Transformers Cybertron Convention 2012 Mystery Exclusive Toys.  © Hasbro

Following my earlier blog post on the same event, this is a photo print out that I received with my Media Kit from the organisers of the upcoming Transformers Cybertron Convention (TFCC) 2012.

I have no idea if the silhouettes of the above mystery TFCC 2012 exclusive toys have been updated for 2012, or are reused from the promotional materials for the TFCC 2010 held in Shanghai.  But one thing’s for sure is that there will indeed be exclusive TFCC 2012 toys available for purchase.  Here are their official FAQ replies:

“Will there be TRANSFORMERS merchandise for sale at the event? What are the merchandise available and prices? Are there any exclusive items?”

“Yes, there will TRANSFORMERS merchandise available for sales in a wide range of prices. There will also be exclusive Cybertron Con items. These items will only be revealed at the event itself.”

“Can I pre-order any of the exclusive Cybertron Con items?”

“Unfortunately, pre-ordering requests for Con Exclusive(s) before the event will not be available. However, fans can purchase them at the event.”

These are all I have from the info source I’ve got.  Were the organizers of the past Botcons in the US so secretive about their exclusive toys as well?  I remember that most exclusive toys of many other toy conventions were revealed (or leaked perhaps?) way before the events themselves.  Maybe the above mystery exclusive toys of TFCC 2012 will be unveiled soon before the event starts.  I really hope so!  Happy waiting everyone!

I received this package at my home today and at first I wondered what it was for I did not recall buying anything online recently.  Then when I looked at the package, I realised what’s it about!

Transformers Cybertron Convention (TFCC) 2012 Media Kit!

Transformers Cybertron Con 2012 Collectible Gift - KRE-ON Optimus Prime’s so cute!

Transformers Cybertron Con 2012 Poster.  © Hasbro

Transformers Cybertron Con 2010 Displays at Shanghai - We can expect to see such similar displays of the latest Transformers toys at TFCC 2012.  © Hasbro

Transformers movie Bumblebee - I hope to see this car on display at TFCC 2012!!  © Hasbro

Main Information:

Event: Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) Singapore Transformers Cybertron Convention (TFCC) 2012

Dates: 11-14 March 2012 (Sun - Wed)

Opening Times:

11 March (11am – 9pm)
12 – 13 March (10am – 9pm)
14 March (10am – 6pm)

Venue: Compass Ballroom at RWS Convention Centre

Where to buy tickets (available from 3 Feb 2012):

1) Online at www.rwsentosa.com;

2) At Universal Studios Singapore ticketing booths;

3) At RWS Ticket and Membership Hub;

4) Via hotline 6577 8888

Tickets Prices:

1) SGD 12.00 for a 1-Day Pass

2) SGD 68.00 for a VIP 4-Day Pass - c/w Unlimited event access (11-14 Mar 2012); Photo opportunity w/22-ft Optimus Prime; 1 x VIP Lanyard; 1 x Transformers KRE-ON figure (should be similar to the one I received with my Media Kit)

There are some promotional packages tied with Universal Studios Singapore as well.  You can check out the official RWS website to find out more.

Official Write Up: The TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con is a visually stunning exhibit celebrating the TRANSFORMERS brand. Fans can enjoy the full TRANSFORMERS experience via engaging activities and design workshops; extensive displays from the TRANSFORMERS toys; comics; entertainment franchise; as well as thrills from TRANSFORMERS: The Ride. This is the first ever TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con to be held in Southeast Asia.

Organised by branded play company, Hasbro, the TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con is a visually stunning exhibit celebrating the TRANSFORMERS brand which has taken the world by storm over the course of four decades, garnering a wide international fan following.

The bi-annual event aims to provide a platform for TRANSFORMERS fans from all over the world to unite and come together to collectively celebrate the love for the TRANSFORMERS brand with other lifelong fans and new fans alike. In addition to a colourful and interactive exhibition of stories, characters, art, action figures, and entertainment surrounding the TRANSFORMERS franchise, fans will also enjoy the ultimate TRANSFORMERS experience as they interact with, and meet the makers of the TRANSFORMERS franchise, as well as receive the latest news regarding the brand.

This is the second edition of the TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Convention with the inaugural convention held previously in Shanghai in 2010.

More on the TFCC 2012 info can be found at their official website, or you can also find them on their official Facebook page.

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LEon of Open The Toy also blogged about this event and our blog post formats are so similar (purely coincidental!).  He referred the organisers to me.  Thanks LEon!

Other local toy bloggers who have posted about this event are Katsuden, LittlePlasticMan, Shaun & desmond.  See you all there too!

I look forward to attending this exciting toy event next month.  Hope to see lots of local and overseas Transformers fans and collectors there too!  Happy waiting for TFCC 2012!

Following my blog post from yesterday about the recommended LEGO Star Wars sets for collectors wanting the main cast, here are some more other suggested LEGO Star Wars sets that are popular with fans and collectors of all ages.

I don’t have the retail prices at local departmental stores for now, but I suggest that local buyers source for cheaper alternatives online, than pay the exorbitant original retail prices for them.  Most LEGO Star Wars sets in Singapore are way overpriced.  The same ones in the US cost only around 60% of the sets we have here!!

So good luck to you if you have fallen by the wayside of this expensive toy collecting hobby!

LEGO Star Wars 9493 X-Wing Starfighter

Price to be posted soon

LEGO Star Wars 9492 TIE Fighter

Price to be posted soon

LEGO Star Wars 7956 Ewok Attack

Selling from SGD 30+ on Singapore ebay!

I was recently asked by a casual friend who intends to get some LEGO Star Wars sets for her son, who is a fan of the movies.  The boy’s favourite characters are the iconic ones like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and the 2 droids - R2-D2 and C-3PO.

My friend was astounded by the sheer variety of LEGO Star Wars sets currently available in the local departmental stores, and more so by their exorbitant retail prices there.  I told her that Stars Wars is a licensed LEGO series, and hence the higher prices for its sets, compared to other non-Star Wars LEGO sets of similar sizes.

I had suggested for her to buy the LEGO Star Wars minifigs loose from local collectible toys shops or LEGO shops if her boy mainly wanted the characters.  But she noted that her son also loved the iconic Star Wars vehicles, like the X-Wing Fighter, Millennium Falcon and the TIE Fighter.  And her son loves the LEGO Star Wars toys more than the Hasbro ones cos the minifigs are cuter.

With her & her son’s criterias, I recommended her to get the LEGO Star Wars 7965 Millennium Falcon, which contains main 2nd generation Star Wars characters like Luke Sky Walker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbecca, Obi-Wan Kenobi & Darth Vader.

For the 2 droids - R2-D2 and C-3PO, she can pick up the LEGO Star Wars 9490 Droid Escape. I don’t have the retail price for this set but it’s selling on Singapore ebay as well.  These 2 sets combined will allow her son to play out the various movie scenes from Star Wars Episode IV.

LEGO Star Wars 7965 Millennium Falcon

Retails for SGD 329.90 at local departmental stores.

Selling from SGD 210.00 & above on Singapore ebay!

LEGO Star Wars 9490 Droid Escape

Selling from SGD 40+ on Singapore ebay!

Actually liking and collecting Star Wars toys is a bottomless $$ pitfall for the many fans and collectors who have already fallen in.  If you can, stay clear of this particular toyline.  The same goes for parents whose children have already tripped in, or about to fall in.  My heart goes to you and your wallets.  Good luck!

Tomorrow will mark the start of the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, and what better way for Hasbro to cash in on the fans’ excitement by releasing a Transformers Dark of the Moon (DOTM) Ultimate Optimus Prime toy that is adorned with images of the Chinese Dragon on it!

It’s selling now at a discounted price at Singapore Toys ‘R’ Us (TRU) at SGD 139.90 (usual price at SGD 169.90).  Take a look at the multiple detailed photos of this toy in the video review above and see if this toy is to your liking.

For me I’m not keen on getting this limited edition of Optimus Prime, but for the completist DOTM toy collectors, this may be for you.  And with this, I wish everyone who celebrate Chinese New Year, a Happy and Prosperous Dragon New Year!!  Huat Ah!!!

Here’s an interesting article about the do’s and don’ts of toy collecting to share.  Actually I have covered most of the topics mentioned in the blog post, except for toy photography.  I’ve been keeping this in my browser bookmark for some time and here are the links:

“Toy collecting tips and tricks - part 1″

“Toy collecting tips and tricks - part 2″

Happy reading, and don’t go overboard with your toy collecting hobby!

There were many sessions of autograph signing by the various artists for their fans at the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) 2011 held at the Suntec Convention Centre last month:

Here is one of the queues on the first day.

This is the illustrator the fans were queuing to get autographs from.

And there he was signing away for his fans, plus stopping at times to pose for photographs with the fans’ upon their request.

This is another queue forming in the same section of the hall.

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And here is who the fans were queuing for.  Kipi is a famous cosplayer from Japan.

And her fans are delighted to have her at the STGCC 2011 that the queuing was worth it!  She also signed autographs for some of her fans who requested for it.

I still have some blog posts about the STGCC 2011 before I wrap up this series of blog posts about this event.  Read more about it my next post!

Let’s look at the attention grabbing Hot Toys booth at the recent Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) 2011 held at Suntec Convention Centre last month:

Just look at those eye catching images of the various famous comic book superheroes at the top of the Hot Toys booth!

Here’s the opposite side of the same booth, and the place was very crowded with visitors and fellow photographers too!

The Hot Toys on display were inevitably all protected within glass display cases, so it makes clear photography harder, especially with poor overall lighting in the convention hall.

I hope you can make out what figures and diorama are on display.  If I recall correctly, this one’s based on the movie “Alien”.

This diorama has a drunk looking unmasked Ironman sitting dazed in a giant “doughnut”, while his nemesis Whiplash surveys the damages he has done.

The sleek and cool looking Batmobile belonging to Batman.

Batman (on top of some wreckage) vs The Joker (sorry can’t see his face).

I think this one’s based on Lora Craft, correct me if I’m wrong.  She seems to be fighting off some zombie thugs.  Some of them appear to be groping her too.  I don’t think this is an appropriate scene to display at a convention where children can attend for free on the last day.

This guy’s missing half his face.  I wonder what’s with the obsession of people with gore (& violence) these days?  Some of these fans tell me it’s the attention to details that they appreciate in these things.  Then is it implied that beautiful things have no details at all!?  I wonder…

There were some more Hot Toys photos that I took but they didn’t turn out well due to the glass reflection and dim lighting.  Overall the convention hall is much darker this year.  My photo of the main stage was merely a patch of darkness, LOL!

I’ll cover more of the STGCC 2011 in my next blog post!

Here are some more photos I took at the recent Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) 2011, that took place at Suntec Convention Centre last weekend:

The booth belonging to Play Imaginative, selling and showcasing their various designer toys,

…such as Designer Mickey Mouse (or rather Mickey Mice);

… Carebears Keychains;

… with a lovely rainbow and clouds back drop for the cute little bears;

… Zodiac set of 12 animals (sorry for the blurry pic, poor lighting);

… a pair of cute piggy banks;

… more Disney character figurines on display;

… Gloomy the Naughty Grizzly (w/a rather “bloody” back drop);

… & last but not least, some iPhone cases printed with popular designer toy characters on them!

I believe all the above items on display at the STGCC could still be available for sale after the convention at Play Imaginative (@ SCAPE).

Happy toys admiring and collecting!