Week Long Shutdown

Hello All,

During the next week (6/26/11 - 7/2/11) the blog will not be updated because I will out of town without internet access (AAAAAH! I'm going to die!). Sorry for any inconveniences this causes. You can always look back at older posts if you need too.

-Zorkonian12

Spam Rules

Sad to say it, but this blog seems to be getting more and more spam everyday. For those of you who do not know what spamming is, it is the posting of a useless comment that is either unhelpful, discouraging, or just plain annoying.

These are now the rules for spam posting on this blog:

THESE COMMENTS WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED:

1. Comments that have more than three exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. COMMENTS THAT ARE WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS
3. Comments that are unhelpful and annoying

So please, if you post a spam comment, realize that you are wasting both my time and yours as the comment will under no circumstances be published.

Some examples of the spam comments I have gotten recently on the Make Money Faster post:

• "MONEY IS HARD TO GET SO JUST EARN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
• "GET MONEY THAT IS HOW TO GET MONEY?!?!?!?!"
• "why?!? CAN'T YOU GET IT YOUR SELF!"

Thank you.

-Zorkonian12

New Free Trial Version of LU Coming Soon!

According the featured community article on the LU website there will be a free version of Lego Universe coming soon to give players a 'taste' of what Lego Universe is like. The free version will include the Venture Explorer map, the Avant Gardens map, and the Avant Gardens property. All features will be available to players in each world. However, free players will not be able to leave Avant Gardens or go anywhere else. The free version will never expire so you can experience Lego Universe at your own pace.

I am personally against this free version of Lego Universe. They originally said that they would not 'segregate' players based on their financial payments. While this does give players who could not originally afford Lego Universe a chance to experience it, it will also eventually lead to member vs. non-member fights and arguments. I am hoping that when Lego releases this version they will also add a new batch of servers so that paying members and free players will at least be separated, then there won't be any fights.


I am not against the idea just because I don't want to be playing with people who aren't paying for their game time (I honestly don't care about that), it is just because I am hoping that Lego Universe will not turn into a big battleground for 'higher' and 'lower' class players.

-Zorkonian12

Fraud Notice

Hello All,

Just so you know there might be other copies of the Lego Universe Commentaries floating around Youtube that are exactly the same as the ones on Metacafe. These were NOT published by me, and none of our videos are ever posted on Youtube. Thank you for understanding, I will try to make sure that the 'fraudulent' copies get down soon.

-Zorkonian12

Maelstrom Monster Biography

History: During the early days of the Nexus Force, an accidental explosion broke tubes pumping Maelstrom energy into the Paradox Research Facility in Avant Gardens. The essence of chaos and destruction swirled around its Paradox researchers, who were studying the dark powers of the Maelstrom hoping to find a weakness. Seeing an opportunity, the Darkitect reached out with the Maelstrom and memorized their forms, mimicking their makeup to recreate them in the chaotic image of the Maelstrom. The results were beings that appeared as twisted Minifigures glowing with dark Maelstrom energy – creatures now known as Stromlings.

As footsoldiers of the Darkitect, new Stromlings are constantly being formed in the dark clouds of the Maelstrom. Due to the chaotic nature of Maelstrom energy, no two look quite the same.

Stats: 1 Life Points, 0 Armor Points

Attacks: Short ranged swipe that deals 1 damage.

Tactics: Though relatively weak on their own, basic Stromlings can be surprisingly dangerous when they surround a Minifigure without advanced protective gear. If you find yourself surrounded by Stromlings, double-jump away until you are facing all of them – their slow speed should allow you to either find a good place to smash them all from one angle, or easily escape.

When in Avant Gardens, it is wise to look over your shoulder occasionally to check if you’ve got a Stromling tailing you. Those attempting the Survival mission for Melodie Foxtrot may encounter Stromlings wielding chainsaws or hammers. Use the same strategy for these Stromlings, but watch out for the increased damage of their attacks.

Though Bjorn Fjord swears by his beard that a well-performed electic guitar solo will stun Stromlings in place, this has not been confirmed by Paradox scientists, and is therefore not a strategy endorsed by the Paradox.

This is another new series of informative posts from the developers. It gives the stats and little bit of background information on each enemy. Today, we are starting with the stromling!

Lego Universe Commentaries: Now Public!

It's been a long wait since I announced the possibility of Lego Universe Commentaries. But now they are finally here! The videos will be hosted by Metacafe, and I have my own mini-channel there. I have even set up an entirely new blog for the updates and news on the commentaries! The new official website for the commentaries is:

www.lucommentaries.blogspot.com

Don't worry, I will still post on this blog too! The commentaries are just something a little extra. I may even have them out for download soon!

The first commentary takes place at Nexus Tower (and I'll be honest, it IS a little boring), and I complete a few missions there. Hopefully soon though, Smashed will be able to join in on the commentaries and it will make them much more interesting.

Here is the url for the first commentary. Enjoy! And don't forget to rate up on Metacafe!

LU Commentaries: Episode 1

Poll Results: New World!

Last months poll was "What kind of world do you think should be added next?". We got a LOT more votes than months in the past, so lets tally up the totals!

Lego Set Themed---------------8 (34%)
Storyline World-----------------3 (13%)
Social World---------------------2 (8%)
Battle World---------------------10 (43%)


The type of world (according to the fans) that should come next, is another battle world! I guess you guys like to battle the Maelstrom a lot. Once again, thanks for voting! Next months poll has not been decided yet, but it will be up soon!

Draw or build your Favorite Faction Leader!

First off, very sorry about the huge lack of posts in the last couple weeks. It was due to a combination of final exams and another surprise I have been working on. The "surprise" will hopefully come out on June 1st (Same as Nexus Tower!).


This new Lego Contest allows to show off you building or drawing skills! You can draw your favorite faction leader or you can even build them from real bricks or from virtual ones! And, as always, you can build it on your property, at home in your living room, or in LDD. This contest has some pretty cool prizes too. You will also be awarded a couple in game shirts to wear around. They are the Paparazzi, the Photojouralist, and the Bricksel Adams. Each one will boost your imagination by at least 2.

Have fun drawing and building!

Coming Soon: Vaults and Safes!

It sounds like the LEGO Developers have finally listened to the players and are adding a new bank/vault system to the Universe. It will be released when Nexus Tower comes out and its base of operation will be Nexus Tower also. So if you have any extra items that you don't need, but want to keep (like me) you can put them in the vault and you can come and get them at any time! The system can also be set up on any of your claimed properties, allowing you easier access to your storage space! Awesome!

Here is the offical article on vaults and banks:

You’ve asked for it, and so now you’re getting it: more space for your stuff! Dr. Overbuild has been working non-stop on a new Vault and Safe system! This new storage system will allow you to safely store away extra items into your own private Vault in Nexus Tower. The Darkitect would love to get his hands on the contents of the Vaults, but never fear! The Sentinels are standing guard to make sure only YOU can access your personal Vault!

Before you can access the Vault system, you will need to first speak to Nexus Naomi, Nexus Tower’s Artificial Intelligence. She will guide you to meet your Faction Leader, who will give you a series of missions. After you receive approval from your Faction Leader to use the Vault system, find Nexus Naomi near the Sentinel Faction HQ. She will help you open up your Vault account –and has a complimentary toaster model for you too!



The standard Vault size begins with 40 slots for general items (like gear or consumables) and 40 slots for your models. If you find yourself needing even more space, talk to Nexus Naomi again, who will give you some Missions to expand the size of your Vault! You can expand your Vault up to 240 slots for general items and 240 for your models!

That’s not all! Complete even more Nexus Tower Missions, and you will be able to access a special Safe on all of your claimed Properties! Your Safe will allow you to access your Vault and all of the items inside. Property visitors will be able to see the Safe on your Property, but only you will be able to use your Safe on your claimed Properties!



Keep up your Brick Donations to complete the construction of Nexus Tower. When the Tower is done, you’ll be able to finally find a place for all of that extra stuff you’ve been carrying around. And this is only the beginning!

Discuss this article on the message boards!

Dr. Overbuild's Nexus Diary (Week 1)

Here is the all new Nexus Tower diary from Dr. Overbuild! This is a new series of articles that just came out today. I hope you enjoy it!

Duke Exeter thought it would be a good idea for me to chronicle the completion of Nexus Tower. So for future builders, here we go!

First, you may wonder, why build a massive tower on Crux Prime- a planet which is swarming with the Maelstrom? Well, the Imagination Nexus of course! It's the original, pure source of Imagination in the Universe and it must be protected!

Construction on Nexus Tower was going well, but we started to run short of bricks. Hael Storm proposed a vast collection of bricks from Minifigures across the Universe, and Duke Exeter has agreed to lead the effort! We've put out a call to all Minifigures to donate bricks and help finish Nexus Tower There is even a competition to see who can donate the most bricks!

I'm a little worried about the Bank we were building in Nexus Tower. I am just not sure it is safe enough! What if Nexus Tower were under attack? We must protect everyone’s gear and deposits!!. Duke Exeter had the great idea to make the Bank into a Vault instead. What is the difference between a Bank and a Vault? Why, rocket engines, of course!

Bricks have been arriving daily on the cargo ships out of Nimbus Station, and now progress on the Tower is moving at an accelerated rate! After a week of donations, redontop, Ninewells and huss1 have donated over 2,234,000 bricks combined!

Check back next week for another update!