G4s: Why so small?

[Shenanigans]

I'm agreeing with everyone that has stated money as the reason.

I didn't mind small or big toys when I was little. I loved all toys I had Little Pet Shop and Polly Pocket (she was like the size of your fingernail!) The babies from the Puppy/Kitty Surprise etc. were small and they were one of my most favorite toys.

I do prefer ponies to be bigger though, but maybe that's because I grew up with G1

[LadyMoondancer]

I suspect they wanted them small so they could make smaller playsets.  I doubt they save that much money on a G4 as compared to a G3.  Don't G4's have more "solidly" plastic heads?  *tries to squish one*  Not solid plastic, but it seems thicker than the plastic on other gens?  They might actually use more plastic than G3s (which have hollow heads).

I think it was a marketing decision, not a "let's use less plastic and save money" decision.

[zombienixon]

Well, they are supposed to be little ponies, are they not? In any case, they don't look too small for a kid to play with to me, but I don't really spend any time around children, so I can't really say. Honestly, I'm glad they're smaller, saves on shelf space.

[hathorcat]

And they just get smaller and smaller with G4...big focus on ponyville size and even the new POP line is smaller than the playful pony size.

As others have said, its cost. Hasbro want to keep ponies at pocket money prices. Despite inflation [and even factoring in improved production/logistics costs], a playful size Twilight Sparkle costs the same as her G1 namesake from over 30 years ago. There are not very many other products you can name which are the same price 3 decades apart - unless there have been sacrifices made to do that. So for G4 is size of product, size of packaging and quality of finish.

[LadyMoondancer]

Size of packaging is more for G4 than for G1 if you're going by amount of material used.    G1 was just "piece of cardboard, plastic bubble."

(Until later years with the Dance 'n Prances and such.)

[hathorcat]

Not with the carded ponies we are getting now. There is hardly anything to their packaging at all. Again its just a bubble and card.

[zombienixon]

G4s cost the same as G1s did?  I had no idea. I guess that explains some of the quality issues. Although, I only have G4 toys, so I don't really have any base to compare quality.

[hathorcat]

At the start of G1 the toys would run the $3.99-$5.99 price bracket each. Which is about on par to what a playful pony costs now, as you know. Its something Hasbro have kept consistent across the line [although G2s ran a little higher in price].

[SeashellnBubbles]

I think, as well as production costs, the "chibi" craze has lasted long enough for at least 2 generations to have a preference for smaller, therefore cuter, toys. The popularity of Polly Pocket, Puppy in My Pocket, and other itty bitty toy lines shows that time and again. Mix in the fact that Aunts and Uncles (and a few early age grandparents) remember the MLP line and the happiness associated, and there you have it! Teeny big headed chibi ponies!

[sd_dreamcrystal]

  Don't G4's have more "solidly" plastic heads?  *tries to squish one*  Not solid plastic, but it seems thicker than the plastic on other gens?  They might actually use more plastic than G3s (which have hollow heads).

Hmm no I don't think a G4 head plastic is any thicker than a G3s.. maybe in some areas but I don't have a spare pony in both gens I want to cut in half Now it is stiffer because I think it's a different kind of plastic from the G3s or maybe it's just the shape/size of the pony heads compared to the G3s

[FarDreamer]

I sure don't think it's due to the cost of materials.  Compare what you get for Lil' Woodzeez items at the same price as MLP items and the difference is really sad.

[AlmostApplejack]

Don't forget the bagged ponies that they have started to come out with too, they run a little cheaper than their carded/boxed counterparts, save for skimping on the hair colors for RD and removing the gradients from the eyes.

I honestly think that some of it is they put the silly accessories in there so it will increase the price, because they KNOW you want the pony 

[Sapphire-Light]

And G4zilllas only come wit a cardboard base, they don't even have a bubble or plastic cover, so they are exposed to the elements and getting dirty or their hair messed up

[gemini_pony]

And G4zilllas only come wit a cardboard base, they don't even have a bubble or plastic cover, so they are exposed to the elements and getting dirty or their hair messed up

OwO where can I find one? I really want them!!!

LOL nevermind I just saw the topic about them X3

[sd_dreamcrystal]

And G4zilllas only come wit a cardboard base, they don't even have a bubble or plastic cover, so they are exposed to the elements and getting dirty or their hair messed up

Design a ponies are like that too, but because they don't have doll hair all they can get is cracked, dirty/marked, smudged, among other things