After Lego shut down their fan-made Bionicle game, the developers created an even more impressive project.

For eight years, a dedicated group of volunteers worked on a fan-made Bionicle video game called Bionicle: Masks of Power, which aimed to bring the beloved action figures to life in a 3D action-adventure format. Initially, Lego was supportive of the project, but that changed last summer when they requested the team to halt development.

While Unmasked Games didn’t receive a detailed explanation for the cancellation, they speculated that their game might have been too easily mistaken for an official Lego product. In their statement regarding the cancellation, they pointed out that a simple Google search for “Bionicle game” prominently featured their Steam page, suggesting that newcomers could easily confuse it for an official release.

Despite this setback, Unmasked Games has pivoted to a new project called Rustbound, which is set in a completely original universe. The game looks impressive, as showcased in its cinematic teaser.

Currently in early development, Rustbound has limited information available beyond the trailer. The influences from their previous work are evident, featuring a character that resembles a Bionicle figure adorned with a striking white mask. The scene transitions from a brown sandy landscape under a pale blue sky to a more unsettling red-tinged world, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Whether the team repurposed assets from Bionicle: Masks of Power or started fresh for Rustbound, the skills and experience gained from their earlier project are sure to benefit them. For those interested in their previous work, there’s a two-hour demo of Masks of Power gameplay available on YouTube, which the team noted was just a few months away from being ready for release before the cancellation.

Fan-made projects often navigate a tricky legal landscape. Typically, if creators don’t monetize their work, companies may allow them to continue. For instance, the long-in-development Skyblivion mod has received Bethesda’s backing, with the company even supporting the developers. However, as seen with Lego and Unmasked Games, circumstances can shift rapidly. The mod has been in development since 2012.