I know I have had my calendar marked for a while. Perhaps some of you have as well. Today, October 12th, is one of two big dates this month for NetDevils Lego Universe. Today is, in fact, the start of the pre-order play period where anyone who had already ordered their copy of Lego Universe gets two weeks with the world to themselves. Some of the beta players, now called Founders, have been able to play since the 8th giving them a little something in return for their hard work testing the game. As today is the launch day for the pre-orders, today in the mail I received my copy of Lego Universe. Nowadays many games have Collectors Editions and Pre-order bonuses and other bits to show favour to the fans who come early or pay more. Lego Universe is no exception.

The LEGO Group today announced that LEGO Universe will launch this October in the US, UK and Western Europe. The first MMOG (massively-multiplayer online game) based on the LEGO play experience, LEGO Universe will offer early access to LEGO fans - the "Founders" - starting October 12th, and will officially launch on October 26th.