This could be interesting...

http://tformers.com/print-your-own-tran ... /news.html

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Yep I can't help but wonder if this is the forefront of where things are heading. GIJoe as made to order.

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I wonder if it would be similar to Lego's online designer program where you design your model and they ship the pieces. If so, this may open up some possibilities. Between this and the recent Kindle partnership, I think they may be pioneering the way people interact with brands in the future. And if they own the intellectual property and let someone else deal with the manufacturing, it's definitely a positive thing for Hasbro. Hopefully it's a positive thing for us too.

I really like the concept but still am not sure about the durability of the material. and what about the painting part?

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If 3D printing advances as quickly as most technology, I would expect sturdier materials to be available soon, if not already, not to mention a variety of colors. Painting could still be an issue, but I'd bet it won't be long before 3D printers can do that. After all, what's a 2D printer but applying ink to paper? Somebody's probably already working out a way to apply paint to 3D parts, and one would think, or hope, anyway, that it'd be extremely accurate.

I think rather than paint, they would use a multi color process, changing colors in use where there would be a paint mask in the old days.

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This could indeed be interesting. I give Hasbro credit, they are trying to keep up with modern technology to stay relevant with kids. It's no secret that kids are attracted to technology at a younger age than ever before. That pushes the physical toy market to the back burner which has been seen over the years. But now they are moving in a direction where the physical toy is created by the technology.

As I recall, the cheapest 3D printer is $500 and I am sure the supplies to go with it are not particularly cheap. So right now, this probably won't be extremely practical. But history shows that prices on new technology items drop quickly as it gains popularity and support. This is probably a bit of a gamble for Hasbro, but if successful they would be blowing the doors off the competition. Think about this for a second. Hasbro creates the design for a particular toy on a computer and they sell that design direct to the consumer who prints it. No distributor, no packaging costs, no manufacturing costs, no retail markup. This is borderline genius.

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The only gamble Hasbro takes is in *not* getting in on this. The arrangement w/ 3DS has pretty much no risk at all to Hasbro, from what I can see.

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I wonder how much the 'Third Party' Transformer scene and Shapeways has influenced Hasbro on this idea. Or even custom casters for Joe product.

I mean other fans and companies are cashing in big time to get add-ons and custom parts for Hasbro's product. Filling in the gaps that Hasbro has left open.
If they can find a way to do the same, for cheaper, they can cash in themselves, while effectively reducing the demand for the Third Party companies' items.

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With companies always looking to cut their expenses, this new process could change the whole game.
Instead of over stock going on clearance, they'll produce the various toys on demand. They'll eliminate the poorly stocked middlemen and the distribution problems.
At this rate, even the big companies will work on the little guys' business model. They'll just do it on a larger scale.

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Oh a great deal i'd imagine. The 3rd party TF scene has made a name for itself. They may not be taking substantial dollars out of Hasbros coffer but the cultural impact has been significant . The trickle down effect of the TF Shapeways scene and 3rd party vendors who show their digital mock ups before product release has changed the foundation of toy collecting and what it means to be a toy collector (or at least one who appreciates the creative process behind toy product) and inspired a lot of people.


There is no risk for Hasbro in this. It vaguely reminds me of the "Sports Talk" toy released by LJN and Topps back in the 80's. The product failed and is forgotten in toy history but had it worked out the way it was intended i.e had the over sized "Baseball Talk" baseball cards been able to be played consistently on the "Sports Talk" player that would have changed the toy and collectible landscape for many years following. Hasbro kind of finds themselves in the same situation - partnering with a non toy company and attempting to bring to market a revolutionary product. If it fails...it flat out wont matter. People will point and laugh and puff their chest when they speak of non toy 3D printers (as if there is such a thing) and Hasbro will continue selling action figures and movies. If it works though it venture ..should be paradigm altering.



I'm very curious as to what the quality of the prints and the printer itself will be.