JediDefender.com Forums
Collectibles => The Vintage Collection => Topic started by: JediShawn on January 20, 2008, 02:09 PM
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I am just curious, would you be angry if Hasbro decided to make the main Clone Wars 3D line in an Animated style as opposed to realistic, movie style figures that we saw last year (Yoda with Kybuck, Tattooed Anakin)? I really hope this line is in a realistic style, but I have a feeling this will not be the case. Just look at Anakin's Jedi Starfighter from Lego. Anakin has a "cartoony" face. Perhaps Lucasfilm requested that their major licensees make their Clone Wars 3D products in an Animated style? I certainly hope not.
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Hasbro has stated in past Q&A that the Clone Wars figures will be done in a style that is in keeping with the rest of the 3.75" figure line.
They are not looking to do "Animated Style" figures any time soon (according to the answer I remember reading).
The Animated Figures that sold at Target sold through but if I recall correctly, only because of deep clearancing from Target. Sure the Clones always sold and the WalMart 3-pack sets were barely in stock for the DVD releases, but I would say any speed of sell-through on anything done in the animated style was purely due to a lower manufacturing quantity on each item.
I think Hasbro acknowledges that the best bet for any action figure item is to keep it compatible with the 3.75" platform/system. They have tried other sizes and styles and they always ended up as failures.
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Hasbro has stated in past Q&A that the Clone Wars figures will be done in a style that is in keeping with the rest of the 3.75" figure line.
They are not looking to do "Animated Style" figures any time soon (according to the answer I remember reading).
The Animated Figures that sold at Target sold through but if I recall correctly, only because of deep clearancing from Target. Sure the Clones always sold and the WalMart 3-pack sets were barely in stock for the DVD releases, but I would say any speed of sell-through on anything done in the animated style was purely due to a lower manufacturing quantity on each item.
I think Hasbro acknowledges that the best bet for any action figure item is to keep it compatible with the 3.75" platform/system. They have tried other sizes and styles and they always ended up as failures.
I'm okay with an animated style, but would definitely prefer a more realistic look to the CW figs. As for the CW Cartoon animated figs, these sold thru really really well from what I remember. The troopers were gone instantly, even the basic white ones. I do think I saw 1-2 figs on clearance at some point, but literally just 1-2 of them, which is less than what we've seen with every other line of SW figure.
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I guess in terms of clearance it all depends on the area. Here in South New Jersey, I recall seeing Ventress, Dooku, Yoda, Mace, Obi-Wan and Anakin all with those little red Target clearance stickers.
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I wouldn't be mad at all, but I wouldn't buy them either. But it is a moot point to expect them, Pete said everything there is to say on the subject.
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I wouldn't be TOO upset, and I'm not gonna worry because I doubt it's gonna happen.
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What do you guys think of these two Q and A's?
Any chance we will see the first Clone Wars figures at Toy Fair, or even sooner? (JTA, 08/17/07)
Right now, Toy Fair is the most likely time for the first peak at what they will look like.
Can you tell us when toys based on the new Clone Wars animated series are due out? (JI, 12/07/07)
They will be out for Fall 2008. The exact on-shelf date is still being worked out, but detailed information and images of the figure direction will be revealed in February at Toy Fair.
Personally, I think those answers sound a little suspicious to me. I'm just saying that just because Hasbro has said "No more Animated style figures!" does not mean they are telling the truth.
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I agree... Something is "up" with the line, and it may not be good. The line didn't really need a "direction" to go in, but they're seemingly aiming for something different than we're seeing now. Or at least that's the distinct impression I'm getting.
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I donno. I still haven't read about any details Lucasfilm made for distribution of the series. That could also be reeking havoc at Hasbro.
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I'd be downright pissed if the Clone Wars figures were in the animated style.
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I would be as well, Chewie, and I think most collectors would to be honest. I think a subline of animated style Clone Wars figures would be fine, but to have a line of around fifty figures that are in an animated style would not be a good idea.
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I'd be downright pissed if the Clone Wars figures were in the animated style.
I wouldn't care about the figs as much as I would the AT-TE and other vehicles-Homing Spider Droid, V-19, Snail Tank, etc. I'd be VERY pissed if they were done in an animated style. Those would be very huge nails in the coffin for me to quit collecting SW. At the least I'd get a big break from buying stuff until Hasbro came back to the realistic style.
Gawd, what if they decided to go COMPLETELY to an animated style???
I'd friggin' quit in a heartbeat. I have NO need to "re"collect all the characters again. I'm not collecting the middle sized GG busts because I don't want to collect the same characters again as busts in a different size than the larger ones. I won't do that for figures either.
-Sal
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Oh yeah, if the entire line went anime, I'd stop buying new figures immediately.
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Oh yeah, if the entire line went anime, I'd stop buying new figures immediately.
This would never happen. 8)
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If they made animated style figures, I know it would certainly be hard for me to stop. I think about how I passed on opportunities to get the Droids and Ewoks animated cartoon figures and now I look back and I'm kinda upset with myself for not getting them back in the 80s.
So if the Clone Wars series produced animated style figures, would I pass on them now, only to regret it 20 years from now? It's a question that only I can answer of course.
Perhaps I wouldn't get any to open - that's what I did with the previous Animated Clone Wars series, only got one of each to have a complete MOC/MIB set. Perhaps I would do the same thing with these.
I think Hasbro KNOWS that an animated style line would/could be disastrous for the line and for sales. There would definitely be a lot of collectors who would be angered/upset by such a move.
I look at it this way too - if you want to do five or six new clones and a handful of Jedi - why would you choose the more expensive/less profit/more difficult route? Let's analyze the situation:
Realistic Style Figures
Pros: Fits with the 3.75" platform, collectors will continue to collect the line, kids already are buying up the figures, these would add to their current play patterns/collections, some of the new figures could be created using parts from previously released figures saving development costs, any vehicles that have been previously issued in the 3.75" line that are featured in the cartoon can be repainted and re-released to the benefit of no additional tooling costs.
Cons: Characters don't "look" exactly like they did in the cartoon.
Animated Style Figures
Pros: Characters look as they do in the cartoon, kid-friendly designs
Cons: Figures do not fit with the existing 3.75" platform, collectors could choose the make the design style a deciding factor on whether or not to buy into the line, all figures have to be developed using 100% new toolings, figures could not be created using existing tooling until an adequate library of parts had been developed, existing vehicles that might be featured in the cartoon need to be completely made from scratch.
That's all I can think of right now, if anyone wants to add or subtract my points, feel free to do so to further the discussion. I just can't imagine a manager at Hasbro going with the second option in light of how many "cons" that are so blatantly obvious when compared to doing realistic styled figures.
One more point of evidence that leads me to believe that the figures will be realistically styled: the glimpse of the AT-TE we got looks pretty spot-on in terms of the vehicle. Sure it might be slightly smaller than it should be, but it looks as good (if not better) than the current AT-AT we have. If they were doing the cartoon style, I don't think it would have all of the detail that appears to be present on the toy.
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If things went the way of the animated style, I'm out... It's, essentially, a new toy line at that point, and I'd take the opportunity to basically step away without regret. If it's just Clone Wars that's "animated" in its sculpting, I'll simply pass on it...
I'll also be disappointed greatly by the choice to go that route, but I'll save a ton of money not buying it... Goes for vehicles and the like. Either realistic or nothing, that's my philosophy on it anyway. I didn't have much of a problem passing on the animated figures from the first series, and honestly I guess I just don't have the nostalgia for Droids/Ewoks others do.
I guess the end result is that either I'm disappointed that there's no good CW stuff I want or will collect, or I'm disappoitned at what an outrageously expensive year 2008 is. :)
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I kind of like the idea of having the figures styled in the way the first appeared. If the new Clone Wars line was done in that style I'd be happy with it, as long as they didn't re-release them in the future in the realistic style.
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I kind of like the idea of having the figures styled in the way the first appeared. If the new Clone Wars line was done in that style I'd be happy with it, as long as they didn't re-release them in the future in the realistic style.
The problem is that is exactly what Hasbro has done (and continues to do if the Wave 3 list appears to be true).
Durge, Ventress, Dooku, Cody, Grievous, Nelvaan Anakin, Yavin Battle Anakin, Red Arc Trooper Commander - all of those characters have a realistic version and an animated version. Not to mention the fact that the Yoda we got in the animated line was translated into a realistic figure WITH the Kybuck just last year and we've continued to get figures in the realistic styled line that we never saw in the animated line: Obi-Wan w/Clone Armor (hopefully getting an improvement soon), Foul Moudamma, Roron Corrob, Voolvif Monn, Arc Heavy Gunner...
Like I said in my post below - having the new line also realistically styled allows Hasbro to re-use toolings that they already have.
I guess I should had to one of those "pros" for realistic styling that we won't be subjected to animated versions in 2008 and then in 2011 realistic versions due to the fact that the Clone Wars animated style figure line crashed and burned.
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I kind of like the idea of having the figures styled in the way the first appeared. If the new Clone Wars line was done in that style I'd be happy with it, as long as they didn't re-release them in the future in the realistic style.
Are you saying that you would have preferred these figures only being animated style instead of what we have?
(http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/tac/58/lf5sm.jpg) (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/tac/32/lf21sm.jpg) (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/tac/31/lf4sm.jpg) (http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/tsc/029/lf2sm.jpg)
I think in a way on the TAC ones at least, Hasbro has kind of put an animated flair into them with the eyes...
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Add the Hawkbat Battalion Clone to the mix, too because that's a Clone Wars figure as well. I think that all of these Clone Wars figures are a likely indication that we're getting real-world style figures, and not something stylized.
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I kind of like the idea of having the figures styled in the way the first appeared. If the new Clone Wars line was done in that style I'd be happy with it, as long as they didn't re-release them in the future in the realistic style.
Are you saying that you would have preferred these figures only being animated style instead of what we have?
http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/tac/58/lf5sm.jpg
http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/tac/32/lf21sm.jpg
http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/tac/31/lf4sm.jpg
http://www.yakface.com/TGuide2004/ActionFigures/tsc/029/lf2sm.jpg
I think in a way on the TAC ones at least, Hasbro has kind of put an animated flair into them with the eyes...
No, I'm saying that for the new Clone Wars figure line, I wouldn't mind having it stand apart from the other basic figures in the TAC08 line by being sculpted in the animated style. The upcoming "cartoon" character designs have a unique look that (for me) will be lost in the translation to the "realistic" style sculpt.
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I see what you mean, but I think that the line would bomb pretty bad if it were in the animated style... there are some people that like it, but as a whole it doesn't fit into what most of us see as Star Wars figures. They would be doomed for the clearance section... not that I don't think it might be nice to see some sort of subline offered online, but I don't think there's a big enough niche for Hasbro to try it again at retail. Just my opinion, and it could be wrong.
And oh yeah, the Hawkbat clone should be considered too. Good catch Nicklab.
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I see what you mean, but I think that the line would bomb pretty bad if it were in the animated style... there are some people that like it, but as a whole it doesn't fit into what most of us see as Star Wars figures. They would be doomed for the clearance section... not that I don't think it might be nice to see some sort of subline offered online, but I don't think there's a big enough niche for Hasbro to try it again at retail. Just my opinion, and it could be wrong.
And oh yeah, the Hawkbat clone should be considered too. Good catch Nicklab.
and shirtless Ani...and the grevious battle pack...
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I think they will be realistic. But it is odd that if wave 3 is true that's quite a few main figures from Clone Wars in that wave - Kenobi, Tiin, clones, etc. I thought they would have saved those for Fall. I guess they can always repack them or make something new. Kenobi in that armor will probably get repacked 5 times at least. But it almost makes me afraid they may be pushing a last wave in realistic style? We'll see of course.
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Yeah, from past indications of sales and Hasbro's comments, I would really think they would be realistic style as well - but some things are starting to make me wonder. Like it was mentioned earlier, Hasbro's cryptic responses lately, plus the fact that "animated" seems to be sort of popular right now (a point made in this week's GH Q and Ai I believe). Looking at the action figure lines, we have The Batman, Justice League Unlimited, the new Pirates line, upcoming Transformers Animated, upcoming Spider-Man animated, Ben 10, etc. - not to mention the maquette stuff that has gone on and the other "cartoony" stuff like Mighty Muggz, Galactic Heroes/SHS, and even things like the 25th Joe line that have a bit of a cartoon influence in a way. Not that I hate the animated style at all, but as far as a "big" line, I'd just as soon they fit in with the other realistic stuff we've gotten from the movies. It will be interesting to see, we should know in a few weeks I guess.
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I just can't justify buying these characters AGAIN, just because they are in a new style. Cool as they might be.
I know I'll be itchin' to buy the clones, too, but I've got to pull back somewhere.
If the Clone Wars line later this year is animated, I'm going to pass.
I REALLY hope they don't go the animated route with the vehicles either.
I DEMAND a realistic AT-TE. I've said so with my dollars over the years as have many others. This is a MOVIE vehicle FIRST!
(sorry for the rant, it's just the talk of animated style is really starting to bother me.)
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I just can't justify buying these characters AGAIN, just because they are in a new style. Cool as they might be.
I know I'll be itchin' to buy the clones, too, but I've got to pull back somewhere.
If the Clone Wars line later this year is animated, I'm going to pass.
I REALLY hope they don't go the animated route with the vehicles either.
I DEMAND a realistic AT-TE. I've said so with my dollars over the years as have many others. This is a MOVIE vehicle FIRST!
(sorry for the rant, it's just the talk of animated style is really starting to bother me.)
well based on the pictures of the AT-TE we have seen it doesnt look to be animated...
didnt hasbro say in the QnA that the "action features" would be very different this year. maybe by that they mean animated...but thats just a guess.
In the end though i too kinda hope not all the figures are animated. i like the realistic type figures and i dont need a different type mixed in with them.
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That's the thing though, I think - at least from what we've seen in the Clone Wars Animated trailer - that the vehicles could probably be used either way. They are realistic enough in the animation that they could just make them in realistic style and it could still pass for a "Clone Wars Animated" vehicle. I'm more concerned about the figures' style changing than the vehicles, but we'll see. If they were doing vehicles in the other "2D" way (like the previous Clone Wars), the difference is more noticeable.
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I like how we refer to certain SW toys as "realistic." ;D Not sure what else you could call them, but that just strikes me as funny.
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(sorry for the rant, it's just the talk of animated style is really starting to bother me.)
No need to apologize Sal - I feel the same way.
I am going to be one VERY unhappy camper come February 17th if the Clone Wars figures turn out to be done in any style OTHER than the current 3.75" 'realistic' style.
I like how we refer to certain SW toys as "realistic." ;D Not sure what else you could call them, but that just strikes me as funny.
Yeah - it is funny, I guess what we're saying is that we'd rather have something like this:
(http://www.rebelscum.com/clonewars/sw0346cwdurgeloose.jpg)
than this:
(http://www.rebelscum.com/clonewars/sw04cncwdurgeloose.jpg)
I look at the bottom image and all I can think to myself is "my god, that design SUCKS, there's not one redeeming quality to that design from the stubby legs to the bulbous chest to the pea-sized head" - it's not really even aesthetically pleasing.
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I don't think if the new CW figs are done animated that they will be done in the previous style. They'd follow the CG animated style of the new cartoon. While as a cartoon they look neat, I DON'T want them as figures. Or rather I should say I don't NEED them as figures. We've already got them as realistic style. I'd just want new characters from that series done in a realistic style.
What I can see happening is that Hasbro WILL do them as the animated style figs, then later come out with them as realistic. Or at least those never done before as realistic.
Again, I'm just hoping the whole line doesn't transition over to an animated style permanently. That would be the end of my collecting figures. As I mentioned before if they go the route of animated style for the new cartoon figs, I'll at least take a break from collecting new SW figs. (I can concentrate on filling holes for stuff I need for dioramas, or collecting Halo stuff etc.)
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Doesn't look like we'll be needing to worry about it being Animated this year... new pics have surfaced of Wave 3.
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...than this:
(http://www.rebelscum.com/clonewars/sw04cncwdurgeloose.jpg)
I look at the bottom image and all I can think to myself is "my god, that design SUCKS, there's not one redeeming quality to that design from the stubby legs to the bulbous chest to the pea-sized head" - it's not really even aesthetically pleasing.
But for the subline, it was accurate...
(http://www.mostwantedcollectibles.com/images/star_wars/AA_CWDurgeKey.jpg)
Alas, the point is moot.
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Doesn't look like we'll be needing to worry about it being Animated this year... new pics have surfaced of Wave 3.
I wish that was confirmation enough, but it doesnt mean wave 3 is part of the Clone Wars line. That may not be part of the subline. There is still a chance they will be in a different style .
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Doesn't look like we'll be needing to worry about it being Animated this year... new pics have surfaced of Wave 3.
I wish that was confirmation enough, but it doesnt mean wave 3 is part of the Clone Wars line. That may not be part of the subline. There is still a chance they will be in a different style .
My thoughts exactly.
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Let's take bets. Loser buys someone an AT-TE. ;D
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it doesnt mean wave 3 is part of the Clone Wars line. That may not be part of the subline.
Just to be clear, "Wave 3" is supposed to be part of the 2008 basic figure line (Mar/April), and NOT part of the "new" Clone Wars sub-line (Fall). It is sort of Hasbro's last chance to go back and grab some of the designs from the old cartoon before jumping into the new cartoon.
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Let's take bets. Loser buys someone an AT-TE. ;D
Oh hells no, I'm not taking that bet....Friendly bet ok, but I'm buying the AT-TE for me. I won't have that kind of scratch to drop were I to lose a bet.
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Let's take bets. Loser buys someone an AT-TE. ;D
Oh hells no, I'm not taking that bet....Friendly bet ok, but I'm buying the AT-TE for me. I won't have that kind of scratch to drop were I to lose a bet.
Lol, I won't bet for one reason - I always lose bets.
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Just to be clear, "Wave 3" is supposed to be part of the 2008 basic figure line (Mar/April), and NOT part of the "new" Clone Wars sub-line (Fall). It is sort of Hasbro's last chance to go back and grab some of the designs from the old cartoon before jumping into the new cartoon.
What I'm thinking/worried about is that this wave 3 line, and it's a great line-up of figures from CW that really seems like a wishlist almost, could be Hasbro's way of wrapping up a ton of CW figures people want, and then unveiling the animated style line (if that's what we're getting) for the new cartoon. I hope that's not the case, but man this wave just smacks of "get everything people want out the most now, and focus on a new style later" kind of a thing.
I'm a pessimist though so that's just me... Like I've said, if it's an animated style sculpting, I'll save a lot of money... I'll be disappointed though as I was looking forward to new figures from the line, and just like them fitting in with the rest of my collection. One hand I save money, the other hand I can't justify buying a new line I was looking forward to...
The new wave 3 stuff looks outstanding though. To me it all captures the elements from the animattion very well, but gives us the realistic sculpting that puts these figures right alongside the basic line. That's what I prefer so it's all one line since it's all one story.
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I think that since the AT-TE is coming out and appears to be anything but animated, that's enough proof that the Clone Wars line will be in movie style.
Plus, Hasbro's seen a lot of popularity with the few Clone Wars figures they have made in TAC. They were movie style and have sold fast... I think it would take a complete moron at Hasbro to launch the line in the anime style... I really don't see it happening.
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I'm not really sure hwy this discussion exists...Hasn't Hasbro said, over and over, that the TV show CW figures will match the current ine?
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I'm not really sure hwy this discussion exists...Hasn't Hasbro said, over and over, that the TV show CW figures will match the current ine?
Yes they have... I think that some people just like to worry about things. ;)
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Yes they have... I think that some people just like to worry about things. ;)
Yeah, so?
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The discussion exists because a "rumor" is circulating about it from someone first, but second because Hasbro's left implications that the line's "taking a new direction" for the Clone Wars line... They've said realistic for the past CW cartoon figures... That, to me, doesn't apply to a whole new multi-media blitz from Lucasfilm. Sorry, they're just not the same things.
It's been mentioned different places about possibly taking a new direction... Don't know I believe any of it myself, but it's worth talking about since it'll really be up in the air for a couple of weeks yet.
And the AT-TE looks like anything but clear to me... I can't tell from the video if it even is complete when you look at it, so I hardly doubt it's a solid fact how the thing is desgined/sculpted either. It's a pretty grainy shot of the walker, at best.
For the record, the last place I read the "animated styling" was some guy at POTF2.com said it... Whether that's the truth or not, who knows. The guy may be completely full of **** for all anyone knows.
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The discussion exists because a "rumor" is circulating about it from someone first, but second because Hasbro's left implications that the line's "taking a new direction" for the Clone Wars line...
They could also be meaning that this line's direction isn't focusing on the established movie characters, and also a new direction in the sense that we are getting more vehicles - if them making a large vehicle like the AT-TE isn't a new direction for Hasbro, I don't know what is...
Also in a way, the line took a new direction in 1999, in 2002 and in 2005. It takes a new direction each time there is a film introduced, and it appears the Clone Wars animated series will have the first three episodes in theatres. So that could be what they mean too.
Think positive folks! :)
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Interesting turn of events that these figure will have animated style heads. I'll be passing on the figures entirely.
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Weird move on Hasbro's part to do hybrid figures. With this style of animation, it might be difficult to tell if the bodies are modeled after the animation or 'reality.'
Odds are they're 100% animated - which isn't a bad thing. Collectors will still bite and the kiddies will have to have them - afterall, the movie will be in theaters.
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Weird move on Hasbro's part to do hybrid figures. With this style of animation, it might be difficult to tell if the bodies are modeled after the animation or 'reality.'
Odds are they're 100% animated - which isn't a bad thing. Collectors will still bite and the kiddies will have to have them - afterall, the movie will be in theaters.
The new trailer looks great!
http://www.starwars.com/theclonewars/news/announcement.html
Hmm, not sure how I feel about yet another theatrical release though. I know I'll be at the premiere though. I can't miss that.
Crap, I really didn't want to buy the animated figures and still don't and am hoping for these to be 100% realistic style, but I can see these being the CW cg style. I may end up getting that style after all...grr, and I HAD hoped to save money this year.
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Oddly, I have a litttle problem with the theatrical release. Fisrt off, the CW3D stuff look amazing, for television that is. This show will be the most dynamic and visaully exciting thing on the tube. There's nothing to compare it to. Once it's put on the big screen, however, it's going head to head with Pixar digital animation. It's going to look cheap.
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I wonder how big of a release it will be in the theatres? I mean, I wonder if it will be fairly limited or are they going for the 3000 screens opening? I am sure it will be big enough everyone can see it, but that should be interesting as well.
Anyway, it sounds like for the most part the sculpts are going to be fairly realistic with some animated look to it. That is fine with me. I just don't want it to be full blown animated. It would be the only way I would buy these main characters over again though. I am sure every Jedi will have clone battle armor. Which is fine I suppose. Eh, we'll see what they look like. I am intrigued for sure.
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Is the theatrical release REALLY much more than a "hey, look what's coming to TV this fall!!!!" type of promotion though? What I mean is, it's not being intended as a head-to-head competition thing I don't believe, more of a large promotional blitz which is what Lucas enjoys... He probably just wants the attention for the TV airings of the show more than anything else I suppose.
I think that may mean a limited release as suggested above as well... Not every theater may carry this.
I don't know that it'll look bad on the big screen either... I mean, imagine the AT-TE fall down the cliff on a movie screen. I bet that'll look pretty frickin' slick. ;)
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Weird move on Hasbro's part to do hybrid figures. With this style of animation, it might be difficult to tell if the bodies are modeled after the animation or 'reality.'
Odds are they're 100% animated - which isn't a bad thing. Collectors will still bite and the kiddies will have to have them - afterall, the movie will be in theaters.
Whenever they do something that seems off the beaten path, I always try to put myself into Hasbro's shoes in the decision making process. I'm sure they had several different people bring various ideas forward about the line (including yours) and eventually went with the one on the way. Some are going to think it was the right call other won't, that's the nature of production of any kind. :P
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Is the theatrical release REALLY much more than a "hey, look what's coming to TV this fall!!!!" type of promotion though? What I mean is, it's not being intended as a head-to-head competition thing I don't believe, more of a large promotional blitz which is what Lucas enjoys... He probably just wants the attention for the TV airings of the show more than anything else I suppose.
I think that may mean a limited release as suggested above as well... Not every theater may carry this.
I don't know that it'll look bad on the big screen either... I mean, imagine the AT-TE fall down the cliff on a movie screen. I bet that'll look pretty frickin' slick. ;)
Clone Wars in IMAX would be sweet
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That was actually the exact thing I was thinking Jayson... In Pitt, the only IMAX for years was at the Science Center down in the city, till we got a "Mills Mall" here and their theater has one... I could definitely see myself catching a viewing of it there just to watch the epic camera angles.
I mean, for instance, look at that backwards panning shot of Palpatine & Co. on the flight deck of a Rep. Cruiser with its bay doors opened up... That looked pretty rockin' to me, and that on a gigunda screen would be so neat.
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I sent off a couple emails to folks who work a local and national IMAX theatres and they haven't received word if they'll be getting it "at this time" so here's to hoping. 8)
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...backwards panning shot...
Panning is moving the camera left or right, tracking is moving forward or backwards, or along with something...
sorry to nerd out, but I went to film school. 8)
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Don't forget up or down, tilt.
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http://www.wizarduniverse.com/021508nytfclonewars.html
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/nytfclone1.jpg)
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/nytfclone2.jpg)
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/nytfclone3.jpg)
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/nytfclone4.jpg)
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/nytfclone5.jpg)
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/nytfclone6.jpg)
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/nytfclone7.jpg)
(http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wizarduniverse/nytfclone8.jpg)
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I'm shocked that Hasbro went Animated, and I was very rude to those who thought they would. I'm sorry.
On the other hand, I LOVE these. I just think that they look like great toys! The style mix is perefect. Sure they don't match what I already have, but variety is the spice of life, man! I'm there in July 26!
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OMG!!!! These look horrible! They're like Attacktix only without the bases. I'm kinda disappointed, but I knew I was probably gonna skip this line anyway. :-\
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i did not see this coming at ALL!! Some of them look horrible (yoda) however i will probably still get a few but not as much as i expected. the clones look fine though but im not gonna lie that BD looks amazing. i love that figure.
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OMG!!!! These look horrible! They're like Attacktix only without the bases. I'm kinda disappointed, but I knew I was probably gonna skip this line anyway. :-\
COULD NOT AGREE MORE! I AM DISAPPOINTED!
There may be 1 or 2 figure I pick up but this is an easy pass. A new Grevious thats probally in scale and he has to look like a cartoon. ???
At least I will have more money to allocate to GIJOE 25th.........
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I liked the animated line that Hasbro did for the first cartoon, but if these are going to be $8, I can only see myself getting a few. I'm liking the way the Clones and the Battle Droid look.
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I like them all for the most part (aside from the weapons), I was really looking forward to Yoda (posed like on the poster) but the action feature raped that dream for me. I'll still get him though. :-\
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They don't look bad, but I won't be buying any of them. Well, I may get R2, he looks cool in any form.
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I don't think you were rude speedermike, you had your reasons why you thought they wouldn't...
As we noted in our rumor report though, t he bodies (on some anyway) seem to be a little realistic, while the heads are 100%, completely stylized.
Count me out...
Also note, MOST of those action features are on the gear, not the figures, as our little insider let us know that everything he saw was pretty much what we see here... Very stylized heads, more realistic looking bodies, no action features noticeable (on what he saw... Guess Yoda wasn't there, eh?), and a big disappointment to anyone NOT wanting animated figures.
To be honest, I don't think Rex looks too bad besides his gun, and the Battledroid could be far worse. I may get them for a simple lack of decent BD's, but really I'm still likelly to just pass on these once I see them. The price did it for me, the stylized sculpting just put the final nail in the coffin.
It's money towards an AT-TE or two extra. ;)
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Well, I guess this settles it - Hasbro really DOESN'T want a lot of our money.
If they had done realistic style I would have army built all of the clones and the droids - especially the droids.
Now, they will be lucky if I pick up two of each figure (one to open, one to keep MOC).
At least it looks like the vehicles will remain compatible with the regularline. The Homing Spider Droid looks wicked.
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(http://threads.rebelscum.com/photogallery/data//1562/rex2.jpg)
(http://threads.rebelscum.com/photogallery/data//1562/cw12.jpg)
Grievous has four arms.
(http://threads.rebelscum.com/photogallery/data//1562/cw5.jpg)
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Is that the AT-TE in the background? :D
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Could be. ;)
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Yes, vehicles were supposed to remain realistic, which makes sense since you wouldn't want a split collecting core on something like the AT-TE... That'd be disasterous for that item in particular I think. That's pretty cool then...
The figure's styles are what they are... I see the "realistic" aspect of the bodies on some of them, but definitely not all. The Yoda in particular is 100% animated looking... The heads are all 100% animated, but not on the clones (go figure), which look like the body of the basic clone is more animated than the head...
Yet, if you look at Rex, his body and head look like he'd actually fit in a little decently with the regular line, and doesn't look too animated... There's a "lean" look to all of them including Rex, but it's just less noticeable on him. The buffness of the regular Clone though seems to really imply animated style...
On the battledroid though, while I see the animated element, it also has a realistic look to it as well everywhere except the headsculpt. It's definitely thicker for standing up I'd say too.
Obi-Wan's armor looks pretty realistic to me as well, however the heads on all of them are really a major turn from the design aspects of the regular line, so they're easy enough to pass on. I may get Rex and call it a day then... The battledroid's head will bother me way too much to buy it I think, as I like the body sculpting a bit, but just can't get past the noggin.
It does appear that there is some hybrid work going on with these though, however I would say that they were aiming for the animated look moreso, and ultimately any realistic looks to them are fairly limited, and are more dramatic on some figures rather than others (Rex most noticeably). I won't be buying most, if any, but I think they really satisfy animated fans, and maybe kids (we'll see there), while they're easy passes for the rest of us.
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I thought i was going to like these more, not that excited about them.
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I actually like them. It's something different I guess that's why.
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The way these look, there seems to be little possibility of a simple head swap for a realistic version down the road. Just by looking at the Clones (Rex and the regular Phase I), the bodies are done in a pretty stylized way that wouldn't even look right next to the movie Clones.
That said, I am not going to completely rule out collecting these, if only because (I have to admit) they do look pretty cool even if they're not basic figure compatible. I just hope Hasbro doesn't go overboard and do the (previous) Clone Wars wave in the Legacy line with exaggerated animation style, thus ruining any chance of a realistic version being done in the immediate future.
Although, with that being said, if I don't get a film accurate, properly scaled Grievous REALLY DAMN SOON, I'm going to be horrendously pissed off. >:(
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I think Rex actually looks like he'd fit in but the Phase 1's a different sculpt, and seems more stylized... The Armored Obi looks realistic to me too... It seems like there's a real mix where some are more stylized than others. I mean, the BD's sculpt is nice except the head's clearly animated... I'd put armored Obi in the same category. Rex a little less so... Yoda's then at the bottom of the barrel as animated 100%.
I think they all do appear as though they're trying to capture an animated look in general, but I think some of the animation translates to a nice realistic look overall, slightly compatible if not very much so in some cases... I don't know if headswaps would look good or not, but at this point the line's so uninteresting to me I don't think I really care either.
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On one hand, these look great. The animated look itself is neat, but they are animated and of no interest to me at all. That said, I will buy one or two - Obi Wan, for starters, and Cody, when they do him. I think these will be huge with kids, not so much with collectors. But there seems to be lots of 'legacy stuff' to keep us happy.
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Was the little Hutt on display?
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Ahsoka and the Hutt were not shown.
Just the first wave was shown - Anakin, Obi-Wan, R2, Rex, Yoda, Grievous, Battle Droid, Clone Trooper.
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Although, with that being said, if I don't get a film accurate, properly scaled Grievous REALLY DAMN SOON, I'm going to be horrendously pissed off. >:(
Agreed.
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Man, I am SO torn now about these.
I know if I get them, I'll be tempted to army build. I don't want to go through that again.
The Battle droid and clone are calling to me though and Rex would fit in "enough."
I actually like the greivous fig, but damn we need him realistic and to scale (as others just posted about).
I guess I'm going to have to see these in person and make a call then. But for certain I'm getting the vehicles. Let everyone else go crazy for the figs. they'll be the easiest things to find. the vehicles, not so much, I think.
The AT-TE, Homing Spider droid, and V-19 have been sorely wanted and now to a lesser degree the AT-AP and Greivous ship. So vehicles alone it's going to be expensive.
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I'm glad that hasbro went full tilt on the animated thing. It would have be indecisive on their part. Unless there's a second season, I'm sure we'll see these for a year and then be done.
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I'm glad that hasbro went full tilt on the animated thing. It would have be indecisive on their part. Unless there's a second season, I'm sure we'll see these for a year and then be done.
I don't know if it is confirmed or not, but I thought I had read at one point that there were at least 100 episodes planned, with 22 in each season (or something like that). I'm sure it all depends on how it does.
On the subject of the Animated figures, I guess it makes sense. I guess I'm in the minority here whereas I know I'll be picking some of them up. I would have preferred realistic styling as well, but like we've discussed before, we have the majority of these characters in "realistic" style already, and at least the vehicles are still fitting in with the regular line. I can understand why Hasbro would want to do this style, as this is a line that could loop the kiddies in, and with a regular weekly cartoon (not to mention a movie release), Clone Wars could be a pretty big deal. I know I'm looking forward to it. I don't know that I'll pick up all of the figures, but likely some.
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Like all things, I'm sure the airing of additional seasons will be dependant on how well the show does in the ratings.
However, you can't swing a dead cat and not hit at least five or six really BAD shows on Cartoon Network, so a channel like that would be really incredibly STUPID to just not keep it going as long as they possibly could. I could see TNT dropping it at some point, but never Cartoon Network.
So if GL is planning 100 episodes, I'm sure we'll get them. Besides, Warner Bros. has the DVD contract as well. Even if people stop watching the show on TV, there will be lots of fans looking to buy the 100 episodes on DVD.
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Like all things, I'm sure the airing of additional seasons will be dependant on how well the show does in the ratings.
However, you can't swing a dead cat and not hit at least five or six really BAD shows on Cartoon Network, so a channel like that would be really incredibly STUPID to just not keep it going as long as they possibly could. I could see TNT dropping it at some point, but never Cartoon Network.
So if GL is planning 100 episodes, I'm sure we'll get them. Besides, Warner Bros. has the DVD contract as well. Even if people stop watching the show on TV, there will be lots of fans looking to buy the 100 episodes on DVD.
I'd be fine with getting all of the cartoons, just not all of the associated toys.
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I believe that Lucas has 40 finished episodes ready to go. That could last two years. For some networks re-airing old stuff is cheaper and more profitable that making new episodes, so this is maybe all we ever get. However, if it is successful, I can see Lucas trying an OT spin-off in a few years.
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I believe that Lucas has 40 finished episodes ready to go. That could last two years. For some networks re-airing old stuff is cheaper and more profitable that making new episodes, so this is maybe all we ever get. However, if it is successful, I can see Lucas trying an OT spin-off in a few years.
Oh cripes PLEASe don't give them any ideas....
(But yes, I'd watch the show and no I wouldn't buy the animated versions)
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Gennedy Tartovsky's group was very eager to do a Han/Chewie cartoon that pre-dated ANH, timewise.
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Gennedy Tartovsky's group was very eager to do a Han/Chewie cartoon that pre-dated ANH, timewise.
Is he involved in the new show at all?
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However, you can't swing a dead cat and not hit at least five or six really BAD shows on Cartoon Network, so a channel like that would be really incredibly STUPID to just not keep it going as long as they possibly could. I could see TNT dropping it at some point, but never Cartoon Network.
Especially now that they have lost Futurama to Comedy Central.
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I'm moving the animated vs. realistic debate over here from the "More Ultimate Battlepacks" thread, just for clarity's sake.
So why'd Hasbro go with realistic styling? Because the Animated Style of figures flopped... big time.
Or because the Clone Wars cartoon has been off TV for a while and out at DVD for a while, and there's no real "media" to push an animated line for it, plus the original cartoon's styling was VERY radical and different from the basic line with extremely exagerrated features, while the CW3D TV series will, by the very nature of 3D animation, have an aesthetic that translates a little better to "realism" while still having an animated style.
Look at some of the animated figures from the original CW line and compare with a "realistic" counterpart... Durge would be my best example. Animated Durge and realistic Durge are DRAMATIC differences.
Now look at 3D animated Durge and the comparison is dramatically diminished.
Hasbro's reaction to doing realistic for collectors in these years after the Clone Wars toon has been off the air is great to me. It's what I want because it's what fits in with my collection, and the new figures don't fit enough... What I think Hasbro's doing though, is they're recognizing that the original toon was incredibly popular, probably more than they considered. Kids loved it... It got people fired up for the E3 blitz. The toy line was so-so, but the toon's popularity is undeniable.
Flash forward to 2008, a new CW toon is on the way, it's been expanded and will be much more a "real" TV show than the original series of shorts were. Hasbro, likewise, wants to get as many new kids involved in the line as possible, and they want to do that by offering toys of the media they've been told to market, and while collectors largely dislike the animated stylings (Hasbro admits that readily), they're aiming for kids who are more accepting of it... All the while, hoping the very nature of 3-D animation and it's more "realistic" aesthetic, helps some of the toys fit in with existing collections just enough that a fraction of the old collecting community will "accept" them.
To that end, I think Hasbro has succeeded... How the line sells to kids is undetermined, but just reading forums I see collectors are a broken group on the animated look. I don't know if it's 50/50, 60/40 or what, but it's certain there's no concensus among the old guard.
Kids... It's untested, and if the animated looks fail, I'm sure we'll see them go back to realistic, which I would be happy to see personally because I want the new characters and things in realistic fashion. I'm also content to save a lot this year though too and wait this out and see how it goes.
Comparing the original animated figures to these though, is comparing apples and oranges...
Two different TV series with two distinctly different styles means right off the bat there's unfair comparisons. Not to mention the new line's figures are pushing all the features of the basic line with articulation and such, and keeping the figures in-scale with the current line, and a much broader range of characters, etc. While the old CW line's "animated" figures were largely unarticulated, weren't overly abundant with character selection, and even came out a ways after the Clone Wars toons first were airing even.
Not to mention the original's realistic line didn't do so hot at retail either, but that's a whole other point.
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Gennedy Tartovsky's group was very eager to do a Han/Chewie cartoon that pre-dated ANH, timewise.
Is he involved in the new show at all?
No.
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Which is a shame, because his enthusiasm (and perspective) is what made the show so cool. This new CW looks great, but Lucas has a heavy hand in it. His lack of perspective on his own work I think is the root cause of the PT's main issues, but that's another thread. On the topic at hand, I love the look of the animated figs, and I think Hasbro is right to produce them this way. I won't be buying any. They'll probably make 'realistic versions' for us later anyway, especially the clones.
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They'll probably make 'realistic versions' for us later anyway, especially the clones.
Because we don't have enough of those... ::)
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They'll probably make 'realistic versions' for us later anyway, especially the clones.
You're right and there are two ways to look at this, neither of them cast Hasbro in a good light:
1) If they're making the figures to match the visual media, and characters like Captain Rex and Ashoka NEVER appear in the "realistic" media then why would Hasbro make figures that have no "realistic" reference. Afterall, it's this integrity of product that has lead them to make these animation styled figures in the first place.
or
2) If they make realistic versions of all key Clone Wars Cartoon Series characters at a later date, they have done so purely to milk ever last $ out of die-hard collectors. They know the die-hard collectors will be buying the animated figures. They know die-hard collectors will buy realistic styled versions at a later date.
The net-net is that they shouldn't be making animated style figures PERIOD.
What really has me confused is the answer from a recent Q&A where they said they're going to put out a THIRD line this year that will feature re-releases of realistc styled Clone Wars figures to help bolster the Animated Line. The answer mentioned figures like Obi-Wan, Anakin and Yoda w/Kybuk as examples.
Two problems with this: 1) the animated line ALREADY has those three characters in the first wave and 2) he could have reissued EVERY Clone Wars figure as part of the line IF they had done the line in realistic styling!
Somebody should walk up to Darryl DePriest, smack him hard on the nose with a rolled up newspaper and go "BAD toy line manager!"
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Pete, with respect, I consider myself a die-hard collector, yet I'm not buying the animated line. If that makes me longer die-hard then so be it. Maybe I'll just be die-hard for realistic style.
Hasbro won't sucker me into buying this line. I did buy the previous animated line because I knew it was a novelty line and would die off after a wave or two. However I'm not so sure with this new animated line. Seeing a few other toy lines going the animated direction make me a bit nervous that Hasbro is thinking of doing this.
They are cranking out some of the last holdouts that we've wanted for some time in an effort to appease we collectors. While they may continue the realistic style into next year, I'm a bit ancy that they will stop production on them after that in order to make all new versions now in animated style. This would draw in a new generation of collectors (todays kids) for certain and may carry over a portion of the collectors market today (mostly adults). Hasbro may be trying to think long term here with this since they've got the license for 10 more years.
Realistically (Pun intended), there are not that many more movie characters to me made other than extreme background characters.
If Hasbro were to go all animated they could rerelease all the heroes, not in animated form and have the line potentially last until the end of the license.
This may make good business sense for Hasbro to do, but undoubtedly it will push a great many current collectors out the door.
Honestly that may be better for all of us in the long run anyway. We collectors are getting older and haven't much more room for this stuff. Kids will turn into collectors and continue to get this stuff. And Hasbro gets to restart the line in a sense. Also, think about the many thousands of dollars over the next 10 years that we adult collectors will save should we choose not to buy the animated line, were it to go fully in that direction. I'd venutre to say that we'd see that we have a good amount of money for other things and be happier for it. Lastly Hasbro wouldn't have to deal so much with the collecting community in appeasing our needs, answering Q&A, etc. If they restart the line, starting with the Clone Wars figures, it changes everything we know as SW collecting today.
-Sal
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I'm not really complaining that they're doing Animated style because there's going to be more than enough for me to spend my money on this year, but I question this move on their part.
Yeah, these do look like they jumped right out of the upcoming series, but at the same time, the realistic styling is what fans of Star Wars crave. And I am pretty sure we are NOT going to even need to think about the line going Animated from here on out. I think that this will be a run that lasts for a while, but as soon as Hasbro sees how poorly these sell compared to the main line, they'll realize that there isn't a big future for that line.
Don't get me wrong, they LOOK cool (now if only they could apply this new weathering technique on some realistic style figures too...). But I really doubt this line is going to be as popular as Hasbro is forecasting. I almost see these as something an entirely different company is doing. Not that I have any loyalty to Hasbro, but I am a creature of habit. I like the movie style and that's where my hobby dollars are going to be spent. Not on an entirely new line that looks this different.
As for comparing these to the old cartoon animated ones, I agree there are some major differences. But there's also one striking similarity - they're not in the realistic style; and that in itself overrides any differences in comparing the two, at least in my book.
I plan on getting the Obi Wan for a custom, and maybe the R2-D2. The more I look at Grievous (which I originally wanted), the less I like it... same goes for all these figures. Maybe this will be a huge hit instead of what I'm thinking, but I kind of doubt it. But then again, who knows. I just know I'm not going to be spending my usual amount of money on these.
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Honestly that may be better for all of us in the long run anyway. We collectors are getting older and haven't much more room for this stuff. Kids will turn into collectors and continue to get this stuff. And Hasbro gets to restart the line in a sense.
That's probably their reasoning behind this and I don't blame them. Animated toys seem to be all the rage right now for the kiddies, so I think this was pretty smart move of Hasbro. They'll hook most of the kids they can who aren't already and they'll keep this line healthy for the next 10 years while we continue to wane off. I know that 07 caused quite a few collectors to rethink they're collecting habits. They have to know that the majority of the die-hard (even casual) collectors out there are running out of room to some extent. I really think I've got about every character I've ever wanted out of the OT and I have no freakin idea who most of the characters are here in these JD polls for the PT. Some dude who had his left arm in one scene for 2 seconds? Wow.
I'm still on the fence about the animated line myself, but I'll obviously just keep a carded set if I do cave.
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Running out of room? Heck yeah. If I was a completist, I'd have to start a second collection room.
Fortunately though, I don't collect everything that comes out. I also replace older sculpts with new ones. There's nothing quite like replacing 150 Commtech Stormies with new ones!
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The whole new realistic Saga Legend wave to compliment the cartoon line has reignited my disappointment with Hasbro's decision to go cgi style with this line. Hasbro's rational to compliment that line with figures who will not have sculpts for the launch is like a nail in the eye to logic reasoning. One minute they tell they found through research that realistic style is better/more popular, then they change their minds and go cgi style and now they are ok with with kids having a mismatched line of figures to recreate their favorite adventures??? Say what????
What a waste, I really would have enjoyed this new design in realistic style..... :'(
Running out of room? Heck yeah. If I was a completist, I'd have to start a second collection room.
Fortunately though, I don't collect everything that comes out. I also replace older sculpts with new ones. There's nothing quite like replacing 150 Commtech Stormies with new ones!
Chew,
I use that same strategy too. Old sculpts get hacked for customs, traded or sold to make room for the new stuff. In the very near future I have to put stuff an my in-laws because I am out of space.
FYI - I will be posting pics of my collection soon in the collection thread in the next couple days. Check it out! A large portion is in large tupperware bins or still in the box because I do not have the room to open them!
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All I'm really hoping for out of the Animated characters is that the main ones be done in realistic style at some point (in the NEAR future-as in 2009, or 2010 at the latest). Ahsoka being one of them, Rex another. Just key characters, not third alien from the left. We've still got plenty of background figs from the movies for Hasbro to draw upon, we don't need Clone Wars background characters. (yet-I'll throw that in for those who might want them)
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Running out of room? Heck yeah. If I was a completist, I'd have to start a second collection room.
Fortunately though, I don't collect everything that comes out. I also replace older sculpts with new ones. There's nothing quite like replacing 150 Commtech Stormies with new ones!
I was doing some set-up in my collection room and have decided the commtech stormtroopers (with the ones I got in the troop builder sets) look just fine on the shelf!
As far as the animated/realistic versions. I'm sure there are niche collectors who like the animated stuff, it's not really my bag, but I'm sure they'll make ones that will look more realistic to fit with the 500+ other figures.
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All I'm really hoping for out of the Animated characters is that the main ones be done in realistic style at some point
Does anyone think this won't happen? ???
I think of it this way - when is the best time to sell things to kids? While it's hot/hip/new/fresh/exciting.
That's why we are seeing the animated figures first. Do the animated style figures first, cash in on the kids (and uber-completeists) with the initial excitement of the movie/cartoon. If they collect some average collector cash too, it's a bonus.
Then, once the kids move on to the next thing or get bored, Hasbro goes back and does the realistic style type figures for us. The uber-completeists & some average collectors take another hit and the other collectors they missed before buy in finally.
If they started with "realistic" style and then went animated, many causal fans would pass on the animated stuff becuase they'd already have the realistic figures that matched what they have now. By doing the animated stuff first, you get the casual folks to buy some animated first, then try to get them to re-buy characters in realistic style later...
I see people saying "when the animated line fails, then they will make realistic style" like Hasbro needs to learn some lesson from this... how do we know that wasn't their plan all along? Maybe they sat down and decided "we'll sell as much animated as we can to kids and then sell the realistic style once the animated has run it's course"? Makes sense to me and certainly flows with things they've done in the past to extend the line... ;)
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All I'm really hoping for out of the Animated characters is that the main ones be done in realistic style at some point
Does anyone think this won't happen? ???
I think of it this way - when is the best time to sell things to kids? While it's hot/hip/new/fresh/exciting.
That's why we are seeing the animated figures first. Do the animated style figures first, cash in on the kids (and uber-completeists) with the initial excitement of the movie/cartoon. If they collect some average collector cash too, it's a bonus.
Then, once the kids move on to the next thing or get bored, Hasbro goes back and does the realistic style type figures for us. The uber-completeists & some average collectors take another hit and the other collectors they missed before buy in finally.
If they started with "realistic" style and then went animated, many causal fans would pass on the animated stuff becuase they'd already have the realistic figures that matched what they have now. By doing the animated stuff first, you get the casual folks to buy some animated first, then try to get them to re-buy characters in realistic style later...
I see people saying "when the animated line fails, then they will make realistic style" like Hasbro needs to learn some lesson from this... how do we know that wasn't their plan all along? Maybe they sat down and decided "we'll sell as much animated as we can to kids and then sell the realistic style once the animated has run it's course"? Makes sense to me and certainly flows with things they've done in the past to extend the line... ;)
Oh I fully expected this at first too. However I'm just not so sure now that Hasbro will be so quick to go back to the realistic line. Time will tell of course and I hope you're right Jeff. As I said, I once though this very same thing, I'm just a bit nervous of it not playing out like this now.
But then again, I've already cut my SW budget in half and will do that again for 2009, so really if Hasbro tanks the realistic style, they will just make it that much easier for me to slow down then get out of collecting SW altogether.
Hmm, what's that buzzing in my ear? Is Hasbro listening? Do they see how much money they will loss from the long time collectors?
I'm guessing they are pinning the continuation of the line on the newer collectors and kids, rather than us old-timers. Hell, I'm almost 40 (next year), so maybe it is about time to "pass the torch."
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I can already hear people freaking out about realistic versions of figures from the toons about a year from now... It'll be painful, angry, cries across many a geek forum. "Why Hasbro... Why did you make me buy those animated figures like you did!?"
You know it'll happen.
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I just won't buy much of the animated stuff. The only stuff I'll buy is what I think I might be able to use for customs. And so far that's pretty minimal.
They also run the risk of losing some people altogether with this line.
I think overall it's a risky strategy, but we'll all have a better idea in a few months. All we can do right now is speculate.
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I can already hear people freaking out about realistic versions of figures from the toons about a year from now... It'll be painful, angry, cries across many a geek forum. "Why Hasbro... Why did you make me buy those animated figures like you did!?"
You know it'll happen.
Heh, I agree with you there. then there will be the rest of us who will say a polite and quick thank you to Hasbro for putting out the realistic versions. I don't expect I'm going to want all of the realistic style figures from this new Clone Wars cartoon. But certainly those few main characters I already commented on and maybe more depending on the cartoon itself.
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Sal - I absolutely meant no offense to any die-hard collectors. You can still be a die-hard collector and decide that these animated figures fall too far outside the line of the regular 3.75" figures for you to pick up. For me I draw the line at things like Mighty Muggs, I don't like them at all, so I'm not going to buy them. Yes that doesn't make me a Hasbro completist, true, so I have adopted the term "selective completist" to define how I collect the line. I get all 3.75", 2" unleashed, 3" titanium and SideShow's "continuation" of the Hasbro 12" line. For me, that's enough.
I guess the term I should have used was the uber-completist like Jeff did. Jeff's scenario is exactly what I was trying to say, whether by choice or accident, this move by Hasbro is going to result in uber-completists (or in my case a selective completist who gets all 3.75" items) buying characters like Ashoka or Anakin with his post Padawan/pre ROTS hair or Captain Rex essentially twice in two different styles.
Where I don't necessarily agree with some of you is that Hasbro is going to turn around and make the entire line animated at some point.
The verdict is still not in on the popularity of the "animated style" when it comes to a toy line. You could almost say that the Force Battlers were their first stab at an animated style line. That failed miserably.
Going back to what I said in the original post, to even come out and admit that you're going to re-release the Yoda w/Kybuk figure on a Clone Wars card tells me right off the bat that Hasbro thinks the Yoda figure they designed for the Clone Wars line is a dud. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the toy buyers for the big retail chains told them that they didn't like the change of the look in the line. I'm sure Hasbro tried to put a business spin on the move, but if I was the buyer for Target stores and I knew I currently had a glut of Animated Pirates of the Caribbean figures in my stockrooms that aren't selling, I'd be very hesitant to pick up another animated style line based on a movie franchise.
I would not be surprised to find that some of these "Legends" figures they say are going to be re-releases will actually fall into the category of "different enough" to make you want to buy. For example. Take the Evolutions Clone Commander w/Removeable Helmet. Include the helmet that came with the Comic Pack Alpha figure, paint the figure to match the markings on Captain Rex and with just some simple parts swapping you have a realistic style Captain Rex figure. For Hasbro, that figure is technically a "re-release" it required absolutely no new tooling to produce.
I guess in the end we'll have to just wait and see, but I can't see them making an animated style line for the live-action TV series. They have proven over the last 5-6 years that they can still improve on figures they've made of core characters and they will continue to improve on them - the realistic style line isn't going anywhere. By 2010, we'll all look back at 2008 and laugh at Hasbro's "great experiment" with the Clone Wars line and how by Fall 2009 they were back to producing 100% realistic styled figures.
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Going back to what I said in the original post, to even come out and admit that you're going to re-release the Yoda w/Kybuk figure on a Clone Wars card tells me right off the bat that Hasbro thinks the Yoda figure they designed for the Clone Wars line is a dud.
Yep. That right there is enough proof for me that they don't see animated figures being a long term thing with Star Wars.
On another note, I see that Transformers is going to have an animated line too. I wonder how that will do. I'm thinking not so hot.
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I didn't take offense Pete. Just wanted to make sure that I wasn't misconstruing the comment about die-hard collectors. that's all. (kind of like our "friend" on RS defining himself as a photojournalist and not allowing room for others-especially new people). I'd say after 30 years collecting, even if I were to quit today, I'd still consider myself a die-hard. Cause man, if you collect for that long, it truly was hard for you to die with regards to collecting, right? lol
Anyway, no worries.
And I hope you are right too Pete in your thoughts about the line returning to realistic style.
I do see 2008 being pretty light on collecting for a good portion of we collectors.
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I dunno... I think there's STILL going to be a crapload of stuff to buy for those passing on the animated figures.
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Does anyone think this won't happen? ???
I think of it this way - when is the best time to sell things to kids? While it's hot/hip/new/fresh/exciting.
That's why we are seeing the animated figures first. Do the animated style figures first, cash in on the kids (and uber-completeists) with the initial excitement of the movie/cartoon. If they collect some average collector cash too, it's a bonus.
Then, once the kids move on to the next thing or get bored, Hasbro goes back and does the realistic style type figures for us. The uber-completeists & some average collectors take another hit and the other collectors they missed before buy in finally.
If they started with "realistic" style and then went animated, many causal fans would pass on the animated stuff becuase they'd already have the realistic figures that matched what they have now. By doing the animated stuff first, you get the casual folks to buy some animated first, then try to get them to re-buy characters in realistic style later...
I see people saying "when the animated line fails, then they will make realistic style" like Hasbro needs to learn some lesson from this... how do we know that wasn't their plan all along? Maybe they sat down and decided "we'll sell as much animated as we can to kids and then sell the realistic style once the animated has run it's course"? Makes sense to me and certainly flows with things they've done in the past to extend the line... ;)
Great post Jeff.
But you're assuming they know their consumer base and market.
;)
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As per the front page there, a nifty Clone Wars Clone Trooper showed up on Ebay...
(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/1-08/08CW_AnimClone_Full.jpg)
While I'm no fan of the animated figures, I say that only because they don't jive with my collection now and (to me) are a completely new collection of figures wholely separate of the modern line as it stands today.
Still, I think the animation rocks in its styling and that the toys look REALLY cool based on the animation. Plus I'm glad to see Hasbro's hidden any action features built into figures for the most part, and ultimately only Yoda really has any kind of feature built into him while the others have it in their accessories. Hasbro did try to keep these appealing to the hardcore fans and that's cool. Thumbs up to them for the effort regardless of how I feel on animated figures.
Anyway, one surfaces so more are bound to follow soon.
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This clone trooper looks wicked. makes me want these figures even more, AND BALL JOINTED WRISTS! ::)
Hasbro really is going all out this year in trying to make us happy.
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Although I'm not picking up the animated figures, I have to give props, this guy looks fantastic.
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That helmut looks huge, i wonder if i can customize that into a Dark Helmut figure.
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Although I'm not picking up the animated figures, I have to give props, this guy looks fantastic.
I have to agree with you Anthony... It is a fantastic looking figure. You have to give Hasbro props for the effort on these, and I wish our Clones got that nice a weathering paintjob on them.
Animated fans should be really happy with this line I'd think. It's far superior to the original Animated line for the original CW toon in terms of overall quality.
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I was just re-reading this and noting how many people are going to pass on this sub-line. I bet many who do, will buy the Big New Falcon. It's as if Hasbro knew there would be lots of collectors passing, and filled the void with a giant ship that can gobble up our cash!
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Well not that the void is that big... Basic figures and comic packs going up $1 a piece, plenty of Legends waves seem to be coming, lots of realistic vehicles, the aforementioned comic packs, exclusives, battle packs, ultimate battle packs... There's a lot to fill that CW basic figure void for me for certain. ;)
May financial good fortune smile on those planning to buy it all.
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I was just re-reading this and noting how many people are going to pass on this sub-line. I bet many who do, will buy the Big New Falcon. It's as if Hasbro knew there would be lots of collectors passing, and filled the void with a giant ship that can gobble up our cash!
Yep, that's what I thought too. The money I'm saving by not getting the animated line, will be sapped away by what I'm spending on vehicles this year.
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I was just re-reading this and noting how many people are going to pass on this sub-line. I bet many who do, will buy the Big New Falcon. It's as if Hasbro knew there would be lots of collectors passing, and filled the void with a giant ship that can gobble up our cash!
Yep, that's what I thought too. The money I'm saving by not getting the animated line, will be sapped away by what I'm spending on vehicles this year.
Yep... not to mention the Indy stuff too. :-\
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I was just re-reading this and noting how many people are going to pass on this sub-line. I bet many who do, will buy the Big New Falcon. It's as if Hasbro knew there would be lots of collectors passing, and filled the void with a giant ship that can gobble up our cash!
Yep, that's what I thought too. The money I'm saving by not getting the animated line, will be sapped away by what I'm spending on vehicles this year.
Yep... not to mention the Indy stuff too. :-\
I'm not getting Indy stuff either. Actually my fianceé is an even bigger Indy fan and she doesn't want the toys. So it became an easy pass for me. Though I may get the "Adventure Heroes" portion of the line. But the rest, no. I've got Halo 3 figs to hunt down. Those are a real pain in the arse to find. I certainly don't need to take more from my wallet by purchasing yet another line.
Hasbro for the most part got it right however. By delaying SW for several months, they get people salivating to by toys. They know there are Indy fans out there who will buy the stuff up. Many of which are also SW fans. By not having the two lines compete when the new Indy toys/movie is released, there is a built-in demographic of buyers. Same can be applied somewhat to Iron Man and Hulk toys. Neither of which I'm buying either-begrudgingly so for Iron Man as I'm a fan. But I've got to cut back some way. So, not starting another collecting is one of the best ways to do just that.
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Well I will be buying the Indy figures. And maybe making a diorama or two also... but, I might actually be able to pass on the ToD stuff... never really liked that movie as much as the others.
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Yeah, I will be buying some Indy stuff for certain. I would buy more but have to watch my pennies a bit. I am definately excited for the Indy line. More so than the Star Wars animated line...until I see the movie of course.
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Interesting answer...
Q. Why did Hasbro decide to make their Clone Wars figure line incompatible with the rest of the 3.75" figure line? When it comes to play-patterns and the ability for Hasbro to reuse body-parts/components from previously released figures, this move seems like a huge gamble. Has Hasbro thought of the possibility that many collectors will pass on the figures in this line (like they did for the previous cartoon Clone Wars-inspired line) because they do not conform with the other line that has been running since 1995?
A. We did not decide to make that decision ourselves - it was a collaborative decision reached with Lucasfilm in order to best match the on-screen entertainment to the toy line. For the vast majority of kids who will be enjoying the new entertainment, this will be the relevant figure line. Since the kids will vastly outnumber the collectors this Fall, especially for Clone Wars, this is a decision we felt was the easy one to make. However, as discussed previously, collectors did contribute to our thinking.
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That was my question from the JTA forums.
The answer sucked.
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from most of the collectors I've heard from they aren't crazy about the animated style and will be skipping most it. Understandably it doesn't fit with the other characters. Personally i really like it. i collect the animated statues and like the style. I'll have a separate section to display them :)
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I still can't believe how people don't get it yet. It is an animated movie aimed towards kids plain and simple not adults. Yes, die-hards of all ages will go to the movie as well (and complain about it) but clearly it is aimed at a YOUNGER audience. So, they are going to make the figures look animated just like the series. Why is this so difficult for people to wrap their brains around? Why be mad at Hasbro and Lucasfilm for this? It makes total freaking sense. You have realistic versions of all of these characters except whomever happens to be a brand new character. More than likely Hasbro will crank out realistic versions of those as well. I understand if you don't want to buy the line because it's animated, but why all the hatred toward Hasbro about it? It's just odd to me.
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More than likely Hasbro will crank out realistic versions of those as well. I understand if you don't want to buy the line because it's animated, but why all the hatred toward Hasbro about it? It's just odd to me.
You just summed up my argument for me - the fact is that we all know that realistic versions of Captain Rex, Ashoka, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ventress and any other new characters that are cool will eventually be made.
So my problem is - why wait? Just do it now.
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I'm still passing on the animated style, save for ones that I think might work for custom parts.
But, I'm starting to be more and more glad they are going with this style since it's going to save me quite a bit of dough this summer... which will have to go towards the Falcon, perhaps two AT-TE's, etc.
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More than likely Hasbro will crank out realistic versions of those as well. I understand if you don't want to buy the line because it's animated, but why all the hatred toward Hasbro about it? It's just odd to me.
Makes perfect sense to me. Fans have a lot invested in the line-- time, money, love-- and now we're seeing a big chunk of it altered into this other, unknown thing. A lot of fans are going to get animated figures if they want them or not (free Clone Trooper in the AT-TE, for example), but it's totally obvious to me why fans don't like the idea of the new figures being this weird style that doesn't mesh with the line they've been buying for a few months, or over a decade now.
We're not a logical bunch-- our gut says "it's different! kill it! kill it!" because most "other" lines Hasbro and Kenner have given us have a very short life (Epic Force, Collector Fleet, Micro Collection), or are cycled in and out (Buddies, Unleashed, Playskool/Galactic Heroes) before ultimately succeeding or being slaughtered. I have no doubt most fans are under the assumption (as this is what I'm assuming) that the animated line may be a flash-in-the pan which if we like, we *can't* collect for too long because Hasbro will pull the plug, or that if it does well, it may take the place of the movie-style line eventually, thus ending our decade-long affair with thousands of small plastic men. Either scenario isn't particularly rosey.
We want to see Hasbro do well, and we want the line to continue and to be great. But competing action figure lines of the same brand typically compete for resources, and well, I can understand why people are worried one may clobber the other. Since we can't see inside Hasbro's magical meeting rooms, we don't know what their plans are for sure, but it certainly looks like they're pitting two styles against one another this year rather than showcasing one strong uniform line. Hopefully everything will just do awesomely and continue as long as we're interested in buying.
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Well said.
I'm also growing rather tired of Hasbro's attitude that the collector base doesn't really factor into the viability of the line.
In my personal life, I can look at eight boys who all passed through the optimal age range that Hasbro is looking for between the years of 1999 through 2007. I know what these boys have because one is my step-son and the rest are my nephews. I can honestly say that (a) about 60% of the Hasbro Star Wars stuff they ever acquired as kids were gifts from their Uncle Pete; (b) that if I were to add up all of the stuff that their parents and I bought for them, and then compared it to the amount of stuff I have purchased over the past 13 years, it would be at least a 1:30 ratio between the amount of stuff these kids have vs. the amount of stuff I have; and (c) I'm still collecting and not a one of them are even interested in Star Wars toys anymore - sure when they visit they're interested in seeing what some of the new toys look like, but for the most part, they typically drill me about whether or not I've heard if The Force Unleashed release date has slipped or when the cartoon will be starting or if there will be another movie - they aren't interested in toys anymore.
So what's my point? At any one time, the kids may outnumber us, but that is only because kids ARE the target audience for the figures. However, in terms of long-term interest in the line, continued purchasing patterns, loyalty to the brand and money to spend, we (the collectors) should reign supreme when it comes to Hasbro trying to decide whether or not to make a change to the line.
Let's LOGICALLY look at the situation Hasbro has put themselves in - regardless of what Lucasfilm wanted.
Kid A - he's seven years old and his dad just took him to see the Clone Wars animated movie in theatres. He wants to get Anakin, Ventress, Rex and Ashoka action figures to play with. He will go to the store, find those figures and buy them. He's looking for specific characters. The style of the figure does not play a role. The figure should look "cool" and entice him to buy it, but if he wants the figures, he will nag his parents for them.
Collector B - he's spent the last 13 years collecting the "realistic" style figures. He's passed on Force battlers, the Animated Cartoon Network Clone Wars figure line, and other junk because they aren't in the same scale and/or they aren't in the same style. You have shown him that even if you make a figure in an animated style, down the line, a realistic version will be made. Motivation for buying an animated version of Ashoka, Captain Rex or Anakin? Non-existant. Conversely if you made the figures in a realistic style, that collector is right there with at least $500 on July 26th looking to make a substantial investment in the Clone Wars line.
One could argue that from a business perspective, Hasbro has taken a gamble with the style change. Now all we have to do is sit and wait to see if that gamble pays off. Come Christmas when the pegs are CLOGGED with the Clone Wars Turd Yoda figure, we'll see that it did not.
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I have to agree with Adam and Pete here.
Many of us bought into the previous cartoon line because we knew it would be a limited run and wouldn't replace the realistic line. Hasbro isn't being totally straightforward about this. I'd imagine sales will be great for one quarter (summer) then ok for the fall quarter due to the run-up to Christmas. This may give Hasbro a false impression that the animated line is a success.
Kids are fickle and just don't have that attention span that we adult collectors do. Granted there are some exceptions, so I'm not discounting all of the kids out there.
With all of the choices the kids have nowadays, movie toy lines (not including SW) only have a short window to garner as much sales a possible. Usually 3 months, After that look for clearances. It's already started with Indy figs for cryin' out loud.
Anyways, back on topic. While I've lessened my toy runs, mostly due to gas prices, still I rarely ever see actual kids in the action figure line, and more specifically looking at SW toys. Or if they do it's for a minute or two. If they don't find that ONE figure they are looking for they move on to something else. We collectors scour the pegs. There's usually more than one figure we're looking for and we'll take the time to check not just the front figs on pegs but all of the EIGHT deep figures on EACH peg.
The nail was hit on the head that it's been the dedication and loyalty of the long time collector that really has kept this line viable. Hasbro does through us the proverbial bone on occasion with the obscure background character. However this change of format (even though they are keeping-albeit in a much smaller capacity-the realistic line) is a smack in the face of collectors.
Sure some collectors will get the new line, but more and more I'm hearing on several collecting websites that collectors tire of getting the same characters over and over again. Just because it's in a new style means nothing to them.
I like many will be waiting Hasbro out for realistic version of the NEW characters from Clone Wars. If those never come, I really won't be disappointed.
Going to Pete's comments about the ratio of his purchases compared to his other family members, My collecting reflects this as well. Again pointing out the number of kids or even parents who are buying for their kids in the action figure isle, I rarely see them there and even less buying. For the last three years at least I've bought $6K worth of SW each of those year. I'd like to see how many kids that really accounts for. I'd say a good many. Being liberal let's say a kid gets $500 dollars worth of SW toys a year (and I think that' VERY liberal), I'd account for at least 12 kids worth of purchases alone. Considering the nearly kid/parent bare SW aisles I see each time I go to a store, and knowing there are other collectors like me in my area that shop the same stores I do, I just don't see how the kiddies purchases add up to even a few collectors.
Not that it would ever happen, but just think if for one year collectors of ALL toy lines didn't buy toys, what would that do to the toy industry? I won't even have to guess here, I'll just come out and say MANY toy lines would falter and/or fail.
SW would most certainly take a hit.
This lull in between SW toys has made an impact on SW collectors. Some have saved, some have collected other line (and many of those being NON-Hasbro lines). While others have taken this time to filling their collection holes via eBay and the like. That's all money Hasbro has LOST. Why? They chose to focus on other toy lines. Marvel, Iron Man, Indy and even Hulk.
It is indeed a wait and see attitude many of us are taking, If Hasbro goes the way of animated figs for SW for good, then I for one will be saving a ton of money. And I'm certain many like me will even be relieved at that point because we can consider that book closed on collecting "little plastic men."
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The nail was hit on the head that it's been the dedication and loyalty of the long time collector that really has kept this line viable. Hasbro does through us the proverbial bone on occasion with the obscure background character. However this change of format (even though they are keeping-albeit in a much smaller capacity-the realistic line) is a smack in the face of collectors.
If Hasbro is going to keep giving me things like the BMF to apologize for the "smack in the face", I hope the animated line keeps going... I'd much rather spend $150 on that than 20 new figures. ;D
Seriously - "albeit in a much smaller capacity"? This summer/Fall, we're getting around 30 basic figures, 6-10 comic packs, 3-4 $20 vehicles, 3-5 more Evo packs, 4-6 new Battle Packs, two vehicles over $100, etc etc. And that's only what we know is coming, there is more to be revealed at SDCC plus exclusives.
Do you think it's a coincidence that they chose this Summer, the one filled with a bunch of animated figures that collectors may not like/buy, to give us TWO $100+ vehicles? It's like somehow they knew that most adult collectors just might have some extra money for that sort of thing this summer...
This lull in between SW toys has made an impact on SW collectors. Some have saved, some have collected other line (and many of those being NON-Hasbro lines). While others have taken this time to filling their collection holes via eBay and the like. That's all money Hasbro has LOST. Why? They chose to focus on other toy lines. Marvel, Iron Man, Indy and even Hulk.
Not to be a jerk, but "Marvel, Iron Man, Indy and even Hulk" (along with TFers and GI Joe too) are all Hasbro lines, so they are still getting plenty of collector money this summer... :P
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Seriously - "albeit in a much smaller capacity"? This summer/Fall, we're getting around 30 basic figures, 6-10 comic packs, 3-4 $20 vehicles, 3-5 more Evo packs, 4-6 new Battle Packs, two vehicles over $100, etc etc. And that's only what we know is coming, there is more to be revealed at SDCC plus exclusives.
Do you think it's a coincidence that they chose this Summer, the one filled with a bunch of animated figures that collectors may not like/buy, to give us TWO $100+ vehicles? It's like somehow they knew that most adult collectors just might have some extra money for that sort of thing this summer...
I agree with part of what you're saying here. As far as Hasbro is concerned, many of the items you're referring to are part of their Clone Wars line. The AT-TE, V-19 and Homing Spider Droid - while all able to pass as vehicles for the realistically styled figures, are part of the animated style figure line. Same thing goes with several of the battle packs they have planned.
I think what people are forgetting is that there will be PLENTY of Clone Wars stuff too. Whether you get it or not (and it seems like most collectors are indeed passing on the figures), you have to acknowledge that a lack of purchases of this new animated line will, by Christmas shopping season time, hurt the Legacy Collection.
Target has two DPCI #s for TAC and Legends. To all Target employees the two lines are the exact same thing and I've had to beg and plead with Target employees over the last year and a half to get them to bring out more TAC figures when the pegs were choking on Legends stuff. Come October, we will all be in this exact same situation with the animated garbage choking the pegs and not a Legacy Collection figure to be found.
So what does that mean for the health of the line? Well, while I doubt the quantities of product will ever match the levels that were seen during EP1, I think a mass lack-of-support for this animated sub-line will hurt ALL of Star Wars, not just the animated line. Sure it will get Hasbro to stop making animated style figures (hopefully once and for all) - but it will also mean that retailers will be ordering LESS of the Star Wars product for their stores. That does no one any good.
I guess my frustration really boils down to that from my perspective we are about to enter a loose-loose situation where either (a) the animated line will sell really well and Hasbro will "reboot" the figure line in a new animated style or (b) the animated line will rot on the shelves, Hasbro will drop the concept, but retailers will order less SW product, making the figures possible to find, driving collectors to online outlets and with a lack of brick-and-mortar store interest in the line, it could really be the start of the end.
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I really don't expect them to "reboot" the basic line into animated... I think they're well aware of how many people they'd lose, even if they gain a fair number with animated figures. I think they'd try two lines side-by-side for a longer period long before that happened.
Seriously - "albeit in a much smaller capacity"? This summer/Fall, we're getting around 30 basic figures, 6-10 comic packs, 3-4 $20 vehicles, 3-5 more Evo packs, 4-6 new Battle Packs, two vehicles over $100, etc etc. And that's only what we know is coming, there is more to be revealed at SDCC plus exclusives.
Not to mention price-hikes, price-hikes, price-hikes... I don't feel cheated by the animated figures, not in the slightest. On the contrary, I'm looking forward to having the money I'd have spent on whatever we could've had in their place, on all the things Jeff listed... Big ass $100+ ships that I want, comic packs, $8 basic figures, exclusives... I have a lot to keep me financially occupied this year.
Not to mention if I want a 1:18 King Tiger Tank, it's gonna cost me $100 this year itself... ::) I got 99 problems, and they're mostly friggin' toys.
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This lull in between SW toys has made an impact on SW collectors. Some have saved, some have collected other line (and many of those being NON-Hasbro lines). While others have taken this time to filling their collection holes via eBay and the like. That's all money Hasbro has LOST. Why? They chose to focus on other toy lines. Marvel, Iron Man, Indy and even Hulk.
Not to be a jerk, but "Marvel, Iron Man, Indy and even Hulk" (along with TFers and GI Joe too) are all Hasbro lines, so they are still getting plenty of collector money this summer... :P
What I meant to say in that line, is that was money Hasbro lost on the Star Wars line. Yes, they got the money from those other lines, but some of them, like Hulk and Iron Man are flash in the pan type lines and will be discounted before the end of the year, if not the ned of summer.
No worries. we don't have to agree on everything.
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I'm kind of glad they are going this route. It's making it easier for me to save money for house projects. ;)
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The pics in the latest SW Insider issue look really, really nice. A few of these are growing very tempting. :-\
I still hate Yoda and Grievous though.
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Thought this fit here as well as anywhere else, but SSG (http://www.sirstevesguide.com/index.php?categoryid=48&p2_articleid=1579) has a little post-CC Q and A up with Hasbro, and they mention that there won't be "realistic style" versions of the new Clone Wars characters anytime soon - and they seem pretty definite on that (of course, we "definitely" weren't seeing a number of other things at some point or another too). Anyways, just thought I'd pass it along, this particular question is towards the end.
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I like the animated style.
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I am not certain if this belongs here - but this is where I am putting it since I believe Curto got the intel from CV.
Supposedly we will start seeing some Clone Wars figures done in realistic format - Curto has reportedly posted this info from his Twitter page (I don't tweet so I can't confirm).
What do you guys think about this? I am slightly put off from this info because while I haven't purchased too many CW figures, just some of the ones that are unique to the series (and Aurra cuz she is so BA), the only reason I purchased them was because of the notion that we have been told we will never see them in a realistic format (I know I shouldn't listen to what Hasbro says - my bad). So I will be buying the figure twice, something I despise doing.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
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As a diehard TCW completist, I am strongly opposed to this. Keep the lines separate. It's bad enough they put L8-L9 and the Hawkbat Battalion trooper in the realistic line. I am STILL trying to find both of those. It makes it really really difficult for completists to insure they have everything.
I don't know why Hasbro feels the need to try and cross-pollinate the TCW line with the other stuff; it does just fine on its own. I don't think they need to spend any more energy trying to appeal to the Vintage/Legacy collector market.
Plus, IMHO the stuff just doesn't look good when rendered in a non-animated style. That old "realistic" Durge they put out was horrible...looked nothing like the character from the Tartakovsky series.
What exactly did Curto say? I don't do Podcasts and they seem reluctant to transcribe...
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I don't need more non OT product in my life.
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I don't think the official podcast has been posted/happened yet.
As for why Hasbro would cross the streams? Simple answer - $$$ They got the money from collectors, like me, upfront for figures collectors thought they would never see in any other way shape or form - now they want to get that money again.
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I'm against this as well. Part of the charm of the CW figures is sculpt which captures the look and feel of the show. Reinterpreting those signature designs in to a "realistic" interpretation just doesn't appeal to me. Not right now anyway. Back in 2008 when they released the Clone Wars wave in the TLC line, I didn't much like those figures either (despite them being decent sculpts) as they weren't based on any live-action source material.
I would be just as against animated versions of Classic Trilogy characters, unless there was an animated series to support such an endeavor.
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I have to say that if they went down this road, it would pull me in completely. I think the CW series is cool, but I don't care for the styling... but making those awesome characters in realistic style? I'm up for that.
This is just a guess, but here's why I think it would benefit them to do this:
- I think there were some lackluster sales in certain waves that ended up causing a bottleneck for the later waves (how many of us found the Sidious wave?)... maybe they are sensing the animated style isn't as popular as they once thought
- If they're running low on fuel for figures in the realistic line, then this adds more ammunition for them... plus we know Hasbro loves to rescult figures - now they can do so with these characters in a realistic sense
- Kids who are fans of the animated series are going to want figures of the characters regardless if they are realistic style OR animated, and it's going to pull people like me into this line
Seriously, wouldn't a character like Whorm Loathsome look better in a realistic style than the goofy looking thing we got last year? All they need to do is put a concept artist to work to make aliens like him look like creatures from the films - and bingo! Great figures in the realistic form could be imagined.
Personally, I don't think the animated style is all that great. They have made some very good figures for that styling, but I think most of the market (kids included) would prefer an Anakin that looks like the character from ROTS over a cartoony looking version.
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I think this is a great idea.
I also think the animated figures in general look stupid. They never appealed to me however they are well made. They look like marionette puppets and alienated long time collectors like me. I get the whole kid appeal argument but honestly I think most kids would still would collect this if they looked real. I invested so much in this line and to invest in cartoon figure line that will never match my main collection just was not in the cards. I would have been buying every figure had they been realistically styled. They lost a lot of business with me. Again, I understand the kid target business position. They have to make the best business decision for the company.
This animated line long term will have a short life, it will last as long as the animated show, another 2-3 years max. The realistic line will outlive it long term. If I am going to buy another Anakin or Obi-Wan from the prequels I would love to have them in their animated attire. I would not mind a figure of Commander Cody in Phase 2 armor. a realistic Asoka and Cad Bane would be sweet.
Just look at these pics:
(http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/571/obicody.jpg)
(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4343/aniash.jpg)
Keep it limited but I am all for this.
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Chewie, we posted almost at the same moment with the same sentiment. I am with you on every point!
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For me, this is great news.
I never felt they should have done figures in the animated line in the first place.
They should have always just made the figures compatible with the rest of the toys and then development of characters who are no different than their movie counterparts would be easy money for Hasbro on re-release.
Characters like Battledroids, Super Battledroids, Destroyer Droids, Count Dooku, General Grievous, AOTC-style Clones, ROTS-style Clones, Plo Koon, Kit Fisto, Ki-Adi Mundi, Aayla Secura, Bariss Offee, Luminara Unduli, etc... all could have just been improved versions of previously released figures, the kids really wouldn't give a damn if the figure matched the source material 100% and the collectors would welcome the SA upgrades.
The vehicles were never going to be any different between the two lines, so why should the figures be?
They did this to us (albeit on a much smaller scale) with the first Clone Wars micro-series toys, and then slowly over the years, they made a realistic version of EVERY animated character that had previously made and then on top of that started to pump out characters that we never thought we'd get like the Hawkbat Battallion, Yoda on the Kybuk and that wolfman Jedi. Not to mention the great Clone Wars figures from TLC Wave 2.
They will start with Anakin, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan and eventually expand it out to Rex, Cody, Ventress and other characters.
There will eventually be a day where collectors simply ignore the animated style figures in favor of getting the realistic versions 'cause it may seem impossible now, but like others have mentioned, one day the 3D cartoon series will end, and then the 3D animated-style figure line will end, but the "realistic" line will continue and just like we continue to hope for all 96 vintage figures to be remade, there will be a list of all 3D animated Clone Wars characters that we're hoping to be remade.
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My opinion/thoughts are the same as they were 2.5 years ago -
when is the best time to sell things to kids? While it's hot/hip/new/fresh/exciting.
That's why we are seeing the animated figures first. Do the animated style figures first, cash in on the kids (and uber-completeists) with the initial excitement of the movie/cartoon. If they collect some average collector cash too, it's a bonus.
Then, once the kids move on to the next thing or get bored, Hasbro goes back and does the realistic style type figures for us. The uber-completeists & some average collectors take another hit and the other collectors they missed before buy in finally.
[snip]...By doing the animated stuff first, you get the casual folks to buy some animated first, then try to get them to re-buy characters in realistic style later...
I see people saying "when the animated line fails, then they will make realistic style" like Hasbro needs to learn some lesson from this... how do we know that wasn't their plan all along? Maybe they sat down and decided "we'll sell as much animated as we can to kids and then sell the realistic style once the animated has run it's course"? Makes sense to me and certainly flows with things they've done in the past to extend the line... ;)
It's like Pete just said - it's the same thing they did with the first CW series = cash in on the animated style while it's hot; regress to the "realistic" style later to pick up all those you missed the first time through. ;)
Them coming out with a "realistic" style Ahsoka et al was only a matter of time.
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Like others, I was all for a realistic styled line when they started the CW stuff. That said, I have since picked up quite a few of the CW animated figures (in the minority here so far it seems), and I do like them for what they are...and several really fit in with "realistic" figures pretty well I think. Personally, I'd be all for seeing realistic versions of a number of CW characters, although I don't necessarily need them all either. I am wondering though, if the animated line isn't necessarily "hot" anymore, as mentioned. Pegs do seem pretty full right now, but there is a lot (repacked) out there and the new season hasn't quite started yet. The CW figs seemed to be flying off the pegs for the most part for the past couple years, outselling the "movie" stuff, but I'm wondering what we'll see going forward. Is CW really slowing down, or just SW in general...or is the Vintage craze stealing some of the thunder?
Back to topic, I'd be pretty psyched to see realistic versions of characters like Ahsoka, Cad Bane, etc. - along with the mainstays (Anakin, Obi-Wan, etc.) in their CW "armored" versions. If it starts taking over the whole vintage line, and bumping off movie characters (particularly OT characters, since PT/CW can cross over), I don't think I'd be too happy. It is interesting to hear though.
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Back to topic, I'd be pretty psyched to see realistic versions of characters like Ahsoka, Cad Bane, etc. - along with the mainstays (Anakin, Obi-Wan, etc.) in their CW "armored" versions. If it starts taking over the whole vintage line, and bumping off movie characters (particularly OT characters, since PT/CW can cross over), I don't think I'd be too happy. It is interesting to hear though.
That's the key, if there are still two separate line i do not want CW realistic taking too many slots. If CW animated style falls to the way side then it obviously would give at least another 2 waves back to the realistic line.
While C5 is more adult collector oriented the long winded interview over at scum did not cover any CW animated specific questions. Some came up in passing but nothing direct, maybe it's reading too much into it but you never know. You would think specific questions would have been brought up. Maybe it is slowing down. As Brian mentioned the Season 3 premiere will be the tell tale sign. I am sure they will do well, I expect this line to be around at least another 2 years until 2012.
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This seemed inevitable (not matter what Hasbro said...remember "WE'"LL NEVER MAKE THE CLOUD CAR, BUY A VINTAGE ONE, THEY ARE ON EBAY"?)
I preferred the Tartakovsky series figures done in realistic style. The thing was, that microseries was so...micro...short-lived, that producing more in that style would've added to a very niche appeal subset, so limited that there wouldn't be much point in making them. That, and the animated style figures they made were barely articulated, and I didn't even buy those on clearance.
Making the CGI Clone Wars character in animated style only made sense, the series will run some 5 years total. I think it would matter to kids if the characters didn't look like the show, actually. I've warmed up to them a lot (if only they'd stopping short changing the figures articulation). I can totally understand longtime collectors not buying the animated toys for compatibility reasons. (A long time GI JOE collector, I've mostly avoided the modern era lines because they've changed the scale of the figures, making most of the pre 2007 stuff uncompatible with the previous 25 years.)
But, anyway, if this series is supposed to be "canon", then at least some principle characters could stand to be made realistic form, like Ahsoka and Cad Bane. Not sure there's much reason to make characters like Capt. Argyus or Clone Trooper Fives in realistic format, though, or at least anytime soon.
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My opinion/thoughts are the same as they were 2.5 years ago -
when is the best time to sell things to kids? While it's hot/hip/new/fresh/exciting.
That's why we are seeing the animated figures first. Do the animated style figures first, cash in on the kids (and uber-completeists) with the initial excitement of the movie/cartoon. If they collect some average collector cash too, it's a bonus.
Then, once the kids move on to the next thing or get bored, Hasbro goes back and does the realistic style type figures for us. The uber-completeists & some average collectors take another hit and the other collectors they missed before buy in finally.
[snip]...By doing the animated stuff first, you get the casual folks to buy some animated first, then try to get them to re-buy characters in realistic style later...
I see people saying "when the animated line fails, then they will make realistic style" like Hasbro needs to learn some lesson from this... how do we know that wasn't their plan all along? Maybe they sat down and decided "we'll sell as much animated as we can to kids and then sell the realistic style once the animated has run it's course"? Makes sense to me and certainly flows with things they've done in the past to extend the line... ;)
It's like Pete just said - it's the same thing they did with the first CW series = cash in on the animated style while it's hot; regress to the "realistic" style later to pick up all those you missed the first time through. ;)
Them coming out with a "realistic" style Ahsoka et al was only a matter of time.
I think I was on board with this notion too, and I agree.
Personally, I'm fine with this for the most part...
First, Figures like L8-L9 and other figures from the original CW series were originally sculpted realistically, not the reverse. Kind of ironic then to see complaining that these were done realistically. :)
Second, I'm with CHEWIE and others on the issue that I don't care for the animated looking figures, but I'd like realistic figures of them to fill in the gaps in the history of the saga that now don't have figures. IE: the majority of the war.
I mean, I've got all these clones, but no Rex to go with them. I've got lots of Ani's and Obi's, but not Ani and Obi from the war (well, the full armor Obi from early in hte war I guess).
I'll buy... Plain and simple. I didn't want animated, I passed and saved money, and now they're going to dip into them and that's great to me I guess. Anything that sucks I'll pass on I guess. But getting an Ahsoka and Ani like pictured above though, that's going to kick ass IMO.
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I agree completely... Ahsoka and characters like her would be great to get in realistic format. Same goes with Rex and Phase One Cody, and so many other characters I don't even know too well. It seems like a good formula for Hasbro... and if figures look cool, I buy them. Even if they make figures that I don't know who they are from the animated series. I can use them for background characters in dioramas, such as Coruscant citizens, Tatooine, or just a mish mash of figures that don't really have a home.
And for the record, I remember looking back and thinking the CW animated stuff might do okay, but I wasn't excited about it. Part of me kind of hoped it would bomb and they would go realistic style early on, because I am such a fan of the toys in the realistic style. I think for a while I also thought they would do horrible at the onset... I guess I always had mixed feelings about it. I remember buying wave one and wave two, then decided it just wasn't a style I cared for and have bought very few figures from that line since then.
Anyways, it's going to be interesting to see where this leads... look at a character like K'kruhk, who was originally animated (I think), then turned into a realistic design in the comics. He translated into an outsanding figure, as did Roron Corobb and the Yoda w/ Kybuck Steed.
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I have mixed feelings on this. Even though I have nearly the whole Clone Wars animated line, I would have no problems with re-buying some of the characters, such as Cody, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex. My problems would stem from the inevitable step down in quality. The realistic figures seem to lack the durability that the Clone Wars figures seem to have. It's nice being able to pose a Clone Trooper without losing a hand, stretching the legs out, or worrying about a helmet that doesn't completely cover the head.
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I can see this as a very strong possibility. Clone Wars continues to outsell the collector oriented movie realistic figures in a big way. Making Clone Wars characters available in the movie realistic line may breathe some life into that line and generate some crossover sales with PT and OT characters.
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Maybe they do outsell the realistic figures, but from what I always see at retail, that doesn't seem to be the case. And I rarely see on the boards people refuting that.
Not saying it's not true, but I've always felt that part of the reason that Hasbro pushes that line so much is because the cost per figure is probably less on their end due to the decreased sculpting details(and often articulation).
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Since re-starting collecting in 1996 I've seen many figures I 100% passed on and back then decided to only buy what I liked the look of and not worry about completist ideals.
CW line has some horror figures as does all of the OT and PT based lines and then there's the stand-out figures.
From when CW line came in I've collected the ones I like in conjunction with the regular movie based line cherry picking the ones I like the most,so if the CW line is taken in this direction I'll simply do the same.
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I wouldn't mind it in small numbers... but I'm not particularly interested in TCW to begin with.
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And now you know why I never purchased a single animated style figure.
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I was about to say hell to the no, but after seeing pictures that JACKOFTRADZE put up, I actually don't think I would mind seeing these, only because Hasbro's running out versions of the main characters to make.
However, if Hasbro does this, I think it should be limited only to the core characters of the show. Like someone mentioned, seeing a realistic version of Captain Argyus or some other minor character is somewhat pointless.
One thing to consider, though, is would this make it into TVC? Hasbro has said countless times that TVC will have a stricter focus and will be less EU. So why use the potential, extremely limited EU slots on characters that we just saw in the other line? Personally, I'd much rather get a 'Star Wars: Legacy' Darth Wyyrlok over a realistic-styled TCW Anakin. So, that being said, would these, if being made, make it into a non-TVC line? So far we know that there was only one EU wave for TVC planned, which was broken up and scattered throughout the line. And then with more video game characters from TFU2 and TOR coming out in 2012, it'll be a tight squeeze for realistic TCW figures.
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Meh...It's another "line" for me to collect if Hasbro goes down this route. I'm getting burnt out enough with things as they are so it might just be another sign for me to say goodbye and move on.
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Keep in mind, although I am against the idea and discourage it in every way, I will still buy them. :P
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Keep in mind, although I am against the idea and discourage it in every way, I will still buy them. :P
I love it! I love the honesty of resigning to the fact that you would break down and get them despite being against it because of your obsession with collecting the line. I am in the same boat but am for this one.
In a post long ago I wrote about how collecting this line is like being in an abusive relationship - You keep coming back for more even though you get treated like crap and complain about the situation.
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I'm fine with realistic CW figures. I LOVE THE SHOW, and I am shocked by certain people who have ignored it (Lando...) and I have collected many of the figures.
I think that this really is just a way to create new Anikins and Obi-Wans. If they need to keep those two on the pegs, it might as well be something 100% new.
Also, maybe will get a realistic version of Jocastu Nu's animated version. ;D
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Also, maybe will get a realistic version of Jocastu Nu's animated version. ;D
Jocasta Nu in CW style not been made yet but one of both would be good IMO.
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I have no problems with this if they do it, as long as they keep it to the big guns and important characters. Like others have said, theres really no need for a realistic Captain Argyus, or anything like that, but a movie styled Ashoka or Cad Bane? I'd take that. That said though, I love the animated style too, I think the figures are pretty slick looking, but I'm not the type to mind a sub line or two that tries to be a little different. Honestly, if they go this route, i'd actually like to see them go the other way as well and maybe make an exclusive box set of the OT characters done in animated style. I think that would be a cool novelty item.
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I think you're missing out with the show too Rob... Honestly, it's good. It's better than the PT to me. It's as good as ROTS to me. It's a little campy sometimes, but so is Star Wars in general I think, and to me this series has had some great, great moments in it.
Some episodes are better than others. If you watch Landing at Point Rain and think it sucks and is the dumbest thing in Star Wars you've ever seen though, I think you're simply not going to like anything about the series then. But even the bad espisodes to me have been good. Hell, I even like Jar Jar in this.
Yes, I said that... I like Jar Jar in this. Calling 3PO "Threeso"? That's funny to me for reasons I can't even explain. They somehow took what Lucas thought he was doing right with him, and actually did it the way it should've been done.
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I wonder what the abundance of animated figures out there would do to the market for realistic ones. Would kids who already have animated Anakin give a crap about realistic Anakin?
Seems to me like it would only work if it were collector focused and narrow, or if the entire CW line switched and it was mostly new figures with targeted re-dos.
I'm still not particularly interested in the CW show, and I wouldn't be particularly interested in more CW figures. ;)
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One thing to consider, though, is would this make it into TVC? Hasbro has said countless times that TVC will have a stricter focus and will be less EU. So why use the potential, extremely limited EU slots on characters that we just saw in the other line?
Does Hasbro consider CW as EU? I am thinking they don't.
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I personally hope it happens. I decided not to buy the Clone Wars figures but there are a bunch of characters i want. I hope they do go with this.
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I'm for this. Even though I've bought a few, (select few, no more than a 10) CW figs, I"ll be more than happy to get a realistic version of Ashoka, Phase 1 Cody, Rex, Cad Bane, and more.
Then I'll just put my CW figs in their own diorama.
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I wonder what the abundance of animated figures out there would do to the market for realistic ones. Would kids who already have animated Anakin give a crap about realistic Anakin?
Depends on the kid. The ones who avidly watch the cartoon, pay attention to who he characters are and "collect" (as best they can given the sheer amount of pricey product) or those lose the accessories in .5 seconds, rip all the limbs off and toss it around the room or let the family dog chew on it when they aren't chewing on it themselves.
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Depends on the kid. The ones who avidly watch the cartoon, pay attention to who he characters are and "collect" (as best they can given the sheer amount of pricey product) or those lose the accessories in .5 seconds, rip all the limbs off and toss it around the room or let the family dog chew on it when they aren't chewing on it themselves.
Hey, that correctly fills the description of my 6-year-old brother. The first thing he does (for whatever reason) as soon as he takes the figure out of the package is decapitate the figure. You can't even imagine how many headless Anakins and Obi-Wans he has.
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I would have preferred realistic versions in the beginning, but I enjoy the style of the animated figures and I've grown into it quite a bit. The show is very good for those who haven't seen it. It is often better than the PT films, though it has its own flaws. The Mando storyline was probably better than anything in the prequals, and Landing At Point Rain destroyed any battle in the PT.
I have no interest whatsoever in collecting another line, but I think there are limits to this. Obviously the main characters will all be represented, as will the infinite skittle troopers, but most of the CW figures already exist as realistic versions.
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Personally I wouldn't really view these as another line... If anything, I'd view them as Hasbro attempting to make TCW's 3D line even more separate, and making figures for those of us refusing to buy into another line. They're no different to me than other EU/media out there like comic figures or whatnot.
If they're realistic sculpts, I tend to think of them as part of the same basic line then.
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Personally I wouldn't really view these as another line... If anything, I'd view them as Hasbro attempting to make TCW's 3D line even more separate, and making figures for those of us refusing to buy into another line. They're no different to me than other EU/media out there like comic figures or whatnot.
If they're realistic sculpts, I tend to think of them as part of the same basic line then.
I agree on both of your points. In my opinion this can only help the line not hurt it.
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I've been cherry picking the animated line, some of them just looked to cool to resist, like the Talz for example, but I would still buy realistic versions of clone wars characters. I think Obi Wan and Anakin in their Orto Plutonia gear would make great figures if they did this.
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I think the only way this would hurt the line is in the timing. For example, releasing them now, when we already have 3 different Anakins and Obi Wans on the shelves would be downright foolish. Of course that's assuming these will be singles releases. I've often thought this concept would work well in a similar vein to the Force Unleashed 5 packs.
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As much as I loathe anything PT, I would like this. It would add droid and background character fodder.
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Well again I always thought it was actually a smart move by Hasbro to make the animated style of figures for the cartoon series. Mainly for the kids of course. If they would not have then you would have had people begging for the cartoon style. I just assumed they would also make "realistic" versions of the main figures because they would see dollar signs with that. It sounds like they are finally going down that road. This way they can make both camps happy. Yay.
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I'm fine with realistic CW figures. I LOVE THE SHOW, and I am shocked by certain people who have ignored it (Lando...) and I have collected many of the figures.
I think that this really is just a way to create new Anikins and Obi-Wans. If they need to keep those two on the pegs, it might as well be something 100% new.
Also, maybe will get a realistic version of Jocastu Nu's animated version. ;D
Ha! I knew that was coming! ;)
Honestly, I think the show is great too. It really blows TPM and AOTC out of the water, I'm sorry to say. Sure there are some cheezy points, but from the episodes I've seen (and I have a lot still to watch), there's nothing as cringe-worthy as 50% of TPM. And Jesse's right, they even handled Jar Jar well.
There are a bunch of characters I'd love to have from the Clone Wars cartoon, and since I don't collect the animated style, it would be cool to have these in the realistic format. Who wouldn't want some of those badass IG droids they have running around that cartoon? The Muftak aliens? the ******* Mandalorians?! Let's face it, the Clone Wars captured more of the magic of the OT than the PT ever did...so if they release some of these in the realistic style, I'll buy many of them.
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I'm against "realistic figures" at least for the time being. I only buy a few Clone Wars figures (VERY few... like 3 since the line started) and would probably continue that habit in the realistic line. I'm definitely in for realistic versions of Rex and Asokha, but I could care less about yet another version of Obi-Wan and Anakin hitting the pegs.
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Ha. Good to see you on the bandwagon Lando.
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The reason i think they are doing this is because they are comming to the realization that they have -by and large-exhuasted the PT hero types. Yes they could carry on tweaking existing sculpts -but surely these realistic CW TV types will sell just as well?
I expect these to basically replace the McQaurrie line -one a wave- and think they will reveal them at ToyFair.
As long as these take away slots from PT Heroes i'm okay with it -if it's OT/PT backgrounders ...no thankyou!
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I thought the new "collector focused" line mostly ended the backgrounders anyway. :P (Or it just seems that way because there's no "new" backgrounders, just redos at the moment.)
Yeah, when they started making ROTS concept Anakin and Ki Adi-Mundi (a good figure, but an odd choice), you know they were running short of Prequel Hero types. Those figures (and the more praised McQuarries/Johnston) arguably took away new tooling that could've been applied to actual movie characters. In that regard, the realistic Clone Wars figures are going to as well. Which is all reasonable, because a lot of the backgrounders we want have been slow movers compared to those concept figures and Hasbro has to balance things out.
But I hope they wouldn't "replace" concept figures, because I wouldn't mind a concept Gammorean Guard, maybe a few others.
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Oh i think the concepts will return eventually, but i recall them saying not next year as they have something else planned -Realistic TCW?
yeah there doesn't seem to be many backgrounders in TVC -more in 2011 i think. I don't think they will ever include as many again as in TLC though.
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Whew, sounds like we can put this rumor to rest...for awhile at least, courtesy of Sandtroopers' QA:
"Likewise, some fans have asked for Vintage-style versions of more modern characters and that too is an avenue that we have chosen not go down. Instead, we'll stick to the separate realistic and animated lines for now, each universe to itself."
Right on Hasbro! :)
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Still think we'll see some eventually, but this is welcome news for now.
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Whew, sounds like we can put this rumor to rest...for awhile at least, courtesy of Sandtroopers' QA:
"Likewise, some fans have asked for Vintage-style versions of more modern characters and that too is an avenue that we have chosen not go down. Instead, we'll stick to the separate realistic and animated lines for now, each universe to itself."
Right on Hasbro! :)
Personally I like that decision, but I am surprised they don't take the opportunity to make some realistic Clone Wars figures. I would think the dollar signs would be dancing in their heads with the chance to put Anakin and Kenobi in yet another form to the masses.
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No, by "Vintage-style" they mean the original figures. Like the Mail-away Rocket Fett. But the sentence after that does seem to indicate no realistic CW figures. On the other hand they were asked only about OT characters in animated style so this could be a "from a certain point of view" type thing.
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It's less money spent for now, so I'm happy either way, but down the road when (I really believe it's going to happen, just a matter of time) they decide to do realistic styled CW3D figures, I'm all in on buying them just as I was into figures from source material i didn't really care about like NJO figures and whatnot.
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Can't say Im exactly disappointed, but if these were ever made, I wouldn't mind picking up a few.
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I'm glad.
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A nice place to test the waters would be to paint up a bunch of existing BAD molds in CW deco as an exclusive set or something. Droids are kind of a transient between realistic and animated, anyway.
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I'd buy Cody, Rex, and Ahsoka in the realistic style. Heck, why not do them? I cherry pick from the CW line, so I'd probably do the same here. It really couldn't be a huge line anyway, since most of the characters in the show have realistic toys anyway.
And dudes like Pre Viszla kind of split the difference anyway, at least when Pre's helmet is on.
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I'd buy Cody, Rex, and Ahsoka in the realistic style. Heck, why not do them?
I'm sure Hasbro will eventually get around to making realistic versions of these. Even if it's not sometime soon.
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I'd buy just about anything realistic from secondary to primary characters. I'm easy for this stuff though, and love the cartoon, just hate the animated figures since they're a wholely separate line as far as I'm concerned. They've been putting out dandies though like the Deluxe Bane.
But I'm more than happy for realistic sculpts when they come out.
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This announced release should be considered the ultimate evolution of Clone Wars animated series
They should avoid very thin limbs, the lack of color on the soles of clone troopers, the wide faces of some figures.
Perhaps many of them would be retools from tlc or tvc releases with the updated paintjobs.
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Time for a bump... As per the Forceast this week, with DD, it sounds like Lucasfilm has relaxed their strict non-realistic stance on the Clone Wars line...
However Hasbro says nothing before 2012... Wouldn't be massive influx. One at a time, key characters. Should be on Vintage cards, barring anything changing.
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Of course, 2012 makes sense, as this is clearly one of the signs of the Apocalypse.
ABOMINATIONS BEFORE GOD!!! >:( >:( >:(
Is there nothing they won't defile for the sake of the almighty dollar?
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as far as I am concerned, the latest Cad Bane pretty much is the first "realistic" style CW character to me. that really is one great figure.
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Thought this fit here as well as anywhere else, but SSG (http://www.sirstevesguide.com/index.php?categoryid=48&p2_articleid=1579) has a little post-CC Q and A up with Hasbro, and they mention that there won't be "realistic style" versions of the new Clone Wars characters anytime soon - and they seem pretty definite on that (of course, we "definitely" weren't seeing a number of other things at some point or another too). Anyways, just thought I'd pass it along, this particular question is towards the end.
From Action Figure Insider Q&A:
Yep, you asked for it, you got it. A handful of core Clone Wars figures are planned for the Vintage Collection line in 2012. Stay tuned for more information!
>:(
Ugh, not like we didn't know this was coming, but still. Worst...news...ever. What is even the point? You already have all the core figures in the realistic style! Obi-Wan, Anakin, Rex, Cody, Yoda, etc.
Is anyone REALLY clamoring for a realistic Pre Vizsla?
This is just a crass cash grab on the part of Hasbro..a way to suck more money out of collector's hands who wouldn't touch the animated line otherwise. This is only going to hurt the TCW line IMO, you'll have more clutter on the pegs and even more pegwarmers from having 5 different Obi and Anis sitting there all year.
This only markes sense as a marketing gimmick. There is no philosophical basis for it whatsoever. Animated characters should be done in an animated style, and realistic characters should be done in a realistic style. Keep the chocolate away from the peanut butter!
Rant over.
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I don't know.
I grew to love the animated style, but I've been looking forward to realistic versions of these guys forever. It doesn't have to be everybody, but I'd like to have the main characters and some of the major clones (Echo, Waxer, Boil).
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This is just a crass cash grab on the part of Hasbro..a way to suck more money out of collector's hands who wouldn't touch the animated line otherwise.
Yeah, if only people had figured that out long ago...
All I'm really hoping for out of the Animated characters is that the main ones be done in realistic style at some point
Does anyone think this won't happen? ???
I think of it this way - when is the best time to sell things to kids? While it's hot/hip/new/fresh/exciting.
That's why we are seeing the animated figures first. Do the animated style figures first, cash in on the kids (and uber-completeists) with the initial excitement of the movie/cartoon. If they collect some average collector cash too, it's a bonus.
Then, once the kids move on to the next thing or get bored, Hasbro goes back and does the realistic style type figures for us. The uber-completeists & some average collectors take another hit and the other collectors they missed before buy in finally.
If they started with "realistic" style and then went animated, many causal fans would pass on the animated stuff becuase they'd already have the realistic figures that matched what they have now. By doing the animated stuff first, you get the casual folks to buy some animated first, then try to get them to re-buy characters in realistic style later...
I see people saying "when the animated line fails, then they will make realistic style" like Hasbro needs to learn some lesson from this... how do we know that wasn't their plan all along? Maybe they sat down and decided "we'll sell as much animated as we can to kids and then sell the realistic style once the animated has run it's course"? Makes sense to me and certainly flows with things they've done in the past to extend the line... ;)
:)
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Yeah, we already knew this was coming, but I wouldn't mind seeing a few figures sprinkled in here or there. Honestly, some of them already fit in reasonably well, and I definitely don't need to see the whole lineup redone either. I'm sure we'll get Anakin and Obi-Wan (although Anakin in particular is pretty much exactly the same as the ROTS version at this point), but otherwise I wouldn't mind seeing Ahsoka, Cad Bane (although the deluxe version is probably close enough too), etc. Most of the Jedi can pretty easily be done or slightly adapted from the ROTS versions, as well as many of the clones. I'm ok with a few, as long as it doesn't start taking up half or majority of the vintage line.
I'm wondering if the CW line is starting to slow down a bit with the kiddos. I'm sure it still sells great, but I do remember at the beginning where they honestly couldn't keep them on the pegs here (or anywhere by the way it sounded). They obviously ship a lot more often than TVC, but I'd say the pegs have been pretty full for awhile now (particularly at WM) and they don't seem to disappear quite as quickly anymore. Like Jeff's post mentions, the kids are really into it when it is new and hot and maybe some are moving on to other things more already now. Or maybe it is just as popular as ever, I don't know. But, it could be the reason we're going to start to see them in the Vintage line now, since - as Jeff mentioned - everyone who is remotely interested has probably broken down and bought the animated versions so now they can get us again.
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Well, the pegs may be jammed with TCW product but it's a glut of crap from 3-4 waves ago, if not older. Good luck finding much of the last 2 waves out there. The new stuff still seems to fly off the shelves, the problem is just that there isn't any new stuff shipping in any quantity. It's hard to gauge the overall health of the line right now because of the ongoing distribution mess.
Jeff, your foresight is admirable, but I don't think this is happening because the TCW line has gone stale or the kids have moved on to something else. If anything, it may be more of a commentary on the state of the TVC line than its animated counterpart.
I wish they would have held off on this until after the show was over and the proper animated line had run its course. Of course the bottom line is always money, and everything else is a distant second. No shock there.
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Confirmed by Hasbro in Action Figure Insider's Q/A session:
Q2) And any chance/thought of Hasbro doing figures of Pre-Visla, Cad Bane, Asoka, Hondo, Embo, or any of the other "Clone Wars" characters in the more realistic saga or vintage styles?
A2) Yep, you asked for it, you got it. A handful of core Clone Wars figures are planned for the Vintage Collection line in 2012. Stay tuned for more information!
Rex, Ahsoka, and probably Cad Bane are a given, but asides from those three I'd like to see Asajj Ventress and Savage Opress.
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I am mixed about this. I am like sweet and also like who cares. We all knew this was going to happen. I would like to see Rex (I have a feeling he going to be in ROTS bluray movie), phase 1 Cody, Echo, Fives, Waxer, Boil, Ahsoka, Cad Bane.
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i'm psyced about it. something "new" i know every old school collector, like myself, want all of Jabba's troop and every alien in the Cantina and I can't wait for the definitve version of Bespin Han. BUT it'd be nice to have some 'new' non animated characters that aren't from 25-30 years ago. Hate the CW or love it most of it does fit within the storyline of the movies and is better then alot of the books that have come out. My real concern is if say Ahsoka would they make the younger season 1 & 2 version or the current 3 & 4 version. Current Obi/Anakin are easy enough of a custom I wouldn't even want Hasbro to bother making them.
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I'm psyched...
No, seriously, I am.
I wanted realistic from the get-go. Hasbro confirmed back at Toy Fair they were doing realistic figures from CW in the line, so I wouldn't say it's just getting confirmed now... Real news would've been confirming WHO they're doing.
But like Jeff said, this was seen a mile away.
They showed a great realistic Anakin to us back a while... I forget if it was us who asked the "realistic Clone Wars" questions back then, but that Anakin has stuck in my head ever since I saw it.
For me, this is huge though. What I'd like to see?
-Anakin... There is no CW Anakin in that outfit, with that hair. I'm excited to add it to the collection. I want an Ani as he appears for most of the war.
-Obi-Wan... Obi's mostly like his ROTS character, simply in his partial armor. Like Anakin, I'm all for giving that a go. I was going to try my own custom of him but this saves that.
-Ahsoka... Definitely. I want both her young and maturing look too.
-Rex... Ideally, we'll get both helmets. Rex was going to be a bitch of a custom to do, with all the paint details on his armor.
-Cody... Early War Cody? I'm all for it.
-Clone Repaints... I'll take them.
I don't foresee them doing too many secondary characters, but I could see a new Assajj coming out, possibly some of the secondary Clones will get unique headsculpts in the realistic style too. I'd be all for seeing that stuff. I don't expect to see Whorm Loathsome, or Ziro the Hutt... Not even sure they'll risk Cad Bane (Duros look generally thin anyway, so I like the last Bane that came with TODO as a realistic figure. Even the Deluxe looks pretty realistic).
I've passed on MOST animated figures. I don't own any Anakin, and I think I only own Obi-Wan from a Freeco bike... A few pack-in Clones here and there. Eh... I've largely avoided animated except for droids like the IG-86 droid, or Yularren's on clearance for the table. I'm definitely interested in these realistic CW figures though, and how Hasbro can do them in the realistic line. That Anakin sculpt is stuck in my mind, and it was incredible looking.
Oh, and an "adventurer outfit" Padme wouldn't hurt either. ;)
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Time for a bump... As per the Forceast this week, with DD, it sounds like Lucasfilm has relaxed their strict non-realistic stance on the Clone Wars line...
However Hasbro says nothing before 2012... Wouldn't be massive influx. One at a time, key characters. Should be on Vintage cards, barring anything changing.
I knew it was somewhere in here and didn't even realize it was only a couple posts up from the bump. Right around Toy Fair... DD confirmed they were doing this back in February. It's not really a revelation IMO, but it's at least interesting nonetheless.
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I am shocked they did not go this route sooner. There are a few I would not mind having in realistic form but now that the CW has been out for 3 seasons I would almost rather that they be separate. Like I said, I always assumed they would do it anyway though. Yeah, it's a cash grab which is the main reason I thought they would do it. Obviously there are going to be people that like this so it's a good idea for them. I would much rather have those spots go to a figure from the films myself, but that is selfish. I get what they are doing and I am fine with it. They are company that wants to turn a profit. There is nothing wrong with this in my opinion. If you don't like them then do not buy them. Are there people that still buy everything regardless?
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I'd rather be able to find figures I want over expecting figures I don't.
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I'm psyched...
No, seriously, I am.
I wanted realistic from the get-go. Hasbro confirmed back at Toy Fair they were doing realistic figures from CW in the line, so I wouldn't say it's just getting confirmed now... Real news would've been confirming WHO they're doing.
But like Jeff said, this was seen a mile away.
They showed a great realistic Anakin to us back a while... I forget if it was us who asked the "realistic Clone Wars" questions back then, but that Anakin has stuck in my head ever since I saw it.
For me, this is huge though. What I'd like to see?
-Anakin... There is no CW Anakin in that outfit, with that hair. I'm excited to add it to the collection. I want an Ani as he appears for most of the war.
-Obi-Wan... Obi's mostly like his ROTS character, simply in his partial armor. Like Anakin, I'm all for giving that a go. I was going to try my own custom of him but this saves that.
-Ahsoka... Definitely. I want both her young and maturing look too.
-Rex... Ideally, we'll get both helmets. Rex was going to be a bitch of a custom to do, with all the paint details on his armor.
-Cody... Early War Cody? I'm all for it.
-Clone Repaints... I'll take them.
I don't foresee them doing too many secondary characters, but I could see a new Assajj coming out, possibly some of the secondary Clones will get unique headsculpts in the realistic style too. I'd be all for seeing that stuff. I don't expect to see Whorm Loathsome, or Ziro the Hutt... Not even sure they'll risk Cad Bane (Duros look generally thin anyway, so I like the last Bane that came with TODO as a realistic figure. Even the Deluxe looks pretty realistic).
I've passed on MOST animated figures. I don't own any Anakin, and I think I only own Obi-Wan from a Freeco bike... A few pack-in Clones here and there. Eh... I've largely avoided animated except for droids like the IG-86 droid, or Yularren's on clearance for the table. I'm definitely interested in these realistic CW figures though, and how Hasbro can do them in the realistic line. That Anakin sculpt is stuck in my mind, and it was incredible looking.
Oh, and an "adventurer outfit" Padme wouldn't hurt either. ;)
i just hope they don't use the new phase one trooper body for the clones, i'd hate to by them just for helmets.
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They won't make Ziro for clone wars, so they sure ain't gonna make him for realistic.
Is anyone REALLY clamoring for a realistic Pre Vizsla?
Mandalorians are easy money for Hasbro. I've never seen the CW Mandalorian warrior in person, the battle pack just once. Boba Fett is reissued because he sells, even the cruddy ones.
Those Marvel comic packs that intially sat at some outlets, the mandos from them sell on ebay for decent money.
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I'd rather be able to find figures I want over expecting figures I don't.
Ditto.
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I'm cool with this idea as it will put some newish stuff in the line. But I do hope we get Cad, or Snow clone, or something very different. Curious, but not wildly excited.
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Being that these are coming out on TVC cards, I wonder if Hasbro will use art from the cartoon or (and most likely, too) use realistic sketches of the characters.
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I'm happy with this. I'd like to get some of the cool alien characters. Those Muftak aliens immediately come to mind, as long as they aren't using that same Muftak body. I'd also love some of the bounty hunters and the IG droids.