Official / In-Package Images of PCC Spastic w / Stunticons, Salvage w / Bombburst, Undertow w / Waterlog

heavy tread and skyhammer are too good for this line

Spastic?!? Really?

Your gonna name a toy Spastic?

Great another toy which will have to be renamed if it gets released in the UK as the word Spastic is derogatory offensive slang for people with cerebal palsy, downs syndrome or generally the handicapped.

This years Nexus Maximus name cock up it would seem.

think hasbro naming team dropped the ball on this one for "Spastic"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic

The word in common speech can also be used in a pejorative context. The level of severity depends on whether one understands it as it is used in the United States or the United Kingdom.[1] In the UK it is considered an offensive way to refer to the disabled.

Me thinks Hasbro may get sued by RADAR or the Royal Society For The Mentaly Handicapped or what ever the US equivalent is.

Does Hasbro really not look into names before it picks them? Nexus Maximus was bad enough but now to offend the handicapped of the UK with a name! Genius way to go!

Neurie wrote:Me thinks Hasbro may get sued by RADAR or the Royal Society For The Mentaly Handicapped or what ever the US equivalent is.

Nope. The word isn't offensive at all in America. They'll just have to change the name for when they release it over here.

Hasbro, you really can be total morons at times... Doesn't matter if this figure is renamed or whatever when it comes to the UK. That figure's name will spread over here somehow and us TF fans already know of it now. Cannot undo.

Spastic! WTF, I hope we don't get Retard Prime, again WTF! I work with disabled children and this is really offensive!

Wow, just wow. This makes Slag and Slapper seem relatively tame!

Another figure the UK won't be getting me thinks.

Dear oh dear... i'm guessing this won't see the light of day in Australia either.

ausbot wrote:Spastic! WTF, I hope we don't get Retard Prime, again WTF! I work with disabled children and this is really offensive!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic

Read "Evolution of the term in the United States" for a better understanding of Hasbro's intentions.

Bass X0 wrote:

Neurie wrote:Me thinks Hasbro may get sued by RADAR or the Royal Society For The Mentaly Handicapped or what ever the US equivalent is.

Nope. The word isn't offensive at all in America. They'll just have to change the name for when they release it over here.

Nah, they just won't bother releasing it in the UK. It's cheaper that way!

Bass X0 wrote:

ausbot wrote:Spastic! WTF, I hope we don't get Retard Prime, again WTF! I work with disabled children and this is really offensive!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic

Read "Evolution of the term in the United States" for a better understanding of Hasbro's intentions.

In fact, at least one American dictionary (Merriam Webster's) makes no reference to cerebral palsy in its definition or word origins. It simply defines "spaz" as a shortening of the word "spastic" and "one who is inept".

They obviously hadn't heard the name of the charity The Spastic's Society who changed their name because of the modern use of the word spastic.

Mind you, in combined form the name DOES seem...

Funny how almost no-one is commenting on the other toys in the post! The tank and boat look good.

Bass X0 wrote:

ausbot wrote:Spastic! WTF, I hope we don't get Retard Prime, again WTF! I work with disabled children and this is really offensive!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic

Read "Evolution of the term in the United States" for a better understanding of Hasbro's intentions.

That may have been Hasbro's intention but words can have different meanings in different countries even those that speak the same language. Hasbro should research names and their meanings before it trademarks them. This is a massive gaff on Hasbro's part and I'm sure once Hasbro realises how offensive the word is in the UK it will change the name,

Bass X0 wrote:

ausbot wrote:Spastic! WTF, I hope we don't get Retard Prime, again WTF! I work with disabled children and this is really offensive!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic

Read "Evolution of the term in the United States" for a better understanding of Hasbro's intentions.

I think the wiki article confuses things, because it talks about spaz being a fairly harmless word in the US. But although spaz was originally a shortening of spastic, the word spaz has evolved to mean nerdy/uncool/clumsy whereas the word spastic still refers to the disability does it not?

Anyway, I don't understand why they can't use the name Slag, which is not derogatory in the US, only really in the UK (plus in the UK it still means "molten rock/metals" as well), but they can OK the name Spastic?

Keep the name Spastic if you must, just bring back Slag!

PS. Spazma may have been a better choice, and would let Hasbro hold onto an older name.

Wow. Talk about really not wanting to reuse an already trademarked name (like Decepticon Drag Strip) in any form. Geez. They really need to do more research for these names. Although, I'm personally waiting for 'em to release a new Huffer repaint named Pipes in any French-speaking country and see how that goes...

And I'm so getting all four of these PCC 2-packs! The Mudslinger mold is really one of the better molds of this series and the newer ones are getting better and better. Undertow looks awesome, Heavytread is so a Guzzle homage and Skyhammer is just pure win. Still waiting to see what'll happen with an eventual Grimstone/Dinobots repaint, tho'.

Relic Dinobot wrote:Heavytread is so a Guzzle homage

Personally, with the way the front of the tank becomes the chest, he feels like more of a Brawl homage - which fits in with the established pattern of the PCCs aping existing combiner groups. But he does make a passable Guzzle too.

Man I'd love a full on proper IDW style Guzzle. A larger scout or a smaller deluxe, either way would be all good.

Oilspill wrote:

Relic Dinobot wrote:Heavytread is so a Guzzle homage

Personally, with the way the front of the tank becomes the chest, he feels like more of a Brawl homage - which fits in with the established pattern of the PCCs aping existing combiner groups.

True. Makes more sense for the vehicle mode anyway. But I'll stick with Guzzle for the 'bot mode since I'm not a big fan of Movie Brawl.

Oilspill wrote:Man I'd love a full on proper IDW style Guzzle. A larger scout or a smaller deluxe, either way would be all good.

Hasbro, if you've read this comment, please go with the second option and make him a deluxe figure. Please?

I was expecting a couple of people to comment on the name, didn't expect the whole topic to be taken up by it, lol. What I think makes it worse is that they've given the name to a bad guy, as if it says something about the people with such a mental disability.

Hasbro; EPIC FAIL.

I'll wait for the inevitable red repaint of Heavytread into Warpath.

--B-- wrote:I'll wait for the inevitable red repaint of Heavytread into Warpath.

That won't happen though. Autobots get repainted into Decepticons and vice versa. Out of five waves, not one toy so far has been repainted from someone the same faction as them (other than Mini-Cons).

Bass X0 wrote:

--B-- wrote:I'll wait for the inevitable red repaint of Heavytread into Warpath.

That won't happen though. Autobots get repainted into Decepticons and vice versa. Out of five waves, not one toy so far has been repainted from someone the same faction as them (other than Mini-Cons).

Just because it hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't.

Heavytread looks like Brawl..

Stunticons... NO!

I like Undertow even more now with these clearer pictures, and Waterlog looks pretty neat too.

I like the Heavytread mold, but I'm waiting for a Decepticon repaint. Every PCC figure so far has gotten a repaint, so I assume these will too.

wow...seems like Hasbro's sticking with this concept...good for them

Waterlog looks like a goof. His head looks funny. I am so glad Hasbro is recycling the torso's in the five packs in two pack form. Heavytread still looks boss.

Really had to do a double take when I first saw this. Looking forward to Wanker and Bollocks next.

Does Hasbro really not look into names before it picks them? Nexus Maximus was bad enough but now to offend the handicapped of the UK with a name! Genius way to go!

i think not i finally understood what deadpool meant by that bad timing though for me to get it

i like hasbro packageing desgin team on pcc 5 packs on package they combined form with proper hands & feet but the actual has none those features at all its to much

I'm definately buying Undertow, Heavytread, and Skyhammer. Salvage is meh. I already have Mudslinger and I'm not too concerned about recolored minicons.

Spastic(whom I will rename Dragstrip) interests me greatly. I had intended on repainting a Leadfoot anyway, so this spares me of my horrid painting ability.

I'm seeing these repaints:

Skyhammer -> Fearswoop

Heavythread->Brawl (Hardhead?)

Undertow ->Manta Ray (obvious...)

Spastic = name fail
Undertow = Manta Ray repaint now!
Salvage = not a terrible repaint nice to see them using the name Bomb-burst again

Bass X0 wrote:

Neurie wrote:Me thinks Hasbro may get sued by RADAR or the Royal Society For The Mentaly Handicapped or what ever the US equivalent is.

Nope. The word isn't offensive at all in America. They'll just have to change the name for when they release it over here.

Or just skip it entirely....

Huh. Well it's not offensive to me, but it seems like a terrible name for a TF.

I'm disappointed Heavytread isn't more green, but I still want him. I'll probably get Undertow too, or wait for a repaint. I really like Skyhammer but I want a repaint too.

Oh dear...Am I the only one who may have noticed something else digging a trench for Spastic? That the name was paired with the leader of the Stunticons, and of course "Stunt" can be taken several ways, not the least of which I'm sure will bring only more problems, if they do surface.

And there are so many puns one could bring up right now....

Oilspill wrote:

Bass X0 wrote:

ausbot wrote:Spastic! WTF, I hope we don't get Retard Prime, again WTF! I work with disabled children and this is really offensive!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic

Read "Evolution of the term in the United States" for a better understanding of Hasbro's intentions.

I think the wiki article confuses things, because it talks about spaz being a fairly harmless word in the US. But although spaz was originally a shortening of spastic, the word spaz has evolved to mean nerdy/uncool/clumsy whereas the word spastic still refers to the disability does it not?

Anyway, I don't understand why they can't use the name Slag, which is not derogatory in the US, only really in the UK (plus in the UK it still means "molten rock/metals" as well), but they can OK the name Spastic?

Keep the name Spastic if you must, just bring back Slag!

"Slag is a pejorative slang term, primarily used in United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand and Australia, to describe women who often engage in casual sex and promiscuous behaviour. It originally derives from the same term for piles of impurities skimmed off during the smelting of metals.

Its meaning is broadly similar to the terms "slut" and "skank", and other words used in the same manner include "slapper", "ho" and "scrubber". In Australia, the word "slurry" is also used, in this case the meaning derives from the stone slurry discharged as waste from the mining of metals."

OK, now Spastic and Slag are in the same grouping. Either Hasbro can't use either of them, or - by using Spastic- they have no argumnet against NOT using Slag.

THe more I see Undertow, the more I want him. THat is a gorgeous alt-mode...I'd really like to see him in combiner mode though. Heavytread is sick also...this looks like an overall great wave of PCCs.

i'm not even going to mention my thoughts on the name thing.

the pics look mostly decent. skyhammer reminds me of armada cyclonus. Evil Boat(!) undertow looks pretty cool and i'm really liking some of those mini-con guys. salvage should be a junkion.

So they homage Dragstrip via his colours and alt mode but don't use his name?

Windsweeper wrote:So they homage Dragstrip via his colours and alt mode but don't use his name?

As evident by his Universe Special Edition figure, the "Drag Strip" trademark now requires the "Decepticon" prefix, making the full name "Decepticon Drag Strip", a tad too long for the packaging.

I refuse to get all up in arms over a word that offends one group of people in one specific place in the world.

I refuse to do this

1. because I refuse to pander to political correctness
2. because I'm not a narrow minded idiot.

It's pretty clear that the character is called "Spastic" due to his race car alt and team affiliation.

The UK has all kinds of crazy slang terms for everything. It would be impossible to avoid using them in international products.

I really wouldn't worry about what's slang in one country and not in another. Hasbro develops this stuff for a NA audience where "spastic" isn't offensive at all. UK may get it renamed, perhaps not at all. It happens. Here in Canada we get tons of BBC broadcasts that leave us saying "how can they say that on TV?" but then again it isn't marketed to us is it?

Case in point, I teach first aid and all our gear for lifeguards is kept in a fanny pack. Imagine the look of horror on my international students when I told them to stuff their gloves in there.

Nice to know how insensitive some people are to the beliefs of others.

I've been wanting a Scout version of Dragstrip for years and when it finally looks like we're getting one, they give it that stupid name.

Nothing worse than an obvious homage that's given a different name to the character being homaged.

Skyhammer and Undertow are must haves I may just get spastic just because I can call him spaz for short

Not that these will be available but MSN reported targets black Friday ad was leaked and PCC 5 packs look like they will be $10:
http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/BlackF ... yes/Page/5
Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but I hadn't seen it.

Windsweeper wrote:Nice to know how insensitive some people are to the beliefs of others.

I've been wanting a Scout version of Dragstrip for years and when it finally looks like we're getting one, they give it that stupid name.

Nothing worse than an obvious homage that's given a different name to the character being homaged.

I agree that the name is lame, but it's unlikely that they would call him Dragstrip anyway.

As for the sensitivity thing? Where does it end? One group of people objects to a slang use of a perfectly acceptable word out of the numerous other meanings and uses the word has, in one country of the world, referring to a small group of people...

The name Megatron is a reference to Mega-ton explosions. Maybe the Japanese should complain about that...

Maybe military vets should complain about children having a toy named "Bombshock".

I agree. 'Political correctness' goes way too far sometimes. In some workplaces you're not even allowed to wish someone 'Merry Christmas' anymore, because it might offend them. People need to suck it up and stop being so damned offended by everything. Are we going to stop calling hot dogs 'weiners' because of the obvious slang connotations? I don't think so. Obviously Hasbro wasn't paying attention here, but it's not that big of a deal. It's just a toy with a stupid name, that you can buy over the internet and rename yourself in case they decide not to release it in the name of political correctness.

'weiners'

Searchlight wrote:Really had to do a double take when I first saw this. Looking forward to Wanker and Bollocks next.

They got away with it in the film and The Simpsons so why not?

Relic Dinobot wrote:

Oilspill wrote:

Relic Dinobot wrote:Heavytread is so a Guzzle homage

Personally, with the way the front of the tank becomes the chest, he feels like more of a Brawl homage - which fits in with the established pattern of the PCCs aping existing combiner groups.

True. Makes more sense for the vehicle mode anyway. But I'll stick with Guzzle for the 'bot mode since I'm not a big fan of Movie Brawl.

Oilspill wrote:Man I'd love a full on proper IDW style Guzzle. A larger scout or a smaller deluxe, either way would be all good.

Hasbro, if you've read this comment, please go with the second option and make him a deluxe figure. Please?

Nah, what they need to do is make him a large Scout, but put him a Deluxe box so they can A) make more money, but more importantly give him that half-mile tank barrel of his.

Is it just me, or does Skyhammer there possess a striking resemblance to Armada Cyclonus?