Cyberworld

[LordGigaIce]

Stealing Steevy Maximus' post, but only in the name of justice forum organization. Sabrblade is right, Cyberworld needs its own thread.

Transformers: Cyberworld First Look

Just in from X is what seems to be our first look at Transformers: Cyberworld! This poster shows illustrations of the following characters: Optimus Prime Bumblebee Grimlock Megabull (Megatron?) See it after the break and stay tuned for more!

news.tfw2005.com

We have some character art on display, but will probably see some full reveals shortly.

 

[Sabrblade]

Also bringing over other Cyberworld content from that thread:

Oh, Did I manage to stumble onto a viable theory?

Since we don't have any firm info and all the discussion has been here, a new set of leaked images have come out featuring what very much looks like Megatron which transforms into a bull. Fortunately, there are prototypes of assorted Voyager figures in the same images, allowing us to guesstimate the approximate size of the figure. My best estimation is that he appears comparable to the Weaponizer/Combiner figures featured in Rise of the Beasts, giving a modicum of credence to my above theory.

Cyberworld Megabull Possible First Look

Continuing on with our news for new Transformers series Cyberworld, it seems we may now have our first look at one of the line's toys - Megabull, in both robot and bull modes. Whether this is the same "Meg Bull" from the listings we got previously remains to be seen. Notably the figure's head...

news.tfw2005.com

I'm a big disappointed in the lack of any sort of elbow joint. If nothing else, I think it would have made the beast mode more compelling being able to AT LEAST rotate the front arms, if not add a double joint for some beast articulation. But I just dig the idea of some real creativity, and there are clear ports on the lower arms, indicating some sort of accessory or combination feature.



In digging through the TFW2005 forum thread, a number of posters have found additional products and info bits not previously revealed:
Nune found a listing for Ultimate CC Megatron with a converted price of about $26 (CC is likely short for "Cyber Changer"), while he and Chip have been digging through retail systems like Amazon and converting pricing information. Further, nune has found ASIN numbers for several figures, including Megabull, Snarl, Skybyte, and OP CLASSIC (seemingly replacing the Offroad version initially leaked).
Here's a rough overview of the info they seem to have found:
Cyber Changers (9.99)- Megabull, Snarl, Skybyte, Optimus Prime. Mirage is MIA and might be a second wave release.
Armored Cyber Changers ($14.99)- Galvatron. No other listings have shown up in this price range, but I'm guessing he'll be complimented by an Autobot figure
Ultimate Cyber Changer Megatron ($24.99?)- I expect an Optimus to compliment this release.
Chomp and Battle Grimlock ($29.99?)- Amazon Link
Scorponok Strike Battle ($99.99?)

I'm starting to lean towards Cyberworld being an "Evergreen" type kids line so Hasbro becomes less reliant on individual media initiatives. With One and Earthspark's lackluster performances, I can see Hasbro scaling the cartoon lines down and double down on Cyberworld as an ongoing concern. With links starting to go active on retailers, we should be finding out more in the next couple months. Probably a big reveal in March with Toy Fair.

Some additional character listings, including Armored Chop Shop (?!)

Transformers TRA CYBERWORLD CC OP Offroad- 5010996327444
Transformers TRA CYBERWORLD CC Starscream- 5010996327567
Transformers TRA CYBERWORLD CC BB Offroad- 5010996327574
Transformers TRA CYBERWORLD CC ELITA1- 5010996327598
Transformers TRA CYBERWORLD CC WHEELJACK- 5010996327581
Transformers TRA CYBERWORLD Armor CHOP Shop- 5010996327451

 

[Haywire]

We've seen the Megatron/bull figure somewhere recently, too, haven't we?(EDIT: yeah, in the quoted post) Seems like some interesting designs, if the execution is decent.

 

[LordGigaIce]

We've seen the Megatron/bull figure somewhere recently, too, haven't we? Seems like some interesting designs, if the execution is decent.

x.com

x.com

 

[Sabrblade]

It's funny how TakaraTomy is also doing their own separate animal-themed TF line at roughly the same time as this one from Hasbro.

 

[LordGigaIce]

Optimus and Bumblebee don't seem to be animal themed though.
So I'm pretty curious what the deal is.

Would be pretty nifty if they just randomly decided to throw back to the RiD '01 dynamic of Autobots vs Predacons.

 

[unluckiness]

I just feel like the Cyberverse-Cyberworld title dynamic will end up like the Wii to the Wii-U.

Wonder if Megatron is a Unicron minion in this one hence the horns. Or he could just be a furry, I guess.

 

[LordGigaIce]

Or he could just be a furry, I guess.

Worked for Shockwave!

 

[Sabrblade]

Wonder if Megatron is a Unicron minion in this one hence the horns. Or he could just be a furry, I guess.

Bulls do have horns, too.






...Which would make them the perfect beast mode for Unicron.

 

[unluckiness]

I dunno. You could probably make a straight repaint of this and it'd look the part.

 

[Haywire]

View attachment 25637
I dunno. You could probably make a straight repaint of this and it'd look the part.

They almost did something like that:

Unicron's subordinate - Transformers Wiki

tfwiki.net

 

[Blot]

I think it's funny they made the connection to Unicron and retooled the head to remove the horns.

 

[lastmaximal]

Optimus and Bumblebee don't seem to be animal themed though.
So I'm pretty curious what the deal is.

Would be pretty nifty if they just randomly decided to throw back to the RiD '01 dynamic of Autobots vs Predacons.

Or the RID2015 dynamic of animalistic Decepticons (with some having full-on beast modes).

A stretch, I guess. I just really want that line back and those great designs to get another shot.

 

[Steevy Maximus]

From the same source as the original display leak, full details on Cyberworld, including show and toy reveal dates! Reportedly, Cyberworld will be revealed on February 1st!

x.com

x.com

Since their creation, Transformers have encouraged and inspired kids across the globe to use their imagination and create inventive worlds for the transformative vehicle-soldiers to fit within. It's been their calling card for years, and it's only increased as the toys have evolved into true mechanical wonders. Now, Hasbro is kicking it up a notch with the release of CYBERWORLD, a fresh, stylized toy line visually inspired by Mecha Anime, where Transformers bots of all kinds get dropped into one combined world made of diverse regions. Here, kids will be able to devise their own Transformers storylines that cross characters between the well known worlds and lore, allowing them to create new team ups, battles, and action. Since this is a major release, Hasbro's going to be premiering it at this month's Nuremberg Toy Fair, where the toys will be revealed alongside an upcoming YouTube Series, and they're looking for YOU to help capture footage of the toys from the toy fair and use it to reveal CYBERWORLD to the rest of the world.

 

[Steevy Maximus]

Also, they're making a big deal about being inspired by mecha anime, but they won't just let Trigger do a damn series after that fantastic short?!

 

[Undead Scottsman]

From the same source as the original display leak, full details on Cyberworld, including show and toy reveal dates! Reportedly, Cyberworld will be revealed on February 1st!

x.com

x.com

This reads like they wanted to cash in the multiverse craze but multiversal stuff became passe right as they started going into production so they had the couch their words.

 

[unluckiness]

This sounds like Marvel's Secret Wars but Transformers. Which was probably what Legacy would have been if it had a plot.

 

[Steevy Maximus]

This reads like they wanted to cash in the multiverse craze but multiversal stuff became passe right as they started going into production so they had the couch their words.

Pffft, Transformers totally did it first back in ‘03!


This is going to be a bit “stream of conscious-y”, but I have assorted thoughts on what we’ve seen:
-To me, this very much feels like a play at a more “Evergreen” type product range than we’ve seen in a while. Between the mixed response to recent media products, I kind of get the feeling Hasbro is aiming this as something they can put just a modest amount of investment in every year and keep it going to “buffer” off-years in the other segments (the media driven kids stuff and the collector centric stuff). To me, it’s comparable to Bandai’s “Build Fighters” sub-franchise of Gundam-something they can use to spice up the sales with some new kits and some modest media investment.
-The positioning of the of new line in the display I don’t think was accidental. I think Hasbro might be trying to “bridge” the kids segment (and their, largely, simpler and gimmicky range) with the characters more associated with the collector range, possibly bringing more fans into that segment.
-I’m mildly concerned with the “YouTube Series” mention. First off, it’s nothing new in the market; Disney hasn’t made a dedicated “action kids show” (not aimed at preschoolers or old farts like us) for any Marvel property in nearly 5 years. The last few years of Avengers (not movie) toys have largely been supported by YouTube shorts, and this year’s DC Metal Force seems to be following the same pattern. But it remains to be seen how much Hasbro actually invests in it. Going with the Gundam reference, again, Bandai hasn’t been shy about doing well animated ”Micro Series” like Battlelogue or Metaverse. However, given Hasbro’s track record, we might well see another round of media on par with CyberVERSE (Or worse, like the Machinema Trilogy!). Then again, Cyberverse didn’t seem to do so bad in the sales area, so…
-The reference to “mecha anime” is still weird to me. The designs (likely box art for toys) doesn’t seem any more “mecha” than baseline Transformers. And certainly far less “stylized” than many recent cartoons. I can’t help but wonder if that “stylization scaleback” is what the mecha reference is referring to (and holding onto hope that the associated media will have some nice visual pop). I wonder if we’re just seeing a push on some level to make the brand more consistent, therefore, moving away from the stylized nature the (main) cartoons have largely adopted since 2007. That call out is largely what made me think of how Gundam and the Build Series seems to exist And how it might be what Hasbro is eyeing for Cyberworld.

 

[lastmaximal]

I feel a light pang of concern at how this will play out, as very little in that entire press release seems appealing to me. This is almost certainly because I'm obviously not the target audience, and partly informed by how it's partly couched in promotionese.

I wouldn't be surprised if this were a minimal YouTube series lightly promoting an app/game designed around modular storytelling, where you import your toys by scanning them in, a la RID2015. That sounds fairly thin, but makes sense as a mixed/multifaceted strategy.

As with the last few series, the toys are going to be what I pay attention to. (All this time later and I'm STILL talking myself into watching more Cyberverse. That first season does it NO favors in terms of interest, and the animation is likewise ehh.) That Megabull looks good, and the explicit goal of making the series open to a variety of designs is potentially interesting. But I'm leery of the Prime and Bee designs, which have that aggressively bland vibe the Authentics stuff does (and those giant tires on Prime's arms are not winning me over).

 

[Sabrblade]

(All this time later and I'm STILL talking myself into watching more Cyberverse. That first season does it NO favors in terms of interest, and the animation is likewise ehh.)

Do watch it. It gets significantly better as it goes on, with Season 1 improving dramatically in its second half (the first really good episode generally agreed to be Episode 10), Season 2 kicking things into high gear and doing away with everything that inhibited Season 1, Season 3 being simply phenomenal, and Season 4's two hour-long specials serving as satisfying bonus epilogues.