Marooned Marin

Ah, you confused the two activities. This was something like BrickLink Community Activity with goal of using the Studio.io with all available parts, past and present, to promote digital builds and creativity. Award was something like a badge or public recognition. Read the small print: Bonus, but not required: Use the BDP Series 5 or 6 Palette. This will significantly bring down the price of parts if you plan to realize your creation. BrickLink Designer Program is completely different matter, with strict framework for submissions and limited parts. Be assured, there are no islanders available in BDP, indigo classic or POTC.

No more Bluecoats whatsoever, no more flags or torsos. That's the big difference between Series 6 and Series 5, which is unlucky for Pirate builders. Also no more flintlocks and rowboats, which were also previously available. As for Islanders, they were never available on BDP program. Not considered as Islander, but there is also no crocodile. We do have one parrot and sharks, but for anything else directly related to pirate theme it's only what you see on this image. Oh yeah, and it should be noted that re-makes of any classic-set is forbidden, and ships are not allowed to use cloth sails. The Imperial flag can be made using the stickers, they allow stickers, with exception of minifigures - you cant use stickers for torsos.

"Does the Series 6 Palette include more pirate-themed parts than earlier series?" To quickly touch upon question above, which was posed inside the convenient article, the answer is NO! BDP Series 6 Palette of available parts showed even less pirate parts in contrast to previous series. For readers completely new with this program in a nutshell this means that BrickLink gives in advance allowed list of parts and colours which can be used by fan designers to create anything they like, as long as they use only those parts. I'm re-designing Tapu Island for the upcoming Series 6, and these are the most pirate parts which I'm allowed to use. Now it's time to become really creative!

What a wonderful experience this was, I'm absolutely thrilled. Thank you all for making this happen. I’ve received much and it's only appropriate to give something back. But to whom? To all of you who have in one way or another supported me via constructive suggestions, kind comments or votes. As a token of my gratitude please accept instructions of my most popular design to date (if one can believe Instagram). Please check your inbox for a private message from me containing the link for the instructions. If you haven’t received message in the next 6 hours, and yet you are one the list below, let me know. Thank you kindly: @Yoggington @NOD @Fraunces @MstrOfPppts @Jack Sassy @SevenDeadlyStreamers @Yatkuu @Rui Miguel @thewatchman @Elephant Knight @Horation @RabbiT_CZ @Autumn @Ben S @Math Wizard @FGMatt @CaptainDarkNStormy @Captain Braunsfeld @Filibbooo @A_Goodman @Andy-Roo @Barbatos @-DoNe- @Brendan McGnarley @Yperio_Bricks @Oky @SpacePolice89 @Black Falcon @zack-ta @MandoLando @Quotenotto @BardDandelion @F1stzz @YellowFrog Special thanks to @Mister Phes for making this contest happen. He is a true Governor in every sense of the word and we should give him more credit for the effort and passion he invests in keeping the Pirate theme alive through this Eurobricks sub-forum and Classic-Pirates.com, for over two decades! 21-gun salute to Governor Phes (not pointed at him!). DOWNLOAD FULL COMIC IN PDF HERE

Congratulations to @Elephant Knight and @A_Goodman for making it in the top three with their fantastic designs. Both showed great sportsmanship during the voting phase which makes me respect them even more as fellow builders and individuals. I’m especially happy for Al Goodman, considering the turn of events during last year's contest. From the moment Escape from Imperial Trading Post was submitted I felt it to be a winning favourite, and if voting went the other way and I ended up second, it would be justly deserved because it is a really terrific design in its own right. I have only words of praise for The Merchant vessel Margaret Hamilton. Beautiful curves, array of nice details and smart arrangement of sails. It’s a top-notch work! As a shipbuilder I can say from experience that ships are vastly more challenging than a land-based builds, have no doubts about that, and yet Elephant Knight makes it look so easy. Bravo! Congratulations are also in order to @YellowFrog and @Yatkuu, they both managed to jam as much as possible in as little as possible. Last but not the least; I congratulate @Horation for taking this year’s Creative Critique award. His overall effort, presence and speed of replying were amazing. I hope he will make great things now as a new member of Classic-Pirates crew, and who knows, maybe even try blogging. As for the contest, what I really enjoyed this year is the amount of new ideas and designs. Re-makes were kept at minimum, if it was any re-make at all, and I hope future contests will continue in this innovative creative spirit. Special thanks to @Mister Phes for making this contest happen. He is a true Governor in every sense of the word and we should give him more credit for the effort and passion he invests in keeping the Pirate theme alive through this Eurobricks sub-forum and Classic-Pirates.com, for over two decades! 21-gun salute to Governor Phes (not pointed at him!).

"From Merchant to Pirate" by Yatkuu/Gregory Coquelz

Thank you @Mister Phes for single-handedly organizing yet another Pirate contest. My thanks goes also to all the pirate crew who in one or another way still find time and energy to help you maintaining the Pirates subforum on it's course; @Captain Braunsfeldon frontpage news, @Yperio_Bricks as almost omnipresent regulator and to all others whose work is invisible to general public. This contest was a blast and thank you all for making it happen!

Interestingly enough, both sets, Tortuga an Forest stronghold, were made by same designer - Krackenator. I think Tortuga lacks conflict. Almost every Classic-Pirate set has some sort of conflict, even those small ones, i.e. shark attacks the raft. Conflict drives the story and imagination. Even though, given the limited "pirate parts palette" during the Series-5, it's a great design and I like it better than Forest stronghold (I'm too biased toward the pirates).

Thanks! I have a project under development outside Classic-pirates world, which was completely stopped these last two months due to the contest and the comic-book. But before I dive back into that world, and temporary disappear over the horizon, I going to try my luck with the Island in the upcoming BDP-series 6. Due to the limited available part-list in this latest series, I must make numerous modifications in order to meet the submission requirements, and fast, because series-6 starts in less than a month.

DESCRIPTION LEGO 31136: Exotic Parrot is truly a wonderful set. I was lucky to get my hands on one during 2024. Eurobricks Classic-Pirates ‘Infamous Steve’ contest. I assembled the prize right away, and then the obvious question came to my mind: "I wonder how it would look in red?" Other than paint-job, I did several changes on the wings and one change to the tail - mainly removing all the visible studs. I also added real Popsy on the branch behind the flower - see next image. WHO IS POPSY? IMPORTANT DETAILS This is not an alternative build, this is a MOD (modification) of the original LEGO design. This means that you can use some parts of the original set, but you also need to purchase a fair amount of bricks and pieces on the side. Since this is not a very large build, and if you own the original, I suggest you buy all the pieces and then have two parrots instead of one. FREE INSTRUCTIONS

That's pretty good NOD, and I thank you for your feedback! I had something similar on my mind, with only difference, after the sunset they reach the Skull's Eye Schooner, where Steve (after some initial doubts) embraces the pirate life and accepts the offered quartermaster position. And then the real adventure begins. As to the question How did Steve get in the loop in the first place? , I think that on his very first visit on the Island he took some gold from the cave and sailed away into the night, where a vicious tempest capsized his raft and he drowned under the weight of the gold. Next thing he knows, he wakes up on the raft near the Island and the loop begins. But here's the catch. Every time he vaguely remembers little more and little more... but the question is, can he remember enough to save Redbeard and get away, or will he eventually slip and free Apparition from the underground? Who knows? I certainly don't.

@Horation He was tireless, helpful and nonstop present since day one. Unlike builders voting, I can only nominate one here, but my praise goes to other critiques as well, they were all extremely helpful.

LARGE 1. Steve's Upgraded Cutter (The Untold Story) by Andy-Roo 2. The Merchant vessel Margaret Hamilton by Elephant Knight 3. Escape from the Imperial Trading Post by A_Goodman 4. Found Forbidden Fortune by Thewatchman 5. Steve's Hand Emporium by Bingowaldorf SMALL 1. Steve meets Cap’n Tongs! by SevenDeadlyStreamers 2. Steve Origins: Meeting Redbeard by Oky 3. Steve's Origins in the Desert by Horation 4. Steve's Boat by MyFirstMOC-Hun 5. Sneaking Steve by YellowFrog

Maybe next year

Re-colouring an official LEGO set and submitting it as an entry would be called, at best, cheating. C'mon, just imagine an avalanche of fury which would come crashing from creative critiques. Next week, if time permits, I'm gonna revisit this design, check all the available parts on Bricklink, and make free instructions MOD of the original design on Rebrickable.

Oh I see now you picked the same one, I must admit, it is quite a good set. @Mister Phes As promised, I give you Popsy edition - first unchecked version.

You are right, and I'm happy to follow your excellent advice. Here is the latest version with Steve smiling to the crowd (minus the big 6x8 plate which prompted the whole overhaul). Thank you Governor

@Mister Phes This is the final-final (really final, I promise) cover image. Can you please update it in the [CONTEST] The Infamous Steve - Building Entries Index Thanks

Oh @CaptainDarkNStormy, this is just a neat build and a lovely addition to the SleeplessNight modular lagoon. Great action scene, and trans-red tile (blood) was a nice touch. The Devil is in the detail. Great to see you made it before deadline.

CHAPTER 12 - ENDGAME <- now available - see the first post CHAPTER 13 - The CURSE OF TAPU ISLAND (EPILOGUE) <- now available - see the first post ............ With this the poor Steve's story ends. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The question remains, how did Steve got caught in the endless loop in the first place? My little nephew guessed it easily, but I would like to hear your guesses as well. Let me know what you think of the story.

Thank you @Mister Phes, the prize arrived flew in yesterday!

CHAPTER 11 - The PLAN GONE BAD <- now available - see the first post Hold fast! Th big finale and epilogue coming up tomorrow!

Thanks @Christophh, I think you are right, one could come up with numerous stories around this raft, I hope however that you like the one came up with inside the comic. Final chapters are coming today and tomorrow -> HERE The sails are custom made. I used old piece of cloth, dipped in black coffee and sprayed with some strong hair-lacquer (to give it stiffness). Thanks @NOD I always appreciate your comments and final verdict. You say true, the creative critiques were right and I'm glad for their feedback because in our MOC business small details often make huge difference. .................... UPDATE Here is an update of the animated GIF of the -final- version of the raft.

CHAPTER 10 - SWEET REVENGE <- now available - see the first post .................................. I forgot to answer, the comic was done in combination of Studio.io (for renders), Photoshop (a lot of editing), ComicLife (a neat software for making comics), and of course the most important piece of the puzzle, MS Word, where the story actually starts.

CHAPTER 9 - The OFFER <- now available - see the first post .................................................. Ahoy @Math Wizard! I'm glad you like the story, and the build. There are 13. chapters, and because the story demands it, the last two chapters (finale and epilogue) are going to be published on the same day, this Thurdsday. Yes, you are not the first to mention waterfall, especially the base, and I'll play around with few solutions and see how that turns out. Thank you for your kind and constructive feedback. @BardDandelion Yes, I agree with you that reddish brown minifigures work better with custom sail. Here is the thing regarding the use of POTC islanders, lacking the original yellow islanders minifigures, I used reddish brown one on the images of the real build. However, in my mind, this build and the island is inhabited by original islanders, like in digital renders. I'm thinking about entering LEGO Ideas with this design (I know I have better chance winning a lottery...), but with some tweaks here and there to meet LEGO guidelines, and in that version I'm going with original yellow Islanders, and as you suggested, also adding the pirates to the mix, who try to plunder the island.