Thursday, May 30, 2013

Weekly Crowd

GBR News 

 

New Pages!

Well, here they are, four pages to enhance how you interact with Cuusoo. 

Daily shows you the top supporter project for the previous day and a table that shows each of the projects previous two days of support.

Weekly shows you last seven days of support for projects.

Latest Projects shows you the most recently published projects sorted by support descending.

Top New Projects  shows the best performing of the very most recent projects and the top 15 of the latest 54.  This is intended to show you the real cream of the crop and limit your exposure to the lower supported projects while allowing you to see the newest projects coming to Cuusoo. 

It is all in Beta but it should be functional.  I got some more stuff planned for the future.

New Project: Lady Sabre and Pirates of the Ineffable Aether

Yes another one.  This is a ship from the Web comic: Lady Sabre and Pirates of the Ineffable Aether.  If you have been reading the blog at all you will likely recognize it.  If not, well its space fantasy-ish.  I think I pulled of the figurehead pretty well.  You can get a better look here

 

General News

Nick Royer Returns to Cuusoo with Pulp Adventure

Hyperborea
by NickRoyer


Nick Royer was made famous on Cuusoo with his project "Space Troopers."  It was one of the few to reach 10,000 using totally new IP and that is no small feet indeed when it comes to Cuusoo.  Now he has released his second project and WOW, does it look fun.

Much like Space Troopers this project is playing out like a theme, but this one is based on pulp action instead of space adventures.

Here is Royer's own intorduction to the project:

An exciting new theme or mini-theme of Lego adventure: Hyperborea! Following the adventures of an expedition sent to explore the newly-discovered hollow world inside Earth, Hyperborea chronicles a variety of eccentric adventurerers in an alternate-history, steampunk world. They face a variety of challenges and mysteries, including the sightless dinosaurs of Lower Hyperborea, and the powerful and mystifying Illuminati, an ancient organization obsessed with building pyramids.

Personally I love pulp adventure so I am very excited to see this project, especially with Royer's quality designs.  


Crowd funded

New 'Lego' Tank Treads

The expert Lego crafters at Brickmania are now launching a new part via Kickstarter: Tank Treads

This element is a simple variation on the existing Lego chain element but with an actual tread on it.  They are also hoping to produce a double wide version.

This is a pretty brilliant move on their part as Tanks are pretty much Brickmania's bread and butter.

It looks like Brickmania is ready to move on these too because $13 will get you 100 double wide links with a shipping date of July 2013!  

Girl Genius Volume 12

If you like Lego which is probably true if you come here (even though I am talking about Crowd stuff now too) then you should probably also be reading Girl Genius.  It has the zany energy and creativity that I find to be common in maturing FOLs.  On top of that it has won three Hugos for crying out loud.  On top of that it is free!

My fandom of the Girl Genius goes all the way back to when there were a printed comic but they have long since passed on that model.  Now they publish on the web and occasionally print in trades. 

Their current Kickstarter is to get the funds to publish Volume 12 of the series.  They are fully funded and have printed before so this is a no-risk kickstarter.

If you have not been reading Girl Genius, check it out, but only if you like great art, crazy pulp adventure, mad science, militant cats, maniacal computers, love triangles, clockwork contraptions,  and girl geniuses.

If you have been reading Girl Genius and are not planning on getting a physcial copy of volume 12, please consider one of the $1 to $10 donations.  Consider how much enjoyment you have gotten out of Kaja and Phil's exploits over the years and...tip them what they are worth.



Threadless

I'm Ready to Fly



 


Cuusoo


Pick of the Week

Microscale Hogwarts
by Earthdogjon

Support Level: 63

Here is a great example of repeating a theme but presenting something attractive and new when you do it.    This is the third Micro Hogwarts and by far the smallest.  Even though it is so limited in scale though, it is instantly recognizable with features like the quidditch field and the strange towers that go off into the sky.   Of the three micro Hogwarts I think this one strikes the best combination of scale (thus cost and displayability) and features. 

The inclusion of the light brick really adds a lot of charm.

I do wonder why the quidditch  field is missing a whole set of goals though. 

Honorable Mentions

 

Micro Galaxy Explorer μ928
by Wolf.leews

Support Level: 26

I think these kind of homage sets are going to become more and more present in Cuusoo as time goes on.  Not sure how the masses would react to them but I would personally love to get quality micro version of all my childhood sets. 


UCS Speeder Bike
by Johngreenart

Support Level: 23

This is a great idea:  A UCS of a subject so small that it is still viable from a price and displayability perspective even at a "large" scale.  Not to mention that I doubt that a speeker bike will get picked any time soon for the traditional Star Wars UCS series as it is just too small.   


Minifig Carnival Flight
by Toin

Support Level: 19

Although huge, this is a really fun way to use a lot of small aircraft sets and  MOCs.

 

Notables


Iron man Hall of Armor
by Squareff7
Support Level: 50

Another one?  Really?  This is like the seventh one.  They all look the same too.  Business wise Lego is not going to sell seven Iron Men in one set without it costing pretty much the same price as buying seven different Lego sets. 

L.M.I.R. - Roman Barracks
by Bigboy99899
Support Level: 50

Very impressive and educational.

Middle Ages Village
by Robin.rock
Support Level: 42

Certainly a quality and respectable MOC.  I fear that it does not have enough "pizazz" to get much further though. 

de Havilland DH.88 Comet
by Skypilot22
Support Level: 39

These look like they would be a lot of fun to swoosh around.


Star Wars Battlefront Pack - Republic
by Thenerd
Support Level: 39

A fantastic MOC.  However the last Battlefront was released in 2009.  Based on my difficulty with getting support for a Expanded Universe build with an active online community I have serious doubts for any Expanded Universe Cuusoo projects.  There is however rumors that a new Battlefront may be in the cards with the new organization going on in the Star Wars properties.

Microfigure Star Wars
by Windfire
Support Level: 36

Really fantastic Microscaled Walker! 

Workplace
by Toin
Support Level: 19

A gorgeous little building.  This project needs to do a better job selling itself though. 

Clone tank with dropship
by Jbb_777
Support Level: 18

Technically impressive but to my knowledge it is a "Star Wars" project with non canon vehicles.  I always assume these are doomed out of the gate.  Could be wrong but I just can't imagine them getting licensed.


Pokemon
by Irule
Support Level: 17

some great PokeMOCs and the ball looks great but way to many parts are used.  There is a mention of putting the Pokemon in the ball but that seems impractical based on the scale of the MOCs and the viable internal volume of the ball.  i.e. I will believe it when I see it. 

The Cube Tree
by B.bokslag
Support Level: 14

Pretty and very clever but the part count relative to likely demand is a non-starter imo.

ThunderCats: ThunderTank
by Afallendevil
Support Level: 14

Instantly recognizable to any fan of the Thundercats.  However, based on the lackluster performance of the Thundercat relaunch, I doubt we will see any Thundcat Legos any time soon. 

-the Johnny Test Project-
by Nightwing20
Support Level: 12

A pretty cool set but one that goes a bit overboard.  When you make a set based on an IP try to capture its essence rather than replicate every single aspect of the show in one oversized over dramatic set.  

Sender Club Car
by 4567
Support Level: 10

This is a fun little buggy and well designed, but I just can't see a large scale audience for it.

Remembrance Day Poppy
by Smidsy
Support Level: 8

Absolutely no disrespect but personally I don't really see a button made of Lego as being a great way to "remember those soldiers who died in war."  This is also a project that dictates that all profits go to a third part, so that is pretty much a non-starter in my opinion.

Armored Assault Tank (AAT)
by Finnmertens
Support Level: 24

The nature of the AAT makes it a Star Wars evergreen.  It is the prefect scale for a set and plays well with the "first" three movies and the Clone Wars.   Regardless of how good one of these projects is, they will be constantly outpaced by Lego's regular releases.  This issue is even more pronounced with the Tie Fighter variants. 

Iron Patriot Minifigure Set
by Nichels
Support Level: 76

This is a campaign to overturn a exclusive polybag deal with Walmart.  This will not happen.  It is just like the Western sets versus the Lone Ranger.  Existing contracts trump Cuusoo project in every way, every time.   




Week of Cuusoo

What follows is a showcase of the last week of Cuusoo projects

Friday, May 24, 2013

Weekly Crowd

News

Wow, I have been blogging for an entire year now.  It just snuck up on me.  Next week I will celebrate by launching some of the beta code I have been "hinting" at for weeks now.  Some of the basic elements will allow me to radically change the format of the site while still providing the content that many of you come here to get. 


Crowd funded

 

Update: Ogre

Ogre, a classic tabletop strategy game from the 70's by Steve Jackson games relaunched itself though Kickstarter last year.  It shattered Kickstarter's funding record for board games at the time receiving $923,680.

A little over a year has passed now and the final review edition as arrived at Steve Jackson games.

The scale of the game is, simply put, epic:


  • Box size: 24 by 20 by 5.8 inches
  • Box weight: 25.2 pounds
  • Maps laid out: 31 square feet
  • Maps laid out end-to-end: 13.8 feet long
  • Counter sheets laid out unpunched: 29.9 square feet
  • No. of 2-D counters: 1,100
  • No. of 3-D counters: 104
  • Total no. of counters: 1,204
Now, I have been lucky enough to receive an early sheet of 3-D counters.  I am glad to say that they they look fantastic and the quality is top notch.  The art is excellent.  Their was no difficulty popping them out of the sheets and I never got a hit of separation or tearing which sometimes occurs with games of lesser quality.  The individual elements fit together simply and snugly.



Some people lamented that these are not plastic models but upon seeing the final product I couldn't be happier.  If they were plastic then the game would be heavier and bulkier, the cost would be much higher and the units would have a lot less variation.  I enjoy painting minis but most people don't have the time, equipment, and skill to do it on their own.  The printed nature of these counters allows each one to be fully, attractively, and vibrantly colored.

On a final note, Steve and his team picked a perfect scale for these guys.  This Ogre Mark VI fits perfectly in the hand and somehow conveys the huge scale of the tank (and my kid loves them too).

Even More Airship Adventure!

Dirigible Days is one of those awesome things where you see people coming together together to make something fun and cool, and they will do it no matter what.  Last year Dirigible Day's launched their first kickstarter campaign to get the shoestring budget for a Steampunk webseries.

The setting is a Victorian Earth shattered by astronomical forces resulting in a multitude of floating islands called the Great Empire.  The show has just a hint of the Firefly feel as it follows the crew of the airship S.S. Beatrix.  Instead of Reavers though this world is best by Cthulhu cultists.  

That's right, Steampunk and Cthulhu.  

The original webseries can be found here.  My blunt review would be that the story is good, the setting is fun, and the production values are relatively high considering the budget.  I think it is fair to say that more than a few scenes are off my a beat or two and that is likely the biggest weakness of the series.  The feel of the series is also very consistent so if If you like the first episode you will likely enjoy them all, if you first one does not grab your fancy, then it is not for you. 

Dirigible Days is launching a new Kickstarter though:Dirigible Days: 998 -- Steampunk Graphic Novel Comic Book 

Here is the summary of the story line:

Captain Santiago Dunbar, mute pilot Josie Devereaux, and witty engineer Hooper Jefferson return, along with new comrades Dr. Nella Chatterjee and navigator Mackie MacMillan, in an epic steampunk tale of airships, super robots, political plots and evil cultists. When Captain Dunbar learns that his mentor—revolutionary and genius inventor Desmond Ellington—has been kidnapped by the Empire of Rabasa in order to complete a weaponized automaton colossus, the crew begins a perilous journey of danger and intrigue throughout Africa in order to discover the truth: from the skyland of Khara-Khoto, to the jungles of Kenzania, across the savannahs of Ethiopia, and into the desert ruins of Irem, City of Pillars. World War is on the horizon, but is this crisis caused by the warmongering government of Rabasa or masterminded by a familiar and malevolent enemy?  

Sounds like a fun pulpy adventure.  $10 will get you a digital copy and $25 will get you a printed copy.    



Threadless

Clash of Titans


Cuusoo


Pick of the Week

You are getting a twofer this week.  These projects are rather similar and totally different.  Both are quite awesome but also has critical flaws which will sadly make it difficult for them to get produced as is.  With both being so awesome and flawed I just could not decide which one was the better project for the pick...so I decided not to decide and lay all the cards on the table. 


IRON MAN Hulkbuster
by Jonsanpedro


Support Level: 97

Wow! What a brilliant use of the Iron Man hero-factor chest piece.  This guy is just fantastic and a very successful mash up of standard Lego and hero-factory elements.  It does help that the Iron Man head piece is extremely large too, to help with the independent scale of the thing.  The articulated thrusters on the back are a really nice touch too.

It looks fun enough that I can totally overlook the fact that nearly every Hulkbuster variation I have seen gives the armor a domed head, similar to Juggernaut helmet.  Jonsanpedro did a great interpretation of the dome by building up a lot of armor around the official headpiece.

Update: Jonsanpedro has now included his inspirational image of a Hulkbuster suit and it does not have a dome head.  

So what is the "problem" I have with this project.  Will this is not the "Really Big Iron Man suit" its the Hulkbuster suit.  Its is suppose to be the size of the Hulk.  The official Lego Hulk figure is about twice the height of minifig.  Maybe I am wrong but it looks to me like this thing would dwarf the Hulk.  I might change my mind if I see them together but picturing it, I can't see them playing off each other very well.  Its a pretty minor concern relative to how well done the build is. 



Apollo Guard - Imperial Mecha Unit
by Reekardoo

Support Level: 150

Mecha come in a so many styles and categorizes with recognizable themes.  It is rather unusual when you think about it especially for something that is for the most part totally fictional.  Reekardoo's design falls into what I consider the Rounded Heavy Power Armor variety: bulky and "squat" but with plenty of curves.  It reminds me a bit of the armor you see in Warhammer 40k but still distinct enough that it is original.

I especially like the hands.  They four fingers allow for a lot of realistic looking poses and grips.

The gold chrome is an awesome touch.  It reminds me of the Glitter Boy armor form Palladium's Rifts RPG.  It really helps sell the concept to Lego fans.  Unfortunately that same aspect of the design is why I have a hard time supporting it whole hog.  Chrome is really expensive for Lego sets.

A Lego set designer once told me he could budget 20 regular pieces in a set for each chrome piece.   The reason for the cost not just the actual act of chroming the elements but also because Lego apparently uses smaller molds for Chrome elements.  When you chrome a object, it becomes thicker.  So for Lego's exacting standards they need to make thinner elements when they are going to chrome them, thus in many cases new molds. 

Honorable Mention

Liebherr LTM 1070
by Dejw

Support Level: 36

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Watch the video.  Its really quite impressive.


Notables

Interactive Battle Video Game
by Jadisco
This is a really interesting concept but it needs some video to showcase its potential.

If you have a dynamic project you need to showcase that with a video.


Grand Prix Circuit - Pit Lane Marshal's post
by Lluisgib
Lluisgib's F1 racer is very impressive.

Lego has had a strong relationship with Ferrari and Racing for years.   I am not quite sure if that is a good thing for this project (established relationship) or a bad thing (Lego will likely cycle back to this on their own).

The use of the MILS base is a nice touch but that is the kind of "dead" volume that makes MOCs look fantastic but rarely make it to Lego products.  


Lego Custom Modular Mexican Restaurant
by Miamiguy119
This modular has some great architectural elements and great coloring.  The half width design is actually a very good idea for Cuusoo. 

 I am very surprised it got past the "no modern use of Alcohol rule."
Lego Ford T
by Saabfan
Vintage Cars!  I can't get enough of them.  This design has some really inspired design elements.  I especially like the headlight elements used for the side lamps. 

FLOWER SHOP - Custom Modular by Jorge Garcia
by Miamiguy119
This is a very nice looking modular externally.  The color selection is very strong and the architecture is broken up into interesting builds.  On top of that the flower shop level looks like a flower shop.

The week part of the design is the second floor though, it is just a lounge area.  Though it might not be more popular, I think this design would be a lot stronger as a one story building.

Millennium Falcon Expansion Kit
by Emiki
Conceptually I love this idea.  Emiki has some really great improvements to the Falcon.  I think it would be really interesting if Lego produced expansion sets for their products.  Then again, that is what Brickset is for right?

That being said, as a Cuusoo project is has a serious uphill battle.  As I pointed out with Emiki's Jubba Palace project, the timing for this kind of project is impracticable.  What is the market for Lego in producing an expansion set for a retired product?


The Battle of Kashyyyk - Wookiee Tree Village
by Ephseb
There are quite a few of these Star Wars "giant tree village" projects on Cuusoo.  They are Wookie or Ewok but they all basically look the same.  I think they make great MOCs when done right but I just don't see them as potential products (at least not as presented in most of Cuusoo.

These projects tend to overuse the tree elements, often in a boring manner (in this case four giant shafts) and have limited playability relative to the part count (and subsequent cost).



Week of Cuusoo

Following the break is a showcase of all the new projects from this week sorted by support level


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Cuusoo Analytics: Days to 10k

Approaching 1k Milestone

Themed Brick Box  and Legend of Zelda: King of Red Lions achieved 1000 supporters in the last week.  The Brick Box has been with us for a while so it predates a lot of the formalization of what Cuusoo is about.  I think the concept is pretty doomed as it more of a packaging strategy then a Cuusoo set.  As for the King of Red Lions, this is is one of the first Zelda projects, and probably my favorite, I got a thing for boats. 


ARAK-N3
Support Level: 993
Hindenburg
Support Level: 978

Deadline Review

The next review is June 3rd, 2013.Less than a month away.  If League of Legends can get there act together then they could get in by the deadline but they have shown a very unusual quality of immense surges of support followed by long droughts. It is really screwing up my models. 

Days to 10K


ProjectCreatorRate10k 1k
League of Legends of LegoAddam113.02 12
FTL: Faster Than LightCrashSanders29.68 105
Poptropica: Dr. Hare's LairPopCreators33.81 108
The Adventure Time Projectjazlecraz38.97 178
Macross VF-1 Valkyrie +Fast pack / Armored partsmaxvf19.2 338
Ghostbusters 30th AnniversaryBrentWaller18.17 380
Legend of Zelda: Iron Knuckle EncounterWesTalbott13.48 386
GhostbustersTeeKay9.63 554
Modular Apple Storegotoandbuild8.08 568
LEGO Bird SeriesDeTomaso7.23 587
Japanese old style architecturetaxon556.81 678
Female Minifigure SetAlatariel9.67 809
DC Comics: Minifigures SeriesMarvel-boy9.47 100150
Labyrinth Marble MazeTouthomme5.4 1097
Invisible HandLDiEgo5.4 1135
BTTF - UCS DeLorean Time Machinem.togami4.6 1164
Ultimate Collectors Series Lightsabersscott345675.82 1181
The Muppets!jedikermit5.87 1213
Amusement Park Ride - Twist and Whirl Ride - now MOTORIZED!DerekMedina7.23 129753
The Nether - Minecraftgueltron7.49 130098
Iron Man - Hall of Armourjaredchan7.21 134698
Minecraft VillageTheNerd6.81 138160
Batman: Killer Croc's LairBrickQueen4.88 1446
Ironman Arc ReactorMr.Attacki6.29 148655
The Discworld (or a sea turtle, some tiny elephants, and a ...GlenBricker5.78 1492
Iron Man Hall of ArmourRyan.M.Evans5.94 1643127
The Drake's Head InnAlexP5.4 1648
LEGO Architecture - Leaning Tower of Pisamoctown3.71 1748
Apollo 11 Lunar Missionsuzuki3.8 1751
Micro Scale Star Wars Scenestoomuchcaffe4.18 1764
Adventure Time! Tree Fortdunc2374.6 1869
Western Town - Pif Paf Citykris_kelvin4.34 1934
Legolympus (Mythology Theme with Mount Olympus Set)Kiffington4.27 1941
Douglas DC-3Ssorg3.85 1970
LEGO single lens reflex camerasuzuki4.41 1981
BTTF - Jules Verne Trainm.togami3.99 1999
Marvel Avengers Board GamePekko4.41 2024
UCS All Terrain Armoured TransportCavegod3.9 2090
Lord of the Rings Set: Minas TirithNujuMetru4.32 213652
Red SquirrelVuurzoon3.47 2200
Majestic Airship!Ssorg3.66 2247
The Glory of Romemminnitt3.1 2248
- MegaMan Project -Alatariel3.57 2322
LEGO Mobile Designer for Nintendo 3DS & other devicesFrankie3.1 2339
IRON MAN gantrymachinechoisanghun3.8 240738
Realistic treesPaultox3.05 2409
BONSAI "Pine tree"AMKK3.57 2508
Log Cabin - Two Seasons!Ssorg3.47 2571
Flying DutchmanSebeus3.1 2595
Legend of Zelda: King of Red Lionsflailx3.43 2623
Redemption - Nebulon-B escort frigateLDiEgo3.47 266975
LEGO PokemonKevinhink2.96 2717
Hardsuitsiron_S3.01 2754
The Bat Risesvelociraptor2.72 2866
PianoHidaka2.21 2868
The Adventures of Steamrod!Brickthing2.91 3037
Corellian Defender (Star Wars the Old Republic)GlenBricker2.72 3055
T-Rex Skeletonjazlecraz3.01 3107117
Pokemon: Gyaradosretinence2.54 3156
Batman: Man-Bat's LabBrickQueen2.49 3158
Minecraft Worldvonsigan3.05 3163212
LEGO Settlers of CatanMichael2.35 3168
Disney MinifiguresKeTi2.86 323184
Avengers IRONMAN gantrymachine2.0choisanghun2.82 325159
Lord of the Rings Set: Edoras/The Golden HallNujuMetru2.91 3263170
Transforming Retro Video Game Accessoriesvonbrunk2.58 3269
Medieval Market StreetAlexP2.58 3324
Modular Costume Store for Collectible MinifiguresBrentWaller2.49 3474
Mirage (realistically speaking)Nannan2.02 3525
Castle Crashersczar2.16 3555
Micro-build Hogwarts CastleBeKindRewind2.49 3599
Small YELLOWbrickartist2.07 3606
RMS TitanicSsorg2.39 3660
Modular Town Plan CinemaHinckley2.16 3680
The Amazing Spider Man Ultra Poseable Action Figuremmccooey2.44 370012
Minecraft Expansion Biomessamiam2.58 3759271
Wall-Elangemat2.57 3780278
Lego StoreRayC2.11 3960
Avengers: Iron Man Mark Vii Armormmccooey2.3 4027114
Roller CoasterLuc20002.11 4107
James Bond's Aston Martin DB5JJOttens2.31 4136240
Lego DC Heroes Minifigures Series 1ManiacDude2.21 4214142
LEGO Star Wars Micro Chess Setavisolo1.93 4320
MacrofiguresCrashSanders2.02 4408
Iron Man Hall of Armorrustyj2.16 4445279
Star Wars Season 4 Phase 2 Clone Battle PacksZspace2.14 4467262
LEGO Minecraft Board GameOrcaman41.97 4538
Medusa's TempleStrider1.93 4607
Phineas and FerbAwesomeEthan1.6 4695
Architecture : Space Shuttle crawler transporterTeazza1.69 5043
MINI Cooper Mark ISheepo1.74 5151
Barnes & Noble and Starbucks Storewooootles1.83 5261343
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 GrandsportSheepo1.64 5264
UCS Venator-Class Star Destroyerjourianbax1.69 535529
Clone Wars Infantry PacksDAVID-HALL1.6 5435
Train Turntable and modular RoundhouseFachmann1.64 558799
Dragon Slayerslizardman1.6 5614
Ancient World Civilizationsmatija1.5 5662
Apple Store Vending Machinelgorlando1.64 5671183
Space Shuttle Launch ComplexTeazza1.6 5786161
BTTF - Biff Tannen's Fordm.togami1.55 590497
Themed Brick BoxOdd.Robot1.5 5990
Minifigure hand with attachment pointpotluck1.55 6036230
Minecraft Lego Desert MicroworldWinventions1.6 6074449
Stark TowerMMystery921.55 6139333
LEGO Avengers: The Video GameAwesomeEthan1.57 6155423
Corner Candy Modular Buildingwaltzking1.46 618520
Willys JEEPsuzuki1.36 6328
BTTF - Hill Valley Courthousem.togami1.46 6355190
Startrek Ncc-1701 Starship EnterpriseC3Brix1.5 6449449
Lego Wall-E!!suzuki1.36 6464
Galaxy Commandreekardoo1.41 6579196
LOTR UCS ArgonathShayd_DeGrai1.41 6645262
Camper Van Forevernuno25001.36 668567
Lego Movie Chronicle Seriessuzuki1.31 6752
Ambulance (Type 3 / Type III)SpacySmoke1.36 6905287
Vampire GT SupercarCrowkillers1.03 7013
Goblin Fortress RuinsAlexP1.31 7049179
Motorized Tumblermahj1.22 7160
LOTR: Fall of the Witch KingShayd_DeGrai1.31 7221351
Mini CooperSteven19801.13 7660
Minecraft, Snow biomeDookie1.22 7699322
Lego Mountain Bikingj4mes0.99 7712
Modular Police Stationezzkazz1.22 7728351
Disney Parks - Castles Collectionlg20121.22 7753376
Galaxy Diner and Empire Theatersonicstar1.08 7825
Project: MetroidZurtech1.17 7906213
Apple Store ( Stage)jamessims1.22 7941564
Poptropica: Early Poptropica Islandpaul941.22 7991614
Medieval Travelling TheatreBobsy1.17 8030337
Lovely Sailboat!Ssorg1.17 8062370
Portal Test Chambert-brick1.08 8135
Cinematic Minifigure Seriessgtdisney551.08 8443110
The C.C.S. Gryphon - Galaxy Commandreekardoo1.13 8479515
Mini BatmobileTiler1.08 8491158
General Grievous' Wheel BikeTBBCustoms1.08 8508175
Minecraft Micro World: The Endpaul941.13 8650685
Prototype Attack Mecha Alpha Zerodanr0.99 8692
Star Wars - Star Tours Starspeeder 3000HJR-Holland1.08 8722388
Porsche 997 GT3Crowkillers1.03 881981
The Wizard's HouseAlexP1.08 8824490
Legend of Zelda: Master Sword & PedestalFlanBrosInc1.08 8863529
Florian Albert Stadiumlaszlogabii0.99 8875
Model of Hogwarts CastleScorpius1.03 9102365
Flooded Temple RuinsHinckley1.03 9123385
Legend of Korra: Mecha Tank, Korra, Amon, Hiroshi, & Support...GlenBricker1.03 9134397
T. Rex encounter from Jurassic Parkpmiaki1.03 9205467
Star Wars Opee Sea KillerPepaQuin0.94 9323
New Short Minifigure PartsTakanuinuva0.99 9476385
Italian Style Renaissance Modular Buldingsmautara0.99 9581490
Tiny TrucksRobiwan0.94 9676102
Microfig MechasCrashSanders0.99 9845754

Not on the List? First, I tend to cut off projects after a certain day count, usually 10k. Additionally, I only monitor projects that have at least 200. Projects less than that are a little too volatile for proper assessment. Finally, I track several weeks worth of data to get these numbers, so you might not show up until your project has been post 200 for a few weeks.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Weekly Crowd

News

Still working on the Cuusoo tools I have been talking about for a while now.  I want to shore up the security in a few of the pages but I will definitely share some of it next week.

In the meantime, please enjoy this pic

Excellent.


Crowd funded

Name of the Wind Deck of Cards

One of the more common "games" you find on Kickstarter are decks of cards customized to a specific theme or subject.

Image-258533-fullIn this example we have Name of the Wind Playing Cards.   The art on these cards are based on the book of the same name which is the first of the Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss.  Personally I can't recommend the series enough.  The apparently trilogy is currently incomplete at only two books so far, but I have listened to them both (via Audible) many many times. 

As to the matter of the deck, to be sure we are not talking about some new card game, but a standard deck of playing cards. These usually work well with the Kickstarter model as they are a very producible product (effectively 53 images give or take), you can choose themes that appeal strongly to a specific, passionate,  but limited audience, and the price point is usually very accessible.  With this Kickstarter you can get the deck for $11. 

Robotech RPG / Tactics


Link to the current released rules

Palladium games has been producing the Robotech RPG for years and now they are moving into the Tactical market with the assistance of Ninja Division in producing Robotech RPG Tactics.  This is a great Kickstarter because it is really hard to judge the marketability of these mature IP's that don't currently penetrate the market.

From what I have seen the game does a fair job of capturing the feel of Robotech with equivalent though wildly different forces.  The pace of gameplay does seem high and the difficulty to understand low, which is one of the goals of the system.

Probably the biggest issue I see for the game is that the entire series is centered on building up the U.N. Spacey forces as the hero you would want to play.  Games without a strong IP influencing them can develop faction that have different levels of attraction to different players.  In Robotech you can either be the Humans protecting the Earth or the Invading Alien Zentradi, and if you play the humans, you get to play with transforming Jets.  Who will want to be the Zentradi?

As for the details on the Kickstarter, it is going very strong with several days to go.  They have operated it quite cannily by offering a base game package and one with "all the goodies."  At this point some of the named characters that took to the battlefield on both the U.N. Spacey and Zentradi side have been unlocked:  Rick, Roy, Khyron, and Miria.  This leaves a glaring exception being Max.  This stands out even more given that they have a "scenario" in which Max is in the title.  My guess is that in the very last days of the campaign, Palladium is going to put Max as an unlockable at a high though achievable goal to generate that final sprint of funding. 

One final thing about tactical games is that they tend to mesh well with Lego.  


Threadless

Ninja + Lego vs Pirate





Cuusoo


Pick of the Week

Daft Punk Collection
by Jakemeier

Support Level: 113

Daft Punk hm...I am only slightly familiar with their music but it does not seem to have anything offensive I can find.  But the really cool thing about this is that these guys are celebrities with "Robot Head."  They look about as accurate as you can get, with no face printing.  

On top of that though, these builds are really solid.  These do look like some high tech DJ equipment stations. I love the use of the tool as a vinyl disc arm.

Jakemeier not only picked a great subject but also great timing.  With a Cuusoo project you want to get something "timeless" and "timely" at the same time.  Daft Punk has been around for since 1990 (Goodness that was 23 years ago people!), and they are just about to release a new album which will help in generating initial support levels.

Compare this to the Jabba's palace Expansion Kit that was also published this week.  In that proposal the idea is to create a set that integrates sets 9516 and 75005.  My best estimates are that even if this project was taking off like gangbusters, it would be no less than a year before it could see production.  Right now, one of the two sets is retired and no doubt the other one will be before this could come out.  In my opinion Lego is not going to produce a set that allows you to integrate two retired sets.

When submitting projects, it is in your best interest to post something that is either insanely popular and accessible at the moment or has a timeless quality to it will still have people interested in the idea years down the road.  

All that being said, I think it will be very difficult for Lego to make Cuusoo projects based on real individual from the modern era.  The thing about real people is that they have real lives.  Lives can get messy.  Whereas fictional characters are often protected from dramatic changes by the business that own them and their interest to keep their fans happy, real people are entirely unpredictable.  There are plenty of cases of celebrities and prominent individuals being awesome role models one year, and disgraced the next.  It in not impossible, Lego has made entire sports teams into figures for instance, but there is a clear distinction between the burdens of brand fit for a fictional character and a real person.     

Honorable Mentions


The Wolven fighter - Galaxy Command
by Reekardoo

Support Level: 66

This is part of the Galaxy Command series launched by Reekardoo and KitBricksto.  I must admit I had some input into this design as well.   It has all the elements that people has come to expect form a "star fighter" but has managed to stay unique. 

The Crossbow
by Rfonseka87

Support Level: 42

I add this out of surprise if nothing else.  "Working" "weapons" is something a lot of FOLs like to build but I never expected Cuusoo to allow them on here.  I am interested in seeing what happens with this as time goes on.  I DO know that Lego's policy against real war machines would prevent any realistic looking firearms from being considered but who knows about this Crossbow? 

Laputa Robot (Castle in the Sky)
by Speshy

Support Level: 28

This is a solid recreation of the rather unusual robot from Laputa.  I am uncertain of its stability in its current state but it is a solid presentation from a beloved Miyazaki film.  Even though Miyazaki's films are great for Lego's target audience, no Miyazaki project has yet exceeded 100 support.


L.M.I.R. - Roman Merchant Ship
by Bigboy99899

Support Level: 43

This ship needs a bit of work on the transition from hull elements to brick elements but the concept is a good one.  I would like to see Lego pursue some non-military (including pirates in military) ships of old.  Then again, I think any kid getting a ship without a cannon will likely feel swindled if they don't get cannons with a ship so I can't fault Lego for not producing them. 

Notables


Support Level: 22

Support Level: 21

Support Level: 16

Support Level: 10

Support Level: 8

Support Level: 7


Week of Cuusoo

What follows the bump is the showcase of all projects that came out this week.