Transformers MMO Will Arrive in 2012

Jagex, an independent video games developer based in the United Kingdom, has announced that it has entered into a partnership with popular toy creator Hasbro aimed at developing and launching an MMO based on the very popular Transformers license.

The new MMO is set to be launched at some point during 2012 in North America, Europe, New Zeeland, Australia and Latin America.

The two companies have not offered any clear details about the Transformers MMO.

It's not clear whether they will choose a subscription model or whether the game will be a free-to-play and micro transaction-powered.

The Transformers franchise has a lot of characters and two clearly defined sides, which means it is well suited for the MMO treatment, especially if the developer manages to create a battle system which mixes vehicle and robot action.

Players will probably create whole new Transformers as characters and will then fight alongside or against the characters seen in the movies and in the toy line.

Mark Gerhard, who is the chief executive officer, stated when the announcement was made, “There is a huge appetite for an online Transformers game. He offered few details on the game, other than it will be "action-packed.”

Hasbro has already entered into a partnership with online game developer NetDragon, which is based in China, aimed at creating another Transformers MMO which will be only available in Asia.

It should also be launched in 2012.

Jagex is best known for RuneScape, the free-to-play browser MMO that uses a fantasy theme and has been going since 2001.

It has also published games like War of Legends, Void Hunters and Miner Disturbance.

The development studio has more than 400 employees working in three locations.

The Transfomers franchise has already spawned two video games, published by Activision, which arrive at roughly the same time as the two movies in the series.