Why I Fell Out Of Love With Fanstoys
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The Fanstoys community is toxic. I love the products but the hardcore fans are just nasty people in all of the online interactions I have had.
As plain as acoustic wave was, I liked that they included the extra bits so you could “diaclone” him out if desired. I hope they go this route with future releases. That way, people wanting sunbow accuracy can get their fix and those wanting a bit more personality can do so as well.
I love him to bits but for the money, maybe even like $25 more, he should've came with Ravage, Rumble and Lazerbeak. To spend an additional $90-$100 on those 3 was ridculous.
Can't say I have the same gripes about the toon esthetic, but I do agree with release timing and communication. I passed on two reasonable offerings of an MP Blitzwing, feeling that FaaaaanToooooys was going to drop theirs in a timely fashion to compete, and not a damn peep from'em. I came to the conclusion some time ago, that they tease characters their competitors are also working on in order to undercut them. Whether that dirty method works or not doesn't change the fact that afterwards, they proceed to seemingly drop the current project to repeat the process of steeling competitors' thunder. I recently preordered FT's take on UltraMagnus, but believing what I know about their tactics I caved, and bought XTB's version too. Why? Because I, rather we, have no idea when or if FansToys will deliver without any real communication; and I'm done passing on other good offerings. If the XTB Magnus is good, then I may drop my FT preoder, and I don't think I'm alone here. Now here's the real kicker, while FT's sitting on their laurels, other companies are catching up to their standard of quality. So, what happens then? I think we're already seeing the answer in XTB and Deformation Space. Anyway, sorry for the long comment Mr. Skullface. These Saturday discussions are great by the way. I forget to drop "thumbs up's" sometimes; my bad.
In my opinion if you bought Xtb Magnus you will be disappointed. I checked reviews that thing was riddled with issues.
@@mechgouki7999 I heard about that, after my purchase. I actually talk about it in comments I left on TMReviews' two videos of Xtb Commander Stack; if you're curious about my thoughts over the issue anyway. So, guess I'll find out in a few weeks; until then I'll hold onto that FaaaansToyyyyys preorder.
7:28 Reason #3 alone would sour me on any company.
I totally agree with you, but from the point of view of not being a fan. I think they've lost their "approach", so that they mix toon accurate color with tune accurate sculpts and yet there's a lot of chrome that doesn't belong to the look they've chosen (Hoist, I'm looking at your legs).
Take Mirage's and Jazz's shoulder cannon: the first is chrome, the second is silver: why?!?
Last but not least: Fanstoys going weird with some choices would not be a problem if we had plenty of third party companies currently at work but the truth is that it is not: only Takara and X-Transbots are in the game of toon-inspired G1, apart from Fanstoys.
-Transform Element/Deformation Space is currently selling off their stuff and will be out of business for a while.
-Ocular Max is only releasing beauiful combiners that would fit in some collections but won't in most.
-DX9 is out of business and doing reprints only, which is good if you missed out something
-Zeta/Moon Studio will spend the next years working on that Primus, which is not for everybody (including me)
-Maketoys, well, I don't believe in any comeback from them, so to me they're out of business.
-Gigapower keeps re-releasing those dinobots (which are not my cup of thea)
-Magic Square: I don't think they'll do more masterpiece releases
I feel FT is good but not the best. Their transformations can be as tricky or even trickier than XTB. They know this and reinforce these areas though. Like in Thomas. That is some dreadful engineering. As a result I tend to not transform these as often as I do others in my collection. I actually prefer doing the Deformation Space seekers over him lol
Maketoys seems to be on its way back. But I agree
Completely agree with everything. Did I get it right: the Deformation Space and Transform Element are closing? I love these companies...
@Mechanic XTB seems to be getting better. I don't have any interest in getting it but their Inferno mold seems to be a hit. Bobby liked it. TMReviews even praised it a bit.
@@dustyyshellz1320 I heard so many times that "maketoys seems to be on its way back" that I don't believe it anymore. The fact that they are reprinting their outdated seekers is not enough to say they're coming back
Agree with all three of these points. I would add the Fans Toys strategy of putting out vacuous renders of the same figures of XTransbots >>right
U not cool
You are so honest, clear and trasparent! Completely agree with you.
Agreed. I also hate how they treat other companies
First time I ever heard of FT was some promotional images shown by a reviewer and it was all of their figures beheading or beating other companies figures of the same characters, that just seemed petty and unnecessary
Links?
🔥 🔥 🔥 Damn I want that Blitzwing.
I personally was never a fan of them. Their headsculpts are ugly to say the least, they're hella expensive, with goofy tolerances and they don't pose well. And I can excuse the squeaky materials, because FT products breaking is extremely rare, so if squeaky materials means no breakages, then I'm cool. The reason I don't like em is because they're just not fun. They're not fun to transform due to overcomplication, they're not fun to mess with because of the tolerances. They're just to sit on a self and look good with their metallic paint. So I'm actually liking where their heading, with simpler and more effective transformations, with their Preceptor, Croc, Soundwave, Mirage and maybe Jazz, we'll see.
Sorry for the whole Ted talk I just wrote 😂
I wouldnt be too sure about ft rarely breaking...the 1 and ONLY ft figure i boight was forager (mp kickback)...in the space of just 1 week it had broken in FOUR seperate places .i ended up throwing it in the bin....that was back in 2016 iand i swore i would NEVER buy another of the produtcs and never have.....that figure is absloute garbage.
@@damien5748 it was one of their first tho. I've never one of the newer and bigger ones breaking
@@theholo-library4020 im aware it was 1 of their 1st but that is still no excuse...if it had bad qc issues which im sure they knew then they should NOT have released it until they sorted it out and most DEFINITLY NOT asked that sort of money for it... i have other 3rd party figures from "lesser' companies,some of which arent even around anymore that still hold their own to this day and are much better than that pos that is ft forager.
@@damien5748 I'm not saying otherwise. Plus their Insecticons where 300-400$ , which I unacceptable
@@theholo-library4020 thats what im saying....and from other reviews in know their kup had issues that the customer was left to repair for themselves annd their warpath has issuez with 1 of the legs coming apart at the knee,they released these figures knowing that they had issues and by releasing them anyway like that they might aswell have been giving the two figers to the customer.....and while its not a qc issue a number of their figures come mistransformed in the box when you open them because they (ft) cant be bothered to use plastic trays which are the right shape to fit the figure.
I hate Fans Toys for the simple reason that their prices are whacked. 200+USD for a Soundwave is insane. And I don't know how many thousands their Fort Max is gonna cost.
The KO is $150 with most of the tapes
@@RID01S 150 is too expensive for a KO imho. But two wrongs don't make a right. I dont think the materials they used, copying someones design, would amount to 150. Then again FT soundwave plus cassetts add up to 300+....
I sympathise. Whilst I am very critical of Fanstoys and have few of their products, it makes me happy to see from afar the joy they brought you and I hope they see this video and make improvements.
I would like to add a different perspective to some of the things you noted.
I think some of the things you noted are not new, they have just reached the point where they are unpalatable to you. I would join you in criticising the uber-'toon aesthetic, lack of shiny paint and chrome and parroting Takara's MP style but, in my opinion, they have always parroted Takara's style rather than having their own. Their early products, Quakewave and Dinobots, were very clearly in the style of MP10 Prime and MP Grimlock. They have incremented that style following in Takara's footsteps until the point where, for you, they have jumped the shark.
More simply, you draw a distinction between incomplete Blitzwing and incomplete combiners. This is the same behaviour on their part - not delivering on their promises in a timely manner and not communicating what's going on to the fans. But it has reached the point where it's beyond your tolerance. Those of us that criticise FT's release schedule, certainly in my case, are not criticising how prolific they are but the time between announcement and delivering and the number of new announcements - often taken all the way to completion and delivery - that come between the announcement and (maybe) fulfilling that promise. If you're buying everything they put out, being prolific is the relevant factor; if you spread your business between multiple third parties, you need to be able to count on them and you can't.
I find your second point an interesting one. On the one hand, I agree that completing the early season characters first gives people an option of tapping out at that point leaving those who want to stay in less likely to get the later-run characters. On the other hand, I find it deeply frustrating when companies 'milk' the famous characters to stretch out the line to the point where it often causes the line to never complete any of the lineups - Thundercats would be a good example (I think it has got there, now, but seems to have had multiple 'false starts' of this kind that doesn't inspire confidence to get in on the line in the first place). I think lines need to strike a good balance between completing teams and including, and working towards completing, more obscure teams - the modern CHUG line will shortly complete the autobot car lineup having already completed the Decepticon jet lineup and TF:TM cast (all for the second time) - this inspires confidence that they will follow-through on their minibots, combiners and pretenders. This is easier in CHUG, though, as new child fans kinda don't care which Transformer is which so their purchases can support the release of lesser characters.
If Maketoys' mooted return works out, competition from their stylish, (notwithstanding coneheads) timely, good value MP releases would give me some MP releases to be excited about whilst hopefully leading to you getting better out of Fanstoys.
Excellent points made across the board.
FT was known for leading the way and skiing their own thing and now it seems like they're just Going ultra G1 and just releasing figures to block Xtransbots.
They've been improving engaging with the customer with upcoming releases, but they really need to follow up more with their older projects. I pray 2023 brings you a Deadend sir!
Fantastic video man.
Haven’t watched too much of your stuff lately but this caught my attention
@bobby skullface Love your reviews. Love the personality, and how you speak your mind. Highly intelligent. Your mannerisms are distinct and unique. /respect
I'd gladly take Dinobots done in toon colors.
You miss old Fanstoys for their unique aesthetic look at a Masterpiece scale, I miss Fansproject for the same as a Classic collector. Maketoys is still around but aren't focused on that any more. If someone, or even Fansproject, came back to revisit those "Adult take on G1 Characters" at a Classics scale, I think there would be interest in it vs the current mainline Hasbro going full on G1 look and feel.
I think the key with the dino bots would be to make the gold bits interchangeable with yellow painted pieces
The shout out to Boyz II Men helped to confirm I made a great decision to subbed 😁 great video as always friend 🤗 Hope to see a TFC Toys review of their Hun-grr this year (fingers crossed)
Fantastic video. Lays out exactly the problems with the company while still highlighting what they’re doing right.
Re: the decision not to put chrome on blaster. I saw someone throw an absolute fit because Xtransbots decided to give their Ultra Magnus a white pelvis instead of just a white belt on a red pelvis. I initially thought it was a child posting but it was actually someone in their late 30's ranting and raving and I quote "This is inexcusable. The designers are morons. Anyone who likes this version is a shill for the designer or an idiot with no taste". Designers really should not be letting people who behave like that influence their production decisions.
I don’t know about the Blaster chest. G1 Sunbow slave or not, that gold chest comes outta left field. Toon, toy, comic, it’s never had that representation. It’s not a rewarding risk. It just looks bad. This is a change I’m happy for.
Agreed. That gold chest looks terrible on Blaster
The gold chrome looks sharp on Blaster's boring, yellow chest. It always lacked the flair of Soundwave's chest. All that yellow paint looks cheesey. 'More cyber' looks far better than 'more tonka'. And yes, I grew up with G1 animation and owned the full U.S. Marvel comics run 👍.
Chrome and metallic paint have their place but the gold chest stuck out like a sore thumb. He needs an all over metallic paint job in order to do the gold chest. We need 2 versions.
@@iamtheomnimonkey I can support that. I think FT does metallic better than any other company in this market.
This is an interesting video. Your overall message was very true. As a FansToys fan myself, I do agree with you on the failure of them to complete the combiners. I agree totally that we will eventually get the missing ones we need, but I’ve seen a lot of collectors back out of the game, and sell off their own stuff because of the huge pushback of the ones we need to complete our combiners. And the same holds true with Blitzwing. He’s a big one I need to complete that shelf, and I don’t feel as though the other companies have made a really good version. While I do like the more “cartoon”approach that FansToys has done, I would like to see more bots in the Season 3 & 4 groups to add more to my shelves.
I've been saying for a while that this franchise as a whole and 3rd party specifically is never going to survive if it's dictated by G1/Sunbow designs. Bobby's right about the Season 1&2 fans. Once they're fed, the kitchen's closing. We need to mix up the offerings - that's what made 3rd Party and Transformers collecting so exciting a decade ago.
I totally get it, the deadend/bandit fiasco is absurd. For it to have gone this long with absolutely NO info regarding what is happening is ridiculous and quite frankly insulting. Doesn't stop me buying their stuff tho 🤣🤷
I threw out the question months ago about being frustrated with info/release dates, and most people were making excuses for them, now it appears some have changed their minds
When you continue to buy their stuff even when they insult you, they will keep doing it every time. It's like an abusive relationship that you and many others are not willing to leave, so why would they change their ways?
@@jonathanb1987 it's like an abusive relationship
@@shanerobinson3455 Getting fanboys to see reality is definitely a process.
I've always wanted a toon accurate collection and I'm enjoying the new way Fans Toys has been going.
I look at it this way:
While Fanstoys is pretty and I will buy certain figures they release, I've come to realize that I want more than Season One of G1 (S1 G1). I want more obscure G1 characters, and to that end X-Transbots is stepping up and filling that need. I want newer characters and more IDW-inspired figures. And for the most part Mastermind Creations have been my go-to (although I AM worried that they are supposedly cycling down on the Reformatted line). I also want to see other Transformer lines represented. More Animated and more Prime specifically. No one has really stepped up for that yet.
I've been a fan of Transformers since they first appeared. And my tastes are more than just G1. And I am not alone in this. To stay strictly in S1 G1 is to stagnate...
As far as characters FT selects, I’d like s1 and s2 seeing regular releases, but they also need to keep a sprinkling of those obscure characters between them. Personally I want those head/targetmasters.
Yep, I hate the fanbase for being the slaves of the silly toon aesthetics. Wanted that gold chested Blaster bad.
I ditched them after I saw what newage age and magic square is doing. Legends masterpiece is the future imo.
Too small for my taste but I guess if space and price is an issue for someone, they're a not a bad alternative to MP
Yes I agree until it face the same issue as 3rd party master piece lines.
You ditched FT because you wanted to pay less for a collection of smaller toys. Just admit that price is a factor with you legend scale weirdos
Yeah no. They are cool. Great for collecting with a small space in mind. I collect both. Buy to give up my mp scale for legend scale. Nope
If I could do it all over again. I would do legends for all characters and MP for the ones I really liked
Hello Bobby, I’ve never message you before, I’ve been watching your videos for about 2/3 years now. I know you’re not looking for praise, but I’ve heard you say that from time to time that the tone of some feedback has made you consider whether to carry on publishing material . I don’t think I’ve got anything it hasn’t been said by many others before however I just wanna add my voice to those who truly appreciate your efforts and output. You are really the only reviewer /commentator in this field I consistently watch. I Even watch some of your videos where I’m not interested in the item or topic, but i always enjoy your delivery /presentation another Trait of yours that I often find Lacking elsewhere is the depth You’re going to explain and present your views /insight into the many issues and question surrounding the industry and the hobby I love that you pose questions and observations that (for those of us, who want to ) can makes us question our stances and consider alternative views and possibilities etc. I Also, really appreciate how patient you are explaining yourself again to those that challenge or pull you up - Especially when people seem to have misunderstood you previously- I have to say I think you always express -explain your self clearly and state if your view is subjective or objective. Enjoy more than happy to put your hand up when you have made a mistake . Also When I hear you say your preference for the style / finish of masterpiece transformers is a more mature yet heavily G1 inspired look - you make me realise I’m not alone in that view. I’m becoming increasingly disappointed with G1 cartoon slave representations of nearly ever new release (not just FT, but XT B and others ) With less details, drab colours where what should be silvers, chrome and bare metal are Increasingly represented by flat dull greys and white -if nothing else, it makes these increasingly expensive pieces look far cheaper than they actually are, and for me , many pieces have far less presence . Your example of FT’s Warpath don the Dinobots was spot-on! Me, these representations are is near perfect I ever hope to get- yet they would not be released like this they were designed in the current design style! So really Point of this message from my as 48yr old life long Transformers and Star Wars fan / collector from SE London, United Kingdom , I just want to say thank you to you (and the support you receive from your wonderful family ) for what you do , and the extra joy and insight and community you give to this hobby. I really enjoy what you do and my weekend doesn’t feel right if I haven’t watched ‘sit down Saturday’! All the best! Mark. T
I can't help but agree with you on this. I don't dislike the more cartoon-oriented designs at all, but I can't help feeling like some characters LOOK better with the extra "toy" and "real world" touches Takara MPs and most of the 3P companies used to get, hence why I recently chose XTB Dante over MP33 when I had the choice to make. I don't feel the opinion strongly enough to say I've fallen out of love with one company or another, but that's largely because my budget has never really allowed for very many MP-scale figures. In fact, I only just ordered my first-ever FT figure - Outrider, largely on the back of your review and the VS with XTB Aegis. So I'm excited to see what all the fuss has been about for so many years, and I hope they can right the ship and stick around for a long time.
The more toon accurate the better for me. Love the direction FT and Tak have been going. Never liked the toy aesthetics.
100%. More sunbow = more bliss.
Bobby "say it ain't so Mack?" Face!
IF YOU HAVE BEEN COLLECTING SINCE the early years ,
All we got was mixed toon and real world , for years , we never got Toon, and now that we have it, some
Few people are complaining,,, I’m so HAPPY THE FANSTOYS HAS GONE SO TOON, and I HOPE THEY CONTINUE, and guess what , those few complainers will still collect FANSTOYS… I guess I’m old school, but I don’t care for real world, I want to escape to my dream g1 world, I understand where this video is going , it’s all OPINION , and just like mine , to each is own… MAD LOVE , but let’s AGREE TO DISAGREE
Agree 100%. My BIGGEST complaint as a kid was that the toys didn’t look like the cartoon characters. For decades, all we got were take interpretations. And personally, I don’t see what FT is doing as chasing the toon aesthetic but rather improving on it. Bobby mentioned Warpath/ Sheridan but Huffer, Trailbreaker & Hoist also look goofy AF in the G1 cartoon and Rig, Outrider and Hitch are “cartoon accurate” and effin’ awesome.
That said, I totally agree with Bobby on his points two and three.
Absolutely Agree Bobby...and yes I want the Gold plated Chest Blaster. The painted chest just looks like a Improved KO of DS Blaster.
I agree with everything you’ve said. The time it’s taken to finish the combiners has been insane…and we still have no info on a finished Menasor. Someone in a FB group brought to my attention that the face sculpts have changed…there’s no more “line work” in the sculpts. I know that goes hand-in-hand with the toon/sunbow aesthetic, but it does take some of the flavor away from their figures. It’s a real shame, cause the figures still look good, but they don’t look different enough imo
1:1 Toon accuracy is an abomination
The main thing I've gotten really tired of is every company trying to make the same character. I love options as much as anyone, but there was a day way back in the beginning of third party Transformer figures where each company made their own thing. We've never needed 5 options for Springer, but we do need 5 Technobots.
If companies don't stop trying to put each other out of business, they'll all go down eventually.
I agreed with you, i'm pissed about the combiners and my blizwing order went dead becaue the company fold. I stop buying FT.. that just me becuaes there are too many empty promise i don't like about them.. and the reissues after reissues and price just go up and up.. that is so BS to me.! Thanks for the video! great talk!
Im falling out of love with collecting transformers because i already own good enough representations of most characters i care about.
Also: i my main love is the cartoon: sunbow transformers
Bobby I'm digging you're tackling controversial topics. Keep at it!!
That’s honestly why I left as well. It was a hard break up. But, we did have a one off vacation fling with their soundwave. I ate that up like thanksgiving dinner. But after that we parted ways and went on our own separate journeys.
Well said.
Expertly articulated. Agree wholeheartedly. Have you considered writing a book?
Get that fan ready for next summer.
I'm relatively new to this but what you said about warpath hits me exactly. That's what I want. I want real "GROWN UP" transformers. I'm a little older and I watched those "G1"cartoons. I like them, what a fantastic thing they started, but honestly, the animation is really dated. You put that into words perfect.
Yellow and Grey in cartoon do seem as though they'd be gold and silver in toy form.
I'm curious when the combiners are done, will they wait a long time before they gonna make another attempt?
I agree with everything you said in this video. I, thankfully, did not put down any money down on Blitzwing; however, it’s disappointing not to see a proper representation on my shelf, fortunately, I added it to my TF Source stack, but didn’t put any money down on it. I love looking at masterpiece combiners, but I don’t collect a lot of masterpiece Transformers in general-only select favorites. Based on the FansToys track record with combiners, and lack of room in my apartment, I won’t be getting any combiners anytime soon. Godspeed to those that do.
They should do a yellow version of the Dinobots. Re use that mold. One more time.
I'm with you, especially for the first reason. i love their first releases. like you said. toon inspired, but with the fanstoys touch. I hope they are listening, because they're going to lose me as a customer
Would love to hear your thoughts on what’s going on at Dorkside Toys. Unless you’ve already talked about it on a podcast. I’ve been so busy lately I’m pretty behind
Agreed!! Some don't realize that the cartoons were drawn the way they were to make animating easier. More detail = more time/difficulty animating.
What pisses me off the most are the placement and sizing of the areas where you’re supposed to put the faction symbols. Check it out. It’s as if they do it intentionally so they can make future improvements and sell more product. Additionally, the colors and schemes they use also seem to be done for the same reasons. Look at Phoenix and how the red paint on the legs is different from that of the jet pack… why? The ONLY reason is so they can “correct” it in future versions/releases. Weak. Worse yet is that this all goes largely unnoticed by the fanbase and is blindly accepted, enabling them to continue the practice? Weird.
And yeah, I agree with you with the lack of transparency through their lack of communication (like Super 7), as it’s offensive for all of us (their consumers) who will eventually forget their trustiness and commitment by support something that does not deliver our expectations.
Did you switch out your Mirage? I didn’t think you’d do it. Lol.
Actually, it was the super toon-accurate look that sparked my interest in Fanstoys and Transformers in general. Their older models, while looking great have some stylized look that just don't interest me. I am an 80s kid and it is that look that tugs on my nostalgia strings and brings me back to those good old days.
Yep. Keep the overall toon form of the character, but add a bit of logical detail and sophistication.
"What if transformers came out now , but not for 5 year olds, for 40 year olds"
😒😒😂😂🤣🤣
Not feeling fanstoys like I used too,sold my Stunticons(w8n 4 Menasor)my whole collection except for some DECEPTICONS,but it's not 4 the same reasons as you, don't like all the shady business practices from online retailers in the US especially I understand prices have gone up due to shipping and materials being more expensive but there should be NO reason why @showZstore its about $30-$80 cheaper for mostly all their releases, im not loyal to any company especially like u said that Blitzwing I paid $220 upfront and from what I hear they have scrapped the design again that's 3x already so at this point I'm like whatever, but they are the best imo as well...thanx for the video 👍
I went with their Stunticons. Given the success of their past creations, I thought it was a no brainer, here we are several years later still waiting on the final. Another sad fact is that they have been pricing themselves out of the greater market.
Hope you get the XTB Magnus in for review, it's really solid.
You are absolutely right ..they should let us know about blitzwing and others transformers as well
Even with MPs, the first few were an update on G1 toys then at some point, they veered towards the toon aesthetic (Ironhide onwards perhaps?). I've always loved the toy aesthetic (even in the early UK comic stories) so my interest waned a little from there. I'm not disappointed about the choices. It is what is is.
That being said, my last purchase was FT Sovereign (Galvatron) toy colour edition which is a beautiful piece!
I'm definitely only interested in toon accuracy but I hear what your saying. For me I think what makes me want to get a figure is if it looks to me what I saw on screen had jumped right off of it. Which is probably why the only transformers I really buy are G1 toon accurate MP scale and live action movie accurate(enough) figures.
The G1 cartoon is what got me into wanting to collect G1 masterpiece transformers, the G1 cartoon is what got me out of wanting to collect G1 masterpiece transformers….
Man, just been collecting for a year and I would realllly reallllly want to know what an experienced collector thinks of the MakeToys Transformers.
I’m not crazy about the toon crazy look too. I like the combination of Toy and toon look. Quakewave and the Dinos are a great example. I wonder if they can do what they did with Soundwave and Cyclonus. Give us the option of changing the looks with parts forming.
I understand your opinion and I even agree with most of it but I like the G1 cartoon aesthetic and my main issue with FT is related to the lack in articulation.
I wonder if they even consider the possibility that seasons 1 and 2 cast could be completed at some point. I'll be really surprised if anyone pulls it off.
Good video. Good reasons. I'm personally out or at the very least on hold with the whole collecting game. Masterpiece line seems to have lost its touch and might be related to what you are talking about.
I 100% agree with the sentiment on FT and their combiners. I originally watched this video and thought nothing of it, but then I looked back at the Menasor wars videos that had people hyped on which company would make the better combiner. It was initially FT vs. XTB vs. DX9 which was super fun watching reviewers compare limb bots and Motormasters between the 3 companies. But the most anticipated comparisons was between combine modes. After a year it pretty much devolved to XTB vs. DX9 since the FT releases were so slow. Once XTB and DX9 fully released the combine mode videos were made and that was it. The hype is completely gone and the last Stunticon release is going to lifelessly cross the finish line because the people that wanted a Menasor already have one, and have had one for a year now (rocking DX9 myself). And lets be real, how many decades would we have to wait for a reissue?
I like Fans Toys and wanted to go in on their combiners; but come one man, I would not like to wait till the end of time for my aerialbots or stunticons to be completed
Lol, I was totally a 1/2 collector that slid in to season 3 due to not having enough to collect. Great observation.
I've been phasing out my FT lately. I used to have a ton, but the number of FT figures I own now has shrunk dramatically.
High prices. Hard to access. Any company playing hard to get by high prices and exclusivity, is just asking to NOT be loved.
I prefer the cross between more accurate real world vehicles and a good looking figure that well represents the character.
Like any relationship, clear and constant communication is important.
Si... I agree... That Windblade might not be perfect, but FK yeah! Her design is beautiful!!
For me it's how they handled Blitzwing. I was just getting into collecting figures around the time they announced their version of him. Blitzwing being one of my favorites I was really interested. Now I didn't preorder him as I prefer to wait until release and hear reviews before I make my final decision. Well here we are years later and nothing. I like their offerings but fanstoys is far too expensive for me. I was only willing to get Berzerk because well Blitzwing but I don't know if they will ever release him. Last I heard they were redesigning him and that was three years ago. In the end I went with mechfanstoys and I am perfectly happy with it. I even got their astrotrain and I'm just as happy with that figure too.
Overall I hope FT can adapt and regain some of their style through a rerelease of certain figures or come out with parts to replace certain aspects of figures to make them more of FT style. I don't know but one can hope.
With all Transformers releases in MP scale, the big issue for newer collectors is availability and can my wallet afford it at the release time. I know there are people who will say "that is what pre order deposits are for" or wait closer to release time, the deposit is not the issue, it is when you came into the collecting space for that pre order is more likely to be sold out or you are waiting for a week after release for your wallet to recover so you can buy it to find out it is sold out. If people say the best MP releases are by Fanstoys, I know people will then understand this and why when people like myself who are late in the game want Menasor or Superion by Fanstoys our hope is either re-issues or hope when the final combine bot comes out that they will set it in a set.
That said, I am greatful there are Bobby who are out there showing us alternatives to Fanstoys and Takara
Excellent points here. Two thoughts inspired by the video-1, I do think it’s time for the Dinobots to be redesigned. It doesn’t have to be toon accurate but I’m noticing more and more how boxy and rickety they’re getting next to the more streamlined recent FT releases. And 2, my favorite 2 FT figures in some time were Aussie and Chomp and I too wish they’d give us more from that period as opposed to more season 1 and 2 stuff (although I’m excited to replace my broken Downbeat finally).
I too have fallen out of love with FT, not because they've gone in the 'toon direction but because they don't do it well enough, IMO. I don't believe XTB makes a figure as good as FT does, at least consistently, but I much prefer their design aesthetic.
I've been out of the third party game for a number of years now, and never looked back.
The G1 cartoon is what got me into wanting to collect G1 masterpiece transformers, the G1 cartoon is what got me out of wanting to collect G1 masterpiece transformers…. It’s fucked.
Wait, the BingoToys Windblade a stolen design? That's the first I'm hearing of that.
I wanna say I originally read about this on tfw's thread. Pretty early on in thread at that.
Yeah you've definitely got a few good points in that video.
The fact that they are announcing and releasing other figures before finishing the combiner teams should annoy people way more than it does, but they just keep buy FT's releases, so I guess I can't blame them. They already know the people that are 3-4 robots deep are gonna buy that 5th one, whenever they get around to it.
I could not collect Fanstoys when they would not restock Dinos ....long time ago....
I agree that some characters don't need more versions, like Optimus Prime. MP44 is enough. On the other hand, Gears is one of those I'm desperate to get because others haven't nailed it yet.
Totally agree that Fans Toys trying to emulate Takara's more cartoon-accurate style is a huge misstep. I personally hate that aesthetic direction. You hit the nail on the head; cartoon accurate proportions with more realistic, grown up details is perfect. This is what Takara and Fans Toys used to do, and I loved it. Those Fans Toys Dinobots are spot on, perfect examples of this. But the blocky, simplistic, basic colors of the cartoon aesthetic are really not my cup of tea. You're right that Fans Toys doesn't need to do this, and it's been a big reason why I too am losing some love for this company.
Leaning into the cartoon style is a mistake. I do want it to be character accurate but my sweet spot is "imagine what the cartoon would have looked like without having to be churned out fast, then give me toys of that cartoon".
I actually preferred the Blaster with gold tape deck. Just sets it apart from the other Blasters on the market.
Earth just lost its greatest defender
If Fanstoys did the Dinobots again in cartoon animation color.....I'd buy 2 sets.
Ok how about challenge the Magic Square MS-2 light of peace, if Fanstoys will make there own version masterpiece Optimus Prime that will be very interesting, I would love to see that.
Kowtowing for those that are crying for "toon accuracy" is one of the worst things that Fanstoys has done. I hope the glory days of the company, Dinobots, Menasor, Insecticons, etc. I appreciate the video, Bobby!
Their release schedule is wonky, though, while they do put out figures regularly it will more often be a figure they revealed recently while they still have a hand full of grey prototypes of various unfinished and unreleased bots people are still waiting on. They also have a tendency to focus on getting out whichever product is best going to cut other 3P companies off at the knees. No one else is doing a Blitzwing, so FT isn't focused on pushing him out. But X-Transbots is doing another Ultra Magnus, so here comes FT revealing theirs and putting it on the fast track to market.
100% As a season 1-2 very slim picking of season 3 fan I have no interest in target/head masters - anything Unicron ect. I'd rather pick up a Mocha or Nicee on a side collection.
Also I would have no issues if they started putting those out ... my wallet could use a break. I'd also love it if they did some more artistic bots... even if they don't currently exist. I have x space for display and if it's cool it will find it's place. I'm sure there is a business plan in there somewhere that could work, perhaps they are going with the sure thing and then going with everything else afterwards? Personally I think it's better to have a larger portfolio and stabilize a longer stretch for income than get the larger portion up front.