Transformers Prime Voyager Wave 2 has been released at US retail! You can now look forward to being able to add the Voyager class versions of Starscream and Bulkhead to your Transformers Prime collections! This pair was sighted at a Target in Lodi, CA by 2005 Boards member Rubicon

Thanks to Robot Kingdom for posting up the following image of Transformers Prime Arms Gaia Unicron, showing an interesting image of what appear to be Unicron combined with Optimus Prime - or it could just be some odd scale drawing

Robotkingdom has posted listings of new Takara's Transformers Prime Arms Micron toys. AM-19 is revealed as (????????) Gaia Unicron and AM-20 is revealed as (???????) Ironhide.

Mitch Santona has posted a video review of Transformers Prime Arms Micron Skywarp.

We thought we would catch up with some of the behind the scenes concept artwork from Transformers Prime that was posted by Jose Lopez and Vince Toyama during March.  last week, Jose posted a picture of the redesigned head for Unicron that he was asked to produce for the series.

Earlier in March, Vince Toyama posted some early production designs for the first series of the show:

TFW2005 member Syydney has translated an interview with Transformers Prime Arm Micron creater Takashi Nakase in which he states the Targetmaster enspired toys will appear in the end credits for Transformers Prime in Japan.

The reason behind Japan only "Arms Micron" -
Takashi Nakase: The biggest reason is that we wanted to raise the target age group. In past series, the target ages were small children and their fathers, but the age group which is actually able to enjoy transforming toys is 7 ~ 9 years old. We went back to the beginning and considered appropriate products for that age group, and came up with the concept of "customising". That is why Arms Microns need to be assembled from parts, and stickers are included to be put on the main figure - to give the feeling of "completing" the toy as one's own.
Hironori Kobayashi: We conducted a play session with children where they played freely with Movie series Transformers, mixed with various items such as Minicons, and found that they mostly enjoyed combining Minicons to make larger weapons or to customise the Transformers. We thought it might have some potential.

There will be short flash animation, "Arms Micron" episodes added after the main "Prime" episodes. About their background -

Kobayashi: We considered their background story from an early stage as we thought the existance of the Microns required an explanation. There were some ideas, and we decided to go with a story that (the Microns) were originally Energon present on Earth, and they adopted the forms of Transformers. In the story, the Transformers in the show ("Prime") are not even aware that their weapons are in fact Microns.

Mr.Nakase also developed an iPhone application (not available outside Japan) -
"there are many adult TF fans, and I created it for them so that they can enjoy transformation without having the actual toys in hand. It is a simple game but rather exciting. If you have an iPhone, please download it and try it. It is free."

Final words -
Kobayashi: I know long time fans are surprised at the way we are marketing "Prime" domestically. There are some dramatic changes. We feel this is a challenge which we have to take on in order to continue the Transformers brand in the future. This is a challenging year for us - please kindly watch over us.

Full Metal Hero have reported that the upccoming Transformers Prime "Robots in Disguise" Voyager Wave 3 Skyquake  has been replaced by Dreadwing.

The new case breakdown is as follows:

• 1x Optimus Prime
• 1x Bulkhead
• 1x Megatron
• 1x Dreadwing

Korean Pop group Big Bang have uploaded the full version of the Japanese Transformers Prime opening song titled "Feeling" from their album Alive. This hip hop grounded track borders electronica with a heavy western/house influence. The entire album is available on iTunes Japan, which you can view by clicking here.

Hong Kong based toy store Ehobbybase hasposted in package images of the upcoming Transformers Prime Cyberverse Commander Ironhide and Dreadwing figures on their facebook page.  Dreadwing is due to make his debut this weekend in the show, as he faces off against Wheeljack.

tv-aichi.co.jp has been updated with the voice actors cast for Super Robot Life Forms Transformers Prime (the Japanese version of Transformers Prime).   The series will debut on April the 7th.

• Optimus Prime - Toshiyuki Morikawa
• Megatron - Keiji Fujiwara
• Rachet - Tatsuo Tobita
• Bulkhead - Takashi Nagasako
• Arcee - Shizuka Itou
• Starscream - Satoshi Tsuruoka
• Cliffjumper - Noriaki Sugiyama
• Jack Darby - Jun Fukuyama
• Raf Esquivel - Motoko Kumai
• Miko Nakadai- Nozomi Furuki
• William Fowler - Kenji Nomura
• June Darby - Hitomi Nabatame

Also annouced are the opening and closing credit tunes for the show

• Opening Theme - "Feeling" by BigBang
• Ending Theme - "I Believe in All" by Clutcho

Activision have published an annoucement covering Transformers Prime The Game, a new video game based on the CGI Transformers Series.  The official website for the WII and 3DS game can be found at www.transformersprimethegame.com

Activision and Hasbro Team Up to Create TRANSFORMERS PRIME(TM) Video Game Based on the Hit Television Series

New Action Brawler Game Planned to Launch this Year Exclusively on Nintendo Platforms

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), is bringing the ultimate TRANSFORMERS video game experience to kids of all ages with the TRANSFORMERS PRIME video game.  Based on the hit animated television show produced by Hasbro Studios and currently airing on The Hub television network in the U.S., the game lets fans play as their favorite AUTOBOT characters and embark on an action-packed adventure to save the earth from the evil MEGATRON and his new secret weapon.  Players step into the roles of OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, ARCEE, AUTOBOT RATCHET, BULKHEAD and more as they explore unique vistas all around the world with brawler-style combat and diverse driving sequences.  Along the way, gamers cultivate friendships with Jack, Miko and Raf - the human characters from the show - as Team Prime sets out to protect mankind and eliminate the DECEPTICONS once and for all.

"Hasbro Studios has done a phenomenal job with the TRANSFORMERS PRIME television show," said David Oxford, Executive Vice President at Activision Publishing.  "We are collaborating closely with the series creators to capture all the adventure, humor and friendships from the show to create an authentic action experience for TRANSFORMERS fans of all ages to enjoy."

"Hasbro is thrilled to be working with Activision again on an exciting new TRANSFORMERS video game," said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President of Digital Media and Marketing at Hasbro.  "The TRANSFORMERS PRIME animated series has resonated strongly with kids and fans and we're looking forward to delivering this new way to experience the adventure."

TRANSFORMERS PRIME will hit stores later this year and is being developed exclusively for Nintendo's Wii(TM) system and the Nintendo 3DS(TM) hand-held system by Now Production (NowPro), and for the Nintendo DS(TM) hand-held system by Altron Corporation.  The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB. 

For more information and exclusive updates, fans can visit http://www.TransformersPrimeTheGame.com.

About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio.  From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY.  The Hub, Hasbro's multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is http://www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, http://www.activision.com. 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing's expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Activision Publishing generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be," "plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," future," "plan," "positioned," "potential," "project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Publishing's titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing's ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing's products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, industry competition including from used games and other forms of entertainment, litigation risks and associated costs, rapid changes in technology, industry standards, business models including online and used games, and consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as music, first-person action and massively multiplayer online games, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers that can create high quality "hit" titles, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and potential challenges associated with geographic expansion, and the other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

HASBRO and its logo, TRANSFORMERS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2012 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.  Game © 2012 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE  Activision Publishing, Inc.

Activision Publishing, Inc.

CONTACT: Kelvin Liu, Senior Publicist of Activision, Inc., +1-310-255-2213, kelvin.liu@activision.com

Web Site: http://www.activision.com

TFSource have received some new images from BTS Toys of the upcoming Savage and Nightfang cassettes. These new images show BTS' not-Ravage and not-Ratbat in their "combined forms"with Tremor and Frequenzy (Rumble and Frenzy).

You can attach their piledrivers / guns to Savage, sit Tremor or Frequenzy on his back and combine Nightfang with one of the the robots to form a BatRobot (looking a litlte like the European Powermasters.

Shout!Factory's Transformers Prime the Complete First Season was released on DVD and Blu-ray yesterday! The sets boast over 10 Hours of Non-Stop Action, Special Bonus Content and for a limited time comes packed with a 96 page graphic novel!

Australian fansite Ozformers we have some new in-package Transformers Prime images from the 2012 Australia Toy Fair.

The Robochris Rakutan store has updated with some new images of Transformers Prime Japan Arms Micron Terrorcon Cliffjumper. The new images show that Terrorcon Cliffjumper has gone for a completely purple "Dark Energon" deco, rather than the red deco with purple Dark Energon "burn" deco.