LEGO shuts down Bionicle fan game after 8 years of work

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A dedicated group of video game creators, who had been developing a fan project based on the Bionicle series for several years, were abruptly halted by a legal notice (cease and desist) from LEGO, just a few months before they were set to unveil a demo version. This unfortunate event put an end to all their hard work over the years.

In the early to mid-2000s, the Bionicle franchise was a highly sought-after line by LEGO, boasting television shows and video games as an attempt to expand the mythos of its unique universe.

The property appears to be defunct for quite some time now. No new additions have surfaced for several years, making it an essentially idle franchise. It seems unlikely that it will ever be revived officially.

Team Kanohi emerged as a dedicated fanbase, aiming to resurrect the Bionicle series. However, their efforts were halted when LEGO intervened and stopped them.

Bionicle: Masks of Power shut down by LEGO

Although primarily designed for children, the intricate storyline within the Bionicle series proves to be quite complex. There’s a dedicated group of enthusiasts who have meticulously connected the various series and expanded the universe beyond what the original creators may have initially envisioned. Remarkably, there are still many individuals who hold deep affection for it even years after the franchise ended.

Team Kanohi was part of the dedicated fanbase who spent nearly a decade crafting an original tale for a game, effectively reviving the beloved franchise of Bionicle.

Just as in God of War-style action games, it featured gameplay where the player navigated a map to discover enhancements and advance through a main narrative. It boasted unique music, quirky voice clips reminiscent of Animal Crossing, a sophisticated combat system, and a shine of quality reflecting the effort they invested.

Even though we’ve tried our best to collaborate on the project, we’ve been told it must be closed down completely. Interestingly, this decision came as a surprise to us, considering the length of the project and LEGO’s well-known history of being supportive towards fan projects. However, we are bound by their decisions and have no option but to follow through with their request, as explained by lead developer Jordan Willis.

In addition to this communication, they also provided a comprehensive guide detailing all the projects they’ve built, ensuring that their decades-long efforts wouldn’t be forgotten.

Yet, the surprise deepens as you delve into the video’s description, revealing an extensive roster of developers and collaborators who have tirelessly contributed to this project.

Instead of a casual group creating a simple game, they enlisted professional voice actors, employed visual effects (VFX) and concept artists, assembled a full 3D art team headed by a senior member, hired UI designers, lighting specialists, an animation team, a cinematics unit, level designers, environmental artists, music composers, audio engineers, and many more. This undertaking was colossal, yet they planned to offer it for free, despite the immense effort invested.

Excitingly enough, I’ve learned that the developers behind my favorite game have established their very own studio – Unmasked Games! They’re currently immersed in the development of a new, standalone title called Rustbound, which I can hardly wait to see unfold.

Although this news is heart-wrenching for our entire team, it also ignites enthusiasm within us about what lies ahead and the opportunities to craft new endeavors. We fervently hope that you share our excitement.

In other words, although the fan project has come to a close, these developers aim to learn from their Bionicle: Masks of Power experience and create something even more impressive instead.

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2025-05-18 18:18