Editor Joe Meno has announced the release of BrickJournal Issue 8. This issue includes coverage of events such as BrickFest 2007 and detailed information on 10190 Market Street. Click the image above to go to the LUGNET page where you can download the latest issue.
It is with a heavy heart that I write of the passing of Eric Brok, the LEGO fan who designed 10190 Market Street. He succumbed in his sleep after a battle with cancer. For more than ten years, Eric has served as an inspiration to the worldwide LEGO community. Our thoughts go out to his wife, family, friends, and everyone who had the opportunity to meet him.
We’ll leave this post up for a few days — now doesn’t seem to be the time for mecha, ninjas, and interstellar starfighters. If we learn of anything the community can do for his family, we’ll let you know.
This could all just be hearsay, but a short article on CoolToyReview.com claims LEGO will be producing sets based upon the upcoming Indiana Jones IV film. Does this mean Johnny Thunder’s adventures are over?
The “Cafe Corner neighbor” that’s been generating quite a bit of excitement lately is now available (without any notable fanfare and without a pre-order period) on LEGO Shop@Home:
Prices seem to vary by region: In Europe, it’s €89.99 (UK: £59.99); in the United States, it’s $89.99; and in Canada, it’s $130.
Nicholas Foo is a LEGO Certified Professional in Singapore who uses the trade name “blackbulb creations.” His creations on Brickshelf have always caught my eye (link):
His latest project is a large retro rocket:
Nicholas’ rocket is a central component of a massive “Great Ball Contraption” assembled by LEGO fans in Singapore. Here are a couple pictures from LEGO Ambassador Diana Wong:
You can see more pictures of this event on Brickshelf (gallery 1, gallery 2, gallery 3, gallery 4):
Got this in my Inbox from LEGO earlier today:
THE LEGO GROUP ANNOUNCES LEGO UNIVERSE AS OFFICIAL TITLE FOR BRANDED MMOG
BILLUND, DENMARK – June 7, 2007 – The LEGO® Group today announced LEGO Universe as the official title for the upcoming MMOG being developed by NetDevil® to further engage the company’s dedicated and active community. LEGO Universe, currently planned for launch in the fourth quarter of 2008, is designed as the first MMOG professionally developed for LEGO fans and supported by community members from around the world.
“LEGO Universe ties together all aspects of our community and line of products in an online environment that can be enjoyed by LEGO fans of all ages,” said Mark William Hansen, Director of Business Development, LEGO Universe. “By merging the online world of social interaction with the LEGO concept of play, LEGO Universe will provide our community with an entirely new way to experience LEGO and connect with other players in a fun and imaginative setting.”
The full featured MMOG will be complete with character advancement, expansive social and community features, and provide a child safe alternative to other MMOGs on the market. As a player, you’ll be able to customize your mini-figs and interact in the universe as any character you choose, providing unique opportunities for players to expand and explore with their creations.
New levels, new characters. For next-gen consoles (Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3).
We learned about this set a month ago, the images available for scrutiny were rather small. Eurobricks member copmike has discovered higher resolution pictures on the LEGO Shop@Home site.
EDIT (6/3/07): Oops. Someone jumped the gun, and the pictures have been taken down. Hope you enjoyed them while they lasted.
The LEGO-themed massively multiplayer online game in development by LEGO and NetDevil now has a name: LEGO Universe. Here’s some preliminary artwork:
And here’s the scoop from Denmark:
- The LEGO Group is working on a group of initiatives which in the coming years will offer young and older LEGO fans all over the worlds new ways of play and experiences with the LEGO brand. The famous brick and the minifigure will come to live in the virtual world.
- The new LEGO Universe will combine both gaming, building and the opportunity for social networking on the very same webpage.
- The whole development process is happening in tight synergy with the dedicated LEGO fans. The fans try out the ideas the professional game developers are creating.
- According to the plans the LEGO Universe will be to experience on-line for a larger group approx mid 2008.
- Ultimately the LEGO Group want to offer the unique experience to play with the LEGO brick both virtually and physically together with your friends from all over the world, and you can even change from the physically to the virtual play as you like – “You are in control”.
You can apparently watch a clip on Danish television, though I can’t seem to get it to work. If you don’t speak Danish, try this: If you view this today, click Nyheder in the top right, then click 18.30 under I går. If you view it tomorrow, you’ll need to click 18.30 under Onsdag instead.
Finally, more artwork:
The upcoming BrickWorld event in Chicago (June 21-24) will be hosting a “Ninjas vs. Pirates” contest. Go read David Gregory’s LUGNET post for details.
Ninjas vs. Pirates, you say? You know my opinion on the subject:
(Via VignetteBricks.)
I’m behind again, so instead of cluttering up the page and RSS feed, I’m going to post by theme again. First up, Space! And…Star Wars!
“Alien Life” by Felix Greco, and “Swallowtail” by Mr. Stenz:
In Star Wars news, the inventory for 10179 Millenium Falcon is now up on Peeron, and details are now available on FBTB about the Golden C3PO Contest (via LEGO Contests).
Tim Zarki‘s evolved X-wing (more from him in subsequent posts):
Winners have been announced in the recent Wizard’s Challenge contest.
Most Creative Wizard: Sir Dillon’s Larry of the Metal Arm:
Best Overall Wizard: Master Aves Hawthorn by Sir Nadroj
Best Wizard’s Workshop: TheBrickster with The Snake Oil Wagon of Professor Snidley C. Rooked, Wizard of Curiosities:
Congratulations to all of the winners!