Transformers: Modern Instructions Inferior, Vintage Instructions Superior
I’ve been thinking about writing this post for a year or so now, but it was two recent events that led to me finally sitting down and putting these words and images together:
- Responses to the Transformers Smash and Change announcement.
- Opening the X-Transbots unofficial Huffer and finding — wait for it — the instructions use images and words!
I feel that if Hasbro were to use words and images in the instructions for their Transformers toys we wouldn’t be running into the Smash and Change line. The modern toys are generally great. The modern instructions, to be honest, suck.
“A Picture is worth a thousand words.
Everyone knows the old saying, but when it comes to instructions intended to be understood it never hurts to add a few words. The above instructions for the Transformers: Cybertron Soundwave are okay, sure, but the toy is fairly basic and even then some points in the process — Step Eight, for example — would be clearer with text to assist the user.
And then there are these instructions (above pic) for the Transformers: Prime Soundwave. The stylized numbers are attractive, but around Step Five or Six it’s not completely clear which step is which number. You have to stop and study things, which slows down the entire act of playing with the toy. And when kids are involved — and their parents — you do not want to make things frustrating at all.
Look, Words!
Things weren’t always like this. If we look at the instructions for the original 1984 Soundwave toy (shown above) then we find those pesky little words along with the images. Look at Step Three where arrows show the hands sliding out and the text states:
“Slide button on side of arms forward to reveal fists (see Fig. B) lift head up and turn toward you.”
The images show you what to do, yes, but those words — when combined with the images — make it perfectly easy to transform the toy.
When Did Things Change?
The above instructions for the Machine Wars Soundwave shows us that Hasbo used words and images even in the nineties, so when did things change? At what point in the process did someone decide that Transformers would be easier to play with if the words were eliminated?
Bring Back the Words!
Hasbro, I find the Smash and Change concept interesting and I suspect the toys will be fun, but I strongly feel we would see fewer toys abandoned at flea markets and garage sales if you included written instructions with the toys. You may feel that your images are clear, but the frustrations shown in transforming some of the toys — combined with the drop in sales — tells me things aren’t quite as perfect as your managers and decision makers may think.
Please, Hasbro, at least test toys with written instructions. I have no doubt you use playtest sessions to see how kids react to your toys, so try using words on the instructions for one of those tests. I suspect that you’ll see fewer abandoned masses of ball joints and parts and more kids enjoying transforming and playing with the toys.
Words are not a bad thing. Really.
Very true, and I love that you stuck with Soundwave from the various lines.
@Paul – I had to stick with Soundwave!
On Facebook it was suggested that dropping written instructions was directly related to Canada requiring French and English text.