Roll Out and Win The Race in TRANSFORMERS: Galactic Trials

The TRANSFORMERS franchise has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. From the moment I first saw Optimus Prime leading the Autobots, I was completely hooked. Over the years, I’ve dived into everything TRANSFORMERS—watching every show, reading all the comics, and playing just about every game that’s come out. The stories, the characters, and the never-ending battle between the Autobots and Decepticons have always been a source of fun and inspiration for me. 

Now, as a parent, it’s awesome to share that love with my kids. There’s something so special about introducing them to the world of Cybertron and seeing their faces light up just like mine did when I was their age. Whether we’re watching classic episodes, adding new action figures to the collection, or teaming up in video game battles, the TRANSFORMERS universe has become something we enjoy together.

This year is especially meaningful for fans, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the TRANSFORMERS franchise—a milestone that underscores its enduring legacy and cultural impact. To mark the occasion, the creative minds at 3DClouds have gifted us with something truly unique: the first-ever TRANSFORMERS racing game, Transformers: Galactic Trials. This groundbreaking game brings a fresh take to the franchise, combining iconic characters and thrilling races in a way we’ve never seen before. 

Earlier this month, we had the incredible opportunity to speak with Roberta Migliori, Executive Producer at 3DClouds, about this exciting new addition to the TRANSFORMERS universe. Our conversation provided fascinating insights into the development of TRANSFORMERS: Galactic Trials, the team’s passion for the project, and how they’ve woven 40 years of TRANSFORMERS history into a high-octane racing experience. I can’t wait to share what we learned and dive deeper into what makes this game a must-play for fans old and new.

RTCO: How big is the development team at 3DClouds and how long did it take to develop Transformers: Galactic Trials?

RM: The development timeline for the game was extensive, involving many contributors over time. Approximately 25 to 30 developers worked simultaneously on the project, with a total of around 40 team members contributing across a two-year period.

RTCO: What inspired you to create a racing game in the Transformers universe?

RM: Surprisingly, there had never been a TRANSFORMERS racing game before TRANSFORMERS: Galactic Trials. The brand celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, so it was a huge honour and privilege for our team to finally bring this to life for TRANSFORMERS fans across the world, as well as an exciting opportunity to create a racing game with mechanics that would be a natural fit to the ‘robots in disguise’ feature of the brand.

RTCO: With the hybrid gameplay of arcade racing and robot combat, what were some of the challenges and benefits of merging roguelite elements into the game?

RM: One of the biggest challenges was the technical execution of implementing the roguelite elements, it’s been one of the most demanding games we’ve worked on in terms of mechanics. However, the addition of these roguelite elements, with procedurally generated tracks and randomly assigned  relics, adds a layer of complexity to the game which is a great way for players to challenge themselves. Because the TRANSFORMERS take two different forms, we felt incorporating combat was an important inclusion, as it allowed us to showcase the characters in both their Bot forms and alternate mode.

RTCO: In what ways do roguelite mechanics influence the game’s pacing and progression system, especially in a high-energy genre like racing?

RM:The roguelite mechanics integrate well, especially with the division of TRANSFORMERS characters into three categories: heavy, light, and medium. To complete a galactic trial, which serves as a typical roguelite run, players gradually learn to choose relics that best suit their character type. For instance, heavy vehicles might benefit from acceleration relics, while lighter vehicles may need more HP or shields to improve their resilience. This adds a meta-game element, and it’s great to see players discussing optimal builds online based on the characters they’re working to master.

RTCO: Who is your favourite Transformers character?

RM: My favorite character is definitely Flamewar. Fans haven’t seen her in a while, so it was exciting to have the opportunity to bring her back. She’s incredibly nimble, very fun to play, and her voice lines are spot-on.

RTCO: What’s next for 3DClouds?

RM:  We have a lot in the works! Our studio structure allows us to manage multiple projects simultaneously, both for popular brands and our own IPs. While I can’t reveal too much yet, I can say that 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting and busy year, with plenty of new games to look forward to.

RTCO: Is there anything else you would like to mention to new players of Transformers: Galactic Trials?

RM: We’re really excited for players to get hands-on with the game and we hope they have fun! We’ve included a few easter eggs throughout the game for longtime fans to discover, and hope they enjoy playing as characters like Flamewar or Nightbird for the first time!

TRANSFORMERS: Galactic Trials has you embarking on a high-octane journey with the Autobots and Decepticons as they race to reclaim the legendary Prime Relics. Featuring characters such as Arcee and Soundwave as well as customisable skins and special abilities unique to each character. Whether you’re unlocking relics to boost your skills, conquering Galactic Trials solo, or challenging a friend in local multiplayer, this adventure is packed with nods to 40 years of TRANSFORMERS history for fans like me to uncover.

We thank Roberta Migliori, Executive Producer at 3DClouds for the interview. TRANSFORMERS: Galactic Trials is out now for Playstation and Nintendo Switch.

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