Development of the franchise began in November 2016 with the announcement of an animated web series by Machinima, based on the upcoming toyline. In January 2017, Hasbro held a fan-vote to decide which character would become the next Prime in the franchise. In February, it was decided that Optimus Primal would become the next Prime.
In January 2017, Hasbro created a poll allowing fans to vote which Transformer will become the next Prime. The vote occurred in two stages. During the first, fans voted for the leaders of three different personality factions: honor, order, and chaos. Honor was represented by Arcee, Ultra Magnus, and Hound; Order by Megatron, Star Saber, and Shockwave; and Chaos by Thunderwing, Optimus Primal, and an Unknown Evil (Deathsaurus).[5] The winners of the first round were Ultra Magnus, Star Saber and Optimus Primal, advancing into the second round alongside the Unknown Evil as a wildcard.[6] The poll ended a month later on February 18, and Optimus Primal was chosen as the next Prime.[7]
At the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con on July 20, Hasbro revealed during their panel some of the figures of the toyline.[8] The figures shown were those of Liege Maximo, Dreadwind, Blackwing, Starscream, Jazz and Rodimus Prime.[8] During Hasbro's first HasCon fan convention in September, the new Combiner Volcanicus was revealed. The combiner is composed of the five Dinobots: Grimlock, Slug, Sludge, Snarl and Swoop.[9][10]
Controversy
In November 2017, a fan noticed that a tiny print found on the vehicle mode of Jazz featured scribbles that, when translated from the Cybertronian alphabet, read out "MAGA", which is an abbreviation for "Make America Great Again", the slogan of both former President Ronald Reagan and then-President Donald Trump.[11] Hasbro soon released a statement that the issue had been investigated and that a vendor had placed the acronym without authorization. The company also clarified that they are addressing the issue with the vendor and that they "do not intend for [their] products to carry political messages, apologiz[ing] to anyone who was offended by this message".[12]
In the aftermath of the Titans' conflict that concluded with Optimus Prime's death, Megatron and the rest of the Transformers must stand together in order to stop Megatronus from wiping out their species forever. During their search for the Requiem Blaster, more mysteries about Cybertron's past will be uncovered, and a new Prime will be chosen.[13]
Casting
On January 9, 2018, it was announced that Mark Hamill, who had previously voiced Megatronus in Transformers: Titans Return, would resume his role for Transformers: Power of the Primes. It was also confirmed that Ron Perlman would voice Optimus Primal, after the character was voted by fans to become the next Prime, while Gregg Berger also reprised his role as Grimlock in addition to Volcanicus, the combined robot form of the five Dinobots.[14] Other voice actors include Jaime King, Mikey Way, Peter Cullen, and Samoa Joe.[14]Judd Nelson, Kari Wahlgren and Wil Wheaton also reprised their roles.[15]
Megatronus hunts for the Requiem Blaster as we learn about its mysterious past. Elsewhere, Megatron and his team are also searching for the weapon, hoping to get to it first, when they encounter Grimlock and his fellow Dinobots.
20
2
"Volcanicus"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
May 8, 2018 (2018-05-08)
TBA
Megatron awakens miles away to find a mysterious structure. Curious, he makes his way there, leaving his team to fend for themselves. Vulnerable without him, the team is on the brink of defeat at the hands of Volcanicus when another threat arrives hoping to destroy them.
21
3
"Without Warning"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
May 15, 2018 (2018-05-15)
TBA
Still without Megatron, the team must now fend off both Volcanicus and Predaking. Meanwhile, Megatronus arrives at the Well of Sparks to forge a new device that will help him accomplish his nefarious plan.
22
4
"Primal"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)
TBA
With our heroes cornered, Predaking demands Victorion hand over the Enigma of Combination while unaware that Megatronus took away the Enigma of Combination. Inside the mysterious dome, Megatron finds the Requiem Blaster, but is confronted by a mysterious figure guarding it.
23
5
"Athenaeum Sanctorum"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
May 29, 2018 (2018-05-29)
TBA
Hot on the heels of our heroes, Overlord and Rodimus Cron confront the Dinobots and gain vital information as to the teams whereabouts. Meanwhile, the team learns the tragic fate of one of the Thirteen.
24
6
"Countdown"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
June 5, 2018 (2018-06-05)
TBA
Overlord and Rodimus Cron finally confront the protagonists, while Optimus Primal makes a tough decision that changes the course of the battle. Alas, having found Megatron, Overlord is determined to get his revenge.
25
7
"Consequences"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
June 12, 2018 (2018-06-12)
TBA
Megatron finally figures out Megatronus’ plan, but fears it may be too late to stop him when Megatronus arrives to claim the Requiem Blaster for himself.
26
8
"Collision Course"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
June 19, 2018 (2018-06-19)
TBA
With the Requiem Blaster in his possession, Megatronus launches his now completed device, draining the sparks of Transformers everywhere. With their fate at risk, our heroes must fight Megatronus one last time.
27
9
"Megatronus Unleashed"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
June 26, 2018 (2018-06-26)
TBA
To save their race, our heroes must destroy Megatronus’ machine, but first they must fend off a possessed Rodimus Cron.
28
10
"Saga's End"
Yuzo Sato
F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie Iracleanos
July 3, 2018 (2018-07-03)
TBA
The final battle between Megatronus and the Transformers leads to unforeseen consequences that will have a startling impact on Cybertron and the entire universe.
Comic book
According to John Barber, editor of IDW Publishing,[17] the ongoing Transformers comics published by the company will not feature a crossover event based on Power of the Primes.[18][19] IDW had previously published crossover events based on Combiner Wars[20] and Titans Return.[21]