23 replies to this topic

[bored kid93]

Does anyone think that Hasbro employees are viewing our forums, and using our ideas ? I mean, once we come up with a good idea, it seems that Hasbro uses a similar idea a few weeks later.

[One Man Clan]

Does anyone think that Hasbro employees are viewing our forums, and using our ideas ? I mean, once we come up with a good idea, it seems that Hasbro uses a similar idea a few weeks later.

What do you mean, "using our ideas a few weeks later?" Can you give me a specific example?

Do I really need to explain the relationship this community has with the folks at Hasbro, AGAIN?

[telekinetic]

Does anyone think that Hasbro employees are viewing our forums, and using our ideas ? I mean, once we come up with a good idea, it seems that Hasbro uses a similar idea a few weeks later.

What kind of crack are you smoking? Link me to one fresh idea that Hasbro has used 'a few weeks later'...better, link me to one fresh Idea Hasbro has had (mechanically) in the last 2-3 years.

Hasbro has plenty of designers and engineers. I'm sure they browse the forum occasionally (I would if I worked there), and I know they correspond with several of the forum's staff, but...steal ideas?


edit: damn...shouldn't have taken the time to type the 'designers and engineers' bit...would have beaten him to the post.

Edited by telekinetic, 20 August 2007 - 02:43 PM.

[Thom]

Plus, ideas don't belong to anyone in the first place. If Hasbro sees a good one, why shouldn't they use it?

[SHADOW HUNTER ALPHA]

Plus, ideas don't belong to anyone in the first place. If Hasbro sees a good one, why shouldn't they use it?

I'm not sure you'd want to start that with some of us. I get pissed every time someone takes my ideas. (Although if they credit me with the original design or work, I will back off. I just want to be asked first.)

Plus, we know that Hasbro representatives and other employees take time to view the forums on occassion, but they don't copy what we do. We aren't their niche market, and their PR will suffer if they suddenly come out with designs like the realistic-looking carbines or the in-planning heavy weapons we have. Even if they did, we still have links with their corporation that would tell us ahead of time, and already inform us of every new release.

Edited by SHADOW HUNTER ALPHA, 20 August 2007 - 03:01 PM.

[shadowkid33]

Personally, I'd be happy if Hasbro took ideas from the forums and used them. Mabye then we'd some GOOD, ORIGINAL new guns. Not stupid nitefinder remakes.

[Maeric]

Do I really need to explain the relationship this community has with the folks at Hasbro, AGAIN?

Please?

I agree. They may have engineers, but hey, i was one told that kids are more imaginative than adults!
Its possible, but it wouldn't be "spying" because this a public site.

[telekinetic]

I agree. They may have engineers, but hey, i was one told that kids are more imaginative than adults!
Its possible, but it wouldn't be "spying" because this a public site.

You were lied to.

/engineer

Want to see the face of Nerf engineering?

http://www.advance.u...007/story04.htm

[One Man Clan]

Wow, never saw that before. Amanda is a friend of mine I met through Hasbro. Just recently she left the company to pursue other opportunities. That is a good article though.

[telekinetic]

Wow, never saw that before. Amanda is a friend of mine I met through Hasbro. Just recently she left the company to pursue other opportunities. That is a good article though.

Yeah, I found it when I was poking out of curiousity for 'Hasbro Mechanical Engineer' job listings Apparently she had a whole spot on some television show about her as well.

http://pbskids.org/d...ideo_clips.html

There's a download link if you want to watch it.

Edit: Wow, I think I accidently made this thread worthwhile.

Edited by telekinetic, 20 August 2007 - 09:57 PM.

[bored kid93]

I don't know about you guys, but I think the longshot kind of seems similar to the F.A.R, in concept and function, except for a few tweaks in the feeding system . And no, I don't smoke crack. Just because I have a thought, it doesn't mean everyone absolutely has to start bashing it. I'm just wondering if anyone has thought about it too. I just don't 100% always agree with the way Hasbro does things. Once they make a fortune off something, they start making the same old product, but in different colors, and eventually just shut it all down after a few years. I don't think this will happen to Nerf though, due to the immense popularity.

[One Man Clan]

I don't know about you guys, but I think the longshot kind of seems similar to the F.A.R, in concept and function, except for a few tweaks in the feeding system . And no, I don't smoke crack. Just because I have a thought, it doesn't mean everyone absolutely has to start bashing it. I'm just wondering if anyone has thought about it too. I just don't 100% always agree with the way Hasbro does things. Once they make a fortune off something, they start making the same old product, but in different colors, and eventually just shut it all down after a few years. I don't think this will happen to Nerf though, due to the immense popularity.

Where do I begin...

1) The Longshot was in development stages before Bolt loser posted his first THOUGHTS about the FAR. It has over 2 years behind it before it was ever even a working model. I seriously doubt anyone here short of myself, Groove, and Talio really understand what is behind making the blasters we know and love.

2) We are not bashing your idea (well, kinda). It's really the way you presented it. It just came off a little ignorant to me. This site and others just like it (ie, Nerf Online and Nerf Center) have been around for a long ass time. NC used to get information direct from Hasbro/Larami back in the day if I remember correctly. It would have been one thing if you were just asking if anyone had contact with Hasbro. Offering the idea that they are "stealing" ideas from us is just so out there it's a little ridiculous.

3) NO ONE EVER agrees with Hasbro 100% Again, this falls under the category of not knowing what goes into a blaster and why they can't make ones that shoot like a well modded crossbow out of the box. It would be great for us, but the one kid's parents that sues the company destroys our hobby. In addition, in my repeated visits to the company HQ in Rhode Island, I have told them numerous times what I DO NOT like about certain guns. I have ripped apart design and function in front of high level executives. And they expect it. IT's not always going to be pure love with everything.

4) Making the same thing in different colors is a blessing in the case of the Nite Finder. We have had access to a solid spring pistol for a number of years now. If it's popular, why kill it? Along with those of us who buy them, they are dealing with retail buyers who want specific products for their shelves. The intricacies of this relationship are vast and it would take quite a while to explain them. Just know that there are other factors involved and while it may look like a recast of the same gun in a different color (and it is), at the same time its much more than that.

In closing, just realize that there are so many more factors in every decision Hasbro makes. Often times, certain decisions do not affect the end user (ie, us). I wish I could go into more of this relationship stuff, but I need to know what I can and cannot talk about, even if Hasbro is a publicly traded company.

EDIT:
Ease up there yourface.

[bored kid93]

Ok, this topic is starting to get out of hand. Chill guys, I don't know as much about the history of Nerf as some of you guys, I don't work for Hasbro, and don't know anyone who does. I love this website and Nerf, but I mean Nerf is Nerf, but we shouldn't all start fighting over it . Everyone has opinions, and my opinion has changed about some things after reading some posts. I shouldn't have started this topic.

[Pineapple]

Ok, this topic is starting to get out of hand. Chill guys, I don't know as much about the history of Nerf as some of you guys....

Don't worry. We can tell who does and doesn't know what's going on with Nerf just by reading the posts in the thread.

I shouldn't have started this topic.

Some of these post threads draw out those who really have no clue. Other than OMC, everyone who posted here joined after 2005. Practically everyone who joined before 2007 is pretty much aware of the Hasbro/NH relationship, and hence they don't comment.

Everyone has opinions, and my opinion has changed about some things after reading some posts.

In this instance, this in and of itself makes your post worthwhile.


You know what the funny thing is about a fairly large number of the members we haven't suspended yet? Some of the most ungrateful members are the ones who discovered Nerf, during the N-Strike/ Dart Tag days.

Before that, look at the AirTech, SuperMaxx, and Max Force blasters. Few of them had a "real gun" feel to them, except maybe the Lock N' Load and the Crossbow. Nowadays, y'alls got the Longshot, and all those pistols with a feel of a "real gun", even slides (Scout/Crossfire). And you know what? The younger, newer members only keep saying "more, more, more". Or worse, "Hasbro stole MY IDEA."


I sure hope you change your attitudes before you grow up because life is going to knock your dick in the dirt if you keep that up.

[One Man Clan]

This topic was definitely worth starting. It gave me a place to explain to those who were unaware just how good they have it. It was not a stupid idea to bring it up, but like I said in my previous post, it's a little ignorant to call it "idea stealing" without thinking it through. Now you have the tools to stay well informed.

[shadowkid33]

I have a few qestions for you if you'd like to answer them, they are highlighted in red. I hope none of them will be too in-depth, because I do realize that there is classified information you aren't alowed to share with us.

In addition, in my repeated visits to the company HQ in Rhode Island, I have told them numerous times what I DO NOT like about certain guns. I have ripped apart design and function in front of high level executives. And they expect it. IT's not always going to be pure love with everything.

What exactly are those things which you do not like about the blaster?


4) Making the same thing in different colors is a blessing in the case of the Nite Finder. We have had access to a solid spring pistol for a number of years now. If it's popular, why kill it? Along with those of us who buy them, they are dealing with retail buyers who want specific products for their shelves. The intricacies of this relationship are vast and it would take quite a while to explain them. Just know that there are other factors involved and while it may look like a recast of the same gun in a different color (and it is), at the same time its much more than that.

I understand the points that are being made here, but what I do not understand is why we need 3 seperate spring pistols which are all very similar in function (TTG, NF, Disk Shot). All of these but the nitefinder are sold in a kit with a supplied game (target, skeet shooter), is the reason they do this because they aren't making enough money just selling blasters that they need a game to sell the product (sorry if it came off like this question was rude, I don't intend for it to sound that way.)?

Thanks in advance.

Edited by shadowkid33, 23 August 2007 - 05:58 PM.

[telekinetic]

I have a few qestions for you if you'd like to answer them, they are highlighted in red. I hope none of them will be too in-depth, because I do realize that there is classified information you aren't alowed to share with us.

In addition, in my repeated visits to the company HQ in Rhode Island, I have told them numerous times what I DO NOT like about certain guns. I have ripped apart design and function in front of high level executives. And they expect it. IT's not always going to be pure love with everything.

What exactly are those things which you do not like about the blaster?


4) Making the same thing in different colors is a blessing in the case of the Nite Finder. We have had access to a solid spring pistol for a number of years now. If it's popular, why kill it? Along with those of us who buy them, they are dealing with retail buyers who want specific products for their shelves. The intricacies of this relationship are vast and it would take quite a while to explain them. Just know that there are other factors involved and while it may look like a recast of the same gun in a different color (and it is), at the same time its much more than that.

I understand the points that are being made here, but what I do not understand is why we need 3 seperate spring pistols which are all very similar in function (TTG, NF, Disk Shot). All of these but the nitefinder are sold in a kit with a supplied game (target, skeet shooter), is the reason they do this because they aren't making enough money just selling blasters that they need a game to sell the product (sorry if it came off like this question was rude, I don't intend for it to sound that way.)?

Thanks in advance.

I would assume that games add value without adding much cost, thus increasing profit margins.

[Lynx]

I would assume that games add value without adding much cost, thus increasing profit margins.



Yeah, old product with a 10 cent face lift of plastic/cardboard cut outs for targets. Companies have done it forever with BAD products but now when they do it with good products it becomes AWESOME!

[Thom]

Well, the target is really a new product as opposed to an add-on. I see it more as a "neat-o target that comes with a gun" than the other way around..

[zaphodB]

OMC: When you criticized the design aspects of certain guns, what, if anything, came of it?

[frost vectron]

Before that, look at the AirTech, SuperMaxx, and Max Force blasters. Few of them had a "real gun" feel to them, except maybe the Lock N' Load and the Crossbow. Nowadays, y'alls got the Longshot, and all those pistols with a feel of a "real gun", even slides (Scout/Crossfire). And you know what? The younger, newer members only keep saying "more, more, more". Or worse, "Hasbro stole MY IDEA."


I sure hope you change your attitudes before you grow up because life is going to knock your dick in the dirt if you keep that up.

Amen Pineapple. I pretty much grew up in the Max Force line of guns. I caught the tail-end of the Nerf Action line and the Rip Rockets line.

I mean, come on. Holding gators and rattlersnake tails to fling darts at each other? The N-Strike set shows how far Nerf has moved along over the years.

[TimberwolfCY]

I also have to agree with both Pineapple and OMC here.

Stinging Scarab, anyone...?