Hasbro Q & A Round 4, 2008 - The ANSWERS!

[General Hawk]

1) Will all of the known movie Joes (Heavy Duty, Ripcord, and Cover Girl) see a 25th anniversary salute before they are released in the movie line? If
not, why?

There is no plan for HD, Ripcord, or Cover Girl before the movie. We do not want kids to get these figures from the shelf and get confused as the movie product becomes available. There may be a classic opportunity for these figures down the road.


2) With regards to the episodes featured, what criteria were used in the determining the content of the "Best of" DVD set? Even in the mindset of "pushing product on the shelves" the choice of episodes were a bit odd and not on many fans personal best of list, nor did it seem that many were doing a good job of promoting product on the shelves.

Hasbro selected the episodes featured in the "Best Of" DVD based on reponses from a poll run on the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club website in early 2008.


3) Recent images from upcoming waves seem to favor repainted figures with new accessories over previously-unreleased characters. Is this a sign that the A Real American Hero line is winding down in favor of movie-themed product? After the Movie toy line hits store shelves, is there any way that we can still get at least a few "classic" figures that haven't been made yet (maybe through store exclusives)?

As the G.I. Joe tooling library gets bigger and bigger you will see more use of existing tools. However, there are still many more new figures coming down the line in spring 2009 and an explosion of movie figures.


4) Will the Resolute figure be styled in such a way that they stick out from the regular 25th anniversary figures or will they blend in? The Resolute Zap that has appeared on various upcoming lists has raised concerns that Zap will not fit in well with the rest of the original 13.

The Resolute figures will fit with the classic figures.


5) Will there be more DVD packs or something similar to come after this first run of "MASS Device" packs? Will there any more new Hama comics included in the comic packs, or has that shipped sailed (it seems Wave 7 2008 shows a return to reprints of the classics?)

There will only be 5 DVD packs which will extend into spring 2009. The comic packs will be getting new IDW comic books after Wave 7.

[Jmacq1]

Argh. Happy that we're getting Recondo (see other post) but it becomes bittersweet when they tell us we're not getting Ripcord. I mean seriously...are they going to stop putting out Snake-Eyes figures because he's in the movie? Duke? Destro? Cobra Commander? Particularly when characters like Ripcord, HD, and Cover Girl are likely to look FAR less like their movie counterparts than some of the aforementioned "core" characters.

Sorry, their answer falls a little flat on that score. If they're worried about "confusion" then we'd better not see ANY of the movie characters between now and then, and we know that's not going to happen.

[dmess]

Argh. Happy that we're getting Recondo (see other post) but it becomes bittersweet when they tell us we're not getting Ripcord. I mean seriously...are they going to stop putting out Snake-Eyes figures because he's in the movie? Duke? Destro? Cobra Commander? Particularly when characters like Ripcord, HD, and Cover Girl are likely to look FAR less like their movie counterparts than some of the aforementioned "core" characters.

Sorry, their answer falls a little flat on that score. If they're worried about "confusion" then we'd better not see ANY of the movie characters between now and then, and we know that's not going to happen.

While I am disappointed we won't get Ripcord, your analogy falls flat. Ripcord was white and will be black in the movie. Snake Eyes, etc will still be similiar. Not sure about HD and Covergirl though.

[General Scarlett]

Since I was out of town during the time frame to get them in this go round, someone else compiled and sent them in for me.....here's the Q & A:

1)With the upcoming movie figures getting closer and closer, the fan based is split between worried and excitement. After the movie toys die down, will you revert back to the 25th line of action figures and
continue going through the line making the other figures?

We are still working out the post-movie plan and how classic figures will fit into the plan. Our hope is that the movie figures will not die down and it will be like the 80's all over again for a new generation of kids.

2)Any plans for a play set for the 25th Anniversary or the movie figures, now that you've seen how well the line has done? Even if you cannot commit to an answer as of now, can you give us a percentage of our chance?

You will not see a "major" playset before the G.I. Joe movie. It is possible (50%) that the classic mini battle stations will make a comeback before movie.

3)The sub-team figures so far (python patrol officer, tiger force Flint)have both sold well. Will you be doing any other sub-teams?

We will have a couple more sub-team figures and vehicles.

4)G.I. Joe has many, MANY fans not only in the U.S. but across the globe, does Hasbro have any plans to create a shipping department that sends
items to Canada, Europe or other places outside the U.S.?

Once the G.I. Joe movie hits, we hope that we wont need to ship product to other countries because they will have them on their own local store shelves.

5) You have been asked many times, and will so many more, but are there any new developments about the status of the Season 2 Volume 2 DVD set?

No new developments at this time…but we are still looking into the re-release the full set.

[Jmacq1]

Argh. Happy that we're getting Recondo (see other post) but it becomes bittersweet when they tell us we're not getting Ripcord. I mean seriously...are they going to stop putting out Snake-Eyes figures because he's in the movie? Duke? Destro? Cobra Commander? Particularly when characters like Ripcord, HD, and Cover Girl are likely to look FAR less like their movie counterparts than some of the aforementioned "core" characters.

Sorry, their answer falls a little flat on that score. If they're worried about "confusion" then we'd better not see ANY of the movie characters between now and then, and we know that's not going to happen.

While I am disappointed we won't get Ripcord, your analogy falls flat. Ripcord was white and will be black in the movie. Snake Eyes, etc will still be similiar. Not sure about HD and Covergirl though.

Did you miss the part where I said HD, Cover Girl, and Ripcord will look far less like their movie counterparts (bolded above)? The point is that figures that look virtually identical between the movie and "classic" (IE Snake Eyes) would be MORE easy to "get confused" about...not less.

I fail to see how having two very distinct versions is likely to cause more confusion rather than less, much less how it's going to affect sales (which is really all Hasbro should be worried about from their end). Even in Duke's case, he doesn't look overly much like his "classic" self, but I'm betting we'll see at least one or two more incarnations of "classic" Duke before the 25th line goes away.

It's hypocrisy from Hasbro, pure and simple. If they're so worried about "movie versions" and "classic versions" confusing people that they're using that as their excuse for why certain characters aren't being produced, then they should stop making any version of ANY of the movie characters. Why the double-standard?

Just man up, Hasbro. We'll accept "we just weren't able to squeeze them in" since there are plenty of other characters that applies to.

[darth cujo]

Sorry, their answer falls a little flat on that score. If they're worried about "confusion" then we'd better not see ANY of the movie characters between now and then, and we know that's not going to happen.

Did you miss the part where I said HD, Cover Girl, and Ripcord will look far less like their movie counterparts (bolded above)? The point is that figures that look virtually identical between the movie and "classic" (IE Snake Eyes) would be MORE easy to "get confused" about...not less.

Actually, their answer regarding ripcord does make sense from a certain point of view (one I tend to share). Sure snake eyes and others who look similar from movie to anniversary collection, might be confused for eachother, but the point is, does it really matter? SE for example is gonna be all dressed in black, and the 2 versions will be virtually interchangable. On the other hand if a kid picks up ripcord and he's white when the kid's expecting a black guy that he/she saw in the movie... that would be confusing.

While I hate that we're not getting a classic ripcord til at least after the movie, the reason totally makes sense.

I'm just excited we're getting Recondo! I hope he's single carded though.

[Jmacq1]

Sorry, I just don't see it. If it "doesn't matter" for Snake-Eyes or Duke or Cobra Commander, it "doesn't matter" for anyone else. Remember, Duke and CC are likely to look quite a bit "different" between classic and movie versions, too. But I bet we still get a few more of them before movie-time. Why are they worried about confusion for the three aforementioned characters, but not for Duke or Cobra Commander? We have more than just Snake-Eyes (or Storm Shadow for that matter) to go off of here.

[Red Sox]

2. With the releases of the classic vehicle molds such as the Vamp and HISS in their window packaging, are there any plans to extend into the smaller playsets such as the Cobra Battle Bunker, Checkpoint Alpha, and Bivouac?

We are looking into this and hope to be able to announce something soon.

Small playsets on the way... SWEET!!

[DANE]

2. With the releases of the classic vehicle molds such as the Vamp and HISS in their window packaging, are there any plans to extend into the smaller playsets such as the Cobra Battle Bunker, Checkpoint Alpha, and Bivouac?

We are looking into this and hope to be able to announce something soon.

Small playsets on the way... SWEET!!

Very sweet! I am also glad we are getting Dr.Mindbender and Recondo too.

[Red Star]

"2) With regards to the episodes featured, what criteria were used in the determining the content of the "Best of" DVD set? Even in the mindset of "pushing product on the shelves" the choice of episodes were a bit odd and not on many fans personal best of list, nor did it seem that many were doing a good job of promoting product on the shelves.

Hasbro selected the episodes featured in the "Best Of" DVD based on reponses from a poll run on the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club website in early 2008."


AAARRRGGHHH!!! G.I. Joe CLUB HAS THE PREFFERENCE ALWAYS!!!

[Admiral Hunter]

"2) With regards to the episodes featured, what criteria were used in the determining the content of the "Best of" DVD set? Even in the mindset of "pushing product on the shelves" the choice of episodes were a bit odd and not on many fans personal best of list, nor did it seem that many were doing a good job of promoting product on the shelves.

Hasbro selected the episodes featured in the "Best Of" DVD based on reponses from a poll run on the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club website in early 2008."


AAARRRGGHHH!!! G.I. Joe CLUB HAS THE PREFFERENCE ALWAYS!!!

What are you complaining about? It's free...

-Kevin

[Red Star]

I know...

But I'm not registered... =(

[MaxPower]

JOhio: 1. Is there a chance we will see the Rattler and the Conquest re-released through mass retail, possibly with new paint jobs, as we saw with the HISS Tank, Awestriker, and the Sharc?

Habro: You can get the Rattler and Conquest at Target right now and there is a good chance you will see repaints of these on-shelf prior to the movie.

GIJCC Question 3: How about making Cobra: Python Patrol vehicles?
Hasbro Answers: We have one on tap in spring 2009.

Huhmm........ Python Patrol Rattler, anyone?

Awesome Q&As.
Really excited for everything. Just awesome news.
Very excited for the Joe Brand name and its success.


EDIT: Keep reading the other Q&As.

2. Internet buzz has recently grown regarding the use of the same head sculpt for multiple characters (ie: Gung-Ho's headsculpt for Cutter and now Leatherneck) and die-hard fans are starting to feel these characters are lose their distinct and defining personalities. Is this a cost-saving technique fans and collectors can expect to see in future figures?

Hasbro: We have heard collector feedback on this and will try and improve. This issomething we use more often to save time rather than to save money.

Hehe... *Points at Sig*

[Red Sox]

JOhio: 1. Is there a chance we will see the Rattler and the Conquest re-released through mass retail, possibly with new paint jobs, as we saw with the HISS Tank, Awestriker, and the Sharc?

Habro: You can get the Rattler and Conquest at Target right now and there is a good chance you will see repaints of these on-shelf prior to the movie.

GIJCC Question 3: How about making Cobra: Python Patrol vehicles?
Hasbro Answers: We have one on tap in spring 2009.

Huhmm........ Python Patrol Rattler, anyone?

Could be a cool possibility. If they stay true to the past though, we might end up with re-do's of the Python Conquest and Tiger Rat.

http://www.thejoeindex.com/joeindex/usv ... nconquest/

http://www.thejoeindex.com/joeindex/usv ... /tigerrat/

[SNAKE_EYES1975]

I can understand the "movie confusion" thing a little, but wouldent it make sense to just call the movie versions different outfits, and make everything the same universe?
The possibility of small battlestations souns AWESOME. This is great news for me, I have always loved them. Bring on the rifle range, bunker, checkpoint alpha, mortar, and MG nest...hell I even loved the outpost defender...
I dont really remember a crappy one of those...
They sound like they want to sell joes like in the eightys again..thats ambitious, and I LIKE that..