Valleyboy
06-22-2000, 03:33 PM
Repoert from wizardworld.com
Big.
It’s the only appropriate word to describe Transformers in the year 2000: big.
Not just Omega Supreme big.
We’re talkin’ Unicron big.
Now, this is a property that in 16 years has survived incarnations from Generation 2 to Beast Wars to Beast Machines, flourished as three different animated series and just entered its third decade as a top-selling toy line.
So when we say Transformers will be "big" in 2000, what we really mean is "bigger than usual."
Here’s why.
YOU AUTO BE IN PICTURES
Older Transformers fans have one wish and one wish alone, and that’s to see a continuation of the original (or "G1," Transfan-speak for Generation 1) robots-and-vehicles series from the 1980s. It’s a wish that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Hasbro. "We are seeing quite a resurgence of interest in the ’80s-style Transformers line," said Dan Sullivan, Hasbro’s Transformers team leader. And since re-releases of the original toy series have been rumored for years, could it finally happen in 2000? "We can’t reveal any details yet, but we are definitely planning to offer ’80s-style items in the future. G1 Optimus Prime is a prime candidate," he said–no pun intended.
This year’s Japanese toy line from Transformers originator Takara contains a ton of ’80s-esque ’bots that almost exclusively change into vehicles, from sports cars to motorcycles to fire trucks. Sooo…could the American line follow suit?
"Our team works hand-in-hand with Takara in Japan on our product designs," Sullivan said. "While we tailor our line to our markets, there is definitely a Japanese influence on our U.S.-developed offerings."
Vroom, vroom!
ROLLING OUT
It sounds silly to talk about a property that has so heavily permeated the consciousness of young Americans "going mainstream," but fans will soon see Transformers pop up in some unfamiliar venues. "Some great things are happening for the brand right now," Sullivan said. "We’re looking forward to some really fresh things to come this year and next."
In August, McDonald’s will kick off its Beast Machines Happy Meal promotion, which is sure to mean a slew of collectible little toys for fans to lust after. And this fall, BAM Entertainment will release Beast Wars Transmetals, a 3-D fighting game for the Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation consoles.
As if that wasn’t enough, all of a sudden Transformers is getting…well, hip. It’s a rule of American pop culture: wait long enough, and anything old–from bell bottoms to skateboards to Santana–is new again. With a full decade now between us and the ’80s, anything from the "Me" Decade is automatically upgraded to retro-chic status, and that includes Transformers. Clothing manufacturer Old Skool recently introduced T-shirts sporting Transformers logos, for example. Transformers propaganda has also been spotted in some unlikely places, such as in the crowd at a taping of UPN’s "WWF Smackdown!" pro wrestling program.
Could Transformers actually be…cool?
COLLECTOR COLLABORATION
The coolest section at HasbroCollectors.com? It’s gotta be the Transformers imports, previously Japan-only stuff offered through the site by Hasbro. "It’s been one of the hottest-selling lines on the site," Sullivan said, and more Japanese figures are on the way later this year.
While the lion’s share of Transformers sales are to kids who probably never knew there was a toy line before Beast Wars, it’s important to keep the legions of older Transformers fans–they of the countless Web sites and annual "BotCon" gathering–in a good mood. "Collectors play a big role in influencing our strategies and designs," Sullivan said. In that spirit, Hasbro will release a Magmatron 3-pack to Target stores later this year, as well as a few items exclusive to BotCon in July.
A MATTER OF TIMING
Sixteen years after its American launch, Transformers has performed so solidly for so long that its popularity is beginning to snowball as a matter of course. "The brand is starting a stage in its lifecycle where there are two generations of fans: moms and dads who grew up loving the toys and entertainment, and their kids, who are carving out their own Transformers interest," Sullivan said.
At this rate, maybe someday Transformers will be equally loved by grandparents, parents and children alike.
Now that’s big.
Big.
It’s the only appropriate word to describe Transformers in the year 2000: big.
Not just Omega Supreme big.
We’re talkin’ Unicron big.
Now, this is a property that in 16 years has survived incarnations from Generation 2 to Beast Wars to Beast Machines, flourished as three different animated series and just entered its third decade as a top-selling toy line.
So when we say Transformers will be "big" in 2000, what we really mean is "bigger than usual."
Here’s why.
YOU AUTO BE IN PICTURES
Older Transformers fans have one wish and one wish alone, and that’s to see a continuation of the original (or "G1," Transfan-speak for Generation 1) robots-and-vehicles series from the 1980s. It’s a wish that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Hasbro. "We are seeing quite a resurgence of interest in the ’80s-style Transformers line," said Dan Sullivan, Hasbro’s Transformers team leader. And since re-releases of the original toy series have been rumored for years, could it finally happen in 2000? "We can’t reveal any details yet, but we are definitely planning to offer ’80s-style items in the future. G1 Optimus Prime is a prime candidate," he said–no pun intended.
This year’s Japanese toy line from Transformers originator Takara contains a ton of ’80s-esque ’bots that almost exclusively change into vehicles, from sports cars to motorcycles to fire trucks. Sooo…could the American line follow suit?
"Our team works hand-in-hand with Takara in Japan on our product designs," Sullivan said. "While we tailor our line to our markets, there is definitely a Japanese influence on our U.S.-developed offerings."
Vroom, vroom!
ROLLING OUT
It sounds silly to talk about a property that has so heavily permeated the consciousness of young Americans "going mainstream," but fans will soon see Transformers pop up in some unfamiliar venues. "Some great things are happening for the brand right now," Sullivan said. "We’re looking forward to some really fresh things to come this year and next."
In August, McDonald’s will kick off its Beast Machines Happy Meal promotion, which is sure to mean a slew of collectible little toys for fans to lust after. And this fall, BAM Entertainment will release Beast Wars Transmetals, a 3-D fighting game for the Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation consoles.
As if that wasn’t enough, all of a sudden Transformers is getting…well, hip. It’s a rule of American pop culture: wait long enough, and anything old–from bell bottoms to skateboards to Santana–is new again. With a full decade now between us and the ’80s, anything from the "Me" Decade is automatically upgraded to retro-chic status, and that includes Transformers. Clothing manufacturer Old Skool recently introduced T-shirts sporting Transformers logos, for example. Transformers propaganda has also been spotted in some unlikely places, such as in the crowd at a taping of UPN’s "WWF Smackdown!" pro wrestling program.
Could Transformers actually be…cool?
COLLECTOR COLLABORATION
The coolest section at HasbroCollectors.com? It’s gotta be the Transformers imports, previously Japan-only stuff offered through the site by Hasbro. "It’s been one of the hottest-selling lines on the site," Sullivan said, and more Japanese figures are on the way later this year.
While the lion’s share of Transformers sales are to kids who probably never knew there was a toy line before Beast Wars, it’s important to keep the legions of older Transformers fans–they of the countless Web sites and annual "BotCon" gathering–in a good mood. "Collectors play a big role in influencing our strategies and designs," Sullivan said. In that spirit, Hasbro will release a Magmatron 3-pack to Target stores later this year, as well as a few items exclusive to BotCon in July.
A MATTER OF TIMING
Sixteen years after its American launch, Transformers has performed so solidly for so long that its popularity is beginning to snowball as a matter of course. "The brand is starting a stage in its lifecycle where there are two generations of fans: moms and dads who grew up loving the toys and entertainment, and their kids, who are carving out their own Transformers interest," Sullivan said.
At this rate, maybe someday Transformers will be equally loved by grandparents, parents and children alike.
Now that’s big.