In the few years Bandai have been making these awesome models we have allready been lucky enough to get:
1/144 1/72 1/48 T-65 X-wing
1/144 1/72 T-70 X-wing - Inc Poe's
1/144 1/72 TIE FO - inc Special forces
1/144 1/72 TIE - inc Darths X1
1/144 1/72 Y-wing
Small & 1/144 Falcon
1/12 1/6 Storm Trooper
1/12 1/2 BB-8
Small Star Destroyer
Why would anyone not expect them to make us a Small AT-AT too? It makes total sense to me, big models require big investment, that has to come from somewhere, they will im sure target the most profitable models, especially where multiples are going to be bought like Stormtroopers first so they can re-invest, Bandai are a business. As much as id like them to make a 1/1700 Star Destroyer and a 1/48 AT-AT first, Im aware that really cool people have jobs and the company has overheads, i want them to grow as fast as possible and stay in business making new models for as long as possible, id like to still be buying new Bandai Star Wars Models in 10 years time.
Im sure we have Ep8 & 9 to come, plus Han Solo's Early years Film. Then Ep 10 -12 with im sure 2-3 more spin off films. All of these new Films require a lot of work before they can keep going back to the originals. Im amazed at Bandai's current high output of model kits and i also think this new small AT-AT is really cool, i dont want one i want 1/48, but im sure lots of modelers do want this and will make cool Dioramas with multiple AT-AT's with im sure a few 1/144 Snowspeeders in the future too. Also these tiny kits are massive in the hands of children, the future of this whole beautifully creative hobby of ours. They are so lucky, what an amazing way to start, with a Bandai AT-AT, those legs with suspension and Bandai's Molding technology, WOW. The futures bright indeed.
Historically and today other companies have made BIG Star Wars Models, i assume they are/were profitable, i dont see any reason why Bandai wouldnt do the same. Difference is Bandai's models will im sure be the best ever made and will sell forever.
Bandai = Awesome!