NetDragon Websoft Inc have issued the following press release regarding the release of a Transformers MMORPG that will be available in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and North Africa in 2011!

HONG KONG, July 30 -- NetDragon Websoft Inc, a leading online game developer and innovator in China, today announced that it has entered a brand licensing agreement with Hasbro, Inc., a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services, for the exclusive rights to develop and publish in Asia, Russia/CIS and MENA an MMORPG based on Hasbro's iconic TRANSFORMERS brand. The action-oriented PC online game "TRANSFORMERS Online" is expected to officially roll-out in 2011 in China as well as other select markets in Asia, MENA and Russia/CIS.

The TRANSFORMERS brand has garnered a worldwide fan base of millions due to the ideal worldview on which it is based, its ever-changing image, and its sustained promotion through toys, movies, TV shows, comics, and other consumer channels.

"NetDragon's proven expertise at creating hugely successful MMOG's, coupled with the passion they share for the iconic TRANSFORMERS brand, means we are thrilled to be entering into this license with them to deliver a truly ground-breaking MMO to fans in China and selected markets in Asia and Russia/CIS," said Mark Blecher, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Digital Media & Gaming at Hasbro.

NetDragon Chairman and Executive Director Liu Dejian expressed, "As a brand and a cultural icon, TRANSFORMERS is already a household name in China, and we are extremely honored to be able to join hands with Hasbro to bring the excitement and fanaticism of TRANSFORMERS into the online gaming sector. We firmly believe that through the hard work of NetDragon's passionate and creative employees, we will be able to create a game that will stand the test of time for TRANSFORMERS fans and hobbyists around the globe."

About NetDragon

NetDragon Websoft Inc. is a leading innovator and creative force in China's online gaming industry. Established in 1999, NetDragon has been operating and developing a broad range of MMORPGs since launching its first self-made title Monster & Me in 2002. In addition, NetDragon is China's pioneer in overseas expansion, having directly operated its titles in overseas markets since 2004 in English, French, Spanish and other foreign languages. NetDragon's game portfolio comprises a range of massively multiplayer online games that cater to various types of players and gaming preferences. Current offerings include the games Eudemons Online, Conquer Online, Zero Online, Way of the Five, Heroes of Might & Magic Online, Disney Fantasy Online and Tian Yuan. NetDragon also has several games currently in development, including Dungeon Keeper Online, Doomsday, Cross Gate, Legend of the Dark and a new version of Ultima Online.

About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS - News) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com(C) 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

entertainmentearth.com has posted a pre-order for the Scout Class Figures of Wave Three of the Transformers Power Core Combiners. The wave is a set of recolours which include.

Darkstream with Razorbeam (a repaint of Skyburst and Chopster), Steelshot with Beacon (formally Bombshock and Backwind), and finally Windburn with Darkray (who used to be Searchlight and Caliburst)

Thanks Mr Neurie for sending in the following update to the UK stock of Transformers War For Cybertron.

"Been trying to get War For Cybertron at retail today and found you can't find it at Game, Gamestation, HMV or at a large supermarket? Well according to the manager at the local Gamestation there's a reason and it's not that it's sold out.

Apparantly activision only sent out enough stock to cover preorders and nothing for the rest of people who waned to get the product. The only store I could find with copiesfor sale was Smyths who had 2 copies of the game for each of the systems. The manger of Gamestation also said they were not expecting any more stock either.

Good luck finding it at retail."

We received our copy of the game yesterday from Play.com and a word of warning for those who have bought it and are yet to play it, at least on the PS3, it will be a good 20-30 minutes from inserting the disc until you can actually get to the main menu due to the update that is instantly required and the 5GB install.

We received our copy of Transformers War For Cybertron today from Play.com (though without and unlock codes sadly).  Have you received your copy of the game yet? What do you think? 

Use this news story and message board thread to discuss your first thoughts and share your gamer IDs so you can play multi-player with fellow members / visitors

Hasbro have updated Transformers.com with the following release

­TRANSFORMERS: EXODUS origin novel out in stores now

Telling one of the most important stories in the TRANSFORMERS canon, this novel explores and expands upon the origins of the super villain MEGATRON, leader of the evil DECEPTICONS, and the rise of OPTIMUS PRIME to leadership of the heroic AUTOBOTS.

TRANSFORMERS: EXODUS written by Alex Irvine takes fans deep into the secret lore of the TRANSFORMERS universe, charting the creation of the DECEPTICONS and the AUTOBOTS—and chronicling the civil war that divided them. At the center of this thrilling history are OPTIMUS PRIME and MEGATRON, the ultimate hero and the ultimate villain, whose destinies are entwined with that of their home planet, CYBERTRON. Developed in close partnership with Hasbro, this is a canonical TRANSFORMERS tale that also relates to, and expands on, the story being told in the newly released video game, TRANSFORMERS: War for Cybertron, from Activision. Fans will not want to miss all of the details that can only be told in novel form, the moment OPTIMUS gains “PRIME” status, MEGATRON becomes his arch enemy and leader of the DECEPTICONS and their great civil war begins.

Read the first 4 chapters of the book here:

Hasbro have updated Transformers.com with some images of the DS version of the game along with the code to unlock Ramjet.

In related news, Play.com have started shipping UK versions of the game.

• Power Bots Bumblebee
• Leader Starscream
• Forest Battle Optimus Prime­
  

We have received word that Sambro will be releasing a new Transformers Pinball game this year for children.  Sambro have released Transformers licensed products before under their New World Toys banner including a whole range of Transformers Animated products.  For those wondering what the products were, you can find them on their website here.

How there pinball game will compare to the pinball games released by other manufactures to tie in to the first and second live action Transformers Movie remains to be seen, but it will be available to toy stores in the not-so-distant future

AIR RAID
Autobot
Class: Scout
Chassis: Jet
Primary Weapon: EMP Shotgun
Abilities: Guided Missile, Dash
Description: Fearless and rash, Air Raid is always ready for a fight.  He prefers diving head first into a pack of Decepticons rather than shooting them from afar because it’s more fun.  That is his only real goal in life; to have fun.  This attitude always seems to place him and his fellows in danger, but he always manages to get himself and his friends out of it. 

BREAKDOWN
Decepticon
Class: Scout
Chassis: Car
Primary Weapon: EMP Shotgun
Abilities: Shockwave, Dash
Description: Breakdown is a very capable Decepticon warrior, but has one main underlying problem.  He is extremely paranoid that everyone and everything is out to get him.  Being in crowded places is nerve wracking for Breakdown, as he feels like everyone is staring at him, judging him.  He just wants to blend in and do the duty that the Decepticons require of him in anonymity.

TFW2005.com board member Inciteful has posted a list of new Transformers listings from the Wal*Mart computers.  Now the listings do not always turn out to be 100% accurate but they certainly hope gauge the toys likely to be released.

UPC #: Name:
65356955835 TRA VOYAGER STRAFE
65356950343 TRA BB OPTIMUS PRIME
65356950344 TRA DCPTCN BANZITRON
65356951660 TRA TWIN BOOM FIGHTR
65356951661 TRA VOY THE FALLEN
65356950293 TRA VOYAGER SEASPRAY
65356950269 TRA VOYAGER PAYLOAD
65356955833 TRA VOYAGER LUGNUT
65356955834 TRA VOYAGER GRAPPEL
65356949287 TRA SCOUT HUBCAP
65356949290 TRA SCOUT BRIMSTONE
65356949292 TRA SCOUT CRANKSTART
65356949293 TRA SCOUT BACKFIRE
65356950323 TRA SCOUT OIL PAN
65356950322 TRA SCOUT BREACHER
65356950321 TRA SCOUT INSECTICON
65356950329 TRA SCOUT FIRETRAP
65356950328 TRA SCOUT SUNSPOT
65356949294 TRA DLX IRONHIDE
65356949300 TRA BLADE BUMBLEBEE
65356949302 TRA SEA ATK RAVAGE
65356949303 TRA DELUXE JETBLADE
65356951643 TRA DELUXE AXOR
65356951646 TRA RESCUE RATCHET
65356950338 TRA DLX HAILSTORM
65356950339 TRA DLX ELITA-1
65356950337 SIDEARM SIDESWIPE
65356951638 TRA DLX TOMAHAWK
65356951639 TRA DLX TERRADIVE
65356951641 TRA DLX ELEC JOLT
65356950340 TRA DLX TURNER SKIDS