COUNTDOWN: 5 reasons we love seeing prototypes on the Hasbro Pulse Fanstream

The Hasbro Pulse Fanstreams have become a staple of collector news in recent times, and this week, we were treated to another Transformers update!

Yet, aside from all the obviously exciting new stuff showcased, the really intriguing development came right at the very end when Nate and Evan from Hasbro suddenly unveiled two prototypes of upcoming Transformers One Studio Series figures, including Alpha Trion and Airachnid. To say this was unexpected is an understatement, especially as it was a genuine first look at some new designs. However, such an approach is significant for several other reasons, so let’s explore why that is today!

#5: It builds hype

Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, seeing new toys showcased in such a manner is sure to build plenty of hype prior to release. Product reveals have long been a cornerstone of the collecting community. Still, the opportunity to witness them at such an early stage of development is unprecedented, allowing for excitement to take hold well before these items come up for pre-order. We’ve already seen a taste of this with Haslabs and other high-end products, such as Masterpiece designs, which are commonly revealed at the prototype stage well before actual listings go live. Yet it feels entirely new for more mainline fair and can only be a good thing as far as driving fan engagement goes.

#4: Behind-the-scenes education is always intriguing

Beyond the hype surrounding new reveals, one thing many collectors love is learning more about what goes into the development of the toys themselves, and this is a real opportunity to bring some of that intriguing information to the forefront. There’s a reason stuff like designer Mark Maher’s Instagram posts sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits has become so popular, and incorporating that same flavour into the Fanstreams feels like a very natural (and fascinating) step. It’s also a great opportunity to further educate the collecting community on the intricacies of toy design, including the numerous factors which must be taken into consideration along the way.

#3: It’s an opportunity to gain fan feedback

Another crucial aspect of showcasing new toys much earlier is that Hasbro can hopefully seek to incorporate more fan feedback into the process, whether it be reactions to specific design elements which may need a tweak or ideas on how to better represent or package the toys in a manner that will be met with a glowing reception. Again, we’ve seen some of this in Haslab development already, including Liokaiser having undergone changes after the initial reveal, explicitly based on points fans had mentioned in their reactions to it. Far be it for us to think fan feedback is always ‘correct’ or even worth acting on, but at the very least, it might help to provide some insight here and there.

#2: It’s a reason to watch the Fanstreams

For many of us, the Fanstreams are always entertaining, especially as it’s a true joy to watch the people behind our favourite franchise stepping up to engage with us so directly. It’s the kind of thing long-term fans could never have imagined years ago! Yet, there has been an increasingly common complaint that the streams sometimes showcase very little we haven’t already seen (partly due to #1 below) or that a lot of the same information can be immediately found elsewhere with the release of typical stock photography and pre-orders right off the bat. Showcasing prototypes and other early-stage development work is a fantastic way to incorporate a unique and must-see new angle into the streams, providing plenty of information you wouldn’t usually find anywhere else and ensuring viewers might return for another look.

#1: It beats the leaks!

Finally, and rather frankly, bringing the reveal process so much further forward in the development phase of new toys is the perfect antidote to the ever-increasingly brazen cycle of product leaks that has become so rife in recent times. Whether it’s entire swathes of leaked listings, factory samples that have presumably fallen off a truck somewhere, or official product photography debuting online just before the streams go live, it’s undeniable that the official sources have had their thunder stolen on numerous occasions. Taking control of the reveals and debuting new toys first through the showcase of in-development prototypes is undoubtedly a bold solution to the situation and one that we cannot help but hope will continue much more in the future. One thing’s for sure, it got everyone talking.

So that’s our list! Do you agree with the points made?

TTFN