Tag Archives: HasLab

Hasbro, clearly desperate to ensure Unicron’s success, has added a perk to the Unicron HasLab campaign. Just Revealed! In addition to this once-in-a-lifetime figure, HasLab: Unicron backers through HasbroPulse.com will now receive an EXCLUSIVE digital comic bundle, made in partnership with @IDWPublishing and available only through @comiXology! The numbers did jump up quite a bit, but will it make the target of 8K backers by the deadline?

So what about that white “unicorn” in the room? If you don’t know, the Unicron HasLab project got a whopping 30+ day extension (obviously done with the hopes that the extra time will push the required target over the threshold). But how do you feel about this? I have heard opinions from ALL sides on this. Some feel it’s “cheating.” Some feel it DESTROYS the urgency and participation of future HasLab projects (people will think Hasbro will continue to extend projects if they don’t have the money then and there to back a project or within the timeframe to order.) Does it also make the Jabba’s Sail Barge HasLab campaign unfair to those that needed a little more time to raise $499.99 for it? I am sure many Star Wars collectors only needed 30 more days to save, or order, or whatever. Yes, Transformers is Hasbro’s IP. They might have leeway that we don’t understand with this project. But what are your thoughts about changing the parameters of a HasLab campaign in the middle of it? I don’t have a strong opinion either way, but I feel the potential of a dangerous precedent is being set here.

This is certainly not a surprise anymore. If you followed the Cookie Monster Haslab project you know it was off to a very slow start, and never picked up the pace it needed in the following days. In the end the Cookie Monster project only reached about 20% of the required backers – 624 out of 3,000.

Now what does that mean for Hasbro and Haslab? Click through for a few quick thoughts!

No Cookie This Time

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We’ll have a final update on this once the campaign ends, but unless an eleventh-hour miracle takes place, and I believe in miracles, you sexy thing, the Cookie Monster HasLab project is a bust. Now, forgetting about your opinions on whether this HasLab idea was a good one or not, how are there not 3000 eager Sesame Street collectors out there to meet the rather modest target of 3000 units? In a related matter, Unicron is not faring too well either. But until the campaigns end it’s too soon to judge their fates. It’s important to note that I haven’t seen too much promotion for either current HasLab projects either. There were daily fan site posts encouraging readers to get Jabba’s Sail Barge over the threshold. If both projects end up failing, it should speak volumes to Hasbro about who their HasLab market is, and what they should focus on for future HasLab projects. (They’ll probably disregard this too.) Based on the performance of the three licensees represented in their first three projects, it appears that Star Wars is the only license that has an engaged and eager fan base that votes with its wallet as evidenced by the success of Jabba’s Sail Barge. If there were more numbers on the Unicron, I might include Transformers, but there isn’t enough interest to make me see this differently.

With Cookie Monster nearing the finish line, only a little more than 6 days are left, it’s time to take yet another look at this year’s two Haslab projects! So click through for a quick look at what’s going on and a few thoughts that go beyond current Haslab projects!

Imaginary Hasbro Haslab Manager Deborah D. earlier today

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Two weeks after SDCC the two current Haslab projects seem to be in the doldrums. While that is normal for most crowdfunding campaigns (anyone remember all the angst about the Barge which was absolutely unnecessary?), it seems the Transformers and Sesame Street Haslab project are facing a somewhat steeper hill than most other campaigns that succeed. Actually, most successful campaigns reach their funding goal in the first few days.
As of now, Unicron is lagging the Barge. Now, the Barge had this huge, huge boost on the finishing line that elevated the project close to 9,000 backers. So Unicron might still make it, but it seems like it will be a close call, the project is at 27%. But the Cookie Monster seems to be dead. I really doubt it’s going to make it in the remaining three weeks. The project gained 73 backers in the past 9 days, which is the last time I posted an update. He still needs another 2,607 backers, or 86.7%. There must be some overwhelming love for Cookie Monster in the final hours of the project for it to be successful, in my opinion.
Which leads to the question: what happens if both projects fail? I certainly hope both will succeed, both projects are fun, Unicron is actually impressive even. But what would it mean for future Haslab projects should both the Transformers and Muppet collecting community fail to support their Haslab project? Click through for a few thoughts!

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OK, let’s play a game. This is fantasy, not a subliminal message of what’s coming. Many collectors were ecstatic over the possibility of a 6″ scaled Rancor when they saw it in Hasbro’s diorama during SDCC? People disagree with me, but I could have sworn the Rancor featured was a styrofoam maquette. Others claim it was an articulated “prototype.” I still think it was made out of styrofoam. Anyway, let’s say that Hasbro felt they wanted to make a 6″ Rancor, but they also felt it wouldn’t make sense as a general or exclusive retail released item. Let’s pretend that Hasbro decided to offer it through HasLab. To be fair, let’s use the same target of 8K backers (since Jabba’s Sail Barge reached that amount). What would you be willing to pay to back this thing via HasLab? Something tells me if it was HasLab item, it would be hundreds of dollars, not less. Regardless, if you’re a 6″ collector, what would deem the most to back this item via HasLab?

Even though the two current Haslab projects are not about Star Wars, I thought you might still be interested in learning how the two projects are doing. SDCC is now behind us, and with that a lot of talk about upcoming toys, shows and movies. So how do the Cookie Monster and Unicron projects fare after SDCC? Well, I venture a guess and say that the Cookie Monster project might actually fail. Right now he has 317 backers out of 3,000 required after two weeks – or about 10% of the number required. Unicron has 1,845 backers after a bit more than a week or so, almost 25%. If Unicron sees a similar boost in the last few days as the Sail Barge then Transformers fans have reason to celebrate. But it might be a close call here. So far the Unicron project is behaving similar to the Khetanna from last year. But the Unicron is even more expensive. Also, Transformers fans have other manufacturers (from Japan) as well that produce very expensive collector oriented items, an Optimus Prime for almost $500 will be released in August, let’s see how deep the pockets of Transformers fans are! I will keep you posted about the projects!

He needs love

There is another…. HasLab campaign. We all should have known that Hasbro wouldn’t leave everyone out in the cold. They’ve JUST ANNOUNCED the War For Cybertron: Unicron figure! What’s astounding about this campaign is that it costs MORE than Jabba’s Sail Barge and requires a hefty 8000 backers. Can it be done? Time will tell! Good luck to all who want this! Hopefully, a Star Wars project is next!

In light of yesterday’s Cookie Monster shaped news I think it’s time we Star Wars collectors take a step back to see where Star Wars toys are in the grand scheme of things in 2019. Click through for a short article!

Om nom nom!

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Forget your Death Star Space Station Playset. Forget the 6″ X-wing fighter or the Millennium Falcon cockpit (for now). The next HasLab project is a life-size Cookie Monster. Yahoo has the full story! The campaign link is HERE.

Longtime JTA reader Darth Curmudgeon received a damaged Sail Barge box. He then contacted Hasbro’s customer service. Please click through for the correspondence.

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It’s time to add the massive Jabba’s Sail Barge (The Khetanna) to our Visual Guides! We have a massive Visual Guide prepared for this amazing vehicle, and have also added quite a few extras for this guide, including an additional gallery featuring many of our favorite viewer submissions that were uploaded to our New Acquistion page. After checking out our slide gallery, be sure to scroll down and check out the rest of the additional information and gallery images (including unboxing images). And, of course, don’t forget to stop by our review to join the full discussion on this vehicle.

Pro Tip: When viewing our Visual Guides, double-click on the slide to open up the viewer in full-screen mode, then use the arrows on your keyboard to scroll through the gallery.

Last year, while working our butts off to help get the Sail Barge fully backed, we posted an article on how international collectors could order it via MyUs.com. Those who pre-ordered the Sail Barge internationally through this service were able to place it under US address. (It’s one of their many services.) Well, JTA reader Packo M. took advantage of this service, and his Sail Barge arrived in excellent condition. Check out his full story by clicking through.

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The dust has mostly settled with Jabba’s Sail Barge (The Khetanna). Those who received damaged product are set to receive a replacement. Orders are placed for missing parts. And Hasbro is organizing all the damage to Yak Face to see what can be done with those issues. But one thing I cannot understand is some people criticizing those who are selling their “extras” for profit. The criticism is beginning to boil over now. (more….)

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Here is the eBay listing for the HasLab Jabba’s Sail Barge from hasbro-pulse eBay seller.

UPDATE: I don’t know what to think of this eBay auction anymore. At least you can’t order these, so no one is in danger of a scam. But this is odd.

It’s the ides of March, but we’ve got nothing but good news to share. Hasbro released the most-perfect item for all Star Wars collectors. It’s finally in our possessions now. And as if in almost perfect serendipity: today is our 3,583rd review. The “83” represents 1983, the year of Return Of The Jedi. And the “35” represents the number of years it took Hasbro to announce that they would make Jabba’s Sail Barge (The Khetanna) in The Vintage Collection from the release of the film (2018).

Over 6,000 of you have already checked out our review, and between the New Acquisitions (currently comments) page and the RDR page, we have accumulated nearly 800 comments. If you haven’t left your two cents, be sure to do so! Also, the revised gallery now exceeds 170 images! We added new images including the Sarlacc Pit among others for you to enjoy. Please be sure to check out the updated review!

Jabba’s Sail Barge (The Khetanna) is the focus of our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

There’s probably no other way to describe Jabba’s Sail Barge (The Khetanna) than to use words like overwhelming and exhilarated. This long-awaited HasLab product is finally here, and it’s probably the most significant thing Hasbro has ever created in the Star Wars line. I spent today writing a long review putting my heart on my sleeve and describing every last detail of this vehicle. We have more images coming in our already-completed 140+ photo gallery (more images will follow), but everything else is done, so we’re sharing it early with you. In the meantime, enjoy both vintage Kenner and modern Hasbro figures set up in this behemoth.

We also included full images and comparison shots of Jabba The Hutt in addition to the exclusive Yak Face.

If you didn’t back this item, and you’re a 3.75″ collector, you’re going to feel the pain of missing out. Hopefully, our review and gallery will allow you to enjoy it vicariously. I spent over 19 hours between assembling, the photo shoot, the gallery preparation and the review template and write-up. So, please leave your thoughts and opinions of this vehicle in the comments. It would help make up for the lost time I can’t get back 🙂 Thanks!

The Khetanna is making its way into homes daily! We thought this was a good time to revive and revamp our listing of figures you can use to populate your barge. We did some homework and compiled a list of characters you’ll need (that have been produced by Hasbro as an action figure already) with your Sail Barge. Click through to see a comprehensive list of existing Hasbro 3.75″ action figures required to effectively populate Jabba’s Sail Barge (The Khetanna)!

Photo credit: JTA reader John K Samson (posted on our Barge Acquisitions page)

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Lord have mercy. These things are about 50% larger than I expected. Time to downsize! My Jabba’s Sail Barges arrived, two days earlier than expected!

As all of us know very well now, it’s happening! FedEx is gearing to ship out the overwhelming numbers of Jabba’s Sail Barges from Hasbro’s first successful HasLab campaign. JTA wants to share in your joy as well, so we’ve set aside a special page for everyone to chime in with their deliveries, their pictures and anything else they might want to share. So be sure to post your experience when you receive yours! The devoted page is found RIGHT HERE. (currently comments) (Please note rules in the featured comment.)

It’s happening! FedEx is gearing to ship out the overwhelming flux of Jabba’s Sail Barges. Shipments are prepping for March 4th ship date and mine shows an approximate delivery date of March 6th!

Many collectors wondered why there was no HasLab announcement at Toy Fair this year. But if you think about it a little, you’ll see it wasn’t that surprising at all. It’s evident now they didn’t want to take steam away from Jabba’s Sail Barge as they’re still promoting it as evidenced by the recent article at StarWars.com. (more….)

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The final HasLab update was released, and it includes confirmation of the March 4th ship date as well as instructions on how to put your Jabba’s Sail Barge together! Check it out! This is getting exciting folks!

Our friends at Bantha Skull are reporting that the exclusive POTF Yak Face will also come with a drinking glass. And the glass will plug into the R2-D2 (VC25) drink tray!