Hasbro MLP brand- doomed for failure?

[ManaMinori 4,149]

I've heard that Hasbro is primarily focused on first-time pony purchases. Fraankly, I think this is stupid, and that the constant release of the Mane 6 is what is going to kill their brand. And it all started with the "core 7" schtick that came in g3, and bled into g4.

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Storywise, I believe switching to “Core 7″ was a HUGE mistake that destroyed G3. Yeah, Newborn Cuties was bad, but we never would have gotten it if they hadn’t made that cheap move. Having only a few main characters severely limits the stories you can tell. G4 has resorted to telling the same stories over and over again and it’s not even enjoyable anymore. With literally hundreds of characters to choose from, you’re practically unlimited in what you can explore.

This is also why I hate what G4 did with its toyline. The allure of My Little Pony has always been Collectibility. You can’t “collect” a total of 7 characters. Even if they’re a “Special GLITTER Version!” of the same character. I mean come on. Did toy makers forget that children like to play pretend with their toys and not just look at them? If I had a pony that wasn’t in the show, I could give her a personality and do whatever I wanted.

should MLP's toyline be about collectability again, and have a variety of pony (and non pony) characters to collect, not just a select few, repeat gimmicks of main characters + Princesses sprinkled throughout? Is Hasbro shooting themselves in the foot by continuing to do this to their toyline, and catering to "first time" purchases to the kids?

Edited August 26, 2018 by Nightmare Muffin

[cuteycindyhoney 13,334]

I didn't notice it failing. The MLP brand has been around since the 80's. The current rendition has a series getting ready to start it's ninth season, had a theatrical release full length animated film, and spawned a spin off series. Talk is now going around concerning the start of Generation 5. That doesn't sound like failure to me. 

[ManaMinori 4,149]

16 minutes ago, cuteycindyhoney said:

I didn't notice it failing. The MLP brand has been around since the 80's. The current rendition has a series getting ready to start it's ninth season, had a theatrical release full length animated film, and spawned a spin off series. Talk is now going around concerning the start of Generation 5. That doesn't sound like failure to me. 

I am addressing the toyline. Nothing in the feild of animation. 

[cuteycindyhoney 13,334]

Oh, okay. Sorry if I misunderstood.

[Steve Piranha 29,496]

Well, times are different now than before. Back in the day, toys where profitable, but now, with the tablets and videogames, toys have become less profitable than before. I think this affected Hasbro's strategy as well

[BornAgainBrony 2,398]

3 hours ago, Steve Piranha said:

Well, times are different now than before. Back in the day, toys where profitable, but now, with the tablets and videogames, toys have become less profitable than before. I think this affected Hasbro's strategy as well

It shouldnt. Hasbro blew it by not doing what fans were doing on Etsy. So games are big now, but look at how much officially licensed Zelda merchandise is. You can easily find a necklace with any symbol ftom Hyrule on it. How did Hasbro not think about this when Bronies emerged? They need to think MORE than just toys. Not all merchandise is toys, and they completely missed out capitalizing on the adult market, a somewhat more serious manifestation of consumer.

Edited August 26, 2018 by bornAgainEquestrian

[EpicEnergy 23,244]

It's probably not doomed for failure, but it might lose some business.

[Splashee 28,593]

And I thought Equestria Girls was doomed to fail?