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Even more coverage is rolling in about the newly and fully announced Transformers: Earth Wars mobile game from Hasbro, Space Ape and Backflip - with new reveals too in the form of Windblade and Slipstream as playable characters! The interview with Space Ape founders John Earner and Simon Hadesnippeted below from Gamesindustry.biz also offers insights into the game type, the build the companies have been using, and the companies' commitment to the project and aesthetic choices. Check it out, and head here for the full thing!
The studio [Space Ape Games] has, so far, made its name as something of a specialist in what its founders call 'build and battlers', the mid-core asynchronous multiplayer genre established to such great success by Supercell and Clash of Clans. It's already had two successes in the genre: Samurai Siege and Rival Kingdoms, but now Earner and Hade are looking to take the next step with the attachment of a globally recognised IP in the shifting shape of Hasbro's Transformers for its new game Earth Wars.
"I guess you could say it's the modern take on classic Transformers, where the characters are bigger, chunkier and more colourful, rather than the [Michael] Bay-style, which uses more organic characters," says product owner Chris White when I ask if they're tying Earth Wars to the Bay-directed films. "It works very well for us because they're very readable when they're small."
[...]
"Talking to a lot of the Transformer fans we have over the course of development, it's amazing how many of them haven't played any games in this genre before," says White. "Whereas you'd expect everyone to have played Clash of Clans, they actually haven't, so we're introducing them to the genre for the first time. One really interesting thing we saw during development, when we were getting Transformers fans in, is that, as a developer you've obviously seen a lot of games, a lot of tutorials. You start to think that everyone must know how this works, that you need to teach the player something different. Actually, there's tons of Transformers fans out there that don't know the mechanics of the genre, or indeed any game.
"It's easy to be cynical, having played tons of games in the genre and developed a few of them, but then you realise that maybe in some areas you've actually gone a little too far with the innovation and you need to dial it back a bit and give people something they're more familiar with."
[...]
"Transformers is huge in Asia," Earner corrects me. "We have the rights to launch the game globally, we secured the rights via Takara to introduce the game to Japan, which is the only territory where Hasbro doesn't have the rights, but there's a long and productive relationship between the two. So it's not so much that we don't have plans for Asia, it's that Asia requires an extra amount of detail. We won't go live in those countries on day one because we want to put real time into it.
"A pleasant surprise for me, having spent a week in China last year: we always knew that China had become excited about what we call 'Bay-led' Transformers. Bay-led is a country or person whose introduction to the brand comes from the recent films. France is Bay-led, believe it or not, as is China. We suspected that, as a result they might not recognise some of the characters, such as Grimlock. But the mid-core player on the coast of China is also male, 28-45. They know this stuff and they love it, so we're extremely optimistic about it, but like you say, they're a different market, you can't just come at it straight."
As USA Today is once again used to launch a new Transformers media feature, the lovely folk over at Space Ape Games have followed it up with the full press release and a number of tasty treats in the form of art and more for new mobile game Transformers: Earth Wars! Keep your optics tuned here at Seibertron.com for some more game-related goodies soon, too...
Hasbro, Backflip Studios and Space Ape Games Bring The Fight Home with TRANSFORMERS: EARTH WARS; Game Coming To iOS And Android in Select Markets Spring 2016
Battle as AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS and Fight Against Live Opponents Around the World In First TRANSFORMERS Real Time Combat Strategy Game
Boulder, CO (February 10th, 2016)– This spring, fans of the beloved TRANSFORMERS brand from Hasbro, Inc. will have the opportunity to harness legendary characters, including OPTIMUS PRIME, MEGATRON, BUMBLEBEE and STARSCREAM, in the palm of their hands with TRANSFORMERS: EARTH WARS – the latest real‐time combat strategy mobile app. Published by Backflip Studios (DragonVale, Ninjump, Paper Toss) and developed by Space Ape Games (Rival Kingdoms, Samurai Siege), TRANSFORMERS: EARTH WARS brings the excitement of the battle between AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS to supported mobile devices with fast‐paced gameplay and beautiful 3D animation, allowing the characters to attack, battle, and change form right before a player’s eyes.
With this game, players can choose to fight with OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS or join forces with MEGATRON and the DECEPTICONS in a battle for the fate of planet Earth. Players can join their favorite TRANSFORMERS faction, assemble a powerful team of playable characters, raid enemy bases for ENERGON stockpiles, and construct the Space Bridge to add reinforcements from CYBERTRON , all while playing in real‐time against other players around the globe.
“The TRANSFORMERS franchise is like no other. The story that has carried on through generations has drawn millions of fans who can’t wait for what’s next,” said Julian Farrior, CEO of Backflip Studios. “Working in conjunction with Hasbro, we’re bringing the TRANSFORMERS franchise to life in one of the most popular game genres.” Using authentic TRANSFORMERS storytellers and voice actors from the original franchise, TRANSFORMERS: EARTH WARS extends the GENERATIONS PRIME WARS TRILOGY story across new platforms, enabling players to interact with other TRANSFORMERS fans, as well as millions of people around the world who enjoy real‐time combat strategy games. Fans of real‐time combat strategy mobile games will appreciate a game play experience wherein players are solely in control of converting their characters and engaging in TRANSFORMERS versus TRANSFORMERS battles. The game also features artwork inspired by the TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS PRIME WARS TRILOGY series, dialogue written by TRANSFORMERS comic legend Simon Furman and voice acting from Peter Cullen, the original voice of OPTIMUS PRIME, as well as Frank Welker, the original voice of MEGATRON.
“We are excited to join forces with Backflip Studios and Space Ape to bring our iconic TRANSFORMERS brand to life in a new way through the launch of TRANSFORMERS: EARTH WARS,” said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President, Digital Gaming and Corporate Development at Hasbro. “TRANSFORMERS fans and fans of combat strategy games will love the explosive action as they join the fight to control the fate of Earth. “We’re delighted to bring one of the world’s most popular entertainment franchises to mobile devices in an explosive new gameplay experience,” said John Earner, Co‐Founder and CEO, Space Ape Games. “We’re focused on making hand crafted games that fans will enjoy, and can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on with mobile gamers.”
TRANSFORMERS: EARTH WARS will be free to download but will feature in‐game purchases, and will be released worldwide excluding Japan and China on Android and iOS in Spring 2016. Please note that a WiFi connection is required to play.
# # #
About Backflip Studios
Backflip Studios develops and publishes absurdly fun mobile games for iOS and Android devices. The company’s portfolio of top ranked games, which include hit franchises such as DragonVale, Paper Toss, NinJump, Spellfall, PlunderNauts, and Army of Darkness Defense, have been downloaded over 350 million times and are played by more than 33 million active users per month. The company is based in Boulder, Colorado. Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) has a majority ownership stake in Backflip Studios.
About Space Ape Games
Founded in 2012, Space Ape Games is a mobile games studio based in Central London made up of games veterans and key people behind the biggest gaming companies and the biggest social games on the web, including a #1 game on Facebook, two #2 games on Facebook and one of the largest virtual worlds for kids on the planet. Space Ape’s hit strategy games Rival Kingdoms and Samurai Siege are available on iOS and Android devices. Space Ape Games won the 2015 TIGA Award for Best Independent Studio and for Game of the Year for Rival Kingdoms, plus the 2014 Develop Award for Best New Studio and the 2015 Develop Award for Best Independent Studio. For more information, visit http://www.spaceapegames.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY‐DOH and TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and lifestyle licensing, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection with children and families around the world. The Company's Hasbro Studios and its film label, ALLSPARK PICTURES, create entertainment brand‐driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film, digital and more. Through the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families. Learn more at http://www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
Here's something Transformers-shaped for the more musically inclined among you: a collaboration between Hasbro and Sony, featuring a number of artists, resulting in Transformers: Roll Out - a music album with tracks inspired by our favourite giant transforming robots! Read more about it below, here, and check out two of the tracks embedded below.
Hasbro Studios and Sony Music Entertainment will release a new album of music entirely inspired by the Transformers franchise including alt-rockers Bush, Mount Holly, MEW and more.
Transformers Roll Out will be released April 15 with pre-order starting Tuesday (Feb. 9). Fittingly, upon its release, limited edition CD and vinyl will be offered exclusively through FYE stores.
"The release of Transformers Roll Out truly demonstrates the pop culture power of the Transformers franchise," Hasbro chief content officer Stephen Davis said in a statement. "With generations of audiences celebrating the brand across television, film, digital entertainment, consumer products and now music, this could not be a more exciting time for Hasbro and the Transformers brand with such a unique project that really delivers on the More Than Meets the Eye brand promise."
Starting Tuesday, as well, the compilation released Mount Holly's "Roll Out" and Crash Kings' "Gigantik" lead singles off the set. Listen to those here with a complete album track list below.
Hasbro has published their Q4 and year end earnings today. The boy toys category is where there was the greatest increase of revenue over last year and that was due to Star Wars, Nerf and Marvel. This is great since it offset the decrease in Transformers sales which is routine in a non movie year.
Here are the highlights:
2015 full-year net revenues increased 13%, absent a negative $394.5 million impact of foreign exchange; Including the impact of foreign exchange, revenues increased 4% to $4.45 billion;
2015 revenues grew in all major operating segments and regions, absent the impact of foreign exchange; Including the impact of foreign exchange, the U.S. and Canada segment revenues increased 10%, International segment revenues declined 3% and Entertainment and Licensing segment revenues increased 11%;
Boys, Preschool and Games category revenues increased both as reported and absent the impact of foreign exchange; Franchise Brand revenues increased 7% absent the impact of foreign exchange, but declined 2% including the impact of foreign exchange;
2015 operating profit increased 9% and net earnings increased 9% to $451.8 million or $3.57 per diluted share; Adjusted net earnings increased to $445.0 million or $3.51 per diluted share, excluding the sale of manufacturing operations;
In 2015 Hasbro returned $310.7 million of cash to shareholders; Generated $552.4 million in operating cash flow for the year.
Category Breakdown
Full-year 2015 Boys category revenues increased 20% to $1.78 billion. Franchise Brand NERF revenues increased along with STAR WARS, JURASSIC WORLD and MARVEL. This growth more than offset the decline in TRANSFORMERS, which faced difficult comparisons versus 2014's theatrical release of TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION. The Boys category grew 30% absent the impact of foreign exchange.
About Foreign Exchange
For those wondering why the exchange is such a big deal in the highlights section, it's because a strong American dollar affects negatively on American companies selling products elsewhere in the world. For instance, looking at the Canadian exchange, the initial contracts were drawn up while the exchange was about the same or close. A deluxe Transformer toy priced at $17.99 will bring you back USD $17.99 in the US regardless, but in Canada, it would be priced the same $17.99 in Canadian dollars. With the American dollar getting stronger, that CDN $17.99 ends up becoming USD $12.94, thus lowering Hasbro's revenue (I am using retail prices, but we can extrapolate to the loss Hasbro has when retailers like Toysrus pay for the contracted amount later when the exchange is lower).
Fellow Seibertronian philswitch engage has alerted us to a Bloomberg Business article reporting a possible merger of Hasbro and Mattel.
There has been reports in the past of a Hasbro / Mattel deal and details of this potential merger are scarce.
Here are the highlights of the Bloomberg Article:
Hasbro's and Mattel's stocks are on the rise with Hasbro leading the charge. Hasbro is projected to have a strong year with the release of a new Star Wars movie. Both companies are facing fierce competition from fellow toy manufacturer LEGO.
What do you think of this possible merger? Is it a good or bad thing for our favorite hobby? Hit the jump and sound off in the discussion below.
Remember to keep your browsers pointed to Seibertron.com for the latest Transformer news, the largest Transformers galleries and the liveliest Transformers discussions you can have this side of a space bridge.
Via fellow member William-James88, We now have a pre-order for Transformers: The IDW Collection Compendium, Volume 1 up at Barnes and Noble. This book is set up to include The IDW Collection Volumes 1 and 2, containing Megatron Origin; Spotlights: Blurr, Cliffjumper, Shockwave, Nightbeat, Hotrod, Soundwave, Sixshot, Ramjet, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Mirage, and Optimus Prime; and Infiltration, Stormbringer, and Escalation. This book is up for $79.99 and is due to be released June 1 of this year. No cover has been shown yet though. The pre-order can be found Here.
So what do you make of this new development? Let us know in the comments section and stay tuned for all news regarding The Transformers!
Good news to anyone getting into the comics recently, Comixology currently has a sale on a bunch of IDW trades (collections of individual issues) including Transformers trades. However, this only applies to trades, meaning that if the individual issues were collected into one book, like Last Stand of the Wreckers, then yay! However, certain Transformers series, like Megatron Origins, does not have a digital collection available on Comixology and there is no discount on the individual issues. Below you will find a list of what is available. If you are curious for a chronological order to these stories, we have a nice guide on this site for you to check out.
Transformers 2010-11 Vol 1 For All Mankind
Transformers 2010-11 Vol 2 International Incident
Transformers 2010-11 Vol 3 Revenge of the Decepticons
Transformers 2010-11 Vol 4 Heart of Darkness
Transformers 2010-11 Vol 5 Chaos Theory
Transformers 2010-11 Vol 6 Chaos Police Action
Transformers 2010-11 Vol 7 Chaos
Transformers All Hail Megatron Vol 1
Transformers All Hail Megatron Vol 2
Transformers All Hail Megatron Vol 3
Transformers All Hail Megatron Vol 4
Transformers Autocracy Collected Edition
Transformers Combiner Wars
Transformers Dark Cybertron Vol 1
Transformers Dark Cybertron Vol 2
Transformers Fall of Cybertron
Transformers Last Stand of the Wreckers Collected Edition
Transformers Monstrosity
Transformers More Than Meets the Eye 2011 Vol 1
Transformers More Than Meets the Eye 2011 Vol 2
Transformers More Than Meets the Eye 2011 Vol 3
Transformers More Than Meets the Eye 2011 Vol 4
Transformers More Than Meets the Eye 2011 Vol 5
Transformers More Than Meets the Eye 2011 Vol 6
Transformers More Than Meets the Eye 2011 Vol 7
Transformers More Than Meets the Eye 2011 Vol 8
Transformers Primacy
Transformers Regeneration One Vol 1
Transformers Regeneration One Vol 2
Transformers Regeneration One Vol 3
Transformers Regeneration One Vol 4
Transformers Robots In Disguise 2011 Vol 1
Transformers Robots In Disguise 2011 Vol 2
Transformers Robots In Disguise 2011 Vol 3
Transformers Robots In Disguise 2011 Vol 4
Transformers Robots In Disguise 2011 Vol 5
Transformers Robots In Disguise 2011 Vol 6
Transformers 2011 Vol 7
Transformers Spotlight Dark Prelude
Transformers Spotlight Vol 1
Transformers Spotlight Vol 2
Transformers Windblade
Hasbro may not have shown up at the UK Toy Fair last weekend, but the EU section has its presence at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany - and with that come their press releases about upcoming products on the European market (which have already been seen elsewhere). So far, all we have seen relates to the Transformers: Robots in Disguise line - as you can read in German below, with a quick translation from yours truly - but we do have additional info on the recently reported Hyper Surge Optimus, here named Gigawatt Optimus Prime. Read on below for more info and images!
Die Transformers Mini-Cons sind kleine Transformers, die sich im Handumdrehen verwandeln lassen. Die zahlreichen Charaktere sind bereits seit Staffel 1 fester Bestandteil der TV-Serie und direkt bereit für den Einsatz. Sie sind zudem auch in Form von Mini-Con Battle Packs erhältlich, inklusive einem Mini-Con, einer verwandelbaren Transformers-Figur sowie zahlreichen Ausrüstungsgegenständen.
Produkt: Transformers Robots in Disguise Minicons
Alter: ab 5 Jahren
Verfügbar ab: Januar 2016
Produkt: Transformers Robots in Disguise
Mini-Cons Battle Pack
Alter: ab 5 Jahren
Verfügbar ab: Januar 2016
Va'al quick translation wrote:Small, one-step transformations. As seen in the animated series, ready for battle. Also come in Battle Packs, with armour pieces and a Transformer figure.
NOTE: This is the TAKARA TAV50 IMAGE. No Hasbro image available yet.
Der Gigawatt-Optimus Prime aus der bekannten TV-Serie „Robots in Disguise“ verwandelt das Kinderzimmer in eine aktiongeladene Transformers-Welt. In sieben Transformationsschritten wird er vom coolen Truck zum Roboter. Zusammen mit dem enthaltenen Mini-Con entfaltet der Autobot dann seine ganzen Kräfte. Steckt man ihn an Optimus an, aktivieren sich Sound- und Lichteffekte. Dynamische Flugsounds bei Bewegung sowie adaptierbare Flügel und Laser-Kanonen komplettieren den Spielspaß des Gigawatt Optimus Prime.
Produkt: Transformers Robots in Disguise Gigawatt Optimus Prime
Alter: ab 5 Jahren
Verfügbar ab: Herbst / Winter 2016
Va'al quick translation wrote:Transform your play area into an action-packed world. Seven step conversion. Mini-cons included to activate light and sound effects. Flight sounds when moving and posable wings and laser guns.
Via a piece in The Hollywood Reporter, we have some news concerning the creation of a new live Transformers attraction/show, set to arrive in China by 2017. Transformers Live will be a 'cross between an action-adventure spectacle, a theme park attraction and a theatrical show' - you can read more about it below, or head here for the full article!
Optimus Prime and his band of Autobots are set to assemble in the real world — in China.
DMG Entertainment, the China-U.S.-based movie studio and co-producer of Point Break and Iron Man 3, has reached a deal with Hasbro to create Transformers Live. The robotics spectacle, expected to debut in an undisclosed Chinese city in 2017, will be the world's first live-action attraction featuring the toy brand's iconic characters.
The show will be produced by S2BN Entertainment, the live entertainment company behind Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, The Marvel Experience and Rock of Ages.
“Transformers Live will be a cross between an action-adventure spectacle, a theme park attraction and a theatrical show," said Michael Cohl, chairman of S2BN Entertainment, in a statement.
The partners will build a semi-permanent 4,500-capacity venue to house the spectacle, which will deploy a fusion of proprietary robotics technologies, high-tech projection systems and aerial stunt sequences. Sources close to the deal say Beijing is the most likely destination for the show.
"Fans will experience intense action, beautiful visual moments, an emotionally engaging story, lots of humor and rousing music," Cohl added.
Fellow Seibertronians! From the Botcon 2016 Twitter page We now have new art for the 5 members of Predacus! We have seen images before of both Predacus and General Ramhorn, but we now have art for the remaining 4 members: Tarantulas, Ravage, General SeaClamp and General Cicadacon! Check out these images below, and sound off in the comments section regarding the new art works!
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