Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More
Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 12:36AM CST
Category: Toy NewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 50,321
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Hasbro's Transformers team had a round table discussion with several fansites and Seibertron was there. Below is the video of the discussion where you can get more info on the toys coming out, and also of the toys not coming out. Like with Velocitron Hot Rod, which has been shelved for the moment. Not that he will never come out, but as of now there are no plans to release him. 2023 Exclusives will focus more on Rise of the Beasts. They also address the current situation where we are seeing two different toys for each Rise of the Beasts character. We do learn that the ones coming out in Studio Series are made by a completely different team than the ones released in the main Rise of the Beasts line. Those toys are actually made by the same team that handles the Earthspark toys.
There's loads of other fun and interesting bits like how Volkswagen is a "great partner to work with" (which is very different than what the fandom may have thought previously) and the good news that the Netflix Soundwave mold's exclusivity at Walmart has expired. And of course, you'll get to see the reveal of Origins Jazz. Enjoy and let us know your favourite tidbit!
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Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155491)
Posted by ZeroWolf on February 7th, 2023 @ 2:38am CST
Posted by ZeroWolf on February 7th, 2023 @ 2:38am CST
Now that they're saying the deal had expired, does that mean we can work out a length of time the deal was in effect? I remember correctly it will be 3 years this year since the Netflix line dropped earth mode SW and VW Bee.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155493)
Posted by Bounti76 on February 7th, 2023 @ 3:12am CST
Cassette player Soundwave is now in play, but for VW Bee, they'd have to renegotiate the licensing agreement with Volkswagen. Maybe they released Goldbug while they still had the agreement in effect for the Beetle.
Posted by Bounti76 on February 7th, 2023 @ 3:12am CST
ZeroWolf wrote:Now that they're saying the deal had expired, does that mean we can work out a length of time the deal was in effect? I remember correctly it will be 3 years this year since the Netflix line dropped earth mode SW and VW Bee.
Cassette player Soundwave is now in play, but for VW Bee, they'd have to renegotiate the licensing agreement with Volkswagen. Maybe they released Goldbug while they still had the agreement in effect for the Beetle.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155499)
Posted by Cheetron on February 7th, 2023 @ 5:53am CST
Posted by Cheetron on February 7th, 2023 @ 5:53am CST
All I wanted to know was what is happening with the velocotron line Walmart exclusive. Hasbro pulse had the second waves, they are all sold out. Walmart has all but discontinued the entire line.
Guess it's just me wondering then. Oh well
Guess it's just me wondering then. Oh well
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155503)
Posted by william-james88 on February 7th, 2023 @ 7:51am CST
Hasbro aint the person to ask. They at least gave a solid statement on why velocitron hot rod has never been made available. As for the other wave 2 toys, that's all on Walmart's end. They got their entire supply, some made it to stores, the rest might be rotting in a warehouse. But that's all on their end, Hasbro can't help beyond saying that they might find other ways to release a poorly distributed toy down the road, which is exactly what they said.
Yes, or they negotiated with VW and got an agreement for Bumblebee and Goldbug at the same time. I was happy to know that VW is a great partner.
The bit that puzzles me a lot though is the reason they give for Hot Rod no longer coming out. They say that the retailer exclusives will be focused on Rise of the Beasts stuff. I mean fine, we saw that with the Last Knight (like all those TLK Walmart exclusives that never made it to Canada) but we are still getting generations exclusives like G2 grimlock. So I don't see how Hot Rod can't go anywhere.
Posted by william-james88 on February 7th, 2023 @ 7:51am CST
Cheetron wrote:All I wanted to know was what is happening with the velocotron line Walmart exclusive. Hasbro pulse had the second waves, they are all sold out. Walmart has all but discontinued the entire line.
Guess it's just me wondering then. Oh well
Hasbro aint the person to ask. They at least gave a solid statement on why velocitron hot rod has never been made available. As for the other wave 2 toys, that's all on Walmart's end. They got their entire supply, some made it to stores, the rest might be rotting in a warehouse. But that's all on their end, Hasbro can't help beyond saying that they might find other ways to release a poorly distributed toy down the road, which is exactly what they said.
Bounti76 wrote:Cassette player Soundwave is now in play, but for VW Bee, they'd have to renegotiate the licensing agreement with Volkswagen. Maybe they released Goldbug while they still had the agreement in effect for the Beetle.
Yes, or they negotiated with VW and got an agreement for Bumblebee and Goldbug at the same time. I was happy to know that VW is a great partner.
The bit that puzzles me a lot though is the reason they give for Hot Rod no longer coming out. They say that the retailer exclusives will be focused on Rise of the Beasts stuff. I mean fine, we saw that with the Last Knight (like all those TLK Walmart exclusives that never made it to Canada) but we are still getting generations exclusives like G2 grimlock. So I don't see how Hot Rod can't go anywhere.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155504)
Posted by Munkky on February 7th, 2023 @ 8:19am CST
Posted by Munkky on February 7th, 2023 @ 8:19am CST
A few take-aways from this:
-I was actually looking forward to Velocitron Hot Rod, the colours look so much nicer than the original in my opinion.
- That Cybertronian Jazz is cute, but not something I really need. I will say though, the robot mode looks a lot better than the Studio Series 1986 figure.
-It's nice to hear the tape deck Soundwave mould is no longer an exclusive and it would be great if it gets re-issued at some point.
-It's also good that Hasbro tries to keep tabs on the secondary market to see what was under-produced, Dirge getting re-issued in Legacy: Evolution is a good example of this, I hope eventually Earthrise Sunstreaker gets re-issued, because I missed out on it the first time and its secondary market prices now are insane.
- Interesting to hear the team's answers when asked which universes they want to do in Legacy, while I don't know much about Machine Wars, but some of its toys do look nice, like Hoist and Hubcap. For Energon, there aren't many characters I'd really like a new toy of, perhaps just Rodimus and possibly Jetfire (though I'd prefer an Armada Jetfire that can combine with the upcoming Optimus)
-I was actually looking forward to Velocitron Hot Rod, the colours look so much nicer than the original in my opinion.
- That Cybertronian Jazz is cute, but not something I really need. I will say though, the robot mode looks a lot better than the Studio Series 1986 figure.
-It's nice to hear the tape deck Soundwave mould is no longer an exclusive and it would be great if it gets re-issued at some point.
-It's also good that Hasbro tries to keep tabs on the secondary market to see what was under-produced, Dirge getting re-issued in Legacy: Evolution is a good example of this, I hope eventually Earthrise Sunstreaker gets re-issued, because I missed out on it the first time and its secondary market prices now are insane.
- Interesting to hear the team's answers when asked which universes they want to do in Legacy, while I don't know much about Machine Wars, but some of its toys do look nice, like Hoist and Hubcap. For Energon, there aren't many characters I'd really like a new toy of, perhaps just Rodimus and possibly Jetfire (though I'd prefer an Armada Jetfire that can combine with the upcoming Optimus)
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155516)
Posted by o.supreme on February 7th, 2023 @ 10:34am CST
Posted by o.supreme on February 7th, 2023 @ 10:34am CST
It was nice that the Q&A was on video. This TF team really is appreciated for their hard work, and accessibility to the fans. I hope they dont get too burned out 
. Also while I would love to be granted the privilege of asking a question to them directly, I think those who represent the fandom are doing a pretty good job as well.
Of course my questions strictly pertain to the holes in my collection. Which I'm sure some would appreciate, but not everyone would.
. Also while I would love to be granted the privilege of asking a question to them directly, I think those who represent the fandom are doing a pretty good job as well.Of course my questions strictly pertain to the holes in my collection. Which I'm sure some would appreciate, but not everyone would.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155528)
Posted by DeathReviews on February 7th, 2023 @ 11:28am CST
Posted by DeathReviews on February 7th, 2023 @ 11:28am CST
The only question I'd like answered is, will they EVER re-stock Velocitron Cosmos on Pulse, or SOMEWHERE besides Walmart, so that US-based customers can get one? Because Walmart bungled and botched that figure big time. Completely impossible to find, unless by dumb luck you just happen to be in a store when they unload a fresh box of deluxes, and snag the lone copy of Cosmos that will be in there.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155547)
Posted by william-james88 on February 7th, 2023 @ 2:21pm CST
Yeah, they aknowledged that mess up. There won't be a restock on Pulse, that's for sure. If Walmart is holding onto some stock that was never put on shelves, you might end up seeing it at a liquidator. if they put everything on shelves, then no there won't be a restock. What will happen is you'll have to wait a couple of years for the exclusivity to expire and then Hasbro can rerelease him in some other way like they are doing with Dirge.
Posted by william-james88 on February 7th, 2023 @ 2:21pm CST
DeathReviews wrote:The only question I'd like answered is, will they EVER re-stock Velocitron Cosmos on Pulse, or SOMEWHERE besides Walmart, so that US-based customers can get one? Because Walmart bungled and botched that figure big time. Completely impossible to find, unless by dumb luck you just happen to be in a store when they unload a fresh box of deluxes, and snag the lone copy of Cosmos that will be in there.
Yeah, they aknowledged that mess up. There won't be a restock on Pulse, that's for sure. If Walmart is holding onto some stock that was never put on shelves, you might end up seeing it at a liquidator. if they put everything on shelves, then no there won't be a restock. What will happen is you'll have to wait a couple of years for the exclusivity to expire and then Hasbro can rerelease him in some other way like they are doing with Dirge.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155548)
Posted by william-james88 on February 7th, 2023 @ 2:23pm CST
The issue with those questions (ie will we be getting this figure?) is that we never get a good response.
Posted by william-james88 on February 7th, 2023 @ 2:23pm CST
o.supreme wrote:It was nice that the Q&A was on video. This TF team really is appreciated for their hard work, and accessibility to the fans. I hope they dont get too burned out
Of course my questions strictly pertain to the holes in my collection. Which I'm sure some would appreciate, but not everyone would.
The issue with those questions (ie will we be getting this figure?) is that we never get a good response.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155554)
Posted by Sabrblade on February 7th, 2023 @ 3:42pm CST
I remember back during the era of TF: Prime when Hasbro and Takara were releasing so many different figures in their respective versions of the Prime toyline, and every time Hasbro would get asked about domestic releases for the likes of War Breakdown, Jet Vehicon, Gaia Unicron, Deluxe class Ironhide, Silas Breakdown, Nemesis Prime, etc. etc., every answer Hasbro gave was to the tune of the words "Stay tuned".
And it took ten years and a different Hasbro team to finally bring over just three of those Takara-only figures (the third being Megatron Darkness renamed "Hades Megatron").
Posted by Sabrblade on February 7th, 2023 @ 3:42pm CST
And the sad reality is that that's always been the case.william-james88 wrote:o.supreme wrote:It was nice that the Q&A was on video. This TF team really is appreciated for their hard work, and accessibility to the fans. I hope they dont get too burned out
Of course my questions strictly pertain to the holes in my collection. Which I'm sure some would appreciate, but not everyone would.
The issue with those questions (ie will we be getting this figure?) is that we never get a good response.
I remember back during the era of TF: Prime when Hasbro and Takara were releasing so many different figures in their respective versions of the Prime toyline, and every time Hasbro would get asked about domestic releases for the likes of War Breakdown, Jet Vehicon, Gaia Unicron, Deluxe class Ironhide, Silas Breakdown, Nemesis Prime, etc. etc., every answer Hasbro gave was to the tune of the words "Stay tuned".
And it took ten years and a different Hasbro team to finally bring over just three of those Takara-only figures (the third being Megatron Darkness renamed "Hades Megatron").
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155595)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 7th, 2023 @ 8:32pm CST
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 7th, 2023 @ 8:32pm CST
The Earthspark team handling the RotB mainline is an interesting little tidbit, that's neat.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155602)
Posted by DeathReviews on February 7th, 2023 @ 9:50pm CST
Well, that's not exactly what we collectors would want to hear. But patience is a virtue. I'm sure once everybody who wanted Cosmos finally has one in hand, we'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
Though if Walmart is 'holding onto some stock', I'd like to know WHERE exactly they're being held...
Posted by DeathReviews on February 7th, 2023 @ 9:50pm CST
william-james88 wrote:Yeah, they aknowledged that mess up. There won't be a restock on Pulse, that's for sure. If Walmart is holding onto some stock that was never put on shelves, you might end up seeing it at a liquidator. if they put everything on shelves, then no there won't be a restock. What will happen is you'll have to wait a couple of years for the exclusivity to expire and then Hasbro can rerelease him in some other way like they are doing with Dirge.
Well, that's not exactly what we collectors would want to hear. But patience is a virtue. I'm sure once everybody who wanted Cosmos finally has one in hand, we'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
Though if Walmart is 'holding onto some stock', I'd like to know WHERE exactly they're being held...
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155636)
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on February 8th, 2023 @ 1:00pm CST
Better look into where their distribution centers are located. Or buy up all stock and see what happens
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on February 8th, 2023 @ 1:00pm CST
DeathReviews wrote:Though if Walmart is 'holding onto some stock', I'd like to know WHERE exactly they're being held...
Better look into where their distribution centers are located. Or buy up all stock and see what happens
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155658)
Posted by o.supreme on February 8th, 2023 @ 10:38pm CST
Posted by o.supreme on February 8th, 2023 @ 10:38pm CST
Another point I thought was kind of brow raising was that one of the producers stated that instead of using the Netflix Soundwave for SS86 ( which to me would be fine) he would actually preferr to do another all new mold to make him match height with Kingdom Blaster ( I thought they were already basically the same height?)
So while some WFC toys were basically SS86 adjacent, some I guess aren't....
So while some WFC toys were basically SS86 adjacent, some I guess aren't....
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155659)
Posted by Sabrblade on February 8th, 2023 @ 11:24pm CST
Posted by Sabrblade on February 8th, 2023 @ 11:24pm CST
Kingdom Blaster is slightly taller than Soundwave, which is something people nitpicked about when Kingdom Blaster first came out.o.supreme wrote:Another point I thought was kind of brow raising was that one of the producers stated that instead of using the Netflix Soundwave for SS86 ( which to me would be fine) he would actually preferr to do another all new mold to make him match height with Kingdom Blaster ( I thought they were already basically the same height?)
So while some WFC toys were basically SS86 adjacent, some I guess aren't....
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155665)
Posted by Emerje on February 9th, 2023 @ 9:36am CST
Posted by Emerje on February 9th, 2023 @ 9:36am CST
To me Blaster being taller than Soundwave is ideal.
Emerje
Emerje
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155676)
Posted by william-james88 on February 9th, 2023 @ 1:50pm CST
Posted by william-james88 on February 9th, 2023 @ 1:50pm CST
I honestly did not realize a height difference
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155702)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 9th, 2023 @ 7:02pm CST
Neither did I.
And if they really went and made yet another Soundwave just to make him a smidge taller, that would be disappointing
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 9th, 2023 @ 7:02pm CST
william-james88 wrote:I honestly did not realize a height difference
Neither did I.
And if they really went and made yet another Soundwave just to make him a smidge taller, that would be disappointing
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155710)
Posted by Sowndwave76 on February 9th, 2023 @ 8:10pm CST
Posted by Sowndwave76 on February 9th, 2023 @ 8:10pm CST
Soundwave should be as tall as Blaster.
Not only would it help the look of his overall proportions, it would be a chance to get rid of the forearm landing gear, as well as unnecessary greebling.
Not to mention, it's time for a legit G1 release of this character that isn't a difficult to find exclusive.
Not only would it help the look of his overall proportions, it would be a chance to get rid of the forearm landing gear, as well as unnecessary greebling.
Not to mention, it's time for a legit G1 release of this character that isn't a difficult to find exclusive.
Re: Video of Hasbro Q&A Where we learn that Velocitron Hot Rod is not Being Released Now and Much More (2155714)
Posted by o.supreme on February 9th, 2023 @ 10:31pm CST
Ditto. But I guess it's nice to know how familiar they are with the product, even if it's something I'm indifferent about.
Posted by o.supreme on February 9th, 2023 @ 10:31pm CST
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:william-james88 wrote:I honestly did not realize a height difference
Neither did I.
Ditto. But I guess it's nice to know how familiar they are with the product, even if it's something I'm indifferent about.
