Models and bricks can have behaviors placed on them, such as exploding on contact, moving when activated, or spawning health, armor, imagination or enemies. They can be moved and colored after they're placed if need be, and once you've crafted a model, you can move it as a whole or break it back down. Building is a pretty simple task of choosing the block and slapping it wherever it fits. There are also pre-made models that can be used as-is, or broken down into their base blocks.
The blocks can be used on your claimed property to build literally whatever you want. I have well over three thousand blocks in total - probably closer to four. As it stands right now, I have over 720 different kinds of blocks.
The build mode is LEGO Universe's second biggest strength. They also occasionally drop items and blocks which can be used in the build mode. Enemies drop money, health, armor, which functions as a second health bar, and imagination, which functions as the main resource for pretty much every ability, combat related or otherwise, in the game. Like previous LEGO games, smashing an enemy results in a shower of blocks. It's effective at portraying a world of plastic, and many of the non-LEGO set pieces, such as the giant tree in the Forbidden Valley, are just as visually enticing. In every single area of the game, wherever there is something living or something man-(or minifigure-)made, it is made entirely out of LEGO blocks. LEGO Universe is extremely faithful to its source material. I started playing about halfway between the early starter date and the official launch, and as I said in my impressions piece about a week ago, I managed to finish about half of the structured content in just a couple of days. Players who pre-ordered the game had access as early as the 8th of October, more than a fortnight before launch. Now is the time for players to gear up for the free-to-play launch coming in August, and see just how far they can stretch their imaginations in LEGO Universe at Universe has been officially out for a few days now, but for many, the launch was mostly symbolic. The development team has released numerous content updates, new gameplay features and enhancements, and the community has been bustling with events, contests, and incredible user-generated content from creative players across the globe. The MMOG has new updates, features, challenges and rewards – more than any box could handle – planned for Q4 2011 and beyond!įollowing official launch in October 2010, thousands of players have entered the vibrant virtual world of LEGO Universe.
In addition to the 15+ robust adventure zones and instances as well as 5+ property worlds currently in-game, access to new expansions, like major Ninjago content coming later this year, will require players to register for full membership.Īside from simplified registration and game access for consumers, digital distribution will also enable LEGO Universe to expand more efficiently. Paying members will have access to all areas in the full game, along with membership benefits such as competitions and community events. The LEGO Universe free-to-play experience will offer a limited selection of game content, including two adventure zones and one player property area for building their own virtual LEGO models. Those who sign up for extended memberships will continue to receive discount pricing. Players can try out the free-to-play zone for an unlimited period of time, and can pay $10 (USD) per month to become a LEGO Universe member and receive full game access. LEGO Universe will continue to generate revenue through paid memberships, and there are no plans for micro-transactions at this time. “We see LEGO Universe as a key element for our digital play division, and are adjusting the business model to make the game more accessible to players, without the immediate obligation to purchase or subscribe.” “The LEGO Group remains committed to success in the digital space and to LEGO Universe,” said Jesper Vilstrup, Vice President, the LEGO Group.
The game will be available via free digital download only. Also, players will no longer need to invest in the game DVD to play LEGO Universe. Beginning this August, the free-to-play option will welcome players to try LEGO Universe for free, as long as they like, before deciding whether or not to become paid members. The LEGO Group today announced plans for an upcoming free-to-play offering in LEGO® Universe, the MMOG (massively-multiplayer online game) based on the iconic brick-building play experience. LEGO ® MMOG Continues Expanding with Fresh Content, New Players Gain Unlimited Access to Free-to-Play Zones this August The LEGO Group Launching Free-to-Play Version of LEGO ® Universe