darkSpyro

I couldn't find this posted anywhere else, if it is I am sorry.

http://www.polygon.com/2014/2/...throughout-2014

This article states the rest of the figures will be staggered a bit for 2014. Some key points from the article are


- staggered release schedule for figures slated to launch this year
- at least 20 percent of the Skylanders planned to release with Swap Force have yet to be released
- expect them in 2014, released to the public in small groups every few months or so
- current group contains five figures — including new Swap Force characters Fryno and Punk Shock
- five more slated to hit "later this spring"
- this include at least one special seasonal Skylander, a new version of Trigger Happy
- Springtime Trigger Happy will launch in rounded egg-shaped packaging
- it also includes new powers and a new color scheme, gold weapons and a bunny ears hat
- there will be two more Spring-styled figurines released at the same time
- Spring launches include the "stealth librarian" Trap Shadow and icy fighter Freeze Blade
- toys will be produced in different quantities and will launch at different times

Seems like way more than 20% of the figures released have been released. Perhaps they mean overall quantity? Like, they planned to release 1,000,000 Mega Ram Spyro figures and they've only shipped 200,000 of them?

Even though they finally announced the releases, I'm worried about the "quantities."

It would be horribly stupid if they decided to limit Freeze Blade, Trap Shadow, and Doom Stone.

Quote: Matteomax

Even though they finally announced the releases, I'm worried about the "quantities."

It would be horribly stupid if they decided to limit Freeze Blade, Trap Shadow, and Doom Stone.

Agreed. I'm not going to wait around like a rabid dog for stuff to show up, and then miss it because they released in limited quantities. I thought the idea was to sell product. Interesting.

I can understand the idea behind it, keep Skylander popularity going, and not let it die down through the later spring to summer months. But I'm not sure this is the best way to do so honestly.

They know characters like Freeze Blade and Trap Shadow would be popular, but if quantities get limited.....well that does not sit well. Unfortunately we will have to wait and see.

So far have you seen limited qty's they have been the most available figures to find vs spyro and giants figures don't worry about it. This is just a marketing idea to bring the hype back to the slowing down sales and mass abundance of figures everywhere.

"Stealth librarian"? wat

I think there's only a handful of figures left, and its not really too big of a deal, especially since Stink Bomb came out allowing people to actually finish the game. (Why at least one of each weren't out at launch is beyond me)

Could also work well. This time around, we haven't had a drought for figures like in previous years. Those arguably helped to accelerate sales when figures did start returning in the spring. If they slow down releases, they'll probably hope the stuff that's been on shelves will eventually get bought up. (I don't think its gonna really happen that way, especially with a lot of Giants/LCs clogging up the shelves now, but hey if it works, that's great)

Quote: DarkRaptor

I can understand the idea behind it, keep Skylander popularity going, and not let it die down through the later spring to summer months. But I'm not sure this is the best way to do so honestly.

They know characters like Freeze Blade and Trap Shadow would be popular, but if quantities get limited.....well that does not sit well. Unfortunately we will have to wait and see.

Agreed, for me it will have the exact opposite of the intended result. I would have no problem stopping cold turkey.

Not going to worry about what they mean by "limited" release, but I will quit this series if I am made to pay stupid prices for figures that should be in ample supply, just because they want to create demand.

I know I've said I'd be done with this series before, but I'm not even kidding this time. I don't like corporations playing games with me, and I'm sure others don't like it as well.

If they start making figures that are needed to fill out ones collection hard to get, on purpose, they can count me out of buying figures. I might buy future games that don't rely on gimmicks, but that would be it. And for me to buy those games, they would have to be 100% capable with my previous collections.

Don't know what they mean by limited, but if they're going to make the final batch of characters hard to find, I will spend whatever it takes to get my 4 each, and I will wash my hands of this franchise without hesitation.

I love Skylanders, and want to keep supporting it, but stupid decisions deserve their consequence. I - as a customer - won't be mind jobbed (nicest way to put it). Then we can all watch this ship go down, due to human stupidity.

Guess time will tell.

Quote: UncleBob

Seems like way more than 20% of the figures released have been released. Perhaps they mean overall quantity? Like, they planned to release 1,000,000 Mega Ram Spyro figures and they've only shipped 200,000 of them?

I think the article meant over 20% left to be released (meaning something less than 80% are out), but regardless, the math is off if there are approx. 14 figures (that we know about) left for release.

Quote: GameMaster78

Not going to worry about what they mean by "limited" release, but I will quit this series if I am made to pay stupid prices for figures that should be in ample supply, just because they want to create demand.

I know I've said I'd be done with this series before, but I'm not even kidding this time. I don't like corporations playing games with me, and I'm sure others don't like it as well.

If they start making figures that are needed to fill out ones collection hard to get, on purpose, they can count me out of buying figures. I might buy future games that don't rely on gimmicks, but that would be it. And for me to buy those games, they would have to be 100% capable with my previous collections.

Don't know what they mean by limited, but if they're going to make the final batch of characters hard to find, I will spend whatever it takes to get my 4 each, and I will wash my hands of this franchise without hesitation.

I love Skylanders, and want to keep supporting it, but stupid decisions deserve their consequence. I - as a customer - won't be mind jobbed (nicest way to put it). Then we can all watch this ship go down, due to human stupidity.

Guess time will tell.

Seems a bit extreme to me. Personally, if the figures became too difficult to obtain at retail, and too expensive on eBay, I'd just choose not to buy said figures. Quitting the franchise would negatively impact me far more than it would Activision. In essence, I would be punishing myself, not them.

Then again, you did say, "I will spend whatever it takes to get my 4 each," so maybe it's best that you do quit. lol

I say, let it happen. See how far they can keep Skylanders going after infuriating customers with a limited quantity. I'm more than happy to stop and my wallet will thank me.

They should really have each figure out with a base quantity and see how in demand a certain figure is. Or, better yet, do equal shipment in order to avoid some areas having a full shelf while another area has got none.

I'm already very mad at skylanders this time around. I havent even completed wave 3 yet. No stink bomb, no spy rise, and no rubble rouser, no whirlwind, no wind up. I feel lucky to have found hyper beam prism break. But i only saw one shipment of the first set from wave 3, then 2 small limited shipments of the whamshell and light core count down part of wave 3.

So I'm beyond irritated that I havent found these guys, then to hear the rest might be limited too?? no thats crazy, because I had no troubles finding any giants characters shortly after the americans got theirs. and now the americans are ready for wave 4! and I havent finished wave 3....

I've been extremely frustrated with releases and quantity. I had to buy Stink Bomb off a Kijiji scalper just so I could finish all the areas that had sneak challenges. I still haven't seen a Stink Bomb at any store! Well, once I finish the game (two chapters left), I won't be buying anymore figures. Screw you Activision!!

Quote: Stink Blade

I've been extremely frustrated with releases and quantity. I had to buy Stink Bomb off a Kijiji scalper just so I could finish all the areas that had sneak challenges. I still haven't seen a Stink Bomb at any store! Well, once I finish the game (two chapters left), I won't be buying anymore figures. Screw you Activision!!

Yes exactly! and i dont want to revert to ebay or kijiji, i shouldnt have to pay $30 a figure...and because they are so rare, employees are snatching them up to make double what theyre worth. I hate it

I'm there with you guys who still haven't got all of Wave 3. It looks like we aren't getting Dune Bug at all by this point. We still don't have Core Smolderdash, the W3 reposes, Legendary Night Shift and I doubt we'll ever get Quickdraw. We're also missing the Giantkicks although I'm just hoping we get them in a promo like the last set. I wanna quit right now just to spite these business practices but I think that would oly make things worse since if they get less money I don't see them pushing to release more figures here.

When haven't they staggered the releases? Seems like a much ado about nothing deal going on here...

I have seen all of wave 3 in large quantities at all sorts of retailers. I am guessing that those of you that are having trouble are not in the United States.

Hang on..."stealth librarian" Trap Shadow?! Do we know anything about this?

He was probably referring to the fact that he's in the "shhh" pose, with a finger over his lips.

Really? I'm out of the loop and haven't seen any Trap Shadow figures but the one on the Swap Force page here.

This is the one shown at Toy Fair.

Hahaha, okay, that's a fun figure. XD Thanks for posting the pic. :)

Quote: Razz

Hahaha, okay, that's a fun figure. Thanks for posting the pic.

He seems to have some interesting play dynamics as well. Hopefully in less than 30 days we'll have him in our collection.

Quote: Skylanders Dad

When haven't they staggered the releases? Seems like a much ado about nothing deal going on here...

This. I don't get all the complaining. They've always had a staggered release. Maybe it will be more staggered, this year. I don't know. Most of the griping, on here, has been about "limited" releases, when nothing in the article or OP said anything about "limited", just different quantities. We don't know what that means. Someone in one of the posts just suggested that could mean "limited" and everyone has went crazy. As for 20% being left, if you count the total figures (not counting variants and counting lightcores), there are 56 figures with 9 unreleased (Fryno, S2 Hot Dog, Freeze Blade, Punk Shock, Doom Stone, LC Bumble Blast, Scratch, S2 Jet-Vac, and Trap Shadow). That's around 16%, so not too far off. If you count variants or possible single pack releases of those in adventure packs/battle packs, then it may be closer to 20%.

I also don't get the blame for current quantities. I'm sure things will balance out, in the end. Remember when Ninjini was hard to get and now you I have have tons of them hanging at my TRU. People are complaining about Wave 3, but that's more of the stores stocking and not Activision's fault. Most stores just aren't re-stocking, for some reason. TRU got a bunch of wave 3 in. I was seeing cases of wave 3 swappers piled high on our top shelf. Someone, here, complained that it's Activision's fault that there aren't any Stink Bombs to be found. They had him 3 per case when Rubble Rouser and Spy Rise was only 1 per case. Seeing how you can find plenty of the other 2 hanging around, it shows that Stink Bomb is just a popular purchase, which they saw the potential of by putting so many per case. How is that Activision's fault that no one is buying the Rubble Rousers and Spy Rises so that inventory can be cleared enough for stores to restock more? I think they gave a good balance. I know Stink Bomb was popular, at first, but I figured with them putting him 3 per case and the others at 1, that he may not be as hard to find as initially thought. I'm still not sure why it is other than there's a false demand for it and people are buying them up to sell on eBay. There really isn't much more they could have done. Eventually, as stores restock, people will get a hold of their Stink Bombs and we will start to see him hanging around. Since Spy Rise and Rubble Rouser are only one per case and collecting on pegs, I wouldn't be surprised to see them become scarce later as they pull them out of the assortment to make room for newer figures. As for the other wave 3, just be patient. I've seen plenty of Ship Wreck Island and Arkeyan Crossbow. I've started to see the corelanders pop up at other stores as they decide to stock. It's not really Activision's fault but the stores fault for not stocking as well. Part of that is having old inventory that isn't movie, but I've still seen pegs at Target with only a Skylander or two hanging on them to fill out the space, with plenty of room behind them to put more.

I'm just glad they have gotten all of the adventure/battle packs out of the way. The singles move great and they have nicely dropped in stock since Christmas (which is good because it will prompt new releases and get stores to order more). Triple Pack sized ones simply aren't moving, and I get the feeling that the reason Sheep Wreck isn't more common is because most stores don't have anywhere to put it, especially with them doing their normal space reduction.

Quote: defpally

I'm just glad they have gotten all of the adventure/battle packs out of the way. The singles move great and they have nicely dropped in stock since Christmas (which is good because it will prompt new releases and get stores to order more). Triple Pack sized ones simply aren't moving, and I get the feeling that the reason Sheep Wreck isn't more common is because most stores don't have anywhere to put it, especially with them doing their normal space reduction.

Crazy thing is that I'm starting to see more Ship Wreck Island and Tower of Time is disappearing at TRU. Other stores are still stocked with Tower of Time, so they haven't stocked as many Ship Wreck Islands. I'd really like to get ToT just to get the sky diamond, but I don't feel like spending the money, right now. I'm hoping that stores don't start stocking SWIs as ToTs disappear and not get any more ToTs. I'm not even sure how I feel about buying anything, right now. We're trying not so spend as much and the only thing we're looking to buy for is my son's birthday in May. By then, he'll probably not be as interested in getting lots of gold for his Skylanders with the Sky Diamond. After working to get everything for SSA & Giants (not counting variants and still needing Boomer), I realized how much we spent last year and not sure I feel like doing it, again.

I RARELY see triple pack 3 or 4, and usually it is at a retailer with a smaller section like Target. I don't think I have ever seen it at TRU. At this rate, I have doubt 5 or 6 (or later) will get much of a wide release. Parents seem to be fine with buying a figure, but three is too much when they probably already have two of them. I've seen it at stores, the non collectors simply don't go for the reposes, and increasingly the collectors aren't nabbing them like they once did. Of the dozen or so people at TRU the night Wave 3 singles came out only two of us bought all the reposes, the rest bought maybe one if any, and Smolderdash really wasn't that big of a hit (oh we already have that one is what I heard). They were there for Dune Bug.

Skylanders 4 gimmick better be special and add something to reposes (or eliminate/minimize them), or the franchise will start the long slow road towards Guitar Hero Land. There are six different non-chase Spyros already for crying out loud. Five different Eruptors that all look the same (except Volcanic). Four Chills. Four Pop Fizz. Want to know why three packs aren't moving? It's because that's two thirds of the contents of the first two.

Quote: defpally

I RARELY see triple pack 3 or 4, and usually it is at a retailer with a smaller section like Target. I don't think I have ever seen it at TRU. At this rate, I have doubt 5 or 6 (or later) will get much of a wide release. Parents seem to be fine with buying a figure, but three is too much when they probably already have two of them. I've seen it at stores, the non collectors simply don't go for the reposes, and increasingly the collectors aren't nabbing them like they once did. Of the dozen or so people at TRU the night Wave 3 singles came out only two of us bought all the reposes, the rest bought maybe one if any, and Smolderdash really wasn't that big of a hit (oh we already have that one is what I heard). They were there for Dune Bug.

Skylanders 4 gimmick better be special and add something to reposes (or eliminate/minimize them), or the franchise will start the long slow road towards Guitar Hero Land. There are six different non-chase Spyros already for crying out loud. Five different Eruptors that all look the same (except Volcanic). Four Chills. Four Pop Fizz. Want to know why three packs aren't moving? It's because that's two thirds of the contents of the first two.

They're going to need a $10 sale to get rid of these things.

I will be surprised if we see three packs with the next game. They're going to have to mix it up a bit. Heck, I think the new character-to-repose ratio will be a bit different.

If I were in charge of the license, With the actual "Skylanders 4" branded figures, I wouldn't release a single repose. Every figure released would be a brand new character (of course, there might be lightcore/non-lightcores of new characters, or chase variants of new characters, etc.).

THEN, I'd release a concurrent second line. "Skylanders Universe". Figures would have a clear base. These figures would be reposes and/or re-releases of existing characters. This would allow for re-releases of Giants/SWAP Force characters somewhere down the line. "Back by popular demand!". Activision could use social media to vote for what characters people want to be re-released. There'd be no reason to limit themselves to deciding which figures to repose 8-10 month before the release. Case assortments could be more varied. Sure, completionists would go INSANE, but we're a very, very miniscule part of the audience. And heck, some folks would still go for everything. Those that don't could just ignore the Universe line-up, since it'd always be figures they already have in some form or another.

Parents and Grandparents would easily know - If it's a "Skylanders 4" figure, it's new. It's a rare case of simplifying the line up by making it more complex.

That would work, except they DO need to know what reposes they are introducing, as they've been trying to build "unique content" into the reposes such as a new wow pow. They would have to abolish that idea altogether to adopt your plan (which I like by the way).

I was on the fence on reposes and got suckered in this time but I've noticed we haven't played them at all and actually hate the idea of having to level up/play heroics for the 10th time for the same character. Not happening next time. I don't care what accolades/stars they throw at me.

I loved the first game as it was a level playing field and every one was unique. I'd like to go back to the "old days" and expect any new characters are in fact NEW.

True - but I feel like they're going to start seeing diminishing returns on the investment of designing in the new content for reposes vs. the profit from the figure sales. But that's for the beancounters to determine.

Quote: UncleBob

True - but I feel like they're going to start seeing diminishing returns on the investment of designing in the new content for reposes vs. the profit from the figure sales. But that's for the beancounters to determine.

Yep, and I think we are there. They should cap the number of reposes/new wow pows. I bet Terrafin's $5 that we'll see new iterations of the "everlasting eight". You know who I'm talking about.

That's a very clever idea, UncleBob. I like it. Helps people get figures that have fallen off the map, yet limits the onslaught of new figures with a new game that will languish on shelves. There IS a point where new figures is going to cause people to drop the game prematurely, too much stuff and the shelves remain full with things no one wants. I also think they need to cut back on figures with new games to only new ones, maybe 2-3 of each element. Then send all reposes AND lightcores to the "Universe" line. The clear base is a great idea, as is eliminating specific game tie ins, and as a result they can ship them out year round and adjust to demand/polls.

Quote: GhostRoaster

They're going to need a $10 sale to get rid of these things.

So, in other words, they are going to have to sell them for the price of the single new figure in them.

I like uncle's idea alot. I really do think they need to have skylanders 4 avoid reposes all together. SSA stuff needs to clear out or by next yr there is going to be 4 sets of stuff on shelves. I also think they need to market better that SSA/Giants works with swap force. Ive heard ppl not buying SSA triples because they arent swap force. Public needs more info in store or at the least some stickers to put on the ssa/giants stuff stating they work with swap force (which i have seen green neon ones of.)

In other random news a tru down in orlando where i'm on vacation has the new swappers of wave 3 but with european pegs which i find very odd as the only time ive seen this is the re-release of the giants leg triple.

Quote: SlayerX11

I like uncle's idea alot. I really do think they need to have skylanders 4 avoid reposes all together. SSA stuff needs to clear out or by next yr there is going to be 4 sets of stuff on shelves. I also think they need to market better that SSA/Giants works with swap force. Ive heard ppl not buying SSA triples because they arent swap force. Public needs more info in store or at the least some stickers to put on the ssa/giants stuff stating they work with swap force (which i have seen green neon ones of.)

In other random news a tru down in orlando where i'm on vacation has the new swappers of wave 3 but with european pegs which i find very odd as the only time ive seen this is the re-release of the giants leg triple.

Infinity is outselling Skylanders in UK--maybe they redirected some stock

Quote: SlayerX11

I like uncle's idea alot. I really do think they need to have skylanders 4 avoid reposes all together. SSA stuff needs to clear out or by next yr there is going to be 4 sets of stuff on shelves. I also think they need to market better that SSA/Giants works with swap force. Ive heard ppl not buying SSA triples because they arent swap force. Public needs more info in store or at the least some stickers to put on the ssa/giants stuff stating they work with swap force (which i have seen green neon ones of.)

In other random news a tru down in orlando where i'm on vacation has the new swappers of wave 3 but with european pegs which i find very odd as the only time ive seen this is the re-release of the giants leg triple.

Youre definitely right about people not knowing that SSA and Giants work in swap force.

I've been trying to sell some doubles I picked up when I wanted to collect them all sealed and opened. I must have told this one lady 5 times that giants figures work the exact same way in swap force.
She just started buying skylanders this game. It was very painful and I was shocked she couldnt grasp the concept. She eventually did say she understood that the old figures work in the new game. BUT she did make up a lame excuse not to buy them in the end. So pretty sure she was still un sure.

I threw out the idea of a generic line a while back, so I agree it's something that needs to be done. I wasn't sure what would be best in how to release them. I had the idea to release the latest repose. I never bothered comparing them all, but I thought, at the time, that the different reposes kept all the original powers plus added one, but then thought differently. Someone can correct me on that, if it's the case. I'm not sure if I like the idea of a generic (clear) base as that may get confusing. I understand the idea, and originally thought it was a good one. But it all depends on how they handle re-releasing characters who have been re-posed. Having a generic base may let the original versions (green, orange, etc.) have a little more value on the secondary market for collectors, but they could also decide to release the different poses. So they could include S1, S2, & S3 and label them as such on the package. You would then still need the color coding to make it easier to keep track of (at least from which game it came out with). If I was correct in my original thought about how the reposes work, then they could just release a generic version with all the powers available. Either way, it's something that needs to be done. Stores are having trouble enough keeping up with SSA, Giants and SF, not less 4 or more. TRU is the only store, for the most part, that has all three. Most other stores have dwindled down their Giants and have no SSA (except for a few that may still be hanging around). I see Giants eventually going away, as well. If there is a generic line and the new line, they would be more likely to stock both. And it would be a great way to release older figures without having to repose them. The reposes are what's killing the game. I get the idea of selling an older character with new abilities, but it's getting old. I think 3 reposes (not counting variants) is already pushing it. I know they would never want to get rid of Spyro (Eruptor, Trigger Happy, and Terrafin seem to also be core characters they don't want to part with), so having a generic line with him and not reposing him every time would be ideal.

With that said, I'm tempted to start a poll on what you would call the new "generic" line. I've seen several names tossed around. I've seen Skylanders Legends (which might get confusing with the Legendary series), Skylanders Universe (which is a great idea, but they may not want to connect it with the failed online game), and I believe I've seen Skylanders Legacy (though maybe I'm just making that up in my head). Just for the fun of it, any one have other ideas?