Should Mattel rethink their 2016/17 long range plan

[degra]

I think they should. With news that there will be a dramatic price increase in 2013 coupled with the fact that the 2012 sub had no such increase and included highly desirable figures such as Shadow Weaver as the sub exclusive, Sorceress and Fisto yet sold fewer than previous years--to me this bodes ill for the longevity of the line.

As we all know any toyline has a short shelf line for the most part--even the most popular toylines of their days go away--evetually fans lose interest, the prices are prohibitive, something new comes along etc. I know Matty had plotted out a long range map of character releases going through 2016-17 where they would drag out A-list characters and intersperse concept figures etc to stretch the line but I'm thinking they should re-examine that and work faster to get us the vintage updates sooner rather than later--characters like Jitsu, Ram Man, Scorpia, Glimmer, Madame Razz, Kowl, Mermista, Castaspella, Mantenna, Modulok, Filmation Hordak, Two Bad, Mekaneck etc. I can't think of anything worse than the line falling apart and having concept stuff or 30th anniversary invented new characters in my collection but none of these other characters. As we have seen with DCUC they tried the stalling approach and they are struggling to finish off the teams they started. And if the line surprises and it goes until 2016-17 and there really is a demand for concept or NA stuff then that is the place for it--then no problem--but if the line falters at least we'll have a complete vintage update.

What say you?

[yodafreakmaster]

I would be very upset if this line ended prematurely! I'm doubtful that it will as long as the prices dont shoot up too much and the 4 Horsemen continue to sculpt the figures. We really only have one Filmation character so far!! I could see this line going to 2020 if they stagger it correctly and keep selling us awesome figures. I'm in this thing for the long haul!!

"If" sales dropped dramatically, and Mattel knew they were going to end the line, I'm pretty certain that Scott and the 4 Horsemen would push for the remaining A-list characters be produced to finish things up. I truly hope it does not come to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LONG LIVE MOTUC's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tallstar]

I'd like to see Mattel continue what they're doing on the monthlies, but for the Beast slots I want them to replace most of those with additional standard characters/2-packs.

[markatisu]

No I think things are fine, if there are problems or lower subs then just drop it to 12 figures straight or 6 figures every 2 months for the next 2 years. There is absolutely no reason the line should die early, there is a multitude of ways to keep the longevity without throwing in the towel.

Despite the emotional outbursts many of us have about the QC and other "issues" I still think enough MOTU fans who have been with the property for 30 years would keep buying the bare minimum to not have it end.

[wundarwarrior]

I really think they need to stop and reanalyze this strategy. To be so hopeful is nice but they only get a greenlight for one year at a time. What if they get cancelled? They will not be able to rush figures out and we will be stuck with holes. They're planning something that should be planned on fan response, just like DCU should've taught them.

[mjw41]

I think they should. With news that there will be a dramatic price increase in 2013 coupled with the fact that the 2012 sub had no such increase and included highly desirable figures such as Shadow Weaver as the sub exclusive, Sorceress and Fisto yet sold fewer than previous years--to me this bodes ill for the longevity of the line.

As we all know any toyline has a short shelf line for the most part--even the most popular toylines of their days go away--evetually fans lose interest, the prices are prohibitive, something new comes along etc. I know Matty had plotted out a long range map of character releases going through 2016-17 where they would drag out A-list characters and intersperse concept figures etc to stretch the line but I'm thinking they should re-examine that and work faster to get us the vintage updates sooner rather than later--characters like Jitsu, Ram Man, Scorpia, Glimmer, Madame Razz, Kowl, Mermista, Castaspella, Mantenna, Modulok, Filmation Hordak, Two Bad, Mekaneck etc. I can't think of anything worse than the line falling apart and having concept stuff or 30th anniversary invented new characters in my collection but none of these other characters. As we have seen with DCUC they tried the stalling approach and they are struggling to finish off the teams they started. And if the line surprises and it goes until 2016-17 and there really is a demand for concept or NA stuff then that is the place for it--then no problem--but if the line falters at least we'll have a complete vintage update.

What say you?

I don't EVER recall reading in Scotts comments about 2013 that the price increase would be DRAMATIC just that they were going to raise the prices for both subscribers As well as Day of sale in 2013 so that they don't have to drop accessories or paint appts anymore.

Don't you think your fanning the flames here


Toyguru
Collector Supreme

Posted May 10, 2012 12:30 PM Hide

We will keep the line going as long as their are customers buying. But, yes, as I stated on Roast Gooble dinner, one day these figures will cost more to make then fans are willing to pay. Hopefully that day will be far in the future.



Toyguru
Collector Supreme



Posted May 10, 2012 12:35 PM

Higher prices pay for more accessories and paint ops. Not more tooling. Toling is a fixed cost based on sales. We have had to cut accessories and deco this year due to rising costs. We will raise prices next year to account for these rising costs in raw material and labor. Tooling is a seperate budget and not affected by raising prices.



Toyguru
Collector Supreme

Posted May 10, 2012 12:29 PM

Like we do every year we will layout the structure and pricing at our fan panel before the subs go on sale.

[Prahvus]

I don't EVER recall reading in Scotts comments about 2013 that the price increase would be DRAMATIC

The FACTS :

Source : http://www.he-man.org/forums/boards/...hread-May-2012

Toyguru said :

In 2013 we are DRAMATICALLY raising prices so we can afford more paint and accessories.

[degra]

No I think things are fine, if there are problems or lower subs then just drop it to 12 figures straight or 6 figures every 2 months for the next 2 years. There is absolutely no reason the line should die early, there is a multitude of ways to keep the longevity without throwing in the towel.

Despite the emotional outbursts many of us have about the QC and other "issues" I still think enough MOTU fans who have been with the property for 30 years would keep buying the bare minimum to not have it end.

But aren't most fans really just wanting the vintage updates and a few Filmation characters--not a slew of new stuff never done before. I honestly think it would be better to just get those done and then worry about the other stuff filling in the latter years of the line--are there really a bunch of fans chomping at the bit for all new never done before figures or prototypes or 200x updates(just look at the mediocre response to Carnivus or Marzo).

Another example of a Mattel line that ended before getting the main characters out --Young Justice--.

[zodak74]

I'm pretty sure with the 2012 subs having gone down from previous years, that they are already ahead of us and thinking about this stuff- which is why we've heard the rumblings of 2013's sub being structured differently from previous years. I do not think I would like to see the figures come out only bi-monthly- that would be upsetting to only get 6 figures a year vs. 12... BUT I would gladly sacrifice some of the add-ons in order to get 12 solid figures per month for one year. Like others have said, instead of 4 quarterly beast slots, maybe scale it back to 2 (or 3 at most). The same with variants, as I'm more into something like Terror Claws Skeletor which I have some nostalgic attachment to than I am Snake Man-At-Arms- and don't want them just throwing stuff in there just to reuse parts and make a buck (Battleground Evil-Lyn). I almost think that if the line had less quarterly variant slots per year, they'd be forced into give us the meat and potatoes rather than let them feel like "Oh well we've got these four slots and can go all the way until 2017, so let's give them this random variant with a couple of easy paint switches rather than something they really want- like NA or Snake Armor He-Man..."
I do like that this year- and maybe this is what they will learn towards in future years- that 2 out of 4 "beast slots" are multi-packs like The Star Sisters and Snakemen Army Builders. If 2013 has something like Q1 Horde Troopers Army Builder, Q2 Stridor, Q3 Dree-Elle, Uncle Montork & Yuckers, and Q4 Rokkon, Stonedar & Granita, that would have someone like me very excited (regardless of whatever the price increase is).
But if 2013 beast slots are Q1 Battle Lion, Q2 Stridor, Q3 Horde Troopers, and Q4 Crystal Sundancer (with major price increases on all of them), I'd be less excited. So yeah- in other words, I'm into them restructuring, but restructuring as in "more figures, less of the other stuff". Especially considering the door is now (FINALLY!) wide open for all of Filmation, Jetlag, and other media...

[mjw41]

The FACTS :

Source : http://www.he-man.org/forums/boards/...hread-May-2012

ok I didn't see this and i can admit I was wong, but you only posted part of what Scott said making it look negative. He explained why the price increase and here is the whole thing.


Less detailed paint apps on Horde Prime figure:

Q: With the recent pictures of the Horde Prime figure in the package, it looks like the final product has lost paint applications such as silver on the armor rivets and grey on his belt. Was this change a result of cutting costs on the figure (in addition to losing his staff) or was it a design change? I really hope it wasn't a design change because the Four Horsemen prototype was much better.


A: The Horsemen tend to "overdeco" figures. Every figure in 2012 is delivering $22.00 worth of paint apps. In 2013 we are dramatically raising prices so we can afford more paint and accessories. If we wanted to deliver all the figures exactly as the 4HM painted the protos we would need to charge more and we already sold in the sub for 2012, so that is not an option. Legally we can't raise prices on the sub after it is sold in. This is why we will start 2013 at higher prices.




To Degra I owe you a public apology for accusing you of fanning the flames and i'm sorry .
I hadn't seen Scotts post where he used the wording Dramatically.

I personally don't think the prices will be too high or no one will buy a sub or buy on day of sale, I think they might go up $5.00 more to cover the paint appts & accessories the Horsemen sculpt for the figure.

[Hosed Ovor]

ok I didn't see this and i can admit I was wong, but you only posted part of what Scott said making it look negative. He explained why the price increase and here is the whole thing.


Less detailed paint apps on Horde Prime figure:

Q: With the recent pictures of the Horde Prime figure in the package, it looks like the final product has lost paint applications such as silver on the armor rivets and grey on his belt. Was this change a result of cutting costs on the figure (in addition to losing his staff) or was it a design change? I really hope it wasn't a design change because the Four Horsemen prototype was much better.


A: The Horsemen tend to "overdeco" figures. Every figure in 2012 is delivering $22.00 worth of paint apps. In 2013 we are dramatically raising prices so we can afford more paint and accessories. If we wanted to deliver all the figures exactly as the 4HM painted the protos we would need to charge more and we already sold in the sub for 2012, so that is not an option. Legally we can't raise prices on the sub after it is sold in. This is why we will start 2013 at higher prices.

There isn't really any way to make a "dramatic price" increase sound anything but negative because it is. Whether it's justified or not doesn't change the fact it will have some detrimental impact on sales.

Since Mattel insists on still using a subscription model to sell the majority of their MOTUC product then I think it would be in the line's best interest to scale back a little bit. I suggest 12 monthly figures and no quarterly figures. I also think they should scale back the beast slot to two items a year or make it a separate subscription.

[Uki]

I would be very upset if this line ended prematurely! I'm doubtful that it will as long as the prices dont shoot up too much and the 4 Horsemen continue to sculpt the figures. We really only have one Filmation character so far!! I could see this line going to 2020 if they stagger it correctly and keep selling us awesome figures. I'm in this thing for the long haul!!

"If" sales dropped dramatically, and Mattel knew they were going to end the line, I'm pretty certain that Scott and the 4 Horsemen would push for the remaining A-list characters be produced to finish things up. I truly hope it does not come to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LONG LIVE MOTUC's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No I think things are fine, if there are problems or lower subs then just drop it to 12 figures straight or 6 figures every 2 months for the next 2 years. There is absolutely no reason the line should die early, there is a multitude of ways to keep the longevity without throwing in the towel.

Despite the emotional outbursts many of us have about the QC and other "issues" I still think enough MOTU fans who have been with the property for 30 years would keep buying the bare minimum to not have it end.

Yup. These guys are wise.

[MegaGearMax]

I think they should. With news that there will be a dramatic price increase in 2013 coupled with the fact that the 2012 sub had no such increase and included highly desirable figures such as Shadow Weaver as the sub exclusive, Sorceress and Fisto yet sold fewer than previous years--to me this bodes ill for the longevity of the line.

As we all know any toyline has a short shelf line for the most part--even the most popular toylines of their days go away--evetually fans lose interest, the prices are prohibitive, something new comes along etc. I know Matty had plotted out a long range map of character releases going through 2016-17 where they would drag out A-list characters and intersperse concept figures etc to stretch the line but I'm thinking they should re-examine that and work faster to get us the vintage updates sooner rather than later--characters like Jitsu, Ram Man, Scorpia, Glimmer, Madame Razz, Kowl, Mermista, Castaspella, Mantenna, Modulok, Filmation Hordak, Two Bad, Mekaneck etc. I can't think of anything worse than the line falling apart and having concept stuff or 30th anniversary invented new characters in my collection but none of these other characters. As we have seen with DCUC they tried the stalling approach and they are struggling to finish off the teams they started. And if the line surprises and it goes until 2016-17 and there really is a demand for concept or NA stuff then that is the place for it--then no problem--but if the line falters at least we'll have a complete vintage update.

What say you?

The fans have one gloom and doom perception of the line and Mattel has the real perception of the line. Toyguru says that the line is doing extremely well. MOTUC is not Ghostbusters or Young Justice. Hell, it's not even DCUC. You know what those lines ALL have in common?

They all WISH they had the dedicated fandom of MOTUC keeping them afloat or they would have 100% new tooling and wouldn't be in trouble! Check out those Q&A sections on Matty. Those fans wish they had it like we do!

We have 25 characters in Vintage MOTU left to make, including harder tooled and lesser liked characters like Blade, Saurod, Gwildor, Twistoid, Rotar and Multi-Bot. Unless there is a insane drop in subscriptions, I think we are good. People have constant issues with Digital River and Quality Control and might feel like quitting, but they aren't the majority.

Vintage MOTU: 25 characters left (Last Entry: Mosquitor)
POP: 14 characters left (Last Entry: Frosta)
NA: 14 characters left (Last Entry: Nocturna)

TOTAL: 53 characters left
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Masters/Heroic Warriors (9 left)
Ram Man
Mekaneck
Stonedar
Rokkon
Rio Blast
Clamp Champ
Extendar
Rotar
Gwildor

Evil Warriors (6 left)
Jitsu
Two-Bad
Ninjor
Twistoid
Blade
Saurod

The Evil Horde (5 left)
Mantenna
Modulok
Dragstor
Multi-Bot
Horde Trooper

The Snake Men (5 total)
Rattlor
Tung Lashor
Sssqueeze
Snake Face
Blast Attak

The Great Rebellion (Princess of Power Heroes) (13 left)
Glimmer
Angella
Castaspella
Double Trouble
Mermista
Perfuma
Peekablue
Spinerella
Flutterina
Sweet Bee
Netossa
Kowl
Loo-Kee

The Evil Horde (Princess of Power Villains) (1 left!)
Entrapta

Galactic Protectors (New Adventures) (7 total)
Hydron
Kayo
Vizar
Spinwit
Tuskador
Artilla
Sagitar

Space Mutants (New Adventures) (7 left)
Flogg
Hoove
Karatti
Lizorr
Quakke
Staghorn
Butthead

But aren't most fans really just wanting the vintage updates and a few Filmation characters--not a slew of new stuff never done before. I honestly think it would be better to just get those done and then worry about the other stuff filling in the latter years of the line--are there really a bunch of fans chomping at the bit for all new never done before figures or prototypes or 200x updates(just look at the mediocre response to Carnivus or Marzo).

For every Zodak, Carnivus or Marzo, we have King Grayskull 2.0, Battleground Evil-Lyn and Keldor. Some figures do better than others. This is true of any era.

Another example of a Mattel line that ended before getting the main characters out --Young Justice--.

We aren't Young Justice. Toyguru has responded to you...

Follow Up about completing vintage updates

In my earlier question about a contingency plan being in place should the performance of the line start to drop you really didn't answer what I was wanting to know--namely should the line go south before you reach your plotted out release schedule through 2016-17 will you make sure there is a back up plan to get out characters like Ram Man, Two Bad, Mekaneck, Mantenna, Scorpia, the Pop ladies etc etc.

I realize now you are working under the assumption the line will go until the end so you are interspersing non vintage items to fill out the line which is fine if the line continues but if it doesn't I don't want concept characters or 30th anniversary newly invented figures in my collection if it means no Ram Man, Mekaneck, Jitsu, Two Bad, Modulok, Glimmer etc. I'd much rather you err on the side of caution and get these highly sought after figures to us rather than dragging their releases out even if it could mean the line prematurely folds because there are no A-listers left only 200x or concept characters or NA stuff to be released.

The line is doing great and their is no indication of it going away anytime soon. There always seems to be a lot of doom and gloom on the boards, but even though the 2012 subs sold less then the 2011 subs we are SO FAR above and beyond the min number of units that even if subs dropped by half we would still be fine.

DCU has sold the bare min to keep the sub going. GB did not sell enough and the sub was canceled.

MOTUC is selling fantastic and I can't imagine we won't get another few years if not many many years. And at a rate of 25-30 figs per year after one or two more years their really won't be too many MIA characters.

Lets wait until after the SDCC reveals and all the info we will discuss concerning changes in price and skus. I think after SDCC 2012 a lot of fans will havea big sigh of relief. The line has honestly never bene healthier and has a long life ahead. This isn't a retail line like YJ that needs moms and kids. Collectors have proven they will support MOTUC to the point that we have grown the line well and beyond 12 figures per year. The line is doing great. The doom and gloom is just rampant speculation and honestly I think some of it is uncalled for. We're doing just fine!

[Krueger]

Personally, I don’t think the line has got the strength to last till 2017 without something to back it up, like a movie or full brand re-launch. I don’t think anyone can deny that the Classics line has already peaked. MOTU as a whole (as in, the whole brand) needs to be more mainstream in order for a small adult collector line to last the best part of ten years. At least I think so.

[Hosed Ovor]

Announcing all the figures for the year in advance and sticking to nostalgic core characters might also mitigate lost subscription sales due to a price increase. Although, with the quality control issues and Mattel's repeated unwillingness to offer meaningful remedies there is no way I will sub again next year. I'll probably continue to buy most figures; but I'll never subscribe and be stuck with purchasing known defective products again.

[MegaGearMax]

Personally, I don’t think the line has got the strength to last till 2017 without something to back it up, like a movie or full brand re-launch. I don’t think anyone can deny that the Classics line has already peaked. MOTU as a whole (as in, the whole brand) needs to be more mainstream in order for a small adult collector line to last the best part of ten years. At least I think so.

Do we need the vintage characters to have a toyline when we have completed that section? The vintage only fans might leave satisfied, but what about EVERYONE else? I'm talking about the MOTU fans who love everything, the 200X fans, the POP fans, the NA fans who are still going to be here collecting?

Surely the greater majority of fans can keep the line up after the vintage segment bounced.

[labrat1881]

Do we need the vintage characters to have a toyline when we have completed that section? The vintage only fans might leave satisfied, but what about EVERYONE else? I'm talking about the MOTU fans who love everything, the 200X fans, the POP fans, the NA fans who are still going to be here collecting?

Surely the greater majority of fans can keep the line up after the vintage segment bounced.

I agree with this.I love the vintage figures, but I am more excited to see classicized 200x, NA and POP.The line is doing well so I'm not worried

[degra]

Do we need the vintage characters to have a toyline when we have completed that section? The vintage only fans might leave satisfied, but what about EVERYONE else? I'm talking about the MOTU fans who love everything, the 200X fans, the POP fans, the NA fans who are still going to be here collecting?

Surely the greater majority of fans can keep the line up after the vintage segment bounced.

I still think it is wiser to not get sidetracked on adding on other things to what initially started out as a vintage line update--MOTU and POP. The line should be streamlined and not dragged on for years and years. If there is a fanbase for NA or concept figures then let those people support the line--vintage fans shouldn't have to subsidize it--but I see no point in dragging stuff out indefinitely--wrap up the vintage stuff then move on to the other stuff--rather than the scattershot approach of a little bit and a little bit of that.

To me it seems Mattel when it comes to DCUC and MOTUC start out with the right approach and then go to excess by trying to branch off in far too many directions. And I honestly don't think that no matter how loyal the MOTUC base is their patience with the line isn't neverending--there will come a point when the line just from natural growing disinterest causes a dropoff that does in the line. I think the repeated QC issues, the cramming of too much product in a given month putting a burden on finances, and price hikes are only going to hasten that effect. Just my two cents.

[Tribal Spaceman]

I agree, I think they should scale things back a bit, say to 2015 instead of 2017. Let's be realistic.

They could also start to allocate slots to particular categories.

12 monthly figures:
3 x vintage MotU
3 x vintage PoP
2 x Filmation / other media (comics, story books, etc)
2 x vintage NA
1 x MYP / 200X
1 x concept / prototype / unreleased

Quarterly variants:
1 x vintage MotU
1 x vintage PoP
1 x Filmation (Hordak, Clawful etc)
1 x other

[Flor2099]

I remember that at one point, Scott said that since the quarterly variants were now part of the sub, they had the same tooling budget as the rest of the monthly figures. So I wish they'd do away with the quarterly variants and give us quarterly Filmation figures instead! Most of the Filmation characters are so basic that they could be all reused parts except for the head. Or do a sub-line subscription like the 30th one every year that has a dedicated line of six figures like "Space Mutants" or "Snake Men" or something.

[MegaGearMax]

I still think it is wiser to not get sidetracked on adding on other things to what initially started out as a vintage line update--MOTU and POP. The line should be streamlined and not dragged on for years and years. If there is a fanbase for NA or concept figures then let those people support the line--vintage fans shouldn't have to subsidize it--but I see no point in dragging stuff out indefinitely--wrap up the vintage stuff then move on to the other stuff--rather than the scattershot approach of a little bit and a little bit of that.

The line was always designed to include all of the eras, as well as characters that we never got like Tytus, He-Ro or Queen Marlena. The first figure in the line was a 200X character. I think many vintage fans jumped on the bandwagon that Classics was vintage only because the first year was filled with the old characters. But it was never supposed to be "vintage only".

To me it seems Mattel when it comes to DCUC and MOTUC start out with the right approach and then go to excess by trying to branch off in far too many directions. And I honestly don't think that no matter how loyal the MOTUC base is their patience with the line isn't neverending--there will come a point when the line just from natural growing disinterest causes a dropoff that does in the line. I think the repeated QC issues, the cramming of too much product in a given month putting a burden on finances, and price hikes are only going to hasten that effect. Just my two cents.

Considering all the crap that's happened so far, I think the majority of MOTUC fans are extremely patient and not easily shaken. I mean, we're beating DC characters with 70 year publication and media histories. He-Man can get a vehicle, but Batman can't.

I think DC's main problem is that there is a steep drop-off point once you get past Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and the Joker--the big characters. But that's not a fault of the toys, but the comics. When DC started going into C and D-list territory around Wave 11, the line started pegwarming hard. With a comic line, the cast is literally thousands of obscure characters moms and kids will not know.

I also think that Young Justice shouldn't have followed the "trickle characters out slowly" model, since the cast isn't very big. I think Mattel should have pulled a Bandai and brought out all of the core 4" and 6" Young Justice team out, then continued to make the remaining figures until it died. The show is only going to last two seasons, they might as well get those figures out while the figures are hot and before Cartoon Network puts the show on hiatus for whatever reason and people forget about it.

I agree, I think they should scale things back a bit, say to 2015 instead of 2017. Let's be realistic.

They could also start to allocate slots to particular categories.

12 monthly figures:
3 x vintage MotU
3 x vintage PoP
2 x Filmation / other media (comics, story books, etc)
2 x vintage NA
1 x MYP / 200X
1 x concept / prototype / unreleased

Quarterly variants:
1 x vintage MotU
1 x vintage PoP
1 x Filmation (Hordak, Clawful etc)
1 x other

You know...if MOTUC followed this model for 2013, 2014, and 2015....

Vintage MOTU x 6
POP x 2
NA x 2
Other x 2

...in 2016 there would be only 4 vintage figures remaining.

2016 would look like this...

Vintage MOTU x 4
POP x 3
NA x 3
Other x 2

And finally...

POP x 3
NA x 4

...and we're done! 2017 just as forecasted and with 5 slots to spare! Modulok, Multi-bot, Horde Trooper, Kowl, Loo-Kee and Sagitar are large scale beasts or multipacks.

[Ornclown]

Personally, I don’t think the line has got the strength to last till 2017 without something to back it up, like a movie or full brand re-launch. I don’t think anyone can deny that the Classics line has already peaked. MOTU as a whole (as in, the whole brand) needs to be more mainstream in order for a small adult collector line to last the best part of ten years. At least I think so.

I think I would have to disagree. The "peak" of line is different for every fan. I know people who will consider the line peaked when they get Ram-Man, Two-Bad, Mekaneck, and Mosquitor. Others are just waiting for the day Ninjor, Extendar, and Jitsu are announced. Then there are people like me, who can't wait for a good majority of the NA characters to finally start rolling out, and I personally won't consider MOTUC's peaked until we have a full complement of FILMation characters - which could be quite a while!

I agree with the posts suggesting that a smaller amount of figures be released each year. It would help to keep the line strong throughout the year and it would help collectors to save money.... That is IF the line were to suddenly fall into some serious trouble. I think there is PLENTY for fans of all types to be excited about for years to come.

[shadowfall1976]

So the subs could still drop by half and still be just fine?

SO we are looking at a "Dramatic" price increase why? I don't care what was said about paint or accessories, I personally don't care about that issue....prices are supposed to go up based on manufacturing processes not the need for a few more dabs of paint or, wow we can't get a staff, that if it wasn't shown we wouldn't even know about.

All I can say is that many collectors have a cutoff, where too much is enough, and we'll see that eventually, and even sooner if the prices are above the $25 mark. Then we'll see how subs do, it's easy to say when subscribers are paying $20 a figure, how many will still buy a sub when the price of the sub is almost a house payment, right now it's a higher end car payment. 2013....who knows.

[degra]

I think DC's main problem is that there is a steep drop-off point once you get past Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and the Joker--the big characters. But that's not a fault of the toys, but the comics. When DC started going into C and D-list territory around Wave 11, the line started pegwarming hard. With a comic line, the cast is literally thousands of obscure characters moms and kids will not know.

I think the same can be said of MOTUC when you start doing concept figures. If you want to use the analogy with DCUC--the vintage characters from MOTU and POP are like the Superman Batman of the MOTUC line. There is no Super Powers cartoon or Masters of the Universe cartoon running at the same time as a tie in to the action figure lines. In years gone by kids would watch a cartoon see the character and run out to their local store to pick them up But collector lines like DCUC and MOTUC have to stand on their own and a great deal of why we buy the characters we do in a collector line like this is out of pure nostalgia and wanting to recapture the memories and feelings we had as kids with the vintage Super Powers/Mego with DCUC and Masters of the Universe/She-Ra with MOTUC. That's why Mattel is holding off on the vintage stuff and spacing it out.

The new MOTUC stuff is like the obscure C and D-listers in DCUC. There is no media tie-in so there is no excitement for some of the new stuff--there isn't a cartoon where you just saw such-and-such character and want to have them in figure form. Or the figure wasn't featured in the 80s cartoon so you don't have the excitement of finally having a "______" figure. Unlike say a Shadow Weaver or Scorpia would elicit.

I maybe wrong but I really think Mattel is not being wise in not reconsidering the release of characters.

[dolfanar]

I'm hoping that next year they offer multiple MOTUC subscriptions:

Somethng like:

A
Standard Monthly Characters (12+1 Sub exclusive)

B
Quarterly Variants, Multi-packs & Beasts (4/2/2+1 Sub Exclusive(I'd make this the alternate packaging version of the SDCC exclusive))

C
Filmation Variants (6+1 Sub exclusive)

Throw in a heads pack, and battle-ram, and as long as the standard figs aren't more than $25, and that subs give a 10% discount, and I'd still be in for the most part.