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Post by Toph on Dec 23, 2015 2:03:11 GMT
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Post by Toph on Dec 23, 2015 2:29:12 GMT
If FP won't outright deny it, it's likely they're covering.
I honestly can't say I'll miss them.
Hasbro's been dipping into their favorite pool for years now, obscure G1. Meaning anything FP did, then Hasbro would do it better sooner or later.
Which forced them into non-g1 stuff which they don't like, like prebeasts, UT and Animated (all fine by me, but generally so halfassed that they usually kinda suck)
They don't understand G2 at all, and most of SG is just randomly repurposed other toys.
So, given the non-g1 stuff tends to be underwhelming, the fiction is atrocious, they don't communicate with fans and lash out at valid criticisms, and the few things they do well Hasbro will do better soon enough, I don't see this as much of a loss.
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primenova
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
Posts: 6,057
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Post by primenova on Dec 23, 2015 7:11:58 GMT
That could tie in with Hasbro getting those convention name right
Just wait while we all stop dancing in joy knowing the awful FP are going.
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Post by Llama God on Dec 23, 2015 8:00:09 GMT
Not unexpected news, if it is indeed true. And it explains why we're getting knowledge of the Botcon toys a lot earlier this year.
I would say that I hope that they're replaced with someone who knows the other lines... but since Hasbro are homaging the older lines more frequently now themselves, there's really no need.
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Post by blueshift on Dec 23, 2015 8:24:55 GMT
"Oh no"
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 23, 2015 8:48:45 GMT
If true: Oh dear, what a pity, never mind.
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Post by Toph on Dec 23, 2015 10:01:18 GMT
My friend seems convenced this is the end of Botcon, and fan focused TF conventions in america, period.
Botcon has survived a lot worse from people who (unlike FP) actually cared about it.
So yeah, we learned from OTFCC that Hasbro actually listens to fans, and fans have been complaining about FP's business practices, lies, and price gouging.
I'm not suggesting that that is the reason for this (if the rumor is true), but that it could very well be a contributing factor. And a big one.
There's already been official word that future FP botcon exclusives would be made available in the UK con, and China con. This is another factor, if Hasbro controls the cons, this is easier to do. Maybe Savage was resistant to this, also?
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Post by legios on Dec 23, 2015 12:26:14 GMT
I doubt that it would be the end of fan focused conventions in the US. There are another two unofficial cons in the US as far as I know and I doubt that the fall of Fun Pub would affect them in the slightest. It may be the end of BotCon as it has been known, but that won't kill US conventions. But there was a fandom before the very first BotCon, and there will be one afterwards - and the much wider availability of internet access makes fan organisation much easier than it used to be two decades back.
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 23, 2015 12:54:37 GMT
There will be very valid business reasons why Fun Pub cannot officially comment. If 2016 is the end for them doing TF stuff it may be that their licence simply expires then and either they or Hasbro have decided to renew it. We shall see.
-Ralph
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Jim
Thunderjet
Micromaster Backside Monitor
Now in glorious Ultra HD 4K
Posts: 4,933
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Post by Jim on Dec 23, 2015 23:26:17 GMT
Can't say as I'll miss them much (good grief, the international Sideburn shipping debacle...), but it will be a shame not to have an official club which can potentially produce interesting exclusives, so I hope it's a case where the license will be passed on.
I guess the GI Joe fans will miss them more given how little new product they have these days; I've picked up a few of the subscription figures myself, there's been some nice stuff.
-Jim
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Post by Bogatan on Dec 24, 2015 12:02:38 GMT
As I mentioned in the RORC thread, a friend says they have been told by someone reliable that it is over (i know friend of a friend, but they usually are reliable), but I still cant quite believe it for some reason. Maybe because it will be sad if there is no more club or botcon (however your feeling on how they were run) or maybe I dont want to get moy hopes up about something better replacing them.
Either way the latest oddiities are a post on facebook from Pete Sinclair which sounds very "its over" but I wouldn't be totally surprised if it turned out he deliberately posted something like that to troll people (however inappropriate that would be for the guy in charge of PR)
The other is announcing that this year Diamond release of the 2015 botcon comic will be the last, there wont be a diamond retail release of the 2016 comic, there will be some new set up. Its another cut off at he end of 2016.
It did make me wonder though, with the new interconected focus of Hasbro if the botcon comic would be set in and publised by IDW. Almost like the old spotlights. They've got the Beast Wars planet and combiner wars already set up, it would only need them to explain earth vehicle modes (space bridge to earth) and whats up with Ravage (??).
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 24, 2015 13:23:01 GMT
What has Pete Sinclair being saying then, exactly?
-Ralph
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Post by Bogatan on Dec 24, 2015 14:01:55 GMT
Theres a screen grab on TFW, but basically he says something like Welp... my day just got interesting. Then there are some comments including from Jim Sorenson saying it had been a pleasure working with him. The obvious take from it is FP are in trouble, but he never specifically says its about botcon/tfcc let alone what about botcon/tfcc. Its vague enough that it could mean anything from I burnt my toast to I just won the lottery or Im out of a job and FP are doomed and it wouldnt be totally out of character if it turned out he was deliberately trolling with the vague.
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 24, 2015 21:22:53 GMT
I am sure The Internet is parsing every letter for possible meaning.
-Ralph
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Post by Bogatan on Dec 24, 2015 21:32:22 GMT
Yup, I lost interest when TFWs thread descended into FP are racist, no they aren't! Yes thay are! blah blah blah.
I say when, I think it was on the first page.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Dec 26, 2015 11:19:45 GMT
We'll find out in time, it's not wholly unexpected that they may lose the license, after all as a world wide club (which nominally they are) they do a piss poor job of servicing anyone outside of North America (and not even a great job there).
Botcon I dare say will exist in one form or another, but the club is a different matter.
Andy
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 11, 2016 12:55:07 GMT
www.allspark.com/2016/03/the-fate-of-the-official-transformers-collectors-club-botcon/Fun Publications sent out an announcement regarding the membership deadline for the Official Transformers Collectors’ Club. With the deadline of March 16th and the club ending at the end of 2016, by all accounts the TCC as we know it will be no more. The message makes note that any plans for a future Collectors’ Club, if there is one at all, is up to Hasbro. This also likely means that BotCon 2016 will be the last BotCon. We’ve also received confirmation that the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club is also ending at the end of the year. This could also mean that the G.I. Joe Convention is ending as well.
TransformersPlease note that March 16 is the last day you can join the Transformers Collectors Club. If you are interested in receiving the discounts for BotCon, the 2016 FREE Membership Incentive figure and/or purchasing the TFSS 5.0 (to be revealed in full at BotCon 2016) you will need to be an active member as of March 16. All memberships will end December 31, 2016. Hasbro looks forward to sharing new plans for the Collector’s Club with you in the future.
We appreciate your support over the last 12 years and wish the brand well in their new endeavors.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing each and every one of our Club members at BotCon 2016!
Brian G.I. JoePlease note the following: March 16 is the last day you can join the GI Joe Collectors’ Club. If you are interested in receiving the discounts for GIJoeCon, the 2016 FREE figure(s) or in FSS 5.0 you will need to be an active member as of March 16. All memberships will end December 31, 2016.
We appreciate your support over the last 20 years.
See you in Loveland!
Brian This news doesn’t look good for future collector oriented Clubs or Conventions for Transformers or G.I. Joe fans.
You can discuss the news on our forums.
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Post by blueshift on Mar 11, 2016 13:05:27 GMT
Or alternatively, it's very good news for fans! :v
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Post by Bogatan on Mar 11, 2016 13:50:15 GMT
That depends.
If Hasbro replace the club and Botcon, then yeah probably its unlikely fans will be worse off.
But if they aren't then it does leaves fans who liked them kinda screwed.
Maybe not so bad for Transformers fans who have alternatives, but as others have said, FP are/were the only ones keeping Joe an active property. Likely to be one sombre Joecon this year.
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Post by Bogatan on Mar 11, 2016 13:55:46 GMT
On the other hand as a perfect example of FPs ability to shoot themselves in the foot. That email which only goes out to active members (I think) is the first time they have told us that if you want Monkey Prime and the rest of the TFSS 5 you only have 6 days to sign up to the club. 6 days to decide on the last TFSS having only seen 2 of the 6 and without being told the timetable for release and more importantly payment schedule.
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Post by The Doctor on Mar 11, 2016 14:40:22 GMT
They are buffons. It would appear the licence has not been 'lost', merely just not being renewed when the current licence period ends (which is a different thing).
I do fear for Joe fans jumping into the sea though. At least they still have IDW!
-Ralph
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Post by Toph on Mar 11, 2016 16:53:32 GMT
i take no joy in this. But I do hope someone immensely better steps up. FP sucked badly.
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Post by legios on Mar 11, 2016 18:54:14 GMT
Indeed. Looks more like a "parting of the ways" at a natural break-point than it does a license getting yanked. That tends to happen either much more quietly or much more loudly...
I think the US Convention scene will survive in Transformers terms - there are still a couple of unofficial cons that sound healthy enough, and I wouldn't be surprised if the TF license isn't taken up by someone in terms of Conventions/Shows/whaddeverdaheck. Not sure if we'll see anything similar to the current Collectors Club though, that'll depend on how Hasbro/a future licensee parse the economics of it. (I wouldn't entirely be surprised to see it not happen, in favour of more web/Comicon exclusive stuff instead.)
It is a pretty rubbish time to be a Joe fan though, and no mistake.
Karl
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 11, 2016 19:18:35 GMT
On the other hand as a perfect example of FPs ability to shoot themselves in the foot. That email which only goes out to active members (I think) is the first time they have told us that if you want Monkey Prime and the rest of the TFSS 5 you only have 6 days to sign up to the club. 6 days to decide on the last TFSS having only seen 2 of the 6 and without being told the timetable for release and more importantly payment schedule. I'd be VERY wary of giving them money for TFSS 5.0. They're a business that's gonna loose a large part of what brings it money in 9 months time and they think they'll till be a going concern in 12-20 months time? |
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Post by blueshift on Mar 11, 2016 19:22:54 GMT
I am assuming they'll be geting all of TFSS 5.0 out before Dec as I can't imagine Hasbro would let them keep the license to be selling exclusive Transformers after the club has ended!
Unless they're going for a loophole where as you paid up front they can ship them out whenever but... not sure I'd trust that!
Hasbro made good on Sentinel Maximus (?) way back when though Phil, so I wouldn't be too concerned.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 11, 2016 19:28:14 GMT
Given that they haven't got any of 4.0, the Mayhem Combiner, out yet I'd say 5.0 out as well by the end of the year is VERY unlikely!
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Post by Pinwig on Mar 11, 2016 19:41:25 GMT
I don't think this can be the end of a collectors' club. The current set up would be making Hasbro money in some capacity, so there's no reason for them to stop that unless they're planning a replacement. Fun Pub took all the flack, Hasbro presumably just took their cut of the profits. Perhaps they're doing it themselves, perhaps they thought Fun Pub were out of their depth, perhaps someone pitched them a better offer. There'll be something next year. Hopefully something truly international.
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Post by Llama God on Mar 11, 2016 20:12:16 GMT
Because Hasbro are known for their love of the international market.
*gives Hasbro UK a very long, hard stare*
(I jest. Cynically. Here's hoping. :-) )
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 11, 2016 20:35:10 GMT
Can't be worse than FunPub surely?
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Post by Pinwig on Mar 11, 2016 22:06:35 GMT
I cling to the fact that the fan survey which seemed genuinely interested in us came from the UK, the trademarks for cybercon were registered for Europe and Asia, and Pete Sinclair last October also seemed to be trying to get in on the European angle, albeit it probably too late for fun pub.
Mind you cling is the operative word. It's a hope more than an assertion.
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