Category Archives: News

Stay current on the latest news and information about LEGO, from sales & deals to new set announcements. We also cover LEGO events and conventions all over the world.

LEGO Universe moves forward [News]

The first screenshots of LEGO Universe have just been released and Jim Foulds has asked us to share them with the world. In his words

The first screenshots for LEGO Universe make their world premiere this week. These images show off the diversity the players will encounter in the game. It’s scheduled to launch in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, and North America in 2010.

Safety is a huge priority for LEGO Universe. Many solutions are being explored through technology, processes, and people to provide the most creative and safe environment possible.

Of course since it is a LEGO product, one can expect a creative and building focus to give players the opportunity to do a variety of activities that allow for them to interact with the LEGO elements in a virtual reality. Building with LEGO elements in LEGO Universe will take many forms, ultimately allowing players to bring their real-life creations to life inside the game.

LEGO Universe will feature a subscription model. Lot’s of research and evaluation of various models went into this decision and we feel it provides the best method to provide a trusted online experience for the player.

We’re sure you wondering about beta and the “VIP launch”. We still plan on doing both, but we are not ready to announce dates or how to sign-up just yet.

Please keep an eye out on future updates and if you absolutely have to have the latest information make sure to visit www.legouniverse.com.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

BrickFair 2009 Wrapped Up [News]

I returned home from BrickFair last night at about midnight. It was a crazy fun blast. Photos from the event are starting to pop up on BrickShelf and Flickr.

As you can see above, there was a pretty huge turnout from the public as well. I gather that the total number between the two days was between eight and nine thousand people. That’s a lot to be crammed into a hotel ballroom. Fortunately, next year, BrickFair is moving to a real expo center. I’m psyched about all of the space (Space!).

I tried to take photos of the “impaired” speed build competition, but the lights were turned down in order to make things more difficult. If you ever have the opportunity to watch a bunch of drunk LEGO fans (all of legal drinking age, of course) trying to assemble a gear train in the dark, on a multi-colored tablecloth, I highly recommend it.

There were also some pretty epic creations on display at the show. I’m pretty sure that some may have even debuted there. There were definitely a few that I hadn’t seen on the internet. I enjoyed Chris Edward’s “ArchipeLEGO“, which he has posted as separate islands here. Another highlight was Brickistan, a middle-eastern castle diorama that was chock full of detail, and hard to find photos of. A friend and I also had a pretty big creation up our sleeves for the convention, but we haven’t gotten the photos ready to post yet.

BrickArms cries “FREEDOM!” [News]

BrickArms, makers of custom minifigure accessories, announced several new products at BrickFair today. Check out our exclusive pictures and give your feedback in the comments!

Just a note, these are pre-production prototypes and are not available at this time. They will change slightly and there is no guarantee that each of these items will make the cut. Also, some of these have been announced before, so fans of BrickArms will recognize a few of the items in these pictures.

Ben Ellermann launches “Ask a Lego Fan” [News]

Ben Ellermann has recently announced the launch of his new blog, Ask a LEGO Fan. His purpose behind this new site is to field questions from adult fans, young fans, parents of fans, and anyone interested in anything to do with Lego. Ben is one of the most knowledgable fans I’ve had the privilege of knowing. He has also been selected as a Lego Ambassador in the current cycle. This puts him in a unique position to get answers to your questions. Check it out and drop him a line with any questions you might have. I think his site will be an asset to the community and to all of those connected to it.

BrickMania M4A3 Sherman Tank custom kit now available for pre-order [News]

Dan Siskind of BrickMania has just announced that his next custom kit is available for pre-order — the M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Tank.

I’d never bought any custom LEGO kits from somebody else, but I bought two of Dan’s kits a few months ago.

I couldn’t have been more pleased. They’re well-designed, interesting to build (well, except maybe the tank treads, heh heh), and a lot of fun to see how another LEGO builder solves interior structure problems you’d never see in a photo.

Though the printed instructions for the two kits I ordered were $10 more expensive, I found them harder to read than the electronic version on a CD.

If you’re reading this, you probably have a computer, so I recommend taking the cheaper, more legible route.

You can pre-order your own Sherman from BrickMania.com.

RAILBRICKS Issue 6 now available for download [News]

Jeramy Spurgeon and the team have just released a double issue edition of RAILBRICKS magazine covering all things LEGO trains. It has in-depth articles on a few models we’ve featured here on TBB.

This 100 page issue was a long time coming, but features an interview with UK
builder Carl Greatrix, more Steam tips & Tricks, the Indiana Jones Circus
Train MOC by Brian Williams, Billund’s Miniland Trains, and much more!

Check out the website to download or read the magazine.

LEGO Architecture Fallingwater and Guggenheim now available [News]

Might not be news for everybody, but I’ve been checking the LEGO Shop online off and on since we heard about the new Frank Lloyd Wright LEGO Architecture sets, and it looks like they’re finally available to order.

Fallingwater includes 811 pieces and goes for $100.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum costs $40 and has 208 pieces.

The Brothers Brick now has a Sister!

It is my pleasure and honor to introduce the latest addition to The Brothers Brick family, Caylin Feiring! Caylin is, and has been, a pillar of the Lego fan community for many years. She is a long term member and moderator at Classic Castle. She’s very active in her local area LEGO Users Group, Sealug, and has become a vital part of BrickCon, where she is known as the “Prize Goddess”. She’s also very active on a plethora of other fan sites. You may know her by the username “Plums Deify”.

Caylin is very articulate, has a great eye for excellent LEGO creations, possesses an evil sense of humor, and has a unique perspective on the LEGO fan community. I greatly look forward to having her as a contributor here on TBB. She is a good friend, a great member of the fan community, and I believe she will make an awesome addition to TBB.

Welcome Caylin!

Warner Brothers announces LEGO movie [News]

Variety recently reported that Warner Brothers has brokered a deal with LEGO. They are making a movie. Did you see this coming? I sure didn’t.

Here’s what Variety has to say:

WB is toying with plans to develop a movie around Lego and its popular building blocks.

Scribes Dan and Kevin Hageman are penning the script for the family comedy that will mix live action and animation. Warners is keeping the plot tightly under wraps, but it’s described as an action adventure set in a Lego world.

Apparently, LEGO has been approached about making a movie before, but has always turned the idea down. This time, things seem to be different.

Directors and producers in town have attempted to make a Lego movie for years, approaching the Danish toymaker with various ideas, but Lego turned down most of them because it’s highly protective of its brand.

But the company sparked to Lin and the Hageman brothers’ embrace of core values Lego wanted to include in a film, especially “a fun factor, creativity and that imagination has no boundaries,” Lin told Daily Variety. The film’s been in development for more than a year, with the scribes and producers making several trips to Denmark to work with Lego’s execs on the concept.

Also helping is the long relationship Warner Bros. has had with Lego over the years. Warner has licensed characters like Batman, Harry Potter and Speed Racer to Lego to integrate into playsets, and through TT Games, the videogame publisher that WB bought in 2007, has produced the popular “Lego Star Wars,” “Lego Indiana Jones,” “Lego Batman” and, soon, “Lego Rock Band” titles.

Read the whole article here.

Thanks to Richard for letting me know…

So, what are your thoughts?

10199 Winter Toy Shop, more pics available

More pictures of the upcoming 10199 Winter Toy Shop are now available, once again from Eurobricks. Click on the images below to see more pictures.

I like the new expressions on the carol singers, and I look forward to what creative uses people will have for them.

It’s a trap! LEGO Star Wars 7754 Home One & 7753 Pirate Tank out now [News]

The newest LEGO Star Wars sets, including 7754 Home One Mon Calamari Cruiser and 7753 Pirate Tank are now available from the LEGO Shop online.

The Home One playset includes minifig all-stars Admiral Ackbar, Mon Mothma, a new Lando, and Crix Madine, along with a green A-wing. A bit pricy at $110, but hey, Admiral Ackbar!

Having never watched the Clone Wars animated series, I don’t know much about the tank, but the minifigs are some of the coolest aliens I’ve seen outside Space Police III.

Speaking of the new Space Police, two more sets are out — ones I hadn’t seen from Toy Fair coverage or leaked catalog scans.

LEGO Star Wars 7778 Midi-scale Millennium Falcon now available [News]

The latest LEGO incarnation of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, 7778 Midi-scale Millennium Falcon, is now available from the LEGO Shop online.

Via FBTB.