MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Scrapmetal (race)

2010-10-14T21:26:30Z

87.164.62.78: /* Cybertron */

{{picsneeded}}
{{disambig3|Scrapmetal}}
:''The Scrapmetal are a type of [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]] from the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ScrapmetalDrone-card.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The ants come marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah...]]

No one's quite sure where the '''Scrapmetal''' originally come from, or why they look like Transformers. What is known is that they're a dangerous scourge that swarm from planet to planet, devouring ''everything'' in their path, and now thousands of them have infested the abandoned [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]!

Individual Scrapmetal have only a base animal-level intelligence, and by Cybertron standards are small and weak, easily crushed. However, Scrapmetal are almost never witnessed as individuals, only in large swarms that can overwhelm robots far larger than they through sheer strength of numbers, no matter how many of their own dead they skitter over. They appear to follow the orders of a single (barely) sentient [[Scrapmetal (Cybertron individual)|Scrapmetal]], physically identical to his kin, but just bright enough to make the swarm ''really'' dangerous by giving them direction.

:''Japanese name'': '''Rumble'''<ref>The [[Romanization]] on the toys' packages is "'''Ramble'''". This is [[Engrish]], derived from the Katakana form of the name being ''Ranburu'' (ランブル). This Katakana name is used for the [[Rumble (G1)|Generation 1 character]], so the actual intention of the name is clear.</ref>
:''Russian name'': '''Металлоед''' ("Metal-eater")

==Fiction==
===Toy bios===
Once, they were just a breed of mechanical vermin from Cybertron's lower levels. But the [[Unicron Singularity]] mutated them, and under the command of the power-hungry sentient Scrapmetal, they swarmed the surface of Cybertron!

===''Cybertron'' cartoon===
[[Image:ScrapmetalsAttack.jpg|right|200px|thumb|SWAAAAAAAAAARM!]]

The Transformers know about Scrapmetal as a planet-hopping scourge, and [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] is creeped out by the way they resemble small Transformers. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}}

The Scrapmetal were first sighted when the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] headed to Cybertron across the [[space bridge]]. Watching from the Autobots' base on [[Earth]], [[Lori]] was creeped out by them, as they reminded her of spiders. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] recognized them as Scrapmetal. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}}

Despite unleashing their full (impressive) arsenals, the Defense Team were quickly overwhelmed by the creatures {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}}, prompting [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] to send [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] and [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (who was carrying the [[Omega Lock]]) across the Space Bridge to assist them. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and a horde of his underlings followed in pursuit, hoping to acquire the Lock and its three [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]]. {{storylink|United}} The Defense Team, meanwhile, drove off the first wave by themselves anyway. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] believed they may have come from other planets [[Unicron Singularity|the black hole]] had destroyed. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}}

The Scrapmetal regrouped and returned, badly injuring [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]]. {{storylink|Balance}} One of them subsequently attacked Megatron after his rebirth as a ghostly entity, only to have its shots-and itself-devoured by the shadowy mist surrounding his body. {{storylink|Darkness}} The Autobots would have to spend a while clearing the pests off [[Primus|God]]. {{storylink|Family}}

A red Scrapmetal husk was later rebuilt into a [[Cobybot|non-sentient drone]] that was piloted by [[Coby Hansen]] and used both in battle and in infiltration of enemy ships.

===''Cybertron'' comic===
{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
[[Image:Cybertron-toy_ScrapmetalRed.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Stop...]]
[[Image:Cybertron-toy_ScrapmetalYellow.JPG|right|thumb|200px|...caution...]]
[[Image:Bluescrapmetaltoy.jpg|thumb|200px|...go!]]
*'''Scrapmetal''' / '''Ramble''' {{sic}} (Scout, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GD-13'''
**''Accessories'': Blade, Cybertron Decepticon-style Cyber Key

: Part of the "Scout"-class price-point, the Scrapmetal transforms into a four-legged "spider tank" with a rear-mounted cannon (see Notes). Inserting a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into the back end of the cannon swings out a removable clear-plastic sawblade-sword from the main chamber of the cannon. In robot mode, the fists can be covered with the tank-mode spikes or "pile drivers". It comes with a [[Decepticon]]-insignia Cybertron-style Cyber Planet Key. The toy can represent either the mindless drone or Scrapmetal himself, making it ideal for [[army-building]].

: In Japan, three different colors of Rumble were made available: red, blue and yellow, produced in equal numbers. For the [[Hasbro]] ''Cybertron'' line, at first only the red version was available with a few minor [[paint operation]] changes. The Hasbro release also has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] '''sf2x''' printed on the back of its Key. Later, the yellow version (with all of the paint operations from the Japanese release) was sold in ''Cybertron'' as well, this one with the Key Code "'''s1j5'''". The two Hasbro releases, despite sporting the same name with no modifiers (such as prefixes or suffixes), came on individual cardbacks not only depicting the correct color, but also sporting individual product code numbers, thus arguably making them separate products rather than [[variant]]s.

: A slight [[retool]] and [[redeco]] of the toy is used for the [[Cobybot|Coby Sen'yō Rumble]]. For [[BotCon 2006]], attendees who signed up for the custom-painting class received unpainted, unassembled red Scrapmetal, with their parts still on the manufacturing sprues (including the Coby head), to be made into ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' incarnations of [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/Scrapmetal/scrapmetal.htm More information on Scrapmetal at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*Scrapmetal's [[alternate mode]] appears to be based on a mini crawler crane<ref name="crane">[http://www.citylifting.co.uk/mini-crawler-cranes/ Overview of mini crawler cranes]</ref>. The toy replaces the crane arm with a cannon, thus making it a "tank" rather than a crane. More importantly, the "legs" on actual mini crawler cranes are actually just stabilizers, whereas the crane in fact ''moves'' on treads. The toy turns them into ''actual'' legs, however.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Cybertronic wildlife]]
[[Category:Drones]]
[[Category:Energon Terrorcons]]
[[Category:Mass-produced Transformers]]
[[Category:Species]]

Transformers brand

2010-10-14T20:58:41Z

87.164.62.78: /* Spelling and capitalization */

[[Image:Transformers brand.jpg|center|475px|]]

The '''''Transformers'' brand''' is the umbrella term for all products or media involving the [[Transformer|transforming alien robots]] from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] developed in 1984 by [[Hasbro]] and [[Marvel Comics|Marvel Entertainment]] (then Marvel Entertainment Group) under license from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], including any lineal descendants thereof.

''Transformers'' has been in almost continuous circulation since its launch 25 years ago, never absent from American toy shelves for more than 18 months. Unlike many 80s brands relaunched in the 2000s to capitalize on the 20-year nostalgia cycle, the ''Transformers'' brand is truly evergreen. As a result it has grossed Hasbro more than $1 billion [[wikipedia:United_States_dollar|USD]] since its launch.<ref>Hasbro executive [[Brian Goldner]] in the special features of the [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']] DVD.</ref>

Related articles:

* [[Franchise]]
* [[Toy]]

==Spelling and capitalization==
In the various ''Transformers'' [[logo]]s used over the decades, the word is often split across two lines, with no hyphen, thus suggesting (by the rules of normal punctuation) that it's two words: "Trans Formers". This is reinforced by an [[:Image:STARS-FanClubUK-Advert.jpg|advert]] for the UK offshoot of the [[S.T.A.R.S.]] fanclub, which explicitly parses it as "TRANS FORMERS". Other logos are explicitly [[Wikipedia:CamelCase|bicapitalized]]: "TransFormers". Further, when Hasbro is being strict about the word's trademark status, [http://www.hasbro.com/home/copyright.html they write it in allcaps]: "TRANSFORMERS".

Despite all that, it's generally agreed that the correct rendering is "Transformers", and that's the way it appears in this wiki.

{{collist|2|
[[Image:G1logo.jpg|thumb|center|225px|An Autobot face does not a hyphen make.]]
[[Image:Universelogo.jpg|thumb|center|225px|Also known as CamelCase.]]
}}
{{-}}

==Recognition in the wider world==

Transformers is a genuine cultural phenomenon. When the online [[fandom]] came together in the 1990s, it was fun and feasible to try and list all the appearances and references made to Transformers in popular culture, and [http://www.angelfire.com/ego/zobovor/pop_culture.html some fans did]. However, after the 80s nostalgia boom of the early 21st century brought Transformers back to the public eye and the incredibly successful [[live-action film series]] made the series a household name that was impossible to miss, Transformers are now absolutey ''fricking everywhere'', and such a list is no longer a remotely feasible thing for TFWiki.net to try to catalog. Odds are, it would require a wiki all on its own!

Some diverse prominent examples of public figures name-dropping ''Transformers'' include UK Prime Minister [[wikipedia:Gordon Brown|Gordon Brown]]<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/4208838/Browns-hero-is-Transformer-Optimus-Prime.html The Telegraph (Jan-09-09)]</ref> and US Army Generals<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-03-21-weblog.htm USA Today (May-20-05)]</ref> commenting on one or another aspect of the brand. The brand has also made numerous appearances in other media, ranging from straight clips of the cartoon (such as in the film [[wikipedia:Léon (film)|Léon]]) to original comedic sketches and parodies (the two most well-known authors of which are easily ''[[Wikipedia:Family Guy|Family Guy]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Robot Chicken|Robot Chicken]]''.)

The Transformers brand has become so well known that the [http://dictionary.oed.com/ Oxford English Dictionary] has added the following sense to its entry for TRANSFORMER n.:
<blockquote>Chiefly in ''pl.'' With capital initial. A proprietary name for a type of children's toy, first manufactured in Japan, consisting of a model robot which can be transformed into another toy (as a motor vehicle, gun, etc.) by manipulating its component pieces.</blockquote>

The specific "proprietary" note, coupled with an explicit reference to [[Hasbro]] in the name etymology, probably means this poses no threat for Hasbro's exclusive claim of the [[trademark]] (Oxford gives the same treatment to Mattel's ''Barbie''). Since the OED's policy is to never discard material, this means that Transformers are now a permanent part of the historical record of the English language. Take ''that'', Thundercats!

SETI have also said alien hunters should look for artificial intelligence rather than organic life. Score!<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11041449 BBC News article on the search for artificial alien life, Aug-23-2010]</ref>

== Footnotes ==
<references />

[[Category:Franchises| ]]

Transformers brand

2010-10-14T20:57:06Z

87.164.62.78: /* Spelling and capitalization */

[[Image:Transformers brand.jpg|center|475px|]]

The '''''Transformers'' brand''' is the umbrella term for all products or media involving the [[Transformer|transforming alien robots]] from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] developed in 1984 by [[Hasbro]] and [[Marvel Comics|Marvel Entertainment]] (then Marvel Entertainment Group) under license from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], including any lineal descendants thereof.

''Transformers'' has been in almost continuous circulation since its launch 25 years ago, never absent from American toy shelves for more than 18 months. Unlike many 80s brands relaunched in the 2000s to capitalize on the 20-year nostalgia cycle, the ''Transformers'' brand is truly evergreen. As a result it has grossed Hasbro more than $1 billion [[wikipedia:United_States_dollar|USD]] since its launch.<ref>Hasbro executive [[Brian Goldner]] in the special features of the [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']] DVD.</ref>

Related articles:

* [[Franchise]]
* [[Toy]]

==Spelling and capitalization==
In the various ''Transformers'' [[logo]]s used over the decades, the word is often split across two lines, with no hyphen, thus suggesting (by the rules of normal punctuation) that it's two words: "Trans Formers". This is reinforced by an [[:Image:STARS-FanClubUK-Advert.jpg|advert]] for the UK offshoot of the [[S.T.A.R.S.]] fanclub, which explicitly spells it "TRANS FORMERS". Other logos are explicitly bicapitalized: "TransFormers". Further, when Hasbro is being strict about the word's trademark status, [http://www.hasbro.com/home/copyright.html they write it in allcaps]: "TRANSFORMERS".

Despite all that, it's generally agreed that the correct rendering is "Transformers", and that's the way it appears in this wiki.

{{collist|2|
[[Image:G1logo.jpg|thumb|center|225px|An Autobot face does not a hyphen make.]]
[[Image:Universelogo.jpg|thumb|center|225px|Also known as CamelCase.]]
}}
{{-}}

==Recognition in the wider world==

Transformers is a genuine cultural phenomenon. When the online [[fandom]] came together in the 1990s, it was fun and feasible to try and list all the appearances and references made to Transformers in popular culture, and [http://www.angelfire.com/ego/zobovor/pop_culture.html some fans did]. However, after the 80s nostalgia boom of the early 21st century brought Transformers back to the public eye and the incredibly successful [[live-action film series]] made the series a household name that was impossible to miss, Transformers are now absolutey ''fricking everywhere'', and such a list is no longer a remotely feasible thing for TFWiki.net to try to catalog. Odds are, it would require a wiki all on its own!

Some diverse prominent examples of public figures name-dropping ''Transformers'' include UK Prime Minister [[wikipedia:Gordon Brown|Gordon Brown]]<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/4208838/Browns-hero-is-Transformer-Optimus-Prime.html The Telegraph (Jan-09-09)]</ref> and US Army Generals<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-03-21-weblog.htm USA Today (May-20-05)]</ref> commenting on one or another aspect of the brand. The brand has also made numerous appearances in other media, ranging from straight clips of the cartoon (such as in the film [[wikipedia:Léon (film)|Léon]]) to original comedic sketches and parodies (the two most well-known authors of which are easily ''[[Wikipedia:Family Guy|Family Guy]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Robot Chicken|Robot Chicken]]''.)

The Transformers brand has become so well known that the [http://dictionary.oed.com/ Oxford English Dictionary] has added the following sense to its entry for TRANSFORMER n.:
<blockquote>Chiefly in ''pl.'' With capital initial. A proprietary name for a type of children's toy, first manufactured in Japan, consisting of a model robot which can be transformed into another toy (as a motor vehicle, gun, etc.) by manipulating its component pieces.</blockquote>

The specific "proprietary" note, coupled with an explicit reference to [[Hasbro]] in the name etymology, probably means this poses no threat for Hasbro's exclusive claim of the [[trademark]] (Oxford gives the same treatment to Mattel's ''Barbie''). Since the OED's policy is to never discard material, this means that Transformers are now a permanent part of the historical record of the English language. Take ''that'', Thundercats!

SETI have also said alien hunters should look for artificial intelligence rather than organic life. Score!<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11041449 BBC News article on the search for artificial alien life, Aug-23-2010]</ref>

== Footnotes ==
<references />

[[Category:Franchises| ]]