Can in house lines survive anymore?

[Marauderspawn]

Lately it seems like if something is not a licensed propery it does not sell well enough to continue. It is a shame because the small independent lines are the types of things I buy. It appears as though there will be less and less of in house toy lines. That is not a good thing.

[Spawnomite]

Maybe if the big retailers sell them.

[freezowave1978]

NO.

Even companies like Hasbro are not selling new in house lines. Everything is either recycled old properties, or licensed stuff. That's all the Wal-Marts and Targets of the world will buy, and the toy market isn't strong enough to push their hands on the matter.

It is sad, but from a retailer perspective they do not want to chew up valuable floor space for items that just don't have the sell through. At this point the toy industry, that used to push innovation and creativity, just cannot get retailer support for anything unless it has proven sales records.

[Karnis]

Not given the state of the economy. I heard on news radio today that large retailers (Wal Mart & TRU were specifically mentioned) are not taking chances on unproven toy lines. McF wants back in to Wal Mart very badly, so thats why they've decided to ditch in house lines and stick with their licensed properties....specifically, their sports lines. Good news for Halo & other video games as they will probably move in that direction more & more, as well as movie stuff too.
Bad news for Spawn IMO as it will probably continue to move the line more towards kids, lest it be whacked completely.

[Cardinal]

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that most in house lines suck. One only has to look at the four horsemen's in house line of animal warriors to know that it can be successful. Those things are awesome and selling pretty well I think.

[Marauderspawn]

It is a very difficult time for anyone who is a true collector. Now there are fewer interesting things to buy. It sucks that what we consider to be interesting items will not get the chance to be made because it all comes down to the bottom line. It is not about what is cool anymore, and has become all about what makes money. Why can't the cool stuff sell and make money?

[MikeK]

If collectors are forced to pick and choose more carefully, in house figures lines are doomed. Although McFarlane seems to be the only company that really made such figures. I don't count Spawn as an in-house figure line, not in the same way as Dragons for example, as it has other properties associated with it, namely a monthly comic book. So I think that Spawn is safe for now.

[Dephisto]

I just got Drakko - He is awesome and last of his kind. I am really bummed.

[Holeman]

Yes, they can.

Provided they're interesting, well sculpted, moderately pose able, give good value for your money and aren't $20 per ****ing fig.

Unfortunately, I don't see this happening until the economy ramps up for a major upswing.

****ing Republicans.

[Ecmagee1984]

If they did like a zombie line, with diff kinds of zombies, and survivors. I would buy a line like that

[Holeman]

If they did like a zombie line, with diff kinds of zombies, and survivors. I would buy a line like that

Giant, Monkey, Robot, Ninja Zombies. I would buy that.

[jt4470]

If they did like a zombie line, with diff kinds of zombies, and survivors. I would buy a line like that

Didn't other companies make a zombie line already?

[jakes papa]

Forget in-house lines those are to original.
This is how McF rocks it
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4259/littlenickynickycassiusiv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4259/littlenickynickycassiusiv1.d1de7ec161.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=255&i=littlenickynickycassiusiv1.jpg)

[Anunakki]

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that most in house lines suck. One only has to look at the four horsemen's in house line of animal warriors to know that it can be successful. Those things are awesome and selling pretty well I think.

comparing McFarlane's sales requirements for success to the 4 Horsemens is like comparing Toyota to Ferrari. Not comparable

[Uwe]

Yes, they can.

Provided they're interesting, well sculpted, moderately pose able, give good value for your money and aren't $20 per ****ing fig.

Unfortunately, I don't see this happening until the economy ramps up for a major upswing.

****ing Republicans.
LOL WUT

[ickzer1]

They can if they are overwhelmingly incredible to the point that no one can say no to them.

[thespawnx]

mcF open more retail shops...sell whatever they like.:p

[Muramasa]

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that most in house lines suck. One only has to look at the four horsemen's in house line of animal warriors to know that it can be successful. Those things are awesome and selling pretty well I think.
They're not actually in stores, though. The Four Horsemen avoid all the costs McFarlane has to deal with, by selling them directly off their website. McFarlane must sell more product to the retail stores just to make it worth the production costs.

[Parler]

Mezco needs to start selling at Wal Mart and Target.

[j97e]

Where the heck did you get Drakko? I went to like 4 TRU, and only found the regular ones warming the pegs....

[Filthyrich]

Forget in-house lines those are to original.
This is how McF rocks it
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4259/littlenickynickycassiusiv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4259/littlenickynickycassiusiv1.d1de7ec161.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=255&i=littlenickynickycassiusiv1.jpg)

Yea i really wonder who is in charge of picking up these licenses sometimes. Little nicky figs werent too bad but I never would have expected anyone to produce em, but it seems like McFarlane is always picking up really boring licences. It seems like another Beowulf or Napoleon Dynomite could kill the company.

[mmevile]

Yes, in-house lines CAN thrive.....I think the prob we're running into now is how much "profit" is McF willing to forego. ;)
The whole point of getting licensed products is to make enough profit to offset any "independent" lines. But perhaps McF picked the wrong licensed figures this year.

[tatoman2525]

Yes, in-house lines CAN thrive.....I think the prob we're running into now is how much "profit" is McF willing to forego. ;)
The whole point of getting licensed products is to make enough profit to offset any "independent" lines. But perhaps McF picked the wrong licensed figures this year.

This is true with the exception of Halo 3, though.

I think the reason why multiple lines have been canned is mainly because TMP cannot promise Walmart the success that Halo 3 had, for their in house lines. Do in house lines thrive? Hell, they've been doing so for TMP since 1994. However it's all about the dollar in the business and retail world. The retailer always wants higher sales. If you provide a product that sells amazingly, next product you bring them better match or surpass the profits, otherwise Mr. BIG retailer is going to give the shelf space to the other toy company with the next hottest license or the next hot toy. Why wouldn't the Fantasy Lines fall into this catagory? Most McFarlane figures are more for "mature" collectors, not little Timmy. Halo 3 was a success for both the mature collector (McFans), gamers, and the millions of little Timmys that spend countless hours playing the game and can now spend other countless hours playing with the heroes and villians of the game. Although TMP will make money with their in house lines selling them through other specialty stores or other means, why would they sacrafice losing the ability to sell items in the world's largest retailer? Instead of producing in house items, they are better off producing items that the big retailer wants and would love to place on their shelves. At the same time, it would create much more profit for the manufacturer and the retailer. It's a business and they are thinking of higher revenue. It's understandable, but aggrevating for some fans who are (were) excited about these new lines.

[homunculus]

This is true with the exception of Halo 3, though.

I think the reason why multiple lines have been canned is mainly because TMP cannot promise Walmart the success that Halo 3 had, for their in house lines. Do in house lines thrive? Hell, they've been doing so for TMP since 1994. However it's all about the dollar in the business and retail world. The retailer always wants higher sales. If you provide a product that sells amazingly, next product you bring them better match or surpass the profits, otherwise Mr. BIG retailer is going to give the shelf space to the other toy company with the next hottest license or the next hot toy. Why wouldn't the Fantasy Lines fall into this catagory? Most McFarlane figures are more for "mature" collectors, not little Timmy. Halo 3 was a success for both the mature collector (McFans), gamers, and the millions of little Timmys that spend countless hours playing the game and can now spend other countless hours playing with the heroes and villians of the game. Although TMP will make money with their in house lines selling them through other specialty stores or other means, why would they sacrafice losing the ability to sell items in the world's largest retailer? Instead of producing in house items, they are better off producing items that the big retailer wants and would love to place on their shelves. At the same time, it would create much more profit for the manufacturer and the retailer. It's a business and they are thinking of higher revenue. It's understandable, but aggrevating for some fans who are (were) excited about these new lines.
Agreed.

Y'know, with the bergillion-dollar Halo 3 license, you'd almost think TMP would be free to do whatever the hell they want for the rest of the year.

[tatoman2525]

Agreed.

Y'know, with the bergillion-dollar Halo 3 license, you'd almost think TMP would be free to do whatever the hell they want for the rest of the year.


Yeah, and all the profits that will be from Halo 3 series 2 and 3:eek:;)