TT talks Lego Dimensions and setting new courses for play What do you get when you combine The Lego Movie with The Simpsons, Scooby-Doo, The Wizard of Oz and more? The answer is Lego Dimensions, an upcoming toys-to-life video game due out in September. Wendy Smolen talks to one of the game's producers Mark Warburton about setting new rules - and then breaking all of them. What do you get when you combine The Lego Movie with The Simpsons, Back to the Future, Scooby-Doo, The Wizard of Oz…and more? The answer is Lego Dimensions. Due out in September, this innovative game is already creating buzz with its mashup of characters and universes all playing together. I talked to Mark Warburton, associate producer at UK-based TT Games, to delve a little deeper into the physical and digital world play and to get the back story on this new way to create adventures. Give me the 411: what is Lego Dimensions? Lego Dimensions is our entry into the toys-to-life category with a story featuring Lord Vortec, a brand-new villain, who wants to reshape the Lego multiverse in his image.
In his pursuit to do this, he manages to upset a few rather powerful heroes – Batman, Gandalf and Wyldstyle – who go on a quest across varied worlds featuring some of the most beloved characters from popular culture. This is the first time that you can use actual Lego minifigures in a Lego video game and play with who you want when you want. Blended learning is the new mantra in classrooms. Is “blended play” the rallying cry in playrooms? Our Lego games have always strived to ensure that what you see on screen can be created with Lego bricks, but why not make it so what is created with Lego bricks can be seen on screen? The idea of people of all ages playing this game then continuing the adventure with their own imagination is a pretty exciting one. Lego Dimensions uses the hashtag #Breaktherules. What rules does it break? Well, not only can you have up to seven characters, vehicles or items on the Lego Toy Pad at any one time, but there are no restrictions as to what you can play with and when.
Everything is usable in every area of the game. Superman can drive a Batmobile. The Wicked Witch can talk to Scooby. There are no rules. You can play with your favorite characters whenever you want. Other companies are also combining characters and worlds in real and virtual play. But the Lego Dimensions Toy Pad seems to be a real point of difference. What makes it unique? When you start playing, you build the Toy Pad using actual Lego bricks. Then we incorporate the Toy Pad into game play so you use it as a sort of second controller that really makes you feel like you are interacting with the worlds. As I said, all the characters and vehicles can be used whenever you want, with no restrictions. You can play with up to seven characters at once on the Toy Pad. So many toys today embed play patterns with technology. Is this “ruining” it for plain old Lego bricks, and other open-ended toys? I sure hope not. We were very adamant in development that these had to be the same Lego bricks that you already have around the house.
We want you to feel like the toys that you own are all part of this living world that Lego Dimensions gives you a gateway into. The characters and pieces are fully compatible with all the sets you already own and can be pulled apart and rebuilt however you want (Having Homer Simpson’s head on Batman’s body is a favorite of mine). I hope that toys continue to fuel the imagination of everyone for years to come and our games help give some inspiration for that. Get the latest on the intersection of real-world and digital play at Sandbox West, the first Sandbox Summit in LA, October 12 and 13. Make invitations using colored card stock, a one inch hole punch, and 3D foam tape. You can also download these invitation printables. Find them for free here. Put Lego bricks in the bathroom soap dispenser. Hang a Lego party lantern over the festivities. Learn how to make one here. Cover a tissue box with wrapping paper, cut a few holes, and put plastic cups in them.
These are terrific for displaying snack foods like pretzels, candy, and more. Brighten things up with super easy Lego bunting. These can be made with card stock and a circle cutter (which is pretty much a must for anyone throwing a Lego party). This one can be ordered for $16.52. Transform snack food containers into Lego-rrific holders for ice, popcorn, and other goodies. The coolest part is that after the party these can be used to store your kid’s Lego bricks. Learn how to make one here. Download a Lego birthday crown template. This printable is on Etsy for $4. Make utensil holders out of Lego bricks. A black marker is all you need to make dollar store bought yellow cups Lego themed. You can make your straws Lego themed, too. Download the free printable. Instead of turning off the TV, put on a Lego movie. Netflix has many Lego movies available to stream. Color garage sale frames and use them to display Lego images.
The blue frame above is displaying the original patent for Lego, which can be downloaded here for free. Use cardboard to make a Lego photo booth. Set up a “Decorate A Mini-Figure” station. Craft a Lego piñata and fill it with candy AND Lego bricks. Plastic spoons, Tupperware, and Lego bricks are all you need for this fun game. Hide Lego bricks in the backyard and have an Easter Egg-style hunt. Put a Lego twist on a classic birthday party game. Find the free template here. Play beanbag toss Lego style. Learn about this game and others here. Construct a Lego marble run to test your guests’ hand-eye coordination. Want a two part activity kids will love? Start by handing out “Build Your Own Race Car” kits. You can buy the materials for 10 Lego cars on Ebay for $39.99. Once your guests have built their cars, take them into the backyard (or another room) to race! Cover juice boxes so they look like Lego bricks.
Find the template here. You can even make water bottles exciting with personalized labels. Personalize and download a template on Etsy for $5. Give cheese and crackers the Lego treatment. Make everything awesome with Lego sandwiches. Review the recipe for these peanut butter and honey Lego sandwiches. Lego pizza is delicious and super easy to make. Serve Lego shaped ice cubes. You can buy these cool trays on Etsy for $8. Blow your guests’ minds with adorable Lego cake pops. To find the recipe click here and scroll down. You can make Lego men cake pops, too. Find the recipe here. While some contend birthday cake is best, it’s hard to imagine anyone complaining about these Lego cupcakes. You CAN make a really impressive cake with these molds, though. Find them here on Amazon for $33. Put the perfect candles atop whatever you serve. Buy these for $9.50. Lastly, send your guests home with these Lego themed goodie bags.