Thursday, January 31, 2013

Cuusoo Analytics: Days to 10k

"News"

Simple Cuusoo Site update

Cuusoo has a "Blog" button now between "Discover" and "My Page."  They don't often publish but when they do it is usually significant.

Marble Run testing

Peterj of the Marble Run and Star Wars Marble Run projects has done some testing to ally some of the concerns for his design.  He has a video showing that a ball dropped from a height of 2 bricks going down a 5 stud long incline will travel in excess of 40 studs.  Still curious as too how well they will preform going into the curves but that is a lot more distance than I would have imagined.

Tiny Trucks on a Tear! 

Following a notice on the Cuusoo Facebook page and article in Brickset the Tiny Tricks have surged in support gathering over 200 support since Sunday.  They are currently set up for very good placement in this week's leaderboard and a well deserved spot it is. 


Approaching 1k Milestone

There was a sweep last week and all three projects: Legend of Zelda: Iron Knuckle Encounter ,
Modular Costume Store for Collectible Minifigures , and Roller Coaster all crossed the 1k milestone.  Iron Knuckle Encounter is still going strong too. I expect these three to be around with us for a while though as we have reached the "support gap." Each of these fine projects gathers about two support a day so they will be overtaken in the next few weeks by faster moving projects like Medusa's Temple, BONSAI "Pine tree", and Poptropica



Wild Encounters
Support Level: 963
LEGO MOVIE CHRONICLE SERIES
Support Level: 931
Dragon Slayers
Support Level: 928

Deadline Review

The next review is March 4th, 2012. That is 32 days from today.  Andy/Bugdroid the Android by Google and - The Legend of Zelda Project - both have over 10 days to spare at their current rates but now that they have both entered their post 9k sprint, there is little chance they need it.

 

Do you want to speed a project up?

Projects can get to 10k much faster than what is shown here with active fan support. This link has many examples of how fans can help out their favorite projects. 

 

Days to 10K


ProjectCreatorRate10k 1k
Andy/Bugdroid the Android by GoogleGLHTurbo36.49 18
- The Legend of Zelda Project -Ragaru47.69 19
Land-Rover Defender 110Sheepo25.0 60
Mini Shop SeriesPekko55.31 79
Batmobile Tumbler Minifig ScaleBrentWaller37.94 90
BONSAI "Pine tree"AMKK43.75 2159
Macross VF-1 Valkyrie +Fast pack / Armored partsmaxvf112.21 362
Medusa's TempleStrider19.98 4555
Legend of Zelda: Iron Knuckle EncounterWesTalbott14.77 607
LEGO Bird SeriesDeTomaso8.54 615
Batman: Killer Croc's LairBrickQueen10.62 728
Labyrinth Marble MazeTouthomme8.83 749
Japanese old style architecturetaxon557.48 770
Tiny TrucksRobiwan12.02 77022
BTTF - UCS DeLorean Time Machinem.togami7.43 845
Train Turntable and modular RoundhouseFachmann10.83 89665
Corellian Defender (Star Wars the Old Republic)GlenBricker9.46 925
Small YELLOWbrickartist8.25 956
Apollo 11 Lunar Missionsuzuki7.34 994
Ultimate Collectors Series Lightsabersscott345677.77 999
Modular Apple Storegotoandbuild5.5 1011
Pokemon: Gyaradosretinence8.06 1038
LEGO PokemonKevinhink8.16 1061
Invisible HandLDiEgo6.13 1098
MINECRAFT Microworld Add-Ons!dunc2377.53 1177
Batman: Man-Bat's LabBrickQueen6.9 1198
The Muppets!jedikermit6.66 1224
The Bat Risesvelociraptor6.23 1324
Legolympus (Mythology Theme with Mount Olympus Set)Kiffington6.56 1339
Realistic treesPaultox5.74 1368
LEGO Mobile Designer for Nintendo 3DS & other devicesFrankie5.6 1378
PianoHidaka4.73 1410
Douglas DC-3Ssorg5.41 1522
The Glory of Romemminnitt4.49 1645
New Short Minifigure PartsTakanuinuva5.79 164692
The accurate DNA structureSICP__DNA5.76 165087
UCS All Terrain Armoured TransportCavegod5.12 1687
Disney Parks - Castles Collectionlg20125.5 1747110
Micro Scale Star Wars Scenestoomuchcaffe4.39 1840
Motorized Tumblermahj4.83 1844
Marvel Avengers Board GamePekko5.02 185361
LEGO Settlers of CatanMichael4.2 1860
Adventure Time! Tree Fortdunc2374.92 187949
LEGO Architecture - Leaning Tower of Pisamoctown3.52 1982
Minifigure hand with attachment pointpotluck4.68 2039116
Sandpeople PatrolDaiman4.54 2138156
Castle Crashersczar3.72 2143
Modular Town Plan CinemaHinckley3.81 2161
LEGO UCS TARDIS and other Doctor Who setsXenomurphy4.08 2188
Vampire GT SupercarCrowkillers3.38 2210
Modular Costume Store for Collectible MinifiguresBrentWaller4.05 2216
Mirage (realistically speaking)Nannan3.28 2233
Roller CoasterLuc20003.91 2299
Western Town - Pif Paf Citykris_kelvin3.72 2304
Transforming Retro Video Game Accessoriesvonbrunk3.81 2307
- MegaMan Project -Alatariel4.05 2328105
Ancient World Civilizationsmatija3.72 2346
Lego StoreRayC3.67 2372
LEGO Minecraft Board GameOrcaman43.81 239331
Hardsuitsiron_S3.62 2396
Ladyada's Workshop!adafruit3.04 2402
Flying DutchmanSebeus3.48 2431
Avengers: Iron Man Mark Vii Armormmccooey3.81 2497135
Female Minifigure SetAlatariel3.23 2578
Majestic Airship!Ssorg3.19 2701
Red SquirrelVuurzoon2.94 2781
Disney MinifiguresKeTi3.38 2844181
Sandtrooper on DewbackDaiman3.19 3052230
Architecture : Space Shuttle crawler transporterTeazza2.85 3103
Medieval Market StreetAlexP2.85 3111
Camper Van Forevernuno25002.85 323375
Clone Wars Infantry PacksDAVID-HALL2.75 3239
UCS Star Wars Jedi Temple Coruscantdimitriniko2.61 3252
Lego minifigures in action figure boxes! A new way to collec...Gruntbuddy2.85 3271113
RMS TitanicSsorg2.7 338350
LEGO Star Wars Micro Chess Setavisolo2.51 3414
Galaxy Commandreekardoo2.8 3435221
Corner Candy Modular Buildingwaltzking2.65 347983
Space Shuttle Launch ComplexTeazza2.7 3503170
Medieval Travelling TheatreBobsy2.7 3512179
Galaxy Diner and Empire Theatersonicstar2.46 3527
Model of Hogwarts CastleScorpius2.7 3545211
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 GrandsportSheepo2.46 3598
Lego Wall-E!!suzuki2.51 362641
Portal Test Chambert-brick2.46 3631
T-Rex Skeletonjazlecraz2.61 3648200
The Amazing Spider Man Ultra Poseable Action Figuremmccooey2.51 3712126
Ford Model A Gangsters' Getaway Car; ????????A ???? ???BrickadierG2.51 3716131
MINI Cooper Mark ISheepo2.41 380065
LOTR UCS ArgonathShayd_DeGrai2.51 3823237
Lego Movie Chronicle Seriessuzuki2.36 384330
MacrofiguresCrashSanders2.36 388774
Desktop Series: Sky-FirongYIREN2.27 3929
League of Legends of LegoAddam1.69 4000
Apple Store Vending Machinelgorlando2.36 4020206
Willys JEEPsuzuki2.17 4034
T. Rex encounter from Jurassic Parkpmiaki2.36 4060246
Wild EncountersWrinkledog2.22 407117
Ironman Arc ReactorMr.Attacki2.27 4248283
UCS Venator-Class Star Destroyerjourianbax2.17 4299151
The Drake's Head InnAlexP2.12 432175
The Tumbler Collectionvelociraptor2.17 4325178
Mini CooperSteven19802.03 4334
LOTR: Fall of the Witch KingShayd_DeGrai2.22 4339285
Log Cabin - Two Seasons!Ssorg2.12 4356110
Megadethmegzter2.17 4383236
Star Wars Season 4 Phase 2 Clone Battle PacksZspace2.14 4467262
Porsche 997 GT3Crowkillers2.03 4557124
Themed Brick BoxOdd.Robot1.98 462983
Legend of Korra: Mecha Tank, Korra, Amon, Hiroshi, & Support...GlenBricker2.08 4630303
Goblin Fortress RuinsAlexP1.93 4857194
James Bond's Aston Martin DB5JJOttens1.98 4868323
Angry Birds - RedChiukeung1.8 4910
UCS Tron Light Cycleabathar61.83 5028110
Lego Mountain Bikingj4mes1.54 5035
Music Legends minifigure seriesdan831.93 5045381
Dragon Slayerslizardman1.79 506941
Modular Police Stationezzkazz1.88 5085297
Arak-N3mahj1.79 509870
Back To The Future TrainGRusso1.83 5099181
Avengers IRONMAN gantrymachine2.0choisanghun1.83 5144226
Cinematic Minifigure Seriessgtdisney551.79 5194166
BTTF - Biff Tannen's Fordm.togami1.83 5202284
Winter Village Train Depotted_andes1.83 5262344
Lego DC Heroes Minifigures Series 1ManiacDude1.74 5471299
Superman Man of Steel Fortress of Solitude MicrobuildBrickQueen1.74 5600428
Marble RunPeterJ1.74 5605432
Prototype Attack Mecha Alpha Zerodanr1.54 5673
NNN Newsmobiledavidpickett1.69 5697372
Sonic the Hedgehog (Green Hill Zone)gtrocks11111.64 5811323
Doctor Who UCS TARDISklsmith0071.64 5882394
Bricklyn Borough Courthousesonicstar1.59 5916255
Lovely Sailboat!Ssorg1.59 6016356
HONDA CBR1000rr REPSOL versionOryx1.59 6079419
Classic Monorail RevampConchas1.59 6134473
LEGO Avengers: The Video GameAwesomeEthan1.57 6155423
Star Wars - Star Tours Starspeeder 3000HJR-Holland1.54 6201357
UCS Naboo Royal StarshipAnio1.45 6311104
BTTF - Hill Valley Courthousem.togami1.5 6367367
MonorailHidaka1.45 6429223
Dump Truck 10x4Designer_Han1.45 6468261
Kashyyyk-Gunship 7676 UCS - Custom Star Wars 3d_predator1.4 6713284
Star Wars Opee Sea KillerPepaQuin1.3 6836
Big Villavoyagetom1.4 6914486
Lego Pikmin Memorial - KingArthur1.4 6933505
IRON MAN gantrymachinechoisanghun1.35 6955289
Legend of Zelda: King of Red Lionsflailx1.35 6975308
AV-7 Mobile Antivehicle CannonS.-Classic1.4 6984555
Hubble Space TelescopeGRusso1.35 7017350
HindenburgJJOttens1.3 7024100
Flooded Temple RuinsHinckley1.35 7038371
the Rhinoceros by Theo Jansenkvanb1.25 7143
Rebel Snowspeederdrakmin1.3 7372449
LOTR: Minas Tirith MicrobuildShayd_DeGrai1.3 7422499
Stark TowerMMystery921.3 7440517
Appa from Avatar: The Last AirbenderOkay1.25 7568368
Italian Style Renaissance Modular Buldingsmautara1.25 7668468
Mini BatmobileTiler1.21 7675237
General Grievous' Wheel BikeTBBCustoms1.16 8019260
Mercy General City Hospitallgorlando1.16 8099340
Ambulance (Type 3 / Type III)SpacySmoke1.16 8170412
LEGO Legend of KorraTheNerd1.16 8196438
Micro Power Functions (motors, battery, valve, LED)midori1.11 8258150
Mr. Bean's Caralanboar1.16 8306547
Airbus A380-800BRUGIER1.16 8328569
X Men: X Mansionphillipe1.16 8361602
MARS BASE (Modular with interiors)GRusso1.16 8378619
Phineas and FerbAwesomeEthan0.92 8414
Star Wars Universe PacksBorex1.11 8432324
Food TruckSpacySmoke1.11 8499391
Wolfpack Castlereekardoo1.11 8603495
Induction Lampsamuq1.11 8637529
EVE Online Ships - Merlinczar0.97 8705
Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavariat-brick1.11 8787679
AVATAR! - Scorpion gunship -ALKIDO1.11 8787679
Jedi Mission Battle Pack-p-e-d-r-o-1.06 8980489
Kamino Cloning Facilitydmf4441.06 9050559
GHOSTBUSTERS ECTO1 (by KENTA974)KENTA9741.06 9199708
Lamborghini GallardoCrowkillers1.06 9237747
Minecraft VillageTheNerd1.01 9554643
It's a Brick World after all...RobertBlok1.01 9607697
BATMAN classic BATMOBILE 1960 (by KENTA974)KENTA9741.01 9611700
Scorpion's Soul Pirate Shiphasskabal0.97 9713435
A UCS series of shipsKonajra0.97 9791513
Minecraft, Snow biomeDookie0.97 9799521
Battle of Kashyyykwertyjj0.97 9889611
NASA Deep Space Habitat and RoverBrianr88110.92 9954171

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.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Kickstarter: Fate Core. Only 5 hours left!

So,  I have been thinking of expanding a bit on this site into talking a bit about cool thing people are trying to get made. 

I was going to give it some more serious thought before my first post in this vein but had somehow missed this Fate Core kickstarter until the last few hours. Currently there are less than 5 hours left.

If you spend $1 you get a whole gaming system.  If you spend $10 you get 14 expansions. 

The Fate system is as much of a game as it is a system for collaborative story telling. 

Players define their characters by a set of core concepts, and with those concepts they can manipulate the story as they play by spending and aquiring fate.  The DM can persuade characters to follow their narrative by giving them fate, or taking it away. 

I am sorry I don't have more time to share with you just how cool the system is before you need to decide about it but I can tell you, if you are at all into rpg gaming, it will be one of the best dollars you ever spent.  If you go in for the $10 backing you will be getting $70 of gaming content. 

Cheers!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Weekly Cuusoo

Cuusoo dealing with Bugs

Many people do not realize this but there appears to be a separate Cuusoo database for their "reports" that they use on their discovery page.  This will sometimes lag behind real time by a minute or two.  So if you do a search for a project you might see that it has 534 support but when you go to the project you see that it has more.

Well, whatever code base they have for updating the "discovery" database has not been working for the last few days.  So, the support levels are our of synch and there is not indication of new projects, except for the "right now" page.

This has had very little impact on the surge of votes for Poptropica though, as there is an external site funneling supporters directly to the project. 

Update: Bug has been resolved, but for today, the "daily support" sidebar is showing all the support since the bug started, not a single day of support.

British Invasion Faltering!!!

The Spice Girls project has been deleted.  There are three things that usually will terminate a project ahead of time.  The project is deleted by its creator, the project is archived by Cuusoo due to an aspect fo the project, or the project is found to be plagiarized, which results in its deletion by Cuusoo.

As this project has not notice of being archived, then it can be assumed that Cuusoo did not choose to take the project down for brand fit, licensing, or similar issues.  It is also unlikely that the project creator plagiarized the project as those are usually caught quite early on.   It is therefore most likely that the creator has chosen to self delete, and the reasons for that are very expansive.

Also, sadly but not unexpectedly, the UCS Tardis has been archived.

Next Zelda in the Final Stretch

The next attempt at Zelda just reached 9k supporters.  Not much longer for it now.


 

 

Site News: Review of City Alarm

In no way about Cuusoo but still in the vein of Lego, I have now published my first, of many, game reviews.  You can find it here.




Pick of the Week

Poptropica: Dr. Hare's Lair
by PopCreators

Support Level: 670

It was a hard choice this week but in the end I decided to go with the project that looked like the most fun.

At first I was shying way from this project because of my lack of familiarity with the subject matter but I have taken a serious look and the build has quality content.  The elements really nail the humorous aspect Lego often tries to bring to their builds.  The figure looks great too.  The giant bunny could use some work, but hey,  it's a giant mecha bunny.

On top of all that, the presentation is top of the line and the subject is ideal for a successful Cuusoo project.  For those unfamiliar with Poptropica, as I was prior to this project, it is apparently an MMO targeted at young people.  This does make me wonder how many of the votes are legitimately from 13+ users but I assume a parent would be willing to support the project for their kids if asked.

Regardless, youths are more likely to buy into the wishful thinking aspect of Cuusoo and vote with their hearts, and spread the word about the project, unlike the projects targeted at more mature audiences where more critical fans support only project that they think are "viable."

So, fun looking build with some entertaining play features, great presentation, and a perfect subject for a viable, engaged, audience.


Honorable Mentions

Mini Creator House
by Daystar

Support Level: 103

I very nearly picked this as my project for the week.  These five micro-houses are a great homage to the creator series of houses and quite charming in their own right.  I especially like the solar panels and the patio on the side of the building.  All in all though I find the house with dark blue roof the most appealing.


Star Wars Marble Run
by Peterj

Support Level: 75

The concept of the project is really great.  Integrating the dynamic aspects of a marble run with the fun constructability of Lego and tying in the undeniable appeal of Star Wars.  Unfortunately this project, as designed, does require several custom parts, but I think some creative Lego use could overcome a few of these issues.  Also I do wonder about the physics of many of these tracks and would like very much to see some prototypes to confirm that a rolling ball will make it across the long, unslopped runways without running out of kinetic energy. 

Regardless of any of these particulars, I think the concept is a fine one and I would love to see what Lego would do with a marble run. 

Peterj has posted similar projects before without the Star Wars theme integrated for those who like the marble run concept but not the Star Wars approach.

Notables


 Legend of Zelda Hylian Shield
by Phuonom

Support Level: 32

I really like the projects of Cuusoo, like the Bonsai tree, that let AFOLs express their interests though Lego, kind of an efficiency of geekery.  I think this build certainly fits that build. 

Hailstone - Racer
by B_corredor

Support Level: 20

This craft is very appealing with some great curvature and flow.  The colors combination of white, light grey and trans blue work well together.  Looks very swooshable and I really appreciate the trans-clear stand.

Tape Measure for lengths in Lego measurements
by Hidaka

Support Level: 50

If this existed I know I would eventually obtain one, likely as a gift though.  I imagine the mark up would be pretty high relative to a standard tape measure and I don't mind doing the math to convert.

On top of that, Cuusoo is not really for non-Lego builds, but what does that matter really.  If you like this concept go support it. 

Modular library
by Thebigbrick

Support Level: 22

A nice modular but it suffers from not quite living up to the modulars it is based on.  The building has some good features but it is ultimately too repetitive on the external qualities.  The internals suffer the same issue where repetition is used to fill space rather than creativity.


Luke's Destiny
by Skiff1

Support Level: 14

This set has some attractive elements but ultimately it is bogged down by repetition, inefficient use of Lego, and poor framing.  I would like to see less walls and more greeble. 


Longer beams, for longer / bigger builds
by Theodore

Support Level: 3

I am all for longer and more varied technic pieces...of course, even with these I would still be integrating several parts together to make the "perfect" part I need, such is the case for all Lego. 



Week of Cuusoo

Mini Creator House
by PopCreators

Support Level: 670


Mini Creator House
by Daystar

Support Level: 103



Star Wars Marble Run
by Peterj

Support Level: 75


LEGO The Bat
Support Level: 50
Legend of Zelda Hylian Shield
Support Level: 32

Minifigure Chess Set
Support Level: 31
Mech warrior
Support Level: 24
More moveable LEGO minifigures
Support Level: 22

Modular library
Support Level: 22
Hailstone - Racer
Support Level: 20
lego Jabba's palace Droid room
Support Level: 18

- Beetle  UFO -
Support Level: 16
Jedi Speeder and Dock
Support Level: 15
Luke's Destiny
Support Level: 14

Porsche 917 Le Mans
Support Level: 10
Modular Cloud City
Support Level: 9
BattleTech Clan TimberWolf
Support Level: 9

Azshrak: Reshaped Realms
Support Level: 7
Scooter
Support Level: 7

Matallo Strikes Back
Support Level: 7
Dungeon Conquest
Support Level: 7
Lego Spider-Man characters
Support Level: 6

British Fire Engine
Support Level: 5
moon base
Support Level: 5

city modular streets
Support Level: 4

Republic defense turret
Support Level: 3
Oldsmobile 1958
Support Level: 3