Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[Dead Metal]

Wait, are they actually complaining that the transformations are exactly as they should normally be instead of drawn out anime-styled stock transformation sequences that take up an extra thirty second to a minute? Are they seriously complaining about a lack of filler padding?!!

Actually it was more about the transformation sequences not being detailed enough like a character's arms pop out or in during transformation while the other starts transformation by the legs first like how we saw in Beast Wars while in Prime they seem to explode for a minute during transformation. One of the people I saw talking about it in one of his posts said that they just explode apart and reformed with no sense of weight or flow and that no matter who they were, everyone transformed with the same fast-paced jittery movement of parts, with no varying schemes and that they don't look like they can transform at all due to how some of the vehicle placements in their robot mode were placed like with Ratchet's doors on his chest for example.

They do transform though, but like with every TF media they cheat a bit by bending and morphing parts, even the movies do that.
And the exploding apart is a side effect of them transforming without a long transformation sequence to fill time, if you want to see their transformations, watch them in slow mo.
And as for partsplacement, there is such a thing as sliding, pretty much every TF generation has at least 5 characters that make use of sliding parts.

Another complaint I've read is that the designs don't have a lot of the robot aspect in them makking them evoke the imagery of a bunch of poorly-dressed people with bad skin that don't have their character repsented well in it. not as sleek as Animated nor as detailed as the movies. People often say that it's a style that plays it too safe and is bland compaired to the Animated and Movie styles which they feel did a much better job at their respective styles .
In short most of them are saying that the Prime style commits a crime of being bland,boring.playing it safe.not having any visual variety just to name a few.

That's what makes them so good, they're a mix of Animated and Movie, they are sleek and organic looking, while having just enough detail and moving parts to still look like machines. The hilarious thing is, most of those people probably think that the Marvel G1 comics are the best incarnation ever, the one where the artists decided to let the robots look like people in costumes.

The style took some getting used to, but after a while I really got to appreciate it giving me not only the details and complexity I craved in robots, but also the sleekness of Animated, it's fantastic.

Especially when you look at it and realize these are designed to be robots that turn into vehicles and not the other way around like the movies do.

Afterall the whole concept here is that they are organisms like humans, just made of metal. Plus it's supposed to the the TF version of a "Prime" universe, as in the original universe from which all other universes branch off from. Which explains why Optimus and BB look so much like their Movie counterparts, and Bulkhead like his Animated self.

But what they ignore is the original design work on guys like Soundwave and Predaking.

The thing is though is that some of the guys I was talking too actually don't like G1 at all. Most of them are big fans of BW,TFA and MTMTE and some of the ones I know are very critical about Prime in almost everything about it and in the case of the designs they say Prime is very much just layers of sharp panels with little actual "robot" looking details which really stands out since it's CGI and that there's nothing new or characterful about them with random spikes and rounded armour on them that takes a lot of steps backwards when it comes to doing designs as a whole. They even said that there's no telling certain characters like Arcee and Knockout if they were Autobot or Decepticon too. Some say they look too similer as a result resulting in a bland asthetic.

I'm not saying they're right or wrong in their opinions. It's just it's something I'm thinking about now that the show's over and has me looking back at it for some time now. Though in a way you make a good point about the Wildman designs for the characters for Marvel back in the day who looked way more like humans. lol

Again, the rounded armor parts are due tot he fact that they're designed to look like organisms. On top of that there have been plenty of robots with round bodies, and especially during the Beast Wars era. And as I said before, pretty much all designs are perfect for the characters, Starscream especially oozes with character to the point that you can't really repaint his body into the other Seekers without it looking off.
MTMTE by the way is G1, it also features loads of round, organic looking robots, that often also feature random spikes and don't really look like they transform at all.

As for the whole not being able to tell who belongs to which faction imminently, the first series to do that was the Movies, prior to that each side had characters that could very easily be passed off as either Decepticons or Autobots, heck some even have repaints in other factions.

[spongedude93]

Onscreen transformations have changed a lot through the years. I won't comment on G1 because of nature of 80's animation as a whole. but if we look at Beast Wars, the transformations were quick and concise with organic movement that added weight and realism to the character. As far as I can recall there weren't even that many cases of cheating the models, outside of Terrorsaur and Dinobot.
RiD, Energon and Cybertron had much heavier usage of stock footage. It was just like watching the toys transform themselves for the most part. The Transformation/combining scenes cut away from the action and never interacted with the environment. But such scenes are common in a lot of Japanese animation. Because the animation models were damn near identical to the toys no cheating was really required.
Armada is the black sheep of the group, it didn't showcase the transformation of the characters as much outside of character introductions and honest to god padding. The only sequences repeatedly used were the minicon power-ups, the selling point of the toy line.
The movies use of transformation is very complicated obviously and couldn't possibly be replicated in a toy. But if I recall Bay had a very strict zero tolerance mass shifting rule. every part of the vehicle went into the robot without cheating.
Prime is a step away from the animated series'. The majority of the fights in the Japanese created shows were about whoever's minicon or key or whatever granted them the biggest gun. Prime was much more about fast paced gun fights and melee combat and the transformations reflected that. Prime is also the most guilty of cheating transformations out of any series. The way Ratchets chest comes together as well as how Arcee compacts into a bike smaller than one of her legs are prime examples.

[Fires_Of_Inferno]

Prime is also the most guilty of cheating transformations out of any series. The way Ratchets chest comes together as well as how Arcee compacts into a bike smaller than one of her legs are prime examples.

Hah... "Prime" examples...

I know you said you won't comment on G1, but.... well...

[SlyTF1]

Prime is also the most guilty of cheating transformations out of any series. The way Ratchets chest comes together as well as how Arcee compacts into a bike smaller than one of her legs are prime examples.

Hah... "Prime" examples...

I know you said you won't comment on G1, but.... well...

And don't forget how the entire Decepticon army could fit into Astrotrain.

[spongedude93]

Prime is also the most guilty of cheating transformations out of any series. The way Ratchets chest comes together as well as how Arcee compacts into a bike smaller than one of her legs are prime examples.

Hah... "Prime" examples...

As soon as I hit Submit I realized what I wrote and I knew someone would say something.

[Dead Metal]

Prime is also the most guilty of cheating transformations out of any series. The way Ratchets chest comes together as well as how Arcee compacts into a bike smaller than one of her legs are prime examples.

Hah... "Prime" examples...

As soon as I hit Submit I realized what I wrote and I knew someone would say something.

You also forgot about Soundwave, Megatron and Blaster, who have an even more extreme case of size-mass shifting than anyone in Prime. But then again, I kinda like size-mass shifting.

[TurboMMaster]

Onscreen transformations have changed a lot through the years. I won't comment on G1 because of nature of 80's animation as a whole. but if we look at Beast Wars, the transformations were quick and concise with organic movement that added weight and realism to the character. As far as I can recall there weren't even that many cases of cheating the models, outside of Terrorsaur and Dinobot.

Yeah, right, Tyranosaurus was really that small...

Technically, If Beast Wars creators decide to keep the scale. Megatron without Mass Shifting should be much bigger than he's G1 counterpart.

You also forgot about Soundwave, Megatron and Blaster, who have an even more extreme case of size-mass shifting than anyone in Prime. But then again, I kinda like size-mass shifting.

Also, In G1 some characters are bigger or smaller if they only need to. Galvatron is propably the most obvious example.

And what about RotF: Megatron is canonicaly much bigger than Optimus, yet after he kill Optimus, he seems to be only a little taller. However, considering that in this universum Transformers can loose a limb for no rason, or be healed instantly with no explanation. It is not that strange...

[Dead Metal]

Onscreen transformations have changed a lot through the years. I won't comment on G1 because of nature of 80's animation as a whole. but if we look at Beast Wars, the transformations were quick and concise with organic movement that added weight and realism to the character. As far as I can recall there weren't even that many cases of cheating the models, outside of Terrorsaur and Dinobot.

Yeah, right, Tyranosaurus was really that small...

Technically, If Beast Wars creators decide to keep the scale. Megatron without Mass Shifting should be much bigger than he's G1 counterpart.

There is no size-mass shifting in Beast Wars, their alt-modes where the same mass as their robot modes, so yes, Megatron turned into a tiny T-Rex, while Waspinator turned into a huge wasp.

You also forgot about Soundwave, Megatron and Blaster, who have an even more extreme case of size-mass shifting than anyone in Prime. But then again, I kinda like size-mass shifting.

Also, In G1 some characters are bigger or smaller if they only need to. Galvatron is propably the most obvious example.

And what about RotF: Megatron is canonicaly much bigger than Optimus, yet after he kill Optimus, he seems to be only a little taller. However, considering that in this universum Transformers can loose a limb for no rason, or be healed instantly with no explanation. It is not that strange...

I have no idea what the hell this is supposed to mean? ....

[TurboMMaster]

Onscreen transformations have changed a lot through the years. I won't comment on G1 because of nature of 80's animation as a whole. but if we look at Beast Wars, the transformations were quick and concise with organic movement that added weight and realism to the character. As far as I can recall there weren't even that many cases of cheating the models, outside of Terrorsaur and Dinobot.

Yeah, right, Tyranosaurus was really that small...

Technically, If Beast Wars creators decide to keep the scale. Megatron without Mass Shifting should be much bigger than he's G1 counterpart.

There is no size-mass shifting in Beast Wars, their alt-modes where the same mass as their robot modes, so yes, Megatron turned into a tiny T-Rex, while Waspinator turned into a huge wasp.

I'm said what would have been if creators of BW decide to keep scale without mass shifting. Not that either was used by creators.

I have no idea what the hell this is supposed to mean? ....

Transformers size and he's physical condition is usually ruled not by realism or by need of keeping coninuity, but by "Rule of cool."

[kaijuguy19]

If the next show after Prime is indeed a sequel what would you guys like to see in it? What kind of premis it'll have and the characters in it? I'd like to see a fembot be leader of her own team be it Arcee or someone else just to change things up and/or a series that focuses on Bee's duty as leader like in IDW.

Also does Prime to you breaks the "show don't tell." rule when it comes to character motives,backstory,what kid of threat the enemy is etc? It's just that some people have said that it does more telling then showing when it comes to things like that. For example the Decepticons being threats but felt that they weren't a threat enough to prove this,characters like Arcee and Bulkhead talking about some of their interests like oil baths and stuff but don't show it,etc. I know I may be asking these kind of negative questions a lot lately. I guess since the show's over I'm trying to think of other topics of the show to talk about that's all.

[Slashercon]

If the next show after Prime is indeed a sequel what would you guys like to see in it? What kind of premis it'll have and the characters in it? I'd like to see a fembot be leader of her own team be it Arcee or someone else just to change things up and/or a series that focuses on Bee's duty as leader like in IDW.

Personally I'd like to see Elita-1 brought back into the fray as a leader for the bots or maybe bring in Rodimus ("Hot Shot" -_-) or maybe even stick with Arcee and BB taking charge. Oh, and personally, I'd like to see a very bulky fembot on bots' side. (Similar to Strika.)

Also does Prime to you breaks the "show don't tell." rule when it comes to character motives,backstory,what kid of threat the enemy is etc? It's just that some people have said that it does more telling then showing when it comes to things like that. For example the Decepticons being threats but felt that they weren't a threat enough to prove this,characters like Arcee and Bulkhead talking about some of their interests like oil baths and stuff but don't show it,etc. I know I may be asking these kind of negative questions a lot lately. I guess since the show's over I'm trying to think of other topics of the show to talk about that's all.

I definitely see where you're coming from. But with such limitations as the style of CG animation, I could see why we never saw them. I personally hope that the next TF animated series is traditionally drawn as to not have as many limitations as TF Prime. I feel as if Star Wars the Clone Wars was the only CG animated show nowadays that seemed like it could physically do anything.

[kaijuguy19]

If the next show after Prime is indeed a sequel what would you guys like to see in it? What kind of premis it'll have and the characters in it? I'd like to see a fembot be leader of her own team be it Arcee or someone else just to change things up and/or a series that focuses on Bee's duty as leader like in IDW.

Personally I'd like to see Elita-1 brought back into the fray as a leader for the bots or maybe bring in Rodimus ("Hot Shot" -_-) or maybe even stick with Arcee and BB taking charge. Oh, and personally, I'd like to see a very bulky fembot on bots' side. (Similar to Strika.)

I'd like to see Elita 1 come back and it would be awesome if we have fembots that are different looking in design. I hope the writers are considering to add in more fembots in the next show with more larger role like how they did Arcee because we really do need more fembots.

Also does Prime to you breaks the "show don't tell." rule when it comes to character motives,backstory,what kid of threat the enemy is etc? It's just that some people have said that it does more telling then showing when it comes to things like that. For example the Decepticons being threats but felt that they weren't a threat enough to prove this,characters like Arcee and Bulkhead talking about some of their interests like oil baths and stuff but don't show it,etc. I know I may be asking these kind of negative questions a lot lately. I guess since the show's over I'm trying to think of other topics of the show to talk about that's all.

I definitely see where you're coming from. But with such limitations as the style of CG animation, I could see why we never saw them. I personally hope that the next TF animated series is traditionally drawn as to not have as many limitations as TF Prime. I feel as if Star Wars the Clone Wars was the only CG animated show nowadays that seemed like it could physically do anything.

I don't think it was that limited. After all we did see some of them doing the things they like like Arcee taking Jack on rides,Raf and Bee play games and Miko and Bulk at times either watch monster truck shows and joyrides and playing ball with Jackie.

I think it depends on how you use the limiations on the CGI. I mena shows like Dragons Riders of Berk and TMNT 2012 are said to be making good uses of it. Some people are saying the CGI in Prime is poorly used and it limited the number of characters,story poteintal and backgrounds. Then again Prime was to have a different season 3 before Beast Hunters came in and that Predaking himself was a very complex model I wonder if the show did stick to it's original plans for seasons 2 and 3 it wouldn't have been so limited.

[SlyTF1]

If the next show after Prime is indeed a sequel what would you guys like to see in it? What kind of premis it'll have and the characters in it? I'd like to see a fembot be leader of her own team be it Arcee or someone else just to change things up and/or a series that focuses on Bee's duty as leader like in IDW.

Also does Prime to you breaks the "show don't tell." rule when it comes to character motives,backstory,what kid of threat the enemy is etc? It's just that some people have said that it does more telling then showing when it comes to things like that. For example the Decepticons being threats but felt that they weren't a threat enough to prove this,characters like Arcee and Bulkhead talking about some of their interests like oil baths and stuff but don't show it,etc. I know I may be asking these kind of negative questions a lot lately. I guess since the show's over I'm trying to think of other topics of the show to talk about that's all.

That's another thing that bothered me about TFP. I just never knew there was a phrase for it.

[kaijuguy19]

If the next show after Prime is indeed a sequel what would you guys like to see in it? What kind of premis it'll have and the characters in it? I'd like to see a fembot be leader of her own team be it Arcee or someone else just to change things up and/or a series that focuses on Bee's duty as leader like in IDW.

Also does Prime to you breaks the "show don't tell." rule when it comes to character motives,backstory,what kid of threat the enemy is etc? It's just that some people have said that it does more telling then showing when it comes to things like that. For example the Decepticons being threats but felt that they weren't a threat enough to prove this,characters like Arcee and Bulkhead talking about some of their interests like oil baths and stuff but don't show it,etc. I know I may be asking these kind of negative questions a lot lately. I guess since the show's over I'm trying to think of other topics of the show to talk about that's all.

That's another thing that bothered me about TFP. I just never knew there was a phrase for it.

I didn't know either until I came across it on a post once too.

[TurboMMaster]

How Prime's Sequel should looks like?

1) Almost entirely new cast, characters from Prime returns only via cameo
2) Action mostly on Cybertron
3) Return of Quintesson
4) Decepticons shattered into two factions: One ally with the Autobots, second try to fight back.
5) Autobots and Decepticons working together to stop Quintesson agetns
6) Shockwave is planning to turn Cybertron into Enormus Supercomputer
7) Starscream lives.
Five factions: Autobot-Decepticon alliance, Decepticon Renegades, Predacons, Quintessons and their agents and Shockwave.
9) Reincarnation of Optimus Prime
10) We shall finally see Primus.

[Slashercon]

How Prime's Sequel should looks like?

1) Almost entirely new cast, characters from Prime returns only via cameo
2) Action mostly on Cybertron
3) Return of Quintesson
4) Decepticons shattered into two factions: One ally with the Autobots, second try to fight back.
5) Autobots and Decepticons working together to stop Quintesson agetns
6) Shockwave is planning to turn Cybertron into Enormus Supercomputer
7) Starscream lives.
Five factions: Autobot-Decepticon alliance, Decepticon Renegades, Predacons, Quintessons and their agents and Shockwave.
9) Reincarnation of Optimus Prime
10) We shall finally see Primus.

1-3 and 7 & 9 are the best ideas here in my opinion. I would certainly like to see a new cast but still see the old one as well.

[Sabrblade]

So long as the old cast is given a proper exit rather than unexplained disappearances like what happened to most of the Armada cast during the transition over to Energon.

[Shadowman]

9) Reincarnation of Optimus Prime

Please no, let him stay dead this time. Give someone else a chance to lead.

10) We shall finally see Primus.

Already saw him.

[PrymeStriker]

1) Almost entirely new cast, characters from Prime returns only via cameo

I disagree with this. They practically left an open door for Bumblebee to be the star of the next series in Predacons Rising. I also don't believe we'll be shaking Bulkhead & Arcee anytime soon. And with Optimus gone, the logical choice for a replacement "leader" is Ultra Magnus.

2) Action mostly on Cybertron

I agree with this. Knock Out can replace Ratchet as the medic for the Autobots on Cybertron.

3) Return of Quintesson

4) Decepticons shattered into two factions: One ally with the Autobots, second try to fight back.

With Megatron out of the question, Knock Out a member of the Autobots, Soundwave in the Shadowzone, and Starscream probably target practice for the Predacons, I don't think any returning Decepticons will want to continue the legacy. Especially when Megatron himself officially disbanded the Decepticons, in all of their loyalty to him.

Though, I'd imagine the Decepticons would return in some other way. I merely think that they're would be some other kind of threat with the Decepticons coming in for episode-centric conflicts.

5) Autobots and Decepticons working together to stop Quintesson agetns

Meh...

6) Shockwave is planning to turn Cybertron into Enormus Supercomputer

My headcanon is that Shockwave is working for the Predacons in terms of cloning new subjects for Predaking.

You're idea's good too, however. Shockwave's fate was left unclear anyway.

7) Starscream lives.

Target Practice.

9) Reincarnation of Optimus Prime

10) We shall finally see Primus.

Already saw him.

[Autobot032]

A news submission by Captain N pointed us in the direction of a new Transformers Prime home video release. This time? Ultimate Bumblebee! Everyone's favorite beep booper steals the spotlight for this special collection available on video in February.

TV Shows On DVD reports the new release here: http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Transf ... ebee/19143

Your Favorite Scout Like You've Never Seen Him Before! Join Bumblebee and the rest of the valiant Autobots, led by the legendary Optimus Prime, in this exciting collection of Bumblebee's best moments among The Transformers. Unleashing the antics of everyone's favorite yellow-hued transforming autobot hero, Ultimate Bumblebee is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat. And the four episodes, handpicked for this release, will definitely have you understanding why Bumblebee is everyone's favorite lovable little scout. Featuring the voice talents of returning Transformers legends Peter Cullen and Frank Welker alongside a superstar cast including Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator) and Will Friedle (Boy Meets World)!

Shout! Factory has scheduled a February 25th release date for Transformers Prime - Ultimate Bumblebee on DVD. This single-disc title will cost $9.99 SRP! It's not up for pre-order at Amazon just yet, but the studio does have a listing for it at their online store. Here's a button link along with the cover art:

Keep your optics tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest in news and updates, plus the best galleries around!

[Sabrblade]

delete

[Sabrblade]

I'm guessing "Operation Bumblebee, Parts 1-2", "Deadlock" (due to Friedle's credit), and either "Sick Mind" or "Out of His Head".

Unless there's some bonus feature worth getting, I don't need this.

[TK415]

Your kidding me, right?

Come to think of it, what we really need is for Bumblebee to have his own on-going comic. Bumblebee should really have his own TV show as well. After that they should make a novel, the Life and Times of Bumblebee. Then Bumblebee the video game. Just the greatness of Bumblebee in every medium possible.

[Sabrblade]

Your kidding me, right?

Come to think of it, what we really need is for Bumblebee to have his own on-going comic. Bumblebee should really have his own TV show as well. After that they should make a novel, the Life and Times of Bumblebee. Then Bumblebee the video game. Just the greatness of Bumblebee in every medium possible.

Well, now that he can speak again, he's likable.

[PrymeStriker]

Interesting how people flip their lids when Bumblebee gets something dedicated to himself, especially in a series when he was a near background character.

I personally find a lot of things more annoying than Bumblebee. I can't seem to fathom all of his spite, especially when he's about as common a character as Optimus, Megatron, and Starscream at this point.

Ironically, nobody gets tired of those three.

This DVD doesn't particularly matter to me, but it's nice to see Prime Bumblebee get some more recognition after Predacons Rising I suppose.