MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Transformer

2007-06-03T00:14:25Z

71.98.142.204:

Should the mention of ''Cybertron'' as the most recent incarnation of Transformers be replaced by ''Classics''? [[User:Amadeus|Amadeus]] 19:39, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

I went ahead and changed it from ''[[Cybertron]]'' to ''[[Classics]]''. [[User:Amadeus|Amadeus]] 19:42, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

:I'm going to change it to the movie line, but do we really want to have to constantly update this? Maybe it should be removed altogether.

:Also, I daresay this is no longer a stub. --[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 06:54, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

== Split Species / Toyline? ==

Just wondering if there was support for splitting this into two articles "Transformers (species)" and "Transformers (toyline)" or if folks prefered it as the one joint article? [[User:ZacWilliam|ZacWilliam]] 14:31, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

:I support a split. Although "toyline" isn't the right word... and neither is franchise. They both already have established meanings in our nomenclature. "Brand" would probably be best. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 15:25, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

:: "Brand" seems to be the word Hasbro uses. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 19:39, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

I'm sorry... did you just say the Transformers aren't robots? -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 21:13, 2 June 2007 (UTC)
: Uh, yeah. Mr. IP Address, aren't the tagline "robots in diguise", the term "robot mode", and four whole lines referring to the Transformers as robots right in their titles enough to convince you that's what they are? --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 21:23, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

:: A robot, by definition, is ..."1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance. 2. A machine or device that operates automatically or by remote control. 3. A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others." Try arguing with the American Heritage Dictionary, and then read the phrase "species of robot" and tell me it sounds intelligent. The Transformers are self aware and under nobody's control. Thus, they are not robots.

:: Also, the fact that children almost always associate the term "robot" with something like the Transformers means that Hasbro was and still is smart enough to market their product with that subtitle.

::: Uh, how about the fact that Transformers themselves referred to insecticide that works on other Transformers as [[Robotic insecticide]], if you want self-reference by characters in the fiction? --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 21:58, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

::: "And if we're talking unnatural life forms, we gotta be talking about just one thing! ''Robots in disguise!''" - Cheetor, first episode of ''Beast Wars'' --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 22:18, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

:::: I had a valid retaliation in store, but I believe "sentient robot," which has been edited in, sums everything up. Sorry for the disagreement.<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Talk:Transformer

2007-06-02T21:51:54Z

71.98.142.204:

Should the mention of ''Cybertron'' as the most recent incarnation of Transformers be replaced by ''Classics''? [[User:Amadeus|Amadeus]] 19:39, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

I went ahead and changed it from ''[[Cybertron]]'' to ''[[Classics]]''. [[User:Amadeus|Amadeus]] 19:42, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

:I'm going to change it to the movie line, but do we really want to have to constantly update this? Maybe it should be removed altogether.

:Also, I daresay this is no longer a stub. --[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 06:54, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

== Split Species / Toyline? ==

Just wondering if there was support for splitting this into two articles "Transformers (species)" and "Transformers (toyline)" or if folks prefered it as the one joint article? [[User:ZacWilliam|ZacWilliam]] 14:31, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

:I support a split. Although "toyline" isn't the right word... and neither is franchise. They both already have established meanings in our nomenclature. "Brand" would probably be best. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 15:25, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

:: "Brand" seems to be the word Hasbro uses. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 19:39, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

I'm sorry... did you just say the Transformers aren't robots? -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 21:13, 2 June 2007 (UTC)
: Uh, yeah. Mr. IP Address, aren't the tagline "robots in diguise", the term "robot mode", and four whole lines referring to the Transformers as robots right in their titles enough to convince you that's what they are? --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 21:23, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

:: A robot, by definition, is ..."1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance. 2. A machine or device that operates automatically or by remote control. 3. A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others." Try arguing with the American Heritage Dictionary, and then read the phrase "species of robot" and tell me it sounds intelligent. The Transformers are self aware and under nobody's control. Thus, they are not robots.

:: Also, the fact that children almost always associate the term "robot" with something like the Transformers means that Hasbro was and still is smart enough to market their product with that subtitle.<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Talk:Transformer

2007-06-02T21:49:56Z

71.98.142.204: Not enought to convince me.

Should the mention of ''Cybertron'' as the most recent incarnation of Transformers be replaced by ''Classics''? [[User:Amadeus|Amadeus]] 19:39, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

I went ahead and changed it from ''[[Cybertron]]'' to ''[[Classics]]''. [[User:Amadeus|Amadeus]] 19:42, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

:I'm going to change it to the movie line, but do we really want to have to constantly update this? Maybe it should be removed altogether.

:Also, I daresay this is no longer a stub. --[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 06:54, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

== Split Species / Toyline? ==

Just wondering if there was support for splitting this into two articles "Transformers (species)" and "Transformers (toyline)" or if folks prefered it as the one joint article? [[User:ZacWilliam|ZacWilliam]] 14:31, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

:I support a split. Although "toyline" isn't the right word... and neither is franchise. They both already have established meanings in our nomenclature. "Brand" would probably be best. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 15:25, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

:: "Brand" seems to be the word Hasbro uses. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 19:39, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

I'm sorry... did you just say the Transformers aren't robots? -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 21:13, 2 June 2007 (UTC)
: Uh, yeah. Mr. IP Address, aren't the tagline "robots in diguise", the term "robot mode", and four whole lines referring to the Transformers as robots right in their titles enough to convince you that's what they are? --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 21:23, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

: A robot, by definition, is ..."1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance. 2. A machine or device that operates automatically or by remote control. 3. A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others." Try arguing with the American Heritage Dictionary, and then read the phrase "species of robot" and tell me it sounds intelligent. The Transformers are self aware and under nobody's control. Thus, they are not robots.

: Also, the fact that children almost always associate the term "robot" with something like the Transformers means that Hasbro was and still is smart enough to market their product with that subtitle.<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Transformer

2007-06-02T21:07:14Z

71.98.142.204: Changed the first sentence again.

The '''Transformers''' are an inorganic mechanical species (mostly) originating from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

[[Image:Bumblebeeg1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], a Transformer, transforming. Savvy?]]

Though this is the most common term for them, there are others, mainly "'''Cybertron'''" as a reference to ''any'' being whose origin traces back to the planet in question (the adjective form being "'''Cybertronian'''").

The name Transformer stems from the species' generally-shared ability to "transform," to change from a robotic primary mode (usually, but not always, humanoid) into an alternate form, generally vehicles, weapons, machinery, or animals. In some continuities this ability to transform is innate to all members of the species, in others it was a wartime innovation that was adopted by most, but not all, Cybertronians.

==Biology==
===Physical construction===
[[Image:Spark.gif|left|100px|thumb|Sparks retail for $29.95 at [http://www.sharperimage.com/ Sharper Image]]]

Transformers are living beings, despite their (usually) mechanical bodies. Many continuities portray this life as being granted by a soul-like [[spark]].

[[Image:G1Bw.gif|right|250px|thumb|Original, or extra-fleshy.]]

Traditionally, Transformers are fully-mechanical beings, but by the [[Beast Era]] of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]] synthetic flesh has become increasingly incorporated into their construction, often to aid in disguise or survival on worlds inhabited by organic lifeforms. (A version of this technology had been introduced earlier with [[Pretender]] Transformers, though in that instance the synthetic flesh was a removable outer "shell").

In the era of ''[[Beast Machines]]'', events lead to true organics being infused into Transformers biology down to the cellular level, making them "[[technorganic]]" with an increased range of powers resulting. (The "[[ParasiTech]]" techonolgy introduced in the Generation-1-based [[Kiss-Player]] series seems to have an organic component to it as well.)

===Sizes===
Transformers are ''generally'' large in comparison to Earth lifeforms, (two or three times the height of a human seems to be about average, though depictions vary wildly even for the same character), but a Transformer can be much, much smaller or much, much larger. There are some small enough to fit in a humans palm (see [[Browning]] and the [[Real Gear Robots]]). While the [[Micromaster]]s and [[Mini-Con]]s are two groups whose size range is within normal human standards at a time when most Transformers are larger, human-sized appears to be the norm for Transformers altogether in the Beast Era.

Others can be a good deal larger, like the colossal city-bots [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] or [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (the latter depending on the continuity). In the ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series, the planet [[Gigantion]] is populated by both extremes: robots who tower over "normal"-sized Transformers, aided by their tiny Mini-Con partners.

===Variance in form===
While many Transformers possess a "humanoid" form with two arms, two legs and a head atop their torso, it is not uncommon at all for there to be extensive variations. Some Transformers do not have a "humanoid" mode at all, rather their "primary" form is that of an animal or vehicle. [[Generation 1]]'s [[Ravage]], [[Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]], for example, or the ''Beast Wars'' [[Mutant (BW)|Mutants]].

Some have unconventional limbs, their hands (or whole arm) replaced with tools, claws, weapons, or some other form of manipulator (like a beast-mode's head!). Some Transformers' lower bodies feature digitigrade legs, or wheels/treads instead of feet, or no discernible separate legs at all. Some even have more (or less!) than the normal number of limbs altogether. This design style became much more common in the Beast Era (''Beast Wars'' [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and ''Beast Machines'' [[Thrust]], for example), and is also common among the Mini-Cons, but Generation 1 is not without its examples (like [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], and [[Octus]]).

Transformers' faces also run the gamut of design, from looking like a metal human in a helmet, to faces that can only be described as robotic (again, like Generation 1 Shockwave, whose face consists of little more than a single glowing eye) or animalistic (again, the Beast Era). The Mini-Cons are also notable for more commonly having non-humanoid faces.

The existence and appearance of [[Female Transformers]] in most continuities seem to suggest a level of "sexual" dimorphism to the species as well (the term sexual is used in a gender-based, rather than physical sense, see [[Reproduction]] for that whole kettle of robo-fish). In almost all cases female Transformers are portrayed as more graceful of form and more rounded and curved in general, often with a more than passing resemblance to an attractive metal human female wearing armor and kibble. There are rare exceptions to this rule (notably [[Strika]] and [[Discharge]], though the latter is said to be wearing armor that obscures her true appearance.)

===Energy===
Unlike humans who need air and water as well as food, generally the Transformer's only major biological need to assure their continued functioning is fuel (though again, even this can vary depending on the fiction). [[Energon]] is the most common and preferred form of Transformer fuel, but other alternatives may be substituted if it is unavailable. By the Beast Era, many could ingest organic substances to supplement their fuel needs.

===New bodies===
It is not uncommon at all for a single Transformer to change body form many times across their life-span. The ease of which they can do so depends on the continuity's technology level. In some, changing bodies requires an extensive full-body rebuild and tends to be resource draining and even dangerous. Sometimes, however, all it takes it to transplant their brain or personality program into a compatible new body. Other times, the existing body itself will be "reformatted" on the spot using a scan of a local compatible alt-mode (this is most prevalent during the [[Unicron Trilogy]]).

While not entirely 'new bodies' themselves, the [[Transmetal]] bodies - caused by exposure to [[Transwarp]] quantum surges - somehow 'mutates' the bodies of Transformers in the Beast Era. How this is done on-the-fly with no harm to the Transformer is unknown.

===See also===
For more information on Transformer biology see:
*[[Life cycle]]
*[[Reproduction]]

==Culture==
The most distinctive facet of Transformers society has been its near-continuous state of Civil War.

===See also===
For more information on Transformer culture see:
*[[Cybertron Civil Wars]]
*[[Religion]]

==Toys==
The Transformers were introduced by [[Hasbro]] in 1984 with the toyline now known as [[Generation 1]] and have gone through numerous incarnations since, with the latest being the tie-in [[Movie (toyline)|movie line]] .

[[Category:Transformers| ]]
[[Category:Primus]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Transformer

2007-06-02T21:06:21Z

71.98.142.204: Corrected a few spelling errors, and took "robot" from the first sentence off. The Transformers are not robots, but rather inorganic mechanical beings.

The '''Transformers''' are a species (mostly) originating from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

[[Image:Bumblebeeg1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], a Transformer, transforming. Savvy?]]

Though this is the most common term for them, there are others, mainly "'''Cybertron'''" as a reference to ''any'' being whose origin traces back to the planet in question (the adjective form being "'''Cybertronian'''").

The name Transformer stems from the species' generally-shared ability to "transform," to change from a robotic primary mode (usually, but not always, humanoid) into an alternate form, generally vehicles, weapons, machinery, or animals. In some continuities this ability to transform is innate to all members of the species, in others it was a wartime innovation that was adopted by most, but not all, Cybertronians.

==Biology==
===Physical construction===
[[Image:Spark.gif|left|100px|thumb|Sparks retail for $29.95 at [http://www.sharperimage.com/ Sharper Image]]]

Transformers are living beings, despite their (usually) mechanical bodies. Many continuities portray this life as being granted by a soul-like [[spark]].

[[Image:G1Bw.gif|right|250px|thumb|Original, or extra-fleshy.]]

Traditionally, Transformers are fully-mechanical beings, but by the [[Beast Era]] of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]] synthetic flesh has become increasingly incorporated into their construction, often to aid in disguise or survival on worlds inhabited by organic lifeforms. (A version of this technology had been introduced earlier with [[Pretender]] Transformers, though in that instance the synthetic flesh was a removable outer "shell").

In the era of ''[[Beast Machines]]'', events lead to true organics being infused into Transformers biology down to the cellular level, making them "[[technorganic]]" with an increased range of powers resulting. (The "[[ParasiTech]]" techonolgy introduced in the Generation-1-based [[Kiss-Player]] series seems to have an organic component to it as well.)

===Sizes===
Transformers are ''generally'' large in comparison to Earth lifeforms, (two or three times the height of a human seems to be about average, though depictions vary wildly even for the same character), but a Transformer can be much, much smaller or much, much larger. There are some small enough to fit in a humans palm (see [[Browning]] and the [[Real Gear Robots]]). While the [[Micromaster]]s and [[Mini-Con]]s are two groups whose size range is within normal human standards at a time when most Transformers are larger, human-sized appears to be the norm for Transformers altogether in the Beast Era.

Others can be a good deal larger, like the colossal city-bots [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] or [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (the latter depending on the continuity). In the ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series, the planet [[Gigantion]] is populated by both extremes: robots who tower over "normal"-sized Transformers, aided by their tiny Mini-Con partners.

===Variance in form===
While many Transformers possess a "humanoid" form with two arms, two legs and a head atop their torso, it is not uncommon at all for there to be extensive variations. Some Transformers do not have a "humanoid" mode at all, rather their "primary" form is that of an animal or vehicle. [[Generation 1]]'s [[Ravage]], [[Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]], for example, or the ''Beast Wars'' [[Mutant (BW)|Mutants]].

Some have unconventional limbs, their hands (or whole arm) replaced with tools, claws, weapons, or some other form of manipulator (like a beast-mode's head!). Some Transformers' lower bodies feature digitigrade legs, or wheels/treads instead of feet, or no discernible separate legs at all. Some even have more (or less!) than the normal number of limbs altogether. This design style became much more common in the Beast Era (''Beast Wars'' [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and ''Beast Machines'' [[Thrust]], for example), and is also common among the Mini-Cons, but Generation 1 is not without its examples (like [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], and [[Octus]]).

Transformers' faces also run the gamut of design, from looking like a metal human in a helmet, to faces that can only be described as robotic (again, like Generation 1 Shockwave, whose face consists of little more than a single glowing eye) or animalistic (again, the Beast Era). The Mini-Cons are also notable for more commonly having non-humanoid faces.

The existence and appearance of [[Female Transformers]] in most continuities seem to suggest a level of "sexual" dimorphism to the species as well (the term sexual is used in a gender-based, rather than physical sense, see [[Reproduction]] for that whole kettle of robo-fish). In almost all cases female Transformers are portrayed as more graceful of form and more rounded and curved in general, often with a more than passing resemblance to an attractive metal human female wearing armor and kibble. There are rare exceptions to this rule (notably [[Strika]] and [[Discharge]], though the latter is said to be wearing armor that obscures her true appearance.)

===Energy===
Unlike humans who need air and water as well as food, generally the Transformer's only major biological need to assure their continued functioning is fuel (though again, even this can vary depending on the fiction). [[Energon]] is the most common and preferred form of Transformer fuel, but other alternatives may be substituted if it is unavailable. By the Beast Era, many could ingest organic substances to supplement their fuel needs.

===New bodies===
It is not uncommon at all for a single Transformer to change body form many times across their life-span. The ease of which they can do so depends on the continuity's technology level. In some, changing bodies requires an extensive full-body rebuild and tends to be resource draining and even dangerous. Sometimes, however, all it takes it to transplant their brain or personality program into a compatible new body. Other times, the existing body itself will be "reformatted" on the spot using a scan of a local compatible alt-mode (this is most prevalent during the [[Unicron Trilogy]]).

While not entirely 'new bodies' themselves, the [[Transmetal]] bodies - caused by exposure to [[Transwarp]] quantum surges - somehow 'mutates' the bodies of Transformers in the Beast Era. How this is done on-the-fly with no harm to the Transformer is unknown.

===See also===
For more information on Transformer biology see:
*[[Life cycle]]
*[[Reproduction]]

==Culture==
The most distinctive facet of Transformers society has been its near-continuous state of Civil War.

===See also===
For more information on Transformer culture see:
*[[Cybertron Civil Wars]]
*[[Religion]]

==Toys==
The Transformers were introduced by [[Hasbro]] in 1984 with the toyline now known as [[Generation 1]] and have gone through numerous incarnations since, with the latest being the tie-in [[Movie (toyline)|movie line]] .

[[Category:Transformers| ]]
[[Category:Primus]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>