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Collectibles => The Vintage Collection => Topic started by: Jeff on February 7, 2012, 11:31 AM

Title: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jeff on February 7, 2012, 11:31 AM
So... this weekend already!  And we don't even have a thread yet?  Crazy!  What do you hope/expect to see?

I'm expecting them to have that MTT there and ready to show off and I'm hoping we get a good look at some of the VC figures on RS's rumor list...  but, with SDCC, Celebration VI, and NYCC all coming later this year, I'm not going to be surprised if they end up having to hold a lot of the Fall stuff back for those shows. :(

I'd really like to see...
Toy Fair = Full Spring 2012 product line for VC and CW, preview of stuff for Fall including the con/show exclusives
SDCC = Full Fall 2012 product line for VC and CW
Celebration 6 = Spring 2013 product preview for VC and CW
NYCC = all the AOTC 3D re-issue crap product

But, who knows how they will choose to break things up this year...


And a quick note on JD's planned coverage:
Unfortunately, I can't be in NY this weekend to cover the show (ending my streak at 4 in a row :(), but I think we will still have some coverage and pics of hte Hasbro event here at JD thanks to a NY forumite who has volunteered to try to get down to the Hasbro show for us. (http://jedidefender.com/jsmentek/crossfingers.gif)
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 7, 2012, 12:18 PM
I hope that there aren't any delays getting in from Milan.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scott on February 7, 2012, 02:11 PM
I'm guessing we will see the Hoth Luke Wave Carded and maybe the next couple of Waves of Figures...I don't expect much just based on C6...and I really don't retailers care.

All of that said...I often wonder how and when exclusives are solicited?  Because it isn't at Toy Fair where you would think they would be...must be some sort of internal process between the companies...I still hold out hope for the Ewok Pack(s), Darth Vader Pyre and hopefully Rebel/Astromech packs.  I guess we'll see Friday
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 7, 2012, 02:17 PM
I'm thinking Scott's spot on, I think they'll show the CW Deluxe line, they'll have the N1 Fighter, the MTT...  They're going to whore Fighter Pods a lot.

I figure 2 to 3 Vintage waves and nothing more.

Between C6, SDCC, NYCC, they're going to have a fairly slim showing IMO. 

I'm interested in seeing the new vinty's and the rest I'm pretty sure I'll be completely disinterested in really.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 7, 2012, 02:47 PM
IAll of that said...I often wonder how and when exclusives are solicited?  Because it isn't at Toy Fair where you would think they would be...must be some sort of internal process between the companies...I still hold out hope for the Ewok Pack(s), Darth Vader Pyre and hopefully Rebel/Astromech packs.  I guess we'll see Friday

Solicited? I thought Toy Fair was just a showing off to the media, all the business stuff is done months before, mass release and exclusives.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: shmashwitdaclub on February 7, 2012, 03:04 PM
So new stuff will start being shown off this Friday?  Looks like I will be behind on the reveals then most likely.  This Friday I go in for my third surgery for having chronic sinus issues.  I will probably be too messed up on pain pills to look at the interwebs.

Anywho, I am hoping some of that stuff from the recent lists we have seen will be shown off.  All of the new stuff from those lists were golden imo.

And, as always, I am still waiting on this supposed Ewok pack.  I am really hoping for Ewok movie love in that pack.  About a year and a half or so ago I had a question submitted to Hasbro for a QnA on the droidsandewoks.com website.

I originally wrote my question as this:

Quote
In the Ewok movie "Caravan of Courage" I am sure you are well aware of the epic scene in which Logray gives our heros "The Sacred Totems of the Legendary Ewok Warriors". In this scene Deej receives his "White Wings of Hope", Weechee receives his "Red Wings of Courage", and Widdle receives his "Blue Wings of Strength". Wouldn't it be cool if in the Ewok exclusive pack(s?) these three Ewoks could have these removable wings to go on top of their plastic hoods? And while we are on the subject, Chukha-Trok would need his "Ivory Tooth" and throwing Axe(s), and a repacked Kaink with plastic hood/robe to better match the rest of the Ewoks could use her magic staff with "Crystal of Power". Then you could round off the pack by including Wicket with his "Magic Walking Stick", Shodu with her wokling (Winda?), Cindel with her "Candle of Pure Light", and, at the risk of delving too deep, Mace with his "Rock"! Man wouldn't that be a cool pack?!?!

But realizing it was crazy wordy I gave them permission to alter it and it turned into this:

Quote
1) Seeing that Wicket is coming all by himself on the card with some bonus accessories, I am wondering if the Ewok with multiple accessories format will be permanently replacing the Ewok two packs. If so, our readers have been brainstorming just in case, thinking of cool accessories that future Ewok figures could come with to make up for that lost figure. Some ideas are Deej, Weechee and Widdle with the ceremonial wing headdresses that they wore on their hoods in Caravan of Courage, Logray with an alternate headdress and cloak from the cartoon and maybe his crystal image spinner or sunstar, Kneesaa with Baga the Bordok, a new Kaink with plastic cloak and staff, Shodu with Winda the wokling, and an Ewok with the Han Solo roasting spit or drum. More animated series hoods would be great too! Any accessories that we missed that you guys would like to see?

Answer: Thanks for the thoughts. You are right in surmising that future Ewok packs will be singles, rather than multiples. The Wicket pack has certainly seemed to make a lot of fans happy, so it's possible that we could pursue this for future Vintage Ewoks. Thanks for the comments.

In hindsight I still wish the original version was submitted - I had a lot of fun putting together all the details.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Nicklab on February 7, 2012, 05:28 PM
IAll of that said...I often wonder how and when exclusives are solicited?  Because it isn't at Toy Fair where you would think they would be...must be some sort of internal process between the companies...I still hold out hope for the Ewok Pack(s), Darth Vader Pyre and hopefully Rebel/Astromech packs.  I guess we'll see Friday

Solicited? I thought Toy Fair was just a showing off to the media, all the business stuff is done months before, mass release and exclusives.

There is a Toy Fair event that takes place around October every year that is closed to the public as well as press.  It's very likely that THIS is the event where the manufacturers make the major push to sell potential exclusives to their retail partners.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scott on February 7, 2012, 06:20 PM
Cool...I learned something today.  Toy Fair has multiple days where some are closed to the Public/NerdPress where retailers are shown stuff ahead of the public seeing it...I think Toy Fair mania has ebbed a little from a few years ago due to the Comic Cons of the world but it is still a pretty big deal (especially for the small independent toy and game manufacturers)
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Nicklab on February 7, 2012, 06:41 PM
Don't get me wrong:  A LOT of business gets conducted at Toy Fair.  When I was in the waiting room at Diamond Distribution one year, there was a buyer from a significant retailer coming in for an appointment.  And this was at a time when they were handling Diamond Select Toys, Kotobukiya and some other significant properties.  This is going on while these companies are also dealing with press appointments.  Most of the press seems to be focused on the first day or so of Toy Fair since there's such a push to get news out as quickly as possible. 

In the case of Hasbro they are actually located off-site from the Javits Center and manage all of their press and retail appointments far tighter than companies that are on the floor at the convention center.  They had the showroom across the street from the Javits Center that was more tightly controlled, but it wasn't really suited to a presentation.  As a result they were holding that event over at the NY Times auditorium, and they even moved their showroom there as well.  I can't say that I saw the Hasbro people conducting meetings with retailers there, but this location seems far better suited to the high press demand that they've had over the past several years.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jeff on February 7, 2012, 11:51 PM
Solicited? I thought Toy Fair was just a showing off to the media, all the business stuff is done months before, mass release and exclusives.

Toy Fair is first and foremost a place where people are desperately trying to sell stuff to retail buyers.  Often time the bigger companies organize media events because everything is set up for the buyers, so it's a perfect time to let the media see stuff too.   It works a little different when you're a big player like Hasbro or Mattel, but yeah - LOTS of buyers from various retail outlets and many of them buy in with companies based on Toy Fair presentations.

There is a Toy Fair event that takes place around October every year that is closed to the public as well as press.  It's very likely that THIS is the event where the manufacturers make the major push to sell potential exclusives to their retail partners.

For those that haven't heard of it, Fall Toy Preview (http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Fall_Toy_Preview) is usually in October and usually in Dallas.  It is definitely CLOSED to all media.  This is where Hasbro and Mattel sell the Spring, post-hoilday toys to the big boys.   I know from a few Target contacts that a LOT of stuff happens here.

Toy Fair has multiple days where some are closed to the Public/NerdPress where retailers are shown stuff ahead of the public seeing it...

For Toy Fair, yeah Hasbro meets with the Target and the Walmarts during this show.  They definitely get private showings of the toys and they definitely talk about exclusives.   Usually, Hasbro has special smaller showrooms set up for these meetings where the big boxes get to see the potential exclusive offerings and discuss exclusive deals...  those smaller showrooms are NOT open to press and guarded pretty well. 

Like Nick said, Hasbro likes to get the media stuff done on Saturday before "regular" Toy Fair begins on Sunday.  Usually the "real" media goes to a presentation Saturday AM, then the fan media goes Saturday afternoon.  Each year whan I'm sitting in the lobby waiting for the fan media thing to start, the people leaving the showrooms are wearing badges from USA Today, ABC, NBC, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, etc.  Then, when Toy Fair officially opens on Sunday, Hasbro has all sorts of meetings with retailers of various sizes and no media is allowed.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 8, 2012, 12:02 AM
Then the fun begins, and the only real press in the room is of course disgusted because the rest of us get in their way while they take pics.  :-X
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Brian on February 8, 2012, 02:34 PM
Like others have said, we probably won't see a ton of new stuff unfortunately.  That seems to be relegated more to SDCC (and now NYCC).  I'm sure we'll see the MTT, and hopefully see a couple waves of vintage (on the slideshow if nothing else).  There probably isn't a ton they could show for CW, aside from that Scuba Ahsoka and possibly Maul or the couple other new figures we're getting this year.  That would be neat.  I'd be happy to see anything new, but I'm most interested in the Vintage Collection stuff and maybe getting some confirmation on some of those rumor lists that popped up last week.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Nicklab on February 8, 2012, 05:24 PM
The UK Toy Fair combined with social media have pretty well negated any surprise factor going into the NY International Toy Fair.  Lots of things wound up leaking out that way.  I think there's likely to be at least a couple of surprises this weekend, but probably nothing major.  The MTT is out of the bag, and that was THE big thing.

Hasbro no doubt has a press release schedule that they'll be adhering to for the remainder of the year.  Those have leaked before, notably when we learned about the new AT-AT.  And they will likely be unveiling certain items at SDCC, others at Celebration 6, and the AOTC-3D line at NYCC. 
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: McMetal on February 8, 2012, 11:33 PM
They won't show CW Maul because the episode hasn't even aired yet. I suspect we'll see what's been leaked already - Scuba Gear Ahsoka, the 3 new Deluxe sets, and more of Wave 2...bleh.

I don't even care about seeing new toys anymore - I just want to know what the hell happened to some of the old ones, namely the Mandalorian Assault Transport and those Walmart DVD 2-packs. If Hasbro can clear that up for us I'd be thrilled.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Pete_Fett on February 9, 2012, 12:19 PM
I don't even care about seeing new toys anymore - I just want to know what the hell happened to some of the old ones, namely the Mandalorian Assault Transport and those Walmart DVD 2-packs. If Hasbro can clear that up for us I'd be thrilled.

Well, I relented and just pre-ordered the Mandalorian Assault Transport online when EE had them up for pre-order. Hopefully they will get them in and be able to fulfill all the orders.

It's very frustrating when you think about it - they could have totally had both the Mobile Tank and the Mando Transport shipping in the same case, yet they chose not to just so they could get more bang-for-their-buck with shipping more of old molds.

The justice would be if a vast majority of these end up dumped at stores like Five Below or TJ Maxx selling for $5 each. I'd gladly grab two more to open at that price.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 9, 2012, 03:22 PM
They'll never be as cheap as $5, more like $13. (All the great stuff goes to Ross anyway...none around here.)

Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 9, 2012, 03:34 PM
5 Below gets some neat things in...  They've just started getting Star Wars but I wouldn't rule them out now either.  The AOTC Wave moved fast there, and Five Belows are EVERYWHERE here.  Every store sold out of them though, which is a good sign they may go for more in the future if they're offered.

Plus AOTC Wave here was incredibly easy to get.  WM here got lots of it in, and some to Target too.  It's amazing what a decent price does for the appeal of figures to folks.  I picked up some Senate Guards but when I wanted a Zam for a custom they were all gone. :(
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 9, 2012, 04:08 PM
Star Wars AMP'D?

Quote
STAR WARS Line

With excitement for STAR WARS hitting a fever pitch in 2012 with the theatrical release of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace in immersive 3D, Hasbro is introducing two new STAR WARS expressions called STAR WARS FIGHTER PODS and STAR WARS AMP’D. With STAR WARS FIGHTER PODS, iconic STAR WARS characters get a collectible new gaming twist featuring micro heroes and mega battles! Players use FIGHTER PODS to knock down as many figures as possible. Spin, Launch or Roll your Pod into battle…even connect your Pods together or place your figures on top or inside of them for extra “power”! More than 100 STAR WARS FIGHTER PODS figures will be available in a unique new style from all six STAR WARS films and The Clone Wars animated series—collect them, set them up and knock them down in head-to-head battling play! In fall, kids can gear up for battle with STAR WARS AMP’D. For the first time ever, kids will be able to quickly and easily customize the most iconic STAR WARS vehicles and prepare them for any mission: land, space, sea or air! In 2012, the line features 9 figures and 6 vehicles.

Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 9, 2012, 04:11 PM
Just caught this myself...  Interesting but I'm going to guess that, like most sub-lines, it'll have absolutely no tie-in to the basic figures and thus will be a short-lived idea that either works for a quick buck or fails miserably.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: iFett on February 9, 2012, 04:54 PM
I'm pretty sure I've seen the fighter pod things at Target, just not sure of the AMP'd thing though..
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: CHEWIE on February 9, 2012, 05:51 PM
My son loves the Fighter Pods figures... they're pretty cool actually.  I like seeing Hasbro branch out with these.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 9, 2012, 07:43 PM
AMP'd isn't revealed yet.  Fighter Pods are though.

Got a Fighter Pod Bossk and am selling the rest off to a local friend.  :)  Now don't have to worry much bout Fighter Pods.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Dressel Rebel on February 9, 2012, 09:43 PM
Just caught this myself...  Interesting but I'm going to guess that, like most sub-lines, it'll have absolutely no tie-in to the basic figures and thus will be a short-lived idea that either works for a quick buck or fails miserably.

It sounds awful.

It reminds me of the 50 Spider-Man figures I see in every store that has Spider-Man with jetpacks, in scuba gear etc. etc.

It's just really stupid.  How you offer Spider-Man with scuba gear before a Sandman figure is beyond me.

Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Nicklab on February 9, 2012, 10:23 PM
I can only imagine how this is going to work:

Quote
In fall, kids can gear up for battle with STAR WARS AMP’D. For the first time ever, kids will be able to quickly and easily customize the most iconic STAR WARS vehicles and prepare them for any mission: land, space, sea or air! In 2012, the line features 9 figures and 6 vehicles.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Phrubruh on February 9, 2012, 10:33 PM
Build your own lightsaber but with ships I guess.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Nicklab on February 9, 2012, 10:47 PM
I'm definitely getting a sense that Adam Pawlus was onto something with the last crop of Class I vehicles and their interchangeable weapons.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Dressel Rebel on February 10, 2012, 07:34 AM
I can only imagine how this is going to work:

Quote
In fall, kids can gear up for battle with STAR WARS AMP’D. For the first time ever, kids will be able to quickly and easily customize the most iconic STAR WARS vehicles and prepare them for any mission: land, space, sea or air! In 2012, the line features 9 figures and 6 vehicles.

Mhm.  I wonder how much of the sculpting/tooling budget is going into making jet skis for our TIE Fighters and submarine fins for our X-Wings.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 10, 2012, 09:38 AM
Put the TIE Wings on the X-Wing body..how kewl would that be!  8)

Build a droid compatible figures....create a half C-3PO and half Han Solo!  :o

But it won't even be anything that fun. Probably a new scale. They love new sizes...let's make 3 FORCE BATTLERS a different scale from the originals and never go beyond that. Afterall, they are just for some toddler to smash in to the floor. Or GI JOE RETALIATION, 10" figures...two of them...both heroes and they are supposed to....? That's right, be smashed into things by a toddler.

I must've been a weird kids because I preferred things at least close to the same size. I had one 12" Star Wars figure I never really did anything with, it was cool...but i didn't play out GIANTS ATTACK stories too much.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: McMetal on February 11, 2012, 07:51 AM
So who's in town for all the brouhaha today?

Anyone here doing any podcasting, streaming, tweeting, etc?

1pm is the Hasbro presentation? Or just the SW part?

Prepared to be underwhelmed!  (Not by the coverage, but the "reveals")  ;)
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Dressel Rebel on February 11, 2012, 07:58 AM
Where is Toy Fair even, NYC?

I've never gone to one.  I'm going to a Comic Con in the end of March and then the big one as usual in October.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Paul on February 11, 2012, 09:19 AM
I'm not making Toy Fair this year, P-Siddy is gonna do some coverage for us if he gets back in town.

1pm is all of Hasbro.  In years past they would do a whole PowerPoint of all the "Geek site" favorite items  like Marvel, TF, GI Joe, Star Wars.  I assume that is the process again this year. 

A few years back they even had some "secret" stuff that we weren't allowed to photograph.

What I am looking forward to is seeing the Death Star Trooper carded and maybe more photos of Hoth Luke.

On the Non Star Wars front, I want to see some GI Joe Retaliation stuff.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 11, 2012, 09:31 AM
I'm back in the country. I'll definitely try to get some Joe stuff being it's a movie year. Though I think we've already seen some photos released that have been discouraging regarding the Retaliation stuff and lack of articulation.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 11, 2012, 01:17 PM
Courtesy of Imperial Holocron's Twitter...

(http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/514902086.jpg?Expires=1328985158&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=B360gz5U5mubRjM6p0YlOmrD-qgAeW32XX-e022wLrXn~JX8yGSxTMJlJTExAn~KSpoJNC-pBvpwSp-x2~7XuXFbLljGqs2J1RSYxkyrJ~AdLGKPWsN4ybxdvALAX9YVkRjRf54dJ4l8gHqeNKfo7WQ2Uecg2niuiWWpPJQsvUs_)

Yeah, I could totally see Hasbro starting to cut down who can/cannot attend the show at this point.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 11, 2012, 02:08 PM
First AMP'D image

http://jediinsider.com/index.php?catid=8&itemid=14050 (http://jediinsider.com/index.php?catid=8&itemid=14050)

Vader's fighter gets pimped out.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 11, 2012, 02:47 PM
Star Wars is up in the presentation! :)  We've been allowed to use efranks twitter account @ImpHolocron from his site www.ImperialHolocron.com for the information, so by all means FOLLOW Eric (@ImpHolocron) on Twitter if you're on!  :)  While you're there, follow me also (@Jesse_James77 & @JediDefender).

You'll be glad you did!

Going through the motions right now it seems at the presentation...

-MTT's bay opens and closes on its own (that's neat).

-Holds 16 Droids in rack...  4 Articulated and comes with Obi-Wan as well.

-Wave 6 Vinty...  Tarkin, Oddball

-SDCC Jar Jar in Carbonite Block...  Seriously?  Easy pass.

-SDCC Carbonite Chamber Packaging, 6 figures, 1 from each film, Jar Jar, Clone Lt., Shocktrooper, Sandtrooper, Bespin Leia, Vader.  Jar Jar in Carbonite is EXCLUSIVE TO THIS SET.  Again, still an easy pass.  Regular Jar Jar fits into block.

Sorry for any confusion! :)

-Fan's Choice!  Mara Jade Skywalker (Let out a sigh of relief it ain't f'n Jocasta Nu everyone!)

(I'm assuming this meant being shown at SDCC, not exclusives)

-AMP'D line will have varying price points...  Interchangeable parts, blah blah blah.

And that is it folks...

Moving onto Marvel.  Yes, seriously, that is absolutely it.   :o 

Follow eFranks @ImpHolocron on Twitter and thanks for passing this onto us!  Very cool.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: McMetal on February 11, 2012, 03:05 PM
Curious how long the SW presentation lasted in minutes compared to GI JOE and Transformers, which seemed to go on forever.

Not surprisingly, pretty lackluster.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jeff on February 11, 2012, 03:09 PM
-6 figures in SDCC (1 from each film):  Bespin Leia, Vader, Shocktrooper, Clone Lt., Sandtrooper, Jar Jar

(I'm assuming this meant being shown at SDCC, not exclusives)

No, I think it's like the 2011 SDCC Death Star Set.  This one (2012) has six figures (one from each movie) on special cards with a special "carbonite freeze chamber" box.  Then the six carded figures will hit retail (minus the freeze chamber box), just like they did with the SDCC Revenge stuff last year...

I see GH tweeted a pic (http://twitpic.com/8ilj98) of the card art for the set...  Slide says:
"Recreation of a "Lost" Line Look from the Kenner Vault! 
Carbonite Freezing Chamber Package
6 highly articulated single carded 3 3/4" figures, one from each film
plus a new exclusive figure"

Sounds like possibly a "JarJar Carbonite Block" will potentially only be available in the SDCC set (like Salacious and Mouse Droid in the 2011 set were).
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: evenflow on February 11, 2012, 03:16 PM
TNI is also reporting:

- Wave 7 Ahsoka, Obi-Wan (Clone Wars Gear) and Lumat, Nien Nunb, Weequay and Emperor's Royal Guard (Both training and movie accurate).

- SDCC will have a lost line look on the packaging. A version Lucas almost used for the Kenner line. Carbonite Freezing Chamber package that will have 6 figures (1 from each movie) plus a new exclusive figure. The figures will be sold on single cards at retail afterwards like was done with the Revenge cards this past year. The Carbonite package will only be available at comic con.

- Wave 8 Vintage - E1 Jar Jar Binks with soft good, E2 Clone Trooper Lt, Clone Trooper Ep3, Ep4 Sandtrooper, Ep 5Bespin Princess Leia, Ep6 Darth Vader (Electrocuted), Ep6 Orrimarrko (Prune Face), Republic Trooper (TOR).
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 11, 2012, 03:22 PM
Great news. I didn't think there were enough packaging variation exclusives and Vader figures in the line.

Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 11, 2012, 04:25 PM
Some of these figure selections are going to make it tough buying a case of them just to get the two figures you REALLY want.   :-\
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scott on February 11, 2012, 05:06 PM
WTF...first pics I've seen are up over at Banthaskull

Tarkin is Green?

http://www.banthaskull.com/index.php/expand/toy_fair_2012_showroom_pics/
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 11, 2012, 05:17 PM
Hoth Luke's colors seem off too...  I think I can give them some leeway till I see a production figure.

Tarkin's got a more olive than grey uniform on, that's true.  I'm not sure it's that green though. 

The Republic trooper appears to NOT be the main guy in the opening sequence.  At least he looks different to me in the face.

I'm pleased by some of it, but Hoth Luke's lack of a removable hat blows all kinds of chunks.  Is Nien Numb missing a removable hat too?  Ugh.  Talk about steps backwards.  Can't tell too many details by some of the pictures.

Sandtrooper has a new Stormtrooper blaster with an actual foldable stock. T he closest to ever acheive that was Marauder Inc., but I guess Hasbro took notice and is giving it a whirl.  Looks like it may look bulky but I'm ok with it.  I'll nab a couple of him now just to get extras of the blaster.

Some of the pics are just really hard to make out details because of flash and stuff.  Like the realistic CW characters and hope they continue.  Would've preferred younger Ahsoka though I think.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scott on February 11, 2012, 05:19 PM
It just looks way way off

(http://mattersoftaste.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/darth.jpg)

(http://www.banthaskull.com/images/nytf12/tf12_021.jpg)
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 11, 2012, 05:31 PM
Tarkin's uniform has been "on tour" as it were...  I cannot recall now if I've seen it or not.

I'm sure that's too green, but I know it's green and not grey.  It's darker than say Piett or Veers' uniforms, and Bast as well I believe.  But it's not that green for sure.  I'll be curious to see if Hasbro fixes this.  Someone should bring that to their attention at the show, but I doubt it happens. :)
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 11, 2012, 06:01 PM
Tarkin's facial sculpt stinks.  :(
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Rob on February 11, 2012, 06:09 PM
Did his uni really have that skirt like look?  Seems like a mis-use of soft goods.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 11, 2012, 06:11 PM
Yes, he does... I'm uploading pictures now.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 11, 2012, 06:20 PM
I had a bit of problems with my camera (it's old) and it's evident in the quality (blurry) in the photos.  :( I'm a bit frustrated.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Mister Skeezler on February 11, 2012, 06:27 PM
I'll be doing some serious cherry-picking this year. It's great to see that Hasbro will be shipping more sandtroopers...
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 11, 2012, 06:29 PM
I'll be doing some serious cherry-picking this year. It's great to see that Hasbro will be shipping more sandtroopers...

Yeah, but it comes with the sentry droid.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 11, 2012, 07:13 PM
Younger Ahsoka would've made more sense, what with early CW Anakin and Obi-Wan. Though, I think Obi-Wan is a wasted slot. Mainly there's no "wow, that's what he'd look like if he were in a movie!"...just "meh".  I can think of 20 figures I'd make before that...and that's just from CW.

ANH Vader...no chest soft goods.  But ball hips at last.

The clones and sandtroopers bore me at this point. Clone Pilot is especially boring...evolutions pack redeco....except he's not...has at least new lower legs/feet. More tooling on something that could've waited until 2014.

Nien Nunb kinda squatty...can't remember if he is supposed to be.

Lumat wrong color...this pains me because I really want a character I've never been able to spot onscreen to be 100% accurate.  :P

For TPM rerelease year, there's no Tarpals, no Panaka, no Naboo Security, no Nute, no Security Droid.




Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Matt R. on February 11, 2012, 08:16 PM
Super excited for the ROTJ figures (I believe that Royal Guard is all new). TCW figures look good. 

I liked the Sandtrooper even though we didn't need one

For Ewoks - just At-St Hijackers left, maybe Teebo.

Sick of Clones - should have waited for there films in '13-'14



Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: shmashwitdaclub on February 11, 2012, 08:49 PM
I seriously had dreams of the Ewok exclusive sets being shown at TF....  Must have been the vicodin. 
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scott on February 11, 2012, 09:15 PM
You know, I'm actually pretty happy with what they showed...more than I thought.  My own personal wishlist of must have stuff before 12/21/12 comes is really small.  Sim Aloo and a Lars Power Droid, Resculpts of a few POTF2 figs (Owen and Beru, Leia, Lando, Yak and Ree Yees)
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Phrubruh on February 11, 2012, 09:33 PM
It looks like Tarkin is wearing a kilt.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 11, 2012, 09:59 PM
I'm a little disappointed in how Tarkin and Luke both look...  Otherwise I was happy.  I'm very into the TOR figures, and realistic Clone Wars is very welcome to me.  I liked most of it, I just know the two I was looking forward to the most in Tarkin and Hoth Luke looked like **** at the show.   :-\

And no N1 Fighter?  Wow.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jeff on February 11, 2012, 10:36 PM
Hoth Luke looked like **** at the show.   :-\

Part of me thinks that this was supposed to be a pack-in with Luke's Taun-Taun and that just didn't work out so here he is on a card.  Sort of the same as "hood up" Hoth Han.  Sure seems like we'll see him again with a different headsculpt - I mean, they've reused that VTSC Hoth Han dozens of times, maybe they'll do the same with this Hoth Luke buck...  Wampa-scratched face head, removable hat head, etc.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Morgbug on February 11, 2012, 10:38 PM
-SDCC Jar Jar in Carbonite Block...  Seriously?  Easy pass.

-SDCC Carbonite Chamber Packaging, 6 figures, 1 from each film, Jar Jar, Clone Lt., Shocktrooper, Sandtrooper, Bespin Leia, Vader.  Jar Jar in Carbonite is EXCLUSIVE TO THIS SET.  Again, still an easy pass.  Regular Jar Jar fits into block.


Um, this is like the photo of charred Beru and Owen, right?  It's just a joke?
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: darth broem 2 on February 11, 2012, 10:42 PM
I like a lot of what was shown today.  Much more than I thought I would.  My son is absolutely drooling over the MTT.  He's 7.  I like it to but not the $140 price tag.  That will have to be for Christmas.  Once again I like most of the OT offerings in regard to action figures.  I like how a majority of them turned out.  Some of the PT stuff is nice to of course.  I am not into the AMP'd stuff of course.  OR those little game piece things.  I just hope I will be able to find this stuff and hopefully the prices either get knocked down a buck or two or TRU has a lot of buy 2 get one free sales. 
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: CHEWIE on February 12, 2012, 01:54 AM
Some good stuff, but still some letdowns... Soft goods on Tarkin look awful, phase 2 removable helmets still suck, and the crossover Ahsoka and Anakin couldn't look much worse.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 12, 2012, 12:56 PM
Interesting no new Jedi Force stuff was shown. So have they abandoned Jedi Force stuff for AMP'D?
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2012, 01:08 PM
It seems ARMP'D is in scale with Jedi Force so I'm guessing that it's just an extension of it.  Maybe I'm wrong on that but that was the impression I got.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2012, 01:24 PM
Just a reminder that our Toy Fair 2012 photo gallery was posted last night!

(http://jedidefender.com/images/ToyFair2011/toyfair2011_hasbro.jpg) (http://www.jedidefender.com/gallery/imageFolio.cgi?direct=Conventions/Toy_Fair_2012)

We have to thank P-Siddy for the last-minute coverage for us since prior obligations kept all of us from attending this year (Real life can be such a downer!), but Steve made sure he had things under control for us!
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Nicklab on February 12, 2012, 01:42 PM
So is it me, or have none of the collector sites actually been able to get a hold of Hasbro's Star Wars slideshow? 
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2012, 01:44 PM
This pic is of an Imperial Uniform from ANH I believe, that was on display at one of the shows.  It may or may not have been Tarkins, but on the Death Star there were a couple different colors of uniforms it appeared, and Tarkins uniform (which has been on tour) was pretty much this color it seemed.

Beyond ANH they seemed to be all the lighter grey.

(http://images.search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0PDoTAfBzhPkhAAlZyjzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBtdXFkOWthBHNlYwNmcC1hdHRyaWIEc2xrA2ZpbWc-/SIG=12tiqh8f3/EXP=1329100703/**http%3a//www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/StarWars/images/BookImages/uniform.jpg)

Still don't think this is the same color as the figure Hasbro showed though.  Could be camera flashes and lighting too, but theirs is more green than olive or green-grey.  This is what it ought to be though, I believe, as Tarkin wears a distinctly different color than say Bast or some of the other officers seem to have on.  Yet some have the same color outfit (could be a military branch distinction of course, or just mixing things up so they looked more "German" with the various greys, greens, blacks, etc.).
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2012, 01:45 PM
No Nick, it's not you.  They didn't put it out for some reason.  Just individual pics of the toys.  Was a tad bit more tedious.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Diddly on February 12, 2012, 01:57 PM
Wow, what a letdown.

- Tarkin sucks, which is disappointing considering how long we've been waiting for one. Why waste soft goods on him? That's just a puzzling move, save that for Jedi or Troopers, or people who actually do more than just stand there and walk around. Would it kill Hasbro to have some consistency between their Imperial Officers?

- Really digging the ROTJ figures, especially the Royal Guard and the Weequay. I'll pick up a bunch of the Royal Guards since I only found one during the ROTS line. I also want to make some Kir Kanos and Carnor Jax customs since I missed that set too.

- Realistic Clone Wars figs are meh. I might get Ahsoka just because but do I really need a costume variant of Anakin or Obi-Wan? I'm happy enough with the 2D Animated Clone Wars versions of them. I'd rather see villains like Cad Bane, Pre Visla, etc.

- I understand why people are upset about Hoth Luke but I don't mind. I'll gladly snag one.

- MORE Sandtroopers and Vaders?

- 2nd year in a row for a lame SDCC Exclusive, but I'll get Bespin Leia when it hits retail. Money saved I guess.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Nicklab on February 12, 2012, 02:10 PM
No Nick, it's not you.  They didn't put it out for some reason.  Just individual pics of the toys.  Was a tad bit more tedious.

They've traditionally put out two groupings of images on the FTP site:  a press release gallery, plus the presentation.  Not pleased that it's just been the press release so far.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2012, 02:12 PM
Yeah it's been odd thus far.  The slideshow may happen but ultimately I think the same photos will be in it so I'm not too concerned.  They'll just be in slide form.  They probably felt it was redundant or they're dragging their feet on it or whatever.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 12, 2012, 02:29 PM
It was also announced that the Royal Guard comes with a training gear head variant.

Hasbro gave out some samples of the Fighter Pods game that they are coming out with. I got a Royal Guard and Sandtrooper and must say I might be picking these up. I don't care about the ships and all, but since these are blind packed, we might have to get a trading thread on here. I also have a list of figures available from series 1 (I don't think there's a thread for it yet, is there?) that I can post.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2012, 02:32 PM
What's a training gear head exactly?  Like the Diamond Select Crimson Empire set figures had?
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 12, 2012, 02:44 PM
What's a training gear head exactly?  Like the Diamond Select Crimson Empire set figures had?

They didn't have any examples of it, but I'm guessing it might be like the Crimson Empire set.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Darth_Anton on February 12, 2012, 03:40 PM
I'm excited about the OT figures on the plate. While I agree that some of the pieces at this stage might be less than stellar, I'm going to hope that they are not final, final.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 12, 2012, 06:06 PM
Wow, what a letdown.

- Tarkin sucks, which is disappointing considering how long we've been waiting for one. Why waste soft goods on him? That's just a puzzling move, save that for Jedi or Troopers, or people who actually do more than just stand there and walk around.

Death Star conference all the officers are sitting. I like for them to sit, but that cloth looks bad, even the old POTF2 molded on "skirt" detail was better looking (and he could sit).

Quote
Would it kill Hasbro to have some consistency between their Imperial Officers?

They've never gotten them right. It's amazing. They sculpted Needa's torso with removable rank badges and have only used it again on At-At Commander whose badge is covered up by his armor.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: CHEWIE on February 12, 2012, 07:13 PM
I'm baffled by the Tarkin soft goods... they could have given him a flexible soft plastic tunic if they wanted to make him be able to sit easily.  And with the way the belt is sculpted to the torso, customizing this won't be easy at all.  Ugh.  Whoever came up with this idea at Hasbro has pissed off a lot of customers.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Brian on February 13, 2012, 02:32 PM
The Tarkin issue aside, I was actually pleasantly surprised with what we saw at Toy Fair.  Sure, much of it had been confirmed or rumored prior to the show, but it was nice to see what was on the way - for the Vintage Collection in particular.  I would guess that we have seen the rest of the Vintage Collection for 2012, which is kind of cool I guess.  In recent years, it has been more about SDCC (and last year NYCC), so we didn't always get to see much new at Toy Fair (I noticed with the Marvel lines it was mostly stuff we had already seen in some form, a little better with Star Wars).

I saw a rumor at JTA that the Vintage Collection might be going on hiatus starting in 2013 (which Hasbro mentioned at one time or another in a Q and A or something I think - to keep it fresh).  Personally, I'd like to see them just finish it out with this line look.  I thought - with a few disappointments - the Vintage Collection figures all looked pretty great.  I'm jazzed about all the ROTJ updates, as well as the other stuff.  A pretty nice variety overall, which is good to see too.  Not sure I care about the SDCC exclusive that much either, but in a way it is better to have it that way when so many of us can't make it to the show anyways.  That sometimes seems like one of those can't win situations - they make something awesome and people will be like "oh man, why did they make it an exclusive because we can't get it", or they make something that people aren't interested in and it is "lame, what a waste".  I don't know that I care enough about this one to pick it up if it is available online later, but it is nice not to care much either way on it too.

The CW seems to continue to be pretty much forgotten this year.  Nothing really new there, and it seems like it was barely even mentioned in their summary.  I really wonder what the future of that line holds - if it is shifting to "realistic" and the animated style is heading into the sunset, and if we'll continue to see the low numbers during these 3D release years.  Also, I've seen it mentioned at a few sites (and heard it in the presentation during the SWAN podcast), but has anyone seen pictures of these "all new" battle packs (I believe there is a Qui-Gon/Obi/Maul one and a Vader/Luke Fett one).  I guess the figures were supposed to be pretty nice (although its all characters we've gotten several times), and I was just curious.

Overall though, a pretty nice Toy Fair overall I thought - at least from the Vintage side of things.  We didn't see much else aside from figures, and there seemed to be a lot of focus on Fighter Pods and Amp'd, but hopefully there will be some exclusive surprises later in the year.  I've been trying to think of what could pop up later in the year.  We've been getting some all-new beasts lately as a late year exclusives (Target Rancor, Target Taun Taun, WM Dewback, WM Jabba, etc.), as well as vintage boxed stuff.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Pete_Fett on February 13, 2012, 03:06 PM
Jar Jar in Carbonite is the SDCC 2012 exclusive, but only available in a "Lost Packaging" style box-set of six figures?

Wow.

I have the potential for big life changes this year and they just keep making it easier and easier for the to quit outright.

I've been seriously contemplating going back to being an opener only and returning all of the 2012 Maul-packaged stuff I still have MOC/MIP/MIB...

Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: iFett on February 13, 2012, 05:25 PM
I haven't really been following too much, but there's going to be a JarJar in carbonite sdcc exclusive?  seriously?
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 13, 2012, 05:55 PM
I haven't really been following too much, but there's going to be a JarJar in carbonite sdcc exclusive?  seriously?

Yep. It's going to draw you back in.  ;)
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Diddly on February 13, 2012, 08:26 PM
Wow, what a letdown.

- Tarkin sucks, which is disappointing considering how long we've been waiting for one. Why waste soft goods on him? That's just a puzzling move, save that for Jedi or Troopers, or people who actually do more than just stand there and walk around.

Death Star conference all the officers are sitting. I like for them to sit, but that cloth looks bad, even the old POTF2 molded on "skirt" detail was better looking (and he could sit).

This is true, but on Diddly's Shelf their only job is to stand at attention behind Vader and Palpatine and look like they're about to lead their troops to victory over the pitiful Rebel forces. Thus, no need for soft goods, or even ball jointed hips. :P

Quote
Quote
Would it kill Hasbro to have some consistency between their Imperial Officers?

They've never gotten them right. It's amazing. They sculpted Needa's torso with removable rank badges and have only used it again on At-At Commander whose badge is covered up by his armor.

Agreed, I felt like Needa was basically perfect other than the legs. My biggest beef has been with the colors of the tunics. Needa, Veers and Jerjerrod at least match, but Ozzel had that funky color and Tarkin's is even worse.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Matt_Fury on February 14, 2012, 12:07 AM
I'd love to see BAD return.  I bought some figures I didn't even want just for the BAD parts.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jeff on February 14, 2012, 12:25 AM
A few other things I read/heard from Toy Fair coverage... 

- sounds like maybe Hasbro isn't going to NYCC this year?  Sounds like they may blow the Fall 2012 wad at SDCC and then do the AOTC3D/2013 preview stuff at Celebration VI instead...

- No mention of any mailaway?  I know in the Q&A last Fall they said there were thinking about taking a break, but it was sort of sad not to see one planned for this year.  There have been some nice mail-away treats since 2008 (Rex, Vebb, Eopie, RocketFett, ProtoFett), bummer that they are seemingly ending again.   Guess I'll have to go back to recycling all those UPCs.  :(

Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 16, 2012, 11:42 AM
It seems ARMP'D is in scale with Jedi Force so I'm guessing that it's just an extension of it.  Maybe I'm wrong on that but that was the impression I got.

It seems they did have some new stuff shown.

http://www.galactichunter.com/absoluteig/gallery.asp?categoryid=6799 (http://www.galactichunter.com/absoluteig/gallery.asp?categoryid=6799)

A few figures. Naboo fighter. Vader's TIE...it spins!

That means they've done 2  kiddie Vader TIE's and we still got the POTF2 one reissued last year.  :(
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 16, 2012, 04:54 PM
After the recent bitching and moaning by collectors that they got smashed packaging for their Mail-away that was probably pretty expensive to produce and basically given away...  I can't blame Hasbro for shelving it.

I'm highly disappointed in that too Jeff as I was loving the stuff they did and I just like getting cool **** in the mail.  I put this squarely on the shoulders of the collectors who raised holy hell over packaging damage issues, but still basically expected to get something for free without understanding any of the economics and logistics involved in getting the mail-away figures out.

I'm sure they'll bitch at some point that they're not getting mail-aways now too.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: darth broem 2 on February 20, 2012, 11:51 AM
It's not free at all.    We all chipped in a $7 check and not to mention the 4-5 figures we all had to buy to get it.  The jag-offs in the mail department should be able to get the damn product to collectors in decent condition.    I don't think it's too much for collectors to ask for that after shelling out the money for it.  If it's going to arrive in bad condition then I would just rather buy it in the stores.  That way I don't have to wait 3 months for it to arrive in a beat up mailer box either. 
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: JediJman on February 20, 2012, 12:38 PM
I didn't think there was all that much complaining.  At least I didn't read very much of it.  Some of my stuff didn't arrive in perfect shape, but it's not that big of a deal.  Shockingly I don't always find perfectly mint stuff at retail either.   ;)

I wonder if it's just a combination of profits (can't imagine they make much off these with shipping) and the hassle of the order form from the last go around.  That was a much bigger stink than any packaging complaints I've heard.  Between all the questions and complaints, then having to honor old UPCs anyway I bet they figured the hassle just wasn't worth it.  The intent here is to sell incremental new stuff and generate excitement over the line - seems like the last try at this did the exact opposite. 

It is too bad either way - you'd think they would have something going, especially with the flicks coming back to theathers.   :(
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on February 20, 2012, 02:37 PM
Like JJ I was bummed of no mail away mentioned. I thought the Proto Fett was the best one yet because it fits into the collection nicley and makes a cool generic Mando. I was hoping to see a a Sebastian Shaw Ghost Anakin be the next MA figure, that would truly hearken back to Kenner nostalgia. I have to say overall Hasbro has a great line on tap this year how anyone could be disappointed is beyond me. I do question the choice of the Droid Closet Tank but it's still neat that they made it. Seeing how the TPM flopped only makes the choice seem more like a "I told you so". I am still committing to buying one.

Like other debut figures I think Tarkin will look better in production. I hope they use a thicker cloth material like the Target Han Hoth, I think it would blend in a little better. I like how they tackled so many much needed re-sculpts in one year, it fills a lot of holes in my collection. I am hopeful we will see Yakface, Ree-Yees and Snaggletooth at SDCC. STAN said to expect them more or less so it must be true...
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Scockery on February 20, 2012, 03:56 PM
Hasbro is tight with info lately (no slide show, somewhat less leaked figures on ebay). Can we rule out a 2012 mail-in yet? Have they officially said there would not be one?
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Dan on February 20, 2012, 04:15 PM
I didn't see too much complaining regarding the mail away condition with this last one. Even if there was, Hasbro decides what they want to do based on internal planning/directions, with very little scouring of the interent for good/bad feedback. Some positive kudos are a bonus, some negatives a ding, but in the end it is about bean counters and product line models.

With the vintage packaging, they had to realize they were marketing the packaging as much as the figure. Everyone would be better off if they went to the old school plastic bagged figure in a white mailer. Cheaper on the production end, and maybe we end up with a more unique figure if they can forget about packing, the extra shipping it creates, etc.

On a really positive note, I had my first experience with Hasbro customer service today. I decided to open a 2nd giant AT-AT, and lo and behold it is missing a foot! I checked online to see if anyone even carried these anymore, and while TRU shows them in the system, they are store pick up only, and none in the 50 miles it lets you search had them.

I spoke with a Jackie on the phone at customer service (1-800-255-5516), and the foot is on its' way tomorrow. I really didn't expect it to be that easy!

Now to go open the other one buried in storage. I was going to leave it sealed, but it is more imporatant to me that it be complete.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: JediJman on February 20, 2012, 05:06 PM
Missing a foot?  Yikes.  I think I'm going to open my sealed one now too...
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 20, 2012, 06:45 PM
It's not free at all.    We all chipped in a $7 check and not to mention the 4-5 figures we all had to buy to get it.  The jag-offs in the mail department should be able to get the damn product to collectors in decent condition.    I don't think it's too much for collectors to ask for that after shelling out the money for it.  If it's going to arrive in bad condition then I would just rather buy it in the stores.  That way I don't have to wait 3 months for it to arrive in a beat up mailer box either.

I guess I just don't agree at all Broem...

We chipped in $7, but was that to line Hasbro's pockets or was it to pay for shipping, labor, manufacturing?

I think about it like this...

-It costs $8.99 (at least) to buy a figure at a store, not counting my gas, time, the variable if I'll even find what I want, plus tax.  This was shipped, to my door, for $7.

-I absolutely do not count the purchase of the figures to get UPC's as part of this equation...  If you bought figures JUST to get POP's to mail away for this figure, then to me that's on you, not Hasbro.  To me, you bought 5 figures that you should've wanted and enjoyed, to get this figure.  If you're counting the $9 or so you spent on each figure's UPC you used though, you're completely ignoring the fact you have a figure in your collection that you should've wanted or not bought.

-The USPS has nothing to do with this discussion IMO.  They get paid for a service, and in this case the service was sending out a bunch of bulk (or "junk") mailer boxes.  They don't care if it's coupons or action figures inside, they just know it's junk mail, and junk mail is the absolute cheapest mail and gets treated as such.  When you order a Big MAC you can't expect Filet Mignon.  You can cite Hasbro as being cheap in this instance and not paying for better mail, but should Hasbro take a loss on these?

-The "cost" is a $7 check...  That $7 is spread out over the USPS, the place where these were manufactured (new tooling, labor, etc.), and a company in Montana handling the entire program...  plus, some of these were brand new, 100% new tooling figures like Sgt. Bric or Rocket Fett.  Proto Fett was pretty labor intensive as figures go too because of his # of parts and softgoods, plus he had a little new tooling.  My point just being that these weren't cheap solid PVC figures or something.  They were actually pretty high quality, thoughtful, collector-oriented ideas that cost something.

-Looking at the above and thinking about my own personal experience, I can get a loose figure mailed to me in a padded envelope for like $3 not counting the figure's cost...  That leaves $4-ish to spread around the rest of the costs involved in this figure.  At best Hasbro could maybe make a buck or two here right?  Not knowing all the details and numbers of course, just guessing on that, but that's gotta be the best case scenario for Hasbro there and it's much more likely that they were close to just breaking even, no?

I looked at the mail-aways as a gimmick and a gimmie...  Hasbro's way of doing something that was supposed to be "fun" for collectors, an incentive for you to hopefully support the line, but ultimately something they don't directly profit off of (I think they probably more likely broke even) but which they hopefully didn't lose money on.

Think of it like you were at Celebration, and Hasbro reps were there handing out those proof cardbacks they had been giving out, and a rep gives you a set of them but they've all got their holes punched out, maybe some creasing...  The guy before you got ones with the holes not punched out, and perfectly mint.  And you pitch a fit...  Hasbro would probably rather just avoid the headache/bad publicity then and not give those proofs out at all anymore, even though they weren't making anything on them really and were just trying to do something cool for the collectors.

The only thing they could've done for these mail-aways, they did, in seemingly improving the quality of the cardboard and putting the insert into the Prototype Fett's packaging...  that has not ceased damage though.  Decreased it some, and with Proto Fett a lot, but not stopped it.  They could pay for better shipping but that is going to make the promotion more cost-prohibitive, and at some point they'd just probably rather not do it.  They've maybe hit that point.

I think right after Rocket Fett was ending they were thinking these were maybe going to take a break.  I have no doubt Proto Fett was in some stage of production when Rocket Fett was going on, and after Rocket Fett they probably just felt it's time to put these on the back burner, at least for now.

I feel that they got enough gripes that they took a 2nd look at things.  I'm personally 100% for a bagged figure in the mailer box as opposed to doing carded packaging that irks a segment of collectors when they don't get it absolutely mint and perfect (I was not among that group.  I really just was happy to get the figure that was in it because I thought it was a neat idea).  To me, it's the way to go and hopefully avoid the bad publicity they got over something they seemed to do with collectors/fans in mind completely.

But when I look at this, and Hasbro's making nothing directly off it, then yes I absolutely do look at it as a "freebie" then.  I'm ok with paying someone $7 to send me something I kinda dig and want, and have them basically make nothing off it except the hope that I'll maybe buy more of the stuff they DO make money off of.  :)  I've had guys on the boards offer me toys for free, as long as I pay the shipping, and I 100% look at those as freebies too.

It's better than them making this AND charging me $9.99 for it, plus $7 for shipping/handling, plus requiring 5 UPC's to get it...  That's basically my point there.  Hasbro didn't seem to make anything really, just the middle-men involved like the USPS and Montana company handling the promo.

But if that was the case then yeah, I'd rather just go to Target or TRU or WM and buy this for whatever, and avoid the shipping and UPC process.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Brian on February 21, 2012, 09:08 PM
This might be old news, but I just noticed that JTA had a Q and A they were able to conduct with Hasbro while at Toy Fair, some good information in there if you haven't seen it (they still say the Tonnika Sisters are not coming):

http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/content/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9350 (http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/content/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9350)

Other items I noticed:

-No re-release of the 2nd Ahsoka, the upcoming vintage version should serve as the replacement
-No new Nute or Rune
-Other than Evazan, no Cantina in 2012, but more in 2013
-No reissue of the Mando ship anytime soon
-No plans for funeral pyre release
-Slave 1 ESB repaint is possible
-New Gunship (it doesn't say new sculpt or repaint) is on the radar
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: P-Siddy on February 21, 2012, 10:08 PM
Yeah, Darryl DePriest was answering those questions. I asked a different guy about the Tonnikas (can't remember his name), but he said it was a licensing issue with one of the actresses.  :-\
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: efranks on February 23, 2012, 12:06 AM
I agree with Jesse on the mail-away programs.  I consider it a free figure and I'm just paying my $7 to cover shipping.  I don't give any monetary value to the UPC codes I had to send in...unless someone wants to pay me for a bunch.  >:D

I really think that the Rocket Boba Fett, that first wave that was damaged, fell victim to some shipping warehouse accident.  To have so many damaged enough to have the bubble come loose from the card and crushed as badly as they were, I picture a huge pallet ready for the PO tipping off a lift onto another pallet and the dock worker just looking at it, saying "fuckit," and shipping it out anyway.

I had two damaged from that offer and out of all the ones I sent for, that was the first offer I've ever participated in where I didn't receive one that I sent for.  I talked to Hasbro support about it and they basically told me to pound sand, it wasn't their problem since they saw that it went out.  Now, personally, even though it's junk mail class, I find that mostly unacceptable as an answer since, when I sell something, I'm on the hook for delivery and can't just write off a lost package as not my fault.  And to make it worse, I felt that the damaged figures shouldn't have been replaced (I didn't ask for replacements) but that lost figures should have been compensated for.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if Hasbro was burned out on offers after this latest one and if the Rocket Fett problems lit the fire.

To steer this back on topic, now that we've had a new look at the Toy Fair slide of the upcoming Bespin and Naboo Duel Battle Packs, I really have to wonder what Hasbro's thoughts are on spending tooling budget on 6 under-articulated figures when they had decent sculpts they could have re-used.  It doesn't make any sense to me to build six figure with what looks like basic 5 points of articulation w/ a bonus (maybe) of a ball joint shoulder.  I don't get the strategy behind that, especially the Naboo set when they're releasing that set of three in the Movie Heroes, Vintage Collection and exclusive Discover the Force lines PLUS again in Movie Heroes with the light-up sabers.  It's bizarre.

   E...
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Rob on February 23, 2012, 01:14 AM
Here's irony... the two Rocket Fett's I ordered showed up in fantastic condition. 

And I opened one of them.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: McMetal on February 27, 2012, 06:58 PM
Full slide-show up here now, if anyone is interested:

http://forum.starwars-figuren.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=115

Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: Jesse James on February 27, 2012, 09:00 PM
Nothing of interest on it.  The only thing anyone cared about was the Battlepacks, and, no pun intended, but those are pretty much kaput to most people now. :P

All the official images were pretty much released and in the toy fair coverage so that's cool I guess.  Didn't "miss" something anyway.
Title: Re: Toy Fair 2012
Post by: CorranHorn on February 27, 2012, 11:02 PM
I haven't paid much attention to the AMP'D line, but after looking at the slides I just noticed something that I've not heard anyone else bring up (or at least I'm not paying close attention). But to me, the AMP'D line is essentially like LEGOs, in that you can construct the vehicle into the movie design or into other designs including those from your imagination. I'm surprised LEGO doesn't have the exclusive license for such Star Wars based toys. Did I miss something here?