Wizards of the Coast to Produce Transformers Card Game
Thursday, December 28th, 2017 11:38AM CST
Categories: Game News, Company News, CollectablesPosted by: Tyrannacon Views: 58,556
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“With the Transformers trading card game, we can be nimble,” he says.
The game hasn’t been formally announced yet, but C o c k s says it’s a title aimed both at young teens and the collector and toy audience. It will come out in September or October. “We think Transformers are cool and the game has interesting, unique mechanics,” he says. “All cards are two-sided, over-sized and feel bigger, weightier in your hand.” C o c k s says the game has a relatively light learning curve, but a lot of depth. “It should take one or two times to understand how to play,” he says.
The game, which has a unique rule set, is built around two decks. One of the decks is a hero deck and the other is a powers and abilities deck used to “amp up heroes.” The strategy around play, he says, is to choose the right hero with the right abilities and powers. They’re also considering making a digital version of the game, once it launches, depending on how it is received. “Transformers will be brand new to Wizards.”
You can read more from the interview here about the other properties they work with and keep your optics focus here as we uncover additional information as it becomes available to us.
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Posted by Dan14thPrime on December 28th, 2017 @ 12:42pm CST
Posted by Sarahthecutevixen on December 28th, 2017 @ 1:01pm CST
Dan14thPrime wrote:I recognize that artwork from a Transformers card game app from a couple years ago. I can't recall the name of the game.
Transformers legends
Posted by Deadput on December 28th, 2017 @ 1:42pm CST
Posted by Lorekeeper on December 28th, 2017 @ 2:07pm CST
Posted by Tyrannacon on December 28th, 2017 @ 2:24pm CST
Deadput wrote:I feel sorry for that guy's last name. (Kinda funny how you had to space it out to avoid the censors)
XD Yeah. I know! I kept trying to figure a way around it and this was suggested to me by Va'al. So I did and it worked. Talking about "funny last names" though I swear. Feel bad for the guy on that note.
Also, yeah, the artwork for the preview stuff does seem to be Transformers Legends. I feel like I've seen that Optimus Prime artwork on his Power of the Prime toyline card too or something similar.
Posted by Sunstar on December 28th, 2017 @ 2:51pm CST
Posted by Sunburnninja on December 28th, 2017 @ 4:20pm CST
Posted by Deadput on December 28th, 2017 @ 6:05pm CST
Edit: Anyways looking forward to a legit non electronic card game that can actually stay around and not get deleted off the face of the Earth.
Posted by Nexus Knight on December 28th, 2017 @ 9:01pm CST
Posted by durroth on December 29th, 2017 @ 7:27am CST
Tyrannacon wrote:XD Yeah. I know! I kept trying to figure a way around it and this was suggested to me by Va'al. So I did and it worked.
Posted by onewaydown on December 29th, 2017 @ 2:26pm CST
Tyrannacon wrote:Also, yeah, the artwork for the preview stuff does seem to be Transformers Legends. I feel like I've seen that Optimus Prime artwork on his Power of the Prime toyline card too or something similar.
Yup. Meg's bot mode art is: http://transformers-legends.wikia.com/wiki/Megatron_(1) His alt mode seems new. The Prime bot seems new, but the alt art is: http://transformers-legends.wikia.com/w ... s_Prime_(3)
So... LOL at "Art for upcoming game" - more like 'here's old art from an old game we repurposed for a new one'.
Posted by onewaydown on December 29th, 2017 @ 2:28pm CST
Nexus Knight wrote:...this is the most amazing thing I've learned all day. The only CCG I've played the Star Trek: Next Generation game and... yeah, it's not cheap to find more cards for the collection.
Duuude. I loved that game - or more that I loved TNG and treated them more like collectibles than a card game. I stopped collecting when they went to V2, though. But have a ton of those sets in my storage.
Posted by WreckerJack on December 29th, 2017 @ 8:15pm CST
The first thing is that the game itself has to be fun to play. That is on the development team so not much we can do there. The second thing is to market the game so it is accessible. I used to play Cardfight Vanguard, which died in my area because people didn't know it existed. The parent company (Bushiroad) didn't do a good job promoting the game and as a result people don't know what it is, despite it being a blast to play.
One of the biggest things is card games need communities in real life - if there is no one to play with the game won't exist. I have seen many cardgames based on successful franchises die because there wasn't enough organized play or none at all. (Like DBZ, Harry Potter, Neopets ect) No one wants to buy cards to a game they can't play because it's hard to find someone to play. Most gamers will decide to go with one of the big 3 because it's easier to find someone else to play with.
Posted by lakebot on January 1st, 2018 @ 10:03pm CST
If Star Wars, Marvel(in multiple incarnations), and LOTR couldn't pull it off or maintain it, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Transformers but not holding my breath.
Posted by WreckerJack on January 2nd, 2018 @ 12:21am CST
Posted by Nexus Knight on January 5th, 2018 @ 12:48am CST
onewaydown wrote:Nexus Knight wrote:...this is the most amazing thing I've learned all day. The only CCG I've played the Star Trek: Next Generation game and... yeah, it's not cheap to find more cards for the collection.
Duuude. I loved that game - or more that I loved TNG and treated them more like collectibles than a card game. I stopped collecting when they went to V2, though. But have a ton of those sets in my storage.
My collection currently sits in three tiny holders. EBay is the only place I can find more sets. I try to only find from the original sets, just because I'm too lazy to try and learn the new rules for the expansion packs.
WreckerJack wrote:There are always niche communities that will play and collect the cards. I'm sure that at Transformers conventions there will be people who play. I'd say if you like the TF card game then play it and seek others who play to grow the game. But also don't be too surprised if it doesn't work out.
That's why I was gifted a twin brother with similar interests.
Posted by Michael Alex Kawa on January 5th, 2018 @ 9:09pm CST
And if the art on the actual cards is anything like the preview pics (I know some are from the Legends mobile game, which I miss playing) that will be so SWEET.
Posted by Va'al on January 22nd, 2018 @ 3:06am CST
Take a look for yourselves below, and follow the link above for more, as we take another look at some of the artwork initially provided when the story broke!
Serial Number: 87758803
Word Mark: TRANSFORMERS
Status: 630 – New Application – Record Initialized Not Assigned To Examiner
Status Date: 2018-01-20
Goods and Services: Card games, trading card games, playing cards and accessories for use therewith
Party Name: Hasbro, Inc.
Party Type: 10 – Original Applicant
Posted by WreckerJack on January 22nd, 2018 @ 5:29am CST
Posted by Epsilon Delta on January 22nd, 2018 @ 6:08am CST
Posted by ZeroWolf on January 22nd, 2018 @ 7:14am CST
Epsilon Delta wrote:I hope they package alt-art cards in the main toyline. They can go back to cutting out the "collector's card with stats" on the box and add a TCG card in there. Maybe even add TCG cards in the comics.
That would be the route to take to help cross sell. Though for all of this to work, they need the card game to be decent.
Posted by dragons on January 22nd, 2018 @ 8:24am CST
Posted by Kyleor on January 22nd, 2018 @ 9:30am CST
Hopefully the card game will be cool/fun, but I'd 100% rather see a Heroclix/Mechwarrior: Dark Age type collectable figure based game come out though.
Posted by ZeroWolf on January 22nd, 2018 @ 12:22pm CST
Kyleor wrote:Fingers crossed this new game doesn't suffer any of the same card manufacturing quality/quality control issues and community issues currently affecting Magic the Gathering.
Hopefully the card game will be cool/fun, but I'd 100% rather see a Heroclix/Mechwarrior: Dark Age type collectable figure based game come out though.
It did have one before didn't it? Around the time of Energon/Cybertron I believe. I don't know how a miniature game would work as far as alt modes would go, as being a core component of the franchise, it would need to be incorporated better
Posted by Chibi Starscream on January 22nd, 2018 @ 12:45pm CST
dragons wrote:As excited I am for transformers I don’t play trading card games any more I don’t see this lasting as long as Pokémon and yugioh
You never know...I never thought Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! would stay relevant either, but here we are in 2018 and the cards are still being produced, enjoyed by many fans and continue to catch on to new generations of players. I myself have collected and played both of these games. I still have several tins snd decks of Yu-Gi-Oh! A Transformers TCG sounds fun and I'd love to see it. I think it has a lot of potential, especially if they can release different expansions and such that can appeal to fans of G1- through the current gen, with a variety of artwork and cool and interesting power up cards, etc.
Posted by Epsilon Delta on January 22nd, 2018 @ 1:27pm CST
Also, even if it doesn't do as well as a TCG, it can become a "collector TCG" with it's established base. That's one of the reasons Pokemon lasted so long. We collected the cards way more than playing the actual game. It could even have an energy element (Energon). As a franchise, Transformers is really comparable. Give me good art, shiny cards, and a simple fun game, and I'll be happy.
Posted by WreckerJack on January 22nd, 2018 @ 3:06pm CST
ZeroWolf wrote:Epsilon Delta wrote:I hope they package alt-art cards in the main toyline. They can go back to cutting out the "collector's card with stats" on the box and add a TCG card in there. Maybe even add TCG cards in the comics.
That would be the route to take to help cross sell. Though for all of this to work, they need the card game to be decent.
I'd agree. Get people hooked and make em buy more toys/books. The nostalgia of buying Shonen Jump to get promo cards is real. I miss yugioh before it went berzerk.
Posted by Epsilon Delta on January 22nd, 2018 @ 4:40pm CST
WreckerJack wrote:ZeroWolf wrote:Epsilon Delta wrote:I hope they package alt-art cards in the main toyline. They can go back to cutting out the "collector's card with stats" on the box and add a TCG card in there. Maybe even add TCG cards in the comics.
That would be the route to take to help cross sell. Though for all of this to work, they need the card game to be decent.
I'd agree. Get people hooked and make em buy more toys/books. The nostalgia of buying Shonen Jump to get promo cards is real. I miss yugioh before it went berzerk.
I was always on the collector's side of Yugioh. One thing Yugioh does well is promo cards in everything. Movie? Promos. Video game? Promos. Magazines? Promos. With Transformers you have a lot of opportunities with toys, movies, videogames, comics, DVDs, and then of course the actual card packs. Promoting the game and awareness of it should be really easy if they went that route. But why do I feel that they will keep it separate?
Posted by Chibi Starscream on January 22nd, 2018 @ 4:44pm CST
Epsilon Delta wrote:WreckerJack wrote:ZeroWolf wrote:Epsilon Delta wrote:I hope they package alt-art cards in the main toyline. They can go back to cutting out the "collector's card with stats" on the box and add a TCG card in there. Maybe even add TCG cards in the comics.
That would be the route to take to help cross sell. Though for all of this to work, they need the card game to be decent.
I'd agree. Get people hooked and make em buy more toys/books. The nostalgia of buying Shonen Jump to get promo cards is real. I miss yugioh before it went berzerk.
I was always on the collector's side of Yugioh. One thing Yugioh does well is promo cards in everything. Movie? Promos. Video game? Promos. Magazines? Promos. With Transformers you have a lot of opportunities with toys, movies, videogames, comics, DVDs, and then of course the actual card packs. Promoting the game and awareness of it should be really easy if they went that route. But why do I feel that they will keep it separate?
One reason might be because Wizards doesn't tend to promote their merchandise like that. Konami owns Yu-Gi-Oh!
Posted by ZeroWolf on January 23rd, 2018 @ 4:45am CST
Posted by WreckerJack on January 23rd, 2018 @ 5:03pm CST
ZeroWolf wrote:Kyleor wrote:Fingers crossed this new game doesn't suffer any of the same card manufacturing quality/quality control issues and community issues currently affecting Magic the Gathering.
Hopefully the card game will be cool/fun, but I'd 100% rather see a Heroclix/Mechwarrior: Dark Age type collectable figure based game come out though.
It did have one before didn't it? Around the time of Energon/Cybertron I believe. I don't know how a miniature game would work as far as alt modes would go, as being a core component of the franchise, it would need to be incorporated better
Searching up "Transformers Card Game" brings up a lot of different things. I have noticed some battle card games (they are not collectable and look more like UNO style card games), what looks to be a TCG game linked with the 4th movie (Which apparently flopped because I did not know the cards existed.)
Lastly I found this Japanese Transformers game and it looks a heck of a lot like Yugioh. https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Scr ... B004LVOW9O?tag=seibertron07-20&
Now that Kyleor mentions it, that does seem worrysome. I have taken a break from Magic because the print quality is utter crap right now. I went to a pre-release for Amonkhet a few months back and within the hour the cards were curling. Some of the players that were under a skylight had to keep moving their cards into the shade because the sun would curl them in under 30 minutes. Some of the cards were all ready curled in the packs, and the ones that were fine curl without sleeves within the day if they aren't sleeved. I don't want to purchase any cards that will "self destruct".
Posted by ZeroWolf on January 23rd, 2018 @ 5:39pm CST
Posted by WreckerJack on January 23rd, 2018 @ 6:01pm CST
ZeroWolf wrote:I haven't played magic for a good couple of years now so it's a bit disappointing to hear that the quality has gone down hill.
This video explains the print quality issues I am concerned about better than I can. I don't wanna sound like I am complaining or get everyone worried. I think its best for people to see with their own eyes what the issues are rather than let them imagine the absolute worst. Some of the cards wind up being fine and other batches end up being flimsy and curled.
Posted by -Soundwave- on February 1st, 2018 @ 11:53am CST
Posted by WreckerJack on April 25th, 2018 @ 10:28pm CDT
After some research we now know that booster packs (each contains 1 oversized Transformers card plus 7 combat cards) and boxes ( contains 30 booster packs) are also on pre order. Please have a look below to see the current items and their descriptions. Their release date is listed as September 21st 2018.
Autobot Starter Deck
Transformers Trading Card Game is the latest tabletop game from Wizards of the Coast – the creators of Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Combining stunning Transformers art with fun, fast and strategic gameplay, this is the perfect entry into TCGs for gamers young and old.
New players are recommended to start with the Autobots Starter Set. This out-of-the-box 2-player experience comes with 4 oversized, foil Transformers cards and a 40-card combat deck. Players can then augment their deck with Booster Packs featuring 1 oversized, foil Transformers card and 7 combat deck cards.
Contains 4 oversized premium Transformers cards, 1 40-card deck.
Booster Box
Transformers Trading Card Game is the latest tabletop game from Wizards of the Coast – the creators of Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Combining stunning Transformers art with fun, fast and strategic gameplay, this is the perfect entry into TCGs for gamers young and old.
Contains 30 boosters. 1 booster contains 1 oversized Transformers card, 7 combat deck cards.
Booster Pack
Transformers Trading Card Game is the latest tabletop game from Wizards of the Coast – the creators of Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Combining stunning Transformers art with fun, fast and strategic gameplay, this is the perfect entry into TCGs for gamers young and old.
1 booster contains 1 oversized Transformers card, 7 combat deck cards.
Posted by ZeroWolf on April 26th, 2018 @ 5:00am CDT
Posted by dragons on April 26th, 2018 @ 6:40am CDT
Posted by Dragonslayer on April 26th, 2018 @ 8:06am CDT
Posted by gothsaurus on April 26th, 2018 @ 9:47am CDT
But I digress.
If the game doesn't seem like a money pit I'll probably jump in.
Posted by Kyleor on April 26th, 2018 @ 11:10am CDT
Posted by Nexus Knight on April 26th, 2018 @ 11:23am CDT
Posted by WreckerJack on April 26th, 2018 @ 7:41pm CDT
Nexus Knight wrote:So, it is only available in the UK right now?
It is a pre-order so it won't be shipped until the release date. People outside of the US will likely have other places to order from before the release date.
I looked on their site and the delivery page does explain some about where they ship to.
https://www.totalcards.net/delivery
Edit - since their shipping page wasn't clear on where they ship to I looked into it and they have a drop down menu of world wide shipping. They say "world wide shipping times" on their page but only list 2 countries which mislead me to believe they did not have world wide shipping, yet they do. Make your information clear people.
Posted by WreckerJack on April 27th, 2018 @ 5:37pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Any word yet on the mechanics for the game yet? And why do I find the part of oversized cards troubling
From what I can tell you choose which characters you want to use and then make up a deck of combat cards. It makes me think of Cardfight Vanguard where a player chooses his or her starting vanguard and then builds off of that. It's not a usual thing in card games but I don't mind.
From what I can tell there appear to be three icons on the top right of the cards in the starter deck picture. I think that those might be attributes of some type. I am guessing it's attack, defense and speed. It's blurry as all get out though the icon on the far right looks like a fist to me.
While the first two characters are Prime and Bee, it looks like the third one is going to be Ratchet. I think I can make out the cross on his shoulder and the windshield chest that he had in his G1/Generations look. This makes me think that perhaps there is a mechanic to recover damage or return characters from the discard pile because Ratchet is not on merch as much as the other characters. I still think there will be a Decepticons starter deck to oppose the Autobot one so I wonder which characters we will see. Considering it may be the same mechanics and abilities just styled different. I would hope that the cons have their own unique cards and effects though rather than just being cookie cutter to the bots.
If it were me I would make the Autobot cards based on synergy and combo-ing off eachother. Similar to how Boros works in Magic the Gathering - very combat focused but smart about it. For the Decepticons I would think they would be more individually powerful rather than working as a team. Of course these decks don't look to be unit based and instead represent combat moves, so it's kinda hard for me to say. Probably some trickster business.
I highly doubt that this game will be super complicated like Magic the Gathering but time will tell. Either way I am excited to get into this!
Posted by ZeroWolf on April 28th, 2018 @ 1:22am CDT
Posted by Acesmcgee on April 28th, 2018 @ 10:54am CDT
Posted by WreckerJack on April 28th, 2018 @ 1:08pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Thanks for the breakdown wrecker I'm going to give it a try still, and I can't see them not bringing out a con deck as that would mean players doing autobot v autobot I can easily see the first three cons as megs, starscream and sound wave.
You are welcome. Again, most of what I said is an educated guess. I don't have an official source for my speculations I just really love cardgames.
Posted by ZeroWolf on April 28th, 2018 @ 3:25pm CDT
Posted by Va'al on July 10th, 2018 @ 11:39am CDT
Today, Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast revealed new details of the upcoming TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game. Players build a new deck composed of TRANSFORMERS character cards (which are twice the size of standard cards and can be flipped from bot-mode to alt-mode and back) and power them up with battle cards.
At launch, players can look forward to the AUTOBOTS Starter Set and Booster Packs to enhance their decks, though fans can get their first look at the game with the Convention Edition at San Diego Comic-Con 2018 where fans can get exclusive cards that are available in limited quantities.
TRANSFORMERS TRADING CARD GAME IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
TRANSFORMERS TCG from Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast to Launch Later in 2018; Fans to Get Sneak Peek with Convention Edition Item at San Diego Comic-Con and Gen Con
PAWTUCKET, RI AND RENTON, WA–JULY 10, 2018 – Hasbro, Inc., a global play and entertainment company, and Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro and the publishers of the seminal trading card game Magic: The Gathering, provided more details today about a trading card game inspired by Hasbro’s iconic TRANSFORMERS franchise: the TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game. Designed for players ages 8 and up, the TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game will be available for purchase in the United States and certain other markets later in 2018.
The TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game is a fast, easy-to-learn action battling card game designed for two players. Players build a team of TRANSFORMERS character cards and power them up with a customizable deck of battle cards. TRANSFORMERS character cards are huge – character cards in the AUTOBOTS Starter Set and Booster Packs are twice the size of standard playing cards, and can be flipped from bot mode to alt mode and back – and feature premium printing treatment on one of their sides. The deck of battle cards features Action and Upgrade cards to enhance TRANSFORMERS character cards.
“The TCG format lets us pull TRANSFORMERS characters from across the brand’s massive history. From Bumblebee to Sunstorm – the game is digging deep into the TRANSFORMERS lore,” said Drew Nolosco, TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game Brand Manager. “We can even focus on different aspects of the same character. Optimus Prime, for example, is immensely powerful in combat, but he’s also a master tactician. The Transformers TCG will let players explore the characters’ depth through engaging and tactical gameplay.”
At launch, TRANSFORMERS fans can look forward to the following:
· AUTOBOTS Starter Set - The AUTOBOTS Starter Set contains cards for two players to begin gameplay, and features OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, IRONHIDE and RED ALERT character cards. It will be available for purchase at retailers in the United States beginning on Sept. 28, 2018, and in certain other markets later in 2018.
· TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game Booster Packs - Players can add to their character card teams and battle card decks for full gameplay with Booster Packs. Each Booster Pack contains 1 TRANSFORMERS character card and 7 battle cards from a pool of 40 character cards and 81 battle cards. Booster Packs will be sold separately and available for purchase at retailers in the United States beginning on Sept. 28, 2018, and in certain other markets later in 2018.
Fans can get a first look at four cards for the TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game in July with the TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game Convention Edition. Limited quantities will be available for purchase at Comic-Con International 2018 in San Diego, Gen Con 2018 in Indianapolis and through the Hasbro Toy Shop at HasbroToyShop.com, where available, after the conventions. The TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game Convention Edition contains two TRANSFORMERS character cards (CLIFFJUMPER – RENEGADE WARRIOR and SLIPSTREAM – STRATEGIC SEEKER) and two battle cards (All-Out Attack and Tandem Targeting System) not available in the AUTOBOTS Starter Set or the TRANSFORMERS Trading Card Game Booster Packs.
Posted by Amelie on July 10th, 2018 @ 11:46am CDT
"Beautiful fembots are waiting to take your call (and your Energon) now! Just dial 0-9000-FEM-PLZ!"
This looks fun. My local comic shop is almost certain to get these in, so I'll dip my toe with a starter set and see if the game takes root...
Posted by ScottyP on July 10th, 2018 @ 12:03pm CDT
Oh good, something that won't fit in 9 pocket sleeves that go into standard binders. UghPlayers build a new deck composed of TRANSFORMERS character cards (which are twice the size of standard cards