Far from the unhinged antics of the previous two videos, here's one for the folks who like their Slugger outings the same way I like my Star Trek movies - dull and boring! 😊 I'm going to miss Dino Island! The sets became a permanent fixture of work environment for about a month there, but I have to make room for the Orient Expedition stuff inbound. Hopefully this time next week we will be off on our first foray into that theme! I've got a LOT of work ahead of me to come up with enough B-roll, but that's what weekends are for after all. 😉 The plan is to have 3 Orient Expedition episodes out this month and then catch up on a few things next month; the "How To Build Rock Raiders" series has been calling my name! Thanks for watching everyone! ~ Slugger
Those all sound great! I just have one question,when will the alpha team retrospective be released? From what I've seen you've been working on it for quite a while now and I'm really excited for what you have planned. In any case I'm excited to see your future videos (especially the "how to build rock raiders" ones) and you should by no means feel pressured to make an alpha team retrospective anytime soon, I'm just curious.
What you're seeing there at 1:55 is most definitely not any kind of 3d printing, but rather the markings of the drill bits that carved the mould for this prototype.
YES! I'm keen to expand my Adventurers collection by picking up a large set, and I think the one I want is the Dragon's castle which I'm hoping you cover soon!
I honestly have huge respect for how in-depth Slugger goes with these videos. As someone who thinks i know everything there is to know about lego, seeing little facts and obscure trivia like this is awesome for me! Keep up the great work!
I'm not saying you should do the alt builds if you don't feel passionate about them- passion being this channels greatest strength- but I for one really enjoyed when you went over the alt builds for Rock Raiders Time Cruisers and Time Raiders. I think its really cool that you went into speculation of "what even is it" and how it could be used.
Maybe picking and choosing the "best" alternate build from the back of the box for future sets in Orient Expedition would be the way to go? I'm just trying to avoid the "and here's another boat build" monotony that would arise from looking at Adventurers alt builds. Featuring *one* of them in more detail could work though...
In Lego Island 2 there is also a full on "Dino Island chapter" where you get to rescue dinosaurs, fly the island hopper and ride a T-rex from what i remember
I remember getting the Brachiosaurus and Mosasaurus canister sets when Walking with dinosaurs aired in local tv station. I never get any of these Dino Island sets but managed to get couple pteranodons from various Bionicle lots over the years.
On that prototype triceratops you can see more 'stairstepping' in the jaw piece and on the back behind the frill. It could be 3d printing or it could be some other manufacturing method like that other comment pointed out, but either way it's very rough
13:58 I feel the same way about Bionicle's 8978 Skrall. If you replace the technic bracket piece holding the body together with a red one, it really solidifies the set's color scheme and reinforces my all time favorite color combination of red and black (who would've guessed). Also add a 32039 in black or red with a 2-axle to mount the shield with so he's not holding it awkwardly.
The texture in the prototypes could likely be from the same type of machined injection mold used to make finished lego pieces, just one without the proper finishing steps to give it its final smooth texture. Unfinished mold cavities have a similar stepped texture to 3D prints due to their CNC manufacturing. Always a pleasure seeing a new video, thanks for the quality content!
I really have appreciated the deep dives in this video! In my personal opinion the squishing of the research centre together, and the removal of the foliage on the trap was done for aesthetic purposes. The squishing of the centre more so it could fit everything in frame while being close-up, and the trap so you can see the action better. Not sure why the 2x2 slope is there though 🤔
I have seen some of your videos, but lately I feel these have been the most refreshing thing I have seen in the Lego space. I'm probaly biased as I love "vintage" Lego, since its the one I grew up, but the depth and pace and graphics, etc, its so so sooo entertaining! TBH I didnt knew Rock Raiders (dark age), but hearing you talk about it, I feel its the same passion I personally share with Ice Planet, so I know the level of love you have to that series/sets. Thanks for making this content!
To me, I feel alternate builds not being part of Lego sets is a huge letdown. Even if they don't include instructions for them easily, they were a huge inspiration to me as a child. I feel that showing kids that they don't *have* to build what's on the box is a huge boon to their creativity.
Every day I learn more and more that preferring Lego Island 2 is a hot take. I never got much from this specific Adventure theme but the game made me interested
I think the clips on the pteranodons were probably too rigid and had not enough give to allow sliding in bars without breaking anything. Some old Lego clips have that issue, especially on figures. Hence the inclusion of the slit between the toes to add more elasticity. I believe the masonry doors from Harry Potter used the same technique. The Super Battle droids highlight that issue, since a lot of customers apparently had issues with the thick clips breaking apart
@@RRSlugger Visually it looks more "real" I guess than if they went with the slits. The prototype clip look was subtle, but if it meant constant breaking...
I've seen that Dino Island commercial so many times, but I'd never noticed the prototype pterodactyl in use before! Can't get enough Adventurers content, looking forward to Orient Expedition. :)
I never owned any of the Orient Expedition set, but was always intrigued by the board game aspect and pieces when I saw these sets in the catalogue. Besides reviewing the sets, hope you can highlight that aspect too.
This seems like a good way to talk about these things in a video. I love learning these kinds of facts, and a slower video seems like a great way to do it while keeping main retrospective videos in the usual snappy but informative Slugger style.
4:58 That or maybe that's another example of early stage construction sneaking into promotional material. Kinda surprises me that we've come a long way with 3D printing. It used to be something big companies or rich guys could primarily use for stuff like making prototype products, now you can buy one for yourself.
I thought I was going crazy when I saw your previous video on Dino Island, because I was certain the T-Rex had hollow studs on it, instead of solid on the box art, lol. Thanks for clearing that up, I had to double check in my collection!
Another great video RR! I really enjoyed the more laid-back back style here! It sort of felt like a bridge between your regular videos and the live streams. Also, Brett is doing some excellent illustration work. He has totally captured the look of the Lego Mania Magazines of the 90s. The revel of the new Slugger Adventures logo at the end of your last video literally made me do a fist pump into the air!
I really loved your last adventurers video and have been seeing a lot of your other videos since. (At first, I thought the time travel theme was a pretend Lego theme you had made up as a mock project, but nope - it's real! I had never heard of it). It's a shame Lego stopped doing the alternative builds for their models. I have had quite a lot of fun recreating them and some were fairly decent builds in their own rights. The web-catapult game in the Quirell set from the first Harry Potter wave was a favourite of mine. I'm definitely sticking around the channel and would love an appreciation video dedicated to alternate builds. Often they are reduced to a quick remark with a picture of the box art. Rebuilding the sets to you heart's desire is what Lego is all about and the alternate builds spiked my inspiration.
That turntable feature at 5:23 seems like it could have been either film day shenanigans or perhaps a prototype version of the set that allowed for the aiming of the net catapult. I imagine that if the latter is the case, it made play difficult in testing, and there would be angles where the catapult would just launch the net onto the tower roof. It has been an eventful few days in my notifications feed for Slugger!
It's great to see you discussing alternative builds, alternative builds are one of my favourite aspects of a lego set, it's a great way to make something fun and new with the parts you have, and it can really improve the play value of a set. I sure do miss them...
I love learning about these themes because these were all the cool themes I wanted when I was around 8 but my parents weren’t that rich so I always asked for a Star Wars set for Christmas instead 😔
Thank you for the reference to my comment on your previous dino island video! I should follow up by mentioning that the Mosasaurus and Dimetrodon from the classic buildable dino’s are also not dinosaurs. Mosasaurus was a swimming reptile around in the cretaceous period, and Dimetrodon was a large reptile pre dating the dinosaurs from the Permian period :)
Oh yeah! I remember the alternate builds! I wasn't a big fan of them as a child but now I feel the absence of them, it was a foundamental part of Lego sets. Now you can tell it's all made for AFoLs a lot...
Just an aside, I'm not sure Lego would have been using 3D printing in the late 90s (forgive me if I'm uninformed on Lego history), so I think the lines on the triceratops are probably imprints from a mold that was either CNC cut or wire EDM'd and hadn't been refined yet. Back in 1999 3D printing would still have been pretty expensive and prototyping the finished part and the mold that makes it at the same time saves costs in its own way, so I suspect that's what Lego would have been doing. This is just my best guess though. If there's any documentation about Lego using 3D printing in the 90s that'd almost be interesting enough for a full video in its own right.
I've heard differing opinions on the matter from many folks - I certainly don't know enough about the LEGO making process to speak with any authority though, so I can't exactly weigh in. 😅
@@joeowensby3997 Exactly. Having now looked it up a little more, it looks like 90s 3D printers took like 30 hours to print a single part, while 3 axis CNC machining only takes a few hours and you can machine a single mold that produces several different parts at once.
It’s absolutely unpolished CNC marks! My plastic-injection-engineer dad, as well as Will Chapman of Brickarms LLC, have personally explained this phenomenon to me. A CNC cuts progressively finer channels into the metal mold. When the time-consuming final polishing stages don’t matter, such as on the insides of some battery boxes, Rock Monsters, sprues, and prototypes like these, they don’t always bother. Also, these are definitely ABS injected parts, not 3D prints... the perfect plastic color and surface match is not readily achievable, even by Lego. It’s awesome to see these prototype parts!! Thanks as always Slugger for the amazing video!
I wondered what you thought of Studios. Its such a fascinating intersection of sets, and is a good look of where Lego was at the time. Many sets seem to be a continuation of not only Adventurers, but even Rock Raiders, not to mention the birth of Marvel. With it kind of being their depository of miscellaneous licensed sets, it looks like Lego was trying to resist becoming dominated by licenses, and sequester them their own place. But with it featuring (or at least reusing the molds of) characters from both 1920s-themed Adventurers and futuristic Rock Raiders, reminds me of how several famous Old West figures lived to advise the first Western movie stars.
I think going into less detail on some sets and other aspects is an absolute necessity. Rock Raiders is a passion, and an exceptional Lego set; it makes sense that there would more more or less to say about certain sets and themes.
so i was wondering, was that baby trex piece always intended as a statue head when fliped upside down ? afaik it was only ever used like that in the idniana jones temple escape set
I think it's fairly safe to say the mould was designed just to be a baby T-Rex but then someone at LEGO years later found an unconventional use for an unconventional piece! Love it. 😊
I'd be pretty hyped for Lego Studios if you decide to go for it, Dino Island and that were my introductory story themes for Lego back in the day and they hold a very special place to me
R.R. Slugger, do you know anywhere online or in general where I can find the song "Soft Funk" by Cammy because I really like the song but can never find it anywhere online, except for your own videos which credit it. It would be really appreciated if you answer! Thank you!
I’m currently talking with Cammy about it - right now, they’re looking at setting up a Bandcamp page to make the song available there. When they do, I’ll probably make a quick video talking about it. 😊
Is also interesting that Orient Expedition came out at the twilight of the old greys & brown color lifespan, Making 2003 the last shot to get parts in old greys & brown before being replaces. I know OE have some of those part, so can't wait to see your opinion.
Not sure if this warrants a video topic, but LEGO has introduced a new color! Set 75346 will have a canopy piece in 375 Transparent Black, which is supposed to replace 111 Transparent Brown. The latter will be in use until the end of next year and will retire alongside its Satin/Opal counterpart.
Man your videos give me joy every time! Keep up the great work. I know how much time and effort it all takes. A lot of respect to you my man! Hope your channel grows a lot bigger as you deserve it.
Hey these r some of my fav videos! Love hearing yah talk about anything though lol. I'm excited to see the orient express theme coming up this month! Just make sure not to overwork yourself!
Oh yeah! I remember being dissapointed as a kid they got rid of clip arms! This is the same feel when I saw new spider mold WITHOUT clip mandibles. I hope they will update the scorpion soon and give it claws like Lego crab has!
I was always disappointed that the pteranodons' didn't have clips for hands, and learning that the prototypes did is at once comforting and an extra sting. At least I can be sure in knowing the designers didn't completely miss that opportunity, but now I'll never know why did not go with it in the end.
I would wager that the stepped appearance on those molded parts is likely a product of the injection molding dies not receiving finishing/polishing steps to save time and money during the CNC milling/machining process, you see similar profiles on metal parts that undergo the same machining processes but have surfaces that don't require surface finishing beyond a bit of deburring to take it down to a nice smooth edge
Dino Island was probably our favorite LEGO theme from our childhoods. It's absolutely amazing to have somebody else, decades later, talk about the same sort of quirks and stuff you noticed when you were a kid.
I can't express my excitement whenever I see a new video from Slugger in my feed. No UA-camr can melt my stress away nowadays other than Slugger. I absolutely love the little attention to detail he has in his research. Please oh please keep up the amazing work!
I think the alt builds were mainly introduced with such little instructions, to motivate the player to have fun with their own designs. This way saying that some alt builds here are kind of out of the overall look and feel of the main builds, could further motivate the player to dare to go left field with their mocs. I do understand your opinion on this regardless, if we inspect the product itself and it's features (in this case the alt builds).
The alternative builds for the research compound seem like they improve interplay with the barge, and the T-rex transporter's alternative builds build the world. Can’t say the same for the others...
Dino island is my favorite lego theme of all time! ^_^ Maybe that's just the nostalgia child in me talking xD But I love the adventure theme in general and I wish Johnny Thunder made another comeback! You should do a timeline video! ;) From their first adventure to their last. I really think your way of going into depth with each video you make would make it kind of a fun but also exciting little piece of storytelling in a sense ^^ BUT! That is only if you feel you would have the time for it and would want to do it in general, of course ^^ "I wonder if studios counts as canon though o.o Since Johnny thunder appears there. Maybe he tried out acting for a time but realized he thrived on real adventure than staged adventure which is what would lead to the final adventure in the saga x'3"
That green 2x2 slope in the commercial may have been there to limit how far the net launcher could swing forward, making the play feature easier to demonstrate. Edit: Wait, no, I don't think that's it.
yeah if you look into lego rn for jobs, they look for people that know additive manufacturing. 3D printing like from an Evo 3 tho, those smaller models weren't as available in the early 00's and machines for this were much larger back in the day. main limiting factors were from software to the extruder head. The AM methods they use currently are polymer powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. they use this for prototyping pieces because molds are very expensive for an injection molding machine. However, the only commercially available polymer powder for this is Nylon 12. some governments are researching other polymers for this, including the united states, but idk if lego cracked the code to use other polymers that they'd like for this. but yeah, those photos could easily be old prototype pieces they had laying arounds Edit: old type of AM that predated 3d printed was called automated tape placement
I’d like to imagine that this theme and Dino attack are from the same universe and the dinosaurs of the island eventually started growing and getting smarter and eventually waged war on humans all because Johnny tried to preserve them.
About the crystal piece... Did you know that in belville theme there was a Unique color for that piece that was only used on that piece... (Sorry i don't Remember the color name)
I’m shocked to learn that the baby Rex actually got 4 recolors! One of them, Red, being exclusive to a Studios Polybag. Maybe you can circle back to those little fellas in a future video?
9:50 I’m a person in both the Lego Island and Racers fandom (yes, there IS a legitimate fandom for both games, as there’s plenty of fanart, fics, and even fanmerch for these games!) and yes, I can attest that pretty much everyone in both fandoms universally agree that the sequel games are just…… Not Very Good. 😅🤣 Both sequel games suffer from slightly jankier controls and of course radically different gameplay ‘feel’, and neither of them don’t really add much to their respective lore or world-building 🤷♀️ I only really see anyone in both fandoms using content from the sequel games as a JOKE usually, or using the some of the minor added lore from them to make better theory crafting/headcanon posts in regards to certain characters from either game series (ESPECIALLY for Rocket Racer, as his cocky personality seemed to take a massive 180 during the transition from Racers to Racers 2, to finally his sudden appearance in Lego City Adventures/CITY Stuntz, as he’s now a much more humbled stunt man instead of being a pro racer)
I was suddenly gripped by nostalgia when you showed the East Indian Adventurers picture, I remember fondly wishing I had it. They always looked so cool.
at the time 3d printing was in very early infancy if it existed at all, for these applications (recall that the bionicle mask prototypes were 3d modelled, but still made in clay!) so it's highly unlikely that that proto dino printed. There's no way that much resolution would be possible at the time, so i'm sure it's a thumbprint.
Ah, we totally should have thought of that! 😅 I guess while I love the connection to RR lore, the Green/Red is more universal for others to understand... ...maybe I'm just trying to rationalize a missed opportunity though.
Far from the unhinged antics of the previous two videos, here's one for the folks who like their Slugger outings the same way I like my Star Trek movies - dull and boring! 😊
I'm going to miss Dino Island! The sets became a permanent fixture of work environment for about a month there, but I have to make room for the Orient Expedition stuff inbound. Hopefully this time next week we will be off on our first foray into that theme! I've got a LOT of work ahead of me to come up with enough B-roll, but that's what weekends are for after all. 😉
The plan is to have 3 Orient Expedition episodes out this month and then catch up on a few things next month; the "How To Build Rock Raiders" series has been calling my name!
Thanks for watching everyone!
~ Slugger
Those all sound great! I just have one question,when will the alpha team retrospective be released? From what I've seen you've been working on it for quite a while now and I'm really excited for what you have planned. In any case I'm excited to see your future videos (especially the "how to build rock raiders" ones) and you should by no means feel pressured to make an alpha team retrospective anytime soon, I'm just curious.
you have inspired me to get some nexo knight sets and i think your right about them being slept on
Thank you very much! Orient Expedition and Adventurers are my favourite themes!
What you're seeing there at 1:55 is most definitely not any kind of 3d printing, but rather the markings of the drill bits that carved the mould for this prototype.
YES! I'm keen to expand my Adventurers collection by picking up a large set, and I think the one I want is the Dragon's castle which I'm hoping you cover soon!
This is like 3 days in a row of more slugger wow
Yeah, don't get used to it, haha! 😅
More proof that Slugger is the best UA-camr ever
This weeks definitely a 4 on my personal slugometer
The unhinged slug staring into my soul is probably the only artwork to unnerve me.
Love it.
I honestly have huge respect for how in-depth Slugger goes with these videos. As someone who thinks i know everything there is to know about lego, seeing little facts and obscure trivia like this is awesome for me!
Keep up the great work!
I'm not saying you should do the alt builds if you don't feel passionate about them- passion being this channels greatest strength- but I for one really enjoyed when you went over the alt builds for Rock Raiders Time Cruisers and Time Raiders. I think its really cool that you went into speculation of "what even is it" and how it could be used.
Maybe picking and choosing the "best" alternate build from the back of the box for future sets in Orient Expedition would be the way to go? I'm just trying to avoid the "and here's another boat build" monotony that would arise from looking at Adventurers alt builds. Featuring *one* of them in more detail could work though...
@@RRSlugger Do whatever you want to do! I'd be excited to watch regardless
Glad to see Slugger's ability to speak has returned.
It's been a roller coaster of a week. 😉
That Dr. Cyber at the begining looks like a kraftwerk member xd
Knowing this guys thoughts on lego makes me day
I hope you also cover Studios. That would be awesome
In Lego Island 2 there is also a full on "Dino Island chapter" where you get to rescue dinosaurs, fly the island hopper and ride a T-rex from what i remember
Mostly correct: you actually fly the Pontoon Plane, alongside the other Adventurers in the Island Hopper
@@wildrahi right! remember now
I remember getting the Brachiosaurus and Mosasaurus canister sets when Walking with dinosaurs aired in local tv station. I never get any of these Dino Island sets but managed to get couple pteranodons from various Bionicle lots over the years.
On that prototype triceratops you can see more 'stairstepping' in the jaw piece and on the back behind the frill. It could be 3d printing or it could be some other manufacturing method like that other comment pointed out, but either way it's very rough
13:58 I feel the same way about Bionicle's 8978 Skrall. If you replace the technic bracket piece holding the body together with a red one, it really solidifies the set's color scheme and reinforces my all time favorite color combination of red and black (who would've guessed). Also add a 32039 in black or red with a 2-axle to mount the shield with so he's not holding it awkwardly.
The texture in the prototypes could likely be from the same type of machined injection mold used to make finished lego pieces, just one without the proper finishing steps to give it its final smooth texture. Unfinished mold cavities have a similar stepped texture to 3D prints due to their CNC manufacturing.
Always a pleasure seeing a new video, thanks for the quality content!
So excited at the new upload schedule! New video every day!
Hahaha, sadly won’t be a trend going forward. 😅
@@RRSlugger I can dream Slugger, I can dream...
This is the Lego I miss. Simple designs.
I really have appreciated the deep dives in this video! In my personal opinion the squishing of the research centre together, and the removal of the foliage on the trap was done for aesthetic purposes. The squishing of the centre more so it could fit everything in frame while being close-up, and the trap so you can see the action better. Not sure why the 2x2 slope is there though 🤔
There can never be enough Dino Island content, feel free to make ten thousand videos about it
I have seen some of your videos, but lately I feel these have been the most refreshing thing I have seen in the Lego space. I'm probaly biased as I love "vintage" Lego, since its the one I grew up, but the depth and pace and graphics, etc, its so so sooo entertaining!
TBH I didnt knew Rock Raiders (dark age), but hearing you talk about it, I feel its the same passion I personally share with Ice Planet, so I know the level of love you have to that series/sets.
Thanks for making this content!
To me, I feel alternate builds not being part of Lego sets is a huge letdown. Even if they don't include instructions for them easily, they were a huge inspiration to me as a child. I feel that showing kids that they don't *have* to build what's on the box is a huge boon to their creativity.
Every day I learn more and more that preferring Lego Island 2 is a hot take. I never got much from this specific Adventure theme but the game made me interested
I think the clips on the pteranodons were probably too rigid and had not enough give to allow sliding in bars without breaking anything. Some old Lego clips have that issue, especially on figures. Hence the inclusion of the slit between the toes to add more elasticity. I believe the masonry doors from Harry Potter used the same technique. The Super Battle droids highlight that issue, since a lot of customers apparently had issues with the thick clips breaking apart
I think you're probably right. It's interesting that they opted to simply remove the clips, rather than add the slit in this case.
@@RRSlugger Visually it looks more "real" I guess than if they went with the slits. The prototype clip look was subtle, but if it meant constant breaking...
I've seen that Dino Island commercial so many times, but I'd never noticed the prototype pterodactyl in use before! Can't get enough Adventurers content, looking forward to Orient Expedition. :)
I never owned any of the Orient Expedition set, but was always intrigued by the board game aspect and pieces when I saw these sets in the catalogue. Besides reviewing the sets, hope you can highlight that aspect too.
Absolutely!
This seems like a good way to talk about these things in a video. I love learning these kinds of facts, and a slower video seems like a great way to do it while keeping main retrospective videos in the usual snappy but informative Slugger style.
I love the dedication, specially all the new art you got done for the series
4:58
That or maybe that's another example of early stage construction sneaking into promotional material.
Kinda surprises me that we've come a long way with 3D printing. It used to be something big companies or rich guys could primarily use for stuff like making prototype products, now you can buy one for yourself.
This video is a few months ago, but im excited for the eventual lego studios series. So many fascinating sets. Always wanted them as a child.
Some alt builds were actually featured in Lego Racers 2. For example the bulkier Dino Explorer from the back of the box.
Oh good call! I had forgotten about that!
I thought I was going crazy when I saw your previous video on Dino Island, because I was certain the T-Rex had hollow studs on it, instead of solid on the box art, lol. Thanks for clearing that up, I had to double check in my collection!
Your videos are so high quality, you’re so committed 🥰
Always love a good Vectrex cameo
Another great video RR! I really enjoyed the more laid-back back style here! It sort of felt like a bridge between your regular videos and the live streams. Also, Brett is doing some excellent illustration work. He has totally captured the look of the Lego Mania Magazines of the 90s. The revel of the new Slugger Adventures logo at the end of your last video literally made me do a fist pump into the air!
I really loved your last adventurers video and have been seeing a lot of your other videos since. (At first, I thought the time travel theme was a pretend Lego theme you had made up as a mock project, but nope - it's real! I had never heard of it).
It's a shame Lego stopped doing the alternative builds for their models. I have had quite a lot of fun recreating them and some were fairly decent builds in their own rights. The web-catapult game in the Quirell set from the first Harry Potter wave was a favourite of mine.
I'm definitely sticking around the channel and would love an appreciation video dedicated to alternate builds. Often they are reduced to a quick remark with a picture of the box art. Rebuilding the sets to you heart's desire is what Lego is all about and the alternate builds spiked my inspiration.
That face from the thumbnail is gold.
Mark Stafford (Nabii) actually still works at Lego, his most recent set is the new Quinjet. He's responsible for some fantastic sets.
I am once again amazed by your content. Thank you for existing Slugger!
Man this music teachers insane!
Thanks R.R slugger, you have inspired me to start my own yt Chanel, and to do a little bit of stop motion with Lego.
That turntable feature at 5:23 seems like it could have been either film day shenanigans or perhaps a prototype version of the set that allowed for the aiming of the net catapult. I imagine that if the latter is the case, it made play difficult in testing, and there would be angles where the catapult would just launch the net onto the tower roof.
It has been an eventful few days in my notifications feed for Slugger!
It's great to see you discussing alternative builds, alternative builds are one of my favourite aspects of a lego set, it's a great way to make something fun and new with the parts you have, and it can really improve the play value of a set. I sure do miss them...
I think the lines seen on the prototypes are more likely to be CNC machine lines. Love the videos, excited for more.
I love learning about these themes because these were all the cool themes I wanted when I was around 8 but my parents weren’t that rich so I always asked for a Star Wars set for Christmas instead 😔
Thank you for the reference to my comment on your previous dino island video! I should follow up by mentioning that the Mosasaurus and Dimetrodon from the classic buildable dino’s are also not dinosaurs.
Mosasaurus was a swimming reptile around in the cretaceous period, and Dimetrodon was a large reptile pre dating the dinosaurs from the Permian period :)
Oh yeah! I remember the alternate builds!
I wasn't a big fan of them as a child but now I feel the absence of them, it was a foundamental part of Lego sets.
Now you can tell it's all made for AFoLs a lot...
Even this bonus extended talk video was awesome!
Can't wait for more explorations!
Just an aside, I'm not sure Lego would have been using 3D printing in the late 90s (forgive me if I'm uninformed on Lego history), so I think the lines on the triceratops are probably imprints from a mold that was either CNC cut or wire EDM'd and hadn't been refined yet. Back in 1999 3D printing would still have been pretty expensive and prototyping the finished part and the mold that makes it at the same time saves costs in its own way, so I suspect that's what Lego would have been doing.
This is just my best guess though. If there's any documentation about Lego using 3D printing in the 90s that'd almost be interesting enough for a full video in its own right.
I've heard differing opinions on the matter from many folks - I certainly don't know enough about the LEGO making process to speak with any authority though, so I can't exactly weigh in. 😅
I agree 100%. The marks look like rough tooling marks, probably allowing for some slight change in the mold before a finishing operation.
@@RRSlugger they showed some processes on the Bionicle 2 dvd materials, but I do not clearly remember this
@@joeowensby3997 Exactly. Having now looked it up a little more, it looks like 90s 3D printers took like 30 hours to print a single part, while 3 axis CNC machining only takes a few hours and you can machine a single mold that produces several different parts at once.
It’s absolutely unpolished CNC marks! My plastic-injection-engineer dad, as well as Will Chapman of Brickarms LLC, have personally explained this phenomenon to me. A CNC cuts progressively finer channels into the metal mold. When the time-consuming final polishing stages don’t matter, such as on the insides of some battery boxes, Rock Monsters, sprues, and prototypes like these, they don’t always bother. Also, these are definitely ABS injected parts, not 3D prints... the perfect plastic color and surface match is not readily achievable, even by Lego. It’s awesome to see these prototype parts!! Thanks as always Slugger for the amazing video!
There is nothing better than a new R.R Slugger Video in the evening :)
I am definitely looking forward to a potential lego studios video!
I wondered what you thought of Studios. Its such a fascinating intersection of sets, and is a good look of where Lego was at the time. Many sets seem to be a continuation of not only Adventurers, but even Rock Raiders, not to mention the birth of Marvel. With it kind of being their depository of miscellaneous licensed sets, it looks like Lego was trying to resist becoming dominated by licenses, and sequester them their own place. But with it featuring (or at least reusing the molds of) characters from both 1920s-themed Adventurers and futuristic Rock Raiders, reminds me of how several famous Old West figures lived to advise the first Western movie stars.
nice idea with the red tail on the Island Hopper
Thanks! 😊
More!? What a treat! And it's all still very interesting too :D
Nice to hear some more thoughts about this theme. Also just realised how much Island Hopper reminds me of Ducktales' Sunchaser!
slugger, keep doing what you're doing. your quality of videos is phenomenal. your voice is also relaxing lol
I think going into less detail on some sets and other aspects is an absolute necessity. Rock Raiders is a passion, and an exceptional Lego set; it makes sense that there would more more or less to say about certain sets and themes.
Slugger due to your attentiveness and affinity for these prototype pieces have you collected any of these rare parts?
I have not, no. There are a number of prototype collectors out there, but other than my Galidor figure, I am not one of them.
Seriously you are just the best UA-camr ever Slugger. Love your videos always!!!
so i was wondering, was that baby trex piece always intended as a statue head when fliped upside down ? afaik it was only ever used like that in the idniana jones temple escape set
I think it's fairly safe to say the mould was designed just to be a baby T-Rex but then someone at LEGO years later found an unconventional use for an unconventional piece! Love it. 😊
I like these more relaxed type of videos, great addition!!
I'd be pretty hyped for Lego Studios if you decide to go for it, Dino Island and that were my introductory story themes for Lego back in the day and they hold a very special place to me
R.R. Slugger, do you know anywhere online or in general where I can find the song "Soft Funk" by Cammy because I really like the song but can never find it anywhere online, except for your own videos which credit it. It would be really appreciated if you answer! Thank you!
I’m currently talking with Cammy about it - right now, they’re looking at setting up a Bandcamp page to make the song available there. When they do, I’ll probably make a quick video talking about it. 😊
@@RRSlugger Thanks!
The video: 😄
The thumbnail: 👁️ 👁️
Is also interesting that Orient Expedition came out at the twilight of the old greys & brown color lifespan, Making 2003 the last shot to get parts in old greys & brown before being replaces.
I know OE have some of those part, so can't wait to see your opinion.
8:18 Finally, someone who has the same opinion as me about LEGO zip lines!
Not sure if this warrants a video topic, but LEGO has introduced a new color! Set 75346 will have a canopy piece in 375 Transparent Black, which is supposed to replace 111 Transparent Brown. The latter will be in use until the end of next year and will retire alongside its Satin/Opal counterpart.
Man your videos give me joy every time!
Keep up the great work. I know how much time and effort it all takes. A lot of respect to you my man!
Hope your channel grows a lot bigger as you deserve it.
Love the work, keep up the consistency.
Hey these r some of my fav videos! Love hearing yah talk about anything though lol.
I'm excited to see the orient express theme coming up this month! Just make sure not to overwork yourself!
Never anything less than top notch Slugger! Thanks for keeping me afloat in the little breaks I get during my busy uni days! #slugs4evr🐌
Oh yeah! I remember being dissapointed as a kid they got rid of clip arms! This is the same feel when I saw new spider mold WITHOUT clip mandibles. I hope they will update the scorpion soon and give it claws like Lego crab has!
Awsome video as always, hope you have a great day too!
You're spoiling us this week
I was always disappointed that the pteranodons' didn't have clips for hands, and learning that the prototypes did is at once comforting and an extra sting.
At least I can be sure in knowing the designers didn't completely miss that opportunity, but now I'll never know why did not go with it in the end.
Love these extra videos, definetly keep doing them if you feel like you want to!
3 slugs for me :)
I would wager that the stepped appearance on those molded parts is likely a product of the injection molding dies not receiving finishing/polishing steps to save time and money during the CNC milling/machining process, you see similar profiles on metal parts that undergo the same machining processes but have surfaces that don't require surface finishing beyond a bit of deburring to take it down to a nice smooth edge
Yeah baby! He posted again!!!
Dino Island was probably our favorite LEGO theme from our childhoods. It's absolutely amazing to have somebody else, decades later, talk about the same sort of quirks and stuff you noticed when you were a kid.
I can't express my excitement whenever I see a new video from Slugger in my feed. No UA-camr can melt my stress away nowadays other than Slugger. I absolutely love the little attention to detail he has in his research. Please oh please keep up the amazing work!
Thank you! I’m glad to hear the videos can help provide something to relax to! 😊
I think the alt builds were mainly introduced with such little instructions, to motivate the player to have fun with their own designs. This way saying that some alt builds here are kind of out of the overall look and feel of the main builds, could further motivate the player to dare to go left field with their mocs. I do understand your opinion on this regardless, if we inspect the product itself and it's features (in this case the alt builds).
Oh and great video, cannot wait for the Orient Expedition ones :)
The alternative builds for the research compound seem like they improve interplay with the barge, and the T-rex transporter's alternative builds build the world. Can’t say the same for the others...
If i was working as a marketing person for lego, i'd definitely want slugger to make the promo photografs
Dino island is my favorite lego theme of all time! ^_^ Maybe that's just the nostalgia child in me talking xD But I love the adventure theme in general and I wish Johnny Thunder made another comeback!
You should do a timeline video! ;) From their first adventure to their last. I really think your way of going into depth with each video you make would make it kind of a fun but also exciting little piece of storytelling in a sense ^^
BUT! That is only if you feel you would have the time for it and would want to do it in general, of course ^^
"I wonder if studios counts as canon though o.o Since Johnny thunder appears there. Maybe he tried out acting for a time but realized he thrived on real adventure than staged adventure which is what would lead to the final adventure in the saga x'3"
That green 2x2 slope in the commercial may have been there to limit how far the net launcher could swing forward, making the play feature easier to demonstrate.
Edit: Wait, no, I don't think that's it.
Yeah, I had a hard time wracking my brain on it too, haha. 😅🤔
Goddamn you put effort into your vids man like fr I respect and love that bro.
Slugger you are spoiling us with the third video in a row lol
yeah if you look into lego rn for jobs, they look for people that know additive manufacturing. 3D printing like from an Evo 3 tho, those smaller models weren't as available in the early 00's and machines for this were much larger back in the day. main limiting factors were from software to the extruder head.
The AM methods they use currently are polymer powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. they use this for prototyping pieces because molds are very expensive for an injection molding machine. However, the only commercially available polymer powder for this is Nylon 12. some governments are researching other polymers for this, including the united states, but idk if lego cracked the code to use other polymers that they'd like for this.
but yeah, those photos could easily be old prototype pieces they had laying arounds
Edit: old type of AM that predated 3d printed was called automated tape placement
so when's the deep dive into spyrius? i heard they're the sometimes good guys sometimes bad guys of the bunch
Thanks for showing off the zip line slugger! Would you happen to know if that rope connected to two studs is the longest one Lego has ever made?
I’d imagine not? The original Sopwith Camel had some long ones, as did the Flying Time Vessel, come to think of it. 🤔
Dino Island is by far the best invention of all time
I’d like to imagine that this theme and Dino attack are from the same universe and the dinosaurs of the island eventually started growing and getting smarter and eventually waged war on humans all because Johnny tried to preserve them.
About the crystal piece...
Did you know that in belville theme there was a Unique color for that piece that was only used on that piece... (Sorry i don't Remember the color name)
I will have to look into that! Probably a glitter infused piece, if I had to guess.
I’m shocked to learn that the baby Rex actually got 4 recolors! One of them, Red, being exclusive to a Studios Polybag. Maybe you can circle back to those little fellas in a future video?
The fact we never got a new version of this even if it was shown in few games is a sad thing.
Some of those official vehicle alts look Time Cruisers compliant.
9:50 I’m a person in both the Lego Island and Racers fandom (yes, there IS a legitimate fandom for both games, as there’s plenty of fanart, fics, and even fanmerch for these games!) and yes, I can attest that pretty much everyone in both fandoms universally agree that the sequel games are just…… Not Very Good. 😅🤣 Both sequel games suffer from slightly jankier controls and of course radically different gameplay ‘feel’, and neither of them don’t really add much to their respective lore or world-building 🤷♀️
I only really see anyone in both fandoms using content from the sequel games as a JOKE usually, or using the some of the minor added lore from them to make better theory crafting/headcanon posts in regards to certain characters from either game series (ESPECIALLY for Rocket Racer, as his cocky personality seemed to take a massive 180 during the transition from Racers to Racers 2, to finally his sudden appearance in Lego City Adventures/CITY Stuntz, as he’s now a much more humbled stunt man instead of being a pro racer)
Glad to hear I won’t be flayed alive for my opinions on those games, haha. Even as a youngster, I felt LI2 was… kind of a travesty? 😅
I was suddenly gripped by nostalgia when you showed the East Indian Adventurers picture, I remember fondly wishing I had it. They always looked so cool.
So, with your new foray into the world of Adventurers, will we potentially be getting an Adventurers themed remix album?
Just a few songs so far, but hopefully more in time!
Babe! Wake up! New R.R. Slugger video!
at the time 3d printing was in very early infancy if it existed at all, for these applications (recall that the bionicle mask prototypes were 3d modelled, but still made in clay!) so it's highly unlikely that that proto dino printed. There's no way that much resolution would be possible at the time, so i'm sure it's a thumbprint.
Red crystal looks good, but some part of me wonders about purple energy crystals, like the depleted ones in the PC game.
Man, I wish we’d gotten actual purple energy crystals! Maybe someday...
Ah, we totally should have thought of that! 😅
I guess while I love the connection to RR lore, the Green/Red is more universal for others to understand...
...maybe I'm just trying to rationalize a missed opportunity though.
@@RRSlugger It's a totally fair argument. Green/red requires less thought for the audience, which is nice.
@@Nadiki And I want crystal piece in clear still...
We love R.R.Slugger