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Post by WCWThunderRosa on Oct 1, 2021 11:36:16 GMT -5
In theory, I would not be opposed to this new development, as it makes the figures look more realistic and allows deco to be painted better. However, Mattel is gonna Mattel.
If we take customization out of the equation, BAM NONFACTOR (because that’s an entirely separate issue), the trade-off for pinless joints needs to be a bigger dedication to accuracy with deco and part choices. But accuracy has always been a problem with Mattel.
Let’s take the new Jake for example. Would’ve been the one time “spreadsheeting” a figure made absolute sense. Take the Legends 2 figure as it was, add TrueFX if you can, if not that scan looks fine without it no big deal, and swap the arms/shoulders for modern double joint elbows and swappable hands. The “formula” was made 11 years ago just dust it off. But instead they used the parts from Legends 8 so now this Jake is too skinny for no reason.
And this kind of thing like Jake has occurred forever. Jake’s issue is the torso, which can’t be fixed without breaking the figure apart (and finding 10 year old Jake figures). The things that we used to be able to fix without torso cracks were the arms and legs. Which we can’t now.
So to sum it all up, the pinless joints look aesthetically pleasing, but they take away the ability we had to fix mistakes easily, and we’re not getting an increased attention to detail in return.
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Post by shanieomaniac on Oct 3, 2021 1:56:43 GMT -5
In theory, I would not be opposed to this new development, as it makes the figures look more realistic and allows deco to be painted better. However, Mattel is gonna Mattel. If we take customization out of the equation, BAM NONFACTOR (because that’s an entirely separate issue), the trade-off for pinless joints needs to be a bigger dedication to accuracy with deco and part choices. But accuracy has always been a problem with Mattel. Let’s take the new Jake for example. Would’ve been the one time “spreadsheeting” a figure made absolute sense. Take the Legends 2 figure as it was, add TrueFX if you can, if not that scan looks fine without it no big deal, and swap the arms/shoulders for modern double joint elbows and swappable hands. The “formula” was made 11 years ago just dust it off. But instead they used the parts from Legends 8 so now this Jake is too skinny for no reason. And this kind of thing like Jake has occurred forever. Jake’s issue is the torso, which can’t be fixed without breaking the figure apart (and finding 10 year old Jake figures). The things that we used to be able to fix without torso cracks were the arms and legs. Which we can’t now. So to sum it all up, the pinless joints look aesthetically pleasing, but they take away the ability we had to fix mistakes easily, and we’re not getting an increased attention to detail in return. Looks pretty/poor functionality seems to be a common tradeoff in just about everything in life, not just figures. In every aspect of consumer goods ever it seems that the more aesthetically pleasing something is, the worst it functions and vice versa.
I mean, you look at the old Gray Brick Gameboys. Primitive by today's standards and butt ugly on the eyes but golly were those things built to last! Shoes! You take a pair of designer heels and they are a pain to wear and while nice on the eyes, aren't built for practical use. But you take a pair of wolverine boots and you're good to GO.
(These aren't perfect examples but it's late and my brain isn't working right)
The point is that the more you try to make something streamlined and beautiful, it has a horrible tendency of reducing both the functionality and the fix-ability of the item. You have an old, fat, PS2? You're handy enough you can take four broken ones and make three working ones. (I know, I've seen it done.) But try to fix your own macbook or iphone?
I dunno. It is late and I'm tired but the bottom line is that this isn't just a thing for figures. It's an entire cultural-wide problem. Companies are so obsessed with making something that is unmalleable, catches the eye and will trigger a consumers "OOOH SHINY" reactor switch but what consumers really want is a product that we can manipulate, customize, and repair on our own without needing to consult fifty yt tutorials and take a graduate course on voiding warranties.
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Post by kgchampion on Oct 4, 2021 1:05:13 GMT -5
My gripe is it ruins uniformity with older series. It’s one reason why I don’t like the swappable hands much, even though I’m sure I’m in the minority.
Also, it’s weird that Mattel isn’t dumping more into the WWE budget. They lost the rights to DC Comics, so WWE is probably their premiere action figure line in terms of popularity. Dump that DC money into WWE. It’s the hottest boys property you’re going to get for a long time outside maybe Hot Wheels and Nerf.
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mrh
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Post by mrh on Oct 4, 2021 2:00:12 GMT -5
The customization issue a big one -- but what's the solution? They never try to improve figures.
We know the other issues will remain -- so it's either keep all as is, or try to get better. But I'd be pissed too if I was a customizer or bought them
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DrakeParker
Superstar
WF 10+ Year Member
If you dislike Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, or THE DISCO INFERNO, You are a WHINER BABA BOOEY PRAG!
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Post by DrakeParker on Oct 4, 2021 8:12:24 GMT -5
Only buy official product so this is a great thing for me. Everyone with their customs 1 of 1's makes me go Oobatz. Bootleg = Outlaw
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Post by GreyHaze:Big Bad Booty Daddy on Oct 4, 2021 8:18:01 GMT -5
My issue with those arms are similar to what you said, you can’t swap the arms now go customize. However, the biggest issue is that a lot of them are loose. My UE Wyatt’s arm are just wobbly and I don’t believe there’s any way to fix them. At least with the old arms you could swap pins.
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Post by cordless2016 on Oct 4, 2021 8:42:15 GMT -5
My gripe is it ruins uniformity with older series. It’s one reason why I don’t like the swappable hands much, even though I’m sure I’m in the minority. Also, it’s weird that Mattel isn’t dumping more into the WWE budget. They lost the rights to DC Comics, so WWE is probably their premiere action figure line in terms of popularity. Dump that DC money into WWE. It’s the hottest boys property you’re going to get for a long time outside maybe Hot Wheels and Nerf. Mattel barely put any money into the DC line when they had it. They were still using bucks that were over 15 years old when they lost it so I’m not shocked the quality of WWE figures seems to have gone down recently either. |
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viper412
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Post by viper412 on Oct 4, 2021 11:11:24 GMT -5
The knees are pinless now?
That sucks, E91 RVD really needs fixing if it has long knee pads but I guess it’s not possible now
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wrestlingfan1000
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Fan of almost every type of wrestling
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Post by wrestlingfan1000 on Oct 4, 2021 12:01:50 GMT -5
I guess my only issue with it for now is the lack of various arm molds. I know this is just the beginning of the new articulation and I love it a lot no compliants there, but I would like to see more unique molds as it progresses. So far we seen the very skinny ones that is the most common , muscular ones seen on Roman and Lashly, and the Brock style ones. I want all the original arm molds on older elites to be able to have a double jointed counter part like the ones used on Ziggler elites, older Rock figures, Big Show/ Andre arms, Yokozuna/ Mark Henry arms, and even the Cena specific arms get the double jointed treatment. That would be my only gripe so far everything else is just amazing.
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Post by newgenandy on Oct 4, 2021 14:28:13 GMT -5
My gripe is it ruins uniformity with older series. It’s one reason why I don’t like the swappable hands much, even though I’m sure I’m in the minority. Also, it’s weird that Mattel isn’t dumping more into the WWE budget. They lost the rights to DC Comics, so WWE is probably their premiere action figure line in terms of popularity. Dump that DC money into WWE. It’s the hottest boys property you’re going to get for a long time outside maybe Hot Wheels and Nerf. Mattel barely put any money into the DC line when they had it. They were still using bucks that were over 15 years old when they lost it so I’m not shocked the quality of WWE figures seems to have gone down recently either. Look at it from Mattel’s perspective: 1. Put money into a line where some money from each goes to the licensor, where the licensors product (wwe tv shows, marvel movies etc) influences how figures sell, where you don’t have free reign and have to follow licensors approval etc 2. Put money into a line for a property you own and keep vast majority of profits from, where you have creative control, you decide who you license other elements to (cartoons, tv shows etc) and which are already huge in the toy market (barbie, hot wheels, motu, fisher price etc) |
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stinkfaceT
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Post by stinkfaceT on Oct 6, 2021 6:32:16 GMT -5
The knees are pinless now? That sucks, E91 RVD really needs fixing if it has long knee pads but I guess it’s not possible now Should be able to pop the boots off and still swap pads |
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viper412
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Post by viper412 on Oct 6, 2021 7:18:14 GMT -5
The knees are pinless now? That sucks, E91 RVD really needs fixing if it has long knee pads but I guess it’s not possible now Should be able to pop the boots off and still swap pads yea but it needs black knees and calves to really complete it. I’m still gonna do the pads but it’s not gonna be as good lol |
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Post by stc13 on Oct 6, 2021 7:47:19 GMT -5
Change is inevitable. But from where I sit most of Mattel's track record with change is pretty bad compared to similar lines.
I'm not saying pinless joints are going to cause me to pass on a figure I'm excited for. But it'll absolutely cause me to pass on one I'm on the fence on or which needed a fixup which can't be done.
Mattel has released some excellent figures in the last few years. But I can't help but look at some of the releases and wonder how anybody thought it was an acceptable product to put into the world. I got the Candace LaRae figure earlier this week and the proportions look like she should be going around singing "we represent the lollipop guild." How hard would it be to look at that figure and correct the scaling or make the legs appropriate proportions?
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Post by Mr. #1derful 🇵🇸 on Oct 8, 2021 8:05:47 GMT -5
Mattel and their penny pinching. Good luck fixing up this mess. |
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wheeljack83
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Post by wheeljack83 on Oct 9, 2021 1:36:17 GMT -5
My gripe is it ruins uniformity with older series. It’s one reason why I don’t like the swappable hands much, even though I’m sure I’m in the minority. Also, it’s weird that Mattel isn’t dumping more into the WWE budget. They lost the rights to DC Comics, so WWE is probably their premiere action figure line in terms of popularity. Dump that DC money into WWE. It’s the hottest boys property you’re going to get for a long time outside maybe Hot Wheels and Nerf. I don't care for swappable hands either. If they have a specific hand pose unique to that wrestler and want to do that, that makes sense. But I think mattel has gone overboard with hand swaps. I don't really like doing hand swaps because it risks damaging the hands or the figure, and sometimes when you swap them, the wrist joints become loose. I care more about accurate accessories, title belts than swappable hands. |
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Post by shanieomaniac on Oct 9, 2021 9:07:56 GMT -5
My gripe is it ruins uniformity with older series. It’s one reason why I don’t like the swappable hands much, even though I’m sure I’m in the minority. Also, it’s weird that Mattel isn’t dumping more into the WWE budget. They lost the rights to DC Comics, so WWE is probably their premiere action figure line in terms of popularity. Dump that DC money into WWE. It’s the hottest boys property you’re going to get for a long time outside maybe Hot Wheels and Nerf. I don't care for swappable hands either. If they have a specific hand pose unique to that wrestler and want to do that, that makes sense. But I think mattel has gone overboard with hand swaps. I don't really like doing hand swaps because it risks damaging the hands or the figure, and sometimes when you swap them, the wrist joints become loose. I care more about accurate accessories, title belts than swappable hands. Once again I am reminded that I am the only person on God's Green Earth who likes and uses the swappable hands. |
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berealnicknaro
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Post by berealnicknaro on Oct 9, 2021 13:25:17 GMT -5
I don't care for swappable hands either. If they have a specific hand pose unique to that wrestler and want to do that, that makes sense. But I think mattel has gone overboard with hand swaps. I don't really like doing hand swaps because it risks damaging the hands or the figure, and sometimes when you swap them, the wrist joints become loose. I care more about accurate accessories, title belts than swappable hands. Once again I am reminded that I am the only person on God's Green Earth who likes and uses the swappable hands. No way. I’m very glad to have that option and ability. |
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wheeljack83
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Post by wheeljack83 on Oct 9, 2021 16:15:22 GMT -5
I don't care for swappable hands either. If they have a specific hand pose unique to that wrestler and want to do that, that makes sense. But I think mattel has gone overboard with hand swaps. I don't really like doing hand swaps because it risks damaging the hands or the figure, and sometimes when you swap them, the wrist joints become loose. I care more about accurate accessories, title belts than swappable hands. Once again I am reminded that I am the only person on God's Green Earth who likes and uses the swappable hands. Give me one swappable handset if it makes sense. I don't need one closed fist set, one open fist set, plus however many other hand posed sets. |
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