Last week we revealed that Activision was preparing a new game in its Transformers series, and that said game would be coming to both the Wii U and 3DS consoles. More details have now emerged, including information on which companies are handling development.
According to Game Informer, Texus-based Edge of Reality is in charge of creating the Wii U edition of Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark, while WayForward Technologies is creating the 3DS version, which will be a "tactical RPG".
Both games are set in the same continuity as Transformers: War for Cybertron and Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, which were created by High Moon Studios — the Activision-owned firm which recently underwent staff reductions following the launch of the disappointing Deadpool. These layoffs are presumably why High Moon isn't involved with these new titles.
Edge of Reality was formed in 1998 by Rob Cohen (Turok: Dinosaur Hunter) and Mike Panoff (Pilotwings 64), and initially worked on the Nintendo 64 before moving onto the PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. In 2009, the studio ported Dragon Age: Origins to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and would later handle the PS3 port of BioWare's Mass Effect.
While Rise of the Dark Spark clearly ties-in with the Cybertron universe, Activision isn't about to miss out on the massive tie-in opportunity that Michael Bay's forthcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction provides. The new game will therefore attempt to marry the worlds of Cybertron and the Hollywood film — for example, you'll be able to play as characters from the movie, including the new-look Dinobot Grimlock.
Now we know a bit more about the game, have your excitement levels increased? The Cybertron titles were good fun, and combining them with the live-action movie universe could create some interesting situations. It's also good to see the Wii U getting a relatively high-profile title instead of being ignored — and anything WayFoward is involved with is worth a look, which should ensure that the 3DS edition is also worthy of investigation. Feast your eyes on the trailer below, and then let us know what you think by leaving a comment.
[source tfw2005.com, via tfw2005.com]
Comments 41
Would rather they had nothing to do with the hideous Bay movies. Miss for me.
I love the War for cybertron series so I'm disappointed about the inclusion of bayformers. They better not mess this game up, I'll be keeping a eye on this one.
So High Moon isn't involved in this game for any platforms? Consider my interest almost zero now. I'm a big fan of Transformers but only High Moon has made competent games based on the property. In fact, I'd say both Cybertron games are very good.
transformers is absolutely horrible.. and i'm not just talking about this upcoming game, i am talking about the whole franchise.. the movies etc.
just terrible, i'd appreciate it if Edge of Reality and WayForward didn't waste their time on this one
just release Shantae and the Pirate's Curse already, please. i'm really looking forward to that game
@Romeo You must have had a sad childhood then....
Im with @Emblem and @Gamer83 on this one. The Cybertron games were pretty good. Not having the original dev team AND aiming for a quick movie cash in are two big nos in my book.
But at least people are getting their oh so beloved 3rd party support now.
Not to get ahead of myself, but to quote the "Gladiator":
"Are you not entertained ?"
Wayforward. This should be good for 3ds
Havent know about edge of reality though
@divinelite Not by current form. Look at e.g Smurfs 2 for a recent movie tie in by Wayforward.
@unrandomsam oh yeah smurf I forgot that one
Well just judge until it eventually released then
I get the whole thing about transformers but I never understood how people like it so much? The Toys are awesome but how is it in media?
@Einherjar
You took the words out of my mouth with Gladiator.
Since it's a movie tie-in, not interested that much.
But because Wayforward is involved, will be nice to read the review for the 3DS version at least.
High Moon did some great games so hopefully this one could keep the same level even if different devs are making these now.
If its anything like war for cybertron it will be brilliant! Finally some potentially good wiiu news concerning third party! If any wiiu owner has enjoyed the previous cybertron games then I urge them to buy this and dont do the usual nintendo approach of "il wait for smash bros/mario kart/any 1st party effort" otherwise this studio will give the wiiu a miss too
I would be so much more interested if it didn't link with the awful movies by the dreadful Michael Bay. Once again, I'll most likely be skipping a Transformers game.
I only skipped War and Fall because of funds and I'm not interested enough to go out and buy them now.
@Artwark The modern movies are a bit rubbish, but the G1 TF (1984 to around 1990) were amazing.
Behold!
Transformers only became interesting with Michael Bay's versions to me. The series always ranged from boring (original, Prime) to flat-out silly (Beast Wars... yeah), so I appreciate the fact that Bay at least brought some degree of self-respect to the franchise, though the plots (and plotholes) were sloppy.
Do we know who is developing the actual game?
Am I the only one who actually likes the transformers movies? Except for 3, which was too much cheesecake speech bubble stuff for it to work.
The trailer doesn't seem to be an rpg, leading be to think the game could feature a nice hybrid of gameplay styles... this may just be worth our time as a game.
I'm really looking forward to this as long as they keep the movie story out if it, there's just no way to marry the two stories. I'm fine with using the character designs from the movies though.
@erv I like them too, but I though 3 was great. The 3DS version is also the RPG version, the trailer is for the console version is a shooter.
Interesting Wayforwards making the 3DS version looking forward to how it turns out. I also like all of the Transformer movies including animated one looking forward to Age of Extinction.
@Kaze_Memaryu It may seem that Beast Wars was silly but coming from someone who has seen just about everything Transformers related it's the best of the entire series imo! It had the best story of all of them and was darker and more edgy! Also some of the very first computer generation of its time but still looked good. By the 3rd season they really started to figure out how to do the visuals! The originals are also great like damo posted above. Some more have been hit or miss but as a whole they wouldn't be making so many different versions if people weren't watching them. I would say there is about 10-15 different versions you can watch now ad that's crazy for any series!
As for the game I might give is a spin. I've actually never played a Transformers game as either they been bad on systems I own or the good ones I didn't own the system to play them on. Still as far as gaming goes it needs to be a really good game for me to play it even beinging a hugh Tansformers fan because there is to many other great games to play!
cant wayforward take on wiiU version? I dont like any games they made. :C
Haven't played a Transformers game since the first one, I liked it tho. If reviews are good I'll get it.
All these people getting a mardy over Highmoon not doing the game seem to forget that they did Dark of the moon and Deadpool, so it's not like they have a perfect record either.
And this is NOT a movie tie in but bridges the gap between bayformers and the cybertron games. I think I'll make my mind up about the game when more information comes out rather then make my purchasing decision because a studio with a spotty track record isn't making it!
I'm mega stoked about these games!!! And it IS nice to see the Wii U getting a big name title from a 3rd party dev/publisher, ISN'T IT (nudges/elbows everyone in the comments for this article to shut up and be thankful)?! Thank u Activision, please don't let The Amazing Spider-man 2 game suck! More than likely I'll have both versions of Rise Of The Dark Spark.
All the whining about the Bay movies! You all do realize the movies are based on a toy franchise, right? As in toys for kids, right? What do you expect the movies to do? I enjoyed all of them for what they were. Entertainment. When movies are made, there is no time to go into a dep backstory that the few thousand superfans want to see. Everything must fit into a 1 1/2 hour movie, so compromises need to be made. Even the awkward decision to have Shia LeDouche in the movie was balanced by having Megan Fox...
if the wii u version has no online or coop or anything where me and buddys can play sorry but i will just get it for another console ... i can guarantee that is going to be the case just like every other wii u port... WATERED DOWN...
@Shworange But its exactly that. Peole are "just" crying for 3rd party support above all else, but never say WHAT exactly they want. So, pretty much everything will fit the bill right ? There are even people crying over the cancelation of collonial marines on WiiU, because it would have been 3rd party support...
Sure, we all do not know how this game will turn out, but the words "Activision isn't about to miss out on the massive tie-in opportunity that Michael Bay's forthcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction provides" rings all kinds of alarm bells. And if history has prooven one thing, than its that quick movie tie ins are shovelware at best.
Also, the fact that it is probably mainly developed for the new consoles means that every other console will get a watered down version. I dont think that such a massive port job will get the needed attention.
And thats why original games are way more important to the WiiU than ports. And these take time and effort, something rarely seen by the so called 3rd partys these days.
I've never played a single TF game for some reason. I guess I suppose it's a good thing nobody seems to touch Beast Wars, aside from that Blockbuster exclusive game that nobody has played.
Right, a couple of things, first off
WFC and FOC were great games, but I think high moon may of just had a bit of luck or the real brains that were there have left, because their 2 most recent games, deadpool and transformers DOTM were absolutely terrible.
I mean come on HOW DO YOU MESS UP A DEADPOOL GAME !?
Wayforward and transformers sounds like it could be a good mix, these are the guys that made the only good aliens game.
And lastly, who the hell are edge of reality ? and are they making all console versions ?
That looks pretty rad to me! I played the other games on Xbox 360, so it will be awesome to get this on WiiU!
@erv
No, you're not. I had moderate interest in Transformers as a kid, but the new movies REALLY grabbed my interest. Very well done, and entertaining. Surprised so many people here hate them. Then again, no, no I'm not.
I avoid movie tie-ins like the plague, but I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a very intriguing trailer...
@I-AM-REGGIE Edge of Reality are the guys that made Tony's Hawks Pro Skater 2 and 3, and the Mass Effect Trilogy. They're making this game for all consoles.
@Romeo @Artwark Hey watchit!! That's my childhood you're dissing!! Yes, nowadays Transformers kind of sucks (mostly due to those disgusting college sex focused, sad excuses for transformers movies), but the old cartoons and comics are the reason why everyone loves them!! I remember when I bought season 1-6 ish of the old cartoons for a tenner (!!!!) from HMV, best purchase of my life so far whenever I go into forbidden planet (my local comic/nerdiness shop) I always check for transformers comics, I love their gritty and detailed environment and the way they portray the action, they're all round awesome! So I'd advise you to look deeper than Hollywood next time, or ask your dad xD
oh, and for the record I'm only 16 so don't think its only appreciated by nostalgic 30 year olds!
I'm pretty sure High Moon is working on the other versions. These guys are just doing the port job to Wii U, since Wii U is the least relevant home console at the moment and would be a waste of resources for the main team to work on.
Anyway, I'm also pretty sure that this will be just like the Cybertron games, but with instances where you will hop into the world of the movies and control the robots there.
This doesn't look too bad, but the quick cash in to the movie might make it a miss as far as single player goes. Multiplayer though was always fun in the cybertron games, so if that gets included with some decent stage design it could be a day one buy for me anyway
@Damo bahweepgrahnahweepninnibon?
i will get this if the reviews for it are good or spiderman 2 is pathetic then i will give this game a try maybe.
The last couple of transformer games were good. Fall of Cybertron was amazing, so the bet not mess this up.
The War for Cybertron and the Fall of Cybertron looked really fun and intense, so hopefully( if they make it right ) this one will be just as good! I'll be looking out for this one.
I have high hopes for a unique experience on the 3DS. Let's Hope WayForward does screw this one up!
WayForward has DEFINITELY made some shoody games as of late, lets hope that this wont be the same, but almost any game they touch that isnt one of their own is either way too short or crappy or a combo of both, that said I know the next shantae will be fantastic
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