Sources and Links
The goal of this page is to document firsthand sources of information about the LEGO Rock Raiders theme and video game, as well as helpful links.
Sources
The DDI Dump is a gold mine of info about LEGO Rock Raiders. The files were recovered from hard drives of the company who originally created the video game. Contents include prototype images, design documents, and emails between the developers.
DDI Rock Raiders Website
This is technically part of the DDI Dump, but it's a standalone website that was sent as an email attachment with early images and info about the game.
The Ultimate LEGO Book
Includes a ton of inside information, like prototypes of the Granite Grinder, Loader Dozer, close-up images of prototype drill parts, concept art, etc.
LEGO Rock Raiders (legomedia.com)
Web page on legomedia.com that advertised the Rock Raiders video game. The Russian version is more complete and has some working downloads for Rock Raiders wallpapers and screenshots, as well as profiles of the crew.
LEGO Mania Magazine - Sep/Oct 1999
Contains tons of Rock Raiders content. Profiles of the crew members and vehicles, promotion to get a Rock Raiders t-shirt, advertisements for the upcoming game, 'Rocking with the Rock Raiders' comic, information about real-life mining and crystals, etc.
LEGO Mania Magazine - Jan/Feb 2000
Contains instructions for the alternate build 'Hover Transport'
LEGO Adventures - Issue 7
Contains 'Planet of the Rock Monsters' comic, real-life facts about mining, alternate builds, and behind-the-scenes about the video game.
LEGO Adventures - Issue 8
Contains info about a Rock Raiders set giveaway as well as a contest to get a LEGO Rock Raiders mousemat and keyring
LEGO Adventures - Issue 9
Contains an ad for LEGO Rock Raiders, info about a set giveaway, and puzzles featuring Rock Raiders characters
LEGO Adventures - Issue 10
Contains 'River of Lava' comic, real-life facts about lava and volcanoes, etc.
Bricks 'n' Pieces - August 1999
Contains info about Rock Raiders HQ and the crew members, a contest to win Rock Raiders sets, behind-the-scenes photos of the video game, real-life info about diamonds, Rock Raiders promo with free poster at LEGOLAND Windsor, ad for the Rock Raiders interactive puzzle storybook, and an order form for the Rock Raiders t-shirt and Jet keyring.
World Club Magazine - Nov 1999
Contains info about mining gold, a comic titled 'We're under attack to the Rock Monsters!!!', behind-the-scenes photos of the video game, and a Time Cruisers comic with Rock Raiders vehicles
LEGO Adventures - Issue 18
Contains 'Mini Monsters' comic, info about real-life lasers, Laser Buggy alt build.
LEGO Mania Magazine - Nov-Dec 1999
Contains holiday-decorated Rock Raiders comic, Cavern Crusher alternate build, ad for Ultimate LEGO Book featuring Rock Raiders.
LEGO Mania Magazine - Mar-Apr 2000
Ad for legomedia.com featuring the Rock Raiders website.
LEGO Rock Raiders Puzzle Storybook (legomedia.com)
Page on legomedia.com that advertised the Dorling Kindersley puzzle book by Anna Knight. Unfortunately much of the content is missing.
CGW: Legos Come to Life
Article about Artworld UK's work to develop the 3D models and cinematics for the LEGO Rock Raiders video game.
AWN: Data Design Interactive and Artworld UK
Article about Artworld UK / Data Design Interactive that touches upon Rock Raiders and features a few images from the cinematics.
Links
Manic Miners
Baraklava did an incredible job faithfully recreating the Rock Raiders video game. The community based on the game, the Manic Miners Discord has become the most active community for Rock Raiders on the internet and is the best place to get in touch with other fans.
Research Realm
Research Realm is a group of folks who are exploring LEGO’s history with a special focus on video games and prototype parts. It’s run by Baraklava, the same person who created Manic Miners.
R.R. Slugger
R.R. Slugger is a the most prolific YouTuber covering Rock Raiders. They have played a key role in revitalizing interest in the theme by creating videos covering both the sets and the video game. Definitely worth checking out.
Rock Raiders United
Rock Raiders United is a long-time forum with discussion boards. Although it’s been through some ups-and-downs recently, the old forum threads are still visible and provide a ton of insights into the theme.
In addition to the forum, the RRU Knowledge Base is a wiki that contains quite a bit of information about Rock Raiders and other LEGO video games.
Brickset
Brickset is an almost exhaustive catalog of all the LEGO sets and instructions that exist. The only limitation is that it generally excludes items like merchandise and contest prizes.
Bricklink
Website that links together buyers and sellers of LEGO bricks and sets (think eBay for LEGO). The Rock Raiders inventory is fairly incomplete because it doesn’t differentiate between the different CD variants, and a number of merchandise items are missing.
BioMedia Project
BioMedia Project is an unofficial effort to archive LEGO-related media and preserve it for future fans to enjoy. I was a staff member of BMP many years back but other folks have been running the site for nearly a decade. In addition to preserving BIONICLE content, the team also preserves content from other LEGO themes.