Alpine Builder Posted November 21, 2019 Hi all! I want to share my classic castle creation "Secret of the Castle". I was inspired by the 35th Anniversary of Black Falcons and Lion Knights / Crusaders (1984 - 2019), and I wanted to celebrate it by creating this MOC. I submitted it to "Lego Ideas" two days ago, so if you like it you can support it there: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/23b323b3-99c8-4427-b89a-0c6a7d3b7cda If enough Historic-themed projects get a large amount of supporters on "Lego Ideas", maybe the Lego Group will realize there is enough interest in those kind of themes and they will finaly release some new historic-themed sets. Story The prince and the princess are in love with each other. Since they come from warring factions, their love must stay secret for now. He came all the way from his castle to see her, bringing her flowers from a forest. But will castle guards notice him? And will he return safely home through the dark forest, where outlaws are preparing an ambush? Design I designed this MOC to be an interesting model as a standalone set, with excellent play value. At the same time, I made sure that it fits nicely with classic Lego Castle sets, by using styles and standards of modular castle design from the 80s. It can be connected to any Castle building from that period (by using Technic pins at the ends of the castle walls). The color palette is limited intentionally so that it reflects the style of the classic Castle sets, because my goal was to give this MOC a strong "retro feel". Minifigures The princess and the prince are new miifigures, and the other minifigures have updated torso designs based on the designs from the 80s. All minifigures have two different faces - a classic "standard grin" face, and a face with modern design. The castle guards, Princess and Prince have double-faced heads (since their hair / helmet / hood covers the back of their heads). Two heads would be provided for the Forestwoman and Forestman (since their caps do not cover the back of their heads). Parts The total number of parts is 925. All parts are current - virtually all can be found in different sets released during 2018 / 2019 (some in a different color than in this set). Therefore, molds for all those parts should be available and so Lego would not have any problems producing them. Only new prints / stickers would be needed. I integrated some of the new elements and utensils in this build (for example, new types of panels and windows, new arches, flames on the torches, sack, pot, new sword, etc), but I chose only those that hopefully don't stand out too much from the "classic style". A new variant of Black Falcon’s shield is included, with whole Falcon in black color on white background. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aine Posted November 22, 2019 Soemone stick this thread! Your MOC is beautiful, I already wrote it, but the story, and the way how you've created this "promotional material" is amazing! I really love this! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pantelis Posted November 22, 2019 this is so realistic creation..iam not a digital man but this is so nice and nostalgic creation...well done!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Cook Posted November 22, 2019 A really nice build; it certainly captures the ambiance and style of the classic 80's castle. I'm going to be ultra-critical here; please take it in the spirit of improving what I think is a good idea rather than me dismissing the idea (I will be supporting it over on ideas). - Do you think the storyline is going to sell? Here is a forum thread you can communicate the ideas through lots of pictures but what if you were constrained to just two or three "windows" on the back of the box would that be enough to communicate your intent? - Is the storyline going to resonate with the target market? Historically Lego's target market for Castle were 8yr old German boys. Germany being one of the biggest Lego markets in Europe and the Germans perferred the medieval period since early 20th century conflicts didn't exactly cover them in glory. Is that market going to go for the "Boy meets Girl" storyline? I would suggest that the "Good vs Bad" conflict might sell better; but in true 80's style it would be nice not to dictate which side is good or bad; it could be the forestmen it could be the falcons. - Medieval conflict often became seige warfare, storming the castle. A gate to storm and defend would allow more play here. - Can you actually play in the rooms? This is where a physical prototype is going to be beneficial; the electronic builds can't test this. Are little hands capable of reaching in? My gut instinct is that the lower tower rooms are difficult to access; the position of the Princess minifigure on the lefthand side of the Hatch Access image would be really hard in real life; there's no room to get the figure in. Our logical adult brains need stairs but children don't they just move the minifigs up and down as they need to play. If you do want stairs consider turning them to face the opening so that they are more accessible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mutantenwastl Posted November 22, 2019 Ausgezeichnetes Set - meine Unterstuetzung hast du! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Petric_G Posted November 22, 2019 I want it all! Realy nice design in the clasic style but with modern touch. This is the way I like it. I realy hope you got enoght support at Ideas. If not, I have an other Idea.... I espacially like the Forrest Hideout "mini Buld" It remindes my on my beloved Set 6066: Camouflaged Outpost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alpine Builder Posted November 22, 2019 Thank you all for your nice comments and support! @The_Cook Thanks for your useful feedback. - You are right about the constraints of a real Lego set and its box. But this is a just a first phase, where each author pitches the product idea to the public and to the Lego Group in the best way he can. If the idea gathers enough votes and gets chosen by the Lego, their designers and marketing department will take over the product development. So they will choose the best way to communicate the idea to the buyers, they will probably modify some features of the set and the story behind it (based on their market research), and they will choose what will appear on the box. Many Lego sets have a number of play features, but they always find a good way to show all that on a box. - Since castle sets are in many ways oriented toward boys, I thought it would be interesting to add some elements to this set that are appealing to the girls also. In my view, that can be an advantage of this product idea. - I also agree with what you wrote about medieval conflict - it often involves storming the castle. Since many other Lego castles and fortifications have some kind of gate, I intentionally designed this set to represent the part of the castle away from the gate - the place where the princess would have her room. One can certainly use the secret door as a way for the attackers to enter the castle. Also, this set can be seamlessly connected to many classic modular castle sets, so it's easy to add a set with a gate, if someone wishes to. Of course, if this project gets enough votes and gets chosen, maybe Lego designers will decide to add some kind of gate to it before it is released. - About the stairs and available space in the rooms: I designed this set not just for the kids, but also for the AFOLs who have so many nice memories about playing with classic castle sets in their childhood, and also for the collectors who will maybe see this set as a good addition to their castle collections. Therefore I placed stairs inside, because many AFOLs (like myself) appreciate a higher level of realism. I think there is enough space for the little hands inside, but as you said it is hard to judge without the built model. Making a tower with a larger space inside would result in too wide and too tall tower, which would not look good (because my goal was to make a retro set which looks good when placed next to any classic castle set). As I mentioned previously, all chosen projects will be built by the Lego designers in order to test everything, and anything that needs to be modified will be fixed in that phase of development. Thanks once again for your comments! @Petric_G Now I am really curious to hear your idea :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miniman Posted November 23, 2019 My childhood... :) I love you MOC! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyszardBosiak Posted November 25, 2019 I saw your MOC on Lego Idea. I really like that kind of old school sets with small touch of modern bricks. Great work, looks marvelous :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blackdeathgr Posted November 27, 2019 I utterly loved it! Both the builds and the presentation is top notch!!! I will certainly support you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alpine Builder Posted November 30, 2019 @miniman, @RyszardBosiak, @blackdeathgr Thank you very much for your nice comments and support! There are many months left before the deadline on Lego Ideas, but even if this project does not gather enough votes, it is still great to see how many people appreciate this kind of "updated retro" builds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alessandro Posted December 2, 2019 (edited) I want to be kid again!!! Great creation and supported of course Edited December 2, 2019 by Alessandro Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lordofdragonss Posted December 3, 2019 I will buy two :D Seriously, this is a great MOC! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alpine Builder Posted December 3, 2019 @Alessandro, @Lordofdragonss Thanks for supporting, I really appreciate it! Here is the new picture which shows how this set would look when joined with several classic modular Castle sets (6074, 6062 and 6040). It can be combined in the same way with many other Castle sets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobi Posted December 4, 2019 This is a really cool design! I love all the play features you managed to fit in and how they all tie in to the story. It makes me feel nostalgic for the old Castle sets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Svendp Posted December 31, 2019 oooh I love this. This has it all, playability, recognizable. Instant nostalgia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hive Posted January 2, 2020 Absolutely delightful! What I wouldn't give for such a classic Castle set... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AV_Guy Posted January 17, 2020 Very very cool. As mentioned above, i love the "old school" feel to it, but has lots of playability / modern techniques. Big kudos Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boindil Lego Posted January 17, 2020 That brings back some memories! really great build. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LEGO Train 12 Volts Posted January 17, 2020 Fantastic creations! Perfect Lego style! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AoErat Posted August 2, 2020 Really nice designs capturing the spirit of the 80's and early 90's. Love the background image - is that available in digital form somewhere? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mrlikeslegothings Posted August 3, 2020 Looks awesome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
natesroom Posted December 23, 2020 i'd love some instructions so i could build this myself! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites