Are Star Wars MOC Builders becoming a dying breed?

[SamBo]

So many excellent points made. I agree, Star Wars Lego has been done to death almost, but there is still a lot to do. Different scales/colours and other variations on existing ships/vehicles/structures are a great idea, but I think a lot of creativity like that gets unappreciated by most of people. I once made an (almost) UCS scale x-wing, in red, as a joke being Red Leader's X-wing, and no one got that I was having fun with the build. All I got was responses like "You know Red Leader is just a squadron, his ship isn't actually red..." etc. People say they want things to stand out and be different, but in most cases they just want to see things reproduced exactly as they were in the movies, which then goes back to what others have said in terms of why bother MOCing when TLG has already made the ships pretty accurately?

Also, this thread is on the frontpage of www.hothbricks.com also.

[dr_spock]

I don't know about dying breed. I think there has been at least half a dozen MOCs posted in this forum since this thread was started.

Edited April 10, 2013 by dr_spock

[Oky]

In addition to what has already been said, I think the Star Wars franchise in general is dying right now, which may be the reason for the lack of MOCs lately. Disney has cancelled the Clone Wars and shut down LucasArts, so not only is there nothing currently going on that would keep people interested in Star Wars, but they have also pissed off a lot of fans with those decisions, so everyone is distancing themselves from the franchise, which results in a lack of interest in building MOCs. So I think it's rather a question of whether Star Wars fans are a dying breed. That's my theory anyway.

Let's hope the community builds are incentive enough to get people building again.

[Brickdoctor]

In addition to what has already been said, I think the Star Wars franchise in general is dying right now, which may be the reason for the lack of MOCs lately. Disney has cancelled the Clone Wars and shut down LucasArts, so not only is there nothing currently going on that would keep people interested in Star Wars, but they have also pissed off a lot of fans with those decisions, so everyone is distancing themselves from the franchise, which results in a lack of interest in building MOCs. So I think it's rather a question of whether Star Wars fans are a dying breed. That's my theory anyway.

And it doesn't help that Marvel and Lord of the Rings is being kind of awesome right now, either. Both in the theater and in the previously oft-wished-for LEGO sets.

[Oky]

Indeed. Not only are the sets in other themes more interesting and popular right now, but their respective franchises are too. Heck, even TMNT is more popular than TCW.

[M<0><0<DSWIM]

And it doesn't help that Marvel and Lord of the Rings is being kind of awesome right now, either. Both in the theater and in the previously oft-wished-for LEGO sets.

I'm sorry, but I don't care what new stupid movie/book/game s@#$t is coming out, I will always have a place in my heart for Star Wars and I will ALWAYS find inspiration to build something new from that galaxy far far away. I don't care what garbage Lego releases.

[Brickdoctor]

I'm sorry, but I don't care what new stupid movie/book/game s@#$t is coming out, I will always have a place in my heart for Star Wars and I will ALWAYS find inspiration to build something new from that galaxy far far away. I don't care what garbage Lego releases.

No no, I know what you mean. I'm in basically the same position, just that I actually have been building fantasy/historic of late. (Though more so because of Heroica than because of The Hobbit.) I don't think any of us are concerned about the known longtime Star Wars builders. At least I certainly am not. Speaking from experience, I know that the longtime builders do eventually want to build some other themes. What I'm seeing is a lack of new Star Wars builders at the same time that a lot of the old builders are experimenting with other themes or taking breaks because of real life/lack of resources, which is creating this MOC drought. I think these new members and builders are coming here, seeing a lot of other pretty good looking themes and also seeing that TLG's newer Star Wars sets are improving, and deciding that it's better to collect lots of sets from lots of themes rather than collecting a few sets and building what they want to own instead. Interest divided between multiple themes and not much interest in MOCs to begin with (as is the case with most new fans).

[Faefrost]

I don't know that it is so much a decrease in SW MOC'ers so much it is as an evolution. While I can't speak for everyone, I know part of the joy of designing a MOC for me is to create something that matches with my existing fleet, but that no one else has really. I like adding unique pieces to my collections. (I'm weirdly that way with Plastic modeling and model railroading as well). And part of the problem is I am having to go further afield to find good subjects that have not already been offered in modern, wonderful, well designed official Lego sets. So my tendancies are getting split. On one hand I am getting great new ships from Lego that are just what I wanted, and better than I would have done, such as the Sith Fury and the Z29, On the other its getting harder to pick a subject to go with them. (Currently working on an Imperial Sith Fighter to go with the Fury)

But to find good inspiration I am having to dig out books and look through games. I think the best spot to look now is the SWTOR Video game.

[HJR-Holland]

One thing I must add in this discussion though, is also the presentation of MOCs which has become a vital part of the presentation of a MOC.

My hobby is building stuff with LEGO. Photography isn't really my hobby. And this is how MOC are photographed these days:

And this bid for more professional photo's is stopping me a bit in presenting MOCs online as well; I'd rather spend three hours building than use that time to set up a photo studio, make a few shots, and then post-edit everything on the computer.

I'm currently waiting for better weather so I can finally make some shots of some MOCs I have already completed over 1 to 2 years ago, instead of spending ages on setting up lamps...

[Zzz]

I don't have the bricks, the time, the patience to create MOCs that are on a level of the master MOC'ers around the web. It'd be too sad posting my creations. In fact, it'd be even too sad creating one for myself, as I spent too much time looking at other peoples MOCs. What I do is improving TLCs sets a little, eg. 4500 or 7676. But I still think those fall short compared to what others post and I'd rather be in no place than second last place. Also, looking at the new TIE fighter, there is nothing wrong with it. I cannot improve it, neither build a better one in 10 years. So that's another reason (that's been mentioned before here) - TLC became much better than most of us. It is not 1999 anymore out there. And then (also been mentioned), there is not much left in the SW universe to make. I believe being really creative with bricks is honored much better in other themes. I for one have ideas of creating some WIld West MOCs to go with the new Western sets, but in boundaries of bricks limitations, time, money, patience. And so the circle closes.

[Anio]

One thing I must add in this discussion though, is also the presentation of MOCs which has become a vital part of the presentation of a MOC.

And that is very sad.

I understand that explanations on design process, techniques used, NPU, etc may be very interesting. I try to give as much as I can myself.

But today, too many MOCs are judged only because they are well photographed.

I just take an example. Let's consider two MOCs :

1) a MOC that is not bad, but not impressive or amazing either. But it is very well photographed.

2) a jaw dropping MOC, but with poor photos.

Now, which one do you think is more likely to be blogged on TBB ? ;D

[Lobot]

I totally agree Anio!

It's been a shame that some MOCs haven't received the credit that they deserve, beacuse of less than ideal photography. A decent camera can make a modest MOC look far better than it actually was & I speak from experience. Have a look at the link below; to be honest my attempt at building was feeble, but with a reasonable DSLR and eveything left on 'auto' it actually looked quite good!

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

I haven't deeplinked it, as it's a large photo!

Cheers, Robin

[Empire911]

You are all showing your work, I will do it also. Link to my work:

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=chrelrit

And Lobot nice pics of the night sky , love astronomy to.

[SeanJensen]

Hi everyone

I've just joined Eurobricks and am still somewhat new to Flickr (steadibrick). Posting my stuff online to get it seen is sometimes hard when there are a lot of people posting all at once. I find my builds will get lost in the shuffle. I just finished a rather large SW MOC and would love for people to see it and give comments and critiques. I just don't know how to do that here yet. I will always be a SW builder. I've never been into minfigs , although I have plenty, and will continue to build SW MOCs, with or without figs. I've even been blogged here before.

Anyhow, I am happy to finally be a part of Eurobricks.

Edited April 16, 2013 by SeanJensen

[krispy]

Hi everyone

I've just joined Eurobricks and am still somewhat new to Flickr (steadibrick). Posting my stuff online to get it seen is sometimes hard when there are a lot of people posting all at once. I find my builds will get lost in the shuffle. I just finished a rather large SW MOC and would love for people to see it and give comments and critiques. I just don't know how to do that here yet. I will always be a SW builder. I've never been into minfigs , although I have plenty, and will continue to build SW MOCs, with or without figs. I've even been blogged here before.

Anyhow, I am happy to finally be a part of Eurobricks.

Welcome Sean!

I love your steampunkt TIE

[M<0><0<DSWIM]

No no, I know what you mean. I'm in basically the same position, just that I actually have been building fantasy/historic of late. (Though more so because of Heroica than because of The Hobbit.) I don't think any of us are concerned about the known longtime Star Wars builders. At least I certainly am not. Speaking from experience, I know that the longtime builders do eventually want to build some other themes. What I'm seeing is a lack of new Star Wars builders at the same time that a lot of the old builders are experimenting with other themes or taking breaks because of real life/lack of resources, which is creating this MOC drought. I think these new members and builders are coming here, seeing a lot of other pretty good looking themes and also seeing that TLG's newer Star Wars sets are improving, and deciding that it's better to collect lots of sets from lots of themes rather than collecting a few sets and building what they want to own instead. Interest divided between multiple themes and not much interest in MOCs to begin with (as is the case with most new fans).

Right. I've definitely had my share of dabbling in other themes, as well. I have a feeling that interest in Star Wars will be renewed with a vengeance due to the Sequal Trilogy coming in 2015.

[Ritz Brick]

To throw out my two cents, I've found as Lego has started producing more and more sets with advanced techniques which most MOC'ers already use (not that there aren't others) there has become less of a need to make your own builds. I used to build because it wasn't already made, for example, I had built a couple of TIE variants in 08, since the most recent TIE fighter was released, I had no need to make my own, TLC version was good enough for me. For the future I could see more MOCS of buildings, battles ect. rather than vehicles

[Faefrost]

To throw out my two cents, I've found as Lego has started producing more and more sets with advanced techniques which most MOC'ers already use (not that there aren't others) there has become less of a need to make your own builds. I used to build because it wasn't already made, for example, I had built a couple of TIE variants in 08, since the most recent TIE fighter was released, I had no need to make my own, TLC version was good enough for me. For the future I could see more MOCS of buildings, battles ect. rather than vehicles

I've gone back to messing around a bit in SWTOR, just to take screenshots and get a better look at some of the wonderful vehicle subjects from that game. It's a good source of inspiration for new stuff that blends rather well with the traditional ships even if the fictional time period is rather different (see; Sith Fury), Currently working on designs for one of the smaller Sith Fighters and an Imperial ship similar to the Republic Attack Shuttle. There are a few undone Clone Wars ships I would love to take a stab at as well. My biggest problem is I don't have a large stock of parts for free building. I rarely take stuff apart, at least not the major pieces. So anything new I design in LDD, and then start the long process of assembling the parts needed.

[Bobskink]

I haven't red the whol topic (yet), but I think Star Wars MOC'er are indeed a slowly fading away.

Times have changed for collectors which started more than 10 years ago, like me, we have more important time consuming duties. The new generation is a generation which really has a lot of distraction. I'm a part time teatcher and I see and hear it everywere. Seems old fashing, but it is tru.

I also agree with Ritz Brick.

[Alcarin]

I think less MOCing is because:

1. Alot was made

2. Some new potential MOCs (ToR game and Clone wars) just do not live up to the crazy great looks of AT-AT SSD etc.

I myself ''dislike'' MOCing, i prefer to recreate events like Helm's Deep battle with hundreds of uruk-hai or Battle at Hoth and so on...

I never was a good MOCer except for Castle MOCing, made many of those myself as a kid.

[Bobskink]

...I myself ''dislike'' MOCing, i prefer to recreate events like Helm's Deep battle with hundreds of uruk-hai or Battle at Hoth and so on...

But that is expensive, not everybody can do that.

[Alcarin]

But that is expensive, not everybody can do that.

Dont need to buy it all in 1 week ....

I am on 32 uruk-hai atm and 10 Rohan Soldiers by the end of the year I will have 60-70 uruk-hai and 20 Rohan Soldiers

and 2 wall sections + helm's Deep and Eomer and horses and whole fellowship (excluding hobbits)

It looks better and better every month.

Also if you can buy 10-20 sets of LEGO a year you can do what I am doing EASILY... thats just a bad excuse really..

I just buy 10 Uruk hai with swords/shield instead of 60$ set

Edited April 17, 2013 by Alcarin

[Rook]

I found that a lot of the "big scenes" have already been done by MOCers like ACPin. It's hard to justify buying and building a massive scene when someone has already done it extremely well. Most of the ships and vehicles that show up in the movies and TV series have been done by TLG or talented MOCers (including myself hopefully). No new content is coming out of Lucas/Disney with the end of the Clone Wars Series (until EPs 7, 8, & 9). So all that is left for now is obscure ships, vehicles, and scenes from the expanded universe. There's also been a heavy backlash from the OT crowd regarding what is and isn't "Star Warsy". The expanded universe becomes "just" Sci-Fi and therefore these MOCs are more welcomed in Sci-Fi groups and shunned by the hard core Star Wars right wing. I know I've pretty much "quit" Star Wars MOCs myself for the above reasons. Sci-Fi doesn't have a group of traditionalists saying, "You MOC isn't Sci-Fi get it out of here!" So I build "Sci-Fi" with hints, shout outs, and Easter eggs of Star Wars.

[Brickington]

I found that a lot of the "big scenes" have already been done by MOCers like ACPin. It's hard to justify buying and building a massive scene when someone has already done it extremely well.

Couldn't agree more. Especially if you post it, everyone is going to compare yours to a more awesomer version already done.

Someone has a messy room! But that is a great MOC, where can I find that?

[ACPin]

-snip-

Also I feel that AC Pin has built sooo many awesome Star wars MOCs that there isn't much left (just kidding, his stuff is stellar).

-snip

Come on, there's so much more to be done. If I had the luxury of space and brick inventory like you have, I'd definitely would be able to build them bigger and better.

I found that a lot of the "big scenes" have already been done by MOCers like ACPin. It's hard to justify buying and building a massive scene when someone has already done it extremely well.

-snip-

Wait a minute, now it's my fault for you not building SW MOCs anymore? You know that you can build a lot more than what has already been done. It doesn't have to be massive all the time unless you're thinking of the battles/bases/buildings. There's certainly a lot of iconic scenes that haven't been done yet which I'm planning to do and they would certainly just fit in a large baseplate like this one.

Couldn't agree more. Especially if you post it, everyone is going to compare yours to a more awesomer version already done.

-snip

If you're planning to do an MOC that was already done by someone else, put your own spin on it and make it better. The whole key to do better MOCs is being able to learn from others the designs/techniques and making them your own. If you want to solicit opinion on the progress of your MOC, then do what I do and post WIP pics of it. Be prepared though for C&C that may or may not be favorable. In the end, it's what your insights on when you started the MOC that counts, no matter what other say. Build for your own satisfaction and if others appreciate it, consider it as icing on the cake!

AC