Could a simpler aesthetic work in live-action?

I've noticed that I've been pretty silent on here lately since I've been spending a lot of time over on the SuperHeroHype.com forums but I'm back so I wanted to start off by posing a question: Could a simpler aesthetic similar to any of the post-Beast Era Transformers series (not counting the live-action movies, Animated, or Prime) work out in live-action? Just for some examples: Robots In Disguise, Cybertron, War For Cybertron/Fall of Cybertron, etc.

Yes, it's quite possible that a simpler aesthetic can work in a live-action film. War for/Fall of Cybertron retain the simple aspect of G1 with a more movie-esque design to them, so they are a good example, I would say.

But me personally, I prefer the more complex nature of the Bayformers; seeing all the gears, pistons and other such aspects shifting when they so much as move, let alone transform, really grips my attention. While a simpler nature can work, I much prefer what we already have in regards to visual aesthetic.

Originally Posted by Gingerchris Ratchet: "I hear you've been talking smack about me, Bumblebee."

Originally Posted by TylerMirage A wild question appears! Meta uses 'SCIENCE!' It's super effective!

Nah... I'm fine with the Bayformers look. Much more detail, it's amazing.

To be honest, I think that if you took RID Optimus Prime and gave him a little more of that complexity that you see in the Bay films, it could look great. I like organic lines and complex features as long as they can still look good. I still like some of the character designs from the films but after watching the movies more and more, I feel that they should be a little more toned down. Less rusty pipes and giant bended metal parts sticking out. You can have detail as long as you don't over do it.

I understand your point, but I don't feel the Bayformers overdid it; if anything, I feel it just shows not only how lovingly they were crafted with such attention to detail, but an impressive interpretation of a mechanical being capable of shifting into a different form. We how Optimus' truck mode really compacts into him, the doors folding onto his chest, the exhaust pipes on his shoulders, the engine sinking into his torso. There's just much to see, so much going on, from his cranial armour sliding into place to the the tires on his legs squealing to a stop, the little details to the major bulk of the shifting.

It's honestly breathtaking.

Originally Posted by Gingerchris Ratchet: "I hear you've been talking smack about me, Bumblebee."

Originally Posted by TylerMirage A wild question appears! Meta uses 'SCIENCE!' It's super effective!

The details you mentioned are fine with me, I just think that things like those giant metal pieces sticking out from Prime's arm are out of no where and have no purpose. For me, I think that the more detail there is, the merrier, as long as it's not extraneous and unnecessary.

I doubt they're 'out of nowhere'. Take Crowbar, one of the Dreads, for example; while he transforms, his headlights and grill fold onto his chest, before they are further compacted under extra panelling.

The point being things extend and contract. Prime's arm extensions are most likely pieces of the engine's framework extended outwards. A simple addition to his appearance.

Nevertheless, I get your point; there are features that would seem unnecessary. And in that regard, the choice whether they are good or not is down to opinion.

Originally Posted by Gingerchris Ratchet: "I hear you've been talking smack about me, Bumblebee."

Originally Posted by TylerMirage A wild question appears! Meta uses 'SCIENCE!' It's super effective!

i think a more TFP or WFC aesthetic is likely, given how Aaron Archer and his crew are handling the idea of continuity (im not saying the new movie will be in continuity with Prime or IDW comics, simply that how the characters look is going to be more Prime or FOCish, its make more sense from a marketing perspective to have the characters relatively consistent across medias, ie TF4, bet you Ratchet will be back to his g1 color scheme).


just had a thought, wonder if Hasbro will force Bulkhead into the mix of bots, just to resonate with TFP.

Originally Posted by TylerMirage TerANSFORM-U! Sheroobimus Convoy-uh!!!!!!

Originally Posted by LCDR Blindside No child let Shroobimus shoot off in face, hazard under three. Hasbrotomy subsidiary contact phone 2345-123.

A simpler aesthetic would work so much better than the Bayformers style.
Personally, I can't see jack shit because I'm so overwhelmed with too much detail; sometimes I can't even tell what I'm looking at.
I'm sorry, but unless you have 20/20 vision; the aesthetic is not working.

Keep the varied PROPORTIONS, then simplify the panels and surface details.

Making the proportions all humanoid uniform, now THAT would be the biggest mistake to make.