Yperio_Bricks Posted June 5 Posted June 5 LAN LEGO FanCoLab There are news and rumors going around that say that LAN will be replaced by a new program called LEGO FanCoLab. Apparently word was that all LAN members will automatically become LEGO FanCoLab members but now it seems that you have to apply and some got rejected. Is there any more info going around? Discuss! Quote
Toastie Posted June 5 Posted June 5 5 hours ago, Yperio_Bricks said: it seems that you have to apply and some got rejected No idea, what's going on or what TLG is doing here. However, large companies do that from time to time: Hired way too fast in a red-hot market, upon slowdown HR realizes that (along with some choking in the drive train) ... and then fire and rehire. With new applications to be handed in, of course . It is currently happening in some high-powered semicon companies. I call it The Cleasing (yes as in the Silo series). Which I find ruthless and immoral at least, but what do I know - having SOE ... Best Thorsten Quote
dr_spock Posted June 5 Posted June 5 I think with any new programs or new job openings, you would have to apply to get in. The new programs may have new terms and conditions. If you don't meet the new T&Cs, your application can be rejected. It is no different than meeting the conditions of the Eurobricks site guidelines to be a member of this forum. Quote
Toastie Posted June 5 Posted June 5 15 minutes ago, dr_spock said: I think with any new programs or new job openings, you would have to apply to get in. Completely agreed on! As far as I am concerned though, "new" is not that much the point here, or is it? There were members on/in the LAN, and that was (maybe out of nowhere?) turned into something "new" - I'd say it was cancelled and then restarted with a new name. In my view, that is not the essence of something really new. Giving it another name is one thing, doing something different is another. But maybe this new program is really new! Best Thorsten Quote
Sven J Posted June 6 Posted June 6 (edited) For those of you who understand German, you might want to take a look at the discussion in the 1000steine forum. Seems like a rather fishy thing, that FanCoLab program... In this discussion, there's also the statement "by the way, there are even larger, international LEGO forums that were initially rejected" ... Is Eurobricks affected, too? Edited June 6 by Sven J Quote
Clone OPatra Posted June 6 Posted June 6 10 hours ago, Sven J said: Is Eurobricks affected, too? Short answer: yes. Quote
dr_spock Posted June 7 Posted June 7 On 6/5/2026 at 6:37 PM, Toastie said: Completely agreed on! As far as I am concerned though, "new" is not that much the point here, or is it? There were members on/in the LAN, and that was (maybe out of nowhere?) turned into something "new" - I'd say it was cancelled and then restarted with a new name. In my view, that is not the essence of something really new. Giving it another name is one thing, doing something different is another. But maybe this new program is really new! Best Thorsten It is LEGO's program. They can do whatever they want with it. They put time and money into it. I'd think they would want some of value or return on investment from it. At the end of the day if you want to be part of it, then you will have to play well by their new rules. Quote
Clone OPatra Posted June 7 Posted June 7 54 minutes ago, dr_spock said: It is LEGO's program. They can do whatever they want with it. They put time and money into it. I'd think they would want some of value or return on investment from it. At the end of the day if you want to be part of it, then you will have to play well by their new rules. I'd encourage you to read the post linked above on 1000steine if you haven't already (I don't speak German but I am aware of the situation and Google Translate appears to be accurate). It's absolutely LEGO's prerogative to do whatever they want with their program. What's less cool is how they've gone about it. Had they been up front and said "sorry, we're not going to provide support to the online communities anymore. Our focus on the 'recognised community' side is just on in-person LUGs" - that would've been a shame, but fine. Unfortunately that's not how they've been going about it. Anyway, Eurobricks will make an announcement when/if there is an announcement to be made. Quote
Mylenium Posted June 7 Posted June 7 On 6/6/2026 at 12:37 AM, Toastie said: As far as I am concerned though, "new" is not that much the point here, or is it? There were members on/in the LAN, and that was (maybe out of nowhere?) turned into something "new" - I'd say it was cancelled and then restarted with a new name. In my view, that is not the essence of something really new. Giving it another name is one thing, doing something different is another. I've been involved in such programs in the software world (including the behind the scenes madness) and it's just another typical corporate think thing. They want control and changing the rules allows them to get rid of people they don't want. Some companies handle it more graciously, but at the end of the day it always begins to such at some point. Mylenium Quote
Toastie Posted June 7 Posted June 7 10 hours ago, Clone OPatra said: It's absolutely LEGO's prerogative to do whatever they want with their program. What's less cool is how they've gone about it. That's what I tried to say. Of course, they can do whatever they want to do! For me however, "less cool" is more "totally uncool", but that is just wording. If EB is out as well, what is the impact going to be? If it is not existential, then I'D rather live in a "free" forum and not a LEGO Justice Department controlled thing. Best Thorsten Quote
Sven J Posted June 7 Posted June 7 5 minutes ago, Toastie said: If it is not existential, then I'D rather live in a "free" forum and not a LEGO Justice Department controlled thing. I fully agree! Quote
Peppermint_M Posted June 7 Posted June 7 How free are we talking about here lads? Testing the waters and checking out what people think is important to the future of the forum. Quote
Sven J Posted June 7 Posted June 7 11 minutes ago, Peppermint_M said: Testing the waters and checking out what people think is important Ok, so here's my two cents: I don't give a d...m whether Eurobricks is recognized by Lego in any form or not. I'm here to enjoy conversations with nice people about our common hobby, not to comply with any surreal regulations that the legal department of a toy company (yes, they are only that!!!) has invented. Quote
Murdoch17 Posted June 7 Posted June 7 (edited) @Peppermint_M In my opinion on the future of the site: if / when LEGO stops supporting you guys, please stick to LEGO only regardless of input from TLG: we don't need Mega Bloks, or Chinese LEGO copycats (like the LEPIN of old, or worse) cluttering up the forum. Besides, where would it end? (Like, Would Lincoln logs or traditional model kits be acceptable topics, for example?) The day that you guys expand your focus (perish the thought!) will most likely cause a mass exodus of users from EB, and I would be among them... and with the site seeming to be losing members yearly without replacements due to the demise of forums in general, this would be a death knell to the site for sure. Just like when Twitter nuked itself, there could be no one replacement for EB but only a thousand small ones. Just my $0.02 Edited June 7 by Murdoch17 Quote
Toastie Posted June 7 Posted June 7 26 minutes ago, Peppermint_M said: How free are we talking about here lads? Testing the waters and checking out what people think is important to the future of the forum. Well, already chipped in my 2 cents. Here are 2 more: As @Sven J voiced: If TLG is not paying the bills here (and we talked already about a scheme, to supporting EB financially, should any bills put a burden on ... whoever is running this joint), I would care as much about TLG, as I would about other companies in the toy world. In addition, I would breathe more easily, as this cult thing really turns me off. And yes, I know, I can go somewhere else, ding and dong, but I don't want to, as I am truly enjoying open spaces. I see EB as an truly open space. Simply because of the existence of the Community Forum, or the stud cutting questions, or the alternative power systems discussed, the (>so much better<) software presented here, the freedom of speech. As far as I am concerned, TLG has become >one< of the companies, making ABS pieces and sets made of ABS pieces - making an insane amount of money. Let them, that is absolutely fine! However, these sets become less and less appealing (only to me of course!), when I watch them contrasted by competition. I don't buy their new sets anymore. Not true: Price limit <= 10€. Their old stuff remains brilliant, set-wise, technology-wise, educational-wise, inspirational-wise. To me. Price tag: Unlimited. OK. Sort of. Headquarters here are closely watching; I need per order clearance for old TLG stuff, which is absolutely fine with me. I love my wife. Yes, TLG does "nice things" and yes this is why they should be allowed to participate here. In whatever way they want! But if they don't pay the bills, then they surely could freely listen or chime in (they'll never >ever< do that, but I see that as a must in The New EB Rules). Open source, open-minded, open to new ideas is what propels anything forward. Cults on the other hand, stop essentially any of that. Best Thorsten Quote
Yperio_Bricks Posted June 7 Author Posted June 7 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said: @Peppermint_M In my opinion on the future of the site: if / when LEGO stops supporting you guys, please stick to LEGO only regardless of input from TLG: we don't need Mega Bloks, or Chinese LEGO copycats (like the LEPIN of old, or worse) cluttering up the forum. Besides, where would it end? (Like, Would Lincoln logs or traditional model kits be acceptable topics, for example?) The day that you guys expand your focus (perish the thought!) will most likely cause a mass exodus of users from EB, and I would be among them... and with the site seeming to be losing members yearly without replacements due to the demise of forums in general, this would be a death knell to the site for sure. Just like when Twitter nuked itself, there could be no one replacement for EB but only a thousand small ones. Just my $0.02 I don't understand why it would do any harm to the forum or its members if there would be sub-forums for Pantasy or Lumibricks, Cobi or Bluebrixx Nobody is forced to read everything. If Lego stops support, there's no need for Nibelung loyalty (unconditional loyalty). Edited June 7 by Yperio_Bricks typo Quote
Clone OPatra Posted June 7 Posted June 7 Just to be clear @Toastie, TLG has never been paying the bills. We've just been a recognised community which most recently meant TLG provides support packages we can request for activities like contest prizes. Quote
Sven J Posted June 7 Posted June 7 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Toastie said: If TLG is not paying the bills here Well, that's a thing I haven't considered yet (shame on me). But perhaps some admin could clarify: Who DOES pay for running Eurobricks? Other Lego forums have a "donate" function, so maybe that could be an idea here, too - I'd be happy to make my regular contribution to keep EB alive and well, and I think lots of others would be as well. Edit: Having read @Clone OPatra's post which came in just when I was writing, I'd say: If they don't pay anyway - well, to h..ll with them. Encourage EB members to make regular donations, and we can easily do without Lego's "support packages". Edited June 7 by Sven J Quote
Toastie Posted June 7 Posted June 7 25 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said: In my opinion on the future of the site: if / when LEGO stops supporting you guys, please stick to LEGO only regardless of input from TLG: we don't need Mega Bloks, or Chinese LEGO copycats (like the LEPIN of old, or worse) cluttering up the forum. I was writing, you were posting Exactly that: If they do then - well - then I'd eat whatever they present. But if they don't: I agree with you on Mega Bloks, Lepin, etc., the old Chinese crap. In my opinion though, the world has seriously moved on. There is creative competition out there, not only from China, which - in my view - seriously challenges TLG's products and future visions. What I have learned in my profession: If I just look away, call competition a scam, try to pull it off on what was true in the past - it always ended in failure. OK, I did that exactly once. What I have learned is: Face the competition, be better, be more creative, deal with the bad and ugly. Move on, take diverse routes. But again just another of my 0.02€ :D Best Thorsten Quote
Toastie Posted June 7 Posted June 7 14 minutes ago, Clone OPatra said: Just to be clear @Toastie, TLG has never been paying the bills. THAT is a true relief for me!!! Contest packages: Discuss + announce contest, collect money from the EB community, run the contest. Scenario 1: Nor one is chipping in. Run the contest and award creatively designed (new) tags. Scenario 2: There is some minor support. Announce what it was, and buy whatever staff here enjoys, running this place. Scenario 3: Major support comes in: Buy some nice sets (not restricted to but including TLG), distribute them to the winners and runners-up, keep the rest for whatever staff is enjoying, running this place. Best Thorsten Quote
Sven J Posted June 7 Posted June 7 (edited) @Toastie Again ! Still, even without contests, it would be good to know - how EB is actually being funded - if/how members can make contributions to that. Edited June 7 by Sven J Quote
dr_spock Posted June 7 Posted June 7 LEGO do not pay the RLOC's bills. As an RLOC, they support you with sets for reviews, prizes, etc. On the other hand, not Recognized means you are more free to talk about leaks, leaked images, and do other no-no things that fall under the Recognized condition umbrella. Quote
Mylenium Posted June 8 Posted June 8 8 hours ago, Toastie said: As far as I am concerned, TLG has become >one< of the companies Amen to that. No need to lose too much sleep over it beyond that statement. Had this wave of alternate manufacturers entering the market happened two decades earlier, the whole situation would be different, anyway. 9 hours ago, Peppermint_M said: How free are we talking about here lads? Testing the waters and checking out what people think is important to the future of the forum. This forum apparently isn't like anything in the software world where communities go dark within three months when a company declares a product dead, but you can never plan for these things one way or another. The future is always the next month and I'd see just take things one step at a time. As far as LEGO is concerned I don't particularly care. Their involvement here seems to be limited to a random review or contest every once in a blue moon and it likely won't affect anyone if that limited support disappears. It's not like this is Brickset, New Elementary or other sites whose whole existence and relevance is dependent on LEGO sending them free sets ahead of time. Mylenium Quote
Jim Posted June 8 Posted June 8 9 hours ago, Sven J said: @Toastie Again ! Still, even without contests, it would be good to know - how EB is actually being funded - if/how members can make contributions to that. Short answer; Ads are paying the bills, but it's not covering 100% of the costs. I am paying the deficit out of my own pocket. We have discussed things like Patreon in the past and we will do this again in the future. We don't need a profit, but covering 100% of the costs would be nice. Quote
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