Hasbro wants our Questions:

[CommanderNaruto]

Dear Hasbro,

Why does the saluecami trooper from The Legacy Collection Wave 3 look exactly like the recently issued Saga Legends Commander Neyo? As I recall, the Saleucami trooper from the Wal-Mart exclusive Treachery On Saleucami Battlepack had a red macro visor. On another question, every single galactic marine I have cannot stand straight without me fiddling with it for 5 minutes. How was this able to get past product testing, or does Hasbro even test it's product?

[SHB033196]

Dear Hasbro,

Why does the saluecami trooper from The Legacy Collection Wave 3 look exactly like the recently issued Saga Legends Commander Neyo? As I recall, the Saleucami trooper from the Wal-Mart exclusive Treachery On Saleucami Battlepack had a red macro visor. On another question, every single galactic marine I have cannot stand straight without me fiddling with it for 5 minutes. How was this able to get past product testing, or does Hasbro even test it's product?

Ouch, babe, very ouch.

[clonewarskid]

I have 2 questions:
 1:regarding your new transformers animated toys, leader class, why did you put Megatron's blaster on his left arm instead of his right? also, why couldn't bulkhead still have his wrecking balls?
2:are there any plans for making the clone trooper tank we saw in the video game battlefront as well as the droid tank in episode 3 on Kashyyk?

[Jaing Skirata]

I have 2 questions:
 1:regarding your new transformers animated toys, leader class, why did you put Megatron's blaster on his left arm instead of his right? also, why couldn't bulkhead still have his wrecking balls?

Hasbro will only take questiosn related to Star Wars or Indian Jones for these Q&A sessions.

2:are there any plans for making the clone trooper tank we saw in the video game battlefront as well as the droid tank in episode 3 on Kashyyk?

They've answered this one. If you look far enough back in the Q&A archives, you'll see. They said to POSSIBLY look for it in 2009 or 2010.

[VadersFist]

I had fixed all of my leg issues except for the middle 2, but really you have to understand their placement so their going to come off no matter what anyway because I tryed everything last night.

I'd still spend the 100 bucks, it's just with the legs issue, not twice.

[darthdan]

I had fixed all of my leg issues except for the middle 2, but really you have to understand their placement so their going to come off no matter what anyway because I tryed everything last night.

I'd still spend the 100 bucks, it's just with the legs issue, not twice.

try stic tac (adhesive puddy)

[Lt. Starfox]

I had fixed all of my leg issues except for the middle 2, but really you have to understand their placement so their going to come off no matter what anyway because I tryed everything last night.

I'd still spend the 100 bucks, it's just with the legs issue, not twice.

try stic tac (adhesive puddy)

pic please...packaged and how you applied it, if possible dd

[VadersFist]

Will do DD, thanks for the info of the help.

[darthdan]

I had fixed all of my leg issues except for the middle 2, but really you have to understand their placement so their going to come off no matter what anyway because I tryed everything last night.

I'd still spend the 100 bucks, it's just with the legs issue, not twice.

try stic tac (adhesive puddy)

pic please...packaged and how you applied it, if possible dd

It is really hard for me to post pics here for some reason.... but basically you take the adhesive puddy and wrap it like buble gum around the post like tape and put em in the sockets, real simple.

[Darth Spice]

THE latest:

1) What are the chances of seeing some more AOTC padmes made? (I'd love to see senator amidala in her senatorial robes with her hair back in that sort of cone shaped hairdo from palpatines office, and padme in the yellowish outfit from the naboo meadow scene.  Any hope for these?

There is a good chance that we'll get to these at some point, but it may take a while.  We'd like to do at least 1 new film-based Padme/year, whether EpI or EpII, and will be sure to spread it around.
 
2) Now that we have a mold for a C-3po (throne) that people like and the ability for a r2 that can be used( retractable leg) How about a two pack of our favorite duo from EP 4? Dirty with jawa restaints and an escape pod?

These versions will probably be in the lineup soon, but probably not as a 2-pack (although that it a very interesting idea if the other plans fall through).
 
3) Wedge Antilles is one of the top secondary characters of the OT having survived all 3 movies. How come he has never appeared in the regular carded line? He is definitely one who would be a good candidate for an updated X-Wing body. Or since I dont believe he has been made as a Snowspeeder pilot, how about on the new Snowspeeder body that Wes Janson uses? Also keep the removable helmets on the X-Wing pilots but get rid of the hooded heads.

Wedge *has* appeared in the regular carded line, although as an exclusive. We did have plans for a great Wedge this year, but the project was delayed and will appear in Fall 2009 if all goes according to schedule. Stay tuned!

[jacensolo66]

between these and the jawas questions we have maybe 2 figures confirmed for 2009(malakili and maybe wedge). cool but i hope wedge uses the ball-jointed elbows body. of course they never said it would be x-wing wedge and i am sure he has appeared in the comics several times in other outfits.

[RogueLeader]

And what exactly is it that kept Wedge from making this year's lineup?  Was it perhaps the TFU debacle, the mighty morphin' Royal Guard trainees, or the need to make lots of comic packs containing figures that nobody asked for or seems to want?   Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that there are alot of things I will easily be able to pass on this year.  It helps my wallet recover from the BMF, but I really have to wonder what kind of funny cigarettes are getting passed around during the planning process.   That, or maybe the planning process is something like the Family Guy writing staff from that South Park episode....

With that out of my system, I wonder if someone could ask them if they are referring to a single carded Wedge in Fall '09, or the upcoming comic pack with Borsk Fey'lya that has been discussed over at that other site.....

http://threads.rebelscum.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=3331736&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&fpart=1&vc=1

[jksonny]

Hasbro often (understandably) cites the costs of production as a crucial aspect of their decision-making process. This being the case, how much does it cost to take an entirely new (not re-paints or older heads on new figures or vice versa, etc.) basic action figure from proposed idea ("How about a Fixer figure?") to prototypes ("Do you like this one with a bigger hat or this one with goggles?") to finished product ready for mass production ("That's the one. Go."), including the card and packaging? As a follow-up, what is the average number of a basic figure that is produced (like the Legacy Yarna, for example) and what are the average costs of mass production, shipping, etc.? Finally, how much does a cloth robe, poncho, dress, jacket, etc. add to this cost?

I realize these costs are not fixed and vary widely but as a corporate entity, you must have the information somewhere. Again, averages/estimates are fine.

I have submitted this question to give collectors a better frame of reference for how the production process works and what Hasbro faces with each new design.

One Last Thing: It would be very interesting to know the costs of producing a standard figure during the Kenner era. Do you have that information (or a good guess)?

Thanks!   

[clonewarskid]

hi i have a question(possibly 2)
1: is there any possibility of making the republic transport ship we saw the clones using in the clone wars cartoon series?
2:as well as the droid gunship?

[jokabofe]

Hasbro often (understandably) cites the costs of production as a crucial aspect of their decision-making process. This being the case, how much does it cost to take an entirely new (not re-paints or older heads on new figures or vice versa, etc.) basic action figure from proposed idea ("How about a Fixer figure?") to prototypes ("Do you like this one with a bigger hat or this one with goggles?") to finished product ready for mass production ("That's the one. Go."), including the card and packaging? As a follow-up, what is the average number of a basic figure that is produced (like the Legacy Yarna, for example) and what are the average costs of mass production, shipping, etc.? Finally, how much does a cloth robe, poncho, dress, jacket, etc. add to this cost?

I realize these costs are not fixed and vary widely but as a corporate entity, you must have the information somewhere. Again, averages/estimates are fine.

I have submitted this question to give collectors a better frame of reference for how the production process works and what Hasbro faces with each new design.

One Last Thing: It would be very interesting to know the costs of producing a standard figure during the Kenner era. Do you have that information (or a good guess)?

Thanks!   

Hasbro won't answer any kind of questions asking about costs or production numbers.

[jokabofe]

hi i have a question(possibly 2)
1: is there any possibility of making the republic transport ship we saw the clones using in the clone wars cartoon series?
2:as well as the droid gunship?

Hasbro doesn't answer questions like "Will we ever see" or "Can you make" so we won't be asking these. Sorry.

[darthdan]

hi i have a question(possibly 2)
1: is there any possibility of making the republic transport ship we saw the clones using in the clone wars cartoon series?
2:as well as the droid gunship?

Hasbro doesn't answer questions like "Will we ever see" or "Can you make" so we won't be asking these. Sorry.

they may not answer these questions, but they are valuable in letting hasbro know that these are products they should be thinking about making.

[jokabofe]

they may not answer these questions, but they are valuable in letting hasbro know that these are products they should be thinking about making.

Well, I'll agree with that to a certain extent. But just because 1 site asks if they will make a certain figure or vehicle, I doubt they will run to put it on their hotlist of things to make.

[airbornecommando]

can you verify if and when the new Kwanian Monkey Gunship is coming out? And will it be less than walmart's 50 dollar one?

Thanks,

airbonecommando

[jksonny]

I knew there was a possibility that Hasbro may not answer cost/production questions so I thought twice about my submission. The thing that changed my mind is the HUGE amount of data Hasbro sends to its stockholders (like me). Frankly, I think the stockholder reports actually go too far in providing financial information to the public but that's part of doing business in the U.S.A. (and dealing with the SEC). Anyway, I figured with so many facts/figures in the public domain, they would be willing to let its core consumers know a little about their side of the business.

I don't understand the veil of secrecy here (does the cheap labor make the production costs embarrassingly low??) but oh, well.

Thanks for responding!   

[RogueLeader]

Is the aforementioned Wedge that has been pushed back to Fall '09 (If the schedule holds) a single carded figure, or the comic pack with Borsk Fey'lya that has shown up in the Walmart stock computers?

[Bloodant]

Hasbro please adivse on the ad that comes with the action figures, next to the V-19 torrent the ad indicates "Each vehicle includes pilot figure." is this incorrect or for future reference?

[CommanderNaruto]

great question BA, they better start adding pilots or electronics at least!!

[jacensolo66]

In reference to the comic 2-packs, who decides which comics you can use(LFL or the publishers) and are there any comics that they have made off-limits?

[VadersFist]

Yeah and make the cockpit able to fit the figure perfectly, which I know has been asked before.

great question BA, they better start adding pilots or electronics at least!!

[Darth Spice]

The latest:

1) In every Hasbro Q&A I have seen, every site complains about wanting more playsets, more playsets, MORE PLAYSETS!! Now the Sarlacc Pit and the Lars Homestead playsets are coming out and most people are underwhelmed by these offerings. To be honest, they're rather lame and have very high price tags. What kind of marketing research was done for these playsets? I really don't see the Lars Homestead set as being a good seller at all. Shouldn't playsets be based on scenes of major action in the movies therefore making it an exciting piece that children as well as collectors would want to buy? The Lars Homestead is not. Our fear is that these are test items. So my question comes down to this - If the Sarlacc Pit and Lars Homestead playsets don't sell well, will we see a further turning away from Hasbro manufacturing playsets?

We're sorry you feel that way, Troops. We hope that collectors are willing to consider these. In our opinion, these are some pretty cool sets.  Who thought that we would ever see toys of the Sarlacc pit or Lars Homestead? It should be a dream for fans, and we hope that these will find an appreciative audience.  We don't consider these two to be playsets in the traditional sense, as they don't have multiple play areas, lots of kid-targeted features, etc. Instead it was our intent to capture the flavor of two very iconic scenes from the OTC, an alternative to what otherwise might be a vehicle-based exclusive. The Sarlacc set is built to follow the format established by last year's Ultimate Battle Packs, and would not otherwise exist without the success of last year's sets and Target's support for the concept. Unfortunately, we did not have the set to show in package, as it looks *great*.  Likewise, the Lars Homestead set is not a playset per se but given the central role the homestead plays in the story of Luke, we felt that if was something that many collectors would want to have to build out their Tatooine scenes. Our stance on playsets has not changed, namely that unless there is a compelling, persistent (i.e. in many episodes) environment in the upcoming entertainment around which we can build a strong playset, then we will not pursue due to the extraordinarily high cost of tooling, development, and marketing.
 
2) On  every single galactic marine I have cannot stand straight without me fiddling with it for 5 minutes. How was this able to get past product testing, or does Hasbro even test it's product?

We have played with many Galactic Marines ourselves, during the development phase and subsequent to that.  While they do require a little effort to find to center of balance, as do many figures, we don't have a problem getting them to stand up.
 
3) I appreciate that the sculpting and articulation in the modern figures is improving so dramatically, however swivel elbows are still a problem. My son purely hates them because they pop apart so easily whenever you attempt to pose the figure during play, especially with a lightsaber weilding figure. On the forums I hear constant complaints about the swivel elbows. Has Hasbro not realized that this is a problem?

Swivel joints will pop apart from time to time, but they also come with a positive - articulation where there otherwise might not be any. Ball-and-socket joints are not the solution for every figure because of our cost parameters, so we use swivel joints to add articulation when there might not be another choice.

[meandnooneelse]

Proof yet again that Hasbro does not listen or care what we think. 

[TheWolverine]

Hasbros stance on Playsets should be more like this:

1. Find a great compelling scene to build a playset of
2.make the tooling to build such playset
3. ?? ?? ?
4.Profit.

[Bloodant]

Proof yet again that Hasbro does not listen or care what we think. 

Not following ya on the "proof". Seems to be some pretty straightforward answers.

From Q #1 these look pretty good, can't wait to see them in person. These nay disappear as fast as the Endor/Hoth repacks.  These are not playsets.
http://www.sandtroopers.com/events/sdcc2008/hasbro/pics/target43.html
http://www.sandtroopers.com/events/sdcc2008/hasbro/pics/target39.html

From Q#2
Can't get it to stand use a stand. they sell em by the bundle.  The product testing should be geared towards safety of the toy.

From Q#3
Don't like swivied arms? Avoid these figs and buy different ones.  Better to have swivel than no articulation.

[CHEWIE34]

I'm giving Hasbro the benefit of the doubt on the Lars Homestead and Sarlacc Pit... they're giving the playset theme a whole new approach in going the "display piece" route - which is something I've personally been wanting since I was a kid...

...a kid in the early 1980s, for the love of God!