Yes, there is a bit of a theme running today, but that's just the sort of thing that happens when they leave me and Adam and Jim alone and head off to Japan. We need something to rally us. A cause. Til all are one.

Thanks Mirai for pointing this clip out!

The fact that this song isn't in Guitar Hero or Rock Band yet is eating away at me, so much so that I actually contacted Stan himself to see if there was anything I could do to help. When he actually answered me I just about died. Turns out not only would he love to have the song in either game, he even contacted Activision himself. His reply to my email follows!

Hey Michael,

Yes, it would be wonderful to get "The Touch" in either one of those games. I've written to Activision, but wasn't able to get anywhere on it. I'd really appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Stan

Note the "Hey Michael," at the beginning. I'm just going to stare at it a little more before continuing.

...
...
...

Okay. So, Stan needs our help. Specifically my help, but I figured I would let you guys in on it. We need to get this song into a game where we can play it with our friends, possibly while wearing giant robot costumes. To that end, we need to bug the living hell out of Activision and Harmonix. It is vitally important that we do so.

I will go as far as to say that whichever game gets "The Touch" first, will be the only band game I purchase for personal use from here on out. I mean, ideally we would want it in both games, but an element of urgency always helps.

For those of you who have never seen or heard "The Touch", here is the music video from way back in the day, courtesy of Seibertron.com, the most amazing Transformers community site on the planet.

See? It's rhythm band game GOLD. Okay Harmonix, Activision. Ready, set, go!

Transformers Mobile Demo

There I am chatting with him about the upcoming Lego: Batman game and suggesting that a Lego: Transformers game would be fun. He asks me, essentially, for an on-the-spot verbal pitch. As chronicled on my Multiplayer blog, I say

I said, you’d take advantage of the wide cast of Transformers characters and put them in the format started by “Lego: Star Wars.” There are plenty of Transformers for gamers to control and swap, certainly more characters in the pantheon than there were for “Lego: Indiana Jones.”

I said TT coul have all sorts of fun letting the characters transform to get through the levels. You have the existing good mix of character and vehicle stuff in the Lego games, so there’s a blueprint there.

“Sounds like you just want a good Transformers game,” Smith replied

I tried more. He didn't bite. Where did I go wrong? Bad concept?

How I Failed To Successfully Pitch ‘Lego: Transformers - The Game’ [MTV Multiplayer blog] [Pic]

Hit the jump for the four step procedure:

1. With AnyDVD HD, rip a EVO file of the HD DVD Transformers
2. Using EVOdemux and rebuild, the necessary image and voice are selected
3. Convert EVO file into BDMV form with TSremux.
4. Burn onto BD-RE with Ulead Burn.Now

Once again, we haven't tried this, so we're not sure if it works or not (or even if these directions are correct). This fella was apparently able to get it on Blu-ray — though, he wasn't able to get subtitles transferred over. Let us know if you are able to do this successfully.
Transformers on Blu-ray PS3 [Pocket News via Hobby Blog]

The obvious choice is Optimus Prime but to be honest I've always had a soft spot for Springer since he's a triple changer that uses his helicopter blades as a friggin' sword. I mean, come on, how cool is that?

The folks at Toyfare then asked him the mother of all game designer / toy geek questions. How would you make a Transformers video game?

I'd do the first movie as a playable title. Imagine fighting off thousands of Sharktacons... defending Autobot city while it transforms... or even climbing all over Unicron himself "Shadow of the Colossus" style. I want to control Hot Rod while he's tearing up the mountainside and that rock song "Dare" is playing in the background. I want the option of Optimus Prime surviving that damned fight with Megatron. I want a Starscream shooting gallery as Galvatron and a Junkion level and a playable Arcee.

In my defense, that's not nearly all of them. I am in the middle of switching closets so many of them are boxed on the floor, which doesn't make for good photos. So yeah, I feel ya Cliffy, though you are a right bastard for having both the original Fort Max and the re-release that came out around the Robots in Disguise era. Jerk.

And while I am being honest, I would kill any two of you to see that video game get made.

BLESZINSKI: GAME DESIGNER, TOY COLLECTOR [Wizard's Toyfare]

What you don't understand is corporate politics. Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads. That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray. They want confusion in the market until they perfect the digital downloads. Time will tell and you will see the truth.

Is Michael Bay in need of a sturdier tinfoil hat or is Microsoft intentionally sabotaging the next-gen format war for its own benefit? Since we haven't been on the receiving end of any $100 million checks, we can't say for sure. Or is that just one of the stipulations of our continued payment from Microsoft? *dun dun duunnnn*

DVD Formats [The Official Michael Bay Forums via Blu-ray.com - thanks, Joe!]

The Optimus Prime PC Case Mod [ExtremeTech]

The rest of the list is filled out with Harry Potter, three different Nintendo Brain training games, Wii Play, Shrek the Third, and Tiger Woods. So much Nintendo you'll swear they're turning Japanese.

Pokemania Transforms UK Chart In Nintendo's Favor [Gamasutra]

Part of the Real Gear Robots line, it's due to hit stores next month. The rest of the line transforms into things like watches, digital cameras, and other consumer electronics mainstays— even one that looks like a Bluetooth headset. I'll assume that one is a Decepticon. And a total dick.

Needless to say, killing your customers is a bad game plan, Microsoft. You're lucky my 360 doesn't transform into a man-eating robot, otherwise, and this is no exaggeration, you'd be getting one angry letter, mister.
[gizmodo]

By this point you know about the basics. Transformers is a free-roaming mission based game which lets you choose between playing a heroic Autobot or evil Decepticon as both sides vie for control of the legendry Allspark, the source of all Transformer life. Rather than painstakingly explore every facet of the game, I decided to focus on the central theme. Good versus bad...right versus wrong.

What Transformers Does Right

Voices: Even the voices that aren't Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, the original Optimus and Megatron, are done rather well. Shia in particular sounds really into his role, unlike certain video game voiceover actors I could mention (Yes you Tobey), which leads me to...

Human Characters: Rather than going with the standard method of building a character model and painting on a face to represent the movie actors, TT actually created full models for the humans, giving them a slightly exaggerated look at feel that really helps them mesh with the action. It really is an example of how real-world characters should be done in games.

Scale: Travellers Tales has done a pretty amazing job of making you feel like you are a huge freaking robot in a world full of squishy humans. I was also impressed by the accuracy in depicting the carious bots' sizes in relation to each other, though I am sure that is more a product of the movie character specs.

Fan Service: Playing through the Autobot storyline I ran into a character that isn't featured in the film but is probably one of the most menacing characters from the original comic book and cartoon series, completely re-imagined to fit with the design aesthetic. Not going to mention any names, but fans will be in for quite a shock when they see who it is. There could very well be more lurking in there for all I know. Add to that the unlockable concept arts, trailers, and G1 character models and you've almost got to buy this is you're a fan...well, a rabid Transformers fan like myself.

What Transformers Does Wrong

Graphics: While it looks pretty enough in screenshots, playing through the game on the 360 I can't shake the feeling that all of the bloom and lighting effects are covering up some less than stellar graphics.

Encounter Zones: As you roam about the map you enter encounters, some of which are surrounded by green circles that you cannot step outside of for fear of failing the mission. Your enemies can certainly be knocked out of it though, giving you plenty of time to stand around looking bloomy while waiting for them to get back.

Invisible Walls: The game is NOT a free-roaming game if you have invisible walls in it, period. Put the whole thing in an impassable canyon if you'd like, but no stupid invisible walls. It's Optimus Prime, not Optimus Mime.

Driving: A good driving game gives you the sensation of actually gripping the road as you turn the wheel. Transformers, for the most part, does not. On top of that, cars get knocked away from you far too easily. Bumblebee should not be able to knock a bus off the road without shoulder-checking it.

Missions: Some of the missions are just plain corny. In one of the Autobot missions I had to travel from waypoint to waypoint, saving Jazz from getting his ass kicked. I'd show up, there'd be a cutscene of ass-kicked Jazz, I'd tell him to run for it and take care of the bad guys. Two miles down the road he's getting his ass handed to him again. Either Jazz sucks, which I refuse to believe, or this wasn't planned all that well.

Camera: See those trees? You're in there somewhere. So is the robot trying to kill you. Pretty snazzy, huh? Even in the open streets the camera isn't all that responsive, making for some really unfortunate deaths on y part.

Checkpoints: There are no checkpoints, despite the fact that missions themselves use a waypoint system that would have been perfect for it. I don't like failing at the last moment during a fifteen minute mission and having to start back over.

Transforming: This is going to sound extremely nitpicky, but why can't I transform into vehicle mode in mid-air? I can change to robot in mid-air, why not the other way around? I don't want to live in a world where I can't jump off the top of the building and turn into a helicopter halfway down.

Til All Are One

So after a quick tallying we have four good things versus eight bad things. Not really a good balance. Even figuring the bonus 20% for just having the name Transformers on the cover and you've still got something just north of completely mediocre. If you're really curious about the game, try giving it a rent, or at least pick it up somewhere used where you can return it just in case. I'd mention that it is a must-have item for rabid fans, but we've already bought it.

In honor of the Transformers movie opening next week and the deluge of Transformers games out this week, I present to you the Optimus Prime papercraft model by Paper Robot. Optimus is looking fine in his olde school duds and the best part? He's poseable and actually transforms with the help of some rubber bands! Be warned, this model is complicated and NOT for beginners. Seasoned papercrafters only on this one. And kids, don't forget to have you parents help you cut out the pieces! Flynn De Marco

The Optimus Prime papercraft model [PaperRobots1999]

Tonight's Game Head sounds like it will be a doozie. Not only will they have another Kotaku On... segment (this time dealing with fanboys), but the show will have a new 90 second trailer for Transformers: The game and the first footage for All Pro Football 2K8 and none other than Anthony Daniels being all C3PO-ie. Brian Crecente

New trailers for the summer blockbuster Transformers are up, as well as a preview of Bruce Springsteen Live In Dublin. Yes, that's it. I feel defeated.

See you next Thursday! Michael McWhertor

I'm just not going to say anything else about this until the game hits on the 26th. I'll just sit here quietly in the corner and let you folks tear it apart like wild dogs. Michael Fahey

Not all transforming robots can have cool names like Starscream or Megatron and turn into things like gi-normous scorpions or kick-ass 60s race cars. The Transformers and Decepticons need their support staff too, the bots that deal with communications, with video and with data. Meet POWER UP VT6, by day a handheld gaming system, by night a data hacker and mind-scrambler. Cool abilities, really bad name. Brian Crecente

POWER UP VT6 [Hasbro, via Arrogantics]

Hollywood types, forget what you've heard. Video games are not beach towels. Or even coffee mugs. No, not anymore says Activision's Daniel Suarez. And he would know! (Activision recently released a Spider-Man 3 game, which can be best summed up in one word: Broken.) As Activision rolls out *another* movie game adaptation with Transformers: The Game, Suarez has this insight:

Video games are no longer considered another licensed consumer product like a coffee cup or beach towel like they were about 10 years ago. Film makers, studio executives and nearly everyone involved in the production, marketing and promotion of a film are now gamers or have kids who are gamers. This makes the process of developing a working relationship with the film makers and the studio a lot easier as they have a greater understanding of your end goal and have built up sensibilities about the video game medium that allows them to contribute thoughts and ideas to better integrate the intellectual property into the game.

That's a nice sell and all, but I'm as nervous about movie-game adaptations as I am about game-move adaptations. You? Brian Ashcraft

Talking With Activision [Game Daily via QJ.Net]

Shia was understandably ecstatic:

"From the moment I first saw Activision was on set to create video games based on the film, I wanted to be part of this project. I've played the game, and it's awesome. Fans will be able to choose a side and explore, and destroy, the world from the movie."

LeBeouf, Fox role play for 'Transformers' (Registration Required) [Hollywood Reporter via MovieWeb]

Glu today announced that they will be launching the "first-ever Transformers mobile gaming experience" this June, just before the movie hits.

The phone game will let mobile gamers "play as Optimus Prime or transform from vehicle to robot and back again—all on their phone." The company will also be selling Optimus Prime voicetones and wallpaper from the movie. Brian Crecente

Glu Official Web Site

Bonus unlockable levels

Bonus code to unlock two 'Cybertron' levels, one for each side in the game (Autobot and Decepticon)

Bonus Content Disc
Behind-the-Scenes Interviews and B-Roll from movie and game talent:
Peter Cullen (original Optimus Prime, Optimus Prime in game and film)
Frank Welker (original Megatron, Megatron in game)
"Making of" features with the game's development teams
Film content including movie trailers and TV spots.

Prequel Comic Book
Volume 1 of 4 official movie prequel comic books.
Designed by Transformers artist legend, Don Figueroa. Published by IDG comics.
Storyline: Tells the back-story of the battle between Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron, as well as the importance of the All-Spark cube and how it was lost.

Limited Edition Packaging
Special packaging featuring classic Transformers icons and images of Cybertron.

Pretty nice little collections of extras. Definitely worth an extra ten spot in my book. The Cybertron Edition is only available at EBGameStop, so stop by today and make the game advisors fight each other to the death for your $5 deposit. Michael Fahey

...or it could look like the hood of the 1987 paintless Nissan Sentra I had back in my late 20s when I worked the vinyl cutter at a sign shop...decals I later replaced with Bubbles the Powerpuff Girl before the transmission blew. At least it's a good bit nicer than the DS version covers, which just split the normal cover in half between the two games. I bet they were just too busy making us a damn fine Transformers game to worry about box art. Just gonna sit here, smile, and keep believing that.

As to what's included in the Cybertron Edition...no clue, but if the box doesn't transform into a robot then they've completely missed the point of all this. Michael Fahey

Bonus points if you can guess which side I'm on. Hint: It's the Autobots.

Starting tonight, players will be able to register for the game, choose a robot from their favorite side, and battle it out in real time for the fate of the planet. Players gain points for their faction, and each week the high scorers will win prizes, while the winning side gains exclusive access to special sections of the site.

Sounds like an unbelievably wonderful way to bring players from around the world together, not to mention an incredibly addictive timewaster for those of us stuck behind desks all day. Hit the jump for the press release, and then check back at TransformersGame.com tonight for the official launch of the battle to end all battles. Michael Fahey

THE BATTLE FOR THE ALLSPARK IGNITES ONLINE WITH THE LAUNCH OF TRANSFORMERS: THE GAME WEBSITE

Santa Monica, CA - April 27, 2007 - It's time to choose your side! The fight for earth is being waged online with the launch of The Battle for the AllSpark web game on the official TRANSFORMERS: The Game site from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), under license from HPG, the licensing division of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS). Starting tonight fans can log on to http://www.transformersgame.com to get the latest news and information on the highly anticipated game, as well as sign up as an AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS character and join forces with a global team vying for prizes, exclusive access to game information and control over Earth.

"The TRANSFORMERS: The Game website gives fans a unique and interactive way to experience the TRANSFORMERS universe," said Will Kassoy, senior vice president of global brand management, Activision, Inc. "Fans will become part of a global community where they can join forces with other players, chat live with TRANSFORMERS fans, as well as watch and engage in battles to capture power of the AllSpark."

The Battle for the AllSpark is a worldwide online multiplayer experience that allows fans to play on the AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS team to face off in real time challenges that pit one side against the other in a struggle to take over the world. Players contend in one-on-one skirmishes that continually earn points for themselves and their team. Each week, individuals with the highest scores will be rewarded with a variety of prizes, while the side with the largest score takes control of the AllSpark and is granted exclusive access to special sections of the site.

Based on TRANSFORMERS, the upcoming live-action feature film due out on July 4th from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, TRANSFORMERS: The Game lets players choose to protect the Earth as AUTOBOTS or destroy it as DECEPTICONS. Playing as OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, MEGATRON, BARRICADE and other characters, gamers will experience the unstoppable power and massive scale of their favorite ROBOTS IN DISGUISE as they battle for Earth.

More Bumblebee screens from the upcoming Transformer game serve up more mediocrity. I'm sorta jazzed by the movie, but the game, the game just isn't doing it for me so far. It looks way too generic. Brian Crecente

Anyway, what's up with those little face tattoos on Optimus and Megatron? And why aren't they looking eachother in the "eye"? Michael McWhertor

Of interest to our gaming demographic are some fantastic Photoshop creations like the Game Boy Transformer pictured here, as well as awesome Super Nintendo and Xbox renditions on the second page.

The rest of the Something Awful Forum Goons' creations are far more standard stuff, including espresso machines, iPods, the Lincoln Memorial, digital cameras and (watch out) vibrators. Hilarious stuff. Michael McWhertor

Transformers [Something Awful]

At this point, everyone is waiting to see if the new Transformers Movie is going to suck, although I think most people have already decided it will. But, Transformers: The Game still holds some hope, even though it's essentially based on the movie. Activision hasn't really released much if any, media for the game, so we were very excited to see this Xbox 360 screenshot end up in our mailbox. I would have liked to see some Optimus Prime action, but I suppose I can settle for Bumblebee. Pretty silly name for a robot, but at least he looks badass. I wonder if he still turns into a VW Beetle?

Make the jump to check out a factsheet on the game.

TRANSFORMERS: THE GAME
FACT SHEET FOR ALL VERSIONS (Gameplay information based on console and PC versions)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Based on TRANSFORMERS, DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures' upcoming live-action feature film due out July 4th, and produced in association with Hasbro, TRANSFORMERS: The Game lets gamers control the outcome in the battle for Earth as they choose to protect it as AUTOBOTS or destroy it as DECEPTICONS. Players will also experience the unstoppable power and massive scale of their favorite ROBOTS IN DISGUISE such as BUMBLEBEE, BARRICADE and others.

KEY FEATURES:
Protect Or Destroy The Earth - As the TRANSFORMERS robot's war comes to Earth, gamers make the choice to join the AUTOBOTS in protecting our planet or to join the DECEPTICONS in destroying it. With dual campaigns, the fate of the world is in players' hands.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE - Instantly change from a larger than life robot to a high-powered vehicle such as a sports car, fighter jet or helicopter. Seamless transformations leave enemies in the dust or enhance players' combat strategy with a range of options in both vehicle and robot modes that take full advantage of the characters' dual forms.

The World Is Your Playground - Players crush, topple and wreck every object, including buildings and vehicles, in their path or use the objects as weapons. It is up to the gamer to decide how best to use their surrounding environment.

Freedom of Choice - An unprecedented line-up lets gamers experience the massive scale, unique abilities and sheer strength of an army of characters from the TRANSFORMERS universe when they choose to play as OPTIMUS PRIME, MEGATRON, IRONHIDE, STARSCREAM, BUMBLEBEE and more.

Variety of Combat - For head-to-head battles, fans engage in melee combat that reflects each TRANSFORMERS robot's character, scale, weight and power along with melee weapons and special moves unique to each character. The game's ranged combat offers a wide array of projective weapons designed to take out enemies from afar.

PlayStation Portable Features - The PSP version features 20 playable AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS, from both the live-action film and previous generations, that battle through an enhanced version of the film's storyline. Players can customize their character by choosing more than 10 different weapon types in both single and adhoc multiplayer gameplay.

Publisher: Activision, Inc.

Developer: Traveller's Tales (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PC)
Savage (PSP)
Vicarious Visions (NDS)

Release Date: Summer 2007

SRP: TBD

ESRB Rating: "RP" (Rating Pending)

Activision has released what amounts to a blurb concerning the Transformers games due to coincide with the Michael Bay 'movie' release come this July, including a list of who's developing what for which console. DS vets Vicarious Visions will be handling the conversion to Nintendo's handheld while Savage ports it to the PSP. Who's handling the main game? None other than one of my favorite developers, Traveller's Tales, creators of Lego Star Wars and one-time owners of the best game studio logo ever.

This would be great news if the game were Lego Transformers. Unfortunately it is Michael Bay's Transformers, which sadly does not indicate robots built by bits of Michael Bay, but rather his 'unique vision' of the much beloved cartoon and comic series. With what looks like a Transfomers-style sandbox game where you can play good or evil, TT might end up with a game that's even better than the source material. Hit the jump for the blurb. Michael Fahey

TRANSFORMERS: THE GAME

Gameplay Information

Based on Paramount Pictures upcoming feature film, Transformers: The Game lets gamers choose to play as either Autobots or Decepticons and experience the unstoppable power and massive scale of their favorite robots in disguise as they choose to protect or destroy Earth. Players must master each character's unique weapons, moves and instantaneous transformations that allow them to effortlessly switch between vehicle and robot mode, as they rampage fully destructible environments smashing everything they encounter and using all objects as weapons along with firepower to obliterate enemies.

Publisher: Activision, Inc.

Developer: Traveller's Tales (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PC)

Savage (PSP)

Vicarious Visions (NDS)

Release Date: Summer 2007

The latest issue of Nintendo Power confirms that the Transformers game based on the upcoming Michael Bay film will be coming to the Nintendo Wii. It also reveals that the DS is getting not one, but two Transformers games next year. No word on why the handheld is getting two titles, but I'm not going to complain. One of the is bound to be somewhat playable, right?

"Based on the upcoming Michael Bay flick, Transformers will let you play as either the heroic Autobots or evil Decepticons. Each 'bot will come equipped with unique weapons, moves, and transformations. Activision is planning a Wii version and two DS versions of the game."

I know, I know. Michael Bay is the devil. I thought so too, but looking at the newly released trailer we might be in for a surprise come July. Keeping my fingers crossed! Michael Fahey

Wii Love Transformers [POWET.TV]

The game will be coming courtesy of Digital Domain, a production house recently purchased by Mr. Bay's Wyndcrest Holdings, LLC. They'll apparently be "sharing assets" with the film crew, so expect the game to stay true to the film from a visuals standpoint.

I'm nervously excited about the prospect of a live action Transformers flick, but this is Michael Bay we're talking about here. Michael McWhertor

Hollywood & Games: helping hype each other [Gamespot]

As blow-dried Michael Bay starts turning The Transformers into an insipid music video, Microsoft and Apple seem to have scored on-screen plugs. The "director" is even changing the Transformers, and online reviews add that "one of the most stupid scenes" involve an iPod, and Xbox 360 and Plasma TVs sprout legs. Blow-dried shamelessly featured Xbox (Puma and Aquafina) in The Island—and we all remember how fantastic that movie turned out. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [IESB] via Slashing Games