Lego Fusion Builds Digital Worlds With Plastic
Lego is well aware that today's youngsters would rather craft virtual worlds on their iPad with "Minecraft" rather than build physical ones with plastic bricks. Instead of trying to tear tykes from their tablets, the toymaker has found a middle ground with Lego Fusion. Launching in August, each $35 Fusion set will allow Lego builders to bring their wildest real-world creations into digital worlds via an iOS and Android app.
Using Lego Fusion is simple: You create buildings, cars or anything else you can whip up using one of the four Fusion sets. You then stack your creation onto a capture plate, fire up the Fusion app and take a photo of what you've made. With the help of Qualcomm scanning tech, your physical Lego concoction will become part of a digital environment within the app.
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You can repeat this process as many times as you like, creating your own Lego neighborhoods filled with your unique flair for architecture.
Each of the four Fusion sets has its own app that delivers a unique gaming experience. "Battle Towers" is a tower defense game, while "Create and Race" and "Resort Designer" are self-explanatory. "Town Master" has the potential to be the most addictive, as you'll constantly be building new business places based on the ever-changing needs of the digital Lego-folk living in your town.
Each Fusion set has about 200 pieces, and youngsters can mix and match between packs. Using Lego's ID system, you'll be able to hang out in the blocky virtual neighborhoods built by your friends.
Lego Fusion couldn't have been more aptly titled, as it represents a convergence of three big trends: Creation games like "Minecraft," Lego's own licensed video games like "Lego Marvel Super Heroes," and interactive toy-based games like "Disney Infinity" and "Skylanders." Considering Lego's legacy and the relative affordability of the $35 sets (Full "Lego" video games go for around $50, "Infinity" starter packs are $75), we could see a whole new generation of technological youngsters going back to the bricks.
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