Master Builder Academy to replace Brickmaster

 

  • Master Builder Academy to replace Brickmaster

    Posted by Huw, 27 Feb 2011 03:42. Filed under Miscellaneous.

    While I was out yesterday I was bombarded with emails about this, the replacement for BrickMaster, which many of you received emails about:

    "Hey out there, LEGO Club and LEGO BrickMaster members! Here at The LEGO Group, we’re busy getting ready to launch something new that we think you’ll really like: the LEGO Master Builder Academy! 

    "The mission of the LEGO Master Builder Academy program is simple: “Take Your Building to the Next Level”. And what do we mean by that? We want to help you use the expertise and official techniques of the real LEGO Master Builders to discover how to create better, stronger and cooler-looking models that you design all by yourself!

    "LEGO MBA will be a multi-level LEGO training experience. You know how in martial arts like karate, there are different colored belts that signify a level of achievement and rank? LEGO MBA will be like that too, with multiple levels of achievement. Each level has its own special color, but instead of a belt, you’ll receive a new exclusive MBA Minifigure in the color of the latest building skill level that you’ve achieved!

    "The first year of the LEGO MBA program features two skill levels – green Level 1 and yellow Level 2 – with more to come later on. You’ll master each level through exclusive LEGO MBA building kits and technique-filled Design Handbooks, three per level, each including pieces and instructions dedicated to a famous theme like space, robots, cars and more.

    "You’ll be able to find additional challenges and building ideas on the LEGO MBA website, along with skill tests to level up your building even more. As you meet and beat each challenge, your friends and family will be amazed at how much your building skills and creativity have advanced!

    "So what do you say? Want to take your LEGO building to the next level? Get ready, because the all-new LEGO Master Builder Academy launches this June in the US with plans to expand to other markets next year! "

    ---

    Now, I have to say, it sounds really worthwhile: teaching kids how to build things other than the model in the box using exclusive MBA kits, and with minifigures as a reward. What's even better is the last statement: plans to expand to other markets next year, which will hopefully mean those of us in Europe and elsewhere will be able to join in the fun!


    39 comments, latest one posted 26 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 03:57

I think it sounds great as us in the UK have never had something like brickmaster so I hope it does expand to the UK.

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 04:14

That's really harsh. You have Brickmaster and I thought the whole reason they were stopping that was to give us it too. Now we have to wait until next year:-(

Posted by billy1102 in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 04:27

If it does expand to the UK where would we get the sets from and how whould we recieve the min-figs?

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 04:36

Sounds interesting, there is so much potential business which Lego has not fully expanded into, but now they seem to be getting their act together, I hope this will come to Europe.

Posted by Cowbell03 in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 04:37

If it is reasonably priced, this'll certainly be a must. Though, if TLG get one figure wrong on the price tag, I'm out.
Liking the sound of those minifigures, too. Doubt there'll be new accessories, though a new torso would be nice.

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 04:38

@billy1102 - I think it will be like brickmaster where they send you the sets and minifigures except we might have to send photos for the minifigures because they are saying about improving your building technique. But I hope the price isn't really high, does anyone know the price?

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 04:39

Cowbell03 Check here http://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/Club2InsideScoopStories/images/picC14C254B72F4568A2523123145FEAC8F.jpg
Classic smiley, printed torso but old flying helmet and boring legs

Posted by flyguy in Australia, 27 Feb 2011 05:31

USA centric yet again. Really poor show on Lego's behalf especially as a European company. Sick of this country restriction bull.

Posted by JonnyRonny in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 05:34

Guys it dosen't really matter as they are probably scrapping lego club this year and giving us this next year although I do agree with flyguy. Anyway at least this means we dont have to buy it first to see whether it is any good or not as there will be tons of reviews for it.

Posted by ScarVader in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 06:06

I hope it does expand to the UK as I wasn't happy when BrickMaster was only available in the US.

Posted by brix in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 06:10

Sorry to sound thick but what was LEGO BrickMaster?
I don't really understand the concept of this, is the idea to make unique models? If so, why are there shadowed pics of pre-designed ones?

Posted by Be-Burger in Israel, 27 Feb 2011 06:21

Does anyone have any clue how expensive this will be?

Posted by modena in Italy, 27 Feb 2011 06:31

Nice!
I hope it will reach Europe.
Well, maybe I liked Brickmaster better. Maybe not. I will have to wait and see.

Posted by flyguy in Australia, 27 Feb 2011 07:35

@brix check this out to answer your question: http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/BrickMaster

Posted by Berrybrick in United States, 27 Feb 2011 08:26

I remember filling out a survey about somthing like this. They had said nothing about it replacing Brickmaster or including a magazine (I suspect it includes a magazine). There were also two other things; One was some sort of league at LEGO stores (I think) and the other I don't recall. This was definitly the best sounding, though I expected blank, single color minifigures.

Posted by Jarod98 in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 08:51

As many others have said, if this is reasonably priced I may join. It may be more like karate than we know, maybe to rank up you have to pay $10 and the starting price may be $10. I can't wait!

Posted by K-nut in United States, 27 Feb 2011 08:51

This looks much better then brickmaster. I'll most likely get it.

Posted by hollywood_heidke in United States, 27 Feb 2011 08:53

As Master Builder Academy is still a work in progress and in no way set in stone these numbers will be subject to change. However, I have seen $100 dollars a year, in two installments as a possible price point. Here is some more info http://toysnbricks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1744

Looks kinda cool. I dig that there is over 1000 pieces and tons of techniques taught.

Posted by stoneboys in United States, 27 Feb 2011 08:53

oh let me guess just like brickmaster you have to pay like $70.

Posted by jonbuddy in United States, 27 Feb 2011 09:52

I think all of us are black belts already. :P

Posted by jamesster in United States, 27 Feb 2011 10:56

The LEGO Kids Inner Circle had a poll for naming this a while back. We didn't really know much about what the sets/minifigs would look like, just what the concept was. I can't remember what name I voted for... >_>

Me likey the minifigs, they feel somewhat classic.

Posted by legoDad42 in United States, 27 Feb 2011 10:59

@hollywood_heidke...I heard the $100 a year subscription thrown around too(wish it was more like $60 bucks but with a 1000 bricks and some exclusive figs it's not terrible). It's a great idea and definitely looking forward to it!

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 11:07

@jamesster - What's The LEGO Kids Inner Circle?

Posted by atkinsar in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 11:24

The concept sounds great, as more of a collector than a builder, I think I could probably do with some building tips! However, I'm very disappointed that this isn't a global launch, the early whisperings were that this would be available outside of the US at launch but it seems we Brits will have to wait until 2012.

Posted by Orange Lemons in United States, 27 Feb 2011 11:53

This isn't too bad of an idea for younger MOCers, but I'm sure most MOCers on here would know most if not all the building tips and more than what LEGO will give out, and most of these tips and tricks are probably available online for free. I really don't think these minifigs are anything very special to get excited about either.

Posted by Bee815 in United States, 27 Feb 2011 13:42

@atkinsar: Usually LEGO tests products somewhere, then decides whether to apply them elsewhere. So you will probably get a more refined version.

I think this will be very exciting for beginning builders, but not a good for AFOLs and teenage builders. I may get it for the pieces and minifigs (not the ones you win) and my little sisters may enjoy it as intended: to learn how to build, as they are younger builds and very interested in LEGO.

Posted by jamesster in United States, 27 Feb 2011 14:20

@LegoCoastGuard The KIC is basically a group of KFOLs and TFOLs who give LEGO feedback on stuff. Parents can fill out a form for their kids, describing their involvement in the LEGO community and stuff like that, and then LEGO reviews it and if they like what they see they invite them to become KIC members. I got in to the KIC somewhere around June/July 2009, but it's been around since 2006. I'm not sure how much I can say about what goes on inside, as there's a sort of NDA type rule (one kid was banned from the KIC for talking about things that were supposed to be KIC exclusive). I don't want to be banned from the site, so I'm trying to be careful about what I say here. But we did do Alpha Testing for LEGO Universe and often take surveys on concept LEGO products (most of which have already been released, like Collectible Minifigs, but there's one or two that we took surveys on that we haven't heard anything more about, so I'm not sure if I should mention them as they might still be in the works). Granted, a lot of info ends up leaked out from the KIC anyways (we were given a link to a minifig creating flash program on LEGO's website for a future feature, but somehow the link ended up on a LEGO fansite, spread around, and everybody's using it now, I recently saw a guy on Eurobricks using a minifig created with it as an avatar). I also remember the results of a poll on the name of the theme now known as Kingdoms were leaked to Brickset, Eurobricks, and some other places (Link: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33821&st=0 ). Not that the choices in the poll were all that great, but they shouldn't have been leaked regardless. However, they're currently redesigning the website, so maybe they'll find a way to make it more secure in the process...

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 27 Feb 2011 16:08

@jamesster - so where's this 'form for parents to fill in'?
And is it US only? Thanks.

Posted by MCLegoboy in United States, 27 Feb 2011 16:24

I'm with Orange Lemons. I was a Brickmaster for three years, and planned to stop at three, and this is going to be a waste of my time. It sounds like it's just going to be like the last three issues of Brickmaster anyway. I never did any of the build in the magazines. It sounds to confusing at the moment, just like Universe.

Posted by es09 in Australia, 27 Feb 2011 16:28

if their cancelling lego club most likely worldwide then Australia will probably not be getting it because there are those things that are european and us excluses what will we get ??

Posted by Retsnom Kcor in United States, 27 Feb 2011 17:38

BrickMaster wasn't really the greatest- it was just the club magazine with a few extra pages and a small set- and this doesn't seem very good either. Then again, I'm probably not in the intended range for this 'MBA' thing. Although I do have to say that I like the idea of a bunch of pieces better than sets. I never kept any of the sets anyway.

I'll wait for prices, then probably decide I have better things to spend money on and completely forget about it in a month.

Posted by eMouse in United States, 27 Feb 2011 19:46

I wasn't part of Brickmaster, but looking at that first batch, a 'space' and 'robot' set? And the yellow minifigure looking like he might have a space helmet? I guess I'm sold.

Posted by krklint in United States, 28 Feb 2011 08:49

I for one will be in. As the data dispersed on brickset showed recently, worldwide there seems to be an upturn in LEGO use. I'm in the U.S. (Minnesota), and in my work circles LEGO is talked about more now than I've heard since the early 80's.

LEGO has done some great research here, from the trends I'm experiencing; and seem to have a product that will train many newly realized AFOLers (such as myself) specific building tips that aren't common knowledge to those just exiting their dark ages. Combine that with a chance to teach these techniques to our nieces, nephews, and children :) I'm in! Especially since where I lieve there are no established AFOL groups (beyond online) to help expand my technique knowledge.

Posted by deadtree103 in Canada, 28 Feb 2011 17:59

ARGH. US only again?! Oh well, at least they're expanding it to other places next year.

If it comes to Canada, depending on the price, I might get it, I'm an okay Technic/Constraction figure MOCer, but not so good with system MOCs, so i imagine that some building tips would be useful(And also some extra pieces is nice too, as my System piece pool is even more scattered and uneven than my Technic/Constraction figure pool.

(_)DT103(_)

Posted by m8anU1 in Australia, 28 Feb 2011 23:45

i hope it comes to australia (where i live).

Posted by jamesster in United States, 01 Mar 2011 10:58

@LegoCoastGuard Sorry for slow reply. The KIC website is being redesigned at the moment, I'm not sure if the sign up thing is working at the moment.

Posted by vamproe in United States, 01 Mar 2011 14:08

if we get minifigures and theme based sets.......I'm in !

if the site is something i can site down with my daughter and play games or design sets, I'm in !

we were getting 2 sets of the brickmaster and I'll mostly get 2 sets of this too.

Sonce Universe is dead....maybe we will get some of the cool sets and stuff they had in the game. I think the game would have done better if they would have had sets to go along with it. Or at lest more cads like what came with the universe rocket and pilot.

Posted by Brickmatic in United States, 01 Mar 2011 19:48

This is actually a really good idea. As it was pointed out, this is not for advanced builders, but keep in mind there are many builders out there who are not advanced. Not everyone knows how to build well. It is a skill and there are many techniques that you can use to make your creations better. Why not go ahead and create a product that teaches people this? The more familiar a person becomes with building things, the more enjoyment they get out of it, and the more popular LEGO becomes. Sounds like a win. Also, I find it funny they call it an MBA program.

Posted by m8anU1 in Australia, 01 Mar 2011 22:52

if it does cost real money i hope its affordable for kids otherwise it might be more like a birthday gift

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