In my drunken state I got excited

Then I read closer :(

I would totally buy that~ I'm already imaging a lego Starscream now. Good times~

kopakauk

I don't think that Transformers have quite the blockbuster reputation of either Star Wars, Indiana Jones nor Batman.

I agree that initially it sounds great, as the transformable LEGO could quite easily ease into a Transformer role. The biggest issue though, is would it sell?

Star Wars and Indiana Jones have such massive appeal across a broad audience, but young kids today are probably not so familiar with the Transformers brand. As far as I know, there's no modern shows or toys (probably wrong about that though...) and the film was trying to be more mature.

With the recent Indy film very lighthearted, and the HUGE appeal of Star Wars and Batman, I just don't think Transformers is such a well known franchise.

(By the way, I'm saying this as someone who was never around in the heyday of Transformeryness).

Krondonian

i'd rather we didn't give TT another chance to make a crappy Transformers game. I'm hoping a decent team handle the inevitable game for the sequel. Maybe Vicarious Visions, who did the DS game - the only good game to come out of the last movie.

The one TT made was a disgusting cash-in, totally generic.

HikariOblivion

Didn't anybody play the Atari Transformers PS2 game?? Awesome game and it honestly is the best looking PS2 game ever

excel_excel

I love how so many commenters are assuming that the Jonathan Smith is a dick just for making a valid point. Having only seen the comment in print, you're also making an assumption that it was said with a negative tone.

Stephen made two big mistakes:

1. Reviews of Lego Indiana Jones are rightfully pointing out that the game formula is getting stale and Lego Batman is still on the horizon. This must also be on Smith's mind, and the core of Stephen's pitch is to "take the cast of Transformers and put them in Lego Star Wars."

2. When further pressed for details, Stephen points to abilities that Transformers have by nature and wouldn't need the LEGO brand to explore. Do the current Lego games fully embrace the possibilities of building blocks? No, not by a long shot but they make an attempt via various minor building mechanics and character customization. It could be taken a lot farther, something I expect to see in the upcoming LEGO Universe which is thankfully divorced from someone else's IP.

grampaspanky

Lego transformers actually appeals to me... indiana jones and starwars not so much

Murderdolls

There was a good Transformers game. It's the Transformers game done by Atari on the PS2. Game was great.

AdeptVoice

@Arsenicberyllium: Hotrod: Ruining the franchise since 1984.

Medicine Seller [ZTF]

Hahahahaha
its not that you didnt have a good concept in your mind, I think he just caught you off guard

SmokeFemur

You could repair damage done to the characters by using leftover Lego blocks. Transformation via Lego would be more detailed, and therefore more eyecatching (since you can actually see where the pieces fit together in both forms). You could add content download for later, adding additional Transformers characters to the mix for PC/PS3/360. You could include subchapters where the player is a Decepticon, involving more puzzles than combat (Soundwave's cassettes, Megatron's gun to blast open doors, etc).

Does Not Equal

I'd love a good G1 game. I'd pass on a Lego version though.

Humpski

Seriously though, has the Lego brand really added anything more than the "Oh cool, they're LEGOs" and "Oh cool, when they die, they turn into smaller LEGO pieces"? In my opinion (mind you, I've only played LSW), The LEGO brand has, for the most part, only added to the aesthetic of the games and hasn't had a big effect on gameplay. You could make these games almost the same without the LEGO brand and they wouldn't change that much. They would lose a lot of their charm, but that's about it.

chuffhoncho

@boopadoo:

So what's your point!? We wantz our Lego Transformers! I'd want something that is made out of something and foldem to make something else... =/

Elemence

Yeah. This could be done completely without using legos.
Hell, they'd have a hard time making Lego versions of the transformers, and making it relevant and useful.

Unless...it was an adaptation of the Transformers movie.

Imagine this...In lego format:

+ Watch video

Arsenicberyllium

I think I might be in the minority, but the Atari Transformers game that came out a few years ago was actually a solid game. The character selection was a little lacking, and it would've been nice to see a bit more variation with the enemies, but the gameplay was solid. But maybe that's just me.

And hells yes I would buy a Lego Transformers game. It would kick so much arse.

1969intheSunshine

Lego Transformers sounds redundant; You piece together lego to make something, then fold them up into something else?

I'm sorry, Mr. Totilo, I'm on Mr. Smith's side on this one.

boopadoo

@romBox:
Correction...when the Transformers sequel comes out...

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
[www.imdb.com]

Elemence

The concept is sound.The characters are there.You could have energon studs as it were and use them to power your character.

enewtabie

@NeoStarr: *should have BEEN "Oh yeah that too"

NeoStarr

Your reply should have something like "Oh yeah, that too".

NeoStarr

@vanderblade:
"How is your concept any worse than Lego Batman? Or Lego Indiana Jones?"

Infinitely

Mikazukinoyaiba

It would be neat if there was customization that could affect gameplay.

Example: you take pieces of other transformers or even enemies you beat and then mix and match them with your character, each piece giving a different boost or adding to your abilities. Suddenly you have a hodgepodge of Transformers running around.

Kanik

Id buy it the day it released...

Elemence

"Sounds like you just want a good Transformers game,"

So instead they made an Indiana Jones game to cash in on the hype of the movie.

Maybe there will be one if a Transformers sequel comes out, huh?

romBox

I cant wait for the Lego: Lego game, controlling your Lego character who is controlling a Lego character, its going to be so great!!

goincommando

"Sounds like you just want a good Transformers game," Smith replied"

From a guy who makes Lego games for a living, he sounds like an awful dick.

You should have asked him to pitch the games he'd already made or is making. How is your concept any worse than Lego Batman? Or Lego Indiana Jones?

I don't play these games regardless, as they are created, from bottom up, for children - a personal opinion based on time with them.

vanderblade

FAIL = he is right in that you sound like you want to make a good Transformers game, but your pitch did little to emphasize what value the Lego brand would bring to the Transformers franchise in the game.... what is the hook? what would make it MORE compelling than making just another "Transformers game"...

Daigoji Gai

@ManjiKengo: Agreed. Who cares if we want a good Transformers game, what's so bad about that?

There's a bag of money on the table... pick the fucker up!

Crosswayboy

I only played the demo for Lego Indiana Jones, but I didnt see anything "Lego" about it that NEEDED to be there. In other words, if it wasn't "Lego" it wouldn't matter.. the graphics would just look a little different. Maybe I didnt play the game enough?

bcrich999

As someone else said, sounds like you just want a good Transformers game, don't see your idea mentioning why it needs to be a Lego transformers game.

Mikazukinoyaiba

Dude, Traveller's Tales made the shitty Transformers movie game! They're probably up to their heads in complaints, and sick of hearing about it. Give them a rest, the last phrase seems like it's finished with "...that we weren't able to provide you with, APPARENTLY."

Ashurahori

This is actually a good idea, I'd buy it.

Guitarista87

legos aren't very transform-able! and also would lego/hasbro be cool with this crossover? if somehow this happens, i will eat my words (and also buy the game immediately)

Nihon no Purin

good pitch imo. he's just a douchebag.

ManjiKengo

I'd buy a lego transformers game.

Chaoticevl

I kind of agree with Mr. Smith - it'd be awesome to have a *good* Transformers game, but I don't see how making it Lego would add anything to the experience.

Dukeman330

didn't talk about lego enough i guess

Gypse-scum

I would have just been like,

"Transformers not only appeals to the current generation of it's fans, but also many adults that watched the show and collected the toys when they were growing up. Now kids can play a video game with their parents that they will both enjoy. Plus come on the last Tranformers game sucked balls and the only way to get a better one is to put that sweet ass lego funding behind it."

JustJake

The more I stare at the word Lego, the more I realize it is a stupid little word.

Lego.

Read it ten times and tell me you disagree with me.

Gomerboy

I think someone should just make a really good Transformers game based on the 80s TV show characters and have some really cool online multiplayer.

I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

NESv1

Haha! I spoke to him last week aswell! Ace guy.

HarmanSmith

@karasu is my homeboy: That's exactly what I was trying to say above.

chuffhoncho

@grampaspanky: This is pretty much what I was going to say. That, and "What would your cutscenes be?" Transformers doesn't have the large number of "classic scenes" that everybody knows that you'll find in Star Wars or Indiana Jones.

Dirk Dorkelson

@Dukeman330: Uh, it would add charm. What did Lego add to Star Wars? Describe it's gameplay and Lego has little to do with it. You used the force to move things, and you fought with light sabers and blasters. The Lego is just for charm.

Pitch Lego Star Wars: It's star wars, but kid friendly and made of Legos.

I don't see the difference, @Smith and @you.

karasu is my homeboy

@Nihon no Purin:

"legos aren't very transform-able!"

!!!??!?!?!?!

You know what legos are right?!
lego

noun
(trademark) a child's plastic construction set for making mechanical models

and "Transform-able", right?!:

v. trans·formed, trans·form·ing, trans·forms
v.tr.
1. To change markedly the appearance or form of
2. To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert. See Synonyms at convert.

Sounds like the perfect fit to me...

cmcginn

I appreciate that Totilo is bringing a new perspective to this site. I appreciate that he has another job, his actual job, and that he is acting in a guest spot while Crecente is out. I appreciate that he is proud of his work at his other job.

That said, almost every story I've seen him post has been, "Look at what I did over here," or "this is like that time when I did that thing, check it out here." Perhaps I am underestimating the amount of time his MTV job takes up, but it would be nice to see something more original from him, rather than just a bunch of links to, well, his MTV job.

Reverend_MoJo

No, I agree with him. Outside of comics, I can think of only two other franchises that would work in LEGO: Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

The point is story. Granted, LEGO games don't have a sweeping narrative and only vaguely resemble the source material, but that's really half the appeal. We see old favorite scenes recreated in the LEGO style and we just nostalgia-gasm. This is why I was a little shy towards LEGO Batman, because the stories are all disjointed. I hope they can pull off something decent, even if they don't base it on any specific comic stories or B:TAS episodes.

CyricZ

I think that Lego: Terminator would be worth playing!

goincommando

I would have perhaps agreed with Smith if all his Lego games weren't the same basic design over and over again. All they need for a new Lego game is a popular franchise and a bunch of repetitive levels to stick in it. I get that the Lego games are popular, but I've never got very far in any of them before the repetitive button mashing gets boring.

Maybe Smith is a Gobots fan?

photoboy

You should have said the profits you'd make from the game could fill the Atlantic Ocean.

Forkball

I think he has a point.

The LEGO series have worked by having a tounge-in-cheek retelling of well known, loved stories in Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

Since they're basically making a charming, white comedy out of those plots, the idea of making them of LEGO adds to the charm. That's the main and almost only added value of the series. It could have worked with a cartoonization, too, though I'm not sure it would be as charming.

Would Transformers work so well like this? The story is not as well known, and a retelling wouldn't really make that much of a difference.

Grive

That just wasn't a very good pitch, to be honest. You basically suggested a Transformers game with LEGOs. A pitch has to sell a game, show why it's different, and most importantly show that you've thought out the details and made them work beyond the basic premise.

I think a lot of people aren't reading his response right, or something. Your pitch was, "make a Transformers LEGO game that's good," and that's not really a pitch.

A good effort, and a good idea, but you have to think of yourself going up to an executive and getting them to invest however many millions of dollars in your idea, so you have to have thought it out far beyond "do what you did with Star Wars, but with the Transformers guys."

EmTeeZ

I don't think you failed at all! He asked, "How would you do it?" That's a sign of interest. He didn't just say, "Oh, that could be cool. We'll think about it." So I think your idea has merit.

But I'll bet that it won't happen for a few reasons: LEGO is arguably a competitor of Hasbro. And, TT is owned by Warner, which is a competitor of Paramount.

stevesan

I used to make my own Transformers with Lego all the time when I was a kid. Shit, Transformers is way more suited for a Lego game than Batman or Indiana Jones!

fdisk

@Sentientv2: So we could make an Xbox 360 controller than transforms into a penis?

chuffhoncho

How about Lego:Transformers, but you have an element where you can make your own transforming lego robot, riding hot on the heels of the positive reception of the Spore Creature Creator.

Sentientv2

He didn't accept your pitch because then maybe he'd have to pay you for the good idea?

kylo4

I would buy that I love the Lego games. I can't tell you why but playing with Legos are really fun and when Legos become a game Lego games are awesome.

BlackIceJoe

@grampaspanky and @Grive really nailed it, I think. For one, you need widely recognizable characters from which there is potential to milk humor with a lighthearted parody of the story. Transformers is already pretty lite fare and not as widely loved as the other franchises. Also, with the novelty of "Lego-izing" a franchise wearing off, they've got to remain selective lest they kill the golden-egg-laying goose.

Also, one of their hallmarks is keeping the game mechanics very, very simple; they are "play with the little kids" games. Transforming might add a layer of complexity that gets away from that core value.

beeporama (brian.j.parker)

I'd buy it in a second.

Talleh

I've had enough of this lego stuff.

KM91

Oh, I forgot to mention in my pitch how fighting robots and watching lego pieces fly off them would not only be fun to watch, but could figure into a game mechanic to gain customizing pieces.

Ryodestined

Lego Transformers sounds way more compatible than Lego Indiana Jones game. I want to hear the pitch for that one. I'll try my own pitch: Legos and Transformers are both primarily toy brands. Both brands have survived for many years in tons of forms and spin-offs. Robots and vehicles are just as easily made by the same combination of Legos. The customizability of Lego's lends it self to the transforming quality of the robots, which would allow for a mode where a player could build there own transformer, freely choosing what they look like in robot mode and whatever kind of vehicle they want. Players would easily be able to manipulate color schemes and styles and truly set delve into the universe with their own unique creations. The animations for transforming could similar to the original, where the pieces just melding and appeared magically, or as I envision more Lego -like, a bunch of the blocks exploding out and reforming. The many shapes of Lego blocks could also relate well to the many add-ons and connecting robot forms that are in the Transformer mythos.

Alright, done. At the end I just realized why Lego won't ever do Transformers and I stated it in the pitch: They are both primarily toy brands. Why work with you're competition?

Ryodestined

The best way to pitch this game would be as such...

*hold left hand up*
"Lego."

*hold right hand up*
"Transformers"

*Move hands together with fingers outstretched so they interlock*

And leave it at that.

winstano

Remember that Commodore 64 transformers game? That was like super hard but since it was the only game in town back in 1986, so thats what we played.. (And we liked it!) I downloaded it a few months ago and I thought it was easier but lacked depth. Still, it was so unique to transform in order to reach a special area in a game back then.. Transformers would be better as a linear game not a GTA clone if you ask me. Thats still just saying how Transformers could be better than existing games. You should have told him to Damn the GOOD GAMES aspect and focus on how much money he would make off of the inevitable sequels and movie tie-ins.. (Make it crappy for all I care just give me a cut, man!! HAHAHA!)

GOLD5

I still say they should make a Lego: Back to the Future game. Then again, I just want a Back to the Future game.

Ed_209

Hot Rod existed in 1984?

kidnicky

Be realistic. Maybe he wasn't feeling it because it would take a very, very long time to make?

Games are one medium where the possibilities are not endless. No matter how fun this would be, this would probably bend a lot of minds, designer and programmer alike. The true gems in this industry come from the developers who are efficient AND creative at what they do.

dynendal

The best way to make a good LEGO Transformer game is to let the player build their own Transformer.

Collect parts as you go to augment your character, and you can build using some kind of LEGO based designer.

Add in classic characters who you can interact with along the way. WOuldn't be the standard LEGO game format...but would kick ass.

TRT-X

He was just pissed that he didn't think of it first.

Mr.SithNinja

Lego is all about buildings things, changing things...I think Transformers makes more sense as a Lego game than, say, Indiana Jones did.

man_in_gauze

The first PS2 Transformers game (not the movie one) was totally fucking awesome. It played great, looked pretty and had no annoying teenagers!

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.

I demand a Lego Matrix game. Lego Bullet Time would be awesome. But that makes me sad that Lego Transformers didn't happen.

Salen

Hasbro and Lego would have to get in bed to make this idea a reality. I don't see that happening though.

Hasbro had a failed line of fake legos that had a Transformers series. I think it was called BTX Transformers or something.

I for one, would really enjoy a Lego Transformers game, though. I am a huge Transformers nerd and the only TF game I have ever enjoyed was the Transformers: Armada game.

Doomstink

No- your problem was pitching a "good" game concept. What you needed to do was pitch a hackneyed movie license that wouldn't require Travelers' Tales to think too much about the whole 'gameplay' part. All they're interested in is reskinning Lego: Star Wars and cashing checks these days.

Trying to make transforming and Lego construction work together would actually be difficult to do well. Unless you haven't played a single Lego videogame yet, you might not realize that those guys aren't into the whole challenge thing when it comes to game design.

stranger

Fuck it. Break out the Knex liscence.

HarmanSmith

This article almost made my day.

I can't think of another title that would be as cool as a lego transformers game. Transforming in transformers brings the same kind of charm that the lightsabers bring to star wars. BUT would they be able to fit big robots into that kind of level design, and if not would they be willing to change it?

Sidelines

I really enjoyed watching my friends play Lego Star Wars, but i never really felt much urge to try it myself, but a Lego Transformers game? i'd be playing that morning till night! :D

(Transformers G1 mind, not that god awful Micheal Bay mess... shudder...)

bboyKRILLIN

You forgot to start by pitching the idea of a licensing deal for a LEGO Transformers line of construction sets that TT Games could use as a basis for a video game. Without that, you'll never get them to seriously entertain the idea because it'll _NEVER_ go anywhere.

@Krondonian:
Congratulations on being completely wrong! Seriously, though, I've just recently started seeing toys showing up at TRU that are supposed to be based on a new animated series (which I hadn't heard of before then). Plus there was the whole bit with a major movie being released a while ago, and nearly a complete changeover in the Transformers line to match the movie style.

@CyricZ:
LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean. LEGO The Matrix. LEGO Dune (just the first book, though, and it'd probably work better if it was based on the David Lynch movie instead of the actual novel or the SFC miniseries). LEGO Back to the Future. LEGO Ghostbusters. LEGO The Princess Bride. There are plenty of franchises where it could work, just not so many that they can legally do right now, and most of those are original IPs that might not sell as well as they'd deserve to.

@cmcginn:
To be fair, there's a surprisingly low instance of official LEGO models that can actually completely transform from one distinct shape to another. In fact, the only ones I can think of offhand are the Bohrok (transform into spheres) and the first three SW TECHNIC droids (Pit Droid, Battle Droid, and Droideka which all fold up sorta like they did in the movies). And the SW droids don't transform so much as they prove the concept. But there aren't any official models of cars that change into robots short of ripping bricks loose and rebuilding it as a distinctly different model. There are, however, fan-made designs that do just that, mostly based on actual Transformers characters.

@stevesan:
Your reasoning fails to hold water. Hasbro has the SW and IJ action figure licenses, but The LEGO Company holds both licenses for construction toys because they don't technically have any cross-over (as long as they don't start putting out minifig packs that don't have some token vehicle/setpiece). And Paramount has no bearing on the issue. They own Indiana Jones (well, they jointly own it with Lucas/Lucasfilm), but TT Games did not one, but _two_ LIJ games (the DS build is a distinctly different game from the PC/console version).

Purple Dave

I love Transformers. I also love what they are doing with Lego Batman, Jones and Star Wars. LOVE.

BUT. For some reason- The idea of Lego Transformers just makes my skin crawl. Eeeew.

BananaPip

here's a thought... how about you try pitching a Transformers game, LEAVE the LEGOS out of it, ad for the love of GOD, DON'T ask Traveller's Tales to do it... they can't even get Crash Bandicoot right!!!!

Enigma_20XX

@Humpski: There was a G1 game for PS2, but it was only released in Japan. And it supposedly sucked to. But I'm definitely with you there.

[image.com.com]

londoncrawling

When it comes down to it was does the whole lego thing add to Indiana Jones, or batman, or Star Wars. I'd rather just have good games of all of them for that matter.

kratosfan