LEGO® CUUSOO 空想 - Turn your model wishes into reality

[Aanchir]

Cuusoo is a huge let down for me and not only for my creations there, but it appears if you want to score 10000 you must post an idea that everyone who fits "The Big Bang Theory" characterisation would love.....computer game nerds. Sorry, I'm not a computer gamer at all.

Any thing that is technic or town or castle related must fight tooth and nail to build it's case.....Star Wars ones have a little easier time but still it's the odd-ball video games that come though. Unless they involve cool space craft or from cool films/TV shows I'm not interested.

Case as example 'Portals', never even heard of it....just Goggled it minutes ago, limited market items that seem to reach 10000 and then Lego says NO.

We can hope for winter/summer cabin to be a shining light for Cuusoo.

I have 25 creations up on Cuusoo under 'Lightning51', perhaps one day I might have one hit 10000....maybe one day.

I'd like to point out that computer games and such only account for SOME of the popular projects. It's true that many of the successful projects are based on licensed properties, but for every hugely successful computer/video game proposal (EVE Online, Portal, The Legend of Zelda, Minecraft) there's a successful TV/movie-based proposal (Shaun of the Dead, Firefly, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Star Wars Dark Bucket, Back to the Future). The common denominator of all of these isn't being extremely nerdy properties but rather being properties whose fans have a strong online presence-- and yes, that includes a lot of nerds.

On a side note, the majority of these are also ones whose fans strongly overlap with LEGO fans-- thus the number of Star Wars projects, since it's an existing LEGO licensed theme, the success of the Minecraft project, since the game's "creative building" premise is almost perfectly in sync with LEGO brand values, and the strong support of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic project, since LEGO fans are already fairly open to blatantly merchandise-driven brands.

I'm a bit surprised you haven't heard of Portal, since it's become such a huge internet phenomenon-- I'm not much of a computer gamer and have never even played it myself, but I am well aware of the premise as well as the associated memes like the infamous "THE CAKE IS A LIE". Needless to say, the gameplay and the script have both been praised as creative and engaging.

It shouldn't be ignored, though, that a strong online fan-following doesn't guarantee a project a lot of success. Most of the proposals that did get a lot of supporters usually had very well-designed concepts with a lot of work put into both design and presentation. This was in most cases necessary to gain the attention of fan sites (like the video-gaming news blog Kotaku, which has mentioned many of the great video game proposals) and people associated with the IP involved (like Simon Pegg, who mentioned the Shaun of the Dead Cuusoo proposal during a talk show appearance). Once plugged in this way, projects have usually seen significant increases in their amount of supporters. But there are plenty of "nerdy" projects that haven't even made it off the ground, like Oky's beautiful Avatar: The Last Airbender project, this Super Mario project, and many less impressive concepts based on IPs like Portal, Star Wars, or The Legend of Zelda.

Edited July 4, 2012 by Aanchir

[Meatman]

My only real gripe with Cuusoo is the guys that have amazing models where they have spent months and months developing with no licensed attached and have been working their butts off to gain every support they get and are struggling badly, meanwhile other people bring a new computer generated theme in and fly through the votes based on the large fan base of the project. I just recently read in the comments section of one of these projects that by the time they hit their mark, the "wow" factor will have worn off because it is a stale old model and they'll probably have something even better built by then. I can kind of see this guy's point.

[Faefrost]

My only real gripe with Cuusoo is the guys that have amazing models where they have spent months and months developing with no licensed attached and have been working their butts off to gain every support they get and are struggling badly, meanwhile other people bring a new computer generated theme in and fly through the votes based on the large fan base of the project. I just recently read in the comments section of one of these projects that by the time they hit their mark, the "wow" factor will have worn off because it is a stale old model and they'll probably have something even better built by then. I can kind of see this guy's point.

CuuSoo does desperately need some better search and presentation tools. I think we can all agree on that. Users need to be able to more easily browse through projects and select projects of differing themes and types. Right now it is 220+ flat pages of projects. And honestly if you aren't in the first 4 or 5 pages, the only time you will be seen is the day or two you are in the what's new top page. Yeah there are keyword tags. But that still requires an active search. The site needs a leisurely browse feature.

[Aanchir]

My only real gripe with Cuusoo is the guys that have amazing models where they have spent months and months developing with no licensed attached and have been working their butts off to gain every support they get and are struggling badly, meanwhile other people bring a new computer generated theme in and fly through the votes based on the large fan base of the project. I just recently read in the comments section of one of these projects that by the time they hit their mark, the "wow" factor will have worn off because it is a stale old model and they'll probably have something even better built by then. I can kind of see this guy's point.

Well, non-licensed products are at an inherent disadvantage because they don't have the same sense of knowing what to expect from the final product. Think about it: when LEGO announces a new licensed theme, or even when the name of a set from a licensed theme gets leaked, people get super-excited about what the model will look like because they have a very good idea what to expect from it. No matter how TLG chooses to build the Hogwarts Express, for instance, people will have a good idea what to expect the final model to look like.

With non-licensed products it's different. You see the name of a non-licensed product, and unless the theme is based heavily on understood archetypes like City or Monster Fighters, there's little idea how the final product will be expected to look. And since a Cuusoo project can change significantly from original project concept to final product, it's hard to know what you're going to be paying for in the long run.

An easier way to browse projects by category would be useful, but then it would fall upon the Cuusoo staff to make sure projects are categorized correctly. Some people might not realize that no, a set based on a book that is out-of-copyright might not have to be licensed from any third party. Likewise some people might suggest a set based on a deceased celebrity as a non-licensed project (since it's inspired by real life), not realizing that rights to said celebrity's image may belong to his or her estate. And if you subdivide things into themes you could expect even more chaos.

In general I don't think any solution exists to create complete equity in how much support licensed and non-licensed or CGI and non-CGI proposals get. A person creating a licensed proposal based on something particularly trendy, particularly something trendy among LEGO fans, might just know their audience better than a person who creates a proposal based on a niche interest like classic cars or historical sailing vessels. A person who creates detailed CGI proposals may have an advantage over an average photograph of a MOC, but similarly a well-photographed model with some minor computer editing could easily displace low-quality LDD renders of a concept. It's all a matter of presentation.

It should be noted that of proposals to reach 10,000 supporters, the first had no actual model pictures besides a couple concepts that didn't in fact make it into the actual product, the second involved photographs of a MOC rather than CGI, the third involved both CGI and photographs of concepts, and those since then have involved a mix of MOC photographs and CGI. Look at projects that haven't had strong support and I'm sure you'd likewise find a mix of CGI projects and photographs. It simply boils down to which projects in either category are presented more effectively and are based on concepts that appeal to a wide range of users.

[SilentMode]

Speaking of advocating, at long last I decided to put this up and see how well it does. Would appreciate the support.

CATAWOL Records Studio One (Music Recording Studio)

[TimeCruiser]

Sadly we can't search on username or creator name on CuuSoo. If you could link to one of yours I'll gladly support what I can.

If you are looking for someone that you know the username of, then you can go to a random user's profile, and edit the address bar to have the name of the person you are looking for instead. Here is the link you are looking for though: lightning51

[SilentMode]

I'm having a poll to see which "band" will be included with the studio: voting takes place here.

Also, is there a dedicated place on here to post new CUUSOO projects?

[hjmediastudios]

My only real gripe with Cuusoo is the guys that have amazing models where they have spent months and months developing with no licensed attached and have been working their butts off to gain every support they get and are struggling badly, meanwhile other people bring a new computer generated theme in and fly through the votes based on the large fan base of the project. I just recently read in the comments section of one of these projects that by the time they hit their mark, the "wow" factor will have worn off because it is a stale old model and they'll probably have something even better built by then. I can kind of see this guy's point.

As the author of one of the projects you're doubtless thinking about, I can say with certainty two things:

• Using computer-modeling software means the project is presented with CGI as a tool. My Space Marines project is hardly "computer-generated"- I created the concept and used CGI to communicate my vision in the best way I see fit. The project itself isn't any more computer-generated than your MOC photos are "camera-generated."
• CGI modeling is long, labor-intensive, and a good deal less intuitive than using actual bricks. People don't just click a "make awesome image" button; making that image requires hours of painstaking labor and detailed attention to settings, options, and artistic considerations. The original Space Marines models I created, for instance, took over a week of continuous, intensive work before they were production-ready.

[Makuta]

Okay, I've finished redesigning my CUUSOO project. Its roof is now treasure chest-shaped. Check it out in this link.

My CUUSOO Project

[Makuta]

I don't mean to double-post, but I would like y'all to check out my improved LEGO Krusty Krab. Its roof is now accurate to the one in the cartoon. Just click the link in the previous post and check it out.

[Hive]

I don't mean to double-post, but I would like y'all to check out my improved LEGO Krusty Krab. Its roof is now accurate to the one in the cartoon. Just click the link in the previous post and check it out.

You sure are a persistent fella.

[Makuta]

I really wish my LEGO CUUSOO Krusty Krab MOC got more supporters. :(

[just2good]

Another good project got rejected... But I understand with this decision a bit.

[CMP]

Another good project got rejected... But I understand with this decision a bit.

This rejection makes sense to me as well. Those are some awesome figs, though.

[Makuta]

I'm not trying to be annoying, but who will support my LEGO Modular Krusty Krab on CUUSOO? SpongeBob SquarePants is not just for little kids, but also teens and adults!

[Ricecracker]

As a general reminder to everyone, below is the Site Policy regarding MOCs on CUUSOO:

CUUSOO: If you have a great MOC, that is also a CUUSOO project, you may present it on EB as you would any MOC, with a single link to the CUUSOO entry. Make the title about the MOC, not the CUUSOO business; don't be too shouty, and it is likely to be tolerated. You need to be thinking: 'I want people on EB to see my MOC and comment on it. If they like it, perhaps they'll support it on CUUSOO', rather than: 'I want CUUSOO support! If I post it on EB, perhaps more people will vote!.

Thanks.

[Greedo24]

Rejecting the Street Fighter project makes zero sense.Lego has rejected so many projects since it was released outside of Japan.According to lego anything pop culture is rejected.If they don't like the projects,I am surprised that that they has not taken down the site.This is a shame becuase I feel CUUSOO has a LOT of potential with spectacular projects like Back to the Future and Space Marines!

Edited July 30, 2012 by Greedo24

[purpleparadox]

Rejecting the Street Fighter project makes zero sense.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you here. Rejecting the Street Fighter project makes perfect sense, and almost any Lego fan could tell you that it wouldn't get made. The source material contains too much violent and mature content for Lego. It's not good for Lego's target audience. 

Lego has rejected so many projects since it was released outside of Japan.According to lego anything pop culture is rejected.

Rejected many projects? There's hardly been enough to call it "many". But the thing that really puts me off most, out of everything you said, is "According to Lego anything pop culture is rejected". That's not true. They never stated anything about rejecting everything pop culture. They're simply rejecting projects that contain material unfit for their target consumer group. 

[Bricksan]

I'm gonna have to disagree with you here. Rejecting the Street Fighter project makes perfect sense, and almost any Lego fan could tell you that it wouldn't get made. The source material contains too much violent and mature content for Lego. It's not good for Lego's target audience. 

This game back in 1991 was aimed at boys aged between 12-16 and I played when I was in this age range and the violence can come under cartoon violence seen as that what it was but on a game instead of a tv show.

Edited July 30, 2012 by Bricksan

[SilentMode]

I guess Street Fighter would most likely be classed as "modern combat", but I do agree that there have been some loose interpretations. I do think it was an awesome idea for a minifigure pack, and I would have bought one.

[Yatkuu]

I guess the lesson learned from the Street Fighter fiasco is that people should not spend too much time polishing their initial CUUSOO submission. First try to have your idea accepted and then work on developping it further as you go. (that is if you still believe in CUUSOO... )

If this guy had first tried to submit a couple of figs to get a pulse of how TLG felt about it before going full scale with the 16 he would at least have spared himself a part of the disapointment.

Anyway, improving and expanding your ideas/concepts as you go also provides you with the opportunity to communicate on the status of your project, generate some discussions and perhaps incorporate comments and feedbacks from other people into the mix. If you get started with a fully wrapped-up project you're left with nothing to sell but what you have. Being able to maintain a certain level of interest around your project is a must for anyone who wants to go far in the support gathering phase.

In what concern the question whether or not the project was inline with the guidelines... You guys can debate all you want around the interpretation of the rules but you must not forget the most important sentence of the entire CUUSOO guideline:

We will decide how a project fits these standards at our discretion.

It's their rules their call.

[Meatman]

If Street Fighter was a Billion Dollar movie franchise, I am sure Lego's decision may have been different.

It seems the more money a theme is surrounded by coming into Lego, the more rules are overlooked.

Too bad Street Fighter was a Jean ClaudeVan Dam Flop.

[purpleparadox]

This game back in 1991 was aimed at boys aged between 12-16 and I played when I was in this age range and the violence can come under cartoon violence seen as that what it was but on a game instead of a tv show.

It was aimed at 12-16 year olds, while Lego's main age group is the 6-12 range. Now, I've never played Street Fighter, but isn't it mainly about violence? I can't see Lego making that.

[Meatman]

Lego doesn't want a "Human" minifig to battle against another "Human" minfig. Monsters and creatures are ok as long as they are not "Human" vs "Human"

I guess this is why the Police minifigs chase around robbers with handcuffs.

Street Fighter was probably one of the most mild fighting games ever made. I know it's still a fighting game, but it being so cartoonish and over the top with out of this world moves made it more comical than violent.

[Makuta]

LEGO Modular Krusty Krab

Hey guys! How would you like to check out my improved LEGO CUUSOO Krusty Krab model? I redesigned its roof to make it look curved. It's in the link above for y'all to check out and comment. And if you like it, you guys are welcome to vote for it.