|
Post by Joe Manzo on Jan 12, 2006 15:46:25 GMT -5
Hasbro Explains Re-use of Tools and Re-molds
Along with the release of the Series 3 Attacktix Checklist, was talk of re-issued figures. Why does Hasbro need to release the exact same mold, over and over, when the game is meant to be collectible, and released in limited series?
I managed to get a hold of a Hasbro Public Relations member, who was happy to discuss the reasons why they do what they do:
Tooling, the process of providing a factory with machinery (mold) in preparation for production, is required for every figure. There are two main reasons why Hasbro may have to re-use their tooling.
The first reason is the ever looming issue of cost. Tools are expensive, really expensive. Again, remember, the term "tools" refers to the cast of each figure, not the equipment in your tool box. As volumes increase and the brand gets stronger you will see less and less tools being re-used as capacities are increased. The re-used tools help defer the costs of doing new characters and designs. Remember, there are costs at every stage of design, from paper to product.
Second, there is always a demand for the core characters. Although there are many collectors out there acquiring a complete set of every series, there are always new comers to the game. Every new kid getting into the game in a later series, will still want the desirable core characters. To quote a phrase used in the television industry, "It is only a repeat if you have already seen it. If not its new to you."
In time, these characters will be made better and with new attacks, but as we concentrate on adding newer characters we will put in some core characters to be able to maximize our line. We will always try to make the figure that is re-issued identical in sculpt only. So every re-issued figure will have a new power and improved stats based on game play and feedback. Depending on the figure, a new look or paint job may be appropriate as well.
Attacktix had a great inaugural year and broke ALL expectations. This means more money, more commercials and more awareness in 2006. This also means LESS re-using of molds, and more unique characters to fill your battlefield!
DISCUSS!
|
|
|
Post by malform on Jan 12, 2006 16:01:59 GMT -5
Those last 2 paragraphs, especially the "Attacktix had a great inaugural year and broke ALL expectations." part... Kinda make me want to giggle.
Love to hear its doing well from someone that really knows... ya know?
|
|
|
Post by redemptionrocks on Jan 12, 2006 16:29:49 GMT -5
Holy crud...A REAL ANSWER FROM HASBRO. FALL ON YOUR KNEES AND BEG FOR DELEVERANCE THE END IS HERE!
Ok enuff with my joking. I understand the cost issue and stuff. I agree that it does mean les money and I do enjoy more death abilities...But how many Lukes,vaders, and anakins is exsessive?
|
|
grimlock
10 Point Trooper
?????% ?$? ?
Posts: 35
|
Post by grimlock on Jan 12, 2006 16:37:32 GMT -5
I understand where they are coming from and I'm also glad to hear that Attacktix are doing well in the market...but.... why use Captain Antilles twice... exactly the same except for maybe the special power? I mean is he anyone's favorite character? Sorry to say but I might have to sit this series out and wait for series 4...I'll probably buy the starter and Jabba though :-)
|
|
|
Post by Yaggleberry Finn on Jan 12, 2006 16:44:19 GMT -5
I agree with Grimlock here - why two Captain Antilles? Especially the fact that they appear to be EXACTLY the same... at least the Wookiee Commando in S1 was a different Star Wars class.
I know he's never referred to by name in Episode IV, so I'm assuming he's the guy Vader tosses around like a ragdoll? Yeah, that's the guy you need doubles of.
|
|
|
Post by Phoenix on Jan 12, 2006 16:44:52 GMT -5
I understand where they are coming from and I'm also glad to hear that Attacktix are doing well in the market...but.... why use Captain Antilles twice... exactly the same except for maybe the special power? I mean is he anyone's favorite character? Sorry to say but I might have to sit this series out and wait for series 4...I'll probably buy the starter and Jabba though :-) I always think it's good when people stick to their guns and refrain from buying the product if they disagree with it, even if they initially liked it. I did the same thing with heroclix. I just said 'forget it!' after I believed they were being ridiculous. So I definitely respect your opinion. I like this line up though, therefore I'm buying! I have no answer for you for the Capt Antilles question...I can't even speculate but to guess they needed another dude and said 'just double him!' or he play-tested well...who knows.
|
|
|
Post by Radar on Jan 12, 2006 19:46:28 GMT -5
Redemption, I don't think this is one of the official signs of the end of this age, but I can see where you might have mixed the two up OK, this seems like one of those answers you give when you know you got caught. If they want to give people the figures they like that they missed....why is Chewbacca the only repeated character from series 1?....and if its so expensive...how come he swings with a different arm now? That sounds like a re-cast to me. If the molds/tools are so expensive why let them go to waste?Re-hash another battle droid (lieutenant) or make a wookie (trooper) with the same molds. It worked with the clone trooper like crazy. I suppose what I'm saying is that if Hasbro feels the need to re-cast figures, perhaps they can not draw tools/molds from the series that they just finished. A couple of series 1 figures may have been cool. Maybe a wookie, a droid and a jedi. Series 1 reused tools for Wookie commando (wookie and rep.), clone trooper (rep, sep, Lieut., Sgt.), and Clone Commander (rep, sep) 5 repeats Series 2 reused molds for clone commander(yellow), clone trooper (imp), grievous body guard, and battle droid commander, 4 repeats Series 3 reuses molds for clone trooper, heavy trooper(?), R2-Q5, rebel pilot and 2 copies, rebel trooper and 2 copies, imperial officer and a copy, luke/han in storm trooper and their copy (different head), jawa and a copy, boba fett, bossk, luke, leia, han. I count 15 re-tools. If Attacktix are making so much money now....how is it that they are not able to spend money like they did when they started? I still struggle to believe that making molds is expensive. I could however get behind this concept....Series 3 began production during that crazy "waiting for series 2" time when no one was sure how well it would do. Maybe they were apprehensive about spending money/time back then and just wanted to have something ready. I have come out pretty harsh against this series and re-molds in general......, but I'm going to buy series 3 like there's no tomorrow...errr,... no....I'm going to buy series 3 like there is a tomorrow and I want to play attacktix then. These figures really are addicting. -Radar
|
|
|
Post by redemptionrocks on Jan 12, 2006 21:13:55 GMT -5
yes they are...I wanna make a stormtrooper army ^_^
|
|
|
Post by skankinpezhead on Jan 12, 2006 21:17:12 GMT -5
Ok ok, re-tools are annoying, yes, but isn't anyone going to expand on the optimistic future this reply from hasbro holds? "Great inagural year and broke ALL expectations"!?!?!?!!!
That means that not only will we see the already announced series such as the Transformers, GI Joe, and the slightly sketchy SW series 4 (Return of the Jedi), BUT we MAY also see the new Attacktix lines we've all been dreaming up( Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, etc.)
This should be encouraging news, and sure we will have to suffer with some copies in the middle of our collections. But let's face it movies like Back to the Future 3 and Matrix Revolutions were awful, but who wouldn't give their left arm for another go around--- a fourth in the series, or in this case, a series 4.
|
|
|
Post by Joe Manzo on Jan 12, 2006 21:36:23 GMT -5
That means that not only will we see the already announced series such as the Transformers, GI Joe, and the slightly sketchy SW series 4 (Return of the Jedi), BUT we MAY also see the new Attacktix lines we've all been dreaming up( Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, etc.) Yes, I am certain we will see more and more lines now that Attacktix is a proven success. With Star Wars movies and cartoons ending (TV up in the air) they will surely be picking up some hot new licenses!
|
|
|
Post by webhead817 on Jan 12, 2006 22:51:29 GMT -5
If Attacktix are making so much money now....how is it that they are not able to spend money like they did when they started? From my experience as a playtester for HeroClix, in terms of how far ahead of release that you work on development...I have a feeling tooling for set 3 was probably underway BEFORE Hasbro knew how well it was selling. If I had to guess, Star Wars set 4 or probably 5 will be the first to be made with full knowledge of the strength of the line. I'm happy with Hasbros answers here, they make perfect sense to me. Sure, all new sculpts are great in a perfect world, but it sounds like that is what they are striving for down the road.
|
|
|
Post by YodaBreaker on Jan 12, 2006 23:26:25 GMT -5
I think that the most egregious use of duplicate sculpts here is the Captain Antilles total duplicate. I'm guessing there was a lack of communication between the starter set team and the regular set team. On the face of it, I'm not a fan of all of the same-figure scuplts between series. However, as I think about it more, I'll at least be able to trade with people who'd rather have more of the Series 2 versions of the figures (e.g., now that Chewie's a rare, I doubt they'll have the cool Han-based Recover power - at least, at not nearly as high a probability). I look forward to seeing what Luke, Leia, and Han's new special powers will be, in particular.
Thus, ultimately, maybe this'll be less of a collector's game and more of a game for the everyman (or kid, as it were). In my mind, that's a good thing. Of course, that also means I did a lot of stocking up that I might not have needed to do.
|
|
|
Post by Joe Manzo on Jan 12, 2006 23:45:40 GMT -5
Thus, ultimately, maybe this'll be less of a collector's game and more of a game for the everyman (or kid, as it were). In my mind, that's a good thing. Of course, that also means I did a lot of stocking up that I might not have needed to do. Well, while you may see some of the pilots and generic wookies repainted, I think the majority of the Series 1 guys will hold their value. Maybe, it's wishful thinking on my part, but the chances of them using old molds when they are rolling in the Attacktix-dough now, would be silly. It is impossible to ignore the aftermarket for any product, no matter who you are. I am wishing the opposite now! I wish I had more Series 1 Vaders, and more SBDs.
|
|
|
Post by Radar on Jan 13, 2006 2:41:54 GMT -5
Yoda Breaker, let us not forget that using a figure in the starter and the series is not new to us.
Series 1 had the Wookie Commando in a starter and the packs, one was a wookiee, the other a Republic(an)
Series 2 had a Yellow and a blue Clone Commander for the packs and Starter respectively. Also a yellow and a red clone trooper.
series 3 (in one starter) reuses both Wedge and an Imperial officer (grey and black uniforms).
Using a figure in a starter and the pack is nothing new. (What is new is the vast amount of repeated figures.) -Radar
|
|
|
Post by malform on Jan 13, 2006 8:12:01 GMT -5
I think its great there is only one yoda thus far. And if series 4 is return of the jedi based, that means still no new yoda. If we roll around to an empire strikes back series 5, then perhaps we will start seeing new yodas. And at that point the old series 1 yodas will be like gold to the newbies. Yoda rules! hehe Anyway, Did you try to get that hasbro rep guy to stop by the forum Joe? Also, did you happen to ask him if the attacktix web site is EVER going to be updated with newer figures?
|
|