Hapori Tohu

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

Summer sets are starting to get stacked on shelves, but let us not want for writings of wonderful works from the winter. Today, xccj reviews the Ninjago Earth Drill set, where Ninja Cole faces off against a ruthless Stone Warrior. Continue on to collect clarity of the coolness or classlessness of this constructed concoction.View the full article

This past Thursday a new exhibit opened in the Norton Museum of Art. <a href='http://www.norton.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=exhibitions.details&content_id=926' target='offsite'>Block by Block: Inventing Amazing Architecture</a> is a display of ten landmark skyscrapers from around the world, constructed by LEGO Certified Professional Dan Parker and his team. The buildings will be on display until October 20th, so if you find yourself in the West Palm Beach area between now and then - check it out!View the full article

BZPower is hoping to throw some kind of party at BrickFair Virginia this year in August. We'd like to hear from all of you on what you'd like to see or do. Head over to <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=10179'>this poll</a> in the Voting Booth to let us know your thoughts. The sooner you vote the better so we can set things in motion!View the full article

Another two fortnights, another two winners in the Bionicle and OTC Fortnightly Flash Fiction Contests! This time around, the victory goes to <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=9784' target='offsite'><b>"Averted Trial"</b></a>, by Pahrak #0579, for the Bionicle theme "Trial by Fire" and <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=10040' target='offsite'><b>"P B & J"</b></a>, by Jedi Gali, for the OTC theme "Sunset". Both submissions are worthy reads, so check them out, and maybe leave a response! And if you're interested in participating in the FFFCs, there are still a few days left before the deadline for the current Bionicle theme. What is the theme, you ask? Uh, go <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=7076&p=566264' target='offsite'>fish</a>.View the full article

Warner Brothers has released a two minute long teaser trailer for next year's The LEGO Movie. <a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lPnY2NjSjrg' target='offsite'>Go give it a watch</a> and let us know what you think in the Talkback. It looks very interesting, and I think I like the way they're doing things. Only a year left to go!View the full article

Are minifigs losing their carefree expressions as LEGO moves into conflict-based licenses? Christopher Bartneck's research would certainly seem to indicate that. He's concerned that The LEGO Group's reputation will suffer as children's play is affected by the negative attitudes and increasingly vast array of weapons that minifigs carry. I for one am skeptical since licensed themes have always been a little more serious, but has this attitude carried over to original lines? What do you think?View the full article