Bionicle 2015 Discussion

[Grima]

I think it's unfair to call anyone who doesn't keep the packaging irrational; some people have their own storage methods for their LEGO pieces other than kool-aid pouches, and at that point, it becomes a hinderance that they are, in fact, less recyclable than the canisters that preceded them.

Edited September 26, 2014 by Grima

[Toa of Gallifrey]

Also canisters in 2001 were there because of Toa Canisters, after that only a couple canisters had some gimmicks (like the Metru lids). While canisters are pretty to have around in shelves, they're pretty impractical for long-term storage and environmentally.

[SoupOrFishOil]

Can anybody here confirm whether this year's Speedorz packages are resealable/collapsible? Sadly I can't find any reviews of this year's Speedorz that describes their packaging in detail, which is odd since that's one of the sets' most distinctive differences from last year's awful blister packages. They look like they might be both, and in that case, something like that would be ideal for BIONICLE. It'd have most of the same advantages as the Hero Factory pouches (completely collapsible, perpetually reusable unless damaged, printed graphics on every surface, eye-grabbing shape), but people with an irrational disdain for soft packaging might be either more willing to keep them or better able to recycle them.

I bought one back in March, but I don't remember it too well. I only vaguely recall that it was awkward to open, and I don't think it flattened well. I'd go for pouches, myself, but it was still better than a blister pack, and it does have a unique shape for the shelf. That's probably the only issue I have with the pouches: I always find them crinkled and knocked over on store shelves.

[Lyichir]

While the discussion slowed down a bit, I had to share this pearl.

http://goo.gl/r1SeqS

Yup. But that's not the meaning Lego intended it to have by a long shot. The actual meaning is "Great Face"—as in, the face the island was vaguely shaped like (its features represent facial features, like Mount "Ihu", Ihu meaning nose), as well as the face of the Great Spirit Robot concealed underneath.

[Aethersprite]

Also canisters in 2001 were there because of Toa Canisters, after that only a couple canisters had some gimmicks (like the Metru lids). While canisters are pretty to have around in shelves, they're pretty impractical for long-term storage and environmentally.

Agreed. For people like me who like to keep their set packaging, the HF bags were a godsend. I keep them neatly stored in a folder, and if the day comes when I need them to store parts, I can just take them out of storage. It's neat and saves space. Yes, I loved the Bionicle canisters for their novelty and unique feel, but they just take up so much space. Plus, because they're so nice to look at, it makes it that much harder to throw them away.

I'll definitely miss the HF bags. The new Bionicle sets seem to use the Speedorz-ish boxes, we'll see how those fare.

Edited September 26, 2014 by Lockon Stratos

[Aanchir]

I think it's unfair to call anyone who doesn't keep the packaging irrational; some people have their own storage methods for their LEGO pieces other than kool-aid pouches, and at that point, it becomes a hinderance that they are, in fact, less recyclable than the canisters that preceded them.

Don't get me wrong, it's not the decision not to keep the packaging that seems irrational. Some people just don't care for or have any need for the package's intended use, and that's just as true of the people who throw out the pouches as the people who recycle their canisters. Nothing wrong with that in and of itself (though when the package is stylishly designed and takes up an infinitesimal amount of space, I think keeping it would be much less of a burden than keeping a canister).

What I consider irrational is the way some people treat the "softness" of Hero Factory packages as proof of their cheapness and worthlessness. I have heard people say they would consider ordinary, non-resealable, rectangular cardboard boxes like the ones for the 2010 and 2011 Hero Factory villain sets or the 2012 Super Heroes sets better for the new BIONICLE than Hero Factory pouches, when in fact the only thing that ordinary boxes like that have more in common with canisters than with Hero Factory pouches is that they have rigid shapes. Does anybody really consider that factor the thing that made canisters great? Not their sturdiness, or their potential for reusable storage, or their distinctive and eye-catching shapes, or the way they could be integrated with the sets during role-play... but the fact that they held their shape? To me, that seems like the BIONICLE canisters' biggest DISadvantage. I guess arguably, cardboard boxes are also stackable and recyclable, but I don't think these are the characteristics that most BIONICLE fans are really looking for in LEGO packaging.

Edited September 26, 2014 by Aanchir

[LordChris]

Does anyone know if Hero Factory is sticking around for another wave? Even if it's just like the Bionicle Stars were?

[Grima]

The environmentalist in me perks up at recycling, though; if LEGO can produce cardboard packaging with even fewer emissions than the pouches, I will be a happy camper, because even if the pouches weren't so unrecyclable, more people think to recycle cardboard than plastic pouches.

Arguably, some form of biodegradable packaging would be even better, but I'm not sure how that would work for toys.

[Lyichir]

Does anyone know if Hero Factory is sticking around for another wave? Even if it's just like the Bionicle Stars were?

It's not. If it were, at least a set list would have leaked by now... and it hasn't, even when all the other themes have. Since there's basically no chance of Lego bringing it back AFTER Bionicle's gotten going, Hero Factory's pretty much a closed book by now.

The environmentalist in me perks up at recycling, though; if LEGO can produce cardboard packaging with even fewer emissions than the pouches, I will be a happy camper, because even if the pouches weren't so unrecyclable, more people think to recycle cardboard than plastic pouches.

Arguably, some form of biodegradable packaging would be even better, but I'm not sure how that would work for toys.

Cardboard IS biodegradeable. Expose it to the elements enough and it'll completely dissolve.

[Grima]

Cardboard IS biodegradeable. Expose it to the elements enough and it'll completely dissolve.

...I feel kind of stupid for not knowing that.

[Kalhiki]

I feel cardboard boxes are the best route. Sure they aren't resealable, but they are collapsible. Provided they're sealed with tape, all you'd need to do is slit the tape on both ends, and it'll fold down.

[Mandate]

So, are the Chima Speedorz sets secured with anything on the interior? Like a blister package with buttons for easy opening, etc? Because I don't think I'd like to see Constraction sets doing this if not. Yeah, they're stable... but still.

[Chro]

Does anyone know if Hero Factory is sticking around for another wave? Even if it's just like the Bionicle Stars were?

My source can confirm that it isn't.

[Dorek]

SPIRIT 10:40:22 PM

I've made a discovery about the Mask of Creation

The symbols don't spell out anything

Because the mask is

PERFECTLY SYMMETRICAL

Both sides are mirror images of one another

So one side has to be gibberish

Now

Only a fool would make something with writing look like that

So either the designer is a fool

Or the letters have no meaning

Oh SPI. You so silly.

(interesting note, though)

[Lord-Vorahk]

I'll be honest and say that I never kept a HF pouch. I cut the tops off and threw them away.

[Mattah12]

So what do we think todays "small announcement" is going to be?

[Grima]

we'll finally learn how kapura farts without an anus

[Chro]

Something website-related

can skakdi poop

Edited September 26, 2014 by Chro

[Timeline15]

A 500 page epic chronicling Hiker Mike's journeys across the universes.

[Mandate]

Oh pull-eaze. It's obviously going to be the Mata Nui Offline Game or that the new theme is set in Matahero City, where the Matanui Assembly Tower creates evil Bonkles for villains to use against Hero Factory. Don't you see it yet? This is the Villain Factory wave!

[Jasonified]

I noticed something on the website teaser image.

There's a vaguely keyhole-shaped opening on the wall that seems to be emitting the energy around the mask.

Not sure if this has been pointed out, though.

[Mattah12]

I noticed something on the website teaser image.

There's a vaguely keyhole-shaped opening on the wall that seems to be emitting the energy around the mask.

Not sure if this has been pointed out, though.

You mean the greener bit of energy? I think that's just a lick of flame.

[Grima]

I noticed something on the website teaser image.

There's a vaguely keyhole-shaped opening on the wall that seems to be emitting the energy around the mask.

Not sure if this has been pointed out, though.

No, that's clearly Makuta's finger poking through the wall, and he's going to emerge bit by bit until release day when he'll burst through like Kool-Aid Man.

[Mandate]

No, that's clearly Makuta's finger poking through the wall, and he's going to emerge bit by bit until release day when he'll burst through like Kool-Aid Man.

No it's not! It's the creepy laptop hand guy from Breakout! It all makes sense now, the Jumper at the end of IFB was cloned and genetically altered into Skull Spiders, and now Hero Factory must defend themselves from the evil BIONICLE takeover!

Anyway, there seems to be two of these "keyholes", one at the top, one at the bottom.

Edited September 26, 2014 by JayWalker

[Logan McOwen]

A 500 page epic chronicling Hiker Mike's journeys across the universes.

The money I would pay for this...

Edited September 26, 2014 by LewiMOC