The Outsider

Actually, I would like the return of these MOC/art contests specifically. Not only did it enrich the BIONICLE world and gave a face (mask?) to the characters we liked, but it also proved the constraction system could be as flexible as the regular LEGO system with the right creative mind. Wouldn't LEGO need to approve as well though?

Really neat. I especially like how bestial the face looks, even if it's so different from previous Rahkshi incarnations.

This is gonna be a long one, so I'm splitting it into spoiler tags. Response to Kalhiki: Style Guide/Target Group: Not enough reason to push it?:

Funny, at least to me one of the things that hooked me to constraction in general (and BIONICLE in particular) was how different it was from System; before that, I wasn't very fond of LEGO because of how little articulation the minifigures had and how they always had the same smily face (at least they changed the last regard). Then again, I still bought some EXO-Force and Knights' Kingdom II sets and found them pretty cool, so a more brick-based line might work (it might even help developing less robotic-looking beings and more unconventional, non-humanoid builds like some of us've been asking). I can't be sure what might work as a line today, as kids have probably changed a lot since I entered Constraction, and I was a weird kid back then anyway, but to me one of the things that pulled me into Constraction, and which I find rather lacking today, was the story. I can't say for Slizers or Roboriders, since I never heard of them till I found the Internet, but for the ones I mentioned above, it was the world and the characters that go me hooked: BIONICLE having cyborgs for some reason in a tropical tribal setting using elemental skills and magic masks; EXO-Force with rounded, growing characters figthing in an imaginative and unusual location; Knights' Kingdom and their world-building backstory that extended way beyond the main line (though sadly never brought up into the main line). Nowadays, though, the strongest tales are on the System side, with stuff like Ninjago and The LEGO Movie franchise. Constraction, meanwhile, has attempted to simplify their stories since they thought BIONICLE was becoming too convoluted for the new customers, but they ended up going too far and making them bland: Hero Factory had a lot of potential which was wasted in adventures-of-the-year tales with little to no consequence come next season (especially annoying in Breakdown and Attack of The Brains given their cliffhangers), while BIONICLE G2 was so generic it could have been any other line if not for the Toa and Makuta. Maybe my nostalgia is tainting my memory of these lines? Perhaps, but from what I hear I'm definitely not the only one. According to John Tenuto (The Toys That Made Us), one of the things that drives people to collect is the need to touch and see something to represent an intangible belief: flags for countries, symbols and amulets for religions, and toys for characters and worlds. But (and these are my own conclusions), you need to have something they want to believe before they can search for a physical representation of it. Which is why, in my opinion, before making any attempt to approach the younger generations with apps or new parts or something of the like, you need a strong, solid story to work with and characters which will capture your interest.

... You do realize the arms, head and body of the Nuva were mostly the same as the Mata, right? It's easy to stay close to the original that way. Frankly, by 2008 I was used to Toa teams looking different in each variation, and there was a passable in-universe explanation, so I didn't mind the Mistika looking nothing like the Mata/Nuva. In fact, I kinda looked forward to how different they would look like. Which is why, to me, they were disappointing in a different way: They didn't take advantage of the swamp theme or the adaptive armor. I admit, I'm not sure what a swamp-adapted armor would look like (though I imagine a cross between amphibious and jungle/forest, with breathing apparatuses and water propulsion systems mixed wih clear-cutting tools), but I think it would be more varied than miniature jets and wing-like "fins". Even worse, all of them shared this fin-and-jet combination, while the Phantoka had a different flight system for each character. Also, each Phantoka had its own weapon beside the launcher, even if Kopaka's was mostly an add-on; in the Mistika, Gali had an add-on which couldn't work as and independent tool, and Onua's was used mainly as extra armor, giving yet more emphasis to the launcher again. All in all, they look like a weaker version of the Phantoka to me, not a swamp team. As for the masks, except for Gali (what were they thinking?!) I don't really mind. I do prefer Tahu's though, mostly because it looks more like a "traditional" mask and less high-tech than Onua's. As for the Makuta, they were all the Toa were not: varied between themselves while fitting the swamp environment. My favorite was Krika, though that has more to do with the character than the toy itself (which is still pretty good). My only complaint was that they went the Hordika route instead of separating head and mask pieces, but that's just a personal preference rather than actual criticism (guess I prefer Bitil's mask in that regard...). Regarding the canisters, after the nightmare that was the Mahri's I was just glad to have storage that would stay closed (I swear I'm still losing pieces as I speak...).

I know I shouldn't, but I can only hope this is true! A new, non-licensed constraction line, yay! By the way, wasn't there another leak a while back about someone's brother who was a sci-fi writer hired by LEGO for a new constraction line? Maybe it's the same? Actually the "robots in computer world" description made me think of Roboriders, but that works too. Though weren't the "bad" and "good" guys division in Slizers mostly fan speculation? However, I'd prefer if this line wasn't a reboot of any kind. I think after BIONICLE G2's failure, CCBS needs to experiment with new stories and concepts to iron out the issues before they start rebooting their old themes. Well the original Slizers had monsters as their enemies. They were only box art and never had any sets, but they were there. I don't know how the head pieces are made (is everything molded together? Are hair and face pieces molded separately and then glued together?), so I can't say about production costs, but I guess in terms of versatility and utility masks and helmets are a lot better. A head can oly be used as a head (unless they're extremely generic, which kinda beats the purpose), and since the characters need to be easily distinguishable each mold has a very limited number of uses (usually one); helmets/masks, on the other hand, can easily be used as armor, weapons, claws, etc. depending on their shape, connection points and the builder's imagination, and it's easier to make new characters with them: just use the same mold with a new color. Or it could be a working or code name to prevent leaks, like "Bone Heads of Voodo Island" or "E7". Though admittedly those make a lot more sense than "Voloctoreb".

Great work; very faithful to the original designs yet a lot better in detailing and articulations. I especially love the Rahi (which actually look like animals this time around) and the Vortex Makuta (always loved that form of his; a lot more eldritch and intimidating than the others).

Very well done; I love this series and this villain, and you captured his spirit perfectly. Also the growing Edelwood is a nice detail!

I know how you feel. But, if it's any consolation, there's still a chance to turn around: another of my favorite storylines, Transformers, was also going through a rough patch during its Generation 2 era for reasons just as bad if not worse than BIONICLE G2 (a "new" cartoon series which was basically G1 with a CGI cube for scene transitions, a comic with unrealistic sales expectations - to the point the main villain is named after the expression "Gee, axe us!" - and full of the 90's grim'n'gritty ultra-violent aesthetics, toys that were really running out of ideas and were sometimes just G1 toys in neon colors, commercials full of CGI and bad rap); yet they managed to turn around during the Beast Era (the time, in fact, when I discovered and fell in love with the brand), to the point where it's now a significant part of popular culture. Maybe that's what BIONICLE (and non-licensed constraction as a whole) need to truly succeed: to take the time to develop a world and characters we can love, and to try something new while keeping just the most importantcore roots, instead of haphazardly trying to please both nostalgic fans and potential new buyers with something so generic that it ends up satisfying neither. And, of course, better marketing. As in, any marketing at all. I think it's just the art style and a neat Easter Egg. Still, I would like to know what they were planning for next year. Me neither! Kinda wish the webisodes were like this, though...

So, question about the combi-models, specifically the list of sets needed for Shadow Titan Makuta: can I build Mask Maker Makuta from the leftover parts of that combi-model, or are there not enough pieces? What about the Shadow Spawn?

Seconded. However, given this is LEGO, I'd like to see something a bit more creative: instead of each character becoming only one body part, they could use transformation and partial re-assembling to become many different body part and combine in multitudes of ways. Also, story-wise, I think something like the original CYBOTS would be fun: non-military robots designed for research, exploration or resource-gathering that are faced with an unexpected threath and must raise to the occasion (though I'd prefer a something more Lovecraftian, like the Inhumanoids, instead of rogue robots).

I just browsed TVTropes a while back, and I noticed two extra problems with the finale noone seems to be discussing: Every major subplot has been abandoned with no explanation. Why did the Toa lose their memories? Doesn't matter, story's over! Why did they seem to have memories of Ekimu and the Labyrinth of Control? Doesn't matter, story's over! What was the deal with the Mask of Time, and why was it necessary to call the Toa? Doesn't matter, story's over!

Please don't tempt me with false hope!

Personally, that was always an issue I had with that line: the fact that these were Heroes because they were built to be heroes, and likewise for the villains. It didn't help matters that a few later villains were somewhat justified in their actions (the Fire Villains were driven insane by a poorly-designed upgrade - from Hero Factory, no less! - and the Beasts were defending their territory like any normal animal) while the Heroes would sometimes have rather unheroic behavior (Evo wondering if he should destroy eggs from Toxic Reapa's species - which Furno stopped because he could hatch them - and Alpha Team celebrating bringing the Beasts to near-extinction). Some of the books, however, seemed to be on to something: showing that Heroes could sometimes go bad, and that there's more to what you are than where and how you're made. EDIT: from re-reading the original post, it seems that was the idea all along:

Neat! So, just to be sure: do they accept LDD entries in the contest, or not?

As a Transformers fan, I have to disagree with his biased shot at that franchise. In fact, by his definition of what gives a toyline "soul", Transformers should be great. But this is a LEGO forum, so I won't expand on it. I actually liked episode 3... but that may be just by comparison, because episode 4 was awful!!!

Yeah, it feels like when Linkara "fixed" One More Day with two small changes. It's disappointing that a single fan can think of a better story than a team of writers that do this for a living. And upon watching that video, I can think of another issue with G2: the app marketing didn't really link to the toys. Think about the examples he gave with LEGO, Ultra Agents and Nexo Knights: the app game requires you to buy the toy. And I don't know how well they sell or sold, but a Transformers line with a similar premise (Robots in Disguise) has recently gone from "two seasons and a couple TV movies" to "confirmed third season and rumored fourth"; unless the third and fourth season are actually the TV movies split into episodes, I'd say that's pretty good. BIONICLE, on the other hand, didn't have that. The app games and webisodes were basically interactive commercials: they showed the toys and what they did, but they didn't involve them in any way. And just because you like a commercial doesn't mean you'll necessarily buy the product.

Seconded. At least G1 had the smarts to only do it to one mask mold.

With G2's rushed cancellation, now I want a BIONICLE G3 just for the satisfaction of a proper, non-rushed ending. However, before that I want a lot more original CCBS story-lines; both to add some new ideas to the system (before anyone accuses it of being nothing more than BIONICLE and Hero Factory reboots) and to iron out the kinks (both set ant story-wise).

I'd consider adding the Vahi to the story somehow (maybe Makuta needs it for some grand scheme?) and add it to the Makuta set. Also, Mask Maker Makuta: either as one of the small sets or as a build that can be made from the larger Makuta set (like UtH's Shadow trap, only more complex). Related to your idea of Umarak with the MoUP being the final threat: one idea I had running in my head for a few months was that Umarak was the one who tempted Makuta and fed his jealousy to weaken the Islanders, because they were protecting the Creatures from him (and that he created the Skull Creatures as an early army; that last part can clearly be thrown out the window), but it backfired when Makuta became more powerful than him.

Like many of you, I feel betrayed by this. However, it's not the cancellation that angers me; sure, it's saddening, but I try not to be the annoying, "I buy all your stuff so you're obligated to cater my every whim" entitled fan. Though they weren't perfect (nothing ever is), I'm glad with the few sets and the little piece of story we got these two years. Rather, it's how LEGO handled the cancellation that upsets me. Say what you will about Stars, but back then LEGO was upfront about it! we knew it was the end of BIONICLE; in fact, it was a huge part of their merchandise. And though the sets were weak and the story was rushed, it was better than the alternative: to have ~10 years of storyline just cut short without a final confrontation, as it happened with many other lines like Exo-Force and Knights' Kingdom II. This is not what we got for G2. Instead, they held back that information till the very last moment, giving us a sense of false hope for nearly half an year, making us think we would still have 2017. They even showed us a set and a piece that will never be made, for crying out loud! I always tried to keep myself optimistic despite all the "doom and gloom" predictions, and I feel betrayed with this move; I can only imagine how those who publically argued against those comments must feel. I bet a lot of the anger and vitriol from this discussion would've been avoided if LEGO had been more honest about the cancellation. ...I'm not sure that'll really improve matters. I think most people would be REALLY pissed if LEGO pulled a move like that (I know I would, right before feeling relief).

Interesting thoughts! I've got a few of my own too: Ekimu and Makuta are the last of a Mask Maker lineage Although the two are treated with reverence by current Okotoans, they are clearly normal beings and not the near-mythical spirits Mata Nui was in G1. It's likely they come from a line of Mask Makers, but Makuta's betrayal occured before they found their own apprentices or heirs. Runes are used in Okoto to create non-elemental Masks This one's from analysing the sets: the only masks with runes are the ones with non-elemental powers (Creation, Control, Unity), so they're probably related to the process. Of course, the Skull Creatures' and Hunter Masks contradict this headcanon, unless... There are other ways to create Masks of Power The Skull Creatures/Raiders are pirates from another island, and Umarak is an ancient being of pure shadow, so it's likely their Masks of Power follow different rules from those made by the Mask Makers. This universe and the G1 universe are in the same multiverse, but different clusters I'm basically folowing the Transformers classification system: in simple-ish terms, universes from the same multiverse share some underlying concepts and characters (masks of power, the Toa, six elements, biomechanical beings...); within a multiverse, universes from the same "cluster" are mostly variants of the same history and characters (G1 and its alternate realities), while universes from different "clusters" have massive changes in background - both history and characters - and universe mechanics (G1 and G2).

So, one question I suddenly have: if we do get the halves of the Vahi next year...how are they going to attach to the faces? Is one going to be usable as a standalone mask (probably the upper half), and the other only when they're together? Is one of them going to use a different point of attachment?

Another idea, for more world-building themes: a Creator-type constraction set, like this thing. Especially if it helps steer away from mostly humanoid builds.

My guess is it's a mask fragment or something like that (maybe the lower half of the Vahi?). And from what I can gather of the storyboards preview, Umarak's trying to open a portal to another world. Kinda surprised no one tried to restart the "G2 and G1 are connected" theory from that piece of info yet. Guess everyone jumped out of that train already...