The official Botcon Facebook page has posted a status update with the announcement that former Hasbro Transformers toy designer, Aaron Archer will be attending Botcon 2016 next month. In addition to this announcement, the page also said that today is the last day to register for the Primus and VIP packages.
Click the discussion link below to share your thoughts.
Hollywood Hoist
Maybe some kids wanted more articulation, I never heard anyone complaining about it when I was a kid. The level of articulation never phased me one bit. I had G.I. Joe and experienced toys with a lot of articulation, but I never faulted Transformers for not having it. I look at the new Star Wars figures, they have the same articulation as the figures did in the 80's.
flux convoy
Agreed, wholeheartedly. Really looking forward to it.
griffin-of-oz
I was hoping that he'd have a panel, so that we can hopefully hear more about what he did in his early years as a Transformers designer, and maybe more about Transtech.
Most of the BotCons he was at in the past, he was there in a management role, and hosted the actual Hasbro product presentations (so not a lot of personal time on stage).
I think he's a great guy too, and it was a sad day in the convention fandom when he (and a number of other long term BotCon attendees from Hasbro) left.
A nice inclusion for the long term fans, for what might be the last fan-focussed BotCon.
Swoop Dogg
Schedule is out for Botcon. Looks like Archer is doing autographs – no panel.
Edit – I can't read apparently – he has a panel on Saturday.
bellpeppers
Because it's what we wanted since back when we were 8.
G.B. Blackrock
I like articulation, but really do scratch my head at the desire for complication. Besides the fact that these are for kids, first and foremost, I'd like to be able to pull a Transformer off of my display shelf after several months, and NOT have to go find his instructions in storage to be able to change its modes!
Deonasis
Nailed it. I think AEC is a lot of fun. It has some fantastic concepts and had great new character designs. It had a lighter tone than the series before. My child has complete freedom with my transformers and her favourites are leader Energon Prime (and his limb vehicles, trailer, super form, etc) and Fort Max (really just city mode).
flux convoy
Aaron Archer is great. Always friendly and excited to talk about toys and story. At least to me. I assume it's like that with most everyone else. Looking forward to seeing him there.
Primal Sabbath
Grimlockimus, yeah dude definitely! If Tidal Wave looks different enough from the rumored Broadside I'll totally grab it!
A Titans Return Armada Sideways would be super cool, too!
To be fair, I was 10 when Armada came out… And my love of Transformers (as a kid) kind of faded out with it. I loved Beast Wars, Beast Machines, and RID. As shows and as toys (well maybe Beast Machines more the show than the toys ). And Armada hit and I was hooked. I wanted what I saw on screen as toys. Especially Hot Shot – I fit that age demographic. I thought the 3 minicons that the kids had that combined was really cool so I got those as well. But when I got them I was pretty disappointed. Got Scavenger & Sideways too. Just couldn't help but feel "meh" over them. They failed to capture my interest like the prior lines had.
It wasn't because I was getting older and not wanting toys (i've always kind of bought toys with various allowances growing up), they just didn't have what I was looking for. I guess Beast Wars/RID spoiled the crap out of me!
Hollywood Hoist
I think a lot of collectors have forgotten what it was to be an 8 year old looking at these figures for the first time.
I'm not sure why there is such an importance put on articulation and complicated Transformers. Most of us grew up in the days of G1, and we enjoyed those toys so much, that as adults we're still collecting them.
Grimlockimus
Well if podcast rumors remain true (which seems to be the case so far) a voyager Tidal Wave figure is on the way, adding more to the list of Generations Armada toys. Which on it's own is cool, but if it could somehow combine with CW Armada Megatron then major bonus points to whomever designed it.
Though out of all the Armada designs I'd like to see get an update Sideways is probably on the top of that list. Plus Sideways would be perfect for an update in the Titans Return toyline, all he'd need are two titan masters for his Autobot/Decepticon personas.
Primal Sabbath
That's kind of like how I feel… I really enjoyed the Henkei Hot Shot figure, and I like the Generations Starscream we got. Would have been cool if he came with a little Swindle, but it is what it is, I suppose.
And having watched Legend of the Microns recently, I really want more of those designs in updated Classics form. A voyager Scavenger would be sick!
And if I get the chance, I'll be sure to let you know!
Grimlockimus
I have a very love hate feeling when it comes to Armada. I absolutely love some of the character designs we got, particularly Blurr, Starscream and Scavenger, but the toys aren't my favorites by any means. Then again I'm probably just spoiled with the recent toys we've gotten with their articulation and detail.
If you get the chance I'd love to hear what Aaron has to say about Transtech.
Primal Sabbath
Honestly I think the only gripe I have about Armada is the lack of articulation… Other than that I liked the series, and continue to enjoy the updated generations figures we get (whenever we get them).
I hope to be able to talk to Aaron about TransTech! I always thought that would have been so much cooler than what we ended up getting anyway
GizmoTron
To be fair, there were a lot of cooks in that kitchen.
Armada wasn't perfect, but they made the right moves at a time when Transformers needed something fresh, and while it may have taken a few steps back with the toys, it was only so that the line as a whole could start making larger leaps forward.
Johntimus Prime
Well, you compare Armada to RID, and geez, what a difference…sure, RID reused a number of G1/G2/BW molds, but the all new molds (namely, Prime, Magnus, and Megatron) were really great. In fact, you compare their articulation, play value (gimmicks and whatnot), and Armada still doesn't stack up.
Armada Super Base Prime had legs that were basically gimped due to electronics and the combination gimmick, RID Prime could combine with his trailer in several different ways and had great articulation in each mode
Ultra Magnus was also articulated, although his odd proportions could get in the way.
And Megatron had like 10 alt modes – sure, some were basically made-up fan modes, but the six from the original version were designed that way from the start. Also highly articulated.
And Magnus could be worn by Prime a la the Super Pants gimmick of Armada Prime, and though the toy wasn't the most stable in combined form, it was still articulated
Yeah, Armada kinda looks sad in comparison.
G.B. Blackrock
EVERY measure? Really? And whether or not a gimmick is "questionable"… indeed what constitutes a "gimmick" itself, can be interpreted differently by pretty much each fan one asks.
You're making sweeping statements. Clearly not everyone agrees with you.
Accept it.
peteynorth
Very valid point, yes, RiD was very repaint heavy, and perhaps I should have clarified, but when citing RiD I was referring to the admittedly few new molds. Which, to be fair, some of which are better than nearly all toys we're getting today. Prime, Megatron and Prowl are astounding molds. And this was done by a cash-strapped Takara without any input from Hasbro. Armada was a combined effort between the two companies AND with a year off (reason we got the RiD line in the States), and by every measure outside of questionable gimmicks (and having a second toy, which admittedly is a huge draw for the primary purchaser – parents, which is why it sold well), it fell short.