[OFFICIAL] Bricklink Designer Program - "Ominous Isle" - PRE-ORDERS END June 30

[zinnn]

Real-life, quick preview of the set on Duck Bricks channel (bear in mind, when the video starts he talks about another set, so don't be confused):

 

Edited May 3, 2024 by zinnn

[PxChris]

10 hours ago, Mister Phes said:

This seems to be a common sentiment among AFOLs regarding BrickLink Designer sets not being considered as "official" sets.

However, in the case of Ominous Isle; is really that far removed from an official set?

For the most part it seems to continue the design aesthetic established in Barracuda Bay rather than leaning to heavily into the builder's own esoteric aeshetic.

You do indeed make a valid point here!

Like I said, I still have a month to change my mind... but I think I'm just going to end up blowing all of my money on Barad Dur from Lord of the Rings instead! 

[TalonCard]

Ouch. I'm a pirate completest, so I'll be getting it, but that's expensive. I did end up really liking the Treasure Map set they did a couple of years ago; they really went all out on the box and stuff too, so I am excited that we're finally getting a minifigure pirate set from this program.

One day someone's $850 ship will get approved for this project though and that's just going to be insane...they really need to start capping the upper end of these prices

[Captain Pirate Man]

Let me just say... I LOVE this set, I also LOVE the idea of BL designer program. I'm just not a fan of the execution. But IMO Lego really needs to rethink their execution in a few different areas...

For starters, Lego waits WAAYY too long to announce their upcoming products. Barad Dur is dropping on June 1st (everybody already knows this), yet Lego hasn't made an official statement yet. Which the set is dropping with a LOTR GWP attached to it, so if you collect that theme, you are going to WANT to get it day one. But it's a BIG expensive set, so Lego is only giving people TWO WEEKS to prepare for it finically. This is just POOR customer relations IMO. Why couldn't Lego announce their upcoming BIG releases with PLENTY on lead up time to allow people to prepare properly? 

This leads me to the BL designer program... How can a person REALISTICALLY purchase these sets, when Lego is ALREADY holding us ransom through the Icons and other lines? Most of us can't afford a $500 set and a $300 set so close to each other. So inevitably, we are forced to choose. Which this is WHY I don't even consider the BL designer sets as proper sets. I can't wait to buy BOTH sets, and the BL designer sets have such a short window to purchase. But if I choose the BL designer sets... I lose out on the RARE LOTR GWP... 

 

I understand for the themes with smaller playset style sets, 3-6 months advanced notice might not be realistic, because Lego makes decisions on when some sets get released at the last minute (Indiana Jones TOD set). But the BIG adult sets... They KNOW plenty in advance they are happening. I'm not asking for pics, just a list with the set name, piece count, and price would be fine. 

 

One Last thing... I FIRMLY believe Lego allows the leaks to happen currently. They seem to be working like clockwork lately, hence why I can count on the Barad Dur leaks. But if they are going to the trouble to allow "leaks," might as well just tell us the info officially. It's just... IDK pick a verb. 

Edited May 3, 2024 by Captain Pirate Man

[Mister Phes]

5 hours ago, TalonCard said:

I did end up really liking the Treasure Map set they did a couple of years ago; they really went all out on the box and stuff too

They don't really go anywhere for the box design of these later BrickLink Designer sets...

[TalonCard]

This is a case where you can't really judge just based on the pictures. The simple set-on-white looks quite classy in person, mine has holographic stickers and a numbered seal.

The outer white part of the box is actually a slipcase, on the reverse inside there's a water texture (I'm assuming it would be different based on the set), and the whole thing can be opened and reversed to use as a backdrop to display your set.

The inner black box is very thick cardboard, suitable for set building and storage, with the bricklink logo embossed on the sides. I was half expecting basic bricks in a box, so the presentation and design of it all really impressed me. 

I'm not sure how much of all that they've retained over the years, but it does look like those other boxes on its face. The biggest difference is that these now have the LEGO logo and a similar set information text layout to regular sets.

Edited May 4, 2024 by TalonCard

[PxChris]

One other general point of contention I have with the BDP stuff now is the lack of printed instructions. In this day and age that may not be an issue for many people, but for my old self, it certainly is.

[sporadic]

10 minutes ago, PxChris said:

One other general point of contention I have with the BDP stuff now is the lack of printed instructions. In this day and age that may not be an issue for many people, but for my old self, it certainly is.

I hear you.  I don't have a large screen accessible where I build and building off a phone screen can be a little hard on my eyes, these days.  Still being able to zoom in is nice, and you don't get that with printed instructions.  Can really help when trying to distinguish between part colors, since sometimes the printed manuals have issues with blurry, muddy colors, in my experiece.

What are the instructions for the set, anyway?  I've never gotten a Bricklink set and have been wondering about that.  Are they just pdfs or is it something cooler?  I was thinking that since they tend to go for more advanced building in those sets, that a dedicated app that allows for 3D tumbling could be useful.  Ideally, one that's split off directly from Bricklink Studio so you could also load your own .io files as well.  That'd be almost worth getting a tablet for.

 

[TalonCard]

50 minutes ago, PxChris said:

One other general point of contention I have with the BDP stuff now is the lack of printed instructions. In this day and age that may not be an issue for many people, but for my old self, it certainly is.

Aw, are they not doing that anymore? Mine came with instructions. 😞

[PxChris]

On 5/4/2024 at 2:14 PM, sporadic said:

What are the instructions for the set, anyway?  I've never gotten a Bricklink set and have been wondering about that.  Are they just pdfs or is it something cooler?

 

I believe that you'll be able to either download a PDF or use the LEGO Builder app on mobile/tablet devices.

On 5/4/2024 at 2:49 PM, TalonCard said:

Aw, are they not doing that anymore? Mine came with instructions. 😞

I don't think that any of the BDP sets since the very first round (which was still pre-LEGO owned Bricklink) have come with physical instructions.

[Mister Phes]

On 5/5/2024 at 6:50 AM, TalonCard said:

The outer white part of the box is actually a slipcase

So these are just slipcases and underneath is beautifully designed box art?

On 5/5/2024 at 6:50 AM, TalonCard said:

I'm not sure how much of all that they've retained over the years

So in effect this is the answer to my above question?

[TalonCard]

5 hours ago, PxChris said:

I believe that you'll be able to either download a PDF or use the LEGO Builder app on mobile/tablet devices.

I don't think that any of the BDP sets since the very first round (which was still pre-LEGO owned Bricklink) have come with physical instructions.

Aww, boo. Will I get my 20 VIP points though?! 😄

2 hours ago, Mister Phes said:

So these are just slipcases and underneath is beautifully designed box art?

So in effect this is the answer to my above question?

Not sure? I'm not sure if I'd go so far as to say the artwork on the reverse side of the slipcase was beautifully designed; it was just a very nice ocean print. The box underneath the slipcase is black. The whole presentation, box, slipcase, inner cardboard box, was very nicely designed as a whole. I'll let y'all know how this one looks, if I'm fast enough to get one. ;)

 

EDIT: so I've gone and looked at some videos of more recent Bricklink unboxings; looks like they've done away with the slipcase and the new box is rather basic. :( I'll have to do a comparison between old and new sometime.

Edited May 6, 2024 by TalonCard

[Mister Phes]

8 hours ago, TalonCard said:

EDIT: so I've gone and looked at some videos of more recent Bricklink unboxings; looks like they've done away with the slipcase and the new box is rather basic.

Aye, that's what I was getting at...

[MightyThorngren]

I'm so very excited for this set. I'm hella sad I'll have to wait til next year before getting my hands on it. My most anticipated set, so cool. I love the modularity of the little islands and the inner cave details

[CaptainMoore]

Dont forget this set orders start this thursday!

I have found two videos about it.

This one is great for having a guided tour and seeing the set next to PoBB.

 

This one, and the article from the same author are more about the designer programming and the building/solidity (TLDW/TLDR: it's a beautiful display set, a bit difficult to assemble, not for kids play)

 

On my end, I'm not totally in love as I was for PoBB even before receiving it, but I think that I'll try to get it anyway.

Edited June 4, 2024 by CaptainMoore

[TalonCard]

Anyone know where does the torso on the lady pirate in the thumbnail came from originally?  First time it's been used for a pirate, and I haven't seen it before.

[Mister Phes]

9 hours ago, TalonCard said:

Anyone know where does the torso on the lady pirate in the thumbnail came from originally?  First time it's been used for a pirate, and I haven't seen it before.

Here be a shot of the minfigs:

[TalonCard]

Ah, looks like it's from the Jazz Club and Orient Express sets. Much cooler with the matching dress piece, but interesting re-use.

[zinnn]

On 6/4/2024 at 12:14 PM, CaptainMoore said:

 

 

This review helped me to get rid of all my last doubts - I will definitely not be getting this set. The review video is way too long, and the reviewer keeps talking about useless stuff on and on, but some of his insights were spot on and something I didn't think of before (like the access to the inside of those caves).

[kuzyabricks]

Uggghhhh I’ve been wanting this set for so long but I just don’t know any more :(((( I think the fomo new Lego pirates sets is the biggest driver but I did want this for so long….

[CaptainMoore]

7 hours ago, kuzyabricks said:

Uggghhhh I’ve been wanting this set for so long but I just don’t know any more :(((( I think the fomo new Lego pirates sets is the biggest driver but I did want this for so long….

I'm like you...I think that the reviews for this one were not great, especially the second one, he was so turning around one the same thing for 15min

[thewatchman]

Preordered and paid for.

 Can’t wait to build this fantastic looking set!

[CaptainMoore]

I finally have ordered one. It wasn't necessary to be in a hurry, there are still half of them available. The train station and mushroom house are sold out

[TalonCard]

I got mine today! I wasn't expecting them to ship until January, so it was a nice surprise to have a giant pirate set to build again. (If not for my bank account--ouch 2x!)

So far it's been a really fun build. The division of parts inside the numbered bags is as good as any regular set I've built recently; each set of the numbered bags has something fun to build.

The rockwork in particular is better in person than it looks on the box; there are a few different techniques, some nice part uses, and it all fits together in a tight and satisfactory way.

It is true that the interior scenes are really more for display than play. (I love the treasure room, but good luck putting your hand in there if one of the treasures tips over.)

I'm excited to get this one finished as soon as I can. With both Eldorado and Barracuda Bay I ended up taking over a week to finish them (other priorities got in the way) but I don't want to lose the fun momentum this time around.

I'm curious which of the recent ships will look the best dropping anchor off the Isle. Can't wait to find out!