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Star Trek to launch a new action figure line but will reach the heights of the Playmate version?

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Star Trek to launch a new action figure line but will reach the heights of the Playmate version?

As a kid of the 90s, I vividly remember the thrill of wandering through Toys R’ Us and marveling at the Star Trek action figures adorning the shelves. The Playmates line was like a goldmine for us Star Trek enthusiasts, offering toys inspired by the films, shows, and books that we devoured with equal passion.

For those who recall their youth fondly, stepping into Toys “R” Us felt like a trip to another world, especially when the Star Trek action figures graced the walls. Manufactured and distributed by Playmates, these miniature figurines enjoyed a long-lasting popularity for over a decade, consistently introducing new toys featuring our beloved characters at regular intervals.

During that period spanning from 1988 to 2000, it seemed as if every item was associated with toys. The movies, shows, books – they were all transformed into toys. If there was a chance to produce a figurine, they did not hesitate. From James T. Kirk and Khan Noonien Singh to young Jean-Luc Picard and young Worf, Playmates thoroughly exploited the franchise for its worth.

After completing the toys, merchandise support for shows and films like Enterprise and Star Trek 2009 wasn’t as strong, causing the partnership to end. However, it was rekindled just a few years later, with Star Trek: Prodigy taking the lead. New toys were created in the same classic style. Unfortunately, due to low sales and possibly the cancellation of Prodigy, the toy line was terminated once more.

Currently, a fresh competitor named The Nacelle Company has joined the toy manufacturing market. On the outside, this might appear advantageous, but as our own Brian T. Sullivan cautions, there are valid apprehensions to consider. And rightly so. However, it’s not the pricing that I find concerning.

Back in the ’90s, I was part of the throng who adored the Star Trek action figure line. The series was universally appealing, captivating both children and adults alike. We tuned in diligently to one or two new episodes each week for quite some time, showing our loyalty to the franchise. These episodes were aired on local networks or easily accessible channels like UPN, which unfortunately are no longer available to today’s Star Trek enthusiasts.

Modern toy stores no longer specialize in specific products, especially physical ones. Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” Star Trek series, productions are now tailored for specific fan bases. Unfortunately, finding the latest Star Trek content can be quite challenging.

Currently, multiple barriers or paywalls prevent easy access to most content. This makes accidental discovery of such content significantly more challenging than in the past when we’d stumble upon it serendipitously. For instance, recall those Sundays when flipping through TV channels left you with nothing else to watch but Star Trek.

To achieve success in pursuing your goals, you need to be deliberate rather than leaving things to chance. Given the increasing difficulty for novice Star Trek enthusiasts, particularly the younger generation, to connect with the franchise, introducing a new toy line seems questionable. However, we can only hope that the Nacelle Company manages to draw both veteran collectors and new fans, encouraging them to enjoy and treasure these toys as enthusiastically as Playmates’ line was cherished in the past.

Times have significantly evolved, and the Star Trek fandom has grown older over the years. Although collectors remain active, their numbers aren’t sufficient to sustain an entire toy line on their own. Additionally, there are fewer children watching who could potentially fuel a toy line. To put it simply, these new products are expected to be more costly than the Playmates toys, and unfortunately, the collector and child fanbases weren’t substantial enough in the past to keep those lines going.

Yet, a more expensive line can survive? I don’t see that happening.

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2024-09-29 03:23

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