Date: Tuesday, April 18th 2006 5:17pm CDT
Category: Site News
Posted by: Hotrod |
Credit(s): shockwaveuk
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Views: 27,101
Our own shockwaveuk has reported that Vector Prime has answered more questions from fans at
Hasbro's Official Transformers Website. This time he addressed questions dealing with Primus, Female Alternators and Unicron Armor! Here are the questions and answers:
"My Name is VECTOR PRIME and I am as old as time. I was created by PRIMUS when CYBERTRON began to function as the guardian of the TRANSFORMERS. I am from CYBERTRON and as the guardian of TRANSFORMERS I have joined forces with the AUTOBOTS for good to defeat evil. I change from a robot to an ancient Cybertronian spaceship which is why I am able to travel through time to many different planets.
Q: What's the latest on the new Cybertron Primus item for this fall? When will it be available? I heard that the US version will have something unique vs. the Japanese version- what's the scoop?
A: We can tell by the number of emails that there is great excitement for this character. The mighty creator of the Transformers race will be released this summer to all stores. You can change him from robot-mode to battle station-mode to planet-mode, and unlock cool features with the Cyber Planet Key. In addition, the INITIAL quantities will include a bonus 3-inch battle-damaged Unicron head (US only).
Q: Are you the legendary guardian of time and space?
A: Indeed I am.
Q: How did Megatron get Unicron armor?
A: After the Autobots’ astounding battle with the Decepticons and Unicron, Megatron’s need for more and more power made him seek out the Spark remnants of the disembodied Unicron. Forging Unicron’s lost spark into armor, Megatron was reborn into the evil leader we know today.
Q: Who is the strangest person you ever met?
A: I think all human people are strange, if only because they have one form and cannot transform.
Q: Will there be a girl alternator transformer?
A: They do exist in my world, only time will tell if they cross over to yours.
Q: Why do the Transformers look different in every new season?
A: The Transformers ability to scan different forms allows them to look different in different stories.
Q: Can Leobreaker combine with Optimus Prime?
A: Yes, and their combination forms the Savage Claw mode. It is truly a sight to behold!
Q: Do mini-cons have cyber planet keys?
A: No, but in some cases they can act like cyber planet keys and unlock powers of greater Transformers.
Q: Will Transformers Cybertron air in Australia?
A: Yes, in time, our story will be told all over this planet you call Earth.
Q: Is the cut on Starscream permanent?
A: No it is not. In time, the self-repair systems we all have in our Cybertronian bodies will heal it.
Q: What is Backstop's cyber key power?
A: It activates his ramming robot-arm - watch out!
Q: Do you love dragons?
A: Dragons!? Like Scourge? By Primus no! If all dragons are as ill-tempered as the fiery leader of the jungle planet, I would not like to meet any of them!
Q: Can you boogie down?
A: When I was a younger Transformer, I was able to participate in many more activities. We once had a mini-con that transformed into a disco ball, but that was a long time ago.
Q: What are the names of the first TRANSFORMERS?
A: Of course, there is me- Vector Prime. Another of the original 13 was called “The Fallen”. We never speak of his evil...I cannot reveal too much of this information...it is the hidden lore of Cybertron.
Q: What do the symbols on the cyber planet keys stand for?
A: The symbols on the Cyber Planet keys represent the planet each TRANSFORMERS robot is associated with.
Q: When are EVAC and Backstop going to be released in the stores?
A: Evac and Backstop and both currently shipping in the US and should be in stores soon.
Q: Why didn't you scan an earth vehicle? Wouldn't it make you blend in better?
A: I am from an earlier age and my form reflects that. I am on earth to help save Cybertron and the Universe, I am not here to blend.
Q: I have not been able to watch any television due to hurricane Wilma. Will the Cybertron episodes be rerun?
A: Cybertron episodes are actually available on-line at http://www.hasbro.com/action/. Episodes 2-10 are available now and we will continue to add a new episode each week.
Q: Will there be any other mini-cons besides Jolt, Reverb and Six Speed?
A: Yes. Mini-Cons are a part of the Cybertron story so you will see them in animation. More Mini-Con toys will also be released late this year in packs of two!
Q: Is Vector Prime really actually old?
A: Yes, I am almost as old as the universe itself. I was one of the first Transformers ever created.
Q: Were you a leader back in your day?
A: Yes, I was a leader. During the golden age of Cybertron I was given the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. I led for many years until I was called into service as the protector of time and space.
Q: How come there is only one true Omega Lock?
A: There is only one Omega Lock because it is a part of Primus himself. Just like humans have one heart, Primus has but one Omega Lock...
Q: Why are you the guardian?
A: I am a guardian of time and space because Primus called me to action. After I stepped down as leader of the Autobots, I became the watcher of time. I have seen worlds born and destroyed...
Q: Were you evil?
A: NEVER! The Decepticons are evil! Not I!
Q: Does Evac have a cyber key power? If he does, what is it?
A: Yes, Evac does have cyber key power. When he uses the Cyber key, Evac's plasma rocket launchers are revealed. He uses these in the most dire of times when he battles alongside Crosswise on Earth!
Q: What planet do you come from?
A: I was created on Cybertron but I was given the ability to travel through time and space to be on any planet in any time, as I am needed.
Q: How did Sideways come back? I thought he was destroyed for good by Armada Optimus Prime.
A: Sideways is a tricky villain, the dark powers of Unicron must have saved him to live again.
Q: Who created Primus and Unicron?
A: Primus and Unicron were created by the "Source" - an ancient and powerful force.
Q: Does Optimus Prime have a brother and what is his name?
A: No, Optimus does not have a brother. Different Transformers can have the last name Prime and not be related. The name Prime is used for Transformers with important jobs.
Q: Was Primus Cool?
A: Cool? As in cold to the touch?! Heaven's no! Primus is warm and full of life! Ha!
Q: What is the next Transformers series?
A: Even I cannot predict the future.
Q: Who else will combine with Optimus Prime?
A: Optimus meets one more valiant Autobot that will combine with him in a dire time of need. Keep watching the exciting adventures on Transformers Cybertron to find out who it is!
Q: Why was Megatron lost In Energon?
A: He was lost because of his ultimate quest for power. His desire to rule the universe blinded him to what was going on, and he became lost.
Q: Does Override have a cyber key power?
A: She does indeed. When she activates her Cyber Key, her jet thrusters open up to 2 massive gun barrels to help blast the Decepticons.
Q: How did Overhaul Turn into Leobreaker?
A: Overhaul was being pushed to his very limits in a battle on Jungle Planet, when he called out to Primus to aid him in his fight. Primus responded from across the galaxy and activated the Cyber Planet Key of Jungle Planet. Overhaul was reborn into Leobreaker due to his never-give-up attitude and his never ending quest to defeat Megatron and Scourge.
Q: Do you know EVAC?
A: I do. He is a brave and worthy Autobot that has protected the Earth Cyber Planet Key for millions and millions of years.
Q: Is Optimus Prime older or younger than you?
A: Optimus Prime is much younger than I am . He is the current leader of the Autobots. I was a Transformers leader back when Cybertron was first created.
Q: Will Alternator Optimus Prime previewed at BotCon be made available to the public and will there be a Megatron Alternator?
A: Yes, Alternators Optimus Prime will be part of our Spring/Summer 2006 line. We do not currently have plans for a Megatron.
Q: Is Snarl an Autobot or a Decepticon?
A: Snarl is an Autobot. He was listed on the Transformers web site incorrectly for a few days.
Q: Who is Primus?
A: You might occasionally hear the Autobots mention “Primus.” Primus is one of the first two Transformers, and is Unicron’s total opposite and brother. Primus is the ultimate force of good in the universe just as Unicron is the ultimate evil.
Q: Who was Unicron?
A: Unicron was an Evil Transformer that is the size of a planet who constantly threatens the Transformers universe. He has been destroyed several times, but always seems to come back. No one knows how.
Q: Do you like Hot Shot?
A: Yes, Hot Shot is a good warrior
Q: Is Giant the main planet or Cybertron?
A: Cybertron is the home planet of the Transformers. They are traveling to other planets in search of Cyber Planet Keys needed to save Cybertron
Q: Where is your Autobot symbol?
A: In Cybertronian Spaceship mode my Autobot symbol is on the top of my ship. In robot mode, the Autobot symbol in on my back.
Q: Do you know anything about the movie?
A: There is a dedicated Transformers movie site that can be accessed at www.transformerslive.com. This site will continue to be linked to our official Transformers website and you can continue to check back for updated information.
Q: Your Cyber Planet key has all 4 symbols, Why?
A: As a guardian of the TRANSFORMERS galaxy, I belong to no one planet in particular
Q: What keeps TRANSFORMERS alive?
A: Each TRANSFORMERS robot has a spark. It is a digital soul within their metal bodies
Q: When is RED ALERT coming out?
A: RED ALERT began shipping in the Deluxe Assortment in July so it should be out on shelf very soon.
Q: Can Hot Shot defeat Override in a race?
A: Keep watching the show and you will see just how fast Hot Shot and Override really are.
Q: Does your sword have any special powers?
A: My sword is used with my Cyber Key to open up warp gates and connect to different places and times.
Q: How many swords do you have?
A: I really only have one sword that I use.
Q: Do you have all the Cyber Keys?
A: I do not have all of the Cyber Planet keys yet. However, I am working with the AUTOBOTS to locate them all.
Q: What is the Omega Lock?
A: The Omega Lock is an ancient piece of Cybertronian technology that was sent out many years ago with the Cyber Planet Keys. There is a search now to locate it as well as all 4 Cyber Planet Keys to save CYBERTRON from the black hole.
Q: How does Jolt know how to talk?
A: Jolt learned to speak a human language by listening to and watching everything he could including television, music and the Internet.
Q: Are Mini-Cons going to be released as part of the CYBERTRON line?
A: Yes, Mini-Con figures will be available for Spring 2006 and may begin to show up late this holiday season
Q: How many years have passed since TRANSFORMERS ENERGON?
A: The Story of TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON takes place approximately 10 years after the end of the ENERGON story.
Q: Are you second in Command?
A: No, I am not actually second in Command I am acting as a protector of Cybertron working with the Autobots. Jetfire is really the second in Command of the Autobot warriors.
Q: Did you ever fight Unicron?
A: Yes
Q: Are you really one of the first 13 Transformers?
A: Yes
Q: Do you shave your mustache?
A: Fortunately I do not need to worry about shaving because I do not really have a mustache. It is the articulation in my facial plates that you see.
Q: When is TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON coming out on DVD?
A: Paramount Home Entertainment will be releasing RANSFORMERS CYBERTRON on 9.13.05
Q: When will TRANSFORMERS toys be available in stores?
A: TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON toys should be showing up now at all stores in the United States and coming to other locations within the next 6 months
Q: Will Transformers Cybertron be coming to the UK and EU countries?
A: Yes, Transformers Cybertron is coming, please keep an eye on www.transformers.com for more information and links to your specific country site.
Q: How long has Transformers Cybertron been on?
A: The Transformers Cybertron TV show has been on in the United States since July 2nd currently it airs each Saturday night on Cartoon Network at 7pm eastern daylight time.
Q: How much do you weigh?
A: That depends on which planet I am living.
Q: Where were you in Energon?
A: I was in the depths of space on another mission
Q: Where are you from?
A: I am originally from Cybertron but I have not lived there or many centuries. In fact, when I was on Cybertron, Transformers were not divided as Autobots or Decepticons.
Q: How old are you?
A: I am almost as old as the planet Cybertron. That is over 9 billion years old!
Q: Who is your favorite Autobot?
A: It is an honor to work with all of the Autobots.
Q: Do you know Alpha Q?
A: Yes
Q: How do you go back in time?
A: My vehicle form allows me to travel through time.
Q: What is your other form?
A: I change from a robot into an ancient Cybertronian spaceship
Q: Who is your best friend?
A: Safeguard, my minicon has been with me on many journeys and we have had time to become very good friends
Q: Can you destroy Megatron?
A: I am hoping to help the Autobots defeat him once and for all!
Q: Who is the strongest Autobot?
A: Each Autobot is the strongest in a different way. This is why it is important for the Autobots to work as a team.
Q: What sort of Animation do you use?
A: The Transformers Cybertron animation is a mix between CGI (Computer generated imagery) for the robots and traditional 2D animation for the humans.
Q: Are you related to Optimus Prime?
A: Optimus Prime and I are not really related but we share the name Prime because that is a name given to Autobots with important jobs.
Q: What is your favorite planet?
A: I have spent many years on Cybertron
Q: Do you sleep?
A: I do try to take occasional opportunities to rest
Q: Do you know Alpha Trion?
A: Yes, from many years ago.
Q: Who guards the Cyber Planet Key on Earth?
A: It is guarded by EVAC
Q: How many episodes of Transformers Cybertron will there be?
A: There will be 52 episodes
Q: Is Override from the Speed Plant a girl?
A: Yes, she is a girl."
Date: Thursday, October 20th 2005 9:37am CDT
Category: Site News
Posted by: Sideshow Sideswipe |
Credit(s): tfans.com
Permanent Link
Views: 15,455
According to this AP article, analysts predict poor consumer spending this year, however HASBRO is doing better than its competitor Mattel.
The important part:
The company said game sales grew 7 percent. Revenue from U.S. toys climbed 6 percent on sales of its "Star Wars" products and its Furby, Nerf, Transformers, Playskool and Littlest Pet Shop brands.
The whole article
Mattel Profits Fall; Hasbro Earnings Up
Monday October 17, 4:40 pm ET
By Anne D'Innocenzio, AP Business Writer
Mattel's Third-Quarter Profits Fall on Weak Barbie Sales; Rival Hasbro's Earnings Rise
NEW YORK (AP) -- Barbie lost out to Darth Vader as Mattel Inc. posted a double-digit decline in third-quarter earnings Monday, and rival Hasbro Inc. generated an increase in profit.
Both companies' results missed Wall Street expectations, though, as the toy industry feels pressure from increased energy costs that are crimping consumer spending and hurting profit margins.
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Mattel, the world's largest toy maker, said net profit fell 12 percent as lower Barbie sales offset higher revenue from other products. Hasbro said earnings grew 4 percent, boosted by sales of games and "Star Wars" toys.
The real test in the battle for sales will be the critical holiday quarter, and toy executives acknowledged economic headwinds will make the 2005 holiday season difficult.
"As we look ahead with the higher cost of gasoline and expected increases in home heating costs, it remains to be seen how much of an impact this will have on consumer spending during the holiday season," Alfred J. Verrecchia, president and chief executive officer of Hasbro, told investors in a conference call Monday.
El Segundo, California-based Mattel reported earnings of $225.3 million, or 55 cents per share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, down from $255.8 million, or 61 cents per share, a year earlier.
Sales declined slightly to $1.666 billion from $1.667 billion, even as the toymaker benefited from currency-exchange rates. Gross revenue fell 4 percent in the United States, while climbing 5 percent internationally, including a currency benefit of 3 percentage points.
Analysts had expected earnings of 61 cents per share on $1.72 billion in sales, according to a Thomson Financial survey.
"Overall, we continue to experience the effect of a difficult retail environment as well as cost increases," said Robert A. Eckert, chairman and chief executive. "I am confident, however, that our recent organizational changes have laid a positive foundation as we continue to reinvigorate the Barbie brand and improve our processes across the organization."
Mattel started to revamp Barbie last year, designing the iconic doll and her accessories within the context of different themes and story lines, but said it needs to do a better job in communicating the essence of the brand.
Worldwide gross sales of the doll fell 18 percent as Mattel struggles with increased competition from Bratz dolls from privately held MGA Entertainment Inc. But worldwide sales rose by double-digits for its other brands aimed at girls, and grew 4 percent for its wheels brands, including Hot Wheels, Matchbox and Tyco R/C.
The company's Fisher-Price brand grew 6 percent to $727.4 million, up 6 percent from the year ago period. Gross sales for its American Girl brand climbed 12 percent to $69.1 million.
Mattel last week disclosed a plan to consolidate its Mattel and Fisher-Price brands under a single division, which will include the Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price brands, as well as licensed brands for Batman, Dora-the-Explorer and Sesame Street.
The toymaker, which has raised prices by 2 percent to 4 percent this year, said more is in store next year as it struggles with higher raw material and transportation costs.
Hasbro earned $92.1 million, or 47 cents per share, for the three months ended Sept. 25, up from $88.7 million, or 43 cents per share, a year ago. The year-ago results were restated to reflect the adoption of new accounting rules.
Revenue rose 4 percent to $988.1 million from $947.3 million, helped by a $5.9 million currency-exchange gain and strong sales of "Star Wars" products and games.
Analysts expected earnings of 51 cents per share on sales of $997.1 million, according to a Thomson Financial survey.
The company said game sales grew 7 percent. Revenue from U.S. toys climbed 6 percent on sales of its "Star Wars" products and its Furby, Nerf, Transformers, Playskool and Littlest Pet Shop brands.
Hasbro shares fell 2 cents to close at $18.70 in trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Mattel fell 56 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $15.39 on the NYSE.
Associated Press Business Writer Alex Veiga in Los Angeles and Richard C. Lewis in Providence, R.I. contributed to this report.
Mattel Inc.: http://www.mattel.com
Hasbro Inc.: http://www.hasbro.com
Date: Saturday, June 25th 2005 7:51am CDT
Category: Site News
Posted by: Solidus |
Credit(s): Jedi Kermit
Permanent Link
Views: 11,755
Jedi Kermit has pointed us to a
press release just revealed two days ago, detailing new information on the Toys R Us buyout that has been going on for quite some time.
Cutting through the legalese, the following relevant information can be found:
-TRU is being purchased by an investment group consisting of Bain Capital Partners LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and L.P. and Vornado Realty Trust.
These statements discuss, among other things, our strategy, store openings and renovations, future financial or operational performance, anticipated cost savings, results of restructurings, anticipated domestic or international developments, our proposed merger, and other goals, targets and future occurrences and trends. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, among others, competition in the retail industry, seasonality of our business, changes in consumer preferences and consumer spending patterns, general economic conditions in the United States and other countries in which we conduct our business.
Potentially good news for those of us expecting TRU to have been scrapped into real estate, when the merger was first announced.
Date: Tuesday, October 12th 2004 8:40pm CDT
Category: Site News
Posted by: Razorclaw0000 |
Credit(s): Magnus of Seibertron.com
Permanent Link
Views: 17,460
Like some science fiction novel, the US Air Force held a press conference in which it outlined the possiblities of developing antimatter weapons. You know ... the stuff
G1 Megatron shoots out of his cannon?
Scary, eh?
To summarize the article (summary done by the Summarize sevice in Mac OS X):
The most powerful potential energy source presently thought to be available to humanity, antimatter is a term normally heard in science-fiction films and TV shows, whose heroes fly "antimatter-powered spaceships" and do battle with "antimatter guns."
...
During the Cold War, the Air Force funded numerous scientific studies of the basic physics of antimatter. With the knowledge gained, some Air Force insiders are beginning to think seriously about potential military uses -- for example, antimatter bombs small enough to hold in one's hand, and antimatter engines for 24/7 surveillance aircraft.
More cataclysmic possible uses include a new generation of super weapons -- either pure antimatter bombs or antimatter-triggered nuclear weapons; the former wouldn't emit radioactive fallout. Another possibility is antimatter- powered "electromagnetic pulse" weapons that could fry an enemy's electric power grid and communications networks, leaving him literally in the dark and unable to operate his society and armed forces.
...
In 1929, Dirac suggested that the building blocks of atoms -- electrons (negatively charged particles) and protons (positively charged particles) -- have antimatter counterparts: antielectrons and antiprotons. One fundamental difference between matter and antimatter is that their subatomic building blocks carry opposite electric charges. Thus, while an ordinary electron is negatively charged, an antielectron is positively charged (hence the term positrons, which means "positive electrons"); and while an ordinary proton is positively charged, an antiproton is negative.
...
Unlike regular nuclear bombs, positron bombs wouldn't eject plumes of radioactive debris. When large numbers of positrons and antielectrons collide, the primary product is an invisible but extremely dangerous burst of gamma radiation. Thus, in principle, a positron bomb could be a step toward one of the military's dreams from the early Cold War: a so-called "clean" superbomb that could kill large numbers of soldiers without ejecting radioactive contaminants over the countryside.
...
But talk of "clean" superbombs worries critics. " 'Clean' nuclear weapons are more dangerous than dirty ones because they are more likely to be used," said an e-mail from science historian George Dyson of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J., author of "Project Orion," a 2002 study on a Cold War-era attempt to design a nuclear spaceship. Still, Dyson adds, antimatter weapons are "a long, long way off."
...
Edwards' point man in that effort is Gerald Smith, former chairman of physics and Antimatter Project leader at Pennsylvania State University. Smith now operates a small firm, Positronics Research LLC, in Santa Fe, N.M. So far, the Air Force has given Smith and his colleagues $3.7 million for positron research, Smith told The Chronicle in August.
Smith is looking to store positrons in a quasi-stable form called positronium. A positronium "atom" (as physicists dub it) consists of an electron and antielectron, orbiting each other. Normally these two particles would quickly collide and self-annihilate within a fraction of a second -- but by manipulating electrical and magnetic fields in their vicinity, Smith hopes to make positronium atoms last much longer.
Smith's storage effort is the "world's first attempt to store large quantities of positronium atoms in a laboratory experiment," Edwards noted in his March speech. "If successful, this approach will open the door to storing militarily significant quantities of positronium atoms."
...
In the meantime, the Air Force has been investigating the possibility of making use of a powerful positron-generating accelerator under development at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. One goal: to see if positrons generated by the accelerator can be stored for long periods inside a new type of "antimatter trap" proposed by scientists, including Washington State physicist Kelvin Lynn, head of the school's Center for Materials Research.
A new generation of military explosives is worth developing, and antimatter might fill the bill, Lynn told The Chronicle: "If we spend another $10 billion (using ordinary chemical techniques), we're going to get better high explosives, but the gains are incremental because we're getting near the theoretical limits of chemical energy."
See the full article
here.
Date: Monday, November 24th 2003 5:45pm CST
Category: Site News
Posted by: Professor Smooth |
Credit(s): CNN
Permanent Link
Views: 36,514
What would life be like without idiotic watchdog groups telling us what we should and shouldn´t do? Well, chances are it would be a lot more fun. In the spirit of killing any and all joy that might find its way into the minds of young people, a watchdog parent group called The Lion & Lamb Project has released a
list of things that shouldn´t be given to children this holiday season. As you´ve no doubt figured out by reading the topic of this article, Transformers has made the list. They´ve clearly done their homework, as demonstrated by this
picture. Among their Transformer items they recommend NOT be purchased for children this holiday season are TF Universe Razorclaw. They also have the Beast Wars video game on the list of game not to buy children. Maybe they know something we don´t, but the last Beast Wars video game was released three years ago...
This is the United States so these people have a right to say what they want to. But you, as parents and consumers, have the right to completely ignore them.
Date: Friday, September 19th 2003 1:55pm CDT
Category: Site News
Posted by: Professor Smooth |
Credit(s): Digiguide
Permanent Link
Views: 34,786
SPOILER WARNING!
#49 Alliance: As Unicron awakens, Optimus and Galvatron decide to form an alliance to battle their mutual enemy.
#50 Union: Even together, the united Autobot and Decepticon forces are powerless against Unicron.
#51 Origin: Unicron has been waiting for Optimus Prime to join the battle, and he quickly captures everyone.
#52 Mortal Combat: Their battle against Unicron over, Optimus and Galvatron resume their ancient conflict, with disasterous consequences...
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