8BitKid: Living Bit by Bit

So I have yet to make the plunge into the world of massively-multiplayer online games. I find that they are too time-consuming and the scale and scope of the genre seems a bit overwhelming. On the flip-side, I don’t find open-ended virtual worlds like “Second Life” satisfying because they lack structure. I don’t have the patience or initiative for this kind of freedom.

However, the Lego MMO, being developed by NetDevil, may be the game that finally entices me into the genre. “Lego Universe” will encourage users to explore an online world that leverages what has always made the toys fun: free-form building. Legos were a key part of my childhood; pushing my imagination and creativity as I enjoyed building whatever I could think of. My brother and I spent countless hours sifting through bins of Legos just to find that perfect piece for our creations. Now, in “Lego Universe”, not only can you build online, you can actually have those digital Lego structures sent to you as real Lego sets. How cool is that?

This game could be a crossover smash hit, and I agree with the “Wired” blog post which suggests that this could be the Wii of MMO’s. Check out the trailer below for an idea of what is in store.

Today we celebrate the birthday of a toy very near and dear to my heart: Lego. It is time to put 50 candles on the cake and let the brick blow ‘em out to commemorate 50 years of pushing kids to explore their imaginations and make that always ciritcal decision: do I use the instructions or go rogue? You can find more information on the history of the Lego as well as a whole bunch of cool toys to buy at the Lego Anniversary site.

Check out some of my handiwork from the Lego pit at last year’s SXSW after the jump.

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