For those keeping track I can now tell you that we have re-gained access to our old server and that I will be looking are merging the database from that server with the current one on here later tonight. During the merge the website will be unavailable for approximately 5-15 minutes. In order to complete the merge, I will be populating the database on the old server with any new news stories and galleries and then will be moving that merged version back onto this server, correct any collation or other issues. The result should mean a full restoration of the missnig galleries, news stories, trademarks, trademark history records etc, but we will be missing the weekends messatge board posts.

After yesterday morning's problems we've managed to get the majority of our websites back up and running Transformers Animated, Lucky Draw Transformers and AFA Transformers are all back online, with Transformers Animated just missing episode summaries for the last 2 months (all the galleries are back).

Transformers At The Moon is now back working, missing two galleries, 2 months of news and most noticibly having problems with the stylesheet for the message board.

We will be looking at trying to resolve the remaining issues later today.

I've got two new Transformers Toy Galleries for you today.  The first is a small mirror of some images which recently appeared on ebay for a clear Transformers Collectors Editon / Encore Dirge toy

The second for our latest Transformers purchase, the 25th Anniversary Transformers Universe Darkwind toy.  This figure is a recoloured version of Transformers Universe Silverbolt using the Generation One Darkwing colours.  Darkwind was the combined form of Dreadwind and Darkwing in the original Transformers Series.

Just to prove that miracles can happen we have not only updated the our Transformers Store Locator to not only remove Woolworths (finally) and also to add in the Forbidden Planet stores but we have also fixed the bug that stopped the "radius" selection working correctly.  Before it always checked within 10 miles of the located postcode where as now it uses the radius you select again.  How long this has been wrong we can only guess.  The store locator never officially came out of beta which says a lot as to how much I've worked on it over the last 3 years.

In a related bug fix the "Store Locator" quick jump box at the top of everypage is also now back working again!

A quick word of warning though, althought the distances are worked out down to 10 metres of the postcode you enter, the database we use was purchased back in 2003, so if your postcode has changed since, or you live in a new area, it wont work.  If this is the case, please get in touch with us with your details and we will try to update the records.  For those wondering we do not use longitude / latitude co-ordinates we they were not accurate enough for the initial scope of the project that spawned the store locator, though their support was in the original spec for non-UK based data.

After a few months of no new updates on the Transformers toy section of Transformers At The Moon, we have finally uploaded some new images for you, this time focusing on some of the past BotCon exclusive sets.

The new galleries consist of :-

1. BotCon 2005 Chromia
2. BotCon 2005 Ironhide
3. BotCon 2006 Axalon Optimus Prime
4. BotCon 2006 Axalon Cheetor
5. BotCon 2006 Axalon Rhinox
6. BotCon 2006 Axalon Ratrap
7. BotCon 2006 Darksyde Dinobot
8. BotCon 2006 Darksyde Megatron - Robot mode only (I forgot to transform him)
9. BotCon 2006 Darkside Laserbeak
10. BotCon 2006 Darksyde Divebomb - Robot mode only (I forgot to transform him as well)
    

The website is back up and running after a fault at the data centre where our webserver is hosted.  During the time we were unable to remotely re-boot the server, and it took a few hours to get through to the hosting company.

Sorry for any inconvience caused.

It's been a while since we ran some updates on the site, due to work, but you will now find two new galleries thanks to Barry Shaw.  The featured Transformers toys are Transformers Universe Sideswipe and Transformers Universe Ironhide.

Barry also sends through these four teasers for his next work.

Thanks to Hobbystock Japan who have posted a report (in-language) and details from the Tokyo International TOY Forum 2009 event held January 14th and 15th in Tokyo, Japan. In attendance was Tomy Takara with a wide variety of Transformers products for preview.

• The Chrono Label watches were shown - appearing to be fully diacast.
• Transformers Masterpiece Grimlock was on display
• Disney Label Micky Mouse Convoy was on display also
• Bruticus (Transformers Encore Combaticons) were on display.  We're already edging our bets on an eHobby Battle Gaia set later this year.
• Ramhorn, Steeljaw and Ratbat were shown
• Various Transformers Henkei were on dislpay
• C-14 Ratchet - March - 2310 yen
  C-15 Inferno - March - 3675 yen
  C-16 Dinobot - March - 2310 yen
  C-17 Hot Rod - March - 2310 yen
  C-18 Mini-robot Attack - March - 2310
  C-19 Mini-robot Spy teams - March - 2310 yen
  C-20 Red Alert - March 2310 yen
  C-21 Smokescreen - March - 2310 yen 
  

IGN has interviewed Roberto Orci one of the screen writers for Transformers Revenge of The Fallen. In this interview he confirms two rumours about the characters and hints at new visuals of the movie.

The information is posted further down the page, so look away if you don't want to find out.

Orci: So I said Ravage... maybe?

IGN: Pretty much, yeah.

Orci: [As if giving a big reveal] Ravage!

IGN: [Laughs] Damn, I should have told you that you said Ravage for sure!

Orci: Hmm… I'll give you an exclusive here. There is a Pretender. I'm going to get killed for saying that.

Part three of our January "Build-up to BotCon" features a hand painted sample of the unreleased BotCon Wreckers Rotorbolt figure.

Rotorbolt was a repaint of the Beast Machines Vehicon Obsidian toy, but was never intended to be issued as a convention exclusive. This was handpainted by a former lead deco artist from Hasbro and is the exact toy pictured on the BotCon Web site at http://www.botcon.com/archive/story/characters/catalog.html.

Following up our exclusive gallery of the unreleased hand-painted sample of the BotCon Wreckers Alpha Trion toy, you will now find part 2 of our "Build-up to BotCon" feature.  This time we focus on DevCon, a character featured in the BotCon / OTFCC Wreckers, who didn't see a toy released for the convention.  3H did have a hand painted sample made up, although they say that the figure was never intended for a Convention release .. which begs the question "why have the sample made?"

You can see this one of a kind hand painted sample, featuring it's nice metallic red paint, exclusively at Transformers At The Moon.  The toy is featured with a grey/green testshot of Beast Machines Mirage - who was the original owner of the mold.

We've updated out previously small (2 images) gallery of the currently unreleased BotCon Wreckers Alpha Trion toy with 44 more images.

The gallery now comprises of the only full image gallery of this toy on the web, as it features the hand painted sample made for 3H, and never put into full production.

The timing of the gallery is perfect, with the BotCon 2009 toys believed to be comprised of the remaining BotCon Wrecker team, of which Alpha Trion was their leader.

Alpha Trion is featured along side Beast Machines Snarl and an all white testshot of Beast Machines Snarl (of which Hasbro put the legs on backwards).

With 2009 right around the corner, we thought we'd give you a little run through on some of the things you can look forward to in the New Year.

• Transformers 25th Anniversary celebrations - more toys, more reissues, a special BotCon
• Transformers Revenge of the Fallen - the third Big Screen outing for the Transformers, and the second live action movie. We'll be keeping close tabs with Paramount Pictures UK to try and bring you more exclusive news, and hopefully something special around release day ... like we did last year ;-)
• 10th Anniversary of Transformers At The Moon - 1999 to 2009, our first website hits double figures.
• More toy galleries - We look to continue to photograph the 2000+ Transformers we own and will bring you more Exclusive galleries featuring Testshots of Unreleased Transformers, more Japanese Lucky Draw Transformers and the rest of your favourite transforming toy range
• New websites / new features (which we've been planning for 5 years) and hopefully, if we get time, a new look.

Here's a preview of some of the galleries to expect in January 2009.