Posted by Chuck | August 31, 2007 at 05:11 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.
Toys R Us is currrently listing a Star Wars Force Unleashed Hero Figure
Pack at this page:http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2678312&cp. Can
you
describe this figure pack? Is this in fact a set where you can build your
own Secret Apprentice from The Force Unleashed?
A. We actually are not in a position to dicuss any more details about this one.
Q. How challenging
is it to keep core characters in the mix while keeping
thing interesting for collectors who have say, the last 10 versions of Luke
Skywalker? And additionally, how difficult is it to keep things interesting
when the character is a fan favorite (like Boba Fett) who only has one or
two different costume looks?
A. There are collector forces at work on both sides of the fence - we think
enthusiasm is high when there are important versions of that character yet
to be done, but also when there are details they would like to see us work
on for future versions (there are lots of examples of this in past Q&As).
When we introduce an all-new tooled version of a core character, we think
it makes a good statement and that we probably get most collectors behind
the effort. Sometimes new articulation or a new accessory does the trick. In
the case of comic packs, or even the EU, we have more to work with so
we can look for solutions there as well. When the changes are smaller, we
try to justify it based on the importance of the character and the
importance of the changes. It certainly makes it a fun and interesting
challenge, especially when we task ourselves with keeping at least some
version of the core characters (ideally a new version) out there every
year. A balance of both new and refreshed characters allows us to keep
the core characters out there and balance our tooling budget.
Q. Every year or
two, you guys seem to come up with a new line of toys to
showcase Star Wars products, such as unleashed, titaniums, transformers,
attacktix, to name a few. Are there any new lines on the horizon, or are you
guys pretty much set with the product lines you have now? Do you guys have
any unique ideas that you would love to do, but just can't fit it into
offering right now?
A. We are constantly challenging ourselves on exciting, new expressions for
Star Wars and the Hasbro character portfolio on the whole. One of the new
ones we're excited about is the Mighty Muggs line, which will debut with
Star Wars for Spring (on shelf on or about Janurary 1). Taking it's cue
from urban vinyl, it's a cute, fun style that is a perfect fit for the
Star Wars character universe. We are looking further down the road at
other expressions that can be suitable as well. One thing that is for
certain is that in a fashion-driven business, we cannot stand still!
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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