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The Transformers Universe MOBA is shutting down
Bad news today, folks: MOBA Transformers Universe will close before it even leaves beta as part of Jagex's and Hasbro's efforts to "realign their plans and focuses for 2015." UK developer Jagex had posted about impending layoffs for the TU team back in November, but it appears that it's really game over now: The shutdown period will begin from today. As part of the winding down we will be refunding all those that have purchased a Founders Pack, as well as anyone that has purchased relic bundles and starter packs. These refunds should be all processed in the next 30 days. In addition we will be closing the ability for new players to make accounts, those of you that already have accounts will continue to be able to use them until the closure date. [...] We will also be pushing an update live today that will switch off the ability for players to buy any more relic packs, or starter bundles. [O]n 31st Jan 2015 @ 10am GMT we will be shutting down all servers and forums and will freeze all Transformers Universe related accounts. These accounts will then be live for another 60 days (approx.) for any final queries before deletion on 31st March 2015. Between now and the date of closure the Jagex CM team will continue to operate on the forums and we will provide relevant updates on the website as necessary. Jagex asks players to contact the customer services team if they have not received their refunds by January 16th. Our hearts go out to the players and developers who hoped to see the title succeed.
Layoffs are probably in store for Transformers Universe
A staff reduction will be hitting Jagex's Transformers Universe team, and not for the first time. The studio has confirmed that it is in the process of examining duties and roles within the development team, with some team members facing reassignment to elsewhere in the company and others seen as redundant. No actual layoffs have taken place at this time, although "soon" is the watchword. The announcement does mention that there are opportunities in an as-yet-unannounced project currently in development behind the scenes at Jagex. Transformers Universe went into open beta in July and has a variety of founder's packs currently available to purchase; an official launch date has not been announced. Our condolences to all those affected by the upcoming layoffs.
Transformers Universe rolls out Pandemic and Outsider
Transformers Universe is currently attempting to make waves at Eurogamer Expo 2014 with tournaments, free play, and the addition of two new characters. Now in the game's beta test are Pandemic and Outsider. Pandemic is a Decepticon sports car controller who has a flexible weapon set that can mess with enemies and pin them down. Outsider is an Autobot who can teleport to and from the front lines of battle as well as yank enemies around with a gravity well. We've got the first look of these new warriors in a video after the break!
Transformers Universe introduces Macro and Firebreaker
Jagex hopes to add "diversity" to Transformers Universe's character roster with the addition of two new warriors announced today: Macro and Firebreaker. Macro, in his warrior form, carries a heavy broadsword for up close melee combat which he wields like a chivalrous knight. In addition, his shield dome cloaks all allies within its boundaries, removing them from enemy line of sight for a limited time. At the other end of the spectrum, Firebreaker is the first Decepticon in Transformers Universe to feature cloaking capabilities. Sacrificing his shield meter he can extend the duration of the cloak, and can also unleash a computer virus on himself that will devastate the first Autobot he comes into contact with. The studio says over 700,000 players have participated in beta so far. Videos for both characters are embedded below.
Transformers Universe launches open beta for the 4th of July
The Transformers Universe MOBA, whose first beta event kicked off last March, will formally enter open beta this weekend because nothing says Independence Day like battle robots, am I right? The open beta weekend will be marked by a double experience event, a 24-hour livestream starting at 11 a.m. EDT on July 5th, and "$75,000 in prizes to be won." In a press release issued today, Jagex CEO/CTO Mark Gerhard said the game had seen almost two million battle victories during the span of the closed beta. [Source: Jagex press release]
Transformers Universe adds Showdown and Mismatch to its roster
A pair of new bots joins the Transformers Universe roster today: Showdown and Mismatch. Showdown is a "crowd-pleasing, hard-scrapping Autobot" who "built his celebrity hammering 'Cons in the Kaon fight pits back in the dark days on Cybertron." He specializes in defending himself and his squad with shields. Mismatch, on the other hand, has thrown together his look from mismatched spare parts. "His minigun has been known to overheat and blow up in his face, but he'll roll with that because his enemies will taste the shrapnel too. When the dust settles, you'll find him scavenging for vital components." Rock out to the two new trailers, one for each character, embedded below. [Soure: Jagex press release]
Transformers Universe founder's program includes $450 bundle
Transformers Universe may have just won "Most Expensive Founder's Pack Ever" award, as Jagex rolled out a $450 pre-launch bundle today and began taking orders. The founder's packs for Transformers Universe begin at a saner $45 for a bronze pack and go up to $60 for a silver pack, $120 for a gold pack, and $450 for the aforementioned Cybernite pack. All of the founder's packs contain titles, an in-game honor roll mention, and varying levels of season pass access and relics. From the silver pack on up, players will also get early access Transformers and other goodies. So what do you get if you blow $450 on a video game that has yet to be released? The Cybernite pack comes with $250 worth of relics, a year combo season pass, six early access robots, tons of in-game consumables, a limited-edition figurine, and 18 characters when launch hits.
Transformers Universe won't be RuneScape with robots
Jagex Chief Creative Officer Alex Horton recently spoke to PC Gamer about the transformation of Transformers Universe and how the "MOTA" title will differ from the MMORPG sandbox Jagex is most famous for. "Whilst staying true to what Jagex is best at (pushing forward the free-to-play, browser-based gaming arena), we moved away from delivering 'RuneScape: The Cybertron Edition' and focused on upping the emphasis on action and the different skills of a collection of Transformers Warriors," he explained. "We've created a collaborative and competitive combat experience with deep MMO heritage. A game for today. The Transformers are the center of the game, rather than the original notion of building your own Transformers warrior that is your avatar." He also addresses balancing the game to appeal to casuals, core gamers, and genre fans.
Meltdown and Duststorm roll out into Transformers Universe
The first two soldiers in Transformers Universe have been revealed, along with a glimpse of how the game will actually play. Meltdown and Duststorm are the new entrants, with Meltdown representing the Autobots and Duststorm arriving with the Decepticons. Meltdown is a medical sort of 'bot, not dissimilar from Ratchet, sporting heavy weaponry along with a specialized repair beam for team support. He can repel enemies, fortify himself while attacking, and boost allies after a quick shot of repairs. By contrast, Duststorm is something of a vampiric sniper. She sports long-range weapons that can leave bombs, stun targets, or tear through shields, absorbing the energy of enemies that she demolishes. In desperate situations, she can also accelerate projectiles in close-range engagements to take out approaching foes. Check out the videos for both robots just past the break, showing off their skills in action as well as a glimpse of the game's battlefields. [Source: Jagex press release]
Transformers Universe delivers trailer
Yesterday we learned that Transformers Universe is no longer going to be an MMO, but a "MOTA" (massively online, tactical action game) instead. And delivering on CEO Mark Gerhard's promise that fans would see more about the game from here on out, Jagex has released a new trailer. Check out the action of Autobots and Decepticons battling it out in the clip below. The game, slated for release this summer, is accepting beta sign ups now. [Source: Jagex press release]
Jagex 'scales back' Transformers Universe team with layoffs
The development history of Transformers Universe has not been a smooth one, with the game going silent for long stretches of time and having changed focus once already. The latest news from the studio is not good, either; Jagex has laid off 13 employees from the game's development team. The reports indicate that there are internal concerns being raised about the title's overall quality, as the studio is under pressure from Hasbro to release before the end of the year. According to the developer, the game is in no danger and is progressing marvelously, but sources within the company claim that its position is "precarious," citing the switch to unfamiliar technology and the need for faster development. Jagex stressed that the changes in staff should not adversely impact the title, which was originally tracked for a release back in 2012. Our best wishes go out to those designers personally affected by these layoffs.
Transformers Universe launch window narrowed to fall 2013
Love MMOs but disappointed your wizard or elf or whatever can't turn into a car or tank? If your answer is, "Yes, I am absolutely tired of my characters not turning into vehicles," Transformers Universe might be the game you've been waiting for. The browser-based title, developed by Jagex with a little help from Hasbro Gaming, is currently slated for release in 2013. And while we still have no official launch date, comments by the Hasbro brand team at this year's Botcon 2013 have narrowed the release window down just a touch, confirming that the game is due this fall. Jagex has kept the game mostly under lock and key, but you can catch a glimpse of it by registering for closed beta and hoping the key-gods show you favor. [Thanks to Max for the tip!]
Jagex boasts best financial year ever
Jagex has announced today that the company has had its most successful year to date, earning £50 million for the first time in the studio's history. In addition, the largest independent game studio in the UK employs a staff of over 550 people with the potential to grow even further. "2013 is set to be an even bigger year for Jagex as we release the biggest update in RuneScape's history, launch Transformers Universe and publish a number of new titles." CEO Mark Gerhard pointed out in a press release this morning. The studio's flagship title, RuneScape, saw "tens of millions of new players enter the game for the first time during 2012," solidifying the classic MMO as a free-to-play powerhouse. [Source: Jagex press release]
Jagex appoints filmmaker as new creative director for Transformers Universe and RuneScape 3
Jagex has announced today the appointment of Alex de Rakoff as Creative Director to the popular MMO studio. Not only has de Rakoff directed award-winning music videos, but he's also well-known for his films, working with actors like Orlando Bloom and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. No, that doesn't mean Jagex is working on a Legolas or a gangsta rap MMO, but it does mean that the upcoming Transformers Universe and RuneScape 3 will both benefit from de Rakoff's experience and creativity. In fact, before being officially hired in-house by Jagex, de Rakoff had already been writing the story for Transformers Universe under contract. You can learn more about Alex on his IMDb profile. [Source: Jagex press release]
Jagex positioning Transformers Universe as a MOBA
If you're in the camp who thought a Transformers MMO was the worst idea in the long history of bad ideas, well, we've got good news. Jagex agrees with you, sort of, but the firm has also decided that the license is more fitting for a MOBA than an MMORPG and has adjusted the development trajectory accordingly. "Transformers are about war; they're about action," Jagex chief creative director Alex Horton recently told Edge. "They don't carry gold, bake bread, catch fish, cut down trees. But for all they take away, they throw open so many more opportunities. Maybe there's more in a selection of characters and abilities, and the strategy in that, than there is [in] leveling a character endlessly and going through f--- loads of boss battles." Transformers Universe will be a browser-based title. Jagex has not yet announced a release date.
Transformers Universe now accepting beta sign-ups
If you've always wanted to turn into your favorite evil or heroic robot and destroy or save the universe, your time is now! Transformers Universe has just begun accepting sign-ups for beta testing. To register, head on over to the official website and choose your allegiance. Transformers Universe is a free-to-play title by Jagex that's aiming for a browser client release. Players will duke it out as Autobots and Decepticons. While Earth is going to be the original battleground, the game will eventually expand to the stars and beyond. [Thanks to savvy reader Jeremy for the tip!]
NYCC 2012: Transformers Universe trailer, screenshots unveiled
Jagex has been keeping details about the upcoming Transformers Universe MMO on the down low until today, when the Jagex team took advantage of NYCC to release the game's first official trailer. Transformers Universe will be free-to-play with microtransaction support. Jagex has announced plans to keep the game running for at least 10 years, allowing for exploration to take players to the stars -- even to Cybertron itself. Skip below the cut to feast your eyes upon the glory of Transformers Universe! [Thanks to groovy webizen Guy for the tip!]%Gallery-126338%
Transformers Universe to leave Earth (someday)
We're getting some solid information about Jagex's upcoming Transformers Universe from the recent London MCM Expo. The team took to the stage to talk about the title, revealing quite a few new details -- including the revelation that the game won't be confined to just Earth. The team is making Transformers Universe with the intention to keep the game going for at least 10 years; it has latched onto the "Universe" moniker to indicate it will eventually expand the game from our terrestrial ball to the stars (including Cybertron). Transformers Universe will use Energon as the game's currency, and while the team will use microtransactions to fund this free-to-play title, the exact model has not been finalized. Players will be able to pick between male and female characters and will use their alternate (non-robotic) modes for more than just transportation. At the game launch, players will be able to transform only into vehicles, but Jagex says that there are plans in the works for other forms such as animals. [Thanks to Austin for the tip!]
RuneScape and Transformers Universe appearing at London MCM Expo for the first time
Jagex is heading to the MCM Expo for the first time, with RuneScape and Transformers Universe in tow. The studio has special plans for its fans at the largest pop culture event in the UK, not the least of which will be the opportunity to meet members of the dev team. At the convention, RuneScapers will get a deeper look into how the game is developed, watch the creation of concept art, and have the opportunity to pick up one of several player packs for the game. The packs will come in two varieties: a starter pack and a premium pack that includes cosmetic items, membership, and an exclusive t-shirt. Transformers Universe fans also will get to meet the dev team and reserve their names for the game when it releases later this year. Brian Cooney, the managing director of the expo, is thrilled to have the studio on board: "Each year people ask me if they are coming and finally I can say 'Yes!' The Jagex stand promises to be a 'must see' for show visitors." The London Expo takes place from May 25th through the 27th at the Excel.
Jagex announces Transformers Universe plans for BotCon 2012, includes sneak-peek and name reservations
Transformers fanatics everywhere are surely gearing up for the official Transformers fan convention, BotCon 2012, which will be taking place in Dallas, Texas, from April 26th until the 29th. Well, Jagex is giving fans of its upcoming MMO Transformers Universe a reason to be even more excited for the con: Attendees will have the opportunity to pledge their allegiances to the Autobots or Decepticons and reserve their in-game character names. On top of that, members of Jagex's Transformers Universe development team will be hanging out at Jagex's con booth, and fans will be able to "meet with members of the development team, attend a behind closed doors Transformers Universe panel discussion, and preview the latest game trailer ahead of its public release." So if you want to get a sneak-peek at Transformers Universe and reserve your favorite character name for the game's release, just set your sights on BotCon 2012 and transform and roll out. [Source: Jagex press release]
