Hey guys!
By now I’m sure you all know Flambridge, right? The guy who built Siege at Batlord Towers and Flambridge Farms? What you may not know is that he now has a new YouTube channel that you can check out (and I highly suggest you subscribe to it while you’re at it!) for some really awesome building tips!
Well, he asked if any of us knew a way to help get attention to his channel, and I offered to advertise it on my blog. Initially I had planned to simply post a short heads up about his channel, but I thought that it might be more interesting if I interviewed him at the same time. So, I sent him a few questions and he most graciously took the time to answer every one. I hope you enjoy this interview, and my utmost thanks goes out to Flambridge for his participation! 🙂
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Q. So, Flambridge, you have quickly become what most players consider to be one of the greatest builders in LEGO Universe! For starters, how did you find out about LEGO Universe?
I had been out of the video game scene for quite some time and had no idea LEGO was creating an MMO. In June of 2010 I received an e-mail from a site telling me there was an open beta for the game. I have been a big fan of LEGO games and so I was very excited. I signed up for BETA and got in. I actually ended up with two BETA accounts and gave one to my brother so we could play together.
Q. What was the first thing (or property, rather) you constructed in the game?
My first ever property in game was Rebel Base. I love Star Wars and thought it would be fun build some sets in game. I don’t care for it much now simply because I feel I have progressed so much from that point. I have not been there in ages. However, I still get an occasional in game mail from people who like it.
Q. Did the LEGO Universe building system take some getting used to, or did it feel natural to you right off the bat?
There was a definite learning curve for the build tools. The first builder tip I give to anyone is to build a set from instructions. Not only will they learn the build tools, but you will learn which vendors have which bricks. For the longest time I had no idea there was a filter system. It took over 8 hours to build the B-wing on Rebel Base because I had to look through all my bricks every time.
Q. Do you prefer digital building or building with real bricks?
Given the option, I prefer digital building. The only reason I say this is because I am not limited in bricks. How many people own 2000 black 2*4 tiles? Not me. Digital building really let me get creative and take my building to the next level by taking away the limitations of my personal brick collection. I get to use bricks and colors I don’t have and so I really enjoy that. One thing specific to LU digital building, is that players all over the world can see my work and enjoy it. That would never happen if I was building with regular bricks.
Q. Your creations are undoubtedly inspiring to others, but are there any creations others have created that inspire you?
I’m pretty sure I have mentioned this several times, but Hollis’s Nimbus Lab was the first prop ever to wow me. It really opened up my eyes to see what was possible with the in game build system. He taught me how to spilt models and from there I took off on my own. It’s also no secret that I was close with NineWells and we kind of fed off each other. Many times inspiration came from looking at each other’s creations. The dragon at Siege at Bat Lord Towers was inspired by the Water Serpent at his Fig Tree Garden Center.
Q. It’s no question that the building system has been encountering some virtual hiccups here and there. Yet you still manage to build amazing properties, even during times when some of the worst hiccups arise! Are there any tips you can give to aspiring builders who feel discouraged by these problems?
I know people get so frustrated with the bugs and glitches. Let me say that LEGO does take it very serious. Unfortunately, you can’t just wave a wand and fix them. The one tip I tell everyone is to clone your work about every 30 minutes or so. If you do that, and get kicked from the game while in brick mode, at least you will only be set back 30 minutes rather than an hour or day. And, most times you can build it faster and even better than your original model. So, obviously that is going to require that you have a lot of extra bricks.
Q. What do you think is your favorite part of building in LEGO Universe?
That would be the ability to actually interact with your creations from the perspective of a minfig. The fact that YOU can hang out in the castle you built with your friends. That is so cool. LU has really changed how building is done since you now have to think of how you plan to interact with it.
Q. Of all the properties you have built, which one is your favorite?
Not sure if I have a favorite. Obviously as you continue to build, you learn new techniques and how to do things that improve your property. Siege of Bat Lord Towers was a real breakout property for me because I was able to show I could do more than simply build sets. Every builder fears of being a one hit wonder. Siege at Bat lord Towers was my second property and I was very quiet about its release. Each one of my properties has things about it that I enjoy, but I can’t really say I have a favorite.
Q. Approximately how long do you think it takes to build one of your properties from start to finish, on average?
Hmmm. I would guess about 80-90 hours. Flambridge Farms (Grove) took something like 120…and I built that in four weeks. I don’t build that much in such a short amount of time. Search for Voyage took 65-75 and 3 weeks. I think that was the fastest I ever released a property. So, it takes a while. I think people are a little taken back at times because of how long it takes. You can sit down and think you are going to get a lot of stuff made, and then two hours are gone and you’re not even done with much of anything.
Q. Do you prefer to use the behavior system extensively or minimally?
There are rumors out there that I do not like behaviors. Not true. The idea that you can now interact with your creations is incredible. The reason I do not use them much is because most of my properties have a PR that usually causes them not to work at all. So, if they are not going to work, why use them. I have high hopes for a basic logic function and better behavior stability. I like the idea of creating missions and plan to have a bunch in my new project.
Q. It’s no secret that you were invited to the World Builder League, and the announcement came as no surprise to other players. Did the invite come as a surprise to you?
Yes. The invite came shortly after Siege at Bat Lord Tower and it was a total surprise. I mean come on, how would you feel if you got an e-mail from LEGO! You’d flip out too. You know, when you grow up with, and love a product so much, and then get contact from them, I felt like I won the lottery!
Q. Have you enjoyed being a part of the WBL so far? Have you made any new friends through the program?
You know, having direct access to members of the LU community staff is really nice. It helps us to get bugs reported a lot faster because these guys are in the same office as the people that build and program the game. The minute we find a bug (specific to building) we report it immediately. That doesn’t mean it gets fixed immediately, but at least you can know that they know about it. I knew most of the LUPs that came on when I did, but there have been a few that have been a joy to meet like Zipblock and SamuraiMaster. In August, I was actually flown out to the LU studios and got to sit down and meet with the build team and tell them to their faces some of the issues we were having. I also got to learn about a ton of plans they have for building and even know what future properties we should be seeing.
Q. Of the existing public WBL worlds, which one is your favorite?
Moonbase. And it’s not just because of the low gravity (although that is WAY cool.) I still remember landing there for the first time and then seeing the Starfleet Voyager model. I about cried. That is the first LEGO set I can ever remember owning. Even today I look through my LEGO buckets and see parts from that set. I love that set so much I even included in one of my builds (Search for Voyager).
Q. If you were given absolutely no limits whatsoever, including no limits on copyrighted works, what world would you build?
In all honesty, after Rebel Base, I decided to completely stay clear of licensed themes and real life sets. I really wanted people to see MY work and what I was capable of creating. I still have it in the back of my mind to do Castle in the Sky (from the movie), but I simply have too many ideas in my head it’s hard to stay focused on completing the current build. I would love a property 4 times the size of Nimbus Isle, but the PR would probably end up being something like 2000 when I was done. I have jokingly asked for my own private server. They said no.
Q. What advice would you offer to someone wanting to be a part of the World Builder League?
You know, some people are under the impression that there are specific requirements you have to meet to get in. Not true. Everyone that was recently selected was just doing what they enjoyed in game…building. Just keep doing it, the WBL leader always has his eye out for new talent.
Q. Can you tell us what you are working on right now in game?*
With the Nexus Force Championships just starting, I will be working on a SPOOKY property. However, prior to the championships, I was working on a property that will be a WWII battle scene in the middle of a European town. It’s coming along quite well and is incorporating everything I have learned about building thus far. I would hope it would be my best yet, except I am hoping to win this first build challenge. : )
Q. Final question – there are a lot of aspiring builders out there who would love to build whatever they imagine, but there are certain areas in which a more experienced builder’s advice would really prove useful. Is there a place users can go to view building tips you have shared?
I have started a YouTube channel where I do share some tips. Just search Flambridge to find it. I do encourage people to visit and specifically ask for help. If I see enough requests for a certain topic, I will make a video explaining how to do it.
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In case you missed the links above, you can always check out Flambridge’s awesome channel right here!
See you in the Universe!
LegoFan101~
*Question marked by asterisk was added by Flambridge. 😉
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