Posted by Chuck | February 01, 2008 at 07:10 PM ET
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.
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