Hasbro’s Transformers: John Warden talks Trypticon at NYCC Interview
By Nir Regev
FanSided interviewed Hasbro’s Senior Design Manager John Warden on the latest Transformers toy line, Trypticon, and more at NYCC.
We caught up with Hasbro’s Senior Design Manager John Warden to discuss the latest Transformers toy line, how the design process has changed from the early days, and the coolest giant space dinosaur around, Trypticon.
Warden gave us a full picture of Trypticon’s awesome ability to eat Titan Masters, being voted in by the fans, and Transformers’ lasting appeal to both collectors and new fans alike.
Hasbro’s Transformers: John Warden talks Trypticon at New York Comic Con interview
FanSided.com – Nir Regev: Tell us about this awesome dinosaur Transformer with the candy corn inside!
John Warden: What you see behind me is a Titan class Transformer, called Trypticon! Trypticon was the fan voted Titan. Fans had an opportunity to choose between Omega Supreme, Trypticon and Scorponok. The fans voted and they chose Trypticon. Trypticon is an evil space dinosaur who is a Decepticon fortress as well. He’s able to transform into a huge play set, really, who’s also kind of the last resort of the Decepticons.
This toy specifically has an amazing ability to eat Titan Masters, he’s eating candy corn right now but I can demonstrate, it’s cool. Titan Masters are small Transformers that are able to convert into a head. So throughout the toy line, that you can get at retail now, you’re able to collect these small Titan Masters. Each one has a unique power. So Trypticon here, let’s see, he’s probably gonna have a bunch of candy corn fly out.
You’re actually able to put the helpless guys inside with the satisfying sound. They go down to his belly. And in base mode you’re able to populate him as if they’re almost like citizens of the city. This is really, really cool to be able to bring this guy [Trypticon] here! He’s kind of a nice, spooky edition to our display. A celebration of Halloween early. *laughs*
Hasbro’s Transformers: New toy line tour
FS: What goes into making these [Transformers toys] do you feel in modern days, compared to the ’80s and ’90s?
Warden: Well nowadays, I think what’s exciting with working with our partners at Takara Tomy, they’re the original creators of the Transformers universe as we know it, so designers today are able to partner with passionate designers who live and work in Tokyo. We’re actually drawing from the same kind of inspiration. What’s really cool is we have 30+ years of awesome technology on our side. We’re able to do things digital now, which is really, really helpful.
Back in the day they would use a lot of hand built models, wooden models and things like that. Using modern CAD technology and some of the detail and reference, and honestly just the experience of transforming these guys. We’re able to bring these guys to life in a way like we’ve never seen before. And bring to life really cool things like articulation and pose-ability, that really didn’t exist in the original form. That fans might know from the eighties.
One of the things that we’re trying to do, is how do you keep that soul, that heart, that a kid that like me that grew up in the ’80s remembers? So, this character, he was a lot smaller but he had the same colors, he still turned into a big, purple space dinosaur! *laughs*. So, how do you maintain what was cool about that character and update it in a way that’ll impress toy collectors and new Transformers fans?
We’re excited to say that Generations now isn’t just about adult collectors. It’s about Transformers fans of all ages. There’s kids out there, 8 years old that we met at [Hasbro] HasCon, who are now new Transformers fans. Honestly, I think being able to be a brand that has the breadth of fans, is really, really exciting. At the end of the day, a giant space dinosaur never stops being cool.
*Points to Trypticon*, We might actually be able to feed him one more [Titan Master]. Here you go big guy! “Ohhhhh nooooo!” *laughs*. It’s such a good sound when they go down inside. They actually can all come out as well, let me open this up. There’s a couple of them in there, some candy corn too.
Excited attendee: Is that a vehicle that comes off his chest?
Warden: That’s right, well this is Full Tilt. Back in the day, Trypticon came with a small purple Transformer that actually changed into a little vehicle that was able to drive down the ramp of the city. We’re able to bring that guy to life, in a way for collectors now and make him into a deluxe class Transformer. When you transform this little futuristic car vehicle, his head can actually come off and connect to the back of Trypticon back here. You’re able to get a cool weapon reveal!
I think it’s about trying to keep the soul of Transformers but contemporizing it in a way that’s going to make modern toy collectors and kids excited too! I can’t wait to see this thing under Christmas trees this years, it’s going to be really, really cool. It’s available in stores now and online. Check it out if you get a chance!
FS: Thank you!
Warden: Thank you!
The full Transformers toy line at Hasbro
Remember to check out the complete line of Transformers at Hasbro. There’s more than meets the eye.