kev85hasbro
Main Eventer
Joined on: Dec 10, 2011 14:08:47 GMT -5
Posts: 1,102
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Post by kev85hasbro on Sept 8, 2018 21:05:59 GMT -5
Do you think action figures will become a thing of the past? Obviously older figures will have the appeal still, but how long can companies keep producing on the scale they do? The WWE Retro line has been somewhat of a flop with shops refusing them. Have fans seen all what they want to see? Or is it just beginning, am I missing the point?
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Post by hbkbigdaddycool on Sept 8, 2018 21:14:55 GMT -5
I think there is a number of things that is the problem.
One is how many lines are out at once with the same guy over again. How many figures does one person need of Cena, Reigns, Orton, etc.??
Also, the price. Prices keep going up, and people just find it harder to buy the figures now. And with how fast they are coming out, there is no way to keep up.
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Post by LA Times on Sept 8, 2018 21:16:31 GMT -5
Yes, soon. The toy store is dead
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Post by Rated [R] NinJa on Sept 8, 2018 21:17:24 GMT -5
No, kids will always want to recreate scenes or play with their favourite characters from shows, movies etc so they’ll always be made.
I never saw the appeal for retros, I get that hasbro WWF collectors like them for nostalgic purposes but for anyone not born during that era, why would you want a cartoony looking toy with maybe 2 POA when there’s stuff like Elites available?
And yes, I do think you’re missing the point, shops not wanting to carry retros does not mean the end of action figures all together. From what I recall, Smyths don’t want to carry Entrance Greats anymore but that doesn’t stop how popular WWE figures in general are in the U.K.
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marklud
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 5, 2009 21:10:30 GMT -5
Posts: 1,739
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Post by marklud on Sept 8, 2018 21:43:44 GMT -5
The industry's in a bit of a state of flux following the closure of TRU but one minor line like the retros not being super successful is hardly a barometer by itself. Mattel recently laid off 2200 employees, which is not a good sign, but their revenue "decreased" to $841 million last quarter. $841 million isn't a drop in the bucket, that's a whole lot of money. There will always be action figures in some form.
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Post by Mongo Bears on Sept 8, 2018 21:53:44 GMT -5
I hope not, but I think yes. I have 7 nephews under 9 and I don’t remember ever seeing them with any action figures. My son probably never would have had figures if not for me buying tons of them.
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Post by RuthlessFigs on Sept 8, 2018 22:20:25 GMT -5
Give it maybe 10 years and physical action figures will be a thing of the past, by then we'll have 'E-figures'. Fit for all Smart Phones, Computers, iPads, Tablets, you name it.
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Deleted
Joined on: May 4, 2024 7:50:04 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2018 22:25:15 GMT -5
Didnt Mattel just show new waves of retros at sdcc or that other toy con? The line cant be doing that badly in stores if they keep showig new series' I think kids will always want scaled down, real versions of the guys they see on tv, so no, they wont disappear, the market might shrink as parents become even more fat and lazy and just give their kids ipads amd phones to shut them up instead of making them play, but they wont disappear entirely
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LuisTX
Main Eventer
Joined on: May 19, 2009 14:02:30 GMT -5
Posts: 1,805
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Post by LuisTX on Sept 8, 2018 22:57:46 GMT -5
I don't think so, because even if kids were to stop watching wrestling, or if WWE ever decided to raise their TV rating back to TV-14, adult wrestling fans would still be interested in buying figures. And I would say more adults today want them more than kids because kids may just buy their one or 2 favorites, not an entire series, not an entire set. Whereas adults buy a lot more because they have the money to do so. So I don't think figures are going away any time soon.
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Post by Thought Collector on Sept 8, 2018 23:02:42 GMT -5
No, kids will always want to recreate scenes or play with their favourite characters from shows, movies etc so they’ll always be made. I never saw the appeal for retros, I get that hasbro WWF collectors like them for nostalgic purposes but for anyone not born during that era, why would you want a cartoony looking toy with maybe 2 POA when there’s stuff like Elites available? And yes, I do think you’re missing the point, shops not wanting to carry retros does not mean the end of action figures all together. From what I recall, Smyths don’t want to carry Entrance Greats anymore but that doesn’t stop how popular WWE figures in general are in the U.K. Def. had to grow up with the Hasbro figures. Especially like me where I started with them and never had anything from the original LJN line. As I got older and moved on to Jakks I was the exact same way-demanding every detail, accessory, realism and cursing their every misstep lol. And part of me still does when I look at the new prototypes or other pics critiquing them even though I don't buy the new Elites or Basics anymore. But def. now that I'm older and look at my beloved Hasbro figures I appreciate so much more the charm and simplicity of them as the new lines get more and more complex. And how back then I was just so happy to get new characters to add to my roster regardless of how they looked.
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Post by mcfclee on Sept 8, 2018 23:30:50 GMT -5
I think the adult collector market for toys and collectors pieces is larger than ever so even with a dip in kids usage due to technology sales are still there in my opinion.
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Post by GreyHaze:Big Bad Booty Daddy on Sept 8, 2018 23:53:52 GMT -5
I think at some point it might be. Just like everything else in life. I feel like times have changed and today’s demographic of kids are into other things. There are kids who collect, but in all honesty I havent seen any of the kids I know with figures. Then again I’m 25, but from what I know a lot of the kids now think it’s immature and prefer to have smartphones etc. I personally feel like kids are being fed to grow up too soon by society.
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Jonny Flashback
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jul 30, 2014 10:55:59 GMT -5
Posts: 1,375
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Post by Jonny Flashback on Sept 9, 2018 2:09:09 GMT -5
I think it's dying amongst kids from a personal perspective. They have no imagination anymore and can't be bothered to immerse themselves into the world of toys. They need their hobbies pre determined by someone else whether it's a computer or others playing said computer game. Fortnite in particular is taking over, the kids would rather WATCH Fortnite on YouTube than play another game or heaven forbid, play with toys. Case in point I took all electronics away from my lads and instead of getting their toys out to play, they did NOTHING, yes nothing! Sat on their beds not knowing what to do. So when they'd rather do nothing than play with toys, you know these sort of things are outdated for kids.
Conversely though I think there's more adult collectors than ever. I don't think it's frowned upon as much these days that you're into wrestling or collectibles and in fact it's the opposite as casuals tend to be mesmerized with collections when they see them.
This is all just from a personal perspective but I think it does tell you where we could be headed from a certain point.
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Deleted
Joined on: May 4, 2024 7:50:04 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2018 2:45:00 GMT -5
I don't think so, because even if kids were to stop watching wrestling, or if WWE ever decided to raise their TV rating back to TV-14, adult wrestling fans would still be interested in buying figures. And I would say more adults today want them more than kids because kids may just buy their one or 2 favorites, not an entire series, not an entire set. Whereas adults buy a lot more because they have the money to do so. So I don't think figures are going away any time soon. Really? You think adults by more figures for themselves or their own use than kids? You couldnt be any more wrong, if i had to guess, i would say for every 100 figures Mattel sell 1 would be for an adult collector, its probably a lot more in fact
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Post by 666erickana on Sept 9, 2018 5:28:31 GMT -5
The big problem is what said hbkbigdaddycool member said.
How many cena, or reigns can you release before you kill the market ?
Im collecting figs since 70s star wars, When i started buying ljns wwf figs in 84, only hogan, andre, and....sd jones had more than 1 fig produced of themself. Andre had a different haircut, sd jones got 2 different shirts, and hogan was ....hogan, the biggest seller at the the time.
From 1984 to 1989, even popular guy like macho man or ultimate warrior got 1 fig. True collectors want rares names, its where the big money is. During the best years of jakks, the classic line was the best thing in the world for a collector, having obscures guys like johnny rodz, or andy kaufman was the key. Every months we had announcement of new signings, and at the same time , they did great with the current roster at that time. Only problem with jakks, savage and steamboat were never signed. When mattel took the license, they changed the to do the bussiness, but at the same time the true collectors left. Mattel released great products, they released savage and steamboat, do a great job with the current roster, but.... We have more than 100 cenas, too many same superstars released, they dont sign superstars, wwe is no their first priority.
I know that we need to rerelease cena fig, for the young audience, but are they really willing to open their wallet for ot, dont think so, but a true collector whos been waiting for a wendie richter since 84, yes, but they took eternity to get a release.
the true problems
1. Same guys over and over again 2. Bad distribution 3. Slow release (find a way to get the fig in the stores faster, it still takes 9 months in 2018 !) 4. Hey dont and care, and willing to sign legends 5. They pissed off some collectors, with previews without a release (gooker, richter, roderick strong, billie kay etc..) 6. Majority of the youth dont care about plastic toys.
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Deleted
Joined on: May 4, 2024 7:50:04 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2018 5:33:48 GMT -5
The big problem is what said hbkbigdaddycool member said. How many cena, or reigns can you release before you kill the market ? Im collecting figs since 70s star wars, When i started buying ljns wwf figs in 84, only hogan, andre, and....sd jones had more than 1 fig produced of themself. Andre had a different haircut, sd jones got 2 different shirts, and hogan was ....hogan, the biggest seller at the the time. From 1984 to 1989, even popular guy like macho man or ultimate warrior got 1 fig. True collectors want rares names, its where the big money is. During the best years of jakks, the classic line was the best thing in the world for a collector, having obscures guys like johnny rodz, or andy kaufman was the key. Every months we had announcement of new signings, and at the same time , they did great with the current roster at that time. Only problem with jakks, savage and steamboat were never signed. When mattel took the license, they changed the to do the bussiness, but at the same time the true collectors left. Mattel released great products, they released savage and steamboat, do a great job with the current roster, but.... We have more than 100 cenas, too many same superstars released, they dont sign superstars, wwe is no their first priority. I know that we need to rerelease cena fig, for the young audience, but are they really willing to open their wallet for ot, dont think so, but a true collector whos been waiting for a wendie richter since 84, yes, but they took eternity to get a release. the true problems 1. Same guys over and over again 2. Bad distribution 3. Slow release (find a way to get the fig in the stores faster, it still takes 9 months in 2018 !) 4. Hey dont and care, and willing to sign legends 5. They pissed off some collectors, with previews without a release (gooker, richter, roderick strong, billie kay etc..) 6. Majority of the youth dont care about plastic toys. It is so ridiculous to hear the same moaning about Cena and Reigns figures etc, the release them because the kids buy them, they release them because they sell, alot, they release them to pay for obscure figures that adult collectors want, Cena and Reigns consistently outsell every other single figure, to say releasing these figures kills the market is nonsense, they are, in fact, what keep the market going 1. They release figures of guys who sell 2. They can only distribute what the stores order 3. Maybe new figs could arrive slightly quicker, but there a hell of a lot of work in each release 4. They can only make who WWE say they can make 5. They realised these figures wouldnt sell in the quantities needed to make them financially viable 6. Very true There is no way enough people are gonna buy a poxy turkey action figure to make Mattel any money
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pauloso
Superstar
Joined on: Jan 25, 2017 14:18:42 GMT -5
Posts: 658
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Post by pauloso on Sept 9, 2018 5:59:15 GMT -5
The toy world just seems odd to me at the moment, blind bag toys seem to be very popular for the youths. These tend to be minimally, if any at all, articulated and more like collectibles. Toys that you can actually "do" things with seem to be less popular. Yet the blind bags are not really cheaper in comparison to what you get with action figures, so the price point argument kind of goes out of the window. A lot of modern "toys" seem to be more craft related with the popularity of goo and a few years ago bracelet making and the like. So ultimately...no idea!
The next big thing may well be a return to action figures, only time will tell.
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Post by theicwguy on Sept 9, 2018 6:43:17 GMT -5
I don't think so, because even if kids were to stop watching wrestling, or if WWE ever decided to raise their TV rating back to TV-14, adult wrestling fans would still be interested in buying figures. And I would say more adults today want them more than kids because kids may just buy their one or 2 favorites, not an entire series, not an entire set. Whereas adults buy a lot more because they have the money to do so. So I don't think figures are going away any time soon. How awesome would that be? A return to the attitude era with NXT blazing the way!
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Post by theicwguy on Sept 9, 2018 6:45:42 GMT -5
The big problem is what said hbkbigdaddycool member said. How many cena, or reigns can you release before you kill the market ? Im collecting figs since 70s star wars, When i started buying ljns wwf figs in 84, only hogan, andre, and....sd jones had more than 1 fig produced of themself. Andre had a different haircut, sd jones got 2 different shirts, and hogan was ....hogan, the biggest seller at the the time. From 1984 to 1989, even popular guy like macho man or ultimate warrior got 1 fig. True collectors want rares names, its where the big money is. During the best years of jakks, the classic line was the best thing in the world for a collector, having obscures guys like johnny rodz, or andy kaufman was the key. Every months we had announcement of new signings, and at the same time , they did great with the current roster at that time. Only problem with jakks, savage and steamboat were never signed. When mattel took the license, they changed the to do the bussiness, but at the same time the true collectors left. Mattel released great products, they released savage and steamboat, do a great job with the current roster, but.... We have more than 100 cenas, too many same superstars released, they dont sign superstars, wwe is no their first priority. I know that we need to rerelease cena fig, for the young audience, but are they really willing to open their wallet for ot, dont think so, but a true collector whos been waiting for a wendie richter since 84, yes, but they took eternity to get a release. the true problems 1. Same guys over and over again 2. Bad distribution 3. Slow release (find a way to get the fig in the stores faster, it still takes 9 months in 2018 !) 4. Hey dont and care, and willing to sign legends 5. They pissed off some collectors, with previews without a release (gooker, richter, roderick strong, billie kay etc..) 6. Majority of the youth dont care about plastic toys. But Roderick Strong is still getting one!
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Deleted
Joined on: May 4, 2024 7:50:04 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2018 6:54:52 GMT -5
I think there is a number of things that is the problem. One is how many lines are out at once with the same guy over again. How many figures does one person need of Cena, Reigns, Orton, etc.?? Also, the price. Prices keep going up, and people just find it harder to buy the figures now. And with how fast they are coming out, there is no way to keep up. You're missing the point with the Cena and Reigns question, those kind of figures are not released for the collector, as you say, a collector will only buy so many of these, but, and here is what'll surprise you, Mattel dont make these for collectors, Mattel make these so collectors can get Shockmaster, or Virgil, or Warlord, or any one of the semi obscure legends theyve made. Cena and Reigns sell to kids, mainly, which surprisingly is the target market, theyve been making Barbie for almost 70 years, not for collectors, but for kids to play with
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