New Micro Square web series-- TLG released

jasor

I've never done any serious microbuilds, but stumbled across this web series. It's actually gotten me a little motivated to try my own 48x48 micro world.

Now....the series is still in "setup" form, so real substance is lacking...it does have an interesting trajectory though.

Has anyone else come across this series, or have pitfalls/hopes for it?

Bustin

Have any links? No idea what you are talking about. Eager to look though.

LegobrandonCP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFOLcyHphGU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VBEXBrsBnk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkp5BxryaSE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFWleWeDcaU

mathew

Cool. But too short. I did pick up a few tips though.

cheshirecat

Nice idea, opening credits seem way to long for the total length though and the music doesn't half grate after a while (as does at least one of the presenters)... However, its a great idea and might reinvigorate people who want to scenic moc but don't have the space/bricks to do so. With modern video games, massive mocs you can find online and even the detail in modern LEGO sets the level of size and detail you'd want in a scenic moc could easily be prohibative so this is a nice way to encourage creativity (which also ties in with the kind of 8 bit minecraft players of today).

princedraven

Really like this idea, Lego is by its nature very flexible and the building options are obviously endless, but sometimes adding a little structure (48x48 plate, micro figs for scale) helps focus your building/designs. In the same way I love the modulars as you have a clear guide on size without limiting what you can come up with.

andhe

I really enjoyed that. Though a 10second intro for a 40second clip does seem excessive! I've tried a little (boom boom) bit of micro building with expanding the heroica sets. It makes you look at 'seed' parts in a whole new way, and really refines your building down to it's basic parts which is fun to do. I'm guessing it might be good for a kids spacial recognition as well.

It will be interesting to see where they go with this series (eg if it's off the back of the minecraft sets), but hopefully will mean more tiles and studs in a broader range of colours.

Thanks for sharing/finding.

CCC

andhe said:

It makes you look at 'seed' parts in a whole new way, and really refines your building down to it's basic parts which is fun to do. I'm guessing it might be good for a kids spacial recognition as well.

It's strange, it is almost like playing with lego was (at least for me) back in the 1970s with a very basic set of bricks. You had to use imagination as to what each piece could represent. We had a bucket full of 2x2 and 2x4 bricks and roof pieces / slopes. There was a few extra special parts (the odd fence and some wheels and so on) but that was about it. Yet I remember making a huge amount of different types and styles of buildings out of just those basic shapes.

jasor

CCC said:

andhe said:

It makes you look at 'seed' parts in a whole new way, and really refines your building down to it's basic parts which is fun to do. I'm guessing it might be good for a kids spacial recognition as well.

It's strange, it is almost like playing with lego was (at least for me) back in the 1970s with a very basic set of bricks. You had to use imagination as to what each piece could represent. We had a bucket full of 2x2 and 2x4 bricks and roof pieces / slopes. There was a few extra special parts (the odd fence and some wheels and so on) but that was about it. Yet I remember making a huge amount of different types and styles of buildings out of just those basic shapes.

I love all the parts that have come about just in a half generation, for sure! The web series has merit...and hopefully will have more meat to it as it gets going. That's my hope though. I've never even challenged myself in "micro" other than the odd/end polybag/calendar builds. It has totally gotten my gears turning.

CCC

^ Me too. I doubt I would be into lego now if it was still just 2x4s and 2x2s. But the once every so-often challenge of building something realistic looking with a very small palette of bricks (colour and type) is good fun.

jasor

@andhe i've done a couple heroica expansions too. It's kind of like squinting while painting. |) haha. I really hope TLG expands this portion out. Minecraft is VERY popular...BUT, I really think it's reinvigorated interest in microbuilds. Some of the micro CUUSOO projects are well thought out, and very interesting

jasor

Just saw Ep 5:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEy30lL8YSI


Seriously? At least the concept got me interested in microbuilds. Surely, they are targeting a younger audience in this episode....

princedraven

Use green for grass you say?? Hadn't thought of that!
I still really like this concept.
Thought it was pretty clear it was aimed at a young audience, based upon the annoyingly positive presenters.

andhe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEy30lL8YSI


Just think of what colour something is in real life you say?... Intriguing.

cheshirecat

"Hey guys, dya want to know a fun, simple and quick way to improve your videos - all you have to do is ... punch the presenter in the face!"

The first colour fact was really good, a proper hint. Then green grass, blue water.. what? I think they ran out of things to say about colour.

samiam391

A few good tips, but overall not the most useful of videos.

However...

I do have to admit the theme song at the beginning is pretty catchy.

jasor

^^ it's good tidbits on using multilevel 1x1 stacks for variations in geology maybe...seemed like less texture, and more identifying things. Just a bit odd. IDK how many youngsters are going to microbuild if they dont think about grass being green, or water being....wait...water is blue? Still love the concept though (even with the gamer music geared to Minecraft crowd).

LegobrandonCP

Too childish. But I guess it is kids who are watching most of the videos posted on the channel.

jasor

http://youtu.be/uQyAlGkSi0I

New episode is out, and I thought it gave me some thoughts on futuristic mini scale hoverarounds for sure

rchadd

after building the mini modularsi think micro building would be a good area for lego to develop more in the future.

jasor

^^I've seen mixed reviews on the MM...are they worth it? I have to admit...obviously, micro scale is interesting the heck out of me. Until I get back to IKEA for my new Lego Display...space is limited.

mathew

The mini modulars were one of my favorite builds. Lots of interesting building techniques. There's not much to do with them after that though.

jasor

^^make more mini modulars :D

jasor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUpZmGZrVos

.... i give up. TREES! good grief.

CCC

Problem here is they show you how to build one type of tree. So now everyone's trees will look the same. No matter what they say about them looking different.

jasor

^^they showed like one other variation, and that was it. No 1x3 plates, normal dots, mini cheese slopes...nothing. I had high hopes that they would include some good info.

allmybricks

17 second intro for a 47 second video. what a waste. this series could be really great. unfortunately comments are disabled so you can't give them any feedback.