Two weeks ago a set of mysterious signals from deep space led to a startling discovery. On November 7th a group of Scientific Researchers from the Bradford Rant Institute of Cosmic Kinesis (B.R.I.C.K.) were the first to intercept and decode the signals, which  contained detailed coordinates. Following the coordinates, the researchers soon found themselves within Legoland: Billund where they located a tiny crash site, complete with an alien pod lodged in the brick-filled crater. The pod contained an extraterrestrial visitor short on words but high on bricks. Piecing together the mystery, the researchers soon realized that other signals from deep space represented the future landing sites of six additional space-faring pods, providing quite the rabbit hole for a nice LEGO ARG.
Players have already been treated to some code-cracking, LEGO-style, along with the promise of more coveted pods scheduled for dispersal around the world, presumably near Legoland sites. The second pod is still transmitting coordinates and has yet to land, but it would seem our newest visitor will be touching down somewhere near the site of the future Legoland: Fort Worth amusement park. Undoubtedly, B.R.I.C.K. will have no short supply of North American assistants when the final set of signals for the second visitor are transmitted and triangulated.
So what does it all mean? Who are these mysterious visitors and what brings them to Earth? The game took off a week ago following a mysterious tweet from Brian Johnson. Brian’s Twitter bioraphy includes an interesting tid-bit, noting that he is the producer of the upcoming massively multiplayer online (MMO) title LEGO Universe. Digging a little deeper using this newfound information, an article detailing the arrival of the afore-mentioned pod in Legoland: Billund was discovered on the LEGO Universe main page, further eliminating any doubt as to the purpose of the tiny pods.
B.R.I.C.K.’s newly discovered seven visitors have come to prepare mankind for the pending release of LEGO Universe and build up buzz for the widely anticipated MMO. If the start of this ARG is any indication, there is no shortage of LEGO fans in the ARG world, and LEGO Universe has captured their attention. If you count yourself among that group there is still time to join in the adventure. Perhaps, if you are lucky, you might even take one of the tiny astronauts home with you.
After all, they do come in pieces.
An adult AFOL was the first one to find the pod 2 in Orlando, but it was given to a child and announced ‘because you were the first kid’. The winner wasn’t even in the store, while other AFOL’s were at the landing site and found the pod. LEGO didn’t follow their own contest rules, which is wrong.