Hasbro taps social media for latest Transformers design

In anticipation of the popular Transformers brand’s 30th anniversary in 2014, Hasbro is inviting fans to participate in the creation of a brand new bot, according to The Fwoosh and Action Figure Pics.

 

“For the first time in history, the Hasbro, Inc. Transformers brand is inviting fans of all ages around the globe to help create a new Transformers character that will be forever added to the Transformers world,” said Hasbro.

 

Hasbro has set up a poll on their website: The poll consists of five multiple choice questions that gives fans the opportunity to select the characteristics of the robot, from its faction, to its alternate mode, signature weapon, color scheme, and even its personality. Once this task is complete, all one has to do is press the “vote” button to send in his robot of choice.

 

For example, one could cast a vote for a grumpy, orange and white, taser-wielding Decepticon tank bot. Or a sneaky, green and gold Autobot dinosaur with a Bruce Lee fetish, laying waste to his enemies with a pair of nunchuks.

 

Fans can vote as many times as they desire. Hasbro will also give them a say in the naming of the character, although the details of this activity have yet to be announced. Unveiling at SDCC

 

Hasbro will tally the votes at the end of the polling period. The results of the poll will be revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) International this year. The Transformers website will then show the process of designing the character via uploaded concept sketches and images.

 

The new character will eventually have its own figure and storyline from comic book publisher IDW Publishing.

 

“We invite all fans to help us kick off the 30th anniversary of Transformers with a new character of their choice – for the first time in history,” said vice president of the Transformers brand, Jay Duke. “This is the perfect way to kick off our anniversary celebration and the ‘Thrilling 30’ line of special edition figures. It will be tremendous fun for everyone to keep track of the entire process from the designing of the character; leading up to its introduction as a toy and watching it become a part of the Transformers brand.”

 

Throwing the dog a bone

 

Though the Transformers fan-built bot poll is certainly an innovative move, this method of rewarding fan devotion —bestowing upon fans an unprecedented level of interaction between them and their favorite toy company— is by no means unique to Hasbro.

 

Way back in 1985, Mattel held a Create-A-Character contest for children. The winner was thirteen-year-old Nathan Bitner. As a reward for his efforts, his creation, the Fearless Photog, was to be produced as an action figure to join the ranks of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. For some reason, however, his design never went into production… at least not until 2012, according to Poe Ghostal.

 

It was also in 2012 that Mattel held another Create-A-Character contest. This time, the winner was Daniel Benedict and his character, the cumbersomely-named “Castle Grayskullman”.

 

Though probably not quite as awesome as Mattel’s Create-A-Character contest, the Transformers poll is still a wonderful tribute to fans who have stuck with the brand for 30 years. — TJD, GMA News