Transformer toys should have credits

[Hhai]

I just got Alternators Skids tonight and, fiddling with it after opening the box, I was just amazed at how beautiful and nicely engineered it is. So I looked at the box and the instructions to see if the people behind this great little toy were mentioned... as I feared, they were not.

When people ask me why I collect Transformers, I point to the fact that they are in many ways pieces of art. They are the combination of design, engineering and industrial chain production techniques, all facets of human creativity.

And yet, those wonderful little art pieces go uncredited. I mean, the guy who served coffee during the filming of Dark of the Moon has his name mentioned in the end credits, but the people behind the wonderful DOTM Skyhammer... good luck finding who they are. Looking at TFwiki, I can learn that Eric Siebenaler had a hand in it... but no mention on the actual product.

In the 80s Atari refused to credit the artist behind their videogames. "Videogames are just toys" they said. Well the designers legally challenged this situation and won, and nowadays names like Meier, Kojima or Miyamoto are just as recognized and repected as Scorcese and Spielberg. Transformer designers and engineers will never get that king of recognition of course, but I wish they would get more than they actually do.

Ah well, now all that is left to say is: thank you people behind Alternators Skids, you did a great job. The piece of art that you created will be proudly displayed on my shelf.

[shockwing]

yeah I can agree

but dont forget about Classics Galvatron.......

[Nomad]

Great idea. I also wish all of em came with a little trading card that possibly had this info on it like some of the Japanese ones do.

[Grimlock4Prime]

I would hazard a guess that they don't have credits because Transformers are marketed as kid's toys and, let's face it, kids don't care. On collector oriented figures like Masterpieces I don't see why not though. It would be nice if they posted this information on their website or something.

[Shepp]

While maybe not in the instructions themselves, Hasbro should have some documentation available for people to read through. Maybe even some designer commentaries on figures too, along with concept art.

But then again, they may want to keep those designers from being targeted and scooped up by rival companies, and keep their concept art from being used by other companies too.

[Echotransformer]

^^ IIRC a couple of the the Takara MP figures have info on the designers, agreed--this would be a very good way for Hasbro to enhance their figures marketed to collectors.

I do agree there's no customer value in the mainline...most are purchased for kids who throw out the box and instructions.

[Houndog22]

I like how on some of the Botcon box sets they have a special thanks to some of the organizers of the convention. Perhaps some of them are designers who had a hand with the repaints or remolds.

[alternatorfan]

ask the sweatshop workers Im sure they havea thing or 2 to say about the creators LOL!

[Protoman]

Most high end Transformers in Japan have the designers given his due, but in general with ANY toy line, that is left in the shadows of the company

[Grimlock4Prime]

Originally Posted by Protoman

Most high end Transformers in Japan have the designers given his due, but in general with ANY toy line, that is left in the shadows of the company

THEY ARE HASTAK, THEY ARE ONE.