Two days ago Snakas posted a news post on the upcoming Transformers pin badges which are being released in Japan in November 2012. The pins will be released in blind packets and have two themes, the Generation One show from the 1980s and the live action Michael Bay Transformers movies from Paramount Pictures.  Below is the full line up:

Generation One Anime series

1.?????? ????? ?????- Red Cybertron/Autobot Emblem.
2.???????????????? - Purple Destron/Decepticon Emblem.
3.?????? ????? - Cybertron / Autobot Emblem.
4.????? ????? - Destron  / Decepticon Emblem.
5.?????? ??????????????? - Beast Wars Cybertron (Maximal) Emblem
6.????? ??????????????? - Beast Wars Destron (Predacon)
7.???????? ??????? - Quintesson emblem
8.?????????? ??????? - The emblem of the Earth Defence Core (EDC)
9.????????? ????????? - Western Transformers logo
10.????????? ?????????????  - Japanese Transformers logo
11???? ???????- Convoy (Optimus Prime) in truck mode from the front.
12.???????????????? - Meister (Jazz) chest / bonnet / hood piece.
13??????????????? - Alert (Red Alert) chest piece.
14.???????????? ???? - Bumble (Bumblebee) in Cybertronian vehicle form
15.????????????????? ???? - Thundercracker in Cybertronian vehicle form
16.????? - The Matrix of Leadership (Creation Matrix)
17 to 19  - These are being kept a secret

Live Action Transformers Movie Series

1.?????? ??????????? - A silver Cybertron / Autobot emblem.
2.???????? ??????????? - A Silver Destron / Decepticon emblem.
3.?????? ??????????????? - A red and silver Autobot emblem.
4.???????? ??????????????? - A red and silver Decepticon symbol.
5.???????? ????? ?????? - Barricades Police emblem.
6.?????? ????? ??????? - Ratchet's search and rescue emblem.
7.N.E.S.T.??????????????????? - The primary N.E.S.T emblem.
8.N.E.S.T.??????????????????????? - The N.E.S.T emblem from Transformers: Revenge (of the Fallen).
9.N.E.S.T.????? - The N.E.S.T vehicle emblem.
10.????7??????? - The primary Section 7 emblem.
11.????7?????????????????? - The Sector 7 Tactital Patch as worn by Agent Simmons
12.N.E.S.T.?Global Alliance?
13 - 15 are secret pins

The pins will be release on the 30th November priced at 420 yen.

Cartoon Network have put up an advert showing that the Transformers Movie Optimus Prime truckis touring the UK

Japanese toy blogger Alfes 2010 has posted two image galleries of the Transformers: Dark of the Moon Lucky Draw Voyager class Gold Optimus Prime with MechTech Trailer.   The toy was limited to 100 pieces and is the gallereis are a great look at this rare figure.  You can view the galleries using the following links:

Gallery 1 - Gallery 2

TFW2005.com board member Sasuke has posted some images of two items from the Universal Studios Hollywood store related to Transformers: The Ride. The first item is an "Energon themed commemorative cup" which you can get when you buy a cream soda.  The cup has a light which flashes to try to make the drink look .... special.  The 2nd item, which we have mirrored below, is a chocolate replica of the Allspark Cube from the Transformers movie!!

Moviehole.net has posted a short interview with Transformers film actor Tyrese Gibson. In the interview he states how much he'd love to return for the 4th installment of the film franchise

Transformers 4 has been officially confirmed

Paramount Pictures has now issued a press release officially announcing Michael Bay's involvement:

Paramount Pictures announced today that director Michael Bay has signed a two-picture deal with the studio, which will commence this spring with the filming of Pain and Gain, and will be followed by the next installment in the hit Transformers franchise.

Based on a true story, Pain and Gain follows a group of bodybuilders who engaged in a campaign of kidnapping, extortion and murder in Florida. First told in an article from the Miami New Times, Pain and Gain, will be directed by Bay and will star Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Expected to begin production in early spring, the movie's producers include Bay, Donald De Line and Ian Bryce.

Following Pain and Gain, Bay will bring audiences a new take on the Transformers franchise as he begins production on the fourth installment in the hit series of movies based on the best-selling Hasbro toyline. The third, and most recent installment of the franchise, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Is the fourth highest global grossing film of all time with 1.124 billion dollars of worldwide box office success. Directed by Bay, the movie will re-unite the filmmaking team from the hit franchise, including producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto and Ian Bryce; and executive producers Steven Spielberg, Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. Paramount Pictures will release the film on June 29th, 2014.

"Michael has been working on PAIN AND GAIN for a number of years but has patiently waited for the perfect casting to trigger a start," said Adam Goodman, President of Paramount's Film Group. "Clearly his patience has paid off as we couldn't be more excited about this combo. His passion for this project is just awesome."

More news in from the Winter Wonderfestival is that a new Transformers related Revoltech toy is in the works.  This time it is Transformers Movie Bumblebee.  Click the full story for images

HK-TF.com have posted images of the free figure people will get when they go on Transformrt: The Ride when it opens in Singapore and then latter in Hollywood.  The toy, named Evac, can be viewed below.

Original link: TT???AUTOBOT EVAC - TF???? - HK-TF ???? - Powered by Discuz!

TFW2005.com report that the Asian exclusive ­Transformers Dark of the Moon Ultimate Optimus Prime "Year of the Dragon Edition" has now been released.  Price at 999RMB the figure is a repaint of the Ultimate Optimus Prime figure which comes with a red trailer sporting a gold dragon to represent the year of the dragon/

You can view some images over on the TFW2005 message board.

A new video for Transformers:The Ride has been posted on YouTube.  You can watch the video below

Our thanks go out to Mr Neurie for letting us know, via twitter, that Smyths have reduced the Ultimate Optimus Prime figure to £49.99, yes that is an incredible £40 off!  You can view an image of the toy at this  price below.

Hasbro Inc have now issued their Quarterly 10k report, a full copy can by viewed here.  In summary, revenue is up for Hasbro in the last quarter however 9 month revenue and profit is down on last year.

On the Transformers side, increased sale within the US and Canada were used to prop up declining sales in NERF and other lines with the same being true internationally.  Hasbro's increased licensing, when it came to entertainment, was driven by growth from licenses within the Transformers product.  Below you will find an extract covering the main breakdown.

U.S. AND CANADA SEGMENT

The U.S. and Canada segment's net revenues for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 decreased 7% to $764,562 from $825,483 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. The decrease in the quarter was a result of decreased revenues in the boys, girls, and games and puzzles categories, partially offset by increased revenues in the preschool category. The increase in the preschool category primarily relates to sales related to the introduction of a number of product offerings under the Sesame Workshop license during the quarter. Increases in the preschool category were partially offset by decreased revenues from

PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, and PLAY-DOH product lines. The decrease in the boys category primarily relates to decreased sales of STAR WARS, MARVEL, and NERF products, partially offset by increased sales of BEYBLADE and TRANSFORMERS, including KRE-O products. The decrease in the girls category primarily relates to decreased sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP and FURREAL FRIENDS products, partially offset by increased sales of BABY ALIVE, EASY BAKE, and MY LITTLE PONY products. The decrease in the games and puzzles category primarily relates to lower sales of board games, partially offset by higher sales of MAGIC: THE GATHERING.

U.S. and Canada segment net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 were $1,660,664 compared to $1,694,713 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. The decrease in the nine months ended September 25, 2011 was the result of decreased revenues in the girls and games and puzzles category, partially offset by increased revenues in the boys category. The increase in the boys category primarily relates to increased sales of BEYBLADE products, which were reintroduced in late 2010, as well as higher sales of TRANSFORMERS products as a result of the June 2011 movie release, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. These increases were partially offset by decreased revenues from MARVEL, NERF and STAR WARS products. Decreases in the girls category were primarily driven by lower sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP products, partially offset by higher sales of MY LITTLE PONY and BABY ALIVE products while decreases in the games and puzzles category primarily relate to lower sales of board games partially offset by increased sales of MAGIC: THE GATHERING.

U.S. and Canada segment operating profit decreased to $128,789, or 16.8% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 compared to $158,763, or 19.2% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011 operating profit decreased to $227,526, or 13.7% of net revenues, from $278,635, or 16.4% of net revenues, for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. For the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 operating profit was negatively impacted by a the decline in net revenues as well as higher royalty and selling, distribution and administration costs. Operating profit margin for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 was negatively impacted by a decline in net revenues and higher selling, distribution and administration costs. In addition, the operating profit margin for the nine month period of 2011 was impacted by a higher mix of shipments of closeouts during the first half of the year, which represents carryover inventory from year end 2010. Although this inventory was written down last year, the subsequent sales have minimal to no profit.

INTERNATIONAL SEGMENT

International segment net revenues increased by 23% to $563,310 for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 from $458,917 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. Net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 increased 27% to $1,192,113 from $942,047 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. For the quarter ended September 25, 2011, International segment net revenues were positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $35,200, or 8%, as a result of the weaker U.S. dollar during the quarter. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011, International segment net revenues were positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $72,500, or 8%, as a result of the weaker U.S. dollar in the first nine months of 2011. Increased net

revenues in the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 were driven by higher sales in the boys category primarily as a result of higher sales of BEYBLADE, NERF, and TRANSFORMERS products, partially offset by decreased sales of MARVEL and STAR WARS products. Revenues in the girls, games and puzzles and preschool categories decreased slightly. The decrease in the girls category was driven by decreased sales of LITTLEST PET SHOP products partially offset by increased sales of FURREAL FRIENDS and BABY ALIVE products. Decreases in the preschool category are primarily the result of lower sales of PLAYSKOOL products partially offset by sales related to the introduction of a number of product offerings under the Sesame Workshop license as well as higher sales of PLAY-DOH products. Decreases in the games and puzzles category were driven by decreased sales of board games, offset by higher revenues from MAGIC: THE GATHERING products in the quarter. International segment net revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 increased in all regions, which includes Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin and South America.

International segment operating profit increased to $100,739, or 17.9% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 from $70,818, or 15.4% of net revenues, for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. For the nine months ended September 25, 2011, operating profit increased to $132,756, or 11.1% of net revenues, from $79,984, or 8.5% of net revenues, for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. International segment operating profit was positively impacted by currency translation of approximately $4,300 and $6,500 for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011, respectively. The increase in operating profit was primarily a result of the impact of increased revenues partially offset by higher royalty expenses as well as higher expenses as the result of the Company's investments in expanding its operations in emerging markets. Operating profit margin for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 was positively impacted by higher net revenues.

ENTERTAINMENT AND LICENSING SEGMENT

Entertainment and Licensing segment net revenues for the quarter ended September 25, 2011 increased 69% to $46,316 from $27,478 for the quarter ended September 26, 2010. Net revenues for the nine months ended September 25, 2011 was $98,144 compared to $83,038 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010. Licensing revenue related to entertainment brands tends to lag traditional toy and game revenue due to when licensing partners report their revenue to the Company. As a result, there was increased licensing revenue in the third quarter of 2011 related to the June 2011 movie release of TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. In addition to movie-related licensing revenue, licensing revenue related to movies and television programming increased as well. Included in revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 25, 2011 is a one-time movie-related payment of $5,000 received from Universal Studios.

AsiaOne.com are reporting that Transformers: The Ride will open in Singapore on December the third.

Here is a copy of the announcement

Come 3 December, Universal Studios Singapore (USS) will launch the world's first theme park attraction based on Hasbro's iconic Transformers brand.

Planning for this ride had started even before Resorts World Sentosa was built. From conceptualisation to construction, the latest theme park ride of USS took over four years to complete.

This motion thrill ride will showcase the most advanced evolution of immersive theme park entertainment.

The attraction will feature 12 scenes, comprising sets blended seamlessly with hyper-realistic 3-D digital media and special effects to bring tactile realism to every moment.

A spokesperson from Resorts World Singapore told AsiaOne that the ride duration is approximately four minutes, and that the ride is currently in a testing phase where it is put through thousands of hours of test cycles.

In this latest ride at USS, guests will be transported onboard advanced motion-based ride vehicles into the Transformers universe, and partake in the ultimate 3D battle against the Decepticons right alongside the Autobots.

Enlisted as NEST recruits, guests are tasked to help the Autobots protect a remaining shard of the ALLSPARK – a powerful energy cube that gives life to the Transformers. As the Decepticons attack the facility in a bid to obtain the shard, guests will be introduced to a new Autobot – EVAC – created exclusively for the ride.

EVAC is a stealth transportation Autobot stationed on Earth designed to transport personnel and classified materials at hyper speeds. For the ride, park guests will board EVAC and zip through subway tunnels, down city streets and across rooftops, with the Decepticons hot on their heels.

Park guests, especially fans of Transformers, will be thrilled as they come face-to-face – and be transported – by an Autobot. This epic ride experience will allow guests the opportunity to truly "Ride The Movie".

Special year-end holiday packages for Universal Studios Singapore will be rolled out through the Resorts World Sentosa website and authorized travel agents.

Guests signing up for these special packages will receive a Transformers The Ride commemorative souvenir and express entry to the attraction. More details will be available at www.rwsentosa.com.

Transformers movie director Michael Bay will be in S'pore for launch party

Transformers The Ride will celebrate its world premier at an exclusive evening event on December 2.

Michael Bay, director and executive producer of the Transformers blockbuster movies who also served as the attraction's creative consultant, will be in attendance to help commemorate the occasion.

Mr. Michael Bay said: "I am very excited about the debut of this attraction at Universal Studios Singapore. Finally, Transformers fans will not only have the chance to watch the Autobots battle the Decepticons on screen; they will actually be part of the action."