Hasbro designer Aaron Archer's request for "Twisted Metal: Transformers" may not be fulfilled anytime soon, but his company has moved forward with a "exclusive" licensing agreement to get a Transformers MMO called "Transformers Online" out for 2011 in Asia, MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and Russia. The game will be developed out of China by NetDragon, but North America doesn't look like it's in line for a release at this point.
"NetDragon's proven expertise at creating hugely successful MMOG's, coupled with the passion they share for the iconic Transformers brand, means we are thrilled to be entering into this license with them to deliver a truly ground-breaking MMO to fans in China and selected markets in Asia and Russia/CIS," Hasbro's general manager and senior VP of digital media and gaming Mark Blecher said in a press release.
NetDragon, meanwhile, is just happy to be part of the deal and sees plenty of room in the Chinese Transformers market alone for an MMO.
"As a brand and a cultural icon, Transformers is already a household name in China, and we are extremely honored to be able to join hands with Hasbro to bring the excitement and fanaticism of Transformers into the online gaming sector," NetDragon chairman and executive director Liu Dejian said.
That means all of you U.S.-based readers who happen to be TF fans but already have weekly regiments dedicated to "World of Warcraft" or "Star Trek Online" won't have to make a hard decision about your commitments just yet. Remember, that could be a good thing.
Would you like to see a Transformers MMO come to North America? Do you think the game will be a hit in Asia? Sound off in the comment section below.