Difference between revisions of "LEGO Rock Raiders"

From RRU Knowledge Base
(dumping the "original plans" data in here, gonna rewrite into a development section)
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*'''[[Sparks]]''', a Midshipman aboard the L.M.S. Explorer and the Rock Raiders' most skilled [[Engineer]] and [[Explosives Expert]].  
*'''[[Sparks]]''', a Midshipman aboard the L.M.S. Explorer and the Rock Raiders' most skilled [[Engineer]] and [[Explosives Expert]].  


[[Image:LRRDevFutura.png|thumb|300px|A LEGO Team discussing Rock Raiders.]]
The '''''LEGO Rock Raiders''''' theme has gone through many changes from early concept to the final released product. Most concept art has been found in LEGO magazines, books and advertisements.  It is unknown when exactly [[The LEGO Group]] started to create ideas for the theme, but it is believed to have begun in 1998. The LEGO Group began with plans to launch an underground theme possibly inspired by underground mining or space exploration. Concept art and simple storyboards were created, originally different but eventually changing to include more of the elements used in the end. Eventually, these developed into the final product.
=Concept Art=
==Storyboard==
[[Image:ProtoRockRaiders.png|thumb|300px|An early storyboard concept.]]
The only known storyboard comes from ''The Ultimate Lego Book'', page 30. Notable differences between the original plan for Rock Raiders and the final product, which can be seen in this storyboard are:
*Different outfit designs for the [[Rock Raider|Rock Raiders]], with goggles and scarf's.
*Mysterious aliens travelling with the Rock Raiders.
*[[Rock Monsters]] were larger, and some had tails and acted more like animals.
*The [[Chrome Crusher]] appears with two drills (similar to its upgraded form in the [[Rock Raiders PC Game]]) and no laser.
*The [[Loader Dozer]] has a drill and a gun.
*A scrapped flying rocket-like vehicle which somewhat resembles the [[Tunnel Scout]].
*A scrapped vehicle with robotic arms, a drill and laser turrets.
*A Mobile [[Rock Raiders HQ]], with [[Power Station|Crystal]] and [[Ore Refinery|Ore Refineries]] and giant arms.
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==Chrome Crusher Concept==
[[Image:Chromecrucher.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Original concept of the Chrome Crusher]]
This original Chrome Crusher art was discovered in a LEGO Magazine. This art showed a very different vehicle design from the finial version of the [[Chrome Crusher]].<br><br>
'''Notable Differences:'''
*Tracks instead of rubber wheels.
*Frontal frame which possibly could have been used to move large boulders.
*Glass cockpit instead of a cage frame.
*Large drill on the back of the vehicle which would have required the vehicle to reverse into walls as it drilled.
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==Magazine Advertisement==
[[Image:Rock Raiders German Beta.png|thumb|300px]]
This was a German promotional ad. Notable differences between the original plan for Rock Raiders and the final product, which can be seen in the image are:
*Slightly different designs for [[Bandit]], [[Axle]] and [[Jet]]
*Blue [[Energy Crystals]]
*Different designs for the [[Hover Scout]], the [[Granite Grinder]], the [[Tunnel Transport]]
*A yellow cyclopes imp-like creature
*A very different looking [[4990 Rock Raiders HQ|Rock Raiders HQ]]
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==Rock Monster==
These concept images appeared in a 1999 German LEGO magazine showing a more insect-like Rock Monster. As the design became more developed the Rock Monster became larger more rock golem-like. [[Image:RockMonster_Concept.png|thumb|300px]]
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=Alternate Set Designs=
===Loader Dozer===
===Granite Grinder===
===Granite Grinder v2===
===Flying Transport Truck===
=Pre-Release And Beta Screen Captures=
[[Image:PC OldBeta 5.png|thumb|A screenshot from the Rock Raiders Beta]]
''See: [[Rock Raiders Beta]]''
There exist several screen captures that were taken at the pre-release and during development of the [[Rock Raiders PC Game]].
Notable differences include:
*Very Different interface, only including three main buttons and a different look to the [[Material]] counter.
*Square [[Power Paths]], and bumpy looking ones in front of [[Buildings]].
*More Square shaped [[Rubble]]
*Unused [[Building]]
*Slightly darker, different looking world textures
Several screenshots of the game were also taken and promoted in the Fall 1999 Shop-At-Home [[Catalog]] that also have notable differences from the released game.  The game had its release date move back by several months to allow for more development, it's possible that radical changes were made during the final months of development, or that the changes were already being made when the game was first being promoted.
==Extended Intro.avi==
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[[Category:Rock Raiders]]
[[Category:Rock Raiders]]

Revision as of 05:12, 4 January 2018

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This article is an unfinished work in progress or contains transferred information that needs to be rewritten or reformatted to fit our standards. Please excuse the mess and do not mark for deletion.


File:CatalogImage3.jpg
Early 1999 Catalog Image Showing the Chrome Crusher
File:CatalogImage5.jpg
Catalog Image promoting several Rock Raider Sets


LEGO Rock Raiders was a LEGO theme started in 1999, and was discontinued in 2000.

Rock Raiders was the only theme in the Lego Underground series before Power Miners. The Theme, while short-lived, featured over twelve Lego Sets, six main Characters, and was backed-up by numerous story-related media, including several comic Books and Video Games. It was quite popular and spawned a large cult following and a community dedicated to everything rock raiders and other LEGO franchises, known as Rock Raiders United.

LEGO Sets

Between 1999 and 2000, a total of 17 Lego Sets were released. The first editions of which also included promotional Comics. There was also a limited offer that included a free Rock Raiders T-shirt with the order of any Rock Raiders set from the LEGO Mania Magazine.

File:CatalogImage6.jpg
Lego Rock Raiders as it first appeared in early 1999

Main Sets

These all made up the original group of Rock Raider Sets that were released in 1999.

Promotional Sets

These were released as a special promotion in conjunction with the Japanese confectionery company Kabaya in 2000.

File:CatalogImage1.jpg
Early 1999 Catalog Image referring to Energy Crystals as "Brickonium"

Minifigure Sets

These were released in 2000. Excluding the Key Chain, these were all a part of the Mini Heroes Collection, which included a rare Chief Minifigure.

Other Media

Two Video Games were released in 1999 (for PC) and in 2000 (for PS1). Three Books were also released in 1999 and 2000.

Games

Merchandise

  • 928228 Rock Raiders Mine Lamp (Germany)
  • 927160 Rock Raiders Mug (Germany)
  • 927155 Rock Raiders Patch (Germany)
  • 928264 Rock Raiders CD Bag (Germany)
  • 928447 Rock Raiders T-Shirt (Germany)
  • 928448 Rock Raiders Sweatshirt (Germany)
  • 927151 Rock Raiders Desk Pad (Germany)

Books and comics

There were also nine Comics released with the sets. The September-October issue of the LEGO Mania Magazine was dedicated to the Rock Raiders franchise and included a tenth comic as well.


Also See: Gallery:Catalogs, Theme Development

hidden text from the Rock Raiders characters article, which should be merged in here maybe?