I understand that streaker is fundamentally different, and that MPs are very G1, but that's why I said that I think people would be ok with a CHUG-style transformation streaker assuming completely new tooling wasn't an option. I'd rather get something that looks pretty close in both modes even if it's not perfect than nothing at all. And I assume that sunstreaker would be low on the priority list due to his low repaint potential. Obviously, if completely new tooling is on the table, then he would be nothing like sideswipe.
I'm leaning towards not getting a toy at all if it can't be done right. The attention to detail on what we've gotten so far has been fantastic. I don't see TT taking shortcuts on this line, especially when they can just raise the price like they did with Smokescreen (Â¥700 in at least some of the Japanese shops). They set a standard, with a beyond favorable response. To fall short of that standard to save a few yen in the short term doesn't make business sense in the long view, since that standard is what has grabbed collectors' attentions... and wallets.
But all those other you list for also having low repaint potential... we haven't gotten any of those either. I think they'll wear out anything that can be reused.
We haven't gotten any of them
yet. We're only two molds into the new size/price point!
Sideswipe was proof-of-concept, with the principal designer (Hasui) stating that they wanted as much cross-appeal as possible due to not knowing if fans would plunk down the cash on smaller, non-leader Masterpieces. So we got an iconic supercar of a b-list character, with a built-in repaint, to test the waters. It sold phenomenally despite QC issues, and they got their answer: there's a definite market for MP cars. It's a given that they'll repaint anything they possibly can, and G1 provides that in spades. The rest is a balancing act. In the "old" MP line, TT released the MP-01 mold numerous times, which presumably helped fund the likes of Grimlock, Rodimus, and Megatron. I expect a similar approach going forward.
I suspect we'll get MP Trailbreaker/Hoist and Inferno/Grapple before we ever see Hound or Tracks. I don't really count e-hobby, diaclone, and other oddballs as major repaint potential just because a lot of fans don't give two shakes about those. Marlboro wheeljack would be cool, but how many TF fans would shell out another benjamin for that once they have the Alitalia version? That level of sales would pale in comparison to the potential of the datsun triplets or any other tooling that could be used for more than one G1 a-list or b-list characters.
The market isn't as big, but it's there. It absolutely makes sense to get the ball rolling with molds that offer built-in mainline/named character repaint appeal. And with the Datsuns, beyond Prowl/Streak/Smokes, we'll get at the very least a blue Bluestreak and a silver Bluestreak as well. Just like Tigertrack (and maybe G2 'Swipe?), they'll be exclusives of some kind, with lower production numbers to match the lower projected demand... and a higher price. Despite the who-dat nature of his character, Tigertrack sold out at the show almost immediately. If TT crunched the numbers and said, "We're making X number of Y toy," you can be sure that X number is profitable. And as they sold all X, I can only imagine that they're pleased. Something doesn't need to be all-or-nothing to work out favorably.
My guess is that we'll get a couple of the one-offs (and their Diaclone/e-Hobby buddies) before Inferno/Grapple/Artfire, simply because of desirability. I'd bet those three wouldn't come up a lot if people were asked to name their top ten favorite Transformers. It might make sense to hold off and offer those later, when collectors are already in up to their armpits and can see the finish line.
Odd note about TB/Hoist... I'm not sure how those would work as MPs. The toys obviously shared a mold, but the toon looks are quite different in bot mode. Not sure how they'd engineer that.
But since they already have permission from lambo, who knows. Maybe sunstreaker's odd, non-stock deviations from a regular countach are what they meant by "concept car". I guess we'll see.
Out of the S1/2 cars, Sunstreaker fits "concept" the best. I'm pretty sure the only place it existed before the toy was in the designer's brain.
I don't hate bumblebee. I like all the '84 characters. I just resented his prominence in the toon and comic that came at the expense of characters I found much more interesting.
Ah, gotcha. I think I avoided that by 1. not reading the comics and B) not being able to get through season 2 as an adult without cringing and/or falling asleep midway through an episode.
I really should do the comics at some point, but that's an intimidating nut to crack.
In the same vein, I didn't care that yellow was Chevy's chosen Corvette color, I just wanted a blue Tracks!
