[webz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alucard1138

Idk, collectors are the ones with money, willing to pay (sometimes pay exorbitant prices). Plus, I don't think kids really play with action figures in 2018 on the same scale as kids in the 80's. Kids are all about smart phones and the internet and gaming. Im sure there are people who buy action figures for their kids in hopes to keep the hobby going, but these specifically are an SDCC exclusive, pricey as hell, so these aren't for kids and its doubtful any real TMNT fans from the 80s would find this new design aesthetic pleasing, or pay this insane price for some basic ass action figures. This is a swing and a miss, but they've been doing this for awhile now. Though, the TMNT Ghostbuster figures from last winter were pretty bad ass.

Collectors are a small sliver of a toy company's bottom line. Their enthusiasm is useful for gauging a toy, but for the most part, they are a very vocal minority. My ex was in the toy sales industry, and through her I got to know a few vendor reps. To most of the major companies, adult collectors are a bonus. The only toy companies that REALLY focus on adult collectors are smaller companies that live or die because of adult collectibles (Neca, McFarlane, etc).

I know that kids still play with action figures. I've seen kids throwing tantrums at Target aisles because they see Toy X that they need. The reason you don't see kids playing with toys is because kids don't leave the house anymore to play outside. Kids aren't allowed by themselves in the park with a tote of action figures today, like I was in the early 80's. When they are at the store, the parents give them a cellphone to play on, instead of their toys, because they don't want their kids to leave a $25 toy in the cart. I'll agree that numbers have probably dropped since the 1980's, but they are still fairly strong.

SDCC isn't just a collectors fair, there are also a lot of families, and a LOT of press. It's a nerd's version of disneyland that comes once a year.
It's worth it for Company X to offer a collectible to drum up excitement for a future product. Whatever doesn't sell at the convention sells online at a discount or at Ross.

Also, $30 isn't really that pricey these days. A cheap transformer toy at Walmart is $16. Marvel and DC figures are $16 to $19. With the exclusivity factor on top, $30 a piece is what I'd expect at SDCC. The level of articulation on these, the Walmart release will probably be $16.
Simplified figures for younger fans will probably be released for $12.