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The Transformers (cartoon)

2011-01-22T15:26:13Z

78.148.19.194:

{{disambig2|the cartoon series|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}

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{{bigquote|...we feel '''action''' and adventure should be emphasized over''' plot'''—especially avoiding any complicated story lines—to ensure the success of this series with its intended viewers.|[[Bryce Malek]] and [[Dick Robbins]], ''Transformer''s story editors, [[Marvel Productions]] internal correspondence[http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#154]}}

[[Image:TransformersLogoSlantedOrange.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Red is the color of GOOD...]]
[[Image:TransformersLogoSlantedPurple.jpg|right|250px|thumb|...while purple is the color of EVIL!!]]
[[Image:G1Season1Logo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|In space, no one can hear your trumpets go Dah-NUN NUN NAHHHHHH!]]

More than any other of the many media which [[Transformer]]s have invaded in the past 25 years, it is '''''The Transformers''''', the original cartoon that ran from 1985 to 1987, which captured the imagination of children and young people-at-heart worldwide.

==Overview==
[[Image:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Depleted of energy... aside from the power source that lights up the entire core of the planet.]]
The cartoon (along with the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comics]]) set up the basic story of Transformers that most other incarnations were to follow: two warring factions of robots on the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] leave in search of resources. The factions crash-land on [[Earth]] and, millions of years later, begin their battle anew in Reagan-era [[United States|America]] and across the globe.

Once established, the cartoon rarely took any steps to upset its status quo. Plots generally centered on a [[Decepticon]] plot or invention of the week, which would be used to gather energy or Defeat The [[Autobot]]s FOREVER!!, and the Autobots' efforts to stop the plan. Most of the time the Decepticons were forced into retreat, and the Autobots drove off victorious. At most, a new character or team was added to one side or the other. Plots became a bit less formulaic during Season 3, though character death and true plot upheaval remained a rarity.

Through its 98-episode run, this series took viewers around the globe and to many strange places and times: across the alien Cybertron, the Earth's prehistoric past, the Earth's then-future of 2005, the ''Metropolis''-like society of [[Nebulos]], and more. It is not the best animated series ever to air, but it stimulated viewers with its concept at the time, and continued to do so in the years to come.
{{-}}

==Production==
[[Image:DivideAndConquer-UnderseaBase.jpg|center|450px|thumb|The Decepticon undersea base. Note that it is neither [[Tom Kenny|pineapple]], rock, nor tiki head.]]

Writing and distribution for this series were handled as a joint effort by [[Marvel Productions]] and [[Sunbow Productions]]. Animation was produced overseas, by [[Toei]], [[AKOM]], [[Tokyo Movie Shinsha]] (''supposedly'') and an [[Unknown Filipino animation studio|unknown studio from the Philippines]].

[[Image:CrashedArk1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Nobody on Earth noticed this for millions of years.]]
The original 30 or so characters were heavily modified from their toy designs for aesthetics and ease of animation. Among the artists involved in the original designs are [[Shōhei Kohara]] and [[Floro Dery]]. Other known production artists include [[Dell Barras]], who worked on second season backgrounds.

Story editors for the series included [[Dick Robbins]], [[Bryce Malek]], [[Flint Dille]], [[Marv Wolfman]], and [[Steve Gerber]]. Episode scripts were written by a large array of freelance writers. Writers notable for writing numerous episodes include [[Donald F. Glut]] and [[David Wise]].

The series was animated on an enormously rushed schedule, due to the need to get episodes on the air in sync with the toys appearing on shelves. That, combined with the vast number of characters and the difficulties involved with the overseas animation process, resulted in a cartoon that is notoriously riddled with [[animation error]]s and other mistakes. The producers were often aware of these mistakes, but tight deadlines left them no time to correct them.

Another byproduct of the rushed production is that the show tends not to be very self-referential. Continuity between episodes is minimal, with most acting as self-contained, standalone stories, though a few Season Two and Season Three stories did build on previous episodes. Within each season, the addition of new characters is the only common change to the status quo.

[[Image:ShockwaveDesertionOfTheDinobots1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|My toy's so great, I bought one myself!]]
Mistakes or not, the show is fondly remembered by many fans for the high quality of its voice acting. Indeed, many characters, lacking any significant plot developments or screen time, were brought to life solely by their unique voices and inflection styles. Voice direction for the series was provided by [[Wally Burr]], notorious for driving his performers to the limit. One of the performers in his stable, [[Susan Blu]], would later go on to work as voice director for ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', and ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''.

The ''sinister'' voice of [[Victor Caroli]] provided narration for the entire series, most commonly heard on the [[commercial bumper]]s: "The Transformers will return after these messages!" Caroli's voice also provided occasional introductory narration, recap segments for multi-part episodes, and the ''[[Secret Files of Teletraan II]]'' segments which ran before the credits of Season 3.

[[Image:RollForIt Spacebridge recieves.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Looks safer than flying United.]]
In addition to the show's iconic [[theme song]], ''Transformers'' featured a great variety of background music, composed by [[Robert J. Walsh]]. Walsh had previously worked on the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' cartoon, and many of those pieces were reused for ''Transformers''. New pieces were composed as well, many incorporating the melody of the show's theme song. Walsh composed new music for 2nd and 3rd seasons, each in a different style, further distinguishing the three main seasons from one another.

The show also originated the concept of the iconic "[[Scene transition|symbol flip]]" serving as a transition between scenes, a tradition carried on by some of the later series.
{{-}}

==Episodes==

{{see|List of Generation 1 episodes}}

These episodes are listed in "production order", the order in which the episodes were actually approved and written, rather than the order in which they aired on television. In a few instances, this means that episodes are not in the correct chronological story order, the specifics of which are noted in their own articles. Arranging the episodes in airdate order would not solve this problem, and so, as fans have done for as long as there have been ''Transformers'' episode guides on the internet, TFWIKI.Net adheres to production order, in preference to simply making up a chronological order of our own (any attempt at which would be arguable at best).

The different DVD companies which have released the series down the years have at times presented the episodes of each season in a different order that adheres to neither production nor airdate, sometimes to improve any chronology errors evident in the production order, and other times for no apparent reason. No two English-language DVD releases of the series by different companies have placed all 98 episodes in the same order. [[Metrodome]] stuck closest to production order, only making changes for chronology reasons (and sometimes not even then), while other licensees have strayed from this order to varying degrees. Season 1 has consistently avoided reorganization (as production order is actually the correct story order), but Season 3 is a victim of continuous restructuring that sees its episodes presented in a wildly different order with each release.

===Season 1===
[[Image:DinobotsG1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Remember those [[Dinobots | dinosaur guys]]? Man, they were awesome.]]
The first season is primarily set on [[Earth]], with a few excursions to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. It started with the 1984 toys as its characters, and introduced the early wave of 1985 toys as it progressed—the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]].

{{collist|2|
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]"
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]"
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]"
# "[[Transport to Oblivion]]"
# "[[Roll for It]]"
# "[[Divide and Conquer]]"
# "[[Fire in the Sky]]"
# "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]"
# "[[Fire on the Mountain]]"
# "[[War of the Dinobots]]"
# "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]"
# "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]"
# "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]"
# "[[Heavy Metal War]]"
}}

===Season 2===
[[Image:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|center|450px|thumb|I liked the one with the guy.]]<br>
[[Image:Master builders prime basketball.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Didn't they make Optimus Prime play soccer or something once? Man, that was dumb.]]
The very long second season greatly expanded the cartoon's scope and cast. The second season tends to feature more character-driven episodes than the first season, with many characters getting their own "spotlight" episode. It also features a recurring theme of the Autobots assimilating Earth culture, such the Autobots playing basketball and football and even watching a soap opera. Excursions to alien civilizations popped up occasionally as well. The second season also saw the introduction of concepts and characters that would spread out to other fictions, including the mystic [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], the ancient [[Vector Sigma]] supercomputer and its [[Key to Vector Sigma|circuit key]], and the first appearance of [[Female Transformers]] within official fiction.

The second season also marked a move from weekly airings (usually on Saturday mornings) to a "stripped" show, aired Monday through Friday, either in the morning or afternoon. Some markets also scheduled it in conjunction with daily episodes of ''[[G.I.Joe]]'' (like WPIX in New York, which also aired ''Beast Wars'' when it ran in syndication, and became an affiliate of the WB network, which would originally air the ''Cybertron'' cartoon).

Season Two breaks down very roughly into three segments:

* The first dozen episodes feature (primarily) the Season One cast.
* A large second batch of episodes brings in the remainder of the 1985 toys.
* The final ten episodes introduce the four [[combiner]] teams that formed the early entries in the 1986 line.
{{--}}
{{collist|2|
# "[[Autobot Spike]]"
# "[[Changing Gears]]"
# "[[City of Steel]]"
# "[[Attack of the Autobots]]"
# "[[Traitor]]"
# "[[The Immobilizer]]"
# "[[The Autobot Run]]"
# "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"
# "[[Day of the Machines]]"
# "[[Enter the Nightbird]]"
# "[[A Prime Problem]]"
# "[[The Core]]"
# "[[The Insecticon Syndrome]]"
# "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1]]"
# "[[Dinobot Island, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Master Builders]]"
# "[[Auto Berserk]]"
# "[[Microbots]]"
# "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1]]"
# "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2]]"
# "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1]]"
# "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2]]"
# "[[Blaster Blues]]"
# "[[A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court]]"
# "[[The Golden Lagoon]]"
# "[[The God Gambit]]"
# "[[Make Tracks]]"
# "[[Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play]]"
# "[[Quest for Survival]]"
# "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"
# "[[The Gambler]]"
# "[[Kremzeek!]]"
# "[[Sea Change]]"
# "[[Triple Takeover]]"
# "[[Prime Target]]"
# "[[Auto-Bop]]"
# "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]"
# "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]"
# "[[Hoist Goes Hollywood]]"
# "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2]]"
# "[[Aerial Assault]]"
# "[[War Dawn]]"
# "[[Trans-Europe Express]]"
# "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]"
# "[[Starscream's Brigade]]"
# "[[The Revenge of Bruticus]]"
# "[[Masquerade]]"
# "[[B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.]]"
}}

===Intermediate===
[[Image:Tftm1986b.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Then they like, killed him in the movie. Man, that was awesome.]]
''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' is in continuity with the cartoon series, occurring 20 years after the end of Season 2 (in the then-futuristic year of 2005). It was the single biggest turning point for the series, and remains controversial. The movie saw the introductions of [[Unicron]], the [[Quintesson]]s, and the [[Matrix of Leadership]], all of which would play important roles in Season 3. It made radical changes to the show's cast, killing off many characters and introducing new ones—a shock to young viewers who were used to their heroes driving off into the sunset at the end of every adventure.

Despite its unconventional place in the cartoon canon, it remains the best-known representation of the cartoon series among fans.

===Season 3===
[[Image:Intro3 4 with error.jpg|left|200px|thumb|They didn't make any more cartoons after the movie. Yeah, the movie totally killed Transformers.]]
Season 3 ''transformed'' the whole premise of the show. Gone were the two teams stranded on Earth, along with many of the characters that composed those teams. In their place was a galaxy-spanning tale of battles on alien worlds. With the Autobots in firm control of Cybertron, the Decepticons, though still a threat, were somewhat reduced as villains; new enemies in the form of the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] were introduced. Plots often centered on the ultra-powerful [[city-bot]]s, [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].

Season 3 has a mixed reputation. It contains some of the most mistake-laden episodes of the entire franchise ("Five Faces of Darkness", "Carnage in C Minor", the introduction sequence at left) most of which can be laid at the feet of [[AKOM]]. But some of its episodes are among the best as well, both in animation and scripting; "Dark Awakening", "Chaos", "Webworld", and "Dweller in the Depths" are all heavy fan favorites.

Late in Season 3, as in Season 2, the forerunners of the 1987 toy line were introduced: the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s, and [[Throttlebot]]s, and (very briefly) the cassettes [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]. The season concluded with the resurrection of Optimus Prime, spurred on by a massive campaign on the part of fans, who were displeased by his death and subsequent "evil" resurrection.

{{collist|2|
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]"
# "[[The Killing Jar]]"
# "[[Chaos (episode)|Chaos]]"
# "[[Dark Awakening]]"
# "[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]"
# "[[Starscream's Ghost]]"
# "[[Thief in the Night]]"
# "[[Surprise Party]]"
# "[[Madman's Paradise]]"
# "[[Nightmare Planet]]"
# "[[Ghost in the Machine]]"
# "[[Webworld]]"
# "[[Carnage in C-Minor]]"
# "[[The Quintesson Journal]]"
# "[[The Ultimate Weapon]]"
# "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]"
# "[[Fight or Flee]]"
# "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]"
# "[[Only Human]]"
# "[[Grimlock's New Brain]]"
# "[[Money Is Everything]]"
# "[[Call of the Primitives]]"
# "[[The Face of the Nijika]]"
# "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]"
# "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]"
}}

===Season 4===
[[Image:Bumblebee and Goldbug.jpg|right|200px|thumb|They kept making the toys? But weren't those like, the ones that couldn't transform or something?]]
How the truncated Season 4 came about remains a mystery, though presumably the short version is that [[Hasbro]] pulled out its funding support. Whether anything further was ever planned is not known; see ''[[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|Urban legends about Transformers]]'' for more.

As it is, the "season" consisted of a single three-part episode, that somewhat hastily brought in thirty or so new Transformer characters as well as [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] partners for 22 of them, and attempted to provide a satisfactory conclusion to the series as a whole.

The previous three seasons each feature fully original opening credits. For Season 4, however, the opening credit sequence is a mishmash of existing animation, combining high-quality animation sequences from some of the 1986 and 1987 toy commercials with segments of the Season 3 opening credits, which were of a visibly different art style.

# "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]"

===Season 5===
[[Image:Puppetpmprime.jpg|thumb|]]
Season 5 did not feature any new episodes, but rather consisted of 15 episodes from the previous seasons and ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' broken up into five episodes, for a total of 20 episodes. New opening and closing footage was added to each episode, which portrayed an animatronic puppet of [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] meeting regularly with a live-action human named [[Tommy Kennedy]] to tell him old Transformers stories.

{{collist|2|
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]"
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]"
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]"
# ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Day 1)
# ''The Transformers: The Movie'' (Day 2)
# ''The Transformers: The Movie'' (Day 3)
# ''The Transformers: The Movie'' (Day 4)
# ''The Transformers: The Movie'' (Day 5)
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]"
# "[[Surprise Party]]"
# "[[Dark Awakening]]"
# "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]"
}}

===Sci-Fi Channel===
In the late 1990s, the Sci-Fi Channel began airing the original episodes. Unfortunately, due to longer commercial slots and/or shorter show times, the decision was made to edit the cartoon down. Sometimes this was done in comparatively harmless fashion, but other times the flow of scenes and even the plot suffered.

In one of the most notorious edits, two lines from [[Grapple]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] in "[[Masquerade]]" ended up smooshed into a single nonsensical jumble: "Time to add fire torobably hate myself in the morning, but--"

==Japanese release==
With the success of ''Transformers'' proven by Hasbro, [[Takara]] elected to cut short their plans for a new ''[[Diaclone]]'' line in 1985 and import the ''Transformers'' toyline and cartoon instead. To play catch-up with Hasbro markets, Takara combined the first two years of toys and cartoon into one series, which was given the excessive (but typical of Japanese cartoons) title of '''''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'''''.

Although two episodes out of the original 65 were cut ("Attack of the Autobots" and "Day of the Machines"), an additional nine [[clip show]]s were created, composed entirely of re-used footage taken from various episodes, bringing the total number of ''Fight!'' episodes to 72. The two missing episodes were later dubbed and released straight-to-video, then retroactively added to the episode list as numbers 73 and 74.

Additionally, the broadcast order of the series was significantly reworked, with most of the episodes featuring [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] being pushed to the end of the run (presumably owing the character's shaky status as a Bandai toy in Japan). Contrary to what would be sensible, this did ''not'' involve correcting any of the chronological errors present in the original order; in fact, it even created some new ones.

In 1986, after the release of the OVA ''[[Scramble City]]'' (but not ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which was not released in Japan until 1989) the series was rebranded as '''''[[Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010]]'''''. All thirty episodes from the third season were dubbed for ''2010'' and reordered (again creating more chronology errors) and two additional clip episodes were produced, bringing the total to thirty-two.

The additional clip shows include the following:

*'''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'''
:14. "[[Birth of the Transformers!]]"
:55. "[[War Without End (episode)|War Without End]]"
:56. "[[Desperate Battle on Dinobot Island]]"
:57. "[[Devastator, the Giant Warrior]]"
:58. "[[Neverending Struggle]]"
:69. "[[Earth's Greatest Crisis]]"
:70. "[[Seek the Cybertonium]] "
:71. "[[Stunticons VS Aerialbots]] "
:72. "[[Mutiny of the Combaticons]]"

*'''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010'''
:29. "[[Daniel's Adventure]]"
:30. "[[The Desperate Struggle of Justice]]"

The numbers denote the airing order of the episodes in relation to the rest of the series.

"The Rebirth" was not broadcast in Japan, in favor of producing a brand new series to continue the story of the animated continuity, beginning with ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]''. However, all three episodes of "The Rebirth" were released straight-to-video a few years later. Curiously, the dub for "The Rebirth" used standard English-language names and terminology in a more selective manner (for example, "Optimus Prime" remained "Convoy" while "Hot Rod" was not changed to "Hot Rodimus" but retained his English name). Only three actors from ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' and ''Transformers 2010'' returned to voice their respective characters: [[Tesshō Genda]] (Optimus Prime), [[Seizō Katō]] (Galvatron) and [[Issei Masamune]] (narrator). Every other cast member was replaced with a soundalike, to varying degrees of success.

===Edits===
The three American seasons were edited by Takara before their broadcast in Japan. These edits were made not for content, but for length so that the show could accommodate longer opening and ending [[Title sequence|sequence]]s.

The combined length of the U.S. opening and ending sequences was about one minute and ten seconds. The combined length of the Japanese opening and ending sequences, however, was about two minutes and twenty seconds. This resulted in roughly one minute and ten seconds being cut from every single episode.

A few examples of "unnecessary" scenes that were cut to make space for J-pop:

* "[[Roll for It]]". The scene where [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] first reach the laboratory and meet the southern-accented security guard that gives them clearance.
* "[[Divide and Conquer]]". The scene where the Autobots first return to [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s base and he opens fire on them.
* "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1]]". The scene where Spike, [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] and [[Chip Chase|Chip]] cheer for the Autobots during the Autobot Day parade.
* "[[Only Human]]". The scene where the informant tells [[Victor Drath]] that [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]] is down the street pacing back and forth, and gets punched in the face as payment.
* All multi-part episodes have their Next Episode previews removed.

The only episodes not to be edited for length are "[[Attack of the Autobots]]", "[[Day of the Machines]]", ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and all three episodes of "[[The Rebirth, Part 1|The Rebirth]]". These were not edited for length because they were all released straight-to-video, where broadcasting time slots were not an issue. As a result, these episodes are also the only ones to be released on laserdisc and DVD by [[Pioneer]] with optional English or Japanese audio tracks.

==Home video releases==
{{main|The Transformers (cartoon)/home video}}

==Notes==
* Looking at the production codes of the series reveals some choice tidbits:
**The series pilot, "More than Meets the Eye", was produced under a set of different production codes, as it was created before ''Transformers'' was expanded to become an ongoing series. After the pilot, the episode production numbers begin afresh with "700-01" ("Transport to Oblivion"), and proceeded in order until the end of the first season, with "700-13" ("Heavy Metal War"). At the beginning of the second season, it seems the production codes were adjusted to account for the three parts of "More than Meets the Eye", as they take a jump forward to "700-16" with "Autobot Spike". This, of course, is mathematically wrong-o, as "Autobot Spike" is the ''seventeenth'' episode, not the sixteenth.
**''B.O.T.'', the final episode of season 2, was production code 700-64, while ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1'', the first episode of season 3, was production code 700-86. The reason for this jump is unknown.
**There is no episode with production code 700-111. ''Grimlock's New Brain'' was 700-110, while ''Call of the Primitives'' was 700-112. The reason for this omission is likewise unknown.

[[Image:WorldOfHectorRamirez.jpg|right|thumb|220px|He's everywhere, and there's no escape.]]

*Cartoon writers are a sneaky lot, and quietly put in references to ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', another show they were working on at the same time, into ''The Transformers''. [[Daina]] of the Soviet Oktober Guard ("[[Prime Target]]"), [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] as [[Marissa Faireborne]]'s dad ("[[The Killing Jar]]"), and an elderly [[Cobra Commander]] ("[[Only Human]]") all appear. We also see [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|journalist Hector Ramirez]], who appears in ''everything'' Sunbow was doing at the time.
{{--}}

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/browse_thread/thread/eab15c298a61cdfb/fce7a2ddb7e35a81 1985 net.comics review]
*[http://www.reocities.com/Area51/Comet/5606/tfepgd.html Aaron Marsh's Transformers Episode Guide] — Including variants and repackagings
*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Transformers/9160392217 Transformers on Facebook] - Includes information on Matrix of Leadership Box Set

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (cartoon), The}}
[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:Generation 1| Transformers (cartoon)]]
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)

2011-01-22T15:24:13Z

78.148.19.194:

{{nav-wfc-game}}

[[Image: War_for_Cybertron_Next_Gen_Version_Cover_Art.jpg‎ |250px|thumb|right| "Hey.. What is Starscream doing there? Where's Megatron?"]]

'''Transformers: War for Cybertron''' is a series of video games published by [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]] and developed by [[High Moon Studios]], [[Next Level Games]] and [[Vicarious Visions]], set before the Transformers take their war to [[Earth]].

The developers saw themselves as creating a prequel to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], and as such, the look and story of the game is steeped in Generation 1 and its lore.{{Fact|date=January 2011}} [[Hasbro]], however, made it part of the foundation for their new "modern continuity",<ref name="Archer and Tieger">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/tfw2005-war-for-cybertron-interview-with-aaron-archer-and-matt-tieger-168910/ 2009 TFW2005 interview with Aaron Archer and Matt Tieger]</ref><ref>"The official story of the original 13 and specifically Alpha Trion has not been explored fully in the modern continuity that Transformers War for Cybertron, Exodus, and Prime are a part of." [[Hasbro Q&A/September 2010: Answers]].</ref> beginning with ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]''. The novel ''[[Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron]]'', adapts the game's events, presenting a version of the story that draws on elements from all across Transformers history in accordance with the new [[production bible]] Hasbro has produced to guide this new [[continuity family]]'s writers. <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/botcon-2010-transformers-prime-panel-coverage-170054/ BotCon 2010 coverage at TFW2005]</ref>

A sequel is in development for release in 2012.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tfw2005-coverage-of-hasbro-investor-day-november-2010-170888/ TFW2005 Coverage Of Hasbro Investor Day November 2010]</ref>

==Versions==
* [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Xbox 360/PS3/PC]]
:The standard version of the game, and the one most publicized, was made available for two out of three of the main consoles and the PC with few changes between each.

* [[Transformers: Cybertron Adventures|Nintendo Wii]]
:The Wii version, titled ''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures'', was handled by [[Next Level Games]], and was developed as an on-rails shooter with some driving sections.

* [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|Nintendo DS]]
:The DS version, developed by [[Vicarious Visions]], was released in Autobot and Decepticon incarnations, with numerous exclusive characters in each.

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus_Prime_(Prime)#War_for_Cybertron_video_game|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/optimus Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/12/11/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-optimus-prime.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] ([[Johnny Yong Bosch]]) <ref>[http://twitter.com/johnnyyongbosch/status/11686292590 Twitter post by Johnny Yong Bosch confirming his role as Bumblebee.]</ref> ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/bumblebee Official Website profile])
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/ratchet Official Website profile])
*[[Ironhide (Prime)|Ironhide]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/ironhide Official Website profile])
*[[Sideswipe (Prime)|Sideswipe]] ([[Travis Willingham]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/sideswipe Official Website profile])
*[[Jetfire (Prime)|Jetfire]] ([[Troy Baker]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/jetfire Official Website profile])
*[[Silverbolt (Prime)|Silverbolt]] ([[Patrick Seitz]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/silverbolt Official Website profile])
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] ([[Kari Wahlgren]])
*[[Air Raid (Prime)|Air Raid]] ([[Liam O'Brien]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/airraid Official Website profile])
*[[Warpath (Prime)|Warpath]] ([[Jamieson Price]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/warpath Official Website profile])
*[[Jazz (Prime)|Jazz]] ([[Scott Whyte]]) (Best Buy preorder Multiplayer exclusive <ref>[http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;?id=pcat17071&type=page&st=Transformers+War+for+Cybertron&sc=Global&nrp=15&usc=All+Categories Bestbuy.com preorder page featuring a special Jazz trailer]</ref>, Amazon.co.uk preorder exclusive <ref>[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transformers-War-Cybertron-Xbox-360/dp/B003QCKEXW Amazon.co.uk page with Jazz] </ref> and DLC on consoles and unlockable on DS)
*[[Scattershot (Prime)|Scattershot]] (DLC)<ref name="WFC DLC listing">[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/07/first-transformers-war-for-cybertron-dlc-contains-all-three-preorder-characters/ First Transformers: War For Cybertron DLC Contains All Three Preorder Characters, Kotaku.com, July 3 2010]</ref>
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (DS only)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Prime)|Ultra Magnus]] (Jamieson Price) (DS only)
*[[Grimlock (Prime)|Grimlock]] ([[Crispin Freeman]]) (DS only)
*[[Swoop (Prime)|Swoop]] ([[Eric Artell]]) (DS only)
*[[Hot Shot (Prime)|Hot Shot]] (Travis Willingham) (DS only)
*[[Sentinel Zeta Prime‎|Zeta Prime]] (Troy Baker) (DLC)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (Fred Tatasciore) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/megatron Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/games/transformers_war_for_cybertron/b/xbox360/archive/2009/12/18/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-megatron.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] ([[Sam Riegel]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/starscream Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/games/transformers_war_for_cybertron/b/xbox360/archive/2009/12/23/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-starscream.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton Jr.]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/soundwave Official Website profile])
*[[Thundercracker (Prime)|Thundercracker]] ([[Graham McTavish]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/thundercracker Official Website profile])
*[[Skywarp (Prime)|Skywarp]] ([[Richard Epcar]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/skywarp Official Website profile])
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (Crispin Freeman) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/breakdown Official Website profile])
*[[Brawl (Prime)|Brawl]] ([[Nolan North]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/brawl Official Website profile])
*[[Barricade (Prime)|Barricade]] ([[Steve Blum]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/barricade Official Website profile])
*[[Slipstream (Prime)|Slipstream]] ([[Jessica Straus]])
*[[Shockwave (Prime)|Shockwave]] (Steve Blum)  (Gamestop preorder Multiplayer exclusive and DLC)
*[[Demolishor (Prime)|Demolishor]] (Amazon.com preorder Multiplayer exclusive <ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-War-Cybertron-Playstation-3/dp/B0030HM2WO Amazon.com preorder page featuring a special Demolishor trailer]</ref>, Play.com exclusive in UK and DLC)
*[[Onslaught (Prime)|Onslaught]] ([[Brad Davidorf]]) (DLC for consoles<ref name="WFC DLC listing"/> and unlockable in DS)
*[[Cyclonus (Prime)|Cyclonus]] ([[Liam O'Brien]]) (DS only)
*[[MotorMaster]] (Fred Tatasciore) (DS only)
*[[Drag Strip (Prime)|Drag Strip]] (Eric Artell) (DS only)
*[[Dirge (Prime)|Dirge]] (Brad Davidorf) (DS only)
*[[Ramjet (Prime)|Ramjet]] (Steve Blum) (DS only)<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/movie-news/images/ramjet_2.jpg Image from Hasbro's June 22, 2010 news, on War for Cybertron]</ref>
*[[Dead End (Prime)|Dead End]] (DLC)
|h3=Non-Player|c3=
'''Autobots'''
*[[Kup (Prime)|Kup]] (DS only)
*[[Omega Supreme (Prime)|Omega Supreme]] (Fred Tatasciore)
'''Decepticons'''
*[[Trypticon (Prime)|Trypticon]] (Fred Tatasciore)
*[[Rumble (Prime)|Rumble]] ([[Keith Silverstein]])
*[[Frenzy (Prime)|Frenzy]] ([[Keith Silverstein]])
*[[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]]
'''Other'''
*[[Scout (WFC)|Scouts]]
*[[Sniper (WFC)|Snipers]]
*[[Soldier (WFC)|Soldiers]]
*[[Scientist (WFC)|Scientists]]
*[[Leader (WFC)|Leaders]]
*[[Flier (WFC)|Fliers]]
*[[Cloaker (WFC)|Cloakers]]
*[[Brute (WFC)|Brutes]]
*[[Heavy Soldier]]s
*[[Destroyer (WFC)|Destroyers]]
*[[Spider]]s
*[[Swarm (WFC)|Swarms]] (DS only)
*[[Ground crawler]]s (DS only)
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Transformer references==
* [[Steve Blum]] does his best [[Victor Caroli]] impression for his role of the narrator.
* A variety of callbacks to ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'':
** Ironhide greets the space slug with the [[universal greeting]], to Warpath's confusion.
** In the Kaon prison, an Autobot is pronounced guilty and pushed off a gantry into a pit. He responds with "Spare me this mockery of justice!", quoting [[Kranix]] during his trial on [[Quintessa]].
** Rumble repeats another line from the movie: "First we crack the shell, then we crack the nuts inside!"
** When Starscream declares himself as Decepticon leader, Megatron retorts that "[he] still function[s]."
* The [[Punch of Kill Everything]] is a multiplayer Leader Class ability and a Soldier class upgrade.
* When Skywarp calls Thundercracker ugly he replies [[Seeker (body-type)|that they look the same]]. [[The Twins|Hmmm.]]
* [[Stan Bush]]'s [[BotCon 2007]] theme song, "[[Till All Are One (Transformers Theme)]]" is used in the credits, and the special thanks describe the families that were involved "rock like Stan Bush".
* Air Raid pokes fun at Silverbolt's fear of heights.
* The in-game menu for stat tracking and leaderboards is called [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan 1]].
* When Ironhide asks Optimus how he knows Megatron, Optimus replies that it is a story for another time.
*Pretty much all the Achievement/Trophy names are references to other parts of Transformers history, mostly G1.
** The ones for completing the campaign chapters include [[Dark Awakening]], [[Starscream's Brigade]], [[A Prime Problem]], [[The Last Prime]], [[The Touch|You Got The Touch]], [[The War Within]], and [['Til all are one|Till All Are One]].
** Gameplay names include [[Thief in the Night]], [[Fire in the Sky]], [[Unicron|Chaos Bringer]], [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster!]], [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator!]], [[Bruticus (G1)|Brute-a-kiss!]], [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]], [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide Performer]], [[Rumble (G1)|First we crack the shell...]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blast-a-rachnia]] and [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]].
* Autobots and Decepticons alike are heard to swear by '[[Primus]]', confirming his 'existence'.
* Trypticon has a 'conversion cog' that controls his transformation, and is probably a less 'branded' term for G1's [[transformation cog]].
* The energon cubes bear strong resemblance to the [[Allspark]] cube.
* The game's Rocket Turret, when ripped from its mounting, is named the "[[Nucleon]] Shock Cannon" on the HUD.

==Toy tie-ins==
[[Hasbro]] has confirmed that several toys will be made to tie into the promotion of the video game. These include figures of Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Megatron and Soundwave. At [[Toy Fair 2010]], they were confirmed to be part of the [[Generations (toyline)|''Generations'' toyline]]. At [[BotCon 2010]] they said they would like to make more, and that Starscream (and likely other Seekers) are at the top of the list if they decide to produce more figures from the game.

<center><gallery>
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianOptimusPrime.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianMegatron.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianBumblebee.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianSoundwave.jpg
Image:Cliffjumper_Prime_toy.jpg
</gallery></center>

==Fiction==
===Comic adaptation===
[[IDW Publishing]] published a ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)| War for Cybertron]]'' comic based on the game. News of this first got leaked when [[Australia|Australian]] website JB Hi-Fi offered a ''free'' copy of issue 1 if you pre-ordered the game from them.<ref>[http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/game/ps3/transformers-war-for-cybertron-bonus-comic-book/513755 TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON (Bonus Comic Book)]</ref> Later, it was available for those that purchased either the PS3 or Xbox versions of the game at Sears or Kmart in America. The story is a partial adaptation of the ''Exodus'' book.<ref name="adaptation">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-war-for-cybertron-1-information-and-team-revealed/18661/ Transformers: War For Cybertron #1 Information and Team Revealed]</ref>

The cover artist is revealed to be [[Marcelo Matere]], who updated his DeviantArt gallery with the inked version,<ref>[http://mmatere.deviantart.com/art/War-of-Cybertron-Cover-inks-165279485 Inks-only comic cover at Marcelo's DA gallery]</ref> with [[Priscilla Tramontano]] as colorist.<ref>[http://noprips.deviantart.com/art/War-of-Cybertron-Cover-165344432 Colored cover at Priscilla's DA gallery]</ref> [[Alex Irvine]] and [[Don Figueroa]] are writing and drawing, respectively. <ref name="adaptation" />

===Prose===
*'''[[Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron]]''' - This tie-in novel explores the relationship between Orion Pax and Megatron before the war.
*'''[[Bumblebee at Tyger Pax]]''' - An unofficial short story billed as the tale of Bumblebee losing his voice.

===Online===
*'''[http://www2.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?guid=7fd5ecd9-19b9-f369-1041-a7635be83172 Transformers War For Cybertron Timeline]''' - Hasbro's official online timeline for the War for Cybertron. It basically outlines the events in ''Exodus'' up until the time Megatron discovered [[Dark Energon]] and directs you to the video game to find out what happens next.

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
Image:Cybertron Surface.jpg|Surface of Cybertron
Image:WfC-IGN-Bumblebee.jpg|Bumblebee fires his weapon.
Image:WfC-IGN-RatchetBumblebeePrime.jpg|Ratchet, Bumblebee, and Prime in battle.
Image:WfC-IGN-OmegaSupreme.jpg|Omega Supreme attacks a platoon of Decepticons.
Image:WfC-IGN-StarscreamMegatron.jpg|Starscream and Megatron get ready for the ground assault.
Image:WfC-IGN-StarscreamMegatronSoundwave.jpg|More Decepticons!
Image:WfC-IGN-Soundwave.jpg|Soundwave sneaks around.
Image:WfC-IGN-Trypticon.jpg|Oh Primus.
Image:Transformers_Cybertron_Adventures_Cover_Art.jpg|Prime will destroy the title. He hears what people want.
</gallery></center>

==Operation Transmission Recovery==
As an early marketing campaign, the game's website included the feature "Operation Transmission Recovery": using transmission and coordinate dials, you could pick up "transmissions" from Cybertron (or "video clips/images" to you and me).

There are two dials, blue (outer) and yellow (inner). Using your mouse, you can drag the dial to set coordinates. The blue dial is set by aligning it to marks on the outer circle. When aligned, it becomes a blue ring. After that, the yellow dial is set so that signal strength is full, as indicated by a meter on the right. Once a transmission is unlocked its symbol lights up and the "Total Recovered" amount increases a little bit. When you reach 100%, it tells you how many hours remain until next batch.

As of January 12, 2010, the following transmissions (Batch 9), almost all of which are part of the second trailer (link below), were available:

{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
| '''S. No.'''
| '''Blue'''
| '''Yellow'''
| '''Type'''
| '''Description'''
|-
| 1
| 351
| 327
| Video
| Game Trailer (unlocked by default).
|-
| 2
| 018
| 088
| Video
| Starscream flying.
|-
| 3
| 018
| 088
| Image
| Starscream standing.
|-
| 4
| 029
| 209
| Video
| Battle scene: Camera behind Autobots, Optimus is prominent.
|-
| 5
| 040
| 328
| Image
| Holographic map of Cybertron and its two moons.
|-
| 6
| 051
| 110
| Image
| Cybertron .
|-
| 7
| 073
| 190
| Image
| Optimus vs. an average Decepticon.
|-
| 8
| 085
| 298
| Video
| Decepticon insignia (on Starscream).
|-
| 9
| 096
| 347
| Video
| A bomb explosion on Cybertron's surface (possibly the same one which made a huge hole in it).
|-
| 10
| 107
| 035
| Image
| Megatron crushes cranial unit of a poor Autobot, Starscream is visible behind him, just before the ground assault.
|-
| 11
| 120
| 040
| Image
| Cybertron as seen from a moon.
|-
| 12
| 140
| 201
| Image
| Starscream flying towards Cybertron .
|-
| 13
| 162
| 359
| Image
| A red robot (Ironhide?).
|-
| 14
| 173
| 003
| Image
| A hall (Council of Autobot Elders?).
|-
| 15
| 192
| 147
| Video
| Injured Autobot, trying to get up .
|-
| 16
| 203
| 094
| Video
| Battle scene: Trypticon joins the battle as a burning asteroid (Entry mode) behind Decepticons and Autobots run towards it.
|-
| 17
| 214
| 004
| Image
| A city seen from a tunnel .
|-
| 18
| 225
| 199
| Image
| A city tower falling and hitting another tower.
|-
| 19
| 265
| 011
| Image
| Optimus Prime.
|-
| 20
| 284
| 021
| Image
| Megatron firing his gun (at YOU).
|-
| 21
| 295
| 249
| Video
| Optimus uses his axe on a Decepticon.
|-
| 22
| 306
| 041
| Image
| Cybertron as seen from another moon.
|-
| 23
| 317
| 081
| Video
| City skyline, camera moving down, some music in the background (start of the second trailer).
|-
| 24
| 328
| 221
| Video
| Battle scene: A missile hits a battlestation and an Autobot falls down from it.
|}

However, when Activision began releasing more information on the game and the release date was closing in, this teaser feature was removed.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersgame.com/ Official site]
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-debut-transformers-war/59860 Exclusive trailer via 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-gameplay-transformers-war/62343 Exclusive gameplay trailer via 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/54929/transformers-war-for-cybertron/videos/transformerscyber_trl_revealtrailer_10710.html;jsessionid=8yroitu115mw Second, fuller trailer from IGN]
*[http://gameinformer.com/mag/cybertron.aspx Behind the scenes bios and information from ''Game Informer'' magazine.]
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gdc-10-transformers-war/62925 Civil War Story Interview at 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6450/20/ Press release]

{{DEFAULTSORT:War for Cybertron}}
[[Category: Prime]]
[[Category: Video games]]
[[Category: War for Cybertron| ]]

Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)

2011-01-22T15:23:41Z

78.148.19.194:

{{nav-wfc-game}}

[[Image: War_for_Cybertron_Next_Gen_Version_Cover_Art.jpg‎ |250px|thumb|right| "Hey.. What is Starscream doing there? Where's Megatron?"]]

'''Transformers: War for Cybertron''' is a series of video games published by [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]] and developed by [[High Moon Studios]], [[Next Level Games]] and [[Vicarious Visions]], set before the Transformers take their war to [[Earth]].

The developers saw themselves as creating a prequel to the [[The Transformers (Animated)|Generation 1 cartoon]], and as such, the look and story of the game is steeped in Generation 1 and its lore.{{Fact|date=January 2011}} [[Hasbro]], however, made it part of the foundation for their new "modern continuity",<ref name="Archer and Tieger">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/tfw2005-war-for-cybertron-interview-with-aaron-archer-and-matt-tieger-168910/ 2009 TFW2005 interview with Aaron Archer and Matt Tieger]</ref><ref>"The official story of the original 13 and specifically Alpha Trion has not been explored fully in the modern continuity that Transformers War for Cybertron, Exodus, and Prime are a part of." [[Hasbro Q&A/September 2010: Answers]].</ref> beginning with ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]''. The novel ''[[Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron]]'', adapts the game's events, presenting a version of the story that draws on elements from all across Transformers history in accordance with the new [[production bible]] Hasbro has produced to guide this new [[continuity family]]'s writers. <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/botcon-2010-transformers-prime-panel-coverage-170054/ BotCon 2010 coverage at TFW2005]</ref>

A sequel is in development for release in 2012.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tfw2005-coverage-of-hasbro-investor-day-november-2010-170888/ TFW2005 Coverage Of Hasbro Investor Day November 2010]</ref>

==Versions==
* [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Xbox 360/PS3/PC]]
:The standard version of the game, and the one most publicized, was made available for two out of three of the main consoles and the PC with few changes between each.

* [[Transformers: Cybertron Adventures|Nintendo Wii]]
:The Wii version, titled ''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures'', was handled by [[Next Level Games]], and was developed as an on-rails shooter with some driving sections.

* [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|Nintendo DS]]
:The DS version, developed by [[Vicarious Visions]], was released in Autobot and Decepticon incarnations, with numerous exclusive characters in each.

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus_Prime_(Prime)#War_for_Cybertron_video_game|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/optimus Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/12/11/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-optimus-prime.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] ([[Johnny Yong Bosch]]) <ref>[http://twitter.com/johnnyyongbosch/status/11686292590 Twitter post by Johnny Yong Bosch confirming his role as Bumblebee.]</ref> ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/bumblebee Official Website profile])
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/ratchet Official Website profile])
*[[Ironhide (Prime)|Ironhide]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/ironhide Official Website profile])
*[[Sideswipe (Prime)|Sideswipe]] ([[Travis Willingham]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/sideswipe Official Website profile])
*[[Jetfire (Prime)|Jetfire]] ([[Troy Baker]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/jetfire Official Website profile])
*[[Silverbolt (Prime)|Silverbolt]] ([[Patrick Seitz]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/silverbolt Official Website profile])
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] ([[Kari Wahlgren]])
*[[Air Raid (Prime)|Air Raid]] ([[Liam O'Brien]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/airraid Official Website profile])
*[[Warpath (Prime)|Warpath]] ([[Jamieson Price]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/warpath Official Website profile])
*[[Jazz (Prime)|Jazz]] ([[Scott Whyte]]) (Best Buy preorder Multiplayer exclusive <ref>[http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;?id=pcat17071&type=page&st=Transformers+War+for+Cybertron&sc=Global&nrp=15&usc=All+Categories Bestbuy.com preorder page featuring a special Jazz trailer]</ref>, Amazon.co.uk preorder exclusive <ref>[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transformers-War-Cybertron-Xbox-360/dp/B003QCKEXW Amazon.co.uk page with Jazz] </ref> and DLC on consoles and unlockable on DS)
*[[Scattershot (Prime)|Scattershot]] (DLC)<ref name="WFC DLC listing">[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/07/first-transformers-war-for-cybertron-dlc-contains-all-three-preorder-characters/ First Transformers: War For Cybertron DLC Contains All Three Preorder Characters, Kotaku.com, July 3 2010]</ref>
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (DS only)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Prime)|Ultra Magnus]] (Jamieson Price) (DS only)
*[[Grimlock (Prime)|Grimlock]] ([[Crispin Freeman]]) (DS only)
*[[Swoop (Prime)|Swoop]] ([[Eric Artell]]) (DS only)
*[[Hot Shot (Prime)|Hot Shot]] (Travis Willingham) (DS only)
*[[Sentinel Zeta Prime‎|Zeta Prime]] (Troy Baker) (DLC)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (Fred Tatasciore) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/megatron Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/games/transformers_war_for_cybertron/b/xbox360/archive/2009/12/18/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-megatron.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] ([[Sam Riegel]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/starscream Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/games/transformers_war_for_cybertron/b/xbox360/archive/2009/12/23/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-starscream.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton Jr.]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/soundwave Official Website profile])
*[[Thundercracker (Prime)|Thundercracker]] ([[Graham McTavish]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/thundercracker Official Website profile])
*[[Skywarp (Prime)|Skywarp]] ([[Richard Epcar]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/skywarp Official Website profile])
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (Crispin Freeman) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/breakdown Official Website profile])
*[[Brawl (Prime)|Brawl]] ([[Nolan North]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/brawl Official Website profile])
*[[Barricade (Prime)|Barricade]] ([[Steve Blum]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/barricade Official Website profile])
*[[Slipstream (Prime)|Slipstream]] ([[Jessica Straus]])
*[[Shockwave (Prime)|Shockwave]] (Steve Blum)  (Gamestop preorder Multiplayer exclusive and DLC)
*[[Demolishor (Prime)|Demolishor]] (Amazon.com preorder Multiplayer exclusive <ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-War-Cybertron-Playstation-3/dp/B0030HM2WO Amazon.com preorder page featuring a special Demolishor trailer]</ref>, Play.com exclusive in UK and DLC)
*[[Onslaught (Prime)|Onslaught]] ([[Brad Davidorf]]) (DLC for consoles<ref name="WFC DLC listing"/> and unlockable in DS)
*[[Cyclonus (Prime)|Cyclonus]] ([[Liam O'Brien]]) (DS only)
*[[MotorMaster]] (Fred Tatasciore) (DS only)
*[[Drag Strip (Prime)|Drag Strip]] (Eric Artell) (DS only)
*[[Dirge (Prime)|Dirge]] (Brad Davidorf) (DS only)
*[[Ramjet (Prime)|Ramjet]] (Steve Blum) (DS only)<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/movie-news/images/ramjet_2.jpg Image from Hasbro's June 22, 2010 news, on War for Cybertron]</ref>
*[[Dead End (Prime)|Dead End]] (DLC)
|h3=Non-Player|c3=
'''Autobots'''
*[[Kup (Prime)|Kup]] (DS only)
*[[Omega Supreme (Prime)|Omega Supreme]] (Fred Tatasciore)
'''Decepticons'''
*[[Trypticon (Prime)|Trypticon]] (Fred Tatasciore)
*[[Rumble (Prime)|Rumble]] ([[Keith Silverstein]])
*[[Frenzy (Prime)|Frenzy]] ([[Keith Silverstein]])
*[[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]]
'''Other'''
*[[Scout (WFC)|Scouts]]
*[[Sniper (WFC)|Snipers]]
*[[Soldier (WFC)|Soldiers]]
*[[Scientist (WFC)|Scientists]]
*[[Leader (WFC)|Leaders]]
*[[Flier (WFC)|Fliers]]
*[[Cloaker (WFC)|Cloakers]]
*[[Brute (WFC)|Brutes]]
*[[Heavy Soldier]]s
*[[Destroyer (WFC)|Destroyers]]
*[[Spider]]s
*[[Swarm (WFC)|Swarms]] (DS only)
*[[Ground crawler]]s (DS only)
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Transformer references==
* [[Steve Blum]] does his best [[Victor Caroli]] impression for his role of the narrator.
* A variety of callbacks to ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'':
** Ironhide greets the space slug with the [[universal greeting]], to Warpath's confusion.
** In the Kaon prison, an Autobot is pronounced guilty and pushed off a gantry into a pit. He responds with "Spare me this mockery of justice!", quoting [[Kranix]] during his trial on [[Quintessa]].
** Rumble repeats another line from the movie: "First we crack the shell, then we crack the nuts inside!"
** When Starscream declares himself as Decepticon leader, Megatron retorts that "[he] still function[s]."
* The [[Punch of Kill Everything]] is a multiplayer Leader Class ability and a Soldier class upgrade.
* When Skywarp calls Thundercracker ugly he replies [[Seeker (body-type)|that they look the same]]. [[The Twins|Hmmm.]]
* [[Stan Bush]]'s [[BotCon 2007]] theme song, "[[Till All Are One (Transformers Theme)]]" is used in the credits, and the special thanks describe the families that were involved "rock like Stan Bush".
* Air Raid pokes fun at Silverbolt's fear of heights.
* The in-game menu for stat tracking and leaderboards is called [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan 1]].
* When Ironhide asks Optimus how he knows Megatron, Optimus replies that it is a story for another time.
*Pretty much all the Achievement/Trophy names are references to other parts of Transformers history, mostly G1.
** The ones for completing the campaign chapters include [[Dark Awakening]], [[Starscream's Brigade]], [[A Prime Problem]], [[The Last Prime]], [[The Touch|You Got The Touch]], [[The War Within]], and [['Til all are one|Till All Are One]].
** Gameplay names include [[Thief in the Night]], [[Fire in the Sky]], [[Unicron|Chaos Bringer]], [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster!]], [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator!]], [[Bruticus (G1)|Brute-a-kiss!]], [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]], [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide Performer]], [[Rumble (G1)|First we crack the shell...]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blast-a-rachnia]] and [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]].
* Autobots and Decepticons alike are heard to swear by '[[Primus]]', confirming his 'existence'.
* Trypticon has a 'conversion cog' that controls his transformation, and is probably a less 'branded' term for G1's [[transformation cog]].
* The energon cubes bear strong resemblance to the [[Allspark]] cube.
* The game's Rocket Turret, when ripped from its mounting, is named the "[[Nucleon]] Shock Cannon" on the HUD.

==Toy tie-ins==
[[Hasbro]] has confirmed that several toys will be made to tie into the promotion of the video game. These include figures of Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Megatron and Soundwave. At [[Toy Fair 2010]], they were confirmed to be part of the [[Generations (toyline)|''Generations'' toyline]]. At [[BotCon 2010]] they said they would like to make more, and that Starscream (and likely other Seekers) are at the top of the list if they decide to produce more figures from the game.

<center><gallery>
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianOptimusPrime.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianMegatron.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianBumblebee.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianSoundwave.jpg
Image:Cliffjumper_Prime_toy.jpg
</gallery></center>

==Fiction==
===Comic adaptation===
[[IDW Publishing]] published a ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)| War for Cybertron]]'' comic based on the game. News of this first got leaked when [[Australia|Australian]] website JB Hi-Fi offered a ''free'' copy of issue 1 if you pre-ordered the game from them.<ref>[http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/game/ps3/transformers-war-for-cybertron-bonus-comic-book/513755 TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON (Bonus Comic Book)]</ref> Later, it was available for those that purchased either the PS3 or Xbox versions of the game at Sears or Kmart in America. The story is a partial adaptation of the ''Exodus'' book.<ref name="adaptation">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-war-for-cybertron-1-information-and-team-revealed/18661/ Transformers: War For Cybertron #1 Information and Team Revealed]</ref>

The cover artist is revealed to be [[Marcelo Matere]], who updated his DeviantArt gallery with the inked version,<ref>[http://mmatere.deviantart.com/art/War-of-Cybertron-Cover-inks-165279485 Inks-only comic cover at Marcelo's DA gallery]</ref> with [[Priscilla Tramontano]] as colorist.<ref>[http://noprips.deviantart.com/art/War-of-Cybertron-Cover-165344432 Colored cover at Priscilla's DA gallery]</ref> [[Alex Irvine]] and [[Don Figueroa]] are writing and drawing, respectively. <ref name="adaptation" />

===Prose===
*'''[[Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron]]''' - This tie-in novel explores the relationship between Orion Pax and Megatron before the war.
*'''[[Bumblebee at Tyger Pax]]''' - An unofficial short story billed as the tale of Bumblebee losing his voice.

===Online===
*'''[http://www2.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?guid=7fd5ecd9-19b9-f369-1041-a7635be83172 Transformers War For Cybertron Timeline]''' - Hasbro's official online timeline for the War for Cybertron. It basically outlines the events in ''Exodus'' up until the time Megatron discovered [[Dark Energon]] and directs you to the video game to find out what happens next.

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
Image:Cybertron Surface.jpg|Surface of Cybertron
Image:WfC-IGN-Bumblebee.jpg|Bumblebee fires his weapon.
Image:WfC-IGN-RatchetBumblebeePrime.jpg|Ratchet, Bumblebee, and Prime in battle.
Image:WfC-IGN-OmegaSupreme.jpg|Omega Supreme attacks a platoon of Decepticons.
Image:WfC-IGN-StarscreamMegatron.jpg|Starscream and Megatron get ready for the ground assault.
Image:WfC-IGN-StarscreamMegatronSoundwave.jpg|More Decepticons!
Image:WfC-IGN-Soundwave.jpg|Soundwave sneaks around.
Image:WfC-IGN-Trypticon.jpg|Oh Primus.
Image:Transformers_Cybertron_Adventures_Cover_Art.jpg|Prime will destroy the title. He hears what people want.
</gallery></center>

==Operation Transmission Recovery==
As an early marketing campaign, the game's website included the feature "Operation Transmission Recovery": using transmission and coordinate dials, you could pick up "transmissions" from Cybertron (or "video clips/images" to you and me).

There are two dials, blue (outer) and yellow (inner). Using your mouse, you can drag the dial to set coordinates. The blue dial is set by aligning it to marks on the outer circle. When aligned, it becomes a blue ring. After that, the yellow dial is set so that signal strength is full, as indicated by a meter on the right. Once a transmission is unlocked its symbol lights up and the "Total Recovered" amount increases a little bit. When you reach 100%, it tells you how many hours remain until next batch.

As of January 12, 2010, the following transmissions (Batch 9), almost all of which are part of the second trailer (link below), were available:

{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
| '''S. No.'''
| '''Blue'''
| '''Yellow'''
| '''Type'''
| '''Description'''
|-
| 1
| 351
| 327
| Video
| Game Trailer (unlocked by default).
|-
| 2
| 018
| 088
| Video
| Starscream flying.
|-
| 3
| 018
| 088
| Image
| Starscream standing.
|-
| 4
| 029
| 209
| Video
| Battle scene: Camera behind Autobots, Optimus is prominent.
|-
| 5
| 040
| 328
| Image
| Holographic map of Cybertron and its two moons.
|-
| 6
| 051
| 110
| Image
| Cybertron .
|-
| 7
| 073
| 190
| Image
| Optimus vs. an average Decepticon.
|-
| 8
| 085
| 298
| Video
| Decepticon insignia (on Starscream).
|-
| 9
| 096
| 347
| Video
| A bomb explosion on Cybertron's surface (possibly the same one which made a huge hole in it).
|-
| 10
| 107
| 035
| Image
| Megatron crushes cranial unit of a poor Autobot, Starscream is visible behind him, just before the ground assault.
|-
| 11
| 120
| 040
| Image
| Cybertron as seen from a moon.
|-
| 12
| 140
| 201
| Image
| Starscream flying towards Cybertron .
|-
| 13
| 162
| 359
| Image
| A red robot (Ironhide?).
|-
| 14
| 173
| 003
| Image
| A hall (Council of Autobot Elders?).
|-
| 15
| 192
| 147
| Video
| Injured Autobot, trying to get up .
|-
| 16
| 203
| 094
| Video
| Battle scene: Trypticon joins the battle as a burning asteroid (Entry mode) behind Decepticons and Autobots run towards it.
|-
| 17
| 214
| 004
| Image
| A city seen from a tunnel .
|-
| 18
| 225
| 199
| Image
| A city tower falling and hitting another tower.
|-
| 19
| 265
| 011
| Image
| Optimus Prime.
|-
| 20
| 284
| 021
| Image
| Megatron firing his gun (at YOU).
|-
| 21
| 295
| 249
| Video
| Optimus uses his axe on a Decepticon.
|-
| 22
| 306
| 041
| Image
| Cybertron as seen from another moon.
|-
| 23
| 317
| 081
| Video
| City skyline, camera moving down, some music in the background (start of the second trailer).
|-
| 24
| 328
| 221
| Video
| Battle scene: A missile hits a battlestation and an Autobot falls down from it.
|}

However, when Activision began releasing more information on the game and the release date was closing in, this teaser feature was removed.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersgame.com/ Official site]
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-debut-transformers-war/59860 Exclusive trailer via 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-gameplay-transformers-war/62343 Exclusive gameplay trailer via 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/54929/transformers-war-for-cybertron/videos/transformerscyber_trl_revealtrailer_10710.html;jsessionid=8yroitu115mw Second, fuller trailer from IGN]
*[http://gameinformer.com/mag/cybertron.aspx Behind the scenes bios and information from ''Game Informer'' magazine.]
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gdc-10-transformers-war/62925 Civil War Story Interview at 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6450/20/ Press release]

{{DEFAULTSORT:War for Cybertron}}
[[Category: Prime]]
[[Category: Video games]]
[[Category: War for Cybertron| ]]