Is LEGO Doing Away With Paper Instruction Manuals Completely?

A report from Brick Fanatics has highlighted a peculiar trend evident in LEGO’s recent releases: paper-free instruction manuals.

According to the site, the new LEGO CITY Mission sets will not come with the usual flip-through manuals. Rather, fans will be asked to use a smartphone or tablet to follow along with an interactive story guide as they build the creation. 

Furthermore, in the LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter set, builders noted that the cover of the instruction booklet wasn’t as polished as the typical quality associated with the brand, which some interpreted as less consideration being given to physical manuals. 

The move from paper manuals to a paperless, internet-based experience doesn’t seem too far-fetched, considering the brand’s growing efforts towards sustainability. LEGO could see this as a way to reduce its environmental footprint, especially with how thick some of these booklets are for larger creations.

Plus, with the introduction of its 3D building instructions, fans could find it easier when they’re able to zoom in and rotate the model as they follow along, as opposed to static instructions on a page that may not always be the clearest. 

Will long-time fans rue the loss of LEGO’s paper manuals? Or will they embrace the digital age and explore new, more interactive ways of building their creations with 3D guides? We’ll have to wait and see. 

[via Brick Fanatics and LEGO, cover image via Stepan Popov | Dreamstime.com]