Automorph? Gimmick or a new trend for TF

planetjacker · 07-09-2007, 01:19 AM

My favorite "automorph" feature is on Energon Skyblast. Simple and effective. Of course they didn't call it that back then.

NGW · 07-09-2007, 01:32 AM

I absolutely LOVE the automorph gimmick (and I generally HATE gimmicks).

It is quite impressive when it works, and tends to not get in the way.

The only bot where it really is a problem is Blackout, and you can still change him manually.

zephon · 07-09-2007, 01:46 AM

I would think Automorph is the result of the Tomy - Takara merger. Tomy toys like zoids are known to "move" or have gears which move something. For one thing, it makes the transformation the "feature" of the toy.

On the other end, I'm not too sure how automorph will survive a 5yr old kid....

Cheebs · 07-09-2007, 01:48 AM

Automorph is the best thing ever. I hope they keep it around for a million years. It's not a gimmick, just a better way of transforming. No way Voyager Prime's legs would have worked otherwise as one example.

KA · 07-09-2007, 02:06 AM

im kinda torn actually. i love the gimmick, but it takes away from poseability.

Bryan · 07-09-2007, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omegus Prime

That doesn't mean it wont be used. The interviews at Botcon revealed a new Blurr would be in the series, I think automorph would be a great gimmick to show his speed, on a simpler Transformer figure it could have a very dynamic effect on how fast he goes from one mode to another. So long as it's done well, like Ironhide's or Starscream's.

You're absolutely right, and I didn't really even consider that. We might indeed see it in a few toys.

And I agree that on a simpler figure (like another poster pointed out, Skyblast) it'd be cool. I'm still just not feeling it on many of the larger movie toys. I think Wreckage is probably the only one I dig it on.

LightningZERO · 07-09-2007, 06:17 AM

I enjoy Automorph too. It's quite effective and not troublesome like the keys and mini-cons. I definitely hope this gimmick will return in the future and improved

LigerPrime · 07-09-2007, 06:59 AM

For me, its a gimmick for the movie line...in some cases it worked such as Optimus and Ironhide and it come like Blackout it doesn't.

Night Flame · 07-09-2007, 07:16 AM

I will say this for Automorph - it's the only Transformers gimmick that we've had in YEARS that actually enhances the main gimmick of Transformers without really badly impacting the overall figure. That said, aside from Ironhide's and Prime's, I could live without it. I do like the concept quite a bit though. Hopefully they don't do away with it altogether, but hopefully they never make it a full line requirement again. Some figures could use it, and some would be much better off without it.

Boardwise · 07-09-2007, 07:44 AM

From the movie figures I have I like it.
I find it doesn't detract to much from the overall transformation and has been put to good use on figures like Robo-Vision Prime where the fiddly little panels all fold into place easily.