NetDragon Launches Transformers Online Beta

Transformers is big business in China. Despite the fact that they are all objectively terrible, the movies have been huge, breaking box office records with each subsequent release. Chinese fans have been drawn to Michael Bay’s VFX-laden, plot-light popcorn flicks and subsequently Transformers has appeared everywhere. At least five different cars in the parking lot outside my apartment building have Autobot logo pasted on.

So it’s no surprise NetDragon, one of China’s largest online game developers, is capitalizing on the Trans-fever (see what I did there?) to release an online game about Transformers. Creatively, they’ve titled it Transformers Online. In fact, the game is accepting beta signups right now, but today is the last day, so if you want to get your Transform-on (see what I did there?) you’re going to have to do it quickly.

Not sure whether or not you want to play? Check out this trailer for the game (via Tformers.com):

Or you can visit the official site to learn more about the game, which appears to be a 3rd-person multiplayer shooter. According to the site, the game will feature four playable characters, all with different strengths and weaknesses, who will battle it out and occasionally transform into cars across six different maps. The game is clearly targeted at Chinese players, but in theory there’s no reason overseas players who can read enough Chinese to register couldn’t also worm their way into the beta.

Of course, the real question is whether Chinese netizens will choose to play as the good Autobots or the evil Decepticons. This beta gives us the first real opportunity to find that out. To date, the beta has attracted over 30,000 signups. Here’s the breakdown.

In addition to games, NetDragon also develops other software and a variety of mobile products, as well as curates the online gaming platform 91.com.

Transformers Online should not be confused with Transformers Universe, which is being developed by Hasbro and Jagex for the international market.