The Energon Pub

[william-james88]

Hasbro held a retailer and investor event to show what was coming up in the next 2 years and highlighted the upcoming Transformers: Earthspark toyline. Jenny Whitlock, VP of Global Franchises at Hasbro, said that along with "classic conversion", there would be two different styles of transformation for the toys: Surprise Conversion and Magic Conversion. The goal seems to be similar to what Hasbro has been building up since the intro of one step transformers which is for kids to recreate the speed of transformation they see onscreen. These conversions also seem to want to go one step further and represent the style of transformation, not just the speed. While it should shock no one, this is also a clear indication to older fans that this toyline for this show is not aimed at them, but for kids instead.

“Transformers: Earthspark presents many firsts for Transformers that we’re bringing to life for kids. Leaning into insights, we’ve identified core pillars of play that allow us to take conversion to another level and connect with kids to deliver on the magic they want [to be] brought to life in toys. Surprise Conversion, Classic Conversion, and Magic Conversion will create a true show-to-shelf moment for the line and an innovative new way to convert Earthspark’s greatest heroes.”

[Overcracker]

Animated tried to do that... but probably this will be a more flashy and more complete transformation in one step or 2.

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5:06

[TulioDude]

Sounds cool.
Another example for this "auto-transformation" is Armada Optimus Prime trailer,it did seen like magic see it transform on it's own.

Day 818 of waiting for Transformers Armada Masterpiece news.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Sounds cool.
Another example for this "auto-transformation" is Armada Optimus Prime trailer,it did seen like magic see it transform on it's own.

The G1 Jumpstarters were magic in a sense as well, all you did was pull back, let go, they raced on their own and then *BAM* transformed (and faceplanted) without you touching them.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

So I guess this makes Cybertron Override half-magic?

[DeathReviews]

If it's 'simple' it ain't for me. As a, shall we say, 'mature' collector, I've got no interest in simpler toys.

[Sabrblade]

The Beast Wars and Machine Wars flip-changers had instant-transformations and remain fun figures to this day.

[bluecatcinema]

"Surprise Conversion", "Magic Conversion"... I must admit, I'm intrigued about what these two are all about.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

The Beast Wars and Machine Wars flip-changers had instant-transformations and remain fun figures to this day.

Indeed. Not every instachanger is brick like the Battlechargers, or the later-Bayverse and Bumblebee one-steps. Override for example (granted, she's not a full instachanger) is quite nicely articulated.

[william-james88]

The Beast Wars and Machine Wars flip-changers had instant-transformations and remain fun figures to this day.

Indeed. Not every instachanger is brick like the Battlechargers, or the later-Bayverse and Bumblebee one-steps. Override for example (granted, she's not a full instachanger) is quite nicely articulated.

Animated Bumblebee is a great example too. One step but full articulation.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

The Beast Wars and Machine Wars flip-changers had instant-transformations and remain fun figures to this day.

Indeed. Not every instachanger is brick like the Battlechargers, or the later-Bayverse and Bumblebee one-steps. Override for example (granted, she's not a full instachanger) is quite nicely articulated.

Animated Bumblebee is a great example too. One step but full articulation.

I actually had to look up the name of the gimmick he had: Activators, very much like the Flipchangers discussed before.

[-Kanrabat-]

Even if the cost of such instant transformations would be bots that are complete bricks, if the gimmick works well and BOTH modes looks great, I will buy some for sure.

[griftimus prime]

you know its funny how some of the best beast wars toys were one step flip a switch and it transforms from good looking animal to good looking figure. and i would consider those for everyone.

not sure why they do not make transformers like this anymore.

[Sabrblade]

you know its funny how some of the best beast wars toys were one step flip a switch and it transforms from good looking animal to good looking figure. and i would consider those for everyone.

not sure why they do not make transformers like this anymore.

Different design teams 26 years apart.

[Emerje]

you know its funny how some of the best beast wars toys were one step flip a switch and it transforms from good looking animal to good looking figure. and i would consider those for everyone.

not sure why they do not make transformers like this anymore.

Different design teams 26 years apart.

Same design team that just rebuilt Rattrap for the BW vintage line. They're certainly familiar with the process now so hopefully they've gotten a little inspiration for the future.

Emerje

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

you know its funny how some of the best beast wars toys were one step flip a switch and it transforms from good looking animal to good looking figure. and i would consider those for everyone.

not sure why they do not make transformers like this anymore.

Different design teams 26 years apart.

I'd say it was more that the auto-changers of old were "main" toys, whereas the movie line 1-steps were mostly budget toys akin to Cyber Battalion.

[MaximalNui]

The Beast Wars and Machine Wars flip-changers had instant-transformations and remain fun figures to this day.

Indeed. Not every instachanger is brick like the Battlechargers, or the later-Bayverse and Bumblebee one-steps. Override for example (granted, she's not a full instachanger) is quite nicely articulated.

Animated Bumblebee is a great example too. One step but full articulation.

I actually had to look up the name of the gimmick he had: Activators, very much like the Flipchangers discussed before.

The only one I had from those was a Thundercracker I got as a gift and it was a pleasant surprise; good to know it extended to the rest of the line instead of being one single good mold.

you know its funny how some of the best beast wars toys were one step flip a switch and it transforms from good looking animal to good looking figure. and i would consider those for everyone.

not sure why they do not make transformers like this anymore.

I think another good thing from those figures (and the above Animated Activators) was that, while the one-step certainly dominated the transformation, it wasn't the end-all-be-all of the process: you could fiddle with the limbs, head and kibble a bit to get the best of both modes. Instead, most modern one-step seem to limit the transformation to just that and the figure suffers from it both in articulation and accuracy.

Different design teams 26 years apart.

I'd say it was more that the auto-changers of old were "main" toys, whereas the movie line 1-steps were mostly budget toys akin to Cyber Battalion.

Most likely. There's a reason the Deluxe class was called Deluxe, after all: the one-steps were the intended baseline size in BW.

[chuckdawg1999]

This makes me think we'll be getting an evolution of the one-step transformation that will give us complete and show accurate robot modes,possibly with full articulation.

[-Kanrabat-]

This makes me think we'll be getting an evolution of the one-step transformation that will give us complete and show accurate robot modes,possibly with full articulation.

The only problem with "one step" Transformers with full articulations is that they can only be one step from vehicle to robot. The transformation is then slowed to a crawl for the other way around. Unless they manage to create a mechanism that set the limbs in position at the push of a button? And even then, it would be TWO steps at the very least.

[Sabrblade]

This makes me think we'll be getting an evolution of the one-step transformation that will give us complete and show accurate robot modes,possibly with full articulation.

The only problem with "one step" Transformers with full articulations is that they can only be one step from vehicle to robot. The transformation is then slowed to a crawl for the other way around. Unless they manage to create a mechanism that set the limbs in position at the push of a button? And even then, it would be TWO steps at the very least.

In that case, simply don't market them with the name "1-Step" but instead with a new name like "Quick Change" or something.

[-Kanrabat-]

In that case, simply don't market them with the name "1-Step" but instead with a new name like "Quick Change" or something.

That would work perfectly.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

This makes me think we'll be getting an evolution of the one-step transformation that will give us complete and show accurate robot modes,possibly with full articulation.

The only problem with "one step" Transformers with full articulations is that they can only be one step from vehicle to robot. The transformation is then slowed to a crawl for the other way around. Unless they manage to create a mechanism that set the limbs in position at the push of a button? And even then, it would be TWO steps at the very least.

Looking at the MW and BW Flipchangers, all you'd need to do is straighten the arms and legs. Having a locking system for the limbs would go a long way to improve that.

[RotorstormNZ]

Colour me intrigued!

[chuckdawg1999]

This makes me think we'll be getting an evolution of the one-step transformation that will give us complete and show accurate robot modes,possibly with full articulation.

The only problem with "one step" Transformers with full articulations is that they can only be one step from vehicle to robot. The transformation is then slowed to a crawl for the other way around. Unless they manage to create a mechanism that set the limbs in position at the push of a button? And even then, it would be TWO steps at the very least.

In that case, simply don't market them with the name "1-Step" but instead with a new name like "Quick Change" or something.

Most of the figures Hasbro has released as One-Step changers are usually more than one step either way. Reminds me, we never got that One-Step VW Beetle from the Bumblebee movie.