Official Ultimate Edition New Gen Arena Megathread

This is actually a great idea for a crowdfunding item. It’s something that a group of people would want, but would do horrible on a mass production level. I’d heavily consider buying it. They could make the base Luger with jeans. Then give him a soft goods US Flag shirt, and soft goods US Flag Zubaz pants. The initial tier could be the figure, the clothes, and the Lex Express. Next tier could be a Yokozuna figure. Next tier could be a smaller basic New Gen ring with a rigid backdrop of the crowd on the Intrepid.

There’s 2 main reasons I’m not backing this current campaign.
1. I personally feel like it’s not until all tiers are reached that the value comes close to meeting the price, and even then, it’s overpriced. The value should be there from the initial tier. The additional tiers are items that can be packed in when the sales volume makes the economies of scale get to a point where Mattel can include those items for free.
2. These are not items that need to be crowdfunded. Each of these items would be profitable if sold through normal channels. If Jazwares can already put out a second ring in two years, Mattel can sell this one on Ringside (and it really is a beautiful ring). The stage would sell if you packed it with one of the smaller rings. The figures would sell on their own. At least Diesel would. I’d personally buy both.

I guess the thing for me is that I don’t get why people are clamoring for the larger companies like this to do crowdfunding. The crowdfunding model should be for the very small companies that financially can’t afford to move forward with product until they have capital and they are asking the consumers to pledge that capital.

I can accept it when it’s an item that no retail would take, whether it be because it’s too big or too expensive. I can understand a retailer not wanting to carry inventory of $400 Galactus figures that are 32 inches tall and would take up tons of space. If these items were sold separately, I feel retailers would carry them in some form.

Also, I don’t like that I’m seeing they take your money up front and it’s a process to cancel the backing. I backed Galactus immediately when it went live. Over a couple weeks I kept thinking about it, and finally decided I didn’t want it anymore. Canceling was as simple as clicking a button. Same with Kickstarters I’ve backed.

If people back this because they truly want it and see the value, then by all means, back it and I really hope you get it. I just don’t like that people seem to be backing it out of fear of not getting another crowdfunding campaign from Mattel. Also, if this does fund, Mattel has the big tooling costs paid for. They’ll likely put this ring out multiple other times without crowdfunding to maximize the money they make off those molds. Want a cage? It’ll come with a ring. Want an Attitude Era or Modern ring? Easy repaint.

I hope this funds for people that want it. I’m just trying to say back it if you really want it, don’t back it (if you don’t really want it) because you’re speculating on future possibilities.

I think the actual Diesel figure is pretty lacking when you consider he's supposed to be an ultimate edition. He should have also included shades, Winged eagle, fake Diesel head at minimum.

From my experience working in a manufacturing company, retail buyers aren’t looking at the shelves an aisles being bare. They are looking at “How long is this unit in my system?” That’s why we see so many empty pegs and barren aisles. The buyers are looking at data on spreadsheets and saying “This item needs to sell through a case per week (making that number up for example purposes).” If the cases are just sitting in the back and not being stocked, the buyer looks at it as “This product isn’t selling. Let’s order less in the future.” Online is an easier sell for big ticket items, I believe. Just putting myself in the situation of seeing Galactus on a shelf (if it even fits). I’d be thinking things like “Wow that’s huge!” “Do I gotta carry this around the store with me?” “I need some help.” “Can I even get this in my car?” Not sure if you’ve seen Ryan Ting from Hasbro holding the box for the Sentinel, but he almost fell over, and the Sentinel is significantly smaller than Galactus. Meanwhile, if I were to order Galactus online I’d know it’ll be delivered to me. It’s far less work. Also, retailers don’t like seeing those huge price tags on shelves. That’s why we don’t see too many legit play sets and vehicles anymore. Retailers see them as something clogging up their space that they can make money from (even if they aren’t actually making money from that space).

Very informative! That’s some great insight, it all makes sense.

it does seem really bland for what it is,  the leather pants have no studs or accents, no elbow pad, the singlet doesn't have the silver vertical lines down the sides, I think this is trying to be the attire he beat bob backlund in, but thats really got nothing going on visually. His late 95/96 attire tho, was the ultimate diesel look for me, and could make a nice UE fig. 

It's also a game of margins for Hasbro. They're making considerably more money going direct to consumer on the bigger items. Walmart does chargebacks for things that don't sell. Target doesn't but Hasbro also doesn't want these large items clearanced out. Which Target usually does too quickly since they want aisle turnover.

And yeah, as was mentioned, Galactus is 32" tall. It would need to go in the bike aisle haha.

I think the major difference between this and the HasLab stuff is that people weren't really questioning the value of the HasLab items. That Sail Barge wasn't a thing we were getting at retail for $500 and it's massive. And people had been asking for it for years. I don't think this ring set, which I fully support and want, checks those boxes. The perceived value isn't high, the demand really isn't that high outside of maybe the entryway, and I don't think people were asking specifically for this or feel it's a thing we couldn't get parted out.

Maybe there are 4,000 people just sitting around waiting to order this thing on 8/22 but I think there are plenty of reasons why we're sitting at less than a thousand backers after the initial launch. If it's not confusing to us why it's doing so poorly to this point then you have to question why Mattel put this set in this position.

Honestly, this reminds me of WB not copying Disney on the MCU. All you had to do was copy what they did, but just do it with your characters. But they didn't, and now we're stuck with Justice League.

In fairness to Mattel, the Diesel shown looks to be a paint master prototype. It likely wouldn’t be difficult for them to paint on wrist tape and accents on his attire, possibly even add an elbow pad. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more accessories too. What’s currently shown is not on par with a normal Ultimate figure. I think this is currently being shown to give an idea of what’s included

I think people in general are getting too caught up on the price.  Looking at the way Haslab items have appreciated across brands and price points, I have zero doubt that this thing is going to be selling for well more than the pre-order price within 6-9 months of release.  It's a premium item that wouldn't see release through another avenue - so yes, there will probably be some premium to what you think you'd pay if this was pieced out.  They're sacrificing volume compared to what they do at retail, and that drives the per unit price higher. 

If people don't have the $250 to spend or don't have any interest in the package, then that's fine.  But if it's something you want and can afford, back the project now or later.