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I agree that LEGO has been trying too hard to look like any other toy out there - coming up with custom bricks too often (and even making toys without bricks altogether) - in the end leaving too little to the imagination. I remember when I was a kid we only had basic square bricks (trying hard not sound like an old fart here) and likewise I remember the blocky c64 graphics. Both where adequate to create worlds I could sink into for hours on end. And today LEGO and computer game graphics have become overly articulate - they just don't activate your brain in the same way. (I'm not saying it's all bad.)

I wish LEGO would focus on their basic bricks and stimulating imagination. Just look at some of these fan-made robots - mindblowing stuff:

http://www1.linkclub.or.jp/~zizy/ROBO/work2/ ... and LEGO actually made some really nice bits a while back for LEGO starwars (though not really fitting into the product line):

http://www.lego.com/starwars/minis/mini_main.asp

-phloe

You call yourself a geek?!!

Yeah, mindstoorm is nice, but the different engines and stuff looks a bit clumpsy. It would be great if they made some proper servos (like in those humanoid robot kits).

An artificial muscle system would be great too, using their pneumatics systems perhaps? I doubt they'll do it though, you can't even order individual parts from Lego. You have to order them from people that buy stuff and sort all the parts.

As for lego mecha builders, check out these crazy talented japanese builders Nakany, Zizy etc.. It would be awesome if these people could submit their designs to lego along with a description of the parts, and then Lego has a robot that collects the parts, packages etc. Lego kits on demand.

So, Servos, pneumatic controller, individual part ordering, fan made kits. Those are my demands!

see also - Star Trek paper models. You know you want them, you freakin' nerds!

Been there, done that.

Consider yourself schooled. Now get out of my comicbook shop!

Just got through watching my Blade Runner DVD again.
Remember the origami unicorn? Fold your own.

Oooh! Be sure to also check out this site: SF Paper Craft Gallery. Highlights include:

• Loads of ships from Star Wars
• 4 versions of the Back to the Future Delorean
• The USS Enterprise Constitution Class Refit

Also, check out ALIENS Papercraft. Highlights include:

• 1:1 scale Space Marine Pulse Rifle!
• Very nifty lightcycles from Tron 1.0 (look in the "Bonus Models" section)

------"Take off every sig"

The Blade Runner origami is pretty standard stuff (i.e. not custom-designed just for the movie). Here's instructions on folding a unicorn, for starters.

Too much free time? Here. is a paper model of the Imperial Walker from Empire Strikes Back that you can print out and build