News Roundup for Dec. 23rd: Constructicons, Collab Mandalorian, AotP Red Alert

[@duskbringer4583]

8:50 Sideways. 100% Sideways. Would love to see Armada Sideways back, our favorite back-stabbing motorcyclist.

[@haydenreviewscustomcombos]

Two more weeks, and then it’ll be the first news roundup of 2025.

[@CybertronShowcase]

I can’t wait to be broke before the year even starts

[@reposefulcrane4269]

Lmao I already pre-ordered the first batch of the 13 Primes, Bonecrusher and Scrapper, SS Optimus, and Galvatron.

[@tchristensen81]

Bad Hasbro, no AI Art!

[@DetectiveBarricade]

Sorry, Chris Cocks can't hear you over his current infatuation for AI art... among other decisions the shareholders at least currently like and fans are less than pleased with.

[@brettwood1351]

I knew something smelled bad about that art, but didn't realize it was AI art. Come on guys, you want the boxes to look appealing to the filthy normies on store shelves!

[@Hurricanelive]

That's... wow.... that's a lot of protein powder even if you're scooping yourself raw twice a day.

[@imperialseiryu6989]

Now Long haul has more to complain about. 😂

[@samurexatlas7373]

10:25 V-Mergers! They're a fun design that doesn't get enough love. Probably because if you loose a figure you loose the alt mode but hey, such is the price of an awesome gimmick.

[@dangeroustheannoying3618]

At this point I am convinced TJ loves Titanium Megatron

[@QueenStodge]

Very much think the AI is higher Hasbro corporate thing "to save money", as I would like to think the Transformers team would prefer to hire artists. I haven't been looking much at other franchises, and would like to know if they use them also

[@DetectiveBarricade]

If they don't now, they almost certainly will eventually. Why pay a talented artist to make box art for your toys when you can have Ian the Intern punch a few prompts into an AI to do it for you for free? I don't like it, but I don't save the boxes anyway, so...

[@brettwood1351]

@@DetectiveBarricade We need to replace the CEO's with AI.

[@Sponchbapvanapants]

Oh, guaranteed that the workers would rather have other workers contribute to the project rather than soulless AI drivel. AI "art" is just a new factory line for a different industry. Taking the craftsmanship out of a product and homogenizing it for profit motives.

[@Thunderwing88]

I don’t even know what I’m looking for with the misassembly issue.

[@RialVestro]

I do agree that Armada Cyclonus could use an updated figure however that one more than any other figure in that line would be upsetting if it didn't include the Mini-con partner. I LOVE the way the Mini-con integrates into that original figure and since a lot of the modern updates haven't been including the Mini-cons as part of the package anymore I kind of don't even want to see him done. If they want to exclude the gearing gimmick that the original toy had that's fine but I at least need him to have Crumplezone because I've always loved the way he completes the front of the vehicle mode. It will never feel like a complete Cyclonus if he doesn't include Crumplezone. They have to figure out a way to include the Mini-con in the budget or it's not worth doing. I'd also love an updated Overload and that one literally CAN'T be done without his Mini-con. The original figure is a brick, a very pretty brick but still a brick. Also... Armada Blurr from Legacy Pointblank... How is that not already a thing. He has the right shapes for that design he just needs to be retooled so that that the back side of Pointblank is the front side of Blurr. And that one doesn't need the Mini-con just retool that figure. I love Armada Blurr's design, I'd buy that mold if they made it. I have never even heard of "Chicken for Linda!" and yet some how that one is probably going to win because honestly, they just buy their way into those awards and usually obscure movies like that don't even get nominated in the first place unless they've already won. There is an "Adam Ruins Everything" episode all about how these award shows are rigged. Granted that was more about the Oscars and maybe the Annie awards are different but I wouldn't count on it. I would rather see Inside Out 2 win that personally, as much as I love Transformers One but of all the movies nominated Inside Out feels like it should have the better chance of actually winning if it is based on popularity rather than just buying a trophy.

[@brettwood1351]

Up Cyclonus and Demolisher to Voyager, to get the extra budget for Minicons.

[@Fuzzy_Barbarian]

Hasbro using AI art is just pathetic. They can afford to pay someone to do the art properly. They're a billion dollar company. I hate seeing AI intrude into so many industries like this. Honestly, with how some of their Marvel Legends are, I wouldn't be surprised if they've been AI generating entire figures.

[@kevinp.h157]

Just because it’s a multi dollar corporation doesn’t mean it can hire more people (or make better toys as some believe), if anything they’ve done the contrary, that’s not how that works. I can’t explain why but it’s not pleasant

[@Fuzzy_Barbarian]

@@kevinp.h157 I know how capitalism works. Doesn't mean I can't criticise it.

[@Sponchbapvanapants]

Pay someone properly for their labour? But how would they continue to increase shareholder value? 🫠

[@gekirobo8720]

​@@Sponchbapvanapantsand not resort to just outright slavery?

[@Chazzsg]

Protein tubs usually have 30 servings per tub. So at 1 tub a month, it would take u at least 2 and a half years to get 32. That's assuming u dont get a duplicate. If u take 2 servings a day, it would take u just a little more than a year to get 32. Insane lol

[@tinyshinyfeathers]

The packaging says "about 27" servings… so yeah, unless you've got a significant number of friends you can convince to buy it and give you the figures (or enough money and loose screws to buy a store's worth of the stuff), no way is anyone getting all of the figures anytime soon. Apparently it's already been out for a couple months, though, so who knows how many of those things are floating around.

[@LorcanWoosteralt]

My copy of SS86 Prime is apart of the fixed batch with the heels corrected.

[@Dennis_Fueru]

The funniest thing about the protein shake is that it's not for kids, there is an 18+ logo in the container lol

[@hairball178]

Looks like the figurines in the protein powder are the die-cast Jada onee

[@TheOrderEnforcer]

The Swapticons bring to mind the SWAP Force from Skylanders

[@jeebus2313]

I'm looking forward to Red Alert and glad we're getting more of the Armada cast continuing into the next line, but man, the fact that we're still not getting any Mini-Cons (outside of exclusive sets like Hot Shot or Shattered Glass Sideswipe) annoys me to no end. It's annoying enough for Red Alert who's a smaller sized Voyager, but it was downright inexcusable for Prime or Tidal Wave for their price.

[@Benjamin0119]

I really hope that's not AI art, but if it is, and stays the final art, I'm definitely discarding that box if I get the Constructicons. It makes me feel bad for sealed collectors, though. Either way it's very plain and dull Art. I don't see how that box makes someone want to buy the toy who sees it on the shelf. Hook and Long Haul look good themselves, though. I wish that trailer was more like an actual trailer and not a block, but ah well. It kind of reminds me of Godbomber's "alt mode." Well there are dump trucks that are tractor trailers and the trailer has the tipping function, but I don't recall any instances of a self-contained dump truck pulling a trailer. It wouldn't even make sense, since it wouldn't have room to dump it's material with a trailer right behind it. But if this was better than making the combination feature self-contained, so be it.

[@WilliamAGould]

The Mandolorian toy will sale well. It has that robotic joisting knight vibe with the javelin, shield and cape. Just need to figure out which robotic horse for it to ride.

[@benwalters9725]

Merry Christmas Eve

[@HjFaiz]

I've seen some complaining about the Constructicons and even comparing em to the CW versions but i don't care i think they look great and cannot wait to have the full combo.

[@warrenlafnear3384]

Mr Omega don't count a Christmas miracle out, Saturday I went to Ross and found two thunder machine soundwaves for 24.99😮🎉

[@logansehy5677]

We need cyclonus and demolishor, I'm sure we'll see a commander Armada Jetfire to go with optimus at some point. I'd also really like to see an Armada Scavenger that doesn't suffer from rubber rot on the treads and also isn't a brick. Sideways would be cool too but the head switching gimmick and combing mini cons into a rider are a must so would probably have to be a voyager.

[@kevinp.h157]

3:55 we at a point where AI art looks like human made art and human made art can look like or can get mistaken as AI art to the untrained eye

[@Marvin_R]

no grogu for the mandalorian, but you can squeeze in a lego grogu.

[@Cdr2002]

You can’t escape the pun TJ

[@Martynde]

I disagree about Armada Wheeljack. Wheeljack only got done because he's a simple remold and could be used for SG Sideswipe. If he required a new mold, he would not have been done.

[@seant1326]

It can’t be AI because from what I’ve seen trying to generate Transformer creates an asymmetrical mutant Optimus.

[@tinyshinyfeathers]

They may have had someone make a color sketch before running that through the program. If so, hopefully they're actually paying the artist to finish the illustration and not releasing the actual product with an ai-rendered image.

[@cheesier5153]

4:03 to be fair the non mirrored legs are toon accurate, that’s not an ai thing that’s just how hook looks

[@TJOmega]

Sorry, not correct. The animation model for Hook has identical legs aside from one extra part on the outside of his left leg. In that art, his right leg has more levels to it, lines going across that looks layered, while the other leg is smooth. That's not a mistake an actual artist makes.

[@CrimsonKnight]

Man I hope cyberworld starts soon

[@TheRealTHD]

Man I'd just like to get an 86 Optimus without paying that insane online markup. Can't find it locally.

[@ryanewald9740]

I want the mandalorian figure in yellow with sunstreakers head and then continue on with new starwars x-over but with transformer character

[@nerdycatgoddess]

we need armada demolisher!

[@zoltanperei4789]

If that is an AI artwork then the AI did a really good work compared to that Skybound cover with Megatron.

[@harrisonwhaley7872]

Bumelbee

[@JasonVoorhees2011]

Per usual, the fans complain. "Okay, we're gonna kinda gonna go back to the G1 days with separate components for the combiners and we'll integrate them to the other modes this time." "Nonononono, we don't want that!" "...Okay, we can always go back to the Combiner Wars ways of doing things and-" "Nonononono, we didn't like that!" "...But this new way can ensure a better combiner mode and-" "We don't care! Fix the Combiner Wars way!" "Okay, fine. Deluxe are now voyagers, voyagers are now leaders, and that commander is now a titan. Happy?" "Nonononono, that's too expensive!" "..." *click* "You kids don't know what you want! That's why you're still kids! Cause you're stupid!"

[@DetectiveBarricade]

The fans want Fans Toys and X-Transbots and other "third party" company styles of combiners but at retail price. (or even Ollie's/clearance price if at all possible) Thoroughly in the realm of "never going to happen".

[@JasonVoorhees2011]

@@DetectiveBarricade Might I suggest that they track down the KO Third Party figures I see from time to time at DD's or Ross. There's their "third party" figure at a discount. Only catch is that they'll break in five minutes just by looking at them and, if it's a combiner, that thing will not hold together, but hey, there's the "third party engineering" they wanted.

[@jaythemonsterhunter2705]

the protein powered is so weird like it has 18+ on them but it feel like something you would market for a kid that makes no sense to me

[@jeffeastwood1051]

I dont like Generic AI art.

[@georgewaters2533]

The owner of my gym owns the company making the protein powder… It’s very high-quality and is some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Don’t sleep on this stuff, it’s awesome! Your dismissive tone is laughable. You don’t know what you’re talking about this time. I’m a 48-year-old that has collected transformers since 1984… I’m also an IFBB-pro bodybuilder who utilizes these supplements. The stuff is flying off of the shelf. Everyone loves it. NOT marketed for kids. It’s just a little bit embarrassing for you that as a grown man that buys toys, you’re projecting to whom a product might be marketed. I thought you were better than this.🤦🏼‍♂️ Check your bias.

[@tinyshinyfeathers]

He was only saying that the evergreen designs are usually used on things marketed towards children - which, fair enough, Cyberverse is the ur-example of evergreen - but it's a rather outdated statement with the tf rpg (and no doubt all sorts of things yet to come) being evergreen as well.

[@jeebus2313]

Probably the funniest comment I've read all week.