LEGO® CUUSOO 空想 - Turn your model wishes into reality

[Cube1701]

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.

That version of the film was cancelled in 2012, and Wahlberg left before then (which resulted in lots of cheers).

They're trying to do it again, and all we know is that Seth Gordon is set to direct it.

Considering the heavier focus on shooting, I don't think an Uncharted project would pass review, as well as being a lot like a modern day Indiana Jones.

[Blondie-Wan]

I wonder what LEGO's sales expectations for CUUSOO sets are like now. This whole thing started out small, with very modest expectations and goals (as far as LEGO's sales are concerned), but it has now yielded at least one runaway smash hit (successful enough to launch its own whole theme) and one more set that's apparently very popular despite mixed reactions to the design, and it appears the Ghostbusters set will also do really well (possibly better than the Back to the Future one thanks to the beautiful design and increased minifigure count, even though it's more expensive). Do these successes spell doom for any more niche sets like the original Shinkai 6500? Is TLG still willing to consider producing sets that might sell "only" 10,000 or 15,000 units or whatever?

Edited March 25, 2014 by Blondie-Wan

[Faefrost]

I wonder what LEGO's sales expectations for CUUSOO sets are like now. This whole thing started out small, with very modest expectations and goals (as far as LEGO's sales are concerned), but it has now yielded at least one runaway smash hit (successful enough to launch its own whole theme) and one more set that's apparently very popular despite mixed reactions to the design, and it appears the Ghostbusters set will also do really well (possibly better than the Back to the Future one thanks to the beautiful design and increased minifigure count, even though it's more expensive). Do these successes spell doom for any more niche sets like the original Shinkai 6500? Is TLG still willing to consider producing sets that might sell "only" 10,000 or 15,000 units or whatever?

I suspect it all comes down to their expected production capacity vs their expected returns. I know they always seem to say that review projects are not directly competing with each other, but given that they have only assigned 3 production slots / year for new CuuSoo sets, there is no way they can avoid competing to some degree on the basis of expected returns. And that may sway the business case towards projects that are more expected to be hits. BUT that does not necessarily mean that they will avoid quirkier stuff. Take note that they made Curiosity and they are making the Exosuit. But they probably will be giving some increased weight to how big a market they expect for a given item. And honestly they are probably a lot better at predicting such markets than we are. (As an example there is probably a higher customer base for something like the Birds project than we internet nerds would typically think at a glance, and it most likely even surpasses some video game properties.)

[reptiman]

I posted this LEGO Metroid project to CUUSOO this past week and it's really taken off. I'm pretty excited about it. I'm not sure about it's review chances if it were to get to 10k with the rejected Zelda projects, but I'm still looking forward to it none the less. Here's a link to the project: http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/61357

Any thoughts?

[Blondie-Wan]

Wow, that's an awful lot of votes in a short time! Congrats!

[Faefrost]

It looks like the second Dr. Who Tardis will hit 10k within the next day or two. If nothing else it should be educational to see exactly how they apply the new "first come first served" rule for same or similar subject projects?

http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/59181

Based on some of the comments I kind of suspect that this projects creator is being overly optimistic regarding CuuSoo's somewhat vague feedback regarding the rule. He seems to think that they are meaning the first in gets reviewed first. But this answer comes from the CuuSoo staff and strikes me as more "the Lego Review Team determines how to apply any and all such review rules. Not the CuuSoo staff." My gut tells me that any same subject projects past the first will not get more than a cursory preview unless or until the first project fails review in such a way that does not also fail the subject being proposed. Something like "it's a good viable IP subject that would work well. But the first proposed project is made with Megabloks and requires unique MB parts". I think the rule is to specifically avoid doing a side by side comparison, and all the bruised fan feelings that that can create.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Faefrost

[Leewan]

Any guesses on which others projects could hit the 10k before May ? The others most supported projects are unlikely, IMO, to be part of the next "batch". My guess is that only three projects (DW, TBBT and the other DW project) will be part of the next review session. And since I don't really think TBBT will become an actual set, the DW set is almost guaranteed.

But maybe Lego could choose not to turn any of these projects into a set. It is possible ? Is there a rule of "at least one project will become a set" ? Anyways, I think that with this second project getting the 10k very soon, chances for a Doctor Who set are very high.

[BlueberryWaffles]

Is the next review period the one with Zelda and the UCS DeLorean?

[Faefrost]

Any guesses on which others projects could hit the 10k before May ? The others most supported projects are unlikely, IMO, to be part of the next "batch". My guess is that only three projects (DW, TBBT and the other DW project) will be part of the next review session. And since I don't really think TBBT will become an actual set, the DW set is almost guaranteed.

But maybe Lego could choose not to turn any of these projects into a set. It is possible ? Is there a rule of "at least one project will become a set" ? Anyways, I think that with this second project getting the 10k very soon, chances for a Doctor Who set are very high.

There have been review periods with no set that passed review. They just did not stand out because at that time CuuSoo was pretty much sitting on results until they had something positive. The new structure should mean we now find out every 4 months.

Also the Birds set is in the same review group, and honestly it has a decent chance of passing. It is an exceptionally well done organic subject, and a series of MOCs that we know the Lego design team has long been fond of.

TBBT will not pass review. It is very much a North American exclusive subject of a fairly generic sitcom. As I said somewhere above, if you were given the choice between making a set about a Hollywood interpretation of Dr. who fans, or an actual Dr. who set, which would you go for? Probably 99% of the mixed group of TBBT and Lego fans would also buy a Dr. who set. The same cannot be said going the other way. Dr. who will probably pass review. It has a lot going for it. The main things working against it could be licensing issues, and also the fact the Character Builders versions of the same just exited the Market. There is a strong embedded and committed (as they probably should be) fan base, but business case may be too close to call.

I'm guessing next to 10k will be either the Wayne Manor or XMen mansions, or possibly that new fast climbing Metroid project.

[Leewan]

Also the Birds set is in the same review group, and honestly it has a decent chance of passing. It is an exceptionally well done organic subject, and a series of MOCs that we know the Lego design team has long been fond of.

Oh, thanks, I thought it was part of the January review, since it's not on the frontpage.

[SithMageHenry]

There have been review periods with no set that passed review. They just did not stand out because at that time CuuSoo was pretty much sitting on results until they had something positive. The new structure should mean we now find out every 4 months.

Also the Birds set is in the same review group, and honestly it has a decent chance of passing. It is an exceptionally well done organic subject, and a series of MOCs that we know the Lego design team has long been fond of.

TBBT will not pass review. It is very much a North American exclusive subject of a fairly generic sitcom. As I said somewhere above, if you were given the choice between making a set about a Hollywood interpretation of Dr. who fans, or an actual Dr. who set, which would you go for? Probably 99% of the mixed group of TBBT and Lego fans would also buy a Dr. who set. The same cannot be said going the other way. Dr. who will probably pass review. It has a lot going for it. The main things working against it could be licensing issues, and also the fact the Character Builders versions of the same just exited the Market. There is a strong embedded and committed (as they probably should be) fan base, but business case may be too close to call.

I'm guessing next to 10k will be either the Wayne Manor or XMen mansions, or possibly that new fast climbing Metroid project.

I don't think the bird series will pass. It might, because of a lack of licensing, but at the last second, he drastically changed the project content. It went from like 20 birds to only 2 or 3. Plus the fact that in his title, it said "Series" misinforming people that they were voting for a new theme and not one set.

Also, I think the next to hit 10k is the Dr. Who thing :P

[Faefrost]

I don't think the bird series will pass. It might, because of a lack of licensing, but at the last second, he drastically changed the project content. It went from like 20 birds to only 2 or 3. Plus the fact that in his title, it said "Series" misinforming people that they were voting for a new theme and not one set.

Also, I think the next to hit 10k is the Dr. Who thing :P

Well yes next is Dr. who, we were mainly talking what would follow that. The Dr. who project is a given as it was inside the range that is typically measured in hours.

I don't think Lego will hold the series thing against it at this point. It was Lego that requested that it and all series projects pare down to a specific single set. It may factor into marketability, and business case, but probably not substantially at this stage.

[Sarah]

I am REALLY hoping for the Birds set to be made.

I want to buy one to give to my mom (I might have to make it for her. I'm not sure she would, left to her own devices) And I can get a second (assuming a reasonable price of $30-50) for my best friend. And I'm sure I can come up with more given half a chance.

[Leewan]

And here we are. AndrewClark2's Doctor Who project just got the 10000 votes, and is now in review stage.

[Fritzy]

Congrats to the creator.

I'm hoping the X-Mansion makes it in for the upcoming review period. We have an official X-Men set coming out soon and I'd be interested to see how LEGO responds to this fan creation. That said, to get ~3,000 more supporters in such a short time would be a feat in itself.

[CroGo]

And here we are. AndrewClark2's Doctor Who project just got the 10000 votes, and is now in review stage.

Great news. I supported that project, hope it gets approved.

[Faefrost]

Great news. I supported that project, hope it gets approved.

Sadly, my suspicion is, under the new rules it will barely get a review. It was the second similar same subject project to reach 10k in the same review period. The new "ghostbusters" rule seems to imply that it is the first in that gets the review.

[CroGo]

Sadly, my suspicion is, under the new rules it will barely get a review. It was the second similar same subject project to reach 10k in the same review period. The new "ghostbusters" rule seems to imply that it is the first in that gets the review.

That's a shame. Would love to see this produced, I like it more than the other Dr Who project.

[BrickG]

Anyone else think these Tardises are too big?

A Tardis isn't over 2x as tall as a character :P.

IMO the door part should be 3x studs max (don't ask me how you'll make functioning doors though ;p) and the whole thing a lot shorter. It still won't match the size but it'll be closer than the behemoth is now.

I mean look at that door handle in the picture. It's above the minifigure's heads!

Edited April 6, 2014 by BrickG

[Blondie-Wan]

Anyone else think these Tardises are too big?

A Tardis isn't over 2x as tall as a character :P.

IMO the door part should be 3x studs max (don't ask me how you'll make functioning doors though ;p) and the whole thing a lot shorter. It still won't match the size but it'll be closer than the behemoth is now.

I mean look at that door handle in the picture. It's above the minifigure's heads!

It depends on whether you're talking about the inside or the outside. ;) Of course, the final set (assuming it happens, which seems likely) won't be the same as whatever CUUSOO model it's based upon, anyway.

[sithewok]

I'm really hoping the x-mansion hits the 10,000 threshold (though I am sadly doubtful that such a large set would get the go ahead).

[The Real Indiana Jones]

Hey, just today, the blog The New Elementary released some official behind the scenes info about the Cuusoo Exo-Suit...

Just looking at the logo, you can see that they are styling it as a teaser for a possible re-boot of a full Classic Space theme, and everyone seems excited...

Also, considering the fact that they have already green-lit a second (and a third?) sequel to The Lego Movie, it seems pretty clear that they will be designing another new mold for the Classic Space helmet (this time with a solidly intact chin-strap). It seems pretty obvious that the sequels will feature more Mid-1980-something space men (and that most of them will have a normal intact helmet strap, and an un-scuffed chest logo, the joke being that Benny was in a crash, and that is why he is so scatter-brained). In fact, you'll see that one of the pieces of concept artwork for the Cuusoo set shown in the article above shows a sketch of the front of a Classic Space helmet, with those familiar perfectly vertical sides and the relatively narrow chin-strap, fully-intact, which does not cover the mouth at all. It is essentially just like Benny's, but not broken. If they are re-molding the helmet for the Lego Movies and also including it in the Cuusoo Exo-Suit set, with the intention of revisiting Classic Space, then I bet that is "the image that made them all squee!"

Is "The Return/Reboot of the Classic Space Theme" officially on its way? (a few years sooner than we might have expected with the future Lego Movies!)

I think it is!

Edited April 15, 2014 by The Real Indiana Jones

[GregoryBrick]

Hey, just today, the blog The New Elementary released some official behind the scenes info about the Cuusoo Exo-Suit...

Just looking at the logo, you can see that they are styling it as a teaser for a possible re-boot of a full Classic Space theme, and everyone seems excited...

Also, considering the fact that they have already green-lit a second (and a third?) sequel to The Lego Movie, it seems pretty clear that they will be designing another new mold for the Classic Space helmet (this time with a solidly intact chin-strap). It seems pretty obvious that the sequels will feature more Mid-1980-something space men (and that most of them will have a normal intact helmet strap, and an un-scuffed chest logo, the joke being that Benny was in a crash, and that is why he is so scatter-brained). In fact, you'll see that one of the pieces of concept artwork for the Cuusoo set shown in the article above shows a sketch of the front of a Classic Space helmet, with those familiar perfectly vertical sides and the relatively narrow chin-strap, fully-intact, which does not cover the mouth at all. It is essentially just like Benny's, but not broken. If they are re-molding the helmet for the Lego Movies and also including it in the Cuusoo Exo-Suit set, with the intention of revisiting Classic Space, then I bet that is "the image that made them all squee!"

Is "The Return/Reboot of the Classic Space Theme" officially on its way? (a few years sooner than we might have expected with the future Lego Movies!)

I think it is!

Did I miss something? The Exo-Suit logo contains the classic space logo. I think you're reading an awful lot into that, and none of it seems 'obvious' nor 'pretty clear' to me. Why would sequels themselves compel a new space helmet mold, which would be marginally different from the current helmet? Maybe there is something other than the New Elementary blog post which I haven't read; if so please point it out.

[The Real Indiana Jones]

Did I miss something? The Exo-Suit logo contains the classic space logo. I think you're reading an awful lot into that, and none of it seems 'obvious' nor 'pretty clear' to me. Why would sequels themselves compel a new space helmet mold, which would be marginally different from the current helmet? Maybe there is something other than the New Elementary blog post which I haven't read; if so please point it out.

Sure, my thinking goes like this:

1) We know they are making sequels of The Lego Movie.

2) And those sequels will feature more lands and characters from Castle, Pirates, Space themes, etc.

3) But not every spaceman will have a broken helmet. (In fact, we can clearly see in the concept art that they are showing a non-broken classic style helmet.)

4) So they will do a new mold of a non-broken classic style helmet for the rest of the space explorers.

5) And if it is ready to go, then they would probably just go ahead and include it in the Cuusoo Exo-Suit set. (Exactly as it is plainly shown in the concept art.)

And so I am just looking at what is plainly shown in the concept art, and not focusing on the logo so much. The original Cuusoo design made it clear from the start that it would be a Classic Space figure... but official sketches showing a new helmet mold, and the teasing possibility of a re-booted theme are new revelations. If so, it makes absolute sense. I am guessing that the second movie (circa 2017) will focus on Castle, and the third movie (circa 2020) will focus on Space. This gives them a chance to start creating space nostalgia and making money immediately...

And then they will do it again after a few years, and make even more!

Go Lego!

Edited April 16, 2014 by The Real Indiana Jones

[Faefrost]

I'm kind of doubting that they will go back and generate new tooling for a classic space helmet. The current molds and style goes back almost 30 years to Blacktron and Futuron. The first differentiated Space sub themes. Benny as the Classic space guy with broken helmet is a neat gag. We might see it reused in white, red and yellow in any sequels. But I suspect for any actual sets they will just use the regular current helmet with the visor mount points. The simple reason? The kids who are the primary consumers would not know that detail, having mainly never seen the classic 70's style helmet, or had the chance to study it up close. Concept art is just that. Concept art. Compromises get made as anything reaches production product. The helmet, as a high cost change for minimal recognizable character impact would be the first compromise.

We are getting a few Classic Space themed gifts for AFOLs in the next few months. Benny's ship, the XO suit. Good stuff. And nicely tailored to and AFOL market. We may see an occasional set or sub theme to further appease us. But don't expect any grand return of Classic Space as a full retail offering.

The original CuuSoo project design featured a true classic spaceman. But he has one of the best known collections of pristine classic space figures (seriously he has a book out. "Lego Space". ) using the classic guy is nice for presentation, but it will end up using modern parts for production.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Faefrost