Lego Creator
Encyclopedia
Lego Creator is a computer sandbox game for Microsoft Windows
that involves building with virtual
Lego
elements. The game has no missions, objectives, challenges, or money constraints.
Ultimately individual ranges remains independent and emphasis shifted to a play experience, with reduced emphasis on freeform construction. Originally it had been hoped that shear scale of unlimited bricks might offset the loss of tactile merit - but such hope was compromised by the computers of the day. Plans included being able to build content that could be seamlessly dropped into quite separate LEGO games. This was dropped as the complexity of doing so was further explored.
By Harry Potter the series had shifted far from the original premise of freeform LEGO construction. Instead the product moved toward a more limited build environment but with superior gameplay.
Perhaps the one aspect of the software that best replicated the physical toy was the simulated noise of 'rummaging' for a specific brick, a sound guaranteed to annoy parents and siblings watching TV.
s, there are specified "Action Bricks" that move or make noise. Such examples include a Hinge
, Propeller
, and Siren
. There is also a "Destructa Brick"(LEGO Copyright), in a form of a no-stud 1x2 tile brick with an image of dynamite
. This can be used to destroy models in Play Mode, although they will automatically rebuild when returning to Build Mode. Minifigure
s can also be used, and can stand, sit (for controlling vehicles), or walk. They, too are customizable. They can even be set to drive vehicles set to a path or road. In play mode, environments can go from day to night. LEGO documented the means and and encouraged open editing of the sounds they made when bumping into others or in random chatter. Their default speech was a form of jibberish simplifying localisation.
, LegoDigitalDesigner and other LCA model format model software.
Game play grew in emphasis in the subsequent Knights Kingdom and Harry Potter sequels and destruction diminished.
The flame bricks first included in Knights Kingdom originally turned into real animated flame effects when entering 'play mode' but concern that this encouraged playing with fire removed the feature prior to release.
Once 'game play' included arrows and other weapons, the ability for software implemention to hold to LEGO values became complex. The conflict is not unique to LEGO but they are perhaps the most globally recognised brand for positive play values.
unmodified. When installed from an original game disc, overwritten with a third party patch
and run in Windows 98/Me compatibility mode
, the game will play on some Windows XP computers. Lego has released a newer edition which is XP compatible and has also released a patch to allow it to run on Windows-NT based operating systems, such as Windows 2000, XP or Vista. Lego creator is compatible with Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Business.
Computer Game Developers Spotlight Award, Best New Children's Game
CODIE Software Publishers Association Excellence in Software Awards, Best New Home Creativity Software (US)
"Top 100 Family Tested", Family PC Magazine
PIN Quality Mark Gold Award, Parents Information
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
that involves building with virtual
Virtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
Lego
Lego
Lego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
elements. The game has no missions, objectives, challenges, or money constraints.
Overview
Lego Creator was initially conceived of as an 'Evergreen' replication of the physical toy. Starting with the 'Town' range it would expand at each release with the addition of addition of further product themes. Functionality would also be enhanced with each 'content pack'.Ultimately individual ranges remains independent and emphasis shifted to a play experience, with reduced emphasis on freeform construction. Originally it had been hoped that shear scale of unlimited bricks might offset the loss of tactile merit - but such hope was compromised by the computers of the day. Plans included being able to build content that could be seamlessly dropped into quite separate LEGO games. This was dropped as the complexity of doing so was further explored.
By Harry Potter the series had shifted far from the original premise of freeform LEGO construction. Instead the product moved toward a more limited build environment but with superior gameplay.
Perhaps the one aspect of the software that best replicated the physical toy was the simulated noise of 'rummaging' for a specific brick, a sound guaranteed to annoy parents and siblings watching TV.
Features
In addition to the regular bricks in an assortment of colorColor
Color or colour is the visual perceptual property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, green, blue and others. Color derives from the spectrum of light interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities of the light receptors...
s, there are specified "Action Bricks" that move or make noise. Such examples include a Hinge
Hinge
A hinge is a type of bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. Two objects connected by an ideal hinge rotate relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation. Hinges may be made of flexible material or of moving components...
, Propeller
Propeller
A propeller is a type of fan that transmits power by converting rotational motion into thrust. A pressure difference is produced between the forward and rear surfaces of the airfoil-shaped blade, and a fluid is accelerated behind the blade. Propeller dynamics can be modeled by both Bernoulli's...
, and Siren
Siren
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous mermaid like creatures, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Roman poets placed them on an island called Sirenum scopuli...
. There is also a "Destructa Brick"(LEGO Copyright), in a form of a no-stud 1x2 tile brick with an image of dynamite
Dynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
. This can be used to destroy models in Play Mode, although they will automatically rebuild when returning to Build Mode. Minifigure
Minifigure
A Lego minifigure is a small plastic articulated figurine available as part of the construction toy Lego, produced by Danish toy manufacturer the Lego Group. They were first produced in 1978, and have become hugely successful, with over 3.7 billion produced, and the figure appearing in a variety...
s can also be used, and can stand, sit (for controlling vehicles), or walk. They, too are customizable. They can even be set to drive vehicles set to a path or road. In play mode, environments can go from day to night. LEGO documented the means and and encouraged open editing of the sounds they made when bumping into others or in random chatter. Their default speech was a form of jibberish simplifying localisation.
Custom models
Some people have uploaded custom (Lego) model creations for others to download into their version of Lego Creator. Tools used include LDrawLDraw
LDraw is a popular system of free software tools for modeling Lego creations in 3D on a computer. The LDraw file format and original program were written by James Jessiman. He also modeled many of the original parts in the parts library that is central to the programs and is under continuous...
, LegoDigitalDesigner and other LCA model format model software.
Lego Values
In the original development concerns were expressed that the greatest fun came less from 'Creator' building values but from the 'destructra brick'. LEGO Creator in its first form used the Town content.Game play grew in emphasis in the subsequent Knights Kingdom and Harry Potter sequels and destruction diminished.
The flame bricks first included in Knights Kingdom originally turned into real animated flame effects when entering 'play mode' but concern that this encouraged playing with fire removed the feature prior to release.
Once 'game play' included arrows and other weapons, the ability for software implemention to hold to LEGO values became complex. The conflict is not unique to LEGO but they are perhaps the most globally recognised brand for positive play values.
Windows XP/Vista compatibility
Older versions of Lego Creator CDs do not work in Windows XPWindows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
unmodified. When installed from an original game disc, overwritten with a third party patch
Patch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
and run in Windows 98/Me compatibility mode
Compatibility mode
A compatibility mode is a software mechanism in which a computer's operating system emulates an older processor, operating system, and/or hardware platform in order to allow obsolete software to remain compatible with the computer's newer hardware or software....
, the game will play on some Windows XP computers. Lego has released a newer edition which is XP compatible and has also released a patch to allow it to run on Windows-NT based operating systems, such as Windows 2000, XP or Vista. Lego creator is compatible with Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Business.
Awards
Lego Creator received 4 awards:Computer Game Developers Spotlight Award, Best New Children's Game
CODIE Software Publishers Association Excellence in Software Awards, Best New Home Creativity Software (US)
"Top 100 Family Tested", Family PC Magazine
PIN Quality Mark Gold Award, Parents Information