The end of mindstorms - no smiley face sad enough

[oneyd]

from what the FLL expert on my team told me, FLL will continue to use the parts that are out now and create new games. in other words FIRST LEGO LEAGUE WILL LIVE ON!!! there just won't be any new parts.

[kevin.li.rit]

Originally Posted by oneyd

from what the FLL expert on my team told me, FLL will continue to use the parts that are out now and create new games. in other words FIRST LEGO LEAGUE WILL LIVE ON!!! there just won't be any new parts.

I hope that's true.

[IMDWalrus]

Originally Posted by oneyd

from what the FLL expert on my team told me, FLL will continue to use the parts that are out now and create new games. in other words FIRST LEGO LEAGUE WILL LIVE ON!!! there just won't be any new parts.

Wouldn't that make it incredibly hard to start new teams? It would be great if FLL could live on in any capacity, but it would be even better if the program could continue to grow so more students have a chance to get involved.

[edit]Situation update...According to TheForce.Net, the Mindstorms line isn't going away...the story is here. Could this mean that Lego League isn't finished?

[Joe Matt]

GOOD NEWS! It's not ending!

Lego released a press-release saying that they arn't discontinueing mindstorms!!!

They are just reducing other parts of the business, such as the parks and stores, and that mindstores and bionicale are going to be THEIR MAIN FOCUS!!!

http://www.lego.com/eng/info/default...contentid=3423

[cbudrecki]

by reading the article on the LEGO site, it almost sounds like they have someone keeping an eye on CD for rumors like this...

[Kevin Watson]

Yes, good news indeed. This was just sent out to the FLL teams:

-Kevin

>It has come to our attention that recent news concerning events at the
>LEGO Company contained inaccurate information about our ongoing commitment
>and support for LEGO MINDSTORMS. In response to questions from FLL
>partners, FLL participants and other LEGO MINDSTORMS enthusiasts, the LEGO
>Company has prepared the following statement:
>
>Recent speculation that LEGO Company will be abandoning the LEGO
>MINDSTORMS concept simply isn't true. We are fully committed to the LEGO
>MINDSTORMS concept and the FIRST LEGO League program. The LEGO Company
>will constantly be developing new products and concepts that empower
>children to realize their own ideas and discover new possibilities, and we
>believe that technology and robotics are an important part of that. But
>going forward, LEGO Company will to a higher degree seek the balance
>between the core LEGO Idea and new expressions of the LEGO brand in ways
>that make sense for consumers and our business. The LEGO MINDSTORMS
>concept is close to the LEGO core.
>
>We are extremely proud of the FIRST LEGO League program and our
>partnership with FIRST and all the FLL partners. FLL has a unique way to
>inspire and challenge children to make an effort to come up with their own
>unique solutions to complex problems. The LEGO MINDSTORMS concept and the
>RCX technology are playing an essential role in FIRST LEGO League and will
>continue to do so. We look forward to supporting the continued growth of
>the FLL program in the future.
>
>
>Tormod Askildsen
>Senior Director
>LEGO Community Development