I totally agree about the Lego bit. The problem with a lot of Lego sets these days is the huge number of custom pieces for the models. The licensed properties like Star Wars and Indiana Jones are the worst for this. Instead of using the generic blocks in creative ways, they just design custom pieces that make the model look cool, but take all the creativity out of it.I had the same basic problem with K'nex. I absolutely loved the Big Ball Factory.
I love the idea in general, but what I adored about it was how they used nothing but the generic pieces. Okay, they also used the orange half pieces for connecting the roller coaster tubing, but that let you do loops and crazy things you couldn't otherwise do with the balls, so I let it slide. The later follow-ups were significantly less inspired. Trampoline Tower was pretty good, as it also basically used nothing but the generic pieces, with the exception of the solid triangular panels that formed the catch basins, but those are generic enough that I could see them as a general addition rather than something specifically for the ball factory. To me the beauty of minecraft is the generation of your own personal order from the random chaos of the map.
A lot of this is reflected in my own personal desire, and the desire shown by many others, to build something symmetrical. I have recently completed a tower which reaches the very top of the game, as I imagine most have, and it's wonderful to look out at a jagged and cluttered landscape and see where your own personal vision has touched it. Where even the forest grow in neat little lines.EDIT: which when you think about it, or perhaps just me, this is a mirror of what all living things do. Now this may seem a bit of a stretch, but compared to the in-organic world living things have an amazing level of complexity generated from the disorder of the universe. And by disorder I mean in the scientific sense, such as an drop of ink spreading through water until it is distributed as evenly as possible.
Spoiler: Click to View PHA+PGltZyBzcmM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cuaGVydGVuYmVyZ2VyLmNvLnphL2ltYWdlcy83MzQ0Mi5qcGciIGFsdD0iaW1hZ2UiLz48L3A+In the sense that what really encourages creativity, imagination and experimentation is access to the basic fundamentmental 'blocks' with no set purpose or procedure attached rather than pre-sculpted pieces which implicitly remind you 'you MUST build this way'. I'm glad to see an environment that places the full range of creative elements in the hands of the user and I'm even more pleased to see that the PC community have responded so well and given 'Minecraft' the attention it duly deserves. My friend Rez had this to say way back in March 2000:Rez sez. The authors set out to create an 'immersive' environment, but without ensuring interesting gameplay, under the apparent belief that this 'immersion' alone will make it fun to play. Fact is, it works the other way around: interesting gameplay itself creates and sustains that immersive environment!
It can look like damn near anything so long as the gameplay creates flow, and the player's imagination will fill in the blanks as suggested by what he sees and how it plays. Echo my major criticism of most recent children's toys: They do the playing for the child, stifling both imagination and involvement. It's no wonder kids so quickly grow bored with the newer generation of toys. Yet you can keep a kid entertained and creatively busy literally for years on end with toys like original Legos, Tinker Toys, American Bricks, or even a sandbox, because such toys do none of the thinking for the kid- they merely suggest. These are cool, but they aren't any fun. They all look like they should be on a shelf, not on the floor. No chance for imagination.Let's face it, Lego isn't Lego any more.You both seem to have a very limited view of Lego.
Your K'NEX Building Set Code is a 5 digit code that can be found in the instructions that came with your set or on the front panel of the package. To view model.
May I point out the various brick buckets they still do (or the fact that, it being Lego, you can just take the set you bought apart and turn it into something else anyway? You don't have to follow the instructions and you don't have to leave something you've built complete.
A few weeks back, my 8 year old nephew came to my home. He always runs directly to my room to see if I have any new games to play, and I did have one. I always struggled to show some of my hottest games to him, because he's younger and I feel pretty unconfortable showing him M rated games, I even gave him a copy I made of my original disk of Crysis. And also he gets bored of watching me play a regular MMO and he easily gets very frustrated if I let him play Super Meat Boy.But last time he came, I showed him Minecraft and he left completely fascinated by it. We spent the whole noon playing together, the game was pretty inofesive (and terrifying) for him and we both enjoyed it immensely.
When I showed him the game, I started a new world, showing him the mechanics and why was it necessary to survive the night. He even loved the graphics, to him, the game didn't looked pixelated as I may call them, they were just 'blocky' for him and he always marvelled at strange 'natural' formations that the game randomly generated.It's a bit sad that the game in it's actual beta status won't give the full access to the entire game as if I bought it from alpha (wich I did), because if I knew before that he would like it so much, I'd gladly buy the game for him.
I found the perfect 'Lego' for him. The thing about Minecraft is people look at it and say 'Oh, that looks stupid.' But then they get bored and they remember how you sounded when you told them about it - giddy and awe-inspired and anxious to play more all at the same time, so they try it.Then they're hooked. Someone new to Minecraft, creative (as I introduced it to a friend, lacking a paid-for copy), or survival, can easily spend hours in their first play session.Nothing like making something entirely your own - even if it sucks. As Lego sets become more sophisticated and specific, Minecraft is stepping in to fill the need for sheer, unbridled block-building creativity.Complete agreement from me. It's why I wholly abandoned Legos.
I do, however, recommend Creationary-it's Pictionary by way of Lego. It recaptures some of the original magic.Pre-fab kits are the problem. There are increasingly specialized pieces, and it gets harder and harder to convince yourself they could be something else. This piece is pretty clear a special-shaped cockpit window, and finding another use for it isn't worth the hassle.The job of a Lego kit should be to teach the user how certain pieces work.
Ever wonder what the deal is with that goofy hinge thing? Well, building this drawbridge will show you how it can be used. And then you can use it for other things!
But these licensed kits don't work that way. In trying to use licenses to stay relevant, Lego has lost the only portion of the toy that was worth saving to begin with-pure, unhindered creation. You guys do know there are still sets out there that don't have so many of the fancy pieces, right? The Lego Creator series are entirely blocks, no special pieces.
I've bought several of them in the past year, and none of the boxed products sit on my shelf. They are all amalgams of my ideas, available blocks, and unstaunched creativity.That being said, the availability of Minecraft and it's potential for building on a colossal scale are something that Lego is harder pressed to offer. That kind of building requires lots of sets, and that means money. While our new digital crack doesn't offer the thrill of having to substitute for missing pieces, it does have thousands of the available bricks.But, I still remember building entire rooms full of Lego constructions, and the swears heard when someone stepped on an errant brick. quote I have no end of love for Minecraft, but I think you're selling modern Lego short. People like the late Nate 'nnenn' Nielson and Fredo 'Fredoichi' Houben prove that even in the less blocky Lego era, there's plenty to be creative about.
Seriously, look at this stuff.and so many others.It's just a different aspect of creativity; the re-purposing of specialised things rather than shaping the identity of raw things.quoteThose are very impressive pictures, however, I have seen far more impressive things done with Lego, using the newer parts that are specialized, but also a great many of the older parts that aren't, but for the record, the people that build those things have invested well over a 1000$ into their Lego collections so they can build that stuff. The thing is a kid with a 20$ allowance won't ever be able to get a collection like that, and the sets they can buy are mostly specialized parts like that one dump truck someone posted a picture of. 90% of that set, as large as it is, is made up of about 7 parts, specialized. All those parts can be used to do really cool things, but its hard to trump having lots of the generic parts like the older sets had, they are simply more versatile, simply put, I can do a lot more with 50 generic bricks then 7 specialized ones.
K'NEX Building ToysK'NEX makes building toys that combine creativity with educational opportunities. These toys are available in many themes and difficulty levels, which ensures that kids of all interests and abilities will find a suitable set. K'NEX offers toys for ages ranging from 3 to 16-plus.What are the main K'NEX toy lines?K'NEX offers several primary toy lines, including:. Imagine: These building sets are designed to spark the imagination. With micro and classic building pieces, kids can create everything from dinosaurs to helicopters. They facilitate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning, while simultaneously improving kids' motor skills and coordination. Roller Coaster: Roller Coaster sets let kids build entire amusement parks.
These kits, which include motorized toys, can be used to create Ferris wheels, coasters, and more. Education: K'NEX's educational line teaches children STEM concepts via hands-on learning. They're made to be used in classroom settings, and they cover topics like how machines work and the life cycles of organisms. Kid: Kid K'NEX is made for preschoolers. Each kit includes large parts and pieces that are suitable for younger children.
These building blocks can be used to create an array of eye-catching structures, ranging from depictions of sea creatures to cars.Has K'NEX partnered with any well-known?Yes, they’ve partnered with several brands to create specialized sets. Some of their branded construction sets include:. Mario Kart: K'NEX makes Mario-themed sets that let children build beloved characters like Luigi and Yoshi and their karts. Super Mario: These construction kits let children recreate the entire Mario world via parts and pieces. Plants vs. Zombies: The Plants vs.
Zombies line, inspired by the popular video game, gives children the opportunity to build everything from Wild West sets to intricate boats.Does K'NEX make Lincoln Logs?The brand also produces Lincoln Logs sets, which have been helping children innovate and learn for more than 100 years. Lincoln Log sets are available in a variety of styles and sizes, giving kids the ability to make everything from single cottages to entire villages.What about Tinkertoys?Tinkertoy is yet another classic toy produced by this brand.
They are available in plastic and wood, and they come in basic sets, deluxe sets, and essentials sets. My Little Pony sets are also available, allowing fans to recreate their favorite characters and settings.What is included in K'NEX building sets?Sets vary by size and complexity.
Most sets, however, include:. A treasure-chest style storage case. The parts, pieces, or logs used in the construction of models. Instruction manuals that help children build models and their settings.