Studio Series discussion

[LordGigaIce]

It was more an observation how, given how that plotline has now resolved, the image is less "oh awesome!" and more "oh no"/ "moments before disaster" (at least for the fans that actually read the comics and don't just consume panel excerpts on social media).

I read the comics.
I disagree.

And ultimately the image was a cool one, and doesn't have an (official) figure yet. Add-ons and full 3P offerings exist, and the jump from $60 to $80 almost arbitrarily will likely dampen the demand for this.

But ultimately any demand that is there is rooted in the notion that the image was one that resonated with a lot of people, and now has official representation in the toyline.

Well, yes, it's almost as if it's a large group made up of individuals with varying opinions?

That's true. Doesn't change what I said, and while I do apologize for going hard in my first post on the matter, I stand by the assertion. This is a fandom that wants new things, and complains about new things. That likes it when the past is called back on, and rages about it endlessly when it happens.

Now you're right, the fandom is varied and very few people are so brainrotted that they are flipflopping in these positions in real time. Most of these contradictions occur when different loud voices speak up, and therefore aren't really contradictions. I get that.

Thing is... from a feedback perspective at Hasbro? That doesn't matter.
Hasbro doesn't have a massive spreadsheet of every fan active online that catalogues their opinions on every fandom issue so they can measure their individual responses to any loud that. That's ridiculous.
Instead what happens is Hasbro takes the temperature of the fandom, and unfortunately that means loud voices always dominate. And because negativity is louder then positivity, negativity always dominates.

From the perspective of a creator, the feedback is always negative, regardless of what's done.
"The fandom is made up of people with varying opinions" is a mantra to deal with this, but it doesn't change the fact that new thing or old, people complain, will cause a bit of an issue with Hasbro in trying to figure out what exactly resonates with people.

With "Offensive EU Prime" it's a striking image that got a lot of play and a lot of chatter online. It's the closest to a "I think they like this?" situation as Hasbro can get, given the general toxicity that is creator-fan feedback on social media.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Just on a visual level, I've always felt it was an idea that would be more interesting in just about any other form. Ultimately it's trading a blocky red arm for a blocky grey arm.

I'm imagining DOTM Prime with a Megatron arm, as a what-if piece that totally ignores the existence of AOE.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

In the picture I posted above, the order is:

1. iGear Delicate Warrior
2. Thrilling 30
3. Titans Return
4. Earthrise
5. SS86

So comparing the 2nd and 5th figures there, you can basically draw a line that runs through the elbows and along the bottom of her chest plate. Basically, everything above that line aside from the backpack is common, and everything below that line is new.

In robot mode, that means SS86 no longer has T30's weird human belly, has better-proportioned legs, can use any 5mm weapon, and IIRC is more stable when it comes to posing, or even just plain standing.

In vehicle mode, she's much closer to her animation model. More significantly, she's much more cohesive. It doesn't always show up well in pictures, but T30 Arcee has a substantial disconnect between her front and rear halves, and she doesn't even have a solid top surface in the middle. It's something I always disliked on that figure. SS86 is actually a cohesive vehicle.

The major trade-off for SS86 is that she's more of a shellformer than T30, albeit still less of one that Earthrise. Her chestplate is still the front of the car like T30 (and unlike Earthrise), but her thighs no longer form part of the vehicle sides. That part of the vehicle is now incorporated into the backpack. That's why her backpack is now more substantial than either T30 or Earthrise without the hoverboard, though still smaller than Earthrise with the hoverboard attached.

Hmm, you make a good sales pitch.

I guess if I can ever get one at a price that's good 'n affordable when I have some more money going on, maybe I'll go for it.

In robot mode, that means SS86 no longer has T30's weird human belly

Oh, the better for giving birth to Plasma Energy Chamber keys?

...or worse?