Hasbro's Questions & Answers #47

     Don't forget, you can submit questions in our forums and we'll try to get as many as possible submitted to Hasbro. We can send only three questions per week, so make sure they are good ones! Now, on to this weeks Questions and Answers directly from Hasbro.

Q. In the answers to the 12/21 Q&A, the question was asked about ANH Obi-Wan Kenobi with the Death Star tractor beam control station accessory in the basic line, to which you replied "There is no chance that that would happen in a basic figure line because of the sheer size of the piece." However, you already have the makings of a great ultimate battle pack if you put 2 of the 25th anniversary bridge extensions (that had Luke & Leia in the chasm swing), create the complete tractor beam console, and then add the best Luke w/stormtrooper belt, Leia, Obi-Wan, and a few stormtroopers. Coupled with a good background photo of the chasm walls, it could look awesome in the package. If you could complete the doorways that would fit over the bridge extension, that would be even more amazing.  Would something like this be a possiblity for the Ultimate Battle Pack or some other assortment type package and would it be something Hasbro would be interested in creating?

A. What you have outlined is something we could do, but it would still cost a considerable amount and tooling and we would have to be convinced that it is something that kids would want as well, and that has been the sticking point with playsets - kids don't want them like they used to, and the costs for development/materials/labor is very high.

Q. 2005's Red Royal Guard was a major step forward from previous offerings in sculpt, articulation and softgoods.  But it seemed pre-posed in order to hold the rifle accessory.  Fast forward to now, and the upcoming Emporer's Shadow Guard looks impressive as well.  Has that figure been modded at all to better enable it to hold the lightsaber-lance accessory?  And if so, could we see a similar modification made in order to offer up a force pike wielding Emporer's Royal Guard?

A. The Shadow Guard uses the existing Royal Guard, with a new pike.  There has been no change to the articulation or grip.

Q. Historically Target has been one of the top sources of Basic Figures for a good number of collectors.  However we have seen numerous reports in collector forums as well as personal sightings of Target stores that are very short on 30AC Basic Figures, but are almost too well stocked with Saga Legends.  And by way of contrast, WalMart and Toys R Us stores seems to have managed their 30AC Basic Figure inventory more efficiently with waves coming out with a greater degree of regularity.  Can you comment on what might be at work here, and is Hasbro working with the retailers to get the Basic Figure line shipments back on track?

A. In theory, all waves ship to all retailers at the same (or about the same) time, with the same proportionate share.  What actually happens at retail is out of our control and is affected by seasonal traffic patterns, difference in the demographic composition of the shopping audience, what actually gets shipped from the retail DCs (distribution centers) to individual stores, promotions, and the speed with which retail teams can get the new figures to shelf.  If you surmise that collectors have been a heavier influence at your local Targets, then that could explain the relative paucity of the 30th basic figures right now versus Saga Legends. Also, while Saga Legends has a mix of kid and collector-targeted figures, it may be that in your area collectors are filling up on their troops' needs so what you are seeing is a relative abundance of Legends.

Check back in a few weeks and we'll post the next round of Questions (and answers) as soon as Hasbro offers them.