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LEGOfactory.com
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 10:31 pm
by Bruce N H
Hi all,
Check out
this announcement by Jake on Lugnet
Jake McKee wrote:As of this week, children are invited to come forward with their very own LEGO micro model designs and enter a competition on the brand new web site
www.LEGOfactory.com. 10 winners will get their model produced and sold as a real LEGO set!
We are inviting consumers into the experience of designing real LEGO sets and vote for other consumer’s creations. This allows us to expand our relationship with LEGO fans of all ages and provide LEGO Company with a unique business opportunity by interacting directly with consumers and translate what they really want when they get to decide for themselves.
This is made possible by the unique virtual building tool: LEGO Digital Designer (LDD), which is computer software that allows consumers to build their own 3D LEGO models similar to how professional LEGO Designer design new LEGO models today. Since the first version of LDD was made available for free download at LEGO.com one year ago, 500,000 consumers worldwide have downloaded the software to their computers. A new and improved version of LDD with new features and improved user interface launched this week as part of
www.LEGOfactory.com.
Now children can really bring forward and express their imagination, and if they need a bit of advice and ideas, a team of professional LEGO designers along with Adult LEGO Fans (AFOLs) have contributed inspiration materials and tutorials on the LEGO Factory web site.
If the idea catches on, we will open up the virtual LEGO Factory for all LEGO fans to have their own models produced and sold on-line. Says Mark Hansen, Director, Interactive Experiences: “Consumers will create LEGO models and decide which ones will be available for purchase on-line. This is not only a new LEGO Experience; it is also a new revenue stream to the LEGO Company.” Mark is heading up the LEGO Factory project which is a joint initiative by LEGO Community Development and Interactive Experiences.
Check out LEGO Factory at
www.LEGOfactory.com
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 12:49 am
by lil Jon
I like the idea of AFOLs helping out. But real LEGO set designers makes me think they're just going to make it stengy with pieces.
Oh well, its a good idea.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 1:18 am
by MaxiVisVires
David85 wrote:I was hoping for online Pick a Brick...
That would be the end of Bricklink
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:58 am
by Dragon Master
MaxiVisVires wrote:David85 wrote:I was hoping for online Pick a Brick...
That would be the end of Bricklink
Your wrong. I live within bike riding distance of a PAB, and still I use Bricklink about 90% more then PAB!
But this is another discussion...
DM
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 3:28 pm
by rogue27
I was hoping for an online Pick-A-Brick as well.
Instead, we got a contest that only children can enter which requires using some Windows-only LEGO-CAD software with a limited part selection written by some inflexible programmers that TLC hired.
Well, I guess it's a cool thing, but I honestly don't see this being too popular.
BTW, online Pick-A-Brick would not hurt BrickLink much because TLC would probably charge more and they would have a more limited part selection than BL.
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:30 pm
by Merlin of Lego
I was reading the lego factory web page and it makes it sound as if anyone of any age can enter. There are two classes one for under 13 and one for 13 and above. They will select 8 modles from the younger class and two from the older. So now we just need som really cool sets designed that are mostle Grey bricks
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:32 pm
by Robin Hood
Sigh, I don't suppose 15 counts as a child. Still if my brother will pose as me.........
Interesting idea to say the least. I can't really say weither or not it will work. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Dan
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:43 am
by porschecm2
Interesting. Not exactly what most of us were hoping for, but it looks like it can be pretty neat anyway.
Cm2
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:57 pm
by Bruce N H
Hey guys,
I figure that people have seen this by now, plus it's up on the front page, so I've changed this thread back to a normal post.
My thoughts on this--I was a little more excited when I first saw this than I am after reading all the details. I still think it's a really cool idea, but my impression from earlier hints and announcements was that this would be more like the personallized mosaics--that you could essentially custom order sets based on your designs (albeit presumably from a relatively limited pallette of elements). Hopefully we'll see some cool designs come through this, though. The ones up on lego.com right now are actually quite good.
Bruce
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:21 am
by J1A3L5
My main problem with this is the software itself. I find it much harder to use than MLCad, or other LEGO CAD problems. Often when placing pieces the piece seems to jump to the wrong spot the second you click. It has a decent enough selection of bricks. Right now I'm in the process of creating a MOC for the contest thingy.
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:33 pm
by Bruce N H
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:57 pm
by Formendacil
Neat. Thanks for sharing, Bruce. ANY of these is better than the run of the mill sets these days.
I hope we get to see some in stores. Or at least, S@H.
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 11:56 pm
by LEGOFREAK
Ok - I am not trying to be goofy here*, but where exactly does one download that program?
I'd like to give it a shot, just to see how it works...
* (it just comes naturally)
