TFs Prime begins Nov 26th in America

[griffin]

The new Transformers cartoon premieres on American TV (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/transformers-prime-black-friday-premiere-170781/)in just over a month's time, with the first episode called 'Dark Rising part 1 of 2' (http://www.hubworld.com/transformers/shows/prime).

Promo blurb:

Roll out with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Arcee, Ratchet, Bulkhead, and the rest of the heroic Autobots as they battle the evil Decepticons. Now that big bad Megatron has returned with a mysterious and dangerous element, Team Prime must prepare for an epic battle. But that's not so easy when they have to guard over Jack, Miko, and Raf -- three normal kids who’ve accidentally discovered the Autobots. As Team Prime works to defend Earth from destruction, the drama gets just as intense as the heavy metal action.

[Sharky]

do we know is there is going to be an aus release of this?

[kaiden]

that promo blurb is all kinds of fail.

[griffin]

do we know is there is going to be an aus release of this?

I'd say so, since this is gonna have to 'sell' all the movie-styled toys until TF3. The Generations toys seem to be selling themselves and flying off the shelves - the AA line needs a bit of help, and Prime looks to have some movie aesthetics to it.

[gantz]

Go Team Prime! lol

I need this and the new Avengers cartoon (c'mon abc3) and Ill be so happy :)

[Dkaris]

have any figures even been announced for this?

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Go Team Prime! lol

I need this and the new Avengers cartoon (c'mon abc3) and Ill be so happy :)

Makes me wonder if they will have Team Rodimus/Sentinel/Magnus etc etc as well.

Wonder if we have to wait a while for it to come here? I know I won't be ;)

I wish ABC would do a different season of Wolverine and the Xmen, I wanna see the Age of Apocalypse... sorry for the offtopic there....:rolleyes:

[Sky Shadow]

But that's not so easy when they have to guard over Jack, Miko, and Raf -- three normal kids who’ve accidentally discovered the Autobots.

Oh joy.

...

Anyway, one month until we hit Youtube and find out if this sinks or swims. :)

[Vector Sigma 13]

Gets me about as excited as team knight rider....

And look how that ended!

[gantz]

I wish ABC would do a different season of Wolverine and the Xmen, I wanna see the Age of Apocalypse... sorry for the offtopic there....:rolleyes:

Dude! You dont know? Wolverine & The X-men was cancelled long ago, beyond depressing yes, best animated x-men ever!

[Hursticon]

Dude! You dont know? Wolverine & The X-men was cancelled long ago, beyond depressing yes, best animated x-men ever!

I'd like to Humbly Disagree (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0EEBxh7Xrg). ;):D
Though, Wolverine & The X-Men was pretty good, unlike X-Men: Evolution. :rolleyes:

[gantz]

Wolverine & The X-Men was pretty good, unlike X-Men: Evolution. :rolleyes:


I like to call it Emo-Men! Honestly, what were they thinking with that show?

[1AZRAEL1]

I like to call it Emo-Men! Honestly, what were they thinking with that show?

I think they were trying to appeal to today's emo population :p

[LordCyrusOmega]

I'm not going to get to excited about TF:Prime. After all, i fought off the Animated series as long as possible before getting sucked in and look how that ended..and why.
So now it happens again. Without getting to ahead of myself TF:Prime could have an excellent story and toyline (maybe) but why get sucked in if it's just going to get cancelled when TF3 is released?

[5FDP]

...but why get sucked in if it's just going to get cancelled when TF3 is released?

Good point.

It's a fairly safe assumption that there will be no toy line considering that the show starts in little over a month and we would've at least seen some prototypes (resin molds) by now. I'll still watch it when it comes out.

[GoktimusPrime]

It's Hasbro's continual insistence on reinventing the brand every second day. On one hand, sure, it keeps the brand fresh, but on the other hand it makes it bloody hard to enjoy any long term continuity like we had with G1. But some people might say that G1 died a slow painful death between 1991-93... so perhaps Hasbro's not keen on repeating that.

But what gets me is that they're now axing TF series when they're not failing... often at the height of their popularity. And I've noticed that it's something that Hasbro started doing after Aaron Archer came along (coincidence?). It started with Beast Wars - axed during its prime. Armadaverse lasted 3 years, but it kept on being "refreshed" every year (so that you had to recollect the core cast (e.g. Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, Megatron, Ratchet, Starscream etc.) each year!) - so that was kinda annoying in a way. Then of course Animated didn't last long and who knows how long TFP will last.

And I really do miss the old days when Transformers had - more or less - a single overall continuity universe. Like even though the G1 comics, cartoon, books, bio tech specs etc. were all arguably separate continuities, at least they all fell under the umbrella of the G1 "megaverse". G2, Beast Wars and Beast Machines all likewise continued under that same 'megaverse.' Car Robot/RiD went off on a tangent, but as far as Hasbro was concerned it was a "filler" line... but then with Armada Hasbro made a conscious decision to explicitly do an entire continuity reboot.

There's pros and cons to doing this of course; the main advantage is that it's just a lot easier for writers to not have to research previous TF canon and try to tie in with it without causing massive contradictions. With a reboot you have the freedom to do whatever you want. But I feel that these reboots are just happening too frequently. It's almost as if Hasbro only wants to use continuity to market toys to a generation of children for one year, then expect them to 'grow out' of Transformers and focus the next year on roping in a new generation of kids. There seems to be little concern for actually _keeping_ kids interested in Transformers over the long term.

This annoys people like me who've never grown out of Transformers for 26 years. :( But I guess we're in a minority so we don't matter... *sobs*

[kup]

Dude! You dont know? Wolverine & The X-men was cancelled long ago, beyond depressing yes, best animated x-men ever!

Nowadays it's very rare for anything to last more than a couple of seasons no matter how good it may be. Cheaper series however can go for ages due to the low cost.

[gantz]

Which is the EXACT reason Marvel provided for the cancelling.

that and Im pretty sure disney would very much like to have the x-men at their disposal.

[kaiden]

TFs : Prime is based on the book TFs : Exodus?

[Doubledealer]

why get sucked in if it's just going to get cancelled when TF3 is released?

My thoughts exactly. It's like falling love with someone knowing they're just gonna leave you in a few months time. The sex better be damn good...

[Paulbot]

TFs : Prime is based on the book TFs : Exodus?

I don't think it's "based" on the book, but the series could use the book as the backstory. The book sets up a backstory that is similar to the familar G1 universe but also similar to the backstory of the movieverse.

[griffin]

Allegedly, Exodus is supposed to be the foundation for WFC and Prime. Problaby more an inspiration to those two stories, than a 'bible' for them to follow.

[Paulbot]

The new promotional picture (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/hub-transformers-prime-miniseries-and-new-promo-artwork/20100/) looks pretty nice IMO and shows that movie/animated blend that they seem to be going for.

[Sky Shadow]

The new promotional picture (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/hub-transformers-prime-miniseries-and-new-promo-artwork/20100/) looks pretty nice IMO and shows that movie/animated blend that they seem to be going for.

In that pic, the Decepticons look like Animated-meets-Beast-Machines. :cool:

[5FDP]

The promo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUbwrJQ2xKo) that was released today looks terrible IMO. I've seen better CGI in video games. It doesn't look much better than the old G2 commercials (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWPTNeAAtc0).

Hopefully this is a very early clip and they've still got a long way to go putting the finishing touches on the show.

What I found really interesting was an article in USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2010-10-29-transformers29_ST_N.htm) that stated -


Of course, there will be accompanying toys

If there are going to be any, Hasbro have done a really good job of keeping them under wraps.

[Tober]

New footage (http://go.ign.com/ccNSGa) with much better rendering.

[FFN]

People shouldn't expect something on the quality level of WFC's CG intro, because that thing was made as a one-off, not a weekly tv series.

[kup]

People shouldn't expect something on the quality level of WFC's CG intro, because that thing was made as a one-off, not a weekly tv series.

One would expect at least something akin to Clone Wars. The CGI here looks very 1990s and I am also confused why they would use unfinished material to promote a show that is just about to begin.

[FFN]

Lucasfilm Animation has roots with Pixar and George Lucas kind of has a comparatively unlimited budget for his Star Wars projects. TF Prime has animation from an obscure Japanese studio and it is doubtful that it has anywhere near as much money to spend.

Besides, saying it's 1990s animation is exaggerating.

[GoktimusPrime]

I agree that it's not as bad as 90s animation, but still... IMO Beast Wars and Beast Machines had better quality CG animation for their time compared to the animation in Prime by current day standards. It's not bad though... just a bit too "clean" looking. Would look heaps better if they just 'dirtied' things up a bit. But of course, this is just a glimpse, maybe other parts of the show will look grittier.

[Hursticon]

I continue dislike the comments on 90's animation - labelling it bad or crappy, as one must take these 90's shows and put it into a factual context.
The animation is not bad at all because of the fact that at the time, with the knowledge and resources that studios had - what they managed to produce was the best they could've possibly done, therefore, animation in the 90's must be considered nothing but a stepping stone because without it, you simply would not have the pretty pictures that we all enjoy today.

Now... :p

The below footage:


New footage (http://go.ign.com/ccNSGa) with much better rendering.

That Tober kindly sourced, is much more in line with what really should be used to advertise the show.
I have no idea who, in the marketing department at Hasbro or the Hub, would rubber stamp that other footage as it is clearly Test or Animatic footage.
Somebody needs their G1 Stampers set taken off them! :D

I agree that it might be a little too clean, but that seems to be the way most Kids cartoons seem to be going, since they're never outside anyway - they wouldn't know what dirty is ;):p, but the animation reminds me of 'Sunny with a Chance of Meatballs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP9wtdwgeok)'.
(A great movie by the way, I recommend it Highly :))

All in all, the show is looking to be quite interesting.
I still have reservations about the Artistic Direction, but seeing the short bits that we have - I feel that the Animators abilities to convey the story, which I hope will be good, is well and truly in capable hands.
My only concern now? - The voice work :o, listen to Cliffjumper's (Dwane 'The Sell-Out' Johnson) War Cry at the end of the clip, you'll know what I mean. :rolleyes:

[kup]

I continue dislike the comments on 90's animation - labelling it bad or crappy, as one must take these 90's shows and put it into a factual context.

You misunderstand. No one is saying that 1990s animation like Beast Wars or Beast Machines is crappy. It was excellent and ground breaking for it's day but given progression in the industry since, it has become dated.

CGI animation has gone a long way since and by contemporary standards of 'for TV' CGI animation, TF: Prime should look a lot better than a cartoon that was made in the 1990s.

To me when you look at the TF:Prime character models, environments and backgrounds, it's very 'compromised' like a 1990s CGI cartoons used to be. The difference is that back then they had limitation with the technology available for creating such rendering so one even in hindsight can forgive such limitations. However those same 'compromises' should not apply in a modern cartoon using current computers and processing power to create.

To me it looks as if someone made it in the 1990s. In-gameplay animation of several games from 3 years ago look far better

[5FDP]

To put my post into factual context (as I can't speak for anyone else), I referenced G2 merely as a comparison between 'then' and 'now'.

The 90's animation was great for it's time, however when comparing it to the animation from the clips we have seen for Transformers: Prime, there doesn't appear to be a great deal of advancement. This is also the case when comparing the animation quality of other CGI shows today.

Hasbro recorded total revenue (FY '09) of US$4.07 billion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasbro) which is comparable to the estimated net worth of Lucas ($3.25 billion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lucas)) therefore it's not like they don't have the money to spend on this... I just believe their focus is more on TF3 rather than a cartoon series that they are going to ditch next year anyway.

[FFN]

Hasbro recorded total revenue (FY '09) of US$4.07 billion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasbro) which is comparable to the estimated net worth of Lucas ($3.25 billion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lucas)) therefore it's not like they don't have the money to spend on this... I just believe their focus is more on TF3 rather than a cartoon series that they are going to ditch next year anyway. George Lucas actually has less hard cash lying around than that. His net worth is just what all of his assets and licenses are worth if he decided to sell the lot to somebody, as I understand. But either way, he would have far greater financial freedom than Hasbro would would to fund any single project, because that money belongs to him. The man funded the Star Wars prequels out of his own pocket so nobody would question him or override his judgment.

By comparison, I don't think that 4.07 billion dollars of revenue is for Hasbro to do as they please.


And just because Animated was cancelled doesn't automatically mean TF Prime will suffer the same fate.

[Hursticon]

You misunderstand. No one is saying that 1990s animation like Beast Wars or Beast Machines is crappy. It was excellent and ground breaking for it's day but given progression in the industry since, it has become dated.

CGI animation has gone a long way since and by contemporary standards of 'for TV' CGI animation, TF: Prime should look a lot better than a cartoon that was made in the 1990s.

Hmm, I may of indeed Kup dude and I agree that CGI Animation has progressed, my word has it progressed! :eek:, but I just think that it's taking credit away from 90's CG cartoons (Not just BW & BM) when verbal slips are made like Bad or Crappy. :o

I dunno, maybe I appreciate too much where things have come from? and that's not just Cartoons. :rolleyes:
(Hell, I was told I was 'old fashioned' when I was 7 :p)

I agree though that the show could afford to look a little better, but IMO it looks pretty contemporary compared to other CGI cartoons.

I tend to think though that 'The Clone Wars' is an iffy comparison really because whilst Hasbro does have more money than Lucas, which 5FDP details quite well, Lucas has nowhere near the amount of projects on his plate than what Hasbro does and added is the fact that Hasbro must appeal to share holders too. :rolleyes:
(Stupid Money Hungry Shareholders! :p)

So whilst I agree it could look better, I don't think that the Animation Studio is doing all too badly, but let us not forget Beast Wars as an example in regards to it's 1st season and what it ended up looking like by it's third? ;)


To put my post into factual context (as I can't speak for anyone else), I referenced G2 merely as a comparison between 'then' and 'now'.

The 90's animation was great for it's time, however when comparing it to the animation from the clips we have seen for Transformers: Prime, there doesn't appear to be a great deal of advancement. This is also the case when comparing the animation quality of other CGI shows today.

Please don't think I was trying to single you out dude, or anyone else for that matter, as that wasn't my intention. :o

As I said above it's probably just me being too sentimental and over appreciating things in the past, hell, if I'd have to choose a deity of worship I'd choose the Egyptian Pantheon! :p:D
(I don't think any one being should have too much power ;))

I agree that what we have seen so far is a little sub par, but then most of it seems to be Test or Animatic footage - which is completely bewildering as you'd think, like everyone seems to, that Hasbro isn't doing themselves any favours by showing unfinished work? :confused:, I mean it's a cartoon not a toy! :p

Perhaps they're setting the bar so low that when the show actually airs, we'll actually see what they intended all along? :confused:


By comparison, I don't think that 4.07 billion dollars of revenue is for Hasbro to do as they please.

And just because Animated was cancelled doesn't automatically mean TF Prime will suffer the same fate.

I agree with you entirely dude, but you've got to admit that has set an iffy president?

[5FDP]

And just because Animated was cancelled doesn't automatically mean TF Prime will suffer the same fate.

I hope you are right.


Please don't think I was trying to single you out dude, or anyone else for that matter, as that wasn't my intention. :o

Not at all dude. The thought didn't even cross my mind which is why I didn't quote you in my response :) I just wanted to clarify my comments in case someone did take it out of context and thought that I was G2 bashing.

[GoktimusPrime]

Hmm, I may of indeed Kup dude and I agree that CGI Animation has progressed, my word has it progressed! :eek:, but I just think that it's taking credit away from 90's CG cartoons (Not just BW & BM) when verbal slips are made like Bad or Crappy. :o

I dunno, maybe I appreciate too much where things have come from? and that's not just Cartoons. :rolleyes:
Noone's saying that 90s CG cartoons are crap (well, Voltron 3D was crap, even by the standards of its day <shudder>). It'd be like saying that Armada Scavenger is a crap toy with about as much articulation as G1 toy (even less articulation than some G1 toys!). But by saying that I'm not saying or even implying that G1 toys are therefore crap.


I agree though that the show could afford to look a little better, but IMO it looks pretty contemporary compared to other CGI cartoons.
I agree. I think it does look contemporary, but it's kinda ordinary by contemporary standards, whereas Beast Wars was exceptionally good.


I tend to think though that 'The Clone Wars' is an iffy comparison really because whilst Hasbro does have more money than Lucas, which 5FDP details quite well, Lucas has nowhere near the amount of projects on his plate than what Hasbro does and added is the fact that Hasbro must appeal to share holders too. :rolleyes:
(Stupid Money Hungry Shareholders! :p)

So whilst I agree it could look better, I don't think that the Animation Studio is doing all too badly, but let us not forget Beast Wars as an example in regards to it's 1st season and what it ended up looking like by it's third? ;)
Interesting that you should say that. Because the animation quality improved with each season, and Season 2 won an Emmy Award for best visual effects in an animated television series. This all despite the fact that Seasons 2 and 3 had reduced budgets compared to Season 1.

I think Beast Wars proved that animators _can_ create quality animation on a cheap budget if they put enough effort into it. Of course, one decision that Mainframe made in order to create that quality in animation was to halve the number of episodes in Seasons 2 and 3 of BW (hence why Season 1 has 26 eps and Seasons 2 and 3 have 13 eps each).

[i_amtrunks]

Looks like they are going for a minimalist style of animation, perhaps focusing more on the movements and characters than anything in the background/foreground?

It's just so barren and empty, which is the same feeling I got from that preview clip months ago where the Decepticons guards were jumped from above.

Computers can render more polygons and better textures faster than ever before, but it looks like neither will be used in large amounts in Prime.

Better hope it has a good story to support it.

[jaydisc]

It looks fantastic! I even got a slightly Pixar-esque kind of feel from it. Yet another new direction for the franchise. I love it!

Bring on the toys!

[GoktimusPrime]

Bring on the toys!
This. :) :cool:

[gantz]

A bit long to post, here is the link:

http://previewsworld.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=6&s=782&ai=102005&ssd=

:o God I wish we had something similar here!

[FFN]

Another new trailer (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=494664210041)

I think people forgot how primitive Beast Wars was in this talk of Prime being worse, overall, than Beast Wars in terms of CG animation.



I agree with you entirely dude, but you've got to admit that has set an iffy president? Yes it did. But Animated was kind of a complicated thing - Hasbro doesn't own it completely, and it was created as a side to the movies, and the movies became bigger than Hasbro could imagine.

So I see several factors in Hasbro axing animated - they didn't own all of it, and something more movie-style was where the money was.