I politely disagree. LEGO was not the only one to remove their message boards. I think this is more to do with strict child protection laws than general off-topicness. Our community had its fair share of... Lets just say not very nice people. The LMB Wiki had to report one user (that I know of) to LEGO in order to have them permabanned.
Small children are getting their hands on the internet at a really young age and parents want them protected. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I think this is the key. I don't see why Mods would willing leave their job due to something as minor as off-topic posts. It seems clear that KK doesn't mind hearing our life stories, as I doubt anyone would willing subject themselves to something they did not enjoy, especially if they were not being paid to do so. She even mentioned that some of the other Mods may pop in to have a look.
Lots of people still posted about LEGO. LEGO just changed, it became a bit boring IMO. I understand that I'm getting older, but my interest in the new themes and sets is limited. Maybe other people felt the same way. Maybe LEGO didn't give us enough to post about. Maybe the LMBs were taking up too many resources.
The norms are changing. Ipads have become first birthday gifts. Gone are the days when parents would hawk over their children's computer games IMO.
Ahh I see. I did consider the idea that perhaps the boards were closed due to child safety laws, and I do remember that user who was banned, but I wasn't sure if that was the case.
I suppose the Mods didn't mind as much, but I wonder if it's a waste of LEGO's resources to monitor our off topic conversations.
I think I fall into that category of people too. I'm still interested in new LEGO themes, but not as involved as I used to be years ago. I think everything is changing, us, LEGO, and the rest of the world and how it operates, and maybe the LMBs weren't ready to handle those changes.
Yeah, it honestly kinda disappoints me how smartphones and technology is almost replacing physical toys, and that's why LEGO has to work so hard in the new digital era. Really young kids are getting into social media, and that's probably why LEGO Life is in place, and since it was worked with UNICEF, it has to have all the limitations of the emote comments, because young kids definitely aren't ready to handle negative feedback, and LEGO doesn't want to be the cause of that no matter how much moderation is in place.
That's just how I see it. LEGO is a business therefore, I guess it's safe to say that LEGO Life limits the work of Mods which in turn limits their payroll. Mods don't need to be constantly checking walls of text. It's just emoji, small snips of text and the galleries.
That disappoints me too. I understand that computers are the future but it seems a bit lazy. Growing up I was only allowed to spend half an hour on technology (NES and PS1). The rest was outside exploring with my brothers or playing with actual toys and sports equipment. Makes me feel so old and outdated.
Ahh I see. I did consider the idea that perhaps the boards were closed due to child safety laws, and I do remember that user who was banned, but I wasn't sure if that was the case.
I suppose the Mods didn't mind as much, but I wonder if it's a waste of LEGO's resources to monitor our off topic conversations.
I think I fall into that category of people too. I'm still interested in new LEGO themes, but not as involved as I used to be years ago. I think everything is changing, us, LEGO, and the rest of the world and how it operates, and maybe the LMBs weren't ready to handle those changes.
Yeah, it honestly kinda disappoints me how smartphones and technology is almost replacing physical toys, and that's why LEGO has to work so hard in the new digital era. Really young kids are getting into social media, and that's probably why LEGO Life is in place, and since it was worked with UNICEF, it has to have all the limitations of the emote comments, because young kids definitely aren't ready to handle negative feedback, and LEGO doesn't want to be the cause of that no matter how much moderation is in place.
That's just how I see it. LEGO is a business therefore, I guess it's safe to say that LEGO Life limits the work of Mods which in turn limits their payroll. Mods don't need to be constantly checking walls of text. It's just emoji, small snips of text and the galleries.
That disappoints me too. I understand that computers are the future but it seems a bit lazy. Growing up I was only allowed to spend half an hour on technology (NES and PS1). The rest was outside exploring with my brothers or playing with actual toys and sports equipment. Makes me feel so old and outdated.
Pretty much. I don't think they need to check the emote comments since there's nothing to really moderate, so theoretically they'll only be moderating the LEGO Life creations and the Gallery creations.
Agreed. It just doesn't seem like a healthy lifestyle for young kids. Back in my day, I was building LEGO, drawing pictures, and playing with other toys. Even then I was limited to only a couple hours on the computer or the television.
That's just how I see it. LEGO is a business therefore, I guess it's safe to say that LEGO Life limits the work of Mods which in turn limits their payroll. Mods don't need to be constantly checking walls of text. It's just emoji, small snips of text and the galleries.
That disappoints me too. I understand that computers are the future but it seems a bit lazy. Growing up I was only allowed to spend half an hour on technology (NES and PS1). The rest was outside exploring with my brothers or playing with actual toys and sports equipment. Makes me feel so old and outdated.
Pretty much. I don't think they need to check the emote comments since there's nothing to really moderate, so theoretically they'll only be moderating the LEGO Life creations and the Gallery creations.
Agreed. It just doesn't seem like a healthy lifestyle for young kids. Back in my day, I was building LEGO, drawing pictures, and playing with other toys. Even then I was limited to only a couple hours on the computer or the television.
I think I read somewhere that all LEGO Life comments were moderated, I just took that as meaning the emoji code too. Would not surprise me if it did. Regardless, there is (I'm assuming) less work for the Mods to do, therefore, LEGO will not be needing to employ additional Mods. Money saved on payroll and server space.
"Back in my dad" always makes me laugh, especially considering most of, if not all of us would still be looked at as kids.
Pretty much. I don't think they need to check the emote comments since there's nothing to really moderate, so theoretically they'll only be moderating the LEGO Life creations and the Gallery creations.
Agreed. It just doesn't seem like a healthy lifestyle for young kids. Back in my day, I was building LEGO, drawing pictures, and playing with other toys. Even then I was limited to only a couple hours on the computer or the television.
I think I read somewhere that all LEGO Life comments were moderated, I just took that as meaning the emoji code too. Would not surprise me if it did. Regardless, there is (I'm assuming) less work for the Mods to do, therefore, LEGO will not be needing to employ additional Mods. Money saved on payroll and server space.
"Back in my dad" always makes me laugh, especially considering most of, if not all of us would still be looked at as kids.
Hmm, interesting. Maybe they do, and it would be really quick to moderate too.
Lol. It makes me wonder what the kids today, when they get older, what their "Back in my day" phrase would be, and how advanced the next generation would be.
I think I read somewhere that all LEGO Life comments were moderated, I just took that as meaning the emoji code too. Would not surprise me if it did. Regardless, there is (I'm assuming) less work for the Mods to do, therefore, LEGO will not be needing to employ additional Mods. Money saved on payroll and server space.
"Back in my day" always makes me laugh, especially considering most of, if not all of us would still be looked at as kids.
Hmm, interesting. Maybe they do, and it would be really quick to moderate too.
Lol. It makes me wonder what the kids today, when they get older, what their "Back in my day" phrase would be, and how advanced the next generation would be.
Something along the lines of "back in my day we communicated in emoji code, we used it in the liberation of communism". I doubt that, but it's fun to joke. Why isn't there an emoji for back in my day? Seems technology is slowly going backwards. Phones are getting bigger and physically weaker, you could say the same about humans too.
Do you think the Mods actually like LEGO Life? I feel like they're against it. They drew the short straw and lost their community, one which was built up over 20 years.
Hmm, interesting. Maybe they do, and it would be really quick to moderate too.
Lol. It makes me wonder what the kids today, when they get older, what their "Back in my day" phrase would be, and how advanced the next generation would be.
Something along the lines of "back in my day we communicated in emoji code, we used it in the liberation of communism". I doubt that, but it's fun to joke. Why isn't there an emoji for back in my day? Seems technology is slowly going backwards. Phones are getting bigger and physically weaker, you could say the same about humans too.
Do you think the Mods actually like LEGO Life? I feel like they're against it. They drew the short straw and lost their community, one which was built up over 20 years.
Lol. For the back in my day emoji, maybe it would be some face with gray hair and a beard with some kind of stern expression. It seems that way about technology, then again, they are doing more than they did before.
I have no idea. If I had to guess, I think they would like LEGO Life as a concept and maybe as a separate thing, but not now with the closing of the LMBs, closing of LEGO Club, etc.
I just thought of something as I type this post. Maybe with the closing of LEGO Club, LMBs, maybe MLN (which was earlier), maybe LEGO wants to move LEGO social activity to a single platform instead of having so many places to manage. Max from LEGO Club is on LEGO Life, as well as other characters from other themes, so it's kind of like LEGO Club and MLN. I guess that's not a bad idea, just REALLY inconvenient for all the older fans who grew up with those multiple places. Now I feel bad for the galleries.
Something along the lines of "back in my day we communicated in emoji code, we used it in the liberation of communism". I doubt that, but it's fun to joke. Why isn't there an emoji for back in my day? Seems technology is slowly going backwards. Phones are getting bigger and physically weaker, you could say the same about humans too.
Do you think the Mods actually like LEGO Life? I feel like they're against it. They drew the short straw and lost their community, one which was built up over 20 years.
Lol. For the back in my day emoji, maybe it would be some face with gray hair and a beard with some kind of stern expression. It seems that way about technology, then again, they are doing more than they did before.
I have no idea. If I had to guess, I think they would like LEGO Life as a concept and maybe as a separate thing, but not now with the closing of the LMBs, closing of LEGO Club, etc.
I just thought of something as I type this post. Maybe with the closing of LEGO Club, LMBs, maybe MLN (which was earlier), maybe LEGO wants to move LEGO social activity to a single platform instead of having so many places to manage. Max from LEGO Club is on LEGO Life, as well as other characters from other themes, so it's kind of like LEGO Club and MLN. I guess that's not a bad idea, just REALLY inconvenient for all the older fans who grew up with those multiple places. Now I feel bad for the galleries.
I'm imagining it now.
Maybe, but if that is the case, they have done a very poor job of it. MLN was fun, the LMBs were a communication source. LEGO Life is none of those. The things is... They didn't even "manage" MLN. It was just left there to slowly become one massive bug. The LMBs became dodgy in the end too. Care factor, LEGO has zero.
What was wrong with MLN's prewritten text communication. They could just create a small library of prewritten words and that would suffice. Still requires less moderation than wall text. They really should have remastered MLN for Android and Apple. I'd pay a $5+ download fee to play a complete/managed MLN on phone. MLN had a form of communication, a gallery and a friend list and does it better than the flashy new LEGO Life.
Lol. For the back in my day emoji, maybe it would be some face with gray hair and a beard with some kind of stern expression. It seems that way about technology, then again, they are doing more than they did before.
I have no idea. If I had to guess, I think they would like LEGO Life as a concept and maybe as a separate thing, but not now with the closing of the LMBs, closing of LEGO Club, etc.
I just thought of something as I type this post. Maybe with the closing of LEGO Club, LMBs, maybe MLN (which was earlier), maybe LEGO wants to move LEGO social activity to a single platform instead of having so many places to manage. Max from LEGO Club is on LEGO Life, as well as other characters from other themes, so it's kind of like LEGO Club and MLN. I guess that's not a bad idea, just REALLY inconvenient for all the older fans who grew up with those multiple places. Now I feel bad for the galleries.
I'm imagining it now.
Maybe, but if that is the case, they have done a very poor job of it. MLN was fun, the LMBs were a communication source. LEGO Life is none of those. The things is... They didn't even "manage" MLN. It was just left there to slowly become one massive bug. The LMBs became dodgy in the end too. Care factor, LEGO has zero.
What was wrong with MLN's prewritten text communication. They could just create a small library of prewritten words and that would suffice. Still requires less moderation than wall text. They really should have remastered MLN for Android and Apple. I'd pay a $5+ download fee to play a complete/managed MLN on phone. MLN had a form of communication, a gallery and a friend list and does it better than the flashy new LEGO Life.
{JAMMERS! -Anyone!} Actually, I'd pay $20+ for an MLN app. I think others would too.
Lol.
I don't know how many people played MLN toward the end of its lifetime. If there wasn't enough users left on MLN, then maybe they thought it wasn't worth fixing if less and less people played it over time. However, I have no statistics to justify its closure. As far as the LMBs go, I still don't have enough.
I don't think MLN was moderated. There was no custom messages, and gallery creations were linked to MLN, which would have already been moderated. Theoretically, if LEGO did fix it, then it would be its own self-sustaining platform, but as I mentioned before, it depends on if its usability will grow. It would be cool if MLN was available for Android and Apple devices, but I'd rather spend my money on physical LEGO, or food.
In general, I could guess that LEGO would only continue a product/service/theme further than roughly 3 years if its demand was high enough that it would actually grow in the future. Otherwise, they would start something new. This won't apply for all LEGO products/services/themes, but it seems to estimate LEGO's behavior.
Maybe, but if that is the case, they have done a very poor job of it. MLN was fun, the LMBs were a communication source. LEGO Life is none of those. The things is... They didn't even "manage" MLN. It was just left there to slowly become one massive bug. The LMBs became dodgy in the end too. Care factor, LEGO has zero.
What was wrong with MLN's prewritten text communication. They could just create a small library of prewritten words and that would suffice. Still requires less moderation than wall text. They really should have remastered MLN for Android and Apple. I'd pay a $5+ download fee to play a complete/managed MLN on phone. MLN had a form of communication, a gallery and a friend list and does it better than the flashy new LEGO Life.
{JAMMERS! -Anyone!} Actually, I'd pay $20+ for an MLN app. I think others would too.
Lol.
I don't know how many people played MLN toward the end of its lifetime. If there wasn't enough users left on MLN, then maybe they thought it wasn't worth fixing if less and less people played it over time. However, I have no statistics to justify its closure. As far as the LMBs go, I still don't have enough.
I don't think MLN was moderated. There was no custom messages, and gallery creations were linked to MLN, which would have already been moderated. Theoretically, if LEGO did fix it, then it would be its own self-sustaining platform, but as I mentioned before, it depends on if its usability will grow. It would be cool if MLN was available for Android and Apple devices, but I'd rather spend my money on physical LEGO, or food.
In general, I could guess that LEGO would only continue a product/service/theme further than roughly 3 years if its demand was high enough that it would actually grow in the future. Otherwise, they would start something new. This won't apply for all LEGO products/services/themes, but it seems to estimate LEGO's behavior.
I was about to finish MLN, only to find out it was gone. This was just days after its deletion. I know it wasn't moderated, but they could have expanded on the MLN pre-written text for LEGO Life. It is my opinion that MLN would be a huge success if brought in as an application. The idea is already complete and mapped out, they would just need to rebuild it.
$5 doesn't even buy LEGO in Australia. The minifiures are usually $5 and we don't sell polybags. $7 gets you the smallest boxed set. So I wouldn't mind spending that much on an app. Plus, I bought a Google Play card a couple of years ago and still have $15 on it. As for the food, well I'm not too fussed. Lets just say that anything below $20 in Australia is quite worthless. You can't really buy anything worthwhile, but that's just my observation.
I don't know how many people played MLN toward the end of its lifetime. If there wasn't enough users left on MLN, then maybe they thought it wasn't worth fixing if less and less people played it over time. However, I have no statistics to justify its closure. As far as the LMBs go, I still don't have enough.
I don't think MLN was moderated. There was no custom messages, and gallery creations were linked to MLN, which would have already been moderated. Theoretically, if LEGO did fix it, then it would be its own self-sustaining platform, but as I mentioned before, it depends on if its usability will grow. It would be cool if MLN was available for Android and Apple devices, but I'd rather spend my money on physical LEGO, or food.
In general, I could guess that LEGO would only continue a product/service/theme further than roughly 3 years if its demand was high enough that it would actually grow in the future. Otherwise, they would start something new. This won't apply for all LEGO products/services/themes, but it seems to estimate LEGO's behavior.
I was about to finish MLN, only to find out it was gone. This was just days after its deletion. I know it wasn't moderated, but they could have expanded on the MLN pre-written text for LEGO Life. It is my opinion that MLN would be a huge success if brought in as an application. The idea is already complete and mapped out, they would just need to rebuild it.
$5 doesn't even buy LEGO in Australia. The minifiures are usually $5 and we don't sell polybags. $7 gets you the smallest boxed set. So I wouldn't mind spending that much on an app. Plus, I bought a Google Play card a couple of years ago and still have $15 on it. As for the food, well I'm not too fussed. Lets just say that anything below $20 in Australia is quite worthless. You can't really buy anything worthwhile, but that's just my observation.
I see. I only got to level 4 or 5, the one with the race cars. I guess it wouldn't be too much to reboot MLN. I don't know what LEGO thinks about it. Maybe you can submit that to Customer Service for feedback.
Ahh, so you live in Australia. I have heard about the expensive toy prices, but I don't know much. For me, I just know I have to save and spend my money wisely.
I was about to finish MLN, only to find out it was gone. This was just days after its deletion. I know it wasn't moderated, but they could have expanded on the MLN pre-written text for LEGO Life. It is my opinion that MLN would be a huge success if brought in as an application. The idea is already complete and mapped out, they would just need to rebuild it.
$5 doesn't even buy LEGO in Australia. The minifiures are usually $5 and we don't sell polybags. $7 gets you the smallest boxed set. So I wouldn't mind spending that much on an app. Plus, I bought a Google Play card a couple of years ago and still have $15 on it. As for the food, well I'm not too fussed. Lets just say that anything below $20 in Australia is quite worthless. You can't really buy anything worthwhile, but that's just my observation.
I see. I only got to level 4 or 5, the one with the race cars. I guess it wouldn't be too much to reboot MLN. I don't know what LEGO thinks about it. Maybe you can submit that to Customer Service for feedback.
Ahh, so you live in Australia. I have heard about the expensive toy prices, but I don't know much. For me, I just know I have to save and spend my money wisely.
I was rank 9, you were rank 3. Some of the work is already done. They'd still need to program the whole thing and lay it out for smaller touch screens. Probably not worth their time. Maybe I'll let them know when LEGO Life is thrown in the trash.
Yes. Everything is expensive in Australia, but we have higher wages and a high lifestyle. Someone needs to pay for the schools, hospitals and healthcare. We pay it in tax, most people don't mind, which personally is a good thing. Our minimum wage is much higher than the USA and we don't rely on tips. So it's not necessarily a bad thing. I just buy LEGO when it's on sale.
I see. I only got to level 4 or 5, the one with the race cars. I guess it wouldn't be too much to reboot MLN. I don't know what LEGO thinks about it. Maybe you can submit that to Customer Service for feedback.
Ahh, so you live in Australia. I have heard about the expensive toy prices, but I don't know much. For me, I just know I have to save and spend my money wisely.
I was rank 9, you were rank 3. Some of the work is already done. They'd still need to program the whole thing and lay it out for smaller touch screens. Probably not worth their time. Maybe I'll let them know when LEGO Life is thrown in the trash.
Yes. Everything is expensive in Australia, but we have higher wages and a high lifestyle. Someone needs to pay for the schools, hospitals and healthcare. We pay it in tax, most people don't mind, which personally is a good thing. Our minimum wage is much higher than the USA and we don't rely on tips. So it's not necessarily a bad thing. I just buy LEGO when it's on sale.
I guess I was rank 3 then. Well, it looks like you're going to have to wait a long, long time then. There are already at least a million users on LEGO Life, and I don't think LEGO will be considering its closure for a long time.
Interesting. I guess you have a pretty nice economy then. Same here for me with buying LEGO when its on sale.
I was rank 9, you were rank 3. Some of the work is already done. They'd still need to program the whole thing and lay it out for smaller touch screens. Probably not worth their time. Maybe I'll let them know when LEGO Life is thrown in the trash.
Yes. Everything is expensive in Australia, but we have higher wages and a high lifestyle. Someone needs to pay for the schools, hospitals and healthcare. We pay it in tax, most people don't mind, which personally is a good thing. Our minimum wage is much higher than the USA and we don't rely on tips. So it's not necessarily a bad thing. I just buy LEGO when it's on sale.
I guess I was rank 3 then. Well, it looks like you're going to have to wait a long, long time then. There are already at least a million users on LEGO Life, and I don't think LEGO will be considering its closure for a long time.
Interesting. I guess you have a pretty nice economy then. Same here for me with buying LEGO when its on sale.
I could have helped you rank up. I could build a page full of race tracks. I used to help all the rank 3's on the MLN Wiki. Personally, I don't think we'll be waiting very long to see LEGO Life fail. It only has a 3.9 on the Google Play. That's quite terrible. The whole 'newness' will wear off fast IMO. There is only so much you can do on it. Kids will get bored and either head to other apps or LEGO.com. At least that's what I think... And hope.
Nope. Our economy is shocking. Our wages are too high to compete with the rest of the world. People don't like to admit that as it shows the faults in capitalism and globalisation. It's not a popular criticism in liberal nations, so most people and the media would rather blame unemployment on the poor sods who deal with it. So yeah, our economy is rubbish, as is that of most of the 'developed' world IMO.
I see. I only got to level 4 or 5, the one with the race cars. I guess it wouldn't be too much to reboot MLN. I don't know what LEGO thinks about it. Maybe you can submit that to Customer Service for feedback.
Ahh, so you live in Australia. I have heard about the expensive toy prices, but I don't know much. For me, I just know I have to save and spend my money wisely.
I was rank 9, you were rank 3. Some of the work is already done. They'd still need to program the whole thing and lay it out for smaller touch screens. Probably not worth their time. Maybe I'll let them know when LEGO Life is thrown in the trash.
Yes. Everything is expensive in Australia, but we have higher wages and a high lifestyle. Someone needs to pay for the schools, hospitals and healthcare. We pay it in tax, most people don't mind, which personally is a good thing. Our minimum wage is much higher than the USA and we don't rely on tips. So it's not necessarily a bad thing. I just buy LEGO when it's on sale.
Sorry - just randomly slipping into the conversation...
I've been reading these posts and I agree with you guys, tech is changing everything. I think LEGO weighed their options (and their track record of non-brick/online investments) and decided they couldn't do that much to compete with the huge amount of social media platforms that kids already have now... that creating something simple would do = LEGO Life.
I would love an MLN app! Man, I only got to rank 5 there, boohoo I wish we'd been given a heads up before it closed, I would have recorded the little loop composition that I had on my page. I loved messing with that loop editor.
I'd like to think New Zealand is just as savvy as Oz with wages and lifestyles. But sadly we Kiwis don't have any official LEGO stores, LEGOlands, or LEGO Discovery Centres, so unfortunately NZ has some catching up to do. Like Hugh-Z describes Oz tho, our minimum wage is decent (I'm on the minimum wage myself, and I managed to save enough for the SHIELD Helicarrier fairly quickly) and yeah, we don't expect tips all over like the US.
P.S. - Zachcheung!! I was wondering what kind of username that was, until I saw your tagline... Do you remember me? Thanks for putting me in the LMB user montage on the Galleries, that was so cool!!
P.S. - that 'Back in my day' emote would also need a little wagging finger to shake at them young 'uns!
I guess I was rank 3 then. Well, it looks like you're going to have to wait a long, long time then. There are already at least a million users on LEGO Life, and I don't think LEGO will be considering its closure for a long time.
Interesting. I guess you have a pretty nice economy then. Same here for me with buying LEGO when its on sale.
I could have helped you rank up. I could build a page full of race tracks. I used to help all the rank 3's on the MLN Wiki. Personally, I don't think we'll be waiting very long to see LEGO Life fail. It only has a 3.9 on the Google Play. That's quite terrible. The whole 'newness' will wear off fast IMO. There is only so much you can do on it. Kids will get bored and either head to other apps or LEGO.com. At least that's what I think... And hope.
Nope. Our economy is shocking. Our wages are too high to compete with the rest of the world. People don't like to admit that as it shows the faults in capitalism and globalisation. It's not a popular criticism in liberal nations, so most people and the media would rather blame unemployment on the poor sods who deal with it. So yeah, our economy is rubbish, as is that of most of the 'developed' world IMO.
It's been a long time since I was on MLN, even before it closed down, and the only users on my friends list were a few friends I knew in real life. I guess we'll have to look in the future to see the progression of LEGO Life.
Ah, I see. Yeah, I think at this point in time, the world economy is kinda messed up, especially with recent events.
I know it wasn't moderated, but they could have expanded on the MLN pre-written text for LEGO Life. It is my opinion that MLN would be a huge success if brought in as an application. The idea is already complete and mapped out, they would just need to rebuild it. 
I wish we'd been given a heads up before it closed, I would have recorded the little loop composition that I had on my page. I loved messing with that loop editor. 
I was wondering what kind of username that was, until I saw your tagline... Do you remember me? 
Thanks for putting me in the LMB user montage on the Galleries, that was so cool!! 