LEGO PlayStation: The Designer Interview
How LEGO's take on Sony's classic console came to be.
LEGO PlayStation is an impressive new buildable set based on Sony's original game console from the 1990s. The set is a nearly 1:1 scale recreation of the original PS1 hardware and features 1,911 pieces. It is priced at $179.99 and is recommended for ages 18 and up. The set dimensions are over 2.5 inches (6 cm) high, 10.5 inches (26 cm) wide, and 7.5 inches (19 cm) deep.
To talk about the set's creation and hidden Easter eggs, IGN connected with Isaac Snyder, the senior model designer who worked on the LEGO PlayStation set. Our conversation revealed the origins of his career and his experience with other video game-based LEGO sets.
Snyder got started designing sets with the LEGO Group after always loving building his own LEGO models and designs with his brothers. He joined the LEGO Minecraft team and has also worked on sets for themes like LEGO Horizon Forbidden West, LEGO Architecture, LEGO One Piece, LEGO City, and LEGO Ideas. His work on these projects always presents unique challenges, but he enjoys finding the perfect combination of parts for specific details and functions.
While Snyder did not play a PlayStation One console in his childhood, he collaborated closely with others who grew up playing the original PlayStation game to create the set’s authentic details and thoughtful features. They worked closely with Sony Interactive Entertainment to decide which games to feature in the hidden dioramas, with Sony's approval for each selection.
Designing the functionality for the Open and Power buttons proved to be challenging. The engineer used technic shock absorber elements but required extensive experimentation to achieve the desired results. Snyder finds the controller section particularly satisfying, as it underwent numerous iterations to achieve a simple yet satisfying build that resembles the original PlayStation One controller.
When asked about future video game-based LEGO sets, Snyder expressed excitement for the diversity of worlds and characters offered by video games, hinting at many more projects to come.
Written by urgent.news from IGN's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
