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I'm not sure if this counts as either news or a rumour, so I thought that I'd pop it here.

It seems like a brave group of heroes are attempting a Transformers miniatures game and have set up a closed FB group to see what the temperature is.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/1485533351552372/

So far:

No licence - yet.
Prototype minis and rules happening.
Plans for Kickstarter.

Okay, so talking to Hasbro is obviously the biggie. I know it could just be pie in the sky stuff, but we're starting to see licensing given out all over the place for stuff these days, so why not?

Ideal time for the demographic of 40-something miniatures gamers with a bit of spare cash to re-live the dream of Sunstreak using those ground to air missiles on Skywarp!

Considerations

1) Licence - if they get it and market well it could land them a massive amount of money through KS which could be a very BAD thing. KS works great, but new companies that take on massive KS can very easily get totally overwhelmed. Not only have they a huge logicstical and production setup to establish to deliver on the KS, but without having any channels established before (as a running miniatures company would) it throws a lot of complexity into things that can cause huge delays.
KS is great for funding don't get me wrong, but for start up companies too much can be as bad as too little.

If anything they need to consider if its possible to agree with ks to have a cap on how much they can take. They could do it by having each funding level be fixed to a limited number so that once they hit a specific target of production and income that's it they don't take on any more.

2) As a miniatures game they'll have to factor in the complicating factor that each model they sell will likely be at least two models in a box for each key unit (assuming one transformed and one not). So that attaches a possible double-base cost per "unit" to the game.
This might not be an issue if they go for a very tight skirmish game where there's 'perhaps only a handful of units on the table per side

3) Modern or Classic - a massive massive discussion area. Modern would be more complicated to produce models for (they are naturally far more detailed transformers) but lets them tap into the current casual market and film market; however it might also make a contract even harder to secure.
Classic, of course, taps right into the niche fanbase and the models don't have to be as hyper-detailed (if anything a model line would likely be adding detail to many of the units). It might also be an easier licence to get since it won't be currently tied to big budget hollywood films and other licences attached to that.

I don't think their prospects are good.

1.) That license is going to cost a LOT up front - as in, before they can launch the KS.
2.) The albatross that is RTT. I'd bet Hasbro is well aware of how Palladium tanked a licensed property with a Kickstarter miniatures game.
3.) Every unit being unique means you only sell one unit to each customer. Not super bad, but selling multiples of the same unit is healthier economics.
4.) Could be instantly killed if Heroclix gets a Transformers license. Just the fact that Heroclix hasn't gotten a license yet points to how much Hasbro probably wants for it.

I've got to agree with you on all of those points.

They are planning on doing G1 stuff, so the chance to re-use sculpts is the exception rather than the rule.

As for the RRT fiasco... yeah, thanks, Palladium... Although to be fair, if Michael Bay couldn't kill off a franchise, maybe it's pretty bombproof...

It doesn't have to be Kickstarted, and Transformers G1 does pretty well as a comic book.

Back in the day I figured the 5th edition vehicle rules would make a great base for a Transformers G1 game because of how the glancing and penetrating hit tables worked.

True, but if they are not sourcing via KS then the need some heavy investor(s) to come on board to fund the project. Prior to KS a lot of model companies could never secure private investment so a lot either never got made or only made it to a very limited range and market.

KS helps a lot by providing money that is only tied to product not tied to repayments and leave the company in control of itself. Of course when companies are run by non-businessmen this can backfire (I'm looking at you Drake the Dragon Wargame which NEARLY recovered itself getting money from Dragons Den Canada and then failed to that*)


*if the Tv show is faithfully edited they got the offer for money and then lost the offer when they asked for more.

I already have a Transformers miniatures game that uses actual Transformers.

It is my game Giants: The Action Figure Game of Colossal Combat!

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/753251.page

They claim this isn't their first rodeo, but showing unlicensed sculpts and casts in a Facebook group that isn't hard to get into is rather bold. Also, they are making a Transformers game without alt modes. What is the point then?

I was wondering about that, too.

I'm sure that there's a history of people getting slapped down for that kind of thing. It's one thing to stick up photos of stuff that you've 3d printed, but basically going on to say that you intend to sell them tends to bring the heat.

I'd imagine it would be smart to sell it all to Hasbro.

If it does take off all I can say is.
THANK FETHING GOD ITS G1!!!

oh look! Vaporware in physical form!

I'll join the group anyway *gets popcorn*