Hasbro wants our Questions:

[scalperhunter1]

I am so happy that hasbro is on our side. Especially their reassurances that the Star Wars collector is someone they care about and their focus is targeted toward the collectors.


Hasbro Q&A With FFURG!

Hasbro recently joined forces with the online collecting community to answer all of our pressing questions about our favorite toy line - Star Wars. Now Hasbro and FFURG team up for the first time to bring forth the customizing community's point of view on all things related to Star Wars Action Figures. To submit your questions to Hasbro, join in on the FForums - Hasbro Q&A Discussion.

Week 8 - 08/11/2006

2.) In reference to the Battlepacks, what factors determine whether a battlepack is all re-packs like the upcoming ""Battle Above the Sarlacc"" and a battlepack with some customized or all new figures like ""Jedi vs. Sith""?"


Ahh - great question! The mainline, or national battle packs are designed with kids foremost in mind. That's why there are very few new, and they are more commonly themed repacks with a heavy concentration of recognizeable and cool kid characters along with a couple lesser known characters to complete the theme (Battle for Sarlacc being a prime example of this).

Now for exclusive battle packs, we take a different approach. We design these to be collector-targeted, knowing that if we strike the right chord they are something collectors will want to go to that retailer to find and ensure the sell-through at the retailer. This is why the exclusive battle packs have more of a troop building flavor to them. They are designed specifically to ensure that the packs will be able to sell through in a certain period of time.

[Darth Spice]

They are designed specifically to ensure that the packs will be able to sell through in a certain period of time.

Yes through the clearance racks! 

[Obi-WanJay]

ok i've got another one:

since hasbro is now taking any combination of figures with the certificate from the luke minus the biker scout for the george mail away. what happens now that all the luke's are gone?

[Darth Spice]

1: How come Hasbro hasn't made it out to Wizard World Chicago in three years?

We would like to go to more shows, but the crushing reality is the amount time the marketing and R&D teams spend preparing for and attending the shows to do it up right. It's difficult to stay on top of the product line when we're out too much.  Multiply that by all of the brand teams across the Hasbro Boys group and it makes sense to focus on one great show every year plus the occasional extra mandatory convention like CIV.

2: Recently a report in the news stated there was a loss for Star Wars for Hasbro. Will this affect or change any plans to the current lines?

The Star Wars line always comes down after the activity of a movie year. The key thing is how the line is doing versus expectations.... and the good news is the line is doing great and is exceeding all expectations so far this year.  Because of that there actually HAVE been changes: we have actually added some items like more basic figures, reintroduced battle packs, added the Galactic Heroes Cinema Scenes, and more.  This is on top of the new products already in the pipeline slated for the back half to keep both kids and collectors engaged in the brand.  How does all of this impact the future of Star Wars?  If the line keeps doing well, we'll keep looking for opportunities to introduce additional items over and above what we have originally planned.

3: Are any plans for a Playskool Galactic Heroes TIE Fighter vehicle to go along with the X-Wing Fighter vehicle currently out?

There are no plans for Galactic Heroes vehicles for now.  The sales of Galactic Heroes, both to kid AND collector, have been way over on the figure side.  The vehicles we released last year struggled, even with the influx of kids into the market.  So.... what are kids doing with them?  Probably what a lot of their dads do...collect them.  That's why vehicles are a tough sell right now.  But we're passionate about the GH concept and we'll look for news ways to approach the play pattern, but they may or may not involve vehicles.

4: With the 30th anniversary next year, the majority of the figures released will be from A New Hope. Will these figures be new sculpts, or simply re-released figures from years past. Will there be more creatures/aliens from the Cantina made?

We have not yet revealed anything of the 2007 lineup beyond the few EpIII figures we showed at Comic Con, and a few other hints.  It will celebrate all 6 films, Clone Wars, and the EU…. and will not be EpIV dominated as you indicate.  We have said that there WILL be a curved cantina bar end next year...that's all the hints we'll give, though.  For the rest of the lineup, you'll have to wait and see.

[Jimsjedi]

Here's my next question for Hasbro,

Why does it seem with the re-release of the Boba Fett and Greivous Unleashed and the New Dagaboh X-Wing we are paying for the packaging and assembly.

Sure the Unleashed look really cool displayed as the figures are actually in full display mode, but just a few years ago these were released in standard packaging and we had to put the figures onto each base/stand for $5-$6 dollars cheaper.

The Dagobah X-Wing looks good as well, but just because moss and the swamp creature were added why does the packaging have to be so overwhelming? The X-Wing was re-released a few years back and we actually had to put the wings on ourselves, and this was priced at $20. So now the new X-wing is $45. Why such the jump in assembly and packaging prices over the last year?

[Major fett]

Here's my next question for Hasbro,

Why does it seem with the re-release of the Boba Fett and Greivous Unleashed and the New Dagaboh X-Wing we are paying for the packaging and assembly.

Sure the Unleashed look really cool displayed as the figures are actually in full display mode, but just a few years ago these were released in standard packaging and we had to put the figures onto each base/stand for $5-$6 dollars cheaper.

The Dagobah X-Wing looks good as well, but just because moss and the swamp creature were added why does the packaging have to be so overwhelming? The X-Wing was re-released a few years back and we actually had to put the wings on ourselves, and this was priced at $20. So now the new X-wing is $45. Why such the jump in assembly and packaging prices over the last year?

I agree that is why I decided to pass on the X-Wing the moss and dragon aren't worth that extra cash IMO. Even though it does look nice in that window box like an actual scene from the movie it deaos not warrant that much of a mark up, I would have bought it if it were $30 though. As for the rereleased unleashed I don't mind paying 20 for these as long as the line continues with new characters such as Qui-Gon, Cody, Kit Fisto, Neyo, you get the idea or rehashed HTF one like Boba, stormie, or Padme .

[Lukes_Dad]

3: Are any plans for a Playskool Galactic Heroes TIE Fighter vehicle to go along with the X-Wing Fighter vehicle currently out?

There are no plans for Galactic Heroes vehicles for now.  The sales of Galactic Heroes, both to kid AND collector, have been way over on the figure side.  The vehicles we released last year struggled, even with the influx of kids into the market.  So.... what are kids doing with them?  Probably what a lot of their dads do...collect them.  That's why vehicles are a tough sell right now.  But we're passionate about the GH concept and we'll look for news ways to approach the play pattern, but they may or may not involve vehicles.

Maybe the vehicles didn't sell because the only vehicles that have been issued recently were the rehashed Falcon and the odd-looking transforming Landspeeder and that other transforming vehicle?  We need more "canon" vehicles done up for the Galactic Heroes line without any gimmicks.

[scalperhunter1]

Here is a question that was asked and answered on another web site.
I would like to see a follow up question to Hasbro's answer.


Q. Back to you favorite subjects.here something of a suggestion: You recently stated that you have 3 different Mock-ups of a Death Star playset in your offices. What if you turn those 3 in to modules & offer 1 at each of their major exclusive carriers, Target, Wal-Mart & TRU? It would drive traffic to all 3 retailers and finally give us addicts what we've been waiting almost 30 years for...

A. This still doesn't solve the issue—there just isn't enough market interest from the combined collector/kid.

To follow up on this question how does Hasbro determine that a product like the Death Star playset won't create enough market interest? Exactly what tools do you use to come to this conclusion?

[chewykingwookie]

Here is a question that was asked and answered on another web site.
I would like to see a follow up question to Hasbro's answer.


Q. Back to you favorite subjects.here something of a suggestion: You recently stated that you have 3 different Mock-ups of a Death Star playset in your offices. What if you turn those 3 in to modules & offer 1 at each of their major exclusive carriers, Target, Wal-Mart & TRU? It would drive traffic to all 3 retailers and finally give us addicts what we've been waiting almost 30 years for...

A. This still doesn't solve the issue—there just isn't enough market interest from the combined collector/kid.

To follow up on this question how does Hasbro determine that a product like the Death Star playset won't create enough market interest? Exactly what tools do you use to come to this conclusion?

I really think that the reps at Hasbro are smoking something and I don't think it is good enough for me to smoke. lol I for one would love to see another Death Star. I had the original one but unfortunately I need to find back all the pieces for it. I wonder where in the heck they do their research at. I have never received a survey from them and I doubt that any of the troopers here have either. They need to get their collective heads out of each other's butts and do some real market research. I should suggest that one of my buds who has an uncle that works at Hasbro. Then again I think he already knows that they need to change things but but they don't want to listen especially since Transformers is coming out next year.

[jaztermareal]

hi. since the most popular figures in the past couple of years have been army building figures, would hasbro consider in the next couple of years devoting an entire line to army builders like clones, imperial troops and officers, rebels, battle droids, warriors etc. with a few repacks of other sell outs? this entire line would be garunteed to sell-out everywhere and would satisfy collectors like me who are frustrated at local shops not getting the soldiers we want, just a bunch of peg warming obiwans and vaders. a set like this would make a great vehicle to launch new troopers in. tell me there is a chance, its what us collectors all want!  would it be possible?
remember, there are no peg warming clones!!!!! josh

[sithmasterc]

I know I posted about this before but I hope that Hasbro will do something about the short packing issue.Cody and Scortch were one to a case(Scortch is now 2 tot a case in the newer assortmanet).In the future I hope that Hasbro will pack the hot figures that everyone has to have at least 2 to a case.I still haven't seen a Shock Trooper from the Saga line.

[darthdan]

Q.  Will hasbro ever consider making a case for the titanium series small ships, something similar to the matchbox and hotwheels cases that were released back in the 80's?  Maybe they could release a few exclusives with the case too boost consumer appeal.

[clonejediluuke]

I'd like to ask Hasbro, concerning electronic lightsabers, why won't they make the correct Mace Windu one and will they make Palpatines' saber from RotS?

that's one thing most Walmarts around nere (NC) have is bunches of lightsabers everyone probably has, lukes, obis', and vaders.

[jaztermareal]

Hi! First of all, I would like to commend you for the excelent evolutions packs you produced, especially the clonetrooper to stormtrooper sets, the only figure set I bought three lots of! Now I know hasbro does not officially accept suggestions for new products, but what im going to ask for would be perfectly feasable, a complete sell out, easy to produce, and a great way to continue the evolutions series. Basicly the holy grail of evolution sets. The only set I would never stop buying.

What you could do is make a third clonetrooper to stormtrooper set, but with a few minor alterations. First off, make a set that is completely clean white, instead of orange or grey.
Second, make all the figures clean (no dirt or damage). 

Episode 2 clone: interchangeable helmets as before, but instead of a pilot helmet, an arc trooper helmet ( it would be easy, just stick an antenna onto the helmet!), a removable belt to allow attachment of a waist skirt, and a removeable white shoulder pauldron. There you have it! A generic arc trooper/clonetrooper perfect for army building!!!
 
Episode 3 clone: same as before, but clean white with interchangable belt/skirt and removeable white pauldron. A generic trooper/commander!

Episode 4 stormtrooper: clean white , with removeable sandtrooper equipment and working holster. Also, since lucasfilm has given you permission to put clone heads under original trilogy helmets, the adition of a removeable helmet would compliment the set so much!!! I believe you may have wanted to do so before, so nows your chance! The head would best be a jango fett head with some ageing (a little grey in the hair, a couple of wrinkles/scars to help age the trooper).
Wow! Another army builder! A stormtrooper/ sandtrooper in the white scheme!
6 figures in 3! the collectors dream for army building!!!!

Please, make this set!!! All the required parts already exist! Just mix and match! Being clean white troopers, less paint would be required!!! It would be an instant sell out! It makes sense. You would be finnishing the variation theme for the evolution packs you began last year.

[Jaing Skirata]

Hi! First of all, I would like to commend you for the excelent evolutions packs you produced, especially the clonetrooper to stormtrooper sets, the only figure set I bought three lots of! Now I know hasbro does not officially accept suggestions for new products, but what im going to ask for would be perfectly feasable, a complete sell out, easy to produce, and a great way to continue the evolutions series. Basicly the holy grail of evolution sets. The only set I would never stop buying.

What you could do is make a third clonetrooper to stormtrooper set, but with a few minor alterations. First off, make a set that is completely clean white, instead of orange or grey.
Second, make all the figures clean (no dirt or damage). 

Episode 2 clone: interchangeable helmets as before, but instead of a pilot helmet, an arc trooper helmet ( it would be easy, just stick an antenna onto the helmet!), a removable belt to allow attachment of a waist skirt, and a removeable white shoulder pauldron. There you have it! A generic arc trooper/clonetrooper perfect for army building!!!
 
Episode 3 clone: same as before, but clean white with interchangable belt/skirt and removeable white pauldron. A generic trooper/commander!

Episode 4 stormtrooper: clean white , with removeable sandtrooper equipment and working holster. Also, since lucasfilm has given you permission to put clone heads under original trilogy helmets, the adition of a removeable helmet would compliment the set so much!!! I believe you may have wanted to do so before, so nows your chance! The head would best be a jango fett head with some ageing (a little grey in the hair, a couple of wrinkles/scars to help age the trooper).
Wow! Another army builder! A stormtrooper/ sandtrooper in the white scheme!
6 figures in 3! the collectors dream for army building!!!!

Please, make this set!!! All the required parts already exist! Just mix and match! Being clean white troopers, less paint would be required!!! It would be an instant sell out! It makes sense. You would be finnishing the variation theme for the evolution packs you began last year.

I like that!

[Darth Spice]

I missed the deadline for sending in the questions so we won't be getting any answers back this week. Sorry Troops!

[General Grievous]

You must realize you are doomed Darth Spice! 

[Lt. Starfox]

With the airborne Trooper coming out in the Mace Windu battlepack, will we see this figure on an individual cardback soon or will we see him in different color schemes?

[Major fett]

With the airborne Trooper coming out in the Mace Windu battlepack, will we see this figure on an individual cardback soon or will we see him in different color schemes?

Dave have you not been watching the hasbro updates?
This clone Trooper will be one of the few to start off the 30th aniversary line in 07 on a single card.


Heres my question:
Have or would you consider doing straight non packaged army builder 5, 10, or 20 packs as a HTS excusive so that army builders can do their thing without wiping out the pegs and allowing the poeple who can't find these figures a chance to get them?

[Lt. Starfox]

thanks Shawn!  guess I should pay more attention to those press releases!   

[Jedi Scholar 8]

That is an excellent question Shawn!

Pat

[jokabofe]

Even though Hasbro kinda skirts around the answers to most of the questions, I think it's a neat thing that they actually do something like this on a weekly basis. I actually wish some of the other main SW producers like GG and SS would do something similar. Maybe we can convince them to start?

[Darth Spice]

We have heard back from our last round of submitted questions:

1) Can we once again look forward to Army Builder 4-packs?  With so many new Clone versions, new sculpts on old favorites (Sandtroopers!), Are there plans to bring this concept back?

The modern Battlepack series has taken the place of this concept.  We may look at a variation of this for Internet accounts next year, but it won't be the same format.

2) What is the top 3 things that Hasbro has wanted to do, but were shot down, whether it be by LFL, costs, time, etc?

Usually cost, time, and item count limitations are the culprits in having to lay aside a good idea.  For 2007, there are two concepts we wanted to pursue but couldn't make work at the time: 1) Poster packs, built around the original theatrical posters matched to 3-3/4" figures, was a victim of item count and costing. These were conceived for '07 because of the widespread anticipation of the 30th Anniversary, but because of their size and cost we had to put them aside.  We may look at this some time in the future, possibly as an exclusive farther down the road; and  2)  A 3-3/4" Turbo Tank.  Yes, it will pain some people to hear that we were working on a model that will not make it to market in 2007, but we just couldn't make the timing work.  Now that we are looking at the animation, we will re-visit which large-size hero vehicle or playset we do.  It may not be the Turbo Tank first...but we love this vehicle and will eventually get to it...patience will be rewarded.

3) Bothans are widely talked about in the Star Wars universe, yet we have never seen a definitive image of one, nor have we ever gotten a figure of one.  Can we ever hope to see some Bothans?

Yes, yes indeed.  If the schedule holds, you will see one at the very end of 2007.

[Jedi Scholar 8]

I gotta say, I liked these answers very much.  I love their ideas of making 3 3/4" figs from movie posters, so we get the ANH Poster Luke, Leia, etc?  I'd be all for that, and a Turbo Tank?!?!  Man, I hope they can fix that up for '08!  And I'll have to get an army of Bothans when they hit next year!

Pat

[Major fett]

1) Can we once again look forward to Army Builder 4-packs?  With so many new Clone versions, new sculpts on old favorites (Sandtroopers!), Are there plans to bring this concept back?

The modern Battlepack series has taken the place of this concept.  We may look at a variation of this for Internet accounts next year, but it won't be the same format.

I don't quite understand, does this touch base on my previous question on wether they will do 5, 10, or 20 army sets as an online thing or what?
I'm definitey stoked to see we are finally Hopefully  getting a Bothan next year!

[Trooper Jon]

Question for Hasbro:

I'd love to see the Tie Interceptor make a come-back. Any plans for 2007?

[Major fett]

Question for Hasbro:

I'd love to see the Tie Interceptor make a come-back. Any plans for 2007?

I'll second That!

[Trooper Jon]

Yeah, I really wish that I had purchased a few more of those when they were out a few years back. Darn.

[TAMER]

what vehicles are we gonna see for 2007?

[Darth Spice]

Q: Why did you release an Official Star Wars Figure Protector Case and advertise the use of it with the current Saga line, illustrated in its instruction flyer that comes with the cases, if it pinches the top of the current Saga line cards, thus damaging the collectable? I can only assume this was an oversight in marketing or in design. Is this something that will be corrected soon?

We designed it to accommodate the Saga Collection cards and for the most part we have not seen a problem.  However, it is noted that the 2006 (and 2005 before it) cards can have an inconsistent variation in height because of the way they are constructed (blister taped to the backer card, which allows for variations at the time of assembly).  You may have some statistical outliers in your collection that are taller than others, and for that we apologize.

Q: Why does it seem with the re-release of the Boba Fett and Greivous Unleashed and the New Dagaboh X-Wing we are paying for the packaging and assembly? Sure the Unleashed look really cool displayed as the figures are actually in full display mode, but just a few years ago these were released in standard packaging and we had to put the figures onto each base/stand for $5-$6 dollars cheaper.

Because the product itself has changed, at least the packaging part of it. The packaging is more expensive, along with the size of the package, which increases freight cost.  This has resulted in a greater cost on our end, which is passed on the to retailer and ultimately results in a higher price.
Q: The Galactic Hunt promotion for this year was immensely popular, especially the Silver-Foil figures.  However, they seem to have vanished off the radar.  Does Hasbro plan to do a similar promotion later this year or next?  Perhaps a Gold Foil carded chase figure set?

There won’t be any more next year, but it will return again next year. Stay tuned!

Q: For decades, Hasbro/Kenner had made small, EU type vehicles for Star Wars characters.  From the MTV-7 and the likes from the Vintage lines to Obi-Wan Kenobi-s scout sub from Episode 1.  Do these sell well enough to think on making more of these, or are there already plans to make something of this nature?

You won't see anything like this in '07.  We've been turning our attention to on-screen vehicles that deserve to made, and concentrating on keeping the $19.99 vehicle SKU a national (meaning not exclusive) assortment with variety and freshness.