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movedtohypnocus · 1 year

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final thoughts on Sonic Frontiers (as a viewer and not a player)

ive got some stuff to say about the game since i finished watching playthroughs and i will try to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, but still going to tag it and add a read more.

i will not be sharing/posting any big spoilers for the game until after official release as ive stated before (albeit in a now-deleted post). regardless, any possible spoilers will always be tagged. same goes for fanart.

Admittedly before, I didn't have much hope for Frontiers despite my excitement, but recently as more and more info came out (and me looking for leaks oops), I was a lot less pessimistic.

It takes a LOT for something in the franchise to disappoint me, and I mean that. I'm more of a "accept something as it is" kinda guy when it comes to Sonic because for even the "bad" games, I just appreciate them for existing in the first place since they make me happy.

But unfortunately, as great as Frontiers was throughout the majority of the game, the ending was surprisingly underwhelming at best, disappointing at worst. It wasn't bad I guess and maybe that's just me being nice, but it was anticlimactic for sure. I will say, while many people find the true final boss to be boring or otherwise "lazy", I honestly thought it was interesting. It isn't the best final boss fight ever, but interesting. I'm hoping we learn more about them in the future.

There is a point on the 4th island where the stakes of the story are at their highest, only for it to be easily resolved within seconds in the most anticlimactic and cheesy (/neg) way. Which is unfortunate seeing this was something specific fans were looking forward to. The game from that point on kind of takes a turn. Again, it's not really bad, but it feels like stuff is missing from the game entirely and a ton of missed opportunities.

There is also a big complaint I keep seeing about the final islands just being extensions of Kronos, and to that I say I really don't mind. The 4th island is story driven strictly anyway, with no enemies, Cyberspace levels, or maps. I do tend to look forward to lore than gameplay regardless, so I understand people being upset by this, but I personally am not.

Despite all the negatives, the majority of the game was amazing from a viewer standpoint. I loved the character interactions and developments, and I can't even say "oh this character had the better development" because they all were great in my opinion, and I hope we get to see that in future games. There were plenty of moments between characters that got me emotional to the point of tearing up or entirely sobbing, but that could just be me.

Another thing I adored was the soundtrack. Some songs are definitely more memorable than others, but that's just kinda how soundtracks are. I enjoyed the vocal tracks and Cyberspace level themes a lot. Music is a big, important thing to me and I'm glad Frontiers did not disappoint on that at all.

Seeing as there are things that were very obviously left out or cut from the game for one reason or another, I hope they get expanded on in some form. It would be nice to get an IDW comic about Frontiers more extensive than the prequel honestly because there is so much potential.

I'd say up until the 4th island, the game is a 9/10. Anything after is a 7/10. Definitely get the game if you've been looking forward to it; I'd hope its flaws don't ruin the whole experience for you when most of the game is good, just don't expect the most spectacular ending.

And of course before I close this off, if you do still plan on playing it, there is a "true" final boss that is not indicated anywhere in or outside of the game at all. To get to that boss, you need to play on hard mode. Easy and normal mode gets you the cut/shortened ending.

Overall, if given the chance to play Frontiers, I will. I just don't see myself buying it for a while (mainly because I'm broke lmfao).

I hope this was helpful to someone, and I hope despite everything you still allow yourselves to have fun with Frontiers.

#postnocus #sonic frontiers #sonic frontiers spoilers #sonic the hedgehog

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glapplebloom · 4 years

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Twilight now officially has wings in the IDW Comics.

Twilight and Crew are going to the beach so Fluttershy can released a fully healed fish. Sadly, she has grown attached to it and is having a hard time returning him to the sea. We also get introduced to Pinkie’s Army of Crabs and Pineapple Juice so sweet you can’t help but tell the truth. But before Fluttershy can enact her plan on keeping Gil, a Pirate Ship shows up.

Say hello to Hoofbeard. He’s looking for a pirate Crew and Rainbow Dash volunteered her friends. Pinkie joins along because she’s Pinkie. Rarity joins because she’s crushing on him. Fluttershy joins because she wants to find Gil. Applejack to make sure everyone else is safe. And Hoofbeard played to Twilight’s ego and saying he need an expert mapper. And Spike is the parrot/dropper of bottles in the water.

This is important because he drops a bottle into the ocean every hour and its going to be brought up later. The crew is sent into a pirate town to find the map his old crew stole. Applejack stays behind to figure out what’s up with Hoofbeard and Fluttershy. Despite using Pineapple Juice, she just couldn’t figure out Hoofbeard’s true intentions. And because she doesn’t get Fluttershy, she doesn’t understand the concept of hiding a friend in a hat.

The others find Pirate versions of Granny Smith, Big Mac and the CMC. Hi-jinks occur. While the girls get surrounded, Twilight is revealed to be a Princess. And while they think a ransom is in order, she’s the most powerful magic user of the series so far so she overpowers them all to lead them to the map, being protected by a giant enemy crab.

After defeating the crab, Twilight finds one of the letters he sent in the ocean. Without knowing the context, Twilight assumes at best he’s nuts and at worst he’s trying to declare war. After a while, they decide to mutiny (with Dash only agreeing when they said she could be captain). Hoofbeard does pretty well, but between Rarity’s runway skills being superior to his sword swinging skills and a coconut to the head he was defeated.

But by coincidence, they manage to find the wandering X while trying to get back home. The Wandering X is the location of the Mermares Hoofbeard has been trying to find. The Jewel he’s obsessed with is a female Mermare. Jewel’s family refuses to let her go since they fear land and sea can’t mix. But with all the talk of true Love going around Fluttershy convinces them to let Jewel go by letting Gil go.

So that they don’t have to be apart, Twilight gives Hoofbeard gills and fins so he can be with Jewel anywhere and the Girls and Spike get a trip back home via a Mantahawk. Overall, it was a fun story. While Fluttershy being a little more obsessive than normal can be an issue, its a fun story about pirates that you won’t see on the show. But I don’t see how it can fit any canon since mermares and sea ponies seem too similar.

#IDW Comics #MLP Revisit #Green Lantern Apple Bloom #mlp review #Comic Series

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marvelandponder · 7 years

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Rainbow Power, Y’all

Happy (belated) Pride month, everybody! I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think of how I wanted to talk about gay ponies. Mostly because I literally never shut up about it so writing a opinion-based Should MLP Have a Gay Couple? editorial would be kind of self-explanatory. Kind of really self-explanatory.

Plus, we already have one. Lyra and Bon Bon might have to chant “best friends” a hundred times before they can make goo-goo eyes at each other, but that body language and even just the way they talk to each other in is pretty telling.

Damn, that’s pretty gay.

Oh and also this happened last year on the official Facebook apparently:

God, I love this show. Taking into account the fact that the other two are married couples, this is a Valentines Day promotion, and that making someone’s heart “gallop” can’t really be misconstrued as platonic, I seriously love this.

So, I mean, I can’t exactly stop you from interpreting them as platonic, but I would consider them canon and I’m even glad for the subtlety. Not all depictions need to state the obvious, so long as it is obvious.

I think with these two the intention was to make it ambiguous enough for parents to decide if they want to explain the concept. Kids aren’t stupid, but I think the demographic won’t pick up on the context clues that this could be a romantic relationship when they’ve been primed with the words “best friends” a number of times.

So, at that point, it’s up to the parents who watch the show with their kids to decide (if they haven’t already) if this is how and when they’d like to explain the concept of a same-sex relationship, with this as a visual aide. If Lyra and Bon Bon end up being baby’s first gay relationship, so to speak, that’s awesome.

So, if I’m so satisfied with those two, why write this? Why push for more in an already accepting climate, especially when an effort has already been made? Isn’t that greedy? Or exploitative? Has my shipping brain finally lead me down the road to delusion?

I hear you answering yes to that last one, but I’m just gonna ignore that.

As to the question, it comes down to the word choice. I’m not asking if it should be done---it’s already been done. I’m not asking if Hasbro would allow it, because whether or not they’d show a lot of support, they have shown some.

I’m asking how it could be done with the intention of explaining why it would or wouldn’t add something of value.

Because the landscape of children’s television is changing rapidly. From the time Friendship is Magic started in 2010 until good ol’ 2017, the number of kids’ shows that have incorporated LGBT+ characters and couples has only grown exponentially from before.

On top of that, I’m a little biased in my perception, but I’m not the only one whose noticed that this year’s pride month has been the most visibly celebrated yet. For better or worse, the amount of companies trying to support the LGBT+ community during pride has only grown.

This year’s Amazon Pride float was Rainbow Dash and MLP themed in Dublin. Don’t know if Amazon got Hasbro’s permission to use their character in a parade, but they gave her a horn because unicorns apparently are gay (just as a rule) and now she’s an alicorn.

By the way, they totally messed up those flags. If it had said My Little Pride, they could’ve been selling thousands of them. To me. Wasted potential, I tell you.

And again my bias showing: I can’t speak for other regions, but where I live all public schools, from elementary to universities and colleges, have rainbow pride flags flying.

All the schools I’ve gone to growing up are now flying pride flags for a full month.

That’s... I can’t tell you how heartwarming it is to see. And my elementary school services kindergarten kids all the way up to grade 8---some children as young as 5-6 years old are now growing up with that being a natural part of their environment throughout their entire childhood.

When we were growing up and I think in a lot of places around the world still, there was a question of when it should be taught to kids and whether the concept alone was age appropriate, but little by little, that’s just not the case anymore.

From their shows and media to even some of their schools, more and more kids are learning about this in a natural way from a young age, to the point that it is just love and it is just who these people are to them. And for once I mean it when I say I think that’s beautiful.

But things evolve like this at different rates in different places, so we’re not perfect yet, and the push for more is out of a desire to see the progress continue and for more groups than the ones that are typically represented.

Would I be heartbroken if this was as gay as MLP ever got? Nah (besides, through the power of denial, all my ships are already canon!). But at this point the question is starting to become why not? instead of just why? so even if this remains a hypothetical discussion, I think it’s still an important one.

I’m going to forever cherish the subtlety of those Lyra and Bon Bon scenes, but it’s the first pride month that I’ve been out and I feel like celebrating. Let’s get gay.

Love in Friendship is Magic

Right off the bat, I think it’s important to establish that we’re not trying to change the show fundamentally. It’s about friendship, and while other relationships are shown to be deep and fulfilling as well (family and even romantic), the show’s focus on how meaningful friendship is great.

But here’s my thing with the “this show is about friendship!” argument. It’s not like we don’t already have other types of relationships. Several episodes have been dedicated to developing purely familial relationships.

And even beyond the platonic, Spike has (had?) a crush that factored into the plot of a few episodes, Big Mac now seems to have an on-going relationship, and there are a few prominent married couples. This stuff exists largely in the background, comparatively, but it’s not like romance doesn’t have a place in the show. It just doesn’t surpass the focus on friendship.

So, yeah, just because they have a romance doesn’t mean it has to take over the show, nor should it.

If we were going to go the route of canonizing an LGBT+ couple, that would still be something to take into account.

It doesn’t mean that main characters can’t have a romance necessarily, just that they should work in a friendship lesson along with it.

If Starlight and Trixie were dating for instance (she said, as if it was a random example instead of her ship), a story would probably mostly center around their friends helping them through relationship troubles or preparing for adorable dates. Or, on the flip side, their friends learning the lesson of when not to interfere.

Or, now that Starlight’s cutie mark is on the map (indicating that other ponies can be called if necessary), perhaps a couple could be called to solve a friendship problem instead of two friends.

Basically, so long as there’s still some element of friendship, the writers can introduce a new kind of relationship and develop it in tandem with the friendships already present.

Or, as there is in The Perfect Pear (without giving spoilers beyond what the summary said, for those waiting for the US release), we could just have an episode with a bigger focus on a romance.

Notice how all these scenarios aren’t dependent on the idea that this romance be queer. I’m a bit torn on this issue, because I can see both sides, but I think I usually lean towards the idea that because there ideally doesn’t need to be a difference between straight romances and gay romances, there doesn’t need to be a story reason for them to be gay.

Like I said, I do see the appeal of stories that require the couple and/or characters to be queer, but there’s pros and cons to either side.

We don’t necessarily need to see a story dealing with homophobia in Equestria, in part because that contrasts so much with the Equestria we already know. It’s too loving. It took 4 seasons to address Scootaloo’s disability not because no one noticed, but because everyone accepted her for who she was (aside from DT and SS). It’s not like homophobia or hatred can’t exist in this world, but it’s just not widespread.

A really good reason to include romance in general and even “different kinds of love” so to speak is to give Cadence more screen-time and development.

I’d love to see the Princess of Love guiding her subjects! She could even help a character come out, which would be both a reason to have an LGBT+ character and/or romance in the show, but also make the concept relatable to young kids---a story about accepting who you are and what you love makes sense to them.

I think there’s definitely potential to take this in interesting places, develop pre-established characters and relationships, and all without stealing the focus from friendship too much.

Who Wins the Dreaded Shipping Wars

On the right, Ashleigh Ball posting a fanmade picture of an AppleDash wedding for World Pride Day. On the left, IDW comic writer Jeremy Whitley arguing for FlutterDash... either way, I’m down for this.

Fan expectation is a funny thing.

We both crave for the show to address what we’ve long speculated on, and dread it.

In the case of the Apple family’s parents, there’s been countless emotional fan-theories, stories, and ideas, and yet The Perfect Pear remains one of the most anticipated episodes (for those who have yet to watch it).

With Slice of Life, we were surprised to find some headcanons confirmed and celebrated, but also some destroyed by canon.

I think when it comes to confirming LGBT+ characters and relationships, it’s really no different. We all have different ideas about who these characters are, and those of us who ship have ideas about who they might like.

So, yeah, even if we went down the road of confirming minor characters as LGBT+, if we already know them, it would likely step on a few toes. But honestly I’d rather step on those toes than introduce a new character for the sole purpose of them being gay. Sorta boils them down to just one purpose/one “trait.”

And in the end, as much as it sucks to have your ship sunk or your headcanons burst into flames, 1. If we never wanted the show to establish new things about these characters, why continue watching? and 2. My friends, I’ve been a shipper for a long time and I can say from experience: a ship doesn’t sink even when canon contradicts you. Denial and imagination are a fan’s most awesome tools.

Oh and would you look at that, my transition is here.

Love in EQG

Just as a sidenote, because of what I ship, I’ve said before that I think the Equestria Girls franchise would actually be a perfect place to include LGBT+ relationships because the series already has a heavier focus on romance than the show.

If you’re going to have these high school drama romance subplots, which is a staple of the series now, might as well go ahead and make it gay! *Cough* Sciset still makes the most sense from a storytelling perspective *cough*

Queerer than Ever Before

I wanted to include a section like this because it’s something we’re still working on in animation as a whole: representing more than just gay and lesbian relationships.

I’m happy to report bisexuals and in and out of relationships are also now getting more love, but that’s about where the buck stops. Steven Universe has the closest thing to trans and bigender or androgynous representation, which is mostly not literal. As in, they have fusions of two different characters, and characters like Garnet who feel better in a different form, but as of yet there’s no straight up trans or non-cis-gendered characters.

BMO from Adventure Time could certainly count as gender-fluid, though, so it’s not all bad news bears.

Pansexuality and asexuality have yet to be represented in children’s animation (in adult animation, Rick Sanchez of Rick and Morty is canonically pansexual, though!) aside from Spongebob being confirmed to be asexual off-screen by the show’s creator “because he’s a sponge.”

We’re largely still figuring out how these people and more groups I haven’t even mentioned ideally should be represented, but trying is still the first step.

For example, Big Mac’s not trans, but while I reaaaally didn’t love that his cross-dressing was a joke in Brotherhooves Social, I can also appreciate the fact that everyone around him was aware he was originally a stallion but let him compete in the Sisterhooves Social anyway, a trans issue we’re still debating in reality.

So, the comedy of the episode is kinda transphobic (not because Big Mac is trans, he’s not in canon, but because the comedy comes from him being in drag), but once again Equestria itself proves to be a really accepting, tolerant place.

And I think it can be hard to know how to represent these voices well (there’s also the fact that MLP theoretically could hire on a guest writer, as they do now every season, if they wanted to specifically have someone who’s non-cisgendered tackle a story of that nature), but hey, why not be the first to try? Wouldn’t it suit the show’s loving nature to be inclusive?

LGBT+ in Equestria

More and more these days it’s becoming the norm to include more ways to love others and oneself in kids cartoons. You could argue not every show needs to have LGBT+ inclusion, which I can agree with, but by the same token and especially for shows with an expansive world, no serialized ongoing plot to adhere to, and focus on love and acceptance already, the show doesn’t need to be entirely straight, either.

Ask why not, instead of just why.

There are ways to make romance relevant to the target audience without teaching them they need it to be happy, and there are ways of explaining these concepts to them without forcing a political stance. For kids, it’s simple. Love is love, and you are who you are. That’s really all there is to it.

I’d be over the moon if the show ever had the chance to represent more than they already have. In the same way I wanted to Applejack’s parents to be dead, I’d ideally want to see how MLP specifically would deal with this hard topic with its usual kindness, gentleness, and love. As in the former case, I think it has the potential to be something wonderful.

In the end, though, I of course can’t say if we will ever see more, or exactly would or should it would be handled.

I suppose we can only hope to follow Lyra and Bon Bon’s example.

Other MLP stuff? Oh yeah, I’ve done that! I’ve got more editorials like this one over here, and episode reviews over here. But because plain old links aren’t pretty, have the last three things I’ve done with purty pictures:

Dr. Wolf Theory Reading, Parental Glidenace Review, and Celestia/Daybreaker Editorial

Year of the Pony

Visuals in this Post Wouldn’t Be Possible Without...

Pinkie Pie Vector by MPNoir Flag Vector by JayBugJimmies Lyra and Bon Bon Poster by BronybyException

Art from talented artists, what could be better? Hit up those links and check out their awesome galleries!

The Real Agenda Here is My Shipping Agenda

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actionfigureinsider · 5 years

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Today, Hasbro revealed all-new surprises ahead of this year’s New York Comic-Con including NEW enhancements for the HASLAB UNICRON crowdfunding project and never-before-seen WAR FOR CYBERTRON figures that will make their debut at Comic-Con this Thursday!

These reveals include:

· NEW UNICRON HASLAB CAMPAIGN UPDATES

o IDW Publishing is partnering with Hasbro on the UNICRON HasLab crowdfunding campaign to offer all backers a FREE Digital Comic Bundle once the campaign is successfully backed. The bundle also features an all-new UNICRON cover by fan-favorite artist Andrew Griffith! Details on the announcement, including the new cover art and press release below:

HASBRO AND IDW PUBLISHING PARTNER ON HASLAB UNICRON PROJECT

WITH NEWLY ANNOUNCED COMICS BUNDLE FOR CAMPAIGN BACKERS

Today, Hasbro and IDW Publishing announced yet another surprise for backers of the HASLAB TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON UNICRON project. Fans who support the UNICRON crowd-funded campaign through hasbropulse.com by 11:59PM EST on October 6, 2019, will also receive a ‘FREE’ digital comic bundle.

The comic will feature an all-new UNICRON cover by fan-favorite Andrew Griffith. The digital collection will include the currently unavailable Transformers: The Animated Movie four-issue limited series by Bob Budiansky, Don Figueroa and Josh Burcham – which adapts and expands the classic film that introduced UNICRON – plus the first issue of the 2019 TRANSFORMERS ongoing series by Brian Ruckley, Angel Hernandez, Cachét Whitman and Joana Lafuente.

“IDW is proud to be long-term partners with Hasbro and the Transformers brand and Unicron has been a major character in our storytelling… I mean, he basically annihilated our previous continuity!” said John Barber, Editor-In-Chief of IDW Publishing. “Personally, I’m really excited to see the Hasbro HASLAB Unicron project—that might be the most impressive Transformers toy I’ve ever seen. It’s terrifyingly big! And in honor of the big hungry guy—we’re working with Hasbro to provide every fan that officially backs the toy through HASBROPULSE.com with a free Transformers comic bundle featuring the adaptation of the classic 1986 Transformers: The Movie plus the first issue of our ongoing Transformers comic book series!”

If the campaign goal of 8,000 backers is reached by October 6, 2019 at 11:59PM EST, backers will receive a unique code to then access the digital comic bundle exclusively through Comixology – a free mobile app available on iOS and Android.

Fans can support the TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON project by visiting hasbropulse.com.

o Hasbro also revealed various enhancements backers can look forward to, including 15 points of articulation for Unicron’s hands (3 per finger), a premium posable headstand to recreate the Bringer of Chaos’ head floating in space, and the newly included Hot-Rod slug figurine to recreate how Hot Rod defeats the menacing Planet Eater!

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Transformers War for Cybertron Unicron Reveals New Features and Accessories!Beware the in escapable clutches of the mighty Unicron! The already formidable hands of the Chaos Bringer will now have 15 points of articulation, 3 per finger, so Unicron can better grasp the inferior bots he wishes to devour. The included Galvatron and newly added Hot Rod slug figures make the perfect snacks!

With the new to-scale Hot Rod slug figure, fans can reimagine the epic 1986 movie scene where Hot Rod defeats the menacing Planet Eater! Unicron will also now come with an Autobot shuttle ship inspired by the movie!

And when fans play out the part where the Bringer of Chaos’s head flies off into space, now it can appear to float! Unicron willcome with a clear premium posable headstandto display his dismembered head in all its glory. The headstand alsofeatures posts to pose the included mini figures.

The Transformers War for Cybertron Unicron figure is part of Hasbro’s crowdfunding platform, HasLab. Remember, if the project doesn’t reach 8,000 backers by October 6th, the product will not move into production. Also, orders for Unicron will no longer be accepted after October 6th. If you want to add this once-in-a-lifetime figure to your Transformers collection, you must back this project before the deadline. You can back this project at HasbroPulse.com.

**Image of Unicron’s Hand is a grey prototype. Final hand will have deco

o **We’ve also added additional UNICRON supporters from around the globe that have backed the project through Hasbro affiliated retailers to our total tally, bringing us even closer to the 8,000 backer goal. Only a few more days left to make this dream a reality!

· NEW WAR FOR CYBERTRON FIGURES DEBUT AT NYCC

o Hasbro revealed their new War for Cybertron figures that are making their New York Comic-Con debut! These include Micromasters Hot Rod Patrol 2-Pack, Deluxe Ironworks, Voyager Grapple, and the Leader Optimus Prime Trailer

GENERATIONS WAR FOR CYBERTRON: EARTHRISE

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Transformers Generations – War for Cybertron: Earthrise Micromasters WFC-E3 Hot Rod Patrol 2-Pack

(Ages 8 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/ Available: 3/1/2020)

MICROMASTERS AUTOBOT DADDY-O and TRIP-UP figures stand at 1.5 inches in robot mode and convert into mini car modes in 4 steps. These MICROMASTER figures are to scale with Modular Battle Stations and can ride along their connector tracks, so fans can build the ultimate battlefield!

This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes and connect figures together to expand and customize the battlefield! Every pack includes a piece of the TRANSFORMERS Universe Map. Collect other EARTHRISE figures to piece together the full map.

Build the ultimate battlefield with the WAR FOR CYBERTRON: EARTHRISE figures (each sold separately, subject to availability). The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS have left CYBERTRON, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the ALLSPARK. Adult fans nostalgic for the original TRANSFORMERS animation and kids discovering classic characters for the first time can share and experience exciting play patterns for all generations. Available for pre-order starting 10/03/2019 at 5:00PM EST on Hasbropulse.com and select online fan retailers.

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Transformers Generations – War for Cybertron: Earthrise Deluxe WFC-E8 Ironworks

(Ages 8 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/ Available: 3/1/2020)

IRONWORKS, the eccentric AUTOBOT communications expert, Deluxe figure stands at 5.5 inches in robot mode, converts into a Modular Battle Station mode and comes with 1 accessory. IRONWORKS disassembles in 10 steps and reassembles into Station mode in another 10 steps. Disassembled parts can be used to armor up and modify other figures.

This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes and connect figures together to expand and customize the battlefield! Every pack includes a piece of the TRANSFORMERS Universe Map and a red decoder to unlock the map’s hidden paths! Collect other EARTHRISE figures to piece together the full map.

Transformers Generations – War for Cybertron: Earthrise Voyager WFC-E10 Autobot Grapple

(Ages 8 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/ Available: 3/1/2020)

The AUTOBOT GRAPPLE figure stands at 7 inches in robot mode, converts into classic crane truck mode in 16 steps and comes with 3 weapon accessories. The artistic architect, AUTOBOT GRAPPLE, features an A.I.R. Lock connection point on the truck mode crane that can attach to Modular Battle Stations to expand and customize the battlefield.

This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes and connect figures together to expand and customize the battlefield! Every pack includes a piece of the TRANSFORMERS Universe Map and a red decoder to unlock the map’s hidden paths! Collect other EARTHRISE figures to piece together the full map.

#gallery-0-16 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-16 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 25%; } #gallery-0-16 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-16 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Transformers Generations – War for Cybertron: Earthrise Leader WFC-E11 Optimus Prime

(Ages 8 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/ Available: 3/1/2020)

OPTIMUS PRIME, the noble AUTOBOT Leader, figure stands at 7 inches in robot mode, converts into classic G1 truck mode in 35 steps and comes with 3 accessories – an Ion Blaster, Matrix of Leadership and Trailer. OPTIMUS PRIME can also convert into a Modular Battle Station mode, so fans can build the ultimate battlefield.

This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes and connect figures together to expand and customize the battlefield! Every pack includes a piece of the TRANSFORMERS Universe Map and a red decoder to unlock the map’s hidden paths! Collect other EARTHRISE figures to piece together the full map.

@TRANSFORMERS Reveals #UNICRON Enhancements + #NYCC Figure Reveals Today, Hasbro revealed all-new surprises ahead of this year's New York Comic-Con including NEW enhancements for the HASLAB UNICRON crowdfunding project and never-before-seen WAR FOR CYBERTRON figures that will make their debut at Comic-Con this Thursday!

#2019 #Comic Book #Hasbro #HasLabs #IDW #New York Comic Con #NYCC #unicron

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mavwrekmarketing · 7 years

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Image copyright Getty Images

More than 2,500 hospital beds a day are taken up by patients whose release has been delayed due to problems in the social care system.

Analysis of official so-called “bed-blocking” statistics reveals the areas where the NHS is worst affected.

The Local Government Association said under-funded authorities had placed care providers under “huge pressure”.

The government said the difference “of over 20 times between best and worst councils is unacceptable”.

Although the NHS is responsible for most delayed transfers, the number attributable to social care has been increasing as well.

Out of 1.87 million delayed days between April 2016 and the end of January 2017, just over 1 million were down to the NHS. There were 635,000 where social care was responsible and 145,000 that were a mixture of both.

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Click to see content: delaytransfer_birmingham

Delayed transfers occur when a patient is deemed medically well enough to be released from hospital, but something else holds up their discharge.

The BBC England data unit looked at delays caused by social care pressures. This could be delays in getting a home care package or nursing home placement.

On average, there are 12 days lost per 1,000 people aged 18 and over across 151 areas.

There are wide variations across the country. Cumbria County Council had the highest rate of delays in England, with 78 days per 1,000 people.

Delays due entirely to social care have more than doubled in the past five years.

Get the data here

Click to see content: delayedmost_birmingham

The government’s view

In January, Prime Minister Theresa May told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show there were “pressures” on social care and that councils would be allowed to increase the council tax to help relieve it.

She said: “We need to ensure that best practice is spread around the country. There are some councils where there are virtually no delayed discharges from hospitals into social care, there are others, there are 24 councils, that account for 50% of the delayed discharges.”

An independent charity, The Health Foundation, said this “does not tell the whole story” as most of those councils also happen to be areas with larger populations.

In his first Budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond said there would be an additional 2bn for social care services in England over the next three years, allowing councils to “act now to commission new care packages”.

The extra 2 billion: Who gets what?

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Extra social care funding

2 billion

additional funding by 2020

244.58 per person aged 65 and over

152 councils to share it

Source: DCLG

Getty Images

The government said it recognised “all local authorities face pressure on the provision of adult social care”. In addition to allowing them to raise additional funds through council tax rises, a further 2bn is being allocated to them over the next three years.

Broken down by population, the “improved Better Care Fund” works out as an average of 245 per adult aged 65 and over. The money is not distributed solely on population size or even by the size of the population aged 65 and over. Instead, it is based on “relative need”.

That means areas such as Tower Hamlets getting the equivalent of 751 per adult aged 65 and over, while other areas such as Wokingham would get as little as 12 per person in the same age range.

‘Managers ask how long patient will live’

What will it take to unblock ‘bed blocking’?

See how your area compares on this interactive map .

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Hospitals will only discharge frail patients if they know there are care packages in place in the community.

In January, an A&E nurse told 5 Live Investigates how managers would ask about the likelihood of patients dying because of a shortage of space.

“I really struggle when management ask how many hours do I think that patient’s going to be alive for because we need the bed,” she said.

Councillor Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “No one’s elderly parent, grandparents or friends should be left unnecessarily in a hospital bed, when they could be treated in the comfort and dignity of their own home.

“Councils are absolutely committed to reducing the level of delayed transfers of care from the NHS and are working with providers and hospitals to help reduce pressures on the NHS.

“But the scale of underfunding councils have faced in recent years is placing the care provider market under huge pressure, making it more difficult to discharge people from hospital back to their homes and communities.”

She called for councils to be given “full flexibility” over additional funding for social care.

Image copyright Tableau Public

Image caption Map shows how areas compare for hospital delayed transfers where social care was an issue

Anita Charlesworth, director of research and economics at the Health Foundation, said regional differences, including demographics and affluence, mean that some areas will be more affected than others.

“Less affluent areas may experience more strain on social care services, as more people are unable to fund their own care. The new powers to raise council tax will not redress this because they will raise the most money in the most affluent parts of the country.”

Nigel Edwards, chief executive of health charity The Nuffield Trust, said the main issue was money but some areas “could do more to make their processes work better”.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “Patients should never be stuck in hospital unnecessarily and we are determined to make health and social care more integrated.

“There is a difference in delayed transfers of over 20 times between best and worst councils – this is unacceptable. We are working closely with NHS and local authorities to reduce this variation and will bring forward proposals later this year to ensure a more financially sustainable social care system.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said delayed transfers were “a symptom of complex pressures across the system, and do not have one simple cause or solution”.

“In Cumbria the problems are particularly acute because of the very high, and increasing, proportion of older people in the county and the pressure that places on health and care services,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Trafford Council, which had 53 delayed days per 1,000 adults, said it accepted the number was “higher than it would like them to be” but added that a growing older population, “living longer but in poor health” was a national issue.