Sentinel Megazarak and Black Zarak Official Images

From Sentinel's FB page

$570 and black zarak doesn't come with his spear ? DAH FUQ?!

They look nice but at 600 I'll have to pass

I'll be getting the Scorponok to display with my G1 Fortress Maximus and Generations Metroplex. Finally, all three are in scale with each other!  

Bring on Trypticon…

I could see myself getting this since I dont transform my figures really and still have plenty that have enver been transformed Metroplex, MMC predacons (never been in beast mode), Planet X Genesis, etc. BUT and that price tag is just too steep.

GogDog

Takara completely co-owns Scorponok with Hasbro and therefore is totally different than the examples you gave. It might not always be the case in the future, but still, 30 years of this trend. Your two examples are both from properties not owned by Takara.

You're quite right. Still, I don't remember any previous transforming licensed toy (apart from Japan festivals, like Jizai's toys), but 2014 shows some new direction.

Also, I don't really know who is making Megadrive Megatron and Playstation Optimus. I've read Sentinel, but also Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. Again, several licenses in one product, but…

Anyway, enough off-topic from me. I'll simply wait for the next totally random/bizarre crazy licensed toy  

Tanafor

Not entirely true. Apart from Convoy Pen, a true licensed transforming toy, there is at least one more exception.

ES Gokin Roadbuster: AmiAmi [Character & Hobby Shop] | ES Gokin – Transformers: Roadbuster

That makes two exceptions in 2014.

EDIT: I forgot the Be@rbricks: Be@rbrick x Transformers – Optimus Prime. So, three exceptions. Almost a pattern…

Well, for one, Takara doesn't own the rights to the G1 Roadbuster design. That was taken from the Dvorak like Whirl and was probably duel licensed. Takara couldn't have made that figure themselves, so sure, let someone else! A neat exception.

And the bear-brick…sure. Again, a figure that Takara couldn't have really made. Bear bricks are Medicom's (I think?) property and it was a good opportunity for some cross marketing, as they have a wide international popularity

Takara completely co-owns Scorponok with Hasbro and therefore is totally different than the examples you gave. It might not always be the case in the future, but still, 30 years of this trend. Your two examples are both from properties not owned by Takara. But that's an interesting thing you just made me aware of, that the vast majority of licensed, transforming toys are all non-Takara properties.

Looks great but i have to pass for two reasons:

1. I want my transformers to transform.

2. the price is too high for me to justify even if reason one was not an issue.

Those look incredible but I just can't spend that much. Awesome, AWESOME display pieces though.

GogDog

Because neither Takara-Tomy nor Hasbro will license a company to make a transforming robot, as that's competition. I'm surprised they let them make a transforming PEN to be honest. But generally, when they allow a company to use their TF license, it's strictly for non-transforming figures. Obviously things like transforming DVD cases don't count.

This thing exists for one purpose: to have G1 Scorponok in G1 aesthetic to stand eye to eye with G1 Fort Max. Neither Takara nor Hasbro are ever going to make that.

So like it or leave it, that why this exists.

Sentinel makes extremely high quality stuff. This is going to be a nice figure. But that's why it doesn't transform. And if it did, at the quality this will probably be made at, it would cost even more.

Because this can't be quoted enough in this thread.

Why is it needed to spend so much on these 2 particular pieces? Is there something more to them?

Rarity. Just like Botcon toys.