Sidebar: The Demise of Transformers Universe

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In a series I'll probably not do again any time soon, I take some time out to post my thoughts about Transformers Universe, and the announcement of its inevitable shutdown on January 31st of 2015.

[@SilimSavertin]

Fall of Cybertron Multiplayer remains as an alternative for blowing each other up in the Transformers universe, thankfully.

[@Megaxenomorph]

Unless you're on PC, where there's no multiplayer community at all.

[@captinobvious4705]

KobayashiMaru87 :(

[@ryvrdrgn15]

Executive meddling isn't a myth. These types crumble in front of investors/CEO and make big promises to ward off the anger due to low returns. They easily reach a point of "Screw the game, do this and earn the money back no matter what!" when things don't work out their way. Most of these people are not developers or that knowledgeable about gaming as they are senior managers primarily. 11 years in online game publishing. Same story every time.

[@MunkkyNotTrukk]

I get the feeling that Transformers: Universe took longer to develop than Hasbro executives were comfortable with. They wanted it to tie in with the Transformers: Prime TV show; the game was in development when the show was in its first season, fast forward two years, the last episode of Transformers: Prime airs in October 2013 and.......the game was still in development and open beta with no clear release date in sight for more than a year after the show's end. It feels like Hasbro underestimated how long it actually takes to develop a game the size of Transformers: Universe.

[@ChaoticPesme75]

I wasn't even aware of the original plan for the game ! The TPS arena shooter was allright, but the open world MMO would have been (potencialy) awesome ! Damn you Hasbro !

[@maugos]

Wow, I'm not even a fan of Transformers or these types of games and I feel bad for everyone who liked this game.

[@DudeTh3Man]

"Each Autobot had an exact Decepticon counterpart".. Not true at all. Only the freebies were mirrors. Example, Catapult has an ability called "Phase Chamber". It allowed her attacks to bypass enemy shields completely for it's duration. None of the Decepticons get this ability. Including her counterpart Dust Storm. That's obviously just one example there are more. The two factions were not equal. Assuming you spent as much time with the game as you say. It seems odd that you didn't notice the faction imbalances.

[@ZoidsBN0]

They need to make an MMO Transformrs game. A lot like the DC Universe formula. Craft your own characters, run through the levels, pvp with your own custom made bot. Set it in the time of the War of Cybertron. But I know that the licencing is hell and this idea will never ever happen.

[@PaDiYaFLAME]

Us TransFans were waiting so long for a Transformers MMO too, this was such a disappointment.

[@rone1flu]

A Transformers MMO, man I was so behind an idea like that, but I would be lying if I said that I didn't what happened coming. As a Transformers fan I had found out about it on day one, and info on how the game would work stopped, I knew bad things were coming. Oh well, the game they did make was ok, it just felt like the PS2 Transformers games to me.

[@CynicallyObnoxious]

Same I was hyped for the MMO and honestly as a MOBA it did fail but I played it for about a day I found it novel and cute nothing more

[@SodaOgre]

See, its stuff like this that makes fans turn to reverse engineering servers in order to keep the game alive (I'm looking at you Konami and the debacle that was Metal Gear Online 1&2) (Also while I'm at it, I'm looking at you too, Capcom and Resident Evil Outbreak Files). I do remember hearing about some European ruling making it law to provide a means to play games online after the servers are shut down, not sure if that ever passed or not. Either way, shame to see this go, especially when the fans clearly wanted it.

[@aza454]

still waiting for something to pick up on this formula... I was highly addicted to this still miss it so much

[@bruh-vy1qn]

The silence from the Deva before shutdown...Sounds like Fusionfall, but with less wait time

[@The1Helleri]

I may have said this before on this channel. But, even if I have, I think it is worth saying again... Jagex stands for "Just About the Game Experience". But, it should (more reasonably) be called Jarex, as in "Just About the Runescape Experience". Because, as much as they would like to believe other wise. They are not a traditional game studio that happens to publish Runescape. They formed around a game (Runescape) that already existed. And, what they really are is that games custodians. They have been trying to make a Mech MMO happen since 2006. And, have re-envisioned the project 3 times. Each time abandoning millions of dollars of work for one reason or another. Had they just put that money and resources into Runescape. They would have probably been a lot better off. They don't have what it takes to do anything else. Plain and simple. They need to accept that they are a one trick pony. And, just learn to be happy with that. Because, it's no small success.

[@BygPhattyPlus]

To be honest, I saw it coming, too. I had played ti for a bit, but the limited areas and unbalanced way it felt, it wasn't gonna last long. If the suits hadn't meddled in it and left it as an open world MMO, it might have lasted.

[@Megaxenomorph]

Ah crap, that sucks... Well at least I got to have a game with you before it went away.

[@Meagretron]

DEMISE DEMISE DEMISE! Step on those toes! You said it all and hit the nail on the head in the first 50 seconds

[@Meagretron]

BTW - The warriors weren't exactly mirrored for each faction - there were slight variations for equipment. None of this matters now. I'm still trololololing about the offline version the community are trying to make

[@Nazzul]

A vibration in my pants told me about your video. :o

[@apex2000]

Not only is this crashing and burning bad, but with all the rights and stuff. I means we won't get to see a transformers MMO. heck i remeber back when MMOs where a new Genre and people spoke of Transformers being a franchise that could fit.

[@slothsong080]

I've never heard of this game (And I'm new here), but this game sounded/looks awesome. I would have been so down to play a Transformers MMO. Now I'm kind of sad they made it worse, then cut the cord. This game could of been really awesome.

[@marcpascal4586]

Oh god damn it. This is just like another good game based on giant ass robots fighting each other that got paned called HAWKEN. Why are games like this just being forgotten by their devs despite them being better than a lot of games out there???? Maybe its because of the lack of income or something like that but this is squandered potential. It's sad.

[@ShadowWolfRising]

they should have made an MMORPG instead. imagine an open world with thousands of Transformers running around.

[@Princess_Narii]

Dont get me wrong i loved this game it played fantastic and it gameplay wise was incredible fun to play But things i think killed off the game Initally i think dev for this game began after the announcement of DC Universe and making a great competitor in the Transformers world So thats why i think they called it Transformers Universe. They announced a big mmorpg which is great and cool and all but i do think even for jagex it was to much of a project to properly do without losing dev power on runescape So they changed it in to probably the First actual hero shooter that is not TF1/2 This game if released with the right marketing would have been HUGE But they announced the game to early WAY to early. So you marketed the game and all the fans watching this game are mmorpg fans not Moba fans And yes i do think alot of moba fans also enjoy hero shooters. Im a big moba fan and i also love overwatch for example!! Thus you marketed the game towards the wrong genre and after they re announced the game they never properly marketed the game anymore so nobody really heard of it after the innitial one. Meaning that all the MMO fans left and the hand full of fans that play more then 1 genre remained So the installment was small but i dont think that was the main issue. I think the biggest issue where the founder packs. Cause i Remember that after those got announced i quited i got insanely angry for even daring to ask for such outragious prices. But besides all its flaws The game it self was loads of fun even the closed and open beta had alot of polish. I would love to point out that THAT GAME was a Browser game that did not require ANY plugins. You opened it it had a little loading screen and you where in and the game ran insanely smooth and you can see it on his screen. Combat was fun and very interesting. This game 100% certain with the right team behind it would have been a MAYOR succes!! And probably the Overwatch. if it would have pulled through!!

[@SelfAndRighteous]

The factions didn't have exact copies. Did you ever play any bots other than the free starters? They were they only "exact" copies.

[@timmer919hep]

Wait...what? Runescape is still a thing?!?

[@BuFFoTheArtClown]

Go to twitch and watch runescape players. It's in the top 10 games in viewership all the time.

[@timmer919hep]

...oh god...why?!?

[@BuFFoTheArtClown]

timmer919hep It's a free game, and it is part of many people's childhoods, so they constantly go back to playing it. On twitch, people like to watch personalities play their favorite games. I don't like Runescape, but I have my own childhood games I go back to form time to time that are complete crap, so I understand it's appeal.

[@timmer919hep]

BuFFoTheArtClown I was more thinking about like "current" Runescape. I know about the "Classic" servers and such. I can understand people watching Classic Runescape since everyone played that...even I sunk dozens of hours into it back in the day... I put 2 and 2 together as people were coming in droves to watch "current" Runescape.

[@Coruptin]

the fact that transformers prime ended in october 2013 might have something to do with it shutting down. the game has been something of a joke in a transformers fandom for a while.

[@Pokerit]

Did you ever hit 50 on FFXIV?

[@RIDDICK0911]

I never liked "Transformers" franchise, but the game looked very good for a browser MMO and fun2play. Pity it was canceled.

[@Shagrath06]

Nice!

[@RIDDICK0911]

"Nice" what? You didn't even watched the video, just say it.

[@Shagrath06]

I did, I love MMO Grinder. Nice! - as nice, new video from Chaos D1! I am refreshing MMO Grinder page ever day to see if there's new episode there :D My fav so far are LOTRO, ArcheAge, FF XIV and SWTOR full episodes (reviews).

[@blackham7]

I though it was just gonna be a cool open world mmorpg where I can be my own transformer not a MOBA

[@Clutzydoo]

Jagex can't make a product that works. Its just impossible for them.

[@KRiderMan1248]

Hmm a Transformers themed LOL clone or better yet Heroes of the storm would be pretty awesome. Just doing exactly what LOL does would make enough money from the Transformers fans to keep it free to play and not pay to win. So long as they stay away from the Bayformers look. Ugh

[@argenthellion]

"Take potential income from runescape" ?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!??!?!?!?!?! Devoted gamers abandoned runescape ages ago...

[@The1Helleri]

Nikola Silvers You are almost entirely wrong. In fact the Runescape Team worked with a lot of their local veteran players who had quit playing the game to release legacy mode (a deep running skin for the game that makes it look, feel, and play as it did with the 2007 UI). This has brought a flood of players back to the game. As well as the release of Iron Man and Hardore Iron man modes. They apologized to the players for the events of 2013. Then rededicated to letting players drive development with the power to the players polls (weekly in game polls where players vote on development direction decisions effecting all levels of play). And this year they will be taking another crack at making a true Runescape 3 happen (which will mean an actually new game engine). And, they will be releasing RuneLabs (a better system of player idea submission, peer approval and polling). And, all that is after they reworked the broken combat system from the ground up. And, released an entirely new and deep customization interface. Already 2014 brought players the long awaited monster drop table revamps, the Elf City, Updates to old skills (with more to come). New quests at every level of play. They have reduced botting and rwt by as much as 93% (and are staying on top of it). Just to name a few of many many things in 2014 and the start of this year. The game is seing a heavy resurgence in numbers. And, is probably healthier then it has ever been.

[@argenthellion]

***** Wow, thanks for the detailed update :) I abandoned the game ages ago simply because I couldn't keep up everyone who exploited the system, but, everyone deserves a second chance, so I might give it a try when I get around to it.

[@The1Helleri]

Another thing to know (depending on when you quit exactly) is that free trade and old wildy are back. Players were so mad with that, Jagex decided to put it to an irrevocable vote. And, players overwhelmingly voted back free trade and old wildy (free players with accounts made in 2011 or later. which now make up about 15%, still have some restrictions until they pay in at least once. But, that ain't so harsh. considering that is where botting starts). The game is a lot more commercialized now. Cosmetic cash shop (Not P2W). And, a stupid little log in to win game (treasure hunter). But, there are good sides to that as well. Like Bonds...which are basically the same as EVE Onlines PLEX (except with a big built in deflation oriented gold sink). Meaning you can actually earn your membership with in-game play. And, yeah. there is an ability bar now. But there are several modes of play (including legacy) that let you pretend like it doesn't exist if you don't like it. If you decide to try it again and need help getting re-acclimated hit me up here.

[@geoff7414]

when i first heard of this game as a open world mmo i thought cool it sounded then they reannouced it as a moba and i lost interest

[@thevlaka]

lmao @ anyone who was actually invested in this garbage.