LEGO® CUUSOO 空想 - Turn your model wishes into reality

[Faefrost]

The glut of projects is drying up. While the current review poses some difficult questions (specifically Portal and UCS Sandcrawler) the next batch is relatively straight forward: PP (reject - too niche), Space Marines (reject - conflict theme/theme-project).

What sets are you referring to? Why do you say it was not "quite built in standard Lego format"? Does it use special non-Lego pieces ? If not, then it's in Lego format.

I think Space Marines will be ok with regards to theme conflict. What killed the MWT was the contract conflict with a licensed theme. TLG has a lot more flexibility with an internal IP such as their Space theme. The danger to "Space Troopers" I think comes from Games Workshop. They already rattled the cage once with the insistance that the name be changed. It's obvious GW is watching this project. If they threaten any sort of legal challenge than it is probably over. Lego will not go to all the trouble of fighting with GW over a CuuSoo project. I'm not sure if they could take a project presented as unlicensed and flip it around to a licensed project, should GW seek to challenge it? So if things get weird, TLG will simply say no.

I get what he means about the Exo Suit. The build is very "non traditional". It uses non typical part connections. Things that the average "non advanced MOC'er" would probably never have seen or thought of. The build experience will be very different from what most fans would be expecting of a Lego set. For an advanced Lego fan this difference is part of the charm that drove the CuuSoo support. The desire for something new and challenging. But the question will be is it too challenging to be released as a typical retail set? I think the Exo Suit is going to have a very long evaluation and review period. Most of it in the design lab trying to come up with alternate designs and / or map out an actual build for the thing.

[Meatman]

The glut of projects is drying up. While the current review poses some difficult questions (specifically Portal and UCS Sandcrawler) the next batch is relatively straight forward: PP (reject - too niche), Space Marines (reject - conflict theme/theme-project).

What sets are you referring to? Why do you say it was not "quite built in standard Lego format"? Does it use special non-Lego pieces ? If not, then it's in Lego format.

There are a few sets out that have robot suits with a minifig at the controls, I think I even seen one in a Ninjago set, and I was referring to Legal Lego building techniques, not the use of non Lego parts.

Edited January 17, 2013 by Meatman

[BrickG]

Yeah this review will be... interesting.

Pete is a stupid idea, niche and limited. Really, really... stupid. Sorry people from that school lol.

Space Marines are conflicting as it has been said.

The ones that have a chance of making it into that review:

Android

Zelda (again)

The Land Rover

And maybe the Tumbler.

Zelda won't happen for the same reason as before. Too many unique molds needed.

The Tumbler IMO won't happen because it already exists, be it a stupid version.

Then the Android... and Land Rover... both are not quite up to par with previous sets (I don't think they'd sell nearly as well as Minecraft or BttF which WILL sell well). But their chances are decent I guess...

IMO that wave will be boring. :)

The Mars Rover, Sandcrawler and Portal is probably the most fun yet just because it can go to anyone.

However...

Mars Rover

I think it has a very strong change. But their business side of things might make note that the hype over the Curiosity Rover will be significantly less by the time they could get the set out. I know it's similar to the first two projects, however I believe Lego Cuusoo is going more towards commercialism and things with the highest profits would have a much higher chance.

Sandcrawler

Great chance. I figure 3 things can happen.

"No."

"Yes, but in the future as a normal Star Wars not attached to Cuusoo."

"Sure, as a Cuusoo thing" (really doubt this one)

If it "won" or was confirmed as coming to the normal Star Wars line it would be significantly less impressive, more comparable to the original set.

Portal

Do not underestimate this game's power in popular culture. It would sell very well. Contrary to popular believe I believe it could be done with little to no new molds (heck, just print a normal block to look like the Companion Cube).

I think it has a good chance. However, it faces some TOUGH competition.

It's freakin' hard to say which will "win". I think either way we'll see another Sandcrawler eventually and I don't think it would take up a "slot" for Lego Cuusoo. This might make them put a new Sandcrawler set on the fast track.

I'd say one of the other two will "win". Both have a good chance. I think Portal's set would sell better. But I think the Curiosity Rover would be much simpler and more cost effective (you don't even need to print anything probably!).

I'd say it's 60/40 in favor of Portal. I could easily be wrong. Had the Curiosity Rover come earlier I think it would have won easily but with Lego Cuusoo becoming more commercialized and willing to use franchises for more sales... it's chances are down IMO.

[Faefrost]

I think the rejection of the Sandcrawler is both a given, and will trigger yet another wave of AFOL gnashing of teeth regarding CuuSoo. The Sandcrawler is perhaps the most spectacular MOC ever to be featured on CuuSoo. But it has so much working gainst it on the back end.

it's too big, to complex and too spectacular. Don't forget that this is he project hat prompted the warning "your MOC may actually be too good for CuuSoo" in the ways to pass review post. We know they would have to reduce it. But at what point in doing that does it cease being this project and start being just a regular Staw Wars release? That's part of the danger when proposing a project that Lego already has an active license for. While Marshall presented a wonderful MOC or project, he can never be said to be presenting the idea. Star Wars Sandcrawler is something that has been made in the past and will be made in the future. It's one of the core iconic vehicles. So if you are not making Marshal's version of the thing, then where exactly is the project?

To further add to that. Once again Star Wars is an active licensed theme. The production schedule is set well in advance. For all we know there may already be a Sandcrawler on the schedule for 2014. And yet we would still see outrage over CuuSoo, because all they will be able to say is license conflict. Further we forget that for this sort of License the licensor, Lucas, has a huge hand in what gets made. If they already have one planned, or simply do not want one at this time, it's dead. And once again all we would know was licensing issue, and TLG would have no choice.

Fans of all the Batman Tumbler projects take note, the same issues apply.

And here's the kicker. The Sandcrawler project has got to be in every way a nightmare for the Lego CuuSoo people. They don't want it to pass or fail, they probably just want it to go away. There is no good outcome for them. It's too big to make as is, without breaking the walled garden nature of CuuSoo and handing it off to UCS. Changing it once again bumps up against that wall, this time with the SW license group, may conflict with their plans, and at best would need to be wholly handed over. If they reject the project outright it becomes yet another beacon of fan outrage, few of whom will ever take 2 seconds to even begin to understand the complexities of the licensing involved. (Literally Legos Star Wars license would be fighting with itself). And it's a fan group that literally has registered itself as a religion in several countries. Nobody wants a Jedi Jihad. The only available out is to convince someone to make the new largest Lego set ever under the CuuSoo label. (Which would then open up the taps of fan expectations demanding ever larger and more spectacular MOCs as sets. Full scale Mina's Tirith anyone?) it's literally looking to me that the best of the lousy choices for TLG might simply be to reject it and ride out the wave of negativity.

[just2good]

I think the rejection of the Sandcrawler is both a given, and will trigger yet another wave of AFOL gnashing of teeth regarding CuuSoo. The Sandcrawler is perhaps the most spectacular MOC ever to be featured on CuuSoo. But it has so much working gainst it on the back end.

Don't forget 'bout the Mirage.

[Phoxtane]

I wouldn't support the Mirage concept, even if it was viable. In my book, using irrelevant tags on your project that are related to other posts/videos/whatever that have a lot more publicity than yours is a big no-no.

[Faefrost]

Don't forget 'bout the Mirage.

I gotta wonder how many of he people voting for that thing would ever actually want one, or would really and truly buy it? It's not like you're gonna display that thing on a shelf in your office. Can't you just hear the mighty shopping cry of "WooHoo a CuuSoo parts pack!"

[BrickG]

And here's the kicker. The Sandcrawler project has got to be in every way a nightmare for the Lego CuuSoo people. They don't want it to pass or fail, they probably just want it to go away. There is no good outcome for them. It's too big to make as is, without breaking the walled garden nature of CuuSoo and handing it off to UCS. Changing it once again bumps up against that wall, this time with the SW license group, may conflict with their plans, and at best would need to be wholly handed over. If they reject the project outright it becomes yet another beacon of fan outrage, few of whom will ever take 2 seconds to even begin to understand the complexities of the licensing involved. (Literally Legos Star Wars license would be fighting with itself). And it's a fan group that literally has registered itself as a religion in several countries. Nobody wants a Jedi Jihad. The only available out is to convince someone to make the new largest Lego set ever under the CuuSoo label. (Which would then open up the taps of fan expectations demanding ever larger and more spectacular MOCs as sets. Full scale Mina's Tirith anyone?) it's literally looking to me that the best of the lousy choices for TLG might simply be to reject it and ride out the wave of negativity.

I think there's a good outcome.

For one, they don't take the models and say "we're doing this as it is". If they did a Sandcrawler it would not be anything like the original submission. Just look at the earlier submissions and winner and note the differences which can be pretty large.

But really, I think a clear "kind of win" for them is to announce that, while the Sandcrawler isn't picked for Cuusoo's project, it's been fast tracked (in a more tame form) and will be released in a wave or two in the normal Star Wars sets.

[Faefrost]

I think there's a good outcome.

For one, they don't take the models and say "we're doing this as it is". If they did a Sandcrawler it would not be anything like the original submission. Just look at the earlier submissions and winner and note the differences which can be pretty large.

But really, I think a clear "kind of win" for them is to announce that, while the Sandcrawler isn't picked for Cuusoo's project, it's been fast tracked (in a more tame form) and will be released in a wave or two in the normal Star Wars sets.

But that's the problem. If they say that then they have just tied Marshall's project to a regular release set in the licensed SW line. Which quite honestly would come up at some point again in the rotation regardless. There is no way the marketing types and lawyers will go for that. We might get a new Sandcrawler in a similar size to 10144. But it wouldn't have anything to do with this project. The only way i see that they could answer this would be to reject it with the MWT mantra of it conflicts with a current project or license. At which point we might see a system scale Sandcrawler at some point within the next 3 release cycles.

[Another Brick In The Wall]

I don't think it's a certainty that Space Marines will be rejected. Modular Western Town wasn't just similar to a planned theme, but similar to a licensed theme. The terms of the Lone Ranger license might very well stipulate that Lego not release its own Western sets during the theme's run. With Space Marines vs. Galaxy Squad, Lego can set their own terms, and they have shown willingness to release Space sets which exist outside their ongoing space themes before, when they released Star Justice and Space Skulls alongside Mars Mission.

Fair point. But i'm more inclined to reject SM on the basis that

- it is more of a theme builder, which Cuusoo has not accepted yet.

- I don't believe the market can support 3 distinct space themes

- It looks like it uses specialized molds, specifically the two-headed serpentine alien and the four legged Ugokin

[Faefrost]

Fair point. But i'm more inclined to reject SM on the basis that

- it is more of a theme builder, which Cuusoo has not accepted yet.

- I don't believe the market can support 3 distinct space themes

- It looks like it uses specialized molds, specifically the two-headed serpentine alien and the four legged Ugokin

There are some suggested single sets there. I think Lego would do phenomenally just making a small army builder type set of these. 4 troopers and a small vehicle. The end result would be people buying multiples of the CuuSoo set. Unlike Zelda I don't think any new molds are critical elements of the project. The aliens are nice to have, but not the core of it all.

[Faefrost]

Looking at the next 10 projects climbing the ladders, what are the thoughts?

1. Android bug droid thingy. Honestly I can't even begin to speculate on this one. It will all come own to the business case of can they sell enough of them. There is nothing that would cause an outright rejection.

2. Zelda (again). While this project has far fewer problems than the first, the fact remains that the first was shot down, and that was before anyone considered the licensing. It might happen, but it will have a high hurdle.

3. Technics Landrover Discovery. So long as the set can be released at a reasonable price, this looks like a good possibility. Nothing to work against it. Minor license. Tech and design within technics bounds. It has a good chance of seeing production. Probably the best if all of them.

4. Batmobile Tumbler. No chance in hell. None whatsoever. It is a currently active license and they just released one. See my above posts regarding the problems the Sandcrawler faces. This one is much the same but worse.

5. Macross VF-1 Valkyrie. Ugh! It pains me to say this, because this looks like it would be perfect in every way, and I so want one. But the property has its own internal licensing issues and court fights. They are so bad that they prevent the current model makers such as Bandai and Hasegawa from releasing localized products directly into the North American market. The licensing fights between Studio Nue and Harmony Gold are legendary and still ongoing to this day. Without being able to license or sell it into Canada or te US Lego will not touch it.

6. Mini Shops. Ugh! Cute little seemingly simple project, that involves tons of different licenses. Each store is a separate license and headache. They can easily do a Lego store. Less so a Starbucks or McD's.

7. Birds. This one is such an eye catching and distinctive project, that if it does make it, they will probably produce a set of one or two birds. It's creator on steroids.

8. Modular Apple Store. The business case will fail when someone asks the basic question of "why are we paying to create an advertisement for someone else's brand?".

9. Japanese Castle thingy. At best a maybe. Nice looking sets that may find a market. It will all depend on the business case of whether it is too niche.

10. Remote control technic DeLorean. Probably no. They already have a BttF set in the production queue.

[Another Brick In The Wall]

Looking at the next 10 projects climbing the ladders, what are the thoughts?

1. Android bug droid thingy. Honestly I can't even begin to speculate on this one. It will all come own to the business case of can they sell enough of them. There is nothing that would cause an outright rejection.

How is this not an advertisement for Android products, but the Apple Modular Store, which is significantly more functional, is. This project is as ridiculous as Purdue Pete.

2. Zelda (again). While this project has far fewer problems than the first, the fact remains that the first was shot down, and that was before anyone considered the licensing. It might happen, but it will have a high hurdle.

Agreed.

3. Technics Landrover Discovery. So long as the set can be released at a reasonable price, this looks like a good possibility. Nothing to work against it. Minor license. Tech and design within technics bounds. It has a good chance of seeing production. Probably the best if all of them.

You realize this is a radio controlled model? The piece count looks high (it says it weighs 3 kg) and the build looks to be Expert level, which already limits its marketability.

4. Batmobile Tumbler. No chance in hell. None whatsoever. It is a currently active license and they just released one. See my above posts regarding the problems the Sandcrawler faces. This one is much the same but worse.

I completely disagree with your assessment. The current tumbler is a steaming, stinking pile of monkey crap. By the time this goes through the review process we're looking at 18-24 months plus. I've already built this and its an amazing model, before TLG's refinements.

5. Macross VF-1 Valkyrie. Ugh! It pains me to say this, because this looks like it would be perfect in every way, and I so want one. But the property has its own internal licensing issues and court fights. They are so bad that they prevent the current model makers such as Bandai and Hasegawa from releasing localized products directly into the North American market. The licensing fights between Studio Nue and Harmony Gold are legendary and still ongoing to this day. Without being able to license or sell it into Canada or te US Lego will not touch it.

Sadly I agree.

6. Mini Shops. Ugh! Cute little seemingly simple project, that involves tons of different licenses. Each store is a separate license and headache. They can easily do a Lego store. Less so a Starbucks or McD's.

Agreed. But how they are any different from the Apple Modular store you want to reject?

7. Birds. This one is such an eye catching and distinctive project, that if it does make it, they will probably produce a set of one or two birds. It's creator on steroids.

Agreed.

8. Modular Apple Store. The business case will fail when someone asks the basic question of "why are we paying to create an advertisement for someone else's brand?".

I don't think this will ever be made, but how is it any different from advertising Maersk?

9. Japanese Castle thingy. At best a maybe. Nice looking sets that may find a market. It will all depend on the business case of whether it is too niche.

How is it any more niche than some of the Architecture models?

10. Remote control technic DeLorean. Probably no. They already have a BttF set in the production queue.

Agreed.

Edited January 19, 2013 by Another Brick In The Wall

[just2good]

We got ourselves another Minecraft!

[CM4Sci]

We got ourselves another Minecraft!

Heh, I used to play that. (A looooong time ago.) Could be a cool set.

-Sci

Edited February 4, 2013 by CM4S

[Aanchir]

This is a gorgeous project. Very well-refined, using only existing molds and yet fully reconciles typical LEGO building with the Poptropica aesthetic.

I never played Poptropica myself. Most of my exposure to it comes from the BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn and Hero Factory promotions that were done in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Nevertheless, this project has unmistakeable appeal, and I wish it the best of luck.

[Lyichir]

A nice thing about the Poptropica project is that it's proposed by the creators of Poptropica, which nicely defuses any potential licensing issues. It really is one of the most polished sets I've seen on Cuusoo, and I say that as someone who knows next to nothing about Poptropica. My only worry is that this project may have a great deal of trouble getting the requisite number of supports, given how I think Poptropica's userbase trends younger than Minecraft's or Zelda's.

[BlueberryWaffles]

Oh, I used to play that game! I think it would be successful with the younger market. The hot air balloon thingy would be cool also.

[dvsntt]

Here is my submission to Cuusoo. Apprecaite any feedback as many of you have provided good insight on existing projects. Thanks.

[BrickG]

I wouldn't call that another minecraft because it's probably 1% as well known. Maybe I'm just in the dark. I tried going over to their website and I "played" the game and it seemed like just a place for ads?

[BrickG]

Another neat Nintendo project. Metroid.

I don't think Metroid has the popularity to get 10,000 votes. But you could probably make it without any new molds (maybe... that helmet and shoulder stuff might not work with existing pieces perfectly).

http://lego.cuusoo.c...deas/view/34189

Probably wouldn't have a good chance of winning anyways.

In other Nintendo news the second Zelda project is gaining votes more quickly now, outpacing the Android thing. Would be awesome but it's destined for failure.

Edited February 5, 2013 by BrickG

[BlueberryWaffles]

Here is my submission to Cuusoo. Apprecaite any feedback as many of you have provided good insight on existing projects. Thanks.

This is a great set! It would go along nicely with the Grand Carousel from a few years back.

[Spider-Man]

Not my project but this really awesome Steampunk set was just placed on Cuusoo!

[TheLegoDr]

I just saw that SteamPunk set from brickset and I would buy that up in a heartbeat. I like how they incorporated only new prints, but no new pieces. Now is TLG willing to undertake that idea, I don't know. But if they did, I'd buy it the day it came out. If only a fraction of that came out. I love the printing on the figures and the backstory of the characters. They did a nice job with it. I keep looking at it and keep disappointing myself since it isn't available to buy right now.

[AyliffeMakit]

Don't forget 'bout the Mirage.

Its a good creation, but putting 'Its over 9000!' and 'submarine' as tags isn't that fair.