You probably remember a LEGO survey asking you to indicate which communities or which sites you visit regularly.

LEGO seems to have gone through this survey and the conclusion is as follows: LEGO is launching Rebrick, a social network aimed at AFOLs which will allow them, I quote: to share and discuss their creations.

No content can be uploaded to this site, it must be imported in the form of a bookmarked link from its original platform such as flickr, Youtube, MOCpages, etc ...

LEGO specifies that it designed this site, but also adds that it is not an integral part of the LEGO.com network. The manufacturer undertakes not to broadcast any advertising for its products on Rebrick.

This project, according to the manufacturer, is the result of collaboration between LEGO and the community. No commercial use of this space will be made, even if LEGO retains ownership of the concept.

This is in summary what we are dealing with.

Two possibilities:

1. LEGO has heard the appeal of the AFOLs who have regularly requested to benefit from an exchange space of this type, bringing together all the creations posted by their creators on various sites. (I'm not saying it, it's written in a post on Rebrick's blog). I quote :

... The Community Team at The LEGO group has on several occasions (at events) been told by AFOLs, that it would be great to have a website with all the great LEGO content out there. This website is now a reality! ...

The intention is laudable, the project ambitious. At first glance, there is no reason to doubt LEGO's good faith, but this space will undoubtedly be quickly diverted into a means for MOCeurs, blogs, forums or community sites to improve their visibility. This is already the case.

2. LEGO hopes to bring together in one place the entire community active on the Internet to better control its communication, have a pool of ideas, a permanent return on the products marketed and control overflows or leaks etc. ... All centralized in one place.

While the concept may seem interesting to some, there is little chance that LEGO will be able to stably and sustainably bring the entire community together in this space. Each forum, site, blog, will fight to retain its readers and other members. Eurobricks, FBTB, Toys N Bricks or Brickset for example, have huge and very loyal communities which also bring in large sums of money through the various affiliation contracts to those who manage these spaces.

Concerning the photos of MOCs, Brickshelf, flickr and MOCpages are the most used today. If Brickshelf is a space without the possibility of exchange, flickr and MOCpages are run by real communities grouped together around very specific themes.

Each MOCeur who has many comments about their creations on these platforms will not change their point of contact. He would then lose all the benefit in terms of notoriety and visibility acquired over the years. Indeed, not all MOCeurs are as well known as a Marshal Banana or an ACPin. A little narcissistic but very real.

LEGO perhaps wants more simply to bypass current and future attempts to set up such a social network by third parties. An experience is already in place with BrickLi.me started by the guys from The Brick Show. This social network is frequented mainly by teenagers fans of LEGO and does not unleash passions. No doubt because of the not very ergonomic interface and the low number of members.
Not to mention the countless existing Facebook and Google+ pages on the LEGO theme, which also brings together a large and very active community.

While waiting to know a little more, you can try to register on Rebrick via this page, and immediately start browsing through the proposed sections. Many users are already registered and the content is substantial. After validation of your account, you will be able to post photos of MOCs, comment on those of others, manage your favorites, etc ...

The box of the day reveals a microphone Republic Attack Gunship also known as LAAT (for Low-Altitude Assault Transport) of 13 pieces which is pretty decent. Stylish, really small, but okay. Articulated around the room 4595 (Brick, Modified 1 x 2 x 2/3 with Studs on Sides), it is believable and the resemblance to the original is still obvious. Note that the first model of this Advent Calendar (Republic cruiser) also uses this part 4595 as a central point.

In another context, I am regularly amazed when other AFOLs mention sets 7163 Republic Gunship (2002) or 7676 Republic Attack Gunship (2008) as their favorite set.
These two reproductions of the troop transport used by the I say and clone troopers and seen in action in theEpisode II Attack of the Clones and Episode III Revenge of the Sith really appeal to collectors. And I admit that I also have a soft spot for the 7676 set.

Speaking of Republic Attack Gunship, if you want a real beautiful mini of this ship, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the set 20010 Brick Master Republic Gunship yet for sale on Bricklink for 15 €. It is particularly successful and I find it perfect on this scale.

Hispbricks Magazine offers the first real images of series 6 minifigs. Click on the photos for a larger view.

I am a little disappointed in the end, the 3d rendering provided by LEGO a few weeks ago was much more enticing. But, as I launched headlong into the collection of these minifigs, I would not ignore this series and those to come.

At the risk of surprising you, the Statue of Liberty remains my favorite among these 16 minifigs.

To see other photos (back views, parts views), go to Hispbricks Magazine.

I will surely again attract the wrath of some of you, but as they say, it is only the fools who do not change their mind ...

This set 9491 Geonosian Cannon I like more and more. The last visuals available confirm that the minifigs are really very successful, which will help me to accept this canon to which I nevertheless pay homage.
Not for its design, let's get along well, but for the interesting pieces it provides.

This set is essential for one reason: To order Gree. No actually, it is essential for four reasons: Commander Gree, Barriss Offee and both Geonosians. We would be tempted to assemble a small squad of Geonosians but on the other hand, one Commander Gree will suffice. The same goes for Barriss Offee.
LEGO puts the package on minifigs and that's good. I just hope the two Geonosians' wings are wrapped properly so that I don't have to straighten them out or contact LEGO for a replacement ... 

If what we can see on these visuals of the series 1 boxes of the range Planet Series published by grogall is confirmed, we have a big problem ...

It seems from these images that the planets come out of the front of the packaging and are not protected by any plastic overlay. The planet is directly accessible and will necessarily be subject to many hazards.

Between transport, storage, various manipulations by store employees and less scrupulous customers, you will have to be very careful when purchasing these sets. The risk of falling on a planet that has suffered damage or degradation of its surface and / or its screen printing will be great if we are not vigilant.

I don't quite understand how LEGO could decide not to protect the planet on this packaging which is still very attractive and well thought out. A simple transparent plastic dome would have been sufficient. Especially since the interest in touching this piece of plastic is limited: it is not a product whose tactile sensation that it provides makes it possible to validate the purchase decision.

These photos appear to be the most recent versions of these products and may therefore show their final packaging. LEGO has accustomed us to producing relatively protective and secure packaging. This attempt to put plastic within reach is surely the result of intensive marketing thinking in Billund, but it seems that the constraints of transport, storage and distribution were not necessarily taken into account.

We will see during the actual marketing of these products whether these packaging have evolved, but it will be necessary to be extremely vigilant to avoid a huge disappointment.