The Energon Pub

by **originaldave77** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:54 am

Note: the above prototype is not completed. I have to texture the case, disc, and insert.

So next year marks the 25th Anniversary of Transformers: The Movie (1986). Back in 2006, the movie was released in a 20th Anniversary package. This was a huge success, due in part to the first live-action Transformers film that was released the following summer.

Make no mistake, there will be another major DVD release in 2011, this time in a Blu-Ray format as well - something only enjoyed outside of North America so far.

Now, I can go into a long diatribe about the evils of DVD double-dipping. I remember buying the Jaws: 20th anniversary edition, only to see a 25th and 30th anniversary editions hit shelves, each with more and more extras and goodies. Long story short, if you want me to buy the same movie again, you better make it worth my while.

So I have designed a cool case that would entice me. It is a Soundwave case that actually comes with a Laserbeak figure. The jewel case has an opening in the front that works like an old-school tape deck.

Sorry it's not done yet! But I will update this idea later this week. The front of the case will feature Soundwave in cassette mode, doing a video playback of Optimus Prime on a monitor, like in the movie. A transparent Megatron will be shown on the outer sleeve (like he is being reflected). The case is clear, so an insert featuring Optimus will be used as the view screen image. This insert can be swapped out with other images.

And of course the Laserbeak figure. The one here looks like his movie counterpart, with a new head sculpt and pivoting neck. There will also be a spy camera attachment, like the movie as well.

Please check back for the completed concept in the next few days!

News Credits: 36 · by **Pretender Skywarp** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:19 pm

You sir, would get my money.

In fact I'd prolly buy the box without the DVD.... :lol:

by **originaldave77** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:36 pm

Pretender Skywarp wrote:You sir, would get my money.

In fact I'd prolly buy the box without the DVD....

Thanks! Actually a few years ago I seriously considered starting a business of selling after-market DVD cases. This was because many distributors aggravated me by switching up the style of their DVD box sets during their releases, or selling poor-quality cases.

For example, Warner Bros. changed the look of every season of the Batman Beyond DVD sets, same goes for Justice League, Samurai Jack, etc. WB also released many poor quality boxes that fell apart.

I really wanted to do some artsy boxes for Star Wars and other franchises. All in the name of conformity and durability! But it looks like the disc medium will be gone in a few years anyways - plus licensing looked like a headache.

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:46 pm

I'd probably buy the case by itself, too. Very good work!

by **originaldave77** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:57 pm

Thanks RK. More progress:

The box art isn't completed. Unfortunately I shrunk down the figure to fit the box art. He could be bigger, like the original images in the thread. Ah well.

by **originaldave77** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:59 pm

I'll also be moving Megs to the right and adding Starscream. Currently it looks like Megs is pregnant with a cassette. FAIL! We artists are so hard on ourselves.

by **originaldave77** » Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:57 pm

Done! Sorry it took so long - my computer was on the fritz for a week, had to wait for a replacement video card.

I could have gone even more overboard, but decided to stop. I was going to do a nice spine and back art, but I think you get the idea. The disc art was hastily thrown together. Wanted to put Cybertron or Unicron on there, oh well!

by **lightsyder** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:00 am

well, i would buy that for sure...

by **ponycorn** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:49 am

I would buy that in a sparkbeat!

Would the Laserbeak be on scale enough with the G1 cassettes as to allow swappability with the other cassettes in the BlueRay case?

Also imagine standing the case up, slightly open, then posing Rumble or Frenzy "helping" Lazerbeak out of the case, or just peeking in at him.

by **originaldave77** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:40 pm

ponycorn wrote:I would buy that in a sparkbeat!

Would the Laserbeak be on scale enough with the G1 cassettes as to allow swappability with the other cassettes in the BlueRay case?

Also imagine standing the case up, slightly open, then posing Rumble or Frenzy "helping" Lazerbeak out of the case, or just peeking in at him.

1. I don't see why he can't be. I don't have a figure otherwise I would have made it accurate in scale. I think Hasbro could re-use the original mold and improve the head mold like I did here.

2. There are a ton of possibilities. This is just a basic concept. If I could re-do it all, I'd make the case as thick as a PC game jewel case (twice as thick as a normal DVD case), and make Soundwave more sculpted and perhaps close to his original scale too. A Blaster version could also be made.

I just wanted to get my idea out there, so hopefully there would be some cool collectibles along this type of thinking that are simple and have lots of appeal.

This was also my response to those cheezy 'Transforming' cases we saw a few years ago. Clever, but garish and not really something you want to display.

by **originaldave77** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:01 pm

Also, if anyone wants to take a crack at doing the cover and/or disc art, feel free! Post it here and I'll wrap it onto my 3D model concept.

If you have a similar idea that wouldn't need much work to execute, let me know and I might make it happen.

by **originaldave77** » Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:08 am

If you liked this one, check out my latest creation: A case for Batman The Animated Series Blu-Ray. Here is a sample:

Check out the full write-up with several more images on my blog:
http://originaldave77.wordpress.com/201 ... completed/

by **originaldave77** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 3:39 am

Hey there everyone! I have been designing a new case for the (inevitable) Transformers Trilogy BD box set that will hit later this year.

Originally, it was just going to be this:

But after some consideration, I thought I'd make it a transforming case, one that changes from a Blu-Ray box set package into Op's trailer:

You can read my full write-up here: http://davesgeekyideas.com/2011/01/08/transformers-trilogy-blu-ray-case-progress-report-prepare-to-geek-out/

Plans include a Roller figure, which would be comprised of that front grill on the trailer. The hitch would turn into a weapon for Optimus. Both could be stowed in the case.

One good thing about this, is all the BD jewel cases can remain in the package, even during transformation.

The transformation was inspired by Fansproject G3 trailer.

I'll post the finished product when I am done! Thanks.

by **originaldave77** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 3:42 am

This would hook up to Leader Class Optimus Prime (possibly the Voyager Class one).

News Credits: 34 · by **Supreme Convoy** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 2:14 pm

Oh man. I would love to own that trailer boxset!

by **originaldave77** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:58 pm

I will be making several adjustments to the Roller figure. I will flare his shoulder panels out in front so he looks like a Space Marine, beef up his torso, as well as lots of refinements.

by **originaldave77** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:21 pm

Slowly but surely getting there...

by **DJLazer** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:30 pm

thanks for sharing the cover.Hell i might only buy the dvd case.

by **originaldave77** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:08 pm

lazerwave217 wrote:thanks for sharing the cover.Hell i might only buy the dvd case.

This isn't the cover, he is just a small figure (Roller) that clips onto the front of Optimus Prime's Trailer - which is the Blu-Ray case itself (and also transforms).

by **DJLazer** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:55 pm

originaldave77 wrote:
lazerwave217 wrote:thanks for sharing the cover.Hell i might only buy the dvd case.

This isn't the cover, he is just a small figure (Roller) that clips onto the front of Optimus Prime's Trailer - which is the Blu-Ray case itself (and also transforms).

I meant the one where laserbeak is in.