The LEGO Media Press Room and completely useless LRR concept info

[Car CrazeXVI]

I don't know if anyone ever noticed this before, so here goes.
LEGO apparently had a short-lived site about… well, just you guess.
https://web.archive.org/web/19991008205911/http://press.legomedia.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://press.legomedia.com/news/*
Unfortunately, a good deal of EVERYTHING is missing.

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Join the Rock Raiders

LEGO Rock Raiders lets the players experience first hand what it would be like to be one of the Rock Raiders on their dangerous mission. They can sit at the controls of a huge excavator or pilot a Hoverboard, as the team search for the precious LEGO ore and energy crystals.
Each Rock Raider mini-figure is equipped with a special helmet, protecting them from falling rocks, and providing light and communications. Hand Held Scanners enable the Rock Raiders to scan for the precious resources while relaying information about their immediate environment - type of rock, temperature, levels of poison gases, and the geography of the surrounding caverns and tunnels. Weapons available to ward off the potentially dangerous creatures of the Underground include the Pusher Gun, Freezer Gun, Teleporter Gun and, the specialty of the engineer characters, Dynamite.
From the LEGO Underground HQ, the Rock Raiders set off in a wide variety of vehicles in their quest for the precious ore and energy crystals. Each vehicle has different characteristics: the small and speedy Hoverboard, the waterborne Cat, the all-terrain legged Scout Driller, the slow-moving workhorse Loaderdozer, the Giant Drilling Vehicle, with its large drill and storage bays, and the massive Tunnel Transport, that is perfect for bringing back the vehicles and ore from long trips. Should any of this equipment be damaged, it is possible to take it back to the Underground HQ for vital repairs or even build new ones, providing the players have enough LEGO ore.

So apparently, we could have had melting plastic (oh wait,) poisonous gas, freaking teleporter guns, dynamite as a weapon and actual vehicle repairs? What happened to that last bit? I hate deadlines. Oh well.
And I don't except helmets to have worked too well. Too many polys.

Full articles (In case the archive dies, which it won't)
LEGO Racers

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LEGO Racers
Build, Customize, Drive, Win
Format: PC CD-ROM, N64 and PlayStation
Release date: From July 1999
Software category: LEGO Gamesâ„¢
Age: 6-99
Price: TBC

LONDON, May 1999 - LEGO Media International - who develop, publish and market media products for children between the ages of two and sixteen - has announced a racing game with a difference. For the first time, car maniacs from six upwards can race their own custom-designed LEGO® cars and mini-figures against famous LEGO characters, including the Rocket Racer, all-time LEGO world racing champion.
LEGO Racersâ„¢ - part of LEGO Media's LEGO Games category and developed by High Voltage Software Inc. - is the first LEGO Media software title to be available on PlayStation and Nintendo 64, as well as the PC platform. LEGO Racers is a real-time racing game with thrilling multiple-view perspectives and accelerated 3D graphics for enhanced visual effects. Every element, from character to car circuit, is based on LEGO SYSTEMâ„¢ themes.
After creating a driver and car in the LEGO garage, or selecting an existing design, children (and adults!) take up their position on the racing grid. The players then 'push the pedal to the metal' and race against up to five challengers around a choice of 12 LEGO SYSTEM tracks, based on four of the most popular themes: Pirates, Castle, Space and Adventurers.

Race against opponents from LEGO themes

The Rocket Racer challenges players to defeat all the greatest LEGO Racing champions throughout LEGO history and LEGO future from the different LEGO SYSTEM themes. Familiar faces include Alpha Dragonis, Sam Grant, Rob 'n' Hood and Captain Redbeard. Each of these LEGO Racers' champions have their own personality and racing style that players need to become familiar with in order to defeat them on their home turf.
To help the players as they race around tracks, like Dark Forrest Dash, Magma Moon Marathon, Tribal Island Trail and the Desert Adventure Dragway, there are power-ups that give them special abilities, such as turbo boosts, oil slicks and grappling hooks. Some power-ups allow drivers to affect the environment, for example, clearing a blocked cave entrance.
Track hazards and tight corners present other obstacles that players need to master. Each track has its own set of unique hazards that need to be overcome in order to be a winner. For example, there are LEGO barrels that can be shot away to reveal a short cut, or lava geysers to avoid in Magma Moon Marathon.

Winning the game

If players are skilled enough and manage to beat a LEGO racing champion, they are rewarded with pieces from the LEGO champ's car that can be used to modify and improve their own car. Having mastered the circuits in a forward direction, Veronica Voltage, loyal sidekick of the Rocket Racer, will up the stakes by reversing the tracks.
Players then have to prove their worth once more and defeat the remaining champions to earn their place on the starting grid against the Rocket Racer on his home turf.

About High Voltage

High Voltage Software Inc. - a major player in the computer games industry - is based in Chicago, and has produced numerous titles on all the major gaming platforms. The Company employs over fifty full-time staff, with a broad ranged and accomplished skill base. High Voltage Software Inc. develops on high-end PC and Silicon Graphics workstations to produce the required state of the art graphics, sound and code - appropriate to the standards expected by today's computer games industry. Past projects have included NCAA Final Four (Sony PlayStation, Windows 95), NBA Hang Time and Open Ice (Windows 95) Tempest X3 (Sony PlayStation) Tempest 2000 (SEGA Saturn). Current titles include: Paperboy 64 (Nintendo 64), NBA Drive 2000 (Windows 95/98)

About LEGO Media International

LEGO Media International was established in 1996 with worldwide headquarters in Hammersmith London. LEGO Media International is responsible for the development, publishing and marketing of media products for children between the ages of two and sixteen. As part of the LEGO Group, LEGO Media International has access to unique brand recognition as well as strong marketing and distribution power in the children's market.
The Company is led by a strong senior management team of talented interactive media industry professionals and experienced managers from the LEGO Group. LEGO Media International is a separate limited company in the UK and an incorporated company in the US.

Rock Raiders

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LEGO Rock Raiders

High Adventure, Deep Underground
Format: PC CD-ROM and PlayStation
Release date: September 1999 and October 1999
Software category: LEGO Gamesâ„¢
Age: 8-99
Price: TBC

LONDON, May 1999 - LEGO Media International - who develop, publish and market media products for children between the ages of two and sixteen - has announced two new games set in a dangerous underground world. Based on the newly announced LEGO SYSTEMâ„¢ theme of the same name, LEGO Rock Raidersâ„¢ places the fate of the crew of the LMS Explorer in a resource strategy game on PC CD-ROM and 3D action game on PlayStation.
Stranded in orbit around an uncharted planet, the crew of the geological survey ship LMS Explorer has detected large deposits of LEGO® energy crystals and LEGO ore hidden beneath the planet's surface. Players aged eight years and older must navigate their way through the dangerous underground, avoiding natural hazards and creatures like the Rock Monsters, while mining the precious resources that will enable them to re-energise the ship's engines and get them home.
LEGO Rock Raiders is the first LEGO Media product that will be launched at the same time as the linked construction toy theme. The game has been developed in parallel with the LEGO SYSTEM range and features the same mini-figures, vehicles and rock monsters that are available in physical form.
LEGO Rock Raiders on PC CD-ROM is also the first resource-based strategy game that is really 'kids compatible'. A level-based approach to both games gives children a progressive challenge that grows with their playing experience and presents new goals at every stage. Help is always at hand from the crew of the LMS Explorer as they offer words of advice and encouragement.

Beware of Rock Monsters

Rock Monsters are huge creatures that lie dormant within the walls of the caverns and tunnels of the underground world. They survive by consuming the LEGO energy crystals that the Rock Raiders require and these denizens guard their food jealously. Although they aren't an evil race, the player controlling the Rock Raiders will have to avoid making them angry, as it can have dangerous consequences.

Join the Rock Raiders

LEGO Rock Raiders lets the players experience first hand what it would be like to be one of the Rock Raiders on their dangerous mission. They can sit at the controls of a huge excavator or pilot a Hoverboard, as the team search for the precious LEGO ore and energy crystals.
Each Rock Raider mini-figure is equipped with a special helmet, protecting them from falling rocks, and providing light and communications. Hand Held Scanners enable the Rock Raiders to scan for the precious resources while relaying information about their immediate environment - type of rock, temperature, levels of poison gases, and the geography of the surrounding caverns and tunnels. Weapons available to ward off the potentially dangerous creatures of the Underground include the Pusher Gun, Freezer Gun, Teleporter Gun and, the specialty of the engineer characters, Dynamite.
From the LEGO Underground HQ, the Rock Raiders set off in a wide variety of vehicles in their quest for the precious ore and energy crystals. Each vehicle has different characteristics: the small and speedy Hoverboard, the waterborne Cat, the all-terrain legged Scout Driller, the slow-moving workhorse Loaderdozer, the Giant Drilling Vehicle, with its large drill and storage bays, and the massive Tunnel Transport, that is perfect for bringing back the vehicles and ore from long trips. Should any of this equipment be damaged, it is possible to take it back to the Underground HQ for vital repairs or even build new ones, providing the players have enough LEGO ore.

About LEGO Media International

LEGO Media International was established in 1996 with worldwide headquarters in Hammersmith London. LEGO Media International is responsible for the development, publishing and marketing of media products for children between the ages of two and sixteen. As part of the LEGO Group, LEGO Media International has access to unique brand recognition as well as strong marketing and distribution power in the children's market.
The Company is led by a strong senior management team of talented interactive media industry professionals and experienced managers from the LEGO Group. LEGO Media International is a separate limited company in the UK and an incorporated company in the US.

LEGOLAND

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LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND Park attractions come to the desktop
Format: PC CD-ROM
Release date: October 1999
Software category: LEGO Gamesâ„¢
Age: 6-12
Price: TBC

LONDON, May 1999 - LEGO Media International - who develop, publish and market media products for children between the ages of two and sixteen - has announced LEGOLAND® - a park design and management game based on the LEGOLAND Parks and due for release in October this year. This game enables children aged six upwards to design, construct and run their own virtual park, featuring the main attractions from all three parks including recently opened LEGOLAND California.
LEGOLAND - part of LEGO Media's LEGO Games range - is a visually striking and challenging game where children can have fun developing their ideal park. It is graphically very exciting, fresh and colorful with a multitude of fun animations and details to discover. Using LEGO SYSTEMâ„¢ Western, Pirates, Adventures and Castle themes, it includes a system of encouragement and reward geared towards teaching children aspects of good park design. There are a wide variety of activities - from creative design and construction to logical problem solving.
The game - being developed by UK based developer Krisalis for the PC - is effectively divided into two main parts: Free Play Mode and Game Mode. In Free Play Mode, children are given access to many, but not all of the LEGOLAND items and can build their own LEGOLAND Park.
The LEGOLAND attractions include everything you'd expect to see, such as Miniland (a magical area at the heart of the Park featuring scaled LEGO® models of famous towns, cities, and ports), the Driving School (where children negotiate traffic lights and pedestrian crossings), Wild West shows and the Castle (complete with its themed roller-coaster ride).

Keeping visitors happy

'Game Mode' provides a level-based, goal-driven playing experience that gives children objectives that need to be completed before progressing to the next more challenging level. Each mini-figure entering the park will earn the player money. This can be used to purchase new attractions - which become bigger and more expensive as children progress.
Attractions need to be placed in their own themed areas and children need to ensure the park is both logically 'zoned' and visually appealing. Mini-figure Helper characters are on hand to offer advice on building and maintaining an attractive and successful park.
Rewards are built into the game to ensure that success is recognized and there is an on-going reason to continue playing. These rewards include animations; special sculptures that accumulate as the park becomes more successful, and Minilands, that are awarded for the completion of each level.

About Krisalis

Krisalis, based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, have been producers of successful computer & console games for a decade. The Company began life in 1987 as Teque Software, formed by Tony Kavanagh and two experienced games programmers, Peter Harrap and Shaun Hollingworth.
Krisalis has had responsibility for many original projects and cross-platform conversions, including James Pond, Lemmings, 'Manchester United' series: 'Manchester United Europe'; and 'Manchester United Premier League Champions'; Theme Park, Soccer Kid, Starfighter and, most recently, Z and Theme Hospital.

About LEGO Media International LEGO Media International was established in 1996 with worldwide headquarters in Hammersmith London. LEGO Media International is responsible for the development, publishing and marketing of media products for children between the ages of two and sixteen. As part of the LEGO Group, LEGO Media International has access to unique brand recognition as well as strong marketing and distribution power in the children's market.
The Company is led by a strong senior management team of talented interactive media industry professionals and experienced managers from the LEGO Group. LEGO Media International is a separate limited company in the UK and an incorporated company in the US.

There are also three missing articles, "LEGO Friends Software To Co-Launch With New Girl Band," "LEGO Media International to Unveil Four New Software Titles at E3," and "LEGO Media creates a hit for the girl's software market" (lol)
I bet it's the same band mentioned in the game. (Or at least, the demo.)

In addition to that, there were downloads, nearly all of which are gone, save for the LEGO and LEGO Media logos.

https://web.archive.org/web/20001029072122/http://press.legomedia.com/downloads/lmi/legologo.tif
https://web.archive.org/web/20001029073856/http://press.legomedia.com/downloads/lmi/lmilogo.tif

The downloads page appears to have broken since I last visited.

And why yes this is long overdue how did you know.

[lol username]

I saw this before, IIRC we discussed it on Skype. It was years ago, though. Good to have it on the forums.