PNSO - 2025 Hopes and Dreams

[Joel1905]

Firstly, I don't want another quiet year! I want classic PNSO where they give us a figure per month!

Now, here's my actual list.

New Tyrannosaurus (fully lipped)
New Carnotaurus (updated and with lips)
Herrerasaurus
Plateosaurus
Shunosaurus
Diplodocus
Utahraptor
Polacanthus
Muttaburrasaurus
Mosasaurus
Maip
Quetzalcoatlus


Now, to throw a curveball in here... I'd also love to see a return of the minis line, but up to PNSO's current standard. These could be anything from babies of their larger models, to smaller species! Imagine the likes of Coelophysis, Massospondylus, Dryosaurus, Deinonychus etc that roughly scaled with the Prehistoric Animals/Museum line figures!

[Quiversaurus]

I'm hoping for a remake of their Qianzhousaurus, in 1:35 scale 

[Halichoeres]

They haven't made a non-dinosaur in three years. I'd like to see them do that again.

Unfortunately it looks like your wish will be granted with the most unnecessary species: Mosasaurus.

Unfortunate if true.

As for the minis, I don't see those coming back, but if they do I would certainly like to see more small animals, including non-dinosaurs. I don't have much use for a 7-cm long sauropod.

[crazy8wizard]

On the other hand I do have a use for a 7cm sauropod

[Concavenator]

For one example, there's been regular requests for a figure of a large titanosaurian that's in scale with other dinosaur figures, and a figure like this represents an interesting aspect of prehistoric fauna.  For these reasons I think the Haolonggood Argentinosaurus was a good choice.

That description also applies for their Alamosaurus, which was a thing before this Argentinosaurus.  Haolonggood making Alamosaurus and Argentinosaurus is no different from CollectA making Ruyangosaurus and Dreadnoughtus.

As far as these huge titanosaurs are concerned, I think either Patagotitan or Dreadnoughtus would have been a better choice. It's true that neither of them have known skulls, nor Argentinosaurus for that matter, but their postcrania are remarkably more complete than Argentinosaurus'. But then, I think the people who are interested in these animals are only/mostly so because of their size, so I can also get why Argentinosaurus could be the more popular choice, even if we know very little about it.

And I don't agree that just because some people request a figure of a certain animal, that animal in question is a "good choice". There were also people asking for Tyrannotitan and Nanuqsaurus figures, two poorly-known theropods. Despite the requests for them, I still think they are poor choices, owing to their fragmentary remains and the fact that they have relatives known from more complete fossil material (therefore, making them more appropriate choices for a figure). Same applies for Argentinosaurus.

Of course, not that I'm criticising HLG's Argentinosaurus, as a figure. It's a masterpiece as far as I can tell, a really impressive model and a true achievement, to have such a large and well-made sauropod figure available. I just wish companies avoided species with poor remains such as Argentinosaurus.

[Sim]

That description also applies for their Alamosaurus, which was a thing before this Argentinosaurus.  Haolonggood making Alamosaurus and Argentinosaurus is no different from CollectA making Ruyangosaurus and Dreadnoughtus.

Oh, you're right!  I had forgotten about the Alamosaurus.  I think in this case, it would have been better to only release the Argentinosaurus as it has the maximum size for titanosaurians.  But people wanted Alamosaurus too...  That doesn't change that the two are basically identical anatomically, which makes it a bit weird for me.  But if people enjoy the two titanosaurian figures I'm happy for them.

And I don't agree that just because some people request a figure of a certain animal, that animal in question is a "good choice". There were also people asking for Tyrannotitan and Nanuqsaurus figures, two poorly-known theropods. Despite the requests for them, I still think they are poor choices, owing to their fragmentary remains and the fact that they have relatives known from more complete fossil material (therefore, making them more appropriate choices for a figure). Same applies for Argentinosaurus.

Thinking about it now, I don't think people requesting a species makes it a good choice.  I think it might be worthwhile if it satisfies lots of people, but that doesn't necessarily make it a good choice.  I agree Tyrannotitan and especially Nanuqsaurus are poor choices for figures.  I've seen a lot of requests/attention for Nanuqsaurus and I think this is silly.  I'm going to say it, Nanuqsaurus is overrated.  I think people just think it would have been a cold weather feathered tyrannosaurid, but Cryolophosaurus lived in a colder environment and it rarely gets represented feathered.  Also Tarbosaurus lived in a cold environment too and again it doesn't tend to get represented feathered.  And finally, Nanuqsaurus's environment wasn't that cold.  It would have been above freezing temperature.

[GojiraGuy1954]

They haven't made a non-dinosaur in three years. I'd like to see them do that again.

Unfortunately it looks like your wish will be granted with the most unnecessary species: Mosasaurus.

Evan is still in the PNSO top ten. AMosasaurus will be great, especially if it has brighter colours like the Tyrannotitan

[Sim]

That description also applies for their Alamosaurus, which was a thing before this Argentinosaurus.  Haolonggood making Alamosaurus and Argentinosaurus is no different from CollectA making Ruyangosaurus and Dreadnoughtus.

Oh, you're right!  I had forgotten about the Alamosaurus.  I think in this case, it would have been better to only release the Argentinosaurus as it has the maximum size for titanosaurians.  But people wanted Alamosaurus too...  That doesn't change that the two are basically identical anatomically, which makes it a bit weird for me.  But if people enjoy the two titanosaurian figures I'm happy for them.

Thinking about this again, I think it has been worthwhile for Haolonggood to produce both Alamosaurus and Argentinosaurus as people want an Alamosaurus to scale with Hell Creek, etc. species and want an Argentinosaurus to scale with their South American Late Cretaceous species.
CollectA making smaller than 1:40 Dreadnoughtus and Ruyangosaurus seems a bit pointless as they aren't to scale with most other figures, so what's the point really?

[crazy8wizard]

Having a figure you like in your collection? Not every collector is collecting to fill a set purpose or criteria, some just collect what they like.

[GnastyGnorc]

Since PNSO continues to remain silent I put together my ideal list of releases for next year under the assumption PNSO does a release every month (not very likely based on this year).

I would expect all to be in 1:35 except Coelophysis and the Dicynodont.

I probably won't get more than 2 off this list which is good because my wallet wouldn't handle it lol

January - Lipped Ceratosaurus (this would be a great way to cement lipped theropods going forward)
February - Furcatosaurus (would be a nice to have to supplement my Judith river formation display)
March - Dicynodont (wildcard) having something from this clade would cool because of how prevalent they were just before the dinosaurs)
April - Europasaurus (mini sauropod at 1:35 scale, maybe to hard at that scale though)
May - Gigantoraptor (heavily suspected we will get eventually)
June - Saurolophus
July - lipped Cameron T Rex (heavily suspected we will get eventually)
August - Aletopelta (one of the only dinosaurs found in California and has a cool story)
September - Coelophysis (important species that needs more representation)
October - Segnosaurus
November - 1:35 New diplodocid "Gnatalie" based on upcoming paper. (Love figures based specific specimens and papers. Example Lokiceratops)
December - Cryolophosaurus (idk gives me Christmas vibes)

[Tracewyrm!]

I am almost certain a lipped rex will be coming at some point in the year (unless it ends up being this year's big December release out of nowhere). Besides that I also think an Ichthyovenator is on the table at one point or another, seeing how PNSO likes to come back and release a Spinosaurid every once in a while. There's a few different ones they could release but Ichthyo seems like the most likely of the bunch.
Who knows, though maybe they're looking at this thread and laughing while preparing their Siamosaurus, Oxalaia and Sigilmassasaurus figures as we speak. 

I also really hope to see a Gigantoraptor and Ceratosaurus, though those two are a little more uncertain my eyes, as much as I'd like to see them. It would also be nice to see them try their hand at marine animals or pterosaurs again. I'd love to see them make a 1:35 azhdarcid or an elasmosaur. Other non-dinosaurs would also be cool, though again, I wouldn't hold my breath for it to happen either.

[crazy8wizard]

I've mentioned this before but if PNSO has been updating a lot of their giant museum line figures (e.g. Giganotosaurus, Yangchuanosaurus, Lufengosaurus), I'd be overjoyed to see a re-sculpt of the Euhelopus and Ophthalmosaurus.

[Sim]

I would like a Stygimoloch from PNSO, in the style of their Pachycephalosaurus.  I'm aware Stygimoloch could just be a growth stage of Pachycephalosaurus, but PNSO made Nanotyrannus so...

I used to have the Papo Stygimoloch and I like its head, but its pose is what made me eventually stop liking it.  It's in a terrible tripod pose, which might be impossible for a pachycephalosaurian if their tails were all stiffened by ossified tendons.  If the figure had to be a tripod, I think it would have been better to put it in a pose like the Carnegie Cryolophosaurus.  I was also tempted by the Safari Stygimoloch, but it's bigger than the PNSO Pachycephalosaurus and I don't want a Stygi being bigger than my PNSO Pachycephalosaurus.  Plus, I don't believe pachycephalosaurians had scales on their domes.  A Stygimoloch by PNSO of the same size as their Pachycephalosaurus, or a bit smaller, I think I would be great!

[Concavenator]

@Sim If PNSO has apparently discarded Dilophosaurus, Sinosaurus, or any Eudromaeosauria on the basis of size... I wouldn't hold my breath for a "Stygimoloch" by them. 

I would say it's more likely they release their 84th edition Tyrannosaurus first.

[GnastyGnorc]

At this point I would take anything from PNSO lol. We are almost approaching two months without a release.

[crazy8wizard]

The previous years' release/reveal patterns really have spoiled a lot of us with what to expect from PNSO tbh.

[thomasw100]

PNSO must really feel the competition from Haolonggood. We need to take into consideration that the four sauropods that Haolonggood has released in 2024 have costed 410 USD when purchased at the pre-order price and without shipping. Adding shipping brings this to something like 550 to 600 USD. For this amount you get essentially the entire lineup of PNSO for one year. Just to put things into perspective.

[SidB]

PNSO must really feel the competition from Haolonggood. We need to take into consideration that the four sauropods that Haolonggood has released in 2024 have costed 410 USD when purchased at the pre-order price and without shipping. Adding shipping brings this to something like 550 to 600 USD. For this amount you get essentially the entire lineup of PNSO for one year. Just to put things into perspective.

Given that this level of expenditure will drain the discretionary income of a lot of collectors, there isn't going to be much left over to spend on purchases of other companies for some. PNSO must be weighing their options for the future. Their products are virtually always more expensive than corresponding HLG ones, so for PNSO to truly make a move towards fabricating these mega sauropods is unlikely to say the least. You might be looking at 700-800 USD for such a product at 1/35, pretty much removing them from the bounds of practical possibility. I think that HLG has gone as far as is reasonably possible in this regard. For many of us older collectors, the Battat Diplodocus was the 'holy grail' -- it ran, historically, from 300 to 700 USD plus shipping, which, in my case, ruled it out as purchasable. Similarly with these HLG mega sauropods.
Still, I'm glad that they hit the market and are available for those collectors with the means and will to acquire them.

[Concavenator]

PNSO must really feel the competition from Haolonggood.

Paleofiguras told me that PNSO releasing fewer figures this year is due to them having focused more on non-figure-related stuff, like exhibitions, books, etc. So it seems like it isn't due directly because of HLG's presence.

That aside, it's evident that, to some degree, there's some competition ongoing, and since they sometimes release figures of the same genera, that means they enter in direct competition at least in those cases, since not every collector will get both PNSO's and HLG's version of a given species.

[thomasw100]

Given that this level of expenditure will drain the discretionary income of a lot of collectors, there isn't going to be much left over to spend on purchases of other companies for some. PNSO must be weighing their options for the future. Their products are virtually always more expensive than corresponding HLG ones, so for PNSO to truly make a move towards fabricating these mega sauropods is unlikely to say the least. You might be looking at 700-800 USD for such a product at 1/35, pretty much removing them from the bounds of practical possibility. I think that HLG has gone as far as is reasonably possible in this regard. For many of us older collectors, the Battat Diplodocus was the 'holy grail' -- it ran, historically, from 300 to 700 USD plus shipping, which, in my case, ruled it out as purchasable. Similarly with these HLG mega sauropods.
Still, I'm glad that they hit the market and are available for those collectors with the means and will to acquire them.

I do not think that if PNSO would produce large sauropods of the size that Haolonggood produces now they would cost 700 to 800 USD. Their Camarasaurus was 75 USD, which can be compared to 59 USD for the same sized Haolonggood Camarasaurus. The PNSO Lingwulong costs 67 USD and this is only somewhat smaller (mostly body mass wise) than the Haolonggood Apatosaurus which costs 95 USD. Probably an Alamosaurus of the size which Haolonggood has produced would maybe cost 200 USD from PNSO at maximum.

We need to remember that the major cost increase for such large figures is in the material costs (the PVC and paints) and the costs of investment for the large molding machines that can do such large pieces. A question would be if it would actually be possible to produce figures with the fine details that PNSO has but in the size of such large sauropods. Maybe there is a tradeoff between size and fine detail. And maybe this could be a reason why PNSO is not going down that road.