[Shin Densetsu]

THIS IS MY NEW UNOFFICIAL COLUMN.

TSWS!

You are here because you were naturally drawn to it. It was irresistible. Inescapable.

You walk into the store one day. TIME TO BUST OUT THESE HANDS FOR GRABBING SOME TOYS AMIRITEAMIRITE!!!!!????????!!!!!

Until you look closer. You cringe. Still, you look closer. And closer.

"What the hell is this? THEY MAKE THIS? NO ONE IS LOOKING AT IT ASIDE FROM ME AND I'M ONLY LOOKING AT THIS IN DISBELIEF!"

Yep. This s$% won't sell!

ON THE CURRENT AGENDA:

REAL TALK.

SHIN DENSETSU WALKS INTO STORE. SHIN PASSES BY BIKES. BIG BIKES. PONDERS GETTING A SANDWICH. UNDECIDED AT THE MOMENT. PASSES BY POWER RANGERS SAMURAI. JAPANESE VERSION IS BETTER.

THAT NEW BEN 10 VINYL ALIEN STUFF HAS AWESOME SCULPTS. WON"T BUY THEM.

WALK OUT OF WALMART EMPTY HANDED. "SHIT" HE SAYS TO HIMSELF. REALIZES MR. PIBB IS ONLY SOLD BY THE CASE. WTF. BACK TO AGENDA. GOES BACK. PASSES BY MARVEL UNIVERSE GIGANTIC ASS BATTLES. COOL FROST GIANT. NOT BUYING. LIKE A BOSS.

HEY LOOK IRON MAN 2...WOW THIS IS NOT SELLING. TOYS R US HAS TONS OF THE HOTTEST SELLING 6" IRON MAN 2 FIGURE OF LAST YEAR; WAR MACHINE. OVERPRICED. TIMES IZ TOUGH. TOYS R US PRICED IT TOO DAMN HIGH SON.

AH YES WHAT ARE THESE RED...SPIDERMAN. NO ONE IS BUYING THIS. I CAN KIND OF SEE WHY. YOU SQUEEZE THE LEGS HE TWIRLS HIS ARMS AND BAM DONE. WHY BUY WHEN ALL THE ACTION YOU GET IS RIGHT THERE JUST USING THAT "TRY ME" FUNCTION?

I RECEIVE SOMETHING. An epiphany. Maybe kids are more intelligent than we thought. Maybe they too, realize, when they are being conned. Big corporation thinks an unarticulated toy BASED SOLELY AROUND 1 EXTREMELY SIMPLE GIMMICK will sell bazillions to kids? Wrong. Kid wants 3DS more. Why? It does moar. I win.

Welcome to the 1st installment of TSWS. Next up? GREEN LANTERN MOVIE FIGURES. MY HIGHLY OBJECTIVE(pshhhhhhhh HAHAHHAHHA) REVIEW.

[DogFashionDisco]

The imagination behind action figures will trump your 3ds comment, but other than that I agree that kids are seeking more stimulating products. Maybe kids are just too exposed to EVERYTHING. How is a kid supposed to enjoy an action figure when their peers are obsessed with iPhones and other lame shit?

[Shin Densetsu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DogFashionDisco

The imagination behind action figures will trump your 3ds comment, but other than that I agree that kids are seeking more stimulating products. Maybe kids are just too exposed to EVERYTHING. How is a kid supposed to enjoy an action figure when their peers are obsessed with iPhones and other lame shit?

Point is, some of the current producs just aren't stimulating. If you're a kid, would you buy a spiderman that can barely move, and just raises his arm if you squeeze his legs, or a video game? A 4" green lantern figure that can barely move more than a happy meal toy, or a 3ds? With such limiting features there's nothing to stir the imagination.

[Deefuzz]

I was addicted to video games back in the 80's, so I can only imagine that it is worse for kids today with all of the gaming/tech/entertainment options out there. I would think toy companies really have to think outside the box or come bigger to win the attention of today's youth.

[Shin Densetsu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deefuzz

I was addicted to video games back in the 80's, so I can only imagine that it is worse for kids today with all of the gaming/tech/entertainment options out there. I would think toy companies really have to think outside the box or come bigger to win the attention of today's youth.

I think they need to stop limiting and stop compromising their figures with gimmicks. There's no way to take on games if the figures come up short due to gimmickry. The joes that had gimmicks didn't sell. Example: jungle assault snake eyes and poc wave 3 storm shadow. Numerous times I've seen jungle assault snake eyes and JUST him on pegs in abundance. Hell I even bought him thinking he wouldn't be so bad. I was wrong(storm shadow on the other hand is decent).

Green lantern movie line is gimmicked out, tons of spiderman gimmick toys, I don't see a lot of spiderman selling. It's oversaturation now. It's almost like companies think the notion of a popular character alone can sell a toyline, but bank solely on that and not the innovation aspect of toy development. In the 80's companies raised the bar and pushed it, and while this still continues today, it seems the main focus is on capitalizing on the media tie-in in lieu of the actual design and quality of the toys.

[trebleshot]

I wonder if it's more of an issue of toy companies aiming at a younger demographic now than they used to in the past. Because it seems to me only really young kids would like that "mucus flail" Spider-Man and Venom, or any other similarly-gimmicked toy (Like that Brave & The Bold multi-pack with Elastic Man).

I also think that some toy companies take a shotgun approach when it comes to developing a toy line, and try to put out several different styles of play in the hopes that they will hit some kind of market for the toys. I realize that a lot of what appears on shelves has had enough market research for the toy company to feel it would be a viable product. But I tend to question that research when I see really crap toys at stores (hence this thread).

[Shin Densetsu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

I wonder if it's more of an issue of toy companies aiming at a younger demographic now than they used to in the past. Because it seems to me only really young kids would like that "mucus flail" Spider-Man and Venom, or any other similarly-gimmicked toy (Like that Brave & The Bold multi-pack with Elastic Man).

I also think that some toy companies take a shotgun approach when it comes to developing a toy line, and try to put out several different styles of play in the hopes that they will hit some kind of market for the toys. I realize that a lot of what appears on shelves has had enough market research for the toy company to feel it would be a viable product. But I tend to question that research when I see really crap toys at stores (hence this thread).

See that's the thing though, even if the target demographic is young, the kids aren't buying it. I see kids overlook those figures for figures that can move worth a damn, like WWE, et al.

When I was a child, I was more accepting of gimmicks because when it came down to it, I what I cared about most was having a figure of a character I liked. So if Spiderman from that pack I got from Christmas had one arm sans elbow because he had a web shooting gimmick, I was okay with that back then. However shortly afterwards, I started craving un-compromised figures, so back then when Toy Biz released Super Articulated Spiderman in 95, I thought it was a god send.

Damn I'm getting nostalgic with this thread.

[Talisman]

I have never once seen someone walk out of the store with Hot Wheels or Matchbox. Yet they continue to spontaneously appear in everywhere from bedrooms, parking lots, gutters, buried in playgrounds, etc.

What the hell.

[Superquad7]

I think a lot of what I see is this herding around Christmas time for shopping. Also, during the time a movie is doing well, the toys are doing well. Otherwise, it's very much hit and miss. Also, as mentioned, I think video games play a LOT into this equation.

[trebleshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu

See that's the thing though, even if the target demographic is young, the kids aren't buying it. I see kids overlook those figures for figures that can move worth a damn, like WWE, et al.

When I was a child, I was more accepting of gimmicks because when it came down to it, I what I cared about most was having a figure of a character I liked. So if Spiderman from that pack I got from Christmas had one arm sans elbow because he had a web shooting gimmick, I was okay with that back then. However shortly afterwards, I started craving un-compromised figures, so back then when Toy Biz released Super Articulated Spiderman in 95, I thought it was a god send.

Damn I'm getting nostalgic with this thread.

And I readily accept that kids these days are getting more and more demanding of their toys, especially due to video games becoming more interactive and vying for the kids' free time.

Hell, I was like that when I was a kid because of G.I.Joe and Transformers. I didn't want my Spider-Man to do one thing, since he could do so much more in the comics.

But when I was like 3 or 4 years old? All my Hulk figure needed to do was not break when I banged him into things, shouting "Hulk SMASH!" And maybe that's the market they were aiming for with that Spider-Man and Venom. That little prepubescent who doesn't care what it does, just who it is.

And if that's not the case, then I would love to see where the hell Hasbro did its marketing research on this toy, because I still think that "Mucus Flail" Spider-Man toy is a piece of shit.

[Superquad7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

And I readily accept that kids these days are getting more and more demanding of their toys, especially due to video games becoming more interactive and vying for the kids' free time.

Hell, I was like that when I was a kid because of G.I.Joe and Transformers. I didn't want my Spider-Man to do one thing, since he could do so much more in the comics.

But when I was like 3 or 4 years old? All my Hulk figure needed to do was not break when I banged him into things, shouting "Hulk SMASH!" And maybe that's the market they were aiming for with that Spider-Man and Venom. That little prepubescent who doesn't care what it does, just who it is.

And if that's not the case, then I would love to see where the hell Hasbro did its marketing research on this toy, because I still think that "Mucus Flail" Spider-Man toy is a piece of shit.

Honestly? I'd be VERY fascinated to hear just about anything from Hasbro's R&D team, especially in regards to "projected wants from consumers directly related to product".

[Shin Densetsu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

And I readily accept that kids these days are getting more and more demanding of their toys, especially due to video games becoming more interactive and vying for the kids' free time.

Hell, I was like that when I was a kid because of G.I.Joe and Transformers. I didn't want my Spider-Man to do one thing, since he could do so much more in the comics.

But when I was like 3 or 4 years old? All my Hulk figure needed to do was not break when I banged him into things, shouting "Hulk SMASH!" And maybe that's the market they were aiming for with that Spider-Man and Venom. That little prepubescent who doesn't care what it does, just who it is.

And if that's not the case, then I would love to see where the hell Hasbro did its marketing research on this toy, because I still think that "Mucus Flail" Spider-Man toy is a piece of shit.

The writing is pretty much on the wall for those Mucus Spiderman figures too...I don't see them moving at all at any of the stores I go to.

[trebleshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by superquad7

Honestly? I'd be VERY fascinated to hear just about anything from Hasbro's R&D team, especially in regards to "projected wants from consumers directly related to product".

Same here. I would love to learn more about the process. Especially when crap like this makes it to the toy shelves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu

The writing is pretty much on the wall for those Mucus Spiderman figures too...I don't see them moving at all at any of the stores I go to.

Fingers crossed.

By the way, have you seen the other version of Spidey with the Mucus Staff of Doom? His arm spins. That's it.

My first thought was "Why not make it a Thor toy with the same gimmick, but a hammer instead of mucus webbing? Then he can reenact scenes from the movie." But then I remembered Thor toys have a tough road to hoe as it is.

[Talisman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

My first thought was "Why not make it a Thor toy with the same gimmick, but a hammer instead of mucus webbing? Then he can reenact scenes from the movie." But then I remembered Thor toys have a tough road to hoe as it is.

They [Thor figures] are moving at roughly the same pace as the IM2 figures did the first few months, like any movie line ever. Though unlike the IM2 figures, the Thor line has the advantage of smaller assortments (so far).

I doubt this trend will continue as we get waist deep into a sweat-and-tear-soaked summer, however.

[Shin Densetsu]

HAHA. TRU raised up deluxe Captain America figures to $14.99. HAHA

THIS s$%& WON'T SELL!

[Superquad7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu

HAHA. TRU raised up deluxe Captain America figures to $14.99. HAHA

THIS s$%& WON'T SELL!

My local Walmarts raised the G.I.Joe: Rise of Cobra figures to $10 for a "clearance" price. They're all still sitting there, too.

[trebleshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by superquad7

My local Walmarts raised the G.I.Joe: Rise of Cobra figures to $10 for a "clearance" price. They're all still sitting there, too.

That has got to be one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to retailers (beyond distribution and such). I cannot stand it when retailers will try to sell the same product at the original price, but use Clearance stickers/shelf tags and put it in the Clearance section as if that's supposed to make it some sort of bargain for the consumer.

Walmart is especially guilty of this when it comes to some of their exclusives. They did it with the ROTF Scout 2-packs and the HFTD Voyager 2-packs STARTED OFF with red stickers and in the clearance section! They didn't even give it a chance with the regular stickers. But the price is still $30, which is frickin' MSRP!

....sorry. Told you it was a pet peeve. Every time I walk by one of those, I mutter under my breath "That's not what clearance means, Walmart."

It ain't on sale till the price drops. And it ain't on clearance till the price drops A LOT.

[Superquad7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

That has got to be one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to retailers (beyond distribution and such). I cannot stand it when retailers will try to sell the same product at the original price, but use Clearance stickers/shelf tags and put it in the Clearance section as if that's supposed to make it some sort of bargain for the consumer.

Walmart is especially guilty of this when it comes to some of their exclusives. They did it with the ROTF Scout 2-packs and the HFTD Voyager 2-packs STARTED OFF with red stickers and in the clearance section! They didn't even give it a chance with the regular stickers. But the price is still $30, which is frickin' MSRP!

....sorry. Told you it was a pet peeve. Every time I walk by one of those, I mutter under my breath "That's not what clearance means, Walmart."

It ain't on sale till the price drops. And it ain't on clearance till the price drops A LOT.

I think you and I hanging out at Wal*mart together would be a merry time. Wal*mart rarely lowers the prices on anything here, as they'll keep stuff sitting on shelves for years. An Energon Ironhide once stayed on the clearance shelf at my local Wal*mart for $19.97 for TWO YEARS.

[neatogecko]

I got a good laugh out of Target's latest sale. They had the Green Lantern 4" figures (regularly priced at $7.99) on sale for $7.19. Yeah sure. That ought to get them flying of the shelves

[topnotch97]

i rarely visit Target, but tonight i saw single cards (MU, Joes, Cap, Thor, etc) priced at $9.59.

i was like.......fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu*********

yeah, who's gonna buy those? no wonder bakugans sell pretty well amongst kids for $6

[thechris]

Man, I used to be happy with the plastic WWE wrestling figures from Hasbro that had like 2 points of articulation (not an exaggeration, LITERALLY 2).

[Crazy Jetty]

One thing that's important to remember is that the term "Gimmicks" envelopes a great deal of play patterns, not just the way it's used in this thread. Which I believe it's being used as a term specifically for "Action Features," right?
Gimmicks mean a wider grouping. A particular theme that encompasses a group of toys (The Star Trek TMNT figures would be concidered a gimmick). The very core of the Transformers brand is a gimmick, yet other gimmicks, such as themes that unite simular transformers, or groups that are ment to work as accessories for other transformers (Dinobots, or Soundwave and his Cassettes) are equally valid as gimmicks.

Gimmicks then, AND now are an odd thing with me. I didn't question them, even up to my very early teens (12, 13), but I did notice when they disabled a toy. Like some sort of throwing or punching gimmick completely negating a toy's ability to move it's arm in a functional way (I can't think of an example off hand, but I know there are dozens). Even before I was ten, that would drive me crazy. And if they were outright idiotic (The gimmicks in the Darkwing Duck figures were just hidiously aweful, trying to capitalize on that these were cartoon characters, when the designers obviously never knew who or what the chatracters were. Hey, this Launchpag guy is the comedic relief character right? Let's make his head spin around, and be completely unagle to look forward!"), then it was aweful.
If a gimmick made a lot of sense, like Toybiz' first Jim Lee style Cyclops having light up eyes, then that didn't bother me that he couldn't turn his head.
Even as a kid, if a gimmick completely negated my ability to act out an adventure with my toys, from my imagination, then I didn't want that gimmick to exist.
My ninja turtle figures that were sans gimmicks, or their gimmick was some themed sculpt (Like a set of them that were sculpted in trenchcoats for disguise) got played with waaaay more than than ones that had some built in actuon feature, like the mutating turtles, or wind up turtles.
My G1 transformers, again... a gimmickless toy, or a gimmick that enhanced the play patter, like the combiners (Or Soundwave/blaster and the cassettes), got way more playtime than ones that had detracting gimmicks, like the Headmasters or Pretenders.

For me, even as a child, when the corporations assumed I was "too young to know better," I didn't like most action feature gimmicks. I fully feel they misjudged what kids wanted back then. And I think they underestimate children of today even more. The difference between now and the eighties, is the toys didn't have any competition.
Another difference, there wasn't as great a contrast between fiction and toys.
Mid to late eighties, through to mid to late ninties, a big TV show went hand in hand with a big toyline. He-Man. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Spiderman. X-Men. Transformers. Voltron.
If it had a successful television show, it usually had a successful action figure toyline.
Since about the late ninties, this has been hugely hit and miss. Shows go on air, and can be half overwith before the toyline catches up and gets released.
Transformers Animated was finished with it's second season before it's toyline launched. TF Prime will be done with it's first before it's toyline launches. Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes will have no supporting line (Not that it has any Disney support either).
Avatar: The Last Airbender came and went with only the most halfassed attempted to produce a toyline.
Most of the successful shows over the last decade, either don't have a toyline, recieve only the most mediocre support, or are an import show that's based on some form of game to play, and don't get action figures for their support (Bey Blade, Yu Gi Oh).
Meanwhile, all the major toylines are based on one shot bits of fiction. Movies.
Dark of the Moon. Captain America. Iron Man. Green Lantern. Pirates of the Caribbean. Shrek. The action figure companies largely only support and produce toys for the blockbusters movies. Which are largely an "Out of sight, out of mind" thing for children.
May- "Green Lantern? OH YEAH! THAT'S GONNA BE AWESOME! I wanna see that! I want all the toys!"
June- "Green Lantern, that was cool. Mebbe I'll get this neat looking guy that's a giant head. Oh wait, they got Captain America out? Oh YEAH! I WANT THAT!"
July- "Green Lantern? They still got that old thing? Lame. Captain America? Boring, all they do is got a dozen different caps, and hardly anyone else. Let's see what video games came out this week."

[Crazy Jetty]

Wow. Wall o' text.

Sorry... when I started I didn't entend to write a graduate thesis. I guess I had a lot more to say than I *thought* I did. And that's not all I had to say, either. I kinda had a feeling I was running long and just shut myself off.

[ludovicotek]

^ lol. I hear you about the gimmicks. Although I had and enjoyed plenty of toys that featured some sort of special play "feature" I always preferred the straight up articulated and posable (like GI Joe) figures. Granted, back then there weren't many and that's why Joe stood out so much. But even a line line Centurians had figures that were well articulated and had a gimmick that didn't interfere with that. But the ones that had a button on their back that made them kick or some sh*t like that I didn't like as much.

[ToyAddict]

Sorry, but I like gimmicks. Super Powers would be my favorite toyline EVER except they didn't make all the toys for the characters in the series (why the made Golden Pharaoh and not, say, Apache Chief just boggles my mind). If they remade something very similar with more--way more--characters, I'd drop my DCUC collection in a heartbeat.

Mattel can manage to put out a gimmicky WWE line (FlexForce) that's 6 inches, decent sculpts, and has (nearly) appropriate gimmicks for what, $11 retail? Yet for a 4 inch little plastic blob with nearly no articulation and poor sculpting (GL movie, JLU, etc.) we're expected to pay $8 - $9?

I'm trying to get my son into action figures. . .what sells it for him is either gimmicks or vehicles. Other than that, he'd rather have Legos.