Prototypes on eBay
Back in September strange looking Robots in Disguise prototype figures started showing up on eBay from a seller named "proto_year." Auctions were posted for quite a few different Transformers prototypes. Some of them included basic sized figures of RiD Ultra Magnus, Optimus Prime and Scourge. These smaller figures had limited features and articulation. Others included larger-size prototypes of a Generation 1 Jazz, Beast Machines Night Slash Cheetor and Beast Machines Strika.
Proto_Year
Besides Transformers, proto_year, who's eBay account has since been de-activated, sold other prototype action figures as well. Dozens maybe hundreds of them, including Start Wars, GI Joe, Planet of the Apes, Action Man and many more. An amazing collection of very rare items to say the least. Collectables like these don't just appear every day. Someone with so many, of what looked like well-made, prototypes was obliviously well connected. Making it hard to discount these as being clones or something else.
Speculation is particularly high on what the basic sized prototypes were for. Sites like
BWTF.com posed an explanation that these could be connected to a rumored McDonalds Kids Meal promotion. Transformers' news groups and message boards buzzed with talk about the new figures.
Hasbro
To confuse things even further, Hasbro published a list of future releases intended for the RiD toy catalog. The list included descriptions of what seem to be basic versions of the larger size show characters but without the actual names attached to them. this is probably due to Hasbro not actually knowing all the characters' names at the time. The catalog lists only "tanker truck", "fire engine" and "car carrier" for the figure types. These items *might* explain and/or be the prototype images for basic version of Scourge, Optimus and Ultra Magnus. However this theory doesn't explain the existence of the other figures.
Wave 4
The announcement of the RiD Wave 4 figures does verify earlier rumors of Optimus, Scourge and Ultra Magnus in basic figure versions. The question still lingers. What could these other prototypes be for? The prototype images we've gathered from "proto_year" that have not been announced for release yet include:
- RiD Basic X-Brawn
- RiD Basic Side Burn
- RiD Basic Ironhide
- Basic Black Porsche (?)
- Deluxe G1 Jazz
We'll have to wait to see the Wave 4 figures to know if the basic Optimus figure matches with one in the prototype photo. If so, it should easier to guess if there is any correlation with the other figures. Then again, they cold just be what some of proto_year's auctions suggested. They are simply cancelled figures what we're never intended to be released.
RiD Basic Prototype Images
images used with permission of the owner proto_year
Robots In Disguise / Figures
