Transformers Company News

Glu Mobiles Ask the Fans "What Characters MUST be in the Transformers Mobile Game?"

Date: Friday, April 14th 2006 2:47am EDT
Categories: Company News, Game News, Media
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): TFormers

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| Views: 19,440

Glu Moblie, official developers of Transformers Mobile content, have asked TFormers.com to canvas opinion on what characters should be in the forthcoming Transformers Mobile Phone based game. For the fans to have thier say a topic has been posted at TFans.com asking fans to post thier preferences.

So what characters do you think MUST be in the Transformers Mobile Game? Optimus Prime, Megatron, Unicron, Wheelie? Have your say here.

Spielberg Speaks out!

Date: Friday, April 7th 2006 3:10pm EDT
Categories: Company News, Media, Movie News, People News
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): www.businessweek.com

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Although not directly related to Transformers or the Transformers movie currently being produced, an interview with world famous movie director/producer Steven Spielberg has popped up on the site of BusinessWeek Online.

The article addresses the recent purchase of Dreamworks SKG to Paramount, and not to Universal who many thought were the odds on favorites to buy the Spielberg/Katzenberg/Geffen company. A business deal that has inadvertedly effected the Transformers movie, making it now a Paramount production.

"I really don't know what happened. They were talking with David Geffen. But then GE decided they wouldn't bid. And Paramount just came in and swept us up and made us feel as if we were worth something. GE wasn't willing to match it".

"I may take some time off from directing because there is nothing ready for me to direct, no script that is where I want it. But I'm definitely going to be working for Paramount. I'm very interested in Transformers, a film, which we're going to release next year. I think that will be a great, great film".

Fan Art Wanted For Next Collector's Club Newsletter

Date: Thursday, April 6th 2006 11:11am EDT
Categories: Company News, Media
Posted by: Darth Bombshell | Credit(s): Pete@Botcon

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| Views: 10,253

The Collector's Club is looking for fan artwork to be included in the next newsletter. You can check out Pete's original message, which includes mailing information, here.

Takara Tomy give their Generation 1 Website with a New Look!

Date: Wednesday, April 5th 2006 1:54pm EDT
Categories: Company News, Site News
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): takaratomy.co.jp

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| Views: 10,356

Takara Tomy have updated thier official Generation 1 Website and given it a face lift!
The face lift is mostly superficial with most of the content remaining the same, just with new interactive graphics, Check out the new look Generation 1 site here.

TFormers.com Interviews Chief Creative Officer of Glu Mobile

Date: Tuesday, April 4th 2006 9:58pm EDT
Categories: Company News, Media
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): Tformers.com

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| Views: 11,733

Recently Hasbro and Glu Mobile announced that they would be joining together to create Transformers Mobile content. Now Tformers.com has interviewed Glu Mobile's Chief Creative Officer, Robert Nashak. The interview discusses what Glu has planned for the first-ever mobile Transformers experience. Check out the interview here.

Hasbro Issues Official Press Release Regarding Deal with Activision

Date: Monday, February 13th 2006 10:36am EST
Categories: Company News, Game News, Movie News, Press Releases
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): TF @ The Moon and Gamesindustry.biz

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| Views: 23,308

Hasbro has been busy the last few days releasing press releases. First Activision announced they would be making a Transformers game for the upcoming movie, and now Hasbro has issued a press release regarding their deal with Activision. The press release confirms that Activision will indeed be creating a new game for the movie. This is the first time Hasbro has confirmed the deal officially. Here is some of what the article had to say:

"Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) and Activision, Inc, (NASDAQ: ATVI), a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software products, announced today a license that grants Activision the global rights, excluding Japan, to develop console, handheld and PC games based on Hasbro's renowned TRANSFORMERS brand. The first game will be tied to the much-anticipated July 4, 2007 movie release of the live action TRANSFORMERS film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures."

Click here to read the full article.

Palisades Toys Closing!

Date: Wednesday, February 1st 2006 6:00pm EST
Categories: Collectables, Company News
Posted by: Hotrod | Credit(s): 03Mach1 of TFW2005

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03Mach1 of TFW2005 has received an email form Mike of Palisades Toys. The email announces the closing of the company. Here is what the email said:

"I regret to inform you that after more than 11 successful years, Palisades Entertainment, LLC has discontinued its business of manufacturing and selling licensed and proprietary action figures, collectibles, toys and other goods. This development parallels a general trend within the toy industry, including the bankruptcy of one of Palisades’ largest customers.

Palisades has sold a substantial portion of its assets to another industry player, an affiliate of C.A.S. Iberia, Inc. named Limited by CAS, Inc. That company will continue the sale of certain of the brands that Palisades developed, including the Factory X line.

The sale transaction did not include employment for me or my wife Kate, who many of you know. Consequently, neither Kate nor I will be reachable at the buyer’s offices, nor will we have any ongoing relationship with the buyer.

I don’t have any plans for the immediate future beyond enjoying life with Kate and our children, until I figure out our next chapter.

I’d like to take this time to thank all of my friends and colleagues, and in particular, the team that helped me build and nurture Palisades for so many years."

Click here to see the original post.

Paramount Set to Buy DreamWorks

Date: Saturday, December 10th 2005 4:52am EST
Categories: Company News, Movie News
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): Seibertron, Los Angeles Times

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| Views: 23,710

It has been reported that Paramount Pictures have struck a deal to buy DreamWorks, makers of the forthcoming Transformers Movie. The article reads:

Under the deal, Paramount would gain control of DreamWorks' live-action movie production operation and its relatively small, 60-title library, which includes such Oscar-winning movies as "American Beauty" and "Gladiator."
It also would give Paramount the worldwide distribution rights to all animated movies made by DreamWorks Animation, which was spun off last year to public shareholders and would not be part of the purchase.

It is not clear whether this will affect the making of the Transformers Movie, but there will certainly be some changes at DreamWorks over the coming year.

Read the full article here.

Alan Hassenfeld to retire into Non-Employee Status

Date: Wednesday, August 31st 2005 6:16pm EDT
Categories: Company News, People News
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): www.hasbro.com

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Hasbro has made a statement about its long-time Chairman of the Board of directors, Alan Hassenfeld. Taking effect from Januari 1st 2006, Alan Hassenfeld will step down as Active Employee.

Hassenfeld (56) will still remain active within the Board of Directors, but shall take up the function as a non-employee for the company. After 35 years of service to Hasbro, he shall now concentrate his efforts as leading guide for the company in its future endeavours.

Hassenfeld is a third generation CEO for Hasbro, a family owned company that started in 1923 as Hassenfeld Brothers, which mainly dealt in production of School accessories. In the 60's the company started to concentrate its efforts in toys, rather then school equipment. Stephen Hassenfeld directed the company into creating toy lines like GI Joe, from which eventually with aid from Takara the Transformers developed. When Stephen Hassenfeld died in the late 80's, Alan took over from his brother to give the final say in what happened with Hasbro toy-lines, including the Transformers.

One of Alan Hassenfeld's most recent involvements with the Transformers was giving the green light to Dreamworks and Angry Films to start production on the live action version of the Transformers movie.

Time up for Palisades Statues?

Date: Monday, June 27th 2005 2:09pm EDT
Categories: Collectables, Company News
Posted by: Raymond T. | Credit(s): www.palisadestoys.com

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| Views: 18,527

On the board of Palisades Toys, news of the current status of the Licence to produce their line came to light. It seems they will not produce Red Alert and Ravage, which many fans were looking forward to. The following has been taken from their board.

"I spoke with Ken, and the basic deal is this: Palisades had room in the schedule for only one more statue before the license expires, so they decided on Devastator instead of Red Alert".

"I know there are going to be people that are upset to hear this...hell, I'm a little disappointed that I'm never going to get my Prowl. But to be honest, I can't really disagree with their choice".

"As for renewing the license in the future, well, as always, "Anything is Possible", but I wouldn't count on it happening right away. The Dreamwave designs were another big portion of the license, and with Dreamwave gone, they'll have to come at it another way, which could take some time, IF they decide to do it at all".