Hasbro Pulse have just uploaded a very interesting “Behind-the-Design: Transformers R.E.D. (Robot Enhanced Design) article which explains the creative process behind these new action figures.
Hasbro’s Transformers Engineer Lenny tells us about all the original ideas, challenges and development steps of this new non-transforming line. Read on for some highlights:
- They wanted to create a line that celebrated the robot form without having to make any compromises for conversion functionality.
- They were pleasantly surprised to find the research indicating that there was demand for these types of figures (non-transforming action figures).
- Their main focus is poseabilty and robot detail. Also accessories, those can be the first to get cut for a typical Transformers figure.
- They reference signature poses the characters may be famous for and try to ensure that the articulation system can achieve them.
- They decided to choose characters from all the Transformers brand. That’s why they didn’t choose to go in chronological order, but picking up iconic characters from different universes in the waves.
- The name R.E.D (Robot Enhanced Design) was chosen on the idea that this is a celebration of the robot mode so they are enhancing the robot design and making sure it is the first priority. Red is also an iconic Transformers color, its logo is in red, Autobots are red, we’re all about the red.
A very nice reading for sure, with even more trivia, details, sketches and prototypes of these action figures. You can read the full interview here, or alternatively you can read see all the images and the text after the jump.
Behind-the-Design: Transformers R.E.D. (Robot Enhanced Design)
We sat down with Transformers Product Designer Manager, Lenny, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview about the new line of non-converting Transformers figures, called R.E.D.
Q: Why did you decide to do a line of non-converting Transformers figures?
A: When designing Transformers, one of the first things that has to be considered is the balance between robot and alt mode. Sometimes that means the final design won’t perfectly match their appearance in various entertainment. So, we wanted to create a line that celebrated the robot form without having to make any compromises for conversion functionality. In doing so, we are able to create more character-accurate robot modes because we didn’t have alt mode parts and pieces placed in areas they didn’t appear in entertainment. For R.E.D., it’s one of our goals to match robot silhouette as close as possible to the entertainment they’re from, without the conversion “kibble” as our fans call it.
Q: How does it differ from working on converting Transformers figures?
A: For starters they don’t convert, which is kind-a-great because we can fully focus on the robot details, articulation, and accessories. However, it presents other challenges because of robot anatomy being varied from character to character. You have to reinvent the wheel a lot. Also, traditional converting Transformers toys are mostly constructed out of ABS plastic, but for these we primarily used PVC, with some parts in ABS. This is because PVC is better for pulling out of a mold, it’s softer which allows for more details.
Q: What are the challenges you faced?
A: Our first challenge was deciding if fans would want non-converting figures from a brand called Transformers. To be honest, it is kind of the opposite of what Transformers figures are. So, we were pleasantly surprised to find the research indicating that there was demand for these types of figures. That being said, if we were going to do this, we knew we had to deliver on accuracy and articulation.
Transformers robots are polymorphing beings so that means almost all characters have subtle to major difference in their articulation systems. To achieve greater range of motion, we have to cut away at material so we maintain accuracy and aesthetic detail.
Q: So, if they don’t convert, what are these Transformers figures for?
A: Traditional Transformers figures are designed to convert so in some cases the articulation and deco has to accommodate that need. But with R.E.D figures, our main focus is poseabilty and robot detail. Also accessories, those can be the first to get cut for a typical Transformers figure, but without the conversion element, we can have more, and more detailed accessories. So, short answer, they’re for display. For those fans who want the most accurate looking robot modes on their shelves with awesome character-inspired accessories. Being a veteran on the brand now it is amazing for me to see our robot modes executed with such accuracy and detail like we have never seen before.
Q: How do you choose accessories?
A: We choose accessories based on iconic scenes each character is most known for. As well as elements from the entertainment that character is inspired by. An example of this is Prime Arcee with her swappable hand pistols and the cube of dark Energon ore, which Megatron was mining on the show. Our goal is to bring these scenes to life with elements from the stories people know and love.
Q: How do you plan out the articulation for these figures?
A: We have basic articulation points that have become standard and for the most part and we try to replicate them, but as I had mentioned earlier these bots are polymorphic and what may work for one may not for another. So we set out to achieve our basic double jointed, double elbowed figure but know we will need to make adjustments for details and silhouette.
Q: Does which character you’re working on affect the articulation and other details?
A: Almost on all figures. We reference signature poses the characters may be famous for and try to ensure that the articulation system can achieve them. Without the additional parts needed for the functionality of conversion, we are able to design for poseability and with display in mind. R.E.D. figures are able to achieve poses some converting figures cannot.
Q: How do you plan deco for RED figures?
A: The Goal is to match what we see on screen. However, sometimes on screen, especially in the case of the old shows, there is a lot of variance or lack of detail. In those cases, we have to update finishes to gloss or matte, and make the ultimate decision on a color. Like in the Generations line, the character Cyclonus is like 3 colors throughout the seasons of the G1 Transformers series. In cases like that, we don’t want to make a boring figure so we sometimes make changes to the tone of the color to add more visual interest or shade for more contrast.
Q: How do you curate the collection for the year?
A: We want to represent all the wonderful entertainment the Transformers brand has created throughout the years. So to do that we could just go in chronological order, however that would leave some fans waiting a very long time. That’s why we decided to pull from the various universes. Since we are pulling from the various universes or entertainment we want to start with characters that left a significant mark on the brand, whether through key scenes or epic acts of heroics or villainy.
Q: What is unique about R.E.D. compared to other premium action figure lines?
A: Well, first of all, our characters are robots. And yes, the other brands have robot characters or metal humanoids, but we are through and through robots. Cybertronians have a thick boxy feel, considering that we want them to feel built rather than sculpted, they are robots after all. So to do that we are utilizing a lot of secondary parts to achieve a layered effect. In addition, those secondary parts are great for recreating wings, arm blades, as well as animal parts like Cheetor’s legs on his back.
Q: Why did the team name it R.E.D?
A: We wanted to focus on the idea that this is a celebration of the robot mode so we are enhancing the robot design and making sure it is the first priority. Red is also an iconic Transformers color, our logo is in red, our Autobots are red, we’re all about the red.
Q: What is your favorite part about these figures?
A: We get to make robots in all of their glory. I love Transformers, especially great puzzle conversions, but there is something refreshing about being able to create our characters’ robot modes in this way, it’s so clean and unencumbered by the conversion considerations. They just really look so awesome.
VVa
Remember that time Optimus fought Bumblebee? View attachment 30345113But they introduced a gadget that could turn "evil" Cybertronians "good"? The Attitude Exchanger, I believe.View attachment 30345111
Wonder why they didn't do that with the Decepticons. (We all know why, but it's silly to think about that.)
Truly a G1 moment.
VVa
Man, the more time I spend with this figure, the more I love this design. And that says a lot because I used to HATE G1 Bee's design.
But anyway, it's crazy how he's more articulated than all the other R.E.D. figs.
Double joints on elbows and knees, ab crunch – they all should have had these. Only thing he's missing is the ability to do a high kick.
View attachment 30335408 View attachment 30335409 View attachment 30335410 Exaggerated swagger of a TFA Bumblebee.
View attachment 30335411 View attachment 30335413 View attachment 30335412
johnny48
Given how much TFW members hate official Hasbro products sometimes, a KO could be objectively worse in every aspect and still sell incredibly well. “Just as long as Hasblow didn’t make it…” you get the idea.
I used to know some people who would absolutely refuse to buy anything official, even if it was cheaper than buying a KO.
YellowCorvette
Just my 2-cents, but if you guys me the bizarre material usage and scaling was just a small part of the puzzle with this line's biggest problem.
Just to make it clear, on-paper I'm not against the idea of having non-transforming action figures of Transformers characters which sacrifices their transformation in flavor of greater posability, more interesting accessories, and higher-end build quality in the same vein as those Robot Spirits Ver. ANIME, SH Figuarts of MAFEX figures.
The fact that these don't transform at all was never ever the problem, but the most damning problem of these R.E.D figures is just that even as non-transforming action figures representations of the characters that on-paper should offers articulation that their transforming mainline counterparts can't afford, they still sucks; Their build quality was worse, their articulation was barely any better than most of their transformable counterparts, and they just offers no unique advantages onto the table at all.
I would described these on the same vein as Bandai's Gundam Universe line of Gundam figures, which is a line that shares almost all of the problem that R.E.D did; They cost both way too much for how basic they were and too cheap to the detriment of omitting vital accessories just for the sake of fitting the price point, their articulation is basic at best, vital accessories and weapons on certain mobile suits were omitted for no reasons, and the only good thing on these figures were the robust and dense plastic material they’ve used. Even if we don't look at Gunpla, Bandai already has other Gundam lines out there such as Robot Damashii, Mobile Suit Ensemble, G-Frame, etc. all of which offers more bang-for-your-buck for what they cost than Gundam Universe did.
I guess if you’re just someone who has a bit of interest in Gundam and want an affordable Gundam figure to put on your shelve, they’ll be alright but besides that, they’re basic at best and don’t offer anything better onto the table that other Gundam toy lines has already done. The Gundam Universe line at the end of the day, feels like a toy line that sounded awesome on paper but was botched by poorly-executed designs that severely restricts posability, disregard of any resemblance of scaling even within the same line, questionable pricing for how basic they are, and ridiculous omissions of vital accessories loadout….. these all sounds eerily similar to these Transformers R.E.D figures, amirite?
RodimusRex
If they're gonna KO something, at least do Shockwave.
He was worth it just to get a Megatron gun for Classified figures with a blast effect.
vvvTheONEvvv
Basically, if these weren't stocking stuffers or Easter basket fillers, they were "doomed to fail if they didn't follow in scale".
Good to see you randomly, lol… now go FTTF!
VVa
Okay so I got R.E.D. Bee. For some reason I held off on getting him even though he's one of my favorite characters.
And for how terribly he scales with the figures in his own line…
He sure looks good with another non-transformable figure – Siege DLX Prime!
View attachment 30318830
Now that I think about it, it's very strange they didn't do a Siege DLX Bee, since they always do Bees to go with Primes.
Inikalord
Budget.
It's quite clear the line had a lot of potential to be something bigger but it always felt like a half-hearted attempt by Hasbro to try and diversify TF as a toyline. From character choices to the time period it was released, I have a hard time believing there was any real oversight on the line.
jmagnus83
My question was always why were the assortments so small. It was always 2 or 3 figures while Marvel and Star Wars have 6 or 7. I get the fact that the diversity of molds for transformers would increase production costs but it always seems paltry in terms of actual releases
RoadPigJohn
Oh yeah, when I saw wave two at my local Walmart and how big he was I was ok that's not even on scale apart from the dull coloring of wave 1 so I dropped the line…
smkheidze
I did not mind the plastic.. it was similar to marvel legends… what made me drop the line was the Lack of scale…. Bumblebee being bigger than both prime and megs… no thanks. You couple that with the inconsistent style… yeah no. If you go Toon, go toon. If you want to go more detailed, then do that. Don't bop around from style to style with each figure. I want my collection to be consistent and to match from figure to figure
VVa
The plastic used for RED is overhated. Feels weird and gummy but are solid regardless, and can take a drop most regular figs likely can't.
Ghost Quartz
If the KO has added diecast and/or solid plastic, then I'm in!
If they're just upscaled with the same kind of plastic then fuck no, I'm out.
VVa
They should KO RED TFP Megatron since I can't find that bastard anywhere.
smkheidze
KOing RED figs might just be the dumbest business decision of all time…I mean a- who wants them? And b- they are readily available (and very affordable)on the secondary market.
RoadPigJohn
I agree on this… I sold my RED figures and decided to with Super 7 Ultimates to get a better non transforming look… If a KO version does them better with brighter colors I will think on buying them.
fartsniffer42
I'll buy a Megatron if it's upscaled to Voyager size.
Nemesisprime1975
I had the red optimus and megatrin but they are a bit small for my tastes so got rid. They don't really scale with any of my collection.
Look decent. I wanted to get the reformatted megs one but it doesn't scale with galvatron.
Gumblor Gimbles
If these red KOs took paint well, I'd be very interested.
Ghost Quartz
I'd only be interested in a KO R.E.D figure if they enhance some things. For example, change the rubbery plastic to a more solid plastic and MAYBE add some diecast etc. Basically like what Aoyi Mech was doing to the Studio Series figures.