Flickr’s LEGO Steampunk group is hosting a contest to build steampunk variations of the LEGO Agents theme. You can create a steampunked version of any Agents vehicle or set and even free build your own. The contest runs from January 1st to February 28th. Check out the details and prizes here.
My final project of 2008 entails a sixteen square feet diorama depicting the theme that I know best: horror. In a Russian World War 2 setting, a collossal alien artifact which I refer to as the Black Fantasy Column towers from the ground, spreading darkness along with an invasion of Cyclopean Virtues across the landscape, consuming the helpless soldiers. The creation contains over 20,000 pieces, including custom minifigure accessories from Brickarms, Brickforge, and MMCB.
To get the most out of the viewing experience, I recommend going through the teaser and then reading the backstory, which is historically accurate to the best of my internet research. Happy New Year and enjoy End of Days.
Starting today, visitors to MOCpages will discover a whole new set of available features to make the sharing of LEGO creations a more fun and interactive experience. Going into the new year, MOCpages has undergone significant changes following the suggestions of fans over the years. The new features allow you to join groups and participate in discussion topics, receive activity updates on your creations and from your favorite builders, explore the recent most popular creations and do much more.
The new MOCpages has integrated popular features from sites such as Flickr, Youtube, and Facebook. At the same time, the website is still the only place where LEGO fans can dedicate a HTML-enabled webpage to presenting a creation. The new comments system (which previously functioned as reviews) now allows for discussion of creations, further enhanced by users being able to create a buddy icon for individualized identity.
The activities pages display comments on your creations, new creations by your favorite builders, latest discussions in your groups and more.
MOCpages has adopted an explore feature that lets you browse the most popular creations of the day, week, and month. In addition, you can sort through creations to see the most discussed ones and the most recent.
Groups bring together people, interests, and creations. You can create and administer your own or join others. Also, you can start discussion topics within groups, host contests, work on group projects, and do more.
These are just a few of the many new features of the new MOCpages. If you’re not a user yet, signing up is free.
And now for the brief editorial portion regarding the new MOCpages. As someone who has been actively using MOCpages for its past four out of five years of existence on the web, I can say that the new site marks the most significant change in the history of this community. However, in the course of the past few years, MOCpages has acquired a negative image among some LEGO fans, who have observed the quality of its showcased creations to decline; and as a result, many withdrew from using MOCpages and switched to sites such as Flickr. Nevertheless, there are still a handful of reputable builders who continue to use MOCpages for its unique feature to dedicate a customizable webpage to the display of one’s creations. With the implementation of the new features, MOCpages gains characteristics that significantly boosts its previously lacked interactive qualities. Will these changes be enough to attract prominent builders and more adult fans to its new community?
It is worthwhile to note the achievements of man running the show, Sean Kenney, who singlehandedly maintained the website during all these years. In the recent past, Sean has been busy with setting up the new MOCpages and has made revision after revision to the site following the suggestions by the testers. Having explored all the main features of the new website, I attest that the new community is ready for its launch. Sean has put down the potentials for the new MOCpages to become an even more popular place to share LEGO creations; it is now up to us builders to add our contributions.
In the course of the near future, MOCpages will continue development and implement even more features. The coming year will mark significant changes and growth. So stop by and dig out your old password or make a new account. Join in on the party while it has just begun.
Brian Kescenovitz presents this stunning monochromatic sci-fi horror diorama bearing the interesting title 19 Seconds to Find God. Check out the gory action and destruction in this chaotic scene, and if you’re still wondering about the title, look closely to find the bomb.
Matija Grguric‘s Castle Rock is a unique piece of castle architecture, nesting on four natural rock pillars above the ocean waters. The story goes that while the princess is on retreat in this hideout, a group of orcs slip past the guards and scales the walls.
Dan has you covered with this handy roadsign. Check out this picture and don’t loose track of Dan’s project to capture one unique LEGO minifig shot each day for a year. He’s already on day 209! Check out his blog featuring the pictures: a LEGO a day.
Tyler (Legohaulic) takes a spin on the Power Miners theme and delivers his unique vision of the underground crystal-collecting team.
Luis from HispaLUG presents this heavily armed space battle cruiser spanning 39.8″ or 127 studs. This microscale SHIP, labeled the Maximum Force Station, is sure to strike fear into the hearts of its enemies. There is a backstory behind the build written in Spanish; I regret that my Spanish skills are not proficient to understand the writing.
Mark Stafford‘s latest work depicts the collision of a military dropship into a space school bus in this unprecedented tragic accident on the moon. The effects of the collision are constructed realistically with trailing flames and explosion blasts. The whole scene is expertly frozen in space.
BrickArms will soon release some recognizable and highly-anticipated custom sci-fi weapons for your minifigs. These include the plasma sword, energy pistol, photon pistol, and the needle gun.
These items will be mass produced in a variety of colors, including transparent colors. The exact release date has not been determined, but according to BrickArms spokesperson Badger, “fans of BrickArms can expect these accessories to join the BrickArms family sooner than later!”
As usual, you can expect the highest quality custom accessories from BrickArms and 100% compatibility with LEGO products. The energy pistol and needle gun prototypes have different colored sections for added detail, while the full-production versions will be available in single colors.
Visit the BrickArms Forums to discuss these and other accessories and see what else is coming in 2009!
Gork presents the famous scene from Don Quixote when the delusional knight errant charges the giant with four great arms, aka the windmill.
