How the DeLorean Effect changed CUUSOO @ Brick Fanatics

Lego has been running the Lego CUUSOO project for a couple of years now. Most Lego fans are familiar with the site, but may not know just where it came from. Brick Fanatics has written up a great article containing the history of the CUUSOO project and where it is going. It all started as a tiny side project from Japan and is currently on the verge of becoming mainstream. All thanks to a little Lego DeLorean (and Minecraft).

“Originally only available in Japan, the user created ideas website was a joint venture between CUUSOO and The LEGO Group and allowed Japanese LEGO fans to submit their ideas to The LEGO Group in a more formal way. Once a project reached 1000 supporters it was then reviewed by The LEGO Group for consideration on whether it should go into production.” — Brick Fanatics

You can find the full article on the Brick Fanatics website: http://brickfanatics.co.uk/how-the-delorean-effect-changed-cuusoo/

Lego has also created a video explaining the concept of the CUUSOO website:

http://youtu.be/ZaFbGIV5s7k

Two New Lego Minecraft Sets: The Village (21105) & The Nether (21106)

Lego has officially announced two new Lego Minecraft sets. The Village (21105) and the Nether (21106) which will be released in September 2013. These new sets have been mysterious rumors up until today. Lego made this announcement from Comic-Con San Diego. If you are attending the Con, make sure to check out these new sets in the Lego booth (#2829).

Lego Minecraft: The Village (21105) is built in the same scale as the original Lego Minecraft set. Featuring four modular pieces that can be rearranged into many different combinations. This new set features a tiny Minecraft village and a place to grow crops. But, underneath this unsuspecting village is a system of underground mines where your villagers can adventure. This new set comes with three tiny Micromobs, a pig, villager, and zombie. The Minecraft pig is pretty darn cute.

The other new set is the Lego Minecraft: The Nether (21106). It is also built in the same scale as the other Minecraft sets. Meaning that if you have all three of them, you can combine them into a giant playset. The Nether can be accessed through an Obsidian Portal, where your poor adventurer can explore this new biome. The set features, Netherrack, gravel, lava, and bedrock. All essential ingredients for your Minecraft creations. Here you get three Micromob figures, a Zombie Pigman and two Ghasts.

The original Lego Minecraft (21102) set has been a runnaway success for both Lego and Mojang. Originally offered through the Lego CUUSOO program, the set proved so popular that it has been developed into a full theme. Featuring a modular, and micro scale building style these sets have really expanded upon what most people have expected from Lego.

“LEGO Minecraft is a perfect example of how people’s passions can be amplified when digital and physical interests are combined, and there couldn’t be more synergy between the engine that drives the Minecraft gaming experience and the creative fuel of a LEGO building experience,” said Michelle Wilson, senior brand manager for LEGO Systems, Inc. “We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Mojang to create new Minecraft characters and environments in LEGO form so that fans can get as creative as they’d like in their physical world as in their digital one.”

“There’s no doubt about the connection between LEGO building and Minecraft — not only the design similarities, but the immense creativity that our fan bases share,” said Lydia Winters, Mojang’s director of fun. “Given how well received the first model was last year, we can’t wait to see what fans think of these new designs.” — Lego

Now is a great time to pick up the original Lego Minecraft (21102), available at Amazon. These sets are extremely popular and if they happen to be sold out, check back at a later date. Lego is constantly releasing more. Each time a new shipment is available, the price is set for the MSRP of $34.99.

Update: Available Now!

These two new Minecraft Lego sets are available now. Check out Amazon.com for the details: Lego Minecraft: Micro World, The Village and Lego Minecraft: Micro World: The Nether.

Lego Minecraft MOCs by Lego Junkie

Lego and Minecraft are a perfect match. The blocky pixelated art direction of the video game is relatively easy to mimic in Lego. Most people directly compare the two, saying Minecraft is like a Lego computer game, or that Lego is like Minecraft in real life. The best part is that the love for both properties are equally deserved. Even Lego has recognized this symbiotic relationship and released an official set based on Minecraft (21102). In fact that set was one of the first approved Cuusoo projects, and was closely followed and campaigned for by Notch.

Lego Junkie has created a few Lego MOCs based on Minecraft. These are completely made from standard Lego bricks. All three models show here are roughly in the same scale, and shown what can be achieved with basic building skills. If and when Lego releases more sets, it would great if they made an official set in a large scale.

The Lego Mooshroom was designed for a T-shirt competition, and although it was passed over the model is awesome. It’s not very often you see builds based off of the more obscure characters. The other two builds are persons, Minecraftians, based off of Seananners, and Captainsparklez.

Lego Junkie’s MOCs can be viewed on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/legojunkie/8971078693/