Base Ace stands for construction toys
Posted by Huw,
Here's a press release about a product that will make a useful and interesting gift for LEGO-loving youngsters:
New kit on the block takes play to another level!
Every structure needs a firm base and that’s what gave a man from Romsey in Hampshire the inspiration to develop a new construction toy.
Base Ace, the brainchild of Brian Stickley, provides children with an exciting, expandable 3D structure on which to build and play.
“You can join, stack and expand to create unique environments such as Spaces Stations, Castles or an exciting backdrop for a Superhero mission,” said Brian, 49.
Crucially the system, which was developed with the help of Southampton Solent University, is compatible with brick brands such as LEGO and Mega Bloks.
“Like many other households across the world, we have a large toy box full of LEGO bricks and mini figures,” said Brian. “Both of my sons are big LEGO fans, but they play in different ways. My eldest son likes to build models and put them on his shelf to admire, whilst my youngest son loves to actually play with what he creates. It takes time to build a large kit and I noticed the disappointment as his constructions fell apart as he played.”
“I realised that something stronger was needed with quick and easy assembly. I also thought it would be great to build more exciting shapes but still allow the boys to be creative with their bricks and figures.”
“The Base Ace concept has been evolving since its launch back in 2015. I always like to stimulate and encourage creative play, so I’ve added extra features and developed a new design which allows multiple kits to be joined together. I’ve also adopted new production methods to help reduce the price and designed a new assembly process to make the kits easier to build. All this new innovation has resulted in the launch of my new EVO kit.”
The kits are made of wood with plastic base plates and side panels, which allow them to connect with Lego pieces. There are Transporter Platforms to link at different levels and move mini figures around the construction. Sound Module accessories allow you to record and playback your own sound effects to enhance the scene. Multiple kits can be joined, stacked and expanded to create an unlimited number of unique shapes.
Brian sought help with CAD drawings and prototypes from the Product Design Team at Southampton Solent University.
He’d worked with the university before through his firm Talking Products Ltd which makes educational resources and aids for independent living.
Mark Jones, programme group leader on the university’s BA Production Design Course, said he instantly thought the concept had massive potential.
“It’s been an interesting project,” said Mark. “We both have young children and it’s been good to work on a toy which gets young people away from computer gaming to develop their skills and engage in creative play.”
He said the beauty of Base Ace was its unique design and evolving shape that allows children to make their own scenes, and the whole kit packs down into a carton the size of a pizza box.
Base Ace EVO has just been reviewed by the Good Toy Guide and achieved their highest product status of fully “Recommended”.
Visit www.BaseAce.co.uk to find out more information about this fantastic new product and view the Base Ace video clip on YouTube.
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28 comments on this article
I wish Brian, 49 all the best. Looks interesting.
I like both idea and the look of it. Guess it will also be very useful for AFOL like me who, while not being master builders nor great MOCers, have sometimes ideas and little creations which could be helped and even improved with those bases, stands and plates. I keep an eye on it but already have several options for using them...
Interesting but most of the money I set aside for Lego will go into sets or MOCs, not an expensive stand for them.
It might be useful to some people. It may be good quality. But why are we talking about non LEGO bricks. Even a lot of those figures are not LEGO. I guess this is called brickset, not LEGOset.
^ As a courtesy to Brian, 48, who asked me to post it.
@Huw
The article says “Brian, 49”.
It’s not cheap. Also, it doesn’t work aesthetically for Castle/fantasy which is what I mostly focus on.
Am I the only one who misread it as "Southampton Soylent University"?
49 is a strange last name.
These actually look highly useful, but do they ship globally or only in Europe? The site doesn't seem to mention that.
Hmm... That's actually why I liked the old raised baseplates and stuff like BURPs and LURPs so much... No need for 'non-Lego-pieces' to make large stuff sturdy :P
Meh. If you need such a thing for some reason, I believe building it out of LEGO bricks by yourself is the only way to go!
I knew a Brian, 49 once. I wonder if it's the same one?
Not at all lego, just a kinda ugly base which doesn’t even look good with Lego, I agree with the others tbh
Reminded me of the Batcave.
@Huw, I'm a fan of the site and normally don't have an issue with anything posted here...but if Mega Bloks, 28, asked you to post an article, would you post that too?
I run a site on fan conventions, but would not publish an article talking about something not normally covered by the site just because someone asked.
I can see children having a great use for this (plastic soldier bases for example), there are also a few fans that may find this useful and I'll keep it in mind if I am going to display them.
^^ of course not. This is a product designed to complement LEGO, not compete with it.
It's no different to us reviewing display cases or frames.
Not enough studs.
The bases definitely have a futuristic vibe about them. They need to do more natural colors to be used for castle or fantasy. But definitely good for superhero and space themes.
I would have gone nuts over this as a kid! I would try to build “bases” just like this out of cardboard, rocks, etc. and play with my LEGO space until dark (or until it all collapsed).
Nice idea and I wish the guy luck, gonna have to give some hopefully constructive critism here though.
Theres too much 'wasted space' for me with areas that don't have studs you can't place figures on.
The 'black plates' do not compliment the design very well and as such, look like you've just 'glued them on' a different model kit.
Designs only really work for a 'sci-fi' setting.
Needs a straight piece as currently the design would take up too much space on a shelf if you are displaying it.
So sorry, but not for me without some big improvements.
"New kit on the block!!!!" Love the wordplay here.
Like the idea of mixing wood and LEGO baseplates. Looks nice and futuristic.
Perhaps they should consider offering a variant that would go well with a Castle/Pirates/Forrestmen aesthetic.
Reading this line made me not like this product: “I noticed the disappointment as his constructions fell apart as he played.”
Surely that’s what Lego is all about, learning how to construct things. Learning the physics and aesthetics of building.
Isn’t it?
Too expensive for what it is, could almost build it from LEGO itself at that price.
With the image showing Super Heroes, I can see the clear appeal for younger builders - since mixing and mashing ninjas and marvel and dc makes for more fun.
And this certainly seems better than the Xtra mats, giving no fixed base at all.
Neat idea and design, but for that price I'd rather buy some plates, walls, and BURPS from Bricklink and build my own.