So, I thought I'd do a few sketches of what *I* would do if I was in charge of the Kre-O brand and making a set of Kre-O sets... well... making them pretty much for MYSELF. So, these sets aren't terribly realistic. Think of these as design sketches for sets BEFORE they get attacked by restrictions like part counts and budgets. They'd just the sort of thing *I* would like to see in Kre-O sets, if Kre-O is going to be about the Kreon interactivity play pattern now. So the concept I had is that you'd have a series of sets based on different planets from the Transformers mythology. Imagine Transformers: Cybertron but with more diversity. Here's the first set design: So... the basic concept of this set would be two unique Kreon builds and a really simple little jungle scene piece, with a really simple transforming tree gimmick, and maybe a little hidden cache of energon. the main concept here, for me, was to have an Overhaul Kreon who becomes a Leobreaker Kreon. --Andrew S.
Here's the second set design. It's based on Transformers #17 from Marvel (titled "The Smelting Pool") one of my all-time favourite Transformers stories. The idea I had was that, since Cybertron is so important, it should have multiple sets. So this set is in the Dead End of Cybertron, with Scrounge and Shrapnel. Scrounge doesn't have an alt mode build... because I don't think it's important for every Kreon to be a micro-changer. He uses the same helmet as Kreon Lockdown, with Scrounge's face painted on the visor, and his data tape painted on the head underneath. Despite what the notes on the image say, the gun stands included with Shrapnel would be to allow you to make him have a 'earth mode' not a 'robot mode'. Duh. --Andrew S.
Okay, so this set is based on "Goo" from Five Faces of Darkness, a concept I've always loved. I don't think I'm giving anything away to tell you that this set is designed as a precurser to a larger planet of junk set. Springer is here as a counterpoint to the existing Kre-O Micro-changer, and the Junkion is based on one that appeared in TransformerS: The Movie. The gimmick concept here is to make the character sink into the planet by removing layers. Kind of like a trap-door gimmick, but without very far for the figure to fall. The sinking figure would never be buried all the way in a set this size, I don't think. --Andrew S.
Okay! This is it for the small sets. (Unless you guys have any other suggestions for minor planets that would be appealing) This is my favourite design. I like the character choices, I like Micro-figures used for Micro-Masters. I like using Beast Wars Iguanus to stand in for G1 Iguanus, and I love the idea of referencing a G1 comic using an IDW setting. Most especially I really like the set's main gimmick. Figure flingers are a lot of fun. --Andrew S.
Very nice! I love the Gorlam Prime and Planet Goo! I love the idea! A Messatine one with the Pharma that appeared in the Kre-O Comic would be awesome too! Or maybe Luna-1 with both the comic's Pharma and Star Saber!
Love them all .Gorlam Prime and Jungle planet are great! Cybertron set with scrounge and shrapnel i would buy instantly. There could be two more 2 packs for this planet Blaster with Ferak and Straxus with Crosscut with a little bridge to walk across.
Nice ideas. I'll think about them! Definitely Luna-1 is a great idea for a bigger set... hmmmm... --Andrew S.
Probably the concern about set size becomes more apparent when it comes to the 'medium sized' sets. Let's take a look at the first one: So okay... Giant Planet! The idea here is to have two giant-sized Kreons, and two Micro-Kreons to represent the Giant planet bulks and the giant planet mini-cons respectively. I love the idea of a building set that is built around the concept of destruction and rebuilding. The little sketch for the set underneath there is just a prelim, I wasn't happy with it so I went in and did more detail on one of the gimmicks: So here you start to see the building/destruction cycle. I drew a micro-Kreon, but more likely you'd use one of the giants to stomp the button. I also wanted to see if I could use some Kre-O exclusive pieces in interesting ways. So Ripclaw's wing mechanism shows up here -- and the nightstick piece (a Kreon accessory) gets some extensive use in the giant Kreons' builds. So finally let's look at the set itself, with a better drawing: So here we have three different destructible sections -- and multiple buildable parts. So once you've built the base for the set, then you can build and destroy using your Kreons. That sort of play pattern really appeals to me -- and I think the Giant Planet is the perfect starting point for that sort of thing. --Andrew S.
I have already designed a set that includes Straxus, Ferak, Blaster and Crosscut. *grin* --Andrew S. (I'll post it when I get around to scanning it.)
So here's the next of the medium sized sets. One of the most important Cybertron set pieces in the cartoon was the Space Bridge control centre. But the second most important Cybertron set piece was Wheeljack's lab! Which is definitely something I love. So here's my design sketch for a Kre-O lab for Wheeljack as my second Cybertron design set. It's too many Kreons, I know. I know. But I couldn't resist. Wheeljack is the only Kreon in all these sets who currently already has a Kreon -- but dammit I need Wheeljack for Wheeljack's workshop, don't I? Certainly it wouldn't make sense as a set name if it is called "Wheeljack's Workshop" if Wheeljack's not there. The set is actually a box building with a removable roof -- I just drew it that way so you can see inside it. But hey, maybe the wall COULD swing open or something. But hey, let's look at the roof: I'm really pleased with the idea of the explosion of the device as a gimmick. --Andrew S
Nice! Really look forward to seeing that. Digging Wheeljacks shop. The explosion gimmick works here, Very clever having the device thats central to the plot of Hoist goes to Hollywood in there. Brilliant !
Yes, I used the beast helmet for Wreck Gar's head. Sue me. One of the things I wanted to do here as much as possible was to include female figures. So on Junk you get that female Junkion from that one episode of the TV show!! WOO! If I had to drop one of these gimmicks it would be the space ship tower. But that's why I would want this to be one of the reasonably sized sets. So you wouldn't have to drop any gimmicks! --Andrew S.
And now we get to the stuff that is REALLY REALLY just for me. The Smelting Pool! Truth is, all the best Cybertron-based set pieces (from the 1980s at least... maybe there's some better stuff in the computer games I haven't played) come from the old comics. Zombie cities, underground tunnels, the comic version of the Space Bridge, Darkmount... but the topper -- the greatest of them all -- is the Smelting Pool: As with Gigantion there's a real theme to the play pattern here -- it's ENTIRELY about dumping crap into the smelting pool itself.Unfortunately, despite the sheer size of the build there's not MUCH play value here without any Kreons. So... I kinda went crazy designing all the Kreons. Note that rather than try and make an alt mode for Blaster I was more concerned with making it so that he can hold his gun on his back. Welcome to my head. In my head, the Electro-Scrambler rifle and Blaster are intrinsically tied together -- and dammit he stores it on his back. Ferak is based partially on his IDW appearance. The Green Decepticon is a generic from The Bridge To Nowhere. Like Crosscut this generic dies on the malfunctioning space bridge. He's memorable because he's the one who name-checked Crosscut. Crosscut (Decepticon) - Transformers Wiki http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Crosscut's_successor Cosmos is included as part of the Cybertron 7 -- the only one without some form of Kreon either in existence or in the works. Cybertron Seven - Transformers Wiki So who's missing? Hmmm... let me see: Straxus completely TOWERS over Blaster (who himself is pretty huge) in their final battle. So I wanted a Straxus who was enormous. But dammit, I want a cute little mini-Straxus too. Also -- the build for his axe is one I really like. Wait... we're not done are we? One more: Yeah... I haven't given much consideration to how the gimmick in the Harvester unit would actually WORK... --Andrew S.
Wow the smelting pool is amazing. I have a large fondness of issue 17 and 18 reading in my youth at the very start of getting and getting into transformers. Adding a gun to cosmos is awesome gives the guy a chance. Blasters gun on back is great. Straxus is impressive and menacing . Having the larger one plus kreon is needed here. The harvester is a nice added bonus,This pool set concept that really really is just for you is amazing all around and an expansion of your own awesome build. Female junkion on planet of junk and the escape ship are prefect fits to their sets too. Thanks for sharing these great spot on concepts of yours Very enjoyable!
I love Velocitron. It's my favourite concept for a Transformers planet from Transformers: Cybertron. But just because I'm doing a Velocitron set doesn't mean I have to stick to characters that are only from Transformers: Cybertron! So I looked around a bunch to find the right characters. Hot Shot had to be there, so did Override -- but I wanted Armada Hot shot. AFter that it's all randoms -- someone from G2, two from RiD, and a Funpub exclusive... but let's look at the Decepticons next: So here we have me inventing a new piece. Any time a new year of Kre-O starts there are a flood of new parts introduced. However... when I was designing these sets I wanted to avoid new parts unless absolutely necessary. This part IS absolutely needed. You can't have ?Velocitron without the ability to make your Kreons into little cars! Oh yeah, plus Slicer. Dude. Gotta have Slicer. And Ransack and Crumplezone. I love those mofos. This is basically my dream set. I have no idea how you make the roads, or the bends, or anything like that. Maybe you need brand new parts -- base plates, or something -- I don't knod. Posssibly you don't build most of the road at all -- you just build the barriers to define the roads. I don't care -- this is the kind of mega giant set I'd *LOVE* to see. --Andrew S.
