The LEGO Group has ordered the fan-made game Bionicle: Masks of Power to be shut down, disappointing many fans who had been eagerly awaiting the chance to play it. Bionicle, introduced by LEGO in 2001, became one of the company’s most successful original lines, featuring buildable action figures, a rich storyline of mystical heroes, and ancient dark forces. The franchise also expanded into comics published by DC, four animated movies, and various video games.
After Bionicle was discontinued in 2010, and following a brief reboot in the mid-2010s, the franchise had been largely quiet — until Team Kanohi stepped in. This dedicated group of Bionicle enthusiasts began developing their own independent video game titled Bionicle: Masks of Power, announced in 2021. The game aimed to bring an open-world experience inspired by titles like Horizon: Zero Dawn, retelling the original story of the heroic Toa Mata battling the evil Makuta on the island of Mata Nui.
Despite eight years of passionate development, Team Kanohi announced on Reddit that The LEGO Group requested the shutdown of the project for reasons that remain unclear. The developers expressed surprise at the order, emphasizing that they never intended to profit from the game and made clear its unofficial status separate from LEGO. As a final gesture, Team Kanohi released a walkthrough video of the demo originally scheduled for release on August 10.
This decision highlights the challenges fan projects face when navigating intellectual property rights, even when driven by love for the source material. While this shutdown is a blow to the Bionicle fan community, Team Kanohi’s dedication shows the lasting impact of LEGO’s iconic series.
Fans are encouraged to follow official LEGO updates and continue celebrating the legacy of Bionicle through the many stories and games that have defined the franchise.