How long can this line last?

GNT

GNT

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I know none of the 6" figures have been released at this point but do you think this line will have the staying power to last a few years? or do you think it'll be a one hit wonder and last the initial wave? Maybe a couple of waves at most?

So lets look back at Hasbro's track record, they've had many different lines in different scales etc over the years, some great and some horrible but except for the normal basic line most seem to crash and burn after a year or two, we're lucky if we can get to 3 years half the time before hitting some problems. Some past lines include unleashed (both scales), Titanium, Transformers, Galactic Heroes etc.

So what do you think, how long will it last?
 
If distribution is anything like tvc then it will be dead on arrival.
 
If the scalpers and speculators jump on the line, then Hasbro will interpret that as success and I could see it going for about 2-3 years on that alone. Which might give us anywhere from 24-40 figures.

Personally, I only have about 5 or 6 figures that I would even consider buying (working under the assumption that characters like Kithaba and Barada will never be made), so I'm not looking to accumulate scores of these things.
 
I'll bet it becomes one of their new evergreens. I think the market 6" stuff is way bigger ​than most 4" collectors realize.
 
I only collect 1/12 nowadays so I don't get much SW anymore.... but I might pick up a few sith lords or imperials
 
ANH Luke

ANH Leia

Stormtrooper

OT C-3P0

OT R2

ANH Han

OT Chewbacca

ESB Lando

ANH Obi-Wan

ESB Yoda

ROTJ Emperor Palpatine

OT Darth Vader

ESB Boba Fett

ANH Tarkin

ANH Death Squad Commander

Grand Admiral Thrawn

These would be all I'd consider buying. I'm not going to hunt all over for them or pay through the nose for them, either.
 
Chamberlain said:
ANH Luke

ANH Leia

Stormtrooper

OT C-3P0

OT R2

ANH Han

OT Chewbacca

ESB Lando

ANH Obi-Wan

ESB Yoda

ROTJ Emperor Palpatine

OT Darth Vader

ESB Boba Fett

ANH Tarkin

ANH Death Squad Commander

Grand Admiral Thrawn

These would be all I'd consider buying. I'm not going to hunt all over for them or pay through the nose for them, either.
Click to expand...

Just 1 of each stormie and commander?
not sure I want to build another army lol
 
You have Hasbro partnered with Gentle Giant, amazing detail, a slew of great characters to choose from, a likely smaller production run , when compared to their 3 3/4 inch counterparts, which equates to rapid sell-through, and a boat load of Star Wars collectors and potential 5 inch figure collectors ready to buy. Ingredients of a successful and long enduring line.
 
Hard to say really, too many variables to consider.
If Hasbro can get these figures to the consumers, without all the fuss we've had with the 3.75" line the last few years.
Then that's the biggest issue/hurdle to overcome.
After that it's a matter of how they treat the line in regards to character selection, and if they maintain the quality sculpts.

In theory it could last a long time, or be just another fad like Choppers, etc.
 
Given the quality of sculpts I've seen so far, it has the potential to last several years, depending on how many waves they do a year.
 
If I had to make an educated guess I'd think it is most likely to last through the 3 new movies. I expect them to be fairly popular. So until 2017 at least. With 8 figures the first year and 8-12 the following years that would make 40-56 figures.

I do wonder about case breakdown once the new movies start. 2 new trilogy (NT) characters, 1 OT, 1 PT? Maybe 2 OT, 1 NT, 1 PT?
 
I think MF said it best. They need to make sure we can actually find these in stores, first, then character selection will be the key factor.

I think Dubya is right that there is a bigger market then we realize. The 6" (at $20) line positions itself well between $10+ 3.75" figures and $150+ SSC 12" figures.

One negative is that many 3.75" fans aren't going to just throw out that collection and start all over with 6". However, I think this line is targeted at film fans and not just SW collectors. There are also those parents out there that didn't restart colecting SW again in the 1990s, but their kids did. This line could really appeal to them and bring them into the collecting fold.

To me, chcracter selection will be a lot harder than we think. I don't think there's a big market out there of people who'd like to buy 100 of these figures. I think most people are fine with a few versions of Luke, Han, and Leia, but I can't see Hasbro being able to pull a constant repack or tweaked versions of characters like ROTS Obi and Ani. Most of the figures will have to be right the first time.

After you get past the main characters and troopers, you're really on thin ice. I really won't be interested in a bunch of cantina aliens, like I am in the 3.75" line. Most people that have posted seem to be thinking the same thing. Cool main characters, troopers, and then......interest trails off.

Going back to reapcks, at 4 figures per case, you're really in a bind if you have too many repacks. I mean, 1 repack would work with 3 other interesting figures. However, at some point to start making these cases cost-effective, Hasbro would almost have to do 2 repacks and 2 new chcracters, right? A sandtrooper repack with a different pauldron would work one or two times because it would practically be a new character. However, a constant repack of the wrong character and these could start clogging quickly.
 
Masterfett said:
or be just another fad like Choppers, etc.
Click to expand...

I think even describing the Choppers as a "fad" is giving them too much credit. Those things were idiotic right from the very concept stage and I don't think there was ever a point where ANYONE was excited about them in any way.

I think this line will do better than Epic Force and Unleashed. Epic Force ran for 2 years and Unleashed ran for about 4 years. As long as the quality of the sculpting stays excellent and they don't introduce action features, then I think this line will establish a loyal collector base pretty quickly.
 
The difference between Epic Force and Unleashed and this new line is the articulation. These are just bigger versions of the 3.75" line (more detail of course). That helps.

I can't see this being a really long lasting line, like the 3.75" line, though. I do plan on getting Luke, the sandtrooper, and R2 and other OT figures, but I'm not planning on recollecting every figure I have in the smaller line.
 
Trooper31 said:
I think MF said it best. They need to make sure we can actually find these in stores, first, then character selection will be the key factor.

I think Dubya is right that there is a bigger market then we realize. The 6" (at $20) line positions itself well between $10+ 3.75" figures and $150+ SSC 12" figures.

One negative is that many 3.75" fans aren't going to just throw out that collection and start all over with 6". However, I think this line is targeted at film fans and not just SW collectors. There are also those parents out there that didn't restart colecting SW again in the 1990s, but their kids did. This line could really appeal to them and bring them into the collecting fold.

To me, chcracter selection will be a lot harder than we think. I don't think there's a big market out there of people who'd like to buy 100 of these figures. I think most people are fine with a few versions of Luke, Han, and Leia, but I can't see Hasbro being able to pull a constant repack or tweaked versions of characters like ROTS Obi and Ani. Most of the figures will have to be right the first time.

After you get past the main characters and troopers, you're really on thin ice. I really won't be interested in a bunch of cantina aliens, like I am in the 3.75" line. Most people that have posted seem to be thinking the same thing. Cool main characters, troopers, and then......interest trails off.

Going back to reapcks, at 4 figures per case, you're really in a bind if you have too many repacks. I mean, 1 repack would work with 3 other interesting figures. However, at some point to start making these cases cost-effective, Hasbro would almost have to do 2 repacks and 2 new chcracters, right? A sandtrooper repack with a different pauldron would work one or two times because it would practically be a new character. However, a constant repack of the wrong character and these could start clogging quickly.
Click to expand...

I guess I just don't understand the logic where people think they will be required to "throw out" their 3.75" collection if they start collecting this new line. I don't think it's an 'either/or' situation, more like 'both/and'. If you feel like you are being forced to give up your 3.75" collection, then that's on you, not Hasbro.

Also, there are a few aliens that I believe would do well: Bossk (he's almost a given), Greedo (but only if we get an ANH Han), Ponda Baba (a strong maybe), Gamorrean Guard (probably only after the line's been around for a couple of years), Zuckuss (he'll probably be the last 6" bounty hunter Hasbro makes), Admiral Ackbar (another maybe), Wicket (if they want to test the appeal of Ewoks in this scale, then Wicket is the one to start with), Bib Fortuna (might be a bit of a longshot), Cantina Band Member (maybe an exclusive of some kind).

But I do agree that if they start relying too heavily on repacks or start resculpting figures too early, then it doesn't bode well for the line.
 
Trooper31 said:
The difference between Epic Force and Unleashed and this new line is the articulation. These are just bigger versions of the 3.75" line (more detail of course). That helps.
.
Click to expand...

Those two lines did as well as they did based on sculpting quality alone (the Epic Force figures were great sculpts for 1998), so when you add sculpting quality AND articulation, then I think we can expect this line to be more successful than both of those.
 
I agree.

To my point about the throwing out. I won't be throwing anything out and I'll collect some of both lines. I guess what I meant to say was that some 3.75" collectors feel that Hasbro might go to 5 POA for every 3.75" figure and with this line being aimed at collectors, some feel Hasbro is letting us know that our style is on the way out (in the smaller line). So, many people feel they've invested to much in the smaller line, to up and start a completely new line or to rebuy everything they have in the smaller line, but in 6".

I'm not saying I agree, but that's the feeling a lot of collectors have. I do fear that we could see the 3.75" line go cmpletely 5 POA after TBS. I hope not, but they might do just that.

As for aliens, I think your list is fairly accurate of what could be made. You make an interesting point about Greedo. They really need to have an ANH Han first or at the same time for people to be interested in Greedo. If Greedo comes first, some might skip it because they aren't sure that Hasbro will be able to get Han out before the line goes away. Keeping TCW in mind, we know that a line could be pulled at any moment.

So, I really think that Hasbro almost has to focus on heroes, main villains, and troopers well before any cantina aliens could come. The bounty hunters are a different story. Fett is a stand alone in many ways, but if they make, say, Bossk, then the pressure is on to finsih off the rest.
 
I'm not against the line, I'm just perturbed at the feeling that the basic line is getting the shaft/shunned.
While all of a sudden they introduce a new scale!

I would still like to collect 3 3/4" figures, but they're making it near impossible to do that.
What with nothing new to offer up anymore and what they do make almost never makes it to retail.
Plus all these damn large hiatuses we have to endure, seems like they're purposely trying to drive it into the ground.

Anyways the 6" line has potential, and I'd be interested in only a few OT characters. Such as Boba, Emperor, Han, Leia, and Luke.
I'm more interested in them as a replacement to the old 7" Unleashed line, as I really liked the looks of those.
Also be more interested in the characters they most likely wont do such as Revan, Shan, PT Jedi etc.
I'm just OT'd out after the last thirty years of focusing on it.
 
This line has the potential to rival even our beloved 3 3/4 line in terms of sales! The visual appeal alone of a bigger figure yet not so big as a 12 incher
is inmense for both ardent collectors and casual collectors.
As others have said if Hasbro mantains the quality and variety they have a HUGE new sure hit!!
Bravo Hasbro!!
 
I think another big issue with 3.75" collectors will be the fact that they've been hoping to get some never done before backgrounders that will probably never see the light of day in the 6" line. I was hoping for a least a few more skiff guards before the line ground to a halt but now who knows.
 
Masterfett said:
I'm not against the line, I'm just perturbed at the feeling that the basic line is getting the shaft/shunned.
While all of a sudden they introduce a new scale!.
Click to expand...


I think this is a typical feeling for a lot of us 3.75" collectors. I'll admot, when the rumor first hit, I was against a line like this. Then, when I saw the Luke, I was amazed at how cool they could actually be. The pics from TF really convinced me to get into the line, albeit on a limited basis (main characters and some troopers).


I also have the feeling that the basic line is getting pushed to the back burner a bit. My hope is that from wave 3 on we'll see some really great figures. That said, I really do fear that if the 5 POA figures in the Legends and Mission Series sell really well that Hasbro might up and cancel our 3.75" line. If E7 figures go 5 POA, then I won't buy any.

It is possible that Hasbro may go with a limited collectors line after 2014. They could always go back to TVC cards and release 20 figures a year, splitting between film and EU characters.
 
And really, even if the SA 3.75" line stopped being produced, what has been produced is incredible and very satisfactory.

Nothing can last forever, especially action figure lines.
 
if it went away I think I would miss the vehicles the most... but I think I have just about every vehicle I need lol. I'd buy a 3 3/4 Tie Defender though.
And army building would be harder. The emperor's arrival on DS2 is my favorite scene to diorama and you need a small army for that one.
 
2-4 years...depends on how many they do a year. That is if the line doesn't tank because of price once the novelty of something new wears off. But I mean I doubt we are gonna get the kinda obscure guys you got in a 4" line and They'll burn through the really known guys pretty quick. If they can make it to Ep 7 then I can see the line running through that and the Sequel Trilogy if it doesn't flounder between movies. But in the long run I don't see the line lasting a really long time, it isn't going to have the staying power of the 4" line.
 
TheRealDub said:
And really, even if the SA 3.75" line stopped being produced, what has been produced is incredible and very satisfactory.

Nothing can last forever, especially action figure lines.
Click to expand...


This is a fair point. If 2014 is really a collector's year, then we might see a number of long-awaited figures get made. It has gotten to a point where fewer people need to buy whole waves. I don't want the line to go away, but I do understand that once the ST hits and the spin-offs, the character pool will expand to a point where some figures we might get next year will almost be pushed to the impossible list.

That said, I think Rama is right about this line. Hasbro has enough characters to get them through 2014 and maybe part of 2015 depending on how many get made. If, however, the 3.75" line goes completely 5 POA, then that might give this line a boost. For me, though, I can see myself amassing more than about 20 6" figures anyway, so my hope is that they get to the characters I want sooner rather than later.
 
From my point of view, this 6" line just eats up valuable shelf space and alienates me a bit.

To see it in a bite-sized study, look at the TRON Legacy lines. The biggest mistake of the TRON Legacy toys was shelf space wasted on the 6" and 12" line. I found the detail in the 6" and 12" line to be less or disappointing compared to the 4" line. The 4" line unfortunately suffered because of it. People really adopted the 4" line as the selection was wider and there were vehicles available for them. What's the point of 6"/12" figures? Hand-to-hand fist fights? More characters to not see made?

The SW 4" line is pretty successful except for getting product on shelf (I haven't seen any figures available at retail for months besides the old (yet still few) peg warmers). The rumor is that we may just get a Toryn Farr this year. I've been waiting since the 80's for this figure! You think she'd ever come in the 6" line? Fewer characters per series, but not any more frequent releases than 4". So far the ratio is 1 to 3. Even if they had the 6" line started in the 80's, Toryn Farr would be on the year 2070 list!! How aggravating is that? 12" is even worse.

Cost: $20 for a figure? I can hardly stand $10.

I'm biased: I mainly care about dioramas or full scene interaction and for that you need armies and variety. I couldn't find one Royal Guard at retail ... need 6. How is a 6" line going to solve this problem? Actually I didn't see one figure from the last case assortment (Kmart, TRU, Target, Walmart).

Since execution of the 4" line is currently in limbo, why would I trust a 6" line at this point? If I didn't see there were rumors about future 4" figures, I would have thought the whole line shut down back last Oct(?) I am hopeful to pick up some new 4" figures soon.
 
I think the 6" line is to bring in new collectors. A number of other franchises have this size, so Hasbro sees potential sales in the line. Also, if you have parents getting into this line, they might steer their kids into the smaller line and away from something else. There's a lot of intelligent planning in this whole 6" line.

Now, to your point of the smaller line suffereing, I think you could be right. Too many franchises do that and see the smaller line for kids, put very little effort into it, and we get something disappoiting.

It's possible Hasbro is going that route, but if collectors stay away from the 5POA line and sales aren't good enough, Hasbro will have to scrap that plan.

I don't know how long-term this 6" line should has been planned to be. I have the feeling it's kind of a bridge to keep the line going with something different for those of us that have been around and something that could pull in some more fans.
 
Masterfett said:
I'm not against the line, I'm just perturbed at the feeling that the basic line is getting the shaft/shunned.
While all of a sudden they introduce a new scale!
Click to expand...

The 3 3/4" line has been going non-stop since 1995... I wouldn't call this sudden. ;)

The 3 3/4" line isn't going away anytime soon. It may slow down, but once the new movies, tv shows, etc. come out there will be a whole bunch of new figures, vehicles, playsets, etc.

Hasbro has released a crap ton of characters over the years. Some that people should feel lucky were even made.
 
UNIT01 said:
The 3 3/4" line has been going non-stop since 1995... I wouldn't call this sudden. ;)
Click to expand...
In the sense that Hasbro kept saying no the the prospect of lager scale, it is.


Hasbro has released a crap ton of characters over the years. Some that people should feel lucky were even made.
Click to expand...
Why so?
They're in the business to make action figures in the attempt to make money, so in turn they should at least be making the one we want to buy.

Yeah I'm very happy with some of the figures they've done, but I'd still like to see several more.
 
This line will last a while, I'm sure. I could see the kids getting these as opposed to the smaller figures, too. I'm sure we'll get all the new movie characters too.
 
[h=2]How long can this line last?[/h]
A: As long as the royalty % is enough for Disney.
 
I hate the idea of doing anything because of nostalgia, but I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that we see the Kenner original twelve figures in this format, as long as it lasts long enough. That lineup is really strong, even in the scope of six movies instead of just one (or three).

Luke Skywalker - the classic character in his classic costume
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Princess Leia - the iconic hair buns
Han Solo
R2-D2
Stormtrooper
Darth Vader
Chewbacca
Jawa
Death Star Trooper
C-3PO
Tusken Raider

If this line doesn't have all of the characters I've printed in bold by the time it ends, it will be forgotten about and disregarded as "incomplete." That only leaves three from Kenner's first wave, and their chances are pretty good. The Death Star Trooper is the only one I can see being left off in favor of something from another movie, if the line survives a few years.

One of those twelve have already been announced and shown, even, and C-3PO can't be far behind.
 
I'm thinking this could run for exactly as long as it holds Hasbro's interest. The 6" Black Series is SO unlike anything they've tried in the past, so trying to compare them to things like Unleashed, Battlers, etc. doesn't really work. These are amazingly sculpted, highly articulated, collector-focused action figures. ALL of the past tangent lines have been for kids or were statues, not action figures.

A 6" line is a collector scale, and if DCU Classics, Marvel Legends, and the wealth of imported stuff at this scale is any indication- the Black Series could run for years and years. So if the distribution and character selection can keep up with retail, I'm thinking I'll amass a pretty healthy collection of 6" Star Wars over the next few years. B)
 
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