Personally I don't mean to really bust anyone's bubble via this thread either. I have my own quirks in this hobby that get my dander up... Hell imagine how I feel about articulation even. Hasbro's not actually given an answer on that question that says, "it's risky and cost-prohibitive to make all figures SA". Quite the contrary, Hasbro's actually said they simply won't add additional articulation to figures they feel don't need it... I've taken that to mean it's just a corner they cut where they feel they can.
Dumb as I think it sounds, because to me it shows an inferior quality in the product offered, Hasbro have simply said they won't do SA across the board because they don't want to... No real major cost issues involved and whatnot that dominated their decision, no major aesthetic issues... Simply their choice.
The playset thing though... They've given actual cost reasons, every time. They're too risky, too costly, take up too much shelf space, etc., etc., etc... They've beat the topic to death equally in return to it being asked semi-routinely in Q&A.
I feel the same about Unleashed though... I know there's some guys who LOVE the 7" line and want new figures. I wish those guys the best that they could have new figures, but the fact is Hasbro said they're abnormally expensive toolings and costly production pieces that have done traditionally poor at retail despite the claims of collectors (a key thing to remember here of course).
I know everyone says, "I'd buy it! Regardless of price!", and I'm sure some would, but I haven't a doubt in my mind that the truly vast majority would not put their money where their mouth is...
And while I agree that Matt's quote sounds harsh in it's wording, I think it also rings a little true to it as well Jay... Telling Hasbro time and again in the Q&A that Joe Collector knows more than the guy with the sales sheets at Hasbro really does sound condescending and this last question even had a tinge of lecturing in it...
I'd love a cool stackable playset myself, to the point I've worked on my own at times, and I think I'd pay a good price for one I felt was worth the price... But at the same time, I completely believe Hasbro's reasoning on WHY they aren't doing it. There's proof throughout the line, and not all the dismal financial failures have been "crap" that isn't what the collectors wanted... Some of it's been pretty good stuff, and it still sat and saw price reductions. Hasbro's got the reasoning why not to do it I'm afraid and I can't disagree... Collectors DON'T put their money where their mouths are, and that alone makes them less than reliable on everything they feel will sell.