It’s time for our monthly news roundup. There’s a ton of news this month—I hope you enjoy it!

P.S. In case you missed it, earlier this month we wrote about the new Levi’s × LEGO, and IKEA × LEGO collaborations. They both go on sale tomorrow, October 1, 2020.

LEGO Storage for AFOLs talk at BrickCon

I’ve prepared a new presentation about LEGO Storage, with a greater focus on the unique challenges that face Adult Fans of LEGO. Because there isn’t a perfect one-size-fits-all storage solution (and I wish there was), we will explore a range of topics which will help you design the perfect storage strategy for your unique needs (or upgrade your storage to meet changing needs).

Presentation topics:

1. A brief technical look at the LEGO System(s) of parts.
2. Data around how LEGO fans sort their collections.
3. Developing a hierarchial organizational schema that meets your needs.
4. The strengths and weakness of more/less sorting (such as sorting by part vs. color vs. element).
5. Highlighting some of the Best Storage products for AFOLs.
6. Additional Tips and Tricks.

My presentation will be This Saturday, October 3rd at 2pm PDT. You will need a ticket to the BrickCon Private Convention to participate. Tickets start at $25 USD and give you access to more than a dozen presentations from talented AFOLs, current and former LEGO Employees, and more!

A pair of Colosseums

It is widely rumoured that we will see an LEGO set of the Colosseum later this year approaching 9000 pieces. That’s a shockingly high part count! In the meantime, let’s see how two other brick-based Colosseums offer a preview of coming attractions.

1. Colosseum on LEGO Ideas reaches 10,000 votes.
   At 2000 pieces, this version is in the style of the LEGO Architecture series, rather than the style of sets in the larger Creator Expert series.
2. Massive Colosseum by Mould King (clone brand).
   Brickfinder reported on a huge 6466-piece model of the Colosseum by a well known clone brand.

What do you think? Are you thrilled by the prospect of a 9,000 piece model of the Colosseum, or worried that it would be incrediby repetitive and boring to build?

Recommended Reading

Review: IKEA BYGGLEK boxes

—Brickset

In this cautiously optimistic review of the upcoming LEGO storage products by IKEA, we learn that the products adhere closely to the LEGO system and may be a good choice for younger builders. It’s the result of a multi-year partnernship between LEGO x IKEA.

I remain skeptical, and hope to review the products for the LEGO Storage Guide when they are available on October 1.

A Record Breaking 35 Product Ideas Qualify for the Second 2020 LEGO Ideas Review

—LEGO IDEAS

LEGO Ideas allows fans to submit ideas for future LEGO Sets, and ideas are considered for an official set when they reach 10,000 votes. The crowdsourcing platform has seen explosive growth in popularity, as evidenced by 35 ideas reaching that milestone in just a 5-month period.

As is often the case, the sets up for review include some beautiful models with widespread appeal, and others with niche or regional interest.

While we do not know which of these will become official LEGO Sets, two new additions to the LEGO IDEAS product line were announced earlier today. Visit ideas.lego.com to learn more.

News you may have missed

• Brckset shared a nice article on Microscale Landscaping by BenBuildsLEGO.
  It includes a nice selection of tips and tricks for adding great landscaping details to your models.
• Brick Fanatics reports that #21055 Burj Khalifa will be re-introduced in Europe and the UK, with global availability likely to follow.
  The set is a re-release of #21031 Burj Khalifa which was originally intended just for the Middle East market.
• LEGO is partnering with popular names in fashion with announcements of LEGO x Levi’s products with a 6×6 area to decorate with LEGO Dots, and a teaser reel for upcoming LEGO x Adidas footwear.
  I’m eager to review a few of the products once they are available
• It’s easier than ever to build your own LEGO Video Game using the popular UNITY cross-platform video game development platform. It lets you incorporate licensed digital LEGO elements in your game, and they claim you can generate a game in around 45 minutes.
• You may enjoy this far-reaching interview with LEGO Set Designer Samuel Johnson about getting a job at LEGO, designing within new and existing themes, and how LEGO Ideas sets are selected, and much more.
• BenBuildsLego wrote an article exploring several challenges when building scale models.
• LEGO Education has released additional resources for educators. This shows their continued commitment to SPIKE PRIME and other Education products in spite of the disruption caused by COVID-19.
  P.S. Stay tuned… We’re working on an in-depth review of SPIKE PRIME from the perspective of both Educators and AFOL’s.
• New Elementary has shared two nerdy articles looking at the many new parts released in the second half of 2020. New LEGO pieces for August 2020, and a table showing which LEGO sets have the most new parts.

Exciting New LEGO Sets

• #10275 Elf Club House contains 1197 pieces for $99.99 (89.99€ / £89.99). Learn more or buy at LEGO.com.
• #75290 Mos Eisley Cantina (Star Wars) contains 3187 pieces for $349.99 (349.99€ / £319.99). Learn more or buy at LEGO.com.
• #75318 The Child (The Mandalorian) contains 1073 pieces for $79.99 (79.99€ / £69.99). Learn more or preorder at LEGO.com (Ships October 30).
• #76161 1989 Batwing contains 2363 pieces for $199.99 (199.99€ / £179.99). Learn more or preorder at LEGO.com (Ships November 1).

And to wrap up, the perfect comic for AFOL’s. It’s from the amazing Strange Planet comic by Nathan W. Pyle. (It was posted in February, but I only found it recently!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9KK_MflReZ/