The images show a few interesting differences from the final toy, including: an animation-accurate red visor rather than the toy-accurate yellow on the final Hasbro product; the classic blue-and-black chest panel instead of the eventual clear plastic; a much longer shoulder cannon (with an appearance that suggests a possible composite weapon); and more classic shoulder detailing than we ended up with, along with several other small details. On top of that, the accompanying text posts from Santalucia reveal that the sketches were "based on Blaster from the same line" (whether that means the designs were done concurrently or Titans Return Soundwave's design was actually tweaked from Blaster's remains up for debate), and that the figure's altmode was in fact intended to be a soundbar.
Check out the concept images and accompanying posts below, view the Leader Soundwave they ended up becoming in our gallery of the toy, and as always share your thoughts in the Energon Pub!
I forgot I had never posted my sketches for the Titans Return Soundwave! Created in collaboration with Hasbro design team and based on the Blaster figure from the same line
Soundwave alt mode! It was supposed to be a soundbar, but not many got it
for letting us know about that this time).