Hasbro Q&A
Posted by: Beedo Sookcool 02.04.09 12:01am
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Wa tetu dat uta, gang! Great balls of Bantha pudu! It’s the first of 2009’s Hasbro Q&A sessions! Also, our stock of questions is getting low again, so all you readers out there who have questions they want to ask Hasbro, feel free to send them to us. Anywho, read on for info about droids, clones, and benchmarks of excellence . . . .

CreatureCantina.com: Dear Hasbro, In light of the new Astromechs we have seen in the new Clone Wars series so far:
1) R7-A7
2) R6-H5
3 & 4) Both Plo Koon’s Astromechs
5) Green R5 (from promo clip)
6 & 7) Ziro the Hutt’s Astromechs (2)
8) Copper/Gold R2-from the 1st episode
9) White/Gray R4-from the 1st episode
10) Red/white R5 (with side blasters)-from the 1st episode
11) Orange/gray R2-from the Hangar
12) Blue/Red R2 (similar to ARC Battlepack, but different) from the hangar
13) Backround blue R2-from the hangar

Here is a suggestion for release:
Single carded:
R7-A7
R6-H5
Green R5
Remaining 10 in two 5-pack exclusives

Whaddya Think,
- Blitzkriegtrench(wolf)?:>}

Hasbro: Hi there - thanks for the rundown. That is a far more detailed list than we have been keeping ourselves regarding the Clone Wars droids. Our focus isn't on producing so many droids models for Clone Wars. We have our hands full chasing the main characters, key Jedi, clones, main Separatists, and different battle droid species that round out the main focus of what kids are looking for. Given time, we think that we will fill in the seems with some interesting characters, but with the pace of the episodes, and the constantly changing story focus, we envision fewer background characters in the lineup compared to, say, the Original Trilogy.

CC: Okay, so you’ve made it clear that there will be no crossover between the “realistic” sculpts of the Legacy Collection and the “animated” sculpts of The Clone Wars lines, which suits a customizer like me down to the ground. At least I know what I can customize without fear of being upstaged by an Official Hasbro Product down the line. But can I just plead the case that regarding the Clones, simple repaints could easily make “realistic” versions of the new Clones, perhaps as online exclusive sets? For example, a set for “personalities” like Rex, Fox, and the like, or themed packs, like the Walker-Pilot Clones with the AT-TE foot insignia on their deltoid armor?
- A. Nonymous, loyal reader and rabid Clone-aholic

H: There are no plans to cross the two lines over; to start with a few clones would just open the door to the inevitable, and that would be a decreased focus on new Legacy figures or new Clone Wars figures as we start to cross-over characters in each unique style. Instead, we have chosen to keep the lines separate to best craft the strongest lineups for each.

CC: Do you feel there are some figures which are the best there are, and the best that will ever be, and producing new sculpts would be fruitless?
- Steve “Solo” Rensi, staff writer and Striver for Excellence

H: We do think that some figures are about as solid as we are ever going to get them. Case in point, the current EpIV Obi-Wan about to release. Originally planned for an Evolution pack but released as a single basic carded figure instead, this figure is about as great a classic Obi-Wan as we could have hoped for. With the advances in articulation, sculpting aesthetics, and soft goods there are a large number of figures in this category, usually most of the characters in a given new wave any more. We're always curious as to which figures fans believe are still wanting, and we pay attention to those as future possibilities for upgrades.

So there it is, folks! Two basic statements on the Clone Wars figure focus, and Hasbro is pleased with their efforts (but wouldn’t mind some helpful suggestions). Until next time, take it easy, and may your hunts be rewarding!

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