LEGO® CUUSOO 空想 - Turn your model wishes into reality

[Cube1701]

I enjoy The Big Bang Theory, but I'd never buy a set based on it.

[Blondie-Wan]

I have no clue how other projects are doing but, it appears, The Big Bang Theory playset is at 8,710. It was only went past 5,000 on the 12th. As a big fan of the show I can only pray that this makes it past the review and gets made. Just like The Ghostbusters and BTTF sets, I wouldn't care about the price, I'd just buy it. Here's the link:

http://lego.cuusoo.c...deas/view/58456

What does everyone else think?

I don't know about everyone else, but I think it's extremely unlikely to pass review for the "brand fit" criteria - the show has a lot of adult material in it. Sexual situations and relationships are a huge component of the show, actually. It's not as kid-unfriendly as Shaun of the Dead, say, but surely at least as much as Firefly / Serenity.

[Super Goblin]

I enjoy The Big Bang Theory, but I'd never buy a set based on it.

I would if Sheldon had a Flash or Green Lantern torso.

[Dr Leg O Brick]

It's at 9,435. I'd never considered the market fit, I always thought compared to other shows it was moderate at least, but, upon thinking about it, I can see a problem arising. I can see a few people who would be pleased if they made Sheldon with his GL shirt on, custom Green Lantern anyone? Not long now...

[Faefrost]

While very well done and cool projects, I think the bigger issue with things like the Big Bang Theory and Golden Girls projects is that they really are exclusively targeted at adults. AFOLs and that nostalgia/Peter Pan'ish customer base. Lego tends to prefer things that have a broader appeal that includes their younger traditional fan base. Which these might not quite hit?

I also think how the BBT does in review depends a lot on when it hits 10k. Think of it this way. Lego would be reviewing a Dr. Who Project... And a project about a pop culture interpretation of Dr. who fans. The savy reviewer will quickly figure out that pretty much anyone that voted for BBT will buy DW. The less savy reviewer will simply start drinking while lamenting how bloody weird the world has gotten.

[BrickG]

I think talking about the BBT set is useless. No chance. It has none. It's not going to be made.

[Dorayaki]

Regardless of the fact that I also like TBBT, as long as Cuusoo already comfirmed Doctor Who, it can mean that they don't reject other TV drama licenses. All the three present project licesnes have a chance.

[Faefrost]

Regardless of the fact that I also like TBBT, as long as Cuusoo already comfirmed Doctor Who, it can mean that they don't reject other TV drama licenses. All the three present project licesnes have a chance.

It just means that they don't pre emptively reject them. The only thing that they confirmed about Dr. who is that there is no longer a competitor holding the license. Any decisions regarding TV shows would otherwise happen in review. Unless the show was something clearly "adult" such as Game of Thrones or Spartacus.

[Blondie-Wan]

Regardless of the fact that I also like TBBT, as long as Cuusoo already comfirmed Doctor Who, it can mean that they don't reject other TV drama licenses. All the three present project licesnes have a chance.

They didn't confirm Doctor Who; they just said it was now acceptable material for consideration, whereas previously it hadn't been. They still might decide not to make official Doctor Who sets; they just wanted to let us know that Doctor Who submissions would no longer be automatically rejected, the way they do any other licensed property whose rights are currently held by a competitor (Jurassic Park, for example). The project still has to pass review.

That said, I do think there's an excellent chance of it happening. I'm sure it hasn't escaped their notice that as soon as they announced DW projects were acceptable, a bunch of DW projects went up, and one of them hit 10k votes in just two weeks. All that gives them as clear an indication as they could hope for that there's enough of a market for a LEGO Doctor Who set, and the property is reasonably family-friendly (it was originally conceived as a kids' show, even if it is rife with scary monsters), and it doesn't really cover the same ground as anything else they're doing, and it doesn't really require new molds even if it could benefit from them, so... I don't see any grounds for it being declined, really. I feel pretty comfortable in saying Doctor Who will be the next licensed property to get an official LEGO treatment thanks to CUUSOO (yay!).

Edited March 17, 2014 by Blondie-Wan

[Dorayaki]

They still might decide not to make official Doctor Who sets; they just wanted to let us know that Doctor Who submissions would no longer be automatically rejected, the way they do any other licensed property whose rights are currently held by a competitor (Jurassic Park, for example).

We do know that allowing a licenses doesn't equal to ensuring a future product, no projects pass, no products come. But if the project design and licesne both works and TLC still decides to reject for not wanting to produce, that doesn't make sense.

Well TV drama are usually targeted at older people while Lego is a toy brand for younger kids. Making TV drama licensed toys is somewhat risky for TLC so it's nice to see that TLC is willing to do this. Same for the previous video game license.

[Faefrost]

Keep in mind, one reason they may decline a DW project or one thing that may work against it is Character Builders very recent lack of success with the license, and a set that was very similar to the current in review project.

[BrickG]

Assuming the license doesn't get swallowed but before hand I think the patterns suggest Doctor Who has a really good chance.

Look a the previous ones. A lot of science based stuff (or science fiction). A lot of classics and retro things that have sold surprisingly well.

I'm not sure Doctor Who could support a full wave of sets, simply because it's nowhere near as popular in larger markets like the USA (like 20% of the people in the UK watch Doctor Who and it's more like 1 in 300 here). But if it's just one iconic set with the tardis much like they took the most iconic stuff of BttF and Ghostbusters I think it would do very well (neither or which could support much more than 1 set, if any more).

It fits the patterns perfectly. It's got potential sales. It doesn't have controversy unlike the NOT HAPPENING Big Bang Theory. It's my bet on the winner.

[polarscribe]

The other thing is that the TBBT set is... incredibly boring. It's a bunch of custom minifigs sitting around a table. That's like 90% of the show, from the bits and pieces I've seen...

Pop-culture things are not always going to translate well to LEGO. A live-action sitcom based around a bunch of people talking in a living room is one of those things that just doesn't work. It's like trying to make a Seinfeld LEGO.

Edited March 21, 2014 by polarscribe

[Blondie-Wan]

Keep in mind, one reason they may decline a DW project or one thing that may work against it is Character Builders very recent lack of success with the license, and a set that was very similar to the current in review project.

That's possible (though of course we don't really know exactly how well the line might or might not have done for CB), but I think it's entirely within the realm of possibility a given idea might do much, much better as a LEGO theme than as a theme for some competing maker of construction toys. LEGO obviously has by far the largest fanbase of any of the construction toy brands, and it overlaps with the fanbases for lots of entertainment franchises. For pretty much any series we can imagine, there are probably a lot more fans who would be interested in buying official LEGO sets based upon them than there are fans interested in buying other companies' brick-based construction sets based off of them - for example, I love Star Trek, but I can't bring myself to buy any of Hasbro's official KRE-O Star Trek sets. There are plenty of fans who do buy them, I'm sure, but I'd bet dollars to donuts they're nothing compared to the number of people who are both FOLs and Trekkers, and who'd buy official LEGO Star Trek sets, if only they were available.

[Super Goblin]

The other thing is that the TBBT set is... incredibly boring. It's a bunch of custom minifigs sitting around a table. That's like 90% of the show, from the bits and pieces I've seen...

Pop-culture things are not always going to translate well to LEGO. A live-action sitcom based around a bunch of people talking in a living room is one of those things that just doesn't work. It's like trying to make a Seinfeld LEGO.

I would buy a Seinfield Lego set.

[Floundie]

Here is my question.

I am wondering if a project based on the Uncharted franchise would break the guidelines of CUUSOO. Yes, Its chance of passing review would be slim, even before we take into account licensing. But even so I looked up the rules, and the "Acceptable Project Content" section is what I want to talk about:

1. Keep it appropriate. Projects related to the below topics do not fit our brand values and will not be approved for publication on LEGO CUUSOO.
   

• Swearing (The games contain a moderate amount of language, but never go past anything in the BTTF films)
  
• Death, killing, blood, terrorism, or torture (We can rule out the last two. As far as death and killing and stuff, we've seen plenty of that in past licenses. The most common example is Indiana Jones, which carries many similiarities to the Uncharted series.
  
• First-person shooter video games (Not sure if this counts since Uncharted is third-person. But the games aren't just straight up FPS's; a lot of the focus is on the adventure aspect. This is why I feel it could wriggle out of this one. I think this rule is more directed at games like Call of Duty and Battlefield.
  

Personally, I feel that an Uncharted project should be allowed for submission. Being T-Rated games the subject matter isn't too intense or inappropriate. It makes me think that a set could easily be produced with an age range of 13+ on the box. Still, it would be an outrage waiting to happen... of course, it's alright when M3G4 BL0K5 does it... I mean, Call of Duty sets with a suggested age range of 10 year olds??? That's so right in every way!

ANYWAY! Opinions on this?

[just2good]

I am wondering if a project based on the Uncharted franchise would break the guidelines of CUUSOO. Yes, Its chance of passing review would be slim, even before we take into account licensing. But even so I looked up the rules, and the "Acceptable Project Content" section is what I want to talk about:

I suppose they would allow it. Then again, they didn't allow the Street Fighter project, and SF is T-rated by the ESRB.

[Floundie]

I suppose they would allow it. Then again, they didn't allow the Street Fighter project, and SF is T-rated by the ESRB.

I don't know anything about that, but could it have just been licensing issues?

[Blondie-Wan]

Here is my question.

I am wondering if a project based on the Uncharted franchise would break the guidelines of CUUSOO. Yes, Its chance of passing review would be slim, even before we take into account licensing. But even so I looked up the rules, and the "Acceptable Project Content" section is what I want to talk about:

1. Keep it appropriate. Projects related to the below topics do not fit our brand values and will not be approved for publication on LEGO CUUSOO.
   

• Swearing (The games contain a moderate amount of language, but never go past anything in the BTTF films)
  
• Death, killing, blood, terrorism, or torture (We can rule out the last two. As far as death and killing and stuff, we've seen plenty of that in past licenses. The most common example is Indiana Jones, which carries many similiarities to the Uncharted series.
  
• First-person shooter video games (Not sure if this counts since Uncharted is third-person. But the games aren't just straight up FPS's; a lot of the focus is on the adventure aspect. This is why I feel it could wriggle out of this one. I think this rule is more directed at games like Call of Duty and Battlefield.
  

Personally, I feel that an Uncharted project should be allowed for submission. Being T-Rated games the subject matter isn't too intense or inappropriate. It makes me think that a set could easily be produced with an age range of 13+ on the box. Still, it would be an outrage waiting to happen... of course, it's alright when M3G4 BL0K5 does it... I mean, Call of Duty sets with a suggested age range of 10 year olds??? That's so right in every way!

ANYWAY! Opinions on this?

Why not try asking the CUUSOO team directly?

[Faefrost]

I suppose they would allow it. Then again, they didn't allow the Street Fighter project, and SF is T-rated by the ESRB.

As long as they understood that Uncharted is a Tomb Raider'esque adventure game it should be fine, at least until it hits review. Street Fighter is specifically a "fighting game." 2 players using human'ish avatars to simply beat the Megabloks out of each other. All fighting game and FPS type game projects are outright banned.

Now as far as how Uncharted would do at review? Honestly unless the Mark Wahlberg movie does really well, it probably would not pass review. As a console exclusive with no other supporting media it just doesn't have as deep a fan or user pool as they would normally like. And what it has is very narrowly age defined. This is a common issue with Video Game licenses, and it's why we do not see a lot of Video Game toys. And what we do see is either dirt cheap junk, or adult collector targeted.

But it's worth a try. If you have a good set in mind post it up there. With the movie looming you never know. Just be prepared to have it get kicked, and have to go back and politely explain that it is not an FPS. Portal had some issues with that. The CuuSoo folks do not know a lot about video games.

[Floundie]

As long as they understood that Uncharted is a Tomb Raider'esque adventure game it should be fine, at least until it hits review. Street Fighter is specifically a "fighting game." 2 players using human'ish avatars to simply beat the Megabloks out of each other. All fighting game and FPS type game projects are outright banned.

Now as far as how Uncharted would do at review? Honestly unless the Mark Wahlberg movie does really well, it probably would not pass review. As a console exclusive with no other supporting media it just doesn't have as deep a fan or user pool as they would normally like. And what it has is very narrowly age defined. This is a common issue with Video Game licenses, and it's why we do not see a lot of Video Game toys. And what we do see is either dirt cheap junk, or adult collector targeted.

But it's worth a try. If you have a good set in mind post it up there. With the movie looming you never know. Just be prepared to have it get kicked, and have to go back and politely explain that it is not an FPS. Portal had some issues with that. The CuuSoo folks do not know a lot about video games.

Wasn't the Street Fighter project minifigure based? I would think that was why it was turned down. As for the Uncharted movie, that's not likely to take shape until at least 2016.

I think the biggest problem I have is there is nothing recognizable or iconic throughout the series besides perhaps Nathan Drake's hair... on the other hand there is a wide range of material to choose from. Thanks for the replies!

[Blondie-Wan]

I have a CUUSOO conundrum. I've been planning a number of submissions for months, but haven't yet been quite ready to post any. Now, someone has just gone ahead and posted a project very similar to one of mine - not in the sense of ripping off my design or anything like that (no one can, as mine isn't yet publicly viewable anywhere, or even finished), but in the sense of being based upon the same specific subject matter (a la the two Ghostbusters projects both based around the Ectomobile and the team members, that competed and wound up each hitting the 10,000 vote mark for the same review batch).

I'm well aware the CUUSOO guidelines specifically allow for two or more competing projects based upon the same specific subject matter, but that's not the same as submitting a project when one specifically knows about existing projects treating the same subject. If I submitted my own, knowing full well of the existence of this other one, would I be a jerk for doing so?

I will note it's not just about credit and money - while the other project is nicely done, I think some of the things I've been planning for my own would be significant improvements - the other builder's project lacks several features I plan to have in mine that I think would make a better set if included in any final commercial release, if it gets to that. However, our shared subject matter, while it does have a following (one I honestly think is substantial enough to be able to sell out at least a small production run), is not anywhere nearly as popular as something like Ghostbusters or Back to the Future, and at the end of the day I really just want to give it the best shot it can get of becoming a set, whether as my project or someone else's, and I really don't know whether my competing project would help or hinder that goal.

Perhaps it would split the vote, and perhaps there are enough people out there who'd want this to vote it up to the 10k mark if there's just one, but if there are two then many voters would choose only one or the other, and perhaps neither would get the votes when just one might. OTOH, if mine really is more compelling (and I know it might be conceited of me to think so, but I'm just going on my planned inclusion of features I as a fan would want to see in the set regardless of where it originated), perhaps it would entice more people to vote who otherwise would not. And if either or both projects were to garner the votes, they'd still need to pass review; would one project be more likely to do so (from the business case perspective) if there were multiple projects of the same material, each with their own votes (thus demonstrating greater overall demand)? The business case is the aspect of this particular CUUSOO wish I think is most likely to trip it up, so I want to do anything I can to help shore up the business case for it, whether it's ultimately my project or someone else's.

What do you guys think?

[CM4Sci]

Anyone know anything about this?

-Sci

[Faefrost]

Anyone know anything about this?

-Sci

It wants a login?

I have a CUUSOO conundrum. I've been planning a number of submissions for months, but haven't yet been quite ready to post any. Now, someone has just gone ahead and posted a project very similar to one of mine - not in the sense of ripping off my design or anything like that (no one can, as mine isn't yet publicly viewable anywhere, or even finished), but in the sense of being based upon the same specific subject matter (a la the two Ghostbusters projects both based around the Ectomobile and the team members, that competed and wound up each hitting the 10,000 vote mark for the same review batch).

I'm well aware the CUUSOO guidelines specifically allow for two or more competing projects based upon the same specific subject matter, but that's not the same as submitting a project when one specifically knows about existing projects treating the same subject. If I submitted my own, knowing full well of the existence of this other one, would I be a jerk for doing so?

I would say submit it. But wait at least until the other project is off the first page. It also probably wouldn't hurt to send a pm to the other projects creator. This way he at least knows you are not simply jumping on the "me too! What he did but better!" Type bandwagon.

Besides now you have us all curious what it is?

[Blondie-Wan]

No worries - it turns out I've been given the all-clear already. Before I posted here I commented on the other person's project and noted my dilemma, but also expressed my honest appreciation of the fact there were other fans of this material on the site, and also went ahead and voted for that project. The other builder thanked me and graciously encouraged me to submit my own version, so all should be good.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Blondie-Wan