Transformers Company News on Seibertron.com

News From Hasbro Germany

Date: Sunday, August 13th 2006 5:58pm CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company News
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): Nevermore of the Trans-Europes Express Group and Transformers @ The Moon

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Views: 19,981

Nevermore of the Trans-Europes Express Group has recently been in contact with Hasbro Germany. He was able to get some interesting information from the company. Here is what Nevermore reported:

"A few months ago, Hasbro Germany's current Transformers "brand manager" invited me and a few other fans to Hasbro Germany's new offices. Unfortunately, the trip initially wouldn't happen for time reasons, which is why I had an extended phone call with him today instead.

Summary:
- Apparently, European distribution in general is down to the US mother company, who decide on which toys will get released in Europe. The domestic branches don't have much of a say in which individual products they will release and what the case assortments will be.
- Some toys being released in Europe in US packaging (cue Cybertron Starscream in the UK) is due to a combination of sudden demand and a shortage of products. US toys will be shipped to Europe and applied with a sticker, making it legal for the European market.
- The German TV airing of the Armada cartoon three years ago was apparently cut short (20 episodes only) for concerns about "too much violence". Hasbro didn't agree with that decision either, but the TV station was very serious about it.
- The Cybertron toy line will be fully released in Germany (i.e. anything that's available in Europe will also come out in Germany). All size classes will come out (not sure about Supreme Starscream, see below for why).
- High end collectors' items are not considered viable for the German market. As a result, 20th Anniversary Prime might not come out here.
- The movie toyline is already in production. Some people at Hasbro Germany have even seen animatics of the movie.
- The Hasbro Germany guy described the aesthetics of the movie characters as a "quantum leap" as compared to what we've been used to so far, but also admitted that some old school fans might be disappointed.
- There might be a sneak preview of the movie toyline in Hasbro Germany's offices later this year. No photos will be allowed.
- Hasbro Germany hope that the movie line will re-ignite interest in Transformers in Germany.
- Hasbro consider LEGO their biggest competitor for the "Boys Toys" market at least in Europe/Germany.
- Hasbro Germany appear to be VERY eager to cooperate with the fandom. They're willing to participate in contests, and also consider asking fans for help with background information for media coverage.
- As far as Hasbro Germany's PR department is concerned, the live-action TF movie will be the first live action movie based on a toy line. When I mentioned the "Masters of the Universe" movie from the 80s, he said he'll blissfully ignore that one.
- There's one more thing I won't discuss in here - but if it does indeed pan out, Hasbro Germany will earn a lot of respect for their efforts."

Madman's Best of Transformers DVD - Submit Your Favorite Episode and Win!

Date: Friday, July 28th 2006 8:33am CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Company News
Posted by: Calenatarion | Credit(s): Madman Entertainment

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Views: 20,668

Daniel of Madman Entertainment has contacted us regarding a new Transformers DVD! Madman will be releasing a "Transformers Best of DVD" and have asked to submit our favorite episodes!

With this you have the chance to have your name featured on the DVD and, this is quite interesting, to win a pack containing the Transformers Best Of, Transformers Tshirts, Transformers the Movie, and Transformers Collection 6, which has the best DVD extras around!

Well, what do you need to do? Submit YOUR favorite episode before this Sunday! Also, describe (with a maximum of 50 words) WHY that episode is your favorite!

So be quick because this Sunday is the deadline! If you submit you can win a Madman Transformers pack!

UPDATE: To enter, posters need only comment in this thread, and please clarify it is 50 words approx to comment on your favourite episode, not 50 characters! Entries from all countries are welcome.

Transformers Collectors Club Exclusive Landquake Now Shipping To Canadian Members

Date: Tuesday, July 25th 2006 6:41pm CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company News, Collectables
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): Super_Megatron of Cybertron.ca

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Views: 23,295

Canadian Transformers Collectors Club Members should be receiving their Club exclusive Landquake figures soon. Super_Megatron of Cybertron.ca has reported getting his in the mail. So keep your eyes on the mail box!

88MPH Studios is Suing Hasbro

Date: Friday, July 21st 2006 7:14pm CDT
Category: Company News
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): 88MPH Studios and TFW2005

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Views: 14,251

TFW2005 has received a press release from 88MPH Studios. For those who do not know, 88MPH Studios worked on the Transformers Genesis art book. The book that was delayed many times, and was eventually set to be releasesd in two parts. The second part has never been released. According to the press release 88MPH Studios is suing Hasbro. Here is what the press release states:

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

88MPH Studios, Inc. suing Hasbro, Inc.

Montmagny, QC, Canada " July 21, 2006 " Counterclaiming Hasbro's own legal action, 88MPH Studios, the cross-plaintiff, is initiating its own lawsuit against the toy manufacturer, seeking 90006.23$ (cdn) worth of damages for wrongful doings and the non respect of multiple contractual terms in regards to a licensing agreement concerning the publication of Transformers related books.

For information : http://www.pelletierlavoie.com
Contact : Attorney Charles Lavoie"

Get 10% Off All Transformers Figures @ HasbroToyShop.com

Date: Friday, July 21st 2006 9:56am CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company News
Posted by: Darth Bombshell | Credit(s): TFormers.com

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Views: 12,197

For those doing their Transformers shopping at HasbroToyShop.com, be sure to use Promo Code "COMIC2006". If you do, you'll get ten percent off your purchase.

Transformers.com Announcement Regarding the Comic-Con

Date: Wednesday, July 19th 2006 2:42pm CDT
Categories: Toy News, Company News
Posted by: Calenatarion | Credit(s): Transformers.com

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Views: 18,514

Official Transformers website has been updated with an annoucement or the Comic-Con 2006.

Some of the subjects that were mentioned in this update:

* The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD
* 20th Anniversary DVD Edition of OPTIMUS PRIME (masterpiece Optimus Prime)
* Transfomers Classics

Click here to read this update.

Does Hasbro have a "Top Secret" Postcard for SDCC?

Date: Sunday, July 9th 2006 8:19pm CDT
Categories: Event News, Rumors, Company News
Posted by: Seibertron | Credit(s): Anonoymous User

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Views: 18,643

An anonymous Seibertronian has sent us a very interesting message regarding the San Diego Comic Con. We currently have no way of proving this message though I'm speculating that this postcard will feature upcoming figures that haven't been revealed from either the Classics line or possibly the Movie. Here's what this Seibertronian had to say:

"Huge fan of your site. I visit often!!! I just wanted to let someone know that Hasbro will be handing out some sort of postcard at their panel at the San Diego Comic Con. What's interesting about this postcard is that they're keeping it TOP SECRET until the convention. Even the Comic Con doesn't know (yet)what it looks like/what image(s) it displays. Hasbro's being very touchy about this postcard though. They do not want anyone knowing what it looks like. I have a very solid source for this. I though you might want to pass the info on!!! It looks like there's something very exciting to look forward to at the Con!"

Make sure you keep checking SEIBERTRON.com for developing news and for further information about Hasbro's possible secret.

UPDATE: I just received some additional information from my source that this is NOT related to the movie which leads me to believe that this postcard will feature upcoming Classics Transformers figures that we haven't seen yet. Time will reveal all to those who are patient ...

Hasbro Updates ''Ask Vector Prime'' Section

Date: Sunday, July 9th 2006 6:41pm CDT
Category: Company News
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): Transformers.com

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Views: 12,364

Hasbro has once again updated the ''Ask Vector Prime'' section of Transformers.com. Head over to Transformers.com to see the new questions and answers.

Hasbro To Trademark the Name Soundbite

Date: Thursday, July 6th 2006 6:28pm CDT
Category: Company News
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): Monzo of Allspark.com

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Views: 11,769

Monzo of Allspark.com has come across some interesting news. It appears Hasbro as applied to trademark the name Soundbite. This information cane be found on the United States Patent and Trademark Office database website, here.

Transformers.com Updated With New Look

Date: Wednesday, July 5th 2006 5:47pm CDT
Category: Company News
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): Cheeser828 and Transformers.com

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Views: 11,804

Our own Cheeser828 has let us know that The Transformers website, Transformers.com, has gotten a huge make over. The site has an all new layout. There have also been a number of new features added to the site. Two of these features involve Primus. There is now toy demo for Cybertron Primus that shows Primus Transforming. Also a new game called Primus Unleashed has been added to the site. In this game you will have to save the universe from the black hole. So check out the all new Transformers.com.