2012 was a great year for the site, but with that success comes the lofty goal of growing and entertaining our readership even more in 2013. We’re gearing up for a big year, but that doesn’t amount to a whole lot without our great readers joining. So, we want to know what’d you like to see next year.
Before we jump into the polling questions, I do want to take a moment to thank you guys for a great year! When our 2011 traffic was more than double our 2010 traffic, I was pretty shocked. (Heck, I’m still in awe when I see the numbers the site statistics spit out.) Our 2012 numbers weren’t double 2011’s, but they were far from disappointing. We’re still growing and it’s still crazy to me. Especially when I think about putting out content for that many people to enjoy. Largely, I expect that keeping up with what we’re doing is probably a good course to take. Everyone seems to like it. But, the questions nag at me. What could I do better? What could I do differently? Well, that’s where you come in.
Reviews are easily the biggest draw here at IAT, so first we’ve got a quick poll about where you’d like our focus to be. Now, our focus can’t go much beyond what Vault or I buy, but it turns out… we buy way too much. Some of it has been getting reviewed regularly, like MOTU Classics or Transformers Prime, while other reviews never seem to make it to the site, like 1/6th Scale (show of hands, who knew I bought 1/6th scale stuff?). While the site reviews give you a good idea of what’s being bought here at IAT, it doesn’t tell the whole story. This poll will be your chance to give some feedback about what you’d like to see covered. Choose as many as you like and feel free to put some suggestions in that Other box – maybe you’ll turn us on to some cool toys we didn’t even know existed.
That covers the primary feature here at IAT, but what about other types of articles? What do you want to see besides reviews? I’d like to get a few more editorials on the site if I can get enough of a buffer on the reviews, but that’s just me. What features would you like to see continue, be brought back, or get added around the reviews? Again, you can check all that apply and if you’ve got a good idea, please make use of the Other category!
And finally, a short poll concerning the checklists. This poll is a little different than the others in that I consider it a two-parter. One, which of the site’s checklists do you make use of, and two, what checklists would you like to see? I’m always receiving requests for new cardback checklists, so I thought it’d be nice to take a poll and see what gets support. I’m not promising any new checklists, updating the dozen or so I have are plenty of work as it is, but if there’s support there, I’ll be happy to look into it. Again, check all that apply.
Okay, I think that about covers it. Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate the readership more than I can ever say. I love that you guys and gals keep coming here day after day, week and week. I hope you’re all looking forward to 2013 as much I am. Vault and I will be kicking off a 2012 Retrospective next week (31st-4th) and then we’ll dig right in to 2013 based on the feedback provided here. Thank you again!
Yeah, I was wondering about the Toy Runs. I mean, you guys still buy stuff,so, tell us about how it went! Did you have to hit someone over the head for your coveted plastic prize? I’m all ears! Also, I’ve seen that MU Galactus in your reviews, Noisy. You know what I want…
I don’t really care for the third-party stuff (Glyos, Not-transformers, etc…) I think they detract from the mainstream stuff.
I won’t ask you to buy any Injustice figs, just so long as you don’t expect me to buy any either, ok? We’ll just act as though they don’t exist.
Due to the horrid stocking at all the pertinent stores in my area, I’m mostly limited to Matty stuff (argh/yay), with the occasional MU, SW, or Joe. Of course, you guys have opened my eyes to some toys I would otherwise have missed (i.e. ori-fig! where did those guys go?!?)
Honestly, as this is one of the best toy review sites, imho, I’d just love more of what you’re doing. I really appreciate the well-written and though-out write-ups, and the photos are always great! I kinda wish Matty would send you guys preview figs, as your reviews have certainly both encouraged me to buy figs I normally wouldn’t, and kept me satisfied with some I avoided.
what I would really really like to see on IAT in 2013 is
1. return of the MOTUC weapons store
2. that elusive He-Man review
Pleeeeze Santa..make my wishes come true
i don’t want to split focus too badly, but i admit, sometimes an article on the big geek goings-on (like a new season of big bang or the hobbit) would be fun to see… though i suppose that’s why there are forums.
as for reviews, i voted for the other category and noted that the odd non-thematic review is a nice thing for me personally. example: Ori-Toy’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms stuff, that was a great set of reviews on some unique product… i love that, and you didn’t see other sites giving them that kind of coverage (at least, not in english). i would like to see IAT keep that feature and maybe(?) expand on it. otherwise, stay the course. what you guys do is working, so don’t mess w/ the formula too much… would like to see “most requested” back though.
I’d like to see more editorials or opinions/reviews on non-toy stuff as well. Either way though, 2012 was great and even if you stick to what you do regularly it’ll be good.
I’d like to see more Glyos stuff, but once you’ve bought one you’ve bought them all as far as reviewing their features go. Definitely want to see some 1/6 scale reviews, as time goes on I keep looking at 1/6 releases and I’m tempted to finally jump in.
MOTU Classics — Yes! Please, keep it up! Even though I may not have the level of excitement I had for the line back in the early days, I’m still very much a fan and I look forward to each new reveal. IAT is definitely one of the sites whose reviews I look forward to the most.
The entire DC Universe has pretty much fallen off my radar, whether it is “Classics” or Unlimited. I’ve read a few reviews on characters I care about, like Poison Ivy… but I didn’t even realize she had gone on sale at MattyCollector until after the fact.
Marvel never was on my radar, whether it be Legends or Universe. Occasionally I’ll read a review if it’s a character I like, but for the most part I gloss over Marvel stuff. I was interested in the Avengers stuff though.
Transformers — Like MOTU I’ll always take a glance at a TF review. My interest mainly lies with Generations/Classics/Universe-style figures. The WFC/FOC figures which fall under the Generations banner too. I really don’t have much interest in TF: Prime figures though. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the show, and the figures are neat — I’m just not into ‘em this round. I’ll also read anything MP related. As far as Third Party TFs, I can either take or leave ‘em.
TMNT — I’ll definitely read anything TMNT related. My interest in the new line has somewhat waned, but I still think it’s a great line and I hope to see more Classics and updated “Nick” style figures too.
G.I. Joe — While Joe always took a back seat to TF, MOTU, and TMNT, I’m still a big Joe fan and I love seeing all the new figures.
I’ll read anything LEGO Minifigure related too. Looking forward to Series 9!
There’s a lot of other stuff that I’d definitely like to see covered. I’m curious about the Watchmen sub. Anything 4H related, (OSM, 7th Kingdom, Power Lords). Also love seeing OMFG and other little mini-figure guys get coverage. This is not meant as a sleight against Glyos, but I don’t particularly like them. They are neat looking toys, but after a while they all look the same to me!
Trying to think what else… I enjoy coming to the site. You guys always put out quality content from your pics to your reviews. Thanks for all your hard work!
I didn’t realize there were more polls! —
I don’t really pay much attention to Ask Mattel, but I’d say they’re still worth doing if its not all that much trouble. Plus I’m sure it gets the site exposure from other sites who post the roster of participating sites.
News is always good — it feels like not many sites actually cover news anymore. Sure, if there’s a big press release like the recent 4H Power Lords announcement, or something from Matty. Then again, usually for news I hit-up ToyNewsi, but I do enjoy commentary and being able to discuss them in comments. I know this could easily be done in the forums, but TBH, the IAT forums have been kind of stagnant lately.
Speaking of commentary, the Truetorials are always great to read.
I think the other columns add some variety, which is nice. Obviously the meat and potatoes of a site like this is the reviews, but its nice to have some garnish, so stuff like Most Requested, Toy Runs, and Non-Toy Reviews.
I know everyone was just waiting for my reply… 🙂
OK, I haven’t started checking boxes yet, but overall you can count me as ‘all of the above and Plus Up’. My main comment is you guys do what you WANT to do, what’s FUN for you, because if you ever start trying to drive IAT solely on pleasing the visitors it will become a job, and then it will become a grind, a time-consuming money-sucking grind. I would hate for that to happen.
I think one thing, maybe don’t worry so much about reviews being of current things, trying to be timely. Honestly, seems to me, by the time you can review it, boom, it’s off sale at retail (more or less) and thus everyone who wants to play catch-up has to scramble and overpay and stuff. By not being worried if what you review is a current toy you can cool some of that heat because all would know going in it’ll have to be a ‘hunt’ item.
A good example within a category is the Marvel stuff, the 3 3/4 figures for, say, Iron Man 2 and Avengers. I never knew there was an Iron Man Mk.1 figure until I stumbled across it at T.J.Maxx! And a Thor with glow in the dark hammer and chest discs! If you get back to reviewing and listing these things I can bitch about that Chitari piece of crap!
And again, stumbled across a Deluxe Chitari with ‘flying war skull chariot thingie’. Where did THAT come from? see? I need that help!
(and just quick checking, I see you do have the movie IM Mk. 1 but the Glow Thor is not there, so bleah! 🙂 )
I would like to see a priority for the return of the Truetorial/ranting, we need more tales of the Weapons Shop of Humor, funny pictures with funny sayings is always welcome.
But always, do it because you’re having fun.
More Truetorials!
this
Guest reviews and articles! I haven’t sent any unsolicited stuff but I’m up for Retro Reviews. How about ‘Tales Of The Line’ – the story of a toy line the no longer exists.
Oh and as a judge for the Poppies. Keep the review roundup around. I have trouble remembering what came out when
I’d love the return of MOTUC weapons pack store reviews. Really love those.
Overall, my comment is keep on keepin’ on!
That said, I really like all the various “theme” articles as mentioned in Poll #2, and we didn’t seem to have as many of those in 2012.
Also would definitely be cool to feature some older releases as has been done in the past with the older DCUC Waves. Don’t have to be vintage-vintage, as I’m sure even with recent-ish releases you’d introduce people to figures they haven’t come across before.
Biggest request:
Please, no matter what, don’t ever become another mindless shill site serving purely as a mouthpiece for any toy company. Stay critical when it is warranted. I have really cut back on the sites I go to in the last year due to the growing trend of reviews or first looks being paid advertisements. This is my biggest pet peeve in our hobby. I want truthful reviews that are beholden to no one and no agenda other than whether or not it is a good toy, end of story.
I will state this over and over again until there is no more need: if any reviewer receives hundreds to thousands of dollars a year in free product to review from any one company that reviewer is no longer an unbiased reviewer, but a paid corporate spokesperson. Plus, there is a vested interest in helping to sell more of that particular company’s toys, because reviews bring in page views and ad revenue to the review sites. The desire to give honest reviews seems pretty shakey at some other sites. Stay honest and thanks for listening.
Seconded.
See, the obvious problem is, if companies give you toys to review, if you’re honest and point out flaws. I don’t mean hyper fan nitpicks like “they gave Fury a M-4 with a tactical load-out and he ALWAYS uses a H&K MP5 Kurtz on a shoulder strap!!” stuff, I mean honest issues like too soft plastic for legs which, combined with poorly engineered ‘display in package’ design means the figure can’t f’ing stand…
But if one doesn’t give SUPER SHINY DOUBLE GREEN reviews, suddenly that person is cut off, and NOTHING hurts a toy geek more than getting free toys and suddenly NOT getting them. Because, you see, those people delude themselves into thinking they’re on the inside with the companies. They’re buddies, friends with people in the companies. And the companies pat them on the head and send them early toys and so on. So foolish.
I like that the folks at IAT pony up their own cash and tell it like it is. Never (well rarely :)) mean spirited, they try to find the good in even the worst.
Are Transformers Classics included under “TF Prime”? if not, add those. and I take it the MU/related checklist covers Legends? only thing I can think to add of is some of the more unique DC Direct/Collectible figures, if you have any (retro-reviews) and Hobbit.
and MOAR FUNNEE PIKCHERS!
😉
(what, I recently had a funny shared on Cheezburger/scifi! http://cheezburger.com/6816534016? fingers crossed that actually works, damn thing won’t separate from the email link, first half going to main page, second half going to gmail phonebook! wtF??)
So far, I come here mostly for reviews of DC, Marvel, MotU, and imports. I stopped looking at the Matty Q&As a long time ago due to Matty’s non-answers. I don’t really look at the review round-ups. I LOVE the import reviews and the Wonder Festival and similar show reports. (For the latter, I’d love more I’d love the latter even more if there was more accompanying context; I often don’t know what I’m looking at. That said: great work!)
IAT’s import figure reviews actually had a huge impact on me. I really wasn’t aware of things like Figma or Soul of Chogokin until I started to see things like the Big O and Figma reviews. In addition to getting me to pick up some of those toys, the reviews of Aigis got me playing the Persona games, which turned out to be a really good thing. Discovering some of these then turned me on to things like classic Japanese super robots (Mazinger! Raideen!), Fewture, Super Robot Chogokin (it took me forever to realize this was not the same as SoC), and Masterpiece Transformers.
Sadly, I happened upon many import reviews too late, so I was never able to pick up things like the Big O accessory pack or Figma Link.
Point is: thanks, IAT, for prompting me to pick up some of my favorite toys ever!
I initially came here mostly for the DC and MotU reviews and checklists. DC lost me with the “new 52”, so I’m down to CoIE, which I have mixed feelings about. (THAT Red Hood? Ugh.) MotU reviews will be more useful to me this year, since I didn’t renew my subscription. I’ve mixed feelings on ML reviews because they’ve become hard to find in stores, and impossible to order online (due to the stupid “random version” thing)… so they’re sorta review-torture.
Anyway, I love the work you do here!
How about some new content? There’s hasn’t been a figure review since the 19th – today is the 30th. That’s one hell of a gap between articles, man.
I think most people are too busy with holiday gatherings to check this site obsessively, every day, to see a new review. Noisy and Vault do their best to have new stuff every week, but with the current dearth of new stuff (altho I did spot the new Combaticons and part of ML3 here) in the deluge of Holiday shopping, most of us aren’t complaining. I would guess that’s part of the reason for the review compilations.
11 days is a long time – if you want to improve a site, then consistent content is a must. While I don’t check the site “obsessively” I do pop in every few days – seeing nothing new for almost two weeks makes me wonder if the site is even still active. Time moves quicker on the Web – it’s good to have material lined up for these down-times, just so folks don’t forget about you. Just my two cents.
All two cents are very appreciated around here, though I don’t know if it’s on the money to simply discount the the Vault Review, Review Round-Up, and Feedback article that have run since the 19th. 😉
In years past, we would’ve run content after the holidays, so we did miss two days from our normal procedures. That said, I’ve a very good reason for missing those two days which I’ll share in tomorrow’s article. It’s not a toy review, though. In fact, I’ll give you a head’s up, I won’t have any toy reviews up next week either (Vault surely will), so if you’re counting the days between my reviews, it’s gonna get a few days longer…
I hope all is well, Noisy.
but here’s my thing and I don’t want to single out anyone. You can’t run IAT on the demands of we readers. It’s GOT to be because you all ENJOY the task. I wish I was in your area, I’d love to drop by with a bin of toys to shoot, I need the collaboration of others to make sure I get things done, and I so want to review some Imaginext toys…did I mention I’ve almost completed my ‘Robot Police’ set? 🙂
But I have that crazy need to participate. Most are consumers only, not that there’s anything wrong about that.
I recall the days of Usenet and mailing lists. There was always people complaining that ‘nobody’ was talking about the things they wanted to read. Real whiny ass bitches, too. I, among others, would politely suggest they generate some content, or become involved at a deeper level than copying 1000 k of text and adding ‘me too’ at the bottom. Usually there was a lot of anger in the reply. 🙂
Don’t let us push you all. It’s a really nice place as it is.