This article gives a great overview of what it takes to bring a toy line to life.
It focuses on the development of the various types of figures in the current Force Awakens line. I appreciate the thought and care put into these products. While I am normally very critical about reverting to a simpler articulation scheme, in this case is seems to make some sense. The inclusion of the extra armor pieces and buildable turret guns really sparks the imagination into places beyond just what happens in the movie.
The 5 POA figures are also that much more palatable because there are other options for collectors in their "Black Series" both in the 6" scale and the 3 3/4".
Thanks to www.battlegrip.com for pointing out this article.