25 Years of LEGO® Lessons

FromLEGO® Bits N’ Bricks

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25 Years of LEGO® Lessons

FromLEGO® Bits N’ Bricks

ratings:

Length:

55 minutes

Released:

Dec 22, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

As the Bits N’ Bricks one-year celebration of LEGO Games’ 25th anniversary wraps up, we examine what lessons we learned, speak with some of those behind the podcast, and talk to LEGO Games thinkers about its future.

Released:

Dec 22, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (56)

An official LEGO® Games podcast dedicated to digging out and exploring some of the many fascinating stories and lessons learned from a quarter century of game development. The podcast will feature the most memorable games and, importantly, some of those dedicated developers who helped bring them to life.

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LEGO® Island: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent explore the creation, context, and impact of LEGO Island. Published in 1997, the open-world computer game may not have been the first LEGO® video game, but it was possibly the most impactful. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
56 min listen
LEGO® Builder’s Journey: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent trace the inception of LEGO® Builder’s Journey and how its unusual development led to the creation of spin-off studio Light Brick Studio, which was funded by LEGO Ventures. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
72 min listen
Fluid Play: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, documentarian Ethan Vincent and journalist Brian Crecente explore the birth and evolution of the LEGO Group’s efforts to cohesively combine physical and digital play. The two trace the company’s efforts from the never-released smart toy DUPLO® Circus based on the LEGO® KidPad technology platform, through to the work in one reality creations like Life of George and Fusion, to finally the release of fluid play concepts Hidden Side and LEGO® Super Mario. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
60 min listen
LEGO® Minifigures: A Conversation: In this special “conversation” episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent speak with Tara Wike about how the beloved LEGO® minifigure evolved in digital form and how those video game creations helped to influence the physical figures. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
43 min listen
Minecraft: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent unearth new details about never-before publicly discussed LEGO® brick themed Minecraft game: Brickcraft. The episode dives into the details of the early relationship between the LEGO Group and Mojang, why the game was eventually scuttled, and the LEGO Group’s early efforts in trying to create an open world sandbox game made of LEGO bricks. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
60 min listen
LEGO® Universe: Birth of an Idea: In this first of a two-episode Bits N’ Bricks special, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent trace the early roots and pre-production of the LEGO Group’s first massively multiplayer online game: LEGO® Universe. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
69 min listen
LEGO® Friends: A Conversation: In this special “conversation” episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent speak with Elena Catón about her early research for the LEGO Group into the way girls interact with computer software and games, and how that led to the creation of the forgotten 1999 classic computer game LEGO® Friends. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
37 min listen
Darwin: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent unearth the almost forgotten work of the LEGO Group’s early work in digital efforts at its Strategic Product Unit Darwin. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
71 min listen
LEGO® VIDIYO™: A Conversation: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent speak with the LEGO Group’s Julia Goldin and Will Thorogood about the new LEGO® VIDIYO™ sets. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
41 min listen
Unity: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent trace the evolution of the LEGO Group’s work to empower fans’ efforts in the digital arena from the decades-ago release of LEGO® Digital Designer to the recent unveiling of the Unity LEGO Microgame creation system. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
53 min listen
TT Games: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent speak with the founders of TT Games about the formative years for the studio, the creation of its popular LEGO® Star Wars™ games, and what’s to come for the group. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
68 min listen
Holiday Special: In this special holiday episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent have a spoiler-filled chat with Ken Cunningham about his work directing this year’s LEGO® Star Wars Holiday Special. The three discuss the evolution of LEGO movies and how LEGO video games have helped to shape the way the bricks and minifigures are perceived and given voice in movies. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
33 min listen
Nexo Knights and the Big Bang Theory: While LEGO Nexo Knights was a massive transmedia property that spanned television, books, magazines, toys, and even an amusement park ride, it was the video game that held the property together and fueled its success. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
44 min listen
LEGO® Loco: The LEGO Group’s Take on SimCity: The story behind second-wave LEGO video game LEGO Loco and how it drew deep inspiration from SimCity and Will Wright’s theories around digital toys and playful experiences. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
35 min listen
LEGO® Universe: Death of a Dream: In this second of a two-episode Bits N’ Bricks special, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent trace the bumpy launch and eventual death of the LEGO Group’s first massively multiplayer online game: LEGO® Universe. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
86 min listen
LEGO® Universe Soundtrack: A Conversation: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent speak with Richard Dekkard and Brian Tyler about their work on the LEGO® Universe soundtrack and the news of its remastering and first release on streaming platforms. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
44 min listen
LEGO® Sonic Mania™: A Conversation: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent speak with the fan creator, SEGA®, and the LEGO Group about the recently announced Sonic Mania™ Green Hill Zone LEGO® set. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
44 min listen
To Be Continued: In the season finale, some of the Bits N’ Bricks team unite to discuss the making of the season’s episodes, their favorite stories, and where the show is headed after season one. A 2-minute quick read and a written transcript of the entire episode is available at https://www.lego.com/legogames-25-subpage. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
55 min listen
LEGO® Overwatch®: A Conversation: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent speak with Blizzard Entertainment and the LEGO Group about how the LEGO® Overwatch® theme sets came to be and the impact video games and the LEGO brand have on one another. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
45 min listen
LEGO® Video Games and Digital Play: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent chat about the 25th Anniversary of the first LEGO video game with LEGO Group CEO Niels B. Christiansen, chief product and marketing officer Julia Goldin, and vice president of LEGO Games Sean McEvoy. The three discuss the path forward for the company in an increasingly digital world. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
47 min listen
A Fabled History: In this episode of Bits N’ Bricks, journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent chat with Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, former CEO and grandson of the founder of the LEGO Group, and Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, executive chairman of LEGO Brand Group. The two discuss the company’s long and fascinating history with video games and digital play. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
61 min listen
Birth of a LEGO® Brawls-er: LEGO Brawls was born as a fun run mobile game, but a little bit of Nintendo inspiration transformed it into a sort of LEGO-themed Super Smash Bros. brawler. In this episode, developer Red Games Co. walks us through the evolution, success, and long tail of LEGO Brawls. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
52 min listen
May the Fourth Be With You: From brickifying emotional movie death scenes to the creation of the LEGO® Star Wars™ Pooper Trooper, Lucasfilm Games doesn’t just hand over its beloved properties, it also makes sure they’re handled properly. In this special May the 4th episode, we chat with two of the many Lucasfilm Games folks responsible for ensuring the sanctity of the Lucas creations while still allowing for TT Games’ beloved sense of humor. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
62 min listen
Tiny LEGO Brick Towers, Big LEGO Brick Ideas: LEGO Tower wasn’t just a brickified take on smash hit Tiny Tower. It was an evolution of both that delightful game and LEGO Games’ approach to mobile games as a whole. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
38 min listen
Inside LEGO® City Undercover: From Segway® to Zombie Hordes: Considered by many to be one of the LEGO Group and TT Game’s best titles, LEGO® City Undercover is a masterpiece packed with referential humor, hidden jokes, and not a few fascinating developer stories. Joins us as we dig into its creation and many hidden gems. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
49 min listen
Roblox Meets Minecraft™ in China’s LEGO® Cube: LEGO Cube may be the LEGO Group’s most ambitious title to date, delivering a fully realized LEGO brick world to users who can create and share their own content in a mobile-first game. It may also never be released outside of China. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
54 min listen
Myth, Maori, and a Brain Tumor: The BIONICLE® Saga: From Boneheads of Voodoo Island to a Star Wars™--meets-Pokémon inspired transmedia mega hit: The metamorphosis of BIONICLE contains multitudes of fascinating stories and challenges including the tale of the franchise’s first retail video game and its failed sequel. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
74 min listen
DUPLO® World, Create & Cruise, and LEGO Games for Pre-K: Why the LEGO Group decided to create games for preschoolers and how it continued its focus on empowering children while doing so. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
42 min listen
The Life (and Legacy) of George: Inside the birth of Life of George and how a flat, LEGO brick puzzle game sparked a reexamination of the role digital experiences can play in the physical toy business. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
39 min listen
Rocket Racer, Veronica Voltage and the Legend of LEGO® Racers: The first LEGO® video game to hit consoles outside of Japan was born of one man’s idea of allowing children to build LEGO brick cars and then race them around a track. This week’s episode dives into the three-year development of 1999's classic LEGO Racers. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
47 min listen

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Demogorgons, Frogs, and Car Parts: Inside the Creation of LEGO® Botanicals: The blossoming success of the LEGO Botanical Collection started years before they hit stores thanks to the popularity of two employee creations that took over the company’s offices. For questions and comments, please write to bitsnbricks@lego.com. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Creating beehives, stunning art, and a prosthetic limb with LEGO® toys: Chatting with the talented creators behind a LEGO brick-compatible prosthetic, amazing, often Afrofuturistic sculptures, and a working beehive made of LEGO bricks. For questions and comments, please write to bitsnbricks@lego.com. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Sustainability and the Everlasting LEGO® Brick: LEGO bricks can last generations. Here’s how the company makes sure they never land in a landfill and other ways its working on environmental sustainability. For questions and comments, please write to bitsnbricks@lego.com. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Why LEGO® Bricks Stick: The original LEGO bricks didn’t stick together. How and why that changed offers deep insight into the very core of the now 90-year-old toymaker. For questions and comments, please write to bitsnbricks@lego.com. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Conspiracies, Fans, and LEGO® Designers: Inside the Disappearance of the LEGO Goat: LEGO bricks can last generations. Here’s how the company makes sure they never land in a landfill and other ways its working on environmental sustainability. For questions and comments, please write to bitsnbricks@lego.com. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
27 min listen
The Tale of LEGO® Bricktales: LEGO Bricktales is a game born in a bathtub of LEGO DUPLO® bricks, inspired by Nintendo’s own Captain Toad, and created by a team behind a game played by one in every 100 people on Earth. The story of LEGO Bricktales is one of childhood friendships, big gambles, and unexpected success. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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A Journey Into the Real LEGO® City: Discover how The LEGO Group are injecting creativity and imagination into daily life in Billund, the birthplace of The LEGO brick. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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The LEGO Group’s Playful 90th: In the lead-up to the LEGO Group’s 90th anniversary this month, we journey to the company’s home in Billund, Denmark to talk with some of its eclectic employees about how they create the future of play, informed by the past. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
72 min listen
The Rise of BrickLink: As the LEGO Group retires the fan version of LEGO® Digital Designer and transitions to official support of BrickLink Studio, we examine the history of both digital brick designers and how their histories came together. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
70 min listen
Postscript: The final episode of 2021, after a year of celebrating the rich history of LEGO® video games. Stay tuned for more episodes in 2022. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Creating Worlds with LEGO® Bricks: LEGO Worlds was a slow-burning success, the byproduct of the LEGO Group’s innate desire to make its own Minecraft™, empowered with lessons learned from LEGO Universe and LEGO City Undercover. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
44 min listen
The LEGO Game That Unlocked True Digital Creation: Perhaps the most important video game ever made for the LEGO Group was almost more tool than plaything. Over its nearly 25-year lifespan, LEGO Creator evolved from an early ‘90s masterpiece to the LEGO Digital Designer, used in crafting toys, games, and movies. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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How a Soccer Net Almost Killed Football Mania: The LEGO Group’s dip into creating a sports video game almost ended at the net. A look into the early history of Football Mania. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
31 min listen
When Forza Cars Met LEGO Bricks: The 2019 collaboration between Microsoft’s Forza Horizon and LEGO® Speed Champions started at a car show in Detroit and includes a fun little bit of fictional backstory. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
37 min listen
Alligators, Buckaroo Banzai, and LEGO Studios Backlot: LEGO Studios Backlot is a hidden gem that sparked creativity in the children who played it and opened their eyes to the joy of exploration. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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LEGO® Harry Potter™ – A Journey Through All Eight Films: The LEGO Harry Potter video games reshaped the way LEGO action-adventure games are made and played. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Tiny LEGO Brick Towers, Big LEGO Brick Ideas: LEGO Tower wasn’t just a brickified take on smash hit Tiny Tower. It was an evolution of both that delightful game and LEGO Games’ approach to mobile games as a whole. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
38 min listen
The Surreal History of the LEGO Galidor TV Show, Game Console, and Action Figure: How a LEGO game console, sci-fi TV show, and trip to another dimension gave birth to the beloved LEGO toy flop Galidor. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
73 min listen
DUPLO® World, Create & Cruise, and LEGO Games for Pre-K: Why the LEGO Group decided to create games for preschoolers and how it continued its focus on empowering children while doing so. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Return of the LEGO® Star Wars™ Battles: How a meeting alongside an English motorway kicked off a three-year journey for LEGO Star Wars™ Battles. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
44 min listen
Holy Game Development, LEGO Batman: LEGO Batman wasn’t just one of the LEGO Group’s most popular video games and most visited topics, he also arguably had one of the biggest impacts on TT Games’ long history of brickified game making. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
43 min listen
Nexo Knights and the Big Bang Theory: While LEGO Nexo Knights was a massive transmedia property that spanned television, books, magazines, toys, and even an amusement park ride, it was the video game that held the property together and fueled its success. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
44 min listen
The Life (and Legacy) of George: Inside the birth of Life of George and how a flat, LEGO brick puzzle game sparked a reexamination of the role digital experiences can play in the physical toy business. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
39 min listen
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43 min listen
The Legacy of LEGO® Legacy: Heroes Unboxed: LEGO® Legacy: Heroes Unboxed isn’t just a snappy LEGO minifig take on action role-playing games, it’s also a nostalgia-filled examination of the diminutive LEGO figure’s roughly 40-year history. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Junkbot: The Lovable LEGO® Garbage Game: Nearly two decades before LEGO® Builder’s Journey had players assembling their way through brick levels, the trash eating, side-eyed Junkbot inspired digital LEGO brick creativity. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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Rocket Racer, Veronica Voltage and the Legend of LEGO® Racers: The first LEGO® video game to hit consoles outside of Japan was born of one man’s idea of allowing children to build LEGO brick cars and then race them around a track. This week’s episode dives into the three-year development of 1999's classic LEGO Racers. by LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks
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25 Years of LEGO® Lessons

25 Years of LEGO® Lessons

Description

Titles in the series (56)

More Episodes from LEGO® Bits N’ Bricks

Related podcast episodes