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sanman
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: Robotech Products We'd Like to See
Started on: July 9, 2009 - 10:45:52 PM
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Maybe we should have a thread to come up with interesting Robotech product ideas, that we and other fans might enjoy.
We all enjoy the great animation that the series brought to us, and wish there could be more, to build on the story universe that we came to love. But animation is something that's very hard to do, and unless it's done well, and upto the standards set by the original work, then it can end up disappointing fans. You wouldn't want to see Robotech dumbed down like the new Transformers Animated Series, for example. The expense of undertaking such work can result in animated movies being few and far between. But there may still be other, easier ways to produce stories to satisfy the yearnings of fans, by evoking Robotech's great art style.
I wanted to suggest the idea of Robotech audio-dramas, which could be downloaded as MP3s from the Robotech website, or iTunes, or wherever. I, for one, would be willing to buy something like these. Nearly everybody has an iPod or other MP3 player these days, to listen while on the go. Parents could even get them for their kids to listen to.
These audio-episodes could be side-stories to the main Robotech continuity, for example. They might even deal with events that could bridge or fill in more details in the Robotech continuity, between the main sagas.
Such audio-dramas might even feature the talents of the original voice actors, along with the distinctive sound of the original background music, which has always helped to create atmosphere, and has been a central part of the show's trademark style.
The audio-episodes wouldn't necessarily have to be centered on the original characters, and could introduce new voices and cast members, just as long as they were done faithfully to the style of the original show. I think it's much easier to find good quality voice actors than it is to find good quality animators. And to re-emphasize, it's better to do an excellent audio story, than to do a mediocre animation.
Furthermore, even good quality illustration art stills are much easier/cheaper to do than good quality animation. It might even be possible to do an audio comic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySQcZyDfhlw
I think that if the work was done earnestly, with an attention to maintaining the same style and quality that drew people in to watch the original series, that it would resonate well with fans and even with others not already familiar with the story.
If Star Wars, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, etc, could be done this way, I don't see why it can't be done for Robotech. And remember, unlike those other hits, Robotech already has a fabulous narration style established for itself.
If you're a real fan of Lord of the Rings type sword-and-sorcery fantasy stories, you've probably heard of A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R R Martin:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire
The audio books produced for this series are known to be particularly good.
Audio books are very valuable to those who are blind, and can't read or see pictures for themselves. Producing some new Robotech stories specifically for audio format would bring a taste of the show to this generally neglected audience.
What does everyone else think? | |
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steel bonnet
Rank: Corporal
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Subject: Well....
Posted on: July 10, 2009 - 2:21:19 AM
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I`ve said it before but I`d love to see more New 1/18th scale aka 3.75" to 4" Figures & Mecha.
Using a better base figure ala the Microman for instance or something similar with plenty of articulation.
CM Corps do a Mospeada range,so why not have a deal for them to repackage as RT?
Also the technology is way better than it was in the 80s,so a proper triple changers of the VF1 & VF6 (in 1/18th scale). The VF6 would be the cheaper of the 2 as it`s smaller.Though still having both would be sweet.
After all people are laying the cash down on the Beadle Cyclone,so I think a triple changer VF at 1/18th would be pretty close price wise.If not cheaper as the technology doesn`t need be so fine for the joints. | |
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Death to ALL Invaders. | | | |
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relak
Rank: Corporal
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Subject: MORE!!!
Posted on: July 10, 2009 - 5:52:11 AM
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COMICS!!!!!!!!
Nuff said. | |
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sanman
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: the spoken word
Posted on: July 10, 2009 - 3:23:27 PM
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Okay, what about Audio Comics? Again, a significant portion of Robotech's distinctive trademark style and appeal came from its audio. I think that audio with appropriate background music would add to the atmosphere and the appeal of the story presentation.
And I think that Harmony Gold has already proven it can do the audio well, having originally invented that portion of the artwork. I, for one, would love to hear the voices of Tony Oliver & Co again, if they're available. I would love to hear the original background music playing behind the dialogue. You could enjoy the comic illustration art better if there weren't any speech bubbles in the way, instead getting the dialogue from the audio track, which would be embellished with the famous background music.
I would love to see something like that, and would definitely buy such episodes if they came out in that format. It would really be great even just for nostalgia. What do you think about this idea?
It would be nice if we could have a show of support on this thread by any other fans who might like this. | |
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Micronian Ace
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: 1/18 VF-1??
Posted on: July 10, 2009 - 7:01:42 PM
Edited on: July 10, 2009 - 7:02:35 PM
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A VF-1 is roughly 12.7meters or 500" tall divide that by 18 and you'd have a 27.8" tall battloid toy! A VF-6 is a bit more reasonable, it's only 8.7meters or 342" so it'd be a massive 19" tall battloid. Realistically, that's just way too friggin' huge and the expense would be outrageous (with greater size usually comes a greater expectation for detail). Also, many of the bad guys within the universe were even larger than the hero mechs so if you wanted any hope of them then 1/18 is clearly never going to happen for anything other than actual figuers, the ride armors, and maybe some Robotech Masters toys. Personally, I still think 1/35 is the ideal scale for the hero mecha (for ultimate collectors grade toys that cost far above $100 each) but that's just me.
As for audio episodes... I don't really think I'm on board. I think video games are the best way to add on to the Robotech franchise. They could be web based games on this very site. | |
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sanman
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: why not both?
Posted on: July 10, 2009 - 7:39:14 PM
Edited on: July 10, 2009 - 7:41:39 PM
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Okay, but videogames require more time, effort and money to develop -- at least if you want a quality job done. It's not like new releases happen every month for a worthy videogame franchise, whether it's Halo, God of War, MechWarrior, or whatever.
With Audio stories/comics, you could release a new one every month or so, to give fans some more coveted space soap opera saga to chew on. Such stories can also be used to experiment with new themes and ideas, to see if they take off. It could be a "sandbox" for trying new things. They could also boost sales of the comics as well.
It's not like you can't do both. It doesn't have to be a choice between either having videogames or else having audio stories/comics. I'd say that audio stories could be an ongoing effort that would maintain an elevated profile of Robotech's universe with the fan market, rather than letting it slack off and fade. | |
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sanman
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: Motorized Battloid?
Posted on: July 11, 2009 - 7:36:05 PM
Edited on: July 11, 2009 - 7:37:12 PM
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Has anybody seen this new motorized robot toy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upLbCH2HLdk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6rWa2Q4Roc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CabHEcWCEXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c72ex6kSvcQ
It's Black Ox from Gigantor/Tetsujin-28. Look at how it can even get up from lying on the ground. Damn, I wish they'd had stuff like this when I was a kid.
If they can make this, then couldn't they perhaps make a motorized version of a Robotech Battloid?
I'd love to see the original VF-1, Alpha, Beta, Hovertank, and even Bioroid and Invid versions.
Now that would be one wicked toy to have! Haha, even if it couldn't transform, it'd still be cool. | |
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sanman
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: r/c toys
Posted on: July 11, 2009 - 8:21:49 PM
Edited on: July 11, 2009 - 8:25:49 PM
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Another idea I had, after visiting sites featuring radio-controlled helicopter toys:
http://www.rchelicopters.net/
http://www.microrcreviews.com/
I was wondering whether it might be possible to produce an AJACS version? Or perhaps even a Guardian-mode version of VF-1 or Alpha. Why not? Models and radio-controlled models are close cousins.
What would be even cooler is to have a Veritech with flashing navigation lights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFpFIW-KFxI
Check out this laser-battles set:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_arzGyLGis
They have laser diodes and photosensors that will allow you to have little laser duels in the air.
Instead of an astronaut, this one could be a poseable battloid :
http://www.rctoys.com/rc-toys-and-parts/DF-MINISPACEMAN/RC-HELICOPTERS-MINI-HELI.html
Attention Bioroid pilots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYFyp6j8cf4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pHvYvniJFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TIUvOt1CVI
I'm sure some of this stuff could be re-styled for Robotech designs. It's just a matter of changing the plastic shells, and a little bit of tinkering. | |
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sorral
Rank: Sergeant
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Subject: What I would like to see
Posted on: July 12, 2009 - 9:54:56 AM
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I would like to see the Comico Comics reprinted full size, the Matchbox action figures reissued, and new charactors from TSC added, I would like to see models made, some good video games made, lower priced mecha (transformable) made. | |
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Micronian Ace
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: Toys
Posted on: July 12, 2009 - 11:55:55 AM
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LOL, I think you're expecting a wee bit too much from Toynami. The Robotech franchise would need a serious reboot and re-entrance into the popular psyche in order to get much of anything new on the shelves. It's going to take some huge strides for it to get there from where its at now. A live action movie might pull that off... something the quality of Shadow Chronicles certainly would not/did not. | |
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Darrin Geisinger
Rank: Private
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Subject: Revvys
Posted on: July 13, 2009 - 7:50:44 AM
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I would like Revoltech to pick up the Mospeada license and do Alphas (legioss) and Cyclones (ride-armors).
They could then do the Shock Troopers, Enforcers and Command Ships in the Alpha scale, and the Scouts and Hive Guards in the Cyclone scale.
While they're at it a Hovertank and Red Bioroid would be cool too.
They've done Dougram and some other obscure stuff, so maybe it could happen.
AND I'm hoping for a Beagle/Toynami 1/10th Lunk and Annie figure Jeep set that can hold a few Cyclones. They could throw in some saddlebags and an LED campfire to scale too ( ! ) | |
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"My God, the Robotech Masters must control me completely!" | | | |
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sanman
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: coordinated campaign
Posted on: July 13, 2009 - 7:58:40 PM
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LOL, I think you're expecting a wee bit too much from Toynami. The Robotech franchise would need a serious reboot and re-entrance into the popular psyche in order to get much of anything new on the shelves. It's going to take some huge strides for it to get there from where its at now. A live action movie might pull that off... something the quality of Shadow Chronicles certainly would not/did not.
Maybe you're right on that. But I think a good solid Robotech videogame could do it, and not just RLAM.
I even think audio stories/comics would do it. Hey, having a cool Robotech model in hand would help the imagination when listening to audio stories. And if such audio stories were released every month, they could create a new story plotline momentum that could revive fan interest. ("Tune in next time as...")
So maybe it's best done as a coordinated effort or campaign, where these things are released together, to mutually reinforce their appeal.
I also think that with Halloween coming up, and the Transformers franchise having made transforming robots very popular again, that Robotech could even surf off the Transformers' popularity for the next few Halloweens. That video I posted of a Skull-1 costume looks like it could be manufactured as a cloth getup with foam rubber prosthetics stuck on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fM5_inD6K8
I think something like that, made of foam rubber pieces, could be fun for kids to put on and wear for Halloween. Foam rubber would make it flexible, so that you could walk easily in it. Putting it up for sale around Halloween time would guarantee a good response. | |
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invidkill85
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: ...
Posted on: July 26, 2009 - 10:15:14 AM
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Full Valkyrie costumes. I like Halloween. | |
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steel bonnet
Rank: Corporal
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Subject: These.........
Posted on: July 26, 2009 - 12:20:58 PM
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http://www.robotech.com/community/forum/read.php?id=2004308&forumid=16
If I can make the above on my own,just think what a Toy company could churn out with the resources they have at their disposl. | |
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Death to ALL Invaders. | | | |
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Skullgrin140
Rank: Private
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Subject: Busts
Posted on: July 27, 2009 - 11:05:58 AM
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Maybe some busts of some of the characters and some life sized busts of scenes from the episodes as well as some of the ships like the SDF1 as model kits. | |
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If you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything | | | |
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Darth Mimic
Rank: Master Chief Sgt
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Subject: HOVERTANKS
Posted on: July 29, 2009 - 8:49:14 PM
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Invid.
Bioroids.
All at prices that allow collectors to build up armies. Remember how silly it looked as a kid to only have one stormtrooper, even though Vader was always surrounded by them? | |
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"Love each other, or die."
Auden | | | |
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VHT4Defiant
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: New Narration
Posted on: July 30, 2009 - 12:47:28 AM
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I like the original Robotech Narration, but an Alternate track meant to be humorous could be a lot of fun. There are so many little details that the Narrator gets wrong or inconsistent, that a specific redo for humor could be a riot. It's not just replacing the existing narration, but adding the occasional funny comment about the events transpiring could be great. My wife had the idea when we were watching Robotech that they should use the narrator from Arrested Development, and I've got to say, I'd love that. | |
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sanman
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: it's a bust
Posted on: July 30, 2009 - 5:49:16 AM
Edited on: July 30, 2009 - 5:49:34 AM
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Well, here's a bust of Jetfire from Transformers:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC10970&mode=retail
It does have a face on it, a la Macross7, but hey, maybe you can cover it up somehow. ;P | |
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Bihyron
Rank: Private
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Subject: Maybe a comic book collection on a CD/DVD...
Posted on: July 30, 2009 - 4:52:51 PM
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Just like many comics are being reprinted on DVD for PC with crisp,clear,comics from Comico,Malibu(if marvel will),Antarctic Press,Academy,and Wildstorm,in PDF format to print with everything in.eh | |
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