Transformers: Earth Wars was built through a three-way arrangement: Hasbro brought the Transformers franchise, Backflip Studios published the mobile game, and Space Ape Games developed it. The Devastator comparison is a playful fit for that division of labor, not a claim that the companies merged or shared the same role.
What each company contributed
| Company | Role in the original launch arrangement | What that meant for the game |
|---|---|---|
| Hasbro | Transformers rights holder and franchise partner | Provided the licensed world and characters. Hasbro’s launch announcement also describes the game as inspired by the Transformers Generations: Prime Wars Trilogy. |
| Backflip Studios | Publisher | Announced the project alongside Hasbro and Space Ape in February 2016. |
| Space Ape Games | Developer | Built the mobile strategy game. |
The companies announced the collaboration on February 10, 2016. The announcement explicitly identifies Backflip as publisher and Space Ape as developer; those labels describe the original launch partnership, not the game’s later operating arrangement. Read the February 2016 announcement.
How the Transformers license shaped Earth Wars
Earth Wars takes the franchise beyond character cameos. Players choose Autobots or Decepticons, recruit a team, build a base, and attack or defend bases in real-time strategy battles. The official game overview describes base construction, raids, alliances, and defense as central parts of play. See Hasbro’s game overview.
Hasbro’s June 2016 launch announcement says the game was inspired by its Transformers Generations: Prime Wars Trilogy. It also credits comic writer Simon Furman with dialogue and identifies Peter Cullen and Frank Welker as the voices of Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively. These named creative contributions show how the licensed setting informed the game’s storytelling and presentation. Read Hasbro’s launch announcement.
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- DISCOVER EARTHRISE: The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the Allspark
- BUILD THE BATTLEFIELD BEYOND: Earthrise figures allow fans to build out epic space battle scenes, featuring figures that can convert into Modular Battle Station modes and connect together to expand the battlefield (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- CONVERT TO MODULAR BATTLE STATION: Optimus Prime toy can convert into a Modular Battle Station mode
- G1 EARTH MODES AND WEAPONS: Optimus Prime figure converts into classic G1 truck mode in 35 steps and comes with Ion Blaster, Matrix of Leadership and trailer
- EXCITING REVEAL: Every pack includes a piece of the Transformers Universe map and a red decoder to unlock the map's hidden paths! Collect other Earthrise figures to piece together the full map! (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
The launch release described “hundreds of characters.” That was Hasbro’s promotional description in 2016, not an independently measured count of characters available at any later date.
Launch details—and what they do not tell you about availability now
Hasbro announced Transformers: Earth Wars for iOS and Android on June 2, 2016. At launch, it was free to download with in-game purchases, required Wi-Fi, and was available worldwide except in Japan and China. Those details describe the 2016 release; they do not establish current store availability or regional access.
Rank #2
- Earthrise: The siege is over, but the war for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle continues and they search the universe for the Allspark
- Create your own battle: this portfolio of collectible figures invites fans to create epic battle scenes. The figures convert into a modular Battle Station mode and combine with each other to expand the collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- Introducing the Decepticon twins: Decepticon Runabout and WFC-E37 Runamuck invite you to reunite the Decepticon twins (sold separately. subject to availability)
- G1 EARTH MODE AND WEAPONS: the Decepticon Runabout figure transforms into the classic G1 sports car in 16 steps and comes with a blaster accessory that can be attached to the figure in both modes
- EXCITING REVEAL: Each pack contains a portion of the Transformers universe map and a red decoder to reveal the map's secret paths. There are even more Earthrise figures to collect to assemble the complete map. (Each sold separately. subject to availability)
In August 2025, Yodo1 announced that it had completed a transfer of publishing and development rights, code, assets, and team members under license from Hasbro. Yodo1 said the game would continue on iOS and Android and that player accounts, progress, purchases, alliances, and servers would remain unchanged. That is Yodo1’s account of the transition, not an independent check of live service status after the announcement. Read Yodo1’s August 2025 announcement.
So Backflip’s original publishing role does not, by itself, mean the game shut down when its operating arrangement changed. The latest explicit status statement here is Yodo1’s 2025 announcement; current storefront status and operation beyond that statement are not established by these announcements.
Rank #3
- DISCOVER EARTHRISE: The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the Allspark
- BUILD THE BATTLEFIELD BEYOND: This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes, featuring figures that can convert into Modular Battle Station modes and connect together to expand the battlefield (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- G1 EARTH MODES AND WEAPONS: Trailbreaker toy converts into classic G1 camper truck mode in 18 steps and comes with a blaster accessory.
- EXCITING REVEAL: Every pack includes a piece of the Transformers Universe map and a red decoder to unlock the map's hidden paths! Collect other Earthrise figures to piece together the full map! (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
Why Devastator is an apt comparison
Devastator is a Transformers character, and the comparison works as shorthand for several distinct contributions combining in one game: franchise and characters from Hasbro, publishing from Backflip, and development from Space Ape. It should not obscure the actual roles or imply a corporate merger. The game’s official support material also associates Devastator with Earth Wars character content in a page titled “Superion & Devastator.” See the support page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DISCOVER EARTHRISE: The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the Allspark
- BUILD THE BATTLEFIELD BEYOND: Earthrise figures allow fans to build out epic space battle scenes, featuring figures that can convert into Modular Battle Station modes and connect together to expand the battlefield (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- G1 EARTH MODES AND WEAPONS: Skywarp and Thundercracker figures convert into classic G1 jet modes in 30 steps and come with 4 weapon accessories
- ADD TO SEEKER ARMY COLLECTION: Skywarp and Thundercracker join the Earthrise Seeker lineup (each sold separately, subject to availability)
- EXCITING REVEAL: Every pack includes a piece of the Transformers Universe map and a red decoder to unlock the map's hidden paths! Collect other Earthrise figures to piece together the full map! (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
Rank #4
- WAR FOR CYBERTRON AUTOBOT ALPHASTRIKE COUNTERFORCE: This 3-pack of Transformers figures features deco and details inspired by the Transformers universe
- 5.5-INCH DELUXE CLASS COVERT CLONE FIGURE: Transformers Covert Clone Sideswipe figure converts from robot to vehicle mode in 16 steps
- 5.5-INCH DELUXE CLASS SLAMDANCE FIGURE: Slamdance figure converts from robot to Autobot Raindance jet mode in 11 steps and to Autobot Grand Slam tank mode in 6 steps
- CONVERTING BATTLE MASTER FIGURE AND 4 ACCESSORIES: Battle Master Trenchfoot figure converts to weapon mode in 5 steps. Set includes 3 blaster accessories and a Fire Blast effect accessory
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Transformers figures feature articulation for display-worthy poses or action-packed play
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