I was going to post this in the OTC recard-ying-yang thread since I’m riffing on DoctorPadawan’s fantasy OTC line, but I got to thinking, and went tangential… I guess this is the best place to post some thoughts on the future. I’m so thrilled with the OTC packaging that I want more of it, and even want PT stuff in it. I’m also terrified that the OTC line is going to bomb because of all the recards. So what is going to happen, come 2005?
So here’s my little fantasy world scenario:
Let’s assume (which, as we all know, makes an “ass” out of “u” and “me”) that OTC as we know it ends in 2004, as Hasbro seems to be saying, with the “collect all 38 OTC figures” text splashes on their packaging. What replaces it? Two lines, one OT, one PT? Or another unified line, a sort of new Saga line?
A new unified line (bear with me as I put my fanboy fantasy cap on):
Star Wars: The Unity of the Force
The OTC silver-on-black card design carries over, retaining the retro style with a full color background image from the figure’s relevant scene intact. Introduced to the design is a revamped POTF-style embossed saber handle. A Vader helmet outline is designed into the image or alternately the hands grasping the saber hilt or the gloved mechanical hands of Vader. The “UOTF” text appears just below the Star Wars logo at the top of the card. The bubble insert includes the episode title from which the figure appears.
This package design communicates the joining of the OT and PT sagas into one complete story, while also celebrating the most notable Kenner/Hasbro packaging designs from the past.
The objective of the line is to offer both new figures and re-releases of popular previous figures under a unified banner in a snap-shot of the line’s history. Essentially, a chance for someone who’s never bought a modern era figure to get the very best of what’s been available along with brand new figures that meet those classics’ quality bar.
The Release Strategy
We’d see this line launch with preview figures from Episode 3 in late 2004/early 2005. Following assortments through April/May (and the release of the new film) would be Prequel-era focused. This would include figures from The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones along with continued Ep3 preview fig distribution. For example:
- Anakin Skywalker (E1)
- Padme Amidala (E1) Ascension Gun
- Qui-Gon Jinn
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (E2) Outlander Club
- Anakin Skywalker (E2) Secret Ceremony
- C3P0 (E2)
- Clonetrooper (SA)
- Jango Fett
Come April, we would see a grand Ep3 focused line that continued through the summer. Within this timeframe, 1 per case re-releases of core characters from A New Hope enter the line, bridging the gap from PT to OT. For example:
- VOTC Ben
- Darth Vader
- C3P0
- Tarkin (New sculpt)
Come September, this line settles down into a modern Saga line with figures from all 6 Episodes. We see several new Ep3 figures released for the video/DVD.
And we all live happily ever after.