by John Carle, May 24 2012 // 12:30 PM

Since their announcement in the upcoming Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, Transformers purists have debated how the Dinobots would fit into the G1 canon storyline for the game. As stated in our previous post which revealed Grimlock in combat and Slug, Snarl and Swoop’s designs, the Dinobots were created on planet earth in the cartoon. Now, High Moon Studios has taken a step in ret-conning Transformers history along with Hasbro by retelling the origin story of the Dinobots in a different way.
As seen below, the game’s director Matt Tieger talks about the process of rewriting history with Hasbro’s blessing and reveals the new origin to the Dinobots for Transformers: Fall of Cybertron. Original a crack special ops unit, the group falls victim to the experiments of Decepticon mad scientist Shockwave. Using a connection to earth (I won’t spoil the whole video for you), Shockwave creates the new designs for the Dinobots.
Take a look below and make sure to give your thoughts on the Dinobots and their new origin story. Stick to The Flickcast for more on the Dinobots and Transformers: Fall of Cybertron before it launches late August of this year for XBox 360 and PlayStation 3.
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Posted in: Activision · Developer Diary · Games · News · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Transformers · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Grimlock, Hasbro, High Moon Studios, Matt Tieger, PC Games, Playstation 3, Slag, Sludge, Slug, Snarl, Swoop, Transformers, Transformers G1, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, Transformers: War for Cybertron, Video Games, Xbox 360
by John Carle, May 10 2012 // 1:45 PM

About a month and a half ago, we covered the announcement of the Transformers Prime series getting its own game coming to all the Nintendo platforms. Today, we have the latest trailer for Transformers Prime featuring all gameplay footage. Though the release date hasn’t been revealed yet, Transformers Prime is slated for later this year, likely after Transformers: Fall of Cybertron.
It’s interesting to see two Transformers games coming out in the same year, though it makes sense as the two have widely different audiences of fans of the same core franchise. Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is built around the classic fan who is now in their later twenties or older. The story is more mature, has a darker art design and features classic versions of characters.
Transformers Prime on the other hand is the Transformers for the current youth generation. The character designs are simpler and brighter and the series has the three young human sidekicks for kids to relate to. Transformers Prime also is coming out for the Wii, DS and 3DS, systems which are skewed towards a younger fanbase.
Check out the trailer below and stick to the Flickcast for more on Transformers Prime coming later in 2012 for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS.
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Posted in: Activision · Game Trailers · Games · Nintendo · Nintendo 3DS · Nintendo DS · Trailers · Transformers · Video Games · Wii
Tagged: Activision, Altron, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Games, Hasbro, Jack, Miko, Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nowpro, Optimus Prime, Raf, Ratchet, Transformers, Transformers Prime, Video Games, Wii
by John Carle, Apr 26 2012 // 7:15 AM

Grimlock. Slag. Snarl. Swoop. Sludge. These are the names of the infamous Dinobots that many of us grew up loving. Having these toys made your Transformers collection the envy of any of your friends. And even though Slag has undergone a slight name change to Slug because of the offensive British slang, the fan favorites continue to make their way to Transformers: Fall of Cybertron.
In the most recent set of screen shots from High Moon Studios, we get to see more of Grimlock in action as well as the reveal of three more Dinobots: Slug, Snarl and Swoop. Still missing so far is Sludge, the robotic Apatosaurus. Slug is seen below in both his robot and Triceratops dinosaur mode as is Swoop who appears in both robotic and pterodactyl modes. Snarl can also be seen below but only in his stegosaurus dinosaur mode. What impact these modes will have on gameplay is still up for discussion and debate as it hasn’t been revealed fully which of the Dinobots, aside from Grimlock, will be playable characters or if they will just be NPCs alongside the player.
Check out the full gallery of screens after the jump and stay tuned to the Flickcast for more on the Dinobots and all news Transformers: Fall of Cybertron including the reveal of Sludge and the Combaticons in the near future. Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is set to come out in late August for the XBox 360 and PlayStation 3.
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Posted in: Activision · Announcements · News · Playstation 3 · Screen Shots · Toys · Transformers · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Grimlock, Hasbro, High Moon Studios, PC Games, Playstation 3, Slag, Sludge, Slug, Snarl, Swoop, Transformers, Transformers G1, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, Transformers: War for Cybertron, Video Games, Xbox 360
by Jonathan Weilbaecher, Apr 24 2012 // 3:15 PM
Stephen Sommers first GI Joe film was a spectacular miss. It had a lot of the right elements in place, but they just failed to come together in any meaningful way. Thankfully some one still sees the potential in what direction Sommers was taking the franchise.
The sequel GI Joe: Retaliation is on the way and it looks like it excised many of the original movie’s problems, as well as many of the original movie’s characters. Here is the official synopsis:
In this sequel, the G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence.
Notice how that synopsis is not very long? This film looks to not be burdened by over complicated plots, and as the new trailer suggests it instead relies on some potentially awesome action. GI Joe works best as a franchise when the action is first and foremost.
In addition to better action the film also boasts a much improved cast, anchored by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who typically excels in these types of roles, and Bruce Willis who is Brice Willis.
Check out the full new trailer after the jump.
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Posted in: Action · G.I. Joe · Hasbro · Movies · News · Paramount · Prequels and Sequels · Trailers · Video
Tagged: Bruce Willis, GI Joe Retaliation, Hasbro, Movies, News, Paramount, Retaliation, Sequel, The Rock, Trailer, Video
by John Carle, Apr 20 2012 // 7:00 AM

Ever since Transformers: Fall of Cybertron was announced, there was one thing on the minds of Transformers fans: the Dinobots. With the reveal of Grimlock at New York Comic Con, speculation has run rampant about what this in canon story will reveal about the origins of the Dinobots. As we saw with Transformers: War for Cybertron, ideas only hinted at in the show were explained such as the fall and rise of Starscream. Now, the team at High Moon Studios gets to do the same for the Dinobots.
While in the original series, the Dinobots were said to be made on earth by Wheeljack and Ratchet, the Marvel comics series had the Dinobots being of Cybertronian origin. The Marvel series did leave this fairly ambiguous though and not many details were given about these origins. This seems like the space that High Moon will be responsible for filling in as Fall of Cybertron takes place long before the Autobots head to earth.
When playing as Grimlock, as seen in the trailer below, players get to experience a more hack and slash based gameplay as opposed to the more third person shooter with occasional melee combat seen in the characters of Transformers: War for Cybertron. Having both a sword and shield, Grimlock lends himself to a more in your face combat style which transitions into the much anticipated tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur form.
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Posted in: Activision · Developer Diary · Game Trailers · Games · Nintendo · Nintendo 3DS · Playstation 3 · Toys · Trailers · Transformers · Video Games · Wii · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Hasbro, PC Games, Playstation 3, Teaser, Transformers, Transformers G1, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, Transformers: War for Cybertron, Video Games, Xbox 360
by Chris Ullrich, Mar 29 2012 // 12:45 PM
Say what you will about the Transformers movies, the game tie-ins are actually pretty fun. Obviously, others thought so to because the first game was a big success and because of that, Activision is creating a new game sequel called Transformers: Fall of Cybertron.
Coming from High Noon Studios, the upcoming game “allows players to experience the darkest hours of the war between the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS as they vie for control of their dying home world.” In the game, players will be able to “fight through both sides of the Transformers’ most epic battles that culminate in their legendary exodus from Cybertron.”
In addition, players in the game “will embark on an action-packed journey through massive, war-torn environments designed around each character’s unique abilities and alternate forms, including GRIMLOCK’s nearly indestructible T-Rex form and the legendary COMBATICONS combining into the colossal BRUTICUS.”
Previously, we brought you the first reveal trailer for the game and now, to help get you ready for the game’s release, we’ve got two new trailers to share today. One is the first actual gameplay trailer and the other takes you behind the scenes to see how things get done.
Check out both trailers after the break. Look for Transformers: Fall of Cyberton to arrive in stores on August 28.
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Posted in: Activision · Game Trailers · Games · News · Video Games
Tagged: Activision, Gameplay, Games, Hasbro, Trailers, Transformers, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
by John Carle, Mar 16 2012 // 11:30 AM
Two Daytime Emmys. A hit toy line. A second season underway and a third already announced. Transformers Prime takes another look at the Transformers mythos to lock in new fans to the franchise’s legacy. It was only a manner of time before the series would be given its own licensed game treatment.
The game will feature franchise stalwarts Optimus Prime and Bumblebee along with others from the series Arcee, Ratchet and Bulkhead along with the human kids Jack, Miko and Raf as they try to of course save earth from Megatron. There is also a fleeting image throughout the trailer of a robot that looks a LOT like Eva-001 from Neon Genesis: Evangelion.
“Hasbro Studios has done a phenomenal job with the TRANSFORMERS PRIMEtelevision show,” said David Oxford, Executive Vice President at Activision Publishing. “We are collaborating closely with the series creators to capture all the adventure, humor and friendships from the show to create an authentic action experience for TRANSFORMERS fans of all ages to enjoy.”
“Hasbro is thrilled to be working with Activision again on an exciting new TRANSFORMERS video game,” said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President of Digital Media and Marketing at Hasbro. “The TRANSFORMERS PRIME animated series has resonated strongly with kids and fans and we’re looking forward to delivering this new way to experience the adventure.”
Though story details are slim at the moment, check out the trailer below for the first glimpse of Transformers Prime: The Game coming to the Nintendo Wii, 3DS and DS from Activision and Nowpro after the jump.
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Posted in: Activision · Announcements · Game Trailers · Games · Nintendo · Nintendo 3DS · Nintendo DS · Trailers · Transformers · Video Games · Wii
Tagged: Activision, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Hasbro, Jack, Miko, Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nowpro, Optimus Prime, Raf, Ratchet, Wii
by Chris Ullrich, Dec 9 2011 // 2:30 PM
I can hear the pitch meeting now. It probably went a little something like this: Peter Berg: “Transformers made a crapload of money, right? Well, this is Transformers on the ocean. See, robots attack ships and try to sink the them.” Studio Exec: “You’re a genius. Here’s a bag of money.”
I don’t know if Battlship will be good or not (probably not) or if Peter Berg is really a genius (I’m guessing no) but I can guarantee the movie will be busy and extremely loud. To prove that fact, please take a look at the new trailer just released today. We have it for you after the break.
In it you see lots of robots and whatnot trying to attack a group of ships at sea. All they wanted to do was have some simple war games and now these damn underseas robots have made this shit get real — or something like that. Does the story really matter? Not much as long as stuff explodes convincingly. Hint: it mostly does.
Peter Berg “directs” a cast of pretty people like Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna and the always cool Liam Neeson (obviously doing this one for the money).
As the trailer says “The battle for Earth begins at sea” on May 18, 2012. Check it out after the break.
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Posted in: Hasbro · Movies · News · Trailers
Tagged: Alexander Skarsgard, Battleship, Brooklyn Decker, Hasbro, Movies, Peter Berg, Taylor Kitsch, Trailers, Transformers, Universal
by John Carle, Oct 28 2011 // 9:00 AM
NYCC this year saw the debut of one of the most nostalgia filled MMO gameplay trailers since Star Wars: The Old Republic. Though we can’t show you the trailer we can tell you about what we saw and what information we were able to get about the game. Transformers Universe is being developed by Jagex, the makers of the free to play fantasy MMO Runescape. Jagex promises an experience meant to appeal both to the masses as well as the Transformers hardcore fan.
Transformers Universe will be a browser based MMO for both the PC and Mac which means no downloads are necessary. It will take place using real world looking cars on a diverse landscape and will be a planet-based experience. So what does that mean? Don’t expect boats or planes just yet for this game. PR people were very careful to only mention driving and not piloting. It may be possible that they may exist in the future but the character creator screen we saw only gave options for cars, trucks and motorcycles thus far.
We have also been promised that Transformers Universe will be a constantly evolving world with huge character customization options. This means that when players pick their side as either Autobot or Decepticon, they will have a massive level of creative control over their character and that the world around them won’t be static. Areas, characters and missions will change and allow for new gameplay experiences instead of repetitive gameplay. Additionally, players will be granted the ability to play alongside iconic characters like Optimus Prime. Similar to the vein of DC Universe Online, players will fight with or against some of the recognizable faces from the Transformers Universe, helping make that individual’s story feel bigger and more important.
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Posted in: Announcements · Comic-Con · First Impressions · Game Trailers · Games · Macintosh · News · NYCC · PC Games · Screen Shots · Transformers · Video Games
Tagged: Hasbro, Jagex, Mac, Mac Games, MMO, New York Comic Con, New York Comic Con 2011, NYCC, NYCC11, PC Games, Runescape, Transformers, Transformers MMO, Transformers Universe
by John Carle, Oct 20 2011 // 10:30 AM
What is the one thing that has been missing from both the recent Transformers game reboot with War for Cybertron and the Michael Bay film franchise? Ponder that for a moment.
Last summer kicked off with Transformers: War for Cybertron, a return to the much heralded Transformers original G1 continuity. And we all know that for purists of a series, continuity is everything. Players got to take on the roles of both the Autobots and Decepticons as their civil war ripped all of Cybertron apart. The rise of Optimus Prime and the decent of Starscream were both key story elements as well as the Autobots being brought down to their weakest moments before the story ended in somewhat of a cliffhanger of the fate of the world.
This summer, High Moon Studios had to step back from the series and put out the Transformers: Dark of the Moon tie-in game, which while good for movie game standards, it was no War for Cybertron. Thankfully, the folks at Activision and High Moon Studios have heard the cry of Transformer fanboys world wide and are continuing with the story we have been hungering for over the past year.
At New York Comic Con, Activision released the first trailer for the game with only this statement:
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Posted in: Activision · Announcements · Comic-Con · Game Trailers · Games · Geek · GeekDown · Hasbro · Nintendo · Nintendo 3DS · Nintendo DS · NYCC · PC Games · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Transformers · Video Games · Wii · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Hasbro, New York Comic Con, New York Comic Con 2011, NYCC, NYCC11, PC Games, Playstation 3, Teaser, Transformers, Transformers G1, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, Transformers: War for Cybertron, Video Games, Xbox 360
by Nat Almirall, Jul 23 2011 // 3:00 PM

Good news, everyone! Somewhere between the Girls Gone Wild and Monopoly 2: Scream, Monopoly, Scream editions, the makers of Monopoly have squeezed out a Futurama Edition, “thrusting the classic board game into the 31st century.”
Players will be able to buy, sell, and trade such hot properties as Mom’s Friendly Robot Company, Planet Express Headquarters, and more, in addition to building Resi-domes and People Hives.
Fans can get a sneak peak of the game during Comic-Con in San Diego at the Fox Booth #4313.
BUY! The Hypnotoad commands it!
Posted in: Comic-Con · Games · SDCC 11
Tagged: Fox, Futurama, Games, Hasbro, Monopoly, Parker Brothers, SDCC, SDCC11
by Nat Almirall, Jul 1 2011 // 10:15 AM

When asked about his role in Jaws 4: The Revenge, Michael Caine once said, “I never saw it—but I saw the house it paid for, and it’s fantastic!” I suspect John Turturro’s been saying something similar for the past four years whenever he’s asked about the Transformers movies. Now we can add John Malkovich and Frances McDormand to that group. And maybe Alan Tudyk.
The plot is as labyrinthine as it is unnecessary. Back in the early 1960s, a ship from war-torn Cybertron (if the Transformers spend all their time fighting, how did they ever evolve?) crashed on the moon. Among the cargo were several “Pillars” that have some sort of significance to the war.
Also, a big, tough Autobot named Sentinal Prime. The White House gets wise to this, and thus we have the impetus for the moon landing (apparently, many historical events were due to Transformers; they don’t get around to revealing that car in which Kennedy was shot was an Autobot, but there may be a fourth film).
Fast-forward to the present day, where the Autobots are now working for the Feds to preserve humanity (how did we ever get along without them?). While on a mission to Chernobyl, Optimus Prime discovers some remnant of the Pillars and decides that it’s high time to revive Sentinal. Also, the Pillars are somehow able to teleport things, which means that it can be used to bring an army of invading Decepticons to earth (according to Frances McDormand, National Intelligence Director).
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Posted in: Dreamworks · Movies · Reviews
Tagged: Alan Tudyk, Dreamworks, Frances McDormand, glenn morshower, Hasbro, Hugo Weaving, John Malkovich, John Turturro, Josh Duhamel, Julie White, Ken Joeng, Kevin Dunn, Leonard Nimoy, Lester Speight, Michael Bay, Peter Cullen, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Shia LaBeouf, Tom Kenny, Transformer: Dark of the Moon, Transformers 3, Tyrese Gibson