Check out our coverage of the Botcon 2013 Hasbro Transformers Brand Team panel (aka the “New Product” panel aka “the what you’re spending money on next year” panel) below. The transcript of the panel is now available after the break – a full summary will be posted here shortly. Metroplex will also have the chrome thighs and metallic sticker sheet. Chrome face too. But yeah, the minifigures are main thing
11:48
Comment From Guest
that the only differenc the mini figs?
11:48
BW Megatron and G1 Ultrs Magnus
11:48
Comment From Zhu jingke
Please,who is the bw ultramagnus?or just bw mega,not bw mega and ultra?
11:47
Too hard to judge
11:47
Comment From TriBlurr
Does it look female at all, from the sillouette I mean?
11:47
Generations 30th anniversary
11:47
Comment From Neo-Bombshell
So Waspinator and Rhinox are part of Generatiosn line or the 30 annicersary line?
11:47
Nope afraid not
11:47
Comment From Mike
Not a single mention of masterpiece ?:(
11:47
Will be revealed in more detail at SDCC
11:46
Fan Built Bot, showing the silhouette. It’s an Autobot jet, showing the silhouette
11:46
Didn;t get a clear look. Red or purple little guys who look non-transformable
11:45
Comment From Movie Prime
Who are the Minifigs?
11:45
BW Megatron and Ultra Magnus came first and second, respectively
11:44
Hall of Fame awards now
11:43
Talking SDCC Metroplex right now. Comes with 12 minifgiures like the decoys
11:43
I know right? It’s crazy!
11:43
Comment From Guest
I’m sorry, did you just say Voyager RHinox?!
11:43
Yes
11:43
Comment From spittor
Does Rhinox have his Chainguns of Doom?
11:43
Rhinox and Waspinator are both based on their original BW designs. Organic not mechanical
11:42
Comment From Ferret
Is Rhinox real animal or robotic?
11:42
New mold, based on MTME comic design
11:41
Voyager Whirl in 2014
11:41
NEW MOLD
11:41
VOYAGER CLASS RHINOX
11:41
Yes
11:41
Comment From KEN
Doubledealer as Jet/Tank NOT bird/tank?
11:41
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW
11:41
HOLY
11:40
Don’t know – was not painted in the pictures shown. Just know it is coming,
11:40
Comment From Guest
Is the color scheme on FoC Skywarp similar to the Takara version?
11:40
Voyager class, Blitzwing redeco
11:40
DECEPTICON DOUBLEDEALER
11:39
Yes
11:39
Comment From metalogan
deluxe armada has new mold?
11:39
Looks like it
11:39
Comment From Sam
Does skids have the flip out guns from the comic?
11:39
FOC
11:39
Comment From Guest
G1 Skywarp or FOC Skywarp?
11:39
DELUXE ARMADA STARSCREAM
11:38
Classics Scoop, double Targetmaster, looks awesome. G1 update.
11:38
Skywarp coming in Wave 4
11:38
Has button that makes wings flap
11:37
BW design updated
11:37
And number 4 shown, WASPINATOR
11:37
He’s the MTME design
11:36
Looks beyond awesome
11:36
SKIDS, IDW design
11:36
Dreadwing is the proto we’ve seen
11:36
Yes
11:35
Comment From Convoy
NEw head for goldbug?
11:35
Dreadwing being shown
11:35
First up, Goldfire, IDW Bumblebee as Goldbug
11:35
Deluxes first
11:34
Yes
11:34
Comment From Anguirus
Sharpshot = shrapnel?
11:34
Yes, Legends two pack sized. Like Commander sized or thereabouts I’d venture
11:34
Comment From Guest
Are these the same size class as the Bumblebee with Buttcopter?
11:34
Deluxe 2014,tied into Dark Cybertron comic series
11:33
SAharpshot is Shrapnel, Reflector turns into a gun and tiny camera. Grey proto only, not colored.
11:33
SHARPSHOT with REFLECTOR
11:33
MTME style, not showin in color, resin proto only
11:32
Wave 2, TAILGATE with Groundpounder
11:32
Comes with white shuttle named Payload
11:32
CLASSICS COSMOS IS HAPPENING IN LEGENDS CLASS
11:31
HELL YES COSMOS!
11:31
comes with a vlue jet called Flanker
11:31
SWERVE, MTME style
11:31
Legends 2014
11:30
30th anniversary
11:30
30 special items for the 20th anniversary. Covers Platinum, SDCC etc
11:30
Elite is Constructabots
11:30
Comment From Evan
Is elite optimus constructabots or predavons rising?
11:29
Taling about what is coming in 2014, get ready
11:28
Generations time!
11:28
Showing Predacons Rising Deluxe and Voyagers. All stuff we’ve seen officially
11:28
Squad of three figures. Megatron is a larger Constructabot, with the other two being like Targetmasters
11:27
Comment From Guest
Triple Team? So their renaming Triple changers. Or is it more like a squad of triple changers.
11:27
And Abominus now
11:27
Elite Class Optimus Prime, features dragon themed missile launchers and a BH themed robot mode
11:27
Talking through the Cyberverse two packs
11:27
Showing Predacons Rising now. All shown so far
11:26
Unicron Megatron with Barrage and Ratbat. Megatron is a spaceship, very sleek and looks like the Nemesis. Ratbat turns into a weapon
11:25
Triple Changer class for 2014 is Triple Team class
11:25
Elite Class Optimus Prime, features dragon themed missile launchers and a BH themed robot mode
11:24
Shockwace for Eliite class, based loosely on the BH one, but more squared for the vehicle mode
11:23
Looks decent, big seraphic wings. Dark blue with brighter blue bits. Wings become swords
11:23
Elite Class Skystalker
11:22
Ripclaw in Scout class, looks very much the Deluxe imagined as a Constructabot
11:22
Scout Class Starscream, based on Beast Hunters Deluxe. Bit of a G1 hybrid in the head
11:21
Bumblebee for 2014 Wave 1. BH styled in yellow
11:20
2013 Constructabots is G1 themed. 2014 is going to be Beast Hunters styled
11:20
Showing the 2014 assortment
11:19
Showing the Optimus Megatron two pack
11:19
Triple changers, Bumblebee and Blitzwing, already seen
11:19
Wave 3 Smokescreen, Shockwave and Drag Strip
11:18
Wave 2 of Elite has Optimus, Megatron and Hound
11:18
Wave 3, Cliffjumper, Silverbolt, Breakdown and Dead End
11:18
Sorry, Bee and Cracker are wave 2
11:17
Scout Wave 1 – Bumblebee, Thundercracker, Ironhide, Starscream. Showing ways to mix and match
11:16
Showing a video. Looks like Kreo humor in the clip shown
11:16
On to Constructabots (and it is Constructabots not Construct Bots)
11:14
Original white deco. Looked show accurate
11:14
Comment From Ravenxl7
Is the Smokescreen in his new blue&yellow deco?
11:14
Scaled up yes. Articluation is hard to judge
11:14
Comment From Triblurr
So, legions designs scaled up with better articulation?
11:14
Like the Legion – higher up like on the shoulders
11:13
Comment From Calabask
Do his wings stop mid back again? Or are they placed so they don’t look awkward? on Predaking.
11:13
Hasbro said they were focusing on making toys simpler to play with and investing the savings into larger toys and better decos.
11:13
Bumblebee looked simplified, the others looked decent
11:12
Comment From JohnRedcorn
how is the detailing on the bigger TFs? simplified?
11:12
Predaking on show, this one looks cool. Big scimitar sword made from tail, red and black deco. Looks decent.
11:12
Sword and Autobot styled shield
11:11
Optimus Prime Voyager, gigantic but again like an upscaled Cyververse Commander
11:11
Will be in tge case shortly
11:11
Smokescreen and Twinstrike, again these are very similar to the Legions but scaled up
11:10
Windrazor Deluxe, larger version of Cyberverse again
11:10
Back to big Transformers again
11:10
The tradeoff for the simplicity – they are larger. Significantly larger.
11:09
Has a blue sword
11:09
Showing Bumblebee, for 2014. BH mold, red and yellow very plain deco. Looks like an upscaled Legion class BH Bee
11:08
Mostly orange on the body and green on the limbs
11:08
Comment From Anguirus
Is bludgeon orange or green?
11:08
Talking about how they dislke the overly complicated Transformers transformations. Comparing a Movie 3 instruction sheets with a G1 Wheeljack instruction sheet. They want to get back to kids playing on the floors and easier transformations.
11:06
Talking about doing something a bit new for the 2014 line
11:06
Deluxe 2014
11:06
2013 Prowl, Black and white redeco of Deluxe Smokescreen, has lightbar and looks quite cool
11:05
2013 Night Shadow Bumblebee, BH Bumblebee in show accurate black deco
11:05
Deluxes
11:05
Redeco of Commander Shockwave, has Star Saber accessory, and new head
11:04
BLUDGEON
11:04
Ultra Magnus, new mold
11:04
Gold and purple deco, recolor of Commander Megatron
11:04
UNICRON MEGATRON
11:04
2014 Commanders
11:03
Bluestreak, Legion Smokescreen redeco, G1 “blue” Bluestreak deco
11:03
Ace Vehicon, white version of Legion Air Vehicon
11:03
Rot Gut, bright green Blight redeco
11:02
Divebomb up first. Coming 2014. He’s a defector to the Autobots, red white and blue deco, Windrazor redeco
11:02
Beast Hunters Legion class. All 2013 shown
11:01
Kreo first. Custom Kreons, 30-40 pieces per pack, make your own Kreon. More to be shown at SDCC
11:01
Not that I know
11:01
Comment From Bird
Any familiar faces in the hasbro group?
11:00
Shoutout to the Prime show for three daytime Emmy awards. Public vote of thanks
11:00
Jagex Universe is also coming this Fall
11:00
Talking briefly about how they are excited for Legends and they love the card art and new content that comes out
10:59
“Headed toward global domination” in their words, excited for the ride etc
10:59
Constructabots debut in August for those interested
10:58
Talking about the current brands right now – BH, Kreo, Generations
10:57
May not have a lot of time for questions at the end
10:57
50 minutes and 100+ slides to show
10:56
We’re kicking off now – no photos allowed on this one,
Xython
Simple toys for simple minds? I think it would be better to keep challenging minds of kids instead of making it too easy. I will wait and see if Hasbro regrets this path but, till then i'll only be buying Cosmos and payload so far.
Feralstorm
I imagine there's gotta be some stuff held back for presentation at SDCC. The fan-built bot is apparently one. Maybe further MP news is another, maybe not. Seriously, we're getting Acid Storm and Soundwave (and all his effin' tapes) this year, so we're probably past the Masterpiece Hasbro quota for this year anyway. It's unlikely we'd hear anything about stuff for summer/fall 2014, and Hasbro's probably still figuring out how/if to bother with licensing, and handling the smaller car MPs (would TRU want singles, 2-packs, other?)
G1Prowl
You mean adult collectors aren't the main demographic for the toylines? Blasphemy.
Hollywood Hoist
I guess you've never had a kid ask you to transform a figure because they can't do it themselves due to it being overly complex. If kids get frustrated with the toy than parents will stop buying them and that will hurt Transformers and Hasbro. Adults have Generations and Masterpieces, let the kids have the other lines.
protostar8
They can go screw off. Simple transformations = crappy looking robot modes. I LOVE G1, but the G1 toys are nowhere near as great as the modern day stuff. Simple transformations belong in legends class or Robot Heroes. Nuff said…
Ravenxl7
Since you're quoting me, I guess I'll answer your question. It's D)None of the above. For the 30th Anniversary Hasbro is going to release what can be called a "fan-built bot". They've so far put up two polls where we fans can vote for different options (faction, alt-mode, gender, etc…), and whatever details come out with the most votes will be going into the design of this character. They're also going to have IDW add this new character to their comics.
icefox
The wording is odd, does this mean:
A) We found a toy a fan (or third party) made and are going to mass produce it
or
B) We found a coloring of one of our toys by a fan and going to mass produce that paint scheme
or
C) You get a plastic tree, some pins and screws and get to build a transformer (aka transformers model kit?)
I _really_ hope it is C because that would just be awesome I have not had more fun than when I was able to get the unassembled (knockoff) classic transformers from kotoys.com (Benjamin Meyer's Personal Blog: Transformers Sideswipe Kit Review and Build Instructions) and put them together. I would pre-order more than one so fast…
RedAlert Rescue
I would say "Traditionally" Transformers look like an evolution of Microman just look at the Microman Titans they are rather Transformers like.
I don't think all Japanese Robot Anime looks like Gundam OK maybe Mobine Callibur does a bit – but he transforms into something that doesn't.
And even something that do still show a truth to themselves like Patlabor for example they have a slight Gundam aspect to them but in general they are skinnier and sleeker looking and ore elegant. were as other stuff I'd say is a generic type but is more of a Mechwarrior look bulkier and more military sci fi. So if Transformers suddenly started looking like Videogame Robots (such as in Armoured Core) I'd raise an eyebrow.
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x112/ngeekhiong3/MSJ-06II-A.jpg
What I mean by looking like Gundam is a specific reference to design cues that exist on 2 things being used on the current comic designs – they contain things like exploded parts as seen in Movie designs. (I.e skids shoulders) or legs that don't flow but instead are like a number of blocks (i.e skids again) that does not look right to my eye – Naturally some Transformers have always looked rather Gundamish too a price example would be Energon Bulkhead who couldn't look much more like one if they tried.
I am spotting it in other places too though for example Transformers Prime Soundwave.
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x112/ngeekhiong3/SVMS-01.jpg
I alos realise that Gundam and Transformers share some ideas sometimes like the way in Transformers Energon or Beast Wars Neo some chracters have a representation of their alt mode or character theme on their helmets…. and Gundam Sentai or other robot lines also does this sometimes.
Personally I just wish for things to keep their brand identity as much as possible. sure it's a giggle sometimes but it's not want I want as a default style in all instances I don't want Transformers to look like Gundams as I say ; But I also don't want them to look like Armoured Core or Sentai either. That is no disrespect to those brands it's just those are "other brands" and not Transformers and it does not always work if you crib to much from elsewhere.
——
I think Prowl is under decorated and does not work so well in car mode due to an absence of black on the doors or rear bumper area that they shoved more black on the robot helped a bit – and I've since noticed his windows are actually clear and then over-painted in a dark clear blue so I suppose you can use stripper to remove the paint if it bothers you at all. But Prowl to me is Black and white across his whole car mode & not white with a Black nose on the car. So he looks a little lacking in contrast to me.
———
No I don't mind Skids – as I said I'll cut them some slack for the weird legs and durpy face.. it's not Hasbro's fault the IDW design has a durpy face. and I like the guns even if it maybe totally unsuited to an archaeologist to have 10 guns and 16 rockets on his body. I like the car mode so much I'll deal and frankly I'm giving a sigh of relief as Skids is a lot less dreadful than (the tiny) Trailcutter. even if skids was smallish it doe snot matter so much if he's a compact car as it does on a pick up truck.
———-
I don't really see much of Vintage Orion Pax in the current toy ; to me I get the strong impression (in robot mode at least) of the pre-Earth Transformers Animated Optimus Prime toy. I do like the Orion Pax mould though even if I do tend to think it look more like Kup overall… I suspect this might make a rather spiffy repaint or custom perhaps as Pointblank ?
I think the only problem with the toys is that you'd mainly want to use them as a robot due to how small they are as vehicles… I am not sure yet if I think IDW Megatron or Scourge is the better of the two blended wing toys of recent times ?
I do wonder if perhaps there's some potential to apply the expanding idea to Megatron and Orion Pax (or perhaps they will get KO'd) they look like they would both gain a lot more interest if they were simply larger… anyway Tiny Megatron's often seem a bit 'wrong' to me.
——-
As to the idea of what reasons kids buy toys – I suspect it requires further extensive research.
1) The name recognition ; I.e Bumblebee, Megatron, Optimus, Starscream ?
2) The toy itself – (the name does not matter) if it looks cool ?
3) Faction ; They only buy Heroes ?
4) Other factors ?
—–
I don't really know what is "Most" important to me overall – other than the obvious ; i.e don't make to many Bumblebees and for crying out loud make some Bigger Decepticons from time to time.
I have no specific preference for Beasts or vehicles for example ; I like both.
I suppose some people see "Gimmicks" as a Kiddy play pattern but i'm personally very fond of enhanced play options over and above the basic aspect of Transformation play – even if it's something as simple as a C-clip or a Minicon or a 5mm weapon.
I tend to be more forgiving of flaws in a toy if it has that "Enhanced play" aspect to it – so the new samurai's have some horrible design flaws in their design but as you can do such a crazy amount of stuff with them that really expands their function I'm prepared to forgive them those flaws quite readily. If they didn't combine though I'd say they were not the best designs in the world.
A recent example of something's I really have not enjoyed is something quite simple really which is to many Beast Hunters Predacons have compromised wing joints or necks.
Just as I see an essential feature of a Spider-Man toy is the ability to look up ; I also see it as quite important that Dragons should have mobile wings and movable heads/necks – and probably tails too. So the lack of that disappoints me.
I don't know if the same is true of a typical 7 year old kid though.
MC Rap Throne
Maybe I'll get Skids, Swerve and Tailgate. They're pretty much IDW Masterpieces, kudos to Alex Milne (Hasbro's BETTER be paying you royalties for those, dude). Too bad they don't fit the old CHUG aesthetics, otherwise I'd buy them all.
BW… couldn't care less. Rhinox looks like a Masterpiece, though. I won't be surprised if TT releases him in Japan as a MP, specially when they're seriously considering Primal and LioConvoy for MPs.
Funny they didn't mention anything about reissue G1 Predaking.
Yggdrasil
I'm not sure how new they really are. I mean Orion Pax looks exactly like how he looked in the cartoon with a bit more Optimus Prime styled head, while Megatron is pretty much a homage to the unreleased G2 Stealh Bomber/Dreadwing re-paint Megatron. None of them are new ideas really.
Autovolt 127
^This. I know i would.
SMOG
Wow, that's a sad outlook you have there. It sounds as if you've basically declared war on anything even remotely different from GeeWun. I'm a self-declared geewunner, and even I'm sort of amazed at your complaints.
Transformers have always looked like Gundams… except recently when they started looking like Bionicles or escapees from Samurai Jack, or in the case of Prime (a series for kids, which you are convinced Hasbro doesn't do anymore), a mixture of the two. In any case, the "gundam" complaint hasn't been relevant since 2006.
Transformers has been a camp space opera (more or less) since 1986. It bugged me in Season 3, but I'm cool with it in MTMTE. Good writing for the first time in EVER tends to have an endearing effect on me.
The comics are for grown-ups, of course. Grown-ups generally like things to be a little more sophisticated and dramatic than stuff for 8-year-olds. Go figure. I don't know what to tell you… I don't see why Transformers (and its fans) need to be completely stuck in a state of arrested development.
The IDW-based designs fit perfectly well with Classics/Generations. Classics has always been a reinterpretation of G1 characters and designs. I think you'd be hard pressed to come up with a better G1-style Skids, Swerve, Trailbreaker/Hoist, Springer, etc… the fact that these very G1-style designs appeared in IDW comics first is pretty irrelevant. They are exceptional Classics figures.
I agree… Stealth Megatron and "Orion Pax" are new looks. I can live with it. As for IDW Bumblebee/Goldfire… blame Bayformers for that… that design has always been an awkward marriage of Bay Bee and G1 Bee.
Curiously, I'd say that More Than Meets The Eye has waaaaay more authentic heart and humanity than any of the saccharine, disingenuous pablum from G1. The fact that it tears your heart out kind of demonstrates that it has made some kind of emotional connection.
Okay, that's fair… though with the exception of this new intermediate Legion 2-pack size, I think Deluxes are mostly in the same up-and-down sizes that we've been seeing for a while. I'd kind of like it if big characters were consistently big, while small characters were reasonably smallish, but if wishes were pennies, and all that. It's never been perfect. But considering we just got a 2ft tall Metroplex, and some nice, sizable Voyagers (FOC Soundwave/Blaster and Grimlock), it seems like a hollow complaint.
Yeah, that's super-weird… I don't know quite what to think of that. I'm hoping that this won't be the general trend going forward. It seems like Hasbro squeezing out some new deluxes to fill out a line that was losing them money and that they'd pretty much given up on.
Really? A black and white police car? What were you expecting?
What's wrong with the robot mode? I mean, aside from having WAY too many guns, I guess…
zac
adambman
Agreed. Having said that, this years Rainmaker set may have the same effect. I was thinking of ordering two sets, then my internet died on me for about seven hours, in which time BBTS and TFSource had sold out of their relatively cheap stock.
I've been impressed and surprised by a lot of what's been revealed so far, so I hope it doesn't sound ungrateful to ask, were any prototype photos of Tailgate or Whirl shown?
I wonder if someday we might get IDW inspired versions of Fortress Maximus and Roadbuster; two large, gun-toting Autobots that transform into armoured vehicles. The remolding for tracks or wheels doesn't seem too far-fetched given the differences between Generations Voyagers Springer and Sandstorm.
Ravenxl7
Nope, that was about the fan-built bot. There was absolutely no mention of anything Masterpiece related durring the panel. Someone even sent in a comment asking if they had, and the person doing the live coverage of the panel said "Nope afraid not".
Starfire22
Didn't the panelists say that MP news would be saved for SDCC?
MagnusPrimal
I think this about covers it.
JAYSCREAM
sooooooooooo………… no new kre-o or masterpiece mentioned………30th year of transformers and itll be the year I spend the least money. have fun with the bayverse figures next year should make everything else easier to get ….. if it makes retail beside the 30000000th bayverse bumblebee figure! we wont see jack of the generations in the uk before, during, after that movie.
Hypershock
in summation, generations is gonna make me poor, and i won't pay attention to beast hunters unless they do all of the abominus guys scaled up
RedAlert Rescue
I suspect if Toyworld do a good job on their not-Goldbug then the IDW Goldbug will go a bit unloved. and it seems possible this time next year there might be a Masterpiece Gold Bumblebee toy that turns into a licensed VW Beetle.
JazzIsBack
About the last year here I'v bought very few figures do to not having the money but once I do I'm getting many of these! Kind of sad Chromedomes not a mass retail figure