While there have been many Lego Technic creations submitted to Cuusoo/Ideas, with some even getting the right number of supporters, none have passed the review. I think I know why. Every Cuusoo/Ideas set ever has been in the 300 to 500 piece, $35-$50 range, and it seems that, for whatever reason, Lego is unwilling or unable to make larger sets. Also, every Ideas set is something that would fit in with Lego's primary demographic anyway, but would not have its own theme. I think that this is a problem, because the demographic that submits creations to Ideas is very different than Lego's primary demographic. Thus, Ideas is a wasted oppertunity for them to make AFOL oriented sets, because of this stupid and arbitrary demographic limitation. Just my thoughts, what do you guys think the reasons are?

A lot of the larger Technic sets that do make the mark are often quite complicated, and also include many PF elements. It would take a lot of time for TLG to make sure these models will be suitable for most people to buy and, more importantly, enjoy.

They look at

- is it simple enough for an average Lego buyer?

- is there enough demand to bring it to market?

- does it fit with exciting product line?

- does it fit into existing price points?

- will the part/features affect the price point?

I've always wanted a Universal Building Set ... but it seems that void is filled with the Mindstorms Expansion Sets (at a very good price). Thus, I'm not sure we'll see any AFOL technic sets anytime soon ... not enough justification for them.

How many Technic projects reached 10000? I thought only Sheepo's Lad Rover did. Could you post some links to the other Technic projects?

Technic just doesn't seem to be popular enough on Cuusoo/Ideas. I've seen may Technic submissions that could pass the review because they are not that complicated AFOL aimed models. Not every MOCers like those overcomplicated over PFed models (I don't like them too much myself. Designing a sturdy reliable buildable model with only legal techniques that survives as a kid's toy is as much (if not more) of a challenge as building an overengineered Technic marvel that barely works out of the box and falls apart if you touch it on the wrong spot).

EDIT: as I skimmed through the projects I support, there are not many submitted Technic sets at all...

Edited September 4, 201410 yr by Lipko

i think lipko is right, with the point that the most technic entrys are much to large to get a chance on cusoo/ideas. Maybe my Minifig D11 with 734 parts should be small enough, but would it get 10000 supporters?

i think lipko is right, with the point that the most technic entrys are much to large to get a chance on cusoo/ideas. Maybe my Minifig D11 with 734 parts should be small enough, but would it get 10000 supporters?

I don't think so. Jogreopresi submitted his awesome Mini entry and hardly gets votes.

All this Cuusoo/Ideas thing seems to be too random for me. Awesome projects don't get recognition, okay models get 800 votes per week. Or my taste is totally off. Actually I'm pretty fed up with Ideas.

Edited September 4, 201410 yr by Lipko

I think the biggest problem about Lego Ideas is, that the interest from the whole community in Technic is too low. People want somewhat iconic stuff that they can identify with. At least, that is what I learned from the last few cuusoo sets. Ghostbusters, BTTF, Exo Suite, all very iconic, playable and not too big.

Another problem is, that many Technic models are just too big. The Landrover was clearly too big and cool cars tend to be in the range of 1500-2000 parts. They are not even necessarily over-engineered.

Also, I think that smaller projects may just get media attention a lot easier as well, helping in the process of getting 10000 votes.

Personally, I would like a Technic model to finally get the votes, be approved and released. It would be a nice change and probably push interest in Technic models on Ideas.

This may be controversal but I have a feeling lots of people dont see technic as "real Lego". And as others said the models are too complex and unorthodox.

I think the real problem is that Lego Ideas was probably invented by the Lego marketing team to make the company look good and to occasionally discover a way to make easy money. Look how they jumped on the Minecraft sets idea. Minecraft = millions of potential buyers of sets that are essentially bags of plates with some print on them. When you look at the history of submissions and rejections, things have always been vague, and Lego has absolutely no problem discarding awesome, very popular submissions without giving any proper reason.

I know I may sound sour, but the whole project reminds me too much of how the marketing people operate. Plus, it's just tiresome that a lot of people out there think Lego Ideas = automatically turning any MOC into a set, and they go "submit it, submit it" whenever they see something interesting.

Edited September 4, 201410 yr by Sariel

Could it be that TLG itself doesn't really know what the goal is of Cuusoo and Lego Ideas? The fact that they keep it very open to any submissions without restrictions (style, theme, part count, PF use, etc) makes me think it is more or less an experiment to see where it might lead. If there isn't a clear plan or goal, then it shouldn't be a surprise that marketing motives are guiding the selection process.

Or is it that its just a place where TLG can get free and popular ideas?

Or is it that its just a place where TLG can get free and popular ideas?

Bingo. Ideas is a marketing tool, that's all.

Edited September 4, 201410 yr by jantjeuh

If TLG is only willing to accept small models, then Technic is pretty much out of the question.

The majority of voters only vote for models that look good or contain lots of functions and pieces, and small technic models aren't exactly in the "good looking" category, so the the only models in Technic people vote for are big ones, and if those don't pass the review, then they aren't going to become models.

Another issue is that people are submitting branded works, like Land Rovers and Audis and Liebherr excavators. TLG would need to get a contract with those companies to sell those models, or else they might get sued because the model "doesn't represent the true quality" of the real vehicles or something like that.

People need to submit things that aren't associated with certain companies

Except Shell, of course

Another issue is that people are submitting branded works, like Land Rovers and Audis and Liebherr excavators. TLG would need to get a contract with those companies to sell those models, or else they might get sued because the model "doesn't represent the true quality" of the real vehicles or something like that.

People need to submit things that aren't associated with certain companies

The issue with brands affects more than just Technic. BTTF, Ghostbusters, both brands. Minecraft as well. And for the system sets, there are enough other models with brands. Zelda, Doctor Who and whatnot. So brands are hardly an argument here.

An interesting topic. I agree with everything said on this topic so far, it all makes sense. It would need some extensive research to discover what it would take for an idea to be taken up by TLG. There are some great ideas we've seen here that I know many of us would buy, but we're not enough. It comes back to the marketing issue. It would need to be something that would appeal to current lego buyers and potential lego buyers.

I've noticed recently, with the purchase of 42029, that these sets are not that complicated. Most ideas we see on here are more complicated than the official sets, the ideas here are more complicated because our fellow forum members are displaying skill and innovation as well as the ability to have an idea. i'm not saying TLG don't display skills etc, that would be a stupid thing to say, but I would say that some of the ideas we see here are too "off the wall" for TLG.

A piece of work I did some years ago, which was submitted to a international organisation was described as being "off the wall", I still have the letter now. But that's how I work, and I have a feeling some of our fellow forum members ideas are considered in the same way. Being 'off the wall" is great as I like to go a step further and break through restrictions.

H

Well I did sumbit my Lego Sonic the Hedgehog idea and there was a problem with branding... Its all....as it suits THEM.

I was thinking about the question how easy it is to collect the necessary 10000 votes to be considered by TLG? I get the impression that Lego Ideas proposals are often "hi-jacked" by it's relevant fanbase. I see MOC's like the exosuit and that satellite-thingy from which I never would have suspected that they could be so popular.

If it is all a marketing scheme, isn't it just a case of consciously targeting a specific fanbase with a Technic model? I suspect that this was the main reason why the Land Rover got the necessary votes in the first place: Not necessarily the complexity, but the fact it was recognisable and appealed to the considerable amount of Land Rover fans.

In other words, by choosing a popular "thing" to build, making it recognisable and with a realistic part count, should be enough to win half of the race. Additionally, if this is repeated often enough, I think it is a matter of time until a Technic model appears at the other end of a reviewing process. It could be a challenge worth undertaking.

PS: it occured to me that maybe TLG has a different policy for Technic models. The 41999 was a marketing success as well, but has it origins outside the Lego Ideas process. Maybe similar contests are in the pipeline?

I think a few things can be noted as to why we will never see a LEGO Technic model come from Ideas/Cuusoo. First, as ZBLJ noted above, some people feel that Technic isn't "real" LEGO. Second, I personally do not think Technic is popular enough with the target demographic. Third, Technic does not have minifigures so it automatically makes it less desirable to the target group. Fourth, a Technic model may be hard to intergrate into one's current collection of bricks if they do not typically buy and build Technic. Finally, I think even a simple but functionally correct Technic model is considered to be to difficult to build for younger builders (even though it would most likely be more sturdy and playable than a typical system set.) The last point may not really be true but its just my opinion.

exactly - only technic people buy technic

whereas all sorts by the normal sets....

- whoops wrong topic, mod delete please -

Edited September 4, 201410 yr by jantjeuh

I just looked through the sets that are tagged with Technic on Lego Ideas. And at least in my opinion, the most is just "shit". Sorry to be so blunt.

There is stuff, that isn't even Technic.

Or it's scaled totally strange, like cars with wheels that are too small and such.

Or the design is very poor and does not really resemble what it should be, ignoring iconic looks.

Or it is just alternates for existing models.

Or just odd-looking stuff.

Or creations built with just old Technic Bricks.

From all these I have seen, perhaps 10 sets could be counted as worthy models in my opinion.

Unfortunately, some of the quality stuff was rejected early or caused problems through self-made marketing. And I must say, that some models are not even tagged with Technic and don't count towards my findings.

Theres much better stuff on rebrickable

I think the only way that anything Technic will ever pass is if it is a low part count and really brings something new to the table. It is hard for me to imagine that a small Technic set would sell well though since as someone said above, most Lego enthusiasts don't view Lego as "Real Lego"

I think the only way that anything Technic will ever pass is if it is a low part count and really brings something new to the table. It is hard for me to imagine that a small Technic set would sell well though since as someone said above, most Lego enthusiasts don't view Lego as "Real Lego"

What if I try put my mini tumbler there Its 200 parts and its a tumbler haha