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

[Khargeust]

Hope we will not get stickers. It would be a downer.

By the way, it is strange those pieces in 40580 were not printed since this upcoming set was certainly anticipated at that time and could have been recycled from this perspective. 

[Black Falcon]

8 minutes ago, Khargeust said:

Hope we will not get stickers. It would be a downer.

By the way, it is strange those pieces in 40580 were not printed since this upcoming set was certainly anticipated at that time and could have been recycled from this perspective. 

One has nothing to do with the other - first of all it seems unlikely that the same parts would be printed and secondly, that would only make sense if they would be actually be in production at the same time, as the part would still have needed an own storage back when the GWP was in production.

[Lion King]

53 minutes ago, Khargeust said:

Hope we will not get stickers. It would be a downer.

I hoe not too!!! MTS and Artemis II sets this year are suffering thanks to strikers. 

[RichardGoring]

2 hours ago, Murdoch17 said:

It's a good think I haven't built / ordered the parts for my Blacktron MOC version of 75293 yet! I guess until I see photos of the new set, this custom project will be on hold.

Nice idea. I got a cheap copy of 75336 to do the same kind of thing. Also still haven't worked on it yet.

[Murdoch17]

45 minutes ago, RichardGoring said:

Nice idea. I got a cheap copy of 75336 to do the same kind of thing. Also still haven't worked on it yet.

I've made an elongated CS version of the IT-S transport back in 2020 as well.

Edited November 11, 2024 by Murdoch17

[Retrocity]

Amazing to hear.  I was just getting into Lego during the tail end of Blacktron II, but never had any as a kid as I was focused on Pirates.  I didn't really even know of Blacktron I until several years later when I came across one of the little flyers in an older cousin's bucket of Lego that had Blacktron I and Futuron sets on them.   

A few years back, I lucked into an almost complete Message Intercept Base split amongst two $10 buckets of mixed Lego at a Half Price Books, and after building it, Blacktron I shot up to one of my favorite overall themes.  Such a good color scheme and that set in particular has a lot of great parts and features.  I've picked up a few more Blacktron I sets since and would like to expand the base a little.  Renegade is one I haven't gotten yet, so I'm excited to see how the remake looks (and four figures instead of two is great).

[Classic_Spaceman]

15 hours ago, Renny The Spaceman said:

Wonder if they'll all be modernised Blacktron designs or 2 will reuse the GWP figure. If so do we think the classic Blacktron fig will be retconned to be a pilot or a crew member

Classic Blacktron I is probably a pilot, since the torso print is a flight harness! If we get updated designs (which I am torn about - I want updated Blacktron I Minifigs, but I also want compatibility with the Invader GWP!), I want both the pilots and crew to have some armour (chestplate, knee pads, etc), and the pilots to have their iconic harnesses; I would also like to see the Blacktron I insignia integrated into the design somewhere, such as in the centre of the chest or as a belt buckle (since they are one of the few factions not to have their logo on their uniforms!). 
Maybe something like the SP1/M:Tron/Blacktron II updated designs, with piping on the torsos and knee plates on the legs; chestplate armour printing on the top half of the torso, with the grey belt on the bottom? Hoses would be nice, but it could make the design a bit cluttered, so maybe armour and harness for the pilots, and just armour for the crew? I would also like to see either a reuse of the black Nexo Knights helmet from the CMF or a recolour of the City space helmet in black (with dark grey or PDG as the neck colour, depending on the torso/leg accents), rather than a reuse of the motorcycle helmet! 
 

[SpacePolice89]

I hope that they make the upcoming Blacktron set in the same style as the Galaxy Explorer and the Blacktron Cruiser, new parts and building techniques with original minifigs and colors.

[Classic_Spaceman]

5 minutes ago, SpacePolice89 said:

I hope that they make the upcoming Blacktron set in the same style as the Galaxy Explorer and the Blacktron Cruiser, new parts and building techniques with original minifigs and colors.

Blacktron (and the other Space factions) is tricky to update, since their simple printing was just a product of design constraints when they were released; Classic Space was not intended to be simplistic either, but the monochrome suits and chest logo became iconic because of their charm, despite LEGO's original intent (LEGO "updated" the CS suits as soon as they could do so, which we see with Futuron).
Unlike with Classic Space, the appeal of Blacktron I Minifigs (and those of other Space factions) does not derive from their quaint simplicity, but from the details and functions implied by the printing present and the overall context of the subthemes. As such, I would like to see LEGO actually update the Blacktron I suit to modern standards, rather than just replicating the OG like they did for the GWP (I was actually disappointed when I saw that LEGO had not taken the opportunity to update the suit in the Invader GWP, despite the figure itself still being nice). 
 

[Black Falcon]

18 minutes ago, SpacePolice89 said:

I hope that they make the upcoming Blacktron set in the same style as the Galaxy Explorer and the Blacktron Cruiser, new parts and building techniques with original minifigs and colors.

I don´t think the Galaxy Explorer and Blacktron Cruiser really got the same Style though. While the Galaxy Explorer was modernized the Blacktron Cruiser tried to stay more to the old style with smaller updates - and changes because of unavaiable parts.

That beeing said, I think (and hope) that the Blacktron Renegade will get the same threatment as the Galaxy Explorer got.

[Classic_Spaceman]

Just now, Black Falcon said:

I don´t think the Galaxy Explorer and Blacktron Cruiser really got the same Style though. While the Galaxy Explorer was modernized the Blacktron Cruiser tried to stay more to the old style with smaller updates - and changes because of unavaiable parts.

The GE still stayed on the side of Classic Space, rather than straying into Neo-Classic territory (as the Exo-Suit did), and the clean, sleek, lines gave the model a sort of simplicity in its design (though not in its construction!). I do agree that the Invader got Majisto's Workshopped somewhat and stuck more closely to the original design and dimensions, however! 

3 minutes ago, Black Falcon said:

That beeing said, I think (and hope) that the Blacktron Renegade will get the same threatment as the Galaxy Explorer got.

Same! I want something like the LKC or PoBB that really brings the model and Minifigs (and thereby, the theme overall) into the modern era! 
 

[SpacePolice89]

20 minutes ago, Black Falcon said:

I don´t think the Galaxy Explorer and Blacktron Cruiser really got the same Style though. While the Galaxy Explorer was modernized the Blacktron Cruiser tried to stay more to the old style with smaller updates - and changes because of unavaiable parts.

That beeing said, I think (and hope) that the Blacktron Renegade will get the same threatment as the Galaxy Explorer got.

Not the same style but both are similar to their original subthemes while using new building techniques and parts.

26 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Blacktron (and the other Space factions) is tricky to update, since their simple printing was just a product of design constraints when they were released; Classic Space was not intended to be simplistic either, but the monochrome suits and chest logo became iconic because of their charm, despite LEGO's original intent (LEGO "updated" the CS suits as soon as they could do so, which we see with Futuron).
Unlike with Classic Space, the appeal of Blacktron I Minifigs (and those of other Space factions) does not derive from their quaint simplicity, but from the details and functions implied by the printing present and the overall context of the subthemes. As such, I would like to see LEGO actually update the Blacktron I suit to modern standards, rather than just replicating the OG like they did for the GWP (I was actually disappointed when I saw that LEGO had not taken the opportunity to update the suit in the Invader GWP, despite the figure itself still being nice). 
 

If they wanted to they could have used more detailed printing in the early 80s. There are many toys with very detailed printing from the early 80s. Minifigs look better with simpler printing because minifigs and pieces themselves are not very detailed and very blocky in their design. There are even Town minifigs with many details from as early as 1980 like the chef .

Edited November 11, 2024 by SpacePolice89

[GeoBrick]

2 hours ago, SpacePolice89 said:

I hope that they make the upcoming Blacktron set in the same style as the Galaxy Explorer and the Blacktron Cruiser, new parts and building techniques with original minifigs and colors.

And, in the case of the Galaxy Explorer, 50% bigger?
From all appearances, a similar-sized Renegade would have trouble holding four crew.
 

Which begs the question if the leak regarding minifig roles is correct: are the crew for the ship itself, and the pilots for any supplementary craft linked to the ship?

[Classic_Spaceman]

51 minutes ago, GeoBrick said:

And, in the case of the Galaxy Explorer, 50% bigger?
From all appearances, a similar-sized Renegade would have trouble holding four crew.
 

Which begs the question if the leak regarding minifig roles is correct: are the crew for the ship itself, and the pilots for any supplementary craft linked to the ship?

The cockpit will almost certainly be larger (either the GE canopy or the Invader GWP one), so we have our two pilots accounted for; the storage compartment at the back will be larger as well, so there may be room for 1-2 more Minifigs back there. 
 

[SpacePolice89]

9 hours ago, GeoBrick said:

And, in the case of the Galaxy Explorer, 50% bigger?
From all appearances, a similar-sized Renegade would have trouble holding four crew.
 

Which begs the question if the leak regarding minifig roles is correct: are the crew for the ship itself, and the pilots for any supplementary craft linked to the ship?

It doesn't have to be 50% bigger, as long as it looks like a Blacktron ship and has the right colors.

[Artanis I]

53 minutes ago, SpacePolice89 said:

It doesn't have to be 50% bigger, as long as it looks like a Blacktron ship and has the right colors.

and vintage compatible minifigs (back printing notwithstanding)

[GeoBrick]

29 minutes ago, Artanis I said:

and vintage compatible minifigs (back printing notwithstanding)

I wouldn't say no to a new type of ground crew torso print. Blacktron's can't be all pilots/drivers.

 

[SpacePolice89]

2 hours ago, Artanis I said:

and vintage compatible minifigs (back printing notwithstanding)

I agree

[Classic_Spaceman]

Attention Neo-Classic Space fans: The motorcycle helmet is available in purple from PAB! 

@Artanis I 
 

[Kit Figsto]

21 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

As such, I would like to see LEGO actually update the Blacktron I suit to modern standards, rather than just replicating the OG like they did for the GWP (I was actually disappointed when I saw that LEGO had not taken the opportunity to update the suit in the Invader GWP, despite the figure itself still being nice). 

I feel as if they're sort of in a lose-lose situation here, as some people will want an updated/re-vamped version of the original figures that reflect more of a modern take on it, while others will want it to remain as close to the original as possible.  I think it's interesting that their throwback GWP sets have taken both approaches here.  The Forestmen's Hideout definitely went for the "modern take on an old set" approach with both the minifigure and the set itself, whereas the Blacktron Invader was pretty darn close to the original, save for some areas where old pieces aren't made anymore.

I personally prefer the second approach, but that's just me, and it's partially because there's a lot of old sets that I'd really love to own, but can't, so when they're being "re-offered" (sort of), I think it's awesome. 

[RichardGoring]

2 minutes ago, Kit Figsto said:

I feel as if they're sort of in a lose-lose situation here, as some people will want an updated/re-vamped version of the original figures that reflect more of a modern take on it, while others will want it to remain as close to the original as possible.  I think it's interesting that their throwback GWP sets have taken both approaches here.  The Forestmen's Hideout definitely went for the "modern take on an old set" approach with both the minifigure and the set itself, whereas the Blacktron Invader was pretty darn close to the original, save for some areas where old pieces aren't made anymore.

I personally prefer the second approach, but that's just me, and it's partially because there's a lot of old sets that I'd really love to own, but can't, so when they're being "re-offered" (sort of), I think it's awesome. 

They're definitely in a lose-lose situation because people want both. And it's almost always the crowd that's disappointed shout the loudest.

In our sample size of two, I prefer the first approach, because modern parts, techniques, and design aesthetics have moved on so much from some of the originals. And most of these nostalgia sets are more focused on build and looks than play, so taking advantage of newer ideas is beneficial. I can totally see it the other way though.

[danth]

I just don't want any stickers. Give us some printed tiles a la 10497.

The 2025 City Modular Spaceship has leaked. It has minifigs with the BAM Futuron-esque torsos but also in green.

[Lyichir]

1 hour ago, danth said:

I just don't want any stickers. Give us some printed tiles a la 10497.

The 2025 City Modular Spaceship has leaked. It has minifigs with the BAM Futuron-esque torsos but also in green.

It looks great!

It looks like both of the Futuron-styled torsos are different than the BAM ones since they're color coded to each "faction" (instead of the reddish orange used for all factions). So the two astronauts outside the ship have Flame Yellowish Orange and Bright Green, and it looks like the pilot has Dark Azure to complete the "trio". I do love the consistency with the BAM version, which should allow them to be used together in neat ways—though the BAM fig lacks a matching right arm like these, so maybe I should go ahead with my idea to get some new reddish orange arms from figs like this summer's construction workers to swap out.

Love the design of the ship itself, which feels cool and unique with that cylindrical hub module in the back. It's not a huge ship, but still bigger than the ones from this year, and will complement those well.

[Black Falcon]

Looks great, I especially like the stern of the ship, which makes the ship look quite a bit different from the other spaceships they did. Wondering what we have to discover inside the ship, when more pictures show up.

[Classic_Spaceman]

Oh, I love that!! The BAM-style crew jumpsuits for each division are excellent, though I do wish they had printed legs (which they still may, as the image is quite blurry!); I like seeing the EVA suit piece return (and recoloured!), along with the cute Dreamling-body alien crew member! 
While the completed ship looks a little angular/not aerodynamic (not that that is needed in space!), the modularity more than makes up for it! I am seeing four main sections - The cockpit and area behind it (extending to the first reddish orange airlock piece), the pod (almost identical to the standard ones), the round lab section, and the rear engine (there appears to be an airlock piece between the lab and the grey engine at the back); as well as at least four attachments - The two cargo containers on the pod, and the wings. 
Since the cockpit module has 1x2 bar pieces on the sides, something attaches via clips (rather than just the Technic connections of the airlock pieces) - Most likely the cargo boxes and the wings (as attaching the wings to the sides of the cockpit module and the engine module to the back would make a nice small shuttle!). As the 'blocks' between the lab module and the wings appear too heavy to be stable with just clip-and-bar connections (and because they would look weird on the sides of the cockpit module), they must attach to the lab module via Technic pin connections (also, a symmetrical round lab with Technic connections on all four sides allows for more ship and base configurations!); this means that the 'blocks' are likely Technic-to-clip adaptors, with the wings themselves detaching at the area with the slopes and batteries. Also, if these 'blocks' are adaptors then the cargo boxes would be able to connect to them and attach to any airlock connector. 
Overall, this gives us four modules (cockpit, pod, lab, engine), two adaptors, and four attachments (two cargo boxes and two wings) - A total of ten rearrangeable sections, which also allows the ship to reconfigure into the classic smaller-ship-and-base form! 
The mods and expansions for this set are going to be awesome! 
 

1 hour ago, Black Falcon said:

Wondering what we have to discover inside the ship, when more pictures show up.

I can see a bit of lab equipment (a screen and a crystal) in the round section, and there will probably be someplace to put the EVA pack and small robot when not in use; depending on the amount of equipment inside the ship, as well as how much interior space is taken up with gear (helmet racks, tools) and cargo, the ship also probably fits around seven Minifigs!