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Lego Minecraft (Minifigure scale)

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  • vitreolumvitreolum Member Posts: 1,406
    vwong19 said:

    I hear what you are saying, but lego has used the formula that minifigures will sell the sets for years now. Throw in a rare minifigure in Super Heroes, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and 99% of fans of those themes will buy them. Minecraft sets would be no different for fans of it.

    Very much true, superheroes are a perfect example in this sense. But at least those minifigs are excellent. These are absolutely terrible. The fact that they put that oversized block on a regular rounded torso is horrendous. They should have changed the torso as well, or kept the entire minifig regular. I know making a proper fig would have required extra molds, but if you're doing it, then do it right. While I can find something to like in most themes and sets, there's absolutely nothing to like here.
    AdeelZubair
  • AdeelZubairAdeelZubair Member Posts: 2,704
    Lego could have used these as inspiration http://imgur.com/a/EcBGW however they would be very fragile for kids to play with if they were brick-built. Or they could have just made new Minecraft minifigure models with rectangular limbs.
    bobabricks
  • vwong19vwong19 Member Posts: 1,191
    I agree that the Minecraft minifigs look a little odd. I wonder if the same thought process went into Simpsons and Toy Story themes... Switch the head, but maintain the torso so that the Lego minifigure style is consistent. The alternative would be Friends torso or a brand new minifig scale torso.

    I think a good compromise would have been blocky arms and keep everything else the same.... Different arms had been used in minifigures such as robots and chicken costume guy.
  • ericbericb Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2014
    vitreolum said:

    I will not encourage the laziness of the creators.

    Do you know all that set design and production entails? If not, then that's a bold assumption.

  • ShibShib Member Posts: 5,469
    I think it's fair for minecraft fans to say they like the look of these and non minecraft fans to say they don't like the look of them.
    There is definitely something about the minifigs that just doesn't hit the mark. At some point I really want to do a massive comic con MOC so if I can get the figures (or sets) on the cheap they will be useful for that, but otherwise not for me.

    I'll fully admit that not being a fan of minecraft that the design might just look dull because I'm not a fan, but there are plenty of themes I'm not a fan of but like the look of the finished set - case in point I think the micro world sets look nice, but as I'm not a fan of minecraft I have none of them and don't plan to get any. Equally I love Back to the Future but think the design of the Delorean set was poor - mainly because it doesn't fit both figs properly and suffered for the changeable bonnet.
    vitreolum
  • vitreolumvitreolum Member Posts: 1,406
    edited August 2014
    ericb said:

    vitreolum said:

    I will not encourage the laziness of the creators.

    Do you know all that set design and production entails? If not, then that's a bold assumption.

    Yes, I'm very much aware of that, and I'm also aware of what the designers are capable of building even with limitations. Throwing a few bricks together and making a few new molds (and even worse, make only some new molds to fit the aesthetics, but keep some the old ones so they don't fit) is lazy.

    Isn't that what they should do? Get thorough all THEIR processes and make quality stuff?
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    ^Agree with Shib.

    I do not see this as laziness at all, but simply a function of what they are designing for. It is meant to be blocky. They did take input from fan on a number of the characters as well. I can see why the build and design would not appeal to many, but for kids that play Minecraft, that blocky design is what minecraft is about. The micro sets also were not about okay. It was about creating a cool little desk model. It was a cube. It had interchangeability, and that had some appeal with adults, besides fans of Minecraft, and young kids that would still play with the microset. Yes, there was a beauty and aesthetic to those. This is different. The mini-sized sets are not going to be desk toppers. These are about okay and recreating key elements of the minecraft world. It also sounds like they are using the concept of joining two sets together to make a new set, and the concept of rebuilding a set into something different. (Mere than one model). None of that speaks to laziness, but no.... The appearance of these is going to be drastically different than anything Lego has done before because they are creating that blocky world.
  • vitreolumvitreolum Member Posts: 1,406
    You misunderstand me. It's not the blocky part why I call this lazy. Let me try and make it more clear.

    First of all, the minifigs issue I've mentioned.
    Second, look at the accessories included: we have a new mold to fit the minecraft world and then a few regular accessories that don't fit the style at all (chest, bucket, bow, etc.)
    The build themselves are lame, no interesting techniques, no npu, nothing.
    There's also a charm to the minecraft aesthetics that's completely missing here: the blocks are pixellated that creates a certain texture, not just one color, which is missing completely here.
    As for what they were trying to recreate here, for me it just doesn't work. The mine looks like a few bricks thrown together with no purpose whatsoever, the flying spider is lame and the other one is just some boring terrain.
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,788
    edited August 2014
    vitreolum said:

    The reason for the hate is this: I will not encourage the laziness of the creators. Children will want it because it's minecraft. Give them a minifig and a green brick and stamp it minecraft and children WILL want it.

    But let's picture it this way for a second: let's assume this is not a minecraft set, but a regular set. Would children still want it? Would anyone still want it? 99% I'd say no.
    ....

    Assume all you want, but this set is SPECIFICALLY designed for Minecraft, not LEGO Marvel, not LEGO Batman, not SW, but Minecraft.
    Minecraft sets look that way because that is generally how Minecraft the game looks.
    vitreolum said:

    You misunderstand me. It's not the blocky part why I call this lazy. Let me try and make it more clear.

    First of all, the minifigs issue I've mentioned.
    Second, look at the accessories included: we have a new mold to fit the minecraft world and then a few regular accessories that don't fit the style at all (chest, bucket, bow, etc.)
    The build themselves are lame, no interesting techniques, no npu, nothing.
    There's also a charm to the minecraft aesthetics that's completely missing here: the blocks are pixellated that creates a certain texture, not just one color, which is missing completely here.
    As for what they were trying to recreate here, for me it just doesn't work. The mine looks like a few bricks thrown together with no purpose whatsoever, the flying spider is lame and the other one is just some boring terrain.

    I simply do not see this as them being 'lazy' but building as something would look in Minecraft, with cost in mind, with current parts. I doubt LEGO is getting paid enough to actually try to make every little brick 'textured' or whatever, and pretty sure those other components are in the game and are in the set(may not be perfect matches, but again this is marketed for kids, this is not a mod). I'm sure if MC wanted a perfect set, they would have said so to LEGO (and been more than happy to open the checkbook to do it). However, due to manufacturing and development, I'm sure it would have been a 30 dollar set for 80 dollars due to all the costs. But I guess they could also include 100's of textured stickers if you really want special different textures on the brick (but then there would be those that would rant on about that). Plus I'm guessing MC folks signed off on the sets, so also direct your complaints to the makers of the game as well.

    I would say this: If you want a reasonable facsimile, then buy the set. Want the 'perfect minecraft'? Play the game.
    Want to build more with the set? Buy another set and make a bigger diorama.

    Bottom line is that if this set is in a home and most people who have kids are going to go to that home and see that set (as 'uncreative' as it is) and say 'Ohh, Minecraft' or ask 'What is that?' Which means LEGO did its job and also Minecraft is getting advertised.
  • vitreolumvitreolum Member Posts: 1,406
    Your bottom line is precisely what I'm saying, they did their job from a professional pov, people are going to buy it, to hell with the rest. What do you expect, to praise them for it?

    I don't want to buy 100 sets and make the ultimate minecraft, I want one that's good. If I want to make them myself I will just buy a brick bucket and make it. And what about the mold, should I make those myself as well. Sorry to anyone offended but to me these sets are just weak and nothing more than cashgrabbers.
  • XefanXefan Member Posts: 1,148
    I love Minecraft but I'm not keen on these sets, the Farm is passable and I may get that but the cave is awful.

    The problem is that whilst yes, one of the very charms about Minecraft is it's simplistic graphics, each block still has a basic pixelated texture set against it. Now I'm well aware it's completely unrealistic for Lego to have made every single block printed, but on the same note whilst you can get away with that at micro scale I don't think you can at minifigure scale and this was always going to be the gamble they'd have to take - the problem is I think it's a gamble they've lost, I don't think it's worked with plain bricks (but even that aside the Zombie and Steve look a bit weird regardless).

    I think they'd have been better off making this a UCS-like series - not on the size and scale of the large UCS Star Wars sets, but building a texture accurate or near enough creeper, steve and so forth.
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    vitreolum said:


    The build themselves are lame, no interesting techniques, no npu, nothing.

    Are there other techniques in minecraft over and above simple block placement? Can you do SNOT type techniques?
    vitreolum said:


    There's also a charm to the minecraft aesthetics that's completely missing here: the blocks are pixellated that creates a certain texture, not just one color, which is missing completely here.

    There are probably two ways of doing that - either lots of 1x1 tiles (boring and repetitive), or printing of the texture on every piece. I imagine the latter would be both expensive and limits the blocks to be used only for minecraft builds, and also limits the extra pieces you can add. You couldn't buy a jumbo bucket and add them, for example, if all the minecraft pieces were textured. That would annoy people wanting to extend their sets using generic parts.

  • knooseknoose Member Posts: 45
    The legs on this creeper appear to be a new mold. What do you guys think? This picture was taken from the lego Minecraft Facebook page.
    image
    kezAdeelZubairbobabricksRainstorm26
  • kezkez Member Posts: 831
    Thats gotta be a new mold, thanks for the news knoose, the creepers certainly looking good. :-D
  • BrickDancerBrickDancer Member Posts: 3,639
    In what building situations would you have a diagonal angle running parallel to a horizontal?
  • bobabricksbobabricks Member Posts: 1,842
    Maybe these sets will look good after all, they are just going through the stages that any other set needs to go through which is why I think Lego doesn't release prototypes before the real thing is ready for pictures.
  • binaryeyebinaryeye Member Posts: 1,831
    CCC said:

    Are there other techniques in minecraft over and above simple block placement? Can you do SNOT type techniques?

    I've not played it, but I'm fairly sure building in Minecraft is nothing like building with LEGO. There are no connections, so things like SNOT aren't needed.
    bobabricks said:

    Maybe these sets will look good after all, they are just going through the stages that any other set needs to go through which is why I think Lego doesn't release prototypes before the real thing is ready for pictures.

    As I understand it, the photos of the cave and farm are of the final sets, not prototypes. Prototypes normally have placeholder minifigures.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    I must agree that the new sets does not look overwhelming, but Minecraft is mainly boxes and is best created with basic LEGO bricks - however if LEGO printed all the bricks with Minecraft texture, they would sell, lol.

    I would strongly consider buying these off sale, but I also believe to get at least one set with a 'Enderman', since he should be based of the famous Slenderman.
    I do not believe to touch any of the sets at all, if they got stickers.

    Since the LEGO Minecraft world is officially created with standard bricks like 2x2, it would be cheaper to upgrade the world with LEGO basic boxes offering high amounts of standard pieces to a lower price.
  • kezkez Member Posts: 831
    image
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    LegoManiaccAanchirvwong19bobabricksAdeelZubairknoose
  • AanchirAanchir Member Posts: 3,037
    The sets actually look pretty good to me, and I really love that the LEGO Group is emphasizing the ability to take the parts and techniques in these sets and use them to build your own original creations — something that aligns nicely with both the LEGO and Minecraft brands. All things considered, these are basically a licensed answer to the Bricks & More theme — kind of like the Star Wars Bucket but with a brand that is a much better fit for the product on a conceptual level.

    The sets are definitely different enough from the more display-oriented Micro-World sets and from other LEGO themes to justify their existence. And other than the minifigures (which I'm still not totally fond of) they do a great job mimicking the Minecraft game worlds on an aesthetic level.
    kezAdeelZubairAndor
  • kezkez Member Posts: 831
    My conclusions:
    The Cave- Great small set with the printed TNT piece along with two mob figures and Steve with a pickaxe, a must buy.

    The Farm- Very nice colourful set with a few unique pieces such as the brown cow and sheep aswell as the Jack o Lantern head which is really useful, yet again this is a must buy, especially with skeleton and craft box.

    The House- This is a nice cosy looking house along with a furnished interior, the pig and brown axe/sword seem to be unique to this set, however I am undecided if this will be a purchase.

    Crafting Box- This is the best looking of the wave, I particularly like the mooshroom and oven. The 4/8 selected models at the bottom look better than some of the sets and for that reason this is a day one purchase (does anyone know the piece count?).

    The End- This set is imo the worst of the wave, it is very bare (which is exactly what the end is like), but I can't justify buying this one for the model itself, however the diamond armour, helmet and sword are absolutely fantastic, and as a matter of fact the Ender dragon and endermen are really cool too.

    The Mine- The flagship of this wave is looking great. I spot at least two play features (pushing the mine along the cart and the TNT explosion function). This is the most generous set in terms of mob characters (offering each mob figure from every set par the End), and the fact that this one includes steves new armour piece in the iron variation is pretty cool but again I am undecided if this will be a purchase now that I've seen the others.

    Verdict: Lego have done a fantastic job at presenting minecraft into a product, they have craftily spread unique items throughout each set making you want to buy more than one (which is a clever marketing tactic but has been seen many times before). The nice added feature of these sets is that Lego inspire you to build more than just the set because judging by the print on the boxes 'inspiration included', I'm willing to bet that in the manual Lego have included a selection of minecraft Lego models or actual game creations relating to each set. I shall be buying almost if not all of this wave as I think it has been done really well. Should these sets sell well it would be great to see Lego touch up on other new sets such as a witches swamp, the village and the nether. :-D
  • bobabricksbobabricks Member Posts: 1,842
    I like the big mine set with all of the levels and the mine cart track looks fun. Knowing Lego it only gets better from here. :)
  • beegeedeebeegeedee Member Posts: 380
    I want them!
  • AdeelZubairAdeelZubair Member Posts: 2,704
    I won't give away too many thoughts just yet because I want to share my thoughts in a breakdown and analysis video which will be coming soon as more official pictures are released. I will say like many others that the Mine is really cool and I will buy definitely buy that set for sure. Other than that the End set is worse than Lego Duplo; what was LEGO thinking...
  • imhotep85imhotep85 Member Posts: 24
    The LEGO Minecraft Facebook page has just posted a picture of the Cave on the production line with a "Stay tuned we'll be showing you the final sets here". So hopefully more pictures real soon.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    imhotep85 said:

    The LEGO Minecraft Facebook page has just posted a picture of the Cave on the production line with a "Stay tuned we'll be showing you the final sets here". So hopefully more pictures real soon.

    The key part to that post, though, was that they are coming in November. I think that is the first time we had official word on the release date.
  • kezkez Member Posts: 831
    There we go, Toysrus has just posted a whole bunch of new images, check them out here:
    http://www.toysrus.de/family/index.jsp?categoryId=35496881&ab=DE_Lego_BS_Minecraft :-D
  • beegeedeebeegeedee Member Posts: 380
    I was actually wondering when they will be released. I was thinking nxt year but that's even better if it is November.
  • CapnRex101CapnRex101 Administrator Posts: 2,364
    These were all available today at the Metrocentre LEGO Store.
    kez
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    There is also a video review of all the sets by some kids. The link is on the Facebook Minecraft site.
  • PaperballparkPaperballpark Member Posts: 4,268
    Yup, all in Manchester today. Didn't notice in Sheffield, as you could hardly move. They did hand me a catalogue though, which stated they're available from 1st November...
  • kezkez Member Posts: 831
    Ooh thats great news, I'm gonna have to check my Lego store, thanks. :-D
  • Kevin_HyattKevin_Hyatt Member Posts: 778
    Just picked up the farm and the cave sets. Not so keen on the price but the kids will love building them.
    Are these LEGO store exclusive or is there chance to pick up later with discount from elsewhere for more mobs later?
  • XefanXefan Member Posts: 1,148
    They're in Sheffield but they're flying off the shelves. So much for the naysayers believing these wouldn't do well, they had a girl literally restocking them constantly, she couldn't keep them on the shelves they were being taken off faster than she could bring more out.

    I've never seen a Lego theme sell like that, even Research Institute and exo suit weren't moving quite like that. Fortunately this isn't a limited release though so there should be plenty for everyone. I think Lego has hit the jackpot on this one though.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    My Lego store had both exo suit and RI flying like that. They were constantly restocked the morning they were released.
    My Lego store did not have any Minecraft sets out yet.
  • CapnRex101CapnRex101 Administrator Posts: 2,364
    @Xefan - Quite the opposite in Newcastle. The sets were on a large display and while people were picking them up to look at them, I did not see anyone actually buy any of them. The £49.99 price tag on the Crafting Box astonished me!
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    It always surprises me, although not surprising, to see the difference in sales of sets in certain areas.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    edited October 2014
    All the new LEGO Minecraft sets released in LEGO Store Copenhagen - since friday.
    Employee confirms "Not a LEGO exclusive" - Minecraft sets to be released in other stores.

    I found 'The End' surprisingly lower priced that expected. Guess that I will get it off their shelf, together with the mini version (10% off), double VIP points and the 1/2 "free" christmas set.

    Edit: Actually adding an large PAB cup to 'The End' mini version, would be enough to let me have another "free" christmas set.
    Making two orders:

    1. Buying the new 'The End' --> 2x Points + "free" set.
    Walk out, walk in.
    2. Buying mini version of 'The End' --> 2x Points + "free" set.

    Giving me two "free" christmas sets. Possible? anyone got experience with that?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    Edit Second Last Line: Buying the mini version of 'The End' + Large PAB cup*
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,631
    ^Probably just depends on your store manager when you try and do it. Varied results with such maneuvers are reported for just about every promo the last few years. Will also probably depend on if they are running low on supply or not.
  • minicoopers11minicoopers11 Member Posts: 104
    NavyAsk said:

    All the new LEGO Minecraft sets released in LEGO Store Copenhagen - since friday.
    Employee confirms "Not a LEGO exclusive" - Minecraft sets to be released in other stores.

    I found 'The End' surprisingly lower priced that expected. Guess that I will get it off their shelf, together with the mini version (10% off), double VIP points and the 1/2 "free" christmas set.

    Edit: Actually adding an large PAB cup to 'The End' mini version, would be enough to let me have another "free" christmas set.
    Making two orders:

    1. Buying the new 'The End' --> 2x Points + "free" set.
    Walk out, walk in.
    2. Buying mini version of 'The End' --> 2x Points + "free" set.

    Giving me two "free" christmas sets. Possible? anyone got experience with that?

    Best to have someone go with you and do the second order separate from you. Or you just go in twice on different days or with different cashiers on duty.
  • gold682gold682 Member Posts: 257
    Saw these sets in Watford store on Saturday and really caught my eye. Even my nah-saying wife said the display model of "The Farm" looked nice. The sets don't mean anything to me as i've never played the game and only know of it when I shout at my 14 year old to get off the computer (hooked on Minecraft!).

    Tempted to get a set or two after seeing the display models. Might even give a micro version a go - anyone have a preference on these micro model cubes?
  • cloaked7cloaked7 Member Posts: 1,448
    edited October 2014
    I think the sets will sell very well simply because they are Minecraft, much like the other MC sets. I don't think it will matter how they look to the LEGO 'pro'. Kids will want them regardless.
    bobabricks
  • jasorjasor Member Posts: 839
    @gold682 -- I quite enjoyed :

    #21105: The Village -- it has the interior and interesting topagraphy (and pigs)
    #21102: The Forest -- It's got the best re-connectability of the lot
    #21106: The Nether -- Dark Red is my fave Lego color, but the connections once subbed out are limiting.
    #21107: The End -- The Ender Dragon in micro form was fun

    In that order of build.
  • blarghiflarghblarghiflargh Member Posts: 99
    So are these going to suddenly show up at US [email protected] tonight? It feels a bit strange we don't seem to have had any official word about these recently that I am aware of.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    I have found nothing official besides November.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    November 15.
  • blarghiflarghblarghiflargh Member Posts: 99
    ^^ Yeah I see them up on the site, listed for November 15 now. Most of the sets seem a bit cheaper than I expected. TheEnder Dragon, once it gets discounted a bit later in the run, might be a buy for me. Definitely getting the Cave.

    Wish more sets had a Creeper.
  • prleeprlee Member Posts: 163
    I've ordered the Crafting box for my daughter for Christmas. I got it from Amazon.co.uk.
  • TarDomoTarDomo Member Posts: 515
    The new Minecraft sets are already available in Finland at BR-lelut. (The Farm, The First Night etc...)
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