General Discussion

MMORPG.com Managing Editor Jon Wood spoke recently with Ryan Seabury of NetDevil and Mark Hansen from Lego about the upcoming MMORPG based on the wonderful world of colored bricks and people with cylindrical yellow heads.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with NetDevil’s Ryan Seabury, the Producer on the studio’s upcoming MMORPG, Lego Universe Online. Joining us in the interview was Mark Hanson from Lego itself.

We here in the MMO space have known about Lego Universe’s existence for quite some time. What we don’t know is exactly what form the game will take once it hits shelves. Unfortunately, the team still isn’t quite ready to talk about specific details of the game. The good news though, is that we were told that we should expect to see more specific information coming out of the studio beginning in January.

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What makes this even more interresting is all the franchies Lego has made or bought rights too.

They could actually make different worlds in this game - Star Wars, Indiana Jones etc. - and still stay within their agreements with the franchise owners.

I guess only time will tell, but Lego rarely allows their name to be used in something that isn't worth it's money, so this could turn out to be a shocker of a game tbh.

I know my 10 year old son is excted about this. The Lego console games (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) have been some of his favorite games he's played.

" It was described to me as the “natural evolution” of the franchise and I can’t say that I disagree. "

Excuse me?  A natural evolution?  Let's see lego's are natural building blocks that you put together to make things.  Please in a sane way can you explain how this upcoming game is a natural progression?  We are going from building blocks to a MMO?   Nothing like a huge leap from two very disparate things.

Suggestion, instead of letting your kid play this game, why not do something educational for him and get him some lego sets to play with.   

MMO's are just not for kids period.  Any parents that let their kids play such should be severly censured.

They could make a really awesome crafting in this game, and I'm not being sarcastic. I always thought that if someone ever wants to make crafting an equal part of the game for the players to show off their creativity, it has to be something like lego - give people the building blocks and let them fire off their immagination.

Until that time, crafting will always be a mindles grind.

Originally posted by Moodah

They could make a really awesome crafting in this game, and I'm not being sarcastic. I always thought that if someone ever wants to make crafting an equal part of the game for the players to show off their creativity, it has to be something like lego - give people the building blocks and let them fire off their immagination.

Until that time, crafting will always be a mindles grind.

I started Everquest at age 12. I can now type at an avg speed of 93 words per second which I credit due to my ingame experiences at a young age. I also learned many words and expanded my vocabulary due to the vast array of item names and spell/ability titles. I learned words like apprehensively, indifferent, dubious, bauble, maelstrom, pauldren, etc. So in a way, playing everquest was somewhat an education experience to me.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

MMO's are just not for kids period.  Any parents that let their kids play such should be severly censured.

Obviously you haven't played MMOs that are meant for kids before. If you had, you'd know that these games put a lot of emphasis on problem-solving, communication, as well as mini-games that are meant to improve school-related subjects like math and english. Many of them also give parents ways to monitor their children's actions, as well as how they progress through certain games. They're safe environments as well for kids to interact with each other.

The vast majority of these games though would never interest adults (unless they're looking for something for their kids to play) and that's why you don't hear about them on regular MMO sites. Lego is different because we all played with legos when we were little, so there's that element from our childhood that will draw many of us towards it.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

Suggestion, instead of letting your kid play this game, why not do something educational for him and get him some lego sets to play with.   

MMO's are just not for kids period.  Any parents that let their kids play such should be severly censured.

Oz time to join the real world!

While I agree with getting the kids Legos to play with, I'll definitely let my nephews play this game, too!  Some MMO's ARE for kids, and even some of the ones that "aren't" [who's to say?], can be played by the kids WITH SUPERVISION.  My 4 1/2 yr old nephew loves to visit and play DDO with me.  We play outside [a rarity these days for kids it seems] when we can and play a dungeon or two after dinner.  What makes you think I should be censured for that?  Too much violence?  Didn't you ever play Marines or anything as a kid?  We stormed many a jap held sandhill as kids, using sticks and rocks or bb guns and water balloons.  I have yet to kill anyone in real life [tempted a few times...]  MMO's are just another form of play for kids - keep an eye on them and they'll be just fine...

Edit:  Why hasn't MMORPG started coverage of this yet?  It seems to be less vaporware than some games with coverage...

it'll likely be a very kiddy game, but if they manage to make the creation aspect the #1 focus on the game it could be revolutionary in the MMO world.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

" It was described to me as the “natural evolut