User:Telephone

Welcome to my mess of a userpage.

Subpage1 Unused Cinema Scripts

Subpage2 Nov 10 2003

Subpage3 SLUS 28040 Trade Demo Build

Minicons

Found in tfa\METAGAME.TDB are listings for several unused internal names for Mini-Cons. Beyond what is mentioned in this file, these Mini-Cons are not mentioned anywhere else. It is possible some of these may be earlier versions of used Mini-Cons.

Name	HeavyCannon	EnergonMeshProjector	SuperHeavyImpactGun	RibbonBeam	Airstrike	ColdProjector	EnergonWhip	ProximityMine	SkitterBomb
Activation Type	6 (ChargeReleasePartial)
ChargeDrainMultiplier_Commander
ChargeDrainMultiplier_Veteran
ChargeDrainTime
CoolDownTime
CoolDownTimeDepleted
CrosshairIndex
EquipInHQ
Icon
Minicon
MinimumChargeToUse
MinimumChargeToUsePerShot
NodeToKeepIndex
PaletteIndex
PowerCost
RechargeTime
RecoilType
RestrictToButton
Segments
SidekickCoolDownTime
SidekickRechargeTime
SidekickSegments
Slot
Team
ToneLibrary

Name	Tangler	DoubleJump	CounterMeasures	EnhancedEnergonShield	JuiceSiphon	RepulsionBeam	Scrambler	SmokeScreen	PoweredGlide
Activation Type
ChargeDrainMultiplier_Commander
ChargeDrainMultiplier_Veteran
ChargeDrainTime
CoolDownTime
CoolDownTimeDepleted
CrosshairIndex
EquipInHQ
Icon
Minicon
MinimumChargeToUse
MinimumChargeToUsePerShot
NodeToKeepIndex
PaletteIndex
PowerCost
RechargeTime
RecoilType
RestrictToButton
Segments
SidekickCoolDownTime
SidekickRechargeTime
SidekickSegments
Slot
Team
ToneLibrary

Compiling Info

Mentioned at the bottom of the .ELF file starting at 0x005ce590:

MIPS C Compiler (2.4.1.01) PlayStation2

Test Files

To do: trees, random shapes, Easter Island bunker placement test file, hud models, reflection maps

TEST_CAR.TXT

Found in tfa2\PHYSICS, the file reads:

#error - file no longer used - DavidF 21/03/03

DavidF refers to David Flower, who worked on physics and simulation programming.

WPE_TESTEFFECT.FXB

tfa2\EFFECTS

Test Weapon

To do: Weapon stats.

TestWeapon
taTestWeaponProjectile
TestWeaponManager
taTestWeaponWeapon

Boot Options

To do: Thoroughly investigate what works and what doesn't.

Found under tfa\CONFIGS\0_DEFS.TMD is a set of boot options. While the menu to enable them in-game no longer seems to work, they can still be ticked on manually by re-assembling the ISO. Unfortunately, many of these options do not work anymore. Some of these functions are swapped on and off during in-game cutscenes.

Debug Option	Base Configuration	Additional Options	Notes
actorUpdateLODMode	Auto	Auto, Disabled, Every2Frames, Every4Frames, Every8Frames
attractMode	none	none, record, playback, recordflush, randomkeys
automaticSurfaceSlide	true
betwixtMode	true		Betwixt Mode refers to the game's method of outputting a fake 60 FPS and the pseudo-60 FPS player animations. Disabling this causes the render output to be black, though the in-game HUD will render properly.
buildCompiledGeo	false
clipCameraToCollisionScene	true
createCollisionDensityMap	true
creatureTextures	true
creaturesAlwaysUseCover	false
creaturesCheat	true
creaturesHandleMessages	true
creaturesHear	true
creaturesReactToHits	true
creaturesSee	true
creaturesShareKnowledge	true
cutSceneCompileScripts	false
cutScenes	Play All	Play None, Play All, Play HQComms Only, Play CGI Only
debugMode	OneController_Camera	OneController_Player, OneController_Camera, TwoControllers
debugOnController2	false
debugRagdollMode	Disabled	Disabled, Collapse, Grenade, Rocket
devilModeEnemies	false
difficulty	Difficulty0	Difficulty0, Difficulty1, Difficulty2, Difficulty3	A total of four difficulties are listed despite only three being selectable in-game.
dynamicLensFiltersEnabled	true
dynamicSky	false
editWaterParameters	false
enableAIProblemSymbols	true
enableDDEEditing	false
enableDDEFilesReport	false
enableDecepticloneDeathmatch	false
enableEcoSystem	true
enableEcoSystemSaveNative	false
enableEcoSystemShadow	true
enableFMVPlacard	true
enableFollowPlayerSlewCam	false
enableIncidentals	true
enableLoadBalancing	true
enableMusic	true
enableNewRagdoll	true
enableOcclusion	true
enableProjectedShadows	true
enableRagDoll	true
enableSidekickAlways	false
enableStatsCollection	false
enableTrackingData	false
enableUSBKeyboard	true
enableWireframe	false
forcePlanetaryGravity	false		Likely related to the Cybertron level.
glideLandingMode	Stall_Or_Context_Message	Stall, Stall_Or_Context_Message, Stall_Or_L1, Toggle_Wings_With_L1
glideSlidesOnInvisibleWalls	false
godModeEnemies	false
godModePlayer	false		Functions identically to the Unlimited Health cheat code.
humanHeightPlayer	false
invertYAxis	false
language	EnglishUK	EnglishUK, EnglishUSA, French, Italian, German, Spanish
levelDirectory			No base config specified.
loadDriftShader	false
lookSpring	0	Range(0.000000,10.000000)
matrixModeEnabled	true
matrixModeOnSelect	false
miniconAbility	Default	Default, AreaEffectScrambler, Dash, EnhancedDash, ElectroField, REMOVED, REMOVED2, BallisticShield, EnergonShield, EnergonVision, MeleeDamageEnhancement, MiniConSensor, WeaponDistanceEnhance, ReflectionShield, Stealth, REMOVED3, UltimateShield	L2 Mini-Cons. There are three removed Mini-Cons listed here. Changing the base configuration doesn't seem to do anything.
miniconLoadOutsOnPauseMenu	false		Non-functional. There exist strings referring to this debug option. Enabling this would allow you to hot-swap to a pre-made Mini-Con team while in a level upon pausing the game.
miniconMovement	Default	Default, Armor, HeavyArmor, SuperHeavyArmor, AutoRepair, Glide, UltimateGlide, BoostJump, Revive	L1 Mini-Cons. Changing the base configuration doesn't seem to do anything.
miniconPrimaryWeapon	Default	Default, AssaultBlaster, HeavyAssaultBlaster, SuperHeavyAssaultBlaster, SuperHeavyCannon, HeavyElectricArcGun, SuperHeavyElectricArcGun, ImpactGun, HeavyRibbonBeam, SuperHeavyRibbonBeam, UltimatePrimary, EnergonMeleeWeapon	R1 Mini-Cons. "EnergonMeleeWeapon" is listed here, which cannot be selected in retail builds in the R1 slot. However, earlier builds have this Mini-Con selectable in this slot. Changing the base configuration doesn't seem to do anything.
miniconSecondaryWeapon	Default	Default, ClusterRocket, HeavyClusterRocket, DarkEnergonBlaster, REMOVED, EMPBlast, FlakBurst, GrenadeLauncher, HomingMissile, DropMine, LimpetMine, SniperRifle, VortexCannon, UltimateCannon, HeavyHomingMissile, TractorBeam, ElectroField	R2 Mini-Cons. "DarkEnergonBlaster" and a removed Mini-Con are listed here. Changing the base configuration doesn't seem to do anything.
numPlayers	1		Remnant from Le Mans 24 Hours.
oceanSimulation	true
oceanSimulationAllLevels	false
playerCharacter	Optimus	Optimus, HotShot, RedAlert
profileLoading	false
randomSeed	0
render24bit	true
reportAnimationUsageOnShutdown	false
restoreEnergonOnDeathMenu	true
runFMV	true
runInGame	true
runLanguageSelect	true
runMonkeyEnable	false
runMonkeyFrameCount	500
runMonkeyRunCount	5
runUIIntro	true
runUIPostGame	true
runUIPreGame	true
screenCaptureFactor	1
showBuildNumber	false
showCameraInformation	true
showCameraInformationVerbose	false
showHUD	true
showSafeZone	false
showSuspendedCreatures	false
showVertexCountGraph	false
showVertigoTimingGraph	false
showVertigoTimingText	false
soundMode	ProLogic2	NoSFX, Mono, Stereo, ProLogic2
soundVolumeDialogue	0.9	Range(0.000000,1.000000)
soundVolumeEffects	0.9	Range(0.000000,1.000000)
soundVolumeMusic	0.9	Range(0.000000,1.000000)
spawnCreatures	LevelData	All, PlayerAndBossOnly, PlayerOnly, LevelData
startingWarpGate	Start	Start, Gate1, Gate2, Gate3, Gate4, Gate5, Gate6, Gate7, Gate8, Gate9, Gate10, Gate11, Gate12, Gate13, Gate14, Gate15	Sixteen gates total are referenced here, but only six gates are ever used at most. ENGLISH.TXT lists descriptions for gates up until Gate8, with unused gates having temporary names and descriptions.
sunGlareEffectsEnabled	true
testPathfindingSectorsAfterLevelLoad	false
timeoutErrors	Never	Never, Immediate, ThreeSeconds
traceSystems	Generic, Vertigo, Sirens, Fish, Maths, Physics, Ecco, Poddy, Grip, Anoki, Kraken, TDG, Lingva, Performance, Cyclone	Generic, Vertigo, Sirens, Fish, Maths, Physics, Ecco, Poddy, Grip, Anoki, Kraken, TDG, Lingva, Performance, Cyclone
traceTransformers	User Interface, Artifical Intelligence, Graphics, Shell, Physics, Metagame, Sound, Model Archive, Load Profile, Animation, Core, Weapon, Input, Languages, Script, Timing	User Interface, Artifical Intelligence, Graphics, Shell, Physics, Metagame, Sound, Model Archive, Load Profile, Animation, Core, Weapon, Input, Languages, Script, Timing
uiWorld	RingWorld	E3, Screens, RingWorld
unlockAllExtras	false		Non-functional.
unlockAllLevels	false		Non-functional. Would unlock all levels.
unlockAllMinicons	false		Non-functional. Would unlock all Mini-Cons.
unlockAllWarpGates	false		Non-functional. Would unlock all sixteen warp gates for use.
unlockAndCompleteAllLevels	false		Non-functional.
unlockMetaGame	None	None, Amazon_Complete, Antarctica_Complete, DeepAmazon_Complete, TidalWave_Complete, TidalWave_Complete_GlideReturns, Alaska_Complete, Alaska_Complete_GlideReturns, Spaceship_Complete, Spaceship_Complete_GlideReturns, Island_Complete, Island_Complete_DashGlideReturns
unlockMetaGame_Commander	false
useAlternativeDirectory	false
usePinkBackgound	false
vibrationEnabled	true
warpGateCanEndLevel	true
warpGateTransition	true
widescreenEnabled	false
worldShadowsFadeLevel	0.37	Range(0.000000,1.000000)

Pre-Release

This page details prerelease information and/or media for Telephone.

Very early on, Transformers was an entirely different game evident by an early script present in the retail files and very early footage. By the beginning of 2003, the game's focus would shift and would eventually evolve into what was released in 2004.

Development Timeline

To do: Game was playable at E3 2004, discuss demos.

• 2002
  • The first draft of the game's story is written. Development begins.
  • December 16: An internal video is shot showing off a snowy level with Hot Shot, his Mini-Con partner Jolt, and some enemies.

• 2003
  • Late January: development is stated to begin, likely for the iteration which would go on to be released. Cite the making of documentary.
  • May 15th: A trailer of the 2002 version of the game is shown off on IGN's site.
  • August 25: IGN releases an article of the game, this time fully rebooted and resembling the retail release more closely. The game is given the name Transformers Armada: Battle for Energon.
  • December 9th: IGN releases another article, this time with the name Transformers Armada: Prelude to Energon. The article describes an early copy of the game which is 30-40% complete (likely Build 3944). The article erroneously states that Decepticon Demolishor appears in the game.
  • December 12th: New footage of Build 3944 is released by IGN.

• 2004
  • April 7th: Game is released in the EU.
  • May 11th: Game is released in the US.
  • July 14th: Game is released in South Korea.

December 16th, 2003

This piece of footage also stems from the same time period as the May 15th, 2003 gameplay. This footage takes a more cinematic approach, utilizing a freecam mode to show off the snowy environment, Hot Shot, Jolt, and an enemy. Interestingly, the enemy that is highlighted during this clip appears to have a Mini-Con symbol emblazoned on its chest.

May 15th, 2003 Gameplay

This is the earliest footage of the game available. At this point, the game is an entirely different game with almost nothing resembling the released product. Some of the notable elements present in this trailer are:

• Numerous debug elements can be seen in certain scenes in the trailer.
• The enemies, despite being called Decepticlones, do not resemble any enemy in the retail build.
• The environment does not exist in retail. Though there are snowy levels in retail, there are not any large metallic structures present.
• There is what appears to be a radar present at the bottom of the HUD.
• The HUD has two bars on the left and right of the screen. It is unknown what these represent.
• Jolt is capable of Powerlinxing with Hot Shot in the footage, allowing Hot Shot to drive around with a helicopter spinning on his rear and being able to descend slowly in robot mode.
• While Hot Shot is in vehicle mode, Jolt is shown in vehicle mode flying behind him. In retail, Jolt, along with the other Mini-Con partners, walk behind their respective Autobot. Jolt will only transform if Powerlinxed with Hot Shot.
• There is a turret which can be controlled by the player.
• Only Red Alert and Hot Shot are shown to be playable.
• The game sports the title Transformers Armada. The name would eventually be shortened to just Transformers.