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Collectibles => Past Hasbro 3.75" Lines => Saga Collection '06 => Topic started by: CHEWIE on June 24, 2004, 05:20 PM

Title: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on June 24, 2004, 05:20 PM
Let's say that somewhere down the road, Hasbro ends up making some shocking wonderful announcements...


...SAIL BARGE COMING SOON!

...CLOUD CITY PLAYSET COMING SOON!

...DEATH STAR PLAYSET COMING SOON!


If it were to happen, and these were the mother of all vehicles/playsets, how much would you be willing to pay for these?  Say, one comes out in 2005, one in 2006 and one is 2007.

I would be more than happy to shell out hundreds of dollars for each of these if they were done correctly.  Look at how great the USS FLAGG GI JOE playset was, how huge the giant shuttle was they made, etc.  If Hasbro did things right, they really could profit from this, as well as make some fans very, very happy (they could even include 2 ultimate figures with each one to make them even more desirable).

Thoughts?

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Nicklab on June 24, 2004, 05:37 PM
The only one I could come close to guessing a price for would be the Sail Barge.  It would probably be a pretty sizable box, at least as big as the EPISODE I Fambaa box.  I'd pay $80 tops.

With the others, it really depends on how it's done.  There are obvious constraints on doing the Death Star and Cloud City.  It would really depend on how large it is.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: SilverZ on June 24, 2004, 07:45 PM
I've always wanted them to do this, but I think it would take an arrangement that either Hasbro is unwilling/can't afford to make, or is unable to within the terms of their license. Here's how I figure it:

Scenario A: They make a Sail Barge, Death Star, etc as an ultimate collectible for 3-3/4" scale, and the pricetag brings it in at say, $150-$200 retail. Hasbro can't move enough of them even through an exclusive retailer arrangement because of size/cost. If they had trouble getting the shuttle out using existing tooling, they'll never be willing to shell out the development costs to make an all-new vehicle/playset happen.

Scenario B: They move it online with the same specs. They once again most likely run into order numbers that don't come close to justifying the expense of development, manufacturing, etc.

Scenario C: Sublicense. This would require that their master toy license from LFL allows such an action, which it may not. More than likely they hold all rights to toys, and any portion that they do not wish to pursue can not be sublicensed, but instead would need to be relinquished to LFL, which in turn could license the category to another company. And I'm sure Hasbro, even with the notion of never, ever releasing something called a "high-end vehicle/playset" line, won't let someone else make one without pulling some profit off it. So, it never happens.

Which is a bummer, because what would be great is a sublicense where a smaller shop, Neca, McFarlane, whoever, or a brand new company, fabricates the toy to awesome collector specs, and sells in limited numbers to the small collector base that wants the item. I'd figure under that scenario a Sail Barge, done right, would be in the $200-$250 range.

EDIT: My point is that I don't believe Hasbro is the company that can focus their efforts on a line like this. They're too big, too mass-market, and bandwidth-limited with other parts of the line, like Ep3. There needs to be a subline that compliments the main line to make this happen, and I don't see it ever happening.

This has been another pessimistic post by Jared. Thank you.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Ben on June 24, 2004, 09:22 PM
I'd like to see it happen, but there isn't any way in hell I'd buy them.

They'd just be too big and space is already an issue.
But, if these playsets were to happen, they'd be remembered for ages ala Hasbro's own GI Joe: ARAH playsets and vehicles. (Whatever happened to the Hasbro of twenty years ago?)
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: SilverZ on June 24, 2004, 09:55 PM
Unfortunately those big ticket Xmas purchases, like the Flagg was for me, have been replaced by PS2 and Xbox consoles, me thinks.   :( I just don't think there are kids asking for things like this, or parents willing to buy them if there were anymore... just us collectors, who apparently don't figure too much into any modern Hasbro thought until times get desperate.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on June 25, 2004, 10:27 AM
-sob-

I know, it's never going to happen...

 :'(
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Scott on June 25, 2004, 10:56 AM
I saw a report somewhere that Video Games have taken over toys in terms of kiddom interest just recently...be right back and I'll see if I can find it
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Muftak on June 25, 2004, 10:58 AM
sigh...

I'm right there with you, CHEWIE, wishing playsets were a priority for Hasbro.

There are three big strikes against palysets (as already mentioned and pretty much universally accepted):

1) Too expensive for Hasbro to invest in the toolings

2) Too expensive for the consumer to purchase at the store

3) Not enough shelf space at the retailer

I wish the impetus was there to look beyond these limitations and figure out a way to get us some neat stuff. Just look at Kenner's solutions to these problems twenty years ago: the vintage Death Star was mostly space, defintiely home-assembled, and completed with cardboard walls. The only Cloud City Playset was aslo a cardboard pop-up one that fit into a TV-Dinner sized box.


I'd be willing to take a board-based playset, something you assemble at home and fits in a box no bigger than a board game. Key pieces of the set could be molded in plastic that would then "plug in" to the walls and floors, but for the larger surfaces, I'd take cardboard-like parts printed to look movie-accurate.

The Death Star playset I made for myself (as an example) exists really as mostly flat sticker-covered walls with just a few pieces thrown in to bring it to life (computer consoles, doorways, etc).

It could be made without the toolings, it could be cheap enough to buy, it could take up less space on the shelf.

In short, it could work if anyone were willing to think outside of the (plastic) box.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on June 25, 2004, 12:41 PM
You are absolutely correct Muftak.  They also made that Palitoy Death Star back in the day too!

Really though, if they made sturdy thick cardboard as backing for scenes, I don't see why in the heck they could not pull something off for a cool Death Star and Cloud City playset.  They could also do modular versions like your masterpiece Muftak.

As for the Sail Barge, well remember they made the Royal Starship that retailed at $100.00.  It is a very cool display piece, but I don't think it has all too much play value since it never is in any real battle scenes in the movies, nor does it have any weapons.  It was also electronic, which didn't help the pricetag.  I am convinced that if they made a Sail Barge the same length, it would be a very cool toy.  And they could probably price it around $150 at TRU.  Not everyone would pay that, but hell I don't really see why someone would pass it up if they really wanted one.  They keep busting out huge GI JOE playsets, and some companies make those 12" scale tanks that go for $200.00, so I don't see why somewhere down the road we can't see a Sail Barge made.  Likely? No, but who knows.

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Durge on June 27, 2004, 01:54 PM
I'd pay whatever they wanted for a good Cloud City set.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Angry Ewok on June 27, 2004, 03:28 PM
I'd pay upwards $70 for a good playset. Anymore than $70 and it better be a super-duper Ewok Village.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Diddly on June 27, 2004, 04:16 PM
It really depends on scale for me. I'd pay about $70 - $100 for a to-scale/almost to scale ship/playset, but if it's small and whimpy (i.e. the small playsets from 1995), then I wouldn't pay over $20.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Paul on June 30, 2004, 12:30 PM

...SAIL BARGE COMING SOON!

...CLOUD CITY PLAYSET COMING SOON!

...DEATH STAR PLAYSET COMING SOON!


Sail Barge I'd probably pay $100

Cloud City $70-150 depending on size

Death Star $75-100 also depending on size

I know these may seem like high numbers to some of you, but now that my 3 year old daughter has discovered the "Pink" Aisle at TRU, I noticed that the Barbie Dream House is $159 and the Dream Castle is even more.    I bet those things are impossible to find around Christmas time, that being said, I don't buy into the whole "Nobody will buy it" crap that Hasbro puts out.  If you don't OVER-produce it, you won't lose money.  If Mattel can make it work, surely Hasbro can.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on June 30, 2004, 01:01 PM

...SAIL BARGE COMING SOON!

...CLOUD CITY PLAYSET COMING SOON!

...DEATH STAR PLAYSET COMING SOON!


Sail Barge I'd probably pay $100

Cloud City $70-150 depending on size

Death Star $75-100 also depending on size

I know these may seem like high numbers to some of you, but now that my 3 year old daughter has discovered the "Pink" Aisle at TRU, I noticed that the Barbie Dream House is $159 and the Dream Castle is even more.    I bet those things are impossible to find around Christmas time, that being said, I don't buy into the whole "Nobody will buy it" crap that Hasbro puts out.  If you don't OVER-produce it, you won't lose money.  If Mattel can make it work, surely Hasbro can.

Agreed!

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Morgbug on June 30, 2004, 01:19 PM
Unfortunately those big ticket Xmas purchases, like the Flagg was for me, have been replaced by PS2 and Xbox consoles, me thinks.   :( I just don't think there are kids asking for things like this, or parents willing to buy them if there were anymore... just us collectors, who apparently don't figure too much into any modern Hasbro thought until times get desperate.

Nail, you've been hit on the head.  

Realistically, these would have to be priced out similarly to the original FAO price for the shuttle, and probably more.  That's fine for adult collectors (by fine I mean we're likely to pay it, not like it) but no way are adults going to buy those for their kids.  The kids are for the most part playing video games, either on a console or on a computer.  That's a brand new console plus 2-3 games, almost a new low end Dell computer.  If, and that's a mighty big IF, the kids wanted them, they'd want (or have) the figures too, which is additional cash outlay for the parental units.  

I think Hasbro needs to realize what the target audience is for these toys, and toys in general.  There seems to be more adults buying action figures, in general, than kids.  It's a throwback for us, something we grew up with.  Kids = video games from a marketing standpoint.  IMO.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Jesse James on July 1, 2004, 05:12 PM
The only one i'd be really into, at this point, is the Sailbarge.  And I'd pay $100 or over for a good, to-scale (it's not that big actually) Sailbarge.  I'd go $120 max I suppose...  And I'd need to not be on some time limit to buy it.

It's a fun ship, a ship that would double as an action-filled playset...  I'd enjoy that.

Death Star and things I'm interested in, but as a modular playset, not a single, large ticket item.  

On the Barge I'd want no frills, no pack-ins...  Just a large playset.  Market it around some figures at the same time...  re-release of Luke or something, I dunno.  Pack-ins, I've found, are only irritating anymore to those who dn't buy ships for whatever reason.

If they did do a pack-in, re-releases would be cool I guess.  Gammorrean or whatnot.

If they REALLY wanted to wow us, a Pit of Carkoon "stand" for it would be amazing...  :)
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on July 1, 2004, 05:32 PM
Yes, a stand for it and somehow an incorporated Sarlacc Pit would make me pay $200 for it in a heartbeat.  I would sell my dog if I had to in order to get this.

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: JediMAC on July 7, 2004, 04:26 AM
sigh...

I'm right there with you, CHEWIE, wishing playsets were a priority for Hasbro...

Sorry Bobb, but you don't count in this coversation, since you already make your own high-end SW playsets!   :-*  But if you wanted to make another one of those Death Stars from top to bottom for $150, I'd gladly hook you up!  Slap in a conference room, and I'd bump it up to about $200...   ;)

That said, I'd pretty much shell out whatever Hasbro was asking for if they made a real nice version of any of the aforementioned items.  I'd also throw in a Cantina and Jabba's Palace on my playset wishlist too!  I'd prefer to stick to around $100, but if they did a kickass job, and made it reasonably close to scale, I'd double that amount.

I think the best case scenario (realistically), is to create some modular playsets.  But not crappy ones like the POTF2 sets, but real nice ones, fully encompassing specific scenes in each one.  Pretty much the same way Bobb made his Death Star - offer up level by level, for about $30 or $40 a pop.  I'd bite, for sure!  Folks (and even kids, God forbid) could pick and choose which levels they wanted.  Stagger their releases a little as well, to make it easier to stomach the cost of each subsequent set, so collectors wouldn't be thinking of the price as a whole, but rather just in smaller portions.

But yeah, the cost of creating the molds and all that probably wouldn't ever make this idea feasible, unfortunately.  But hell, we can still dream, can't we?  Or at least continue to ogle at Muftak's incredible work...   8)
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on July 7, 2004, 03:56 PM
I agree with what you are saying.  I don't understand why they can't at least give us something like the interactive Simpsons playsets (but without the sounds).

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: JediMAC on July 22, 2005, 07:22 PM
Moving Justin's thread over here to the TSC section here so we can continue on with the conversation from a while ago.  Kinda surprised nobody bumped this one up several months ago with the announcement (and pix) of the beautiful upcoming Attakus dioramas.  Sounds like a lot of folks are going to be buying those breathtaking pieces regardless of what they cost, so I think the sales on those will very much answer the question posed in this thread here.

I'm guessing those Death Star and Dagobah sets may run about $500 each (and there's two sets in each diorama).  So if that's indeed the case, I'd say a lot of collectors (both with and without the disposable income for high-end stuff like this) are going to bite the bullet and buy these beauties when they finally come out, especially since it sounds like they're very much in scale with Hasbro's 4" line.

I know I've seen some mindboggling customs pop up on eBay over the years that I've thought about chasing for $500 - $1,000, but I always just figured I'd be patient to see what Hasbro, or another official licensee (like Attakus), might come up with instead.  Hopefully the wait pays off, and hopefully Attakus surprises us with a price point more in the $200 - $300 range (doubtful).  Either way, I'd say some folks will pay top dollar for some realistic and accurately scaled ships and dioramas.  Not so sure my wife is going to agree with me doing that, but...  :-X
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Darth Broem on July 22, 2005, 08:37 PM
I thought I saw a picture of a Hoth playset for the Titanium collection from SDCC.  Where they actually going to put sets out like that?  I might go for those since they remind me of the Micro Collections.  Granted I would like to see some others made like the Death Star or Jabba's Palace or the Cantina. 

Hasbro just is not going to make playsets or large ships ever.  I almost wish they would let some other company try to make them.  It's just aggravating to have all these cool ships and environments from the entire Star Wars saga not represented with up to date toys.  Not this repainted stuff from the 70's and 80's.  I am ready for new vehicles and playsets.  But alas it will never be apparently. 
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Nathan on July 22, 2005, 09:29 PM
High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?

I dunno, 50 bucks max, if it was something I really wanted.

I totally agree with the staggered modular playsets idea. Instead of doing a $800 Death Star or Cloud City the size of an Excursion, I'd rather see small sections sold separately that can be combined. I.e., Death Star conference room, hangar bay, Detention Block AA-23, Turbolift, corridor #1, corridor #2, etc. You can just buy those sections you have the money, space, and interest for--or go all out and get all of them. Everyone's happy.

Or assemblable cardboard ones might work as well.

Either way, I still have some of those MicroMachines mini playsets which I'm quite attached to.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Rob on July 23, 2005, 01:47 AM
I would ALWAYS rather pay more money and get NEW stuff that hasn't been made before - and bigger vehicles/playsets qualify, than pay $5.00 for another repack.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Jesse James on July 23, 2005, 03:31 AM
I'm that way too Rob...  I'd sooner pay $50 for a scale AT-ST that had tons of detail than pay $20-$30 for the half-assed vintage sculpt again with a purdy box...  Plus, with vehicles being so "collector-oriented" anymore, I think something higher-priced and substantially better is a nicer route to go.

Like the 12" line, it'd be sweet if Hasbro handed vehicles off as a sub-license somehow.  ;D

Hey 21st Century Toys or BBI...  I hear you guys were looking for something to do?
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Darth_Anton on July 23, 2005, 11:04 AM
If Hasbro did one high end palyset a year, I'd be willing to pay upwards of $200 for it as long as it was a decent size. More than one a year would be tough.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: ruiner on July 25, 2005, 05:33 PM
I like the modular playset idea.  And I think it's the only way Hasbro could make it work at retail.

I believe the trash compactor sets sold well - it's great for Hasbro, once a collector buys one set, he/she HAS to buy the rest, right?   ;)

In theory it works.



Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Jesse James on July 26, 2005, 02:08 AM
A little private company I know is making 1:18 "battle" playsets where you buy a building by the floor, and it stacks.  This, actually, is an idea I've submitted to different companies at different times (Hasbro included).  Our own Muftak's sort of done something similar to this too, in customizing.  He's made multi-level dioramas that stack a bit...

I've always envisioned a Death Star done this way...  You buy it by the floor.  They make a single "standard" size cube, maybe a variety of interiors though, and you buy as many as you want, and stack the cubes as high as you want.  Ideally they'd connect side-to-side as well.  You stack 'em up or out, make a Death Star as big as you want...  It'd work with other environments too.  A hoth Trench piece that can connect on either end to other same trenches...  Make one small segment with a scale laser tower and one larger segment with gun-outlets and a cannon (ala the vintage Imp Attack Base).  Either end can connect though, sort of like the old micro collection playsets... 

I'd dig stuff like that and they could be done relatively cheap actually.  Don't get into frills, complex "action features" or anything, and you could do these incredibly cheaply.  Pack-in an army builder or a variant type figure...  It'd be pretty nice.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Brian on July 26, 2005, 08:54 AM
I also like the modular playset idea.  I think, as far as Hasbro's basic line, this would be our only chance at getting more playests..and even then its a slim chance.  Don't get me wrong, I really like the highly detailed stuff that is coming from Attakus (or things like that), but when it comes down to it I really doubt I could afford it right now.  I think, if done pretty well, I could scrounge together $100 for a really nice Death Star playset.  Heck, I'd probably go for the re-release of the vintage one if they decided to do it.  That is a piece I always wanted as a kid.  Who knows what it would cost today, and it probably doesn't matter, because no retailer would bite on it now because of shelf space issues.  I miss the vintage days for reasons like that.  I remember being a kid and they had all kinds of figures, vehicles, beasts, playsets, etc....and they had them everywhere.  Good times :).
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on July 28, 2005, 11:44 PM
I'd scrounge up a few hundred bucks for good playsets... there's just so many figures that need a display home Hasbro!

JJ, what company are you talking about?

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Vator on July 29, 2005, 12:07 AM
I think he's talking about Build-A-Rama, but I may be mistaken.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: jimmyfortuna on July 29, 2005, 05:34 AM
i'd pay top dollar for a death star playset that is to scale with the 3-3/4 figures. Hands down. Top Dollar.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on July 29, 2005, 10:48 AM
I think he's talking about Build-A-Rama, but I may be mistaken.

Check out their site -

http://www.build-a-rama.com/index.shtml

The 1:18 stuff is awesome.  Now why is it so hard for Hasbro to do something like this?  >:(

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 29, 2005, 12:32 PM
The 1:18 stuff is awesome.  Now why is it so hard for Hasbro to do something like this?  >:(

Let's examine that:

1) Design skills are required on the part of the team developing such accessory type toys.  Hasbro doesn't seem to be in possession of such skills.

2) The accessories need to be scaled to the figure and to each other. When building a diorama piece-by-piece, each piece must be consistent with the other. Hasbro hasn't been able to maintain the scale of Luke Skywalker figures, what makes you think they could come out with an entire line of diorama building stuff that's all at the same scale.

3) The company making such a line needs to be in-touch with the wants and needs of the collector community as a whole. For example, military figure collectors may want to set up a WW2 war-torn street diorama, so you develop all of the pieces necessary. For Hasbro, the SW collecting community would LOVE to collect an a-la-carte Death Star playset, yet Hasbro is SO FAR out of touch they don't understand the market demand for a Death Star playset exists.

4) The company needs to make the determination what their distribution model is. Whether that be selling the items via the web or getting the regular brick-and-mortar stores to carry them. This company obviously feels that they can market and sell their stuff through their website and most likely print-ads in magazines. Hasbro on the other hand likes to be Target/WalMart's PRISON BITCH - so they bend over and take whatever the big chains want to shove where the sun don't shine, end customer be damned.

I think that about sums it up why you'll never see Hasbro do something like this Chewie.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Jesse James on July 29, 2005, 08:23 PM
Yeah, I was talking about Build-A-Rama...  Good stuff.

BTW if you guys want SW diorama stuff they have cargo containers and a "generator" piece for "Sci-Fi".  Generic looking...  Neat though.  They don't tap the sci-fi market enough if you ask me...  They don't "go for it" by getting active in customizing communities or talking to websites like here or FFURG.  BAR needs to consider that though because they've got a market for it.

I hold hope for a good modular playset system from Hasbro, but I get doubtful about it every year...  Or I just see Hasbro botching it somehow like they have with other great ideas...  I mean, they can evolutions after 3 sets, but Battlepacks will go for quite a while it seems (and with horrid figure choices at times).  No reason to expect good things even if they DID do a modular playset assortment.

$20 a piece though and I know they could do a simple playset system...  Pack in those incentive figures like VOTC Stormtroopers, or Clonetroopers, or an Imperial Officer sculpt with a new head (Ozzel figure with a generic headsculpt) and it could be pretty sweet.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on July 29, 2005, 10:52 PM
I've been thinking for years they should do something like those World of Springfield little playsets.  Include an army-builder with each one and we're talking business.

I think if they looked authentic, they could go for $25.00.  Start off with the OT stuff and throw in some random Prequel stuff in there too.  Imagine this -

Death Star sets -

- Detention block w/ Death Star Trooper and circular command console

- Detention cell w/ Stormtrooper and torture droid

- Red Control Room w/ Imperial Officer and chairs

- Death Star Hallway w/ Tie Pilot and black astromech

That would just be for starters.  Test the market with those.  Even randomly mix in those three trooper builders throughout the sets.  Once those go like hotcakes, explore into explanding the Death Star.  And yes, these would interlock universally with each other.  You could stack them, connect them by the sides, etc.  Eventually make a hangar for the Falcon.

Then, make a cool ROTJ addition w/ a throne room and Emperor figure.

Keep it going... Hoth would be good, so would Bespin and perhaps some mini sets like the Cantina.

See where it takes you and then dab into the prequel trilogy some.  Mainly ROTS though.

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CorranHorn on July 30, 2005, 12:28 AM
modular playsets or cardboard based playsets would certainly work well, but I think we've seen the end of playsets from Hasbro. I don't know how it is in other areas, but Mustafar Playsets are now clogging up shelf space at every store I find them in. that's somewhat shocking, but also not surprising either. it's a $30 playset that comes with two figures, but it's really not visually appealing so many collectors won't buy it and as far as I can see, it has very little play value which makes kids not want to have it. I'm sure if the Mustafar set has a less than successful overall profit line, Hasbro will use that as the final indicator to not do any more playsets. :(
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Jesse James on July 30, 2005, 01:06 AM
Yeah, those are a dime a dozen here now too...  It's a pretty weak little set too.  I worried that it would be the last item to really gauge interest in playsets, and it's not gonna leave a very favorable impression.  Whatcha gonna do though, ya know?

Like other GOOD ideas executed poorly, this one'll just be labeled as "Well, yeah, those don't sell well, so we're not doing any more of them".
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Ben on July 30, 2005, 02:39 AM
If they decided to reissue the Shuttle, I'd buy it, but I think I'm done with big SW items. I'll wait for clearance on the Mustafar set, since I sure wouldn't buy it for full retail.

I doubt they'll get around to releasing an AT-TE so I'm not going to worry about that.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: ruiner on August 2, 2005, 05:48 PM
Yep, I think it's official - all large scale vehicles from here on out will be reissues....
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 2, 2005, 05:54 PM
Let's have hope that the TV series is a huge hit, and is loaded with AT-TE's and Turbo Tanks... and they decided to make them because of the TV series.  It could happen.

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: alexandertrooper on August 2, 2005, 09:35 PM
I think the idea is cool but it would never happen.  I know hasbro lost money on the large stuff stuch as the g.i. joe aircraft carrier and the ep1 queens ship.  So why risk it again.  From what I've herd from private dealers is there is a few new largish vechicles coming out that were on the order forms but when they come out who know. 
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 4, 2005, 03:24 PM
Hopefully some private dealers will invest in some.  That would be cool.  Here's an example of what could be done.  This is a custom built Imperial fortress that I purchased from Owen D at www.owenscustoms.com.  If Hasbro built stuff like this instead of cheezy action featured playsets, I think they would be pleasantly surprised by the sales.

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jwall/pics/base1.jpg)

 :P

edit... I just shrunk down the size of the pic, for viewing convenience.  The original pic is located at http://www.owenscustoms.com/base1.JPG -- Jesse
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Nathan on August 4, 2005, 05:46 PM
(http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/konfus/a034.gif)
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 11, 2005, 01:02 AM
Anyone really wanting a nice playset and says they'd be willing to pay a hundred or so bucks for it, really should contact Owen at www.owenscustoms.com.  He can really help a diorama builder out with his awesome creations.

Speaking of playsets, this caught my eye from the King Kong movie - I don't know how big this will be, but if's anywhere close to being to scale with the Star Wars line I'll probably pick it up -

(http://images.entertainmentearth.com//AUTOIMAGES/PL66047lg.jpg)

More on it here - http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PL66047#LargeImage

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 16, 2005, 12:18 AM
I have these coming too...

COMMUNICATIONS TOWER -

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/comtower6.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/comtower14.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/comtower20.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/comtower18.JPG)

BESPIN GANTRY -

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/bespinduel4.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/bespinduel10.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/bespinduel6.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/bespinduel7.JPG)

So, yes I would pay for Hasbro to make high end playsets...  :-*

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Darth_Anton on August 16, 2005, 02:01 AM
Wow :o You built those or someone built those for you?
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 16, 2005, 08:14 PM
Wow :o You built those or someone built those for you?

Owen D. made them for me.  You ought to check out his site, www.owenscustoms.com.  He makes comissions for people and is very fair on price.

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Diddly on August 16, 2005, 11:01 PM
Man, those are awesome. Hasbro could easily do those for somewhere between $30 and $50.
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 17, 2005, 12:41 AM
Man, those are awesome. Hasbro could easily do those for somewhere between $30 and $50.

You're probably right, but the problem I think is that they would be heavily modified with action features, look like a fake shiny plastic, and look nothing like a movie set. 

Seriously, I can't endorse anyoneenough who is interested in talking to Owen,  to please contact him.  Tell him I sent you... and besides, his prices very fair... price depends from project to project, but he doesn't take advantage of anyone.  I've bought a lot of items from him now and have NEVER been disappointed in the least.  I'm always blown away.  All of the items I've gotten from him are way better in person. 

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: Jedirhino on September 30, 2005, 06:24 AM
This may have been said before...I don't know, but a cool idea would be a gigantic playset but split into parts. For example, the Death Star set could come with a separate Trash compactor-control room-hangar bay-cannon area-board room and they would somehow interconnect. With the price point of each being $30 and spread over a time period of say 3 months apiece...I think that someone would be able to logic that this is the way to go...
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: CHEWIE on November 8, 2005, 10:52 AM
Owen D is asctually in the process of creating a behemoth Death Star playset for me, which will probably take a few months.  It is going to be modular too.

Also, I was thinking last night about how in the world are we ever going to get more playsets that we really want?  How can this be done to make the hardcore collecting community happy?  We know Hasbro won't do it, and to be honest I am starting to be glad that they won't.  Whatever they would make would't look realistic and would most likely be bogged down with cheesy action features.

So, what are the options?  Buy a $4,000.00 ATTAKUS Death Star? Hell no, that's too pricey!

But... what if... Gentle Giant got the rights to create something?  I could see their company being more willing to expend the resources to make something like this (and they wouldn't cop out on it).  They would all be sort of like mini-movie replicas.  I could see decent sized playsets retailing for the $100.00-$150.00 range, which is affordable for those of us that really do want them.

How cool would this be?  I am going to make a few drawings maybe of some ideas, and see what you all think.  Maybe I'll be a total geek and send something to them.

I think they should take a good look as stuff like this by Owen D -

(http://chewie34.250free.com/STAR1.jpg)

 :P
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CloneF13Y35 on November 8, 2005, 06:20 PM
I'd like a tatooine lars homestead playset, something that was like a big cylander, and opened on a hinge to have a few of the rooms we've seen from the movies.
Also a kamino set kinda like the original DS that was multi leveled with a landing pad on top for the slave1.
now with Rots out, some kind of combo jedi temple/ senate building wouldl be cool.
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on November 11, 2005, 03:27 PM
Kamino... that's a very interesting idea.

I have to admit, I feel really bummed about the lack of playsets.  It's a real shame that Hasbro doesn't realize that the way to make them succeed is to actually make them look like downscaled movie sets.

 :P
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Reid on November 15, 2005, 05:23 PM
Some playset ideas...

Kashyyyk Beachhead w/ pack in Wookie Sergeant
$30-40

Kashyyyk Treehouse w/ pack in Imperial Kashyyyk Scout
$40-50

Imperial Bunker (POTF2 Repack) w/ pack in AT-ST Pilot
$10-20

Imperial Rehabilitation Center
$50-60


What do you think of these?
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CloneF13Y35 on November 15, 2005, 05:33 PM
I'm gonna need to pick up the carbopn freezing chamber sometime because I never saw it in stores - wasn't it some kind of exclusive oro something?
I wouldn't even mind sort of small sets that can go together so we could get only the sets we like or want. that might help the buying cost (to us - screw hasbro ;)  )
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on November 15, 2005, 05:43 PM
Yep, the Freeze Chamber was an online exclusive.  It's a nice piece, and you can probably score one on ebay for a fair price.

HunterofthePegs - Those are fantastic ideas!  I am sure the rehab chamber would be a big hit.  It's such an important moment in the prequels. They seem to do better with those type of playsets than the ones with terrain in them. 

I think the Kashyyyk playset has potential, but I wouldn't expect them to be able to make anything like that look real.  Might be better off making our own, or talking to someone like Owen.

I have made a cheesy beachhead diorama actually, but need to make some changes to it.

 :P
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Darth Slothus on November 17, 2005, 10:54 PM
No, I like the idea of transforming playsets...with a thick base and a lever system that ...with a switch of a manual lever transforms the death star props to theed palace or something like that.

Just think- you could have 5 or 6 "dual function" playsets

Chewie! Make me one already!!! ;)
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on November 18, 2005, 03:19 PM
Slothus, my diorama skills are nowhere near the work of Owen D.  Have you checked out his site?

That is an interesting idea on "dual" playsets, but I don't think they would do it.  Heck, we can't get anything other than a cheesy Mustafar set that looks like a bloody pile of cow dung.

 :P
Title: Re: High End Vehicles/Playsets - How much $$ would you pay?
Post by: JediShawn on November 18, 2005, 03:54 PM

How cool would this be?  I am going to make a few drawings maybe of some ideas, and see what you all think.  Maybe I'll be a total geek and send something to them.


I'd very much like to see those, Chewie, as would a lot of people here, I think. Anyways, we can always hope for playsets from either Hasbro or another company, can't we?
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Darth Slothus on November 18, 2005, 05:15 PM
Who's this Owens D... do you have a link?
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on November 19, 2005, 01:46 PM
Who's this Owens D... do you have a link?

Yeah... it's in my signature.   That's who I got the Star Destoyer (and about 2 dozen other dioramas/custom vehicles from).

Thanks JediShawn, I might try and come up with a few, mainly just for the fun of it for us here.

 :P
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: speedermike on November 19, 2005, 05:10 PM
You know, Hasbro could have made one little piece of the defense wall that was on the beach on Kyshyyyk, and packed it with the wookie warriors.  They could have then been put  together and make a big one!
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on February 1, 2006, 11:30 AM
Had to post this, just another example of the creative mind of Owen D... wow, I wish Hasbro could make stuff like this.

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/aaagenericbase999.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/aaagenericbase9996.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/aaagenericbase93.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/aaagenericbase9995.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/aaagenericbase99994.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/Guntower1.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/Guntower991.JPG)

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/11aegis999.JPG)

 :P
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Reid on February 1, 2006, 07:21 PM
That's a nice lookin' Imp. Outpost.
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: JesseVader08 on February 1, 2006, 08:46 PM
Never mind.  :-\
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CloneF13Y35 on February 1, 2006, 10:32 PM
I wish I had the time, patience . talent to make my own playsets but that imperial outpost is awesome.
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Clone Hunter on February 1, 2006, 11:18 PM
I am of the opinion that every POTF2 and up playset were half-assed. The only reason Mustafar worked for me was it was for Starcom. Though I can't figure out what you can attach to the walkway near the door?

I am looking into the Hoth Battle sets for my Clone Outpost, only for the turrets, but I have yet to see what they are like.

BTW, Owens work is awesome. It is ashamed that more people cannot own items like that.
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Dan on February 12, 2006, 09:43 AM
That is a dang pretty outpost- Excellent work!

I'm afraid Hasbro is never going to give us a playset this nice, for any price.
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on March 12, 2006, 03:31 PM
I agree, Hasbro will never come through.  I've given up on them.  Maybe someday another company will get the rights like Sideshow did on the 12" figures and be able to make playsets.

Remember the Attakus Death Star?  Since I don't have a few grand to throw at that, I commissioned Owen to make a 3-level Death Star for me.  Here's a couple pics of the first level.

(http://chewie34.250free.com/031206owendeathstarone.jpg)

(http://chewie34.250free.com/031206owendeathstartwo.jpg)

Maybe, hopefully, somehow, some company will make something like this.

 :P
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Clone Commander on March 12, 2006, 07:07 PM
I hope hasbro makes a AT-TE I dont care if it is loaded with cannons!
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on March 13, 2006, 12:45 PM
I wish they'd make one too.  I don't really care too much about the scale either.  Even if the darn thing was the size of the Gunship I'd pay $100.00 for it.

 :P
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Reid on May 15, 2006, 09:04 PM
With all the Endor related figures coming out this summer, a rerelease of the Vintage Ewok Village Playset (http://www.toysrgus.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=39657) would be cool. Hasbro would never do it, but still.
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: Clone Hunter on May 15, 2006, 10:23 PM
I wish they'd make one too.  I don't really care too much about the scale either.  Even if the darn thing was the size of the Gunship I'd pay $100.00 for it.

 :P

A good idea, but maybe the robin hood version with the canopy.

I personally would rather have something from Cloud City.
Title: Re: Playsets... what are the options for the future?
Post by: CHEWIE on May 15, 2006, 11:04 PM
Or this.... Owen made it recently.

(http://www.owenscustoms.com/palmerstar19.JPG)

What a playset that would make... and imaging it in all white with a few tweaks to be a Cloud City playset too!

 :)