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

[Classic_Spaceman]

17 hours ago, danth said:

Rumors of Blacktron coming in 2025.

*Inhales hopium* I really want this to end up being Blacktron II, so that we can get some unmutated versions of the CMF (and maybe a fully-mutated one as well)! 
Also, I think that trans-bright green actually looks better for Blacktron II than trans-neon green (since it matches the lime accents better), so we have all of the colours necessary for a revival of the faction. 
 

[Black Falcon]

22 hours ago, Lion King said:

I don’t want to fall for it just like with the Pharrell spaceship…

Well, to be fair, back then rumours said we would get a black spaceship - not really sure where the renegade rumour came from then, but this time the only info is it will be blacktron, so it should become that.

8 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

*Inhales hopium* I really want this to end up being Blacktron II, so that we can get some unmutated versions of the CMF (and maybe a fully-mutated one as well)! 
Also, I think that trans-bright green actually looks better for Blacktron II than trans-neon green (since it matches the lime accents better), so we have all of the colours necessary for a revival of the faction. 

I think Blacktron might be more likely to happen than Blacktron two. After all it is more iconic and we didn´t get an opossing ship for the Galaxy explorer aside from the GWP yet.

[Classic_Spaceman]

6 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

Well, to be fair, back then rumours said we would get a black spaceship - not really sure where the renegade rumour came from then, but this time the only info is it will be blacktron, so it should become that.

The Renegade remake rumour came about because we all assumed that the ~$100 “black spaceship” Icons set would be Blacktron, and the Renegade made the most sense for a direct remake. 

6 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

I think Blacktron might be more likely to happen than Blacktron two. After all it is more iconic and we didn´t get an opossing ship for the Galaxy explorer aside from the GWP yet.

While I agree that Blacktron I is the more iconic subtheme, LEGO gave us an updated Blacktron II Minifig that was this close to being perfect (we just needed the right leg to be unmutated!), so I want to get a proper Blacktron II astronaut before LEGO takes a break from the faction. 
Also, I think that the GWP was meant to be the opposing ship referenced in the GE, as anything that we get in 2025 would have begun development after the GE was released (given the ~1-2 year development cycle). 

My ideal Blacktron II astronaut design would reuse the torso and leg printing designs from the CMF, but with a normal right arm and leg; the helmet would be the City space one in black with PDG ridges at the back, the visor would be trans-bright green, and the Minifig would have a black Star Wars/City Space ‘24 jetpack in black in place of airtanks (airtanks are iconic, but they are also easy to source, and I want to see more diversity in the redesigns of classic factions (helmet styles, back gear, etc)!). 
 

[Classic_Spaceman]

Clear pic of the City Space 2024 (now City Space 2024-2025, I suppose!) mech has leaked! It looks really good for a polybag, and continues with the 2024 Minifigs and colour-scheme!
The mech basically looks like the skel suits from the second Avatar movie, and it includes one of the green scientist astronauts. Some very minor criticisms are that the legs look too thin (they need a 1x2 plate on each, to bulk them up), and that there is no terrain to explore or crystals to pick up. 
 

[Black Falcon]

5 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

The Renegade remake rumour came about because we all assumed that the ~$100 “black spaceship” Icons set would be Blacktron, and the Renegade made the most sense for a direct remake. 

While I agree that Blacktron I is the more iconic subtheme, LEGO gave us an updated Blacktron II Minifig that was this close to being perfect (we just needed the right leg to be unmutated!), so I want to get a proper Blacktron II astronaut before LEGO takes a break from the faction. 
Also, I think that the GWP was meant to be the opposing ship referenced in the GE, as anything that we get in 2025 would have begun development after the GE was released (given the ~1-2 year development cycle). 

I still would think that they would make a bigger Blacktron Ship first, like, the Renegade? Would really be looking forward to a redesign from that one as it really has an unique shape and I guess it isn´t the easiest modell to really make it look cool and (more) modern.

Blacktron 2 still can be done at a later time, same as M-Tron, Ice-Planet. Not sure if they would make a Futuron one however, since the minifigure design is quite similar to the classic space one really, and classic space just seems so much more popular.

 

Quote

My ideal Blacktron II astronaut design would reuse the torso and leg printing designs from the CMF, but with a normal right arm and leg; the helmet would be the City space one in black with PDG ridges at the back, the visor would be trans-bright green, and the Minifig would have a black Star Wars/City Space ‘24 jetpack in black in place of airtanks (airtanks are iconic, but they are also easy to source, and I want to see more diversity in the redesigns of classic factions (helmet styles, back gear, etc)!). 

If they would make a remake of an older set, which one would you whish for?

Edited October 12, 2024 by Black Falcon

[Lion King]

3 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

I still would think that they would make a bigger Blacktron Ship first, like, the Renegade? Would really be looking forward to a redesign from that one as it really has a unique shape and I guess it isn´t the easiest modell to really make it look cool and (more) modern.

I hav eno idea why you think it would be not be the  easiest model to make it look more cool and sleek? Take a look at Galaxy Explorer, the remake is not too faithful to its original model (unlike El Dorado set, whic I’m not a huge fan on this concept). 

I never like Blacktron Crusier and Forest Hideout GWPs - they feel….out of place. Classic sets recieving the minor modern treatment - I don’t know how to explain - just can’t put my finger on it.  I don’t mind a complete redesign like Galaxy Explorer. 

[Black Falcon]

5 hours ago, Lion King said:

I hav eno idea why you think it would be not be the  easiest model to make it look more cool and sleek?

Most of the other ships - including the Galaxy Explorer are symmetrical, and many of them have a V-Shape. The Renegade however has neither of bpth, but an very unique design. Most of the ship are just plates with some joysticks on it, the only parts that really have some room are the cockpit and the rear of the ship - for a remake they would likely have to add some space to all parts of the ship, because in a modern version a blacktron-spacemen can´t just sit on the top of the spaceship and sit on the controls there. For the Galaxy Explorer on the other hand that was an easier task since they could just leave the flat parts of the ship flat.

So all in all the Renegade does need more changes, but at the same time they have to make sure that you still recognize the ship (which the unique shape might actually help with), like you could with the Galaxy Explorer. 

[Lyichir]

The newly revealed 2025 polybags include a City Space polybag, which is nothing particularly special (a small mech) but does seem to confirm that next year's City Space sets will maintain the aesthetic/color scheme of this year's sets.

[Black Falcon]

1 hour ago, Lyichir said:

The newly revealed 2025 polybags include a City Space polybag, which is nothing particularly special (a small mech) but does seem to confirm that next year's City Space sets will maintain the aesthetic/color scheme of this year's sets.

Everything else would have been really strange. I said earlier this year that this wave is missing a bigger spaceship and am happy that we are getting it now. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

On 10/12/2024 at 7:21 AM, Black Falcon said:

If they would make a remake of an older set, which one would you whish for?

I would actually prefer either an entirely new ship (as the main candidates (the Renegade and the Aerial Intruder) are tricky to size up to scale with the GE), or a collection of smaller models (a base with a ship and a ground vehicle). 
Another reason that I would prefer Blacktron II over Blacktron I is that any B1 remake should be compatible with the Invader remake GWP, which means sticking to the original size and Minifig design (though a combo set of a slightly scaled-down Message Intercept Base along with the Battrax and Renegade (and Alienator GWP) in the same style as the Invader could actually be really cool!). 
 

6 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

Everything else would have been really strange. 

To be fair, past years’ City space subthemes have not continued beyond their release year, and the colour-scheme and general aesthetic changes with each new wave.
The 2024 design is hopefully the new standard going forward, and we get a few additional City Space sets each year (new ships, ground vehicles, base sections, etc)! 
 

[Lion King]

On 10/13/2024 at 10:48 AM, Lyichir said:

The newly revealed 2025 polybags include a City Space polybag, which is nothing particularly special (a small mech) but does seem to confirm that next year's City Space sets will maintain the aesthetic/color scheme of this year's sets.

Yes there will be modular spaceship in City next year. 

[Black Falcon]

16 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

I would actually prefer either an entirely new ship (as the main candidates (the Renegade and the Aerial Intruder) are tricky to size up to scale with the GE), or a collection of smaller models (a base with a ship and a ground vehicle). 
Another reason that I would prefer Blacktron II over Blacktron I is that any B1 remake should be compatible with the Invader remake GWP, which means sticking to the original size and Minifig design (though a combo set of a slightly scaled-down Message Intercept Base along with the Battrax and Renegade (and Alienator GWP) in the same style as the Invader could actually be really cool!). 

I don´t think that a bigger Renegade wouldn´t be compatible with the Invader anymore. I mean one of them is a bigger Spaceship and the other one is a small one-manned  fighter - if the bigger ship becomes even bigger that would actually be a rather good thing honestly. If it were the other way around and the one manned ship would be increased in size I would agree with you. 

16 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

To be fair, past years’ City space subthemes have not continued beyond their release year, and the colour-scheme and general aesthetic changes with each new wave.

Yeah, but they didn´t get the next Space theme right afterwards either ;). Not to mention a new theme with just one Set would have been strange.

16 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

The 2024 design is hopefully the new standard going forward, and we get a few additional City Space sets each year (new ships, ground vehicles, base sections, etc)! 

I would actually expect the ship and Paperbag to be the last Sets for that wave. But wouldn´t complain if there would be more in the summer.

[GeoBrick]

17 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

I would actually prefer either an entirely new ship (as the main candidates (the Renegade and the Aerial Intruder) are tricky to size up to scale with the GE), or a collection of smaller models (a base with a ship and a ground vehicle). 
Another reason that I would prefer Blacktron II over Blacktron I is that any B1 remake should be compatible with the Invader remake GWP, which means sticking to the original size and Minifig design (though a combo set of a slightly scaled-down Message Intercept Base along with the Battrax and Renegade (and Alienator GWP) in the same style as the Invader could actually be really cool!). 

You're talking of a considerably higher price tag then the Galactic Explorer had.

Not that I would mind of course. I had a thing for Blackton I the moment my youngest brother got the Invader set back when it came out.

[Klaus-Dieter]

Thanks for the news! 🙂

I hope that the return of Blacktron is correct and won't then lead to a licensed set nobody wanted, like it was this year.

Since we already got a redesign of the Blacktron Cruiser, I hope it'll be Blacktron I to go with this set. And I hope that this time we'll get a huge classical Space base (either a redesign of Message Interception Base or a new invented set in the style of old Blacktron I Sets). We already got two classical space ships in the last two years - so there's a big need for a classical space station to go at least with one for them. Since only space ships together with space stations are exciting.

Edited October 14, 2024 by Klaus-Dieter

[Classic_Spaceman]

6 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

I don´t think that a bigger Renegade wouldn´t be compatible with the Invader anymore. I mean one of them is a bigger Spaceship and the other one is a small one-manned  fighter - if the bigger ship becomes even bigger that would actually be a rather good thing honestly. If it were the other way around and the one manned ship would be increased in size I would agree with you. 

It is not as much about the size as it is the style and level of detail - If we get a fully modernised Renegade with redesigned Blacktron I astronauts, the GWP will look odd beside it; if we get a Renegade that sticks closely to the original (along with classic Minifigs) to match the GWP, then the set will feel lacklustre and overpriced (see the Majisto's Workshop GWP). 🫤

6 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

Yeah, but they didn´t get the next Space theme right afterwards either ;). Not to mention a new theme with just one Set would have been strange.

True, but we are somewhat in uncharted territory for City Space right now, so I get why people would think that the subtheme might fall back into the old pattern. 
 

1 hour ago, Klaus-Dieter said:

I hope that the return of Blacktron is correct and won't then lead to a licensed set nobody wanted, like it was this year.

I doubt that will happen again. The only reason that we assumed Blacktron was returning this year was because of the description of the set as a "black spaceship" - The new leak explicitly references the faction, so IMO we can be confident that Blacktron is coming back! 
 

[RichardGoring]

2 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

It is not as much about the size as it is the style and level of detail - If we get a fully modernised Renegade with redesigned Blacktron I astronauts, the GWP will look odd beside it; if we get a Renegade that sticks closely to the original (along with classic Minifigs) to match the GWP, then the set will feel lacklustre and overpriced (see the Majisto's Workshop GWP). 🫤

LEGO Designers: What type of style and detail level do you want for classic sets?

LEGO Classic Space Fans: Yes

[Black Falcon]

19 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

It is not as much about the size as it is the style and level of detail - If we get a fully modernised Renegade with redesigned Blacktron I astronauts, the GWP will look odd beside it; if we get a Renegade that sticks closely to the original (along with classic Minifigs) to match the GWP, then the set will feel lacklustre and overpriced (see the Majisto's Workshop GWP). 

I would expect that the astronaut will actually be the same as the one from the GWP. However I don´t think that they will put to much concern on the cruisers design when they design the new Blacktron ship, be it the Renegade, another Set, or something completely new. In the end not everything needs to look to similar just because it belongs to the same faction. You could just see one as a brand new modern ship and the other as one that is already past it´s prime. ;).

17 hours ago, RichardGoring said:

LEGO Designers: What type of style and detail level do you want for classic sets?

LEGO Classic Space Fans: Yes

Whatever they do, they surely can´t please everyone, but I feel like they found a good way with the Galaxy Explorer - and I would expect something similar for the Blacktron ship.

[Classic_Spaceman]

19 hours ago, RichardGoring said:

LEGO Designers: What type of style and detail level do you want for classic sets?

LEGO Classic Space Fans: Yes

Classic Space or classic Space? 
For me, the charm of the Classic Space astronauts is in their simplicity (monochromatic, open helmets, standard grin), which would be lost with any attempt at modernising their design; astronauts from other factions (X-Trons, etc), however, should be updated to modern design standards, as their original designs were meant to be rough approximations of things that can now be rendered in more detail. I consider the CMF updates (SP1, M:Tron, Blacktron II, Ice Planet) to be the template for how to redesign the classic Space faction Minifigs without losing the vibe of the originals. 
 

[RichardGoring]

6 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Classic Space or classic Space? 
For me, the charm of the Classic Space astronauts is in their simplicity (monochromatic, open helmets, standard grin), which would be lost with any attempt at modernising their design; astronauts from other factions (X-Trons, etc), however, should be updated to modern design standards, as their original designs were meant to be rough approximations of things that can now be rendered in more detail. I consider the CMF updates (SP1, M:Tron, Blacktron II, Ice Planet) to be the template for how to redesign the classic Space faction Minifigs without losing the vibe of the originals. 
 

Completely agree. To be honest, I don't have much nostalgia for any of the space themes. Much more into pirates and forestmen. I had a small amount of M:Tron, but I didn't buy the CMF update. If they did a full set from a classic line that was updated in the same way, then it might be interesting. 

But there is an elegance and sense of fun that comes from Classic Space. I loved the Galaxy Explorer update, and the rationale of making it 1.5x larger, because you are now 1.5x larger than when you played with it as a kid was fun.

I'd definitely be up for more in a similar vein.

[Classic_Spaceman]

6 hours ago, RichardGoring said:

Much more into pirates and forestmen. 

Interestingly, I think that Castle and Pirates sets are easier to remake to modern standards than Space sets are - The Galaxy Explorer was perfect, but the Invader seemed torn between maintaining the size and feel of the original and updating the design to something more modern. What we got was by no means bad, just more like a mod of the original with some newer parts than a full revamp. Castle and Pirates, conversely, are actually based on real-world objects (castles, trees, ships, forts, etc), so updating them is significantly easier (LKC, Forest Hideout); the only issue that LEGO runs into is when they try to stick too heavily to the OG structure, which makes the final model look either outdated (Majisto’s Workshop) or somewhat muddled (Eldorado Fortress). 
 

[RichardGoring]

2 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Interestingly, I think that Castle and Pirates sets are easier to remake to modern standards than Space sets are - The Galaxy Explorer was perfect, but the Invader seemed torn between maintaining the size and feel of the original and updating the design to something more modern. What we got was by no means bad, just more like a mod of the original with some newer parts than a full revamp. Castle and Pirates, conversely, are actually based on real-world objects (castles, trees, ships, forts, etc), so updating them is significantly easier (LKC, Forest Hideout); the only issue that LEGO runs into is when they try to stick too heavily to the OG structure, which makes the final model look either outdated (Majisto’s Workshop) or somewhat muddled (Eldorado Fortress). 
 

Absolutely. There's a lot more freedom to adapt 'real-world' settings than things based on a very narrow collection of former LEGO sets, where people are either fixed into a small range of options based on those sets, or have let their imaginations run free over 20-40 years that will then differ from someone else's perspective.

I don't think it helped that the Invader was a GWP, where they are more limited by size. I still liked it though. Majisto's Workshop definitely felt like it was to compromised by the past. Eldorado's Fortress, being bigger, suffered less in this respect, but had to spend a load of budget on replicating the base plate, which used to be simple, but is now a somewhat tedious and expensive part of the overall set.

It's definitely a hard balance to strike. But they can also get it wrong, in my opinion, with things that aren't constrained by nostalgia. The 1031 Pharrell Williams Over the Moon space ship looks great from the top, with it's modern pieces and building techniques. The bottom is horribly plain and flat. It's a technique and style that I loved in my 6368 jet airliner - simple, easy to put together, worked well, elegant - that just falls flat on a modern set.

[Black Falcon]

4 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Interestingly, I think that Castle and Pirates sets are easier to remake to modern standards than Space sets are - The Galaxy Explorer was perfect, but the Invader seemed torn between maintaining the size and feel of the original and updating the design to something more modern. What we got was by no means bad, just more like a mod of the original with some newer parts than a full revamp. Castle and Pirates, conversely, are actually based on real-world objects (castles, trees, ships, forts, etc), so updating them is significantly easier (LKC, Forest Hideout); the only issue that LEGO runs into is when they try to stick too heavily to the OG structure, which makes the final model look either outdated (Majisto’s Workshop) or somewhat muddled (Eldorado Fortress). 

I don´t see why one should be easier to remake than the other, aside that I would say that certain sets from some themes might actually be easier to remake than others. The Galaxy Explorer was a modernized version, but with the Cruiser they decided to go a different way. I do belive however that they would have been able to make a more modernized version of that ship too. The only different I really see between Space and Castle/Pirates is that you are more free to design whatever you want in space, since there is no real model you have to follow in some way - I mean in this case you actually do, because you are rebuilding an old model, but you still have a lot freedom to include cool new stuff or playfunctions in the set. So in this case Castle might have the same freedom, just in a different way. They are free to decide on how they will and design their castle but in the end it will always have a somewhat similar look. 

[a_clay_brick]

Got some more corroboration about a Blacktron Icons set. (Sets?)

[Classic_Spaceman]

On 10/16/2024 at 9:48 AM, RichardGoring said:

Eldorado's Fortress, being bigger, suffered less in this respect, but had to spend a load of budget on replicating the base plate, which used to be simple, but is now a somewhat tedious and expensive part of the overall set.

My issue is not with the brickbuilt ‘baseplate’, but with the fact that LEGO did not size the model up the way that they did with the GE. As a result, it feels small and the interior is very sparse! 
 

1 hour ago, a_clay_brick said:

Got some more corroboration about a Blacktron Icons set. (Sets?)

Do we know anything else specific? Price, part-count, etc? Also, if we are actually getting multiple Blacktron sets, do you think that it will be an 18+ Icons set and a GWP? 
BTW, can you confirm that the Blacktron set(s?) will be part of the Icons line? With City Space taking a futuristic turn and continuing into 2025, I could honestly see Blacktron showing up in City at this point (maybe with City Space Police to arrest them?)! 
 

[Black Falcon]

32 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

My issue is not with the brickbuilt ‘baseplate’, but with the fact that LEGO did not size the model up the way that they did with the GE. As a result, it feels small and the interior is very sparse! 

If they would have sized it up it would have been much more expensive though, and so less people would buy it. I like it for what it is, but since I didn´t buy the Baracuda Bay, it is easier to skip this aswell. 

32 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Do we know anything else specific? Price, part-count, etc? Also, if we are actually getting multiple Blacktron sets, do you think that it will be an 18+ Icons set and a GWP? 
BTW, can you confirm that the Blacktron set(s?) will be part of the Icons line? With City Space taking a futuristic turn and continuing into 2025, I could honestly see Blacktron showing up in City at this point (maybe with City Space Police to arrest them?)! 

It is a save bet to say it will be icons IMO. Honestly, I could see them making references to past themes, like using the classic space logo for space sets, or Johnny Thunder for the Jungle subtheme but bringing a whole old faction into the theme just seems very, very unlikely to me. 

Also, all other "nostalgia" Sets were Icon sets, so it wouldn´t make sense to bring it somewhere else now, unless they would actually want to make it an own theme with sets (and we know how the chances for that are).

2 hours ago, a_clay_brick said:

Got some more corroboration about a Blacktron Icons set. (Sets?)

Meaning, so far it was only confirmed by other sources, but not any more infos yet - aside that there probably could also be a GWP coming, since I don´t think they would make two full Sets for the same theme really.

As discussions about it came up here, I would guess we are talking about Blacktron and not Blacktron II?