hantei40
08-01-2010, 11:38 AM
I thought I'd write down my observations on how my kids play with Joes, in hopes that Hasbro and fans can benefit.
I've only recently let my young children (3 and 6 years old) start playing with the new 3 3/4s I have (25ths and ROC). The interesting thing to me is that they seem more interested in switching the heads around on different bodies, as well as hands, where possible, to make the figure look the way they want. That got me thinking that Hasbro could improve their appeal for Joes by advertising this feature with the heads and hands more prominently.
The cool gear for Joes was always a highlight to me as a kid. I wanted to have every scene I saw in the cartoons, but sadly, the old figures were no where near as easily customizable as the current line. The way my kids play with them reminds me that with 25ths you CAN customize their clothes, and you CAN make them fit any environment, without the effort it takes to customize old figures.
Take this example: I buy today's Arctic Threat Shipwreck. The fig by itself is great. Right next to it is a blister of figure heads, Let's say Duke- Arctic Duke with a snow cap, Deep sea duke with wet suit pulled over his head, along with gloved and not gloved hands in multiple generic colors to go with the various figures, guns, gear, etc.
Alternately, I buy Shipwreck, and it comes with multiple heads for various environments. That encourages me to buy more of the original body style that I like, and just put the heads that I want on them.
Race and gender, as well as the bare arm figs might become issues, but that's only part of the line, and could be adjusted for over time.
I think Hasbro would be smart to advertise the ability to "gear up" every figure by swapping heads, hands, etc. so that every figure has alternate head versions that fit with other bodies. The ability to build the figure to be what you want it to be is something kids and collectors want, and the current Joe construction makes them the BEST figures out there to do that with.
What do you think? Is this an area that could finally help them bridge that gap they've struggled with between the collector and kid markets?
I've only recently let my young children (3 and 6 years old) start playing with the new 3 3/4s I have (25ths and ROC). The interesting thing to me is that they seem more interested in switching the heads around on different bodies, as well as hands, where possible, to make the figure look the way they want. That got me thinking that Hasbro could improve their appeal for Joes by advertising this feature with the heads and hands more prominently.
The cool gear for Joes was always a highlight to me as a kid. I wanted to have every scene I saw in the cartoons, but sadly, the old figures were no where near as easily customizable as the current line. The way my kids play with them reminds me that with 25ths you CAN customize their clothes, and you CAN make them fit any environment, without the effort it takes to customize old figures.
Take this example: I buy today's Arctic Threat Shipwreck. The fig by itself is great. Right next to it is a blister of figure heads, Let's say Duke- Arctic Duke with a snow cap, Deep sea duke with wet suit pulled over his head, along with gloved and not gloved hands in multiple generic colors to go with the various figures, guns, gear, etc.
Alternately, I buy Shipwreck, and it comes with multiple heads for various environments. That encourages me to buy more of the original body style that I like, and just put the heads that I want on them.
Race and gender, as well as the bare arm figs might become issues, but that's only part of the line, and could be adjusted for over time.
I think Hasbro would be smart to advertise the ability to "gear up" every figure by swapping heads, hands, etc. so that every figure has alternate head versions that fit with other bodies. The ability to build the figure to be what you want it to be is something kids and collectors want, and the current Joe construction makes them the BEST figures out there to do that with.
What do you think? Is this an area that could finally help them bridge that gap they've struggled with between the collector and kid markets?