Joining the ranks of big console MMO names like DC Universe Online, The Agency, and Final Fantasy XI, is an unexpected newcomer, Lego Universe. According to the Lego Group's Project Lead, console versions are planned, the only question is when.

On the last Lego Universe update, we've mentioned that Lego is planning to offer a service that will let gamers order a real-life version of their virtual Lego creations, to be delivered straight to their doorstep. Now we learn that it isn't such a new thing and that Lego already had that concept in mind long ago. Read more about it in the full article!

If you think that Lego Universe is only about playing with virtual Lego blocks, think again. According to Mark Hansen, Lego director of business development, Lego is also planning to let Lego Universe players order a real-life version of their online creations and have them shipped to their doorstep. Unbelievable? Not so. Check out the full article for more details.

  

Lego Universe is a massively multiplayer online game that exactly fits the definition of something "by the fans, for the fans." The latest newsletter sent out by developer NetDevil, according to Kotaku, tells us how the world of Lego Universe will be shaped by fan feedback. Then again, Lego has always been about letting your imagination go wild, not let someone else do it for you.

Along with the reminder that NetDevil wants you to be creative are two artworks that give us a glimpse on what the setting of Lego Universe will be like. They're raw concept art, but we're happy with what we see. If a world of plastic bricks where building virtually everything is possible doesn't sound awesome to you, nothing else will.

After Auto Assault's confirmed closure, some gamers couldn't help but worry about what might happen to this much awaited Lego MMO project, Lego Universe. MMO publisher NetDevil, however, assured that the Lego virtual universe is still under development and is due to be launched in late 2008.

There will be some internal changes in NetDevil in an effort to optimize their resources towards the completion of Lego Universe. "In terms of how it effects the NetDevil business, we will simply be moving the team members supporting that project onto other projects internally," NetDevil president Scott Brown said, referring to the people previously working on Auto Assault.

It's definitely great to know that the Lego Universe project - a joint effort between NetDevil and The Lego Group - is still under way. In a world brimming with possibilities (create your own homes, cars, etc. with Lego blocks), and being able to do child-safe violence that not even Jack Thompson could touch, there's just so many things to do and have fun with, besides the usual quests and grinding.

There's only a handful of toys that you play as a kid and still want to play as an adult. LEGO has to be on top of that list. A lot of MMORPG fans were delighted to find out that LEGO Universe was a work in progress and now, we've got a trailer to show just what it's all about. Check this one out:

Lovely, isn't it? You customize your characters using different LEGO parts and build stuff you can use out of LEGO bricks that you acquire. Man, we certainly hope we can acquire dragon parts and fuse them with our characters' bodies. That would be cool.

LEGO Universe is being developed by Net Devil and we must say that their efforts have made us excited with what we saw from this video. If you're crazy about customization, there's no better MMORPG for you.

Kotaku just unveiled a cool trailer of the upcoming MMO game from NetDevil based on the LEGO franchise, LEGO Universe. The trailer, however, is only a concept video of sort that may or may not show what fans expect from this very promising MMO video game.

The trailer opens with character customization, and then goes on to show the workshop where we can see the mini-figure customize his own car. The very idea of scooting around in your car made in your own design rocks already.

Then we get to the meaty part: Darkling Battle. We see our mini-figure wielding a Lego-sword and going against a Darkling armed with a huge LEGO hammer. Then we witness a gratuitous beheading, which we hope won't gain the same level of ire that Manhunt 2 and Take-Two Interactive are drowning in right now.

Oh, and is the mini-fig wearing a Dragonball power suit in the first part of the trailer? Vegeta, what does the Geiger counter say about LEGO Universe's power level?

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Update: We were finally able to get hold of the LEGO Universe trailer from GameTrailers.com, so without further ado, here it is:

The Lego Group and developer Net Devil have been working in conjunction to create Lego Universe, an MMOG designed for fans of the toyline. The game is going to have character advancement and social and community features, and it will provide a child-safe alternative to other MMOGs on the market.

Since customization is one of the big factors in games these days, the game offers the opportunity to customize your mini-figs. The game is also said to provide "unique opportunities for players to expand and explore with their creations."

NetDevil Lead Producer of Lego Universe Ryan Seabury spoke on this and the response they are expecting from the Lego community in general.

LEGO Universe is being built as a place where fans and community members can discover nearly unlimited play possibilities. Given the strength of the LEGO community, a large part of bringing the game to life will be working hand in hand with them to ensure that the core values of creativity, connectivity, and imagination are reflected in the end product.

The game is currently slated for release on Q4 of 2008. If the kids have been pestering you to play World of Warcraft or City of Heroes, consider giving this MMOG a look when it comes out. Keep checking back here for more developments on Lego Universe an MMOG for the PC.

  

A few pieces of concept artwork for the LEGO MMOG (massively multiplayer online game) in the works, LEGO Universe, are finally released. The pictures so far look incredible (is that a LEGO-fied 'attack of the aliens' scene in one of the screenshots? Hmm...). We also couldn't help but notice the 'past, present, and future' themed Lego people in one of the pictures...very intriguing.

There are also some details available regarding this new LEGO title: True to LEGO's philosophy of letting the players themselves build the game, LEGO and NetDevil assures that the game's development will involve LEGO fans by letting them work out the ideas the game's developers come up with. It sounds like the player's participation will go beyond playing the closed and open beta versions of the game.

LEGO also stated that what they want to provide "gaming, building, as well as social networking" in one great package. Well, they certainly won't fail with a nifty idea as this one. It would certainly rule if players can collaborate to build the greatest device ever. Online, of course.