SSG's Bi-Weekly Hasbro Q&A - July 20th

[JediTricks]

A slight delay won't stop Hasbro's answers to SSG questions for July 20th, 2007. Thanks again to Hasbro for the answers, to all the folks who sent in questions and especially those who voted on them.

Hasbro Q&A for the week of July 20th

Q: With several figures from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series and an entire wave dedicated to SW: Force Unleashed coming in the next year or so, as well as rumors of multipacks dedicated to the SW: Battlefront series, and 2006's popular Scorch figure which led to an entire SW: Republic Commando boxed set, video games seem to be back on the radar. With that in mind, is there any possibility of getting figures from older video games such as SW: Bounty Hunter (Roz, Montross), SW: Clone Wars (Cydon Prax), SW: Revenge of the Sith (Claw Droids, Cin Drallig), SW: Jedi Knight (any of the Dark Jedi), even going back to SW: TIE Fighter (Marek Stele) or even Masters of the Teras Kasi (Arden Lyn, Jodo Kast)?
A: This is a great question, since the LucasArts video games have indeed been strong and our figures tied to them have proven to be very popular. Next up are the two Battlefront II multi-packs slated for this Fall from Diamond Comics, which will be debuted at Comic Con. After that, we will see where the direction leads. Probably the first priority for us will be looking to the name games Lucasfilm has been doing, but we do not rule out covering some of the other memorable characters from previous games. Probably the best way to gauge overall fan demand for these figures would be to embark upon another "fans' choice" poll (discussions we've already begun with Toy Fare Magazine) ideally early next year. Last year's poll gave great visibility, and underscored demand for the KOTOR figures, and it's possible that now that we have addressed many of the major wants from the last poll, new choices from classic videogames will emerge as favorites on the next one. If so, we will certainly consider them. Thanks, too, for the detailed list - it's very helpful.

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Q: Why have there been so few Ep 2 & 3 Anakin figures with accurate likenesses of Hayden Christensen?
A: We are always trying to deliver the most accurate likeness possible. As you have probably noticed, it's a challenge in the 3-34" medium to really nail likenesses, so we get as close as we can. There will always be variation between sculptors and changes that occur in the production process.

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Q: Ten years ago, Hasbro produced the Cruisemissile Trooper- although not a very exciting toy, the vehicle's design is quite interesting and looks like something the Empire would conceivably use in combat. However, the design has never appeared in any comic, novel, videogame, or reference work before or since. Details as to its genesis seem to be nonexistent. Can you provide a brief history of how this toy came to be (you can omit its later entry in the 'Batman & Robin' toy line ), and why it's never been seen elsewhere in Star Wars?
A: A very interesting question. Hasbro (and Kenner) have periodically had a need to tailor vehicles to strategic, consumable pricepoints for vehicles, such as the mini rigs back in the 1980s. Such was the case for the creation of the Cruise Missile trooper, when our designer Mark Boudreaux set about to create a new mini-vehicle that fit into the Star Wars universe. Of course, due to the need to come in on cost targets, it had to have a dedicated (not removable) pilot, deciding to spend more of the "cost" of the set on getting a substantial vehicle feel rather than the figure element. In consulation with Lucasfilm, the idea took hold and the concept came to life. It has a cool silhouette, very "Empire" as you note, but the reason it probably hasn't been picked up and embraced by any writers (novel and comics) is a question better asked of them. As far as we know, it's fair game to use.

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And the questions at ActionFigs.com:

• - With all the recent editions of the Galactic Heroes Cinema Scenes, might we get one for Endor as well? It would be cool to include a Leia on Speeder with the set as well as some more Ewoks.
• - Over the past few years, you've offered several shared online exclusives which provided figures that otherwise may not have been produced due to a perceived lack of appeal to kids/casual collectors, figures such as Delta Squad, Wulf Yularen, and Baron Papanoida. Would you consider a similar exclusive set where characters are related only by their desirability among collectors, a "Cult Figures" type of set, drawing from the large number of figures that are consistently requested by collectors but you are wary of releasing as carded figures, such as Yarna d'al Gargan, Wilrow Hood, Sim Aloo, Tey How, Wald, Jocasta Nu, Wioslea, Teek, etc.?
• - Any chance that we could get a new Rancor, perhaps packed with a Dathomir Witch or Sith Witch instead of Luke?

[El Chuxter]

Nice non-answer on the "Cult Figures." "We're not going to do that because there's no story."

I swear, I don't know how they stay in business sometimes.

[Kidhuman]

The thats a good idea thing should start paying royalties to us that ask for certain things.

[Mr. JabbaJohnL]

Originally Posted by El Chuxter

Nice non-answer on the "Cult Figures." "We're not going to do that because there's no story."

I swear, I don't know how they stay in business sometimes.

How is it a non-answer? You asked and they said no.

I thought most of the answers (other sites included) were fairly straight-forward this time. Thank God they're rereleasing the blue and green Jedi Starfighters, as I never got the green one.

[JediTricks]

Originally Posted by Mr. JabbaJohnL

How is it a non-answer? You asked and they said no.

I thought most of the answers (other sites included) were fairly straight-forward this time. Thank God they're rereleasing the blue and green Jedi Starfighters, as I never got the green one.

Gotta go with JabbaJohn on this one, they shot it down, can't be that surprised even.

[JediTricks]

I'm kicking myself for not making that Hayden question work better, I'm very disappointed that they didn't get what I was saying.

[figrin bran]

Regarding the first question, NO, the best way to gauge "overall fan demand" would not be to run another Toyfare poll. Especially when they have it in their minds already that "it's possible that new choices from classic videogames will emerge as favorites".

That sure doesn't do anything to quiet down the naysayers who like to claim that the polls are rigged.

[Kidhuman]

Thats why I asked the question in this weeks poll to limit the number of votes per person somehow.

[Gothiczartan]

will there be a all new sclupt luke snowspeeder pilot 3 3/4" figure being made?

if you can't have the visor on helmet work how about a luke snowspeeder pilot variations only two lukes one with helmet and same one with helmet without visor.

so when are you going to make a new luke snowspeeder pilot figure?

[JediTricks]

This isn't the questions thread, this is the answers thread.