LEGO IS REMOVING INSTRUCTIONS

This will change the LEGO building experience forever...
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LEGO has hinted at the future of LEGO instructions, and it will change the LEGO building experience forever. Let’s discuss exactly what LEGO plans to do starting with Series 1 of LEGO's newly established "Bricklink Designer Program" whose sets will be officially announced in late May 2023 and ship early 2024 without instructions. LEGO is aiming to reduce their carbon footprint and save money by slowly transitioning set instructions to "digital only" using their LEGO Builder app. No more paper instruction booklets. This change won't occur overnight, but LEGO is not afraid to admit their intentions for the future. Watch the entire video to see WHY and HOW they plan to do this. Comment your thoughts below!
Thanks to Jay's Brick Blog: jaysbrickblog.com/news/lego-t...
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[@SpitBrix]

🔔 Subscribe to stay up to date on this story. I'll be covering any new developments - especially if LEGO makes any new announcements.

[@Allthenamesweretaken17]

Must have disliked the video ,because not having paper instructions in LEGO sets is like playing soccer without a ball 😥

[@Bojko77]

Yes, I definitely do not like the idea, nor do I support it, it actually irritates me, as do people who call football soccer.. There is football and American football in the world, soccer is an American invention..

[@micahmwania1952]

please put #SaveLegoInstructions in the details of this video

[@micahmwania1952]

@@Bojko77 True, I call it fútbol but then we need a new name for American football. By the way spam #SaveLegoInstructions in comments of all lego youtubers.

[@countrabricksbuildcraze8916]

Just subbed I thort I was all ready subbed cheers. For makeing me check .😊👍. . .

[@bulkhead7341]

Dude, literally the best part of getting the big sets was that you also had instruction booklets the size of a textbook.

[@LoserLevi]

I think that they need to keep there instuctions.

[@topher9507]

yeah, I mean if they looking to change this to use less paper than fine, just put more into each step and put multiple steps on a page. That will reduce the size, but we still get the booklets.

[@WillEditz32242]

@@topher9507 that’s a good idea!

[@Cerri22PG]

I'm pretty sure they'll keep the instructions for those sets as they include not only the building process but how the designers made the set itself

[@y4duv33r]

Was the only book I ever read...

[@EvolutionSquare]

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this might kill my LEGO hobby. I once thought I had lost the booklet of a set mid-build and I was so mad at the thought of having to finish the build using the digital instructions. I hate them so much. 1: I love collecting the manuals and I love showing them to people as part of me showing off a new set I built ("look how thick this manual is!") 2: LEGO is my *offline* hobby. It is literally THE thing I do to get away from the screens that I stare at all day every day as part of work and other hobbies. 3: I don't have a tablet (and frankly many people don't). I have a PC with double monitors in my home office, but I have an entirely separate LEGO room (because of point 2). So to access digital instructions, I'd have to boot up my old gaming laptop. A laptop, by its nature, has a keyboard in front of it; it takes up a significant chunk of desk space. And to be able to see the instructions well, the laptop would basically have to be right in front of me, meaning the keyboard takes up the exact space where I would have my LEGO sorted out in front of me. 4: the "sustainibility" angle on this, rubs me the wrong way. Anyone can tell that it's an insincere motivation, repackaged as "green" and "environmental". Make the instructions out of recycled paper. Tada. 5: I don't have kids, but I take offense on behalf of all the parents out there, who just want their kids to *play* and *not* stare at a computer screen for a couple of hours. They might not even have a device available for their kids to use!

[@garystorey6472]

Underrated and true comment

[@skullhunter7955]

Wholeheartedly agree with this, the whole “offline” thing is one of the most important parts of LEGO imo, I’ve been an avid collector for a decade, and my family doing the same decades before that. Paper instructions >>>>> PS. Love love love your JW evo vids! Didn’t expect to see you commenting here lol

[@junobuilds8415]

same

[@hinokamianimates]

I agree

[@Spudymcman]

I agree entirely

[@LegendWolfA]

Just like the others have said, this would make it impossible for families without tech or limited access to tech to play LEGO. I often donate LEGO to charities, which is then sent to poor places across the country. Most of these people don't have internet access, let alone a device to browse it. If this change happen, it would mean i cannot donate LEGOs anymore unless if i have the paper copy. It would suck a lot since these people love LEGOs and always appreciate when a set is donated.

[@livingwater25]

shouldn't you be donating sets with the instructions anyways . . . ?

[@filbertoossani2972]

@@livingwater25 It's kinda hard to donate instructions when you have to print instruction for each set and even if you do it then you cannot have unpacked box because you have to open it to put instruction inside

[@knowbody6327]

Have you seen the prices for Lego Sets? They do not care if poor people can't buy or use Legos

[@VestedUTuber]

It wouldn't necessarily prevent them from playing with LEGO, it would just prevent them from building the set as originally designed.

[@9nikolai]

@@VestedUTuber Not encessarily. Just the image of what the build is "supposed" to look like could be enough, maybe not to see what it looks like on the inside, and it would be much more difficult to build it generally, but I think at least some people would love the challenge. It does still ruin it for everyone who don't want it to be a challenge though.

[@thebodhiverse]

I think one of the best things about lego is opening the box, getting your bags out and laying on the floor and building it with a book. Not staring at a screen for hours making something that has 1000+ pieces.

[@legolovinchick1440]

I agree

[@matteovaladez-uq5mh]

Parents: get off the phone/tablet right now! You've spent 8 hours on that thing.

[@runrgrl35]

Well said…agree 100%!

[@floydforthought9998]

I always prefer to have a physical copy of media, be it music, movies, books, or now LEGO instructions. You never know when the copyright holder will take something down.

[@CreightonNelms]

Or when the app inevitably stops being supported in the future and now you have a bunch of lego builds with no instructions on how to rebuild if they're ever disassembled.

[@ano_nym]

@@WesTheHunter If you find yourself having the opposite opinion of Discord it's a sign you are in the right.

[@Aeduo]

@@CreightonNelms Yeah hopefully they have official PDF or something. I haven't looked in to it. Those could always be archived.

[@CreightonNelms]

@Aeduo Archived and printed. That would be good. Especially for me since I like physical copies of books and instructions. I really hope something like that is available. Or maybe an option through the lego store to purchase a set with or without physical instructions. Kind of like how they offer frustration free packaging on some sets.

[@manoftruth0935]

That’s exactly right.

[@scottvance4154]

I actually prefer physical instructions over digital ones. The reason being is that I like the fact that if I ever need to fix a set that gets damaged I can always look at my physical instructions a lot easier and quicker than having to go online and look up the instructions there.

[@bill4632]

EXACTLY!

[@Kibcreeper123]

Well personally i think it would be the opposite in this case but could you imagine busting open your set and having to look up instructions before you get to building. Not to mention that you’d need a bigger screen to even view the instructions.

[@quack420]

I prefer physical everything to digital anything... Who wants to read a book on a phone?

[@blueberyramune]

@@Kibcreeper123 well you can zoom in and rotate on digital instructions it was really easy to do on my phone when i built lego mario sets (i also had a much smaller phone at the time)

[@Chosen_one_501]

I see what you’re saying, but you make going online and finding the instructions sound like some long task. It’s literally one google search away. As opposed to taking up space in your house to keep all the booklets, then looking through the booklets for the one you want, then going to that page. Also, not a big deal, but it seems more complicated than just googling set number instructions. Plus the digital ones are more detailed, you can rotate it or zoom in and stuff.

[@ScooterinAB]

Regardless of how ubiquitous we think they are, there are people who don't have smartphones. There are also more and more families who want their kids using them less. I think it's a great OPTION, as it can help if a kid is having trouble building something because the instructions aren't clear. But it has to be just that. IT is very dangerous to keep pushing kids towards phones when not everyone has that option.

[@Hauntaku]

Simple instructions? Print on the inside of the box. Difficult instructions? Booklet required. No phone stuff. They can just used recycled paper or bamboo paper instead.

[@bean5194]

As a gen z myself building lego is used for me as a break from the screens and media, I enjoy the hour of time into just doing something fun and entertaining myself without a screen or needing to go somewhere and lego is perfect for that. I think removing the booklets is smart for a business perspective but bad for an experience perspective

[@Hauntaku]

It's also bad from a business perspective because most people who love Lego don't have phones.

[@projectr12]

Indeed, I spent three days without phone just to build my sp3 set

[@jacobroebuck5648]

I reached out to LEGO and already got the following official response: There are no plans in the works to discontinue paper building instructions in the majority of our sets. The exception would be digitally based products like LEGO® Mario or the LEGO City Missions sets. Because these sets have a foot in the digital world, it makes sense the instructions also are digital. Some fans love the digital instructions, while others prefer paper. We love that we are able to meet the needs of our fans by supplying both options. 😊

[@amberveronique913]

That’s great!

[@zap254]

Thank God they're not fully removing paper instructions!

[@ZackarySchejbalCODBO2RGM2]

That's fine. However, that's not the case. The LEGO Star Wars droid building set was all digital.

[@catsdogswoof3968]

@@ZackarySchejbalCODBO2RGM2 majority not all

[@Nikioko]

That's what some competitors of Lego are already doing: Manuals of certain sets only digitally available to cut costs. So, nothing new.

[@CatherineKimport]

A few years ago I was on a no-screens order for a couple weeks for medical reasons, building by entire backlog of Lego sets was basically what kept me from losing my mind during that time. Sad that this might not be an option for others in the future.

[@Prauwlet213]

yeah. Sadly

[@RealOberonn13]

True, not everything needs to be digital only.

[@flamingpaxtsc]

I think that removing instruction booklets would be a horrible decision. One of the main reasons I like legos are because it doesn’t involve a screen so I can just let my mind wander about other things.

[@seamarie3111]

I suppose it'd be possible that if they removed the booklets they might still let you download and print the PDF instructions off the website like they've let you do since at least 2017 when I started building. I assume that's still possible, and nicely sidesteps the app, though it sucks you'd need to use the internet, printer, ink, and paper which many people don't have, so yeah ... though I'm partially sighted and need digital instructions myself, I don't support the phasing out of print ones. If I could use the books myself I would

[@jwalt2032]

@@seamarie3111 It takes away all the independent fun of building from a kid who could once go to her room with her set and just build it, and instead makes her reliant on "when mommy doesn't need her phone".

[@seamarie3111]

@@jwalt2032 Exactly. Not all kids have phones/tablets and frankly I don't think they should. Taking away print instructions REALLY puts parents in a corner… And AFOLS who don't WANT to use a tablet/phone. Again, digital instructions are an accessibility tool for me personally, I couldn't build without them, but I'm an exception, not the rule here.

[@Hauntaku]

@@seamarie3111 Autistic people such as myself require physical instructions.

[@vectorprime4387]

It's really sad to hear this. In a lot of ways, this situation reminds me of Hasbro's 'environmental' initiative to remove the plastic windows from transformers boxes. What ended up happening though is that people stole figures right out of the box. The retailers from what I heard then threatened to pull product from the shelves since the change was costing them too much money. Hasbro has since decided to revert the change. Lego will probably attempt to remove manuals on a larger scale at some point, but something tells me the reduced sales will outweigh the cost savings of getting rid of the manuals, forcing Lego to backpedal this sooner or later.

[@jonathangreenlees4772]

I certainly hope so.

[@minnion2871]

The ditching of the instructions might only really work with sets that don't rely on instructions in the first place.... (Who needs instructions to figure out how to put together a mini-figure?) Or perhaps the big tub of brick sets.... (The point of which is to just have a big tub of bricks to build whatever you want with as opposed to building a specific thing...)

[@brittonstegner2610]

That's what LEGO is doing with Marvel CMF Series 2. They are switching to boxes.

[@minnion2871]

@@brittonstegner2610 At least Lego knows how to make a tamper evident box so you know if it's been breached or tampered with. They've been doing boxed sets for years....

[@brittonstegner2610]

@@minnion2871 Yeah, but I don't think anyone in my local Walmart would notice if there was one missing. I certainly would as I am a LEGO collector. I honestly wish they would make more comic based sets instead of movie based. A big Justice League Watchtower modular would really sell well.

[@JayJapanB]

Usually I'm on board with decisions like this, but getting away from the computer is one of the biggest appeals of Lego as an adult. This will undermine it significantly. I also bought my older parents a Lego Porsche, and they enjoyed flicking through the book while building it.

[@Lessenjr]

The instruction books are immensely satisfying. I have a few of the larger kits. I keep all the docs and packaging of the big kits. I might be able to get behind this for 95% of their products, but the big kits are clearly marketed to adults. I suspect most if us would greatly prefer the physical step by step books.

[@jackb3555]

If they do this, it worries me as an educator. Kids have too much screen time already and Lego is a great way to keep kids entertained, practice problem solving and focus, and if screen time is required that's going to make a lot of parents and teachers choose other products as we are always looking for more non-screen ways to let our kiddos have fun

[@GlowingTrashPanda99]

Exactly this. Especially in families like mine with neurodiverse kids who don't do well with too much screen-time. The kids all love LEGO and while I am always one to extol LEGO for its many educational benefits (heck I've even taught fractions with them), I'd have to consider limiting them if the sets could no longer be built without more screen time. We'd probably have to switch to only buying the Classic bins of just pieces in this house instead of actual sets.

[@MasterTapeArchives]

I’m not even a parent or older than 18, but I’m pretty sure the reason they are doing this is to make more money on glasses.

[@stuffwelove]

@@MasterTapeArchives ofc ur not a parent, u make Roblox vids and ur like 10 sooo

[@lowie9783]

​@@MasterTapeArchives Ah yes. Lego, the world famous glasses manufacterer.

[@MasterTapeArchives]

bro you can’t say anything your pfp is a Lego movie 2 heart

[@jerryterwase9027]

The only thing that still kept me glued to Lego is the fact that it's one of the only leisure activities that keeps me away from tapping my phone. Tampering with that is definitely taking me out.

[@ashtronite895]

One of the reasons I love building lego sets is because it's a fun escape from phones and screens. Thanks Lego.

[@meronyach.]

Honestly, if they do this, I’m way less likely to buy LEGO again. One of the reasons I buy LEGO, is to get away from all the other digital things in life. Having to look back and forth between a screen and the bricks seems kind of disorienting, as well.

[@incidentalreelz]

agreed

[@Shadow_1287]

Yep

[@Rusty_119]

There have been times I used to app for instructions because I wanted to keep original instructions in their sealed plastic bag. It’s not bad, but I still like having the paper instructions

[@fajw]

Looking back and forth the instructions paper is just similarly disorienting in my opinion

[@wyattnielsen7382]

It definitely is. I bought a bunch of pre owned legos and I have been putting them together. The issue is none of them came with instructions so I have to use instruction pdfs and after building for hours it leaves me disoriented and with a headache sometimes.

[@kentslocum]

The problem with digital instructions is that the colors are a lot harder to differentiate. Also, if LEGO ditches physical instructions but charges the same price for the set, then the value of the set goes way down (because customers are getting way less stuff for the same price).

[@TheLegoStar]

Yeah like when milk went from glass bottles to cartons!!! I wasn’t just buying milk I need those bottles to put on my garage shelves and never recycle!!!

[@kentslocum]

@@TheLegoStar I know you're just being sarcastic (and I appreciate the humor), but glass bottles, despite being heavier and more prone to breakage, were also fully reusable and recyclable--much like how old glass soda bottles were returned to the bottling plant, sanitized, and refilled. The switch to a focus on lighter, less recyclable packing materials is a result of manufacturing products far away instead of closer to home.

[@countrabricksbuildcraze8916]

So true 😊👍👍

[@worldcomicsreview354]

​@@TheLegoStar Cor fuc'n 'ell, imagine defending this

[@marius-adriannasta1774]

Best way they could implement this, would be to have two types of the same set: one with instructions and one without. When checking out, you'd be offered the choice of a no instructions set, and maybe a couple dollars discount to encourage it. Not having instructions at all would be kinda exclusive of people with no means to use instructions.

[@LFPman]

Having physical instructions is like you said earlier about having a physical book compared to a digital copy. It just feels more authentic to me to turn the page of both an instruction booklet and a novel and it feels like you’re getting a more proper experience. That and not needing glasses a lot earlier than you should

[@Hauntaku]

Screens are also highly dangerous to children.

[@D4rk_Lum1nous]

I love keeping my instructions, I have intact lego instructions from my first ever Lego set that I got over 10 years ago and I love the memories they bring back when I look at them

[@Mate397]

Same, I have almost every booklet from the sets I have built.

[@goldskorp]

Same!

[@isaacorganist]

I am sad when I accidentally tear the covers or pages of my instructions

[@Phillip_Anatra]

My first instructions aren't quite 10 years old, but they're getting close. I also love holding onto them :D

[@pontiacattack249]

My dad has all his instructions and ads from the mid 70s

[@Wakashi_0]

If they remove instructions I'm not buying anymore 💀

[@TheOwnerOfYou]

fr. even the new instruction designs where its just the plain model makes me not wanna buy new lego

[@CharlieBrown-iu6ie]

True because I have no room in my phone

[@Wakashi_0]

​@@CharlieBrown-iu6ie and also I use Lego to get away from my phone 🤦‍♂️ I don't wanna have to use my phone for Lego too

[@Wakashi_0]

​@@TheOwnerOfYou Agreed man

[@ivocodabo]

I agree on this

[@ItsStooven]

I love having the physical instructions, and do not want them to go away, but I struggle with visualizing things in a 3D space, and trying to translate 2D Instructions into a 3D object doesn't really work a lot of the time. I've had this problem ever since I was a kid and this always made building Lego somewhat difficult. The ability to have instructions rendered in 3D if I need them has been super helpful and made building sets more enjoyable recently.

[@georggggggge]

for me, i prefer booklets, it really helps with problem solving in cases where the change between pages isnt always obvious and i have to spend some time finding it, but i also like to use my computer for youtube/music/or download a game in the background whilst i do it because it helps me unwind. i also dont have the desk space to have the lego on my desk as well as the mouse and keyboard in a convient enough place to use constantly, which is why i watch youtube because i can move them out my way after that. if they make it so that digital pdfs are the only way of viewing instructions it will make the whole process alot more tedious

[@StonewallBricks]

I prefer physical instructions. The only time I use digital is when I'm designing a MOC in Studio and I don't own the set. I guarantee you we won't see any price reduction even though their costs will drop!

[@DouglasMacD]

If they want to reduce paper they could make the instructions a bit more like Cobi is doing it, they tell you where you have to place like 20 bricks in just one step, meanwhile lego feels like it has it's own instruction step for every single brick there is

[@Siccher]

Totally agree with you on that. Have some old 700-800 brick sets from the '90s that have fever pages than 100-120 brick sets released in the last 5 years.

[@Official_ViperYT]

Yeah exactly, those Lego sets with like 1000+ pieces for like 16+ or something have been built by litteraly 5 year olds due to those booklets giving 3 Lego pieces per page. I'd prefer if it was like 20 so they could use less paper, and it would still have that same good old experience of Lego instructions.

[@NASCAR_Junk]

A single tree produces over 10,000 sheets of paper

[@romanrosenberg4367]

Yeah, they think we're idiots. I think they reduce the quality of the bricks as well. I bought the Haunted house and after two months I found 91 broken bricks.If they follow this trend, why to buy it? Mould king is cheaper.

[@nicotumminello2269]

Thats why I moved to other Brands Like Cobi,xingbao or ANY other company

[@AdamTheFanatic]

Don't forget that they did this with the Super Mario sets already. Their logic was that "you need the app to play with it anyways", but they still faced a fair bit of complaints over it.

[@pierson9905]

This would ruin Lego for my extended family with no access to smartphones 💔💔 They would have to drive to the library and print it off themselves for a hefty cost

[@Hauntaku]

Yeah, Lego is being greedy with this and greenwashing.

[@Shadoweclipse1386]

I like the idea of the app for old (potentially lost) instructions, or for the ability to rotate the model for a clearer picture, but it would be sad if they completely got rid of the paper instructions.

[@mr-fh2be]

Do they have any idea how difficult this move would make the Technic sets alone? The 1:1 scale for certain pieces is nessacary for construction.

[@brickbanditstudios6037]

You have a valid point! They have to keep the instructions all around

[@Saltinmente98]

4:09

[@morrowmorrow4811]

It's really not. You can compare them to other pieces in the set if the size of a piece isnt immediately obvious to you. Like hold a 7L gray axle up to a 2L black pin and be like, oh okay this is 3 and a half of these long so its a 7L. Technic isnt meant for toddlers.

[@MrJlee93]

I hope the 1:1 is in a separate section from the building pictures to allow you to see where it is

[@rednaxela7875]

There is actually a 1:1 scale for all the pieces you need, I actually think that with the animations and the ability to view the lego build in 3D would make it easier to construct

[@harley2938]

I imagine that the Lego app experience is even worse on smaller devices. However they implement it, having to work with a tiny screen will add inconveniences to make it even less like using physical instructions.

[@bertramwinkleofficial]

I’ve been deconstructing some of my old legos to make room for newer ones, and I’ve used the back of the books (that has the inventory count) to make sure I have all the pieces. It’s already tedious enough without me having to scroll and zoom in and out on my tiny phone screen

[@nathanwharton2420]

As somebody who has bought a lot of deconstructed lego sets from garage sales and whatever, I often have to look up the instructions instead of using a booklet, and it is not anywhere near as good of an experience. It's crazy how different it makes the whole thing feel, and I definitely can't say I'm a fan of the change

[@SoemthingFishy]

A huge problem with the physical books is that there are very few pieces per step (like 5 avg.). If they were to make the steps more efficient, they could make the booklets way smaller, and paired with recycled paper, it would allow for truly environmentally better outcomes while still keeping the great value that physical books provide.

[@bobafosqq3799]

Good idea

[@bertramwinkleofficial]

yeah I always look at the last step of the page and i’m easily able to build all the steps on that page from it. they could definitely try that

[@Official_ViperYT]

Honestly I'd prefer that over just deleting them all

[@DJNemesis01]

The older LEGO instructions had MANY more parts per step. Then people started complaining and LEGO started to put less and less parts per step. Heck I've got some instructions with only 1 piece per step, that's ridiculous! If you are curious, look up the 8868 Air Tech Claw Rig. That's some astonishing parts per page count!

[@robertdahne8972]

Sometimes, it's almost insulting, like they think we can't handle a few more pieces. I keep showing those steps to wife, who doesn't build, and she is a little surprised at the simplicity of some of the steps too.

[@imperfectimp]

Old Lego instructions didn't have the "these bricks for this step boxes" so the instructions were basically Spot The Difference. With those added, I assumed they'd increase the amount of bricks per step to reduce the size of the booklets. But with even small sets now containing dozens of bricks even a simple car which used to be a single page is now a full booklet. I'd hate to see the booklet disappear entirely, especially since there's plenty of ways to make them smaller. Additionally, having an enormous building running servers day and night to host the instructions isn't exactly eco-friendly either.

[@reilynn7891]

I recently bought the lighthouse set, and that booklet was huge and wide, and it was necessary because so many of the steps were complex, and involved a lot of noticing the small differences between big, detailed images. I cannot imagine building that thing on my phone screen, having to zoom in and pan around this mc escher looking image trying to find the five bricks that changed.

[@thewiseowl8804]

Highlight tool

[@MisterRubbernose]

Goodness, this worries me. Physical booklets were such a HUGE part of my childhood building LEGO. But besides the nostalgia aspect to them, I agree with everyone else here. I don’t want to stare at a screen for hours at a time building a big set, plus, what about people who don’t have access to the internet? Guess they can’t build their new set. I can’t imagine booklets not being a thing anymore. #savethebooklets

[@batbat4043]

I agree i always liked using the booklets i enjoy peaking a couple of pages while i am building they give lego charm and They will ruin the experience of lego if they replace the booklets with their app #savethebooklets

[@ClTHtiB]

Only for the rich I guess…

[@leannefox2112]

Families that don't have internet, phones, or anything digital won't be able to build lego anymore, #savethebooklets

[@AnonymousIdiot69]

#savethebooklets

[@Nathaniel114]

Same!!

[@nathanridgway7009]

I think if they can make sustainable plastic from recycled bottles, they can make sustainable paper from recycled materials as well, and agree with you that a physical instruction book would always be better.

[@ryanknebel4912]

@@piisfun True, but paper is already a sustainable resource. It comes from trees, not oil. Recycling allows it to last longer.

[@KidarWolf]

I would love if they made their instructions booklets on non-glossy and recycled paper - especially when it could be thematically appropriate (for example, if they started an 'Earth' series that was focused around animals and eco systems). There could be something charming about Lego instructions on natural toned paper as opposed to glossy bleached white.

[@CptJistuce]

Or if they made the booklet out of sheets of recycled plastic somehow.

[@fg4life124]

One of the best part of building a lego set is seeing if the inscruction book is the size of a paper towel or a dictionary. Another thing is i like to build lego sets in one sitting, if lego switched to digital instructions, i could have to take a break from the set while im charging my ipad/phone.

[@VulpisFoxfire]

Not having used the app, does it allow for downloading and local storage of the instruction files? The existing method of scanned PDF instructions lets you do that, so you don't have to worry about server/connectivity issues while you're building. Not to mention, I see this being used on phones/tablets so they have Android/iOs versions--do they have the same program in standard Windows/Mac/Linux, so a much larger screen can be used?

[@thomasbennett0]

If they remove instructions they would need to add a piece of paper of a code or QR code so you can access the instructions for the set on their site.

[@floppa_a8382]

they need to have physical instructions no matter what, like my 3 points are 1, it would suck using a phone or a device to build lego sets, like i always buy legos to have fun without being addicted to my devices and the fact there are little baby kids that don't have devices to build the sets and they would be crying so badly seeing that there isn't any physical instructions and that the entire set is just a waste of money the fact you need a device while these babies don't. and 2, the apps have 0 mercy like they kill all your space on your device. and 3, they say it is to "save" money while what they're doing will let them go bankrubt the fact people are gonna be so mad most people won't buy legos anymore and lego would be a thing of the past, like i bet in 2060 your grandson will say "grandpa, what's lego? is it an old rip-off of brickies?" because it may go horrible so badly and it would be to late for them to fix it to the point where lego will become a thing of the past

[@Brixxter]

or they could just print the code / link on the package

[@jasonh8470]

You can enter the set number under the search function in the Lego app.

[@J.T.7]

IF they're really gonna do this, I hope they would at least make it a bit cheaper for us!!! Edit: I HOPE, but they'll probably just see it as more profit for themselves...

[@eyeyamjstn628]

Tfym you hope? They BETTER make it cheaper

[@DK-lz7kg]

Actually the funny thing is, these toxic large corporations never cut the prices when they reduce cost. If anything theyll raise the prices

[@BrickBusterVideo647]

@@DK-lz7kgI wouldn’t really consider Lego to be a toxic corporation if anything Lego is the only company I know that’s not overflown with greed

[@rednaxela7875]

@@BrickBusterVideo647 I agree, I also think lego is doing this to make it cheaper for consumers

[@hahafunny8111]

wow you guys really know how the market works huh?

[@victorp7932]

Right on.. Also, imagine you made a mistake somewhere along the build process, its much easier to flip pages backward to find where you messed up.

[@diatonicdelirium1743]

Back in the 70s the technic sets came with a folded two-sided A2 poster that contained all instructions for the model. Not 100 steps to put 80 parts in place.

[@rc-fannl7364]

I wonder if with the carbon footprint/sustainability they also take into account that once printed, checking the instructions costs zero energy whereas hosting these online to be available, as well as when using a device to open the digital files, takes energy and more resources. Also, if Lego wanted to cut down on printed pages, why did we see many instructions become longer and longer because each step has just a few or sometimes even a single part getting added?

[@ClTHtiB]

Lego in 2043 stops using lego as it is harmful to the environment: company is now selling mud pies which are all natural

[@rc-fannl7364]

@@ClTHtiB They will probably then just sell virtual Lego. ;-)

[@P6tu]

And this is a good note. I just got myself set 60336 and it there were so many pages where there actually was only one piece per step. Even my 10yo son said that it is a waste and he skipped a step or two to go oldschool and check the changes on the build. Sometimes misses some things, but the booklets are unneccesarily thick wiht unnecessarily many steps.

[@rc-fannl7364]

@@P6tu Yeah, so if Lego really cared that much about wasting resources, why first come these bloated instructions with pointless sub-steps for single parts and boxes big enough to fit twice the amount of parts? Simply, they want to make it appear like you get more value for money, and longer building experience, while in fact you get much less than the thick booklets and large boxes make it appear.

[@P6tu]

Exactly. They could cut at least half of the cost by just making the boxes half the size and having twice the amount of parts in steps compared to the current amount of parts in the steps in those construction manuals. Wouldn't that already be a VERY good step.towards sustainability.

[@lynx4082]

I think a healthy middle ground if this doesn't work out is to just make the actual booklets smaller since there's always a lot of dead space on the pages

[@catsdogswoof3968]

and also make the steps complecated again it feels wasteful now

[@QuinnMallory-od1hw]

This digital approach would only work if the entire lego instruction database was open to everyone on every design set ever made forever, no subtraction, no censorship, no substitution. As a corporation that has already hidden alot of builds on bricklink after the takeover. That were re classed as inappropriate due to military model nature or controversial topics. Well can you trust you get get what you want when you need it? Also websites are vulnerable to hackers.

[@Morrigun-2001]

I love the option of both physical and digital instructions. I got some old instructions I definetly can not follow because the booklets arent compleate any more. but also what I love about lego is that I can just put away the phone no social media no emails to distract me and just build. as a kid I was also playing with lego when I had used my screen time (so at that point it ment no more tv) and I think this will only increase the problem of kids wanting/needing to have electronics to entertain them

[@webadoinc.7112]

What’s next, Lego will make their bricks digital too?

[@GhostlyPhantom]

NFT Lego be like: 30 Eth for 1 brick jpeg.

[@joe1205]

Yup, plastic harms the environment!

[@PonandCon9025]

NO DON'T GIVE THEM ANY IDEAS

[@troublemakingloons5783]

​@@joe1205 no

[@hawktalon7890]

LEGO set building VR simulator?

[@demoliman]

Legos are one of the few things that can keep me occupied without having to look at a screen. I also enjoy keeping the instructions because I personally think they look pretty cool when placed beside the finished set. Cooler than placing down a phone with the picture of it, anyway.

[@onceinatwice_]

Lego's next step: removing the box for "sustainability"

[@alexisvillanueva1916]

I can understand the argument of keeping Lego booklets my IMO I think digital is a good option. Hear me out. First-quick rant, LEGO builder app displays modern lego sets in 3D modeling software like the program CAD and not in PDF's like SpitBrix mentioned which I have to say makes the app MUCH better than paper booklets. -The Lego builder app lets you start and finish builds with multiple people. It will assign tasks to each person and will have one person put them all together. The app will have participants take turns either building necessary parts or connecting those parts to the body. That alone IMO makes the app much better than the booklet and makes financially splitting big lego sets among multiple people much more viable, especially among family/friends. -3D models of builds and pieces make the building process a lot easier. You can literally spin parts and pieces in a 3D space to ensure where certain parts go or even to get a better understanding of what piece you are looking for. Something you cannot do on a book. -Obviously better for the enviroment and @SpitBrix being angry a company is trying to reduce its carbon footprint for the better makes you selfishly look bad. Even if LEGO is trying to save money, you cant deny that removing booklets will help the enviroment especially considering how many LEGO sets are built and made every year. -There are e-ink phones and tablets (like the Amazon Kindle) that are MUCH easier on the eyes that traditional LED/OLED displays. Oh, and they produce color too. Yeah, it sucks for some but I HOPE Lego transitions to digital 3D modeling sooner rather than later because the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

[@yaralaterveer]

From what I've noticed, older sets (and with that I mean sets from the 70's/80's) tend to have shorter instruction manuals than current sets, due to putting more bricks per step. We have the manual of the original yellow castle at home, and it's definitely shorter than manuals of sets that I bought not too long ago that have less bricks and are smaller in general. I did find that I sometimes forgot bricks with the older manuals because they didn't always specify which bricks you needed and where you had to place them. The part of which ones you needed might've been more a problem that was caused by my mom dismantling the manuals, CROPPING THEM so that she could LAMINATE them (only reason for doing so was that I wouldn't destroy the manuals on accident... Could've just copied the original manual and laminate the copy but nope). I did find the fact the smaller amount of steps more enjoyable when building in the sense that I wasn't constantly looking at the manual because I had to go to the next page and looking for bricks. I could grab more bricks in one go, have a look at the manual and then build for a longer time without constantly having to switch.

[@theemmjay5130]

Even when the instructions did include what pieces you needed for a given step, there were still a lot more pieces added per step. I still remember rebuilding the Model Team Off-Road 4x4 (Model Team and Technic did the "pieces you need" thing) a few years ago and thinking, "Wow, I'd forgotten how parts-dense each step used to be." I actually like that they don't go so far nowadays, but I do think that today's instructions decompress things a little too much.

[@EmeralBookwise]

Definitely a cost saving measure more than an actual sustainability one. Just consider the added electricity it's going to take displaying those instruction on a screen vs just having them in a printed booklet.

[@thephoenixking1086]

And I reckon the App will have Ads in it (either now or at some point) making it annoying. Samsung and many other TV Companies do this already on Multi-Thousand Dollar TV's, they put ADS on the TV even though you just spend upwards of 6,000 USD on that TV.............................

[@PANZERFAUST90]

Stop making sense.

[@lued123]

I dunno, I think growing a tree, chopping it down, and sending it to a paper mill probably takes a bit more energy than displaying instructions on a screen.

[@The_Brickster]

Never used digital instructions for new sets. I love having the physical booklets to the point that I've spent a pretty penny tracking down instruction booklets for my fairly large collection of vintage sets instead of continuing to use my computer. I use Lego not only to destress, but also give my eyes a break from computers since I have a desk job.

[@eliashamblen9402]

Hey spitbrix thanks for telling us about the DiGiorno instructions I think it's interesting word they're trying to go towards that I mean it could be good but I also like what you said it could be good for sets don't have instructions like past ones if that's the case that's awesome and thank you for that info hope to see you on more videos❤🎉

[@jedibiglion2298]

When I make Lego, I get the instructions up on my laptop because I don’t wanna have to deal with the booklet, (I find it a bit annoying). Put a KZbin video on with both headphones in and then build. Brings me so much peace and tranquility

[@ShingleTheBoomba]

If Lego were to do this, they would be only marketing themselves to families with lots of money.

[@brickbanditstudios6037]

True facts here! ☝️

[@ShingleTheBoomba]

Edit: Also I Have A Mini Phone, And It Is SUCH A Pain To Look At The Tincy Instructions

[@purpleflaminggoatsnakes9864]

As if they aren’t already (Legos are even more expensive nowadays)

[@huniesoft]

How so? 90% of Americans have internet and 85% have smartphones. Sure, it will definitely affect lower income families, but I don't think it's marketing towards people with "lots of money".

[@ClTHtiB]

@@huniesoft yeah, but what about the kids? Parents have to take their phones to work or just have to use them in general. Digital devices are expensive. You are discriminating against families poorer than you. People shouldn’t have buy such things to enjoy offline entertainment

[@swlabr123]

I like the off grid building using a booklet. I've used the digital occasionally by downloading the PDF on computer or tablet, but not on a regular basis.

[@c.d.rstudios4691]

Don't let the government know which Lego set you're building

[@nickshannon_96]

Thanks for the video! I personally love the paper instructions but as long as we still have free access to the instructions after we buy the set I'm cool with it. Happy building everyone!

[@stardxe]

I feel like a company worried about the environmental impact of a paper booklet when they mass produce plastic toys is kind of the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard 😭 they could’ve promoted family time away from screens instead of promoting staring at a phone. Imagine you get a huge set that takes hours… the toll on your eyes…

[@legopeaceez]

The only times I tried digital lego instructions were the times when I had lost my old instructions from really old sets But I really prefer the paper instructions They are one of the most essential part of a Lego set!

[@ShakuraKazuki]

Paper is already a sustainable resource and the least evil they have... I love building my pieces ON the instruction manual (if they are small) like it's a little frame/underlay. Looking and zooming on a phone (not to mention the battery drainage if you keep the screen on all the time) would lessen the experience greatly.

[@littlefox_100]

Exactly

[@trev3971]

The sustainability of paper isn't the issue, it's the cost and resource use of printing and shipping.

[@g.williams2047]

They have to keep the profit margins at 25-30%!

[@Kazdaniarz]

The question i have is what about manuals base outside the designer app, like the manuals for really old lego sets that we can check out on their website. I didn't used app so not sure but guess they are not available here cuz the app from what i saw uses 3d models and not scans and what about the opposite situation with new sets. If they stop doing paper manuals i guess they will be only 3d versions of them in app so no pdf manual on site which i prefer. What are your thoughts on this?

[@simonjones5101]

My thought is that it would make Lego less accessible to people who don't have access to computers or the internet. It's a bigger issue than people think.

[@catalyst539]

when i read the title i thought this was a late april fools joke

[@gurra981]

we cant let this happen, we need to be loud and clear about this and say we dont want this change to happen

[@fazbrogaming7776]

I feel old, I’ve been playing with legos since I was a toddler, to me this feels like now that I’ve grown up everything I knew from my childhood is entering a digital age.

[@slushysplash8801]

pls lego don't remove your paper instructuon. I'm 26 and currently working in a office job where I stare at a computer screen everyday. My favorite thing to do in the weekend is just to relax and don't stare at a cmoputer screen. And lego being my hobby is the perfect thing. relaxing and building without needing to use a computer.

[@Baileyske]

They can perhaps start with printing instead of giving these sticker sheets ... It may look small but in the vast bulk of sets they produce, it is a significant gain #allittlebitshelp #banstickers

[@littlefox_100]

Exactly! Not to mention the quality of life!

[@felinoidrose]

plus then i wouldnt get dog hairs irreversibly stuck under clear stickers

[@nicholasblewett3945]

#banstickers I sport.

[@nope.1599]

#banstickers

[@dungheap8745]

The stickers are my least favorite part of building sets, having to try to steady my hands as I'm trying to place the sticker just to notice that I started to place it wrong and have to peal it back off to try again

[@briantkiger]

I'm all for the digital guides. They can be a great resource for those who want (and can) use them. The problem I'm seeing is that there are many people who do not have the technology required (smartphones/tablets/PCs/Macs) to view them, so if they do go 100% digital, they'll be leaving those folks behind.

[@chriscarpenter3370]

there's also still people that don't have access to the internet.

[@LoserLevi]

@@chriscarpenter3370 They need to keep paper instruction's. I have plenty access to digital if I need them I just don't want digital instructions and it will make Legos (which make a big part of my life) not enjoyable anymore.

[@studclone]

I used ur icon for a PowerPoint on school of LEGO 👍

[@ruby_dragon4034]

having the instruction books in solid is honestly great i can store them up and it makes it so i dont have to try to remember what sets i may have dismantled as much, i can just go through and see the booklet and decide to build the set

[@lotr_bricks]

That would rlly suck, the Lego instructions are a major contributor to the building experience. To get rid of them would cut something out of the building experience. I wouldn’t want to stare at my screen the entire time to build. #savethebooklets

[@Josh_Lee_Henderson]

It's good to have options of things to do if you don't want to be looking at a screen, and LEGO is a good option for that. Also if you're forced to not use a device (like if the internet goes out or something) then having something like LEGO is great. I would really not like having to use a device to build new sets.

[@EduardoMartinez-rs3bu]

Helps the environment and I don't have to keep piling up these instructions in my room. I see this as an absolute win.

[@TPLS2]

I had noticed that they have also been missing instructions from the website. Especially the Lego Power Miners Sets, I loved the old school combo sets and as of late I began collecting again and the instructions are no where to be seen. Also I hate the idea of an app because there is always a chance the app may get left behind.

[@prophetofbeans6781]

As an adult builder/collector I'm very used to paper instructions and from an emotional standpoint I would be upset if they did away with physical instructions alltogether. But the resonable side of me knows this is a cost cutting measure, isn't set in stone, and I can appreciate them looking at creative ways of reducing overhead. That being said, I can say from personal experience that looking from screen to build over and over, especially from a small screen, can really stress out your eyes. Sadly, I think LEGO is doing what Disney did a decade ago and is listening to their investors more than their fans. Hopefully they will take feedback from the test cases to heart and give us free access to digital versions of all sets, purchased or not. Maybe let instructions be a free option with online purchases. Just some thoughts.

[@legion2590]

I believe all instructions are already 100 percent free digitally, no purchase required.

[@will_tzu]

They are a private company still owned by the founder’s family, not publicly traded, so there are no ”investors….” but that doesn’t stop them from making incredibly bad decisions like this one…

[@DisneyLover602]

I love being able to use my phone for instructions so I can look zoom in and see the 3D dimensions of the pieces.

[@mrface120]

I personally wouldn't be surprised if Lego were to lose a lot of customers. I know for sure I would by Lego less frequently than I do now. Paper instructions is what made Lego fun for me as a kid.

[@floppa_a8382]

i agree so much

[@barlowanimations1517]

Absolutely. I dont have any tech to use anyways, so its back to Bricklink buying 80s sets now.

[@nickyvt2003]

@@barlowanimations1517 how can you use bricklink but not have any tech to build with??

[@Spongyboi897]

And plus, it'll confuse a ton of people trying to build a Lego set for those who don't have enough storage for a new app on their phone

[@barlowanimations1517]

@@nickyvt2003 Only one word for you my friend. Computer.

[@deltaflamestorm7400]

I don't get Lego sets often but when I do I like having a physical booklet since I already spend most of my free time playing video games or watching stuff

[@saraross8396]

I think it's good that you can find instructions to a discontinued set that you've lost with this idea. It could work as an archive. There is also a downside to this. While it would be easy enough to separate old sets from new ones, there is the possibility for the files to be either deleted (whether purposely or accidentally) or corrupted, resulting in an inability to view or download. Unless multiple backups are kept or a physical paper archive is maintained in case of emergency, all digital files could be permanently lost. As for the bricks themselves, regardless of whether they change them to a more "earth friendly" material we shall not see a reduction in prices if they decide to do away with the paper manual across all products.

[@chatsmignons5466]

I build LEGO for like 15 years and NEVER downloaded an app to build my set. Yes I had cd with old instructions to build old LEGO sets. And yes I often use the pdf instruction of my set (especially for big sets that have big instyructions and don't want to damage it) but I use in 2023 physical instructions and it's the best way to disconnect from maybe my pc or phone. When I was a kid, I rather prefered physical instructions than something else (or maybe my imagination to build other things that the set)

[@Xizilqou]

I personally prefer the paper instructions, I have put together a good amount of lego sets and it wouldn't be the same for many lego builders if instead of having the large instructions right there I had to look at an expensive glowing box every time, the screens of which are usually small compared to the size of lego instructions. A lot of people for various reasons don't own smartphones and ipads and similar, it is unreasonable to have that as a prerequisite for a lego set.

[@lespazzyfrog6336]

this has already happened with large technic builds which used to come with a second booklet for another build you could do with the included parts but now they are only online

[@itsamiibo2312]

I actually like the digital instructions I feel like I can more easily see what I’m building and I can soom in on parts. And I like that I can add the sets I have to the library to see how many bricks I collected. But I would like to still have the option too keep the physical instruction because it’s kind of like a collection item.

[@samwecerinvictus]

What about people who don’t have access to online instructions?

[@itsamiibo2312]

@@samwecerinvictus i think they should keep the physical instructions i just said that i myself liked the digital instucions.

[@thatbombninja]

Personally would prefer a booklet for instruction instead of PDF . But recently i noticed that the paper seems thinner than previous instruction and can be seen through. As others have stated LEGO is more of their off screen hobby . I do agree . We tend to get distracted when electronic devices is infront of us . Sensation of touching a screen and flipping through the pages are both different . Even in a sense of smell (instruction paper smells good) it brings a different impression on the product we are handling

[@mammutMK2]

I noticed that as well, as my son ripped some pages. He was confused from the instructions as well, since he helped me with my cobi ship "here is a bag of parts, place them where you see the color" and now color everywhere. In total I would says the faded color type is the best

[@catsdogswoof3968]

well that helps it stay open

[@Iosurin]

I think I would be mostly fine with this as long as: * UCS set still have paper instructions * paper instruction PDF is available for download This would at least allow people who prefer physical instructions to do so. The UCS set booklets are some of my favorites, so its more a hope that they would continue to make booklets because of the collector classification.

[@interesting2491]

Just shared this information in two major Lego groups I’m in. Already getting responses opposing the idea 👍

[@superrei88]

Yes, I did use the PDF version of instruction during my first built of a new Lego set. And I feel great about it. in fact, most people never refer to job instruction again after the Lego sets built is completed so we are wasting a lot of paper on the instruction booklet. My only concern is if the booklet is completely gone what alternative do we have if we don’t own a electronic device or computer.

[@spacecase13]

I have used the digital instructions many times in working around mobility issues, but it's totally not the same experience as using the paper instructions. For the big books I use a music stand for the big instructions. I appreciate the physical instructions as when I pay Lego prices, I expect Lego instructions. If they take away the paper, I at least expect more bricks per set.

[@chriscarpenter3370]

a music stand for big instructions like those advanced technic sets sounds like a great idea 💡

[@-SpaceFrog-]

Instructions are a big part of the building experience. It won't be like when I was little without the instruction booklet #savethebooklets Once I went through the hassle of printing a 150 page booklet (when I lost it) over the lego app. What about the people who don't have access to electronics. LEGO whyyyyy. Smh Imagine you are a little kid and you have to ask your mom for her phone so you could build the lego set you got for your birthday Additionally what about those steps where you measure the length of a lego axle? You can't do that with a screen

[@-Ave-]

I totally agree, and belive that loos of booklets means loos of part of the exerience, i personaly lovet to look at all the promotional pages at end of booklets, and I still have most of my old lego booklets, but i want to debunk fact that you cant measure lego axel with your screen, you can! Screens are as acurate as paper ッ And even if your phone is relatvely small it still should be able to display even the longer axels. But this is just side note, i totally would hate to replace autentical paper that you own and can feel with some digital version that is less appeling and is not your so they can remove older sets support or even the whole app can be removed. Let people choose, do not force them to use digitals, I'm sure most of them would preffer paper #savethebooklets

[@Martinspire]

I frequently use the digital booklet to build my stuff. I also have started renting lego and for that it is always recommended to use the app to not damage the booklet and only use it when something is unclear. In any case, my tablet functions well to use it for building, I can have a nice kickstand on the tablet to view it well and the instructions get updated whenever a flaw is detected. On the whole for me it is not a negative thing, though I can see them move to a model where clients can optionally order the booklet but it will not automatically be included. Perhaps increasing cost for the sets that have it bundled might be a good first step. Then it relies on the consumer. Now of course this might make things more difficult for shops but there's lots to think about to improve customer satisfaction and add on top of the booklet to spice up the build. Also if this prevents my stickers from getting crumbled by the shipping, it would already be of great benefit since that often has happened to me.

[@pgp_protector8841]

That's fine. I haven't used the paper manual in the last few years. I tend to just get the PDF & build with my tablet.

[@fajw]

In Germany paper is 100% recycled so I don't really see this as a reason to remove instructions rather than saving them money yet charging same.

[@laylaccrowell2481]

the title was a jump scare 😭

[@kleinemonnik]

With the Bricklink sets, there was a guy here who made awesome prints of the instructions. I ordered them, and used them instead of the digital ones. I love paper instructions..

[@BallerDan53]

I would think a small instruction booklet could easily be included in my $100+ box of plastic. I doubt very much the prices on these sets will go down.

[@DoctorBC]

Eventually, they’re going to remove digital instructions and we’re just going to have to guess how to build it.

[@TheLegoStar]

This might bring some creativity back to people … right now they’re just following directions and adding no creativity! Like doing a puzzle with numbered pieces!

[@miroslavkurilovich9311]

@@TheLegoStar thats a set not rubics cube

[@noahtukker2721]

For me personally i have chronic neck pain and i love lego every year i spent about 1000 euros on legos but with my neck pain i cant look down for too long so having the instructions on a screen has helped me to build the titanic and saturn v sets i can only build one bag at a time and i have too lay down for a while but having it on a screen reduced my pain and i started to enjoy Legos way more

[@CommDante]

can't you use a painter's standard or music sheet standard?

[@noahtukker2721]

@@CommDante i don't think you have thought that one through i still have too sit at my desk to build placing it on my desk im never going too see it placing it left or right i still have to move my head alot and my desk is against the wall so no option placing it behind when i have a perfectly fine screen with the instructions on it

[@terracottagecheese2767]

I would hate this! My sister and I have a huge collection of Lego manuals starting with the one from our very first non-hand-me-down Lego set. That's almost 15 years worth of manuals! It's incredibly nostalgic to just flip through them and remember when we built each set. We even made our own "Lego magazine" when we were little kids out of clippings from some of them.