G3 (WARNING: image heavy) early G3 prototypes!

chocolateDelight

chocolateDelight

Bushwoolie
Joined
Apr 15, 2022
Messages
7
hi! i'm new to the forum!
i wanted to post this as my first non-introduction thread. some months ago, i came across on google with these prototypes. i thought they were pretty interesting, since it is rare to see G3 prototypes! (not counting the ones who appear on pamplets or in the backcards)

here's the source. it seems that this person has worked with multiple toy companies, including hasbro. i'm not sure if these prototypes were posted before, but i wanted to share this find.

Rainbow-Dash-1.jpg

the filename says "rainbow dash". so, is this an early concept of rainbow dash, then?

Applejack.jpg


Autumn-Skye.jpg


Kimono.jpg


Minty.jpg


Moon-Dreamer.jpg


the filename for moondancer's prototype says "moon dreamer". was this name intended to be her prototype name?

P1010302.jpg


Razaroo.jpg




Sparkle-Works.jpg



Star-Swirl.jpg


Sunny-Daze.jpg


we can mostly confirm these are prototypes due to their paint finish. and, also, some of these were in G3 pamphlets or backcards:

image.png

(image retrieved from my little wiki)
 
Welcome to the MLPTP, I hope you enjoy your stay so far!

I’ve never seen these before. They’re amazing, especially that Rainbow Dash! Wow, I hope whoever has/had these also had the Waterfire prototype. I’d love to see that one clearer.

I love that Rainbow Dash. She’s amazing, I can see why they may have changed her cutie mark it does feel a bit more 80’s somehow to me when they were probably going for whatever felt more “modern”

EDIT:
I just saw the link. Looks like crimped hair Cheerilee(?) wasn’t so G4 after all! And the Toolaroola…! They had that idea so before 3.5! These are so amazing
 
They're quite cute. Looks like they were a little shorter in the legs and the colors not as rich. I loooove Rainbow dash, she reminds me of Starlite!
 
That purple Pinkie Pie has also fascinated me, but this Rainbow Dash is on a whole new level. Her design looks much more G1 to me. These are super cool. Thanks so much for sharing! Hopefully we'll also find that green haired Minty prototype someday.
StormMaeker said:
EDIT:
I just saw the link. Looks like crimped hair Cheerilee(?) wasn’t so G4 after all! And the Toolaroola…! They had that idea so before 3.5! These are so amazing
Click to expand...
I believe that's Starsong. What's interesting to me with those is that while G3.5 Toola-Roola has the blunt bobcut and G3.5 Starsong has crimped hair, G3.5 Scootaloo has a completely different hairstyle. Wonder how she would have looked with the braids; They look great on the toy.
 
starscout said:
I believe that's Starsong. What's interesting to me with those is that while G3.5 Toola-Roola has the blunt bobcut and G3.5 Starsong has crimped hair, G3.5 Scootaloo has a completely different hairstyle. Wonder how she would have looked with the braids; They look great on the toy.
Click to expand...
I think you’re right, I did think that the pony was way too purple to be Cheerilee and the eye colour didn’t seem to match. It makes much more sense too to be Starsong
 
whoa! too many replies!
StormMaeker said:
Welcome to the MLPTP, I hope you enjoy your stay so far!
Click to expand...

thank you!

alright, i mostly agree with the hoof hearts. i am a big fan of the double heart, it just looks way more interesting than just a heart. it also reminds me of how some friendship ball-era ponies had a more complex hoof heart. (i like to call them tattoo hoof hearts because of their designs resembling a tattoo)
i really would have liked more ponies with unique hoof hearts, at least we have some of the G3 illustrations with double hearts
image.png
(like this one)

also, the core 7 ponies on the webpage look very cute with those hairstyles! i like that those hairstyles were planned before G3.5, maybe most core 7 ponies would have looked less bland with just regular hair.... at least some G3.5 ponies have some kind of hairstyle, even if it is with partly sculpted hair.


i hope we get more photos of G3 prototypes (and pony prototypes for each generation) in the future. the existence of prototypes assumes what it is to conceptualize an idea, and that in itself is an interesting process. maybe we will be able to find early designs for certain ponies in the future, or unused stuff. i'm a big fan of pony prototypes! they're just so rare to see.

early rainbow dash is cute, and also, i'd like more 80s-ish colour schemes on newer ponies!

EDIT: whoops! i didn't put the spoiler properly... :surprisepony:
 
WOW I love these, thank you for sharing!! I really enjoy the finish on these, actually. It's like, pearlier? I also think the shorter (more g1-like) mane on RD is rly interesting! I kind of wish more pony lines played with different hairstyles (in a way that isn't a gimmick).
 
starscout said:
I just so happened to stumble across this and felt it appropriate to share in this thread. Here's not only Blossomforth's first prototype, but the very first G3 prototype.
View attachment 60050
source
Click to expand...
as cool as this is, it's also kind of cursed :rofl: like, "I did not see them returning to gaze at her..."  and "Their eyes will tell you..."? idk... suddenly, i feel watched... :surprisepony:
 
starscout said:
I just so happened to stumble across this and felt it appropriate to share in this thread. Here's not only Blossomforth's first prototype, but the very first G3 prototype.
View attachment 60050
source
Click to expand...
This makes me wonder how many kids they actually observed bc I certainly treasured my g2s. " she had rhinestones in her eyes that seemed to deflect rather than draw in." :rofl: I would hold mine and just stare are her eye jewels sparkle while twirling their hair around my finger to see how it swooped so pretty around their necks. I still do at nearly 30! :tongue:
I also wonder if they have this process now or simply fan serve.
 
strawberrypony32 said:
This makes me wonder how many kids they actually observed bc I certainly treasured my g2s. " she had rhinestones in her eyes that seemed to deflect rather than draw in." :rofl: I would hold mine and just stare are her eye jewels sparkle while twirling their hair around my finger to see how it swooped so pretty around their necks. I still do at nearly 30! :tongue:
I also wonder if they have this process now or simply fan serve.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I thought the rhinestone eye shine were a neat gimmick.
The style for G4's and G5's toys were based on the show. G4 was just Lauren Faust's style, and iirc I think I remember one of the 3D artists for ANG talking about how G5's style was mostly translating G4 into a 3D style while also trying to make them look at least a little bit like horses.
 
Love these so much. Do you think pics could be added to the Wiki if the source was credited?
 
starscout said:
I just so happened to stumble across this and felt it appropriate to share in this thread. Here's not only Blossomforth's first prototype, but the very first G3 prototype.
View attachment 60050
source
Click to expand...
this is fascinating!! really interesting to see a confirmation that g3 was almost a return to form, I didn't know that they also took cues from g2. love the bit where they "took a nod from anime" lol.
 
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