Integration

slim19722 · 03-18-2019, 05:07 PM

Here's a good read from former Hasbro Toy designer Bobby Vala, who worked on the Marvel Universe line and is about to launch a Kick Starter for a 6inch, military themed figure line. Joe fans are ticked by his scale and name choice for the line, but he gives some interesting insight into Hasbro's choices concerning their Joe and MU lines throughout this thread.

Action Force - 6 Inch Figure Line by Former Hasbro GI Joe Designer Bobby Vala - HissTank.com

But this was a good read when a 'Tanker' got riled up after BV mentioned working on the MU line:

Thank you. My time on Marvel Universe was frustrating. I want to give some feedback to the points you made.

- A) jacked up the price by 25-33% from $10 MSRP to $13 price shock in one year and expected people to STILL PAY when. . . . . .

BV- I had tons of arguments with the marketing team on this point. I thought it was a bad move but with inflation, the cost to produce them just couldn't support a $10 price point. I hated it.

- B). . . . you guys then reduced the quality of the figures by reducing the amount of joints and also cutting costs on designing the left over joints?

BV-Again this was something I fought hard to save. Unfortunately it wasn't my call. I tried to tell them people wont pay more for something that has less.

- C) Then you guys decided to re-name the Marvel Universe line 3 times!!!! With the last sticking with "MARVEL LEGENDS", a confusing name shared with the 6 inch MARVEL LEGENDS so it's MORE DIFFICULT FOR BUSINESS OWNERS TO SELL ON EBAY and AMAZON

BV- Once more I fought this. Why take an established line name and then just change it???

- D) Then decide to make ONLY 2 packs of Marvel Universe/Legends 3.75 without actually increasing the quality of the figures or joint design and expected that to sell better.

BV-Not my call. I designed to what I was given.

- E) Then you guys finally DECREASED the quality of your paint jobs on the figures and make the vast majority of your 2 packs TOYS R US exclusives.

BV-I think there was a factory change at the end so the quality decreased but I don't remember for sure. I just know that my first year I got to do some awesome figures like Deathlok and Deaths Head but when I got Beast out I didnt have the means to make it the way it should've been made. I did what I could.

03-18-2019, 05:07 PM	#37236
slim19722 Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 384	Here's a good read from former Hasbro Toy designer Bobby Vala, who worked on the Marvel Universe line and is about to launch a Kick Starter for a 6inch, military themed figure line. Joe fans are ticked by his scale and name choice for the line, but he gives some interesting insight into Hasbro's choices concerning their Joe and MU lines throughout this thread. Action Force - 6 Inch Figure Line by Former Hasbro GI Joe Designer Bobby Vala - HissTank.com But this was a good read when a 'Tanker' got riled up after BV mentioned working on the MU line: Thank you. My time on Marvel Universe was frustrating. I want to give some feedback to the points you made. - A) jacked up the price by 25-33% from $10 MSRP to $13 price shock in one year and expected people to STILL PAY when. . . . . . BV- I had tons of arguments with the marketing team on this point. I thought it was a bad move but with inflation, the cost to produce them just couldn't support a $10 price point. I hated it. - B). . . . you guys then reduced the quality of the figures by reducing the amount of joints and also cutting costs on designing the left over joints? BV-Again this was something I fought hard to save. Unfortunately it wasn't my call. I tried to tell them people wont pay more for something that has less. - C) Then you guys decided to re-name the Marvel Universe line 3 times!!!! With the last sticking with "MARVEL LEGENDS", a confusing name shared with the 6 inch MARVEL LEGENDS so it's MORE DIFFICULT FOR BUSINESS OWNERS TO SELL ON EBAY and AMAZON BV- Once more I fought this. Why take an established line name and then just change it??? - D) Then decide to make ONLY 2 packs of Marvel Universe/Legends 3.75 without actually increasing the quality of the figures or joint design and expected that to sell better. BV-Not my call. I designed to what I was given. - E) Then you guys finally DECREASED the quality of your paint jobs on the figures and make the vast majority of your 2 packs TOYS R US exclusives. BV-I think there was a factory change at the end so the quality decreased but I don't remember for sure. I just know that my first year I got to do some awesome figures like Deathlok and Deaths Head but when I got Beast out I didnt have the means to make it the way it should've been made. I did what I could. Last edited by slim19722; 03-18-2019 at 05:12 PM..