What if Playmates took the 2012 license?
#1 Guest_1701_*
Posted 02 September 2010 - 01:21 PM
I would love for Playmates to team up with DST to bring us a comprehensive range of toys. I recently got the Alien Combat Series Borg and Klingon from Playmates 90's Trek range. Sculpted by none other than Art Asylum, it seems like as well as these two companies (all be it DST these days) having worked together before on Star Trek, they could together form a Star Trek line that is not only really cool for kids to collect but also cool enough for collectors like us to buy into as well.
In my mind the Star Trek line would be designed and sculpted by the people at DST and then produced by Playmates. Obviously, DST would have to meet deadlines so it could be that DST and Playmates work together with design and sculpt but that depends on how big DST's staff is. Something obviously needs to change within both companies when it comes to Star Trek - DST's trouble with action figure sales and Playmates pretty dull and boring 2009 line have in my opinion hurt the reputations of both companies. If they worked together then I think they could both bring a fresh perspective on their lines. I propose that the two companies form ONE Star Trek line - focusing on a range of products that take their inspiration from the quality, fun-factor and interactivity of the 90's Playmates line (especially the Alien Combat Series) and the attention to detail the DST ship and tech line have.
Here are some of the points I consider to be key to a successful Star Trek line:
Quality, focus and excitement is PARAMOUNT!
A return to the quality Playmates gave us in the 90's and Hasbro are giving us today is essential for the line to succeed. It needs to hold it's own among the giants of the toy aisles and introduce something that other lines like Star Wars, GI-Joe or Transformers lack. Interactivity is becoming more and more standard in kids toys these days and a Star Trek line would need to capitalise on this by giving kids a reason to collect Star Trek toys other than just relying on the new movie to push sales.
In the past Playmates has done everything from 12 inch cloth action figures to 4 inch toys - I would trim the line down and ONLY focus on producing a 3 3/4 scale line of action figures and the popular ships and role-play toys.
Packaging:
Having lively and exciting packaging is essential also for a toy line to be noticed by kids - Star Trek needs to have packaging that reflects the bright and optimistic view of the future. It would be in my mind that the packaging feature the primary colours of Star Trek (Yellow, Blue and Red) as well as beautifully drawn/painted imagery (similar to the Hasbro Star Wars line as well as the 90's Trek line) and exciting screen shots of the character/ship it contains within it's cardboard walls.
Incentives:
Like the popular build-a-droid line Hasbro introduced, Playmates/DST should do something similar and perhaps something that goes beyond that by teaming up with CBS for competitions for the older fans to win - collect the first range of Star Trek toys and win a... trip to see the third Star Trek movie being filmed or a day at Paramount - these offers need to be international also...
Tie-ins as well, perhaps Playmates/DST working with Burger King or Mc Donalds to promote their toy line by releasing exclusives with every Happy Meal or Kids Meal...
Kids clothing tie-ins, buy some Star Trek Nike trainers and receive a free action figure from the Playmates Star Trek line?
Star Trek: A GLOBAL BRAND!
Unlike Doctor Who, Star Trek is much like Star Wars in that it is recognised and loved around the world - it is a global brand name and should be marketed like one - Playmates completely missed the boat in not providing bridge pieces for the rest of the world so lets not make the same mistake with the next movie - everything that is on offer with a new line of Trek toys needs to be offered the world over or you can forget making your toy line a success.
A current Star Trek line to begin with:
I know many fans would love to see all aspects of Star Trek reproduced in toy form but for this line to succeed it needs to be relevant and focused on the present not the past (at least at first). I would insist any new toy line (focused on bringing Trek to the masses) to be based around the new movies.
Exciting Action Figures:
There's a reason why Star Trek action figures have a harder time selling than other action figures (specialist toys or mass market). I believe that the reason for this is to do with the fact that by and large Star Trek characters are mainly dressed in uniforms rather than different intricate costumes like the characters in Star Wars or Lord of the Rings are dressed in. That being said, there is no reason for Star Trek figures not to work. I would suggest that they be given not only life-like sculpts but sculpted in life-like poses with extensive articulation for kids to change the poses. Much like the first Playmates TNG line back in 1992/93. Each figure would be given cool expressions as well as cool stances and packaged in whatever cool pose is given to each figure. I would also include an extensive compliment of accessories unique to that character as well as an interactive base that could be joined to another base to create the surface of an alien world - this base in my mind would also feature phrases from the character taken from the movie.
Each figure would also benefit from an electronic chip much like the action figures for Playmates "World of Springfield" toys - where in by buying an action figure with a chip it can interact with play set ships and alien landscapes.
Exciting Ships:
Rather than just bringing out the Enterprise I would call for three ships from the 2009 and 2012 movies to be released. These ships would feature the detail we have come to expect from the DST ships and the play-ability and quality that we loved from the Playmates 90's ships. Bringing up-to-date technology into the mix by giving these ships an edge over their predecessors from DST and PM. Featuring the bog standard lights and sounds is far enough but I would take them two steps further - as well as featuring a "lights on" mode, each ship would feature an interactive feature that if you strike the ship, it would react to being hit (either by hand or projectile) by making damage sounds followed by a phrase taken from the movie(s) and blinking lights. Each ship would come with a ball-joint stand for maximum possibility as well as projectiles hidden within a movie-accurate sculpt. These ships would also be slightly bigger in scale reflecting the popularity of bigger ships like the BMF and the AT-AT.
Elaborate Play-sets:
I thought that the 2009 bridge and transporter sets were shocking. I would return to the fantastic TNG bridge play-set of the 90's but similar to the ships get them to feature interactive technology. I think the Playmates "World of Springfield" line was a brilliant idea and should definitely be updated for the current expectations kids have.
Ships in which figures can sit in!
Shuttles, smaller ships... Ships that can be produced for figures to sit in should be a priority and much like the play-sets, feature interactive features that kids would be blown away by. Coming back to the Playmates "World of Springfield" range as inspiration.
Role-play
Emphasis on interactivity, Phaser-tag for example, communicator walky-talky's, Tricorders that feature some kind of USB connection to a computer to download exciting bio of strange alien worlds and characters stored on the tri-corder as well as featuring links to interactive, educational websites with games and fun things for kids to get involved with - perhaps on completion of each game they could have the chance of winning more toys from Playmates and DST?
The Final word from me:
Whatever happens next with Playmates, DST or some other company the emphasis HAS to be on interactivity. For a franchise set in the future with technology being key to the stories coming from Star Trek, the toys seem to have come from the 80's. That needs to change if Star Trek is to live long and prosper in the toy aisles.
The Classic Franchise:
Whilst I believe that if Trek is to survive on screen and in the toy-shops it needs to stay relevant and up-to-date, there is obviously still a market for toys based on the TV series and movies of the past. I think that a "vintage" line of figures much like Hasbro's Star Wars Vintage collection should be something for Playmates and DST to work on:
Star Trek: The Next Generation: circa 1992
Much like the Star Wars Vintage collection I would suggest that Playmates focus on the same thing by rereleasing characters from their popular TNG range back in 1992. Faithful to the original action figures but made using modern techniques and technologies and perhaps expanding into producing figures that weren't produced the first time - exactly like Hasbro has been doing with the Vintage Collection.
Star Trek Circa 1970's/1980's
DST wouldn't be left out either continuing to release their successful Mego range and expanding into the Mego 3 3/4 inch action figures from the classic TOS movies with Playmates help and also using modern techniques and technologies as well as producing figures that wouldn't have been produced the first time around.
All in all I can definitely see the potential success in Playmates and DST working together on Star Trek as long as the emphasis is on using modern toy making techniques and technologies, constantly pushing the toys to be as exciting, as fun and as engaging as they can be.
#2
Posted 02 September 2010 - 04:29 PM
#3
Posted 02 September 2010 - 05:44 PM
#4
Posted 02 September 2010 - 05:47 PM
If you're thinking about a line aimed specifically for kids, I'll take a pass as well. I've seen some of the interactive toys and some of the "action feature" toys in the kids' aisles. They're not that great or exciting nor do they make for a good looking figure or toy either as they usually interfere with the sculpt. Even if the features were to appeal to me, I still have serious doubts about whether Star Trek can appeal to kids of today and their sensibilities. At least enough to either make them beg their parents to spend their money or plop down their allowances for Trek based toys. It's hard enough to get life-long adult Star Trek fans to spend their money on this stuff much less a younger generation with completely different styles and tastes.
#5 Guest_1701_*
Posted 02 September 2010 - 06:38 PM
#6
Posted 02 September 2010 - 08:02 PM
#7
Posted 02 September 2010 - 08:31 PM
#8
Posted 03 September 2010 - 07:58 AM
Not to be a negative nancy, but I'm starting to wonder if the Star Trek property can sell toys anymore. The 2009 line was such a flop that Wave 2 was cancelled. The DST figures are crazy awesome, but still have trouble finding retailers and buyers. Maybe the Trek property mainly appeals to older fans who are largely not action figure collectors... in contrast to something like Star Wars that appeals both to kids and action figure collectors. Keep in mind I'm a huge fan of Trek toys, as is everyone here (otherwise we wouldn't really be here, would we?). But judging from the action figure sales, it appears that we're in the minority.
That said, I'd be interested in seeing what DST/Playmates would produce. I do think it would be better than the Playmates 2009 line and I'd probably snatch it up, but I just don't know if it would be good enough for kids and AF collectors to jump on board. It's too bad, but I'll just drown my sorrows in 90's Playmates figures.
#9
Posted 03 September 2010 - 10:09 AM
#10
Posted 03 September 2010 - 11:58 AM
#11
Posted 03 September 2010 - 12:03 PM
So if playmates showed some outstanding figures in 2012 that would be released along with the new movie, you would pass on them just because the 2009 figures were lackluster? Isnt that a bit anal?
#12
Posted 03 September 2010 - 12:46 PM
IT'S A TRAP!!!
#13
Posted 03 September 2010 - 02:59 PM
#14
Posted 03 September 2010 - 03:45 PM
They would have to be the most amazing thing since sliced bread. It would surprise me if they were considering how poorly done Playmates toys have been in general. I never even liked their 90's line. Lack of articulation and that shiny finish never impressed me. I know people love the variety that line had, but flooding the market with all sorts of crap doesn't impress me either. I rather have a few well done figures than a few hundred figures that I could take or leave (and not give a darn if I just left them). I admit I loved their ships and role-play at the time, but seeing what DST has done with ships and role-play in recent years, the Playmates versions look like complete hell. So, considering I didn't even like their 90's line, how do you think I felt about the recent flop of a movie line? It would take a miracle of biblical proportions for Playmates to present anything even close to outstanding in the near future (or ever, IMHO).
#15
Posted 03 September 2010 - 04:18 PM
#16
Posted 03 September 2010 - 04:30 PM
#17 Guest_1701_*
Posted 04 September 2010 - 07:52 AM
#18
Posted 04 September 2010 - 10:04 AM
#19 Guest_1701_*
Posted 04 October 2010 - 06:54 AM
Cheers Fat V! It's always bemused me as to why companies who have Trek licences don't exploit the technology on offer for them to produce toys with futuristic gimmicks that as far as I'm concerned would sell very well. Wasted potential is something I have gotten used to when it comes to Star Trek toys.
#20
Posted 11 October 2010 - 01:41 PM
Agreed Artistix; the TMNT line is one thing that Playmates has always done correctly, and even their modern line contains "throwbacks" to the "classic" line from the '90s cartoon. From the people I know who like the Smurf's line, I've heard that it's pretty good as well.
As would I; fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Remember, Playmates had the Trek license, and they dropped it when they hit a rough spot. Paramount didn't yank it in the late '90s; Playmates dropped it because it wasn't profitable for them. Granted, it "wasn't profitable" because Playmates ran it into a ditch by making figures less articulate than in the past, randomly switching scales, and of course, the infamous 1701 debacle, which was the wrong idea at the wrong time.
The 2009 line was suppose to prove that Playmates had "changed" and was better than they were in the late-90s when it proved the exact opposite. The 12" line looked awesome, but I knew that they weren't going to complete it so I didn't touch it, and then Playmates didn't complete it. Yes this is probably a self-fulfilling prophecy, but a line like this needs to be completed from day one to get fans to invest, or its just going to tank.
The 6" line was about what I expected from Playmates in terms of quality, but the scale was a stupid idea. Had the 6" line been a 7" line, I'd have picked it up; it would have matched up in scale to my DST line, and and I could've justified the purchase since I already have an incentive in the form of collecting a 7" line. Had it been a 4.5" line that was compatible with the old Playmates line, I'd have picked it up as well, again, I have an investment in the 4.5" scale, and an incentive to pick up more Trek figures in said scale. I have no real incentive to grab 6" figures though; they're too small to display next to DST's 7" figures, too large for the 4.5" figures' playsets, and the only other Trek figures that I'm aware of in the 6" scale are the ones from the Playmates "First Contact" line.
The 3.75" scale was abominable in my eyes, it lacked articulation, was half-complete, and had a half-complete bridge "playset" (and I use that term loosely) to match the half-complete line; Playmates should have been contractually required to release Wave 2 at a loss if only for the fact that Wave 1 sales might have increased had they done so. Having no 3.75" Trek figures in my collection, I had no interest in this line until Wave 2 came out, which it obviously never did.
Playmates couldn't even get the ship right in 2009; it was the first time I've ever willingly passed on a toy starship, and I did so because Playmates' ship was absolutely horrendous; the two battery compartments are unforgivable, as is the level of text on the ship itself. (DST gets a pass with the Enterprise-D because of Saucer Separation; throw two battery compartments on a ship without it and I'd be equally critical.) The sad thing is that for $25 you could have what Playmates put out, and for $35 you could have a DST 1701 of far superior quality; it's not like Playmates couldn't make a better ship; they just didn't.
The only way you could get me to invest in a Playmates line would be if DST sculpted it to match their 7" scale and redid the ships and Tek to bring them up to par with the DST releases. If Playmates simply slapped "distributed by Playmates" on what was essentially a DST toy and handled getting DST into "big box" retailers, I'd be all for it; if DST added a 3.75" line, I probably wouldn't be interested, but some people would be. A 4.5" line would get my attention though, as would a 7" line. However, in this scenario the line is really a DST line, with Playmates effectively handling distribution and possibly manufacturing/quality control.
Now if Playmates really did put out a DST-quality line on there own, in a scale that I care about, I'd give it a try. As it stands though, I have absolutely no confidence in Playmates Toys' ability to handle Trek properly.
The Van Citters interview that 1701 is so fond of posting notes that we've seen the "latest update from" DST (emphasis mine; note the word is latest, not last,) but goes on to talk about Playmates ending with "I don't think we will see anything new from Playmates," which Trek movie follow-ups with "in 2010." It's possible that Van Citters meant "in 2010" and that Playmates kept their license for the 2012 movie, whether we like it or not, but it's also possible that Trekmovie thought Van Citters meant "in 2010" when he meant for the foreseeable future instead. I should point out that the interview is from March, and pre-dates the announcement of DST's new Enterprise-E among other things.
In short, Playmates would need a miracle or drastic change in their handling of Trek to make me believe that their line is worth sinking my money into again. I was willing to give them a chance in 2009, and they really let me down; I expected better, plain and simple.
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