Back in August, I mentioned that I was a beta tester for an exciting new platform that was developed by the LEGO Group in partnership with Tongal, called LEGO World Builder. You can read more about the platform in the previous article (see: Introducing LEGO World Builder Powered by Tongal), but to recap, LEGO World Builder is somewhat like LEGO Ideas, but instead of submitting ideas for potential future LEGO sets, it’s for submitting ideas for new LEGO entertainment content (i.e. web series, TV series, and maybe even the next LEGO movie). And just like on LEGO Ideas, creators with accepted submissions share profits with the LEGO Group. There is quite a bit of great content on the platform already, so if you want to check them out, visit WorldBuilder.Tongal.com.
As a thank you for beta testers who participated in the development of LEGO World Builder, LEGO’s own designers created a cool little custom model that was shipped out to beta testers recently. I thought to show you all what it looks like. The custom model came with an accompanying thank you note:
Thanks for helping us bring LEGO World Builder to life! Inside this box is a special gift designed just for you – our amazing beta tester – to commemorate all the cool and imaginative worlds you created and collaborated on. We included some graphics on the basics of the build, but use your imagination for the rest! We’d love to see what you make with your custom LEGO set, so snap some pictures and tag us on Instagram @ legoworldbuilder – then keep on creating over at WorldBuilder.Tongal.com. The next big LEGO world starts with you!
The Bricks in this box contain enough elements to build any of these three worlds. But of course what you build is up to you and the possibilities (especially with a few more bricks) are endless. Thanks again on behalf of The LEGO Group and Tongal!
The custom model came partially built and placed in a Plexiglas cube that can be opened. The model itself is 12 studs wide, 12 studs long, and just short of 10 bricks tall. The pieces that make up the studded light-gray walls are glued. The office desk and chair are glued as well, but they can be removed from the floor. The pieces that make up the floor (plates and tiles) are not glued. I suppose the model is partially glued to make sure it doesn’t fall apart in transportation.
Besides the base model, two bags are included with about 300 additional elements, as well as an all-red minifig. These allow finishing the base model in at least three different ways, depicting three different imaginative worlds; a castle interior, outer space, and adventures at sea. There are also two specialty parts made just for this set; a LEGO World Builder sticker that can be applied to the case, and a printed 2×3 tile with the LEGO World Builder logo.
When I volunteered as a beta tester, I wasn’t expecting to receive anything, especially anything so cool. But it’s always nice to get something special from LEGO. I will definitely play around with the base model, and of course put all the parts to good use. Again, if you’re interested to check out what LEGO Word Builder is about, visit their website at WorldBuilder.Tongal.com. It might inspire you to submit your own ideas which may turn into a whole new LEGO world in the future.
If you have any questions or comments about LEGO world, feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below. And you might also like to check out the following related post:
That’s neat that they did this, and it reminds me that I should really get a world going… 😛 It’s kind of one of my end-of-the-year goals, though realistically I have too many of those.
Would love to see what you do! Feel free to share if you get something going! 🙂
hehe, will do! 😀
That 3’5″ disk is cute, but we really need a USB Stick piece…
You should be able to separate the glued parts by putting them in hot (but not too hot) water.
My comment went to the wrong place. Sorry. I was responding to Will.
I think that would depend on the type of glue being used… Some glues would be attached more or less permanently, so that if you would really need to separate the parts, you’d have to use a knife and then find that the plastic has been permanently damaged…
Yeah, we do need more printed tech items. Otherwise minifigs will be left behind in technology! 😀
Mine came Kraggled as well and that’s inexcusable.
And even after being a beta tester, I still don’t know what this is supposed to be.
Yeah, it seems that all of the goodie baggles have bloody kraggles…
My understanding is that the three models represent the opportunity to create different imaginative worlds with LEGO World Builder. The minifig is sitting at his/her desk and working on the LEGO World Builder website, creating different worlds. It’s like the images on the two walls represent her imagination.
Sounds right, sort of a symbolic, figurative immersion…
That’s neat. Is that a pink space worm crawling through the black sky?
Straight out of the wormhole!
I like the technique used for the water splashing around the ship. I haven’t seen that before. I’m going to steal it. 😀
It does look nice, but it’s so flat that I have trouble not seeing a ship with a jagged bottom. I wonder if putting the waves one layer out would help with that.
I do think it would make a difference. I’m going to try that later. 😀
Admin, what are you going to do with this set? Are you keeping it? Selling it? Rebuilding it?
I’m going to keep it and use the parts. I have some ideas for the special printed tile too. I’m not sure what I will do with the Plexiglas case yet. It’s pretty neat, but I normally keep my MOCs open. Maybe I will put something very special inside.
As far as the glued bricks others asked about, I think I may be able to separate them. They are glued together with visible glue, so I think they could be separated without too much trouble. If not, I can just include them in a MOC or something as they are.
How did you get selected as a beta tester? I’m just curious.
The opportunity was announced via the LEGO Ambassador Network. However beta testers came from other places as well. I know many of them were creative writers. I’m not sure where they were recruited from.
This is really cool. I wonder what would be the value of a set like this. It was built by LEGO’s designers? Do you know which one(s)? Was it shipped from Billund? Did it come in a special box? Sorry for all the questions, but I love special collectibles like this.
Hi, mine arrived yesterday delivered by FedEx, I’ll be creating my own design