Battlefield 1942 Transformers Mod

If you play the PC game Battlefield 1942, you might be interested in Beta testing a mod of the game that is desiged around Transformers including a re-creating of Autobot City. I don't know enough about the game to know if the mod is any good or not but below is a video of some of the built environments.

Can download and read more about the mod here.

Transformers The Game Out At Retail

Today is the day that Transformers The Game is out for the game consoles, you know the XBox 360, PS3, PS2, and Wii. The DS and PSP versions hit last week. In general, if your really hyper about getting the game, wait until after 2:00pm as sometimes stores don't get a shipment until later in the day.

The real question though is we know the game has great graphics and pre-rendered movies, but is the game any good? Based on some reviews, maybe not. The games for the Wii, 360 and PS3 are identical accept for controls and graphic tweaks so review for one system basically applies to the other systems.

IGN PS3 Review - 5.7/10 Lack of depth and poor mission design but points for cool Decepticon mission design.
Gaming Trend 360 Review - 497/600 or 83% Liked the graphics and voices, thought the missions could use some work and more depth.
Gamespot 360 Review - 6.0/10 Same pros and cons of the other reviews, ie great voices, great graphics, so-so missions and too short a game. This one does mention camera problems also occuring and overall says pass on purchasing.

Transformers The Game for Nintendo DS On Sale

Circuit City sales flyer for the week has listed the two Nintendo DS games, Transformers: Autobots and Transformers: Decepticons, on sale for $19.99 rather then $29.99. So if plan on getting the games, now is the time to save some bucks.

Update:
Turns out Toys R US is also having a sale on Transformers for the Nintendo DS. There's is even better with ALL DS games on sale at "Buy 2 Get 1 Free". So if you buy three DS games (two of em Transformers) at $29.99, it works out to about $20 each. Just remember that the free one is the cheapest of the bunch so you want the prices to be the same for maximum value.

So if you really want those games, your choices are Best Buys if only want one or both of the games or Toys R Us if there have been more then a few games you have been interested in (say Final Fantasy III).

Another update: Lorenzo P. provided a link to a YouTube video of a bug with Transformers: Decepticons. Unfortunately the video provides no dtails on how common the bug is or how easy or hard it is to trigger the bug.

Transformers The Game Starscream vs Jazz

Gametrailers.com strikes again, this time with a teaser of a boss battle Starscream vs Jazz. Thanks to Tigerclaw for the link. The scaling is solid with Jazz looking like a midget compared to Starscream.

Transformers The Game Shia and Megan Interviews

GameTrailers.com have two interviews with Shia Labeouf and Megan Fox about Transformers: The Game which they provided voice work for. Its basically an extended advertisement for the game but does show some nice game footage.

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Transformers: The Game Behind the Scenes

GameTrailers.com has posted two videos that go behind the scenes of Transformers the Game. The one from Blur shows how the pre-rendered intro was made. The second one is an video interview Flint Dille who wrote for the original G1 Transformers cartoon series and the script for the game.

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Transformers Handheld Game In Stores Now

It turns out that the handheld versions for the Transformers: The Game are out at stores. I didn't buy them but found Transformers for the DS and PSP ready to purchase at Best Buys. The console games are still not out but should be on shelves next Wednesday.

Transformers Game: Blackout vs Ironhide

IGN.com has posted a sweet video that shows a sequence of Blackout vs Ironhide boss fight in the game. How much is a cinematic and how much is in game play I am not 100% sure about but regardless it looks fantastic. Its a buffered video so sadly not able to download or embed. Hopefully YouTube will get a copy of it soon. Thanks to Chad T for the link.

Click here for the video.

Tranformers The Game Opening Cinematic

Transformers The Game website has updated with new content. The first video is an trailer commercial that loads on the opening screen before clicking to enter site or battle.

If watched the commercial that aired during Robot Chicken Star Wars Special (hilarious), then you already know the full intro cinematic to the game is also up, the TV commercial was an edited version of the same cinematic. Upon entering the site, click "VIDEOS" at the top and then along the bottom is the option "Opening Cinematic." Also there are four new images available (see below) on the site.

TFW2005 Transformers The Game Hands-On Writeup

TFW2005 has posted an article describing their experiences with a Activision sponsored event that allowed gaming press (I assume) get a little bit of hands-on with the various Transformers: The Game versions coming out meet with the game developers.

The highlights:
- "The video opens on Cybertron, with a voice over by Optimus Prime. We see that Cybertron is in ruins and that war is widespread. Prime goes on to explain the nature of the war, and the importance of the Allspark. The video shows Frenzy digging through a pile of spare parts, and then pans over to the back of Megatron. The video fades to show the Allspark heading to Earth. Then the video has a few quick jumps introducing the Autobots and Decepticons in vehicle forms, slowly revealing their robot forms. We then witness quick cuts of various battles, led by a fight between Optimus Prime and Megatron. All the fighting is taking place in a city setting. We then see nightfall as Optimus and Megatron continue to battle before cutting to the Transformers logo. The cut scene left the crowd in awe, and we requested to see it a few more times."
- A demo was shown from the 360 version of the game, showing the destruction and physics engine and a little bit of story mode.
- Some of the toys seen on shelves, such as Swindle, where inspired by the game.
- Multiple Easter eggs in the game such as billboards and other signs.
- Unlockable content included G1 Optimus Prime and G1 Megatron. New models too, not just skins on existing models.
- Shockwave is in the game, as a triple-changer with cannon, helicopter and robot mode. I think he is a boss level, not a playable character, but just guessing.
- Other unlockables include the movie characters in G1 color schemes. Starscream and Bumblebee especially ripe for this.
- Those at event where able to test DS, PSP, Wii, PS3 and 360 versions of the games.
- DS: Rather then play characters, get create own TF. Some unique levels between the two DS games. Good graphics, large levels and lots of speech including own character being voiced. Character shaped by game progression allowing to store new alt modes. Overall writer thought it was impressive and fun game.
- Wii: Wii-mote is more aiming device that helps move character around. Nunchuck is more walking and waving causes melee attacks. D-Pad for transformations. Wii trigger and A button for weapons. Good graphics for the Wii, but do have to deal with building pop-ups (as game catches up), handles lots of enemies at one time. Overall, once use to controls, thought was good.
- PS2: Not available to play but same content as Wii version.
- PS3: Gorgeous graphics. Mission design with large levels, that can be played in any order and replayed. Good car physics. Played as Barricade, noticed the more destroyed, the stronger the military presence to fight back. Loved the graphics and because of that transformations in mid-air etc where lot of fun. TF's in game seemed nearly identical to movie versions. Can climb up walls, etc. Music does seem to be from movie score. Basically thought it was great.
- 360: Same as the PS3. Because of XBox live though, there would be downloadable content available at some point but no specifics.
- PSP: Has lots of bonus material. 20 unlockable characters. Can play through game in any order. Good fluid graphics. Controls tricky until get used to them. Environments not as destructable as console versions. Game is more third person shooter with camera positions behind the on screen TF.
- After the demos had a Q&A session. Noted that fan leaks influenced the game as used the comments to improve and add to the games.
- Console games took 18 months to create, DS version about 8 months.
- New game trailer will air with Robot Chicken Star Wars on June 17th at 10PM.

To read the entire article, click here.

Transformers The Game Video Intro and Interview

There is a very nice video of the intro to Transformers The Game that just looks fan-freaking-tastic. I am sure many will enjoy the tag line at the end to. Thanks to a site reader for providing the link.


In addition, Gamespot.com has posted a video interview with Transformers The Movie executive producer Daniel Suarez where he talk about the game. The footage also shows some game animations and game play with multiple characters. Also towards the end there is a brief snippet of Frank Welker doing the voice of Megatron.

The interview doesn't reveal any new information but does provide the most game play footage seen so far and confirms that Scorponok is a playable character.

Can see the entire video here.
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Transformers: The Game Trailer

Another trailer for Transformers: The Game is now available and it looks pretty darn good. You might want to consider this a spoiler warning to as how the Transformers move and transform in the trailer will be similar (but not identical) to how they are done in the movie since ILM's model are used for the game. Thanks to TigerClaw for the link. Also, because it was available, also embedded the Peter Cullen inteview that I think is already available on the game website.
Game Trailer #2

Cullen Interview

Game Trailer #1

More Transformers The Game Images

Transformers: The Game website has updated with six additional screenshots. The images more pics of Blackout and Starscream and the first views of Ironhide and Scorponok in the game. Click images for larger view.

Transformers Game Behind the Scenes Video

Activision has released a clip that provides a little behind the scenes insight from the creators of Transformers The Game. The video is mostly a cheerleading video game rather then a how to, but does provides good preview of in game play and cinematics.

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TF: The Game: Optimus Prime Revealed

Transformers The Game official website has added some pics that reveal Optimus Prime in robot and truck mode. Keep in mind that the game designers are working directly from the models ILM created for the movie so what you see here is a good, but not exact, representation of what will be in the movie. No indication if this is in game as player graphics or interstitial movie graphics. Click pic for a larger 1014x575 image.

Transformers The Game Blackout and Starscream

Transformers The Game site has updated with a few pics of Blackout and Starscream from Transformers: The Game coming out near the end of the July. Not sure about the environments but the robots are looking pretty sweet. There is apparently additional content, such as G1 info and other screenshots, under "Allspark Special Access" but it doesn't become available until a faction conquers the world. The pics below I snagged from TFW2005.

TF: The Game Activision Interview

GameDaily had a brief Q&A with TF executive producer Daniel Suarez about the upcoming Transformers: The Game. From the article:

More Than Meets the Eye - Activision Talks Transformers

With the Transformers game due out in about one month we decided to chat with executive producer Daniel Suarez to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the game is shaping up. Activision worked extensively with the filmmakers to capture the essence of the movie. Not only will Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox reprise their roles, but the game will also feature the original voices for Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Activision has brought two of the central stars, Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, from the upcoming Transformers movie to their video game. Daniel Suarez, executive producer at Activision for Transformers: The Game, took some time to talk about the convergence between the two mediums and how this new game is a great example of Hollywood and game companies working in tandem to expand the film experience to the interactive realm.

GameDaily BIZ: Can you talk about what bringing the actors on board from the film adds to the video game?
Daniel Suarez: First and foremost, it adds legitimacy and authenticity and in the case where you have such a dynamic and well know voice as Optimus Prime voiced by Peter Cullen, not having him as part of the game would have been a travesty. The same goes for the human characters in the film.

BIZ: When did you do the voice-work with the actors and how big a role will they have in the game?
DS: We started the bulk of our recording in late January and continued through the end of March. We had two groups of characters to record – Human and Transformers. The Transformers has the largest number of characters in the game and also the biggest volume of dialog (over 5,000 lines). When some of the characters from the film were locked in we were able secure the talent for the game and get them into the studio. Notable cast members we recorded include Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, Frank Welker reprising his role as Megatron from the original TV series, Keith David as Barricade and Mark Ryan as Iron Hide.

For the human characters we were fortunate to get original cast members from the film including Shia Labeouf and Megan Fox. Shia is a huge gamer and we actually had the luck of meeting him on the set during one of our visits to see the shooting of the film. It was there that we were introduced and his passion for videogames really made it clear that he needed to be a part of this project.

BIZ: Will there be likenesses of any other main actors from the movie in the game?
DS: Yes, Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox are both in the game and both play their human counterparts from the film, Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Baines. We were really fortunate to be able to cast both actors in the game and what was a bonus is that both Shia and Mega are huge game players. When we originally met Shia we brought him out to Activision and had him play a very early version of the game to give him an idea of what his involvement would require and the direction we were taking with the game.

BIZ: Can you talk about how the developer worked with the filmmakers? I heard there was actually a set-up on the set for this game to be made?
DS: Activision worked very closely with producers Ian Bryce and Mark Vahradian to ensure that we were kept up to date on all elements of the film production. Activision was granted permission to work directly with ILM to translate the actual film models into in-game models for the next generation systems (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) and ensure the level of detail moviegoers were seeing onscreen would translate to their home gaming system.

BIZ: How much involvement was there from Michael Bay or the producers from the movie?
DS: Transformers: The Game was developed in conjunction with Hasbro, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount and Bay Films. There was a lot of coordination required to ensure that all parties were seeing everything and that information was being funneled properly between each group.

BIZ: Can you talk about the attitude that Hollywood now has with games and how that's evolved?
DS: Having worked on multiple movie based games in my career at both Vivendi Games and Disney Interactive, I have first hand experience on how the perception has changed – and definitely for the better. Video games are no longer considered another licensed consumer product like a coffee cup or beach towel like they were about 10 years ago. Film makers, studio executives and nearly everyone involved in the production, marketing and promotion of a film are now gamers or have kids who are gamers. This makes the process of developing a working relationship with the film makers and the studio a lot easier as they have a greater understanding of your end goal and have built up sensibilities about the video game medium that allows them to contribute thoughts and ideas to better integrate the intellectual property into the game.

Additionally, technology has helped bridge the gap. In years past, movie assets would have simply been beyond the processing power of any game system, but in today's next generation of game systems – we can take film CG models and adjust the resolution and level of detail to translate to the capabilities of the game consoles, making the transition from film asset to game asset that much more seamless and the visual connection that much more realistic to the game player.

BIZ: How will the game expand the actions from the film? Will there be any new vehicles or characters that couldn't make it into the movie?
DS: Transformers: The Game expands the movie universe in a couple of different and unique ways. First and most, Transformers is an intellectual property with a long history in TV, toys and comic books and it was important for us to integrate elements of that into the game to capitalize on that built-in heritage. That being said, we have several unlockable characters across our portfolio of Transformers game that give players the chance to play with characters from Generation 1 (original series of Transformers) that are not in the film.

BIZ: What role does the player assume in the game?
DS: Transformers: The Game, lets players choose between Autobots and Decepticons and ultimately play out the game based on their favorite faction. Crucial to the Transformers story is the classic battle of good versus evil and in Transformers we wanted to give players the choice to play the entire game as the Autobots or to choose the Decepticons' side and play the entire game unlike the movie story. The fan base has such strong affinity with both the good and evil characters that players will experience the best of both worlds, choosing to save human life and property as the Autobots or destroy it as the Decepticons.

BIZ: Thanks for your time.

Transformers The Game Screenshots and News

TWF2005 has posted two new graps (see below) from the upcoming Transformers: The Game that is coming out around 6/26. I say around because depending on where you look the range is from 6/19 to 7/4, but 6/26 is the number that comes up the most.

The main news though is even though the games will focus on the Transformers, Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox have agreed to reprise their roles of Sam Witwicky and mikaela for the game adaptions. Also of interest is the writer for the game is flint Gille who wrote for the orginial Generation 1 television series.

Click here for the full Hollywood Reporter article.

Transformers: The Game Target Robo Vision Exclusive

Similar to the XBox 360 Cybertronian Edition for EBGames, Target is getting its on exclusive version. The version, more or less called Transformers: The Game Robo Vision Edition, will be available for all console versions of the game at Target only. The writeup for the exclusive edition says "Get the Target Exclusive Transformers Videogame with Decoders to Find Hidden Codes Unlocking Exclusive Generation One Skins, Including OPTIMUS PRIME."

Even better the site indicates a release date of June 26, 2007, about a week before the movie comes out. Either way the various skins sounds good, not sure how the decoders work or where codes are hidden. In the game? On toy packaging? Guess details will come out soon.

There is also a Transformers marketing flash video on the Australian target site that is more of a placeholder for future information. You can find that here.

Daniel Ross Voice Starscream In Game

Speaking of video game voice work, Daniel Ross is apparently the voice of Starscream for the Transformers: The Game. Just the game, not the movie to be clear about that.

This info was release via the "Allspark Special Access" on Transformers: The Game website. I think that special access only becomes available when a faction conquers the entire world. The "Developer's Blog" on the site gives details about his audition for the interested.