Transformerscon Alvarez Panel Summary, Club, Botcon, and future exclusives Options

[NightViper]

Alvarez TransformersCon Panel Summary:

Landquake is currently shipping en masse from the factory overseas, and is likely sitting on the barge in the Pacific as you read this (maybe). Still unsure as to the turnaround on their arrival at FP headquarters, sorting and repackaging for shipping within the US, and arrival at our eager doorsteps. Landquake himself was onhand, residing in a very secure looking glass case beside Skyfall. The two look amazing together, though the hues on the red and blue are slightly different. Landquake has an amazing off-white pealesence paint color that looks incredible. Rik stressed that the final combiner will not be Alpha Trion, despite online rumors. Please remember, that any images you see of Landquake from the panel are of the prototype.

Rik confirmed that the Botcon exclusive this year will feature the Dawn of Future Past theme and include Optimus Primal, Rhinox, Rattrap, Cheetor, and Predacon Dinobot in their cybertronian forms. An additional free figure will be handed out at the door to those attending the con, of course. Rik said that the reduction of the set from seven to five figures came directly as a result of the fan surveys handed out at last year's Botcon. Expect other changes to improve the con from those surveys as well. Details of the exclusives that can be revealed are limited at this point, but Rik comfirmed that these will all be Cybertron molds and include Golden Disk cyber planet keys. The exact molds and retooling for the figures remains a closely guarded secret, but expect some mixing and matching of parts between molds to better pull off the Beast Wars likenesses. The figures will come from a variety of Cybertron size classes. Don't expect to see Wingsaber, as changing his molded Autobot symbol would have soaked up additional retooling funds better used elsewhere.

The story for this year's exclusives will be The Day Before Beast Wars, so expect to see the stealing of the Golden Disc and how the crews came together. The toys will feature their Beast Wars names, for the sake of recognition even if they don't necessarily make sense on cybertronian vehicles. The idea of renaming them to fit vehicle modes was discussed, with names like Tanktrap (Rattrap), Bulldozer (Rhinox), and Optimus Prime (Primal). Another suggestion was "Axalon Cheetor," etc. However, these seemed rather awkward or unclear as to character and were ultimately rejected. Expect the comic itself to deal with the name issue in an interesting way however. Rik was very excited about this story; sounds like you do not want to miss this comic!

Astrotrain will be coming this fall, pricepoint still unknown as that's not Rik's department. An informal poll of the room showed a strong preference for elaborate packaging. The second club store exclusive this year will be a different size-class than the Jetfire mold, who was an Ultra. As a point of interest, Rik was able to confirm that the original Jetfire head is not produced alongside the new head, as that section of the mold can be gated off. This is something long debated in certain circles, and I'm glad to have a final answer. The casting of unused heads that get tossed in the trash never made sense to me.

As far as future exclusives, Rik mentioned that they get thousands of suggestions online, and read and consider every single one of them. When asked about the possibility of Japanese exclusive molds, Rik said that many of these molds are unavailable. For example, the RiD Megatron mold was not the first choice for last year's convention set(Glad we wound up with it though, easily my favorite figure of the set). When asked about the possibility of the G1 Dinobots as an exclusive set, Rik said he loved the idea, especially in their unreleased G2 colors (mmm, lemony Grimlock). However, those molds use diecast, something that FP has to avoid because they can't produce the sets in the kind of numbers that justifies the purchase and use of the metal in industrial quantities by the factory. As a general rule, the older the mold the more likely it has been damaged, lost, or otherwise unavailable. Something to keep in mind when suggesting or hoping for certain molds: think post-'88 at best. Of course everyone asked for the unreleased Universe Seacons; Rik understood the demand and said that that is exactly the kind of exclusive the club wants to do. He did not confirm that the Seacons will be released via the club though.

Finally, as much as you do not want to miss this year's Beast Wars Prequel theme, you really don't want to miss Botcon '07. The buzz for Transformers will obviously be huge given the release of the movie that summer, and Hasbro is encouraging FP to rise to the occasion. Expect Botcon to be bigger and better than ever, with progress on the convetion exclusive set already underway. I can't make it to Botcon this year, but no way am I missing out next year with the level of excitement that Rik brought to the panel.

[NightViper]

Landquake testshot pics, final version subject to modification.

(IMG:http://hometown.aol.com/OfDarkestKnight/Landquake1.jpg)
(IMG:http://hometown.aol.com/OfDarkestKnight/Landquake2.jpg)
(IMG:http://hometown.aol.com/OfDarkestKnight/Landquake3.jpg)
(IMG:http://hometown.aol.com/OfDarkestKnight/Landquake4.jpg)

[MrBlud]

Thanks for the summery Nightviper, some very interesting stuff. (IMG:http://www.allspark.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/icon-ironhide.gif)

Landquake looks better in that shot then in the promos, but I still don't see how the final combiner is going to be anything but garish.

[Code of Walky]

The idea of renaming them to fit vehicle modes was discussed, with names like Tanktrap (Rattrap), Bulldozer (Rhinox), and Optimus Prime (Primal). Another suggestion was "Axalon Cheetor," etc.

Note to Pete or Alvarez when either reads this thread: Primal's name was always Optimus Primal. When Depth Charge shows up, he knows his name is Optimus Primal. I think the guy from Cybertron in "The Probe" also calls him Optimus Primal. I can't remember if the Tripredacus Council calls him that, too.

This post has been edited by ItsWalky: May 1 2006, 09:41 PM

[Kil]

The idea of renaming them to fit vehicle modes was discussed, with names like Tanktrap (Rattrap), Bulldozer (Rhinox), and Optimus Prime (Primal). Another suggestion was "Axalon Cheetor," etc.

Note to Pete or Alvarez when either reads this thread: Primal's name was always Optimus Primal. When Depth Charge shows up, he knows his name is Optimus Primal. I think the guy from Cybertron in "The Probe" also calls him Optimus Primal. I can't remember if the Tripredacus Council calls him that, too.

The guy in "The Probe" does. The Tripreds don't mention him.

Edit: I must say that I find the idea that it could have possibly even been suggested that Optimus Primal be named "Optimus Prime" to be fairly mind-boggling.

This post has been edited by Kil: May 1 2006, 09:52 PM

[Code of Walky]

Edit: I must say that I find the idea that it could have possibly even been suggested that Optimus Primal be named "Optimus Prime" to be fairly mind-boggling.

Yeah, it bothers me a bit. I hope they're doing their homework.

And, uh, Tanktrap, huh?

Attached thumbnail(s)

 

[shellspark]

Edit: I must say that I find the idea that it could have possibly even been suggested that Optimus Primal be named "Optimus Prime" to be fairly mind-boggling.

Yeah, it bothers me a bit. I hope they're doing their homework.

And, uh, Tanktrap, huh?

Replace that flesh tone with red and you've got yourself a winner

[Code of Walky]

Voila!

Attached thumbnail(s)

 

[M Sipher]

MUCH better.


M "The Fleshy Penile Pink Missiles Were Horrifying" Sipher

[Timelord Megs]

Great News! I'm happy to see that they are all Cybertron molds. I think walky's right about which one they're going to use on Rattrap (IMG:http://www.allspark.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/icon-hotrod.gif) It's funny but, when Scattorshot first came out, I thought something about it reminded me of ol' Rattrap. It also looks like Rhinox will be Landmine's mold, if he was going to be named "Bulldozer".

Must resist urge to spend $300.....

I hope Optimus uses Jetfire's mold.

This post has been edited by The DOCTOR Megs: May 1 2006, 11:44 PM

[Code of Walky]

M "The Fleshy Penile Pink Missiles Were Horrifying" Sipher

Whatever. They made you hard. Admit it.

[TM2 Dinobot]

Okay, I'd like to change my offical perdictions then.

New!
Primal = Crumplezone with remolded head
Rhinox = Landmine with remolded head
Cheetor = Override
Rattrap =Scattorshot with remolded head (was Ransack)
Predacon Dinobot = Evac (minus the winch)
Exclusive exclusive figure = Tigertron = Cheetro repaint = Override


Also, wasn't in the BWII movie Optimus called "Primal Convoy" when he met Lio Convoy? Or am I just mistaken on that?

[Code of Walky]

I think he was just called Convoy.

[Spark]

He's just Convoy in that one, I believe. I'm trying to figure out the "Axalon Cheetor" thing. Just a "Cheetor as he was on the Axalon", I'm guessing?

And for God's sake, I hope they ganked my Primal/Crumplezone head mold sketch... It only requires remolding half the head in the first place.

[TriBlurr]

I must be the only one that hopes Primal Isn't the Crumplezone mold.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Crumplezone (Eagerly awaiting the Dark version) but I just don't think the mold suits Primal at all.

[Spark]

It's got the whole ape aesthetic going on, and the cockpit section could be made to reasonably resemble Primal's chest with some creative paint work. PLUS, you've got Crumplezone's big Cyber Key thruster/cannons that mirror Primal's almost exactly. PLUS, the three-wheeler racer mode is somewhat evocative of Optimal Optimus' odd-wheeled "vehicle" (yeah, whatever) mode.

Seriously, there is no better Cybertron mold for Primal, other than maybe the BWX one. I can't fathom what you think would work better, unless you want to stick him on Dirt Boss for some godforsaken reason.

[Chaotic Descent]

Edit: I must say that I find the idea that it could have possibly even been suggested that Optimus Primal be named "Optimus Prime" to be fairly mind-boggling.

Yeah, it bothers me a bit. I hope they're doing their homework.

And, uh, Tanktrap, huh?

they totally tipped thier hand on the molds when they mentioned those names. I guess they were allowed to? That's pretty hot that we're getting that concept though, that was developed here on the boards. DED SECKSEH! it's only too bad we don't get Predacons. It would take up a whole other year's worth of exclusives.

[Spectre]

Mixing and matching of parts between molds?

Like...Longrack with Hoist's head?

[Code of Walky]

Mixing and matching of parts between molds?

Like...Longrack with Hoist's head?

That's what I figger.

[M Sipher]

Mixing and matching of parts between molds?

Like...Longrack with Hoist's head?

That's what I figger.

I cannot imagine what ELSE it would be.


M "TF Parts Aren't Really Mix-And-Matchable, For The Most Part" Sipher