The upcoming massively multiplayer online game LEGO Universe will be available for pre-order from the LEGO Shop on May 14 (which is probably now).
Pre-ordering the game will apparently get you a unique minifig, along with a code to unlock that minifig in the game.
The Kockice LEGO Club based in Zagreb, Croatia is hosting a large Lego expo from May 13 to June 24. If you’re around the area, this is an event you may want to check out.
Here’s some info on what’s included in the expo from the coordinator Matija Grguric.
There will be featured lots of large models, including all current exclusive sets, a large city diorama, scaled models of Croatian buildings, a steampunk diorama featuring more than 30 aircrafts, castle diorama, pirates diorama, SW dioramas, space and many more. Exhibition space is spread on 450 square meters. LEGO is also participating with some of their models and displays, including a huge Einstein head weighing more than 250 kg.
There is also a playing area for kids and a playing workshop for kids where they build a huge fireman out of basic bricks. There will also be posters with models from AFOLs around the world, and some posters with history of LEGO, LUGs, AFOLs, SNOT and many others!
The announcement yesterday of 10213 Shuttle Adventure is followed today by an interview with Simon Kent, the Creative Lead who worked with Designer Steen Sig Andersen to create the set. Watch the video right here on The Brothers Brick:
Simon talks about some of the constraints that Steen worked under, as well as features of the set.
The only thing that makes me sad about the announcement of the new 10213 Shuttle Adventure set is that the Space Shuttle program itself is ending this year. I’ll take some small consolation from swooshing this new set around my house.
The set includes 1,200 pieces, costs 100 USD, and ships in June. I’ve uploaded a full set of pictures to Flickr:
Here’s the official announcement from LEGO:
10213 Shuttle Adventure
Ages 16+
1,204 pieces
US $99.99 CA $129.99 UK £ 79.99 DE 89.99 €Blast off on an outer space mission!
Standing 17.5″ (44cm) tall and 10″ (25.5cm) from wing tip to wing tip, this detailed and realistic space shuttle is ready to count down and blast off on its next exciting mission into space! You can take off from the launch pad, separate the detachable fuel tank and booster rockets, and deploy the satellite with unfolding antenna and solar cell panels. Shuttle model features realistic engines, retractable landing gear, an opening cockpit with seats for 2 astronauts, opening cargo compartment with a crane that can hold the satellite and a ground maintenance vehicle. Includes 3 minifigures: 1 male and 1 female astronaut, as well as 1 service crew member.
- Includes 3 minifigures: 1 male and 1 female astronaut as well as 1 service crew member!
- Features realistic engines, retractable landing gear, opening cockpit with seats for 2 astronauts and even a ground maintenance vehicle!
- Take off from the launch pad!
- Separate the detachable fuel tank and booster rockets!
- Deploy the satellite with unfolding antenna and solar cell panels!
- Open the cargo compartment to reveal the crane that can hold the satellite!
- Shuttle Adventure stands 17.5″ (44cm) tall and measures 10″ (25.5cm) from wing tip to wing tip!
The LEGO Shop online is having a two-day promotion (May 3 and 4), with deals on several sets, free shipping on orders over 75 USD (50 GBP and 55 euro), an exclusive sticker sheet, and a chance to win one of two Boba Fett minifigs. Yes, this offer is available globally.
7754 Home One Mon Calamari Star Cruiser is on sale for 30% off, while the UCS Millennium Falcon
is 25% off.
Also 25% off is 10195 Republic Dropship with AT-OT Walker:
Here’s a look at that unique bronze Boba Fett minifigure:
The sale and special promotions end in 48 hours.
Pixar’s Toy Story 3 will be out in movie theaters in a few weeks, but the LEGO Toy Story 3 are available now from the LEGO Shop online.
7597 Western Train Chase includes Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye the horse, Rex the T-Rex, and Hamm the piggy bank.
Some of the Toy Story sets look like pretty good LEGO City sets, including a pizza truck and a garbage truck:
All five LEGO Toy Story 3 sets are available on LEGO.com.
To our lucky readers in France, you can now order the new Star Wars sets that are schedule for release in August. The sets are listed as in stock, which means they are available for delivery. I’m not sure if this is a mistake, but I won’t hesitate to take advantage of a rare opportunity to get the sets three months in advance.
Via Toys N Bricks
The Portuguese LEGO Users Group (PLUG) is once again hosting its annual LEGO fan event, BRInCKa 2010 (An Adventure in the World of LEGO), in Lourinhã, Portugal from May 3 – May 9.
The event will take place at Lourinhã (63km northwest of Lisbon), a region characterized by its Jurassic findings and great Atlantic beaches.
It will happen again at the local Hockey Club Pavilion, but this time occupying extended facilities over a total of 1.000sqm (nearly 11.000sqf). A decision to cope with the huge success and public adherence in 2009, where 25.000 came to visit the exhibition.Dates and opening hours:
3 – 6.May (Mon – Thu) > 10:00 – 18:00 (school visitors) / 20:00 – 22:00
7.May (Fri) > 10:00 – 18:00 (school visitors) / 20:00 – 22:00
8.May (Sat) > 10:00 – 23:00
9.May (Sun) > 10:00 – 18:00This year the event will feature LEGO creations such as dioramas, models, one large GBC setup and demonstrations with LEGO Technic and MINDSTORMS models.
Besides the exhibition there will be also a several activities for the kids visiting us and for the LUG members as well. It includes contests, build demonstrations and a special large mosaic with 24sqm (260sqf).Don’t miss, if you’re nearby!
Toys R Us is having a buy-one-get-one 50% off sale on all Star Wars items, including LEGO Star Wars sets. Shipping is also free on all orders over $100.
Given that Star Wars sets are often excluded from these types of sales (and are arguably on the pricier side to begin with), this is actually a pretty good deal. The sale ends May 1st and likely applies only to US and/or North American stores.
Over the last couple of months, Keith has brought us joy every Sunday with his interviews. Today, the burden of responsibility falls on Keith’s shoulders to bring us tragic news…
It is my unpleasant duty to report the passing of our friend and fellow builder Nate “nnenn” Nielson. Nate’s death was the result of an automobile accident earlier this month. A resident of Tekoa, Washington, Nate was a father, an artist, and a professor specializing in graphic design. Nate is survived by his beloved wife and two sons ages 3 and 8.
It is important to Nate’s family that he is remembered by our community, one that he took great joy in participating in. Above all they want Nate to be remembered as a devoted husband and father, and for us to know that his interest in the brick was inseparable from his love for his boys. Nate was notorious for his brevity, and when I was searching through his models, interviews, and comments for inspiration, this quote jumped off the screen:
“Ha! Spring break a week ago. Rainy day today. No friends. Two boys.”
Nate’s other great passion was teaching the principles of design and graphic art, something that should seem obvious to our community. It was Nate’s goal to encourage others and to push people to their creative potential. In our small corner of the universe, I think it is safe to say: mission accomplished, Nate.
I didn’t know Nate very well, certainly not as well as I would have liked. We did however share a love of the brick, 70’s sci-fi and being a father. I always imagined I’d run into nnenn at a convention…that he’d slip out of the crowd on public-day looking like a dead ringer for Christopher Walken. In this fantasy he would walk up to my model on display and say something like:
“Guess what Goldman?! I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription… is more cowbell”.
I’ve always been a fan of Nate’s models, even when I initially disliked him in a superficial way for his heretical tendencies with my sacred bricks. In time I grew to respect him for his uncompromising stance and commitment to form over purist devotion. It was my distinct pleasure to interview nnenn last month, and in the process we exchanged some fun emails; I only wish I’d asked better questions.
You know a builder is big-time when he not only gets an entire scale named after him, but an element as well. Nnenn’s consistent level of quality and production since his debut in late 2006 is nothing short of extraordinary. I can say without exaggeration that Nate influenced a generation of builders, and even an old man or two like me. Nate had 1347 contacts on Flickr, 1347 students for a guy who loved to teach. I think time will prove that he taught us well.
For those of you missed it, James Wadsworth of LAML Radio conducted an audio interview with Nate last summer. Tom over at Masoko Tanga also has a wonderful interview with Nate on his site.
I’m organizing a fly-in style community build for the Brickworld 2010 fan convention in Chicago, and potentially at BrickCon 2010 in Seattle. Anyone who is interested in celebrating the life and models of nnenn is invited to bring or mail a small space-fighter in his iconic Vic Viper style to the convention. The vipers will be arranged in the traditional “missing man formation” common to air forces around the world.
Nate drew inspiration from his father who served the US as an F-16 fighter pilot, making the fly-in seem even more appropriate. So if you’d like to participate in the formation, contact me at Legomankeith AT aol DOT com for further details.
It only seems fitting to close this tribute to a legend with a word or two from some familiar voices in the community. The Brothers Brick and I invite all of you to add your thoughts to this memorial guestbook. There is no rhyme or reason to these first 20 fans; they are simply friends that I reached out to, to help make sense of Nate’s untimely passing. The one exception is Peter L. Morris, who contacted me after speaking directly with Nate’s widow and graciously invited me to participate in this tribute. Pete was closer to Nate than most of us, and his insights into Nate as a friend have been invaluable as we prepared this tribute.
Rest in peace nnenn, you’ll be missed.
Read the guestbook and leave your own comments after the jump: Continue reading
Every few months, The LEGO Group asks adult and teen LEGO fans questions that help provide input for future decisions.
The first AFOL/TFOL survey of 2010 is now online.
In addition to the LEGO Ambassadors Program, this is your chance to sound off on the things that are important to you.
