Hero Factory 2012

[M-B-W]

I wonder why they put 6-packs?

Robots don't have muscles, and the look weird anyhow.

[Aanchir]

I wonder why they put 6-packs?

Robots don't have muscles, and the look weird anyhow.

Robots don't have muscles? I think Robonaut would like a word with you...

In all seriousness, the argument "They're robots; they don't need X" is one that I find extremely tiresome. You could argue that being robots, they don't need human voices, or they don't need to speak a human language, or they don't need mouths, or they don't even need to be humanoid. But frankly, they're designed so that humans can identify with them, because even though humans don't play a significant role in the storyline, the theme itself has a human audience. And since anthropomorphic robots have been popular in fiction for years and years, it's a bit silly to argue that having armor that resembles abdominal muscles stretches the bounds of plausibility.

In a more direct answer to the question, the presence of a six-pack could have something to do with the fact that the torso's also being used for the "ultrabuild" Iron Man in the Super Heroes theme. Or it could be just because the designers thought it looked cool.

[Toa Mark Surge]

Robots don't have muscles? I think Robonaut would like a word with you...

In all seriousness, the argument "They're robots; they don't need X" is one that I find extremely tiresome. You could argue that being robots, they don't need human voices, or they don't need to speak a human language, or they don't need mouths, or they don't even need to be humanoid. But frankly, they're designed so that humans can identify with them, because even though humans don't play a significant role in the storyline, the theme itself has a human audience. And since anthropomorphic robots have been popular in fiction for years and years, it's a bit silly to argue that having armor that resembles abdominal muscles stretches the bounds of plausibility.

In a more direct answer to the question, the presence of a six-pack could have something to do with the fact that the torso's also being used for the "ultrabuild" Iron Man in the Super Heroes theme. Or it could be just because the designers thought it looked cool.

I'd prefer to not think about all the details like robots having six packs, I just think it's cool to see them in a non-human way, or the way a young child would see them. Do you think that a child would be thinking about a six-pack on a robot?

[Phantoka Kopaka Nuva]

I'd prefer to not think about all the details like robots having six packs, I just think it's cool to see them in a non-human way, or the way a young child would see them. Do you think that a child would be thinking about a six-pack on a robot?

Well, a six-pack is something a child would see in Superman, Batman and a lot of male superheroes.

It's not like this is the first time robots have six-pack. Terminator anyone???

[Aanchir]

I'd prefer to not think about all the details like robots having six packs, I just think it's cool to see them in a non-human way, or the way a young child would see them. Do you think that a child would be thinking about a six-pack on a robot?

No, but I don't think they'd be losing sleep over it either. Kids will probably accept that they're robots that superficially resemble people and leave it at that. They won't be worried about whether the parts that resemble people like mouths or muscle-shaped armor serve any functional purpose. Do kids worry about why robots in the Mega Man series tend to resemble humans so closely?

[ice dragon]

If there's going to be a TV episode, I wonder how the heroes will look before there upgrade. I'm guessing 2.0, since some of the heroes didn't get a 3.0 version. It would be impractical to have heroes running around in animal armor to missions that don't require it.

[Phantoka Kopaka Nuva]

If there's going to be a TV episode, I wonder how the heroes will look before there upgrade. I'm guessing 2.0, since some of the heroes didn't get a 3.0 version. It would be impractical to have heroes running around in animal armor to missions that don't require it.

Or they'll just slap in random animal helmets for 2.0 versions of Breez, Surge and Evo and call them 3.0. It worked for Bulk and Stringer.

[Toa Mark Surge]

Or they'll just slap in random animal helmets for 2.0 versions of Breez, Surge and Evo and call them 3.0. It worked for Bulk and Stringer.

I'm not sure, but maybe. It was cool to see 2.0 Bulk and Stringer I want to see what Surge would look like as a 3.0 Set. What do you guys think?

[Tanma]

I'm not sure, but maybe. It was cool to see 2.0 Bulk and Stringer I want to see what Surge would look like as a 3.0 Set. What do you guys think?

I am a little interested in seeing those three as 3.0 characters, as I still don't understand why Breez wasn't one originally. She has a bond with life and can speak to creatures, I am pretty sure that would be useful on a jungle planet.

[Omicron Squad Leader]

If there's going to be a TV episode, I wonder how the heroes will look before there upgrade. I'm guessing 2.0, since some of the heroes didn't get a 3.0 version. It would be impractical to have heroes running around in animal armor to missions that don't require it.

Like you said, I'm pretty sure they'll be 2.0. The 2.0 upgrade wasn't specific to the Ordeal of Fire mission, but 3.0 was specifically designed for Quatros' environment. Think about it, the 3.0 upgrade didn't necessarily make them more powerful, it just ALTERED their abilities to that of different animals. What would be the point of, for example, Evo looking like a Bee, Breez like a Snake and Surge like a Fish right in the middle of Makuhero City? It wouldn't exactly help them adapt or blend in to their surroundings. There's a reason why there wasn't a press conference or TV report for the 3.0 upgrade; it wasn't half as drastic, and only specific to one mission. I do expect them to keep their Breakout upgrades, though, they are not themed at all.

[Aanchir]

Like you said, I'm pretty sure they'll be 2.0. The 2.0 upgrade wasn't specific to the Ordeal of Fire mission, but 3.0 was specifically designed for Quatros' environment. Think about it, the 3.0 upgrade didn't necessarily make them more powerful, it just ALTERED their abilities to that of different animals. What would be the point of, for example, Evo looking like a Bee, Breez like a Snake and Surge like a Fish right in the middle of Makuhero City? It wouldn't exactly help them adapt or blend in to their surroundings. There's a reason why there wasn't a press conference or TV report for the 3.0 upgrade; it wasn't half as drastic, and only specific to one mission. I do expect them to keep their Breakout upgrades, though, they are not themed at all.

To be fair, there wouldn't necessarily have been a press conference or TV report on the 3.0 version even if it were rolled out for all heroes. The reason the 2.0 upgrade was noteworthy at all was because it was the first time Hero Factory had used the upgrade process at all. You might get a press conference with your local police department if they introduce a motorcycle police division; you're not as likely to get one every time the city purchases a new model of motorcycle for them to use.

I don't think it will be necessary to show 3.0 versions of Breez, Evo, and Surge, not because of any storyline reasons but rather because unlike with Bulk and Stringer in Savage Planet, 2.0 heroes won't look out-of-place next to 3.0 heroes, and so I can't think of any reason the animators would feel a need to create new headgear for those three.

Keep in mind that this is an animation studio that has so far been quite efficient with reusing already-rendered models for older versions of characters-- Bulk and Stringer both just had their 3.0 models with 2.0 helmets and name badges, while Rocka used design elements from the three heroes who didn't appear in Savage Planet (Evo 2.0's weapon and headgear that was a blend of that in Breez and Surge 2.0). Modified versions of existing characters have also been used for non-set characters in all three waves-- Daniela Capricorn is a recolored Lucy with different hair, Thresher is a recolored Bulk with a sonic boom weapon, etc.

I don't think the animation team is going to be making custom helmet designs for Breez, Surge, and Evo in any eventuality, so either they'll be given arbitrary pre-existing 3.0 helmets and weapons (presumably based on 3.0 characters not appearing in the episode) or they'll be shown in their 2.0 forms. I anticipate the latter just by virtue of it being less work and wasted time for the animators. Plus, the lack of version numbers for the latest version basically eliminates any implication that those three would be "skipping a version" to get the newest upgrade.

Alternatively (and this is not what I expect, only what I think would be a cool possibility), when being assigned their new mission, Zib/Makuro/whoever could tell Furno and folks something along the lines of "While you were on your last mission, your teammates Breez, Surge and Evo tested a new upgrade process that allows for *insert technobabble here*." Cue those three walking into the room and posing, already in their new forms. Not only does that prevent any odd juxtaposition of 2.0 and 3.0 heroes, it would cut the time needed to show the "upgrade sequence" in half while still presenting the new set designs to the audience quite dramatically.

EDIT: Corrected Hero mix-up pointed out by Vinyl Scratch.

Edited October 8, 2011 by Aanchir

[Vinyl Scratch]

Evo used design elements from the three heroes who didn't appear in Savage Planet (Evo 2.0's weapon and headgear that was a blend of that in Breez and Surge 2.0).

Wasn't it Rocka?

[Toa Mark Surge]

To be fair, there wouldn't necessarily have been a press conference or TV report on the 3.0 version even if it were rolled out for all heroes. The reason the 2.0 upgrade was noteworthy at all was because it was the first time Hero Factory had used the upgrade process at all. You might get a press conference with your local police department if they introduce a motorcycle police division; you're not as likely to get one every time the city purchases a new model of motorcycle for them to use.

I don't think it will be necessary to show 3.0 versions of Breez, Evo, and Surge, not because of any storyline reasons but rather because unlike with Bulk and Stringer in Savage Planet, 2.0 heroes won't look out-of-place next to 3.0 heroes, and so I can't think of any reason the animators would feel a need to create new headgear for those three.

Keep in mind that this is an animation studio that has so far been quite efficient with reusing already-rendered models for older versions of characters-- Bulk and Stringer both just had their 3.0 models with 2.0 helmets and name badges, while Evo used design elements from the three heroes who didn't appear in Savage Planet (Evo 2.0's weapon and headgear that was a blend of that in Breez and Surge 2.0). Modified versions of existing characters have also been used for non-set characters in all three waves-- Daniela Capricorn is a recolored Lucy with different hair, Thresher is a recolored Bulk with a sonic boom weapon, etc.

I don't think the animation team is going to be making custom helmet designs for Breez, Surge, and Evo in any eventuality, so either they'll be given arbitrary pre-existing 3.0 helmets and weapons (presumably based on 3.0 characters not appearing in the episode) or they'll be shown in their 2.0 forms. I anticipate the latter just by virtue of it being less work and wasted time for the animators. Plus, the lack of version numbers for the latest version basically eliminates any implication that those three would be "skipping a version" to get the newest upgrade.

Alternatively (and this is not what I expect, only what I think would be a cool possibility), when being assigned their new mission, Zib/Makuro/whoever could tell Furno and folks something along the lines of "While you were on your last mission, your teammates Breez, Surge and Evo tested a new upgrade process that allows for *insert technobabble here*." Cue those three walking into the room and posing, already in their new forms. Not only does that prevent any odd juxtaposition of 2.0 and 3.0 heroes, it would cut the time needed to show the "upgrade sequence" in half while still presenting the new set designs to the audience quite dramatically.

Possibly. Maybe the other three Heroes went to Quatros for a clean-up mission, who knows.

[Omicron Squad Leader]

To be fair, there wouldn't necessarily have been a press conference or TV report on the 3.0 version even if it were rolled out for all heroes. The reason the 2.0 upgrade was noteworthy at all was because it was the first time Hero Factory had used the upgrade process at all. You might get a press conference with your local police department if they introduce a motorcycle police division; you're not as likely to get one every time the city purchases a new model of motorcycle for them to use.

That makes sense, although I still doubt the upgrade was rolled out to anyone other than Rocka, Nex, Stormer, Bulk, Stringer and Furno. The animal powers would only be of any use on a select number of missions, plus, Zib did say in 'Savage Planet' "We've prepared some unique armour and weaponry to help". To me, 'unique' definitely gives off the impression that the upgrade was UNIQUE to and specialised for the Quatros mission. He also didn't seem to regard it of any more importance than the fitting of Furno's acid-resistant armour in 'Core Crisis'. Just my thoughts.

[MakutaNocturn]

Guys! I found sth awesome. If you posted it, I'm sorry. On brickset there are few names for HF sets. And there is... OVERLORDE!!! We haven't seen him yet.

[Mr. Gundam]

Guys! I found sth awesome. If you posted it, I'm sorry. On brickset there are few names for HF sets. And there is... OVERLORDE!!! We haven't seen him yet.

Well thats weird

Rocka, Overlorde, Splitface, and Furno are he only ones listed

[Omicron Squad Leader]

Guys! I found sth awesome. If you posted it, I'm sorry. On brickset there are few names for HF sets. And there is... OVERLORDE!!! We haven't seen him yet.

'Overlorde' is Black Phantom; their set numbers are the same, and they never appear alongside each other. I really hope his name will be 'Black Phantom' in the final version, I much prefer it.

[Aanchir]

Wasn't it Rocka?

A-durr. Thanks for correcting my silly mistake. Can't believe I didn't notice that myself.

Well thats weird

Rocka, Overlorde, Splitface, and Furno are he only ones listed

The ones Brickset has listed are the ones that were listed on the Barnes and Noble website without confidential pics, so it's possible that the smaller heroes and villains were not yet listed. Although then one would think Breez would have been there... so I dunno. Maybe either Brickset or Barnes and Noble was just inconsistent

[ice dragon]

I'm hoping the 1.0 helmets are just placeholders.

[Dorek]

It is possible that they will be, but I'd much prefer the 1.0 helmets (in 2.0 styles). It's nice to have things brought full circle, to have the characters more properly identifiable (even Evo has those nice grates on the side of his face that resemble his 2.0 headgear).

Also, Overlorde? I could get used to that as a name. I've always liked the term. If it is a VN+Fire Lord combo, all the better =P.

[Vinyl Scratch]

Also, Overlorde? I could get used to that as a name. I've always liked the term. If it is a VN+Fire Lord combo, all the better =P.

This.

Sounds like a Sonic the Hedgehog villain.

[Sid Sidious]

Gotta cuff 'em all!

I think black phantom looks kind of cool, but a bit too sparse. The other 3 villains look all right. I'm not really exited about the heroes.

[The Crazy One]

So, Lego, an all black villain, a gunmetal villain, a white villain, and now another black one. Remember colour? It's lovely when you use it.

[Dorek]

So, Lego, an all black villain, a gunmetal villain, a white villain, and now another black one. Remember colour? It's lovely when you use it.

Color is for Heroes, silly. But realistically, each of these guys has plenty of color; Von Nebula less so than others, but even he has his moments of blue (and looks rather dashing with a blue Hero 2.0 core on him, but I digress). Witch Doctor has tons of red, and Fire Lord's entire skeleton had orange on it. Even with the dominant color being darker (which is used as a good identifier of their status as villains), they still have tons of color, and BP (/Overlorde? Need an official name sooner or later, or this'll get confusing) is no exception. I'm hoping that's Metru red on him, but it's probably just regular red, not to mention the green bits and his cute white critter launcher.

[The Crazy One]

Color is for Heroes, silly. But realistically, each of these guys has plenty of color; Von Nebula less so than others, but even he has his moments of blue (and looks rather dashing with a blue Hero 2.0 core on him, but I digress). Witch Doctor has tons of red, and Fire Lord's entire skeleton had orange on it. Even with the dominant color being darker (which is used as a good identifier of their status as villains), they still have tons of color, and BP (/Overlorde? Need an official name sooner or later, or this'll get confusing) is no exception. I'm hoping that's Metru red on him, but it's probably just regular red, not to mention the green bits and his cute white critter launcher.

Fair enough point, but I'm not changing my stance that I think the main villains should have more vibrant primary colours.