Lego Creator (video game)
| Lego Creator | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Superscape |
| Publisher(s) | Lego Media |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) | 26 October 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Construction simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Lego Creator is a sandbox game for Microsoft Windows that involves building with virtual Lego elements. The game has no missions, objectives, challenges, or money constraints.
Overview
Lego Creator was initially conceived of as an 'Evergreen' replication of the physical toy. Starting with the 'Town' range it would expand at each release with the addition of further product themes. Functionality would also be enhanced with each 'content pack'.
Ultimately individual ranges remained independent and emphasis shifted to a play experience, with reduced emphasis on freeform construction. Originally it had been hoped that sheer scale of unlimited bricks might offset the loss of tactile merit - but such hope was compromised by the computers of the day. Plans included being able to build content that could be seamlessly dropped into separate LEGO games. This was dropped as the complexity of doing so was further explored.
By Harry Potter, the series had shifted far from the original premise of freeform LEGO construction. Instead the product moved toward a more limited build environment but with superior gameplay.
Features
In addition to the regular bricks in an assortment of colors, there are specified "Action Bricks" that move or make noise. Examples include the Hinge, Propeller, and Siren. There is also a "Destructa Brick", a no-stud 1x2 tile brick with an image of dynamite superimposed. This can be used to destroy models in Play Mode, although the player's creations will automatically rebuild when returning to Build Mode. Minifigures can also be used, and can stand, sit (for controlling vehicles), or walk, and can be set to drive vehicles set to a path or road. In play mode, environments can go from day to night. LEGO documented the means and encouraged open editing of the sounds they made when bumping into others or in random chatter. Their default speech was a form of jibberish, simplifying localisation.
Windows XP/Vista compatibility
Older versions of Lego Creator CDs do not work in Windows XP unmodified.[1] When installed from an original game disc, overwritten with a third party patch and run in Windows 98/Me compatibility mode, the game will play on some Windows XP computers. Lego has released a newer edition which is XP compatible and has also released a patch to allow it to run on Windows-NT based operating systems, such as Windows 2000, XP or Vista. Lego creator is compatible with Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Business.
Awards
Lego Creator received 4 awards. Computer Game Developers Spotlight Award, Best New Children's Game; CODIE Software Publishers Association Excellence in Software Awards, Best New Home Creativity Software (US); "Top 100 Family Tested", Family PC Magazine; PIN Quality Mark Gold Award, Parents Information. It was also nominated at the 2nd annual interactive achievement awards for computer children's game of the year.
Sequels
Lego Creator was followed by three sequels. The first is Lego Creator: Knights' Kingdom, a medieval based world released in 2000 and Lego Creator: Harry Potter, based on the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as well as Creator: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, based on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.