Hasbro's Star Wars brand team has agreed to answer three questions from Jedi Insider fans every other week. Here are this week's questions and answers.
JI: (Reader question by Joenubb) What is the thought process that goes into adding articulation to an action figure? The Luke Skywalker figure from the Luke/Mara comic pack has ball-jointed ankles but is missing articulation in his knees. If certain figures only get so many points of articulation, why would it be placed on a joint when it would be better spent elsewhere?
Hasbro: Great question. There are several factors that we consider when determining articulation. We are always trying to create the best figure but cost is a large factor in this. The number of parts impacts labor to assemble the figure and in many cases, exponentially affects the cost. The amount of paint needed to decorate the figure is also a factor. These things being factored, we then evaluate the following: 1. Has a similar character like this ever been made? If so, what articulation did it have and how can we make this figure even better or more unique? (i.e. How can we make a new Vader?) 2. Are there any unique poses that fans would want to achieve with this figure? (A cantina alien should probably be able to sit in the cantina and have a tall glass of blue milk.) 3. Given the amount of articulation we can afford, are there insert molded pins already being used in the figure? If so, we can add more of the same color pins in the same mold. (FYI-Nylon/celcon pins do not take paint very well, and paint can chip off.) 4. Character design is also considered. If a figure has a long PVC skirt, it makes no sense to give the figure leg articulation. Now, not to be a politician and ignore your original question. Knees will allow a leg to bend and can make for some nice poses but without the ankle, it is hard to get a figure to stand. Ankles let you move either leg forward or back, and the figures stand much better. So, sometimes it simply comes down to the decision of whether we want the figure to stand better or have superior action pose potential.
JI: (Reader question by Die Fighter X) Now I realize this is a long shot, but who do I have to bribe over at Hasbro to get a figure of Darca Nyl? Even more of a long shot, our buddy Darca in his mercenary armor from his early days before getting his sweet nomad uniform and slugging it out with Lycan. Again, I know a long shot...but with the contract with Hasbro as far into the future as it is, that leaves room for a lot of "secondary" and Dark Horse characters.
Hasbro: It is certainly true that there is room for a lot of great comic-only characters in the lineup, and based on the reception to the comic packs (thank you!) we hope to have a long future with them. That said, Darca has yet to make the cut, based on his appearances in Tales, but his recent battle with Vader in Rebellion was very interesting. We have to see where he goes beyond that (and if he survives...). If Darca turns up elsewhere, we'll continue to give him a look for a further out opportunity.
JI: I know you have been asked this one before, but since it keeps coming up from readers, we thought we would ask again. Any chance of seeing weapon or accessory packs released in some shape or form?
Hasbro: We have looked at them as a possibility but have moved in other directions that we hope will fill the need for occasional cool accessories... just not pure accessory packs as you say (which historically have been poor sellers). There are no pure weapons packs planned yet... but our hope is to bring an idea like this out eventually, possibly through hasbrotoyshop.com. It is unlikely to be in 2008 though.
First round of questions and answers for 2007,
click here.
Second round of questions and answers for 2007,
click here.
Third round of questions and answers for 2007,
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Fourth round of questions and answers for 2007,
click here.
Fifth round of questions and answers for 2007,
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Sixth round of questions and answers for 2007,
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Seventh round of questions and answers for 2007,
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Eighth round of questions and answers for 2007,
click here.
Ninth round of questions and answers for 2007,
click here.
Tenth round of questions and answers for 2007,
click here.
Eleventh round of questions and answers for 2007,
click here.
Twelfth round of questions and answers for 2007,
click here.
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