Thanks to UK retailer Toyz and Gamez, we also have confirmation on the first wave of the new Generations that’ll be out sometime in May according to their listings. The first wave is composed of Fall of Cybertron Jazz, Fall of Cybertron Shockwave, and Fall of Cybertron Optimus Prime.
Will we see these toys at the upcoming Toy Fair 2012 event next weekend? Stay tuned to TFW2005, as we’ll have coverage from the event bringing you news as it happens.
dzonik
I already have a spot for all of them. XD
Shockblast2
Their superior design and detail quality is a fact. QC issues happen with anything.
Astronut
I'm sort of thinking you're referring to KOs, not 3rd party transformers.
off the top of my head I can remember more official transformers that people have broken on the first transformation than 3rd party ones.
Masterpiece Rodimus and Masterpiece Megatron. The former was fixed, the latter was not.
Not to mention Universe Galvatron who loses a limb if you enter the room the wrong way. Had quite a few repaints, never fixed as far as I know.
The list is much longer.
Hercules had two significant problems, Heavy Labor's waist ratchets and Mad Blender's combiner knee, but they've shown us how to fix that.
MMC Knight Morpher Commander is the only other one I can think of with problems, but they were fixed in a later release.
I guess Impossible Toys Arcee and BTS Sonicron should be mentioned as well, but they were their respective companies first transforming offerings as far as I can remember. (Just like MMC KMC and xovergen STC actually)
Does Has/Tak has a perfect track record? absolutely not.
Do 3rd party companies? No.
Edit: aaand Ceasar121 said pretty much the same thing. I really should read all the posts before replying
TrueNomadSkies
Gotta love how at this point, the importance of transformers can almost rival that of rent…
Ceasar121
You must not own any third party items. I've bought all of Fansproject stuff, transformed and played with multiple times, it's just as durable as Hasbro stuff. Maketoys Battle tanker… Same deal. I got Xoverign's Supreme Tactical Commander… it's not my favorite design, but it's durable.Igear's Seekers are the same quality as HasTak's, never had an issue with my Coneheads. Their minibots are wonderful. I love Huffer and Seaspray.
Hercules (Heavy Labor specifically) has issues, but even then, after multiple transforms, mines hips don't feel loose or messed up. Not to mention it's been the FIRST 3rd party toy i've owned that has a significant issue.
Quite honestly, I've probably missed some stories, but I've never heard of a 3rd party toy breaking on first transformation… and even if it did, depending on the retailer, you wouldn't be out anything. BBTS has replaced toys for me that were messed up (all HasTak stuff I might add, I got two Alternity toys that were QC fucked). I have, however, remembered Masterpiece Megatron's rusty feet and tendancy to break, the Masterpiece Seekers stress marks, Masterpiece Rodimus 1.0's MANY issues… all of those were premium products by…. HasTak. In fact I think Megatron and Rodimus were some of the few times I heard of a toy breaking on first transformation, and they were official products.
I can understand avoiding them for price or designs issues, but QC issues are greatly overrated. There are some rinky dink 3rd party items that are shittastic, but you can usually see that from prototypes and early reviews. Also, like I said, because of the price, people bitch more vocally. The same thing happens with any issues with the HasTak Masterpiece series.
Hercules has some QC issues that are annoying, and it has the worst QC of all 3rd party stuff I own, but it is STILL my favorite 3rd party item I've ever bought. Getting what you want costs a premium, and being able to remove the utterly disappointing Constructicon Devastator from my classics Con shelf was definitely worth the cost of Herc.
kiyoshioni
QFT.
I love how people are harping on 3rd party QC when Hasbro and Takara QC is just as bad at times.
G1Prowl
I don't really play with my toys, so delicacy isn't an issue for me. It's stuff like breaking on the first transformation so I can slap it onto my shelf that worries me. That's why I won't buy them.
Ceasar121
I agree 3rd party QC could be better. Part of the problem is, however, that because of the increased cost and smaller market, issues loom larger. For example, Universe Galvatron and Hotshot had terrible engineering that caused pieces to pop off and generally not be stable, but at the deluxe price point, who cares? Buy another.
3rd party companies cannot fill the requirements to get the discounts hasbro does. So they charge more, but I would argue QC issues and poor engineering are probably only slightly higher. The first 3rd party product I've owned with a major issue was Hercules, and even then, TFC was alot more helpful in giving out replacement parts or at least trying to come up with fixes at no cost to fans. They do not have the research and development or QC budget to address issues like hasbro does.
Of course you complain alot more if a product isn't perfect if you pay a premium… I thought Galvatron, Hot Shot and Dinobot were all poor toys, but at the price point, who cares? Hercules catered more to a niche Hasbro seemed unlikely to fill, AND at the first sign of an issue, TFC gave out replacement parts, without upping the price of the future products.
In short, 3rd parties don't have the capital or market to compete with Hasbro QC wise. But if you drive a Ferrari like you drive a Honda Civic, guess what? It's not nearly as durable or dependable, and it has to be babied alot more. A Honda Civic costs about $20000 brand new, while a Ferrari costs at least $180000 brand new.
3rd party products are like luxury items in out hobby. Increased cost doesn't necessarily equal better QC or durability. It usually ensures bragging rights or caters to a niche.
G1Prowl
At that price point, the number should be fewer, is all I'm saying.
Oh, and I almost peed from laughing at you touting their superiority like it's fact, yet there are tons of people who can tell you horror stories of extremely pricey 3rd party stuff assembled poorly, broken pieces, missing stuff etc… At their price point, there should be a LOT less.
Shockblast2
You almost what? Over toys?
That is sad. They make stuff to help you with that issue.
What you fail to understand is most people do not complain because they are happy with their stuff. The hundred or so "complaints" you speak of are out of ten of thousands of sales. In my OP, the 3rd party stuff is far superior than Hasbro's. Not that Hasbro can't make decent stuff.
Murasame
Even if it is 17.99$, that's just 13,56€ and I'm ok with it
G1Prowl
I almost peed. Breeze through the Toys forum here and do a search on 3rd party QC problems threads. I'm amazed this stuff sells as much as it does with all the problems that things like $100 not-Constructicons and not-Insecticons come with.
Shockblast2
That sucks. But, if they increased prices here, sure thing it will happen there too. Be prepared to pay $35-40 for a deluxe now.
You might as well just forget about Hasbro and buy 3rd party stuff for that amount. Way better quality too.
Make no mistake, my friends. Price is not an issue when it comes to quality. I paid $24 for a iGear Huffer. He is a legends class figure, but his quality and detail justify the price. No Q/C isssues. Well worth the cash. But, A hasbro legends? No more than $8 tops. And it would have to be one of my favorite characters.
neevnav
Deluxes are $15.99 here and Voyagers are $29.99.
Astronut
You've never had to buy TFs in a store outside of the US, have you? A deluxe is easily $30 here, it's the reality for most non-US collectors. It's quite telling that it's most often cheaper to get it on ebay including shipping.
optimax
Deym! I do not mind if it is a deluxe! Bring it on!:0
Shockblast2
Shockwave is a WFC redition, NOT Classics. So, no. There were no tears shed. Besides I don't even know of a 3rd party co that has a Shockwave.
Less money for Hasbro, more for 3rd party co's as far as I am concerned. How can they call it Generations if it is going to be just a bunch of video game crap?
Another interesting thought is going to be the price point. If SMALL "deluxes" are $15 in the Prime line and they are obviously going to keep these Generations figures in scale with the prior ones, then how much will they run? $17.99? I'm calling it now. $17.99 for deluxes and $29.99 if there are any voyagers. Rip off.
No offense to anyone who likes the video gamer stuff. I do as well. I just won't pay that much for a Hasbro transformer. I will just wait six months until the novelty effect wears off and buy them from you all at 75% off on the Junkion exchange!
Kaymac
I hope Bruticus is a boxed set though… and gangmolded. Only 1 mold technically!
I really hope they make a Starscream, as I have been waiting for him to be made in plastic form since we saw the concept art.
G1Jetfire
Well I was hoping the collection process would end soon. The line was draw at Movie (with the exception of Human Alliance), Animated and Prime series figures, allowing for money to go to 3rd party parts and figures. But with the Fall or Cybertron figures confirmed, I have to reconsider.
Onslaught24
good decision. and FOC is said to be accompanied by a full product line. this is what hasbro stated in an interview but who the hell knows at this point. they're said to release sometime in dec. giving hasbro time to either go all out and make a whole bunch of toys or just say "fuck it! they only get 8 FOC toys." so like i said: who the hell know at this point