Android will reach 10,000 supporters this week...

 

  • Android will reach 10,000 supporters this week...

    Posted by Huw, 08 Aug 2012 04:59. Filed under Cuusoo.

    You may have noticed that I removed the Cuusoo Corner from the home page, and if you didn't, well, that's why I removed it; it was not proving to be very effective for anything other than filling my inbox with requests for projects to be added to it.

    It's become increasingly clear that LEGO fans alone struggle to make projects succeed. They need support from other online groups, and the larger those groups, the better. I know I'm covering old ground now, but that is of course the reason why Portal, Eve, Zelda, Minecraft, etc. have had success in reaching the magic 10,000 supporters.

    It's also the reason that this project has come from nowhere to 3,000 supporters in just 48 hours (so I read at BrickFanatics). It's a very cute, well made model of something instantly recognisable and appealing to 50% of tech users, which is exactly the audience that Cuusoo and LEGO appeal to. (The other half are Apple fan boys and probably hate it :-) )

    Given that it's only one-third of the way to its target, my headline may seem a little bold, but given the coverage it's getting in Android circles, I predict this will reach 10,000 before the Olympics closing ceremony.

    If you haven't already done so, head on over to Cuusoo and give it your support, so I don't have to eat my words...


    47 comments, latest one posted 9 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by bezetkace in Poland, 08 Aug 2012 05:39

You have to be kidding me... : /

Posted by dcmal in United Kingdom, 08 Aug 2012 05:55

Huw, please reconsider the removal of Cususoo Corner from the home page.

It might be true that it's not very effective with boosting specific projects. But I still think that it's lifting high-quality Lego projects from obscurity.

Posted by DarthLuke824 in United Kingdom, 08 Aug 2012 06:14

I guess that half the people that have supported it already found it by accident and said: "Oh, cool and Android made out of LEGOs. I'll support it!"

I won't support for 2 reasons:
1- You think "Owww thats cute!" than have it sitting on a shelf collecting dust. Thats a waste.
2- There are better projects that deseve support like Space Marines! and Invisible Hand.

PS Never use the word LEGOs

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 08 Aug 2012 06:43

1. That'll be like Minecraft, then, designed primarily to sit on a shelf gathering dust.
2. You are not limited to supporting just one projet: you can support them all if you wanted to. So, no reason not to support this AND Space Marines.

Posted by Legolover9531 in United States, 08 Aug 2012 07:29

Looks like a nice novelty for my shelf, I'll support.

Posted by Starik20X7 in Australia, 08 Aug 2012 07:42

It's saddening to see only 1 non-licensed-property project reach the review mark so far. As much as I'd sell my organs for Zelda to pass review, I'd like to see more original ideas getting 10,000 votes.

I think LEGO aught to promote Cuusoo a little more. Heck, the only reason I know Cuusoo exists is from another site not at all affiliated with LEGO reporting on it, and the only time I ever see it mentioned is when someone posts a licensed theme and the various geek blogs link to it. I wonder how many one-vote accounts Cuusoo has, from all the people who signed up just to support one project and to never return...

Posted by roamingstudio in Germany, 08 Aug 2012 07:47

Interesting project - but I too had not noticed that Cuusoo Corner disappeared. I suspect that it was a spring / summer fad and the rabid fandom / hatedom will continue to die down. Good projects will continue to be posted, and disappear. Poor projects with great marketing will continue to win. And thats exactly what Cuusoo (or Curso?) is about. Investigating new ways of marketing for Lego... with the benefit that some projects will succeed.

Which reminds me - the 'in review' projects from June are still 'in Review' - which is about 10 weeks now?

Posted by RikTheVeggie in Canada, 08 Aug 2012 07:54

Like the Android, tried doing one myself in LDD and failed miserably (actually I failed quite well, which was kinda the problem..)

Posted by atkinsar in United Kingdom, 08 Aug 2012 08:11

@Huw, ahem, it is entirely possible to own an Apple product and not be an Apple fanboy, just like it's entirely possible to be a Fandroid (I know a few for starters). I make informed decision about the products I use based on research and trial usage rather than blind loyalty to this or that brand. FACT: I've never, ever (ever!) read a sensible debate that begins Apple vs. Android.

So on to this latest Cuusoo offering, ugh, what on earth is this nonsense, no way this will reach 10,000!

Sent from my Apple iPhone ;-D

p.s. Bring back Cuusoo corner please!

Posted by Legolover9531 in United States, 08 Aug 2012 08:44

I typing this on my iPad right now, but I have a droid for my phone. That will change next year ;)

Posted by MrTaco in United Kingdom, 08 Aug 2012 08:47

Lol, Make Apple Next XD

Posted by KillDeer in Canada, 08 Aug 2012 09:03

I made a lego model of Steve Jobs. The entire body is made from high quality Denmark made bricks but his pancreas is imported from the Chinese factory.

Posted by Irene in United States, 08 Aug 2012 09:03

I did miss the Cuusoo link, and had to 1) remember how to spell cuusoo, and then 2) add a link to my favorites.

I am not a designer. I do occasionally buy two of a set, to combine them.

Cuusoo provides a way that real designers can submit to LEGO. I really want to get my hands on their instructions.

I've supported about 20 items, even a couple that won't get off the ground - guaranteed.

Posted by just2good in United States, 08 Aug 2012 09:21

I like the color of the pieces (lime green?), but this is not one of my favorite Cuusoo things... it just beats out the EVE Online ship and if it is cheap, it'll beat the Minecraft project...

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 08 Aug 2012 09:21

For the record I have feet in both camps too: I have a Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone, a iPad3 and, now, just to see what it's like, a Asus Nexus 7" tablet. (It's early days but so far, I prefer the iPad :-) )

Posted by behemothjosh in United States, 08 Aug 2012 09:21

I'm glad you are seeing the reality of what cuusoo really is. Until LEGO properly promotes cuusoo on lego.com and in LEGO stores, it will be nearly impossible for non-licensed builds to reach 10,000 votes. There are truly some epic original builds on cuusoo but they will get buried in the sea of Batman and Star Wars (and Android) projects. Cuusoo is all about LEGO getting out there in new ways. The fans are simply telling LEGO which licenses to go after.

Posted by rosney in United States, 08 Aug 2012 09:22

^^^^^I laughed

Posted by legomaniac in United States, 08 Aug 2012 09:31

I like Android :) Might buy it if LEGO passes it.

The inside should have some gears though

Posted by EdmondDantes in United States, 08 Aug 2012 09:39

To say "It's become increasingly clear that LEGO fans alone do not have the power to make projects succeed, so there is little point in promoting them on LEGO sites." is absurd, as the ONLY non-licensed Cuuso project to make it to 10000 supporters was the ONLY Cuuso project supported across the board by Lego (AFOL) sites.

Yes, it took a while, but it did succeed. Lego sites are 1 for 1 - a perfect record. The sample size is just a teeny bit too small to make ridiculous claims of failure.

Posted by gk_brown in United States, 08 Aug 2012 10:45

> You may have noticed that I removed the Cuusoo Corner from the home page, and if you didn't, well, that's why I removed it

Actually, your web site is how I became aware of Cuusoo. What's the harm in having the link?

Posted by Gandalf1 in United States, 08 Aug 2012 12:08

I definitely prefer the iPhone over the Android, but I still like this model a lot and supported.

Posted by Modok in United States, 08 Aug 2012 12:52

@behemothjosh - I'm glad someone else is frustrated with Lego's indifference toward promoting Cuusoo itself. The number of new people Lego could bring in through proper promotion simply dwarfs whatever an individual can do by plugging their non-IP project on some message board somewhere.

I think Lego doesn't really want Cuusoo to grow, hence the non-promotion. Because it involves contracts and creation of marketable sets, they can't really aim it at their target market of children. And Cuusoo projects reaching 10,000 supporters adds costs, takes a lot more of their time, and forces them to cede some control over their product.

I'm sure the people who staff Cuusoo genuinely care about it, but from an overall corporate standpoint, Cuusoo seems like a red-headed stepchild.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 08 Aug 2012 15:50

@EdmondDantes, you're right, my comment wasn't quite true as you point out, so I've toned it down a bit.

^ An interesting point of view. It is a wonder why there isn't a single link to the Cuusoo site on the main LEGO.com site, and searching for it only returns the two Cuusoo sets. It's as if the main bodynof the company wants nothing to do with the new business arm...

Posted by EdmondDantes in United States, 08 Aug 2012 16:32

Huw - perhaps adding the corner back in, and limiting comments to once a week would both add exposure as well as keep the "spam" down? I can understand the frustration with having to weed through tons of emails regarding projects people want added, but I think it was a fantastic idea in the first place.

Posted by perfectlydark in Australia, 08 Aug 2012 17:17

I refuse to support anything that is a licenced IP, period

Posted by behemothjosh in United States, 08 Aug 2012 20:47

@perfectlydark - that's funny considering you own Star Wars, LOTR, and Super Hero sets.

Posted by Legolover9531 in United States, 08 Aug 2012 20:47

From the looks of it, the project isn't getting a bunch of supporters at the moment. I'm not so sure it will reach 10,000 by the closing ceremony, but maybe by the next review period (not even 1 month away!)

Posted by Nightshroud99 in Canada, 08 Aug 2012 22:37

Huw, pray tell why would I want to support this?

Posted by asteciuc in United States, 09 Aug 2012 01:22

Sorry for filling up your inbox : P

Posted by audiobean in Singapore, 09 Aug 2012 12:04

I'm a little clueless here, why should I support it, because after reading the post, or I like the model, or.. Anyway, I uses both Apple and Android. And the model looks just like any good model out there.

Posted by Modok in United States, 09 Aug 2012 13:42

It's Bloody Thursday at Cuusoo. Super Mario Bros., both Dr. Who projects and the haunted mansion all got whacked--her, archived--today. I'm sure Angry Birds is next on the chopping block now that it's passed 1,000.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 09 Aug 2012 14:12

Actually I think Angry Birds would be an ideal license. What was said about Super Mario Bros? Unattainable Nintendo license?

Posted by Modok in United States, 09 Aug 2012 15:55

^ Angry Birds would indeed be an ideal license for building toys, which is why someone else already snatched it up. K'Nex has the licenses for both Angry Birds and Super Mario, which is why Super Mario was archived and Angry Birds will be. This is the official comment on Super Mario:
-------
Decision on Our Ability to Produce this Project

2012.08.09
First and foremost, congratulations on the over 1,100 supporters for this project on LEGO® CUUSOO! Your Super Mario models are amazing and capture the spirit of the classic game in LEGO bricks.

As we are huge Super Mario fans, it pains us to say we've looked into the licensing potential and another company has the construction toy license we will not consider Super Mario Bros. further.

The challenge with allowing IP-related projects on LEGO CUUSOO is that there is the potential of such a conflict, either with an existing license or with a competitive licensor. Still, it's our view that it is better to be open and allow for possibilities, knowing there will be "no" answers along the way, than shut out the potential of IP-based products altogether.

We have chosen to archive this project now since we know it is not feasible. There are too many projects to check each in-depth for license conflicts when they are first submitted, so instead we're looking deeper at projects that start to gain momentum.

Opening ourselves to new product suggestions invites popular ideas that don't always work. We are grateful for the spirit behind projects like the Super Mario Project and for the opportunity to be challenged. It keeps us sharp and looking toward the future of the LEGO brick.
The LEGO CUUSOO Team

Posted by Dennis in United States, 09 Aug 2012 21:03

Please put the Cuusoo Corner back on the home page!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 10 Aug 2012 03:26

^^ Thanks Modok, I didn't know someone else had it already.

Posted by Obiwonkydonky in United Kingdom, 10 Aug 2012 14:07

cool but other projects deserve support more

e.g the wild birds series
http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/16897

Posted by vexorian in Bolivia, 10 Aug 2012 17:55

Knowing google, licensing shouldn't be an issue. And the set design itself does not seem to have anything that could stop LEGO from doing it. The next review is in September, so it even has great timing.

This news has inspired me to support it. Just because I hate iOS :) I don't own a smartphone, don't see the point ^^.

Promoting CUUSOO more will only increase the amount of licensed ideas. I don't think there is anyway to fix this (assuming it is a problem that needs fixing) without prohibiting licensed ideas.

Posted by the_real_indy in United States, 11 Aug 2012 05:41

Well at the very least, this is an interesting test-case for the power of publicity...

It skyrocketed to 3,000 immediately because it got featured on 18 different Tech Blogs and "Droid Fan Blogs"...

But now, just three days later, it is starting to plateau at about 3,700 or 3,800... Can it continue? Are there any more Droid-oriented blogs to link to it, or will it just stagnate at this point...?

Who dares to speculate?

Posted by Brickbuilder0937 in United States, 11 Aug 2012 08:29

^ I'm guessing it will pick up a little speed next week when it's #1 on the "top ten supported projects last week" list.

Posted by the_real_indy in United States, 11 Aug 2012 20:34

^ Ah, so it will also be an interesting test to see if getting on the top-ten-movers list is a self-fulfilling-prophecy...

Maybe not, because about half of the projects that were there a month ago have stagnated and been forgotten...

But, it did get enough votes to hit the bottom of the all-time-most-supported list, and that is more permanent...

Any guesses? He's on the front page now, but he's down to 40 votes per day...

HUW, do you want to weigh in on this...?

Posted by the_real_indy in United States, 11 Aug 2012 20:41

P.S. - I think if Google started promoting it directly themselves, it would hit 10,000 before lunch-time!

Do you think that big companies (Apple, Google, et al.) will start using Cuusoo for active promotions?

Posted by vexorian in Bolivia, 11 Aug 2012 23:51

Big companies, can just contact LEGO directly...

Posted by lotrninja23 in United States, 12 Aug 2012 17:09

I think you prediction was a tad off, Huw. It's currently at just over 4,000 on the day of the Olympic Closing Ceremony.

Posted by the_real_indy in United States, 12 Aug 2012 22:20

Yes, I think HUW's new revised assessment is totally correct... If a project can hold on to one of the six "all-time-most-supported" slots, which appear on the home page by default, then it is almost guaranteed a slow slog to victory in time. And it's obviously even better if it can make it into the top three slots, because then you can see it on the screen without having to scroll down... in the old days of newspapers, they used to call that getting a story "above the fold" (literally!)

At the moment, It has overtaken the Apple Store (!), the Macross Jet, and is gearing to pass the Land Rover...

I think this one will win, and deservedly so... it's small, so it'll be affordable, it's cute, and iconic!

Posted by the_real_indy in United States, 12 Aug 2012 22:42

I also noticed that all of the "little kid themes" have gone away, either forgotten about, or nixed for copyright conflict reasons. It's great to see that all of the next most-supported projects that will soon bubble their way up to the top are all AFOL-style themes like The Dark Knight, Japanese Architecture, The new Mars Rover, the Bird Models, etc, etc...

I think that is the #1 reason they do not publicize Cuusoo actively. They obviously made a decision to announce it on a few carefully-selected blogs, and then to let the rest just be word-of-mouth, simply because they want it to be mostly aimed at getting more AFOLs out of their Dark Ages, and to get new niche markets, and not just more kid's cartoons that they probably already have sketched out in their concept art files anyway...!

So, Kudos! Slowly but surely, Cuusoo is mutating towards what AFOLs want! =)

Posted by freeze992 in United States, 13 Aug 2012 15:32

To those saying it "definitely won't pass review," I strongly believe that it *will* pass. Take a look at http://android.com/branding - the Android Robot is under the Creative Commons 2.5 Attribution License, which would only require LEGO to put a small notice on the packaging. No royalties. And the author of the project wisely designed the model with piece production in mind, so it'll be affordable for both LEGO and the consumers.

Posted by Si_Dorking_Surrey in New Zealand, 14 Aug 2012 21:54

Pointless model which panders to logo worshippers and is neither attractive nor representative of anything.
Lame.

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