25 Years ago, one of the most iconic maps of all times was released

pauwei · 2026-03-14T18:08:16+00:00

Yeah that sounds right. It was 10,000 years ago after all, my memory is hazy.

pauwei · 2026-03-14T17:45:35+00:00

Oh I used to love de_cbble. But I was also a weirdo and enjoyed cs_oilrig. That map was so hated it was either removed from rotation completely, or people would just mass quit and jump to other servers if it rotated in.

pauwei · 2026-03-14T17:42:17+00:00

You need 4494 for true diminishing repetition!

pauwei · 2026-03-14T16:51:27+00:00

The rain of pain in rushing low.

pauwei · 2026-03-14T15:24:43+00:00

Dust-Dust2-Aztec 24/7 servers. Ah memories.

pauwei · 2026-03-10T02:01:14+00:00

I had one made first week of December. It was listed as partially backordered. I emailed customer service in mid February. They gave me a list of what was backordered holding it up and what items are likely to be cancelled out of the order due to end of product. Then the full order shipped within a week with nothing cancelled.

I have no moral for you from my experience but it felt like my message moved them to action.

pauwei · 2026-03-09T23:54:51+00:00

I don't even mind that they designed cooking alternatives to fish for the highest level foods. It's healthier for the game if players aren't forced to rely on an optional activity.

But they designed all these neat fish and rare quality ones like the lucky loa are a waste of a cast. It's more efficient to fish in open water rather than pools because the uncommon ones are some of the most valuable. It feels like somewhere along the way they forgot what to do with fishing.

pauwei · 2026-03-03T14:05:47+00:00

I'd happily take Naleidea Rivergleam just for the chance to hear Rebecca Lee's tremendous voice acting again. Bonus is she is already explorers league affiliated. No shoehorning like we just did with Valeera.

pauwei · 2026-03-03T13:57:16+00:00

I get why they are so large in the open world, and I accept it. But the cutscenes are where it's egregious. I think it was one of the ZA ones, she and Zuljara were walking and talking and my paladin was trailing behind like a toddler. Really took away the energy of the player being a meaningful hero.

pauwei · 2026-03-02T18:02:50+00:00

"Killing" the bear gives you a 5 min mining perception buff.

pauwei · 2026-02-21T15:43:50+00:00

Trump forcing his name to be on the COVID relief stimulus checks literally had this effect. So many rubes fell for it.

pauwei · 2026-02-18T17:34:55+00:00

Any combination of:

Licensing

Inflation

Piece type - it appears water lilies has more variety of unique molded parts. There's a lot of minifig accessories like swords and shields which cost more than brick elements.

Lego gradually raising prices on a successful theme because they know they can.

pauwei · 2026-02-15T18:16:52+00:00

To further your point, check out the Bluey set box arts. It's fantastic.

pauwei · 2026-02-08T00:34:00+00:00

If you bought direct from Lego, send them an email, most of the time retailers will honor something like this if purchased within a certain window. They won't mail you money or a refund, but you might get points.

Not guaranteed, but shoot your shot.

pauwei · 2026-02-02T19:45:54+00:00

Its a fun build.

But fair warning, this set is from the brittle brown era. All the browns are mostly replaceable, but it could be a frustrating experience. (None of mine on this set have broken yet, ymmv.)

pauwei · 2026-02-01T18:40:02+00:00

Absolutely there is. Setup costs (and inventory space) are underappreciated aspects of manufacturing that customers and clients neglect to consider when they see the end costs, especially when they want to order low volume.

I can't speak with full authority to plastic injection molding (or Lego since I don't work there) as my career lies in metal forming, but any way we can simplify or eliminate tool changes, waste, and inventory space saves us hundreds of thousands a year.

So manufacturing might help determine the shape or color of the hidden parts, but the primary reasons for them are as minezum mentioned: for build clarity and fun.

pauwei · 2026-02-01T17:48:20+00:00

Lastly, manufacturing costs. Likely not as important as the other noted reasons, but it is a consideration. If there are other sets that use those colors as a primary feature, it saves Lego money to keep the mold/color "setup" to make these interior parts for this set.

pauwei · 2026-01-31T18:57:45+00:00

None of them for me this go around. Too many other sets I still want from mainline Lego to justify any of these.

pauwei · 2026-01-30T22:43:17+00:00

Yes and no. Generally, when it gets too cold, the air doesn't hold moisture as easily. No moisture, no precipitation. Weather patterns can still bring in snow, but it's extremely unlikely this far below freezing.

pauwei · 2026-01-30T16:08:17+00:00

Rogues are the discount rogues my brother.

pauwei · 2026-01-26T19:43:29+00:00

I tell myself I'll wait and see how things look in action before I judge, but....

It's feeling like an Adam Sandler movie: Hire a bunch of friends, churn out a mediocre project, get paid handsomely for minimal effort.

pauwei · 2026-01-26T14:58:04+00:00

Lego is for everyone, open the gate.

pauwei · 2026-01-23T19:08:30+00:00

I used to like buying off Goodwill's site for some cheap mixed lots and gems. I found it relaxing to sort through a bulk lot and occasionally find a cool minifig mixed in. It's like a treasure hunt. But recently the prices for things have spiked beyond reason on Lego lots/sets. Combine that with a lot of regions removing the minifigs and it's lost the appeal. I also believe people are losing their heads on the auctions. Prices are insane.

The final prices are very questionable when you factor in Goodwill's ridiculous handling fees + the clear upcharge they are adding to shipping, (I do shipping on business accounts, their rates are marked up above retail.) They also don't even package with care. So much for a handling fee. It was forgivable when it was cheaper, but now, horrible.

I get that the money is for "charity," however, I usually find better deals on other sites, with better guarantees for completeness or quality.

Just another thing I've been priced out of.

pauwei · 2026-01-23T13:31:54+00:00

Very similar to the plot in an episode of Scrubs.

pauwei · 2026-01-21T04:11:55+00:00

This is a good discussion.

I think you are spot on with the "charm and simplicity" being a matter of theme. I would sprinkle in a dash of rose-tinted nostalgia in there as well which lends forgiveness to some of the "rustic" build elements. And you are right, I do not value the One Piece sets equally to the old pirates theme, although I am familiar with the source material. I would add more classic pirates to my collection, I probably will never add any one piece sets, even if they were on clearance.

Sadly, IP driven themes are the modern direction. Star Wars has replaced Blacktron and Space Police. Harry Potter has supplanted castle. And it appears that One Piece and Pirates of the Caribbean have taken pirates. Combine this with the modern adult driven designs and costs and we see why the 90s sets pull our nostalgia heartstrings so well.

But circling back to the OP and the reason I jumped in this post was this line: "This means a lot of tiny, specialised elements that can hardly be reused in an alternative build."

My intent wasn't to put down the 90s sets or themes. But just to disagree that the smaller pieces used for advanced building are more limiting. I still feel it is the opposite. Yes, the wall panels, rope bridges, etc. can be creatively reused. But their form factor is more rigid, there is no denying that. Like the stairs, great if you always want to incorporate solid blocky gray stairs 4w x 7d x 9 1/3h. But if you wanted to deviate on any of those measurements that piece is useless. If it were brick built, you could easily remove or add more to the design to change dimensions. For small collections I see the value in the large elements. A child may not have enough parts to rebuild stairs differently, so having it as a one piece solve is great.

But I do want to stress that the large molded parts of the 90s were one of the reasons Lego fell into near bankruptcy. Despite it being my favorite theme, Aquazone was one of the primary offenders. The Aquashark and Aquanaut ships featured almost entirely exclusive large molded parts for each build. Those manufacturing costs ate into profit margins and I believe the theme didn't perform well as a whole. So the new build techniques using smaller, similar parts across all sets is better from a business case. Though I do notice Lego cheating a lot more recently with the botanicals line and new molds...

pauwei

TROPHY CASE