Transformers-The Movie

[Donovan Morningfire]

What amazes me right now is the inexistence of a Tranformers d20 game, since Hasbro owns both TF and d20.

As cool as that might have been, RPGs (aside from D&D) are probably a small share of WotC's profits. Star Wars got the greenlight (to Relique's chagrin) since there's a large established fanbase that's been clamoring for product for a few years now, something d20 Modern really hasn't had in comparison. Plus there's the hope that Saga Edition Star Wars will grab a percentage of the non-gamer Star Wars fanbase. As has been joked about before, if WotC could tap into even 1% of that fanbase with Saga Edition, the profits could very well blow D&D out of the water as WotC's big RPG money-maker (so far, SECR is Amazon's top RPG product, and it's been getting some fairly positive feedback overall).

Designing, testing, and producing RPG books are not cheap, and much like a GI Joe RPG, TF RPG is a very tiny niche within a nich market. Star Wars has a bit more of a chance due to that franchise having a much larger following (30 years and still going strong), while TF is getting hyped due to a summertime movie, and which may yet end up tanking at the box office. And while d20 Modern would have been a good starting place, there's enough rule changes that would need to be made to have giant transforming robots as the PCs that it would take time to develop those rules (currently d20 Modern/Future doesn't handle characters on that kind of scale).

Collectible games on the other hand are much cheaper and far more profitable for WotC, especially if randomized. Hence, the TF constructible card game that WotC put out.

Also, there'd be the headache of what setting to use for Transformers RPG. Movie? Classic 80's? Any of the recent japanese-created series? Regardless of which one you choose, part of the fanbase is going to get excluded.

Although if you really want a TF-based d20 RPG, check out Mechamorphosis. It's pretty bare-bones, but me and a few friends played a one-shot TF game using that, and it worked well enough. Needs a bit of fine-tuning though.

 

[Ranger REG]

What amazes me right now is the inexistence of a Tranformers d20 game, since Hasbro owns both TF and d20.

Not surprising actually, when WotC could make more money off of the label with their Transformers CSG than a Transformers RPG.

What is surprising -- shocking, perhaps -- is that you believe there are more roleplayers than there are card-players or miniatures wargamers in the world. To splash some ice water in your face, we roleplayers are an endangered species.

 

[Klaus]

Not surprising actually, when WotC could make more money off of the label with their Transformers CSG than a Transformers RPG.

What is surprising -- shocking, perhaps -- is that you believe there are more roleplayers than there are card-players or miniatures wargamers in the world. To splash some ice water in your face, we roleplayers are an endangered species.

Yes, but they're not mutually exclusive. Transformers Miniatures + Transformers RPG + Transformers action figures = mucho dinero for WotC/Hasbro.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Yes, but they're not mutually exclusive. Transformers Miniatures + Transformers RPG + Transformers action figures = mucho dinero for WotC/Hasbro.

Especially since you'd get a lot of people who'd buy it just to have it. A sale is a sale.

Heck, I'm still surprised there's no d20 Modern G.I. Joe game. Assuming that WotC didn't have to do an internal licensing fee of some sort, it'd've been great for cross-pollination of brands.

Brad

 

[frankthedm]

Sorry, i can watch self made web photos to see robots transform and beat up people. When i pay 30 bucks for 2 hours i want a good movie and a plot. This looks like it wil ldeliver though. As i've been disappointed with spiderman and fantastic four (thoug ha bit less) i hope transformers will redeem my faith.

If you are paying 30 bucks for your movie ticket, you have no one else to blame. Whether the cost is from gas, hiring a sitter or being bent over by metropolitan parking charges, that’s not hollywood's fault.

Well, if you squeeze LotR down to one sentence like that, yeah, it'll sound pretty simple and lame, too

Transformers was Intended to be squeezed down to one sentence.

Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons!

 

[Relique du Madde]

Transformers was Intended to be squeezed down to one sentence.

Yeah, but what movie can't be distilled down to a sentence or two?

 

[Ranger REG]

Yes, but they're not mutually exclusive. Transformers Miniatures + Transformers RPG + Transformers action figures = mucho dinero for WotC/Hasbro.

Using the above, the example equation would be $100 + $0.01 + $75 = $175.01.

Not desirable when you have to take into account that you have to pay for such a RPG license.

 

[Ranger REG]

Especially since you'd get a lot of people who'd buy it just to have it. A sale is a sale.

Actually, how many people would buy RPG just to have it?

After all, Star Wars fan community isn't helping RPG sales all that much (less than 1% are roleplayers), though WotC is hoping for a complete turnaround. And this franchise is much bigger than Transformers.

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

Heck, I'm still surprised there's no d20 Modern G.I. Joe game. Assuming that WotC didn't have to do an internal licensing fee of some sort, it'd've been great for cross-pollination of brands.

Brad

Given my own experiences with corporate infrastructures and comments from those with broader experiences than my own, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if WotC had to pay a licensing fee to Hasbro to use GI Joe or Transformers for their products. Given that, it makes sense for WotC to focus their efforts on collectible card games, which are far more profitable than RPG books by a wide margin.