Powered Up Road map to 2025 revealed, but gaps remain.

The Rambling Brick recently attended the LEGO Fan Media Days with our Extra Pieces Collaborator, Jay’s Brick Blog. As part of the event, Fleming Bjørn Jessen, product manager for Powered Up provided an update on the current roadmap for the platform.

Continue reading

21327 LEGO Ideas Typewriter Announced. Q&A with the Ideas Design Team.

After a tease earlier in the week, the LEGO Group today announce the forthcoming release of the LEGO Ideas typewriter. Set 21327 has 2079 Pieces, and measures 27cmx26cmx12cm. It is based on the design by Steve Guinness, who has been involved in the process with the Ideas Design Team.

The set will cost $AUD329 USD199.99 €199.99 $CAD 269.99. It will be available from June 16 to via VIP early access from July 1 through LEGO branded retail channels.

A stalwart of many offices in Days Gone By, this model is based on machines of a certain vintage, and is sure to have appeal for a wide audience, but especially those to whom a vintage aesthetic appeals.

Continue reading

Bricks N’ Bits: The Making of a Celebration.

Have you been enjoying Bricks N’ Bits, the podcast detailing the 25 year history of LEGO® Games? The second series launched properly last week, with a discussion of LEGO Brawls. Along with Extra Pieces co-producer (and editor of Jay’s Brick Blog), Jay Ong, I was fortunate to attend the Recognised LEGO® Fan Media Days last week.

This virtual gathering provided an opportunity to participate with other Fan Media in several briefings about projects that the LEGO Group has underway. We were treated to a presentation by the LEGO® Games team. They took us on some deep dives into the world of podcast production, as they brought us some of the stories behind researching and producing Bricks N’ Bits.
The second season is now underway and the latest episode has just been released. It brings us some of the stories behind LEGO Marvel Superheroes – a game first released in 2013.

Continue reading

The Road Map For the LEGO® Powered Up System Unfolds

I am currently attending the Recognised LEGO Fan Media Days from the comfort of my own home. Previously, this has involved a trip to Denmark, but this year the event is being held online. One of the presentations I have been looking forward to is an update on the LEGO® Powered Up system. We had the opportunity to hear an update from Gaute Munch, Director of the Creative Play Lab, and Flemming Bjørn Jessen, a Senior Producer in the Digital Technology Department.

Continue reading

Helping the Blind to See the World through LEGO®

The LEGO® Group to Pilot Audio and Braille instructions for the Blind.

At the Recognised Fan Media days in Billund, earlier this year, I attended a presentation by Matthew Shifrin. Matthew is no ordinary LEGO Fan. He has been blind since birth, and has never seen a LEGO brick. He had a story to tell us, and he delivered it with passion.

Matthew Shifrin prepares to tell the assembled Fan Media about his experiences building LEGO as a child.
A Labour of Love

For his 13th Birthday, a friend, Lilya gave Matthew a copy of 7573 Battle of Alumet, one of the sets tying in with Prince of Persia movie. At the same time, Lilya presented him with a large binder containing step by step instuctions – hand typed on a Perkins Brailler.

Continue reading

A Man’s Got to Know His Limitations: Control+ and Powered Up Apps [August 2019]

The New Technic Smart hub became available this week, as part of 42099 X-treme 4×4 Off Roader. This article discusses what we can expect the long awaited Control+ App to do and what it won’t. I also take a look at the ever expanding range of connected apps produced by LEGO A/S today.

The first of August has past and there have been a number of new, released. If you are a Technic Fan, you are possibly curious about the new 4×4 X-treme Off Roader 42099. Certainly, it’s one I have been looking forward to seeing.

I had an opportunity to see this new model, as well as the new Control+ App demonstrated by members of the design team while in Billund, at the Recognised Fan Media days in May this year. Amongst other things, the set features the new Technic Smart Hub, 2 new Technic XL linear motors, and one Technic L linear motor. I am excited to get my hands on this set as soon as possible, to build the set and experience the new Control+ App. I might have to wait until the Australian online store gets more stock.

I also hope to incorporate the new Control+ Hub in a MOC later in the year.

But Not today.

Continue reading

Building LEGO Tower for Real at the LEGO House: On NOW

LEGO Tower floors take shape at the LEGO House on Friday June 21st. Image: Don Meadows.
Floors lined up for furnishing at the LEGO Tower Build Event at the LEGO House this weekend.
Image: Don Meadows

Have you heard about LEGO Tower? The mobile game, due for release in July, from LEGO Games, and Nimblebit, the developers of Tiny Tower? This weekend, visitors to the LEGO House have the opportunity to build their own floors for a LEGO Tower, and contribute to a world record attempt for the World’s Largest Diorama made from LEGO® Bricks.

The event runs during Saturday and Sunday, having started on Friday, 21st June. The final measurement will occur on Sunday Afternoon (CEST).

Continue reading

Back to basics with Stuck in Plastic

Sometimes life just gets in the way. Over the last year, I think I can count the number of times I have headed out to take photographs on one hand. I could make any number of excuses, but in real life I just hadn’t felt like it. Work has been busy. Writing and reviewing has been taken a little more energy than I expected. And I just haven’t felt in the mood.

Continue reading

LEGO LEGACY: Heroes Unboxed Announced

Today, Gamesloft Studios, in conjunction with LEGO Games, have unveiled their latest offering, coming later in the year, the nostalgia filled LEGACY Heroes Unboxed. The Rambling Brick had a chance to get a sneak preview with the developers from GameLoft Studios.

Continue reading

First Images Technic Powered Up Hub

I’m in Billund today, taking part in the Fan Media Days. We have just had a presentation from the Powered Up team.

We have now seen the new technic hub unveiled, as well as two new motors designed to run with the platform.

The new Technic hub has 4 ports, as well as connectors around the border. Unlike the current Smart Hub used in LEGO City trains, it will be powered by AA Rather than AAA Batteries.

Continue reading