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The Robot Wars logo forms the main onscreen identity for Robot Wars, featuring in every episode and being used in a variety of supplementary material for the show. It has also been incorporated into the various incarnations of the Robot Wars Arena itself, as well as design features of certain House Robots throughout each of the show's runs (e.g. Refbot).

The main elements of the original logo were a cogwheel with five teeth on the right-hand side, and a centrally-placed metallic element with a debossed, diamond-shaped pattern. In earlier versions, the "diamond" was originally intended to give the illusion of a 3D effect, in the form of a large spike protruding from the centre of the entire logo. Wrapped around the left-hand side was the "ROBOT WARS" wordmark, reading from bottom to top, spelt out in block capitals in the Bank Gothic Medium font. The latter font was also widely used throughout the series for onscreen text, written documents, the official website and merchandise.

This logo design would eventually be modified a few times throughout the course of the Classic Series. Starting with The Second Wars, custom variations began to appear in opening sequences for Semi-Final and Grand Final episodes, along with those for full-length side competitions and other one-off specials. More extensive changes would eventually be made for the spin-off series Robot Wars Extreme, along with international versions such as the US series Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors and Nickelodeon Robot Wars.

Upon the resurrection of Robot Wars in 2016, the basic logo design was retained and adapted to suit a newly-introduced brand identity for the reboot (later dubbed the Revival Series).

Pre-Series 1[]

RW 90slogo

1994-1997 US event logo

The familiar Bank Gothic wordmark was first introduced at the original 1994-1997 US competitions in San Francisco, California.[1] The main logo used, however, was far removed from the styles adopted by the televised show. This design was based around a rounded rectangular panel, within which was a 2D illustration depicting a stylised interpretation of robot combat. Two robots were portrayed to fight within the horizontal space - one with four wheels and a cannon-style weapon (left), the other with tracks and a turret-mounted spike (right). Filling the space behind both robots is a series of ring-shaped patterns, possibly representing radio waves.

Vlad the impaler vs punjar

White variant of the 1994-1997 logo, used on signage for the 1996 competition (Vlad the Impaler vs Punjar, top, centre-left)

Two known variations of this logo include one with an orange background and grey border - as used on the official US Robot Wars website - and another with a white background and solid black border.[2] Variations with a "ROBOT WARS" wordmark (in a variant of the Eurostile font) would be used in multiple applications, including signage for the 1996 arena and the official souvenir programme for the 1997 event.[3] Footage showcasing both variants was included in the American Robot Wars 1996 and American Robot Wars Final 1996 VHS releases, with the orange variant being seen on T-shirts.

The familiar Robot Wars logo appears to be derived from a logo first introduced at the 1995 US competition. Commonly used on membership tags for the International Robot Warriors Association (IRWA),[4] it shares a number of recognisable elements with the UK version, namely the circular formatting and the positioning of the "ROBOT WARS" wordmark on the left-hand side. However, the text itself is aligned at a different angle, while the mechanical/tool motif takes the form of a stylised "R".

The 1995 logo can be found on the earliest archived versions of Mentorn's official UK Robot Wars website, dating from December 1996 to April 1997.[5][6] It is also visible in publicly-released footage of the 1995 UK Open Competition in London, which served as a proof-of-concept and taped pilot for the UK television series.

Merchandise featuring one or both 1994-1997 logo designs was released prior to the televised premiere of the UK Series, including T-shirts, baseball caps and reproductions of the official 1995 event poster. A cap featuring the circular 1995-1997 variation made onscreen appearances in Series 1, worn by Demolisher team captain Sam Rudgard in Heat D.[7]

By the beginning of 1998, the early circular logo had been largely replaced on the website by an interim version of the familiar cogwheel logo. The wordmark, however was not set in the Bank Gothic font, and again, was not aligned vertically with the bottom of the main cogwheel symbol.[8] Known uses of this logo include the order form for American Robot Wars 1996 and on the "Roboteer Tool", both of which were available to Robot Wars Club members upon its foundation the same year. The 1995-1997 logo remained in place on some pages after this time, notably a gallery of House Robot concept drawings archived on 27 June of that year.[9]

TV Series[]

1st Logo (1998)[]

RobotWarsLogo

Logo used in the Series 1 opening sequence

Series 1[]

The first TV version of the logo introduced the gold and grey colour palette used throughout the Classic run, but had a much darker palette, a smaller wordmark and a more three-dimensional appearance. This iteration would be short-lived, as it was not used beyond Series 1.

Likewise, it would be used in a limited number of home video releases, including the Club-exclusive American Robot Wars Final 1996 VHS. It can also be briefly seen at one point in Robot Wars: The First Great War, though the video cuts away before it can fully form.

2nd Logo (1998-2004)[]

Old s3 red logo

Logo commonly used in Series 3-4, German Robot Wars and home media releases

Beginning with the 1998 video release American Robot Wars 1996, an updated logo design was introduced with different deboss effects for the central element. The "diamond" extended down to the base of the central element, similarly to the interim and first merchandise logos (see below), though the "spike" effect was lessened and a "split" between the two halves was visible at the centre. A lighter colour palette was also used for the overall logo, with the cogwheel and wordmark both appearing in a dull gold shade. The entire logo was positioned within a circular brass-coloured frame, both elements being illuminated by an interlaced red background. In most applications, these would be set against a grey backdrop frequently shared with the TV21/Mentorn closing animation.

Series 3-7, Extreme 1-2, International Series[]

Series 5 Qualifiers

Arena for the 2001 Live Event tour; note the second logo variation on the video projection rigs (top-left and top-right)

This logo would go on to see extensive use in the Classic run, primarily in closing and transition animations for UK Series 3-4, along with later video releases such as The First World Championship and History of the Third Wars. In the former, it would often be used as the backdrop for Robot Wars Club promotions/safety disclaimers shown at the end of each episode, and was in some cases retroactively applied to later broadcasts of earlier UK series (e.g. the remastered Series 2 episodes available on Mech+).

The international series German Robot Wars also made extensive use of this logo alongside the fourth version, being featured in the opening for Heat A[10] along with the outros of each episode - including localised versions of the UK vs Germany and European Championship specials.[11][12]

Static variants of this logo were used as title cards during filming and live event tours from Extreme 1, through to Extreme 2, often appearing on monitors located within competitors' control pods. A stock clip aired in the Series 7 All-Stars suggests that these title cards remained in use until the end of the Classic run. Along with the original red version, a blue variant was also introduced in Series 6.

3rd Logo (1998-2001)[]

Series 2-4 Logo

Logo used from Series 2-4

The second main version of the logo was used from Series 2 through to Series 4, lasting three series in total. The logo was now much flatter looking and was made much brighter, with a distinctly lighter palette along with turquoise-hued lighting/shadow effects on the right-hand side. The "ROBOT WARS" wordmark was also made flat and incorporated a drop shadow effect.

The updated logo was also used in various home media releases, such as the introductions to The First Great War and The First World Championship.

Series 2[]

Series 2 also began the practice of introducing custom logo variations for "special" episodes and spin-off series, examples of each including those for The Making of Robot Wars and Robot Wars Revealed. The corresponding subtitles for these, again in Bank Gothic, had a 3D, silvery appearance, formatted in a slanted style on top of the regular logo.

Series 3[]

Series 3 largely continued the style set by Series 2, though there was some more variety in appearance, with both the Grand Final and International League Championship logos having different font colours and effects applied. Unlike the last series, the Semi-Finals used the standard logo.

Series 4[]

Though the basic logo was kept, the formatting used for the "special" logo subtitles was revised. Alongside reduced dimensions and a subtly-different variant of the Bank Gothic font, they now included metal backgrounds and subtle flame effects within the lettering itself. All were positioned horizontally in the centre element.

One version of the Tag Team Terror episode (publicly available on Mech+) is also known to exist with the regular logo in place of the customised variant found on BBC airings.

4th Logo (2001-2004)[]

Series 5-7 Logo

Logo used in the opening sequences for UK Series 5-7, plus the Dutch and German series

Robot Wars

Variant with additional textures, commonly used in end cards and break bumpers

In 2001, commencing with the first series of Robot Wars Extreme, the logo received a substantial facelift, coinciding with the debut of a new opening sequence and onscreen presentation style. The logo now incorporated extra textural details including weathering and scuff mark effects, presumably to give a worn, metallic appearance with a subtle 3D effect. Additional lighting effects provided a 'sheen' emphasising the golden colours of the cogwheel and "ROBOT WARS" workdmark, often synchronised with spark effects also shown during the formation sequence.

The new opening sequence also contains a possible animation error. When the logo finishes forming in most variants - including the "standard" version used in end cards and Series 7 break bumpers - a final layer of texturing and 'sheen' appears to complete the overall look. However, in the opening sequence for all main episodes, the texturing is not added, a likely oversight which was not amended for the remainder of the Classic run.

Extreme Series 1[]

Robot Wars Extreme Logo

Logo used in the first series of Robot Wars Extreme

The Extreme 1 style included a serif subtitle denoting the spin-off series, along with further subtitles in Bank Gothic listing five of the main side competitions being broadcast - Vengeance; Mayhem; the All-Stars; the Challenge Belt; and the full-length Annihilator episodes. This subset adopted a style similar to those in Series 4, except with no metal backing. Merely, the series and event subtitles both included bolder gradient effects, the text within appearing to have been made out of molten metal.

The logo variations in this series now appeared at the start of their corresponding events, instead of in the opening sequence, though the majority of events in Extreme 1 did not receive a custom logo.

The Extreme logo did see some use on merchandise, for example, the front cover of Robot Wars Extreme: The Official Guide. It also would be drawn upon as the basis for the logos adopted by the US Extreme Warriors series, and the Grand Champions dub of Series 4.

Italian dubs aired by La7 introduced an alternative version of this logo style, including variations never seen in UK broadcasts. Among the events to receive custom logos exclusive to this version include the Tag Team Terror, Featherweight Championship and Flipper Frenzy, each referred to as the Tag Team, Pesi Piuma ("Featherweights") and La Catapulta ("The Catapult") respectively.

The Second World Championship logo would mark the start of a new style, being far more elaborate and using the Robot Wars logo as part of a larger design. This theme would be carried over and developed upon for the equivalent side events in Extreme Series 2 and Series 7.

Series 5-6[]

In contrast with the previous few series, but in common with Series 1, no special logo variations appeared in these two series. Thus, in a break from a pattern that had started with Series 2, no customised logos were used for Semi-Final or Grand Final episodes.

The UK vs Germany Special did not feature a special logo in either version, making it the only non-championship episode in the first seven UK series not to feature one.

Extreme Series 2[]

Extreme 2 featured the most custom logos out of any series, with a total of eleven for the sixteen broadcast episodes. Unlike Extreme 1, the "standard" logo for the spin-off was not used for the opening sequence, only appearing in break bumpers for repeat broadcasts on commercial networks. Instead, the regular Robot Wars logo would form up as usual, before transitioning into the custom logo corresponding with the event being broadcast. Each of these logos would also receive its own custom animation relating to the theme and style of the overall design.

Series 7[]

Series 7 continued the general style set by the previous few series. For the full-length side competitions, logos previously introduced in each series of Extreme were reused.

5th Logo (2016-2018, 2022-present)[]

"The logo needs to be the same as previous years but evolved. Super realism, tactile, believable. Futuristic but weathered through years of battling other steel monsters. Details such as scarring, paint scrapes, technical info etc. It needs to feel real, powerful, rugged and tough. Mad Max Fury Road, Blade Runner, Terminator.

Tick.
"
— Lee Jacobs' briefing for the Series 8-10 logo animation[13]
Robot wars 2016 logo

Logo used in Series 8-10

On 3 February 2016 the BBC unveiled the new logo which would be used in Series 8-10. Designed by Jump Design & Direction, it "totally encapsulates everything that is new about the series: updated technology, modernised armour, contemporary design and a seismic updated tonal shift from the original series", according to executive producer Andrew Robertson.[14] The new logo coincided with a completely new title sequence and opening theme; the animation of the logo formation, directed by Lee Jacobs, was first shown at the end of the BBC iPlayer-exclusive preview Meet the House Robots, promoting the debut of Series 8.

Compared to previous series, the cog teeth and wordmark were both rotated 180 degrees; the cogwheel has nine teeth instead of five, a more worn-down and battle-damaged look and more mechanical/technological details, such as power lights, exposed wires and a sawblade. These details gave the cogwheel a three-dimensional look, emphasised in the opening sequence by the cogwheel assembling itself in front of a backdrop of smoke and fire. In this context, the central element forms an articulated top cover for the cogwheel which closes as the logo takes shape.

The colour scheme for the entire logo, including text, had also been changed to a predominantly dark green and yellow. The lower edges of the central element are also finished in a reflective silver, giving it a three-dimensional look of its own along with a similar aesthetic to a horseshoe magnet. The font family used in the Series 8-10 wordmark, as well as other elements including onscreen presentation and associated media for these series, is Pirulen.

In Series 8 only, an animation of this logo was used as the basis for the series' statistics board design. The back of the cogwheel forms the background to the main board itself, with the 'sawblade' element clearly visible on the top and bottom. A variation without the wordmark would be utilised for onscreen captions throughout the reboot, along with replay transition animations from Battle of the Stars onwards.

Prior to the logo's unveiling, the BBC had shown various other logo designs through their social media outlets, without the cogwheel.[15] Logos featuring only the Pirulen wordmarks were also used on various pieces of media, merchandise and promotional materials, including the official website, books, toys, DVDs/Blu-rays, trailers and advertisements.

A simplified golden yellow variant of the central element was incorporated into trophies handed out to winning competitors throughout this era. Further variations of the central element could also be seen on each of the redesigned House Robots built by Robo Challenge; for example, as 'badges' on Shunt's upper bodywork, and cutouts in Matilda's flywheel.

As of 2024, this logo continues to be used by Mech+ for streams of the rebooted series (dubbed the Revival Series).

An earlier version of the Series 8-10 logo shows an additional gun on the central element, as well as the orientations of the cog teeth and text being reversed, reminiscent of the Classic Series style.

Series 8-10[]

Very few special logos were made for Series 8-10, and the title sequence for the main series remained largely unchanged throughout the reboot's run. However, it is known that some international broadcasts of Series 8 used a modified opening sequence, with a '2016' text added to the left-hand side of the cogwheel during the logo formation.[16] Additionally, the first episode of Series 10 did not feature a logo formation at all, instead cutting directly from the opening sequence to the robot introductions.

A single custom logo was used for both episodes of Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars, which added multi-coloured fairy lights to the cogwheel in reference to the specials being originally broadcast during Christmas 2016. The Battle of the Stars text appears on top of the central element in Pirulen, similarly to the logos adopted by the Series 4 specials. The logo for the Battle of the Stars specials was used as part of a revised opening sequence, featuring a new 'snowy night' backdrop and altered music with jingle bell-style elements.

By contrast, Robot Wars: World Series did not have a custom logo or a modified opening sequence, instead using the regular Series 8-10 logo and opening sequence along with unchanged opening music.

The South Korean airings of Series 8, broadcast by FX Korea, feature a unique logo loosely based on the standard Series 8-10 logo. This logo features a revised cogwheel motif with the show's title in the centre, as well as a plain grey colour scheme with rust effects and a red background. The regular Series 8-10 logo can still be seen in footage of the show itself.

International Series[]

While the German and Dutch series kept the same logo and on-screen title as the UK series, all three US versions of the show had individual logos incorporating additional subtitles and the logos of their respective TV broadcasters.

A similar treatment was also given to Lohe Ka Waar, the localised Indian broadcasts of UK Series 4 aired by Pogo TV. Italian broadcaster La7 used a unique Robot Wars History style variation for their broadcasts of UK Series 2. The latter includes additional subtitles in the standard Bank Gothic typeface, denoting the translated names of each individual event and episode from the main series.

A variation of the main logo was also used in Chinese broadcasts aired by Wuhan TV, with significantly different proportions to the regular versions used in other territories. A sample of the Mandarin dub for Series 4, Heat J confirms that this was used in intro and outro sequences, with its own formation animation and lighting/flame effects for the central element, alongside other graphics including onscreen captions. This did not replace the regular logo used in the UK and other territories, which remained in the opening sequence for the episodes themselves. The other notable difference with this logo variant was the inclusion of the show's Mandarin title 机器人大擂台, translating simply to Robot Arena (not to be confused with the separate video game series). Other logos with the Robot Wars text would be used as well, including one with artwork of Sir Killalot for highlights and Star Robot Archive (Chinese: 明星机器人档案) compilations.[17]

Merchandise[]

In areas outside of the television show a second logo was in use. Primarily used on merchandise, it also found use on official documents and equipment used at filming; including stationary, set pieces, promotional materials and the labels for presenters' microphones, among other places.

1st Logo (1997-1999)[]

Robot Wars Merchandise Logo Early

The first merchandise logo

The earliest logo that can be seen on merchandise. Compared to later versions, it has a somewhat simpler design with metallic effects on both the main logo and wordmark. The "spike" part extends to the inner edge of the "gear" part. The "cogs" are also at a different angle. On the show, it was used during the production of Series 1-2.

2nd Logo (1999-2003, 2013-2016, 2022-present)[]

Robot Wars Merchandise Logo

The second merchandise logo

Following production of the second series, the logo was given a redesign. Many of the finer details were adjusted bringing it in line with the logo that was being used on the TV show. Just like the logo shown on TV, a lighter colour palette was used and the metallic effects deemphasised, making the wordmark in particular more legible. This was the most common version to be used, found on most Robot Wars merchandise such as the video games, books etc. On the show itself, it could be seen in use from Series 3 all the way up to Extreme Series 2.

Since the show's original hiatus, this logo has been revived twice; first in 2013-2016 for the Live Event tours organised by Roaming Robots, then from 2022 onwards by Mech+ for content relating to the Classic Series. A variation with more vibrant accents and contrast was also introduced, its first notable use being for a 'Best Moments' compilation uploaded by the official Mech+ YouTube channel.[18]

3rd Logo (2002-2005, 2022-present)[]

Robot Wars Merchandise Logo Late

The third merchandise logo

In late 2002, nearly a year after its television counterpart, the merchandise logo was given an update. More detail was added and the brightness and contrast were both increased for a bolder look. A 3D border was also added. Due to it being introduced late in the series' life, the logo saw fairly limited use, generally first appearing on the second Robot Wars Magazine starting from Issue 5 (dated April 2003), updated toy packaging for 2003 releases, as well as on the two Fox Kids DVDs.

The first documented use of this logo was at filming for Extreme Series 2 in October 2002. Photos from filming indicate that it was seen on information boards for exhibition displays inside The Pits, including those for retired Stock Robot Eubank the Mouse.[19] It was used on the show during the production of Series 7.

HypnodiscPullback

Original packaging for the Hypno-Disc Pullback; note the earlier third logo variant

Prior to this logo's introduction, an earlier variation without the extra detailing was initially used for merchandise released between 2000 and 2002. This also differed in having less prominent outlines for the main logo and wordmark, as well as shadow effects on some releases. The 2000-2002 variation can be found on earlier packaging for toys such as the Pullbacks, Minibots, Remote Controlled Toys, and any associated playsets.

Alongside the second logo variant, the 2002-2005 logo was resurrected by Mech+ in 2022, being mainly used on thumbnails of most Classic Series episodes. A variation of this was also introduced for their transmissions of Robot Wars Revealed, with the 'Revealed' subtitle adopting a similar style and format to that of the original Series 2-era logo.

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