EXCL: Luxoflux's Cobo on the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen DLC

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EXCL: Luxoflux's Cobo on the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen DLC

Source:Superhero Hype!

August 27, 2009

Superhero Hype! talked exclusively to Luxoflux producer Ray Cobo about the new "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" Character and Map Pack Plus DLC that's available starting today:

Superhero Hype!: How many new maps will this downloadable "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" content include? How did you decide on these levels and what makes them unique?
Ray Cobo: The DLC pack will include three new multiplayer maps. The Courtyard is a Fast paced East Coast map that focuses on a heavily contested center action point. This key strategic area allows for views of the entire map as well as control of the high ground surrounding the middle courtyard and its perimeter. Flying characters are able to utilize the open skies and tall skyscrapers to quickly get to advantageous positions, but ground based characters can make use of numerous back alleys to flank around the sides of the map and attack from unprotected angles.

Another new map is called Hillside. It's a tiered map in a dense urban area of Cairo. There are varied height sections on the map that make for multiple small arenas of combat, while allowing sneaky players to move throughout the level virtually un-noticed under the cover of surrounding buildings. A central marketplace provides a high point to get views of almost the entire level, but the maze-like street layout and numerous buildings mean that you will have to hunt your enemies down in the alleys.

Lastly, we have Sandstorm. It's a very fast paced map that takes place in a smaller section of Cairo. It's mostly populated with low level buildings and an open central area, so combat on this map will be fast and frenetic, as there is almost no place to hide. Flying characters can hover above the buildings for clear views of almost the entire map, but this will also leave them wide-open to ground fire from almost any angle.

SHH!: How many new characters will appear in this DLC? How did you decide which characters would debut in the DLC? What specific skills or powers do they add to the game?
Cobo: The pack contains eight brand-new playable characters and three new character skins, most of which are usable in both the single-player campaign and multiplayer. Many of us at Luxoflux are huge fans of the original Transformers series, so we wanted to share that passion with the fans. Here are some details on each character:

G1 Optimus Prime
Primary Weapon: Laser Rifle – This weapons functions the same as Movie Optimus' Dual Laser Rifles, however it has increased damage and slightly increased ROF since there is only one cannon.
Secondary Weapon: Shell Cannon – Functions the same as Movie Optimus' Dual Shell Cannons, again with increased damage and ROF to compensate for not dual wielding.
Melee Weapon: Energy Axe – Just as it was in the original series, Optimus deploys an energy axe to melee his enemies.
Special Ability: Valiant Leader – Same as Movie Optimus (Damage reduction, retain at least a sliver of health, increased melee damage), but now turns G1 Optimus Gold (a la "The Golden Lagoon")

G1 Megatron
PW: Lightning Gun – Works the same as Movie Megatron.
SW: Dark Matter Beam – Works the same as Movie Megatron.
MW: Energy Ball and Chain – Melee weapon from the original G1 series. Crackles with energy.
SA: Fusion Arm Cannon – Works the same as Movie Megatron.

G1 Starscream
PW: Dual Null Rays – Rapid fire weapon with G1 inspired FX and sounds.
Dual Homing Missiles – Similar to Movie Starscream's missiles, except you fire two bursts of three at the same time. Damage is lower to compensate for increased missile barrage.
MW: Fists
SA: Megatron Blast – A single shot, high damage blast similar to Megatron's fusion arm cannon. When performed, a transformed G1 Megatron in gun form will pop out of Starscream's back and charge up, then fire a massive laser blast.

G1 Sunstorm
PW: Dual Null Rays –Same as G1 Starscream's PW.
SW: Flamethrowers – Dual Flamethrowers. Will cause sustained damage on enemies as well as overheat their weapons, but you must be very close to be effective with these.
MW: Fists
SA: Thermal Wave – Will do a radial blast that will overheat the weapons of any nearby enemies. Great to use in hit and run situations, leaving your enemies overheated and subject to the incoming fire from teammates.

Jazz
PW: Slug Repeater – Fast firing machine gun type weapon. Good accuracy and decent range.
SW: Plasma Crescent Launcher – Boomerang shaped energy missile that will aggressively track to locked on enemies (automatically locks on like the Seeker missiles). Great for taking down air targets.
MW: Fists – Jazz works with what he's got.
SA: Super Speed – Increases Jazz's movement speed in all forms, allowing for faster travel on foot or in vehicle, and faster melee attacks.

Sideswipe
PW: Pulse Pistols – Rapid fire weapon that shoots big bolts of energy. Not as fast as Jazz's repeater, but does more damage per shot.
SW: Proximity Mines – Can plant multiple mines on any surface that will automatically explode when an enemy comes within range. These can be shot directly at enemies so they explode on contact, or can be used to booby trap control points or main areas of combat. Will explode on their own after a certain amount of time or if more mines (above the deployable limit) are fired.
MW: Arm Blades – Sideways makes use of the dual forearm blades he possess.
SA: Blade Strike – Single strike, homing melee attack that does high damage. Not a 1 hit kill like Megatron's Fusion Arm Cannon, but brutally effective none the less.

Soundwave
PW: Charged Pulse Blast – Charged cannon that does high damage and charges to full power very quickly. Requires skill to use properly, but rewards good aim.
SW: Sonic Disruptor Waves – Rapid fire sonic energy blasts that do minimal damage, but slow the target down when they are hit continually with this weapon.
MW: Fists
SA: Dual Deployables – Depending on his form, SW can deploy one of two different deployables. When his special is used in vehicle form, he will deploy the Jammer Pod which will fly up over the battlefield, and fire down on enemies below, while also cloaking all allies from the enemy's radar. When his special is used in robot or weapon form, he will deploy the AOE Pod, which will continually smash the ground and damage any enemies who try close in (excellent for defending a control point).

Jetfire (MP Only)
PW: Ancient Cybetronian Pistol – Energy weapon that fires at a relatively decent rate, but does good damage with each shot.
SW: Energon Wave Cannon – Similar to Grindor's Energon wave. When fired a slow moving projectile will impact the nearest object in its path, then turn into a energy shockwave that will travel for a set distance. Anyone caught in the shockwave will take a small amount of damage, but also be stunned until a few seconds pass or they take damage from an enemy. Great for immobilizing large enemy groups on control points.
MW: Fists
SA: Radar Scanner – When activated will reveal all nearby enemies on radar for a limited time.

SHH!: Will there be new storylines introduced in single player DLC campaigns?
Cobo: We don't have any new storylines for the single-player campaign, but we have made it possible to play many of the single-player missions with the new characters.

SHH!: What other features does the DLC contain? What types of Achievements?
Cobo: It's never enough for you guys, is it? Just kidding… We have also added a new "expert difficulty" mode to the single player campaigns that will require even quicker thinking and reflexes to earn a medal. We also created some new leaderboards to track/compare your stats on expert mode with your friends and the rest of the community.

As for the new Achievements/Trophies, they all relate to the new content in the DLC. We have achievements for completing a percentage of the Autobot or Decepticon campaigns on "expert", defeating certain DLC characters using other DLC characters, and winning multiplayer matches using the DLC characters.

SHH!: How many hours do you think it will take gamers to master the new expert single player modes?
Cobo: This one is a bit tough to quantify. We have made the platinum medal times on expert slightly more forgiving to compensate for the increased difficulty, but given the increased challenge of expert mode, we predict that it will take players about double-triple their overall playtime from normal mode to clear all expert missions with a platinum medal.

SHH!: Will there be additional TF:RoTF DLCs in the future?
Cobo: Anything's possible.

SHH!: How much will this DLC cost?
Cobo: The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Character and Map Pack Plus is available for 800 Microsoft points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and $9.99 on the Playstation Store for PS3.

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Comments

Posted by: Climie on August 27, 2009 at 16:07:49

Looks Nice.

might buy it :D

Posted by: Marco Lanni on August 27, 2009 at 16:30:57

this is how they should have designed the characters for the film!!! talk about no continuity..bay your a cnut

Posted by: Ender88 on August 27, 2009 at 16:47:59

i agree this is how they should have looked in the movie but at the same time i understand why bay made them look all modern transformers
and also the first game based off the first movie sucked monkey b@lls so hopefully this one will be better

Posted by: Mason on August 27, 2009 at 17:06:41

how come there is no freakin game add on psn

Posted by: cool beans on August 27, 2009 at 17:27:16

looks sweet to me

Posted by: SKuLLFaCeD. on August 27, 2009 at 17:29:47

i hate microsoft always LATER g=having add ons to buy, I'm a casual gamer and dont really care but I'd like to play some of the add-on content games have to offer WITHOUT going to buy stupid microsoft points. Got better things to spend money on.

Posted by: Shane Matthews on August 27, 2009 at 18:25:55

I don't see why they had to put a price on this. I cant buy any dlc for any of my games because my mom lost her job after three years of being there. So Ya. **** you Luxoflux, Activision

Posted by: Razorus on August 27, 2009 at 18:32:00

I played this the other day for the first time just to see if the critics were right. Holy ****, it was one of the worst games I've ever played. Doesn't deserve DLC even if it has old-skool looks.

Posted by: calvan4 on August 27, 2009 at 18:35:52

those robots look sick.... it may have worked for the movie... sure would have given you fanboys a boner.

Posted by: Shayera on August 27, 2009 at 18:46:40

I love it when video game reps exclaim: "it's never enough for you guys, is it?"
Especially when you know, we, the consumer, spends $49-$59 on the game....

Anyway, I really like that they're sporting the G1 skins.

Posted by: senorashish on August 27, 2009 at 18:53:48

Somebody, please help me.... I don't understand a single word in the title of this article... I must be getting old or something. Luxoflux? Cobo? DLC? HUH?!

Posted by: Timstuff on August 27, 2009 at 19:29:54

Do the G1 fanboys need any further proof as to how silly the G1 character designs would look in real life? I should hope not. Still, it's a cool addition to the game.

Posted by: Wyngarde on August 27, 2009 at 22:34:16

Timstuff-

So are you trying to tell me that the goofy Bionicle things we got did NOT look stupid? I'd rather have these realistic looking robots over what ever the hell was in the screen.

Posted by: El Bart-O on August 27, 2009 at 23:58:05

Screw you Timstuff

THIS is how they should've looked like.

Distinguishable, and not like a bunch of colorful hunks of metal flying everywhere.

If I wouldn't have already known which characters were which in the movies, I would've never guessed.

Posted by: Timstuff on August 28, 2009 at 00:10:12

@Wyngarde

You HONESTLY think that the toys looked like REALISTIC ROBOTS? Take off the nostalgia goggles for a minute (if G1 fanboys are even physically capable of doing so), and you'd see differently. They look like friggin' toys. That was fine in a low budget 80's cartoon, but in a live action movie I'd happily take those "Bionicle" designes over them any day. BTW, Bionicles kicked ass, so I don't see how that comparison is supposed to be derogatory.

Posted by: DeadFox on August 28, 2009 at 00:50:31

This game is crap, just like the movie!

Posted by: starscreamer on August 28, 2009 at 01:13:52

At least there is some merit being a G1 fanboy, as everything since then has been far more mediocre. The movies have some merit in terms of spectacle but overall they were very very bad, especially the second, which is just awful!

Posted by: Optimus primal on August 28, 2009 at 03:57:36

Ive been a fan since I was just a little fella. The cartoon was great (back in the day). Hell, I even watched beast wars and was tickled to death when they showed gen 1 optimus. I also loved both of the movies, even though they arent gen 1. All you cry babies out there need to just suck it up and take it like men (or boy-like men living in your mothers basements). The cartoons were great when I was 6. The movies are great now that Im a grown ass man....P.S. Megan Fox is an awful actress. No more speaky parts for her...lol

Posted by: SuperheroFan on August 28, 2009 at 09:40:35

Now this how the movies should've been. Stupid Spielberg and Bay. It really isn't that difficult to follow the original idea. IDIOTS!!

Posted by: obvious on August 28, 2009 at 11:54:51

@ senorashish

I'm with you. I don't know what this is about. It might as well be written in Mandarin. I officially now feel old.

Posted by: mojojackson on August 28, 2009 at 12:05:10

Someone needs to wait a few years and reboot the Transformers films with the character designs above.

And what the hell is a DLC? Is this some more of your so-called "technology"? Is this some "twitter" thing? You damn kids, with your my-pods and i-spaces.

Posted by: Grayskull Prime on August 28, 2009 at 13:08:54

I never had a problem with them updating the characters for the movie. I expected it. What I didn't expect was that they'd be so freaking ugly. At least in the second one you could tell characters apart a little better. In between all the leg humping that is.

Posted by: demode on August 28, 2009 at 13:12:54

Now this is how the Transformers should have looke dlike in the movie! If memory serves, Megatron and Starscream had their asses handed to them by Prime, and suffered lots of physical damage. Perhaps they can use that as an excuse to update the characters to a more G-1 look for future films. And hey... crazy thought.. G1 Megatron and Starscream have somewhat human-looking faces... what if they change their facial appearances in the sequel to look "less threatening" to the humans, in a ploy to set up the Autobots as the bad guys?

Posted by: mojojackson on August 28, 2009 at 13:30:31

Hey, waitaminute...shouldn't DLC include Left Eye Lopez?

Hey kiddies, see that thing whizzing above your heads? That's the joke I just made. Don't worry, you're not missing much. The joke wasn't that good. But I'm betting it did go above your heads! lol

Speaking of references that kiddies are too young to understand, do most teens who watch Family Guy just laugh because they think they're supposed to? I mean, how many of them actually catch the 70s and 80s pop culture references?

Posted by: Wyngarde on August 28, 2009 at 13:38:30

Timstuff-

Here's the difference: I've held the toys and transformed them. It's REAL. I changed the car into a robot. Repeat on big screen. Half of Bay's stuff can't Transform in real life because it's NOT REAL. It's cheap animation tricks with expensive detailing to hide it. (The spinning screws and multi-folding panels that randomly disappear and magic missing engine blocks)

Have you seen the detail in the 25th Ann. Optimus? It's brilliant. I want to see giant robots on the screen, not cruddy little wirey things sitting in the background while Shia tries for an Oscar.

Most people still can't tell who was who. There's some guy in the background with electricity come out what I think are his hands. Who is that?

No one is saying they need to look like the toy or cartoon down to the detail. You will have to change a few things in translation. That's given. BUT keep in mind that the classic G1 designs have been around longer than Bay has been in Hollywood.

The Bayformers designs may be cool if they were for something else, like a cheap SyFy channel movie, but when you think Transformers, these thing do not come to mind. The best part about Transfromers was seeing the mix of vehicle and robot. G1 has been through many interpretations, but you could always tell who it was supposed to be.

That pic of Megatron on the battleship is cooler than anything I've seen in the 6 hours of Bayformers garbage. With some touching up, that could be sweet.

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