Gutted

[thamesvalidude]

So that is Toyfair 2007. Wow, I am so underwhelmed I might have a heart attack from being so underwhelmed.
I have collected 12" figures for many years (Hasblow, playmates, bbi & Dragon) and started with the far superior Sideshow on Buffy and Bond.
I collected everything available from those lines except the Thunderball swimming Connery. Then I collected X Files, then some classic horror, Star Wars and LOTR. I think the only exclusive I missed out on was Krycek in the X Files. (I even bought 5 of the original Star Wars trilogy premiums...Obi twice, because his light saber didn't work, nor did the replacement.)
Fair to say I was very happy with Sideshow.)
I was delerious when Giles was announced and although I couldn't understand the point of releasing a D'Hoffryn without Anya, I could live with it, because we had the core Scoobies.
I really thought that the Angel line would be followed through with a Wesley, Fred and maybe a Gunn and that something would be announced at this Toyfair. All we get is a rehashed PF bogeyed Buffy and not even a 12" SW or LOTR to abate my disappointment.
Looks like SS now do dioramas, not 12" figures.
Although I am not going to totally throw my toys out of the pram like Obsolete man, I will give SS more time, but I am as disappointed now as I was by the spooktacular.
Looks like a long love affair is beginning to come to an end on this Valentine's week.:monkey2

[olvidadero]

I share your feelings 100% and I have expressed them as well, I don't feel like expressing my frustration and sadness at Sideshow right now all over again. I'm with you, that's all. Oh, and I will wait anyway too....

[dekadentdave]

Seeing as how Hot Toys is dominating the 1:6 market my attention was raptured by their announcements of the Aliens Power Loader and Aliens Warrior that I barely gave Sideshow's products a glance. I think they realized that they bit off more than they could chew last year with their ambitious debut of the Star Wars license which resulted in numerous product delays and production problems across the board so they decided to be more realistic in their product announcements this time around with what they could reasonably deliver. And yes, it is apparent now that they are shifting their product focus away from 1:6 figures and focusing on the PF and maquette statues. The good news is that it is a much needed relief on my wallet knowing that I don't have dozens of figures pre-ordered month-to-month and that I can concentrate my collecting on the quality Hot Toys figures. The bad news is that many of my favorite licenses will likely not be adding more figures. After a year-long wait for Terminator 2, I am extremely excited about the license but with Andy's departure from Sideshow and no new 1:6 product announcements, this line is about as DOA as Highlander. Praise be to Howard Chen and Hot Toys for making our dreams come true and picking up the ball and running with it when Sideshow fumbled.

[Reinhardt]

i echo dekadentdave's thoughts... with the aliens powerloader from hottoys announced, everything else was secondary, or even tertiary to me!

on top of that, there IS still SDCC, and we know that sideshow always makes a TON of new announcements then, so there is still time. :)

[Shai Hulud]

And yes, it is apparent now that they are shifting their product focus away from 1:6 figures and focusing on the PF and maquette statues.



TRUE.UNFORTUNATELY FOR 1/6 COLLECTORS.

[metaphorge]

Seeing as how Hot Toys is dominating the 1:6 market my attention was raptured by their announcements of the Aliens Power Loader and Aliens Warrior that I barely gave Sideshow's products a glance. I think they realized that they bit off more than they could chew last year with their ambitious debut of the Star Wars license which resulted in numerous product delays and production problems across the board so they decided to be more realistic in their product announcements this time around with what they could reasonably deliver. And yes, it is apparent now that they are shifting their product focus away from 1:6 figures and focusing on the PF and maquette statues. The good news is that it is a much needed relief on my wallet knowing that I don't have dozens of figures pre-ordered month-to-month and that I can concentrate my collecting on the quality Hot Toys figures.

This summarizes my feelings as well. I expect that Sideshow will continue to churn out 1:6 Star Wars and LOTR stuff, and at this point I can't budget for much more than that with the great stuff we're getting from Hot Toys.

[Kookie]

Sideshow is evolving as a company. People and the market are demanding higher quality products and more unique items. If Sideshow wants to remain on the cutting edge moving away from 12 inch figures into more museum quality items is a smart move. I believe the relationship with Medicom will allow Sideshow to satisfy the 12" figure fans while they can concentrate on the higher end stuff.

There are so many companies that make 12" type figures I'm glad there are companies like Sideshow who make products for people who want something of a higher quality.

[creature4000]

They NEED to at least Finish the Darn 12" LOTR fellowship!!!!!:monkey2

[metaphorge]

There are so many companies that make 12" type figures I'm glad there are companies like Sideshow who make products for people who want something of a higher quality.

Higher quality, schmigher quality. I want toys, that you can, y'know, move and pose and have little wars on your kitchen counter with....

[Collector Freak]

I agree. Sideshow should stick to toys. Gentle Giant is 100 times better at statues.

[Kookie]

Higher quality, schmigher quality. I want toys, that you can, y'know, move and pose and have little wars on your kitchen counter with....

Ok...well take a trip to your local Toys R Us and have a field day.

[Karma]

I agree. Sideshow should stick to toys. Gentle Giant is 100 times better at statues.


have you see darkness PF or the marvel dioramas or..(too much too mention)

I have never disagreed with someone more with that statement

[abstractharmony]

I would be very wary of completely abandoning the 1:6 lines and truth be told I don't think that they will be doing this but it is worrying how not a single SSC 1:6 figure has (yet) been announced at Toyfair.

Still - I live in hope. A fool's hope, but a hope nonetheless...

[EVILFACE]

Well the only thing I might order now is Robocop. Nothing else I'm interested. Power loader is nice, but I don't collect Aliens, untill the ALIEN version comes out.

The SW Chess set is really lame is Chewie and R2 are still a long ways out. Pretty pointless.

[dekadentdave]

Well the only thing I might order now is Robocop. Nothing else I'm interested. Power loader is nice, but I don't collect Aliens, untill the ALIEN version comes out.

The SW Chess set is really lame is Chewie and R2 are still a long ways out. Pretty pointless.

Exactly. What is the point of the chess table? What are we suppossed to do with it? There is no diorama to use it with and no figures so what is the point?

Oh and, does anybody even still shop at Toys R Us? They never have anything. I'm surprised that they are still in business. Most of them closed down and there are only one or two left in my state.

[EVILFACE]

I used to buy Marvel Legends from TRU, but with so many Wallyworlds and Targets, no need to. And since I'm a 1/6th Movie/Comic guy, they offer nothing for me.

[galactiboy]

Yeah, Toys R Us is pretty terrible... just barely hanging on most places.

I'm a little dissapointed by no 1/6 announcements from Sideshow, but at the same time I'm sure they'll have a lot for SDCC and leading up to it. The SW and LOTR lines are strong and will certainly continue. But aside from them I think the only lines we'll continue to see much activity from are the Dead, Angel (yawn) and maybe New Line.

[Morgan the Raider]

I am so down on Sideshow. I used to buy so many items that they produced now it's amazing if I purchase one or two items in a year. They've lost their identity and become the LOTR, SW, and import company. It's good for some, but it stinks for me.

The only good thing I still really care about that's associated with Sideshow is this board. What a shame!

I agree with DecadentDave about the Chess Table. What a waste.

Has anyone actually seen the Sith Droid expansion for Maul? I can't believe how much that costs either! It's such a waste of space. Not to mention all those beast packs like Bubo and what not.

They seem like reasons to make people spend money. I can't see where the demand is.

I could be wrong, though.

[PosterBoyKelly]

Maybe they're improving their 1/6 bodies? OR maybe we'll get a slew of release thurs. for no good reason? Meh, I love SS PF's and that's mainly it. I DO hope they do some more 1/6, IF they improve some things like paint quality control and bodies. I mean I prefer toys to statues, and I want more 1/6 figures. I'm only getting my kicks from Medi and HT, but I say the more 1/6th companies the better, I really do hope they just take a break, step it up and come back strong. With an awesome montage song happening in the back all the way!

[Bardoon]

Exactly. What is the point of the chess table? What are we suppossed to do with it? There is no diorama to use it with and no figures so what is the point?

I can say the same about the Sith probes and Bubo....I'm sure those are holy grails to Star Wars fans but really WTF? Salacious was the only one worth anything, he should've just been paired with the Jabba figure in the first place or tagged on as an exclusive.

To me it seemed like making these figures was a cheap way of Sideshow dragging out a little more money from Collectors and most of you all fell for it.

Instead of working on new headsculpts for figures they're instead working on the little rats and floating basketballs in Star Wars. While it is a neat addition you have to ask yourself is it really worth it?

The Sith Probes would've been worth it if they had the Sith Hovercycle to go with it, then you have your whole "diorama" set there.

Sideshow has taken note that the fans are buying up the little "trinkets" of Star Wars, if you like them...I'm happy for you, but I see them as a big waste of money and time. Personally I'd rather have them devoted to getting the 1/6 scale figures out ON-TIME instead of getting a swamp rat from Dagobah.

[Morgan the Raider]

The Sith Probes would've been worth it if they had the Sith Hovercycle to go with it, then you have your whole "diorama" set there.

You echoed my sentiments from above. I couldn't believe when I saw the Maul PF comes iwth a Sith Probe as the extra. That's gaul! Amazingly it sold out. I'm sure it's just a 2-up of the already sculpted accessory pack from the 12" line.

Very sad to watch a company figure out it's better to milk than produce really interesting stuff.

[Shai Hulud]

wooo...tough thread..wait till josh read that....:lol :lol :lol :lol

[MiskatonicNick]

Higher quality, schmigher quality. I want toys, that you can, y'know, move and pose and have little wars on your kitchen counter with....

YAY! :chew
Remind me to buy you a beer next time I'm over in the Bay Area, Metaphorge.

I'm pretty underwhelmed by Sideshow's TF offering this year - but didn't Dusty warn us not to get our hopes up too high this year? Or do I need better ventalition when I'm painting and gluing?

But not been wildly excited by much else there either; still, more cash for TakaraTomy's excellent Panzer Corps, Sea International's colourful Romance of the Three Kingdoms, whatever Doctor Who 1/6th stuff turns up with some left over for custom fun (I wonder if Marvel Toys' TNA wrestlers will make better 1/6th scaled bodies for DCD's 13" heroes...).

Nick

[IrishJedi]

Maybe they're improving their 1/6 bodies?
We should be so lucky. The Buck bodies are crap!

[dekadentdave]

We should be so lucky. The Buck bodies are crap!

Truer words cannot be spoken.

[creecher]

Don't give up the ghost yet. Where did he go? Oh, disappointment, yeah. I am disappointed with Sideshow, but not by the lack of product, but by whomever bungled my exclusive Subject 57 order. 'Tis an injustice it
is. Still no reply to my email on that. A sorry would be nice.

What can I say? Alot of tripe actually. Sideshow and 1/6th scale, hmmm. Well Sideshow have made heaps and heaps of 12 inch figures. They have seen most of the best licences come and go. Really, what new licences are there to be had? oh yeah an Indiana Jones, or a Depp pirate. Sure there's a personality or two but no really big license where they can pheasibly make a profit without mass producing such a product. Which goes against the grain. Imagine the uproar if they started charging one or two hundred dollars for a 12 inch figure, just to strive to pay back the licencing fee. Generic lines like soldiers are the go. Like the zombies, that give Sideshow the profit margin they need to move ahead.

Where can they go? I'd like to see a return of a missing figure or two from the older "no line is ever dead" lines. Barbara Feldon may have stopped her representation in the Get Smart line, but where's Hymie? How about a General Berkhalter for the Hogan's Heroes line. There's a few aliens left in the Outer Limits and Twilight Zone that are possible, and the Apes. Where's the Ape'o'nauts? Oh those lines didn't sell so well. What do you take me for? When a line depends on it's last figure to ensure it's continuaty, then don't dribble out a few carrots and expect a herd of donkeys. I have to give it to them for trying new policies, unfortunately some work and some don't.

There are more possibilities. I used to think Sideshow kept a few figures in store for a rainy day. Well let it pour down. We are having drought conditions down under.

The silver age of figures is drawing to a close. Sideshow hasn't fumbled, they've just handed the baton on. Quite resiliently they hold their focus with the collector in mind. Are they sharing licences, as someone suggested, to spread the costs, and in doing so, mustered what is only a benefit to collectors? I may not like the direction Sideshow seem to be taking, but they are on our side. Sideshow are still a collector friendly company.

Enough of that for now. As for the Toyfair that Darkness may be the first non Unimonster PF I may buy. That one is just a stunner. The Power Loader looks awesome, but Hot Toys doesn't appear to have any scruples to me, and Ripley looks nothing like her. Maybe F'Master Les can salvage something out of that horrendous sculpt. I hope Sideshows next step may incorporate a sub-company in conjunction with Hot Toys, and even Medicom, to bring us some cool sculpts with plenty of accessories and spare wonderfully sculpted hands. Onward and upward.

[dekadentdave]

As far as the Ripley sculpt, it's dead on. The hair and eye color are wrong but I'm sure it was deliberate to get around licensing fees which brings me to my next point...

If Sideshow was not willing to go the distance when putting up the licensing fees then why did they introduce lines geared toward attracting dedicated fans that would be comitted to purchasing subsequent additions to said license. Granted it may not be a profittable margin of revenue but it does cater to a specific cadre of loyal collectors to each particular license. Not every license is a juggernaut like Star Wars or LOTR. And you know they paid a fortune for those licenses yet they haven't even barely scratched the surface with LOTR and they are milking Star Wars with characters like Endor Brant? Give me a break. Why can't they add at least ONE new addition to each licence every quarter? That would appease everyone from each license instead of only catering to the Star Wars crowd. Diversify with variety instead of pandering to the most popular license. Frankly, I'm getting tired of Star Wars and anyone who knows me and my obsession for all things Star Wars would find it unfathomable that I just said that but it's true.

[Bannister]

And you know they paid a fortune for those licenses yet they haven't even barely scratched the surface with LOTR
:monkey2 :monkey2 :monkey2

[El Roranous]

I am getting really tired of Star Wars too Dave. Canceled Jabba and thinking about canceling more.

[Bardoon]

I haven't followed Sideshow as long as others but the way I see it is that they started out with those unexpected licenses that had a decent following of collectors...especially within the horror genre.

They eventually grew, got more attention and more licenses...they're statues and PFs are terrific pieces of work and it shows that their heart and their attention is on that.

But now they got licenses like Star Wars and LotR for their 1/6 figures and those are true diamond franchises right there, espiecially Star Wars. They know it and they'll milk it for what it's worth. It makes them a TON of money so I think they figure they really don't need to follow up with their older licenses....the only people talking about them are the die-hard collectors and that's it.What does the old Outer Limits,or even Buffy and Angel hold up against the merchandise monster that is STAR WARS?Nothing. I think they make better sales and sell out quicker on the minor Star Wars products like Salacious Crumb and Bubo than they do on main characters from other 1/6 lines they have. Sideshow is really becoming like Hasbro with the SW license, they're making figures of characters who have 5 seconds of screentime.

I believe Sideshow never really held any "1/6 figure baton"...yeah I think they're the first American company to bring high-quality 12'' figures to a wider audience but they never took the risks nor did they take it to another level beyond cloth outfits and the standard Art S. Buck body.

When Hot Toys popped up, that baton was practically born with them.

[dekadentdave]

I am getting really tired of Star Wars too Dave. Canceled Jabba and thinking about canceling more.

Might want to consider cancelling your user name too, Darth. :lol

[Bannister]

Might want to consider cancelling your user name too, Darth. :lol
:lol :lol :lol

[El Roranous]

Might want to consider cancelling your user name too, Darth. :lol
Can you do that? The member formerly known as Darth?

[El Roranous]

Maybe I'll be Just Roranous.

[sladesuperagent]

Not every license is a juggernaut like Star Wars or LOTR. And you know they paid a fortune for those licenses yet they haven't even barely scratched the surface with LOTR and they are milking Star Wars with characters like Endor Brant? Give me a break. Why can't they add at least ONE new addition to each licence every quarter? That would appease everyone from each license instead of only catering to the Star Wars crowd. Diversify with variety instead of pandering to the most popular license.

Well put. I have to agree that the 1/6 announcements were quite ho-hum. The suckiest thing for me is that I've really only been collecting 1/6 scale stuff hard for the last 3 years. I was a late-bloomer to a lot of the Sideshow figures and now it feels like the well is dry. I'm a Star Wars fan, but not a fanatic fan (I haven't purchased one Sideshow figure yet--I'm sure I will, but I'm still holding out for a better Luke and some armored characters). I'd settle for 2 additions to the other licenses a year, just to keep the interest alive. Otherwise, let's start a Hot Toys Freaks board. :mwaha

[Darklord Dave]

Those that collect exclusively 1/6 are bound to be a bit disillusioned with SSC unless they are devoted to Star Wars and nothing else. And I have to laugh at people complaining about the environment pieces being put out for Star Wars. For years 1/6ers whined about not having "playsets" and now that someone is doing it, they ***** about it.

And SSC has evolved as a company - importing stuff like HT and Medi are great for them, but they are definitely moving more towards a Master Replica or Gentle Giant model as far as product goes.

I'm incredibly disappointed in how the Buffy line is rolling out (or not) but for me, other items like the Legend PF still keep me interested. It's a give and take, and I still spend more with SSC than any other collectible company.

[dekadentdave]

So, uh, Dave... what are we suppossed to do with the holo-chess table? Just look at it? :lol

[Masao]

And SSC has evolved as a company - importing stuff like HT and Medi are great for them, but they are definitely moving more towards a Master Replica or Gentle Giant model as far as product goes.


That's a good thing??

Remember that MR lost one if its priciple founders to a rival company and had to be bought out to survive.

Sideshow has a better chance at survival because it is not MR.

Sure, they could offer only high-end items, but that is not very smart. There is only a small market for certain items.

As long as they listen to actual paying customers, I think they will continue to do well.

Changing that would be suicide.

[LordAzrael]

I just completed a marketing audit on Sideshow as an assignment and I'd have to say that moving totally out of 1/6th would be an odd move. When you look at the products on offer, the vast majority of customers would have been introduced to Sideshow through its 1/6th product, and then moved up the product price point.

Essentially the 1/6th figures are in a price range that is considered reasonable by people who are not necessarily yet collectors. How many of you have said how much you paid for a statue and had friends look at you incredulously ? That's my point - the same people can probably stretch to the value of a 1/6th figure (if they don't think you're crazy for collecting dolls) but the higher end stuff is purely for collectors - and very few people start off at that level.

This is something where I see the WoW licence as interesting. One of the conclusions I came to was that SSC has two ways to grow - additional licences with the same sort of product mix - which may attract new customers outside the current base, and new products within existing licences which would sell to the current customer base. Where I see a problem with WoW is that these "new" customers aren't necessarily of the collector mindset, and without a price lead line like the 1/6th line, I'm not sure whether enough people will get into it before the plug is pulled. Guess we watch and see...

Bottom line though - the 1.6th line forms an important part of SSC's product mix and it would be a foolish long term decision to part ways with it (IMHO) :)