User:Broadside/Sandbox:ContinuityFamilies - Revision history

Broadside: Broadside moved page User:Riptide/Sandbox:ContinuityFamilies to User:Broadside/Sandbox:ContinuityFamilies: Automatically moved page while renaming the user "Riptide" to "Broadside"

2024-01-01T20:02:03Z

Broadside moved page User:Riptide/Sandbox:ContinuityFamilies to User:Broadside/Sandbox:ContinuityFamilies: Automatically moved page while renaming the user "Riptide" to "Broadside"

← Older revision	Revision as of 20:02, 1 January 2024
(No difference)

NexusShard17 at 02:50, 7 July 2021

2021-07-07T02:50:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:50, 7 July 2021
Line 128:		Line 128:
	The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.		The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.

	Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (~~BWU~~)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.		Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (G1)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.

	Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].		Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].

Cyberlink420 at 04:28, 20 January 2021

2021-01-20T04:28:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:28, 20 January 2021
Line 35:		Line 35:
	The first ''Transformers'' series to break from the Generation 1 family was the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise. Curiously, it originated as ''Car Robots'', a Japanese-exclusive series that — while not clearly placed in any existing continuity — was not treated as any different from [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)\|previous]] [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)\|Japanese-exclusive]] series that fit loosely into the Generation 1/Beast Era timeline. However, when Hasbro imported the series to fill time during the production of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|Armada]]'', the series was treated as a full reboot, with faction leaders Fire Convoy and Gigatron reimagined as new versions of [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (RID)\|Megatron]].		The first ''Transformers'' series to break from the Generation 1 family was the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise. Curiously, it originated as ''Car Robots'', a Japanese-exclusive series that — while not clearly placed in any existing continuity — was not treated as any different from [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)\|previous]] [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)\|Japanese-exclusive]] series that fit loosely into the Generation 1/Beast Era timeline. However, when Hasbro imported the series to fill time during the production of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|Armada]]'', the series was treated as a full reboot, with faction leaders Fire Convoy and Gigatron reimagined as new versions of [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (RID)\|Megatron]].

	Thanks to the lack of any overt ties to the Generation 1 series in ''Car Robots'', western fans initially assumed that it had ''also'' been intended as a full reboot, and thus there was much uproar when a [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)~~/src~~\|timeline]] from the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)\|Kiss Players]]'' franchise explained how the events of the series fit into the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline. Because of this unique overlap, ''Car Robots''-original characters on this wiki have Generation 1 family appearances sorted onto the same pages as their RID counterparts.		Thanks to the lack of any overt ties to the Generation 1 series in ''Car Robots'', western fans initially assumed that it had ''also'' been intended as a full reboot, and thus there was much uproar when a [[Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)\|timeline]] from the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)\|Kiss Players]]'' franchise explained how the events of the series fit into the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline. Because of this unique overlap, ''Car Robots''-original characters on this wiki have Generation 1 family appearances sorted onto the same pages as their RID counterparts.

	The scope of the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family is limited, including only a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)\|television series]], a short comic story from the [[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]] and many [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|characters who only exist as toys]]. Perhaps as a result of its confusing origins or its relatively low profile, most revisiting of ''Robots in Disguise'' concepts and characters since the series ended have come in Generation 1 series, such as the [[2005 IDW continuity]] and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)\|Transformers Legends]]'' manga.		The scope of the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family is limited, including only a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)\|television series]], a short comic story from the [[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]] and many [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|characters who only exist as toys]]. Perhaps as a result of its confusing origins or its relatively low profile, most revisiting of ''Robots in Disguise'' concepts and characters since the series ended have come in Generation 1 series, such as the [[2005 IDW continuity]] and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)\|Transformers Legends]]'' manga.

Saix at 00:22, 23 June 2020

2020-06-23T00:22:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:22, 23 June 2020
Line 128:		Line 128:
	The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.		The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.

	Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BW)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.		Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BWU)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.

	Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].		Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].

Saix at 00:10, 23 June 2020

2020-06-23T00:10:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:10, 23 June 2020
Line 128:		Line 128:
	The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.		The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.

	Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BW)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BW)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.		Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BW)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.

	Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].		Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].

Locoman: replaced: IDW Generation 1 continuity → 2005 IDW continuity (7)

2019-04-07T00:49:36Z

replaced: IDW Generation 1 continuity → 2005 IDW continuity (7)

Broadside: /* Live-action film series */

2019-02-15T14:13:27Z

Live-action film series

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 15 February 2019
Line 55:		Line 55:
	{{main\|Live-action film series}}		{{main\|Live-action film series}}

	Perhaps rivaling Generation 1 as the most prominent continuity family, the live-action movie family is built around 2007's ''[[Transformers (film)\|Transformers]]'', its sequels ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)\|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)\|Dark of the Moon]]'', ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)\|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)\|The Last Knight]]'', and its prequel ''[[Bumblebee (film)\|Bumblebee]]''. The films are supported by a ''massive'' array of supporting fiction, from books to comics to video games; however, ~~this~~ tie-in material ~~often contradicts~~ other ~~tie-~~in ~~stories, and for~~ obvious reasons, the movies will happily ignore and overwrite elements of these side stories if needed.		Perhaps rivaling Generation 1 as the most prominent continuity family, the live-action movie family is built around 2007's ''[[Transformers (film)\|Transformers]]'', its sequels ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)\|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)\|Dark of the Moon]]'', ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)\|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)\|The Last Knight]]'', and its prequel ''[[Bumblebee (film)\|Bumblebee]]''.

			The films are supported by a ''massive'' array of supporting fiction, from books to comics to video games, all of which ''tries'' to follow the films' continuity; however, the disparate tie-in material generally ignores other licensed movie fiction, resulting in multiple "branching" cotinuities that all use the films as a basis. For obvious reasons, the movies themselves will happily ignore and overwrite elements of these side stories if needed, resulting in tie-in fiction that's at odds with later films — and that's not even getting into [[Transformers: Defiance\|tie-in]] [[Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Prequel\|material]] based on unfinished versions of the film scripts that the movies end up contradicting.

	With the films themselves generally disinterested in exploring continuity between different installments, it has generally fallen to tie-in material to reconcile and smooth over unexplained elements of [[Movie timeline\|the timeline]]... though even this proved insufficient when ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)\|The Last Knight]]'' and ''[[Bumblebee (film)\|Bumblebee]]'' each provided completely contradictory backstories to the original movie. As such, even the film series itself contains multiple distinct continuities. Isn't that ''fun''?		With the films themselves generally disinterested in exploring continuity between different installments, it has generally fallen to tie-in material to reconcile and smooth over unexplained elements of [[Movie timeline\|the timeline]]... though even this proved insufficient when ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)\|The Last Knight]]'' and ''[[Bumblebee (film)\|Bumblebee]]'' each provided completely contradictory backstories to the original movie. As such, even the film series itself contains multiple distinct continuities. Isn't that ''fun''?
	{{-}}		{{-}}

	===Animated===		===Animated===
	[[File:Arrival1 coverRI.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.2\|Justice, thy name is chin!]]		[[File:Arrival1 coverRI.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.2\|Justice, thy name is chin!]]

Broadside: /* Other families */

2019-02-15T01:59:44Z

Other families

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:59, 15 February 2019
Line 92:		Line 92:

	*''[[Go-Bots continuity family\|Go-Bots]]'' — A continuity family of series targeted at pre-schoolers, centered on the [[Go-Bot (species)\|Go-Bots]] of [[Botropolis]] and their adventures in making the universe a better place! (Nothing to do with [[GoBots\|''those'' GoBots]].)		*''[[Go-Bots continuity family\|Go-Bots]]'' — A continuity family of series targeted at pre-schoolers, centered on the [[Go-Bot (species)\|Go-Bots]] of [[Botropolis]] and their adventures in making the universe a better place! (Nothing to do with [[GoBots\|''those'' GoBots]].)
			*''[[GoBots]]'' — A continuity family built around the one-time rival of the ''Transformers'' brand, centered on the war between the [[GoBot]]ic factions of the [[Guardian (GoBots)\|Guardians]] and the [[Renegade]]s. (Nothing to do with [[Go-Bots continuity family\|''those'' Go-Bots]].)
	*''[[Battle Masters]]'' — A continuity involving rockin', sockin' robots who [[Grimlock (AOE)#Battle Masters\|mostly]] look little like any other versions of the characters.		*''[[Battle Masters]]'' — A continuity involving rockin', sockin' robots who [[Grimlock (AOE)#Battle Masters\|mostly]] look little like any other versions of the characters.
	*''[[Knights of Unicron (band)\|Knights of Unicron]]'' — A totally metal continuity where the Knights of Unicron are the best dang band on Cybertron!		*''[[Knights of Unicron (band)\|Knights of Unicron]]'' — A totally metal continuity where the Knights of Unicron are the best dang band on Cybertron!
	*''[[GoBots]]'' — A continuity family built around the one-time rival of the ''Transformers'' brand, centered on the war between the [[GoBot]] factions of the [[Guardian (GoBots)\|Guardians]] and the [[Renegade]]s. (Nothing to do with [[Go-Bots continuity family\|''those'' Go-Bots]].)
	*''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)\|Shattered Glass]]'' and ''[[:Category:Shattered Glass Animated\|Shattered Glass Animated]]'' — Often-comedic "mirror universe" versions of the Generation 1 and Animated continuity families, where up is down, black is white, and [[Optimus Prime (SG)\|Optimus Prime]] is a baddie.		*''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)\|Shattered Glass]]'' and ''[[:Category:Shattered Glass Animated\|Shattered Glass Animated]]'' — Often-comedic "mirror universe" versions of the Generation 1 and Animated continuity families, where up is down, black is white, and [[Optimus Prime (SG)\|Optimus Prime]] is a baddie.
	*''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' — A singular universe populated by the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, hyper-advanced Transformers responsible for charting and cataloguing the [[multiverse]].		*''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' — A singular universe populated by the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, hyper-advanced Transformers responsible for charting and cataloguing the [[multiverse]].

Broadside: /* Unicron Trilogy */

2019-02-15T01:57:12Z

Unicron Trilogy

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:57, 15 February 2019
Line 48:		Line 48:
	The Unicron Trilogy, so named by [[Aaron Archer]] for the key role [[Unicron]] plays in each series, includes the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|Armada]]'', ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)\|Energon]],'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)\|Cybertron]]'' toylines and all related media. While both ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' were supported by both cartoons and comic books, the collapse of [[Dreamwave Productions]] meant that the only tie-in comics for ''Cybertron'' were exclusive to the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]].		The Unicron Trilogy, so named by [[Aaron Archer]] for the key role [[Unicron]] plays in each series, includes the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|Armada]]'', ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)\|Energon]],'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)\|Cybertron]]'' toylines and all related media. While both ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' were supported by both cartoons and comic books, the collapse of [[Dreamwave Productions]] meant that the only tie-in comics for ''Cybertron'' were exclusive to the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]].

	Though ''Armada'', ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' were all conceived as being part of the same universe by the Hasbro and Takara teams, the [[GONZO\|Japanese animation studio]] responsible for the Japanese version of ''Cybertron'' (known as ''Galaxy Force'') ignored this, with ''Galaxy Force'' thus having no ties to the previous Unicron Trilogy cartoons. The English dub of the series ~~tried~~ to smooth over continuity and retroactively fit ''Cybertron'' into the timeline of the other two cartoons, and in 2007, Takara used a timeline on their website to retcon ''Galaxy Force'' into being a sequel to ''Micron Legend'' (Armada) and ''Super Link'' (Energon) as initially intended.		Though ''Armada'', ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' were all conceived as being part of the same universe by the Hasbro and Takara teams, the [[GONZO\|Japanese animation studio]] responsible for the Japanese version of ''Cybertron'' (known as ''Galaxy Force'') ignored this, with ''Galaxy Force'' thus having no ties to the previous Unicron Trilogy cartoons. The English dub of the series did what it could to smooth over continuity and retroactively fit ''Cybertron'' into the timeline of the other two cartoons, and in 2007, Takara used a timeline on their website to retcon ''Galaxy Force'' into being a sequel to ''Micron Legend'' (Armada) and ''Super Link'' (Energon) as initially intended.
	{{-}}		{{-}}

	===Live-action film series===		===Live-action film series===
	[[File:Movie2007 Bumblebee internationalposter.jpg\|upright=0.6\|thumb\|The one that etched this face into your mind permanently.]]		[[File:Movie2007 Bumblebee internationalposter.jpg\|upright=0.6\|thumb\|The one that etched this face into your mind permanently.]]

Broadside: /* Robots in Disguise */

2019-02-15T01:21:09Z

Robots in Disguise

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 15 February 2019
Line 35:		Line 35:
	The first ''Transformers'' series to break from the Generation 1 family was the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise. Curiously, it originated as ''Car Robots'', a Japanese-exclusive series that — while not clearly placed in any existing continuity — was not treated as any different from [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)\|previous]] [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)\|Japanese-exclusive]] series that fit loosely into the Generation 1/Beast Era timeline. However, when Hasbro imported the series to fill time during the production of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|Armada]]'', the series was treated as a full reboot, with faction leaders Fire Convoy and Gigatron reimagined as new versions of [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (RID)\|Megatron]].		The first ''Transformers'' series to break from the Generation 1 family was the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise. Curiously, it originated as ''Car Robots'', a Japanese-exclusive series that — while not clearly placed in any existing continuity — was not treated as any different from [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)\|previous]] [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)\|Japanese-exclusive]] series that fit loosely into the Generation 1/Beast Era timeline. However, when Hasbro imported the series to fill time during the production of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|Armada]]'', the series was treated as a full reboot, with faction leaders Fire Convoy and Gigatron reimagined as new versions of [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (RID)\|Megatron]].

	Thanks to the lack of any overt ties to the Generation 1 series in ''Car Robots'', western fans initially assumed that it had ''also'' been intended as a full reboot, and thus there was much uproar when a [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)/src\|timeline]] from the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)\|Kiss Players]]'' franchise explained how the events of the series fit into the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline.		Thanks to the lack of any overt ties to the Generation 1 series in ''Car Robots'', western fans initially assumed that it had ''also'' been intended as a full reboot, and thus there was much uproar when a [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)/src\|timeline]] from the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)\|Kiss Players]]'' franchise explained how the events of the series fit into the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline. Because of this unique overlap, ''Car Robots''-original characters on this wiki have Generation 1 family appearances sorted onto the same pages as their RID counterparts.

	The scope of the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family is limited, including only a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)\|television series]], a short comic story from the [[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]] and many [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|characters who only exist as toys]]. Perhaps as a result of its confusing origins or its relatively low profile, most revisiting of ''Robots in Disguise'' concepts and characters since the series ended have come in Generation 1 series, such as the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]] and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)\|Transformers Legends]]'' manga.		The scope of the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family is limited, including only a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)\|television series]], a short comic story from the [[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]] and many [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|characters who only exist as toys]]. Perhaps as a result of its confusing origins or its relatively low profile, most revisiting of ''Robots in Disguise'' concepts and characters since the series ended have come in Generation 1 series, such as the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]] and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)\|Transformers Legends]]'' manga.
	{{-}}		{{-}}

	===Unicron Trilogy===		===Unicron Trilogy===
	[[File:Galactic Heroes Cybertron.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.1\|[[Pokeformers\|You're my best friend, in a world we must defend!]]]]		[[File:Galactic Heroes Cybertron.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.1\|[[Pokeformers\|You're my best friend, in a world we must defend!]]]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:50, 7 July 2021
Line 128:		Line 128:
	The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.		The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.

	Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (~~BWU~~)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.		Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (G1)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.

	Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].		Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:28, 20 January 2021
Line 35:		Line 35:
	The first ''Transformers'' series to break from the Generation 1 family was the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise. Curiously, it originated as ''Car Robots'', a Japanese-exclusive series that — while not clearly placed in any existing continuity — was not treated as any different from [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)\|previous]] [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)\|Japanese-exclusive]] series that fit loosely into the Generation 1/Beast Era timeline. However, when Hasbro imported the series to fill time during the production of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|Armada]]'', the series was treated as a full reboot, with faction leaders Fire Convoy and Gigatron reimagined as new versions of [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (RID)\|Megatron]].		The first ''Transformers'' series to break from the Generation 1 family was the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise. Curiously, it originated as ''Car Robots'', a Japanese-exclusive series that — while not clearly placed in any existing continuity — was not treated as any different from [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)\|previous]] [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)\|Japanese-exclusive]] series that fit loosely into the Generation 1/Beast Era timeline. However, when Hasbro imported the series to fill time during the production of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)\|Armada]]'', the series was treated as a full reboot, with faction leaders Fire Convoy and Gigatron reimagined as new versions of [[Optimus Prime (RID)\|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (RID)\|Megatron]].

	Thanks to the lack of any overt ties to the Generation 1 series in ''Car Robots'', western fans initially assumed that it had ''also'' been intended as a full reboot, and thus there was much uproar when a [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)~~/src~~\|timeline]] from the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)\|Kiss Players]]'' franchise explained how the events of the series fit into the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline. Because of this unique overlap, ''Car Robots''-original characters on this wiki have Generation 1 family appearances sorted onto the same pages as their RID counterparts.		Thanks to the lack of any overt ties to the Generation 1 series in ''Car Robots'', western fans initially assumed that it had ''also'' been intended as a full reboot, and thus there was much uproar when a [[Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)\|timeline]] from the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)\|Kiss Players]]'' franchise explained how the events of the series fit into the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline. Because of this unique overlap, ''Car Robots''-original characters on this wiki have Generation 1 family appearances sorted onto the same pages as their RID counterparts.

	The scope of the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family is limited, including only a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)\|television series]], a short comic story from the [[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]] and many [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|characters who only exist as toys]]. Perhaps as a result of its confusing origins or its relatively low profile, most revisiting of ''Robots in Disguise'' concepts and characters since the series ended have come in Generation 1 series, such as the [[2005 IDW continuity]] and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)\|Transformers Legends]]'' manga.		The scope of the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family is limited, including only a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)\|television series]], a short comic story from the [[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]] and many [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|characters who only exist as toys]]. Perhaps as a result of its confusing origins or its relatively low profile, most revisiting of ''Robots in Disguise'' concepts and characters since the series ended have come in Generation 1 series, such as the [[2005 IDW continuity]] and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)\|Transformers Legends]]'' manga.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:22, 23 June 2020
Line 128:		Line 128:
	The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.		The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.

	Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BW)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.		Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BWU)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.

	Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].		Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:10, 23 June 2020
Line 128:		Line 128:
	The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.		The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.

	Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BW)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BW)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.		Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BW)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BWU)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.

	Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].		Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:49, 7 April 2019
Line 23:		Line 23:
	{{main\|Generation 1 continuity family}}		{{main\|Generation 1 continuity family}}

	The source from which all other Transformers continuities are ultimately derived, the Generation 1 continuity family was made up of multiple separate continuities from the very start; the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)\|Marvel comic]], its [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#~~Marvel_UK~~\|UK-exclusive side-stories]], the [[The Transformers (cartoon)\|original cartoon]] and the [[Big Looker Storybook\|childrens' storybooks]] ran side-by-side from [[1984]], each telling related, but incompatible takes on the same basic story ideas. This continued into the era of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)\|Generation 2]]'' revival in the 1990s.		The source from which all other Transformers continuities are ultimately derived, the Generation 1 continuity family was made up of multiple separate continuities from the very start; the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)\|Marvel comic]], its [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK\|UK-exclusive side-stories]], the [[The Transformers (cartoon)\|original cartoon]] and the [[Big Looker Storybook\|childrens' storybooks]] ran side-by-side from [[1984]], each telling related, but incompatible takes on the same basic story ideas. This continued into the era of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)\|Generation 2]]'' revival in the 1990s.

	While the "[[Beast Era]]" marked a significant departure in terms of visuals, cast and story, the events of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)\|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon firmly establish it and its [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)\|sequel series]] as part of the Generation 1 "mythos". The Generation 1 setting and characters have been revived and revisited since the 2000s with comic series from [[Dreamwave Productions\|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing\|IDW]], [[CHUG\|new Generation 1 toys]] and [[The Transformers Trilogy\|other]] [[Prime Wars Trilogy#Cartoons\|media]]. [[TakaraTomy]], in particular, has focused on expanding its own take on the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|Generation 1 cartoon timeline]].		While the "[[Beast Era]]" marked a significant departure in terms of visuals, cast and story, the events of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)\|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon firmly establish it and its [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)\|sequel series]] as part of the Generation 1 "mythos". The Generation 1 setting and characters have been revived and revisited since the 2000s with comic series from [[Dreamwave Productions\|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing\|IDW]], [[CHUG\|new Generation 1 toys]] and [[The Transformers Trilogy\|other]] [[Prime Wars Trilogy#Cartoons\|media]]. [[TakaraTomy]], in particular, has focused on expanding its own take on the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|Generation 1 cartoon timeline]].
Line 37:		Line 37:
	Thanks to the lack of any overt ties to the Generation 1 series in ''Car Robots'', western fans initially assumed that it had ''also'' been intended as a full reboot, and thus there was much uproar when a [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)/src\|timeline]] from the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)\|Kiss Players]]'' franchise explained how the events of the series fit into the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline. Because of this unique overlap, ''Car Robots''-original characters on this wiki have Generation 1 family appearances sorted onto the same pages as their RID counterparts.		Thanks to the lack of any overt ties to the Generation 1 series in ''Car Robots'', western fans initially assumed that it had ''also'' been intended as a full reboot, and thus there was much uproar when a [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)/src\|timeline]] from the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)\|Kiss Players]]'' franchise explained how the events of the series fit into the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline. Because of this unique overlap, ''Car Robots''-original characters on this wiki have Generation 1 family appearances sorted onto the same pages as their RID counterparts.

	The scope of the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family is limited, including only a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)\|television series]], a short comic story from the [[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]] and many [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|characters who only exist as toys]]. Perhaps as a result of its confusing origins or its relatively low profile, most revisiting of ''Robots in Disguise'' concepts and characters since the series ended have come in Generation 1 series, such as the [[IDW ~~Generation 1~~ continuity]] and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)\|Transformers Legends]]'' manga.		The scope of the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity family is limited, including only a [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)\|television series]], a short comic story from the [[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]] and many [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)\|characters who only exist as toys]]. Perhaps as a result of its confusing origins or its relatively low profile, most revisiting of ''Robots in Disguise'' concepts and characters since the series ended have come in Generation 1 series, such as the [[2005 IDW continuity]] and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)\|Transformers Legends]]'' manga.
	{{-}}		{{-}}

Line 88:		Line 88:
	Debuting in [[2018]], ''Transformers: Cyberverse'' represents a second try at a "brand alignment", like the Aligned continuity before it. Rather than attempting to fit multiple ''stories'' into a single overarching timeline, ''Cyberverse'' is set in a standalone continuity unconnected to any other media; however, it uses variations of the "[[evergreen]]" designs that also appear in Generation 1 and Aligned [[Transformers Authentics\|toys]] and [[Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy (cartoon)\|media]], and avoids slapping pre-existing names on unrelated [[character]]s, instead making use of a roster of classic ''Transformers'' characters with recognisable designs.		Debuting in [[2018]], ''Transformers: Cyberverse'' represents a second try at a "brand alignment", like the Aligned continuity before it. Rather than attempting to fit multiple ''stories'' into a single overarching timeline, ''Cyberverse'' is set in a standalone continuity unconnected to any other media; however, it uses variations of the "[[evergreen]]" designs that also appear in Generation 1 and Aligned [[Transformers Authentics\|toys]] and [[Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy (cartoon)\|media]], and avoids slapping pre-existing names on unrelated [[character]]s, instead making use of a roster of classic ''Transformers'' characters with recognisable designs.

	''Cyberverse''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> story is heavily serialised, and draws on material including the [[The Transformers (cartoon)\|Generation 1 cartoon's]] backstory, the [[IDW ~~Generation 1~~ continuity\|IDW Generation 1 comics]], and even the [[Binder of Revelation]] — though it diverts from the Binder enough to generally not be considered an Aligned story. So far, the ''Cyberverse'' continuity family is limited to the cartoon and the online bios... but [[Blurr (Cyberverse)\|even]] [[Acid Storm (Cyberverse)\|they]] manage to diverge enough from the cartoon that they could be considered their own [[micro-continuity]].		''Cyberverse''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> story is heavily serialised, and draws on material including the [[The Transformers (cartoon)\|Generation 1 cartoon's]] backstory, the [[2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Generation 1 comics]], and even the [[Binder of Revelation]] — though it diverts from the Binder enough to generally not be considered an Aligned story. So far, the ''Cyberverse'' continuity family is limited to the cartoon and the online bios... but [[Blurr (Cyberverse)\|even]] [[Acid Storm (Cyberverse)\|they]] manage to diverge enough from the cartoon that they could be considered their own [[micro-continuity]].


Line 108:		Line 108:
	The concept of a continuity family is not an official one; it was generated by editors of this wiki as an organizational tool. As such, for the bulk of ''Transformers'' fiction, deciding where the lines between families are drawn is a subjective business, balancing both abstract guidelines and practical considerations.		The concept of a continuity family is not an official one; it was generated by editors of this wiki as an organizational tool. As such, for the bulk of ''Transformers'' fiction, deciding where the lines between families are drawn is a subjective business, balancing both abstract guidelines and practical considerations.

	===IDW ~~Generation 1~~ continuity===		===2005 IDW continuity===
	[[File:Drift2-Lockdown.jpg\|thumb\|A [[Lockdown (G1)\|G1 version]] of an [[Lockdown (Animated)\|''Animated'' character]] using a [[~~Lockdown_~~(ROTF)#Toys\|movie series toy design]].]]		[[File:Drift2-Lockdown.jpg\|thumb\|A [[Lockdown (G1)\|G1 version]] of an [[Lockdown (Animated)\|''Animated'' character]] using a [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Toys\|movie series toy design]].]]
	Though [[IDW Publishing]]'s 13-year [[IDW ~~Generation 1~~ continuity\|ongoing comics continuity]] are officially classed as part of the ''Generation 1'' franchise, there was initially some dispute over whether it should be considered part of that continuity family. Though the cast almost entirely consisted of Generation 1 characters in recognisable designs, the backstory was very different to any prior Generation 1 universe, and many of the characters were portrayed in unique ways; the question of whether or not, for example, the IDW versions of [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW ~~Generation 1~~ continuity\|Galvatron]] or [[Thunderwing (G1)#IDW ~~Generation 1~~ continuity\|Thunderwing]] should be considered the "same character" as previous incarnations was a contentious one.		Though [[IDW Publishing]]'s 13-year [[2005 IDW continuity\|ongoing comics continuity]] are officially classed as part of the ''Generation 1'' franchise, there was initially some dispute over whether it should be considered part of that continuity family. Though the cast almost entirely consisted of Generation 1 characters in recognisable designs, the backstory was very different to any prior Generation 1 universe, and many of the characters were portrayed in unique ways; the question of whether or not, for example, the IDW versions of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|Galvatron]] or [[Thunderwing (G1)#2005 IDW continuity\|Thunderwing]] should be considered the "same character" as previous incarnations was a contentious one.

	This debate was reignited with the debut of "phase 2" of the IDW continuity, which brought in larger numbers of characters originating from outside of Generation 1 (such as [[Lockdown (G1)\|Lockdown]], [[Sky-Byte (RID)\|Sky-Byte]] and [[Knock Out (G1)\|Knock Out]]) and increasingly diverted further from the baseline idea of what Transformers ''was''. Ultimately, however, the official use of the "Generation 1" label, many minor appearances of Generation 1 characters, and incorporation of IDW elements into other G1 toys and media makes it impractical to split it out; it would be absurd, for example, to give a separate page to the IDW version of [[Roadblock (G1)\|G1 Roadblock]].		This debate was reignited with the debut of "phase 2" of the IDW continuity, which brought in larger numbers of characters originating from outside of Generation 1 (such as [[Lockdown (G1)\|Lockdown]], [[Sky-Byte (RID)\|Sky-Byte]] and [[Knock Out (G1)\|Knock Out]]) and increasingly diverted further from the baseline idea of what Transformers ''was''. Ultimately, however, the official use of the "Generation 1" label, many minor appearances of Generation 1 characters, and incorporation of IDW elements into other G1 toys and media makes it impractical to split it out; it would be absurd, for example, to give a separate page to the IDW version of [[Roadblock (G1)\|G1 Roadblock]].
Line 126:		Line 126:
	==Official perspectives==		==Official perspectives==
	[[File:InvasionPrologue-Rhinox.jpg\|thumb\|"If we make an overly-convoluted classification system, the fandom won't get absurdly attached to it, right?"]]		[[File:InvasionPrologue-Rhinox.jpg\|thumb\|"If we make an overly-convoluted classification system, the fandom won't get absurdly attached to it, right?"]]
	The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\| TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.		The first official media to actively engage with the idea of a Transformers multiverse was [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)\|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which depicted a [[Universe War\|war involving characters from several previous series]]. However, the concept of "families" of Transformers universes was first introduced in the ''[[Transformers: TransTech\|TransTech]]'' franchise from Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]], which introduced the concept of [[universal stream]]s: technical, overly-precise "code names" for ''Transformers'' universes that included designations for the "universal clusters" to which they belonged — in essence, a direct in-universe version of and homage to TFWiki's continuity family system.

	Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BW)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BW)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.		Though the universal streams were intended to be deliberately unintuitive and detached to represent the distant, aloof attitude of the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, some fans ''really'' latched onto them, taking them as gospel and framing their entire view of the ''Transformers'' multiverse around them. Later Fun Publications fiction ''did'' avoid such a strict, divided view of ''Transformers'' lore — [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] made heavy use of Unicron Trilogy [[Mini-Con]]s as [[Micromaster]]s and brought in characters like [[Strongarm (BW)\|Strongarm]] and [[Override (BW)\|Override]], and later [[Ask Vector Prime]] answers tried to emphasise how arbitrary and lacking in inherent meaning the universal stream labels were... for all the good it did. Eventually, the entire universal stream conceit was [[Out of the One, Many\|written out]], with the TransTech [[Shroud\|losing their ability]] to view the multiverse.

	Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW ~~Generation 1~~ continuity\|IDW Optimus]].		Hasbro itself, meanwhile, has never particularly considered there to be strong divisions between "versions" of the ''Transformers'' brand, particularly since the departure of [[Forest Lee\|individuals]] strongly invested in the mechanics of the fictional multiverse; indeed, when asked in [[2017]], brand manager [[John Warden]] indicated that he didn't consider [[Optimus Prime (G1)\|Generation 1 Optimus]] to be separate from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)\|''Armada'' Optimus]], or even from [[Ginrai (human)\|Ginrai]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/transformers-titans-return-product-reveals-news-updates-rumors-leaks-and-more--p1911385.php#p1911385 Excerpt from John Warden interview on Seibertron forums]</ref> This, of course, makes sense for a large corporation like Hasbro — they're here to make toys of Optimus Prime for kids to enjoy, not to worry about whether they fit into imagined categories; and, when not looked at from a wiki organization perspective, ''Armada'' Optimus isn't meaningfully more different from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity\|G1 cartoon Optimus]] than the latter is from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity\|Marvel Optimus]] or from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity\|IDW Optimus]].

	(But seriously, John, ''Ginrai''?)		(But seriously, John, ''Ginrai''?)