The G.I. JOE COLLECTORS' CLUB has received answers from HASBRO's G.I. JOE brand team for the final round of the 2010 Q&A series. Check out our club member submission questions, along with the answers as provided by the company:
GIJCC Question 1:How do you decide whether a new figure design is to be a new character or an updated version of an existing character? Hasbro Answers: This is a great question, and it ends up being a somewhat difficult strategic decision. It is oftentimes based on whether or not a "25th/80's Tribute" version of a 'Fan Favorite' has been made or not of the character, as well as the collective popularity of that figure. For example, if we were going to put out a Sci-Fi figure, we would want his to be 25th accurate, like we did with Low Light. But for other characters which have had a decent "80's tribute" version done (like Recondo or Beachhead) we are more free in a creative sense to re-interpret the essence and persona of that character into a Modern Combat setting.
GIJCC Question 2:The retooling of the older vehicles (i.e. Skyhawk, Water Moccasin, Etc.) look GREAT! Could you explain some of the retooling methods? Hasbro Answers: Some of the classic 1980's Real American Hero vehicles you know and love (such as the Whirlwind, Awe Striker, and the Classic HISS Tank) are actually produced using the same molds that were used over twenty-five years ago. In the case of the Skyhawk and the Water Moccasin, those vehicles did not fit the Modern Era scale figure, so design work needed to be done. The older vehicles (when done in an 80's tribute fashion) present a unique challenge to the designers, as they have to enlarge and enhance the vehicle as if it were being re-made in the original vision of the vehicle from the 1980's. Little details like the universal gas-port, footpeg placement, and overall vehicle balance have a lot to do with the creation of a good "80's tribute" version.
GIJCC Question 3:The original G.I. Joe action figure filecards were full of detailed character information. This is severely lacking in the modern era releases. Would this be something Hasbro would consider looking into fixing? Hasbro Answers: For 2011, we are revising the file cards. They probably won't have as much information as the classic cards, but we think they will be an improvement on the current cards and hope you like them.
