Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline"

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 3:45pm CDT

Category: Game News
Posted by: El Duque Views: 54,456

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Want to explore the history of the Cybertronian civil war? gameinformer has posted the timeline mirrored below in their latest Transformers: Fall of Cybertron article, "The Transformers Timeline". Click here to view the full article and see the image in greater detail.

In the interest of offering an official history, we asked High Moon Studios, in cooperation with Hasbro, to prepare a timeline that explains the emerging fiction. If you've been paying attention to the Transformers for many years, you'll notice elements of the story drawn from the original generation of stories, not the least of which is the tracing of a history that takes the Transformers from Cybertron to Earth. Careful readers will also notice some new hints about the direction of the Fall of Cybertron storyline.

Credit(s): gameinformer

This article was last modified on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 3:50pm CDT

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Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305479)
Posted by remnant114 on October 26th, 2011 @ 4:32pm CDT

I hope they find a way of adding a version of beast wars to this timeline.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305487)
Posted by NatsumeRyu on October 26th, 2011 @ 4:44pm CDT

I agree, the AI should be better, but I also think they can add a little bit more for the AI to do (like dashing, ramming, etc.) If the AI were better at dodging, the game would be marginally more difficult. And would make it more like a show/movie where everybody's shooting but no one gets hurt! XD Anyway, assuming they dodge, they can, as someone mentioned, find cover farther back, or be more agressive and run up for a melee as well (kamikaze of sorts, either to help their remaining friends, go out bright, or because they're cornered and no where else to go, etc.). And when only one is left (if the level allows), he might decide to attempt fleeing, and you could then chase after him if you wanted to. Not killing him might mean more enemies when you next see him.

(like the huge hexagonally plated floor map before you approach Soundwave in Kaon in WfC....some enemies there run away or lead you on for a bit - that could be expanded upon for the premise idea here)

But all of this is sort of intricately woven for the AI system as a whole. (IE not everything can be implemented one part at a time, but relies on other factors in the system to function effectively, basically a good chunk is all-or-nothing, effort wise. If you can't debug it before time runs out you lose a good chunk of improvement) So hopefully they have enough time and manpower budgeted to improve it.

(and knowledge and engine ability. I have no idea what Kismet or whatever else is actually capable of AI-wise, let alone in the new Unreal3.)

So yes. AI better = I hope it's on the list, regardless of whether generic enemies transform. I just don't see them taking that completely out...Like if you meet a boss, like Starscream, assuming he transforms, then his AI will have to deal with that in addition to everything else, while none of the other AI have to. It doesn't provide a good subject for bug testing anyway, if only one or two enemies use the system...not only would it make it harder to spot bugs, but there becomes a battle with how important they really are. On the one hand, it's only one enemy. On the other, it's a boss, so it's supposed to challenge you, not sit there transforming confusedly and whatnot. Of course, this isn't much of a problem if they script the bosses in stages like WfC.
Example:
Boss fires at you in robot mode until 60% energy remains. Cutscene. Boss alternates shooting and bringing in additional forces , until 20% energy remains. Cutscene. Boss brings in additional forces, and runs. After defeating additional forces, you chase after them, chase scene ensues and you have to take them out in alt. mode due to the speed/chase.

I won't get into my opinion of the flawed boss system in general in games (with uber health) to make up for lack of good AI.
Oh, what a wonderful place the world would be with great AI.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305490)
Posted by Baneblade on October 26th, 2011 @ 5:01pm CDT

remnant114 wrote:I hope they find a way of adding a version of beast wars to this timeline.

if they do then it will be well after the battles on earth and the final wars on Cybertron. Beast Wars starts well in the future and goes back to earth pre G1/volcano eruption, and then it jumps back forwards to post final war where everything went pete-tong (all wrong if you don't get the reference)

so the incusion will have to be very well after the original settings..

remember trukk not monkey lol (sorry... i had to)

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305501)
Posted by Megatron Wolf on October 26th, 2011 @ 5:20pm CDT

sounds like they're starting to draw ideas from Beast Wars, nice.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305502)
Posted by Wigglez on October 26th, 2011 @ 5:22pm CDT

Baneblade wrote:
remnant114 wrote:I hope they find a way of adding a version of beast wars to this timeline.

if they do then it will be well after the battles on earth and the final wars on Cybertron. Beast Wars starts well in the future and goes back to earth pre G1/volcano eruption, and then it jumps back forwards to post final war where everything went pete-tong (all wrong if you don't get the reference)

so the incusion will have to be very well after the original settings..

remember trukk not monkey lol (sorry... i had to)

I second this. If they wanted to hit BW, then they'd have to fast forward ALOT! Pretty much drop this story and go to where Megatron is about to steal the golden disk. They'd probably use vehicle modes though because they didn't get their animal forms 'till they hit earth. But HMS would probably drop the timelines comic and give them animal forms before they hit earth with what they're doing with the Dinobots. Then I'd kinda be dissapointed. Other than that, they'd have to focus on the future, which I kinda doubt they will.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305642)
Posted by Baneblade on October 27th, 2011 @ 6:00am CDT

wigglez323 wrote:
Baneblade wrote:
remnant114 wrote:I hope they find a way of adding a version of beast wars to this timeline.

if they do then it will be well after the battles on earth and the final wars on Cybertron. Beast Wars starts well in the future and goes back to earth pre G1/volcano eruption, and then it jumps back forwards to post final war where everything went pete-tong (all wrong if you don't get the reference)

so the incusion will have to be very well after the original settings..

remember trukk not monkey lol (sorry... i had to)

I second this. If they wanted to hit BW, then they'd have to fast forward ALOT! Pretty much drop this story and go to where Megatron is about to steal the golden disk. They'd probably use vehicle modes though because they didn't get their animal forms 'till they hit earth. But HMS would probably drop the timelines comic and give them animal forms before they hit earth with what they're doing with the Dinobots. Then I'd kinda be dissapointed. Other than that, they'd have to focus on the future, which I kinda doubt they will.

yup - they can't really focus on a future version and ignore everything gone before that would just well... it would rub the wrong way

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305646)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 27th, 2011 @ 7:03am CDT

That whole "Journey" part of the timeline is written in an ambiguous, non-spoiler way, yet those of us who have already read Exiles know very well that they do NOT go to Earth (yet).

Also, the "Fall of Cybertron" part seems to indicate that this is a rewrite of just chapters 38-39 of Exodus.

Baneblade wrote:
wigglez323 wrote:
Baneblade wrote:
remnant114 wrote:I hope they find a way of adding a version of beast wars to this timeline.

if they do then it will be well after the battles on earth and the final wars on Cybertron. Beast Wars starts well in the future and goes back to earth pre G1/volcano eruption, and then it jumps back forwards to post final war where everything went pete-tong (all wrong if you don't get the reference)

so the incusion will have to be very well after the original settings..

remember trukk not monkey lol (sorry... i had to)

I second this. If they wanted to hit BW, then they'd have to fast forward ALOT! Pretty much drop this story and go to where Megatron is about to steal the golden disk. They'd probably use vehicle modes though because they didn't get their animal forms 'till they hit earth. But HMS would probably drop the timelines comic and give them animal forms before they hit earth with what they're doing with the Dinobots. Then I'd kinda be dissapointed. Other than that, they'd have to focus on the future, which I kinda doubt they will.

yup - they can't really focus on a future version and ignore everything gone before that would just well... it would rub the wrong way

So, in other words, it's best to just leave Beast Wars as the great story that it is and not try to work a different version of it into this mess.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305744)
Posted by Baneblade on October 27th, 2011 @ 1:15pm CDT

Well since you put it that way, yes.

G1 has been chopped, cut, sliced, pasted, blended....i think what's been arrived with IDW and the story that was Fall...i think that g1 has hit that grittier darker level that transformers was needing....beastwars is a good story arc too...i think they would have to do the same chop cut rebuild that would confuse even more...

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305807)
Posted by El Duque on October 27th, 2011 @ 4:29pm CDT

gameinformer has posted the latest article in their month long Transformers: Fall of Cybertron coverage. This article titled "True To Form: Safeguarding The Transformers License" focuses on intellectual property development and licensing. High Moon game director Matt Tieger and Hasbro vice president of intellectual property development Aaron Archer cover the following:

On the creation of the first game
On game narrative
On managing Transformers lore
On scripting a game
On creative limits
On designing characters
On the War for Cybertron toys
On Dinobots

Click here to read the full article of gameinfromer.

It may seem strange for a toy brand to have its own encyclopedia of chronicled narrative. Properties like Barbie, Hot Wheels, or LEGO aren’t known for their large wealth of fiction, for example. One of the first toy properties to pioneer the concept of branching off into additional media was Hasbro’s Transformers. Since the franchise was first introduced into the world in 1984, the brand has constantly been reinvented for different markets and audiences.

High Moon’s Transformers: War for Cybertron was significant in that it translated the core Transformer’s concepts into an entertaining game. Few licenses are able to safely make this transition. We sat down to talk with High Moon game director Matt Tieger and Hasbro vice president of intellectual property development Aaron Archer about how they avoided traditional licensing pitfalls and what they learned that will make the upcoming Transformer: Fall of Cybertron even better.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305814)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 27th, 2011 @ 4:47pm CDT

Another great update. Keep'em coming, Game Informer.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305845)
Posted by Baneblade on October 27th, 2011 @ 6:31pm CDT

this looks awesome... now where's my energon goodie?

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305856)
Posted by Wigglez on October 27th, 2011 @ 7:05pm CDT

You think Gameinformer will announce multiplayer in their month long reveal? The only thing I got for it was in the magazine and that wasn't enough.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305866)
Posted by SoulReaverprime on October 27th, 2011 @ 7:31pm CDT

I just read part of the Game Informer article about FOC where they mention that in one level of the game, Optimus Prime awakens Metroplex to help fight the Decepticons, and that he is suposed to be at least 3 to 4 times the size of Omega Supreme from the last game. can't wait to see!!

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305870)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 27th, 2011 @ 7:44pm CDT

SoulReaverprime wrote:I just read part of the Game Informer article about FOC where they mention that in one level of the game, Optimus Prime awakens Metroplex to help fight the Decepticons, and that he is suposed to be at least 3 to 4 times the size of Omega Supreme from the last game. can't wait to see!!

I guess that means he's too big to face Trypticon this time around.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305891)
Posted by Wigglez on October 27th, 2011 @ 8:28pm CDT

SoulReaverprime wrote:I just read part of the Game Informer article about FOC where they mention that in one level of the game, Optimus Prime awakens Metroplex to help fight the Decepticons, and that he is suposed to be at least 3 to 4 times the size of Omega Supreme from the last game. can't wait to see!!

Well, based on how we had to fight Tryps and OS, that might be who we have to fight as Bruticus. Because Tryps and OS we like 5 or 6 times our size in the first game.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305938)
Posted by Starscream GaGa on October 27th, 2011 @ 11:10pm CDT

Has anyone read the Gameinformer magazine yet? I havn't seen anyone mention the fact it confirms Vortex as a playable character, has a description of his level and pictures of both his robot and alt modes.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305939)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 27th, 2011 @ 11:16pm CDT

Starscream GaGa wrote:Has anyone read the Gameinformer magazine yet? I havn't seen anyone mention the fact it confirms Vortex as a playable character, has a description of his level and pictures of both his robot and alt modes.

Yeah, Vortex is mentioned somewhere in this thread.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305943)
Posted by Wigglez on October 27th, 2011 @ 11:27pm CDT

Starscream GaGa wrote:Has anyone read the Gameinformer magazine yet? I havn't seen anyone mention the fact it confirms Vortex as a playable character, has a description of his level and pictures of both his robot and alt modes.

Like 20 or so pages back.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1305979)
Posted by LazyAza on October 28th, 2011 @ 3:06am CDT

You guys might be interested in checking out the wiki page I'm writing for Fall of Cybertron here: http://www.giantbomb.com/transformers-fall-of-cybertron/61-36634/

I wrote the previous games wiki page here: http://www.giantbomb.com/transformers-war-for-cybertron/61-29405/ as well and am yet again collecting all the information I can for the new one along with all the art and screenshots.

The art and screens for Fall of Cyb will all be posted here: http://www.giantbomb.com/transformers-fall-of-cybertron/61-36634/images/ Game is looking freaking bad ass already, can not wait to play it.

Re: Transformers: War for Cybertron "The Transformers Timeline" (1306004)
Posted by FflawSuperior on October 28th, 2011 @ 5:45am CDT

I'm really hoping and I might even pray that they make FoC take after WFC's gameplay style/button controls/functionality, rather than DOTM's completely fubar and stupid gameplay style.

Obviously I want it to be a bit improved, but DOTM was NOT an improvement over WFC when it came to movement, guns, or anything gameplay-wise (disregarding the story and characters completely, just the nuts and bolts of the game).

It was a large, staggering stumble backwards that made you feel like everybody walked around at the speed of Omega Supreme and had the aim of Waspinator :v WFC was smooth, fluid, and almost effortless, despite little finicky things here and there.

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