LEGO Sci-Fi Ongoing - Rumors, Speculation, and Discussion

[GeoBrick]

All prints? Landing gear works? Modularity all around and with a B-model? Wonderful!
I hope those printed elements will come out in PAB next summer.
 

[danth]

I am pretty surprised at this. I was expecting a very polished/sleek looking design with disappointing use of stickers. But instead it's a disappointing, amateurish-looking design with perfect use of prints/grill pieces instead of stickers.

All the functions are there. Glad to see retractable landing gear -- that explains why the main two structures of the build are big-@$$ honking SLABS of 8-stud wide brick. Replacing the small rover & central storage unit with a bigger rover is fine with me, especially since it means we're getting that helicopter windscreen in trans yellow. I'm kinda of shocked they printed the 1x2 slope console pieces; I was afraid they would regress to sticker usage (they way they did with the Medieval Town Square); glad they didn't!

The use of a printed flag for the nose is sort of ingenious to get the correct 6-stud-wide shape, but I don't like that there is nothing underneath it to complete the sides of the "nosecone".

I really don't like the wings. The yellow flags just floating above the wings looks like something you'd see in a bad MOC. I get that it's the Blacktron logo, but it just looks amateurish. I was expecting 10497-style wings.

There's too much yellow -- another thing you see in bad Blacktron MOCs. Yellow lining the main cockpit is a choice...generally in Lego Space, the cockpit color contrasts with the windscreen color, so that the windscreen "pops". This is doing the opposite of that. And things that should be yellow, based on the original design, aren't, like the cones of the thrusters or the guns on the wingtips. I'm surprised there is yellow on the landing gear; it's visually distracting there IMO.

I expected they might use the support girder piece where they did, but just slapping a single one on top of an 8-wide slab-o-studs doesn't really do it for me. The front left of the ship ending in a huge octagonal block looks bad. The thrusters are uninspired and look like afterthoughts and are too far apart.

What is cool, based on what I see in the designer video, is that you can swap the thrusters with the cockpit & front sensor array, essentially flying the entire spaceship backwards.

The alt build for the Alienator is hilariously bad.

Edited December 18, 2024 by danth

[danth]

More thoughts after seeing more pics: There seem to be a ton of great console prints in this thing. But sadly the box design is missing the corner banner and the iconic laser grid. EDIT: Oh the laser grid is there, just very faint.

Edited December 18, 2024 by danth

[Classic_Spaceman]

I really like this! I get that it is not as sleek and refined as the GE, but the original Renegade was blocky, angular, and oddly-shaped as well (compared with the OG Galaxy Explorer, which was very sleek for its time); the updated version captures this vibe, which I appreciate. 
 

1 hour ago, RichardGoring said:

Unfortunately not. In the designer interview he said it was a different connection with the cruiser as it needs to deal with more weight. It's not far off though, so easy to alter to match?

It should be fairly easy to mod the Invader GWP to be compatible with the Renegade's connection-points (and those printed parts would look great in place of some of the GWP's stickers!). 
 

49 minutes ago, GeoBrick said:

I hope those printed elements will come out in PAB next summer.

They will; all non-licensed pieces end up on PAB! 
 

[danth]

21 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

but the original Renegade was blocky, angular, and oddly-shaped as well

Blocky and angular are opposites, aren't they?

Also, I'm not sure we're looking at the same original Renegade.

In the original, all the front bits are pointy. The cockpit has a pointy gun and a wedged slope to make it sleek and aerodynamic. Each wing had a pointy gun in the front, and wedge plates and slopes, again making it aerodynamic. Even the left sensor array was sloped, not blocky. The entire ship was pretty flat and sleek except for the rear area leading into the thrusters, which made the whole ship look fast.

Even the storage unit is sloped, making it look less blocky.

I would argue that the blockiness of the giant slabs housing the landing gear and front left sensor area in the remake are not present anywhere in the original.

Not sure what you mean by "oddly shaped", other than it had asymmetry, but I agree that the remake is "oddly shaped."

Edited December 18, 2024 by danth

[SpacePolice89]

After watching the video I'm even more excited. The design is a perfect mix of traditional Blacktron design and new pieces.

[Murdoch17]

I will be buying this, Day 1. (Now I just have to change all my Blacktron spaceship MOC's engine thrust to trans-red!)

[SpacePolice89]

2 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said:

I will be buying this, Day 1. (Now I just have to change all my Blacktron spaceship MOC's engine thrust to trans-red!)

Same here. According to lego.com insiders can order it on January 1st and non insiders on January 4th. I hope that it will be possible to preorder it before that. 

[Murdoch17]

1 minute ago, SpacePolice89 said:

Same here. According to lego.com insiders can order it on January 1st and non insiders on January 4th. I hope that it will be possible to preorder it before that. 

I don't think it will be up for preorder. I'm going to the LEGO store at basically the crack of dawn on Jan 1 to secure my place in line and get my copy!

Edited December 18, 2024 by Murdoch17

[Space78]

Not a Blacktron fan, so doesn't make a lot of difference to me how faithful this set is to the original.  Comparing the two pictures, I can see a lot of differences. 

As an "Icons" spaceship, it is interesting.  I might get one, but it will not be day 1 - probably some day in the future at a discount, and it will depend on what the instructions look like.  I am not a fan of a lot of "micro-builds" in sets aimed for adults.  (Do they think our ability to handle small parts gets better with age?? )

[SpacePolice89]

9 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said:

I don't think it will be up for preorder. I'm going to the LEGO store at basically the crack of dawn on Jan 1 to secure my place in line and get my copy!

Will it be available online directly after midnight on January 1st? Then I can order it after the fireworks. My closest Lego store is in Stockholm and it is too far to travel there for a set so I have to order it from Shop at Home.

Edited December 18, 2024 by SpacePolice89

[Murdoch17]

4 minutes ago, SpacePolice89 said:

Will it be available directly after midnight on January 1st? Then I can order it after the fireworks. My closest Lego store is in Stockholm and it is too far to travel there for a set so I have to order it from Shop at Home.

Yes. Midnight, Jan1 is when it will release for insiders. Be warned: the website will probably crash due to all the releases that night, as it usually does on Jan 1 - so you may not get it!

Edited December 18, 2024 by Murdoch17

[Classic_Spaceman]

29 minutes ago, danth said:

Blocky and angular are opposites, aren't they?

In the original, all the front bits are pointy. The cockpit has a pointy gun and a wedged slope to make it sleek and aerodynamic. Each wing had a pointy gun in the front, and wedge plates and slopes, again making it aerodynamic. Even the left sensor array was sloped, not blocky. The entire ship was pretty flat and sleek except for the rear area leading into the thrusters, which made the whole ship look fast.

"Blocky" may have been a poor choice of words - "Chunky" is more what I was trying to convey. 

29 minutes ago, danth said:

Not sure what you mean by "oddly shaped", other than it had asymmetry, but I agree that the remake is "oddly shaped."

The wraparound wings, forward-facing pylons, and an asymmetrical design is odd for Space sets; I do not mean this in a negative way, as the Renegade's unique design is what makes it cool and recognisable! 
 

22 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said:

I will be buying this, Day 1. 

Same! With the price being $100 instead of the rumoured $110, there is no reason to wait! 
 

Edited December 18, 2024 by Classic_Spaceman

[SpacePolice89]

Just now, Murdoch17 said:

Yes. Midnight, Jan1 is when it will release for insiders.

I am already counting the days to the holidays. Very much to look forward to. Time off from work, Christmas, New Year and of course THE RENEGADE!!!

[Lyichir]

6 minutes ago, danth said:

Blocky and angular are opposites, aren't they?

Also, I'm not sure we're looking at the same original Renegade.

In the original, all the front bits are pointy. The cockpit has a pointy gun and a wedged slope to make it sleek and aerodynamic. Each wing had a pointy gun in the front, and wedge plates and slopes, again making it aerodynamic. Even the left sensor array was sloped, not blocky. The entire ship was pretty flat and sleek except for the rear area leading into the thrusters, which made the whole ship look fast.

Even the storage unit is sloped, making it look less blocky.

I would argue that the blockiness of the giant slabs housing the landing gear and front left sensor area in the remake are not present anywhere in the original.

Not sure what you mean by "oddly shaped", other than it had asymmetry, but I agree that the remake is "oddly shaped."

I dunno, looking at this photo I agree that "blocky, angular, and oddly shaped" describe the original to a T.

Like, the thing about the original is that the blockiness and angularity are very much coexisting. The front nose is angled but the cockpit feels like a solid block (as was typical of the time). The "struts" connecting the forward sections similarly feel blocky, like heavy iron girders in an era when Technic connections were just beginning to emerge and little was being done to "pretty them up". The cargo container similarly feels like a solid octagonal block. As for "oddly shaped" I think it goes without saying that the original's asymmetric, trident-esque shape (with the wings, cockpit, and sensor array all diverging at the rear and coming to separate, uneven points in the front) is far from conventional—a typical shuttle, jet, or saucer this ain't.

The new set, for better or for worse, looks a lot more solid. The connections between modules are more robust and the industrial-looking frame feels more reinforced (in part to create space to conceal the new landing gear). These are obviously changes and not everybody is going to like them, but to me they feel true to the rigid industrial feel of the original. The dropship-style housing for the rover is also a change from the classic cargo pod, but I personally feel like that makes it more playable and functional than the original (where the crew would need to unload the full module and, presumably, use a crane to lift the rover out, all to deploy what was ultimately not a particularly impressive ground vehicle). The raised logo-shaped panels on the new one's side pods are unusual but in a way that I personally feel makes them more interesting than the rather barebones space scooters of the classic set.

Not saying all this to say your opinion on the new set is invalid, just trying to crystalize my own thoughts on both the original and the new version.

[SpacePolice89]

10 minutes ago, Space78 said:

Comparing the two pictures, I can see a lot of differences.

I think this is actually a good thing. If they were too similar it would not make sense for owners of the original to buy it. I display the original Invader (Cruiser) next to the new Cruiser and they look great together. 

[jodawill]

I like this set a lot better than the Galaxy Explorer. I was never happy with that one because it was so fragile it couldn't really be played with and my kids broke it every time they touched it. The designer said he purposefully designed this one for families. It's much more playable and durable. I didn't expect this set to be so good. I'm excited! I'm going to build it with my son.

[Classic_Spaceman]

3 minutes ago, Lyichir said:

These are obviously changes and not everybody is going to like them, but to me they feel true to the rigid industrial feel of the original.

Exactly - Blacktron I had a very industrial design language overall, so the inclusion of things like the girder supports on the remake feels very consistent for the faction. 
 

[danth]

6 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Exactly - Blacktron I had a very industrial design language overall, so the inclusion of things like the girder supports on the remake feels very consistent for the faction. 

I do think it's interesting that everyone says this. And it's all based on exactly one thing, as far as I can tell: the Renegade's right-side extension that attaches to the cockpit was a somewhat flimsy build with gaps between the plates:

The structure ends up being "girder like" I guess. And that fact has turned into "the entire original Blacktron theme had a very industrial aesthetic" -- which I honestly don't see anywhere else in the theme. It's literally just this one substructure, as far as I know.

I never really thought about it before, but maybe the way the Renegade looks with the storage unit removed also contributes to the "empty/bare bones" look which translates into "industrial".

Personally I think the Exploriens line looks way more industrial.

[danth]

5 hours ago, R0Sch said:

Glad I'm not the only one disliking the Blacktron Renegade remake. This smaller MOC looks way better than the LEGO model and it has some cool transformation features too:

 

Hey that's mine! Thanks!

Comparing my MOC with the official remake, wow, they are just totally different takes. My left-side sensor is a fairly sleek, more gun-like design, while the official remake is just a chonky block.

I think my forward protrusions are "industrial" enough but are not meant to look "heavy" or strong because the original structure was so spindly and fragile. But my landing gear suck and they're totally tacked on. I appreciate that the remake bulked up the protrusions to integrate landing gear.

[RichardGoring]

1 minute ago, danth said:

Hey that's mine! Thanks!

Comparing my MOC with the official remake, wow, they are just totally different takes. My left-side sensor is a fairly sleek, more gun-like design, while the official remake is just a chonky block.

I think my forward protrusions are "industrial" enough but are not meant to look "heavy" or strong because the original structure was so spindly and fragile. But my landing gear suck and they're totally tacked on. I appreciate that the remake bulked up the protrusions to integrate landing gear.

The wonderful thing about yours is the transformation into a mech. That's truly brilliant.

[Classic_Spaceman]

43 minutes ago, danth said:

The structure ends up being "girder like" I guess. And that fact has turned into "the entire original Blacktron theme had a very industrial aesthetic" -- which I honestly don't see anywhere else in the theme. It's literally just this one substructure, as far as I know.

The Battrax's sensor array, the Alienator, and the Message Intercept Base all have industrial designs IMO. 
 

11 minutes ago, danth said:

Comparing my MOC with the official remake, wow, they are just totally different takes. My left-side sensor is a fairly sleek, more gun-like design, while the official remake is just a chonky block.

You went for a sleek design with an emphasis on the modular and transforming functions, while the remake leaned more into the original's chunky and angular look; yours is more of a fighter jet, while the remake is a heavy transport (maybe a stolen M:Tron design?). 
 

Edited December 18, 2024 by Classic_Spaceman

[Lyichir]

41 minutes ago, danth said:

I do think it's interesting that everyone says this. And it's all based on exactly one thing, as far as I can tell: the Renegade's right-side extension that attaches to the cockpit was a somewhat flimsy build with gaps between the plates:

The structure ends up being "girder like" I guess. And that fact has turned into "the entire original Blacktron theme had a very industrial aesthetic" -- which I honestly don't see anywhere else in the theme. It's literally just this one substructure, as far as I know.

I never really thought about it before, but maybe the way the Renegade looks with the storage unit removed also contributes to the "empty/bare bones" look which translates into "industrial".

Personally I think the Exploriens line looks way more industrial.

 

I feel like it's more than just those aspects of the Renegade that give the theme that feel—the narrow legs of the Alienator, the rugged off-road suspension of the Battrax, and the large open hangar of the Message Intercept Base also have an industrial feel to them in my opinion. Combined with the yellow and black color scheme and symbols that evoke warning or hazard signage, a lot of Blacktron I's design language feels very function-over-form (at least from the perspective of a 90s space fan who was more used to sleeker, more shapely designs).

Edited December 18, 2024 by Lyichir

[SpacePolice89]

1 hour ago, Murdoch17 said:

Yes. Midnight, Jan1 is when it will release for insiders. Be warned: the website will probably crash due to all the releases that night, as it usually does on Jan 1 - so you may not get it!

Maybe it's better during the night? Or is everybody waiting?

[Classic_Spaceman]

2 minutes ago, Lyichir said:

I feel like it's more than just those aspects of the Renegade that give the theme that feel—the narrow legs of the Alienator, the rugged off-road suspension of the Battrax, and the large open hangar of the Message Intercept Base also have an industrial feel to them in my opinion. Combined with the yellow and black color scheme and symbols that evoke warning or hazard signage, a lot of Blacktron I's design language feels very function-over-form (at least from the perspective of a 90s space fan who was more used to sleeker, more shapely designs).

This also gives Blacktron I a cobbled-together appearance that fits with their role as thieves (as they likely repurpose stolen tech however they can, rather than building all of their own vehicles from scratch)!