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

[BitByBrick]

All this talk about having too much yellow got me thinking… what is missing in my humble opinion are the two yellow space wings (part 4596 1x2 modified plate) from the original. When I purchase this set (hopefully at a discount) it may be my goal to make some modifications/ improvements if you will, and attempt to integrate those original pieces somehow. Unfortunately current Bricklink prices have them going for $15 each. Ouch! 

[RichardGoring]

5 hours ago, Lyichir said:

A thing about "head designers" is that being in charge of other designers' sets means less hands-on time to work on their own. This isn't always a bad thing, since after all senior designers like Jamie Berard can help foster the talents of the next generation of designers. But I do wish typical discussion of Lego designers was less focused on a select few "greats" as if their talent was unparalleled and more appreciative of the personal, individual touches all Lego designers bring to their projects. Mike Psiaki does great spaceships and cars but I don't know if he'd be as good at mechs as Niek Van Slagmaat, or as great at buildings and dollhouses as Wes Talbott, or as good at Creator animals as Aaron Newman. And it's not uncommon for me to see a new set that impresses me only to find that it's from some up-and-coming designer I'd never followed before.

I agree with the sentiment, although I do find it useful to know who has designed the sets as sometimes you can enjoy their building style. I really like the playfulness that Jamie Berard brings to sets, so if I know he's done a set, I can be confident that will be worked in. Mike Psiaki comes up with all the angles and novel ways to put things together that are a delight. But equally, as you say, take each set for its own merit. Anderson Ward Grubb's Boutique Hotel made me genuinely laugh out loud with delight at how some things connected together. I do think that in general, LEGO produces some of its best sets when the designers collaborate, and for most of my favourites from the last few years - including Galaxy Explorer - they have made a big deal about the team of lead designers, rather than a single lead.

[Aanchir]

3 hours ago, Lord Insanity said:

Maybe my preference for Space ships having large interiors is to blame here.  To me a re-imagined Renegade should have had "corridors" connecting the command section on the starboard side and the science lab on the port side to the cargo bay and engineering section in the back.  I'll probably buy several copies of the set just to support the printed parts and overall selection of "parts in the right color" for what I want to build.  Overall it is a massive win on that point.

As awesome as that would be, I think you'd have to scale the Renegade up quite a bit more than 1.5x to have corridors that would fit a minifig! I'd love to see somebody attempt that in a MOC though.

[Classic_Spaceman]

5 hours ago, Lord Insanity said:

The solid yellow immediately around the trans yellow cockpit is by far the worst offender.  The trans yellow needs to be up against black with the solid yellow stripe away from the trans yellow.

I actually love that bit, since it gives the canopy a glowing effect! I am actually contemplating whether it is possible to modify the Invader to have a similar effect, since I really like it. 
 

6 hours ago, BitByBrick said:

All this talk about having too much yellow got me thinking… what is missing in my humble opinion are the two yellow space wings (part 4596 1x2 modified plate) from the original. When I purchase this set (hopefully at a discount) it may be my goal to make some modifications/ improvements if you will, and attempt to integrate those original pieces somehow. Unfortunately current Bricklink prices have them going for $15 each. Ouch! 

Since those wing pieces were intended to be weapons/sensors, you could try building some gun assemblies that have more yellow in them - Maybe a 1x2 with clips, black pneumatic T-bar, yellow 1x1 rounds with a hole through, and a black lightsaber hilt (or Monkie Kid hilt)? 
 

[R0Sch]

Remember this versatility? Sets were meant to be disassembled and combined into different monstrosities. ;)

[SpacePolice89]

14 hours ago, Swordy said:

I believe you and I may have a fundamental disagreement. I see LEGO as a way of modeling, overcoming its blocky limitations through willpower and imagination. I choose LEGO because of its ability to be rebuilt. The models which have impressed me the most are those whose designers challenge my perception of what I can build, and excite me for what I can create on my own.

LEGO sets will always have visible studs; that’s a given due to the medium of the brick. That doesn’t necessitate an overwhelming amount of studs, though, and such studage which isn’t done artfully. I believe this is the case with the Renegade.

As for the case of retro sets as a whole, LEGO has evolved so much since those sets hit shelves; thus, I believe these retro remakes (for they are remakes, not reproductions) should reflect that fact. If someone wants a retro look, then he could easily buy an older set, or swap out the tiles for plates.

We can agree to disagree. But it is Lego after all so I believe it will be fairly easy to cover up the studs or even to expose more with very minor modifications.

[zinnn]

Can a Moderator separate and move the posts about the new Blacktron set and create a new topic? It's pretty ridiculous that there's no dedicated thread to that new set.

Just noticed there was one! But some clever person decide to shut it down lol, whyyyyy?

 

[Artanis I]

I'm hearing people about the studs, yellow and such. But this will be a must-buy for me anyway. It's my favourite theme of all time (even though it's my least favourite set from it), and the short-comings can be dealt with by mods.

The coolest minifigs TLG ever made are back big time.

11 hours ago, Lyichir said:

One thing I saw someone mention on Brickset is that since the connections on the front and back seem to be the same, and the center section is symmetrical unlike the original, you could theoretically chain together multiples of the central section to make a loooooooong Renegade. I'm not sure whether that was the reason they opted to make the two central struts the same length—probably not—but it is pretty funny to imagine.

I've already decided to get 2 for this purpose, and to make it symmetrical at the front (it always bothered me about the original) with 2 cockpits. Blacktron will finally get a proper capital ship.

 

4 minutes ago, zinnn said:

Just noticed there was one! But some clever person decide to shut it down lol, whyyyyy?

People were already talking about it in 2 other threads - no need for a 3rd. We repeat ourselves too much as it is.

[zinnn]

28 minutes ago, Artanis I said:

People were already talking about it in 2 other threads - no need for a 3rd. We repeat ourselves too much as it is.

There should be a dedicated thread for this set. This is huge news. In two years' time, someone will want to revisit the discussion, and no one in their right mind will be searching through pages 58–61 of the "latest updates" thread. Bonkers.

[Murdoch17]

43 minutes ago, zinnn said:

There should be a dedicated thread for this set. This is huge news. In two years' time, someone will want to revisit the discussion, and no one in their right mind will be searching through pages 58–61 of the "latest updates" thread. Bonkers.

That's what the search function is for... sifting through threads so you don't have too!

[SpacePolice89]

2 hours ago, zinnn said:

There should be a dedicated thread for this set. This is huge news. In two years' time, someone will want to revisit the discussion, and no one in their right mind will be searching through pages 58–61 of the "latest updates" thread. Bonkers.

I agree. In the Pirates section the new Eldorado Fortress has its own thread. The new Renegade should have one as well.

4 hours ago, R0Sch said:

Remember this versatility? Sets were meant to be disassembled and combined into different monstrosities. ;)

Yes, back in the day me and my neighbor had different Blacktron sets and it was so fun to combine them. This inspires me to get all Blacktron 1 sets, I already have a complete collection of Futuron and SP 1 sets so Blacktron 1 is a logical next step. Some of the sets are the original ones I got as a very young kid and others I have acquired later.

Edited December 19, 2024 by SpacePolice89

[R0Sch]

14 hours ago, Lyichir said:

One thing I saw someone mention on Brickset is that since the connections on the front and back seem to be the same, and the center section is symmetrical unlike the original, you could theoretically chain together multiples of the central section to make a loooooooong Renegade. I'm not sure whether that was the reason they opted to make the two central struts the same length—probably not—but it is pretty funny to imagine.

Say no more! :))


I agree with the separation of this "Rumors and Speculation" thread to the dedicated post of this set that was locked. We do this on the Technic forum all the time. Once a set is released it's being discussed in it's own thread.

Edited December 19, 2024 by R0Sch

[SpacePolice89]

2 minutes ago, R0Sch said:

Say no more! :))

 I like this!

[zinnn]

2 hours ago, Murdoch17 said:

That's what the search function is for... sifting through threads so you don't have too!

I'm sorry, but this just sounds like a massive waste of time.

 

Each Lego set deserves a separate thread - for sharing reviews, opinions, photos etc. It works perfectly smooth in the Pirates sub as mentioned above.

 

THIS thread is great for latest, forthcoming updates, but once there's an official announcement, there should be an official thread here too.

[danth]

9 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

I actually love that bit, since it gives the canopy a glowing effect!

That's the second time I've heard that, and there's no such glowing effect, and there's no way two people independently came up with that. Is that just some talking point that Lego PR disseminates to explain away why this set f&cked up the traditional Space color blocking in which a colored transparent windscreen is set against a contrasting color?

[Lyichir]

7 minutes ago, danth said:

That's the second time I've heard that, and there's no such glowing effect, and there's no way two people independently came up with that. Is that just some talking point that Lego PR disseminates to explain away why this set f&cked up the traditional Space color blocking in which a colored transparent windscreen is set against a contrasting color?

God damn it, I'm tired of being accused of being some sort of undercover shill for Lego. Me describing the canopy as looking like it was glowing was my own words, from my own brain, describing the way the yellow parts light up the interior of the cockpit visually so that it doesn't just feel like a sea of black parts inside dampening the look of the colored windscreen. It feels similar to me to how the Galaxy Explorer remake made heavy use of white inside the cockpit both to differentiate the interior and exterior of the ship and to make the yellow of the windscreen pop more than if contrasting grey and blue had been diffused through it. Stop being so conspiracy brained—just because other people have different opinions than you doesn't make their opinions automatically less authentic.

[icm]

4 minutes ago, Lyichir said:

God damn it, I'm tired of being accused of being some sort of undercover shill for Lego. Me describing the canopy as looking like it was glowing was my own words, from my own brain, describing the way the yellow parts light up the interior of the cockpit visually so that it doesn't just feel like a sea of black parts inside dampening the look of the colored windscreen. It feels similar to me to how the Galaxy Explorer remake made heavy use of white inside the cockpit both to differentiate the interior and exterior of the ship and to make the yellow of the windscreen pop more than if contrasting grey and blue had been diffused through it. Stop being so conspiracy brained—just because other people have different opinions than you doesn't make their opinions automatically less authentic.

Well said. 

[jodawill]

I think the yellow is perfect. The original theme didn't have enough color in my opinion. It's amazing what just a little bit of yellow can do. It really makes it pop.

[Murdoch17]

52 minutes ago, icm said:

Well said. 

Seconded. It's quite ridiculous to think just because two people came up with the same thing independent of each other, that there must be some sort of nefarious conspiracy by LEGO to plant fake AFOLs on fan websites. (as that's how it reads when people say such silly things)

ANYWAY: I actually agree with @Lyichir - it does make the canopy look glowing.

I will be getting my copy on Day 1 at store opening, no matter what anyone says about it. I wasn't even alive in the 1980s, so I shouldn't have any nostalgia for this - but I do. (same with Classic Space, in all honesty) My first Space theme I remember that wasn't Star Wars was Mars Mission, which I disliked. I thought the way older classic stuff was cooler but could never afford it as a child / teen. Benny's SSS showed me the path of neo-classic space, and I'll bet (and hope!) this does the same for Blacktron 1 for today's kids. (It's is the same price point as that 2014 SPACESHIP!, after all!) I can't wait to pit them against each other in a battle...

Edited December 19, 2024 by Murdoch17

[Aanchir]

New Elementary's parts review is up (ahead of their full set review which they say will be up this weekend), and I'm glad to see the yellow printing is nice and bright! Yellow printing on black plastic can often look kind of iffy even in some classic sets, but it seems like the graphic designer went out of their way to make sure the parts didn't end up with the sort of greenish tint that can sometimes result from that color combination. The same is apparent in Brothers' Brick's review, so hopefully that's a sign that the print quality will be strong across all copies of the set.

After reading TBB's review, one feature I see that I'm not so fond of is the use of the classic 4x4x2 rocket cones for the rear engines. I think the Galaxy Explorer made a better call using Fabuland washtubs so that the narrow end of the cone would fit better with the upscaled proportions of the rest of the ship. Also, while I like the design of the new mini spacecraft, TBB's review really highlights how big a departure they are from the original fliers, which felt more like maneuverable hover-platforms than swift little speeders thanks to their multi-directional rockets.

Thinking more about this, I realize it'd be fun to try and design upscaled versions of the original fliers and cargo hold that can be swapped out for the speeders and rover in the new version of the set. So I guess that's something I'll be playing around with on stud.io in the coming months!

[Thebrickfig]

I feel like it would be a bad financial decision to buy 2 of the renegade for the alt build.

23 hours ago, jodawill said:

Does anyone else think this is better than the Galaxy Explorer?

I don't think it's better per say but definitely my first thought for a second one of these ships! I can't wait to see all of the alternate builds on rebrickable just like 10497! 

Edited December 19, 2024 by Thebrickfig

[danth]

1 hour ago, Lyichir said:

God damn it, I'm tired of being accused of being some sort of undercover shill for Lego.

Sounds like it happens a lot?

I wasn't replying to you though.

Also not sure why you would think I meant that. Usually PR teams disseminate ideas in puff pieces or interviews and then useful fans repeat them.

1 hour ago, Murdoch17 said:

ANYWAY: I actually agree with @Lyichir - it does make the canopy look glowing.

I don't know what you guys are seeing. Do you need to turn down the brightness on your monitors? 🤣

Also if we're mostly seeing renders, who knows what is causing this glowing effect that I'm not seeing?

Edited December 19, 2024 by danth

[RichardGoring]

4 hours ago, R0Sch said:

Say no more! :))


I agree with the separation of this "Rumors and Speculation" thread to the dedicated post of this set that was locked. We do this on the Technic forum all the time. Once a set is released it's being discussed in it's own thread.

This looks like a pretty menacing space barge/station/mothership!

[icm]

17 minutes ago, danth said:

Sounds like it happens a lot?

I wasn't replying to you though.

Also not sure why you would think I meant that. Usually PR teams disseminate ideas in puff pieces or interviews and then useful fans repeat them.

I don't know what you guys are seeing. Do you need to turn down the brightness on your monitors? 🤣

Also if we're mostly seeing renders, who knows what is causing this glowing effect that I'm not seeing?

If we're talking about "useful fans" repeating things from PR puff pieces and interviews, can I chime in and say that a broken clock (the puff pieces and interviews) can be right twice a day (a sincere, not bootlicking or astroturfing, fan can sometimes genuinely agree with some things said in them, sometimes)?

If we're talking about glowing effects, can I chime in and say that I hope that a) you don't think the glowing effect in old product pictures of Space and Aquazone sets with trans-neon-green and trans-neon-orange windscreens was real, and b) the reason you like those striking, unusual, Spacey windscreen colors isn't because you think it makes the interiors glow, or pop, or whatever? Because if you did think either of those was so, you would be engaging in the same pattern of thought with respect to old classic sets that you criticize with regard to this new set that remakes an old classic set.

[danth]

25 minutes ago, icm said:

If we're talking about "useful fans" repeating things from PR puff pieces and interviews, can I chime in and say that a broken clock (the puff pieces and interviews) can be right twice a day (a sincere, not bootlicking or astroturfing, fan can sometimes genuinely agree with some things said in them, sometimes)?

Sure. That's basically what I meant.

 

48 minutes ago, icm said:

If we're talking about glowing effects, can I chime in and say that I hope that a) you don't think the glowing effect in old product pictures of Space and Aquazone sets with trans-neon-green and trans-neon-orange windscreens was real, and b) the reason you like those striking, unusual, Spacey windscreen colors isn't because you think it makes the interiors glow, or pop, or whatever? Because if you did think either of those was so, you would be engaging in the same pattern of thought with respect to old classic sets that you criticize with regard to this new set that remakes an old classic set.

I take it as a given that a trans colored windscreen put on a contrastingly colored ship will cause the windscreen color to "pop" or stand out in a noticeable way. This is what has been done all along in Classic Space. Trans yellow on blue, trans blue on white, trans green on gray, etc.

However there are rare counterexamples:

The blue bricks certainly "pops" on the white, but the windscreen itself doesn't stand out. Does it matter? Does it look just as good this way? Maybe.

But I wouldn't say it makes a glowing effect. Can't blue glow? Or maybe only certain colors make a glowing effect? I have no idea.