Since this could fit in either the prequel or Original Trilogy forum, I thought it might fit best here.  We've heard the discussion a lot, but for those of you with kids (or nieces, nephews, or friends' kids) - what order would you choose to show them the Star Wars Saga?  Would you go in order (1-6), in the order many or most of us viewed them in (4-6, 1-3), or some other order of your own (I've heard some say 4, 5, 1-3, 6)?  Maybe you'd skip the prequels altogether .  Anyways, what do you think is the best viewing order for new viewers?  I would sort of lean towards viewing them the way I did (OT first, then the PT), because seeing things like the Vader reveal, the first appearance of Yoda, etc. were some of the greatest moments for me as a kid.  It is possible that it wouldn't be nearly as big of a deal to today's kids, as society has changed a lot since the early 80s.  What viewing order do you prefer?

This is a topic we've been discussing in the Q and A thread since the last round, where Hasbro (through several sites) indicated how - while Star Wars is selling better than ever, it is mostly due to Clone Wars, and the "Legacy" type figures were dropping in sales.  As is often the case with some of Hasbro's answers that they send to a number of sites, it makes me think they are subtly telling us "get ready for less collector figures, and more animated stuff".

A few questions regarding this...first, do you believe them?  Do you think that there really is a drop in overall collectors and/or "collector" sales?  Second, what do you think is the reason for it?  Is it one of the following:

-So Many Years Collecting for Some Leading to Burn Out (Since '95, or longer with Vintage)
-Clone Wars Animated (Although it seems to be selling well, it was quite polarizing among collectors at first)
-Price Increases/Down Economy (I'm sure this plays at least a part for many)
-Lack of Interest/Most Figures Done (Always more to be made, but getting more obscure all the time)

Also, if this is the case, what do you think can be done to fix it?  Other than the obvious choice of lower prices, what do you think would keep collectors in the fold?  I'm someone who has bought both the animated CW stuff and the Legacy line, but if I had to choose one I wouldn't think twice about keeping with the "realistic" style stuff.  I may be heading more and more that way anyways.  I don't mind, and can understand, why the animated stuff is there for kids (and collectors), and it is obviously doing well for Hasbro.  Do you think we are seeing the start of a dwindling space for "movie" figures at retail?

Aside from prices, I could see "burn out" having something to do with it.  Not only have we had nearly 15 years of modern collecting, there also seems to be "more stuff" out there than ever.  That might be changing as some lines (Unleashed, Titanium, etc.) seem to be getting the axe, but it does seem more difficult to keep up with things these days.  There also seems to be more and more focus upon prequel/CW/EU era toys - which, again, is understandable - and I think that a lot of the older collectors maybe have a little more of a leaning towards OT.  Not to say that many, if not most, of us collect the entire Saga - but I know that I personally usually get more jazzed about a new OT wave, especially with them being more infrequent the last few years.  That might contribute to a lower interest level.  Anyways, I'm rambling now, but I was just wondering what some of your opinions were on the whole "collector interest fading" comment we've gotten from Hasbro.  Do you feel the same way, and if so - as a collector - what would keep your interest better?  My gut reaction is to say "more Original Trilogy" - but the OT collectors might be the minority at this point, and it may just be my preference .

I think these are available places online, but I've noticed lately at Target (and TRU) that they are carrying Star Wars kites.  I've seen the Falcon, X-Wing, and Vader's TIE, and have to say that they are pretty nifty.  They are $25 each though, which seems like a lot for a kite.  I have to admit I was slightly tempted to get the Falcon one, just from the aspect of "I wish they made this stuff when I was a kid".  Has anyone else seen these, or picked any of them up?  I don't think I've flown a kite since I was 6 or 7 years old, but I suppose that time will come eventually since we have a little one now.

It looks like Hasbro has a press release regarding the online and television airings of the G.I. Joe: Resolute cartoon.  Looking forward to checking this out.

This was originally an April Fool's joke by ThinkGeek.com, but apparently the response was so overwhelming they are now looking to see if Lucasfilm would allow them to produce it.  I'm not sure if that would happen or not, but the mockup pic they have on there is pretty good - and I think it is a pretty funny idea.  Just thought I'd pass it along if anyone hadn't seen it.

Just saw this at StarWars.com.  I would have loved this when I was a kid.  Looks pretty cool.  Sounds like it will only be coming out in Australia for now, but hopefully we'll see something like this here soon as well.  It is sort of surprising to see something like this with all the Clone Wars push lately.

It seems like, for the most part, everyone was pretty happy with what Hasbro had to show at Toy Fair.  Whether it was in the display room, or in their presentation for the year, it does look like the basic figure line (and everything that accompanies it) has a lot of neat stuff on the way.  I'm sure there are still more surprises to come along, and we'll see even more at SDCC.  That said, the other big topic really seems to be the pricing.

We've all seen it coming, or even starting at retail already, but it seems like lines all around are getting more and more expensive.  Eight dollar basic figures seems to be the norm for now, and even Galactic Heroes 2 packs are hitting that price now.  Battle packs seem to be getting less figures for a higher price, and now it seems like any vehicle larger than the "starfighter $20/$25" assortment is going to cost at least $60.  I'm afraid to see what exclusive vehicles will run now.  That seems to be the only avenue for OT vehicles right now, and I wonder what something like Wedge's X-Wing will run.  We've also seen increases in the comic packs and pretty much everything else SW-related (although I think its happening in most other lines as well).

Anyways, my point is, how much is too much?  With the economy what it is, people seem to have a lot less to spend on this type of thing (non-necessity, hobby-type stuff).  Hasbro's release pace certainly hasn't slowed down any since the ROTS days, although we continue to see the back half of the year being quite heavy once again.  I'll admit that I'm someone that usually buys most of the basic figure related stuff, but I'm also not a completist (although I have been since Build a Droid started I guess).  We now have three lines running (TLC, CW, Legends), and that's just the figures.  I couldn't imagine trying to keep up with everything as completists do.  Anyways, have any of you reached your breaking point?  Are you dropping lines, or just becoming more selective?  Its tough for me to collect anything but SW anymore, since it is such an expensive hobby on its own (not even getting into anything considered "high end") just grabbing Hasbro's offerings.  It sort of reminds me of when I used to collect sports cards.  We kept getting less cards per pack, prices were going up, there were more and more "lines" of cards out there - and pretty soon I just quit.  I didn't follow that market after that, but I think it sort of changed/crashed a short time later - at least for awhile.  Do you think collecting is headed that way too?  Do we need to have a breaking point to streamline the products again?

Just saw this announcement from Sideshow advertising a line of "dual display" dioramas.  They can be either set on a desk/shelf, or mounted on the wall.  The first in the lineup is Obi-Wan - Sabotage!  It is kind of a neat idea, and would probably look kind of neat mounted on the wall.