Thanks for sending in your questions and keep them coming for the next Q&A (take the link above or on the left hand menu), we need your questions by next Friday, 28th June please!
Read on for the Questions and Answers...
1. Would you consider the idea of revisiting electronics (similar to the Power FX Range from the mid 90's) or even speech (from the Episode I figures) by way of a small concealed button on the back of a figure that activates the feature? Obviously these features would add to the cost, in what is already a price sensitive market, but may also add to the appeal for younger fans in term of playability.
We simply can't afford these electronic features in basic figures, and at higher price points (where we could afford them) we have found that meaningful accessories (speeder bikes, etc) or a value proposition like Battle Packs is more important to consumers that lights and sounds.
2. Many people would like to see all the Pod Racers created along with their respective vehicles but I'm guessing this is probably unlikely, even in the long term (please correct me if I'm wrong). However, have you considered doing something along the lines of the trophy assortment though that would allow you to package each Pod Racer with a smaller version of their racing vehicle? This would make a great assortment (including those Pod Racers already released) and satisfy a lot of fans.
We are big pod-racing fans, too! Part of the magic of the pod-racing sequence is that, just like the alien races that populate Star Wars, the vehicles themselves are all unique and different. That also makes it very difficult to ever expect that we would do all of them in 3-3/4" scale because the tooling cost required would be formidible and there are no commonalities to take advantage of. However, we have learned to never say never.... One of the things that has us hopeful to be able to do some in the mid-term (3-4 years) is that we recognize that in several years there will be a big influx of young collectors who grew up experiencing Star Wars on the big screen for the first time during Episode I. These now-adult "kids" will want things that much their afinity for Star Wars and that will include more EpI entires like Pod Racers. So while we have no shorter-term plans for the vehicles themselves, we do think we'll get to at least some of them. As for the trophy idea, it's interesting but we have no plasto go there with accessories that do not add to the figure play.
3. Us fans are always keen to read the rumours that circulate around the internet about potential figures, vehicles and, dare I say it, playsets. Is it frustrating to have your plans leaked (like with the new Millennium Falcon), or maybe can you use it to your advantage as a marketing tool to help generate interest among the fans and raise the level of expectation and to determine demand?
It's very frustrating, since we would like to roll out the details on our own schedule. In the grand scheme of things it's also a good problem to have. Intense fan interest and scrutiny of the line means passion and devotion that matches ours, and presents a continuing, powerful opportunity to keep bringing out new things that a few years ago we didn't dream we could deliver. So it is part of the territory, but territory we are welcome to inhabit.