Video Shows the Making of LEGO Universe Soundtrack

The LEGO Universe team has released a video that gives players a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the game's soundtrack. We get to see Patrick Stewart record some lines for the game, as well as listen to the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra bring the score to life.

LEGO Universe's soundtrack was recently nominated for the IFMCA’s award for Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media. Watch how it was made in the video below!

LEGO Universe Completes Nexus Tower Construction

Thanks to the work of the LEGO Universe community, construction of the Nexus Tower is complete! All sorts of new content will be added to the game once the tower opens its doors, including new characters, weapons, Faction-specific pets and over 50 new missions. Also, the new Vault system will allow you to keep your items safe and get them out of your backpack.

Players began building Nexus Tower earlier this month by donating bricks to the cause. It certainly looks like they'll be rewarded with all of the new content coming in the latest patch!

Help Build the Nexus Tower in LEGO Universe Update

A major content update is scheduled to launch in LEGO Universe on May 3, and the main feature will be a month-long cooperative mission to complete the construction of the Nexus Tower. Players can donate bricks to the cause and earn one-time only achievements.

Of course, working on the Nexus Tower is only one portion of this update. Here's a rundown of some of the other content you can try out next week:

"In addition to this new Community Build Mission, you will also be able to experience the thrilling new Dragonmaw Chasm Raceway, save Imagination by building on the new Nimbus Isle Property, and display your Faction Pride by racing in or flying in your Faction Cars and Rockets! Take advantage of over 80 new Zoo or Safari themed models to build the largest Zoo or wild Safari on Nimbus Isle."

To get a glimpse of this content update in action, check out the new screenshots in our gallery.

LEGO Universe: Brick Vendors Organizing Shops!

LEGO Universe has announced that the Brick Vendors have decided to organize their wares to make shopping much easier! With a simple click of a button, you can view Brick Vendors’ wares by various categories such as Clips, Hand Accessories and Hinge & Turntable.

Do you organize your bricks differently? That’s no problem at all. The Buckets you used to organize your personal Brick collection can apply to viewing Brick Vendor wares too. You will be able to quickly and easily browse specific categories of bricks so you spend less time searching and more time building!

LEGO Universe Hosts Sale on Game, Memberships

If you've been wanting to try out LEGO Universe, you may want to take advantage of the sales and offers that are available on the game's official site. You can currently buy LEGO Universe for $9.99, which is 50% off the original price. Also, players who purchase a subscription membership between April 5-17 will receive an extra seven days of gameplay free.

Between the sale on the actual game and some extra play time, that may be enough for some players to take the plunge into LEGO Universe. The recent release of the Crux Prime zone added the Ninjago line of LEGO toys to the game, so there's more content to explore since the game launched in October 2010.

Bob's Troubled Past Revealed. He's Totally a Spy!

The dark and troubled past of LEGO Universe's Bob has been revealed. This minifigure is known as the brave soul who helps all Minifigures unlock their Imagination and escape from the Venture Explorer. He's the helpful, smiling guy who even covers his eyes when you type your password! Bob is a shining example of a good-hearted citizen who never breaks any rules...

...or is he?

"Yes, dear explorers. Bob is a spy for the Maelstrom. Helpful Bob has been spying on your every move and making direct reports to the Darkitect. The Maelstrom has been able to read your every move thanks to the intel reports that Bob has provided to the Darkitect."

I know, right? How shocking! So what can you do to stop such evil corruption? One word: Warthogs. Bob is deathly afraid of Warthogs. That’s why you never see him in Gnarled Forest! Adventurers: Your mission is to gather an army of Warthogs so you can take down Bob and the Darkitect, once and for all. DEATH TO BOB!

Nimbus Station Instance Coming to LEGO Universe

Nimbus Station is the social hub of LEGO Universe. Players can use the area to relax between battles, purchase items and travel to other zones. Starting Feb. 23, however, Nimbus Station is going to get a little more dangerous with the launch of a four-player instance.

Players will be able to travel back in time to save the Nimbus Station of the past from the Maelstrom. You'll have to fight off 30 waves of enemies and defeat the Four Riders of the Maelstrom to emerge victorious. Check out the video of the instance in action after the jump and head over to our LEGO Universe screenshots gallery to view some new images.

Feb. 23 also marks the removal of the Winter-themed Frostburgh zone. In addition, four new Daily Missions and 12 new achievementswill be added to the game for players who enjoy getting creative in their property worlds.

Crux Prime Zone Brings Ninjago to LEGO Universe

If you've walked through any toy aisle lately, you may have seen the new Ninjago LEGO sets lining the shelves. The series is full of spinning ninjas (they're masters of Spinjitzu, after all), and they're coming to LEGO Universe today, Feb. 8, with the launch of the new Crux Prime zone.

Crux Prime feature a story that unfolds throughout the year, as well as new missions, achievements, gear and items. players must seek out Sensei Wu among the ruins of the Ninjago Monastery to learn the secrets of Spinjitzu, the only skill that can destroy Skeleton enemies.

Players who enjoy grouping together will be happy to hear that they can take advantage of multiplayer team functionality for the very first time in Crux Prime. Also, builders will want to head over to Avant Grove, a large Property World that is now open near Avant Gardens.

Check out the Crux Prime checklist on the official LEGO Universe site to make sure you're prepared for the new zone. If you'd like to see Crux Prime in action, take a look at the screenshots in our gallery and the trailer after the jump.

LEGO January Build Competition: Rockets

The January LEGO Build Competition is here and this time players are being asked to build rockets. Players can build a rocket in-game and take a screenshot or build one in real life and submit a picture of your creation.

Three winners will receive a full set of the all new LEGO Ninjago sets as well as a LEGO Space Shuttle Adventure Set. The grand prize winner may even have their creation added to the game as an official LEGO Universe rocket. The contest ends on Feb. 11, so get building and good luck!

Former Blizzard Exec Named President of Gazillion

David Brevik, the former president of Blizzard North and a major force behind the Diablo series and Blizzard's Battle.net service, has been promoted to president and COO of Gazillion Entertainment. Prior to his promotion, Brevik was the studio director and project lead for Gazillion's upcoming Marvel Universe MMO.

In addition, Jeff Lind was named vice president and studio head for Secret Identity, the Gazillion studio that's developing Marvel Universe. Lind was formerly a director of development for several projects at Electronic Arts and the director of engineering for Turbine West.

Gazillion is a developer and publisher of various MMOs, including Marvel Universe, Marvel Super Hero Squad, LEGO Universe and Jumpgate Evolution. We've been excited at the thought of a Marvel Universe MMO since Gazillion announced its partnership with Marvel Entertainment back in March 2009, so we'll definitely be keeping an eye on how these developments affect the game.

For more details, check out the press release after the jump.