Thanks to ThatJohnD on twitter, we get our first looks of Transformer Subscription Service 5.0! Double Pretender Optimus Prime with Hi-Q repainted Generations Swerve and Flanker with a new head sculpt, and uses the Botcon 2014 Oil Master Pretender shell. Second we have Paradon Medic with Quickslinger, repainted from Generations Arcee and Flanker. No word on release dates or price but those will probably be announced at Botcon in April.
How are you guys feeling about this exciting news? Discuss your thoughts in the forums after the jump!
Raiyuki
I can understand people not being into that Pretender Prime, but i do think it works as the multiple homage it's supposed to be. What I suppose they COULD'VE done is made it an all new character but as is it still looks like a figure with lots of thought and effort put into it.
Bass X0
How could they have done it better then? The Pretender shell has to keep its colors since they're based upon an unreleased prototype. So what could they have done to the Swerve and Flanker mold that would have made you want them? It doesn't have to be Optimus Prime and HiQ in those colors.
Johntimus Prime
Yeah, I imagine the deadline is mostly to get anyone who isn't part of the service to sign up NOW because of the heavily truncated schedule on which they're operating.
Thundershot
If you're a member as of March 18, 2016, then you'll be able to subscribe to the TFSS 5.0.
Even if your membership expires in April, they said you'll still be able to do it, as there will be no renewals after March 18th.
Johntimus Prime
I'm truly confused as to what's going on with the membership, but I'm a member as of fall last year, and still set to get the 4.0 toys.
Thundershot
So… You won't renew, then.
When they reveal the others at Botcon, it'll be too late to renew as they're not taking any renewals or new memberships after 3/18.
Johntimus Prime
I myself won't renew unless the full set of 5.0 figures appeals to me. Paradron looks good, but Pretender Prime is…meh.
mrduce1018
I'd bet money, that they are pushing the club to get members for this year. It makes sense to not reveal another way of obtaining 5.0 until after the deadline passes. Because once they announce 5.0, FP will want to maximize sales not hinder them. That means an alternative option to those that are not a member past the deadline to obtain these figures. FP is a business first and they would not harm a potential profit margin in the (what looks like) the final year. But, for those that are worried about it, spend the $40 and guarantee a shot at 5.0.
G.B. Blackrock
As I said, nothing's clear, so going back to find the scattered tweets or bulletin board posts would do little to make it worth the time. The matter is debatable.
But I remain convinced that the club's pushing to have everything out by the end of this year, not rely on some technicality that might allow them to keep mailing things once their relationship with Hasbro ends at the end of December.
You mention 30ish toys. The only toys that are in question for this year at all are the TFSS 5.0 toys. Everything else is either going to be ready at BotCon, or will fall into known 2016 distribution patterns. So, let's talk about 7 toys, not 30ish.
flux convoy
First I'm hearing of those indications. I'm curious to see any sources that lead you to that conclusion. I do find it hard to believe that we're getting around 30ish toys all this year from the club. Moved time table or not.
G.B. Blackrock
No, actually, although things haven't been fully made clear, all indications are that 5.0 is going to come out this year, too. Just later than 4.0.
You're right regarding the pattern of past years, but it seems that the ending of the club is moving some of the timetable.
Johntimus Prime
The fact that ALL memberships will be effectively null after January 1st of 2017. That's what's telling me we're getting the last two batches of toys this year.
flux convoy
What supports that idea? We're getting 4.0 this year. Paying for 5.0 this year. Getting 5.0 next year. Just like the pattern of every previous sub.
Johntimus Prime
Yeah, I made my first payment way back when the sign ups opened up for 2016. But if they're encouraging people to buy into 5.0 NOW, that tells me we're getting the last set of figures this year. Especially given the December 31st expiration.
Thundershot
If you're still a member as of today, then you can subscribe to 5.0 this year.
Johntimus Prime
What if you're active for 4.0 (I signed up in fall of last year)? Do you get any kind of extension on the deadline?
Fast_Draw
Exactly. You could still sign-up after every FSS so far and then sub. This time, you can't for either Joe or TF.
Thundershot
The only difference this year is that, if you're expiring right now and you don't renew, you can't go and renew when you discover that you want the 5.0 sub. It'll be too late to renew, thus you can't subscribe to 5.0.
In past years you could subscribe to the club and then subscribe to the TFSS right after that.
Calabask
I'm taking a shot in the dark here. The rest of the SS is going to be the Wreckers since they have Impactor made already.
mrduce1018
But again, how is this different from last year or the years before? You had to join to buy the Sub that would be offered later in the year, revealed st Botcon, well after the club membership date. Blind. Unseen. This year we actually know 2 of the figures, we are ahead of any other year with that respect.
As far as shipping them, this may be the last year and it looks like the figures will be out towards the end of the year. But 5.0 has been announced, which means it was approved by Hasbro. These figures will be made and shipped out by the end of whatever agreement FP and Hasbro have.
FP has never, not once, failed to give us a single figure that has been solicited and sold to us. Have there been hiccups? Of course but every single figure has made it out to us. 5.0 will not be any different.