JediTricks
11-10-2006, 07:43 PM
A few hours late, but still... it's Hasbro's answers to SSG questions for November 10th, 2006.
Thanks again to Hasbro for the answers, to all the folks who sent in questions and especially those who voted on them. Here come Hasbro's answers, and remember to check out ActionFigs.com (http://www.actionfigs.com/index.php?categoryid=12&p2_articleid=162) for their weekly Hasbro Q&A as well (which also got an update today).
Hasbro Q&A for the week of November 10th
Q: Why go with the full card-width bubble and figures displayed in poses via the tray? Have you thought about going back to side-bubble, neutral-posed figures for basic figures a la the Vintage, POTF2, and Episode I lines which were easier to store carded and could fit more units into cases?
A: Admittedly, we are less concerned about how many figures fit into a box as we are with the whole presentation of the figure and keeping the excitement and energy level for each figure very high. With the Saga line, we really wanted to emphasize the integration of the figure in the context of the movie scene as well as ensuring we have dynamic posing. That's what we thought was best for the line. For 2007, it's a different approach emphasizing the energy of the character and the focus on a new look for the 30th. The 2007 blister is on one side and not all the way across the card. This might be more like what you are talking about in terms of somewhat smaller blister size, but still a strong departure from some of the past lines in terms of presenting character.
- -
Q: What are the chances of seeing a relauch of the Collector Fleet series (the larger, electronic starships of the Rebel Blockade Runner, Imperial Star Destroyer, & the very-rare Super Star Destroyer from '96), with new entries such as ROTS ships like the Venator Class Star Destroyer and The Invisible Hand?
A: They don't fit any of the strategies we have, so there are no plans for their re-introduction.
- -
Q: Vacuum-metallizing is nearly always used for C-3PO and R2-D2 even though it seems to be more troublesome to work with, makes the parts more fragile, is difficult to keep paint applied to, limits the amount of articulation & gimmicks that can be have, and the chromed-look doesn't scale down very well. The only time R2's vac-metallized dome has looked right is on the Episode I figure where a dull-coat was applied over it, and unfortunately this technique was never used again. And painted R2-D2 domes generally aren't painted shiny enough even though Hasbro has used shinier paints in other items. Why use vac-metallizing so often with these figures, why not use shiny metallic paints instead, and for remaining vac-metallized elements what about using dull-coat again?
A: Simply, kids like things that are as bright and shiny as they can get. Currently available metallic paints don't achieve the same results, so we haven't been excited by thaem. There are, however, some new paint techniques available that our R&D lab is evaluating for future vac-metal applications that may offer the same solution you are talking about. We don't know if or when we'll use these (they have to pass our rigorous play test standards), but if they work out, you'll see us using these for future shiny parts or figures.
- -
And the questions from ActionFigs.com (http://www.actionfigs.com/index.php?categoryid=12&p2_articleid=162):
- Would Hasbro willing to create a catalog of replacement parts for those parts that break or get easily lost on vehicles and playsets so consumers can always get replacements even long after the toy has stopped manufacturing? If not, why not?
- Will fans have a chance to vote for any never-before-made figures in 2007?
- Will the final 22 The Saga Collection figures be available in Canada?
Thanks again to Hasbro for the answers, to all the folks who sent in questions and especially those who voted on them. Here come Hasbro's answers, and remember to check out ActionFigs.com (http://www.actionfigs.com/index.php?categoryid=12&p2_articleid=162) for their weekly Hasbro Q&A as well (which also got an update today).
Hasbro Q&A for the week of November 10th
Q: Why go with the full card-width bubble and figures displayed in poses via the tray? Have you thought about going back to side-bubble, neutral-posed figures for basic figures a la the Vintage, POTF2, and Episode I lines which were easier to store carded and could fit more units into cases?
A: Admittedly, we are less concerned about how many figures fit into a box as we are with the whole presentation of the figure and keeping the excitement and energy level for each figure very high. With the Saga line, we really wanted to emphasize the integration of the figure in the context of the movie scene as well as ensuring we have dynamic posing. That's what we thought was best for the line. For 2007, it's a different approach emphasizing the energy of the character and the focus on a new look for the 30th. The 2007 blister is on one side and not all the way across the card. This might be more like what you are talking about in terms of somewhat smaller blister size, but still a strong departure from some of the past lines in terms of presenting character.
- -
Q: What are the chances of seeing a relauch of the Collector Fleet series (the larger, electronic starships of the Rebel Blockade Runner, Imperial Star Destroyer, & the very-rare Super Star Destroyer from '96), with new entries such as ROTS ships like the Venator Class Star Destroyer and The Invisible Hand?
A: They don't fit any of the strategies we have, so there are no plans for their re-introduction.
- -
Q: Vacuum-metallizing is nearly always used for C-3PO and R2-D2 even though it seems to be more troublesome to work with, makes the parts more fragile, is difficult to keep paint applied to, limits the amount of articulation & gimmicks that can be have, and the chromed-look doesn't scale down very well. The only time R2's vac-metallized dome has looked right is on the Episode I figure where a dull-coat was applied over it, and unfortunately this technique was never used again. And painted R2-D2 domes generally aren't painted shiny enough even though Hasbro has used shinier paints in other items. Why use vac-metallizing so often with these figures, why not use shiny metallic paints instead, and for remaining vac-metallized elements what about using dull-coat again?
A: Simply, kids like things that are as bright and shiny as they can get. Currently available metallic paints don't achieve the same results, so we haven't been excited by thaem. There are, however, some new paint techniques available that our R&D lab is evaluating for future vac-metal applications that may offer the same solution you are talking about. We don't know if or when we'll use these (they have to pass our rigorous play test standards), but if they work out, you'll see us using these for future shiny parts or figures.
- -
And the questions from ActionFigs.com (http://www.actionfigs.com/index.php?categoryid=12&p2_articleid=162):
- Would Hasbro willing to create a catalog of replacement parts for those parts that break or get easily lost on vehicles and playsets so consumers can always get replacements even long after the toy has stopped manufacturing? If not, why not?
- Will fans have a chance to vote for any never-before-made figures in 2007?
- Will the final 22 The Saga Collection figures be available in Canada?