Hasbro Q&A December round. Submit questions here!!!

[Ultra Magnus]

It is that time again.

Hasbro has the answers, you have the questions!

All questions must be submitted before midnight London time 11/29/09.

For a sampling of all past questions, please visit here:
http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hasbro_Q%26A

And as a special note, I wanted to make reference to a question asked last round by the nice folks at TFViews.com

Recently Hasbro was quoted as saying about these Q&As that the questions asked should be not about specific future items so much as about policy and other “behind-the-scenes” stuff, otherwise it’s a waste of time, which we largely agree with. The thing is though, we believe our questions over the last six rounds have been excellent examples of trying to get that very “behind the scenes” type stuff revealed, and yet lately those questions have been largely met with short, shallow, PR-style answers that aren’t even always complete or on-topic. We’ve tried to ask about hypothetical scenarios such as “what would Hasbro have done if the 2007 movie line had tanked?” to gain a greater understanding of Hasbro TF policy is formed, yet have been told hypotheticals are off the table. These Q&As are fan-oriented rather than casual consumer-oriented, we hardcore collectors are excitedly trying to get detailed understandings from the source about how our favored brand works, so we’re really looking forward to those meaty answers and try to write strong, substantial questions to meet them. We don’t want to be the fans who just go “when will you make X?”, but with all due respect, why should we write deep, hard-hitting questions only to get brushed off? Is the problem that there’s only a relatively-brief, two-week turnaround, and if so, would you think extending that to three weeks would help improve the quality of the answers? What can be done to avoid being caught between the proverbial “rock & a hard place” of risking either PR non answers or PR shallow answers?


Hasbro: As a whole, we have been very happy about the opportunity that this forum allows us. Not many brands have direct interaction with their fans, so we certainly appreciate all of the time and effort that many of you put into the questions we answer.

We also want to make sure that we are able to provide insights into the Transformers world that are not available to those who do not work on the brand. So here is a guide: questions that ask about why certain deco schemes, designs, names are chosen for the line are great. Additionally, questions about the lore, storyline, etc. are also great questions.

As for the questions that we won’t answer, the general guide is that we will not answer things that have not been publicly announced, financial questions or are obvious trade secrets, i.e. characters, plot points or characters that have to do with the new animation or future movies.

We hope that this provides you with a little more direction and will do our best to provide detailed answers to the questions that we can answer.

So, now that we know a little bit more what they are looking for, and what they absolutely will not answer, let's really put on those thinking caps, and hit them with some good ones! Last round was extremely productive, let's do it again!

[Ultra Magnus]

Just to get the ball rolling, I am going to suggest one that has been in the back of my mind for a while, but the other admins will never let me submit...

There has been one burning argument for the last 10 years amongst many fans. You can barely visit a fan forum without seeing this heated debate come up at least once, and it never ends pretty. So, Hasbro, I put it to you, once and for all, quick show of hands around the design team table....Optimus, is he a Traktor-traylor, a fyre-trukk or a Munky?





Remember, folks, the other admins hate that question, so all you have to do is come up with anything else, and it will probably get bumped to the bottom of the barrel (unless you want to speak out for the validity of this question. )

[The Last Autobot]

Hasbro-

When should we expect to see Hunt the Decepticons toys in store shelves?

[PrimeDirective]

Hasbro-

When should we expect to see Hunt the Decepticons toys in store shelves?

2010, man. Maybe December.

[Sideways]

Submit is misspelled in the thread title.

[Ultra Magnus]

Submit is misspelled in the thread title.

Only if I am dyslexic (possible), or you misspelled it as well.

[captainamerica]

There has been one burning argument for the last 10 years amongst many fans. You can barely visit a fan forum without seeing this heated debate come up at least once, and it never ends pretty. So, Hasbro, I put it to you, once and for all, quick show of hands around the design team table....Optimus, is he a Traktor-traylor, a fyre-trukk or a Munky?

Perhaps it's because I haven't been around for this (presuambly) endless debate, but I like this question. My vote is NOT munky, but a good, reasoned argument could sway me to 'allof the above'.

[Ultra Magnus]

Cap, it is not a prevalent as it used to be, but when Beast Wars came out, and many called it the superior series (compered to G1), a lot of hard core old school fans came out with the "WTF Optimus is a Trukk not a Munkky!"

The debate died down after Beast wars was generally accepted to be good but separate.

The when RiD premiered, Optimus was a Firetruck, but the old schoolers were triumphantly screaming "Finally, Optimus is a Trukk again!" but this further caused a debate, as some were unhappy that he was not a cab of engine style semi... then the Beast Wars crew came in shouting how inferior RiD was to either G1 or Beast Wars, and the whole scene exploded.

Eventually, things settled, and everyone grew to hate minicons and cyberkeys equally, laying aside the Trukk v/s Munkky debates, but many TF forums still use it as an example of how not to respond (flame wise) in articulate discussion "WTF!! Optimus is a Trukk not a MUNKKY!"

So, the debate may not be as big as it once was, as we all have been given series to hate equally, putting aside our differences, but there are still bitter memories out there.

(I have to admit, the first time I saw Beast Wars, I was very much the Geewuner screaming "WTF???")

[Minerva]

Regarding the Transformer Crossovers (Marvel and Star Wars), the teams behind those brands design their own figures, and the Hasbro team helps out as needed to make the most out of each form. Does the Hasbro team have any specific examples of what the contributions consist of, which you are proud of and would be willing to and at liberty to share?

(Edited)

[Jazz]

Hasbro-

I once read in a toy magazine that you were planning to continue with the recent Universe line, even maybe make more voyager sized figures. So im asking, are you still planning to continue this cool line, and if so, when will it start back up?

[Swindle]

You might want to edit Hasbro Jazz.

[Overlord]

hasbro:

What is the decision-making process behind making certain Transformers characters correlate with particular "nationalities?" For example, how is the decision made to have characters speak with a British accent (a la G1 Sky Lynx), or a Scottish accent (ROTF Jetfire) or a Russian accent (Animated Jetfire and Jetstorm)?

[Minerva]

Edited my question.

[Time Traveller]

In previous Q&A sections, it was explained that various differences between transformers toys in different global marketplaces are to sell "what makes sense" to that market or demographic. What sorts of differences between the target markets in the western world and Japan exist that cause Transformers released in Japan to vary so wildly from their "export" counterparts? For example, it is well understood that some series target younger, general public buyers like Classics, while Henkei targets Japanese adult collectors. But what market differences exist that series geared to adult collectors in both markets (Alternators & BinalTech) to be so divergent in features and decoration? Or, conversely, what demographic differences determine the variance in paint applications on otherwise alike Revenge of the Fallen toys?

[trance]

1) What was behind Hasbro's decision to name the latest Transformers "initiative" Hunt for the Decepticons, and why the vague term "initiative"?

2) What types of thoughts run through the minds of the good folks at Hasbro when counterfeiters (such as Zhong Jin) surface, and their version of Hasbro's copyrighted merchandise (such as original series accurate Transformers) becomes available for sale online in the US and abroad?

[Banzai-Tron]

While I understand the need for the lack of verbal instructions on newer style instruction manuals (to better serve an international audience), I don't understand why additional art rendering is included in the newer style manuals. There are MANY more lines drawn in that don't correspond with anything on the actual toy, which serves to complicate identification of parts during the transformation process. What is the rationale behind this additional art rendering, and have you done any focus groups comparisons with and without these additional, unnecessary art lines?

(Any help from TFLers to clean up the question would be appreciated! At the very least, I could probably leave out the verbal instruction preamble, huh?)

[Jose]

A Transformer is usually a complex item, which at their cheapest price point, are usually around USD 4. Instead, a diecast car retails in most countries at USD 1. This item is useful to treat kids (or to calm them while the adult is shopping). At a higher price, a product purchase becomes a more thoughtful decision. Would you consider to develop a "penny price" product for Supermarket aisles?

[Banzai-Tron]

A Transformer is usually a complex item, which at their cheapest price point, are usually around USD 4. Instead, a diecast car retails in most countries at USD 1. This item is useful to treat kids (or to calm them while the adult is shopping). At a higher price, a product purchase becomes a more thoughtful decision. Would you consider to develop a "penny price" product for Supermarket aisles?

Haha! They DID that! They just chose to price them at $4 USD!

Seriously... can ANYONE explain the RPM line's logic to me?

[captainamerica]

Cap, it is not a prevalent as it used to be, but when Beast Wars came out, and many called it the superior series (compered to G1), a lot of hard core old school fans came out with the "WTF Optimus is a Trukk not a Munkky!"

The debate died down after Beast wars was generally accepted to be good but separate.

The when RiD premiered, Optimus was a Firetruck, but the old schoolers were triumphantly screaming "Finally, Optimus is a Trukk again!" but this further caused a debate, as some were unhappy that he was not a cab of engine style semi... then the Beast Wars crew came in shouting how inferior RiD was to either G1 or Beast Wars, and the whole scene exploded.

Eventually, things settled, and everyone grew to hate minicons and cyberkeys equally, laying aside the Trukk v/s Munkky debates, but many TF forums still use it as an example of how not to respond (flame wise) in articulate discussion "WTF!! Optimus is a Trukk not a MUNKKY!"

So, the debate may not be as big as it once was, as we all have been given series to hate equally, putting aside our differences, but there are still bitter memories out there.

Admins, My apologies if I'm going too off topic with this;

I've always thought TFs biggest flaw was the convoluted nature of the various continuities.

Luckily, I don't consider myself to be a hardcore TF fan (example: I haven't seen either live action film), and gleefully pick and choose bits for my collections 'continuity'. For me, the only mini-cons that exist are the Star/Energon/Dark sabers, Skyboom shields, and a requiem blaster, and the only items from the Energon line I own are the ultimate Energon weapons that fit with my Classics.

[Ultra Magnus]

Cap, it is not a prevalent as it used to be, but when Beast Wars came out, and many called it the superior series (compered to G1), a lot of hard core old school fans came out with the "WTF Optimus is a Trukk not a Munkky!"

The debate died down after Beast wars was generally accepted to be good but separate.

The when RiD premiered, Optimus was a Firetruck, but the old schoolers were triumphantly screaming "Finally, Optimus is a Trukk again!" but this further caused a debate, as some were unhappy that he was not a cab of engine style semi... then the Beast Wars crew came in shouting how inferior RiD was to either G1 or Beast Wars, and the whole scene exploded.

Eventually, things settled, and everyone grew to hate minicons and cyberkeys equally, laying aside the Trukk v/s Munkky debates, but many TF forums still use it as an example of how not to respond (flame wise) in articulate discussion "WTF!! Optimus is a Trukk not a MUNKKY!"

So, the debate may not be as big as it once was, as we all have been given series to hate equally, putting aside our differences, but there are still bitter memories out there.

Admins, My apologies if I'm going too off topic with this;

I've always thought TFs biggest flaw was the convoluted nature of the various continuities.

Luckily, I don't consider myself to be a hardcore TF fan (example: I haven't seen either live action film), and gleefully pick and choose bits for my collections 'continuity'. For me, the only mini-cons that exist are the Star/Energon/Dark sabers, Skyboom shields, and a requiem blaster, and the only items from the Energon line I own are the ultimate Energon weapons that fit with my Classics.

Trust me, it is much better to have a quick, off topic aside, than to open a whole thread to discuss it.