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Collectibles => Past Hasbro 3.75" Lines => Original Trilogy Collection => Topic started by: Scott on May 30, 2004, 11:57 PM

Title: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on May 30, 2004, 11:57 PM
Talk about Lame

(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/4-04/OTCANHdvdsm.jpg) (http://www.jedidefender.com/image.pl?/news/images/4-04/OTCANHdvd.jpg)

(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/4-04/OTCANHdvdbacksm.jpg) (http://www.jedidefender.com/image.pl?/news/images/4-04/OTCANHdvdback.jpg)

(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/4-04/OTCesbdvd.jpg)
(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/4-04/OTCrotjdvd.jpg)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Darby on May 31, 2004, 12:18 AM
There's no end!  What the hell???
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Diddly on May 31, 2004, 01:26 AM
What did they do? Over produce those figs back in the day?
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: JediMAC on May 31, 2004, 01:50 AM
My question is, is there a DVD included with each set?  That's what would seem to make the most sense here, and be a clever marketing gimmick by Hasbro to get the kids into the figures even further, when they buy the DVDs...

Or is this just a set of figures, in which case, what's with the "Commemorative Trilogy DVD Collection" moniker?  Well $h!t.  Looks like one more item I'll "have to" pick up.  Just one sealed set should suffice, since there don't appear to be any changes happening with the figures themselves.   :-\
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Vator on May 31, 2004, 07:38 AM
Glad I'm not a completist.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: DoctorPadawan on May 31, 2004, 10:21 AM
Aside from the very idea of these being done in the first place, which I find completely and utterly asinine, the main thing that bugs me about this is the figure selection.  I mean, once again, we're getting the same Obi-Wan, the same Luke, and the same Stormtrooper we're getting on regular cards.  This is the third different assortment that the Obi-Wan has been part of this year so far (Target Cup, OTC regular carded, OTC three pack).  

And I don't know if anyone else has noticed it or not, but the R2 in the ANH set is apparently the same one that came out in the very first wave of POTF2 back in 1995.  

I've gotten to the point where I've stopped asking myself "What are they thinking?"  I've simply realized that Hasbro doesn't think.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on May 31, 2004, 10:25 AM
Why even HAVE an OTC line of figures if they were planning on pulling this crap too

Sure 4 of them aren't in the OTC, but the case could be made that they should have been

I agree Doc, they don't think...OR they are losing so much money on this line that new sculpts and new figs can't be made

Notice we haven't seen a FC #6... :'(
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Ben on May 31, 2004, 12:49 PM
Suuuuuuck.

I'm glad TRU's 4-packs have broken me of my completism habit.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on May 31, 2004, 02:56 PM
 >:( F'ers. I'm getting really sick of this. How'd we go from 2004 looking so good through the Bespin wave to Hasbro brining us to our knees with this crap?

Maybe these are meant for non-toy outlets. Something that Suncoast, Best Buy, etc can put on the counter or give away with purchase of the DVD set.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jeff on May 31, 2004, 03:01 PM
Talk about Lame

Agreed.

 >:(

Stop the Madness!

Jeff
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Darth Broem on May 31, 2004, 03:39 PM
Folks, I know it blows for all of us.  Obviously the whole aim is to get new collectors, kids, even old collectors or anyone into this stuff anyway possible with the cheapest and easiest way - repackaging.  

Don't even think we are getting any new stuff.  It ain't happening until maybe late this year or early next year.  Save your coins for Ep3, the convention, and maybe newer OT stuff for 2005.  Kiss 2004 goodbye and accept it.  
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Morgbug on May 31, 2004, 04:30 PM
Folks, I know it blows for all of us.  Obviously the whole aim is to get new collectors, kids, even old collectors or anyone into this stuff anyway possible with the cheapest and easiest way - repackaging.  

Don't even think we are getting any new stuff.  It ain't happening until maybe late this year or early next year.  Save your coins for Ep3, the convention, and maybe newer OT stuff for 2005.  Kiss 2004 goodbye and accept it.  

Yep, this seems to me to be a last ditch effort to breathe life back into the line.  Sure, collectors want other stuff/new stuff.  But maybe this will help us in the long run by revitalizing the line :-\  Yeah I know, stupid and naive.  

I haven't figured out yet if these are individual movie releases with figs, or do you have to buy three sets of the movies to get all the figures?  Not that I care, I'll obviously buy the ROTJ set if I have to buy one, but I am curious how much JediMac has to lay out for his disorder?
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Revenge on May 31, 2004, 05:07 PM
I like the packaging but I dislike the figure selection. :-\
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on May 31, 2004, 08:38 PM
Thinking about this again, and I know the answer is "because they're Hasbro" but I'll ask the question anyway.

Hasbro has to know that things like this piss collectors off. They have to know the history of their own industry. Pushing too many exclusives kills lines... ask Playmates. They must realize that the moment these roll of a line in China, or wherever, samples end up on eBay. Collectors see things like this, don't have enough information, and speculate themselves (ourselves) into anger. So:

Why, oh why, do they not post information on the official Hasbro site on things like this before images leak?

Do they not have 1 PR person?

Edit: High time I updated the picture for this occasion:

(http://members.aol.com/jaredbrinkley/hasklink.jpg)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 1, 2004, 12:41 AM
I guess the thing that ultimately bugs the hell out of me is that with just some simple painting they could do all new figures that people would lap up like crazy

Paint Wicket black with white highlights
Use the Stormtrooper bodies and stick new heads on for Luke and Han
Repaint R2 and do one of the undone R2 units
Repaint 3PO and call him U-3PO
Repaint IG-8 white for the Bespin IG droid
Do Vader in Holo Form
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 1, 2004, 12:55 AM
ESB Boxed pics


(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/4-04/OTCesbdvd.jpg)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on June 1, 2004, 02:25 AM
Quote
ESB Boxed pics

>:( I give up.

Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jesse James on June 1, 2004, 04:27 AM
The box sure is purdy.

These sets interest me as much as toast does right now...  And I'm not particularly hungry.

EDIT:

Just for clarification, I may nab the ROTJ set if it's a fair price because the Emperor I actually never saw in stoores.  I'd take it for him and the stormie (only the stormie justifies buying it).

New figures would be cool...  Kitbashes I mean, not "new", but I guess the only thing there is they probably feel they're doing a serivce to collectors by straight reissuing things.  Of course, the OTC line's got a lot of not-so-straight-reissues in it...  repaints, touch-ups, some fixes...  

I think Hasbro looks at collectors and they refuse to acknowledge completists.  They assume you'll just not buy it.  

My completist ways are dying, seriously.  I'm to the point I simply don't have the room for piles of **** I don't want.  As it stands, I'm replacingn crappy POTF2 figures routinely with new better versions.  

I like that, don't get me wrong, but these multi-packs and things would leave me with doubles and triples of figures I already despise.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Brian on June 1, 2004, 09:56 AM
I don't mind these sets too much, especially if they were the only "re-releases" we were getting this year.  I might pick these up (depending on price/availability), even though I already have the figures.  I'll probably just leave them boxed up (rare for me).  I agree with what Scott mentioned earlier, I think many of us would be pretty happy if they just kitbashed together a few figures for us, replacing a re-release here and there.  Between the OTC, glass sets, TRU Box sets, and now the DVD sets, I think we have seen enough of figures like POTJ Ben, CTC Han, etc.  Like I said, if they would have limited the re-releasing to things like these promotional DVD sets, I wouldn't have minded much at all.  I probably would have even though they were neat, but since we're already bombarded with so much recarding and rereleasing, it makes it harder to stomach.  I am a loose collector, but really, really like the upcoming OTC cards and was thinking about buying many figures I already have, but I'm not so sure anymore.  Hasbro may have gone to the recarding well one too many times now :)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 1, 2004, 10:01 AM
Hey how about another kick in the groin...instead of the pretty cool Cloud City Chewie, we'll give you the slightly inferior Mechanic Chewie that's been rereleased ad naseum for a while now

Seriously...the decisions being made on this line right now is enough for me to say enough, I'm through with you idiots

BTW, got a sneak peak at Episode III Wave 1-3

Wave 1
Anakin Skywalker (Coruscant)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Coruscant)
Padme Amidala (Coruscant)
Chancellor Palpatine

Wave 2
Anakin Skywalker (Coruscant)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Coruscant)
Padme Amidala (Coruscant)
Chancellor Palpatine

Wave 3
Anakin Skywalker (Coruscant)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Coruscant)
Padme Amidala (Coruscant)
Chewbacca (Mechanic Recarded)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Brian on June 1, 2004, 10:04 AM
Agreed about the Chewie Scott, don't know why they couldn't stick in the Cloud City one which everyone pretty much seems to like the best (and we're already seeing Mechanic Chewie elsewhere anyways).
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 1, 2004, 10:14 AM
That's all of these sets...hell why not give Luke a Poncho, repaint OTC Spirit Ben, Repack MMC C-3PO and R2 w/ Holo Leia

The ESB one couldn't be much worse for what they chose for figures (sans the CLoud City Chewie thing)

ROTJ is fine too, I just am sick of seeing that Vader and they could just have easily put in Luke and Leia Endor and some Repainted Ewoks or something

It's asinine

(http://members.aol.com/jaredbrinkley/hasklink.jpg)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: speedermike on June 1, 2004, 10:19 AM
Man, this is a whiney thread...Guys, listen up...These Are Not For Us!  They are for new kids coming to Star Wars who have never, ever, ever bought a SW product before. Yes, people like that exist. Not everyone is like us.

Personally, I think these are nice sets.  Will I buy them?  No.  I'm a loose collector.  In fact, I think hasbro made a good decision to only include old figures.  We would all be totally p*ssed off if there was a new one in there with other old figs.

Anyway, I aslo see these as products that will see in non-toy specific retail places like Blockbuster or Suncoast, or even Best Buy.  They are sets that are made to be displayed along side the DVDs.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 1, 2004, 10:30 AM
I totally understand who these are aimed at, but my point has been all along, isn't that what the OTC is aimed at too.  Again why not just make the VOTC is larger numbers so everyone can have one and call it good, that way you can put out some of the most amazing figures in SW history in every little Johnny and Susies hands who wants one, keep your core purchasing group happy and keep moving product

This way they are taking a huge risk that there will be more new collectors based on DVD's being released!  How many new collectors did Shadows of the Empire or Clone Wars bring in.  I've been seeing the same Cartoon figures at Target for 4 months now, the Clone Wars regular figs were clearance before Christmas.  
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jeff on June 1, 2004, 11:23 AM
I agree about the OTC madness.

IF Hasbro's intent was to get figures into the hands of "new" collectors, then why not offer a VARIETY?  They are cranking out re-packs, which I know they need to do to cut cost, bring in new collectors, etc, but why THE SAME figures over and over?  Why not mix in some new/different figures/repacks?

If it truly is Hasbro's desire to bring in new "collectors", couldn't the same effect be achieved by presenting a brand new Luke, Obi-Wan, R2 and 3PO in a box?  Why, do we need to see re-packs in order to bring in new collectors?  If they are "new" to collecting, they don't know that they are missing these figures, do they?

A box set of a brand new Luke, Ben, R2, and 3PO would bring in new collectors AND many of the old ones too, right?

There is only ONE answer for re-using old figures - CHEAP.  Cash savings.  Easy money.  No development cost, only manufacturing cost.  CHEAP.  That's why we get re-packs instead of new figures.  All this "we want to bring in new collectors" crap is exactly that: crap.

If they truly want to sell these new collectors figures, then maybe they should offer those new collectors a VARIETY of figures to choose from?  It doesn't make sense to keep repacking the same ones?

If I were a new collector, introduced to the figures through the DVD sets, I'd automatically skip at least 6 of the 38 OTC figures (Vader, Chewie, R2, 3PO, Ben, Stormtrooper), because I'd already have them!  Wouldn't it have been in Hasbro's best interest not to repeat these repack figures?  Wouldn't they have sold more (cheap) repack figures if they had mixed up the variety a little?  

That is my biggest problem with the OTC repack madness.  Why re-use figures over and over when, with just a minimum of effort in re-painting existing molds, things could have been improved?

The Endor set could have been better with generic Ewoks, the OTC carded line could have been better with different Repack choices to avoid repeating any figure released in the last year and/or figures in box sets like the Target cup sets, the TRU multipacks, the DVD box sets, etc.

:(

Jeff
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 1, 2004, 11:41 AM
Also...this was supposed to be th rebirth of POTJ...great new figures of never before done characters.  And I have not one complaint about the first 6-7 months of 2004.  The rest so far is a waste of time when we could have been getting some of the long requested (Hermi Odle, Yarna, Hem Dazon, R5 resculpt, Padme Handmaiden) etc etc

I come back to time and time again, they had to have had OT characters and sculpts on the drawing board at the time the DVD's were announced.  Everything past the Bespin wave was PT related?  And if it was why not speed up some of those figures to get them out for the big release

Anyone notice how less and less they have interacted with the community since its heyday in 1999?  The "team" wasn't at Toy Fair, they don't seem to be responding to the websites and from the people I have talked to, they don't seem to be talking to anyone right now other than official announcements through their website

I look at the packaging and say it's neat but I also think these packs could have been the OTC and the OTC could have been:

Hem Dazon
Feltipern Trevagg
Bom Vimdin
Obi-Wan Spirit Repaint

Major Bren Derlin
Torryn Farr
Hobbie Klivian
General Veers

Hermi Odle
Yarna D'al Gargan
Klaatu (Jaaba's Palace)
Leia Boussh Resculpt

Anyone think these figures will for sure be coming in the next 3 years?  I see the whole OTC first and foremost as a wasted opportunity.

Jeff hammers home the point, they are losing so much money on the line right now that they are having to cut every corner to get to Episode III and the potential windfall that might exist.  That is until they overproduce and put out preposed action feature laden crap again and have to dump the overstock to try and turn a small profit if they can
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on June 2, 2004, 04:28 AM
[sarcasm]
I'd like to take this opportunity to remind Hasbro that SOTE Chewbacca Snoova Disguise can easily be repackaged as an Episode 3 Sneak Preview Wookiee Warrior.

I can't believe kids haven't had the chance to own a wookiee with a flattop since 1997. [sarcasm]

You guys nailed my feelings about the course of OTC perfectly. So, sorry in advance for my rant, as it probably has nothing new to offer:

Seriously, yes, I suppose we are sounding whiney, but I personally believe we’ve reached a point where we, collectively, have more practical experience with the SW toy marketplace than anyone at Hasbro does. We all understand that this line isn’t for us folks, it’s for a hypothetical new market coming to the trilogy for the first time. We all see the reason to do this.

Fine, repack figures, but be responsible about it. Weigh the impact on the line past the 3 month DVD sales window and be a tiny bit conservative in your expectations. How many times have they anticipated a giant resurgence of demand, only to be burned? The SE figures, like the ASP Droid? Episode 1? Saga ’02? Demand is fleeting. It always has been in the modern era. I totally agree with the idea that pushing the VOTC figures in greater scale would have been the way to go. There’s not enough demand for the amount of variants on the OT theme they are pushing.

Sure, they’ll sell to the completists like me for a little while, and the tiny market that the release of these TWENTY-FIVE year old movies generates. The rest is going to clog shelves, again. Don’t throw out 30+ recarded figures, and then repeat those figures through multiple exclusive outlets in different packaging, while at the same time offering new figures. And on and on we could go…

Everyone in here has suggested much better strategies that benefit both new and old collectors a hell of a lot more than what they’re doing. And this is without the benefit of knowing what’s coming down the pipeline months later.

I’m really pissed that what they’re doing this fall. I’d want every one of those figures OCB listed, and I’d happily take them on the OTC cards. We were headed down a great path at the start of ’04. I’m thoroughly convinced that the glut of rehashed product in the fall is going to completely jeopardize all that work. What a pisser.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: DoctorPadawan on June 2, 2004, 09:49 AM
The one phrase that keeps coming back to my mind these last few days is "those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it."  How this applies to this situation is that Hasbro has simply not learned from its mistakes.  They have done this endless recarding before, and it ended up very badly and killed any momentum the line had at that time with retailers.  Only Episode I, believe it or not, saved the SW line.  

What I'm referring to is the Freeze Frame line.  Very nice concept, but executed badly.  Yes, they released a wave of new figures on a regular basis, but mixed in with these new figures were a veritable truckload of older figures who hadn't been all that difficult to find in the first place, on new cards.  It had nothing to do with keeping popular characters out there for fans or newcomers; it had more to do with milking the completist carded collectors for all they were worth.  And it backfired.

Probably the best/worst shining example of this was the rerelease of a Collection 3 case with nothing but older figures.  Never mind the fact that they had just released the first Removable Helmet Vader in an earlier case assortment not more than a month earlier; they had to release a whole case of figures nobody had any trouble finding at all in their previous incarnations (Tarkin, TIE Pilot, Stormie), ignoring the previous wave with the RH Vader, and when it came time for the second wave of Collection 3 figures that were new, they were impossible to find (Ree Yees and DST).  All because of Hasbro's desire to cut corners and "maximize their profits."

The fact that they were releasing waves of figures with one new figure (usually packed at 2 per case) like the Ugnaughts or 8D8 wasn't helping either, because it was getting 2 new figures and 14 old figures on the shelf.  I don't think I need to explain which ones didn't sell.  It was also the FF line that necessitated the ridiculous clearance sales that fall (2 dollars a figure with those little stickers).  I have never seen a Wal*Mart so overrun with figures as I did that fall, and it was all the same figures.  Nothing new.

And then that winter, after a whole load of relative hype, Hasbro released the Expanded Universe line at the tail end of the FF series.  Was there anyone here who had an easy time finding any of these, particularly the Darktrooper and Spacetrooper?  Then the last wave (the Hoth Leia wave) wasn't even released to retail because after the clearance disaster, retailers pretty much told Hasbro "NO MORE."  They had to seek out alternative outlets because they had burned the retailers so badly with endless repacks.

This is all going to happen again.  Out of 38 regular carded figures, there are arguably 7 new figures, two repaints (Hoth Vader and Bespin Luke), and 29 repacks.  I don't care what Hasbro says: this line is NOT going to get new people to start buying figures because of the DVDs.  People are going to buy the DVDs and that is it.  Given the fact that the electronics section and the toy section are a good distance away from each other in most retailers, people are going to buy the DVDs and that's all, not even giving the toy section a second thought.  They're  basing their entire product offering (and a vast amount of their products themselves) on the assumption that new people will buy things, when in reality, this will be a very small portion of the buying population.  They should know this by now, but they obviously prefer to live in their ivory tower and develop new ways to package POTJ Obi-Wan and CTC Han than put money into developing toys that people actually want to buy.

Get ready folks, it's going to be 1998 all over again, if not worse.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 2, 2004, 10:12 AM
Wow didn't even think about that one Doc but you are pretty much spot on, with the only exception that these are supposedly HOF versions that might appeal a little bit better than 1000 Malikilis that were at Target for 4 months.  True there were some main characters in there as well

It is almost as baffling as it was then...I know that I scooped up bags full of FF's from Target for customizing, 20 R2's, 10 Ewok packs, ERG's etc

I think the same thing might be happening here :-X
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Muftak on June 2, 2004, 11:07 AM
At this point, I barely even care. I've seen enough special repacks to know I don't want 'em. I do give them some credit for finally reusing the beautifully sculpted Bespin Capture Han Solo, but I guess I take the credit immediately away by seeing they're trying to reuse last year's horribly botched Emperor.

As for OTC repeating the mistakes of the FreezeFrame year, I've been worried about that since I first saw the line-up.

I keep thinking hopefully Wal*Mart/Target/TRU will set up large sections for the figures again this fall (they'd almost have to, what with the vehicles.) I also keep hoping the figure space gets divided equally between the vOTC  and OTC figures. At least then we'll have a sporting chance to find the 15 or so hits among the 50 or so clunkers. If not, well, history tells me I can always wait till 2006 when these all float back out at a dollar each clearance.

In the end, do I buy the premise that more kids will be looking for the toys based on the DVDs? No, I think the only time that has panned out was the original 1995 figures coming out at the time of the "new" VHS versions, and then it only worked because no one had sold Star Wars toys for ten years prior.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 3, 2004, 09:44 AM
I just am in disbelief as to the attitude I've been seeing around the net...Oh Hasbro is selling these to kids, they are great sets for parents, I support rehashes etc etc etc

I just can't seem to fathom the logic...

#1 Why wouldn't both groups of buyers the casual and the hard core not want new figures...even if they are Main Character Resculpts or Variants????

#2 Why do people not see the idiocy of repacking the same figures 3-4 times in a year?

#3 Why doesn't it make sense to put out larger amounts of the VOTC if your goal is to have the Main characters out there

Its just maddening to me to no end and I've been accused of whining and being elitist but damn it, this would have been one of the last best chances to get some obscure OT goodness.  I don't think some of that stuff is ever going to happen because when Hasbro comes out with Hermi Odle and Yarna in 2007 Toy Fair, retail is going to say...huh? Where's Luke ::)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 3, 2004, 10:42 AM
The Cargo Bay lists a July 21 release date, how are these going to be sold with the DVD?

http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/browse/536
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jeff on June 3, 2004, 10:58 AM
Cargo Bay also says they are Wal-Mart exclusives...

Huh?
Strange...

Jeff
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 3, 2004, 01:19 PM
So Wally World thought New Exclusive figures like the Resculpted Evazan and new Kitik weren't worth the effort but these PoS were worth it?  Didn't they just clearace a truckload of Cantina Sets that were full of repacks
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Snively Bandar on June 3, 2004, 02:23 PM
More and more rehashes.  I suppose if these come free (or cheap) with the new DVDs coming out, I'll pick them up.  If not, not a chance in hell I'm buying them.  Just another silly marketing gimmick by the folks at Hasbro.  I agree with the comments above, just stick some NEW figures in there (like the VOTC ones) and that would change my mind real quick!
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Morgbug on June 3, 2004, 02:23 PM
So Wally World thought New Exclusive figures like the Resculpted Evazan and new Kitik weren't worth the effort but these PoS were worth it?  Didn't they just clearace a truckload of Cantina Sets that were full of repacks
$2 each here in Canuckada.  But I don't think Wally actually thinks.  I suspect a computer does it all.  It doesn't view these as figures, rather as pack ins.  Walmart: figures = clearance; movies = sales.  
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 3, 2004, 02:34 PM
They are also shipping 6-8 weeks before the movies will even be IN stores.  Their buying power is pretty scary, they alone can force toy lines to end...one purchasing agent might come in and say, meh, don't like that anymore and bye bye Toy Line
Title: DVD Commerative Figures Could be a lot Better
Post by: CHEWIE on June 3, 2004, 03:51 PM
What are everyone's thoughts on these:

ANH - Luke, Ben, R2D2, 3PO

ESB - Chewie, Leia, Han

ROTJ - Emperor, Stormtrooper, Vader



In my opinion, this is a little bit crazy.  Most of these figures are already too plentiful as it is.  I would think that some people might want them for the pure collectable factor or they might make nice gifts for someone who doesn't usually buy the figures.  But how much will these cost?

Also, I'm not too sure why some of these figures are included, most notably the R2D2; this looks to me like the version that came out back in 1995.  Why not finally repack the POTF2 CT version w/ the holo Leia?  Or instead of having 3PO in this set, throw in the CT Leia?

As for the ESB set, I think the POTJ Bespin Han is a great choice, but they should have used the SAGA Chewie and replaced the Leia w/ a repainted R3PO painted to be C3PO.

The ROTJ set is cool, especially since the Emperor was pretty hard for a lot of people to get.  We can always use a new Stormtrooper, but I think we should have gotten perhaps the CT Vader repainted some on the chestplate.  This to me will be the hottest of the three sets.

Thoughts?  Who wants these?  Do you plan on opening them if you buy them?  Will they sell well?  Would you have rather seen all new figures with these?  Or should they have not made these at all?


EDIT - Sorry this topic has already been brought up.  I had my head up my ass.


 :P  
Title: Re: DVD Commerative Figures Could be a lot Better
Post by: Scott on June 3, 2004, 03:54 PM
No prob...I'll just merge them :-*
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: CHEWIE on June 3, 2004, 04:01 PM
Thanks.  :-[
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on June 3, 2004, 06:14 PM
Looks like I'll might have to consider trading for these if they are indeed Walmart packs. I don't have a WM anywhere near me enough to make regular checks for this.

I love you Hasbro.  :-* I love you Walmart.  :-*
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: DoctorPadawan on June 4, 2004, 11:07 AM
Well, I guess the only logical idea about these (the one that said they would be sold to non-toy focused retailers like Suncoast or Best Buy to sell alongside the DVDs) has now been blown out of the water.  How fitting that they are exclusive to Wal*Mart, who has done more to destroy the American shopping economy than any other department store in the history of civilization.  

Nice job, Hasbro.  By that I mean "nice job helping to totally destroy retail interest in the Star Wars line."  I really hope that they don't release any new figures after the 38 OTC figures before the Episode III line hits, because it's going to be near impossible to find any of them with the glut of OTC hanging around on the pegs.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on June 23, 2004, 03:45 PM
Sigh

(http://www.hasbro.com/starwars/images/news/dvd_3pack_1.jpg)
Indeed they are Wally World exclusives ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jeff on June 23, 2004, 03:47 PM
Hasbro Officially Announces the DVD Commemorative Sets:
http://hasbro.com/starwars/pl/page.headlines/id.1062/dn/default.cfm

(http://hasbro.com/starwars/images/news/dvd_3pack_1.jpg)

"Celebrate the legendary Star Wars trilogy that changed the universe forever, with The Original Trilogy Collection figure 3-packs – available exclusively at Wal-Mart this Fall! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. The finest recreations of iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are back with incredible detail to commemorate each epic tale in the classic trilogy: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. DVD not included."

NOTE that last part:  DVD not included.

 >:(

What a waste.

Jeff
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on June 23, 2004, 04:50 PM
I'm curious if these sets were more a result of Walmart pushing for them than Hasbro randomly turning out yet another rehash exclusive to pony to retailers.

It just seems like something that is so plainly targeted at the mass-market Walmart DVD buyer, with core characters and matching packaging, that it's almost too intentional to be something Hasbro just "whipped up" and shopped around to retailers. It feels like something Walmart came to them for, or had direct input in.

These are so not for collectors, and so for J6P, that Hasbro couldn't have done it on their own.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Morgbug on June 23, 2004, 05:14 PM
Hah, Colman is so screwed here.  No DVDs included?  Nice touch, just three rehash figures including the oh-so crappy emperor.  Guess poor Matty will be buying these, but at least not in duplicates.  

So then the OTC stuff that's coming out isn't sufficient as promotional material, what with all the rehashed basic characters in there.  Now you can buy them, yet again?  Whoo doggies, weird thought process going on there.  

If I decide I want these for the packaging down the road, I'll get them on clearance or off ebay when everyone comes to the stunning realization they are a pile of steaming dung.  I don't know about US Walmarts, but these will probably run $25-30 Cdn as we never see a reduction in price with multipacks.  I forsee $10 clearance sales, but MIMP may be tough to come by.  The only one that should sell is that version, with Luke and Vader.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: DSJ™ on July 19, 2004, 12:44 PM
STAR WARS DVD SET FIGURE (DVD NOT INCLUDED) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2476&item=5910612644&rd=1)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on July 19, 2004, 02:11 PM
Thanks for the news there. Interesting that all 3 seem to be coming at once and not a staggered release. That's not so bad. Not that I'm dying to pace the Walmart aisles for any exclusive, but that makes life a little easier.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jesse James on July 19, 2004, 02:54 PM
I'm actually going to pick up the ROTJ set should I see it, as I never got the Emperor from Saga.  Want him for my Emperor's Wrath "chuck em down a hole" Emperor figure.  Stormtrooper's always are nice too.

Still, these are just another in a long line of suckable things to be rehashed throughout this year.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on August 24, 2004, 10:52 PM
Don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but Yakface has some pics from Walmart, and it shows the DVD display also has spaces (already stocked)  for the 3-packs:

Yakfaces's Walmart shots (http://www.yakface.com/2004product/walmart/walmart.shtml)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: jadesfire on August 25, 2004, 06:33 PM
I have NEVER heard or seen anything about that display.  Is this for all Walmarts??  OMG, if it is...the people at my local Walmart are gonna REALLY think I am an annoying pest  ;).

Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Ben on August 25, 2004, 09:57 PM
Now, fanboys across the nation are going to hit up Wal-Mart managers asking how much for the X-Wing replica (if they show up like I'm hoping.)

*calls managers at local WMs*
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Muftak on September 14, 2004, 03:12 PM
Word on the street (http://www.rebelscum.com/article.asp?i=59288) is that these sets are gonna be ten bucks or so...that casts them in a different light in my eyes.

Now I'm thinking I might pick up the TESB and ROTJ sets after all.

Does the price of these affect anyone else's view of them?
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Brian on September 14, 2004, 03:21 PM
I'm kind of undecided on these sets.  Like many of you, I do have all of these figures already....but part of me thinks I might end up picking them up.  I'm not usually one to care about packaging, since I'm an opener, but it might be a nice, "something different" part to the collection.  I think I will pick up the ESB set for sure, because of the characters, but I'm not sure about the others.  I heard a $9.96 pricepoint for these too, which...while they are repacks...isn't so bad when you think about it.  3 to 4 figures for $10.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jesse James on September 14, 2004, 07:40 PM
I want the ROTJ set because I never got that Emperor, and I like the Stormtrooper...

Seems cool enough to me in that regard.  Beyond that though, they're just "eh".  more repacks nobody wants.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Diddly on September 14, 2004, 07:46 PM
$10? Sweet. I'll get the ROTJ set, and possibly the ESB one.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Darby on September 15, 2004, 12:12 AM
For $10, I may get the ROTJ one, since I never got the Emperor, and the packaging is kinda cool.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on September 21, 2004, 01:02 PM
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=173005&path=0%3A4171%3A173005

They are for sale, if you want them
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on September 21, 2004, 03:09 PM
Grabbed mine this morning. Scratch one store exclusive off the list. They're on the big, square DVD palettes. They also seem a lot bigger in person for some reason.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on September 21, 2004, 03:13 PM
That is if your Wal-Mart even has a Pallatte display...I swear my local one has had their head up their ass since Episode I toys first came out...one freaking OTC C-3PO on the pegs...great work
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: SilverZ on September 21, 2004, 03:22 PM
If it didn't have DVDs on it, I'd fully expect to never see the figures.

I was frankly shocked to see that only 1 in the 6 Walmarts I hit this morning made even the vaguest attempt to cross-promote the toys with the DVD release. The one winner store put the DVD/figure palette in the front by registers with a Lego palette, a big rack of OTC figures, and a bin full of carry cases. The rest looked like it was any other lame day in the life of their store that carries nothing I need. A suckfest.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Brian on September 21, 2004, 03:25 PM
The Wal-Mart I visited this morning was much the same.  They had two of the floor displays (one by each entrance).  One was full of DVDs, and that was it, and the other had all DVDs and one side with a few of the sets.  I picked up the ESB set only for now, and that actually seemed to be the one that was most scarce at this particular Wal-Mart.  The action figure section was the same as it has been lately.  VOTC Han, Leia, and Ben...numbers finally starting to dwindle somewhat...and some OTC figures (mostly Dagobah wave and a few repacks).  Also plenty of the 12" figures from what I could see, these don't seem to be moving too quick here.  I still haven't seen the carry cases at either Wal-Mart, and am starting to wonder if we're going to.  Oh...yeah, I thought these DVD sets were much bigger in person too.  They seem pretty wide.  Packaging is kind of neat though, for a one time dealy.  I got a kick out of the "DVD Not Included" sticker on them  :P
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Darthshader on September 21, 2004, 05:24 PM
I went midnite shopping last night, grabbed a set of 3. These went really quick, saw lots of other midnight shoppers. The empty spaces left from the figure sets had been filled in with DVD sets by this morning. Most WM's did not have a clue about the stickers that were being given away.

Also stopped by SunCoast to purchase the DVD set and get the litho. I was told they did not have any, even though I was there when they opened. >:(

No new figures in my area, what a waste of time hunting today! >:(
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: jokabofe on September 21, 2004, 05:29 PM
I hit up one Wal*Mart this morning during my rounds. They had one pallette of these figures and DVD sets, and that was it. They also had mostly ANH and ESB sets - I had to actually dig to the back of a few rows to find the ROTJ set. I ended up buying all 3, for $10 they are actually pretty nice. If only they could make the screen scenes in boxes like this.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jesse James on September 21, 2004, 05:49 PM
I only need a ROTJ set myself.  Never got the Emperor and I can justify the set by the STormtrooper in it.   :-\
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Snively Bandar on September 21, 2004, 11:19 PM
My local Walmarts didn't have any of these, nor did they even know what the heck they were when I asked them about it.  That sucks.  At least they put out about 10 OTC figures, for the first time ever.   ::)
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Ben on September 21, 2004, 11:44 PM
I went to exactly one Wal-Mart today, and it had all three sets.

Of course, they had exactly two OTC figures, Cantina Han and X-Wing Luke, and assloads of the first four VOTC.

I haven't seen the carry cases in a while, but they probably moved them to an area I don't frequent.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jesse James on September 21, 2004, 11:50 PM
Got my DVD's tonight and not a single 3-pack to be found.  DUnno what their deal is, but this WM had 0.

I hope I'm not gonna have to fight to get a ROTJ set.  I just want one, that's it, and only because I never got the saga Emperor which sucks as it is, but will make a neat figure to toss on my EW Vader and I can take the old Flashback Palpy off.
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2004, 09:36 AM
Just curious, but is anyone seeing these DVD packs in the stores anymore?  I saw all 3 on the big day (Sept 21st), and picked up the ESB one, and considered maybe getting the others down the road (but don't know if I really want them that badly or not).  Anyways, at least at the Wal-Marts here in town, they are nowhere to be found, and seemed to sell quite well.  I was just curious if others were seeing this or not.  I suppose having them displayed right next to the DVDs, as well as the good price (3/4 figures for $10), might have attracted casual buyers.  As much as I like the VOTC line, its funny to think that with the ANH set, you could get Luke, Ben, 3PO and R2 for the same price that you could get any one of them individually in the VOTC.  Granted, the figures are better.  Anyways, have these disappeared in your areas as well?
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Jeff on September 29, 2004, 09:49 AM
Hmmm...

I never saw them, but that may be because I haven't been to a Wal-Mart since Sep 10th.

I'm not a very big fan of Wal-Mart, and since there are 5 Targets that are closer to me than Wal-Mart, well, I never go there.   :-\

The only time I go to Wal-Mart is to try to find something NEW, and those DVD sets, while being a good price, are just not "new" enough for me IMHO.  In this era of "ship 90 figures plus vehicles a year", I just can't afford to get excited over repacks like these sets.  Of course, if they had put 1 new figure in each box, I'm sure I'd have tracked them down :(

I guess when it comes down to it, I have to force myself to look beyond the shiny new package and save the old pennies for NEW stuff (like vOTC).

Jeff
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Scott on September 29, 2004, 09:52 AM
My local Wal Mart still has buttloads of these on the shelf :-\
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Morgbug on September 29, 2004, 09:54 AM
They are still up here Brian.  Of course they suck a bit more than the US versions.  Having to be trilingual means they made one generic box (which looks identical to the US box) but rather than having the names properly printed on the packaging, they slapped cruddy stickers on the box with the names of the characters as a cost saving measure.  This rather than printing up three different trilingual boxes >:(

The reason though that they are still easily found is that they have been marketed so poorly.  Unlike your description, they are well hidden in the toy section.  Not near the DVDs, makes too much sense for that.  Rather they are variously spread out through the toy sections, on end caps, risers, near the bikes ???  It's just plain wacky.  
Title: Re: OTC DVD Sets
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2004, 09:54 AM
I know what you mean Jeff, as we generally dread going to Wal-Mart.  It just seems that no matter how many you have in your town, they are still pretty much packed 24/7.  I end up getting pretty angry/frustrated each time we go there, because it takes us twice as long as it needs to due to people standing/being in the way, along with the crowds.  We're big fans of Target, and honestly if we had a "Super" one in town, I doubt we'd ever go to Wal-Mart (unless they had some sort of Star Wars exclusive or something).  Sometimes the prices are quite nice, but at the same time, the headache of the trip almost doesn't make it worth it.

Anyways, back to topic, I know what you mean about the rehashes.  At one point earlier this year I was considering collecting the whole OTC line, just for the cards (even though I'm a loose collector).  I am quite happy now that I did not.  I can barely keep up with all the stuff the way it is, financially and "hunting" wise.  Its always nice to get lots of stuff in a year (particularly new stuff), but sometimes it is tough to keep up.  It is kind of nice right now, just looking for a few things (Slave I, ROTJ VOTC, and a few OTC figures that I missed the first time).  Not quite as stressful :).