Transformers, missing a transformation...

Devastator: It takes six, babyyyy...

It dawned on me this morning as Ld & I exchanged e-mails continuing on our "Battles" discussion that there's a void in my video gaming life. After the battles of Lionel, Captain Planet, the Hulk, and Michael Clarke Duncan had completed, I tossed out several Transformers that had the ability to merge to create even larger robots , aka Combiner Teams (i.e. Constructicons, Aerial Bots, Combaticons and Stunticons). Ld selected Devasator, a strong choice.

The 100kg anvil that landed on my proverbial foot was this: why isn't there a Transformers RPG or MMORPG? My affinity for the "Grand Theft Auto"-style of gameplay lasted a mere quarter of college. so I have no desire to want to purchase the 2008 Transformers video game. An intense, violent search via Google left me desperately seeking just one positive website that would have some knowledge of a Transformers-based video game RPG (that would play like Final Fantasy/Xenogears or even better Final Fantasy Tactics). My appetite for oversize robot destruction was temporarily satisfied by Front Mission IV (available at a local gaming exchange store for $12.99).... but the sleeping giant has been awakened...

**Editor's Note** While the RPG-style is my preference, the idea of developing a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) version could be equally amazing. In fact, it may carry a wider audience by tapping into the Warcraft, Dune, and Command & Conquer (better known as C&C) addicts. The scenario below could be amended for an RTS by introducing Energon as a mining commodity necessary for financing the construction of a base, its defenses & facilities and squad member upgrades (i.e. armor, weaponry)...

To my dismay, there were countless entries and forum posting that echo this blog entry and zero, nil, nada that would say otherwise. It is frustrating to say the least. My limited mental capacity imagines an Final Fantasy-style game that not only allows you to elect whether you want to play as the Autobots or the Decepticons, but integrates a team-building mentality that would present a gamer to build a legion of up to 20-25 characters.

For example, as you progress through a story-line written for the Autobots:

• Team Building: You travel through various junkyards and bases presenting you with the opportunity to recruit additional characters into your squad. Your play as Optimus Prime and begin with a team that includes Ratchet, and Prowl. During one of your stops, you are given the option to select 3 out of the five following Autobots: Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Blaster, Jazz and Smokescreen. Similarly, Megatron would start with Starscream and Skywarp, then have to pick from Thundercracker, Soundwave, Sunstorm, Ramjet and Thrust. There would be inherent advantages and disadvantages to the composition of a team, which would be essential to winning certain battles.
  
• Character Development: as with other RPGs, you level up by fighting battles and you can develop the character with abilities, special attacks, and equipment. I imagine that this list of abilities, attacks and equipment would be catered to the various character types.
• Character Types: Soldiers (Cars & Jets), Medics, Communicators (audioplayer & microcassettes), Combiner, Other/Special.
• Communicators & Combiner Teams: The idea behind this would be to allow gamers to select/upgrade from a team of Soundwave + Ravage + Laserbeak to the six Constructicons.
• Other/Special Characters: Just to name a few; Insecticons, Dinobots, Terrorcons, Monsterbots, Triple Changers (!!), Six Changer (!!!). Once in a while during story battles, MAJOR characters are introduced (i.e. Metroplex/Scorponok battle stations) as allies which can not be recruited to join your squad.
  
• Random Battles: As Autobots, your battles would be with Insecticons/Piranacons and as Decepticons, your battles would be with Minivehicles/Dinobots (smaller ones to start, not fighting Grimlock or Slag over and over). Each battle would delimit a max number of Transformers you can use to fight with (4-5 in random).
  
• Story/Boss Battles: You fight Grimlock or Optimus and a team of minions here. Or maybe the Stunticons Menasor (you have to stop them from merging!). Heck, we'll throw in Ultra Magnus. Each battle would delimit a max number of Transformers you can use to fight with (6-10 in story).
• Final Battle: In order to effectively waste three hours of your life in ONE battle, you could commandeer 10-15 squad members to destroy 20 minions and multiple Boss characters.
  
• AP/HP/EP - Attack Points (each attack would require a number of AP), Health-Hit Points (your life points), Energon Points (special skill/ability points). Energon points would be used to execute a combo-attack with Soundwave + Ravage or to build Devastator. Presumably, leveling up makes it easier to defeat tougher enemies.
• Story Line - I haven't done my homework in reading the comic books, but I could default to the story-line written in the existing Transformers video game, modified for new character additions. Alternatively, the goal of the Autobots is to play "policeman" and react to Decepticons creating chaos on various planets (Ooo! landscape/terrain factor!) with a grand finale on Earth. The Misfits would target certain locations with the intent of capturing Energon cubes and ultimately destroying Optimus Prime & Crew. *Editor's Note* For the heartless and ruthless gamers, the story-line would simply be to eliminate the other faction from the universe. Progression through the story would revolve around the building and training of an army followed by countless battles in various arenas.
  

I'm sure this could be a lot more in-depth, but generally speaking, this would get a rise out of my pants and I would dedicate the 80-120 hours of gameplay necessary to complete the game. The college (maybe high school today) gamer with more time in the world than any of us, could play as the Autobots (beat the game in 60 hours, FINISH the game in 100 hours) then go play as the Decepticons (same time frame) from the same game (none of this two disk marketing bullshit). Side missions and stories along the way (from female Transformers or rogue mercenaries) would increase your gameplay by at least 10 hours. Ideally, you could buy the video game sleeve and get both disks for say, $69.99 or $39.99 individually. I WOULD buy a PS3/XBox360 if this game was on the market as described above.

Unfortunately, this game doesn't exist on the face of this planet and even if it did, those who would most enjoy and delight in its existence are now between the ages of 25 and 35 who don't have the time to play because of a 9am to 5pm day job... which I should probably get back to now...

*drool*

Picture this: Team Soundwave.