The discussion exists because a "rumor" is circulating about it from someone first, but second because Hasbro's left implications that the line's "taking a new direction" for the Clone Wars line... They've said realistic for the past CW cartoon figures... That, to me, doesn't apply to a whole new multi-media blitz from Lucasfilm. Sorry, they're just not the same things.
It's been mentioned different places about possibly taking a new direction... Don't know I believe any of it myself, but it's worth talking about since it'll really be up in the air for a couple of weeks yet.
And the AT-TE looks like anything but clear to me... I can't tell from the video if it even is complete when you look at it, so I hardly doubt it's a solid fact how the thing is desgined/sculpted either. It's a pretty grainy shot of the walker, at best.
For the record, the last place I read the "animated styling" was some guy at POTF2.com said it... Whether that's the truth or not, who knows. The guy may be completely full of **** for all anyone knows.