Over at MattyCollerctor Facebook Page, Scott “Toy Guru” Neitlich posted the following update/info on the changes that have been made to the upcoming Masters of the Universe Classics Castle Grayskull.
Hey He Fans and She Ravers,
With a lot going on right now (Filmation, Castle, end of the Mayan Calendar etc…) I wanted to try and reach out and clear the air. Their are a lot of posts floating around and some concern that I hope I can clear up.
First off. Loud and clear. I know some fans/customers want the Castle to be larger or at the least as large as the initial B-sheet and foam model and dimensions given on the Castle’s pre sale page. Now to bring this to the “legal base level” we did make it clear on the pre sale page that all size dimnesions were estimates and subject to change. The Castle from day one has been an unpresedented project. I mean come on, selling in a 6″ playset from a drawing B sheet? Who does that? And having a fan base strong enough to make this a reality? Only He-Fans are that strong!
I wish we could make the Castle bigger, I really do. And I totally understand some fans/customers want this as well. Bottom line, is that based on the price of $250.00, the current sculpt is 100% the biggest we can get. Yes. It is an inch or two smaller than the dimensions given at presale. And 100% we still expect some changes to happen (not neccessarily to the size but possibly to some of the accessories). We are committed to making sure to update everyone as the process continues to be as upfront as possible on any changes coming through.
In no way is anyone trying to hoodwink or scam anyone. As I said. This entire process is very unprecendented. Change is inevitable. The Castle will continue to evolve but everyone working on it from me, to the Horsemen to Ruben and Mario from design and so forth are completely committed to devliering the best playset we possibly can. In no way do we expect to please 100% of the fans. With fans as passionate as MOTU fans, no one expects to do that. We are not secretly trying to bring down the brand. (never seem to understand where that comes from to tell you the truth!) Why would I do anything to prevent more cool MOTU collector product from being made? After all, I am a collector too you know!
And I know my answers can many times come across as “corporate”. A lot of that is just circumstantial. Many of my answers have to go thorugh the “PR machine” and get approved. I try to joke it up when I can (like mentioning that the Flag can be placed in your fridge) but if my tone offends anyone, please just know that I don’t have 100% control over messaging even I put out. If we are saying “no” to fan suggestions, it doesn’t mean we disagree with the suggestion, it often just means it is just not something possible.
I often wish I had a magic wand and could just make the perfect toy happen. As is; we are fighting day in and day out to make the entire MOTUC line (including the Castle) the best it can be. I think when folks see the final model in San Diego, fears that the size is not up to snuff will be dilutted. Those who were in person at NYTF (i.e. Val, Dan) have been pretty vocal that the castle is huge. Yes, it is slightly smaller vs the foam model, but that is just part of the toy making process.
And to reassure everoyne that we are not trying to “pull a fast one” note that you can 100% cancel your order all the way through Aug 30 if in any way the ev er evolving playset does not meet your needs. (but note when you cancel, you can not then go back and reinstate, so do think carefully).
In the end, this is going to be an amazing peice and I hope will please the majority of fans. We are actively working on the following changes from what was shown at NYTF:
1: Adding a slot in the throne for the Sorceress’ tail feathers.
2: Adding a slot/crack by the Jaw Bridge for the Power Sword (like in the mini comics)
3: Adding a key hole in the back door that fits Scareglow’s key
4: Lowering the Jaw Bridge door into the base for a wider openingBeyond that, their just is not time or resources to make changes. We 100% hear fans on many suggestions, but when we say “no we can’t make that change” it is not meant as an insult, it is just letting fans/customers know that factually that change can’t be made. If I gave the impression that the model shown in NY was going to change, then bad on me. But to be clear now, their won’t be changes beyond what was shown and noted above. We hope everything shown in NY will be in the final toy, but their is always a chance things may change/get cut. If that does happen, we will be sure to let everyone know.
Looking ahead, boy do we have amazing things coming down! Club Filmation, SDCC exclusives (to be revealed in late Spring) and the 2014 line is shapping up well. I have worked with the team to create a new roadmap that if we get a 2014 and 2015 line should wrap up the vintage lines and most of the major fan requested animated figs. It doesn’t mean we won’t get to more in 2016 and beyond, but with rising costs we wanted to do all we can to get to the vintage line in the next two years.
A lot more is still to come in 2013. We won’t know more about 2014 until after the sub sell in at SDCC this summer. I’ll try to get on the boards this weekend and jump in on RGD if I can. We’ve got so much good stuff to look forward to, I am nothing but grinning ear to ear.
See you all on the boards!
Scott
MOTUC Castle Grayskull Update From Toy Guru
Personally, I think it looks great. I don't collect the line, but my friend does. He's excited. I think it will look cool in his display.
I missed out on Ram-Man. I'm not missing out on this thing. It looks great!
I'm glad they are addressing the big issues even if it means that they will cut pointless accessories from the castle. They can always sell us a Greyskull themed battle pack. I would only expect the space suit, flag, turret, ladder, and ram thingy to stay. We were already given a wepons rack with plenty of stuff to fill it. The biggest issues were the door height and throne space. I would have liked to see the 3D dungen included but totally understand why it could not be.
Overall I think Mattel has done a wonderfull job with Greyskull and once everyone gets theirs they will be extremely happy with it.
For someone that has their statements reviewed by PR, you'd think someone along the line would have used spell check.
Anyway, I think it's cool that they are making it and it looks fairly decent but in the end it's going to be a backdrop piece, at least it would be if I was buying it. There is a part of me that still wants to buy it and I think it will be incredibly expensive later on but I just don't feel like its really worth it to me.
Yeah I don't imagine playing with it too much. I have a spot picked out and it's just an expensive background piece. I'm not overly critical about the playable features. The drawbridge height was my only real problem with displaying He-Man infront of the castle.
I am happy to get it, I don't understand all the complaining endlessly from all of the so called He-Man fans. I am happy there is a toy line at all!! Anyone remember the new Thundercats???, that sure as hell did not last and they had a cartoon to support those toys. I think most people forget that MOST toy lines never get all characters made. People can either buy a toy or not, simple as that. I pay a fair price when it is a good toy and DON'T buy stuff I don't want!! I want Castle Greyskull, so I will pay the price for it.
"In no way is anyone trying to hoodwink or scam anyone"
Guilty speaks first
A well educated, articulate, knowledgeable, and seasoned individual does not tout about their accomplishments, how great they are and ask what you would do without them.
They let their actions speak for them.
Oh TG, how you fail time and time again.
I for one have spoken loud and clear to Mattel by closing my wallet and moving on from their products and failed business models.
And having a fan base strong enough to make this a reality? Only He-Fans are that strong!
More like STUPID for paying that ridiculous price. For $250 you should at least get all 4 walls, not the half-assed thing they're giving us.
We're talking HUNDREDS of dollars here. TWO HUNDRED!!!!
They had to go back and add the Power Sword slot?!
WTF, TG? It was a much-touted feature on the original Castle, so why the F would it not be on the new one from the get-go? Even if it didn't actually do anything like opening the Jaw Bridge or locking it shut.
I don't know - maybe it's just me remembering one of my favorite features of the original (and the crux of many He-Man/Skeletor battles from my youth). It seems like an obvious feature to include and a rather simple one at that.
Guilty speaks first
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt".
More like STUPID for paying that ridiculous price. For $250 you should at least get all 4 walls, not the half-assed thing they're giving us.
We're talking HUNDREDS of dollars here. TWO HUNDRED!!!!
Look at people who collect Transformers, in particular 3rd party ones... because of the small run (5,000 to 8,000 are ever made) the cost for the molds, machines, etc make the end figures $100 for a 6in toy. Fans buy it up, because THEY WANT TO.
I, myself, passed on Grayskull. I don't need nor want it. I have Classics He-Man, Skeletor, and Battlecat, so as far as I am concerned, my collection is complete. However, I can easily understand someone else wanting every character, every vehicle, every playset, to be remade in the new style (gotta admit, Snake mountain would be cool to see)...
Mattel is making gigantic molds, painting, assembling, and packaging a massive toy... which will only be produced in a few thousand units... and they are ONLY asking $250 to $300 for it. That's a bargain, if you want it. See, first and foremost, Mattel is a company about MAKING MONEY, so they managed to find a way to fit people's budgets AND make money, on a ridiculously huge playset. Playsets are a notoriously tough thing to sell, because of their cost. I remember getting the TMNT sewer playset back in 1989, and that was my Christmas right there. It was VERY expensive, and that was a mass-marketed piece. Anyone who complains about it doesn't understand production and is only fixated on their own entitlements and self-gratifications.
My main toyline I collect is the Masterpiece Transformers, and there are many I would LOVE to see made, that will never be made because Takara/Hasbro don't communicate with the fans the way Mattel does with the MOTU and other subscription lines.
I hate how Scott tries to label He-Man as a 6" line. It's 7 or 7.5 easy. None of the HE Man/DC 2-pack match characters to scale. The Greyskull castle is failing because Scott made the He Man figures too big to begin with, the same way Bandai Thundercats 7" figures failed terribly. NECA is the only one who has been able to keep a 7" scale running and they're slowly shrinking them to 6" (Duke Nukem, Gordon Freeman, current figures) to pick up the Marvel legends/DC Universe collectors.
Did Scott/Mattel really think they could put out a playset based on 7" scale? Did we actually believe them? Heck, my Marvel legends will clear the drawbridge and fit inside the rooms just fine. So will my 200x He Man Figures. Guess Matty can always make a 6" He Man classics line to go with their 6" Castle Grayskull some day down the road eh?
To some people, $250 is too much. To others, it's a steal. It's all relative to the size of a collector's wallet. I would imagine those who are willing to pay $30+ per figure (sometimes more) wouldn't balk at a playset for $250. Not sure how much the vehicles went for, but they certainly weren't cheap either.
I would have loved to collect this line and probably would have gotten Grayskull too, if I could have afforded it alongside everything else. But other priorities took precedence, and so I just enjoy the pics and reviews.
Full Thread: Castle Grayskull Update
Not a member yet? Join Toyark Now!