Hapori Tohu

I'm pleased to announce today that BZPower will be hosting a party at BrickFair Virginia in less than three weeks. On Saturday, August 3rd, from 4:45PM to 6:45PM, you can join us at Shadowland Adventures for two games of laser tag and some pizza. Space is limited, so we're asking that you pay in advance to reserve your spot. You can buy tickets over in our store. Costs go towards reserving space at the venue, two games of laser tag, and pizza and drinks. We hope to see you all there!View the full article

While we've already reported on Robertson's new book, Brick by Brick, GSR has uncovered another interesting interview with the author: How too much innovation nearly killed The LEGO Company. It offers a particularly interesting insight into the failed Galidor line and and how desperate the company was to create something new for the market. I recommend giving it a read!View the full article

The exclusive minifigures for the upcoming San Diego Comic Con have been revealed. Again, they're associated with the Super Heroes theme: Green Arrow and Black-Suit Superman represent the DC side, while alt-suit Spider-Man and Spider-Woman hail from Marvel. If you're in the area and attending Comic Con, you might get a chance to pick one up, while the rest of us must look on in jealousy. You can see pictures and read more about them <a href='http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/12/lego-superhero-comic-con-minifigures/2513603/' target='offsite'>here</a>.View the full article

This weekend the largest Canadian fan event, BrickFete, is taking place in Toronto. They're lucky enough to have a new LEGO set revealed there tonight - 10235 Winter Village Market! You can read on to see images of the latest addition to the Winter Village series as well as the full press release. You can also check out the designer video <a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVnqxgxiwQw' target='offsite'>right here</a>. It's a great-looking set that fits the theme well and I'm sure it'll be a big hit!View the full article

BZPower Member Damaracx 8.0 pointed out that the Ninjago website has been updated with all of the current TV show episodes. You can check them out <a href='http://ninjago.lego.com/en-us/NinjagoTV/Default.aspx' target='offsite'>right here</a> in the Ninjago TV section. If you missed them when they aired, now is your chance to catch up!View the full article

The battle of words has been fierce and fast-paced, and it seems that the Flash Fiction Marathon has gone by in...well...a flash. But it's not quite over yet: the <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showforum=75' target='offsite'><b>semifinal polls</b></a> in each Bionicle and OTC category have been posted! These represent the best of the best from all ten flash fiction themes, meaning that this is your chance to vote for the stories that will move on to the final round of voting. So go forth, and give the remaining entries a read and your vote, and make sure the best story wins!View the full article

More and more, we find, if it exists, there's probably a LEGO version of it. You may have heard of 3D printers--machines that can make objects out of plastic or similar substances from 3D computer models. One individual by the name of Matthew Krueger has constructed a 3D printer made completely from LEGO bricks, entitled "Legobot". Legobot uses candy or glue to make its creations, and unfortunately it is quite limited in what it can do. However, it's quite an interesting creation, and you can see it <a href='http://www.techhive.com/article/2043965/legobot-is-a-3d-printer-made-entirely-from-lego-bricks.html' target='offsite'>here</a>.View the full article

In less that a month several hundred AFOLs (followed by thousands of members of the general public) will descend upon Chantilly, Virginia for the United States' largest LEGO fan convention - BrickFair Virginia. If you're not able to attend or visit in person, there's still time for you to support the event. Head on over to my blog and read all about how your MOCs can be displayed and seen by all those people. Time is running out, though, so you had better get building!View the full article

When Christina Stephens lost part of her left leg in an accident, she didn't let it get her down. Instead, she has built a prosthetic leg out of LEGO bricks, <a href='http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Technology/2013/07/06/Amputee-creates-LEGO-prosthetic/UPI-75671373144688/' target='offsite'>UPI reports</a>. While not overly practical in its current state, it's still quite the statement, and it shows that our favorite plastic toys can be used for just about anything.View the full article

BZPower Member Damaracx 8.0 let us know that LEGO has recently updated the <a href='http://herofactory.lego.com/en-us/games/brain-attack/' target='offsite'>Hero Factory Brain Attack game</a>, presumably on their website and also mobile apps. There's now a sports stadium level for you to play in and defeat the brain-controlled monsters. So what are you waiting for? Go save the day, hero!View the full article

The notifications are starting to filter in that the July-August edition of the LEGO Club Magazine is arriving. For those eagerly awaiting this summer's issue, check your mailbox!View the full article

Greg Farshtey may not be able to post on BZPower anymore, but it looks like there is one place he can still interact with fans. Over on the LEGO Message Boards, there's a topic encouraging members to ask questions of the long-time LEGO author. If you have anything that's been on your mind about Bionicle, Hero Factory, or Ninjago, here's your chance to maybe find out!View the full article

Christian Faber has updated his blog with a plug for a new book: Brick by Brick: How LEGO Rewrote the Rules of Innovation and Conquered the Global Toy Industry. Why should this interest you? Well apparently there's a whole chapter about Bionicle, which Faber promises contains some never-heard-before info (he should know, he was interviewed for it). His blog has a question from an interview with the author, Professor David C. Robertson, about our favorite toy line. I've added a copy to my shopping cart and look forward to seeing what new information about Bionicle is in there!View the full article

I'd like to wish everyone in America (and those of you who are abroad as well) a happy and safe Independence Day. Enjoy some barbecue, watch some fireworks, and remember all the people that helped found this country and make it what it is today. I hope the next 237 years are even better than the last!View the full article

The 28th Bionicle RPG Contest wrapped up recently, and the winners are here. Head over to the <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showforum=16' target='offsite'>RPG Forum</a> to check out Sunken Cities, Trapped in a Map, and The Voyage of the Requiem IV. If any of them tickle your fancy, you can join and get playing. Thanks to everyone who participated and happy roleplaying to all the GMs and players!View the full article

The second Flash Fiction Marathon is going strong. If you weren't into the first couple of story themes, you should check out the latest challenges to see if they better fit your style, both for <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=10257' target='offsite'>Bionicle Stories</a> and <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=10269' target='offsite'>Off Topic Culture Stories</a>. And remember to check out the <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showforum=75' target='offsite'>Flash Fiction Marathon polls</a>, and vote for your favorite stories from the earlier themes! Keep checking back for more updates, because this Marathon is only halfway through!View the full article

Another project has reached the Review stage in the LEGO Cuusoo program: A model of the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider! Considering the balance of scientific frontiers in LEGO models (and especially those approved in the program), I'd say this one has a good chance of passing, but we'll have to wait and see. View the full article

Come join us for another episode of the BZPowercast! You can download Episode 48 <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/Imaging/powercast/BZPowercastSeries2Episode48.m4a'>right here</a> if you're not subscribed via iTunes or RSS. Read below to see what we discuss:<blockquote>June is at a close, which means it's time for a new episode of the Powercast. We kick off the month by interviewing Kohaku as part of our Staff Interview series. Then Windrider is back for a How-To BZP about the staff. DeeVee and Nukaya then drop by to discuss the upcoming BrickFair Virginia event. And things wrap up with another dramatic Bionicle comic reading by Hahli Husky and Janus. Enjoy!</blockquote>View the full article

Warner Bros. is not satisfied with just one LEGO based movie; they're already making plans for a film based on the Ninjago theme. Brothers Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman have been tasked with writing it, and they're not unfamiliar with subject matter because they've also helped write for the Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu animated series and the upcoming LEGO Movie. You can read more about the announcement <a href='http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warner-bros-bring-legos-ninjago-575738' target='offsite'>here</a>.View the full article

The first FFM was held last Summer as part of the Library Summer Olympics, and it was a memorable success. Such a performance certainly deserves an encore. The Flash Fiction Marathon 2 is now live in both Short Stories and Off Topic Culture. As with the original contest, all writers, regardless of experience (or confidence!) are encouraged to enter.View the full article

Today the <a href='http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester/' target='offsite'>LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester</a> in Yonkers, New York is unveiling a MINILAND scale model of One World Trade Center. Made of 4,873 bricks, the model stands at over 11 feet tall and weighs nearly 100 pounds. Of course, the source material isn't quite done yet, but the new skyscraper is already standing tall above New York City's skyline. This seems like the perfect building for the Discovery Center to include in their MINILAND exhibit.View the full article

LEGO minifigures have gone through many changes over the decades--some big, some small. Well, if you've ever wanted to see them all lined up for your viewing pleasure, you're in luck: Gizmodo and LEGO have worked together to assemble a massive catalogue of minifigs online. From the first figures released for Town, Castle, and Space sets in the 1970s, all the way up to the expanded Star Wars minifigs from mid-2008, it's a fascinating look back into history. Follow the link above to check it out! View the full article

LEGO Cuusoo has announced that the <a href='http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/96' target='offsite'>Back to the Future DeLorean TIme Machine</a> set. The set is scheduled for release on July 18 and will feature minifigs of Dr. Brown, Marty McFly, and the DeLorean itself. As a side note, the creators' 1% of the sales will be donated to the Michael J. Fox foundation to fight Parkinson's Disease.View the full article

Do you like polls? I hope you like polls, because we've got a bunch for you to vote in. First off, you can tell us <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=10231'>what LEGO themes you like</a> for no reason in particular (there's actually a cool reason, shh). Next up, voting is currently going on for <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showforum=57'>RPG Forum Contest #28</a>, where you can select your favorite RPGs and let us know how we can improve the process. And if those weren't enough, you can also vote in <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showforum=36'>BBC Contest #65</a>, to decide which bird MOCs will go to BrickFair. You guys will determine what choices come out on top here, so get voting!View the full article

If you're part of the LEGO VIP program, then you're in luck: Although then promotion started a week ago, you still have until June 30th to purchase <a href='http://shop.lego.com/en-GB/VIP-Early-Access-10237' target='offsite'>10237 Tower of Orthanc</a> before anyone else! As an added bonus, you'll also receive an exclusive LEGO LotR poster with your order. If you're part of the program and have the spare cash, this might be worth looking into!View the full article