Number of figures per year

[jason2885]

Ok so I was doing some thinking earlier. How many regular figures do you think we will get next year.
This year we got / are getting
Luke
Anakin
Kit
Sith Anakin
Han
Obi-Wan
Mace
Qui-Gon
Maul
Bib
So thats 10 this year
plus one accessory pack.

Next year we know we are getting
Leia
plus Jabba, an Enviroment and another accessory pack

So do you all still think they will only release about 10 -12 figures still or do you think they will make more than that. I think 12 is a great number and works well unless some of them get delayed.

 

[EVILFACE]

I think we will get 13

 

[tomandshell]

I think that a lot of us would like a figure a month, but even if we ordered them at that rate, production delays would cause some to get pushed back and they would double up at times. And then there are the longer gaps between preorders that lead up to an event like SDCC where we get Leia, Bib, Jabba and the rest all at once. It's all uneven and comes in waves. But 10-12 a year is a good target to shoot for.

 

[jason2885]

I just dont want us getting say 20 figures in a year that would kill my wallet.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I want one figure a week...

and I want you to pay for it.

 

[JustinLuck]

I want as many figures as Sideshow can produce without sacrificing quality.

If this means 24+ figures a year, that would be awesome! Why? Because I don't want to have to wait 10 years just to see all my favorites: Stormtrooper, Vader, R2-D2, C-3PO, Yoda, Bespin Luke, etc.

Life is too short to wait that long!!

 

[dfchang]

On a related note, do you think there's ANY chance that we'll have as definitive a collection of Star Wars characters as say the Hasbro line? I mean that line was ridiculous. After awhile they'd make figures out of things that you'd see for one second walking across the background. There'd be like 38 versions of Luke and Solo, etc. They'd make figures from the Dark Horse comics, tie ins, books, you name it a figure was made and sold of it.

It was kinda crazy and intimidating and that coupled with the fact that they were more "toy-like" kept me from really getting into it. It was also annoying but you have to admit that collection is pretty definitive. I'd think any character you can name has had a Hasbro/Kenner figure made of it. I'm not suggesting Sideshow try to duplicate this type of insanity but I admit that I wouldn't mind having a "complete" collection that approached it.

If Sideshow releases say one figure on average a month, in 20 years that would be about 240 figures. Would that be enough to cover a pretty representative slice of the 6 Star Wars films or do they need to step up production WAAAY up? I'm not quite sure if they can go too much above one figure a month and still keep their quality control and 20 years seems an awfully ambitious time period for one company to keep a license.

I guess that means there will be some characters missing. Are there any Hasbro/Kenner Star Wars collectors out there who can give us a rough number of different figures made?

Anyways, just thinking out loud. Thought it might be interesting to speculate since we're on the topic of how many figures can be produced, sold, and delivered in a calendar year.

Dennis

 

[JustinLuck]

How often did Hasbro release a new figure?

 

[jason2885]

I think by the time this line is done it will have alot of characters in it.
I say we will get Luke Han Leia Anakin Obi-Wan Padme in just about all of their costumes throughout the trilogy, however Padme probably want have all of hers or close to all of her costumes made but I could definitely see 8 easy.
For troops I say we will get a Sandtrooper, a Stormtrooper, Snowtrooper, AT-AT Driver, TIE Pilot and Scoutrooper as imperial troops from OT. For Rebels I would say a Rebel Trooper, Hoth Soldier and Endor Soldier.
For troops from the PT I would say we will get clonetroopers galore in a few years. There were 5 versions from AOTC (White, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow) and an Gunship Pilot. Then we have ROTS and thats whole other animal. I would say a 501st trooper, Cody, Utapau trooper, Shocktrooper, Galactic Marine, and Kayshekk Trooper could be made with probably a few more commanders Gree and Bly.
I think we will see a good mix of minor characters as well. I think Sideshow may surprise us in this part of the line.
Also eventually we will get a Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO.
Wow Im not so sure why i typed so much but i guess you do funny things at 2 in the morning.

 

[LordAzrael]

I'd suspect Sideshow will be somewhat slower than 1 per month. Remember that while they managed nearly one per month - they had the multiple Jedi which required relatively little work on the costuming. It wouldn't surprise me to see it drop off close to say LOTR rates but probably a little faster as the costumes on the whole aren't as elaborate.

Of course - that being said - the clones/stormtroopers or something could be next year's "jedi" - as once they get the armour done then there are multiple figures with little additional work (i.e. once you get clone armour then you can do armoured jedi, clone variants, clone commandos, clone captains etc)

 

[jason2885]

How often did Hasbro release a new figure?

If you are talking about 12". It was usually 4 waves a year with 4 figures a piece in them. Also at the end of most years they had exclusives for individual stores. I think the best year was the first one for exclusives and releases. We got in the regular line 16 figures. The exclusive were the tauntaun and Han, wampa and Luke, Cantina Band Members, Luke and Han Stormtrooper, Sandtrooper, AT-AT Driver, Greedo, Luke Jedi and Bib Fortuna, Grand Moff Tarkin and Death Star Gunner, and Obi-Wan vs Vader.
So in a little over a year we got 35 figures. I have fond memories of hunting all of these down some of the exclusives were really hard to find.

 

[JustinLuck]

Wow, imagine 35 Sideshow figures a year. *drools*

 

[jason2885]

Wow, imagine 35 Sideshow figures a year. *drools*

Imagine the 2500 dollar price tag for that many a year.

 

[LordAzrael]

Imagine the 2500 dollar price tag for that many a year.

its only $50 per week.

 

[gonzo]

I'm not sure how long SideShow has the license for. I've heard only one more year, but with all their success, I'm sure they'd love to have it for much longer. I don't think I will play completist forever with these figures. I'll buy my favorites versions of the core characters and then anything that strikes my fancy. If Sideshow starts dipping into the EU as they technically are with Snow Bunny Padame, then I suppose the line could go one for a long while.

So with all that said, I suppose 10+ figures a year is possible and likely and costly.

 

[jason2885]

its only $50 per week.

Or $6.85 a day. Thats like going to lunch everyday for a year.

 

[Memnoch]

I'm not sure how long SideShow has the license for. I've heard only one more year, but with all their success, I'm sure they'd love to have it for much longer. I don't think I will play completist forever with these figures. I'll buy my favorites versions of the core characters and then anything that strikes my fancy. If Sideshow starts dipping into the EU as they technically are with Snow Bunny Padame, then I suppose the line could go one for a long while.

So with all that said, I suppose 10+ figures a year is possible and likely and costly.

I keep hearing all these time frames thrown around but I don't think anyone knows for sure. That being said, I seem to remember something from one of Hasbro's QnA's that they are focusing more on action figures and essential do no want the 1/6 or 12 inch license back. I think Sideshow is safe to have it for as long as they want. Just a quick evaluation of this:

Sideshow - $60 hyper detailed figures with good costumes and sclupting.
Hasbro - $25 generic at best figures with so so costumes and scultping.

The reason Sideshow is making money is because the amount of work that goes into the figures, their (mostly) limited nature and attention to detail. If Hasbro were to take another crack at the line they would do absolutely nothing but lose money as collectors would not be interested and the line never fared that well with kids.


After saying all this now I would like to ask Sideshow to keep it at about 12 figures a year with one big figure like Jabba and maybe four or 5 accesory packs.

 

[jedibear]

I like the idea of 12 figures a year(with additional "event" releases like Jabba and/or unique accessory sets ala Sith Droids) One per month would be a good way of generating steady buzz and allow collectors to take it easy on the wallet, savor each release(I'm still agog over having Kit on display!) and/or perhaps dabble in some of the other lines SS is offering. It would also allow SS to take extra care with each release...maintaining the high level of artistry that they have introduced us to with this line. One of my personal concerns with too many figures per year is a potential drop in quality. Based on what we've gotten so far (and the previews of what's on the horizon), they have managed the balance quite well, but this year featured alot of characters sporting the same basic outfit (not complaining...love my jedi!) and not really venturing into the more challenging characters like armored ones or the really alien(not until Boussh & Jabba anyway). That's when we'll really see how the quality is maintained...but I have faith...they'll be great!)

My only concern is if the figures could be shipped/spaced out accordingly. Having situations like what we're dealing with this month with 4 figures hitting at once is tough on a lot of collectors on a budget. And look at January! Jabba & co are coming out then (but at least everyone has ample time to budget accordingly). I understand exceptions happen...caused by necessary changes in production (like Kenobi's robe) that effect and change how figures are released...heck, I'm sure in hindsight that SS would've loved to have caught the Anakin lip-n'-arm fiasco before it was released but the calender waits for no one...and to SS's credit, they are pretty good at keeping us informed as to what's going on. I've been reading around the boards where some folks take on the arrogant attitude of "if you can't afford it, don't buy it" and not wanting to read/hear others comment on the difficulty of so many expensive items arriving at once, but I don't mind. SW is universal, attracting every tier of collector and it's hard not to be drawn to the fine quality offerings from Sideshow. We're not dealing with a mass-market producer here, and I think as the line grows, we'll see the relationship between the consumers and the company grow and accomedate each other too...

As I'm sure someone has stated earlier, this is a new license for SS that along with LOTR are probably going to be the highest volume sales for them. Add to that the fact that both of those licenses attract a more "mainstream" collector (before I get pounced on...that is in no way a slur) that ends up being an interesting combination of having a different economic base (not so much disposable income as say, the highbrow collector looking for that limited "Duke" Wayne to display in their study with their rare coins and first editions)but still having a fervent interest in the line as well as a hawk's eye for accuracy in the details. It's new for alot of collectors who have been lured by the quality of what Sideshow is offering to have to exercise a little disipline and planning when ordering more expensive figures than they were getting from the mass-market approach of Hasbro. It's gotta be something new for SS in dealing with this kind of audience, and all n' all, I think they are handling things quite well. They've shown great flexability in their approach (the "Inclusive" offerings) and pushed the boundires (with an over-the-top but really great release like Jabba & co) It will be interesting to see what the future holds...

One of those things is the eventual release from the "Military of Star Wars" line...man, if we thought those servers quaked and sputtered before...we ain't seen nothin' yet! I'm hopeful that the first initial releases under this banner are inclusive. My hopes: One good example of armored warrior from each "era"....a basic clone trooper from AOTC, a basic clone trooper from ROTS, a basic Stormtrooper from the classic trilogy. Then they can press on with the more specialized entries ala Sandtroopers and Biker Scouts from the OT to unique and well-geared clones like Commander Cody, and ARC Trooper or the many different decorated variaties (Shock Trooper, 501st, etc)

It's gonna be an interesting ride...and I have confidence that SS, being fans as well as artists and in a business, are going to grow and change to make this a great collection...

 

[galactiboy]

10- 12/year and a big event figures seems about right to me. I don't think Sideshow wants to just start cranking out a bunch of figures and killing their poor collectors... also I'm sure they want to keep attention to their other lines and products.

 

[PosterBoyKelly]

Yeah, 12 a year, 1 a month or so would be great. I don't get everyone made so ti works for me having a month or 2 off. Plus if they started cranking them out would we get the same quality? I dunno, but I hope the get a contract for these for ever! They are the best figures I've ever owned, so I hope they keep it up for around 12 a year.