15 replies to this topic

[Hapori Tohu]

The votes were cast, the projects were chosen, and now the LEGO CUUSOO Summer Review process is over. Four projects were in the running this time--Modular Western Town, EVE Online Ships: Rifter, Legend of Zelda, and the Back to the Future Delorean Time Machine--but sadly, only the last one was chosen. Even so, it's a great choice, and now we can all look forward to adding a flux capacitor to our LEGO collections. You can check out the main Summer Review article for a video explanation and further discussion, or head over to the CUUSOO page for the winning entry to see images of this upcoming set!

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[Wazdakka]

Bah. DeLorean definitely wasn't the best.

[Bambi]

Aw, too bad. I'd rather have Zelda sets.

[~X-Clone~]

 

How did I not hear about this until now? WANT!

[Flaredrick: Forgotten One]

I knew someday this would happen. Back To The Future rocks.

[Ta-metru_defender]

Yes.

Flippin' yes. This one I will be picking up. Assuming' y'know, it's not exorbitantly priced.

[Kakaru]

Aw heck yes. It may not have been the one I wanted, but I can certainly understand their decision regarding each theme, and I'm glad that it's finally been resolved one way or the other. Here's looking forward to owning a great set based on an excellent cult classic.

also keeping fingers crossed for autumn review oh please oh please oh please

Edited by Kakaru, Dec 21 2012 - 02:03 AM.

[Meiko]

I wasn't that fond of this one. Either way congrats on getting selected!

[Toa Smoke Monster]

I was going to send in a news report about this, but I was too late.

 

Anyway, this set does look really cool. I don't know if I'll be purchasing it though.

[Aanchir: Rachira of Time]

Bah. DeLorean definitely wasn't the best.

It's not about which one is the best, though-- it's about which one is a feasible product.

Overall, I'm more or less satisfied with the results-- glad at least that the Zelda project didn't get shut down due to licensing reasons, so future ones may still have a chance-- and look forward to TLG's version of the Delorean time machine.

[Kohaku]

I'd rather have seen Legend of Zelda.

 

However, I do bring the entire Lego Cuusoo project into question. Namely because the the Back to the Future project was made by Masashi Togami, whom works for Lego Cuusoo. This brings about a huge conflict of interest in my opinion and it does make me question the entire review process with a lot of scrutiny.

 

So, I'm unsure of how I feel about this situation because such a grave conflict of interest isn't good for the brand in my opinion and it will make me question their future reviews.

[Aanchir: Rachira of Time]

I'd rather have seen Legend of Zelda.
 
However, I do bring the entire Lego Cuusoo project into question. Namely because the the Back to the Future project was made by Masashi Togami, whom works for Lego Cuusoo. This brings about a huge conflict of interest in my opinion and it does make me question the entire review process with a lot of scrutiny.
 
So, I'm unsure of how I feel about this situation because such a grave conflict of interest isn't good for the brand in my opinion and it will make me question their future reviews.

So what, exactly, do you suggest happened? That TLG made a decision that would not have been in their best interests financially just to butter up a single Cuusoo employee? I think that seems remarkably far-fetched.

A conflict of interest would be a problem if there were any stage of the process where it could have been a bigger influence on TLG than their perennial business- and brand-image-minded approach. As it is, there was not. There could hardly be a bribe big enough to make up for producing a product that could not stand on it's own two legs as a business case, and the creator won't benefit in any way from the project's achievement other than the inherent promotion of Cuusoo System that would be the same for ANY LEGO Cuusoo product. Moreover, nothing about the potential conflict of interest has been concealed from the public, and under normal circumstances Cuusoo System employees probably aren't even involved in the review process. And considering the conclusions some like yourself were bound to draw, TLG would have more incentive to reject the project because of a Cuusoo employee's involvement than to accept it for the same reason.

Overall, the evidence against any kind of wrongdoing far outnumbers the evidence for wrongdoing. So while it's always good to look into the potential for this kind of thing (and good for TLG and the Cuusoo team to acknowledge it in the interest of honest business practices), I don't think in this case there's anything to worry about.

[Dralcax]

Modular Western Town conflicts with an ongoing project... I'm hoping that means something similar is in store for 2013...

[bonesiii]

I'd rather have seen Legend of Zelda.

 

However, I do bring the entire Lego Cuusoo project into question. Namely because the the Back to the Future project was made by Masashi Togami, whom works for Lego Cuusoo. This brings about a huge conflict of interest in my opinion and it does make me question the entire review process with a lot of scrutiny.

 

So, I'm unsure of how I feel about this situation because such a grave conflict of interest isn't good for the brand in my opinion and it will make me question their future reviews.

It helps to read their actual reasons for turning down lines (also keep in mind they have to get licensing approval if that is a factor; not sure if that was relevant this time though):

 

 

 

EVE Online Ships – Rifter
by czar
The supporters we received for the EVE Online Ships – Rifter project allowed us to examine the feasibility of another gaming-related product. However the Rifter presented a more challenging business case when considered alongside other potential products in this Review period. Therefore, the LEGO Review Board has decided that this project does not meet the requirements for the business case.

Modular Western Town
by mb_bricks
The Modular Western Town project conflicts with an ongoing project at the LEGO Group. As a result, the project does not meet the business case requirements and has not passed the LEGO Review.

The Legend of Zelda
by MINGLES
The Legend of Zelda project shows broad support among gaming enthusiasts . This project has provided great inspiration and concept work for what could be a very nice product.

However, multiple new element moulds would be required to create the minifigures for such a product, and the expense of these moulds means that the Legend of Zelda project does not pass the LEGO Review on the basis of the business case.

 

These reasons do all make sense.

 

And why BTTF passed:

 

 

After analyzing the supporters of the Back to the Future project, we learned that this product has a broad, worldwide appeal. The model presented in this project is built very closely to the LEGO Group’s design standards and has therefore provided a strong base to design the final product. It has a high play value and it fits well with supporters’ price expectations. For these reasons, the Back to the Future project has passed the LEGO Review

If an employee knows those standards better than others, that's not unexpected. LEGO has no rule against an employee starting a project, obviously, so they would not discriminate against them in the review process for that fact alone.

 

 

 

BTW, keep in mind this, too, guys:

 

 

The final product is still in development in coordination with our license partner, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. We'll show the final model and you’ll be able to order your own copy when it becomes available in mid-2013 (exact dates and pricing to be determined).

So the final set will hopefully be a -bit- cooler than this design (which is already pretty cool ).

[Stan McStudz]

I've been paying attention to this, and I must say, I'm most pleased about finally having a LEGO DeLorean.

 

I kept telling people, "Once this baby hits 10,000 supports, you're going to see some serious bricks!"

 

Then it hit 10K supports, and I was all like "Now I'm holding my breath on this being passed."

 

THEN IT HAPPENED.

 

Great Scott.

 

So we're actually getting a LEGO DeLorean. One of the icons of my childhood... AND IT'S HAPPENING. You all have no idea how happy I am with this!

 

Now all I'm waiting for is the Portal 2 project to be passed or not. But either way, I'm pleased with the DeLorean.

[ReckoningReckoner]

Nice! I'm really excited for that. I love back to the future. The set itself is a little bit... meh, but I'd love to see what it evolves into.

 

Sucks that there was no Zelda. However, there are other Zelda projects which do seem a little bit more reasonable (i.e. Ragaru's submission), so there's still hope