Haslab Transformers Unicron Project Hits Over 5,000 Backers In Final Four Days of Crowdfunding

Triggerdick Megatron wrote:

Crosscheck wrote:Why does Hasbro insist on making Unicron that sickly yellow orange when he has ALWAYS been a very saturated orange?

The final product might be a little different as this is a prototype, have hope!

It's already been confirmed that these colors are as close to resembling the finalized deco as possible.

With the Haslab Transformers War for Cybertron Unicron crowdfunding in its final four days Seibertron is serving up a few tasty appetizers to whet the appetites of all you Angolmois fueled disciples of Unicron out there. We've updated our Haslab Transformers Unicron prototype display image gallery from the San Diego Comic Con last month. These images are familiar but we've cropped some of them and want to make sure you're able to see this mammoth monstrosity from every possible angle.

Click HERE or on any of the images below to head to the updated Unicron SDCC2019 gallery.






We're also giving you our interview with the Transformers Brand Team Hasbro's Senior Design Manager John Warden and Hasbro's Marketing Director Ben Montano. Our very own head Seibertronian Ryan Yzquierdo was on the scene to interview the two gentlemen in front of the Unicron prototype itself. But they don't just talk about Unicron, they also discuss the Studio Series and the recent G1 reissues. Here's some highlights from the interview.


- They go over the challenges of converting a sphere like a puzzle into the familiar devourer of worlds, and some of the logistics of the Haslab crowdfunding project.
- They also touch on the prioritization of features focusing on articulation such as in the fingers and eyes in place of electronic light up or sound features.
- They also touch on the vintage G1 reissues such as the Dino cassettes and The Sonic Iconic, everyone's favorite who raves it, Soundwave!
- They remind us that Blaster and Astrotrain are still coming down the tracks so keep your optics focused on those WalMarts Seibertronians.
- John states very seriously about listing Unicron in an official size class, name yet to be determined.
- The Studio Series is also discussed, or the lack thereof. They say they fully intend to continue with the line and wanted to debut some of their newer products but didn't want the SDCC2019 to be too busy given all the other Siege reveals let alone Unicron. They do mention wanting to wait to show the finalized Studio Series Devastator once all the individual toys are finalized and revealed. They talk about how the gestalt mode is not just tall, but deep and extremely bulky. Very much a monster! A very different type of combiner than we've seen before.

Check out the video for the full interview. It's always a pleasure to hear people who are so passionate about the brand guiding its current vision.



And if you're ready to take the next step and back this project, don't forget to click this link to head to Haslab and place your order for Unicron!

Make sure to stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Unicron news!

Sabrblade wrote:

Triggerdick Megatron wrote:

Crosscheck wrote:Why does Hasbro insist on making Unicron that sickly yellow orange when he has ALWAYS been a very saturated orange?

The final product might be a little different as this is a prototype, have hope!

It's already been confirmed that these colors are as close to resembling the finalized deco as possible.

You know, if you think about it, Unicron might be yellow. In most of the scenes in which he appears in the movie, he himself is the dominant source of illumination, and that illumination is sparing. He looks dark orange in those scenes, but the lighting conditions are very dim. This toys colors would probably look amazing in a dimly lit room with sinister red accent lights pointed at it. At the very least NOT being under fluorescent lights or white LEDs would help.

Dr. Caelus wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Triggerdick Megatron wrote:

Crosscheck wrote:Why does Hasbro insist on making Unicron that sickly yellow orange when he has ALWAYS been a very saturated orange?

The final product might be a little different as this is a prototype, have hope!

It's already been confirmed that these colors are as close to resembling the finalized deco as possible.

You know, if you think about it, Unicron might be yellow. In most of the scenes in which he appears in the movie, he himself is the dominant source of illumination, and that illumination is sparing. He looks dark orange in those scenes, but the lighting conditions are very dim. This toys colors would probably look amazing in a dimly lit room with sinister red accent lights pointed at it. At the very least NOT being under fluorescent lights or white LEDs would help.

And now I'm going to be compelled to build a custom case with specialised lighting for him.

Good thing I'll have 18 months to do this seeing as I can barely cut straight.

Burn wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Triggerdick Megatron wrote:

Crosscheck wrote:Why does Hasbro insist on making Unicron that sickly yellow orange when he has ALWAYS been a very saturated orange?

The final product might be a little different as this is a prototype, have hope!

It's already been confirmed that these colors are as close to resembling the finalized deco as possible.

You know, if you think about it, Unicron might be yellow. In most of the scenes in which he appears in the movie, he himself is the dominant source of illumination, and that illumination is sparing. He looks dark orange in those scenes, but the lighting conditions are very dim. This toys colors would probably look amazing in a dimly lit room with sinister red accent lights pointed at it. At the very least NOT being under fluorescent lights or white LEDs would help.

And now I'm going to be compelled to build a custom case with specialised lighting for him.

Good thing I'll have 18 months to do this seeing as I can barely cut straight.

Are you in Burn?? Did I miss that??

We’re getting closer. I have faith. I’ve been watching the counter every day with eager anticipation. I haven’t been this anxious about a toy since I was 9 years old leading up to Christmas of ‘85 when I knew I was getting my very first Transformer Smokescreen. This thing is even more epic in person.

Stargrave wrote:Are you in Burn?? Did I miss that??

Strewth lad, what bloody rock have you been hiding under?

$100 deposit, then nothing to pay for 18 months? Be a bloody drongo to pass on that one.

The new cropped angles hide the fly paper look but makes the way his wings protrude from his shoulders (rather than armada versions back) is a bit of an eye sore too. If the spike strips can be removed like armadas planet plates it will look a lot better, the more I see of it, the less I'm liking it.

Might just be me convincing myself not to want it but I've gone from wanting to order it, raising the money to order it, to trying to find a way to order it, giving up and wanting to pick it up if/when it's released to I'm not liking it enough for the money and will probably be just as happy with a robot heroes Unicron to stand on Primus.

blackeyedprime wrote:The new cropped angles hide the fly paper look but makes the way his wings protrude from his shoulders (rather than armada versions back) is a bit of an eye sore too. If the spike strips can be removed like armadas planet plates it will look a lot better, the more I see of it, the less I'm liking it.

G1 Unicron's wings came out of his shoulders. So this is more cartoon accurate than the Armada and Generations toys.

Mini-Dinobots with a butt damaging action feature would send this over the top. Just sayin'

Burn wrote:

Stargrave wrote:Are you in Burn?? Did I miss that??

Strewth lad, what bloody rock have you been hiding under?

$100 deposit, then nothing to pay for 18 months? Be a bloody drongo to pass on that one.

The best bloody rock where all the best bloody parties are at ya bloke

Yes! I’m stoked for you dude.

You know me I’m a goofy bogan up in here I can barely keep track of my own tail feathers.

ScottyP wrote:Mini-Dinobots with a butt damaging action feature would send this over the top. Just sayin'

Me Grimlock kick butt!

Ultimately, I just don't really want it. Even setting aside the unemployed-with-a-newborn thing, it's just the notion of spending $600 on a single Transformer that won't scale with any other Transformer in my collection. Even if it were the same price as Piranacon, I'd rather have Piranacon.

megatronus wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Mini-Dinobots with a butt damaging action feature would send this over the top. Just sayin'

Me Grimlock kick butt!

He doesn't have a butt, it's covered by the giant backpack

YRQRM0 wrote:

megatronus wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Mini-Dinobots with a butt damaging action feature would send this over the top. Just sayin'

Me Grimlock kick butt!

He doesn't have a butt, it's covered by the giant backpack

A back pack that is needed for the perfect sphere alt mode to the G1 accurate bot mode. It's been explained on this thread a lot now why it's needed.

Dr. Caelus wrote:Ultimately, I just don't really want it. Even setting aside the unemployed-with-a-newborn thing, it's just the notion of spending $600 on a single Transformer that won't scale with any other Transformer in my collection. Even if it were the same price as Piranacon, I'd rather have Piranacon.

Then spend $150 now and save up the rest to pay it off a year-and-a-half from now.

Sabrblade wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:Ultimately, I just don't really want it. Even setting aside the unemployed-with-a-newborn thing, it's just the notion of spending $600 on a single Transformer that won't scale with any other Transformer in my collection. Even if it were the same price as Piranacon, I'd rather have Piranacon.

Then spend $150 now and save up the rest to pay it off a year-and-a-half from now.

Sure, as long as you dont mind adding another $200 to the price tag......

I've stated that from the time the backers fell *behind pace* that I personally thought this project will not achieve it's goal. Even though I am not personally participating, I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see a swarm of 2-3K backers in the last couple days pull this off, but I have my doubts.

Looks like it did get a huge *bump* either from a large submission of online retailers submitting their orders, or from International orders finally being counted (whichever one wasn't, hopefully will be soon).

But I do have a couple of other thoughts. Although Hasbro isn't extending the deadline, I'm sure when the price and number of backers was discussed, they weren't using a borderline number. For example, lets say it ultimately gets 6000 backers. That would be 3.45 Million Hasbro would be walking away from (even if only a sliver of it was profit), it would still be profit. I don't think they came up with those parameters with zero margin of flexibility.

I think if it doesn't get 8K backers, it comes back again at some point, in a slightly different form. I mean the bottom line with Hasbro is profit. But how much would it suck, even for line managers like John Warden for the next 20 years to see a Unicron prototype at conventions on display that could have been, but isn't.

Sabrblade wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:Ultimately, I just don't really want it. Even setting aside the unemployed-with-a-newborn thing, it's just the notion of spending $600 on a single Transformer that won't scale with any other Transformer in my collection. Even if it were the same price as Piranacon, I'd rather have Piranacon.

Then spend $150 now and save up the rest to pay it off a year-and-a-half from now.

Money doesn't work that way.

If I set aside a little money each month to buy something in 18 months for $600, I'm still spending $600 on it - the timeframe over which I'm spending that money is of logistical importance, but $600 now vs. $600 over 18 months is still $600, even if it doesn't feel that way. Hard life lesson, but still true. If Unicron is worth $600 to a person, they should definitely buy him, but if he's not, then he's not, and they shouldn't be lulled by the 'only $30 a month' framing.

The part that sucks is that I missed the preorder deadline for Snaptrap and Skalor yesterday, so I guess I'm not getting them, either, and I really did want them.

Dr. Caelus wrote:The part that sucks is that I missed the preorder deadline for Snaptrap and Skalor yesterday, so I guess I'm not getting them, either, and I really did want them.

*wrong thread I know*, I just checked, and they are still up.......

o.supreme wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:The part that sucks is that I missed the preorder deadline for Snaptrap and Skalor yesterday, so I guess I'm not getting them, either, and I really did want them.

*wrong thread I know*, I just checked, and they are still up.......

I already tried. It rejected my order

o.supreme wrote:I've stated that from the time the backers fell *behind pace* that I personally thought this project will not achieve it's goal. Even though I am not personally participating, I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see a swarm of 2-3K backers in the last couple days pull this off, but I have my doubts.

Looks like it did get a huge *bump* either from a large submission of online retailers submitting their orders, or from International orders finally being counted (whichever one wasn't, hopefully will be soon).

But I do have a couple of other thoughts. Although Hasbro isn't extending the deadline, I'm sure when the price and number of backers was discussed, they weren't using a borderline number. For example, lets say it ultimately gets 6000 backers. That would be 3.45 Million Hasbro would be walking away from (even if only a sliver of it was profit), it would still be profit. I don't think they came up with those parameters with zero margin of flexibility.

I think if it doesn't get 8K backers, it comes back again at some point, in a slightly different form. I mean the bottom line with Hasbro is profit. But how much would it suck, even for line managers like John Warden for the next 20 years to see a Unicron prototype at conventions on display that could have been, but isn't.

I very much hope it comes back in a different form - regular retail, smaller, proportionally cheaper, some more accessories/features.

If this doesn't make it why do you think hasbro would jump to make it titan class? There would be horrible compromises, as already explained else where in the thread by people more versed then me. If you want a smaller unicron then I suggest getting one of the many versions of Armada Unicron.

If the preorders do surpass the minimum required, will HasLab make only as many pieces as were ordered by the end of 8/31? Or will they continue to take orders?

Rodimus Prime wrote:If the preorders do surpass the minimum required, will HasLab make only as many pieces as were ordered by the end of 8/31? Or will they continue to take orders?

Hasbro stated on the Pulse page for Unicron that no orders will be accepted after the 31st. All support must be received by 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 2019.

Stargrave wrote:

Burn wrote:

Stargrave wrote:Are you in Burn?? Did I miss that??

Strewth lad, what bloody rock have you been hiding under?

$100 deposit, then nothing to pay for 18 months? Be a bloody drongo to pass on that one.

The best bloody rock where all the best bloody parties are at ya bloke

Yes! I’m stoked for you dude.

You know me I’m a goofy bogan up in here I can barely keep track of my own tail feathers.

Please stop using words you don't understand incorrectly. It's ... cringe worthy.

Omegatrion84 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:If the preorders do surpass the minimum required, will HasLab make only as many pieces as were ordered by the end of 8/31? Or will they continue to take orders?

Hasbro stated on the Pulse page for Unicron that no orders will be accepted after the 31st. All support must be received by 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 2019.

So you must order by then, or you will be hoping places like TFsource have extras when the time comes

I need to put that down payment option in a story I keep losing sight of that.

ThunderThruster wrote:

Burn wrote:Reducing his size to that of a Titan would be pointless.

He's not a Titan.

He's Unicron.

He's a class unto himself.

Titans are the biggest of Transformers.

This guy is a GOD.

By this logic, we ought to be getting a 12 foot tall (at the minimum) Unicron.

Unicron should just be bigger than the titans. That's what I get from that statement and I agree.

God Sunstreaker wrote:

ThunderThruster wrote:

Burn wrote:Reducing his size to that of a Titan would be pointless.

He's not a Titan.

He's Unicron.

He's a class unto himself.

Titans are the biggest of Transformers.

This guy is a GOD.

By this logic, we ought to be getting a 12 foot tall (at the minimum) Unicron.

Unicron should just be bigger than the titans. That's what I get from that statement and I agree.

Indeed - it's not about scale, it's about status.

megatronus wrote:

God Sunstreaker wrote:

ThunderThruster wrote:

Burn wrote:Reducing his size to that of a Titan would be pointless.

He's not a Titan.

He's Unicron.

He's a class unto himself.

Titans are the biggest of Transformers.

This guy is a GOD.

By this logic, we ought to be getting a 12 foot tall (at the minimum) Unicron.

Unicron should just be bigger than the titans. That's what I get from that statement and I agree.

Indeed - it's not about scale, it's about status.

Agreed. I've seen so many comments saying to shrink this figure down. As the ultimate interpretation of this character he absolutely needs to be the biggest Transformer ever made.

Stargrave wrote:- They remind us that Blaster and Astrotrain are still coming down the tracks

Did anyone else notice that pun?

Triggerdick Megatron wrote:

Stargrave wrote:- They remind us that Blaster and Astrotrain are still coming down the tracks

Did anyone else notice that pun?

No but now I feel like I should give out awards.

Triggerdick Megatron wrote:

Stargrave wrote:- They remind us that Blaster and Astrotrain are still coming down the tracks

Did anyone else notice that pun?

We try not to encourage Stargrave and his bad puns.

It’s a condition, like hiccups that won’t go away or blue things tasting like the number four. If it wasn’t for the regular comical egg on my face or foot in my mouth they would have gotten rid of me ages ago

I hope it fails so Habro realise that people outside the US want this without having to go through a 3p at great cost and risk.

Just do official distribution to other fan hubs and I'd be surprised if that didnt slap on an extra 500 - 1000 orders straight away.

PadForce wrote:I hope it fails so Habro realise that people outside the US want this without having to go through a 3p at great cost and risk.

Just do official distribution to other fan hubs and I'd be surprised if that didnt slap on an extra 500 - 1000 orders straight away.

But they have done deals with non us companies, Japan goes through TT Mall and Australia has EB Games. The rest of the world has various options through the 3p companies or BBTS which is an official affiliate for Unicron. Is it ideal? No but its a lot better then nothing. I wonder where this idea comes from that if this fails a better deal comes along, as there's no proof at all of that happening.

Well UK does not have an official partner there is a distributor offering it but their turnover from the units they say they have is 3 times greater than their balance sheet. I'm not happy putting my money into a completely unsecured company like that.

I am certain that if they are close to making this a reality and it falls a bit short that Hasbro will take a look at what went wrong and come back harder, because money.

Just took the Unicron plunge; backer 5350!

So a thought just occurred to me, if Hasbro plans to remove all plastics from it's toy packaging, how will this giant of a figure be shipped? In a large paper bag . Or even if it's in a solid cardboard box, like Titans are now, without any clips, tape, or tie-downs to hold it in place, I guess it's just going to flop around loosely in the box.

o.supreme wrote:So a thought just occurred to me, if Hasbro plans to remove all plastics from it's toy packaging, how will this giant of a figure be shipped? In a large paper bag . Or even if it's in a solid cardboard box, like Titans are now, without any clips, tape, or tie-downs to hold it in place, I guess it's just going to flop around loosely in the box.

Cardboard inserts can be designed to hold contents steady in the packaging. I feel like some of the Titans had folds and flaps that contained parts. Also I'd bet they would move back to the raffia ties instead of wire or the plastic ones they use now. There was a time when They used raffia ties and I'm not sure why they stopped.

There's plenty of options far greener than plastic, but it has always seemed to boil down to cost for Hasbro. I wonder if this green initiative will cost more for them to produce, and drive up the already rising prices?

Cobotron wrote:Also I'd bet they would move back to the raffia ties instead of wire or the plastic ones they use now. There was a time when They used raffia ties and I'm not sure why they stopped.

Interesting, that must have been during the time I wasn't purchasing toys

*googles Raffia Ties*



ahhh...makes sense

I could see egg carton material formed to Unicron’s shape just like a Han Solo in Carbonite casing kind of a deal. Like how Godaikins used to come in those styrofoam sarcophagi only with paper based materials.

I wonder for packaging and shipping though to what extent he’ll come disassembled like Metroplex/Fort Max having their one arm separate. Maybe the multi paneled parts on the legs attach like the wings/rings. They seem to come down to a centralized ‘arm’ or attaching point they collapse down to, I bet those pop on or something. Just guessing

The logistics of that stuff must get awful creative.

Isn’t this exciting? I love this. It’s going to succeed.
I’ll be wrong when I’m wrong but until then this is the coolest.

There's always the old Styrofoam method.

I'm thinking it will be in ball mode encased in a giant gelatine cube, no need for a barcode if it isn't designed to hit stores.

If any bits detach the fembots (or male bots) can use the shoulder poles to shake dat thing.

Sabrblade wrote:There's always the old Styrofoam method.

I joked about that on another forum, but it didn't go well. I know there are packing peanuts that break down when exposed to water, perhaps they could create a mold that mimics the old Styrofoam, but made out of the biodegradable material?

o.supreme wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Also I'd bet they would move back to the raffia ties instead of wire or the plastic ones they use now. There was a time when They used raffia ties and I'm not sure why they stopped.

Interesting, that must have been during the time I wasn't purchasing toys

I believe Takara still uses them on some items. If you have received your Grand Max yet, he was secured to the box with those ties.

Odd, I did get my Grand Max, but it was all standard plastic ties.

This whole project has been slowly killing me. I keep staying up late into the night until the backers reach a certain number.

How does hasbro handle a change of address on pre-orders or haslab items?

I'd like to back Unicron, but I realized that because I'm looking for a new job I may have a different address prior to the shipping of Unicron.

Thanks!