Reddit causes Mars rover to skyrocket

 

  • Reddit causes Mars rover to skyrocket

    Posted by Huw, 18 Aug 2012 03:51. Filed under Cuusoo.

    A plea on Reddit asking people to vote on this Cuusoo model of the Mars science laboratory curiosity rover yesterday has garnered the project some 3000 votes in 24 hours and it currently stands at over 9900, so it should reach 10,000 early today. (Thanks Dennis)

    Update: 2 hours later... It's achieved 10,000!

    I'm sure this is exactly the sort of model LEGO wants to see on Cuusoo, but I guess the only issue is, interest in the Mars rover is high at the moment given it's only just landed, but will people still want a model of it in 6-9 months time when they've all but forgotten about it?

    Meanwhile, the Android droid is at nearly 6,000 supporters, so it has slowed down somewhat this week. I'm sure it'll get there eventually...


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

Posted by BlackRabbit in Canada, 18 Aug 2012 04:17

I wish the floods of people from non-Lego online communities would spread some votes to other great projects on cuusoo. The Space marines and Macross models are going at a snails pace and could use some of that support. I'm not much a fan of the Android droid idea.

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 18 Aug 2012 04:39

I have done my bit and voted, but I agree that releasing a set in months time would perhaps have 'missed the train' to an extent. I guess we could still find life which would really reinvigorate the topic!

Posted by Captain Eyebrow in United Kingdom, 18 Aug 2012 04:49

I like the idea and if it passes review it will be a purchase for me. I started with Classic Space so I'm a sucker for this sort of thing and I currently have the last Cuusoo satellite model (I'm not going to embarrass myself by trying to spell it) on display. So to sum up I'm a sucker for LEGO NASA/Space models & themes!

Posted by goldfish in United Kingdom, 18 Aug 2012 05:36

this is ok, but I think most teenagers could make a reasonable reproduction, let alone a skilled AFOL.

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 18 Aug 2012 05:40

^The same could be said for many of the designs put out by Lego each year, they are usually fairly basic relative to MOCs made by Lego fans.

Posted by halfpenguinhalflego in United Kingdom, 18 Aug 2012 07:37

This is exactly the kind of thing I want to see on CUUSOO, it's a great model, similar to the original CUUSOO products.

Posted by Legolover9531 in United States, 18 Aug 2012 08:24

I voted when it was in the 8,000 range. I think it would be a nice model to build and is very likely to pass.

Posted by fyrmedhatt in United States, 18 Aug 2012 08:34

If this rover is only a third as great as the previous ones that explored for years past their expected life, we are in for a treat. As a geologist I'm beyond thrilled at the capabilities of curiosity when it comes to figure out the past and present of Mars, which hopefully will lead to discoveries which will continue to put the rover in the spotlight. Even so, this model should be a home run for Cuusoo just based on the lasting fame the rover got from its absolutely spectacular landing (just in my geology department I've heard of plenty of people who want Lego model of this).

Posted by goldfish in United Kingdom, 18 Aug 2012 09:13

I really must be missing something. I sometimes wonder if people are forgetting the original point of Lego, which is to build what you want. If you like it, it's an easy build with ltd pieces. This is different from say a UCS sandcrawler where it would be extremely time consuming to design and get all the parts yourself. I honestly don't see this as a good use of Cuusoo's limited pass rates every quarter. Ow well, good to all have different views!

Posted by Nightshroud99 in Canada, 18 Aug 2012 09:45

The Android idea is still stupid, but this is absolutely brilliant! I can't wait to get this model. =)

Posted by Modok in United States, 18 Aug 2012 10:03

^^ The birds have gotten far. The project has over 3,000 votes and is the #10 overall project at the moment. It's continued to stay at or near the weekly top 10 on a fairly regular basis, and has surpassed several other projects that had been ahead of it. It might not sound like much, but in Cuusoo terms that's pretty darn good.

Although certain projects will have sudden and huge bursts of support like the rover, Portal, Minecraft, or the Winchester, all other projects have to make do with gathering up 10 or 20 supports a day. There's a reason why only a handful have ever reached 10,000.

Not to mention, the birds are not based on a game, movie or other IP, and do no feature battles or action. Taking all of that into account, the fact that a bunch of brick-built birds has over 3,000 supporters is impressive.

Posted by legomaniac in United States, 18 Aug 2012 10:44

I would definably buy this. Goes well with the LEGO Discovery Space sets if you still have them (now use them for MOCs)

Posted by deathwatch in Hong Kong, 18 Aug 2012 10:52

r/lego should have more of these.

Posted by Roborider in United States, 18 Aug 2012 10:57

If it was released a moth ago, I could see it doing well. But as it is, even if it was released today, I don't think it will sell really great. Still, If it is produced, I will buy it. I think that this one is intended to be more like the exclusives that the Japanese ones were meant as. Limited release because of limited market. The Space Marines theme (if it happens) is meant to be an entire playtheme available almost anywhere.

Posted by Kulturkampf in United States, 18 Aug 2012 11:26

WOW! As a hardcore space enthusiast, this is a must have for me, one way or another. I praise the one who designed this beauty!

Posted by Dennis in United States, 18 Aug 2012 11:34


I'm sure it will be still be popular by the time it goes into production, if it does. The planned Mars Rover mission lifespan is at least a couple years. If all goes well, it will last at least that long. Hopefully great pictures will continue to be published and the rover makes discoveries, so that the general public will still be very aware of Curiosity over the next couple years.

Posted by legogeek in United States, 18 Aug 2012 11:51

I agree with others that like this. This is the type of project I would like to see CUUSOO develop. There are a lot of great projects on Cuusoo, but most are not what I would consider to be 'real' Cuusoo material. We as fans of LEGO all have our own agenda, ideals and favorites, and that's what makes our hobby as great as it is. Not every design will excite every fan. While I do like the Space Marine themes and others like Back To The Future and other licensed (movie, game) themes, I think Curiosity hits the nail on the head with what Cuusoo should be all about. It may not be the most creative or original build, but the theme itself (planet/space exploration) is what LEGO is all about = exploration and imagination... think about it. Here's hoping this Curiosity project gets the green light and that there are more projects like it to follow.

Posted by Isabella and Lego Liker in United States, 18 Aug 2012 12:10

Well, if passed, this looks like it will be rather cheap ($25-$30), so it may be a retail one.

Posted by 18000pieces in United States, 18 Aug 2012 16:37

It's really really neat that the creator of this project worked on the real deal rover. I hope that if this is picked up for production LEGO will either stick with his design or work closely with him in creating the new design.

Posted by jonbuddy in United States, 18 Aug 2012 18:06

Let's ask another question: Would people still be interested in a dying space shuttle program? Well LEGO certainly thought so if they haven't thrown the current one out of production. This is why I think it will still be of interest to people. At least to us nerds. :-)

Posted by perfectlydark in Australia, 18 Aug 2012 18:35

I think this is one that is likely to pass, and I hope it does :)

Posted by Alemas in Germany, 18 Aug 2012 18:48

So I sense a lame pun in the article title? :P

Posted by Modok in United States, 18 Aug 2012 18:49

@jonbuddy - I don't think that's an apt comparison. The space shuttle has been THE iconic space vehicle for the last 30 years. An entire generation grew up with it. The Curiosity is a specific, non-swooshable craft based on one particular mission. Given our society's collective attention span, I'm really not sure how many people still will remember or want this when it finally gets released in 8 or 9 months. I hope I'm wrong.

Posted by Sonic_Raptor in United States, 18 Aug 2012 22:02

Regardless, I'll take one to sit on my desk at the office next to my Space Shuttle Adventure.

Posted by lippidp in United States, 19 Aug 2012 00:29

Kudos to the designer for his goal of outreach for NASA. However, for me this model is weak. I would absolutely get one with more functions like Lego did with the Mars rover from the early 2000s (7471). If they could do Curiousity like that I'd buy it for sure!

Posted by Hobie819 in United States, 19 Aug 2012 18:21

I love the model but agree that it is... lacking. The ideal place for this model to sell would be in a science museum or childrens museum but it doesn't have that "Wow" factor that gets kids wanting to buy it on the shelf. I would assume however that if LEGO finds the model lacking, it will rework some of it, probably along with NASA to make it more interesting. After all their goal is to sell the item and NASA's goal would be to increase awareness, so it would make it in both of their best interests to make the model look good to sell.

Love the idea though.

Posted by Hello_World! in United States, 19 Aug 2012 18:48

RE: the model is lacking.

Wold you all care to explain? I've built it and think it is accurate, with working suspension, movable arm, and pose-able mast.

Posted by Perijove in United States, 19 Aug 2012 20:17

Make it more interesting? I would appreciate clarification, as well. If you're simply referring to the size, I designed it to reach as many kids and adults as possible while remaining at a reasonable size and cost. My goal has been to help with the educational outreach for this mission and space exploration, in general. Fewer kids would be able to afford a $200+ model or convince their parents to get one for them. This model is also comparable to the size of the previously released CUUSOO sets, which increases it's chances of approval. At the the model's current size, you can drive it over rough terrain with the working rocker-bogie suspension system, use the arm to drill and take samples, and the infrared laser in the head of the mast to vaporize rocks and analyze their compositions. Not bad for only 300 pieces, if you ask me.

I am absolutely in favor of a larger set in the future. I would love if there was a big, multi-thousand piece, Technic Curiosity set with power functions or even an NXT for older kids and advanced builders. If this smaller model does well, perhaps it could lead to a larger and more advanced version.

Also, I'd like to thank Brickset and everyone else who supported this project!

Posted by lippidp in United States, 19 Aug 2012 20:25

^ Correct me if I'm wrong, but there doesn't appear to be any steering. So, that to me is one thing that would be great to have. I understand your target audience is not me and of course the model is great for its size. I'm just saying that for me, yes, I want bigger with more Technic/NXT-type fun in there. That would be awesome and I'm surprised Lego didnt already do it!

Posted by Perijove in United States, 19 Aug 2012 20:43

You are correct. This model is much too small for steering, but it still has a lot of playability for it's size. Plenty of adults have enjoyed this model, (I'm assuming you're an adult) so don't let an insignificant parameter like age stop you from enjoying it too! They did a System and Technic version of the previous rovers, so I'm also hoping the same thing happens for this one too.

Posted by TekkamanRaiden in Canada, 19 Aug 2012 21:12

That is really well done.

Posted by Town in United States, 20 Aug 2012 12:32

Needs a quality pass by Lego.

Posted by Town in United States, 21 Aug 2012 02:15

Actually the Flickr gallery does have some nice photos of the model and the video of the suspension is cool...

Commenting has ended on this article.