New 'Power of the Primes' Fan Vote Online in January 2017
Thursday, December 1st, 2016 12:42PM CST
Categories: Press Releases, ContestsPosted by: Va'al Views: 58,214
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HASBRO LETS FANS SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE TRANSFORMERS FRANCHISE WITH THE “POWER OF THE PRIMES” FAN VOTE
The fans can decide which Transformers character will become the next leader of Cybertron!
PAWTUCKET, R.I., December 1, 2016 – Today Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), announced the “Power of the Primes” fan vote, an upcoming event that will place the fate of Cybertron directly in the hands of Transformers fans around the globe. Beginning on January 23rd, 2017, fans will be able to visit Transformers.com to cast their vote to help determine which character will join the ranks of Optimus Prime, Rodimus Prime and other Cybertronian legends. The fan-voted Prime will be featured in the Transformers Generations toy line and brand’s Prime Wars Trilogy storytelling in 2018.
The Prime serves as leader of Cybertron, wields the immense power of the Matrix of Leadership and holds the fate of the Transformers universe in their hands. This leader is usually chosen directly by the Matrix of Leadership, but the “Power of the Primes” fan vote will put the fans in command and give them the power to light the darkest hour and choose the bot to lead Cybertron into a historic new era.
“Hasbro’s past Transformers fan votes have led to some of our most exciting characters, including Windblade, Victorion and next year’s Trypticon Titan,” said Tom Warner, Senior Vice President of the Transformers franchise at Hasbro. Our “Power of the Primes” fan vote will raise the stakes higher than ever. The Prime sets the tone for all things in the Transformers universe, and we’re excited to see which direction our fans want to take.”
The first round of voting will begin on January 23rd, when fans can visit Transformers.com to choose between three groups of candidates – Honor, Chaos and Order.
Honor: These legendary warriors will lead with honor and carry on the noble legacy of Optimus Prime.
Chaos: These powerful warlords will stop at nothing to become supreme leader of Cybertron, even if it means creating a chaotic world where only the strongest survive.
Order: These commanders vow to leave the Autobot and Decepticon factions in the past and unite Cybertron under a new order.
Four finalists will be chosen by the fans and revealed by Hasbro in late January. Fans can then have the final say by returning to Transformers.com to vote between February 1st and February 4th. The winning Prime will be officially unveiled during New York Toy Fair in February.
For additional information on the Power of the Primes fan vote, please visit TRANSFORMERS.COM or the official TRANSFORMERS Facebook page, Facebook.com/Transformers.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. The Company's Hasbro Studios and its film label, Allspark Pictures, are building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Through its commitment to corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to make the world a better place for children and their families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
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Posted by Kurona on December 1st, 2016 @ 12:53pm CST
Well... alright then. I'm gonna vote chaos 'cos I'm a bit sick of all the fan-built characters being Autobots.
Posted by Halfofme07 on December 1st, 2016 @ 1:12pm CST
Posted by Sigma Magnus on December 1st, 2016 @ 1:19pm CST
Posted by Deadput on December 1st, 2016 @ 1:20pm CST
Or Sarscream is a goner.
Posted by Va'al on December 1st, 2016 @ 1:22pm CST
Halfofme07 wrote:Erm.... will this affect IDW storytelling? Good lord, I hope not.
So far, Combiner Wars was negligible other than the arrival of Victorion, Titans Return was actually quite enjoyable, and is being handled really well in TAAO - so I'm hopeful about Power of the Primes also having a decent mileage in the IDW comics.
Which, to be honest, have been sliding the Aligned Primes into their continuity for some time now, and Revolution just consolidated it further.
Posted by Kurona on December 1st, 2016 @ 1:23pm CST
Halfofme07 wrote:Erm.... will this affect IDW storytelling? Good lord, I hope not.
IDW's characterisations don't seem to line up with what is initially presented for the fan-built characters. So they'll likely try and do it in a way that doesn't interfere too much, like they did with Victorion.
Posted by MrBlack on December 1st, 2016 @ 1:35pm CST
As much as I've enjoyed Starscream as the ruler of Cybertron, I wouldn't mind seeing that storyline come to a head as long as it means further growth for the character and not just a return to form as a schemer pining for power out of his reach. Or, if he's one of the characters we can vote for, maybe this is a chance to cement his power.
This seems like an opportunity to grow the mythos the same way that the '86 movie did, especially if we're voting for a pre-existing character to take on the mantle of Prime. Victorion/Pyra Magna? Windblade? Ironhide?
The bottom line is, as always, that I'm cool with it as long as it doesn't interfere with Lost Light.
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on December 1st, 2016 @ 1:43pm CST
Boaty McBoatface
Which would be okay seeing as we need more aquatic figures anyway.
Posted by Rysquad on December 1st, 2016 @ 1:47pm CST
Posted by Sabrblade on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:02pm CST
That said, however, since the current Hasbro team seems to have something against Beast Wars, I wouldn't mind seeing this kind of fan-voted event used to force them into giving us something from that series in a prominent role of modern fiction that would also be backed by a new toy (NOTE: The last three BW Generations toys were from the former Hasbro team, not the current one). And of the characters from that era, I feel there's only one candidate who was neither a full leader not a Prime analogue (i.e. - not a "Primal", not a Convoy, etc.), but who did receive a well of character growth that saw him grow from his original low ranking status into a mature and respectable semi-authority figure who proved his potential for leadership while also maintaining his original fun-loving side within that he had ever since day one (a fun-loving side that could very possibly help him to avoid the negative aspects of the "Prime curse"). And that character.... is Cheetor.
Posted by Kyleor on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:32pm CST
Posted by o.supreme on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:36pm CST
Posted by Sabrblade on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:38pm CST
My impression is that we'd be voting on a preexisting character ascending to Primehood, not making another brand new character out of nothing.o.supreme wrote:oh dear lord...its much worse than I thought. Fan voted new characters have shown not to work well. I shudder to imagine a newly "fan" created Prime. Fans of the original series have had 30 years to come to terms with Rodimus Prime, and most I *think* have finally let it go. I cant imagine the backlash that will occur with a new Prime being inserted into all forms of media and merchandizing.
Posted by o.supreme on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:43pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:My impression is that we'd be voting on a preexisting character ascending to Primehood, not making another brand new character out of nothing.
I don't know...sounds a lot like the same thing that spawned Windblade & Victorion, starting with voting for abstract characteristics (Honor, Chaos, Order) rather than a pre-existing character.
The only fan vote I participated in was of course for the 2017 Titan figure, because they were expressly all pre-existing characters, in which any case I pretty much knew what I was voting for.
Posted by Rysquad on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:44pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:Honestly, I kinda don't really want any preexisting non-Prime character to ascend to Primehood because most of the Primes in Western fiction in this day and age are either boring, unlikable, or corrupt individuals. I wouldn't want to wish this "Prime curse" upon any non-Prime character.
That said, however, since the current Hasbro team seems to have something against Beast Wars, I wouldn't mind seeing this kind of fan-voted event used to force them into giving us something from that series in a prominent role of modern fiction that would also be backed by a new toy (NOTE: The last three BW Generations toys were from the former Hasbro team, not the current one). And of the characters from that era, I feel there's only one candidate who was neither a full leader not a Prime analogue (i.e. - not a "Primal", not a Convoy, etc.), but who did receive a well of character growth that saw him grow from his original low ranking status into a mature and respectable semi-authority figure who proved his potential for leadership while also maintaining his original fun-loving side within that he had ever since day one (a fun-loving side that could very possibly help him to avoid the negative aspects of the "Prime curse"). And that character.... is Cheetor.
I have a feeling the second vote will be existing characters that fit the Honor, Chaos, or Order categories.
Posted by Rysquad on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:47pm CST
o.supreme wrote:Sabrblade wrote:My impression is that we'd be voting on a preexisting character ascending to Primehood, not making another brand new character out of nothing.
I don't know...sounds a lot like the same thing that spawned Windblade & Victorion, starting with voting for abstract characteristics (Honor, Chaos, Order) rather than a pre-existing character.
The only fan vote I participated in was of course for the 2017 Titan figure, because they were expressly all pre-existing characters, in which any case I pretty much knew what I was voting for.
and choose the bot to lead Cybertron into a historic new era.
I'm thinking our votes will choose the bot, not create the bot.
Posted by Lunatic Prime on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:47pm CST
I'm excited to see what will happen
Posted by o.supreme on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:52pm CST
Posted by Munkky on December 1st, 2016 @ 2:57pm CST
o.supreme wrote:oh dear lord...its much worse than I thought. "Fan voted" new characters have shown not to work well. I shudder to imagine a newly fan created Prime. Fans of the original series have had 30 years to come to terms with Rodimus Prime, and most I *think* have finally let it go. I cant imagine the backlash that will occur with a new Prime being inserted into all forms of media and merchandizing.
Shown not to work well? From what I've seen Windblade and Victorion are fairy popular with a lot of fans. I'm not trying to take a jab at you, I'm not fond of Windblade or Victorion personally, but I got the impression that the fan-made characters had and still get a positive reception.
As for this vote, the wording makes it sound like you're voting for an established character to be elevated to Prime status, so if that's the case we may very well end up with Bumblebus Prime or Windbladus Prime. But if it is a new character I'm interested in seeing what happens with it. Though I'll probably vote for Honor just to be that one hipster who doesn't vote for Chaos.
Posted by Bombilation on December 1st, 2016 @ 3:02pm CST
Posted by o.supreme on December 1st, 2016 @ 3:06pm CST
I've not really heard anything much positive about Windblade or Victorion, fans are annoyed they are forced into every medium. All I hear on the toy forums is how "cheap" (i.e. quality) the Victorion toy is and how everyone wont pay more than $30-$50 for a toy that started at $100 US retail.
Personally. I am neutral towards Windblade in the comics. She is ok on RiD15, and hated her in the CW. I actually like the CW Victorion toy. I am glad I have it, but it is certainly not something *I* personally would have chosen to vote for.
Posted by Va'al on December 1st, 2016 @ 3:17pm CST
Kyleor wrote:Don't bother voting, it's just going to be Bumblebee...
Snide digs aside, given his status in the franchise, I would've loved to see more of Bumblebee as actual leader of Cybertron as written in the IDW exRID comics. That was a good Bumblebee, and an influence we are somehow sort of but not really seeing today still, in Starscream's leadership.
Posted by Targetmaster Kup on December 1st, 2016 @ 3:24pm CST
This would cause Chaos, because then Megatron becomes a captain of the Lost Light alone. That would make for very intriguing reading!
Posted by Rysquad on December 1st, 2016 @ 3:28pm CST
o.supreme wrote:So...hypothetically speaking, if *Chaos* won, this would most likely be an evil character, or at the very least a heroic one that would not be worthy of the Matrix, sorry just seems flawed from the start.
Which is why Chaos will win.
Posted by o.supreme on December 1st, 2016 @ 3:35pm CST
Posted by Va'al on December 1st, 2016 @ 3:44pm CST
o.supreme wrote:But a character whose dominant quality is Chaos cannot posses the Matrix of Leadership, therefore they cannot be leader, unless you start changing the rules, which then makes this whole exercise pointless and not worth my time.
In IDW continuity, both Zeta and Sentinel have been Primes, and we know that the Matrix they held was not the 'true' Matrix. I believe the suggestion of a Chaos leader may bring some interesting narrative developments, actually, though also hoping that they won't re-tread older plotlines (such as, indeed, Zeta and Sentinel, as Optimus is still dealing with all of that as we type).
EDIT: OOOOOH, imagine having Prowl actually obtain full power, as we saw in his vision in Sins of the Wreckers. Or Ironhide, as the Honor candidate, and we go back to exploring Pax Cybertronia.
Posted by o.supreme on December 1st, 2016 @ 3:53pm CST
Dr Va'al wrote:and we know that the Matrix they held was not the 'true' Matrix.
Exactly my point. The contest makes one believe this to be the next *True* leader of Cybertron with the True Matrix of Leadership. If we are going to start making up additional false Matrixi (sp?) or go down the road of duping poor old cons into believing there is a "Decepticon Matrix of leadership" (FFOD), it just seems so pointless. I guess its just me. Some say the status quo is boring, but when most of the new ideas are just so...lame, the status quo looks pretty darn good.
But enough, My apologies if I've squashed anyone's enthusiasm. I'll say no more on the subject, unless I can be objectively optimistic. Have fun voting.
Posted by NeoDarwinian on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:01pm CST
Honor sounds like the least interesting, unless Beast Wars Dinobot is an option.
All things considered, the Transformers elections have yielded more rational choices than many recent elections across the world....
Posted by Kurona on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:11pm CST
I also don't think they'd necessarily have to be chosen by the Matrix. IDW Starscream, G1 cartoon Scourge, G1 cartoon Galvatron and G1 Marvel Thunderwing have all held it without specifically being chosen by them. Starscream in particular is a good example; he touted it to the Decepticons as if he had been chosen by the Matrix - though it actually did nothing for him - to gain leadership. I think a similar idea could be played with here were Chaos to be chosen.
As for the fan-built characters that we've already gotten, they've honestly done fine. Victorion's toy is great and Windblade also got a good toy... eventually. In terms of fiction we of course ignore CW Machinima which was terrible on the whole; in RiD she's pretty fun and likeable when she's not getting scared off a ledge by a squirrel, and in IDW I'd argue she's one of the best female characters Transformers has ever had. And while Victorion's components haven't got much characteristation, well... just like every other friggin' combiner. This is just kind of what happens with them. You can say all you want about how Skyburst and Jumpstream don't have any personality, but what could you tell me about Scavenger or Drag Strip or Skydive without looking at the wiki or toy bios? Only Silverbolt, First Aid, Swindle, Onslaught and Blast Off got any sort of characterisation in fiction if we're being honest (though do excuse me if I am forgetting some sort of characterisation a combiner component got in Marvel). Hell, even as combiners they rarely get any personality beyond really-big-decepticon-that's-dumb-as-bricks or really-big-autobot-that's-a-little-dim-but-saves-the-day.
So... yeah, bring on more fan-built bots. They've been great so far.
Posted by Sabrblade on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:13pm CST
o.supreme wrote:But a character whose dominant quality is Chaos cannot posses the Matrix of Leadership, therefore they cannot be leader, unless you start changing the rules, which then makes this whole exercise pointless and not worth my time.
Posted by Rysquad on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:14pm CST
Includes Ultra Magnus, Hound Arcee, Shockwave, Megatron, Star Saber, Thunderwing, "Unknown Evil", and Optimus Primal.
Posted by dbwells on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:15pm CST
Posted by Sabrblade on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:17pm CST
That silhouette of Optimus is from the 2006 Sony DVD release of TFTM (albeit, mirrored backwards).Rysquad wrote:New graphic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformers/p ... permPage=1
Includes Ultra Magnus, Hound Arcee, Shockwave, Megatron, Star Saber, Thunderwing, "Unknown Evil", and Optimus Primal.
"Unknown Evil" is Deathsaurus.
Posted by Kurona on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:17pm CST
Now that's a character I didn't expect to see them promote!
Posted by o.supreme on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:18pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:o.supreme wrote:But a character whose dominant quality is Chaos cannot posses the Matrix of Leadership, therefore they cannot be leader, unless you start changing the rules, which then makes this whole exercise pointless and not worth my time.
that was furmans creation matrix NOT the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. Galvatron and Scourge both tried to use it, and it turned out very bad for them. heck even Ultra-Magnus wasn't worthy...that should say a lot in itself
Posted by Sabrblade on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:24pm CST
Sacred talisman of leadership stored within a Prime's chest and used for killing Unicron... it's all the same thing nowadays.o.supreme wrote:that was furmans creation matrix NOT the Autobot Matrix of Leadership.
Posted by Deadput on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:25pm CST
Hound (Who I'm voting for because he rarely gets spotlight anymore plus Houndimus Prime is bad ass sounding name)
Arcee (although why anyone would vote for her as a leader baffles me regardless of which personality their going to advertise which is either Sweet G1 or angry warrior IDW)
Unknown evil (and that's if he is only either a new guy or someone who has never been a supreme leader and has the proper stats to become one)
Posted by Sabrblade on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:27pm CST
That's Deathsaurus, who is just as much a leader as Star Saber.Deadput wrote:Unknown evil (and that's if he is only either a new guy or someone who has never been a supreme leader and has the proper stats to become one)
Posted by Kurona on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:36pm CST
-Hound or Arcee could end up taking over the Autobots/ascending to Primehood after Optimus' recent actions have proven a bit too irresponsible
-Megatron entering a full-on leadership role rather than being a captain would be an extremely interesting way to take his character and change of heart
-It'd be a fun way to introduce Primal to the series
-Star Saber could take control of wherever the Knights of Cybertron ended up as part of what he and Tyrest are doing
-Deathsaurus has already shown to be an interesting character in MTMTE; could full eventual leadership of the Decepticons be his thing?
-I don't think we ever did find out what happened to Thunderwing after Furman's era ended
The only ones I can't think of anything for would be Magnus and Shockwave. And god I don't hope the latter wins; I love him but let him stay dead. Bringing a character back to life after such a significant and world-changing death as that is just...
Posted by Deadput on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:39pm CST
Kurona wrote:STAR SABER?!
Now that's a character I didn't expect to see them promote!
Only previous leader worth voting for here since he has never been in an America main toy line.
Who the heck wants Megatron, Ultra Magnus, Thunderwing, Shockwave, Optimus Primal or Arcee to abandon their factions and become a prime?
The probable Prime names would be
Megatron Prime/Megatronus Prime (this would ruin Megatron's character since he is supposed to be opposite of Optimus Prime it's kinda redundant and boring if both leaders of the Autobot/Decepticons were primes.)
Ultra Prime/Ultramus Prime/Magnus Prime ( I feel like Ultra Magnus should stay his own character and not become literately more of a clone of Prime then he already is)
Thunderwing Prime (While somewhat interesting considering his G1 Marvel comics version I don't think anyone would ever consider this guy to be the leader of all Cybertron in a sober state of mind)
Shockwave Prime/Shockonus Prime ( Becoming a Prime would probably hardly interest Shockwave and really who is actually considering voting for an emotionless guy as prime instead of the evil spock we love him as?)
Arceeimus Prime? (What kind of Prime name can you get out of her and when has she ever been a contender for Prime?)
Finally Optimus Primal is the worse problem because both names are already different existing characters Primal Prime is a different person and Optimus Primal changing his name into Optimus Prime speaks for itself.
Posted by Autobot N on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:40pm CST
Posted by Kurona on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:42pm CST
Deadput wrote:Finally Optimus Primal is the worse problem because both names are already different existing characters Primal Prime is a different person and Optimus Primal changing his name into Optimus Prime speaks for itself.
Optimal Optimus Primal Prime
Yeah, bit surprised Windblade isn't an option with how much they push her. I guess they didn't want a character to win a poll twice (which would also explain Pyra Magna not being there)
Posted by Deadput on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:42pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:That's Deathsaurus, who is just as much a leader as Star Saber.Deadput wrote:Unknown evil (and that's if he is only either a new guy or someone who has never been a supreme leader and has the proper stats to become one)
Ah thanks I did not know that so I'll add him to interesting candidates but honestly Sabr would you actually vote for him to become a Prime?
A PRIME?
The Prime names you can get out of Star Saber are great: Star Prime, Saber Prime (Just needs an Excalibur like sword), Staronus Prime (Sounds better out loud then spelt) and probably some more
Posted by Deadput on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:45pm CST
Kurona wrote:Yeah, bit surprised Windblade isn't an option with how much they push her.
Imagine the anger and uncontrollable rage all those fans would have at Hasbro
Would be delicious and probably taste like citrus cherry and blood.
Posted by Autobot N on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:48pm CST
Posted by Deadput on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:49pm CST
Autobot N wrote:So, after a few minutes of serious deliberation, I have chosen my candidate. Shockwave for Prime 2017!
That sig was quick is there a Hound one out there?
Posted by Kurona on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:53pm CST
Posted by Autobot N on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:57pm CST
Deadput wrote:Autobot N wrote:So, after a few minutes of serious deliberation, I have chosen my candidate. Shockwave for Prime 2017!
That sig was quick is there a Hound one out there?
Just find a random picture of Hound on Google and select a template to edit on this site:
http://www.postermywall.com/index.php/g ... gn-posters
Posted by o.supreme on December 1st, 2016 @ 4:58pm CST
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on December 1st, 2016 @ 5:00pm CST