Official press Release on Kabam's Transformers: Forged to Fight Winning Best Game

Well, that dosn't say much for the competition. The game was so forgettable I just deleted it and well, forgot about it.

I have never been able to play it on my kindle so that kinda irks me. Yeah, grandpa WreckerJack doesn't own an smartphone and I don't plan on getting one till I'm forced.

I'm only 27 - I just don't like things that break easy.

its really a fun fighting game lots of eye candy

Ultra Markus wrote:its really a fun fighting game lots of eye candy

Which my phone doesn't like - it's crashed seven times since installing it, and I've only done the first three missions. Shame.

must have been a slow year if this boring game won best game, only thing good about it is the graphics everything else is forgettable.

I mean, it is the Google Play shop. This isn't counting console games from the likes of Sony or Nintendo or anything; it's just whatever you can get on your mobile phone. So when this game's a popular brand (ie it's a Transformers game, lots of people love Transformers) and the competition's Candy Crush and Angry Birds, not the most surprising thing in the world.

Seibertron.com was invited to visit the Kabam Games studio in Vancouver, Canada. They currently make both Marvel: Contest of Champions and the award winning Transformers: Forged to Fight. Of course, we went to learn more about the Transformers game and I have tons of tidbits for you about the process and design behind the characters, which is what fascinated me most. We will have more content for you coming, such as interviews with the creators, writers and Hasbro packaging artist Marcelo Matere, who is now a full time employee on Transformers: Forged to Fight (but don't worry IDW fans, he still has time for variant covers).



The one thing that I really got from this is that these developers are huge fans of the franchise. There is a big (not licensed) Optimus Prime Statue at the studio entrance. It used to make sounds but that drove the receptionist crazy, so now he only lights up.



Here is what I learnt while on the tour and speaking to the creators and designers:

The model used for Drift in the game (seen in trailers and cutscenes) is based on his Age of Extinction look rather than his Last Knight look because the more reference to movement available the better, and the only media they have access to for The Last Knight right now is trailers (which Drift doesn't appear in). Hasbro does send them reference material if needed and the reference Hasbro sent to them for Drift was shots of the Prime 1 Studios statue.



The Sharkticon design was in house and not based on any previous design. They needed a grunt type character for the story and while the Sharkticons fit the bill narratively, their G1 designs, which is echoed in their Generations toy, didn’t fit with the overall aesthetic of the game. So they created their own “Generations Sharkticon” which would be more of an update, “classics” style, like many figures were before the recent turn of the Generations toys being much closer to their G1 counterparts.



From a writing perspective, Cuz Parry, the writer of this game (and the writer of the entire Skate series), finds this similar to writing a comic book since it doesn’t end. You just build on the story and create new stories with this same or evolving roster. There is a beginning and then a middle, middle, middle, middle…



The only licensing in the game is with Hasbro for their characters. While the alt-modes look very close to their movie alt-modes, none of the vehicles are licensed. All the designers have to do to bypass copyright is change the angle of the headlights and the shape of the grill. Those happen to be the distinguishing features trademarked on a car’s look.



As you all know I am fond of lists, and here are two tidbits regarding lists and Transfomers:
1. Hasbro sent a list to the team of specific characters they would be fine with them using. And that list included Trenchmouth.
2. Hasbro also has a list of 7 pillar Transformers characters that they try to keep visible in their marketing and licensing (like DC’s three marketing pillars being Superman, Batman and the Joker). While they didn’t remember the specifics, they said it was the obvious G1 ones like Megatron, Optimus, Bumblebee and Starscream, but they did remember being surprised by the inclusion of Hound.


Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Trenchmouth Gallery

The hardest move to design ever was the box move for Mirage. It is not the design that was hard (it's just a box), it was the timing. The box must first appear fully around Mirage for him to then disappear and it must then reappear fully and fade away for Mirage to reappear. That’s a lot of animation to handle and a long time for the game to stop and for the opponent to either move away or no longer be in control. Plus, you are giving someone the ability to no longer be seen, which might be too big of an advantage in a fast paced game like this. So there too, it’s about the timing. How long can the player be truly invisible? Cuz, the writer, jokingly said that if the box didn’t work they could just have his special be that he parachutes down.



Most G1 designs in the game are based on Hasbro designed toys. Lead character developer, Adam Cooper said that sadly, Ratchet does not have any good Hasbro designed toys out there and thus his design is instead a hybrid of the Takara Masterpiece and the DeNA design from Transformers: Legends.





These are all the tidbits I have for now. More will come when we are at the discretion to share and in upcoming interviews. And about the city itself, Vancouver, if there is one thing I wasn't prepared for, it's for how sarcastic it was.



Joking aside, it was an amazing trip and Seibertron.com would like to thank Hasbro, Kabam Studio and their partners at Rogers & Cowan for organizing this exciting event.

I'm guessing the other two 'pillar' characters would be Soundwave and Grimlock - can't think of anyone more significant than them. Hound IS very surprising, though...

Kurona wrote:I'm guessing the other two 'pillar' characters would be Soundwave and Grimlock - can't think of anyone more significant than them. Hound IS very surprising, though...

That tells me Shockwave and Rodimus arent pillars. Like they favor season 1 of G1. I think Hound is basically because John warden has some kind of authority on it (which is odd since he isnt marketting).

Kurona wrote:Hound IS very surprising, though...

It's probably because he's in the movie. My bet is that list is fluid and only Optimus, Megatron, and possible Starscream have permanent positions...

Iron Prime wrote:

Kurona wrote:Hound IS very surprising, though...

It's probably because he's in the movie. My bet is that list is fluid and only Optimus, Megatron, and possible Starscream have permanent positions...

I just want to add that of all characters, hound was also in the roster for the Power of the primes vote



Hasbro is pushing this guy hard, in both his incarnations. and since the game deals with both g1 and movie, i dont know which side Hasbro was aiming him for.

If he really is on there, I guess the next series after RiD will have him on the main cast. It's still very weird.

Although unexpected, I'm certainly not complaining if Hound is getting more use.

Hey look the age of extinction drift!

I wouldn't say leaked but it looks like a leak

Shauyaun wrote:Hey look the age of extinction drift!

I wouldn't say leaked but it looks like a leak

Not a leak, its a screenshot of this trailer

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers ... bam/37526/

During Seibertron.com's visit to Kabam Games in Vancouver, we were able to meet the creative staff behind their Transformers Forged to Fight free to play game. We interviewed the following key players:

Cuz Parry : Head writer (has previously written the entire Skate series)

Mike McCartney: Game Director

Adam Cooper: Lead character artist

Pablo Greenham: Lead environment artist

Marcelo Matere: Promotional artist (Packaging artist for Hasbro since Armada)

Darren Evenson: Character designer

Nick Williams: Lead VFX artist

Derek Ng-Cummings: Animator




When did you discover Transformers?

Cuz: In 84 when it was playing. I was 18 at the time and me and my friends would sometimes chill watching 80s cartoons like Transformers and He-Man

Derek: G1 in 85

Darren: G1 in the mid 80s, I got Hoist for Christmas.

Nick: The toys and G1 cartoon in 1984. I had many of them as a kid, like Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus and Optimus.

Pablo: In 84 with the show.

Mike: My dad would go on business trips a lot and would always bring me something back. Once he brought me back G1 Hound, my very first Transformer. I loved him and brought him everywhere. One day I was at the grocery store and was looking at those capsule machines. I left him on top of the machine to put the money in and since I was only thinking of what prize I had gotten, I forgot about Hound. When I went back to get him, he was gone. I was seven and still remember it clearly.

Marcelo: 86 since Brazil got the cartoons a bit later.

Adam: 1985-86 with both the cartoons and toys.


Favourite Transformers character growing up?

Cuz: I liked how Cliffjumper was such a grumpy d&#k. I also liked Jazz since he was pretty much the same as Hong Kong Phooey, also voiced by Scatman Crothers.



Derek: Optimus Prime

Darren: Jetfire, I love how he traded sides.

Nick: Jetfire

Pablo: Optimus Prime

Mike: Shockwave and Soundwave

Marcelo: Grimlock and the Dinobots

Adam: Preaking and the Predacons. My favourite moment was in a G1 comic when they battled Megatron.




Favourite Transformers era design wise?

Cuz: The Generations toys, which are G1 but with more detail on their surfaces.

Derek: G1

Darren: G1

Nick: G1

Pablo: Prime, just a great mix of G1 and a more detailed movie aesthetic.

Mike: G1

Marcelo: Transformers Animated

Adam: IDW (especially All Hail Megatron)




Favorite movie design?

Cuz: Hound and Bonecrusher. I really like how the later moves in the film, like he’s scating. Plus he has those massive over the shoulder shovels.

Derek: Bumblebee, with more noticeable car kibble.

Darren: Bumblebee, with the chest clearly made of car parts.

Nick: Drift and Hot Rod

Pablo: Demolishor, it was unlike any other Transformers design.

Mike: Drift from Age of Extinction, I love that Samurai look.

Marcelo: Barricade but only from the first trilogy. I do not like his redesign in The Last Knight. I liked how he had more car parts previously and his head didn’t have 6 eyes. Now the designs all make the bots look similar to each other with the alt mode kibble morphing and shaping up their bodies to all have similar humanoid looks, which makes them less unique from bot to bot.

Adam: Megatron in both Dark of the Moon and The Last Knight.




Favourite character to fight with in the game?

Cuz: Bumblebee

Derek: Bludgeon

Darren: Windblade

Nick: Motormaster

Pablo: Windblade

Mike: Bonecrusher

Marcelo: Windblade

Adam: Bludgeon


What is your preferred strategy when playing?

Cuz: I use Ironhide to go through lower level bots, using his #2 special. Since range weapons can be avoided, I preffer getting in, hitting with the heavy attack while trying to get the opponent against the wall.

Derek: With Bludgeon, I use ranged attacks as much as possible until I can use special #2.

Darren: Windblade’s sword has a high bleed and she can avoid ranged attacks well. I fight at a distance and then I carve up with the sword.

Nick: I never use the special #3, with Motormaster, I use special #1 as soon as I get it because of the range.

Pablo: I never use specials.

Mike: I use autofight on raids. When fighting, I block and wait for an opening.

Marcelo: tap tap tap, heavy attack.

Adam: With Bludgeon I like mixing up range with heavy attacks while waiting for a special.

We were holding some secrets from our recent visit to Kabam's studio and now we can start unveiling a bit thanks to the new video they posted on their Facebook page. Transformers: Forged to Fight is getting a massive update June 14th, which will give it a whole new feel. There will be daily extras you get just for logging in, a new look to the base but most importantly, two new playable characters: Age of Extinction Drift and The Last Knight Hot Rod.

Check out the trailer below to see the awesome new sword throwing specials Drift can do and much more!



Below is a full list of everything to expect from the 2.0 update along with some screenshots.

TRANSFORMERS: Forged to Fight V2.0.0 Release Note

Version 2.0 will be available June 14th with brand new content, visual upgrades, and fixes!
Here’s the detail of what’s coming to The Fight:
Complete your Transformers: The Last Knight experience with new limited-time
missions.
Rumors that the Autobot Hot Rod has arrived on New Quintessa enrages Drift who vows to hunt him down. Perplexed by Drift's vow Optimus Prime and Bumblebee fear that the Decepticon turned Autobot has gone rogue and is resorting back to his old Decepticon ways. Play the all new Spotlight - "A Question of Loyalty" - and find out what happens when brothers in arms do battle.

Megatron has returned to take his place as the new boss of Alliance Missions!

New Daily Login Calendar! Great prizes await the faithful Commanders who login
everyday! Collect Rewards from the 7 Day, 28 Day, and Alliance Calendars.

Fight in a brand new environment inspired by Transformers: The Last Knight.
A whole new look for your Base!o Base updates bring a new level of visual polish and navigational ease.
Show off up to four Relics with two new sockets added. o Several new Relics with new effects have been added. New Relics can be found by fully Exploring any difficulty level of "A Question of Loyalty" as well as from the special Event Calendar. These Relics also have new in-game benefits.

Tip the odds in your favor by using Boosts to augment your Bots' performance.
Boosts can increase your damage output or survivability.
Activate an XP Boost to accelerate your level ups and claim rewards
faster.
Some Boosts are only applied to a specific game mode.

Forging a Module now awards bonus Module Crystal Shards based on the Rank,
Level, and Signature Ability Level of the Modules that are consumed.
1-Star Modules do not award Shards. o 2-Star Modules award 3-Shard Module Crystal Shards. o 3-Star Modules award 4-Star Module Crystal Shards.
A new Synergy Bonus interface now shows you who is providing a bonus and who is receiving a bonus.
The benefits and targets for existing Synergy Bonuses have not changed.
Several new Synergy Bonuses have been added.

The Alliance-based currency Loyalty has been removed.
Existing Loyalty balances have been converted to Gold.
You now earn Gold for answering Alliance Help Requests.
Alliance Help requests will now immediately award 3 Energy in addition to the Energy received from Alliance mates.

Bot Changes
1-Star and 2-Star Bots now start with two Special Attacks at Rank 1 and unlock a third Special Attack after Ranking Up.
3-Star Bots now start with three Special Attacks at Rank 1.

Mixmaster
Received a re-design, both on his Basic Abilities and his Signature.
Updated design will be more in line with other Demolition Bots (Very high damage bursts in a short period of time)
Acid does not have a cost anymore and Neutralizes Resistances Buffs when active, making him really great against Bots like Ultra Magnus.
Will deal Burn on his Special 3.
Whenever opponents have an active Debuff, Mixmaster will get a huge Critical Rate Buff.

Arcee
Generates power from Non-Critical Hits. o Power generation from Critical Hits has been reduced to 12%.
Guardian's Ferocity now has a 20% increased chance to trigger at all Signature levels.

New Synergies have been added and tuned for several bots.

Mod Changes
Laser Guidance and EMI Module
Module buffs and debuffs can no longer be overridden by projectile buffs from bots.
A new formula adds a global minimum and maximum speed limit for projectiles to account for bots that might stack Projectile Speed buffs.

Fight Tuning Adjustments:
Made Adjustments to the AI of enemies to make them less likely to hold their power until they can use their Special 3
Tuned down aggression of Enemy AI in harder content
Made a slight adjustment to the speed of Projectile Attacks to make them easier for players to avoid
Slightly increased the window to chain from a combo into a special attack Bug Fixes and Optimizations
Fixed an issue with the effectiveness of Module Signature Abilities during Raids
Stash items now default to sort by expiry
Filter basic ORE-13 and Catalysts in the Stash and Inventory screens
Some timers that previously just showed hours now show minutes as well.
Fixed an issue causing Wins in Arenas showing as a Loss

I should have expected a FTF TLK Tie in but why is Drift in his AOE Design when he's getting a redesign for TLK?. Thank you Kabam for giving me Hot Rod in FTF

Prime Target wrote:I should have expected a FTF TLK Tie in but why is Drift in his AOE Design when he's getting a redesign for TLK?. Thank you Kabam for giving me Hot Rod in FTF

Because they need all the reference they can get and there is a lot more of blue drift out there than red drift.

The Forged to Fight is getting a massive update today with new playable characters like Drift coming out tomorrow. You can read all about the update here. Seibertron was able to interview the game developpers regarding the update, enjoy!

The people interviewed are:

Cuz Parry : Head writer (has previously written the entire Skate series)
Mike McCartney: Game Director
Adam Cooper: Lead character artist
Pablo Greenham: Lead environment artist
Marcelo Matere: Promotional artist (Packaging artist for Hasbro since Armada)
Darren Evenson: Character designer
Nick Williams: Lead VFX artist
Derek Ng-Cummings: Animator

What do you find most exciting about the 2.0 update?

Cuz: Daily log ins. I just like the routine of it. You wake up, check your phone, get your free stuff for the day, you feel good.

Derek: How it will be a whole new experience to players.

Darren: The out of box experience. It has a better presentation, a better flow/pacing. It’s a whole new package I hope fans will like.

Nick: Drift as a playable character finally plus Hot Rod.

Pablo: The new environment with chunks of Cybertron floating around.

Mike: The new characters coming out. It’s also a massive update when looking at all the small changes everywhere, from presentation to daily freebies. Those who haven’t played yet, this is really the time. It’s how we wished the game would have been at launch and we hope that those who gave it a shot and left can come back to see how improved the experience is. We truly are making a Triple A game that you can play on your phone. At least our workload sure feels the same as when we were working at other Triple A companies (i.e. EA).