History Analysis / MerchandiseDriven

* '''LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters''': Having a huge cast of characters in the show, means there will be more characters available for toys.

* '''MinimalistCast''' and '''EconomyCast''': The opposite of LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters can happen; sometimes, stories will be focused only on the few characters who have toys.

* '''SoLastSeason''': Once a weapon or powerup item is no longer being sold, it will cease to be effective in the show. In turn, focus will shift to the ''new'' weapon or powerup that just hit the market.

! LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters

Having a huge cast of characters in the show, means there will be more characters available for toys.

! GottaCatchThemAll

Perfect for a merchandise line focused on collecting.

! MinimalistCast and EconomyCast

The opposite can happen, sometimes, stories will be focused only on the few characters who have toys.

! TheWorfEffect and BadassDecay

In order to make the new character seem very cool, they first appear defeating strong foes, but when their toys are no longer being sold, they became easily defeated.

! SixthRanger

A great way to add another character to the toyline.

! KidAppealCharacter

The character is in the story to make money off the kids.

! SpotlightStealingSquad

Characters whose toys need to be promoted are given more prominence in the story.

! CutShort

When the toyline is discontinued, so is the show.

! PlotArmor

Characters who sell lots of toys and currently have toys in stores aren't allowed to die.

! RedShirt

Characters whose toys were discontinued, or never had toys to begin with, are prone to this.

! DroppedABridgeOnHim

Toys of the character are no longer in production, so this character is swiftly removed from the show.

! ChuckCunninghamSyndrome[=/=]DemotedToExtra

In order to keep characters who don't have toys anymore away instead of killing them.

! FirstLawOfResurrection

Killing a character in such media is not always meant as a way to sell toys, but if his toy goes back into production, he will come back from the dead no matter what.

! ContinuitySnarl

It can happen thanks to frequent demands for the story to be focused on toy sales instead of being coherent.

The opposite can happen, sometimes, stories will be focused only on the few character who have toys.

Having a huge cast of characters in the show, means that there will be more characters available for toys.

In order to make the new character seem very cool, he/she first appears defeating strong foes, but when his/her toys are no longer being sold, they became easily defeated.

! AbortedArc

Characters that need toys being promoted, have more prominence in the story.

The toyline is discontinued, so is the show.

Characters that sell lots of toys and currently have toys in stores, aren't allowed to die.

Characters that their toys were discontinued or never had toys to begin with, are prone to this.

! ChuckCunninghamSyndrome / DemotedToExtra

In order to keep characters that don't have toys anymore away instead of killing them.

Killing a character in such media is not always meant as a way to sell toys, but if his toy goes back into production, he will come back from the dead no matter what.

Killing a character in such media is not always meant as a way to sell toys, but if his toy goes back into production, he will come back from the dead no matter what.

Working Title: Merchandise-Driven Tropes
Laconic: Tropes used in Merchandise-Driven shows in order to sell more merchandise
Draft:
->\'\'\"To understand \'\'Franchise/{{Transformers}}\'\' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists \'\'\'[[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/To_sell_toys to sell toys]]\'\'\'. Hasbro and Takara Tomy are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell toys to children and, yes, even \"adults\". The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally make a profit in their own right, but this is regarded as mere gravy.\\\\
The \"to sell toys\" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can\'t usually sell someone the same toy twice, [=HasTak=] constantly introduces new toys, and often requires the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.\"\'\'
-->-- Wiki/TFWikiDotNet

In MerchandiseDriven shows, the manufacturers of the product the show is based on, often control the show in many ways possible in order to sell more, here are some tropes associated with this effect.

* TheWorfEffect and BadassDecay: In order to make the new character seem very cool, he/she first appears defeating strong foes, but when his/her toys are no longer being sold, they became easily defeated.

* SixthRanger: A great way to add another character to the toyline.

* SpotlightStealingSquad: Characters that need toys being promoted, have more prominence in the story.

* AbortedArc: The toyline is discontinued, so is the show.

* PlotArmor: Characters that sell lots of toys and currently have toys in stores, aren\'t allowed to die.

* RedShirt: Characters that their toys were discontinued or never had toys to begin with, are prone to this.

* DroppedABridgeOnHim: Toys of the character are no longer in production, so this character is swiftly removed from the show.

* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome / DemotedToExtra: In order to keep characters that don\'t have toys anymore away instead of killing them.

* FirstLawOfResurrection: Killing a character in such media is not always meant as a way to sell toys, but if his toy goes back into production, he will come back from the dead no matter what.