Tag Archives: Theories

From Identical Soldiers to Individual Warriors

The Evolution of Plastic Soldiers in the Army Men Toyverse

Like the clones in Star Wars, Plastic Soldiers are mass-produced with a single purpose: to fight. Fresh out of the mold, they are identical in appearance and function. They have no personal identity, no opinions, and no customization. Their abilities are the same, their uniforms are standard, and their mindset is programmed to obey orders without question.

Original Army Men
Initial Uniformity: Born from the Mold

Their existence is purely functional. They are replaceable, interchangeable, and in the chaos of war, individuality is not a priority.

Shades of Pink
Battlefield Marks: Experience and Change

However, war is unforgiving, and no soldier remains the same after facing the reality of combat. With each mission, Plastic Soldiers begin to develop their own instincts. The scars of battle (cracks in the plastic, burns, improvised accessories) become marks of identity.

Sarge after Toys in Space

Just as the Star Wars clones adopted unique hairstyles, armor modifications, and personal emblems, Plastic Soldiers also find ways to stand out. Some reinforce their weapons with duct tape, others paint symbols on their helmets or adjust their posture, slightly bending their joints to differentiate themselves. These small adaptations become badges of veteran warriors.

The Awakening of Individuality: More Than Just Soldiers

Over time, the standardization of their existence begins to crumble. Those who survive long campaigns develop their own thoughts, question orders, reflect on their purpose, and adopt an identity beyond their initial function.

The Star Wars clones evolved from mere troops to individuals with distinct voices, such as Rex and Cody, who led with autonomy and genuine emotions. In the Toyverse, Plastic Soldiers follow a similar path. Once uniform figures on a battlefield, they become characters with distinct personalities, choosing how to fight, what to preserve, and how to leave their mark.

The Experienced and Enhanced: Beyond Natural Evolution

Not all Plastic Soldiers follow a progression solely based on combat experience. Some, whether through battlefield merit or strategic necessity, are selected for enhancement programs (similar to the Super Soldier project or cybernetic modifications seen in Star Wars with Clone Commando Echo, or even characters like Cable from X-Men and Bucky Barnes, Marvel’s “Winter Soldier).

These soldiers undergo physical and tactical upgrades that elevate them beyond their comrades. Some receive structural reinforcements, advanced armor, or bio-mechanical enhancements that increase their endurance and strength. Others are transformed into hybrids of machine and soldier, integrating advanced communication systems, improved sensors, or even prosthetics with specialized abilities.

However, the cost of these enhancements is not just physical. Like Echo in Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7, many of these upgraded soldiers face an identity crisis: Are they still Plastic Soldiers, or have they evolved beyond what they were created to be? Are they tools of war or individuals with their own purpose?

For some, enhancement is a blessing; for others, a curse. Their role in the Toyverse becomes a dilemma between utility and individuality, where war reshapes them not only physically but also spiritually.

Conclusion: Evolution Beyond the Mold: More Than Plastic, More Than Soldiers

A Plastic Soldier’s fate is not set at the time of its creation. Though they are born with a fixed purpose: war, experience gives them something invaluable: identity. Thus, what was once a homogeneous army transforms into a brotherhood of unique warriors, each with their own story sculpted in plastic.

The progression of Plastic Soldiers in the Army Men Toyverse mirrors the journey of Star Wars clones: from interchangeable units to unique individuals with their own stories. But in the case of the enhanced ones, a new element is at play: transformation not only as a result of war but also through deliberate intervention.

From mass-produced warriors to experienced soldiers who choose to forge their own destiny, each Plastic Soldier faces a different path. Whether shaped by battle or by technology that turns them into something more, their evolution defines the true weight of individuality in a world where they were created to be identical, and for war.

Dev Diary: Portal Runner 2

Although the information about the project is classified so as not to reveal the story, what we can do is talk a little about the development process.

Using TEN Engine, a new updated Tomb Raider Level Editor, we are going to develop a second part of Portal Runner. With no need of more introduction, here we go with some of the development notes for future reference.

Tomb Engine test / Showcase:

During the presentation of the project idea with our collaborators, we made a demonstration of how it works and how to work in Tomb Engine (TEN)

In the graphics we can see the simple geometry of a stage, the texturing and then the lighting. None of this is a final product, just an early test.

Level Design:

In Portal Runner 2 we will visit new scenarios, but also several places and worlds already known, therefore we will imitate the designs of other games.

Level Textures:

We are going to extract and use textures from old games, to imitate the look and feel of those games. But there is a problem, at least with the textures of the Playstation 1 games, which are mostly 32px, while the old Tomb Raider ones are 24px (or 48px). Well, they are 8px X 4 = 32 and the TR ones are 8px X 3 = 24. That is, multiples of 4 when in TR they are multiples of 3, therefore they have to be converted to multiples of 4 without changing the appearance, because then when putting them next to other textures the image limits can noticeable.

For now, the textures will remain as they were originally, but manually enhanced with the “nearest” resampling method. We will only add a few new variants. But as soon as we see that they work well, we may remaster them.

Making the Microverse, Part 11: Army Men Theory

Major Mylar’s initials are MM (he uses them on his badge). Major Malfunction’s initials are also MM. Major Gooding was Lord Malice, so in “Major Malice” we can also find MM. Which member of the 3DO team that designed some of the games has those initials: Michael Mendheim.

But before you think anything of it, this is just a joke, we’re not theorizing anything 👀. But here’s what it’s all about… and this is the fun part.

When the Fans Write the Story

Across pop culture history, fan enthusiasm has often rewritten the destinies of fictional characters—turning minor roles into legends, saving doomed figures from oblivion, and reshaping entire franchises.

Theories in fandoms are exciting for a number of reasons:
  • Creativity: They allow fans to use their imagination to fill in gaps in the official story, creating new narratives and possibilities.
  • Connection: They foster a sense of community, as fans discuss and debate their theories, sharing their enthusiasm and passion.
  • Deepening: They help fans explore the story’s universe further, uncovering details and connections that may not be apparent at first glance.
  • Interactivity: They make the fan experience more interactive, as fans don’t just consume content, but actively contribute to it.

By the way, it has been proven that some theories in other fandoms were so plausible and amazing to the creatives behind that fandom’s franchise, that they ended up making these fans’ “dreams” come true.

How passionate audiences became co-authors of the narrative

Here are some instances where fan theories or requests influenced the creators to make changes or additions to the story:

  • Peter Parker in “Iron Man 2”: This theory suggested that a young boy wearing an Iron Man mask at the Stark Expo, who is saved by Iron Man, was actually Peter Parker. Tom Holland, who plays Spider-Man, confirmed this theory in an interview, stating that the boy was indeed Peter Parker.
  • Rex in “Return of the Jedi”: Fans speculated that the bearded Rebel trooper seen on Endor in “Return of the Jedi” was actually Captain Rex from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.” This theory gained traction when “Star Wars Rebels” confirmed that Rex fought in the Battle of Endor. However, the character in “Return of the Jedi” was originally named Nik Sant, and while the theory is popular, it remained a bit complicated for some time, because was not officially confirmed by all sources. But later Dave Filoni itself confirmed it on X, and this was confirmed in “Galaxy of Adventures” animation and in a newly released Star Wars children’s book titled: “I Am A Clone Trooper”.
  • Desperate Housewives: Fans were so vocal about wanting Mike and Susan to end up together that the show’s creator, Marc Cherry, changed his original plan. He had intended for Mike to marry Katherine, but fan demand led him to pair Mike with Susan instead.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Fans were eager to see Keith Richards, who inspired Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Jack Sparrow, appear in the films. Due to this overwhelming demand, the writers included Richards as Captain Teague.
  • Lord of the Rings: An unnamed elf in “The Lord of the Rings” films became a fan favorite and was given the name Figwit (Frodo is great — who is that?). Due to the character’s popularity, director Peter Jackson gave him a speaking role in “The Return of the King”.
  • Supernatural: The character of Castiel was originally intended to be a short-term character, but fan enthusiasm led to him becoming a series regular.
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Fans shipped the characters Jake and Amy so strongly that the writers decided to develop their relationship into a central storyline.

These examples show how powerful fan voices can be in shaping the stories they love. But in other occassions, fandoms saved doomed character from death. Here are some of those examples and a few more of characters saved from oblivion:

  • Vegeta: Another powerful example of fan influence comes from Dragon Ball Z. The character Vegeta was originally intended to be a one-time villain, a Saiyan invader to be defeated and discarded. However, his overwhelming popularity among fans convinced Akira Toriyama to keep him in the story. Vegeta went on to become not only a central character but also a fan-favorite anti-hero with one of the richest development arcs in anime.
  • Harley Quinn: Originally introduced as a one-off henchwoman in the 1992 Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn’s unexpected popularity led to her official inclusion in DC Comics canon. Today, she’s one of the most iconic female characters in the DC Universe. Born from animation, adopted by the fans, and cemented by demand.
  • Daryl Dixon: Created exclusively for the TV show of The Walking Dead, Daryl doesn’t exist in the original comics. He was meant to be a short-term character, but fan love kept him alive… and growing. He became a central figure throughout the series and now headlines his own spin-off, a testament to pure fan-driven evolution.
  • Castiel: Initially planned as a temporary character for a few episodes in Supernatural, Castiel became so beloved by the fandom that he remained a core part of the show for over a decade, deeply entangled in its mythos and emotional arcs.
  • Agent Phil Coulson: Introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a minor S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in Iron Man (2008), Coulson’s charm struck a chord with fans. He reappeared across several MCU films, became a fan favorite, and eventually starred in the long-running series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. after dying in the first Avengers movie. A character saved from death and elevated from background filler to franchise connective tissue.
  • Spike: What began as a secondary villain in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, evolved into a fan-favorite antihero. Spike was slated for a short run, but fans demanded more. Writers responded by developing his character across multiple seasons, turning him into a tragic, romantic, and unforgettable icon of the show.

This is yet another case where fan reaction reshaped the narrative, not through direct petitions or theories, but through sheer enthusiasm that creators could not ignore.

Jackpot!

On other occasions, the fandom simply came up with their theories about something that would be a reality later and that had already been thought of, end even executed, by the creators of the franchises. We have the examples of:

  • Jon Snow is a Targaryen: In “Game of Thrones,” fans speculated that Jon Snow was not Ned Stark’s illegitimate son but the child of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. This theory was confirmed in the series, revealing Jon as Aegon Targaryen.
  • Stan Lee in the MCU: Before it was confirmed, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans theorized that Stan Lee, the creator of many Marvel characters, was playing the same character in all his cameos. This was confirmed in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” where he is seen talking to the Watchers.
  • Palpatine’s Return: In the “Star Wars” saga, some fans speculated that Emperor Palpatine didn’t actually die in “Return of the Jedi.” This theory came true in “The Rise of Skywalker,” where Palpatine returns as the main villain.
  • Snoke’s Identity: In “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” fans speculated about the true identity of Supreme Leader Snoke. While many theories were incorrect, the revelation that Snoke was a creation of Palpatine in “The Rise of Skywalker” was anticipated by some fans.
  • Bruce Willis is Dead in “The Sixth Sense”: Fans speculated that Bruce Willis’s character was dead the whole time in “The Sixth Sense.” This theory was confirmed in the movie’s twist ending.
  • The Identity of the Man in the Iron Mask in “The Flash”: Fans of “The Flash” theorized that the Man in the Iron Mask was Jay Garrick, the original Flash from the comics. This was confirmed in the season 2 finale.
  • The Joker’s Identity in “Batman: Arkham Knight”: Before the release of “Batman: Arkham Knight,” fans speculated that the Arkham Knight was actually Jason Todd, the former Robin. This theory was confirmed in the game.
  • The True Nature of Westworld: In the TV series “Westworld,” fans theorized that the park was actually on another planet or in a different time period. It was later revealed that the park is on a distant planet.
  • The Real Villain in “WandaVision”: Fans speculated that Agatha Harkness was the true villain behind the events in “WandaVision.” This theory was confirmed when Agatha revealed herself.

These cases show that sometimes, fandom isn’t just an audience: it’s a creative force. In the same way, Army Men fans have their own theories, headcanons, and alternate timelines. The microverse is always expanding… and who’s to say fans aren’t the architects of its future?

But in our case we are just connecting unfinished dots with factual possibilities, within the possibilities of the Army Men universe (which we call Toyverse) and trying to fix the inconsistencies that plague the entire saga in a convincing way, which will also require the generation of convincing images, since many times “A picture is worth a thousand words”.

The best enemies ever molded: friends!

Did anyone notice how many traitors there were in the Green ranks alone? The Green Colonel in Army Men 2, H.F. Blintz turning into King Plurtz the First in Army Men RTS, Major Godding turning into Lord Malice in Sarge’s War and Sarge Hawk himself turning into Major Malfunction in (right) Army Men: Major Malfunction.

Another plausible theory (within this theory) is that the AWOL Green Colonel and Blintz knew each other, or at least talked about the same crazy stuff.

We’re going to tie all of this together in a convincing way, adding Major Mylar betraying Plastro in Army Men 2 (talking about the same crazy stuff). But we’ll leave that to the narrative of our project.

Sarge is Sarge Hawk?

A much discussed theory with a simple answer: there is no official answer, and there never will be one. 3DO don’t want to answer the question because they wanted us to believe they are the same, but it was OBVIOUS they are visually very different (the voice of Jim Cumming tried to be the same than the original Sarge). And if there was one answer today, it is unlikely to be genuine.

The reality is that Sarge Hawk and the whole Sarge’s Heroes era was a “soft reboot” where 3DO wanted (without saying so) that people believe that it was the same protagonist, so as not to lose that initial push of the first games. Something like those franchises where the actor changes without any explanation of why, like the 007 films: each film is usually just a stand alone installment, although later there was a series of films where the stories were a continuation (although this did not impact much on the story of each film). But when the 007 franchise changes actors, they simply continue creating films without specifying if it is about the same individual, if in fact the agents are different people who are named as such and finally, there is not even a real temporal progression. This writer’s theory is that different agents are called 007 as they die or retire. This can be seen in Daniel Craig’s latest film, where another female agent is called 007 because Craig’s character was missing ad considered MIA (or AWOL).

So there you have the answer. As far as we are concerned, it’s not about what we believe, but about what we want to do. And we have a GREAT answer to this question that will satisfy everyone… you’ll see!

What do you think?. If you have any good theories, leave them in the comments!

P.S.: Because of this last theory and the statement: “The best enemies ever molded: friends!” we want Hawk to fight the copies of him an his friends of the Bravo Company Commandos. The same for the female protagonist being a Tan version of Hawk’s girlfriends, Vikki.