New LEGO Universe screenshots reveal more of NetDevil's enigmatic MMO based upon the plastic building bricks, showing a "range of experiences available to players."

Among the items on display are the starting zone, where "players must familiarize themselves with their minifig avatar and build a rocket to exit the zone safely," a fireman and ninja fighting a robot, and "tension and excitement" as minifigs repair a bridge.

"Players will be able to build with an abundant supply of virtual bricks," an accompanying press statement explains. "They'll be able to add these creations to their own personal space or to areas within the game's diverse environments."

LEGO Universe was originally scheduled to arrive on PC in the fourth quarter of 2008, with the Auto Assault and Jumpgate developer now planing a 2010 release.

NetDevil today released the first screenshots of its upcoming cooperative MMO LEGO Universe.

The shots show off some of the ninja, pirate and space-themed LEGO sets players will encounter in the online game. They also provide a look at the character customization.

The title promises "several ways to use the iconic LEGO brick, from simple, gameplay oriented building challenges to complex creative designs." At the same time, the LEGO Group says that "safety is priority number one," and the company is currently "exploring many solutions for maximizing children's online safety."

LEGO Universe is scheduled for a 2010 release on PC.

Frictionless Insight, FiringSquad, and GamersInfo.net all have LEGO Universe first looks, offering a brief writeup about NetDevil's plans for this MMO.

NetDevil's upcoming LEGO-branded massively multiplayer game will be known as LEGO Universe, Denmark-based licensor LEGO Group has revealed. Announced this March, the game will be NetDevil's third MMO following the RPG-flavored space-centric Jumpgate and last year's vehicular action-oriented Auto Assault. NetDevil is also the company behind the AGEIA-sponsored, PhysX-powered destructible shooter Warmonger, Operation: Downtown Destruction.

According to today's announcement, LEGO Universe will be a "child-safe" but full-scale MMO containing the range of social and community ... Read more