Activision gets Transformers

By Tom Bramwell Published 7 February, 2006

Film rights in disguise.

Activision's confirmed an MCV report from last month that it's picked up the rights to the new Transformers movie, which sounds like it's going to be the most horrific assault on my childhood since somebody threw a stick between the spokes of my back wheel while I was cycling next to a river full of crocodiles aged 12.

The US publisher had previously pooh-poohed the suggestion that it was working on the game with one of those testy "can't comment on rumour or speculation" responses; speaking to investors last night after announcing its latest financials, it changed its tune and said it had in fact acquired the rights. A game's due out around the same time as the film - next summer. Platforms TBC.

Meanwhile the film, which has yet to receive a proper title, is being directed by Michael Bay and will therefore be awful, probably with interesting sounding but ultimately rubbish celebrity voice matches like, I dunno, Yeardley Smith as Starscream or something. It certainly won't have Scatman Crothers, Eric Idle, Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Stack and Orson Welles so quite why they're bothering is anyone's guess.

Equally on the game front there's plenty to live up to - Atari Melbourne House's Transformers PS2 game of t'other year was difficult, but also incredibly gorgeous, cleverly put together and ultimately very entertaining despite a few niggling flaws. If Activision reckons it can top that level where you assault the inside of an aircraft carrier then it transforms and you have to fight it on the beach - crying every time it kicks you five hundred feet into the surf because the camera hates you - then good luck to 'em.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (28) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • oDii #1 6 years ago

    So, has anybody actually finished that Transformers Atari game? Even on Normal it's probably one of the hardest games around...

  • Zuiyo #2 6 years ago

    I just buy the toys.

  • megastar #3 6 years ago

    One shall stand, and one shall fall!

  • PearOfAnguish #4 6 years ago

    And one shall sort of crouch down a bit.

  • Pac #5 6 years ago

    I finished it and collected all those stupid minicons and what did it give me...

    ...sod all.

    Still I'd played it more than enough by then. Last level was a bugger.

  • jack_klugman #6 6 years ago

    Michael Bay just made my list. Again.

  • Tyronne #7 6 years ago

    Please dont let this be like the one that ocean released 20 years ago :)

  • Darkedge #8 6 years ago

    michael bay needs a slap- the island was a load of missed chances, but isn't Spelie involved with Transformers? He could fix bays shite

  • Blerk #9 6 years ago

    I thought the last Transformers game was a bit rubbish.

  • Pac #10 6 years ago

    Bit harsh Blerk,

    One of the best looking PS2 games around IMHO.

    Controls where a bit clunky but kind of added to the overall Transformerishness.

    Frustratingly hard at times though

    I will be amazed if the film tie in is as good.

  • Blerk #11 6 years ago

    I have to admit to only playing the demo, but I really didn't see what all the fuss was about. Transforming was the only fun bit, the rest just seemed to be generic third-person-shooter-o.

  • Pac #12 6 years ago

    You missed the gliding about firing heat seeking missiles at very large robot shennanigans then.

    And tracking down the minicons (for extra abilities) - 'gotta catch em all'

    /I'll shut up now

  • el_pollo_diablo #13 6 years ago

    The last game was a bit mixed. The jungle levels were great, but the snowy ones were terrible.

    Still, the music was wonderful.

  • Cyhwuhx #14 6 years ago

    .::: I predict a four-player collect'em up in which you follow a trail of energon-cubes strutted around the level, jumping unto structures and shooting everything that walks towards you with an auto-lock. Of course transforming will be completely out of the question, since that won't fit Activision's X-Men/Fantasic 4 template.

    While the film might be up to scratch, I'm pretty certain the game will be an utter disaster in every way possible. The worst bit is that because of this Melbourne House's sequel got canned! AAARGH! Hate is such a modest concept.

  • TedBaker #15 6 years ago

    " Tyronne
    07-Feb-06 09:58:52

    Please dont let this be like the one that ocean released 20 years ago :) "


    It's better than the Activision one... David Crane just sorta lost the plot after his stint with Ghostbusters.

  • Markusdragon #16 6 years ago

    Good to see balanced unbiased journalism these days :p

  • Freek #17 6 years ago

    Actaully the movie is sounding pretty good. It's Autobots vs Decipticons, Optimus Prime and Megatron both seem to be getting thier original voice actors.
    Micheal Bay is good at making movies with lots of explosions, wich is pretty much all that Transformers is.
    ILM working on the effects. Sounds good.

    Rumour had it that George Cloony wanted to do a voice, but they turned him down. So it sounds like thye are taking this seriously.

  • tonkei #18 6 years ago

    I'd love it if they could contract Melbourne House to do the game, they had some excellent ideas & I'm sure they've learnt alot making the previous game for Atari.

  • Triggerhappytel #19 6 years ago

    Michael Bay??!!!

    Michael Fucking Bay??!!!!

    Michael 'Pearl Harbour/Bad Boys 2/Arma-fucking-geddon' Bay???!!!!!

    Why don't you just turn Thundercats into a live action sitcom and piss all over my childhood while you're at it?!

  • megastar #20 6 years ago

    ooooo a thundercats live action movie though, if it was done by someone who was a fan of the cartoon would be wicked!

    Well if Prime and Megatron have their original voices, all we need now is "Dare" and "The Touch" by stan bush in the soundtrack.

  • Furbs #21 6 years ago

    Has anyone seen the test shots of sideswipe transforming? Its excellent and makes me think it might just work.

  • Jonathan_Fakenham #22 6 years ago

    I seem to remember Melbourne House confirming they were already working on a sequel, though.. And I seem to remember that interview being on this very site.. Hold on, I'll research..

    Nah, it's not here anymore, just the review.. But my disgruntled elephant memory says it's true!
    Edited by 1 at 07/02/06 @ 17:56

  • Aegus #23 6 years ago

    Hmm seems I'm the only one who thinks Bay could be good for the film. All you need in a Transformers film in balls to walls action with Transforming robots jumping through them mid transformation with the original transforming sound. And Bay is good at explosions.

    Also Stan Bush needs to come back for the soundtrack.

    Megatron: Why throw away your life so recklessly?
    Prime: That's a question you should ask yourself Megatron.

    Galvatron: First Prime then Ultra-Magnus. It's a pity you Autobots die so easily or I might have a sense of satisfaction.

    Love Transformers.

  • 3william56 #24 6 years ago

    Scatman Crowthers FTW!!!

  • Genji #25 6 years ago

    Honestly, if I was choosing a name for my band of evil-doers, I would choose something that may put people off guard, mask my true intentions, or whatever.

    I mean, come on - DECEPTicons? Decept, as in "lie to"? Nice work, fellas.

    "Mr. President, the robots are fighting a war. Who should we be supporting?"

    "Ooooh, let's be on the Decepticon side! We can trust them!"

  • Xerx3s #26 6 years ago

    You have crcodiles aged 12?! 0_o

  • Triggerhappytel #27 6 years ago

    "I seem to remember Melbourne House confirming they were already working on a sequel, though.. And I seem to remember that interview being on this very site.. Hold on, I'll research.."

    They were, but are not now. Which is a shame, because I liked the first one. I think it may be because Transformers are licenced by Hasbro, and Atari sold back the rights to all Hasbro merchandise last year.

  • Lagto_Soa #28 6 years ago

    Rumour had it that George Cloony wanted to do a voice, but they turned him down.

    He could have done Hound. Or is it Jazz? I forget. The one who... you know... the one who sounds like George Clooney.

    Thundercats sitcom 4tw! ITV, are you listening?