The name or term "Universe" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Universe (disambiguation).

Transformers Universe is a cancelled free to play browser based massively [sic] online tactical action game, or MOTA, developed by Jagex.[1] First unveiled at Botcon 2011,[2] closed beta testing began a year later in 2012[3], with Jagex announcing they had indefinitely paused development of their MMORPG Stellar Dawn to focus on Transformers Universe.[4] Closed beta then ended sometime in 2013. In 2014 Jagex announced the change to from MMO to MOTA[5] and closed beta registrations began again. The game entered open beta testing on July 4, 2014.[6] It was to be set in an alternate version of the Prime portion of the Aligned continuity family. Gamers could choose to be an Autobot or a Decepticon, obtain different warriors, and pit them against one another in various challenges and battles to gather Relics and Energon.

The gameplay was somewhat similar to other multiplayer battle arena games such as Dota 2 or League of Legends; however, there were no lanes or creeps, and the game was played from a third person perspective. Players picked from a roster of warriors and went head to head in battles to capture points or to annihilate the other team. Although the game featured several Prime characters in minor roles, new introductions to the Prime mythos such as Prowl and Switchblade took center stage.

It was announced on December 16, 2014 that the game would begin a phased closure immediately, fully closing on January 31, 2015, without ever having left beta testing.[7]

Synopsis

According to creative director Alex DeRakoff, the main story involves Optimus Prime going missing, with the other Autobots trying to keep his location a secret from Megatron, who is travelling across the galaxy with his associates to track down Prime.[8]

In the Autobot and Decepticon trailers as well as the new tutorials introduced, an additional segment of the plot was revealed: The Decepticons have intercepted and shot down the Autobot spaceship Arclight (which was on its way to Earth to refuel due to the Autobots having stocked up vast amounts of energon on Earth during the war on Cybertron), causing the surviving Autobots crash-land on Earth (mostly the United States) aboard escape pods. The debris from the Arclight rained across the North America continent, while the Decepticons' ship, the Leviathan invaded Central City and the Decepticons began attacking to the humans in order to draw out the Autobots and Optimus Prime. This incident prompted the president to order "a national state of emergency and the total evacuation of eleven major cities." Optimus Prime contacted General Freeman, who provided these Autobot refugees with a base of operations. In return, the Autobots vowed to protect human civilization from the Decepticon threat.

In a leaked video[9] called "Episode 1 War Room", Megatron greets his 'generals' (Tomb, Swindle, Switchblade, Flamewar and an unnamed Decepticon) onboard the Nemesis in space. Switchblade reveals to Megatron that he has helped Makeshift secure a position among the Autobots, however Prime's location remains unknown. When Switchblade expresses his opinion about Prime's intentions, Megatron quickly silences him by threatening him with his fusion cannon. Swindle, upon questioned about the production of Megatron's armada, informs Megatron that the they are behind schedule due to the expansion of operations but before he can continue, is fired upon by Megatron. Megatron orders his generals to fetch him when it's time for war, and quickly departs the room. In an updated version of the video, [10] featuring voice acting from Frank Welker as Megatron and Steve Blum as Switchblade, the unnamed Decepticon and Tomb are replaced by two of the game's original characters, Mismatch and Contagion.

In another leaked video[11] called "Episode 2 Digging For Trouble", General Freeman warns the Autobots (Optimus Prime, Meltdown and Showdown) that their attempts to find Technetium are attracting too much attention, furthermore he states there is nothing of value to the Autobots in the desert.

In a leaked screenshot of one of the short story videos, Swindle attempts to access a vault.[12]

Gameplay

Game modes

There were six playable game modes:

Elimination pits Autobots against Decepticons. The first faction to reach 20 kills wins the match.

pits Autobots against Decepticons. The first faction to reach 20 kills wins the match. Meteor Storm (also known as King of the hill ) has both sides try to capture Energon meteor landing sites. The first team that gains 1000 points wins.

(also known as ) has both sides try to capture Energon meteor landing sites. The first team that gains 1000 points wins. Crisis is a player-vs-environment mode where teams fight hordes of Terrorcons and gather Energon before fighting a final boss.

is a player-vs-environment mode where teams fight hordes of Terrorcons and gather Energon before fighting a final boss. Dispatch (also known as Incursion or Free Roam ) is another player-vs-environment where players can partake small missions or mine for energon in the outer base area.

(also known as or ) is another player-vs-environment where players can partake small missions or mine for energon in the outer base area. VR Training Simulator (also known as Battle Simulation or Training Program ) is an unreleased mode which allows Autobots or Decepticons to train with comrades against holomatter enemies. [13] (This mode was to be included as one of the hangar entrances had been replaced with an entrance to this game mode however due to the game's early closure, it never made into the game itself.)

(also known as or ) is an unreleased mode which allows Autobots or Decepticons to train with comrades against holomatter enemies. (This mode was to be included as one of the hangar entrances had been replaced with an entrance to this game mode however due to the game's early closure, it never made into the game itself.) Recon (also known as Capture The Flag or Capture The Intel) is another unreleased game mode in which Autobots and Decepticons must capture their enemies' "flag" and carry it to their "base". (This mode was also to be included as the keybinding showed keys for dropping the flag and picking it up.)

An additional "Challenge" mode was added were players could prearrange an Elimination match. However no rewards are given (not even experience points) and skill score remains unaffected. The "backfilling" game mechanic is disabled in this mode, and player statistics are not recorded.

Classes

There were a variety of classes to chose from. Although many of them could be grouped together (e.g. Mechanist and Medic, Demolisher and Suppressor).

Known classes

Demolisher (previously known as Assassin in closed beta) - Demolishers employ offensive equipment to deal devastating amounts of damage, at the expense of their defenses or utilities.

Medic - Medics have traded their offensive capabilities in favor of defense and utility, allowing them to fulfill the role of primary healer, and keep themselves alive at the same time.

Soldier - Soldiers are all-rounders, possessing an even spread of offensive and defensive weapons and equipment.

Hybrid - Hybrids carry a balance of offensive and defensive systems, and a limited repairing capability. They are most effective when supporting allies.

Mechanist - Mechanists surrender their offense in favor of strong defenses, their function being to keep themselves alive as they draw enemy fire. A bonus is that they can also repair their allies

Interceptor (previously known as Demolisher in closed beta) - Interceptors are highly-destructive bots whose weapons and equipment are optimized for offense, making them effective at hit-and-run strategies.

Suppressor - Suppressors are attack-orientated bots whose S-Techs favor offensive abilities.

Controller - Controllers specialize in utilities. Their skill with buffs and debuffs is unmatched, using them for a wide variety of positive and negative effects.

Guardian - Guardians trade in their offense & utilities in order to absorb enemy damage away from their allies.

Unknown classes

In the store there are a couple of classes shown in the filter search for warriors. It's unknown what each of the classes did as there were no descriptions in-game.

Hotfixer (also known as Sentinel)

Physician

Featured characters

Unused characters

A number of characters were either only used in the closed beta or revealed but not made available in the game before it was shut down.

Autobots

Decepticons

Vague characters

There are some characters that were believed to be in development, but little information about their existence is available.

Gallery





Notes

[37].

See also

Transformers Online , the game's even more short-lived counterpart for Asian markets.

, the game's short-lived counterpart for Asian markets. War for Cybertron , a store-bought game with online multiplayer gameplay.

, a store-bought game with online multiplayer gameplay. Fall of Cybertron, the above's sequel.





References