Build a 'Bot

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:50 pm

I've always wondered how hard it would be to create a TF toy - some of them look bloody complicated to design (Unicron being one), but how about an entire character?
This topic is for the creation a new Transformer. Call it a site mascot, future fanfic star, or mindless brainstorming, but what I hope for us to have by the end is a fully formed, fully designed TF to call our own. Someone who will be as liked as your own fond favourite TF.
People with art skills get out you pens/graphics tablets, 3D modellers grab your mouse. Those with the artistic powers of a drain, bring to us your thoughts and ideas. This is for us all.

Okay, fundamental questions first:
Autobot or Decepticon? It could be a new addition to an existing team ie. Dinobots, Firecons (snigger), Pretenders (shell to design too) etc.
Alt mode. Land, sea, air, device, weapon, beast? Earthern or Cybertronian?
Series. G1, G2, BW, BM, RID etc
Provisional name. This could change as the character develops. Along with:
Personality and History.
Function.
Weapons and special powers.
Anything else I've missed at this early stage. Suggestions?

That's pretty much the basics for now. Once we can decide on alt mode, the designs can begin. It doesn't have to be a specific make or model of something straight away - if we think jet, we can play around with jet types until we have a good basic transform. It could be an alien jet like Misfire or Energon Megatron.
Personally, I prefer a Decepticon 'cos villians are more fun, but perhaps the heroes will win through.

One rule though: NO new versions of existing characters - no Optimus Primes or Megatrons etc.
Try to make this as in-depth as possible - like we were designers for Takara and our asses were on the line with this.

I know we have alot of very creative types here, so take it away.

Darth Aux · Post by **Darth Aux** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:13 am

I used to do this a bit, greatest creation being a Denzoil Skyline, lost the pic but would be eay to start over again. I drew it back in the days of Gran Turismo II and it was a kind of present day Hotrod (kinda like an Alternator I guess). Just read the end of the post, uh hum did I say Hotrod??? I meant entirely new character lol

Anyway I'll give it a go.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 11:37 am

with a bit of work I can mock it up in 3D... would be cool.

dont go nuts tho im having a hard enough time making a new retrofit impactor...

Darth Aux · Post by **Darth Aux** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:04 pm

How about a CITY BOT and then some if you will "Auxillary" units this way we could include quite a few ideas people through into the mix (Sorry Impy).

This could show the community we have here at Transfans.

[/b]

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:34 pm

Darth Aux wrote:This could show the community we have here at Transfans.

That's more like it - I thought this had died an early death.

I like the idea of a city 'bot, if you mean like Fort Max or Metroplex - a physical embodiment of the Transfans forum. We could have a little 'Best First. rover vehicle with a box for a head (ooh! Headmaster!).

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:38 pm

I'd chip in, but don't want to toss out any ideas I might use for my stories.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:42 pm

Then toss out your crap ones and we'll improve them.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:44 pm

Nothing I make is crap!

Except, well, you know, the crap.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:51 pm

We'll take it.
Hmm... brown.

Darth Aux · Post by **Darth Aux** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:01 pm

yep a Head master, targetmaster, powermaster, turbomaster, triple changing seeker, supreme citybot.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:04 pm

Darth Aux wrote:yep a Head master, targetmaster, powermaster, turbomaster, triple changing seeker, supreme citybot.

So he's a Head and Target master? Power master too?

I take it he separates into the three components to merge with a small metal world or moon to become Unicron Jr, yes?

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:06 pm

I can see an impossible task looming.

Post by **Kaylee** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:18 pm

I always thought a submarine would be cool, we've never had one before ^_^

was going to use it for a fic but im too lazy, steal what you like

Name: Centurion (I'm sure his name actually started wth M but ive forgotten it

)
Faction: Decepticon
Sub-Group: ATMT (All Terrain Multi-Task Team)
Alt mode: Submarine
Function:
ATMT Commander, underwater/outspace operations, long distance bombardment

Personality and History:

He is the leader of the All Terrain Multi Task Squad, designed for whatever mission is too difficult for regular decepticon forces. Under his command are five specially designed warriors, each with specialist skills making them invaluable in the range of situations the team are found in.

Their commander has a tremendous battle field presence, assisted by his towering height and formidable strength, and canny tactical abilities.

He is however plagued by a shockingly sharp temper, which can lead to snap decisions he or his team may later regret. In his cooler moments he has learnt the valuable skill few Decepticon commanders have mastered of being able to delegate, listen to and rely upon trustworthy subordinates.

Weapons and special powers:

In submarine mode, he carries 25 under-water-to-air nuclear missiles, each carrying a 100 megaton payload. He is also equipped with an onboard armour-piercing torpedo manufacturing plant, which fabricates new torpedoes from raw energy- although this is shockingly costly to his fuel reserves.

Space vehicle mode is capable of sub-light excursions up to one Astronomical Unit. He is relatively unarmed in this mode, equipped only with gattling cannons as most of his arsenal is unsuitable for interstellar warfare.

Both Submarine and space vehicle mode provide him with medium range communications abilities, broadcasting up to 1000 miles from orbit or 10 miles from sea. He is also equipped with 5 remotely controlled multipurpose drones, these are unarmed.

In robot mode, the nuclear missiles are available from vast shoulder mounted platforms. He is also equipped with twin gattling cannons, suitable for long distance artillery strikes.

Weaknesses:

His space station mode is highly vulnerable to any high powered assualt.

Whilst his arsenal is formidable, in close combat he must rely solely on his formidable strength which, coupled with his harsh temper, can often leave him in a tough situation which, given a cool head, he would never have found himself in.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:31 pm

Nice. This is the kind of thing I was on about. I don't remember there being a sub TF (or a 'dom' one, for that matter). The sub and space mode could actually be the same form (thinking of ships from Starship Troopers and Aliens), and he launches into space like a rocket. Anyone want to pick apart Karl's tech specs? Does he really weigh seven stone?

And if Centurian starts with 'M', that means his name is McEnturian.
We'll need reference pics for us to design his robot mode from.
Don't forget the Citybot idea though - who says we can't explore both options for now? How about combining them and having a Sub City? Transfans can live under the sea, right?
How about a tractor TF?

Post by **Kaylee** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:41 pm

Well there were plans for a whole team of them if you're interested-

Ox:

Built like a brick **** house, even by TF standards. Ox is huge, massively strong and devoid of any weaponry, relying on the abilities of his comrades to provide firearm assistance.

Ox transforms into a battle field emplacement large enough to harbour the team, complete with communications/lookout tower and 36" thick armour plating walls with machine gun holes for firefights.

He has virtually no personality, his entire systems given over to multipurpose battlefield computational systems programmeable for any eventuality before hand or on the fly.

APU:

The All Purpose Unit is highly experimental, built entirely out of tiny self-controlled building blocks called 'Bones'. This enables the APU to have an almost infinite number of transformations for disguise/infiltration/espionage purposes. His robot mode and alternate forms have virtually no strength however, due to his construction.

Bort:

Bort is designed in a similar manner to the APU, but Bort is the opposite. whereas the APU is designed to be all show, Bort transforms into a huge variety of alternate modes. Whilst they rarely look like a conventional device, he is able to rewire his internal circuitry using special chameleon mechanisms to emulate most electronic devices.

In this way Bort can transform into just about any piece of hardware which the team might require. Bort suffers from a multiple personality syndrome due to the constant rewiring of his circuits. He is able to incorporate new technology as required from existing systems.

Spider:

Spider is a high speed jeep like vehicle, able to relay messages or transport important items at high speed over even very tough terrain. His small size is ideal for infiltration or spying missions.

Again, steal what you like

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:51 pm

Karl Lynch wrote: APU:

The All Purpose Unit is highly experimental, built entirely out of tiny self-controlled building blocks called 'Bones'. This enables the APU to have an almost infinite number of transformations for disguise/infiltration/espionage purposes. His robot mode and alternate forms have virtually no strength however, due to his construction.

Apu? From the Kwik'E'Mart?
Didn't they do the 'blocks' idea for the Replicators in Stargate?

Karl Lynch wrote:Again, steal what you like

Ta, I will (snaffles ideas).

It might be best to stick to just one 'bot for now to simplify things. I'll have a look-see and post some design pics as soon as.

Post by **Kaylee** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:53 pm

re Replicators in Stargate I've got no idea- I thought i was being original

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:56 pm

Little blocks that locked together to make different shapes - mostly spiders. They ate metal and made more blocks (to replicate their species). Eventually there were enough of them to create a planet from the blocks. Then they evolved into human form. Never understood that last part.

There is no such thing as original, I'm afraid.

Post by **Kaylee** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:28 pm

Yeah there is. Crazy Frog's never been done before and hopefully will never be done again.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:33 pm

Being annoying is nothing new. I've done it for years.

Darth Aux · Post by **Darth Aux** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:55 pm

Autobloke wrote:Being annoying is nothing new. I've done it for years.

Autobloke, you are so getting my vote for Rookey of the year. Your a funny guy.

I just finished a 19 lap race on Forza, so I'm gonna grab a pencil and some paper.

Want me to have a go at the city bot?

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:04 pm

Darth Aux wrote:Rookey of the year.

Hope this is a compliment.

Darth Aux wrote:Want me to have a go at the city bot?

Open to all - scribble away. I'll trawl for subs on the net and try and post summit tomorrow for Karl's idea.
Still like a tractorbot though.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:07 pm

Autobloke wrote:Still like a tractorbot though.

Me too.

Darth Aux · Post by **Darth Aux** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:08 pm

Autobloke wrote:
Darth Aux wrote:Rookey of the year.
Hope this is a compliment.

Yes it is.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:24 pm

Señior's Covenant wrote:
Autobloke wrote:Still like a tractorbot though.
Me too.

Pen to paper, pal.

Ta Darth. Cash on the way as promised. Monopoly money okay for you?

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:32 pm

Bloody hell, a 'con armed with 25 nuclear missiles! I wouldn't mess with him.

I used to have a sub Gobot.

That APU idea is genius.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:16 am

Darth Aux wrote:
Autobloke wrote:
Darth Aux wrote:Rookey of the year.
Hope this is a compliment.
Yes it is.

Even if you WEREN'T a funny mother******, I think that 1200 posts in 3 months is a damn fine claim to Rookie Of the Year.

We now return you to your previously scheduled topic.

What about an Ice or Water vehicle combiner team?

Darth Aux · Post by **Darth Aux** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:26 am

Shanti418 wrote:
What about an Ice or Water vehicle combiner team?

Liking it!!

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:46 pm

Shanti41 wrote:What about an Ice or Water vehicle combiner team?

I'm of the opinion there can never be enough of those.

metalhead24 · Post by **metalhead24** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:08 am

Hmm... a city bot made up of transfans characters that's an omni-master... so like, can I draw up a character to be his gun, for the target-master part? We could make up some cool story about how he was forged from the metal of Unicron's head, and now is a target-master for this yet-to-be-named city bot? Perhaps a triple changer from a 'bot to gun to plane? Kinda like the smaller version of Armada prime, 'cept a lot cooler.

How's that?