
I have some mixed feelings about this line. I'll admit, the Pilot Luke looks fantastic, but the price seems high. Obviously there is only so much that can be packed with a figure before it becomes a doll with multiple outfits and such, but the accessory count appears light. Some sort of stand or Build-A-Figure would go a long way I think. Luckily they don't appear to be skimping on the sculpting, paint apps, or packaging, so that makes the premium price easier to stomach.

Some other concerns/criticisms of mine pertain to the character choices and the name of the line. A Sand Trooper and Darth Maul are always safe bets, and should sell fine. Luke is questionable due to the outfit I think... I'm not sure if I'd consider the pilot jumpsuit the most iconic costume, plus at the scale it's something of a worthless figure with no available vehicles. R2-D2 is usually a solid seller, and I'm sure the figure will be LOADED with features, but R2-D2 is still a half-size figure. At the premium price it might be a hard sell, plus there is no C-3PO to pair it with. Lastly, the line name is absolutely terrible. "The Black Series" sounds like short-hand. It has nothing to do with Star Wars or the product, except for describing the box color. Stick with the simple package design and just label it "Star Wars".
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Darby on January 29, 2013, 08:15 PM
Setting aside the fact the figure looks AMAZING, this is a real point of divergence in the line. The truth is Hasbro has been understandably walking a fine line for years between kids and collectors. It's segregated the brand to some extent, and now with this line, that separation is complete. We will get these for 'us' and what I imagine will be simple 5 POA $5/$6 figures for kids. This splitting of interests is probably inevitable given the dynamics of the brand (its longevity is exhausting) but it's also unfortunate. I'm the market for these things, and I won't be buying them. I love the scale and they will do wonderful things with it, but $20? A whole new line?

Nope.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on January 29, 2013, 08:34 PM
I guess that's an interesting point that you make, Darby.  These figures are designed for us, the collector, where as the 4" line is being aimed at kids.  So, I guess the collector is expected to support a new line with a price point that a majority feel is out of their range.  It makes me wonder if Hasbro is really listening to the collector as most have been asking for lower prices and the obscure 15th alien cantina patron.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Darby on January 29, 2013, 08:43 PM
Exactly. What I see on these boards at least is collectors willing and able to buy army builders, but not at $10 per figure. I see collectors looking to keep their collections going with those minor, minor characters that will never see the light of day in this scale and one assumes, with a kid centric focus in the smaller scale, anywhere else.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on January 29, 2013, 08:47 PM
At $20 a pop, I'm still on board, but will be ultra-picky about my purchases.  That said, R2 is a no brainer for me, and I'm sure they'll make 3PO in a later wave.  I'd be really interested in Bespin Luke, Jedi Luke, Boba Fett, Vader, Yoda, and any ESB bounty hunter.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Paul on January 29, 2013, 09:14 PM
I'm in and if I have to buy online by the case, I am going to really be annoyed with a $20 prequel pegwarmer.  The same reason I quit getting cases earlier this year in the 4in line.


Luke looks great, I am sure the Sandtrooper will be sweet too.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on January 29, 2013, 09:32 PM
$20 is the MSRP.  How many of you found figures for less than $10 over the last year?  I bet you can find these for $10 within a year of release, so I'm not spooked by the price they listed.  I just dont want to start yet another new line of stuff. I'm  also not jazzed about. the character selection. Maul and R2?  Ish.  I might have gone for it with Fett or a Stormie, or even a set paying homage to the four early bird figs, but this looks like a pass for me.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Muftak on January 29, 2013, 11:28 PM
Hmmmm. As a collector who hasn't bought a figure in two years (honestly due to cost and inability to find the few figures I would have bought) this is probably geared more towards me and my ilk. And my verdict? Errr, maybe.

One of the exercises I did when paring down the collection was to figure out the bare minimum of needed figures. I settled on a format of twelve figures per film. Of course, I kept a collection of about 400 essentials, but that 12-figure concept would totally work for this line for me.

The problem there is that I only want 1 of the first wave characters: Artoo. I guess I'll wait and see if the line has legs enough to get me the characters I want, and pick them up later on the secondary market. So it does keep me collecting, but it sure isn't gonna get me back in the stores.

I was thinking Hasbro would be filling 2014 with a return to the OTC concept to gear towards the new movies, and was wrestling with the thought of getting a carded collection of those if my thoughts panned out. I really regret not picking up all the OTC figures last time and having some sort of solid carded collection to go with the loose stuff. On that note, I wish these packages had a little bit of background art ala the OTC/Saga2 stuff. Black box is nice-looking, but the collector who leaves it in the box deserves more.

I really like the Luke, though. And small waves sound like a step in the right direction, back towards the POTJ era. Good luck, Hasbro.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Ben on January 30, 2013, 12:10 AM
I didn't see this coming at all. I don't see how vintage tanks at $10 and Hasbro thinks a line at twice that, with an exhausted and overspent fan base, is a good idea. That said, based on how amazing that Luke looks, figures like R2, 3PO, Vader, and Fett will be hard to resist even though I see myself as done with Star Wars collecting.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 30, 2013, 12:33 AM
I say again, why quit?  3.75" hasn't been cancelled yet...  6" is just another "thing" that will be there...  like Unleashed, mini unleashed, Might Muggs, Mini Mighty Muggs, 12", ****** 2013 12", Beans, Transformers crossovers, and so forth.

This isn't yet the ONLY future of the line.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on January 30, 2013, 01:50 AM
I think the decision to go with a 6" line for Star Wars is a bold move, one that seems directly influenced by Disney.  I can't wait to see what else they have in store for us.  Hurry up Toy Fair and get here already...   
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Diddly on January 30, 2013, 05:45 AM
I say again, why quit?  3.75" hasn't been cancelled yet...  6" is just another "thing" that will be there...  like Unleashed, mini unleashed, Might Muggs, Mini Mighty Muggs, 12", ****** 2013 12", Beans, Transformers crossovers, and so forth.

This isn't yet the ONLY future of the line.

I think the reasoning is that Hasbro seems to want to shift collector focus to this larger scale line despite most collectors having sunk thousands of dollars into the 3.75" line and having no space nor desire for a new scale. They basically want us to rebuy everything at $20 a pop, and I know I'm not up for that.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Nicklab on January 30, 2013, 06:46 AM
I say again, why quit?  3.75" hasn't been cancelled yet...  6" is just another "thing" that will be there...  like Unleashed, mini unleashed, Might Muggs, Mini Mighty Muggs, 12", ****** 2013 12", Beans, Transformers crossovers, and so forth.

This isn't yet the ONLY future of the line.

I agree.  I think that with this move into the 6" figure line Hasbro might be trying to tap into a broader adult toy collector market, and not necessarily just Star Wars fans.  There are lots of toy collectors who will buy a lot of 6" figures of Marvel & DC licensed merchandise.  Add in the smaller companies like NECA, McFarlane, etc, and you see a sector of toy collecting that is very much about the 6" scale.  I think this is a very calculated move on Hasbro's part to broaden their collector audience by moving into this scale.

I suspect that Hasbro thinks the 6" scale might be a gateway into the 3.75" scale system, too.  I don't think the 6" line means a shift away from the classic scale at all.  Especially not when Hasbro & Kenner combined have a 30+ year history with that scale.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: speedermike on January 30, 2013, 10:03 AM
I've been thinking about this over night.  And while we won't have answers until Toy Fair, and maybe never, here's my thoughts...

If producing high quality obscure background characters, EU characters, characters from cut-scenes, and any other odd segment of the 3.75 collection is profitable for Hasbro, they would continue.

Obviously, it isn't.  If they need to move the scale to more kid friendly assortment and less articulation to keep SW going, then that's what they need to do. They are a business, and business needs to make money.

Honestly, if they said tomorrow that 3.75 figures are done, and there would be no more, I'd be bummed, but I would also be shocked of the ride we've had since 1995.  We have toys that I never imagined being made.

The 6 inch line just seems like another idea that they want to try.  Personally, I'm in.  8-16 figures a year is nothing.

Also, I'm shocked about the nastiness I am seeing aimed at Hasbro SW team members.  Sure DePreist made a snide comment about the 15th Cantina guy, but how many times has this guy been called an "idiot" or "moron" or "evil" in SW forums.  People seem to think it's all his fault.  It's also his fault that we got the BMF.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Nicklab on January 30, 2013, 10:23 AM
Also, I'm shocked about the nastiness I am seeing aimed at Hasbro SW team members.  Sure DePreist made a snide comment about the 15th Cantina guy, but how many times has this guy been called an "idiot" or "moron" or "evil" in SW forums.  People seem to think it's all his fault.  It's also his fault that we got the BMF.

+1

The virtriole and hyperbolic fanboy whining that has been sent in Derrly DePriest's direction has been ugly and uncalled for.  How some people can look themselves in the mirror after spewing venom like that is beyond my comprehension. 

Does anyone REALLY remember the state of things around 2002/2003 before he took over the Hasbro-Star Wars team?  Things were NOT good.  Hasbro failed majorly on the Clone Troopers that were central to the title ATTACK OF THE CLONES by giving us a Clone Trooper with rank markings that we barely even saw in the movie.  And when Hasbro offered up a plain, white super articulated Clone Trooper?  I can still remember the mad scramble for that figure from 10 years ago.  It was RIDICULOUS.  It was a great figure for it's time, and collectors were so amped for the Clone Wars that they were clamoring for that figure, but nobody could find them to do the army building they wanted to do.

Collectors wanted more Clones?  We got them, and in spades!
Collectors wanted more articulation and less pre-posing?  That happened, and higher levels are articulation are pretty much standard
Collectors wanted a Big Millenium Falcon with lots of details?  We got it, and it's pretty awesome.
Collectors wanted other large vehicles, like the AT-TE, AT-AT, Turbo Tank, etc?  We got them.

Are things perfect?  No.  There are serious concerns over distribution at this time.  But things got a whole lot better for Star Wars collectors in the period following 2004 than they were before then.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on January 30, 2013, 01:52 PM
If producing high quality obscure background characters, EU characters, characters from cut-scenes, and any other odd segment of the 3.75 collection is profitable for Hasbro, they would continue.

Obviously, it isn't.  If they need to move the scale to more kid friendly assortment and less articulation to keep SW going, then that's what they need to do. They are a business, and business needs to make money.

I couldn't disagree more.  I think that's a total cop out.  Is it that these types of figures are not profitable or just not as profitable as Hasbro desires?  I would be shocked to find out that Hasbro has lost money on any of their Star Wars lines.  If they're not making something it's due to one of the following:

1.) Past performance or research projects too litle customer demand to offset the cost
2.) Retailers aren't interested in the offering because of their own research or past performance
3.) They feel they have opportunity to make more profit elsewhere

If Hasbro feels the demand is not strong enough to continue with higher quality 4" figures, then they're not doing their research.  A simple sampling of JD posts over the last week easily shows that the most desired product is more quality 4" figures.  When presented with the idea of moving to another format or lower quality product, most people on here have said that would pretty much be the end of their collecting.  I know plenty of kids that would be interested in obscure characters as well, provided they're not producing a host of jedi librarians.

More likely is that Hasbro feels these wouldn't be profitable due to the poor performance of the line in recent years, which is just more flawed logic.  The 4" line hasn't done well due to the distribution issues and constant price increases.  When you bloat the market with one assortment of figures and make others incredibly rare, you can't blame declining sales on the "lack of demand." Flooding the market with the same figures through multiple assortments is going to drive pegwarming.  Surprise, Hasbro!  I'm sure retailer interest in SW 4"  is way down following this, but that's not due to the character selection of the 4" line.  It's due to poor managment of the assortments/distribution and an inability to get new figures into people's hands. 

At the end of the day, no one really knows how well something new will sell.  Does Hasbro know the potential for obscure background characters in full distribution?  At reasonable price points?  I doubt it.  Do they know how well the 6" line is going to sell?  No clue.  They've just decided to place their bets there because they believe there's more potential for profit per unit in an untapped arena.  Making that decision doesn't mean that it's the route most likely to drive profit for Hasbro - it means they see greater potential for profit elsewhere, based on what is clearly flawed logic.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jayson on January 30, 2013, 02:51 PM
Hasbro just released high-res images and while looking at the painted prototypes, a question dawned on me: will this line suffer from the mismatched joint issue as the 3-3/4" line does from time to time?
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: dave in the basement on January 30, 2013, 02:57 PM
I rarely pick up any figures any more, but I am looking forward to this line. My display room is limited and I am hoping the six inch figures will look a little more display-worthy, for lack of a better term.

Besides Maul and potentially some others, I'll be focusing mainly on the characters from the original trilogy.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 30, 2013, 03:22 PM
Jayson, you mean the pins?

I'd say it's possible out the gate, but it'll be highly noticeable...  Very easy to pick apart, so hasbro may be more careful.  Hard to say.  That's, IMO, a factory issue and you know how those seem to always be hard to work out...  according to Hasbro.  So hard to say.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on January 30, 2013, 03:34 PM
I think the reasoning is that Hasbro seems to want to shift collector focus to this larger scale line despite most collectors having sunk thousands of dollars into the 3.75" line and having no space nor desire for a new scale.

I think that with this move into the 6" figure line Hasbro might be trying to tap into a broader adult toy collector market, and not necessarily just Star Wars fans. 

Is it that these types of figures are not profitable or just not as profitable as Hasbro desires?

Let's keep in mind the one BIG variable in all of this: Disney.  Maybe it's a little premature, but I hold Disney, not Hasbro, responsible for all of these changes (ie 6" line, postponement of the 3D prequels, cancellation of Droid Factory).  Since Disney entered the picture, we have seen a lot of change.  Coincidence?   
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Pete_Fett on January 30, 2013, 03:45 PM
In another thread I commented on how I saw the Marvel Select 6" Avengers figures at my local Disney Store and how I'm sure within this calendar year, there would be a Star Wars section added to most Disney stores.

The 6" Black Series is that similar item to those Marvel Select figures and most likely what you will, at first, be able to find at your local Disney Store.

So based on that theory, yes, I do think that Disney had a hand in this.

I think the one thing that people are over looking most is that they do intend initially to have a 3.75" Black Series as well. This will most likely be the cancelled Droid Factory figures with some more of the core characters inserted to help round out the waves.

So the Black Series will be what replaces Vintage on the pegs, meanwhile the Movie Heroes and Clone Wars will continue. If you were to get worried about a 3.75" line, it should be the Clone Wars one, that sub-line I think is seriously on borrowed time and any new sculpting effort they want to do for Clone Wars characters will be done so the figure can be included in the Black Series - I would NOT be surprised to find out that the Spider Maul that DePriest said they were working on along with the ESB version of Slave I both being some of the first exclusives in the Black Series.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 30, 2013, 04:48 PM
The toon's on borrowed time IMO.  I'll be shocked if it has a future.  So TCW line's been on it for a while now I think, at least in the animated capacity.

I'm not so sure there wille ven be a dedicated TCW line.  Just a suspiscion on my part, but I think they'll maybe have a year left and phased out to something different or folded directly into the theoretical "Legends" sort of assortment of lowered articulation figures directly aimed at kids, and a lower price.  All just speculation though, of course.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: speedermike on January 30, 2013, 09:34 PM
If producing high quality obscure background characters, EU characters, characters from cut-scenes, and any other odd segment of the 3.75 collection is profitable for Hasbro, they would continue.

Obviously, it isn't.  If they need to move the scale to more kid friendly assortment and less articulation to keep SW going, then that's what they need to do. They are a business, and business needs to make money.

1.) Past performance or research projects too litle customer demand to offset the cost


---But isn't that saying exactly what I said in a different way? =)  There's not enough profit in it.  Listen, I work in publishing.  I have a series of books right now that are doing pretty well, but the publisher is not going to continue with them because they don't make ENOUGH profit.  The books make money, but because of the way they are printed, and the low price we offer them at, they're not bringing in the money the publisher had hoped they would.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: McMetal on January 30, 2013, 10:05 PM
The toon's on borrowed time IMO.  I'll be shocked if it has a future.  So TCW line's been on it for a while now I think, at least in the animated capacity.

I'm not so sure there wille ven be a dedicated TCW line.  Just a suspiscion on my part, but I think they'll maybe have a year left and phased out to something different or folded directly into the theoretical "Legends" sort of assortment of lowered articulation figures directly aimed at kids, and a lower price.  All just speculation though, of course.

I don't know that I'd say the show is on borrowed time so much as its fate is tied to a lot of other developing situations right now: syndication, the Disney acquisition, new media property looming in 2015, etc. The initial vision was for a five season run anyway, so even a truncated Season Six (which has been confirmed) is really gravy at this point. It's become easy to bash it recently, but you can't deny it generates some insane toy fodder!

Which brings us to the fate of the animated figure line. I mean yeah, it hasn't been trending in a positive direction for awhile now, but really, have any of the lines been performing well given all the problems the past few years? I see the issues as mostly driven by Hasbro themselves: poor figure selection, poor quality, increasing prices, questionable case packs, etc. I mean, if you wanted to kill a line, they have pretty much laid out the blueprint.

I still feel like Clone Wars toys can and will sell, so I don't feel like the line needs to fold by any stretch. Admittedly I have a strong collector bias here but the TCW deluxe sets and new figures never seem to last long. I also suspect there is some implied obligation for them to provide some sort of merchandising support for the show at least as long as it is airing. So I do think there's a good chance we could see the line continue at least through the end of this year, assuming that Season Six wraps by December as has been floated out there recently. Beyond that, who knows? Lucasfilm could say we want you to stop making toys from this continuity, similar to what they have done with the Tartakovsky shows.

If the dedicated TCW line does end, my one wish would be that any figures they trawl out later on would still be in an animated rather than realistic style. I don't see why it costs any more to release them in one style versus another, change the packaging to whatever you want. Don't care about the articulation much either, so even sticking them in the $6 kiddie line is fine with me as long as they are source-accurate. I realize this is probably a longshot though.

Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Paul on January 31, 2013, 08:15 AM
Ok, I have to tap the brakes on my whole "I'm in"....

I abhore painted "flesh" on human characters almost as much as I loathe PT figures. 
I realize the pic we have seen is a hand painted clearly a prototype (paint chips near collar and shoulder joint and pins visible in legs), so we will see.

If these come out with painted heads instead of cast, I will look at them like I do so many other 6in figures, and that is just glance at them, pick them up and wish they were better and return them to the shelf.  A modern day "catch and release" kind of deal.

And to clairfy my earlier post, I was not implying that DD was talking down to us, it must have been the mood I was in when I read it.   The numerous times that staff here at JD have interacted with him at Toy Fair or GI JOe Conventions he was as excited by the stuff as we were and even gave Rob some exclusive photo shots before pulling an item off the display.  I assume the fanboy rants are on otheR sites?
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Nicklab on January 31, 2013, 10:41 AM
I think the reasoning is that Hasbro seems to want to shift collector focus to this larger scale line despite most collectors having sunk thousands of dollars into the 3.75" line and having no space nor desire for a new scale.

I think that with this move into the 6" figure line Hasbro might be trying to tap into a broader adult toy collector market, and not necessarily just Star Wars fans. 

Is it that these types of figures are not profitable or just not as profitable as Hasbro desires?

Let's keep in mind the one BIG variable in all of this: Disney.  Maybe it's a little premature, but I hold Disney, not Hasbro, responsible for all of these changes (ie 6" line, postponement of the 3D prequels, cancellation of Droid Factory).  Since Disney entered the picture, we have seen a lot of change.  Coincidence?   

I'm not sure I subscribe to that as much as the changes in the toy business.  Look at some other licensed boys toys.  And the growing trend seems to be to offer a range of figures in multiple scales.  We've seen that in movie lines like Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, Green Lantern & more.  If anything, Hasbro Star Wars seems a little bit late to the game in that business model shift.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on January 31, 2013, 11:04 AM
If producing high quality obscure background characters, EU characters, characters from cut-scenes, and any other odd segment of the 3.75 collection is profitable for Hasbro, they would continue.

Obviously, it isn't.  If they need to move the scale to more kid friendly assortment and less articulation to keep SW going, then that's what they need to do. They are a business, and business needs to make money.

1.) Past performance or research projects too litle customer demand to offset the cost


---But isn't that saying exactly what I said in a different way? =)  There's not enough profit in it.  Listen, I work in publishing.  I have a series of books right now that are doing pretty well, but the publisher is not going to continue with them because they don't make ENOUGH profit.  The books make money, but because of the way they are printed, and the low price we offer them at, they're not bringing in the money the publisher had hoped they would.

Read the rest of what I wrote.  I'm saying that if their estimates show not enough volume/profit coming from a collector focused 4" line, then their research or decision criteria is likely flawed. 

Clearly if there isn't enough profit coming in, a company needs to stop production OR revisit the way they're going to market.  I work for a manufacturing company and I see this all the time.  We put out a TV ad or invest in a new product, then we're quick to dump the investment when numbers come back below expectations.  But all too often, it is the execution of the idea that was flawed, not the concept itself.  Yeah, your TV ad failed because it wasn't meaningful or funny, hardly mentions the brand, and you only ran it at 3am.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't be advertising or that advertising isn't profitable.  Yes, your new product came in with lower than expected volume, but the people who tried it loved it and came back for repeat purchases.  Maybe we didn't hit the volume/profit expectation because you spent $0 promoting it and only got distribution in ten stores.  People want to assign a blanket pass/fail to things without looking at what factors might have driven the outcome.

In the case of the 4" line, there is clear demand for more as long as it's high quality stuff at reasonable prices.  I don't know Hasbro's cost structure, but it's their job to deliver a product that meets consumer demand in a way that's profitable for the company.  I just have a hard time believing that lower profits on 4" figures are due to lack of demand or outrageous costs versus crummy assortments and bad distribution. From everything I've seen, lack of profit is driven by their own mistakes, but of course it's always easier to just blame costs or the consumer.  I sure don't see any consumers begging for 6" product at $20 or cheap, low articulation 4" figures.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jeff on January 31, 2013, 12:51 PM
Just taking a look around the general internet, a LOT of the geek blogs are freaking out (positively) for these.

There may be a bit of reservation amongst the 3.75" loyalist worried that the 6" line costs will start cannibalizing the 3.75" tooling budget if the 6" line takes off, but out in the general toy blog world, there is a TON of positivity and excitement for these.

Should be an interesting ride as we wait to see where these fall.

Since Disney entered the picture, we have seen a lot of change.  Coincidence?   
I'm not sure I subscribe to that as much as the changes in the toy business.  Look at some other licensed boys toys.  And the growing trend seems to be to offer a range of figures in multiple scales.  We've seen that in movie lines like Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, Green Lantern & more.  If anything, Hasbro Star Wars seems a little bit late to the game in that business model shift.

People have been asking for these since the beginning of the fan Q&A (2006/2007) and probably long before that.  It would be interesting to find out why we're finally getting these after Hasbro had said "no thanks" to this new scale for so long.

Are 3.75" sales to the point where Hasbro had to finally try something to appease the retailers?  Is it a Disney directive?  Is it Hasbro themselves testing the waters to see if 6" scale would work for Episode 7?
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on January 31, 2013, 03:35 PM
Are 3.75" sales to the point where Hasbro had to finally try something to appease the retailers?  Is it a Disney directive?  Is it Hasbro themselves testing the waters to see if 6" scale would work for Episode 7?

All of the above?  It really does make sense to go this route.  They've tried Vintage/Clone Wars/Legends all at the same time and you have to think that those lines cannibalize each other to some extent.  They suffer from similar price points and no real distinction beyond the collectors.  I can't imagine Hasbro has much faith in their 12" figures, but any new platform is worth testing out, especially to see what sticks before the movies hit. 

I'd add in the potential for greater profit as well.  Let's say Hasbro makes a 4" figure for $2 and charges retailers $4, then retailers turn around and sell it for $10.  At an MSRP of $20, Hasbro can charge retailers $8 per 6" figure, but they may only cost $3-4 to make.  I'm sure they'd much rather be netting $4-5 profit per figure than $2.  Add in that the 6" figure purchase might be incremental to the 4" and it's a no-brainer I think.  This ought to get retailers behind the plan as well, as they should see similar penny profit increases at the same percent margins.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on January 31, 2013, 03:48 PM
I'm on the fence with these.  I really shouldn't, but I'm leaning towards picking up a couple OT ones.  It's a slippery slope, much like it was when I got addicted to Crackbricks... wanted Bounty Hunters and Vader, but then I realized they need some heroes, so I pick up those.  Then you've got troopers and Greedo, etc.  It's downhill from there.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Snively Bandar on January 31, 2013, 05:13 PM
Lots of talk about Disney potentially being the driving force behind this new 6" line, but considering the fact that the Disney deal wasn't even finalized 'til just 6 weeks ago, could a new Hasbro line (even just 4 or 6 figures) really be this far along into production/distribution if that was the case?  Doesn't seem like that's possible to me, unless Hasbro's had some 6" stuff already worked up and sitting around in "the parking lot" for a while, waiting for some new impetus to get the line off the floor and out the door (like a new trilogy)...

As for the 6" line itself, I'm still trying to recover from the news of a whole new trilogy(s) full of upcoming figures to collect.  The announcement of this (beautiful, but overpriced) 6" line has my head ready to explode, I think.  After 35 years of collecting this stuff (less the '85 - '95 decade), like everyone else here, I'm running out of space!

Decisions, decisions...
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on January 31, 2013, 08:53 PM
I know there's speculation it's all Disney, but I'm pretty certain it's not, and they've had zip to do with this.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Darby on January 31, 2013, 09:23 PM
As Snively said, these must have been in development longer than the ink has been dry on the Disney deal. This was going to happen regardless, and it's pretty much the natural progression of a line evolving into a clearly demarcated kid vs. collector structure that has been blurry for a while. Kids want toys they can play with (and afford). Collectors want value for their money. They want new stuff, but there's not a lot of it because oh year Hasbro has figurized nearly everyone from all six films in the last 20 years. All that remains is buying them all again, in a way that's new and from a quality standpoint, probably better.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: John C on February 1, 2013, 11:54 AM
Just from the first wave I will probably buy Luke and R2.  I'll wait until they give us a normal Stormtrooper and stick to OT and bounty hunters.  This line does look promising.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Rob on February 1, 2013, 01:16 PM
Just taking a look around the general internet, a LOT of the geek blogs are freaking out (positively) for these.

I'm really torn up about this whole idea... I don't have any interest in starting a new collection, but that X-Wing Luke actually looks really great.  Argh.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Rob on February 1, 2013, 01:18 PM
Lots of talk about Disney potentially being the driving force behind this new 6" line, but considering the fact that the Disney deal wasn't even finalized 'til just 6 weeks ago, could a new Hasbro line (even just 4 or 6 figures) really be this far along into production/distribution if that was the case? 

Finalized 6 weeks ago, in the works for 18 months. 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on February 1, 2013, 01:47 PM
Finalized 6 weeks ago, in the works for 18 months.

Exactly. 

Sorry to burst your bubble there guys, but you don't iron out a $4 billion deal over 6 weeks.  How can anyone honestly believe Hasbro had absolutely no idea this was coming?!  A big part of what makes this such a lucrative deal for Disney are the licensing rights.  A 6" line would certainly yield much higher profits for Disney & Hasbro, so I'm sure it was mentioned as something that was desirable during the course of working out the deal, as was the idea of creating a sequel trilogy.     
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on February 1, 2013, 01:55 PM
I know there's speculation it's all Disney, but I'm pretty certain it's not, and they've had zip to do with this.

Yeah, Hasbro had zilch to do with this decision...the 6" line is something they have wanted for a long time.  Oh wait...

From November 3rd, 2006:

ActionFigs.com: With Hasbro now producing 6" super articulated Marvel figures, could we eventually see a special line with 6" super articulated Star Wars figures?

Hasbro: We have no plans for this type of figure line. As the heart and soul of the Star Wars collecting world, we are focused on making sure our 3-3/4" line is vibrant, fresh, and exciting first and foremost, along with providing continued newness for our other play patterns (Star Wars Transformers, Unleashed 2", and Galactic Heroes).
 
From December 7th, 2007:
 
JediInsider.com: There seems to be a decent amount of interest from collectors for 6" Marvel Legends style Star Wars figures. What are the chances we might see a line like that in the future?
 
Hasbro: We will not be producing a line like this for Star Wars. When we have tried other collector-targeted scales (like 7" Unleashed) we found that fan interest, when compared to the 3-3/4" system, is just not as strong. In addition, for kids, the 3-3/4" scale is also the best one for a wide-range of figures and vehicles that play together, which is critical to the Star Wars fantasy. Rather than spread too thin against collectors, we will be focusing our efforts against making sure the 3-3/4" is broad, as we have been for the past couple of years. We should note that the other sublines - Galactic Heroes, Star Wars Transformers, and Unelashed 2", have a very strong following among kids and we will continue these going forward as well.

So you're right, Disney had absolutely nothing to do with this decision to launch a 6" line and Hasbro was completely blindsided by the 4 billion dollar Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm, which happened overnight.  Makes perfect sense.   

 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 1, 2013, 02:14 PM
Who exactly are you so angry at?   ???

I'm not really sure if it was more Disney or more Hasbro based on what we know.  "No plans to make it" from Q&A's over five years old?  Couldn't they have changed their minds over the last five years after seeing success elsewhere?  As for Disney, if they were working on this deal for the last year and a half, maybe they strongly suggested exploring a 6" line.  Does it really matter which company was more involved in the decision?
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on February 1, 2013, 04:57 PM
Angry?  Me?  Never....

It's very naive to completely dismiss or discount the idea that maybe, just maybe, Disney was the major impetus in having a 6" line of Star Wars realized.  Perhaps Hasbro had been considering it, pondering, thinking, but it makes sense that ultimately, Disney was the driving force that made it happen.   

Does it matter what company was involved?  Uh, yeah.  The decision marks what I believe to be a pivotal point, a bold move which speaks volumes about what is in store for the future.  It's a taste of things to come, something fresh and new, which doesn't seem to have any telltale signs of a decision that would come from the big H.       
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jimree on February 1, 2013, 05:13 PM
http://www.vulture.com/2012/11/disney-chief-on-how-he-kept-star-wars-7-secret.html

From reading that article, with very few people knowing, I believe Disney had nothing to do with it. I don't think they would let Hasbro in on the sell way back when they started talking about it.

I honestly think it's just another thing hasbro is doing to make money on the Star Wars brand

They have done different scales before, so this is nothing new.

They did the galactic heroes, jedi force and what not for kids, and now they are going to do another scale for the collector.

Jim

Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Dan on February 1, 2013, 07:02 PM
Hasbro drives this bus, even if Lucas has acted as the gps at times. Disney simply couldn't have accomplished this in 6 weeks, or even a little longer.  And that is assuming Hasbro was in the know, which I don't think has been proven at any point. Believing Disney was not involved is no more naive than believing they were.

3 3/4 did horrible in 2012 compared to previous years, and while I lay most of that blame at figure choices and case ratios (plus a crappy movie). The fact that they had something other than squinkies in the works to hedge their bets was a good move on their part, and virtually inevetible. After choking on phantom menace for 8 months, they had to come back to the retail partners with something that actually looked new and different. 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Snively Bandar on February 2, 2013, 05:29 AM
I must be getting old and blind, 'cause I apparently missed all the posts that said the Disney deal took 6 weeks, and that toy licensing wasn't a factor.  Silly me...  :P

Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Nicklab on February 3, 2013, 08:52 AM
Angry?  Me?  Never....

It's very naive to completely dismiss or discount the idea that maybe, just maybe, Disney was the major impetus in having a 6" line of Star Wars realized.  Perhaps Hasbro had been considering it, pondering, thinking, but it makes sense that ultimately, Disney was the driving force that made it happen.   

Does it matter what company was involved?  Uh, yeah.  The decision marks what I believe to be a pivotal point, a bold move which speaks volumes about what is in store for the future.  It's a taste of things to come, something fresh and new, which doesn't seem to have any telltale signs of a decision that would come from the big H.       

In corporate takeovers/mergers, SECRECY is a huge factor in making sure the deal goes through.  In the case of Lucasfilm being bought by Disney, I'm sure this was the case.  Especially with over $4 billion on the line.  Hasbro's license with Lucasfilm may be a major factor in the value of LFL, but letting even a handful of key people at Hasbro in on the details of a merger/acquisition could create a leak that could jeopardize the deal.  The Disney purchase of Lucasfilm looks like it could have been a factor in some shifts in Hasbro's business model.  But I think it has more to do with the packaging look than anything else.

With all of these factors mind, I think it's safe to say that the 6" figure line has probably been in development for at least the past 2 years.  Hasbro has made it known that figure development can take at least a year to 18 months.  Designing a new range of figures is likely to take a good deal longer.  And again, I think this is a response to shifts in the toy business where 6" figures are becoming much more the domain of adult collectors.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: speedermike on February 6, 2013, 10:40 AM

Read the rest of what I wrote.  I'm saying that if their estimates show not enough volume/profit coming from a collector focused 4" line, then their research or decision criteria is likely flawed. 

Clearly if there isn't enough profit coming in, a company needs to stop production OR revisit the way they're going to market

JMan, I meant no disrespect before.  However, you're assuming that they don't see a profit because their "research is flawed."  Perhaps THEY are not the problem and WE are.

Look at it this way.  Let's say there are about 100 very active members on this site.  People who post at least once a week. And perhaps there's maybe 10 big SW 3.75 action figure collecting sites with the same sort of activity.  That's only abut 1000 hard core fans.  So maybe that's low, just to spitball, I'll say there are 5000 hardcore Hasbro Figure collecting fans.  Hasbro announces a new figure...some people won't buy it because they don't buy aliens, or only buy imperials, or only buy OT, or have a version already. So out of that 5000, let's say 500 aren't going to buy it.  That 4,500 people who want this figure.  Let's add in a few thousand causal collectors and kids who might want this, and collectors who want two.  Maybe, maybe, 10,000 people want this figure.  That's a tiny, tiny number for Hasbro.  They won't, and can't make money that way.  Like I said in my original statement, if Hasbro could make money off of obscure collector friendly characters, they would.  It's that simple.




Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 6, 2013, 01:13 PM
Perhaps, though using your own numbers I would argue 10,000 units of a figure x 12 figures per case is 120,000 units sold.  That seems pretty damn large compared to any other action figure line, and that's just for a single assortment.  Keep in mind that Hasbro primarily sells to the retailer, not the end consumer for the vast majority of sales.  Overall, I don't subscribe to your numbers - some sites are smaller than JD and some have a larger audience.  I also know there are a lot of collectors out there that aren't active in the forums for whatever reason, so your estimate could be lower or higher - I'm not sure how to get to that number and wouldn't really trust an estimate outside of something Hasbro reports.

What I do believe beyond the shadow of a doubt is that the audience for Star Wars is significantly larger than any other product line in that aisle.  Batman, Spiderman, Marvel Universe, Transformers, GI Joe, Ninja Turtles, Wrestling, "Fill-in-the-blank" latest movie figures...there's no way demand for ANY of those lines is anywhere close to Star Wars figures.  Then look at all the specialty stuff like Minimates, Walking Dead, Videogame figures, etc.  Star Wars drives way more volume and should be more profitable given high price points and economies of scale.  Without estimating any volumes, I think we can all agree that these smaller lines are less profitable.  And yet, we continue to see new action figure waves and new lines all the time.  If Star Wars isn't making money, then there's no way these smaller lines are, and if there were no profit in it, we wouldn't see any new action figures. Ever.

Now, go back through the various store report threads for the last few years.  You will find frequent complaints to the effect of "I want this figure, but I can't find it anywhere."  Anybody here doubt that a case full of Hoth Rebel Soldiers or Emperor's Royal Guards per store wouldn't sell through within a week?  I'd buy a case of Hoth Rebels all by myself.  Heck, there are several reports of people buying lame figures they already had just to buy some Star Wars for a change.  Go check toy sites or Ebay for the prices on a Starkiller figure or Darth Malgus.  These figures are selling at 2-3x the retail price because Hasbro failed to get them into retail distribution.

I don't know how you can take the highest-demand product in the aisle and claim volumes are too low to make it profitable.  Those low volumes are tied to assortment and distribution failures.  I think believing anything else is equal parts irresponsible and disingenuous.  I'm just not willing to let Hasbro off the hook for this after the distribution wasteland we have endured the last few years.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on February 9, 2013, 06:18 PM
After seeing these in person, I believe I'm in.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Ghost of QG on February 9, 2013, 07:06 PM
lf I missed the answer I'm sorry, but will these figures come with a figure stand? 6" figures usually need them..
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on February 9, 2013, 07:07 PM
lf I missed the answer I'm sorry, but will these figures come with a figure stand? 6" figures usually need them..

I didn't hear this being asked, but they were not displayed with stands.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on February 9, 2013, 08:02 PM
At the price, they should.

I think they're very pretty but I'm very glad I'm out. :P
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 11, 2013, 12:18 AM
lf I missed the answer I'm sorry, but will these figures come with a figure stand? 6" figures usually need them..

I have quite a few DC and Marvel 6 inch figures.  Almost all of them stand fine without a stand.  I've only had trouble with some of the women given theirheels/smaller feet.

I'm still on the fence with that price point, but I'll be all over these if I can get them for <$20.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Pete_Fett on February 11, 2013, 08:16 AM
Even after seeing the pics, I'm still out.

I started collecting this line when it started in 1995 out of a sense of nostalgia for the line I had as a kid.

I will be incredibly disappointed if there comes a day when 3.75" Black Series/Vintage quality figures end, especially if that means I don't get figures for all of the new movies to go with the collection I've been building since I was a kid.

The hope I have is that this is an example of, once again a toy manufacturer failing to look at failures in the past - both their own and of other companies. While this isn't exactly the same, I'm reminded of the Playmates Star Trek movie line for "Star Trek: First Contact" - Playmates deviated from their 4.5" scale and that line was a huge failure, and they could not right their own ship quickly enough to keep the line going. Sure, Art Asylum took over, changed the scale and produced great sculpts, but that line never sustained the level of success that Playmates saw in the 90s, and even with a popular new movie and Playmates return to the Star Trek toy game, Star Trek toys continued to flounder at retail.

Hasbro tried this scale before - sure, it was with three EP1 characters, and with no where near the level of detail as we're seeing in this new 6" line. But will enough people come on board? And when I say enough, I mean enough to sustain the line. The Hasbro execs say this line is for the "Dad collector" but did it ever occur to them at Dad collectors are collecting because they did as kids themselves or because they've brought their own kids into the 3.75" line and it's something they collect together.

I'm going to bet that this line will not take off like Hasbro is hoping it will. It may not be right away, it may even be after the 3.75" line goes on hiatus for a couple of years. I just don't think that a collector base that does get excited by cantina alien #15, is ever going to get excited or be "all in" on a line that until movies hit will be nothing but 6" versions of characters that have already been done. Based on a lot of the comments in this thread, I think I'm right, very few of you have said they're "all in". Most folks are saying they'll be selective, and if I worked at Hasbro and was hearing that, it would make me nervous - collectors being selective means there's a chance for one figure being DOA at retail which could mean a log jam at distribution.

Maybe I'm wrong, but if I'm right, I just hope the experiment ends quickly before even more damage happens to the 3.75" line.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: BrentS on February 11, 2013, 11:17 AM
I gave up collecting 3.75" several years ago... my interest wained and it felt like a chore to collect them all.  I didn't have a place to display them so they just sat in tubes in my basement. 

These 6" figures intrigue me.  If its a small line with only a limited number of figures, I could keep up.  The pictures I've seen so far make the figures look pretty amazing.  I may jump into this line.  Especially if the figures actually retail for less than $20.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Darby on February 11, 2013, 07:26 PM
The 6 inch figures are, not surprisingly, outstanding. The Sandtrooper in particular is outstanding. R2 is probably a future desk ornament for a lot of people. That being said, collecting the new scale has no appeal for me. I have nowhere to put these, and no energy for laying down $20 on these either. I would be interested - I think - in my personal favorites, like the Jawas, Hammerhead, Snowtrooper, but what really interests me is something new. Whether that's new Clone Wars figures or the new movies, just something new.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 12, 2013, 08:24 AM
A highly articulated line of figures in a new scale doesn't qualify as something new?  Or do you just mean new characters? 

I'd be curious to know how many people would collect this line at a $10 price point.  I would be all in at that price.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Nicklab on February 12, 2013, 08:34 AM
$10 would definitely be an attractive price point.  But look at the pricing on other Hasbro 6" figure lines.  Since Hasbro picked up Marvel Legends the price point on those figures has been creeping upward.  $20 seems to be about as high as collectors in this scale seem prepared to go.  Unless, of course, they get something special.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 12, 2013, 01:05 PM
I'm just wondering if the turnoff for this line is more about the scale or the price.  Ten figures for $100 feels much more tolerable than ten figures for $200...for me anyway.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Darby on February 12, 2013, 01:17 PM
For me it's new characters. The turn off is both the price and scale. I have no desire to pay three times what I have for figures I already own, regardless of their quality.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2013, 03:03 PM
6" figures are just bigger 3.75" figures to me...  Not new, just upsized.  Not unlike the new 12" figures are really just bigger versions of the new Legends figures really when you think about it.

Sideshow 12" figures are obviously much more...  Cloth uniforms with hyper detail and things.  Save for the odd duck like a droid of course, but for the most part they're a significantly different toy.  Not that I'd go all-in on SS 12" figures ever, but soldiers and the odd bounty hunter do catch my eye and I have a few.

If Lego's were just tiny versions of the 3.75" figures, I'd be less interested in them than I am as well, though my SW Lego habits are pretty limited to just the planet sets.  Thinking of selling off all my early Lego sets I got when the line kicked off.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on February 13, 2013, 11:40 PM
Considering that 3.75" VC figures go for $10 a pop (retail price), it's absurd to entertain the idea that 6" figures will be sold at $10 retail.  And what are 6" Marvel figures retailing at?  That's like saying, "Hey, a 2013 VW Jetta starts at $16,000, which seems too much for me.  How many people would buy one for $8000?"  Well, duh.         

After seeing the TF pics, I'm pretty much all in with the 6" line, starting with Luke, R2 and Sandtrooper.           
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 14, 2013, 12:22 AM
Considering that 3.75" VC figures go for $10 a pop (retail price), it's absurd to entertain the idea that 6" figures will be sold at $10 retail.  And what are 6" Marvel figures retailing at?  That's like saying, "Hey, a 2013 VW Jetta starts at $16,000, which seems too much for me.  How many people would buy one for $8000?"  Well, duh.         

After seeing the TF pics, I'm pretty much all in with the 6" line, starting with Luke, R2 and Sandtrooper.           

Absurd?  Why is $10 absurd when a large amount of the $10 vintage figures you mentioned ended up selling for $5, either at discount stores or through various sales?  Do you have a point about the Marvel figures?  Last I looked, they are not at $20 either.  Don't you think the decision for collectors to buy 6" SW figures is a little different than scooping up half price cars?  "Duh" indeed.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on February 14, 2013, 12:24 AM
Not once did I mention discount chains, clearance prices, etc.  Learn to read.  I said RETAIL price.  Duh.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Dan on February 14, 2013, 08:51 AM
Learn to read? That's discussion? I don't think these forums work that way-
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 14, 2013, 09:07 AM
Retail price IS the price you pay at a retailer, including discounts and sales.  Did you mean Suggested Retail Price?  Not that the distinction has any useful bearing on this conversation.

I am not planning to buy these at $20 due to price and feeling like my collecting space is limited, but I would absolutely grab them at $10.  I'm just wondering if the lower price would drive the masses to purchase or if factors like space, disinterest, new scale would still keep them away.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jayson on February 14, 2013, 09:57 AM
Retail price IS the price you pay at a retailer, including discounts and sales.  Did you mean Suggested Retail Price?  Not that the distinction has any useful bearing on this conversation.

I am not planning to buy these at $20 due to price and feeling like my collecting space is limited, but I would absolutely grab them at $10.  I'm just wondering if the lower price would drive the masses to purchase or if factors like space, disinterest, new scale would still keep them away.

If they were on sale for $14.99 each would you maybe get them?  ;)
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on February 14, 2013, 10:00 AM
Learn to read? That's discussion?

Discussion is one thing, wishful thinking is another.  There is no way Hasbro is going to release their 6" SW figures with a MSRP of $10 because: A)they have already stated that the figures will have a MSRP of $20, B) 6" figures from various other toy lines aren't anywhere near $10, and C) super-articulated SW figures in a smaller scale (3.75") already have an MSRP of $10.   Entertaining the notion of paying 50% less than MSRP is just delusional and stems from someone with an empty/near empty wallet.   

Perhaps down the road if they sit around at stores and collect dust, they might get marked down a few bucks, but it will be the exception, not the rule.
 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jayson on February 14, 2013, 10:08 AM
B) 6" figures from various other toy lines aren't anywhere near $10

The Hobbit 6" figures (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12904420&gcsct=0ChMIiN2Xr4m2tQIVw8LnCh3FAgAAEAQ) are $14.99 each (at TRU), and 7" Wresting figures (http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kw=7+inch+figures&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2254197&searchURL=true&f=PAD%2FCharacter+Theme%2FWWE&fbc=1&fbn=Character+Theme%7CWWE) are $12.99 each so a lower MSRP is conceivable for this scale.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Force Guy on February 14, 2013, 10:11 AM
Perhaps, but is the license for The Hobbit as lucrative and expensive as the license for Star Wars?  I'm pretty sure we know the answer, and that translates to extra $$$ for items.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on February 14, 2013, 02:05 PM
The Hobbit license wasn't cheap from what I hear, and was bought by a company a fraction of the size of Hasbro...  The argument can be made, is all I'm saying.

I have a feeling the 6" figures, like all Hasbro stuff, seem to have a decent cushion for sales...  I think $15 with still probably cutting out a decent profit is absolutely possible on these, but that's just my opinion.  I know even at $7.50 a piece, TRU still makes a tidy profit on Star Wars figures.

I think $20's a bit absurd for them, but that's my opinion, I wouldn't be all in on them at $10 even so my opinion is moot.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 14, 2013, 04:29 PM
If they were on sale for $14.99 each would you maybe get them?  ;)

Hmm.  Good question.  I would be sorely tempted at $15.  That still feels too high to me, but I'd probably talk myself into it given the lack of other stuff to buy.  It helps that there's only four in the wave as well.  If I see them lining the pegs for months on end, I'll probably wait, but if they seem to be selling pretty well and someone runs a BOGO50, I might cave.  Somewhere closer to the 50% is my all-in buy though.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: MasterFisto on February 17, 2013, 11:52 AM
When I first saw these 6" toys, I was really excited for them.  But as the weeks have passed, my enthusiasm for them has waned.  I am still a little underwhelmed with the character selection for the initial wave.  From my stump, I would say that an initial wave should really WOW the collector in terms of character selection; and I gotta say that the selection here is a little...ho hum.  Although Hasbro stated to the contrary, Pilot Luke is not what I would call iconic.  Well, in all fairness, I guess it is; but it certainly is not the first one to come to mind when I think of Luke in an "action" sequence.  If you watch the OT, all Luke ever does while wearing that suit is sit in his vehicle.  Granted, he's in a couple dogfights in A New Hope while wearing that suit, and he blows up the Death Star; but no lightsaber fights or blaster shoot-outs.  He just drives a vehicle.  If it were up to me to decide which Luke to start the line with, I would have gone with an outfit that invoked more physical action, such as his Bespin fatigues, or his black outfit in Return of the Jedi.  There, you could pose him with his lightsaber, or have him draw his blaster, and it would invoke more of what he actually looked like when he did that stuff in the movies.

And the Sandtrooper?  I know that a lot of collectors get some major wood over this character; but I only think of one thing: "Look, sir: droids!"  These are the guys who just walked around Mos Eisley looking for droids. 

R2-D2 is what I would expect from an initial wave; and he's loaded to the gills with accessories.  He makes sense for an initial wave.  And the Darth Maul figure is also a good choice for an initial wave.  I just wish that the figure looked more like the character from the film.  Oh well.

Like some of you here, I might just wait to see how these sell, and perhaps pick them up on sale. 
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on February 17, 2013, 11:32 PM
I'd agree on the accessories...  I think if these were sorta like that Ultimate 12" Luke (obviously not different outfits), they'd be more appealing to a broader collector audience...  A lit saber, saber hilt, gloved and non-gloved hands, a removable blaster holster for the hilt and his blaster incase you wanted him to have a different look and a place for all his gear...

The helmet having a sort of functional chin strap would be awesome too.  I think a Tatooine/Death Star Luke could've been epic like that.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: MasterFisto on February 18, 2013, 08:20 AM
I think a Tatooine/Death Star Luke could've been epic like that.

Farmboy Luke.  Now that's one I thought of, too, after I posted my previous comments.  If Hasbro wanted to go for iconic, then there is nothing more iconic than Luke in his farmboy outfit, right? 

I guess it's just a reflection of how I see the saga, but when I think of Luke, I don't usually picture him in his flight suit first.  But Hasbro is fond of making Luke in that outfit; so I guess it's fitting that they went for this one. They're also quite fond of making that Sandtrooper, so I guess that's fitting, too.  They're just not my first choices; but I guess that really doesn't matter.  If the line is successful, then they'll get to my first choices eventually.   ;)

My first choice?  From the OT, I want Bespin Han.  Hands down.  When I was a kid, he was my hero; and I have always loved his Bespin look.  From the PT, I would want ROTS Anakin.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Scockery on May 26, 2013, 04:53 PM
Already on ebay?

Star Wars 6-inch figures (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stars-Wars-POTF2-Foreign-6-inch-Figures-Lot-of-2-Carded-/300911046985?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item460fb23149)

 ;)
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on May 26, 2013, 06:34 PM
haha!

I just hope that the SDCC Fett/Solo 2-pack is readily available since that may be the first offering of the figures.  If it's hard to come by, I think Hasbro could shoot their own feet off for those that want it to add to their collection of 6" figures.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jeff on May 30, 2013, 12:07 AM
I saw Previews magazine (which is usually at the high end of retail pricing due to selling product direct to smaller comic shops) has the 6" figures SRP'd at $119.96 (http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/926?stockItemID=STK617323) for a case of four, which works out to $29.99 each.

#bendover  :-X
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on May 30, 2013, 01:19 AM
Yeah $20 bugs me, so $30, nah...  I think given how sales slowed on the line in general I don't think a scale change and 100% mark-up (or more) is going to help, but that's me.  They look nice though...  but I don't look at that Fett as nicer than my 3.75" Fett really.  Just bigger.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Qui-Gon Jim on May 30, 2013, 07:44 AM
This will be stillborn at $30.  $20 would be bitter enough to swallow.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on May 30, 2013, 08:51 AM
Wow!  $30?  I guess these will rot on shelves until a big sale hits.

That's a surprising price when Hasbro was saying $20 at Toy Fair.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jeff on May 30, 2013, 09:48 AM
Um, I think you missed the part of my post where I said...

Previews magazine (which is usually at the high end of retail pricing due to selling product direct to smaller comic shops)

$30 is what comic shops will likely charge, unless they are a big enough shop that they get enough volume to discount that.

$30 at Previews does not mean that $25 at TRU and $20 at Target/Walmart are still entirely possible.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: McMetal on May 30, 2013, 10:01 AM
Were't we just discussing earlier in this thread the $15 price point? That's a lot more in line with where these should be, IMO.

I think a good point of comparison is the Walking Dead figure line, which is sold at both TRU and local comic shops.

I consistently find these significantly cheaper at the local comic shops. TRU will occasionally run a good sale that makes them competitive, but in general, they are worse there than anywhere.

SW will have the benefit of Target and Walmart stocking them, so this should help, but frankly nothing would suprise me as far as pricing anymore. I can see these being $25 everywhere, or worse even.

Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Nicklab on May 30, 2013, 10:04 AM
Previews has historically been an OKAY source of information, and not much else.  You might be able to get an initial image of a new product there, but very little else.  I've used it for information in the past.  But when I was depending on my local comic shop for a good deal of collecting goods (notably Gentle Giant), I also looked into the pricing situation on Hasbro goods.  And when it comes to Hasbro, Diamond is NOT competitive.  Why?

Because Diamond Previews pricing on Hasbro offerings has always been on the high side.  It has forced the retailers (comic & collectibles shops) to price figures at least 25% higher than you would see in more traditional brick & mortar retail outlets.  Simply because they can't compete with the WalMart's, Target's and TRU's of the world from a volume standpoint.  Given that backstory with Diamond Previews, I think it's very safe to assume that the Black Series 6" figures will be priced much closer to $20 each at the traditional retail channels that most of us rely upon.  Thinking otherwise is bordering on alarmist. 

But then, there's plenty of alarmist nonsense going around with some sites talking out of their asses about the Black Series 6" figures only being available in North America.  Hooboy!   ::)
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on May 30, 2013, 02:07 PM
I think $20's high myself as well...  $15 seems more fair to me.  I think $10's high on any 3.75" figure, regardless of quality.  I think $8's more fair and in line with where they need to get those figures.  Price hikes came, the line's sales declined.  I don't think that's any mystery or coincidence.  Add in distribution woes primarily due to retailers bailing, poor case-packs on Hasbro's part, and slight declines in quality coinciding with the hikes, and to me WHY we are where we are in terms of the status of the Star Wars 3.75" world is not the grand mystery it's made out to be to some.  Oh, and splash in a pinch of no films and a TV show's steady decline in popularity.

It is what it is...  Hasbro can right the ship but I honestly don't think this Black Series is what will do it.

$15 I think would rope a LOT more folks into 6" figures.  People on the fence would fall to that side a lot quicker if they're a good bit less.  At $20 they're really more a premium line, and I already don't want to start a new collection of a wholly separate line of toys at an even more premium price.  The Carbonite block is also the only interesting thing I've seen so far, really.  The rest...  they're not really higher quality than the 3.75" versions I already own.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Qui-Gon Jim on May 30, 2013, 02:17 PM
I agree 100% Jesse.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on June 25, 2013, 07:47 PM
If Hasbro did more of these "tag-alongs" on a figure's development and production, they probably could quiet some of the more nitpicky gripes.  **** happens in production.  **** happens FOR production.  To mass produce, compromise seems a necessity, and that doesn't even take into account unforeseen problems arising.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Rob on July 21, 2013, 08:40 PM
I think $20's high myself as well...  $15 seems more fair to me.  I think $10's high on any 3.75" figure, regardless of quality. \

They sure as hell shouldn't cost more than your average NECA figure given the scale and quality.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on July 21, 2013, 10:14 PM
Yeah NECA is small too...  At least comparatively...  Price is just one of several factors for me on these.  I like how they look though.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Rob on July 22, 2013, 01:24 PM
Are there comparison photos around here anywhere showing the 6" figure next to the regular (best version of) 3.75" version of the same figure?  I'm completely on the fence here and am having a hard time judging the scale and quality of these in terms I know.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Brian on July 22, 2013, 09:12 PM
I'm starting to get pretty excited for this line overall.  I'm still going to be a 3 3/4" collector first and foremost, but I kind of like the idea of this line as well.  I'm not sure if I'll be picking up the prequel ones or not, but I think I'm in on the OT stuff.  A nice way to reinvigorate a sort of stagnant Star Wars brand I think.  I wonder how the line will do overall, opinions seem to be fairly mixed on our forums here, but we'll see.  My only concern is that Hasbro maybe wants this to supplant 3 3/4" collector stuff, and move to just the simpler 5 POA figures for the smaller scale.  Hopefully not.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on July 22, 2013, 09:47 PM
We'll see after the initial couple waves I think...  The holidays will be very telling on this stuff.  I think it's almost too collector-focused in price, and so I'm not sure how they'll do once they hit.  Hasbro's always said collectors alone can't keep a line afloat.  At $20 a pop, I don't see a lot of kids getting these, so I think they're going to not do THAT well if $10 figures can't even fly off shelves that great without sales.

I think the Legends stuff, if anything, is going to give the line overall a shot in the arm.  Easy to make, not expensive, appealing to kids and seemingly some adults too...  It may be the hit they need.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jayson on July 22, 2013, 10:24 PM
Are there comparison photos around here anywhere showing the 6" figure next to the regular (best version of) 3.75" version of the same figure?  I'm completely on the fence here and am having a hard time judging the scale and quality of these in terms I know.

(http://www.yakfaceforums.com/jayson/boba_comparosm.jpg) (http://www.yakfaceforums.com/jayson/boba_comparo.jpg) (http://www.yakfaceforums.com/jayson/boba_comparo2sm.jpg) (http://www.yakfaceforums.com/jayson/boba_comparo2.jpg)
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Diddly on July 23, 2013, 02:02 AM
I'm still on the fence too... I might pick up a few OT characters, like the main gang, Vader and Fett, and that's it. I have a feeling before long retailers will drop the price to $15 a pop. I can't imagine these staying at $20 when you have $15 Marvel Legends and $15 Mattel/DC's Failure-Of-The-Month Line right next to these.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: McMetal on July 23, 2013, 09:12 AM
I'm still on the fence too... I might pick up a few OT characters, like the main gang, Vader and Fett, and that's it. I have a feeling before long retailers will drop the price to $15 a pop. I can't imagine these staying at $20 when you have $15 Marvel Legends and $15 Mattel/DC's Failure-Of-The-Month Line right next to these.

Agreed. I am probably out anyway, but it's a lot more tempting at $15 than $20.

Space is really the constraint for me though. If I knew how many of these would ultimately be produced, it might be easier to forecast the necessary square footage. There's the rub though. You just never know.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Rob on July 23, 2013, 10:43 AM
(http://www.yakfaceforums.com/jayson/boba_comparosm.jpg) (http://www.yakfaceforums.com/jayson/boba_comparo.jpg) (http://www.yakfaceforums.com/jayson/boba_comparo2sm.jpg) (http://www.yakfaceforums.com/jayson/boba_comparo2.jpg)

Perfect, that's exactly what I was looking for.  Thanks.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on July 23, 2013, 11:55 AM
I don't think I'll be getting into this line outside of trying to track a Fett down.  As for the price, I think Hasbro's already trying to cheap out on it, given the drastic paint shortcuts on the production version of Artoo, and them saying that the wave 3 Obi-Wan "may or may not" come with a robe depending on how they can "cost it out."  20 bucks for a 6 inch action figure and they can't afford a piece of cloth?  Sure, Hasbro...just as believable as all of your other price excuses...
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Jesse James on February 4, 2015, 05:19 PM
Saw something interesting on Twitter, thanks to our friend efranks at www.ImperialHolocron.com...

4 Horsemen Making 6" Figures Because It's More Cost Effective Than 4" (http://pop-critica.com/the-four-horsemen-announce-mythic-legions-scale-change/?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter)

IE: A 4" figure winds up being "overpriced" while a 6" figure can be done for the right price.

An interesting perspective, and it makes you wonder if maybe this isn't exactly what Hasbro's facing, and now they're at a crossroads where collector-oriented 4" figures are cost-prohibitive, while 5 POA can still keep 4" alive and 6" can be done for "the right price".  Relatively speaking I think some of their 6" are more right than others...  Han for instance I believe is a great 6" figure, while others seem just like less figure for the $ I guess.

Anyway, either way, I found that very interesting...  By comparison it's an apples/oranges thing in terms of the companies.  One's a giant, the other not.  I think the issues both face would be similar though, just on different scales (no pun).
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on February 6, 2015, 11:05 AM
Interesting write up - thanks for sharing.  I can see where a lot of the set up costs would be similar between the two sizes, so if materials are relatively cheap, this would make sense.  However, Shipping and pack sizes would still seem to account for higher costs and I'm not sure the demand for 6" is as strong as 4".  Maybe I'm getting too old, but I have a hard time trusting what companies say about their supposed costs  these days.  Maybe they looked at it and thought, "we can make $10 a figure on 6" vs. $5 on 4", let's increase the size!"  That doesn't make for as good of a headline though.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on April 2, 2017, 10:01 AM
Not sure where to put this, but has anyone found a place that sells stands for the 6" figures?  Thanks!
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: CorranHorn on April 2, 2017, 10:30 AM
Not sure where to put this, but has anyone found a place that sells stands for the 6" figures?  Thanks!

Various stands for vintage figures, such as Protech, work well for the 6" line. The peg holes for 6" are the same as Vintage Kenner.  I also see on ebay every now and then someone selling doll stands sized for 6"
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on April 3, 2017, 03:38 PM
These stands on Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Action-Figure-DISPLAY-STANDS-fit-5-5-Walking-Dead-6-STAR-WARS-BLACK-/161563095688?hash=item259de93288) have been working really well for me, for a variety of 6" scale figures.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: CorranHorn on April 3, 2017, 08:01 PM
These stands on Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Action-Figure-DISPLAY-STANDS-fit-5-5-Walking-Dead-6-STAR-WARS-BLACK-/161563095688?hash=item259de93288) have been working really well for me, for a variety of 6" scale figures.

Cool! Those are the stands i was referring to. Do you have any pics you can share to show they look on the Black Series figures?
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Dave on April 4, 2017, 10:08 AM
I use them as well, although bought them via Amazon.   They're pretty easy to come by.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on April 4, 2017, 10:17 AM
I use them as well, although bought them via Amazon.   They're pretty easy to come by.

What size are they? 

Just wish there were smaller ones for pit droids.

And thanks for the recs!
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: Dave on April 4, 2017, 11:06 AM
They make them in all different sizes (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kaiser+doll+stand).

They're also somewhat adjustable.  The wire part that goes around the figures waist can telescope up and down a bit.   
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: JediJman on April 4, 2017, 12:17 PM
I'll try to snap some pictures.  Like Dave said, if you look closely at the picture you can see that the back "wire" is in a tall U shape that slides up and down to handle different height needs.  The base is really thin and the weight of the figure provides added stability throughout, so you can actually use these for every other figure versus all of them depending on your display.  I set some of mine up that way and the figures between the ones with stands are also really stable.  Even if they do fall, you don't get the domino impact.  Just relaying that as the stands can get expensive quickly even at $1-2 per figure.
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: P-Siddy on April 4, 2017, 12:32 PM
No worries about the pictures, Justin.  I actually have a few for the 3.75" figures that have flimsy legs (like that Jabba's droid from the Legacy BADs) and for some figures that don't have peg holes.  They are nice. 

Now that I looked at Dave's link, they have the size on there, so it makes it easy to select them.  Thanks, guys!
Title: Re: 6 Inch Figures?
Post by: McMetal on November 29, 2018, 05:43 PM
Did not know where else to post this, but does anyone happen to recall when Target transitioned from the 3953 DPCI to the 8009 one for the 6" line? I feel like it was between Rogue One and TLJ, but can't place the exact wave. TIA!