Lego MMO to feature real-world integration, legos

by Scott Jon Siegel { Feb 26th 2008 at 4:25PM }

Wired's Earnest Cavalli had a chance to talk shop with LEGO Universe developer NetDevil at GDC, and came away with a few sparse but interesting details about the game, as well as some totally hardcore pieces of concept art.

While the game isn't expected out until 2009, NetDevil discussed what they hope to be the core features of the game, like having players living amongst LEGO's impressive backlog of building sets, able to construct vehicles, buildings, and more for their avatars. The game will also feature the standard MMO quests, based on LEGO sets like Knights vs. Dragons, and Sailors vs. Pirates.

Perhaps most interesting is LEGO Universe's proposed integration with real-world LEGOs, with players able to create anything they wish in-game, and being given the option to order the exact pieces required to assemble their creations themselves. With a concept like this, the game could not only become a fairly successful MMO, but also help to revitalize the LEGO empire (we're already tempted to dig through our old bins). Check out Wired's piece for more concept art and details.

[Via Penny Arcade]

Tags: lego, lego-universe, legouniverse, netdevil

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

JodyAnthony (death by snoo-snoo) @ Feb 26th 2008 4:29PM

to use a tired internet meme, DO WANT.

ThornedVenom (Patapornographer) @ Feb 26th 2008 8:00PM

There can only be one chef Patapon avatar.

samfish @ Feb 26th 2008 4:32PM

Well that's a bit retarded, if you ask me.

Not enough Lego.

Zertoss @ Feb 26th 2008 4:36PM

Needs less Sailors and more Ninjas.

dextro @ Feb 26th 2008 5:07PM

LEGO Ninjas actually exists so we can probably expect Ninjas VS. Samurais...

Still Ninjas VS. Pirates would WIN!!

ApolloIV @ Feb 26th 2008 4:37PM

I can see it now...

"God fucking nerf red brick it is sooooo op...
GTFO L2P blue brick
Zomg bump bump bump.
lol "

ApolloIV @ Feb 26th 2008 4:44PM

My buddy just told me this joke, in a scary fashion, was used on Penny Arcade on Monday. SO i guess sauce on that bitch http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/02/25

Cheezeman3000 @ Feb 26th 2008 4:53PM

How effing amazing is this.

Mr Khan @ Feb 26th 2008 4:54PM

Its Spore: With legos

Want

Off topic: I thought Twitter was just a feature that was here for GDC. So is it something that's going to stay?

Leilock @ Feb 26th 2008 4:54PM

For those of you that aren't familar, this feature is already available via Lego.com.

http://factory.lego.com/

It's a smallish application with a stripped down 3D user interface similar to pro 3D design tools that lets you custom build and order Lego kits. Since the technology is already there, it's probably a simple mater of porting existing functionality.

Giving an MMO immediate access to a cheap way to make their in-game asset into something they can hold is something even Blizzard has only just gotten around too, and for an embarassingly unaccessible price. This is a smart move.

superbagman @ Feb 26th 2008 10:01PM

Yep, I've used the creator, though to be honest the selection of bricks and colors(mostly colors) is sorta weak.

If this is true I hope the color selection is improved.

Marty @ Feb 26th 2008 4:58PM

I'm 26 years old, and this looks interesting to me. O_O

DAK @ Feb 26th 2008 4:59PM

Excellent idea for Lego. I have actually made a few tricorces and other sprite based Lego builds and would love to make it in the game and be able to buy the pieces to make it. Talk about convenient and a way to revitalize an aging product like Legos. I wish Polaroid was able to come up with something this creative and not those mini teenie bopper Polaroid cameras.

StrangeBum @ Feb 26th 2008 6:34PM

Hmm..maybe like a camera that uses film, but after you take your pictures you send the roll off to have it developed and get pictures sent back....wait

Anyway, sorry to be a dick, long day. This looks awesome though, I do commend them on a pretty nifty idea. I can't see myself ordering the piece sets to build the in-game things, but I would totally play the game.

DAK @ Feb 26th 2008 7:01PM

@ StrangeBum

Definitely were being a dick but it's alright, and expected, this is the Internet afterall.

Polaroid is a niche product, instant gratification and also, there is a mystique about the quality they provide and the white borders around the picture. It is an icon in the technology and pop culture world and my comment was that it's a shame they can't continue to innovate the product to keep it relevant.

But I guess it was easier with your comment to be a "dick".

StrangeBum @ Feb 26th 2008 9:55PM

Like I said hombre, sorry for that. I just had a shitty day today. But I know what you mean about the polaroid deal. Polaroid pictures are iconic in a sense, but one thing that is definitely nice is being able to replicate it at least with digital photography.

Sure it isn't quite the same, but it's easier than cutting a 4x6 picture and trying the same.

sorry again.

sicsided @ Feb 26th 2008 6:39PM

i call my own deathstar!

Holly @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:20PM

Just a minor clarification: Mark Hansen works for LEGO, not NetDevil. He was also part of the team that worked on the LEGO Factory thing that Leilock linked above, and is an expert at the coolest aspect of the MMO -- the fact that you can order anything you make.

The thing is, a custom set is going to be much more expensive than a pre-made one that you can buy at Toys R Us. There's no way around it, because they have to put together the sets from a bunch of smaller packs, depending on exactly which bricks you want. And last I heard, they don't have the technology to do this all with automation and robots yet, it's human beings picking out the packs. If your building has 18 bricks in it, but is unlucky enough to have pieces from 18 different packs, that's going to be an expensive set with a lot of extra bricks. If this kind of ordering gets insanely popular they might be able to drive the price down by having smaller packs (or even individual bricks) in the fulfillment system, or develop some kind of automated machine-picker, but first enough people will have to buy the expensive custom sets...

wait in the car @ Feb 26th 2008 7:22PM

"Perhaps most interesting is LEGO Universe's proposed integration with real-world LEGOs, with players able to create anything they wish in-game, and being given the option to order the exact pieces required to assemble their creations themselves."

If this option is left out, I see no point in the game's creation.

ThornedVenom (Patapornographer) @ Feb 26th 2008 8:02PM

I won't doubt the design process, but I'll doubt the mechanics (which pieces would rotate like wheels? which pieces would move like this and that, collision detecting with the environment? how would animations work? etc...)

Although I might be paranoid because games like Spore seem to show a surprising promise for in-depth customized building.