In an interview that is printed in Toyfare #138 (February 2009 issue), Hasbro’s Transformers Universe designer Bill Rawley talks about the future of the Universe line. He states that the Universe line, which is going on hiatus next year for the movie line, may return in some incarnation following Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen but is dependent on several factors. If Universe does return, Bill states that two character on top of his wish list are Generation One Soundwave and Beast Wars Rhinox. The article goes on to state that Rhinox is invisioned as being at least a Voyager-sized figure. While the article provides no confirmation that Universe will return after the movie line nor confirmation of Soundwave or Rhinox being produced, having these two figures on the designer’s wish list provides hope that these two characters will receive updated figures.
Molini
Indeed, "someone" is buying them, however, I have actually seen kids asking parents for certain animated or movie TF toys, or even parents asking each other which animated or movie toy to buy their kid. The reason is simple, both those lines are TANGIBLE to today's kids because they have seen them either on the Big Screen or the recent cartoon network series which markets the toys very well.
I have seen kids of many different ages walk up to the shelves where universe figures sit and say things like, "I don't remember him from the movie" or even see parents try to push the toys on their kids (which I found funny, it was obvious the dad's were old fans) by pulling up a universe prowl or silverbolt and saying "how bout this one, he looks cool right?"…only to have the kid respond "no I want this toy (holding up a bakugan or even Naruto figure in some cases)"
so yeah, to discredit your last statement some kids actually did recognize that universe toys weren't from the movie and had no idea who they were and passed based on my observations.
again…there are lots of collectors, and plenty of scalpers for all lines and…it's x-mas time! Almost everything that can be played with leaves the shelves around this time of the year. Parents during this time of the year are non discriminant when it comes to toys for their kids or relative's kids. However, kids and parents of kids are definitely buying animated and movie line toys.
It is my own opinion, based on personal observation during toy hunts over the last year and a half that mostly collectors and scalpers are buying classics/universe toys…and the occassional parent trying to get his/her kid(s) into something he/she once enjoyed as a kid.
General Tekno
I dunno…
Universe has sold VERY well at the nearby TRU lately, what with all of the sales…
Whenever they have a sale, whatever Transformers figure class they have that's on sale flies off the shelves.
Ash from Carolina
I think it all depends on where you live at because I've seen classics/universe, Animated, and the movie line all selling well so someone's got to be buying Transformers.
Yes Bakugan is doing well but I don't that means everything else now is collecting dust. I mean you played with more than one thing you were little right. Kids just don't make those lines of I can't play with this because it's not from the same franchise.
Sunswipe
I agree completely. I never see any kids buying the universe figs pegs will be full and the Bakugan pegs are always empty. Hasbro needs to fully get a grip on the fact that this is a line that should be geared at collectors. Most kids today haven't seen the old G1 cartoon anyway so if a tape deck confuses them so what.
That being said I really would be interested in a soundwave for the line and the voyager sized Rhinox would be a great addition to my collection. Hopefully this line comes back after the movie.
ActionMasterZod
I'd love to see them do all of the Maximal team eventually.
No need to make a new Primal though, the one we already have is perfect.
Laser_Optimus
Heh. Interesting… shame they probably won't be able to say much (if anything) about Universe 3.0 (…) until Botcon.
As for the stuff about Universe 2.0 ending… we knew from the get go that the line was (unfortunately again) finite. It was always 'running alongside Animated until movie 2 comes out so we can keep the realistic vehicle aesthetics going'. Unfortunately that means it's going to end once the second movie is released with even the rather popular with the kiddies Animated getting only 'key waves' (which is a shame because I really like both Animated and Universe).
Which, basically, for me means that I won't be buying a whole heck of a lot in 2009 once the movie line gets into full swing. I just don't dig the movie aesthetic enough to have it in toy form (I like it just fine for the movie itself mind you… just don't think it translates well to toys). I mean, I'll probably buy a few (I did with the first movie), but not as many toys as I normally would… thankfully we've got Takara to look to for some interesting releases if they keep popping up with stuff like MP Grimlock and the Alternity series… one can hope anyways. And there's always the Marvel Transformers.
Still… it's a shame about Universe… but we knew it was going to happen.
Ash from Carolina
All the joy and the hope out of being a collector. I was really excited to go on the hunt for the latest waves but with a dreadful feeling of what if this is the last classics/universe figures it just takes all the excitment out. Never fun collecting anything if there is a feeling of well this is it.
Such a bad feeling of being the red headed step child of the toy collecting world. They act like we are important to them, until something else comes along and they just cast us aside like whatever. Yes I know we are just here to make them money, but darn at least pertend like we are worth something to you as a costumer as you take the money we are giving your company.
I can understand if they can't put anything in stone about when classics/universe might be back and how they can't put anything in stone yet about what the first line up would be. But throw out something to give us a little hope that we can be fans in the future even if the Animated and movie toys aren't our cup of tea.
Runamuck
I totally agree.
Runamuck
Yeah, but what are the factors? That's what I was really interested in. lol
DavAnthony
I never understand Hasbro's constant "eh" attitude with classics/universe. It's the line that most Transformer Fans have been clamoring for years to have. The put it on "hiatus" back during the first movie. Now they are doing their "hiatus" nonsense again and once again if it returns is "dependent on several factors but we're not going to say what those factors are"
For a line that is supposed to be fun its amazing how efficiently Hasbro sucks the joy out of it.
Railguard
1) A new mold of Soundwave would be AWESOME!!!!!
2) Rhinox would be great too, I like him better than Cheetor.
3) As for the fact that they are not sure what to do with the Universe line after the movie line is done, they better keep the line going in one form or another, this line absolutley ROCKS!!!!!! If they cancel it, I think it would be a horrible decison.
llamatron
If they make a new Cassette player Soundwave the can hold the upcoming Universe Ravage I will be happy forever.
Also, Rhinox, sweet. I would have put him way ahead of Cheetor in terms of needed a new toy. Hopefully they'll give him his chain guns.
I really hope that we also get to see Universe Wheeljack, Jazz, Perceptor and Insecticons. Woo, fanboy!
Maximo Prime
meh – i'm happy with him having not made the 100% price jump.
Optimus Convoy
Wait…the Universe line could come to an end?!
MagnusPrimal
I don't care how they update Rattrap, but they must make him! Since they don't have the mold to reissue him, I don't have a non-TM one, and I needs one! I needs it!
*ahem*
Sorry 'bout that.
[Wing_Saber-X]
smkspy
I don't think kids will care one way or another whether if Soundwave is a cassette player. Not if he has great accessories like the cassettes to go with him.
Molini
I thought this originally too, I just haven't performed an actual size by size comparison to make this a valid statement. I think the new ravage may be thicker than the actual tapes, that's why I said I don't care if Soundwave is bigger than an actual microcassette player slightly…so long as it's as awesome as the concept art.
Here's to hoping you're proven wrong *slams a shot of Patron*
Today's kids????
Today's kids are buying Bakugan toys, where I live at least. the only people I ever see grabbing universe figures are guys in their mid 20's to late 30's and usually admit to being collectors (the exception being a no response scalper).
Anyone seeing a different trend?
Vizer
This is great news (assuming it comes true). I don't mind Soundwave being updated a bit, but it would still be nice if Ravage could somehow sit inside of him. I don't own Rhinox, but after looking at images of his BW figure he sure seems like he could use an update. However, I hope they don't go down the Cheetor route and decide to keep his chain guns of doom.