With TFcon Toronto well underway, we have received these images from Fansproject’s table where they have unveiled some exciting new upcoming products, including their first venture into actual transforming robots!
Artwork on show depicted the three TFX-Warbots, Defender, Collector, and an unnamed third. Only Defender was shown fully – he is an all-original, fully transforming homage to the Generation 1 Autobot Springer, and can transform between helicopter and land vehicle modes. Collector and the third bot were only seen in silhouette, however, from Collector’s silhouette it is clear he is a tribute to the Generation 1 Transformer Wreck-Gar, while 2005 Boards member Venksta confirms that the unnamed third robot’s inspiration is Generation 1’s Broadside. He can also transform between three distinct modes.
Also on show were concept designs and CGI renders for the TFX Protector set. This set, designed for the Transformers Classics Rodimus, upgrades Rodimus into Rodimus Prime, and looks set to be the perfect companion piece to the City Commander set.
Prototypes of previously revealed items were also on show – the G3 Trailer was shown in each of its different configurations, and its interaction with the Classics / Universe 2.0 Deluxe Autobots, as well as Powered Commander, was shown off. The Energon and Revenge of the Fallen Superion upgrade limbs were also on show – these additional parts give Energon or Revenge of the Fallen Superion more traditional arms and feet, for those who bemoaned the more unorthodox weapon limbs of the official release.
Last but not least, there was also artwork shown for a totally original transforming robot work. Called TFX-Salutation, this all-original work is a combiner team called the Glacialbots, with the central portion being formed by a mammoth!
Check out all the images by clicking on the title of this story!
Xhairs
any idea when these will be coming out
Ops_was_a_truck
Very very cool.
shumworld
omega supreme!!!
vincheng2k5
If Fansproject is making their own transforming figures, can we hope for custom Transformers Animated figures?! It's pretty clear Hasbro is screwing fans over on the Animated toyline…I'll all for a fan group to custom us some Animated figures that deserve to have a shot (like Red Alert, Wheeljack, and the Constructicons!)
Blue Meanie
These guys are just on another level. They do amazing, just amazing work. I can't wait for my powered commander to arrive. I am more excited about getting this repaint than most new toys.
Pravus Prime
YES PLEASE!
So much love there. "Springer", Protector, Collector, the mirror trailer, just so much care and quality. Just amazing work.
There's so much to look forward, though it's a shame we're not getting the Mini-megs; I really would've liked them.
Aernaroth
I don't think a word currently exists for how kickass Fansproject and their work are, and damned if I'm going to try and create one, because I KNOW its not going to be good enough.
NATO-BOT
I think I just about had a heart attack! This stuff is AWESOME! Hopefully I can sell enough of my own stuff to afford all of it.
Yobuster
These new projects from FansProject looks great. I'd definitely be interested in these. Looking at all the comments on this thread, in Hasbro's defence I would like to point out a few things:
While Hasbro hasn't always given us what we wanted they are more hampered than FansProject. As Hasbro is a mass market toy company, a lot of the toys they produce have to comply with a dozen or more child safety laws around the world. This seriously cuts into how certain toys can look and feel. Seriously if you look at the toys that were around in the 80s, I'm guessing many of them would be banned because of the current child safety laws.
FansProject can take note of this point since they aren't mass market. Anything they design can be as it was intended and not watered down with any child safety laws. What would be interesting though is to see how Mattel has done it. Their MOTU line is targeted for the Adult Collector (says so on their package) & not available at mass retail so what sort of child safety laws do they have to comply with if any?
Next, as someone already mentioned the target markets are different. Hasbro designs toys for kids primarily and not adults. So they've got to appeal to kids first. Our collector market is a secondary, would be nice target market.
Someone mentioned what if Hasbro partnered with FansProject to be their collectors division or something similar. While that's possible, such a partnership would always be somewhat difficult because you have a big corporation and a smaller company. Who gets he final say? Not impossible but just difficult. Again this begs the question of how to get around those pesky child safety laws?
I'd like to know what's Hasbro's reaction to FansProject and other garage companies? Officially they probably have no comment (or dislike it). However secretly perhaps they are ok with it. I mean with thse accessories sets etc, it certainly drives up demand and purchases of the original Hasbro characters. Although the original Hasbro characters have been out of "print" for a while (i.e. Optimus, Ultra Magnus, Rodimus are no longer sold at mass retail) But what if the accessory kits came out almost the same time as the Hasbro figures themselves? Then it'd be symbiotic. More Hasbro toys are bought because the accessory kits drive additional sales. However with Fansproject going into original figures, they are seriously fighting with Hasbro for our hard earned cash. To Hasbro they'd jsut be another competing toy company with a competing toy line.
Anyhow long post. Guess I'll pose these questions to Hasbro at Botcon. Thanks for reading!
Vangelus
Speaking to them at TFcon has led me to the conclusion that Fansproject are true gentlemen in the realm of "transforming robot toys are frigging cool".
protostar8
I'd love to get the Rodimus Upgrade and Springer (maybe Wreck-Gar too), but the cost might just be too high…We are in a recession, yet prices are going up on collectible items???
Emperor Zarak
*drools and then dies from the sheer awesomeness*
airfox
OMG!
I'm liking everything shown by FansProject at TFCON. Even the G3 trailer which I'm not buying.
One of the things that had me worried about the Superion add-ons was the quality since we didn't know who was making those. Consider that worry gone. If it's being made by FansProjects, we can guess the add-ons will be quality stuff. Sold!
I've been sold on Protector since it was announced, just by guessing they'll make with it as good a job as they did with City Commander. The 3D renders are looking good.
As for the Warbots … what can I say but WOW?
To be fair, we don't know how good those'll turn out, but if they're anywhere close to what the drawings show, consider them bought.
The Glacialbot looks fine for a "pseudo-vintage" item, and again, if the final product looks like the drawings, I'm sold.
Did you miss ROTF Leader Optimus Prime's first thread? It got more replies and views than this one.
More? How many properties based on a 1980s toy/cartoon line have "celebrated" their 25th Anniversary with a "Live Action Hollywood Blockbuster?"
I get what you mean, but it was clear ever since TF2 was announced for 2009, that it would take precedence over everything else, including the 25th Anniversary. Let's hope that there's no such "coincidence" by the 30th Anniversary.
They have to set a price though. I doubt FansProject is selling their units to BBTS and TFSource for $1 each, and the retailers are adding the 80+ dollars for profit.
Because they're not Hasbro products.
Popularity among the fan sites is not the same as popularity at retail.
Look at Shadow Commander for example: it was produced in way smaller quantity than TFTM Concept Camaro Bumblebee, and it hasn't sold out at most online stores, while CCBB was impossible to find for a while.
Man, it took 199 posts to get to someone acknowledging that Hasbro and FansProject actually complement each other instead of competing. Kudos to you frenzy_rumble!
But Takara are the ones making movie toys.
-airfox
RedAlert Rescue
There's plenty of stores that would take an order over the phone and payment by Credit Card or paypal – or Money order – depending on your location there might even be a collectable store you could ask to stock it.
If you are old enough to have your own Debit card you could buy it anyway online or over the phone from some place like BBTS if you have the money in your bank account (asuming you have both money and a bank account).
I don't see there's anything to be worried about an established company like BBTS (other that their overpriced shipping).
I think this has started to happen to many of the earlier "Classics" Characters anyway when people saw the Universe ones and wanted to get any of the 2006 ones they missed.
Rodimus seems to go for rich prices as a Henkei too – I only just ordered Henkei Rodimus for $35.00 SGD from Singapore as that was the cheapest one I could find and darn near the only one too.
I look forward to seeing more of this stuff – looks like 2009 is going to be an expensive year.
PrimulArchangel
Doubt it . Swelled heads leads to swelled prices. Should be named SomeFans Projects lol, because only Some Fans can afford to buy them
PrimulArchangel
After seeing this post it made me think of the whole Ultra magnus deal. No one wanted Magnus and you could buy the 2 pack on ebay and the boards for like 20$ or magnus alone for 5$ or so.. But once that armor came out everyone jacked up the price of Magnus to 50$ or more
So i can now see this happening to rodimus next lol.
tony77tony77
LOL!!! F_R You so Hollywood!!!
AniProwl
Let them start with Quickwswitch and then this guy
Cloudraker
fansproject I luv you.
Pasaway
Really liking the Springer, Want the Protector, and very interested in the Wreck Gar or two. just hoping the prices come down a little from what the FP stuff has cost recently.