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''Machine Wars''<nowiki>'</nowiki> placement within the larger fiction is an open-ended question. There was no form of accompanying fiction, nor even a story-establishing packaging blurb to set the stage. The on-package [[Bio|bios]] established that ten of the twelve toys were blatantly returning [[Generation 1]] characters in new bodies (with the exception of [[Hubcap (MW)|Hubcap]], who lacked the evidence of being the [[Hubcap (G1)|same character]]), and as such, many fans have taken to thinking these forms are part of the G1 universe "after" [[Generation 2]] (since this was their first appearance as toys since that story and, at that time, Transformers had not ever rebooted continuity nor established the concept of a [[multiverse]] as it was later to arise.)
 
''Machine Wars''<nowiki>'</nowiki> placement within the larger fiction is an open-ended question. There was no form of accompanying fiction, nor even a story-establishing packaging blurb to set the stage. The on-package [[Bio|bios]] established that ten of the twelve toys were blatantly returning [[Generation 1]] characters in new bodies (with the exception of [[Hubcap (MW)|Hubcap]], who lacked the evidence of being the [[Hubcap (G1)|same character]]), and as such, many fans have taken to thinking these forms are part of the G1 universe "after" [[Generation 2]] (since this was their first appearance as toys since that story and, at that time, Transformers had not ever rebooted continuity nor established the concept of a [[multiverse]] as it was later to arise.)
   
This placement is supported somewhat by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] bio, referring to him taking to the skies "again", likely referencing the ultimately-unreleased ''Generation 2'' "ATB Megatron" toy, or the fact that all Decepticons could fly in the [[Generation 1 cartoon|G1 cartoon]]. The bio for the [[e-Hobby]] exclusive black G1 [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] mentions his ''Machine Wars'' form in the past tense. Of course, the e-Hobby bios are also generally very nebulous in when they take place.
+
This placement is supported somewhat by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] bio, referring to him taking to the skies "again", likely referencing the ultimately-unreleased ''Generation 2'' "ATB Megatron" toy, or the fact that all Decepticons could fly in the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]]. The bio for the [[e-Hobby]] exclusive black G1 [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] mentions his ''Machine Wars'' form in the past tense. Of course, the e-Hobby bios are also generally very nebulous in when they take place.
   
 
Just about the only story hinting we get at all is in the small bit of character development from [[Thundercracker (G1)| Thundercracker's]] bio where we find he now has the function "Rebel Warrior," having come to believe in the Decepticon cause (he was previously always unsure of it) but now stands in open rebellion within their ranks (where he was always content to keep his head down and follow the leader before). ''(Since no fictional backstory is established for ''Machine Wars'' it is, of course, possible that it is set in some alternate reality where this was simply Thundercracker's nature, but given the line arose pre-multiverse/reboots and that the rest of the characters are clearly their classic G1 selves, unrevealed events/character development seem the more likely explanation.)''
 
Just about the only story hinting we get at all is in the small bit of character development from [[Thundercracker (G1)| Thundercracker's]] bio where we find he now has the function "Rebel Warrior," having come to believe in the Decepticon cause (he was previously always unsure of it) but now stands in open rebellion within their ranks (where he was always content to keep his head down and follow the leader before). ''(Since no fictional backstory is established for ''Machine Wars'' it is, of course, possible that it is set in some alternate reality where this was simply Thundercracker's nature, but given the line arose pre-multiverse/reboots and that the rest of the characters are clearly their classic G1 selves, unrevealed events/character development seem the more likely explanation.)''

Revision as of 03:11, 3 January 2008

They're actually both looking for characterization.
Let's see what you can see...

This article is in need of images.

Machine Wars was a line of Transformers toys released in 1997 as a Kay-Bee Toy Works exclusive. Apparently the line was an early attempt to bring vehicular characters and popular names back into Transformers after the success of Beast Wars revived the brand. Only one wave of figures was produced, and memory of the line has mostly faded. It is a rare example of both a micro-continuity and an implied continuity which nevertheless had a full (albeit very small) toyline.


Fiction

Machine Wars' placement within the larger fiction is an open-ended question. There was no form of accompanying fiction, nor even a story-establishing packaging blurb to set the stage. The on-package bios established that ten of the twelve toys were blatantly returning Generation 1 characters in new bodies (with the exception of Hubcap, who lacked the evidence of being the same character), and as such, many fans have taken to thinking these forms are part of the G1 universe "after" Generation 2 (since this was their first appearance as toys since that story and, at that time, Transformers had not ever rebooted continuity nor established the concept of a multiverse as it was later to arise.)

This placement is supported somewhat by Megatron's bio, referring to him taking to the skies "again", likely referencing the ultimately-unreleased Generation 2 "ATB Megatron" toy, or the fact that all Decepticons could fly in the G1 cartoon. The bio for the e-Hobby exclusive black G1 Starscream mentions his Machine Wars form in the past tense. Of course, the e-Hobby bios are also generally very nebulous in when they take place.

Just about the only story hinting we get at all is in the small bit of character development from Thundercracker's bio where we find he now has the function "Rebel Warrior," having come to believe in the Decepticon cause (he was previously always unsure of it) but now stands in open rebellion within their ranks (where he was always content to keep his head down and follow the leader before). (Since no fictional backstory is established for Machine Wars it is, of course, possible that it is set in some alternate reality where this was simply Thundercracker's nature, but given the line arose pre-multiverse/reboots and that the rest of the characters are clearly their classic G1 selves, unrevealed events/character development seem the more likely explanation.)

Toys

It is speculated that the line was a "stopgap" measure due to very early ideas (which Hasbro ultimately did not go through with) for a Generation 1 revival having been told to fans at BotCon 1996 by the Hasbro representative there, Anthony Gaud, and Hasbro putting together a quick line to capitalize on the rapacious hunger of the fandom for vehicle-form toys.

The line is entirely old molds; four small molds that had been originally developed for Generation 2 but were canceled with the line, and four larger toys released in the second to last year of Generation 1 in European markets. The card artwork is often cited as a testament to rushed production; many of the packages have character art from different toys, altered to very vaguely resemble the toy inside the package.


Autobots

Decepticons


External links