|
|
Post by late2theparty on Sept 23, 2016 3:37:19 GMT -7
Periodically I will run across something online concerning the reaction of today's kids to Teddy Ruxpin. And it usually will state that with all the computer games and tech stuff out today, kids just have no interest in him. A few months back my niece was visiting and brought along her Teddy for me to fix. It was an easy repair so back in her hands quickly and in time to see how the great nieces would react. They were fascinated. A couple of weeks back I gave a Teddy I had repaired to a friend who has young grandchildren. I really was not certain how these children would react to Teddy so only provided a few tapes with the promise of more if they liked him. Yesterday I received a message recounting the kid's statements after seeing him in action....
The 6 year old - "He's a cutie."
The 4 year old - "He's so sweet."
The 2 year old (who is rather stoic in his reactions) - "Yeah!!!!!"
A small sampling, but one that would indicate there is still magic in Teddy Ruxpin!
|
|
|
|
Post by DollyPrince on Sept 23, 2016 17:03:52 GMT -7
Well, the new Teddy Ruxpin is being released in 2017. Likely with an accompanying app, or something of the sort. I do hope they leave the design and functions alone. Especially looking at your example, I don't think that will hurt.
While I have a little more hope in this new Teddy than I previously did, honestly, I am still a bit worried.
For example the new Furby, while quite popular, most certainly does not have the magic or the cuteness of the original. The Furby Connect is just terrible, as it depends too much on the app and references pop culture way too much..
While Wicked Cool Toys is not as large or prolific a company as Hasbro, I still worry that Teddy Ruxpin will undergo the same treatment.
An ugly Teddy Ruxpin with LCD eyes and annoying references (ala Furby) would not be something I would want, now or as a child.
But, I don't really have a say. It all comes to what sells....
|
|
|
|
Post by illiopmom on Sept 23, 2016 19:56:10 GMT -7
I try to have the best hope for it that I can, that's pretty much all we can do.
|
|
|
|
Post by late2theparty on Sept 24, 2016 3:25:02 GMT -7
The tech fascination which is so common in the industry today does give pause for concerns that the new Teddy will be mucked up by going too far with computerization, requiring other compromises that will cheapen the result in the end. While I hope I'm wrong, I anticipate another miniaturized Teddy that simply will not measure up to the original WoW Teddies in appearance or animatronics.
|
|
|
|
Post by DollyPrince on Sept 24, 2016 5:14:04 GMT -7
I agree that at best, the new Teddy will probably be reminiscent of the Backpack Toys Teddy.
I do hope they change that single motor design. Single motor Teddies cannot blink their eyes while they are talking, which looks cheap and unrealistic. The later versions of Teddy are rather cute, but the animation is frankly terrible.
I can almost guarantee we will not see anything like the 1st gen WoW Teddies, whose 3 servo motors allowed them to articulate their mouth movements in a rather lifelike manner. Today's toys just are not such good quality.
|
|
|
|
Post by BabyEinstein204 on Sept 25, 2016 5:12:16 GMT -7
Well, the new Teddy Ruxpin is being released in 2017. Likely with an accompanying app, or something of the sort. I do hope they leave the design and functions alone. Especially looking at your example, I don't think that will hurt. While I have a little more hope in this new Teddy than I previously did, honestly, I am still a bit worried. For example the new Furby, while quite popular, most certainly does not have the magic or the cuteness of the original. The Furby Connect is just terrible, as it depends too much on the app and references pop culture way too much.. While Wicked Cool Toys is not as large or prolific a company as Hasbro, I still worry that Teddy Ruxpin will undergo the same treatment. An ugly Teddy Ruxpin with LCD eyes and annoying references (ala Furby) would not be something I would want, now or as a child. But, I don't really have a say. It all comes to what sells....  |
|
|
|
Post by DollyPrince on Sept 25, 2016 7:20:53 GMT -7
Oh goodness, I can already tell this new Teddy Ruxpin will be tiny and cheaply made. But he does look rather cute. Although he looks very young. More like Baby Teddy than any of the other versions, which might not fit very well considering Phil Baron's voice has gotten a bit deeper.
The only issue I have with this concept art is, the eyes. Teddy's eyes were always brown, that is part of the character. As unique as the blue-eyed custom Teddys look, it just isn't the same character.
I do not understand why they would change the eye colour.. Unless.. Unless he has LCD eyes, in that case blue might look slightly more natural. The eyes look suspiciously like Furby Connect eyes.
Well, an eye colour change is not really that big of a problem. I just hope they will not use LCD eyes.
On an optimistic note, one upgrade I would love to see is the ability to wirelessly connect with Grubby. Grubby has not been released since the very first version of Teddy Ruxpin, and I think if this new Teddy is any good, Grubby deserves a comeback.
|
|
|
|
Post by BabyEinstein204 on Sept 25, 2016 18:53:26 GMT -7
Oh goodness, I can already tell this new Teddy Ruxpin will be tiny and cheaply made. But he does look rather cute. Although he looks very young. More like Baby Teddy than any of the other versions, which might not fit very well considering Phil Baron's voice has gotten a bit deeper. The only issue I have with this concept art is, the eyes. Teddy's eyes were always brown, that is part of the character. As unique as the blue-eyed custom Teddys look, it just isn't the same character. I do not understand why they would change the eye colour.. Unless.. Unless he has LCD eyes, in that case blue might look slightly more natural. The eyes look suspiciously like Furby Connect eyes. Well, an eye colour change is not really that big of a problem. I just hope they will not use LCD eyes. On an optimistic note, one upgrade I would love to see is the ability to wirelessly connect with Grubby. Grubby has not been released since the very first version of Teddy Ruxpin, and I think if this new Teddy is any good, Grubby deserves a comeback.
|
|
|
|
Post by DollyPrince on Sept 25, 2016 19:33:03 GMT -7
Oh goodness, I can already tell this new Teddy Ruxpin will be tiny and cheaply made. But he does look rather cute. Although he looks very young. More like Baby Teddy than any of the other versions, which might not fit very well considering Phil Baron's voice has gotten a bit deeper. The only issue I have with this concept art is, the eyes. Teddy's eyes were always brown, that is part of the character. As unique as the blue-eyed custom Teddys look, it just isn't the same character. I do not understand why they would change the eye colour.. Unless.. Unless he has LCD eyes, in that case blue might look slightly more natural. The eyes look suspiciously like Furby Connect eyes. Well, an eye colour change is not really that big of a problem. I just hope they will not use LCD eyes. On an optimistic note, one upgrade I would love to see is the ability to wirelessly connect with Grubby. Grubby has not been released since the very first version of Teddy Ruxpin, and I think if this new Teddy is any good, Grubby deserves a comeback.
I did not say Teddy's voice will change. They will use the same voice actor. I just thought the facial design looked a bit too childlike, hence the comparison to Baby Teddy. If new content is recorded, it is likely the more minor characters' voice actors will change (such as Prince Arin, Princess Aruzia, Leota etc). I am not sure how many of the old voice actors would still reprise their roles today, but I am pretty sure Phil Baron will. Gimmick's voice actor will definitely be different, because the original voice actor has sadly passed away. I do hope Will Ryan returns as Grubby. I really don't see anyone else playing that role. |
|
|
|
Post by late2theparty on Sept 26, 2016 5:05:07 GMT -7
There's another string here with a couple of videos from the Toy Fair where the new Teddy is being discussed with Wicked Cool Toys. It seems pretty clear that the final version is still in development with choices to be made. The company did invite opinion and I've posted me own concerning LCD eyes. IMHO the attraction of the WoW Teddy is in the animatronics, which should not be cheapened if this reissue is to be any kind of success. And to me the idea of LCD eyes would seem to make Teddy a bit creepy to kids. Just my own opinion and others might differ. But as they are asking for input, I gave mine. You do have to sort through the Wicked Cool website to find the box that allows you to send on a message, as the site just isn't quite user friendly. But if you want your opinion voiced, take the time. It may make no difference as the ultimate choices made will be a case of comparing production costs with what the market can bear in terms of pricing. And its clear that they are aiming to include some type of virtual conversation function into this new Teddy along with the classic stories, which will of course drive both of those factors. Chiming in may not change a thing in the end, but a no cost - worth a shot effort to try to keep this on proper track as I see it.
|
|
|
|
Post by late2theparty on Sept 26, 2016 6:16:01 GMT -7
Quick note here - This morning I received an e-mail reply on my opinion to Wicked Cool Toys concerning the new Teddy. While general and indicating nothing is final, what was said indicated that they had actually read what I had to say...not just a form response. So I'd say that if you have an opinion, they are paying attention.
|
|
|
|
Post by illiopmom on Sept 26, 2016 13:17:10 GMT -7
Quick note here - This morning I received an e-mail reply on my opinion to Wicked Cool Toys concerning the new Teddy. While general and indicating nothing is final, what was said indicated that they had actually read what I had to say...not just a form response. So I'd say that if you have an opinion, they are paying attention. Well, at least they're reading them. I have good hope for the new Teddy. It's 2016, so you can't really expect the original. Like DollyPrince said, the eyes look a lot like Furby Connect's, which looks pretty decent in both photos and real life. |
|
|
|
Post by DollyPrince on Sept 26, 2016 16:09:05 GMT -7
Quick note here - This morning I received an e-mail reply on my opinion to Wicked Cool Toys concerning the new Teddy. While general and indicating nothing is final, what was said indicated that they had actually read what I had to say...not just a form response. So I'd say that if you have an opinion, they are paying attention. Well, at least they're reading them. I have good hope for the new Teddy. It's 2016, so you can't really expect the original. Like DollyPrince said, the eyes look a lot like Furby Connect's, which looks pretty decent in both photos and real life. I don't know.. The Furby Connect eyes are better then the terrible ones of the 2012 Furby, but still ugly. If I can find the area to send a message, I will try it |
|
