Hasbro GI Joe Q&A 2011 Round 6 - due Monday, October 31, Round 5 Answers on Page 7! Rating Options

[Fortress Ironhol...]

I'd also like to suggest this one:

Last year fans were assured that a mass retail Sgt. Slaughter was being "looked into." Did anything come of that? Is there a chance that a more widely-available version of this popular character will be released?

That's part of the reason why I asked about the Mauler / Equalizer:

Heavy Metal's already been released at retail, so unless Hasbro wants to give us the 1991 version of Rampage as the Mauler driver we'd have somewhat better odds of seeing Marauders Sarge driving an Equalizer.

[Powered Convoy]

I'd also like to suggest this one:

Last year fans were assured that a mass retail Sgt. Slaughter was being "looked into." Did anything come of that? Is there a chance that a more widely-available version of this popular character will be released?

That was answered some time before Christmas (some where) it ended up being a one time deal, and there will be no retail Sgt. Slaughter.

Randy

[NightViper]

Answers!

1) GI Joe Renegades is quickly building a new, refreshed version of the GI Joe history in unique ways. Is this a fictional world that Hasbro and its partners are eager to explore through media outside of the television show? Or will the "Renegades" cartoon be the only place these stories will be told?

2) Given the upcoming Skystriker release, are their any other classic vehicles you would like to restore or revisit in the modern era (please give examples)?

2) The Sky Striker is a perfect fit for the 30th anniversary line. However, we do love our vehicles here at Hasbro, and we would love to revisit other classics if the demand is there and if it fits into our larger strategy. Unfortunately, we cannot cite examples.

3) Fans have noticed the so-called "Ross phenomenon", in which so many items - be they previously considered canceled such as the RoC Polar Sharc, Lava Pod and Tiger Rat or in some cases brand new such as the PoC Black HISS and VAMP - appear to by-pass the large, "first tier" retailers completely. Without delving into too many specifics, can you give a brief statement and/or insight on the forces behind this relatively small chain of stores receiving these figures and vehicles, and how/if they will effect the brand going forward?

3) Marketing a toy line has a lot of challenges. The "Ross phenomenon" is one of the challenges. As you know, the Rise of Cobra line did not perform as well as expected. As a result, many of the RoC toys ended up being marked down at places like Ross. The buyer for Ross clearly has a love for G.I. Joe and was willing to take excess inventory. However, this is not part of any strategy. Ideally we would like our mainline retailers to have the newest product available in all markets.

Submissions for next round are due by Monday, May 9, 2011!

This post has been edited by NightViper: Apr 28 2011, 01:00 PM

[ZacWilliam1]

So the JoeQ and As are still going. Cool. Haven't heard anything about the TF ones in forever it feels like. Anyone know what's up there?

[SwiftEagle]

Ever since the movie line, there has seemed to be a major disconnect between the team designing the GI Joe vehicles and the team creating the stickers for them. Again and again, we're seeing decals that don't fit in the spaces where we're told to put them, that are supposed to impossibly lie flat over protruding plastic details, and that are shown in totally different locations between the instructions and the pictures on the boxes. As annoying as this may be for collectors, it must be even more frustrating for kids who are looking for simple directions for completing their toys. How does this keep happening, and are any steps being taken to put an end to the phenomenon?

[NightViper]

So the JoeQ and As are still going. Cool. Haven't heard anything about the TF ones in forever it feels like. Anyone know what's up there?

They haven't sent out the TF schedules yet. We'll post information when we get it.

[Dake]

Interesting. I'm glad they sort of answered the ROSS question - at least where RoC stuff was concerned, though that answer was fairly obvious. I guess reading between the lines it just seems ROSS was the only one to take the other stuff maybe.

[Fortress Ironhol...]

Given the minor glut of Tiger Force Flint, Tiger Force Duke, Python Crimson Guardsman, and Python Officers at retail, can we presume - what with the convention exclusives this year rounding out the vintage Python Patrol line-up - what does this mean for the odds of the classic sub-teams (Tiger Force, Python Patrol, Slaughter's Marauders, et cetra) being given mass releases once the new product begins shipping in earnest?

Would it be possible to incorporate original characters from Battle Action Force (UK / Europe) and Commandos Em Acao (South America) into the main retail line, or are they obscure enough to where they aren't on the table?

[G.B.Blackrock]

Is it just wishful thinking to hope that the Ross answer might have implications for late RtS stuff that other retailers never picked up (wanting to clear things out for the next TF movie) might show up there instead?

(Windcharger as Ross exclusive = fan rage, I know, but even so)

This post has been edited by G.B.Blackrock: Apr 28 2011, 05:52 PM

[StarSaber]

So the JoeQ and As are still going. Cool. Haven't heard anything about the TF ones in forever it feels like. Anyone know what's up there?

They haven't sent out the TF schedules yet. We'll post information when we get it.

BotCon's in 5 weeks. I'm sure we'll have TONS of information coming soon.

-SS (Certainly, a helluva lot more than a Q&A would answer.)

[Dake]

Would it be possible to incorporate original characters from Battle Action Force (UK / Europe) and Commandos Em Acao (South America) into the main retail line, or are they obscure enough to where they aren't on the table?

This has been asked before and the answer is the closest they'll get are homages like pilot Scarlett.

[NightViper]

So the JoeQ and As are still going. Cool. Haven't heard anything about the TF ones in forever it feels like. Anyone know what's up there?

They haven't sent out the TF schedules yet. We'll post information when we get it.

BotCon's in 5 weeks. I'm sure we'll have TONS of information coming soon.

-SS (Certainly, a helluva lot more than a Q&A would answer.)

This first round of GI Joe Q&A was due the week before JoeCon...So they apparently aren't too concerned about timing them to coincide with conventions.

[NightViper]

Given the minor glut of Tiger Force Flint, Tiger Force Duke, Python Crimson Guardsman, and Python Officers at retail, can we presume - what with the convention exclusives this year rounding out the vintage Python Patrol line-up - what does this mean for the odds of the classic sub-teams (Tiger Force, Python Patrol, Slaughter's Marauders, et cetra) being given mass releases once the new product begins shipping in earnest?

You may want to rewrite that question. You kinda change gears right in the middle there.

"can we presume...what does this mean for"

[NightViper]

Five days left! Keep those questions coming!

[Detour]

1) Why do Bravo class vehicle drivers have so few paint applications?

2) Does the team that designs stickers on the GIJoe vehicles work in conjuction with the design team, and are the stickers tested out beforehand? Because it's been noted amongst the fandom that sticker applications are getting frustratingly complicated.

3) Why is the new VAMP Mk2 such a minor departure from the new VAMP Mk1? Aside from a minor color change on the suspension, its only change is a different driver.

4) The Rise Of Cobra PIT Commando figure, with its numerous vests, helmets, weapons and other gear, was a tremendous hit. Are there any plans to create a similar "modular" figure for the Cobras?

[Detour]

5) Given the upcoming release of a new Steel Brigade figure, might it be possible for a customizable filecard to be made available, even if only as an online "game"?

[NightViper]

Last call!

[Detour]

What led to the decision of using POC Beachhead's head in green for the new POC Steel Brigade? Doesn't that make him look a bit too much like Beachhead?

[Hot Rod]

1. How was the character roster chosen for Renegades, as there is some more obscure characters making their way into the animated series (like Red Star, Airtight, etc.) & did Hasbro influence the writers in anyway getting these choices made?

2. What is some new & innovative ideas Hasbro hopes to bring to the 30th anniversary line (new joints, sculpting detail, etc.)?

3. The cancelled Jungle Attack Storm Shadow has some wonderful gear, weapons, is their a chance we will see some of his unique items (like the webgear) on a future figure?

4. Can we have more information about how the Python Patrol Croc Master & Concept Blowtorch are being released?

5. Is there anymore information you can share with us about the 2011 7-packs?

6. Is there any chance Hasbro could add mp3's of the themes & music onto their Hub website of our favorite shows like GI Joe Renegades so that fans may enjoy the scores created for these great cartoons.

7. How does the creative team decide which weapons characters will carry while in development?

8. Is there any plans for more small scale vehicles moving forward with the 30th line?

9. Temple Guardian Snake Eyes was originally planned as a Resolute comic pack release & now has finally made it into POC, will other unreleased figures see new opportunities for release in the 30th line?

10. Can you tell us which waves figures like Renegades Ripcord, Scarlett, Tunnel Rat & more have been designated to in 30th?

[NightViper]

Answers for Round 2!

(Also, Round 3 was due during Botcon. I apologize, but I was not able to send any questions in.)

1) Does the team that designs stickers on the GI Joe vehicles work in conjunction with the design team, and are the stickers tested out beforehand? Because it's been noted amongst the fandom that sticker applications are getting frustratingly complicated.

That’s a great question. During the production process, the stickers are often the very last thing that is completed. The same designers which design the vehicles are the ones which design the label art. Recently, in vehicles like the HISS tank and the SKYSTRIKER, the designers have included optional stickers which allow the owner of the vehicle to customize it his/her way. As for the label adhesion, this is something that we work on all of the time, and it is not an exact science. Oftentimes it has to do with the type of plastic which the labels are adhering to. Polypropylene, which is used in many G.I. Joe vehicles, is notorious for not accepting stickers. We are certainly aware of the issue and are continuing to try to improve upon the sticker placements and adhesion.

2) Given the upcoming release of a new Steel Brigade figure, might it be possible for a customizable file card to be made available, even if only as an online "game"?

That's a great idea and we will look into it.

3) The cancelled Jungle Attack Storm Shadow has some wonderful gear, weapons, is their a chance we will see some of his unique items (like the webgear) on a future figure?

We like that figure too. The vest is definitely tooled up, as is the cool set of weapons. Someday it may find a home in the line, but there are no plans for it right now.