LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean Confirmed

LEGO Group and Disney Consumer Products Announce Building Sets Inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean Films

BILLUND, Denmark, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — The LEGO Group and Disney Consumer Products today announced an upcoming collection of LEGO® brand Pirates of the Caribbean construction toys that will set children’s imaginations sailing on thousands of build-and-play adventures. Scheduled to launch in spring 2011, eight new building sets will bring the action, stories and characters of the entire series of Pirates of the Caribbean films to life in LEGO form, including the spring 2011 premiere of the fourth installment, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” “The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is a classic favorite among families and children around the world,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president licensing & entertainment at The LEGO Group. ”The pirate theme is always a strong player in the LEGO portfolio, and the Pirates of the Caribbean brand offers the quintessential pirate experience with familiar characters, stories and scenes, allowing us to develop even more authentic and exciting models for children and collectors.” “Collaborating with The LEGO Group on the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is sure to be another great example of how together, we merge timeless characters and stories with a versatile play pattern to create exciting ways to play for children and fans of all ages,” said Vince Klaseus, senior vice president of global toys, Disney Consumer Products. ”We look forward to giving children a chance to recreate the adventures from the big screen, while adding their own creative twists and ideas through LEGO building.” In a companion release today, Disney Interactive Studios, TT Games and the LEGO Group announced that LEGO Pirates of Caribbean: The Video Game is scheduled for release on multiple video game platforms in May 2011.

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lego-group-and-disney-consumer-products-announce-building-sets-inspired-by-pirates-of-the-caribbean-films-108925804.html

These photos below are from a locked display case at Comic-Con, could these be the actual Jack Sparrow minifig, put there as a type of teaser? The quality of the minifig would suggest that it's legit, but then again, we've seen some high quality custom minifigs in the past. We will have to wait and see when the Sets are announced.

LEGO Universe Review by Dan Key from PlatformOnline

Lego Universe Impressions

Posted on Thursday, November 11th, 2010 in Gaming & Tech, Gaming Feature.

We explore Lego Universe to find out what the brick builders can bring to the MMO genre.

Attendees of GameCity 5 were given the opportunity to play a demo of the new, eagerly awaited Lego Universe title for the PC and Mac. The title is the newest in the long-running Lego franchise, this time scrapping the film tie-ins in to take on the world of massively multiplayer online (MMO) games.

The game’s mechanics and layouts will be instantly familiar to those who have played popular MMO World of Warcraft. At first glance, Lego Universe will seem little more than a game to tap into a younger audience with a WOW clone. However, after playing for a brief period, it’s easy to see that the game has a lot more to offer than you might expect.

The game controls use a standard MMO format. You control your character by using WASD keys and select enemies to attack by using the mouse. You’re given a wide array of moves and items to obtain along your quest, giving a lot of variety in the way you can fight enemies, though we were only able to play long enough to use the standard sword available. The game incorporates two main gameplay elements that feel very unique to Lego and help to distinguish it from its MMO counterparts – imagination and construction. Imagination acts as a magic power bar and allows you to easily create things like Lego gun turrets by using blocks on the ground. While construction allows you to make more elaborate things like bridges or springboards.

As you’d expect from a Lego title, the game offers a huge amount of customisation options ranging from character appearances and attributes to the Lego block building tool allowing you to create your own private properties out of any parts available and assign behaviours like making them move. While it’s possible to create any shape with the custom build tool, your creations are sent off to moderation before being introduced to the general public (a feature used to discourage those with more active imaginations we’re sure).

Though the game is widely imaginative, the game’s clear target is a far younger audience than the average MMO player. The game’s staff maintained that it has been thoroughly designed with children’s safety online as the number one priority. Things like very strict word filters in the chat function are incorporated for any sceptical parents who may feel like the game is too open for young gamers.

Lego titles have shined amongst video games in recent times, largely due to the heart and imagination poured into every nook and cranny. Lego Universe certainly lives up to the franchise’s good name with a truly unique and (more importantly) fun take on the MMO genre. However, only time will tell if younger gamers latch onto its creative features long enough to convince their parents to fork out the monthly subscription fee and create a vast online community of new Lego lovers.

Dan Key

Snowy Castle

A very nice Castle scene with snow, I like the merchant. This creation has some nice detail. We can thank Classic Castle member Legolord for creating this and sharing with us.

Vampire Real Estate

This castle creation by Nathan Proudlove won “Best in Castle” at BrickCon, it's simply awesome. I love the colour scheme used, it give the entire scene an eerie feel to it, which is probably what you want from a Vampire's castle. Perfect setting for a horror movie or even better a horror theme RPG game....

I think someone found a new home...

War(LEGO)hammer 40K

I saw this on the Brother Brick blog. Jerac went and made some awesome WH40K Space Marines, Dreadnaught and Landspeeder out of lego. He went a step further and made his own Space Marine Minifigs out of LEGO bricks, he didn't use normal minifigs. The result... Very Awesome.

Incredible Europe Map made with LEGO

This REALLY impressed me, some people went and created a huge map of Europe with LEGO.

• Number of bricks: 53 500

• Area: 480 studs x 480 studs (3,84 m x 3,84 m)

• Number of studs: 230 400 studs in the base area plus 453.026 studs additional

Thanks to "A Modular Life" for sharing this.

Many more photos here:

http://www.t-reichling.de/en/mocs_euromap.shtml

A Tribute to the Battle of Fort McHenry

I came accross this awesome diorama by Blake Baer on Brothers Brick and just had to share, the scene has some awesome detail, like cannon balls in mid air, explosions, slashes, etc. The diorama is a "Tribute to America" of the battle of For McHenry in the War of 1812.

LEGO DVD Movie - The Adventures of Clutch Powers

I watched the Lego Movie "The Adventures of Clutch Powers" last night, if it's the bar for Lego movies to come, I'm looking forward to many more.

The 4 main Characters are as follows along with their voice actors;

• Clutch Powers voiced by Ryan McPartlin
• Peg Mooring voiced by Yvonne Strahovski
• Brick Masterson voiced by Roger Rose
• Bernie von Beam voiced by Jeff Bennett

Links

• Lego Shop
• Official Website
• Internation Movie Database
• Lego Wiki
  

Going Green...

This post on Brothers Brick really impressed me, a very nice Mech by Andrew Lee’s (onosendai2600) called Poison Arrow, made with mostly green bricks, instead of the usual grey people would expect for mechs. The mech was made as an entry for the Clunker and Alien Mecha Contest.

The Empire Strikes Back Lego chess set

I Came accross this Custom Lego Chess set by Brandong Griffith (icgetaway) on the Brothers Brick blog. I must say, it's quite impressive. Instead of single figures, he used scenes from the movie for each of the chess pieces in the back row of each side. The chess board was made to resemble a Hoth type setting, and when opened has space to store each of the chess pieces. All in all a VERY nice custom build.

NEW - Star Wars Imperial Shuttle™

Now you can build this iconic Star Wars™ vehicle in true minifigure scale for the first time!

The elegant Lambda-class Imperial Shuttle™ transports the Empire's elite and the occasional secret strike team of Rebel commandos all across the galaxy. Now you can build this huge and iconic Star Wars™ vehicle in true minifigure scale for the first time ever! The Imperial Shuttle is authentically detailed with rotating double laser wing cannons and a four-seat cockpit. This Ultimate Collector's model features an opening canopy, detachable landing gear, a stand for display in flight or landing modes, a labeled display plaque, and gear-driven folding wings with removable activation keys. Completed model measures 28" (71 cm) tall on stand and 22" (57 cm) wide with wings deployed. Includes 5 minifigures: Darth Vader™, Shuttle Pilot, Imperial Officer, Stormtrooper and Luke Skywalker™.

• Includes 5 minifigures: Darth Vader™, Shuttle Pilot, Imperial Officer, Stormtrooper™ and Luke Skywalker™.
• Features rotating double laser wing cannons!
• Open the cockpit roof to access the interior and seat the minifigures inside!
• Wings fold up and down by turning 2 keys on rear of model!
• Model can be displayed on landing gear or landing gear can be removed to display in flying mode!
• Includes display stand, name plate and label sheet!
• Measures 28" (71 cm) tall on stand and 22" (57 cm) wide with wings deployed!

Now THIS is a Lego House

Brixe63 built a house with the works out of Lego, bedroom, bathroom, workroom, kids room, ect, ect. The creativity is astonishing. check it out.

Visit Brixe63's Flickr gallery, click here.

NEW - LEGO® City Advent Calendar

The holidays are coming to LEGO® City, one gift at a time!

Unwrap an adventure during the first 24 days of December! Countdown to the holidays with a new LEGO® City minifigure, vehicle or accessory every morning! Deck the halls of LEGO City with buildable holiday novelties!

• Open a window containing a build for December 1st through December 24th!
• Includes 24 LEGO City themed gifts
• Includes 6 minifigures
• Builds inside including a Christmas tree, fireplace and Santa’s train set.
• Features holiday accessories, furniture and lots of cool vehicles

NEW - LEGO® Kingdoms Advent Calendar

Countdown to the holidays with LEGO® Kingdoms!

Celebrate 24 December days full of medieval builds! There’s a surprise in store for you every morning as you decorate the LEGO® Kingdoms with new exclusive holiday accessories every day.

• Open each window containing a build for December 1st through December 24th!
• Contains 24 LEGO Kingdoms themed builds including a catapult, a wizard, a dungeon and a queen with throne.

High noon on the streets of Armadillo

74louloute created a diorama with a some nice detail inspired by the Red Dead Redemption game. I like the bird on the roof made of minifig hands and hair.


While checking out his Flickr gallery I found another diorama by him which caught my eye. It's a diorama based on Jules Verne's "Journey to the Centre of the Earth."

I found the Article on the "High Noon" diorama on the Brothers Brick Blog.

Scooters, Mushrooms & Berets

The guys from Brick Forge just released a range of custom items for Lego. The new items are; Berets, Scooters and Mushrooms.

Check it Out on their website

NEW LEGO : Motorized Excavator (Technic)

Build it and dig in!

No dirty job is too big for this heavy-duty Motorized Excavator! Just flip a switch on the LEGO® Power Functions dual infrared remote control to drive the excavator to job sites, spin the cabin 360 degrees, to maneuver the articulated arm and to dig with the shovel. Download instructions for rebuilding into a Tracked Loader.

• LEGO Power Functions include two infrared remote control handsets, 4 motors, 2 receivers, 4 linear actuators and a battery box.
• Four motorized functions: Move! Dig! Spin! Lift!
• Deep scoop bucket comes equipped with strong digging claws!
• 2 in 1 model rebuilds into Tracked Loader
• Excavator measures over 18" (45 cm) long

Check it out

NEW LEGO : LEGO® Minifigures Vol. 2

Which mystery minifigure will you get?

Discover 1 of 16 individual minifigures in each sealed mystery bag! Each LEGO® minifigure is inspired by movies, sports, history or everyday life. Your mystery minifigure might be one of the following: Life Guard, Karate Master, Explorer, Disco Dude, Witch, Weight Lifter, Vampire, Traffic Cop, Surfer, Spartan Warrior, Skier, Ringmaster, Pop Star, Pharaoh, Mime or Mariachi. Each minifigures includes special accessories, display plate and collector's leaflet.

• Your mystery minifigure might be: Life Guard, Karate Master, Explorer, Disco Dude, Witch, Weight Lifter, Vampire, Traffic Cop, Surfer, Spartan Warrior, Skier, Ringmaster, Pop Star, Pharaoh, Mime or Mariachi.
• A must-have for all LEGO minifigure collectors! These minifigures cannot be found in any LEGO set!

Check them out!

BrickForge New Release : Centaurs

The guys from Brick Forge released a custom Lego compatible Centaur hindquarters so you can turn your favorite minifig into a real mythical creature.

Get Ready to Rock with BrickForge

Brick Forge, the guys that specialize in custom Lego compatible parts, released some music instruments to make your Lego minifigs rock and roll.

Check it out.

• Acoustic Guitar
• Drumsticks
• Electric Guitar
• Violin

NEW LEGO : Shave a Sheep (Games)

Shear fun for all!

Introducing LEGO® Games, the world's first collection of games that you build, play and change. With the unique buildable LEGO Dice and changeable rules, LEGO Games is a great way of having fun together with family and friends.

Who will get the most wool from their sheep? Shear wool whenever you can - the other players will try to steal it from you or send the scary wolf your way! Grow, swap and scare your way to victory in this fast, fun and unpredictable game. For 2 to 4 players.

* Includes 1 buildable LEGO Dice
* Rule booklet and building instructions included
* 117 LEGO pieces

Click here to view on the LEGO website.

NEW LEGO : Hoth Wampa Cave (Star Wars)

Escape from the wampa ice creature with Luke Skywalker™!

While on scouting duty on Hoth, Luke Skywalker™ is savagely attacked and captured by a ferocious wampa ice creature. Can he use the Force to recover his lightsaber before the wampa gets him? Or will pilot Zev Zenesca™ save him using the snowspeeder?

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back™ with the instantly recognizable set.

* Includes 3 minifigures: wampa ice creature, Luke Skywalker and Zev Zenesca
* Features wampa cave and snowspeeder
* Wampa cave features lightsaber catapult function and skeleton
* Snowspeeder includes opening cockpit and realistic tow cable with string and hook
* Combine with other Hoth sets from LEGO Star Wars including Echo Base™ 7749, Rebel Trooper™ Battle Pack 8083, and Snowtrooper™ Battle Pack 8084
* Wampa cave measures 7” (18cm) long and 4” (10cm) wide
* Snowspeeder measures 7” (18cm) long

Click here to view on the LEGO website.

NEW LEGO : Helicopter and Limousine (City)

Now you’re driving and flying in style!

Whether you’re a movie star, a famous executive or any other V.I.P., there’s no better way to travel than by taking your very own stretch limousine to your very own private helicopter for an exclusive and luxurious flight to exotic destinations around the world! Features removable limo roof and spinning helicopter blades. Includes driver, pilot and 2 passengers.

* Includes helicopter and limousine plus 4 minifigures!
* Take off the limo roof, put the driver at the wheel, seat the V.I.P.’s, then drive away in style!
* Spin the helicopter’s rotating blades and take off!

Click here to view on the LEGO website.

Introduction to Lego Universe Factions

I found this link to a video clip on the official Lego Universe website which gives some details on the Factions of the game.

Click the image to goto the video.

Snake Charmer

Okay not exactly sure how the name fits in, but the model looks nice and I thought I'd share it. The model is by Andrew Lee (Onosendai2600).

Read the post on Brothers Brick here.

LEGO Universe Awarded 'Best Family Game'!

The E3 awards keep coming, and we are very proud to add yet another great win to our shiny collection. Zam, a highly recognized gaming site covering all the major massively multiplayer online role playing games, has awarded LEGO Universe Best Family Game at E3, 2010.

Zam are especially excited about “the depth and replayability of the game” as well as the fact that LEGO Universe is as safe as can be: “the developers are working hard to make this a game where parents who play games can introduce their kids to an MMO where they have no concern over questionable content”.

It’s incredibly exciting to be recognized as a top family game, and we hope to bring endless hours of fun, building and creativity into many families’ homes in the future.

And we are confident that we can deliver on the high expectations set by Zam: “LEGO Universe has it all at the moment, and we can only hope the game is as good when it is released as it showed at E3.”

To read about additional awards earned from E3, check out the article: E3 Awards Rolling in for LEGO Universe.

We're Tweeting..

Blox Universe now has a Twitter account. If you want to follow us, click the Twitter Logo below.