This article has been updated since it was first posted 12.18.2009. Please scroll down for the most recent news.
On December 16th, Hasbro and Activision issued a press release for the Transformers: War For Cybertron video game which is being developed by High Moon Studios (Darkwatch, The Bourne Conspiracy):
“Transformers: War for Cybertron is an origins story, taking players on a gripping, adrenaline-fueled journey that precedes the TRANSFORMERS characters’ arrival on Earth,” said Rob Kostich, head of marketing, licensed products, Activision Publishing, Inc. “The game transports players to a living, metallic planet where they will battle as giant converting robots in single player, online co-op or head-to-head multiplayer matches that are fully immersive from start to finish.”
“For the first time, Hasbro is working with Activision to drive the TRANSFORMERS fiction forward into new story arcs, demonstrating pivotal moments in Transformers history that defined who they are,” said Aaron Archer, Senior Design Director, Hasbro.
Transformers: War for Cybertron features two distinct storylines: the AUTOBOT campaign tells a story of heroism to save their home planet against overwhelming odds, and the DECEPTICON campaign tells a story of an unquenchable thirst for power to control the universe. For the first time in a TRANSFORMERS title, fans will be able to play the game with their friends through team-based online co-op, or go head to head in a variety of intense, online multiplayer game modes.
Following up on the press release, Transformers fan site TFW2005.com interviewed Archer and High Moon Studios Game Director Matt Tieger, who offered more details on the game as well as some production art.
When asked if any “familiar voices” would be “returning for the game, Tieger responds:
I think there is a law against making a TF game without Peter Cullen. Side note: he is awesome to work with, his voice is undeniably Optimus.
Transformers: War For Cybertron is due for release sometime in 2010 for the Playstation 3, XBOX 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, and PC.
And here’s the debut teaser trailer in HD:
UPDATE: 12.31.2009 — TFW2005.com reports (via a GameInformer.com podcast):
Many of the G1 actors are coming back to reprise their original roles. A formal announcement will be made at a later date in 2010; however, Peter Cullen is confirmed as Optimus Prime.
UPDATE: 1.13.2010 — IGN has debuted an exclusive 2-minute trailer for the game, with narration by Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime.
Although this is an FMV and not actual in-game footage, a Transformers fan like myself can’t help but geek out at the sight of seeing Starscream, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Megatron in action. And zOMG!!!111!!! Trypticon and Omega Supreme too!
Megatron speaks in this trailer as well, sounding unlike Frank Welker‘s original and more like a sound-alike for Hugo Weaving, the voice of Megatron in the last two live-action movies.
I don’t know who the voice is, though, and neither Activision nor High Moon Studios have announced any other cast to date besides Cullen. My guess is Fred Tatasciore, who’s voiced similar-sounding characters in the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game (Demolishor, Devastator, Grindor) as well as many other TV series, movies and video games.
If you have any other guesses who the voice might be, please post a comment below.
In related Transformers movie news, Collider.com reports that Transformers 3 will begin filming in May 2010, and is expected to release to theaters in July 2011.
Source: TFW2005.com
Related news: 12.11.2009 — Michael Bell Talks New Transformers Series
January 3, 2010 @ 6:31 pm
Awsome, I can’t wait for this to come out.