The Masters of the Universe: Origins Snake Lair playset (shipping this year to backers that crowdfunded it last year) has had a tumultuous history to say the least.
For anyone who is not aware, the Snake Lair (bottom left) was selected by fans in 2023 as the next large-scale Masters of the Universe item they wanted to be made available through crowdfunding.
THE CHOICES
However when the new Snake Lair playset was revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con 2024, it hardly resembled the concept art fans actually voted for.
SNAKE LAIR on display at SDCC 2024
So after a customer survey, Mattel canceled the August 12th 2024 crowdfunding campaign and promised a future retool of the Snake Lair that looked like the actual concept art they voted on.
Then, in late July 2025, fans were presented the retooled Snake Lair 2.0 playset that looked more like the concept art.
Snake Lair- 2025 Version
Fans were happier with the design, less so over the $300 price tag.
The playset was still successfully funded though, and now, backers received the following update from Mattel showing an early concept drawing for the “updated Snake Lair playset design.”
Hey, Masters Of The Universe Snake Lair backers!
Thanks to you, our team is hard at work on the finishing details that will bring the Snake Lair Playset of your dreams to life!
We’ll have more updates to share down the line, but we want to start by sharing an early concept drawing for the updated Snake Lair playset design. We hope this behind-the-scenes look gets you hyped for what’s to come!
Of course, this isn’t an early concept drawing for the updated Snake Lair playset, but rather concept art for the first design that was rejected by fans.
Snake Lair Playset version 1
The whole ordeal has left fans confused, wondering which playset will they be adding to their collection: the rejected 1.0 design or updated 2.0 design.
Snake Lair Playset version 2.0Snake Lair Playset version 2
We strongly presume backers will receive the actual Snake Lair Version 2.0 playset depicted in the actual crowdfund… but… after this playset’s long crazy history… we honestly wouldn’t be surprised either way.
11 thoughts on “Fans left confused over latest Masters of the Universe: Origins SNAKE LAIR Playset Crowdfunding Update”
If they were to make such a crazy move, the least consolation for me would be the acquisition of a Rattle Trap vehicle. Indubitably, at an exorbitant cost, yet in this day and age…
What is it with that company and sending out irrelevant images? Official photos showing prototypes, the wrong in-package shots… there’s gimps on The Apprentice who could do a better job!
NOTE: Some have been inquiring where people have been expressing confusion. You can find it in several facebook groups, but starting with Mattel Creations itself.
I despair. The amount of people giving it ‘Let’s gooooo!’ for what is clearly the wrong image at best PLUS ones who obviously don’t know it’s a crowdfund… I genuinely wonder if AI has been bolstering hype for longer than we knew or if the internet is just exposing how much dumber people have gotten.
The way they said it was confusing, but they are not changing the design back. They said they wanted to share an “early concept" for the redesign. I’m pretty sure Mattel was like, “Hey Dom, we need your Baron Trump looking ass to drum up fan engagement. Post something about the Snake lair", and he doesn’t know or care what version we are on, so he posted OG concept art
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If they were to make such a crazy move, the least consolation for me would be the acquisition of a Rattle Trap vehicle. Indubitably, at an exorbitant cost, yet in this day and age…
LMAO the Snake Lair will be cursed from the beginning to the end.
Everyone hated that thing. Burn the evidence. 🤣
What is it with that company and sending out irrelevant images? Official photos showing prototypes, the wrong in-package shots… there’s gimps on The Apprentice who could do a better job!
why-cant-you-just-be-normal.jpg
NOTE: Some have been inquiring where people have been expressing confusion. You can find it in several facebook groups, but starting with Mattel Creations itself.
https://community.creations.mattel.com/forums/topic/150253-masters-of-the-universe-snake-lair-update-030326/page/1/
I despair. The amount of people giving it ‘Let’s gooooo!’ for what is clearly the wrong image at best PLUS ones who obviously don’t know it’s a crowdfund… I genuinely wonder if AI has been bolstering hype for longer than we knew or if the internet is just exposing how much dumber people have gotten.
The way they said it was confusing, but they are not changing the design back. They said they wanted to share an “early concept" for the redesign. I’m pretty sure Mattel was like, “Hey Dom, we need your Baron Trump looking ass to drum up fan engagement. Post something about the Snake lair", and he doesn’t know or care what version we are on, so he posted OG concept art
All of it looks the same for me by now, so I’m not surprised they confused versions.
I’m so glad I passed on this. And I buy everything 😀
@brasco Smart.
Man, I bought the Snake Lair….but would have love that other (much bigger) design.