New Hasbro Toy Lightsabers

[Mara Jade's Father]

Unimpressed. They sit on the Force FX license and do absolutely nothing for it as far has improvements go and yet release completely new versions of the electronic sabers?

Why cant they do any of that in the fx line? Why have the license if they are going to release the exact same MR designs? At least MR kept pushing forward on the fx to new heights when they were being produced. New hilt designs makinking them smaller and new hilts.

Hasbro released Vader Luke and Anakin 3 different times(along with a few others) and all are the EXACT same MR designs. Only the soundboard changed.

Disney comes along with their fxs, albeit only 3, and provide new smaller and more accurate hilt designs and at least Vader got the correct ignition. Unlike the 1 exact same soundboard for the black series!

Unless you got an inside source at Hasbro for their entire 2019 Star Wars line, we don’t know what is in store for 2019. They never show the entire line at Toy Fair plus some of their items to be released this year are not allowed to be made public at this time.

Also your info is incorrect. Hasbro have had new non MR designs. Not a lot grant you but they did come out with Kit Fisto and Kylo Ren from the top of my head. Also remember that Hasbr was the ones wh first did the removable blades. Not sure why they stopped. Always wondered if it was their choice or a licensing issue. But other than that, yes... not a lot of new stuff in all the time they have had the license.

I do agree that they should do more with it. I wish they could figure how to make a thin necked Return of the Jedi hilt. I do also wish they would expand the black series FX line to other things. Sort of like how they did with the riot baton. It does not interest me but I am happy they went there. It would be great if they could do FX blasters but I know that probably has legal issues with color requirements that would defeat the purpose. I think it would be cool to do FX ships.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

So they're dropping a crap gimmick to make lightsabers that look like $3 Chinese knockoffs? Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Interesting. That could be the exact reason. Maybe they are tired of losing out on those sales

 

[vader45]

Unless you got an inside source at Hasbro for their entire 2019 Star Wars line, we don’t know what is in store for 2019. They never show the entire line at Toy Fair plus some of their items to be released this year are not allowed to be made public at this time.

Also your info is incorrect. Hasbro have had new non MR designs. Not a lot grant you but they did come out with Kit Fisto and Kylo Ren from the top of my head. Also remember that Hasbr was the ones wh first did the removable blades. Not sure why they stopped. Always wondered if it was their choice or a licensing issue. But other than that, yes... not a lot of new stuff in all the time they have had the license.

I do agree that they should do more with it. I wish they could figure how to make a thin necked Return of the Jedi hilt. I do also wish they would expand the black series FX line to other things. Sort of like how they did with the riot baton. It does not interest me but I am happy they went there. It would be great if they could do FX blasters but I know that probably has legal issues with color requirements that would defeat the purpose. I think it would be cool to do FX ships.

The Kit Fisto and Kylo Ren are brand new designs I give you that along with the removable blade. The rest is the same standard MR guts and blade. But the tech for the removable blade was in the MR fxs. The wires clipped together. MR decided not to do it in fear of the limited static hilts sales would drop. That's what I heard.

But overall there has been only been 1 new development in the fx tech. The accelerometer. Which isn't a significant addition to the fx considering the black series use 1 sound font and the exact same tired out ugly hilts MR made. And in top of that the TPM Kenbi hilt for the black series a two toned finish! I hope it's not a sign of a decline in quality.

And they have the nerve to try and improve the experience with their toy lightsabers?

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

And they have the nerve to try and improve the experience with their toy lightsabers?

Hasbro has some real issues and for them Star Wars has been more of a problem for them it has helped them. And as happy they are to have adult collectors buying their products, they will not survive unless they have products that appeals to kids and priced appropriately for parents to buy. It doesn’t matter what you or I think about the product because these are aimed at kids. As a parent, I don’t care what they look like, if my son or daughter wanted it and I thought it was worth the cost, I’d buy it for them. Will these be attractive to kids? I don’t know but it appears Hasbro thinks they will. If we start seeing these thing piling up at Ross or Five Below, we know they were wrong.

There are some good info here:
Hasbro Is Struggling? | Jedi Temple Archives

The Cost Of Hasbro’s Star Wars License | Jedi Temple Archives

Hasbro's QIII/2018 Financial Results Are In | Jedi Temple Archives

 

[vader45]

I completely understand they need to appeal to the largest portion of their customer base. There is nothing wrong with that and it does not hurt to try. But if they don't care to put effort into appealing to the rest of their customer base why even make the product when it costs them money?

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

I completely understand they need to appeal to the largest portion of their customer base. There is nothing wrong with that and it does not hurt to try. But if they don't care to put effort into appealing to the rest of their customer base why even make the product when it costs them money?

But that’s not true either. You are simply focusing on particular items you like or want but they are not ignoring adult collectors. They recently started using a new paint application that helps the looks of the faces on 6 inch figures. After a few years of complaining they are bringing back the vintage series line. The just debuted a new 8 inch hyper articulated line. Plus the new retro line is most likely aimed at adults as well.

Hopefully we will get some attention to a new black series related prop and helmet by Force Friday.remember what Saw said... “Prop collections are built on hope.” Hmm... Maybe I am remembering that wrong.

 

[vader45]

I have to remember that Hasbro deals with toys and not props. I think they should pass on the fx license to someone who will put the effort into it.

 

[Tan Djarka]

I have to remember that Hasbro deals with toys and not props. I think they should pass on the fx license to someone who will put the effort into it.

Nope. MR tanked. eFX makes the effort to take your money, and never deliver the goods. Give the prop license to them too, and maybe they'd have the resources to actually deliver. The BS series helmets seem indication enough that it's possible for Hasbro to put out product that appeals to both markets.

And why can't they cater to both markets? Something that has visual appeal for the collector AND functions that appeal to the younger play oriented customers? For instance, incorporating the Lightsaber Academy tech into the existing Ultimate FX line. Is that so hard? Why do they constantly have to reinvent the wheel, and fail?

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

I have to remember that Hasbro deals with toys and not props. I think they should pass on the fx license to someone who will put the effort into it.

I don't know any of this for sure, but I think FX lightsabers do not fall under the prop replica category but instead as role play toys. I speculate that it is the real reason Hasbro stopped making removal blades, because once the blade is removed, it now becomes a prop replica which then infringes on eFx agreement. It's the same reason I think all the Hasbro black series helmets have built in sounds and/or voices or other functions that as prop costume replica collectors, we can do without. It has to serve as something that has a playability aspect. To not have a play feature would infringe on the license deal of eFx which I assume they have exclusive right for.

We know from the Hasbro Marvel line that they know prop replicas are desirable as they have done shields, and helmet etc... To me, these tend to fall into prop replica categories because if they do have features such as lights or sounds, or blue tooth it is more in line with what the functions of a prop replica. So my further speculation is that Hasbro's license for Marvel includes prop replicas.

We know from history that these the company that obtain these licenses are very protective. Hasbro is the reason Lego is forbidden to offer Star Wars mini figures without sets.

Like I said, this is all speculation as i have never seen anyones license agreement but I have seen a lot of news stories about such things that make me think I might be correct.

 

[vader45]

Nope. MR tanked. eFX makes the effort to take your money, and never deliver the goods. Give the prop license to them too, and maybe they'd have the resources to actually deliver. The BS series helmets seem indication enough that it's possible for Hasbro to put out product that appeals to both markets.

And why can't they cater to both markets? Something that has visual appeal for the collector AND functions that appeal to the younger play oriented customers? For instance, incorporating the Lightsaber Academy tech into the existing Ultimate FX line. Is that so hard? Why do they constantly have to reinvent the wheel, and fail?

Why does everyone keep bringing up that Mr went under? They are the ones that made the FX lightsabers what they are today. It does not matter if they tanked. They had several good years of delivering product.

My point is they pushed the boundaries on the fxs during their good years. Hasbro just continues to make the same fx.

 

[Tan Djarka]

MR had good ideas, but it takes more than ideas to maintain a company. Hasbro (previously Kenner) has been around for a long time, and while all their ideas have not always been spectacular, their business model is sustainable. Now if all the idea guys in the prop community went to work for a toy company instead of starting another sure to fail business, imagine what we'd get? Spoiler alert: cooler toys and affordable replicas. Bam!

 

[vader45]

If hasbro opened a new business under their name for higher end props and costumes I think it will stay afloat as it would have a huge toy company to back it up . But that's off topic.

It's nice to see the new toys get features fan made lightsaber had for several years.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

MR had good ideas, but it takes more than ideas to maintain a company. Hasbro (previously Kenner) has been around for a long time, and while all their ideas have not always been spectacular, their business model is sustainable. Now if all the idea guys in the prop community went to work for a toy company instead of starting another sure to fail business, imagine what we'd get? Spoiler alert: cooler toys and affordable replicas. Bam!

MR was fine until Corgi took them over. Then it seems they did not know what to do with it. It didn't really fail, it just stopped.

But it takes more than prop community guys working for a company, it takes the people running the company to commit to the same attention to detail. Otherwise they will just skimp for what they think will still sell. Because as you should be aware of, there are Star Wars collectors that are not into the details of prop replicas, they care about collecting official collectible products and if it happens to be a prop replica, so be it. IMHO, that is what happened to MR. Because I believe a lot of the designers transferred over. At least I think Larry Leung (Larbel) did.

 

[Tan Djarka]

Actually, I remember it a little differently. Wasn't MR going to lose their Star Wars license? Also, weren't there quite a few customer service issues going on too? All in all things were not going well the Corgi was just the final torpedo that sank the boat.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Actually, I remember it a little differently. Wasn't MR going to lose their Star Wars license? Also, weren't there quite a few customer service issues going on too? All in all things were not going well the Corgi was just the final torpedo that sank the boat.

Here's some info online:

Corgi International Limited Closes Merger With Master Replicas Inc.

and

Corgi International - Wikipedia

The Master Replicas brand (also known as MR) produce movie prop replicas and high end collectibles.[3] Based in Walnut Creek, CA, the company was founded in 2003 by Michael Cookson.[4]Cookson has served as Chairman of Master Replicas since it was founded and chief executive officer since August 2004. Master Replicas develops and markets licensed collectables distributed via direct, specialty, hobby, collector and mass retail channels worldwide.

Master Replicas holds varying licenses for entertainment franchises including Star Trek, Disney, James Bond 007, Halo, Nintendo, and The Muppets Previous to January 2008, the company manufactured and sold product under the Star Wars brand before The Company chose not to renew the license upon expiration.[5] While many of their items are props at full-scale (particularly weapons like lightsabers, phasers, and swords), they also make many scale model items, like spaceships, and characters.

Master Replicas has also been commissioned to make items for corporations to resell on their own. For example, MR made a 1/6 scale Master Sword and Hylian Shield for Nintendo and Target Stores to coincide with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Master Replicas is known[citation needed] for their Force FX product line which recreated various lightsabers used in the Star Wars movies.

Master Replicas no longer produces this product line but has adapted the technology to replicas of other items including the Halo Energy Sword and Link's Sword from Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda.

Master Replicas closed upon Corgi International expiry. The Master Replicas brand is now owned by Darren Epstein who bought it from the administrators.

Intro of eFx and Hasbro taking over Fx line:
Media Release: Lucas Licensing Teams with Hasbro and eFX to Bring High-End Star Wars Collectibles to Fans

So from what I get from this, Corgi had the license for a year (2007) and during that time it ran out on 31 December 2007 and was not renewed by Corgi's choice.

The only real problem I remember with MR (Corgi) is that they had production delays for the Stormtrooper ANH it only had a limited number from it's planned run made. Something like that. eFx basically continued some of the run picking up the same production and offered the helmet. It was their first product. From what I remember, when they listed it for sale (I think 8 July), they had it in stock and ready to ship. I picked on of these up at the time.

Some history of the helmet.
Efx Stormtrooper Helmet

So I think that because MR ended on that sour note, a lot of people remember MR poorly.

 

[Darth Fetty]

Actually, I remember it a little differently. Wasn't MR going to lose their Star Wars license? Also, weren't there quite a few customer service issues going on too? All in all things were not going well the Corgi was just the final torpedo that sank the boat.

MR was fine before Corgi. The accuracy of some of their prop replicas would have been quite debatable, but their customer service was excellent. They were active members of the forums and were always available to answer questions. On rebelscum, they even regularly hosted trivia nights and gave out prizes, some of which were quite pricy items (like a replica SS Falcon). There was none of the waiting years on end for a preorder like certain other prop companies.

I have no idea why they eventually went to Corgi, but before that, I remember their customer service was quite top notch (with the exception of one guy who resigned after making some nasty public remark).

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Seems like Hasbro has something new. No images avail either but reported at Rebelscum.com: Hasbro: Star Wars Celebration 2019 Panel

Lastly, we got a look a concept prototype lightsaber, which we are referring to the Mistsaber. What looks like a high powered flashlight projecting into a beam of liquid guided mist, essential appears to function like a true lightsaber projecting from the hilt. We saw a functioning prototype but were not allowed to take photos. We also saw a rough test video featuring both a Rey and Kylo Ren lightsaber. In concept they appear pretty cool but we know nothing about the technology, functionality, or cost.

 

[Halliwax]

Seems like Hasbro has something new. No images avail either but reported at Rebelscum.com: Hasbro: Star Wars Celebration 2019 Panel

Interesting....

 

[vader45]

That Luke X Wing helmet! Every picture seems to accurately represent the previous BS helmets. If this is the case where can I pre order this helmet? That looks AMAZING. Much improved over the Vader. And I've needed a helmet for my esb pilot Luke costume! Where do I sign up?

 

[FastballSpecial]

“Mistsaber” sounds interesting