Bionicle 2015 Discussion

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I think Voltix single handed took the title of worst colour scheme of any LEGO constraction figure.

Including Galidnngghh.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that; what were they thinking?

[Dorek]

I still don't think Voltix was that bad. I mean there were a LOT of colors, but they balanced surprisingly well.

[Kingslayer]

I still don't think Voltix was that bad. I mean there were a LOT of colors, but they balanced surprisingly well.

I actually liked him, although I never got the set. Though I cant say Im a massive HF collector anyway. I have all heroes of BO and thats it really.

[Mesonak]

Voltix was a pretty good set; I had few issues with him. The problems that I DID have had nothing to do with his color scheme.

[Mask_of_Death]

I still don't think Voltix was that bad. I mean there were a LOT of colors, but they balanced surprisingly well.

Voltix in my opinion had a very organized and layered color scheme.

So. As part of my Bionicle-is-Back Media Marathon, I just finished up the MNOG. And there's something I noticed that I hope they do next year:

In MNOG, there was a massive amount of foreshadowing. I mean, they basically flat out tell you that Mata Nui is asleep under the island. And hint at Takua becoming a Toa. If Bionicle has as much of an immersive story as it did back in the day, I really hope we get some good foreshadowing.

Back to the topic of Bionicle, I think that was part of the charm of the 2001-2003 era. It gave hints and foreshadowing towards the immediate story, revealing things that you don't notice until after the reveal, and can appreciate afterwards. The world building was also something that I found absent later in Bionicle's lifespan, settings seemed to just appear without any hinting and disappear as soon as they did.

[dviddy]

I just want to say that the Bionicle story is a double-edged sword. While its complexity made it hard for new customers to join in, I wouldn't be surprised if more customers stayed around because of it-- even into the dark ages. Maybe Hero Factory is declining more quickly then Bionicle, and LEGO realizes they need to find a way to maintain customers over a long time (and across various ages) that is a balance of maintaining story but keeping it straight forward enough for anyone to join in. My hope is part of them achieving this is through focusing on the Toa Mata for the lines run (or for at least more than three years).

The problem was that the fans who were deeply invested in the storyline's complexity were often those who cared for the story- but not the sets. The story was important to fans and to TLG, especially as the first real in-house story-driven theme with an intense multimedia focus. But it was only important as to the point it caused fans to purchase sets. Too many of the fans deeply wrapped in the mythology didn't purchase sets.

[Lord-Vorahk]

The problem was that the fans who were deeply invested in the storyline's complexity were often those who cared for the story- but not the sets. The story was important to fans and to TLG, especially as the first real in-house story-driven theme with an intense multimedia focus. But it was only important as to the point it caused fans to purchase sets. Too many of the fans deeply wrapped in the mythology didn't purchase sets.

Yeah, I have to agree there. I followed the story in every way I could, but I didn't have the funds to buy the sets, and I just didn't care about most of the Glatorian.

[King of Nynrah]

Yeah, I have to agree there. I followed the story in every way I could, but I didn't have the funds to buy the sets, and I just didn't care about most of the Glatorian.

Of course, it didn't help that many of them barely appeared in the story, if at all - Tarix, Vastus, Perditus anyone?

[Lord-Vorahk]

Of course, it didn't help that many of them barely appeared in the story, if at all - Tarix, Vastus, Perditus anyone?

Vastus' set was pretty bad too. You can make a backwards Inika torso look pretty good with the right pieces as armour, but an Inika thigh shell isn't one of them. Hordika feet work pretty well, and Metruan torsos work perfectly on a backwards Inika torso. He also had those horridly gappy Hordika shins, more lime, an awkward weapon, and a helmet that only looks good on green heads.

[davidr]

The problem was that the fans who were deeply invested in the storyline's complexity were often those who cared for the story- but not the sets. The story was important to fans and to TLG, especially as the first real in-house story-driven theme with an intense multimedia focus. But it was only important as to the point it caused fans to purchase sets. Too many of the fans deeply wrapped in the mythology didn't purchase sets.

Well TLG could try to make profit from other things than only the toys. At least that they wouldn't lose money for creating the story seems possible to me.

[Master_Data]

The problem was that the fans who were deeply invested in the storyline's complexity were often those who cared for the story- but not the sets. The story was important to fans and to TLG, especially as the first real in-house story-driven theme with an intense multimedia focus. But it was only important as to the point it caused fans to purchase sets. Too many of the fans deeply wrapped in the mythology didn't purchase sets.

Now that you mention it, I did focus more on the story. Maybe they should sell the deeper mythology as separate comics this go round and keep the simple comic in the LEGO Magazine. That way kids could still understand it while those of us who want to know more have a means to do so.

Well TLG could try to make profit from other things than only the toys. At least that they wouldn't lose money for creating the story seems possible to me.

Exactly.

EDIT: They could emulate the Ninjago comics that are out now. Extended story not necessarily needed for the mainstream story.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Master_Data

[Aanchir]

Well TLG could try to make profit from other things than only the toys. At least that they wouldn't lose money for creating the story seems possible to me.

They do try to profit from the media and other things. They're certainly not selling those things at a loss hoping to make it up in merchandise sales. But the fact remains that BIONICLE is a toy line and LEGO is a toy company. They will never make anywhere near as much money on media sales as they do on toy sales, nor do they want to. If the LEGO Group were not seeking to sell toys they would not have created BIONICLE in the first place, because from beginning to end it was designed as a toy franchise.

Even with many media franchises like Star Wars, it's well understood that licensed merchandise and media sales make up a HUGE piece of the franchise's net gross, even larger than ticket sales or home media sales.

[Bob C]

As someone who didn't follow the story other than the little comic books in the boxes and the comics in the club magazines, I think that moving all the story to outside media like TV and games is not really going to help if they don't have anything inside the sets. I doubt LEGO profits that much from airing those HF shorts on TV. Seeing as they've done it more than once, it must help, but I think the physical toys generate the most revenue.

[the last chronicler]

I was just trying to get at that business theory states ( granted, I think I heard this on The Office ) that it is easier to keep old customers than it is to get new ones. Maybe that doesn't completely transfer to kids toys, but I started with Bionicle in 01 when I was seven and followed it to the very end. I didn't hook onto every detailed plot-point, I found the alternate universe stuff boring and didn't really pay attention to the online series until 2009 (maybe because less books were being made?), but I followed the story and own a majority of the sets. I still remember that pamphlet that came with the 2001 Mctoran with the "Legend of the Bionicle," and those mythical images of the sandy beach, the Toa stones, and the wise elders. I appreciate 2004 now more than I did when I experienced it, especially for the 1984-like society, and even though the plot details were imperfect the almost post-apocalyptic and wild-west vibe of Bara Magna gave Bionicle a fitting close for a series that started in a mysterious underdeveloped world. Plus stylistically 2009 was the most "Bionicle" that Bionicle sets had been since 2001.

I do remember most kids leaving Bionicle in 2004, which lines up well with the beginning of the teens, but the story also had its first major complex plot-shift by changing the setting to a sci-fi city whilst also making the year a prequel. I think the series may have been more successful if it had skipped straight to 2006 plot-wise. Maybe the reboot (if it is one) will simply have the Toa travel into the MU to find the mask of life rather then have a overly complicated physically impossible floating island.

Edited July 18, 2014 by the last chronicler

[Lord-Vorahk]

Thought of something else I want for New Bionicle: Different coloured torso bones. The two primary bones only come in black, meaning that any MOC you make with one is going to have to have a big, colour-scheme breaking lump of black in the middle of it. It looks just plain ugly, and we'd be better off if they made them in more varied colours. Knowing the shells' propensity for gappiness, we're going to be a bit lacking in covers on the back, which is going to leave a large chunk exposed.

[Kingslayer]

Thought of something else I want for New Bionicle: Different coloured torso bones. The two primary bones only come in black, meaning that any MOC you make with one is going to have to have a big, colour-scheme breaking lump of black in the middle of it. It looks just plain ugly, and we'd be better off if they made them in more varied colours. Knowing the shells' propensity for gappiness, we're going to be a bit lacking in covers on the back, which is going to leave a large chunk exposed.

If each Toa has a different bone colour, it would make me a very happy man.

Edited July 18, 2014 by Kingslayer

[Voxovan]

Thought of something else I want for New Bionicle: Different coloured torso bones. The two primary bones only come in black, meaning that any MOC you make with one is going to have to have a big, colour-scheme breaking lump of black in the middle of it. It looks just plain ugly, and we'd be better off if they made them in more varied colours. Knowing the shells' propensity for gappiness, we're going to be a bit lacking in covers on the back, which is going to leave a large chunk exposed.

Orange bones and red armor on Tahu. Just like the old one. Same with the other Toa... YES PLEASE. Lego, make that happen. I would finally use those bones on non-black MOCs without putting armor shells on them :D

Edited July 18, 2014 by Voxovan

[Aanchir]

Thought of something else I want for New Bionicle: Different coloured torso bones. The two primary bones only come in black, meaning that any MOC you make with one is going to have to have a big, colour-scheme breaking lump of black in the middle of it. It looks just plain ugly, and we'd be better off if they made them in more varied colours. Knowing the shells' propensity for gappiness, we're going to be a bit lacking in covers on the back, which is going to leave a large chunk exposed.

I've never heard black described as "color-scheme breaking", and honestly if these character ARE the Toa Mata, I think black torso beams would work just fine for them. After all, their hips and shoulders (the parts of the torso beam that are going to be most visible with proper torso armor) were black in the original Toa Mata and Toa Nuva to begin with. One of the biggest flaws of the Stars version of Tahu, in my opinion, was its LACK of black to balance out the bright red and bright orange that dominated his color scheme. You don't realize just how important that color was to the original set's color scheme until you see what it's like without it.

Now, as for the limb beams? I suppose those could be more brightly-colored, though to be honest I rather like the layered look that neutral-colored beams and brightly-colored shells can afford.

[Lord-Vorahk]

Orange bones and red armor on Tahu. Just like the old one. Same with the other Toa... YES PLEASE. Lego, make that happen. I would finally use those bones on non-black MOCs without putting armor shells on them :D

Hell, I don't like using them with the shells.

I'd also like the socket/old-style hand piece in different colours too. And some bulky chest armour.

[Voxovan]

I'd also like the socket/old-style hand piece in different colours too.

Yay for recolors! I'd also love to see new feet finally, I'm sure everyone's getting sick and tired of the current ones. And some more detailed armor shells/armor add-ons, to give the figures more Bionicle-like look. Also, new colors for the heads, if they're gonna use the Brain Attack Head (wchich is most likely). Transparent purple is my dream.

[Lord-Vorahk]

Yay for recolors! I'd also love to see new feet finally, I'm sure everyone's getting sick and tired of the current ones. And some more detailed armor shells/armor add-ons, to give the figures more Bionicle-like look. Also, new colors for the heads, if they're gonna use the Brain Attack Head (wchich is most likely). Transparent purple is my dream.

Yes, we must have more recoloured parts! I want more Keetorange too.

[Aanchir]

Yay for recolors! I'd also love to see new feet finally, I'm sure everyone's getting sick and tired of the current ones. And some more detailed armor shells/armor add-ons, to give the figures more Bionicle-like look. Also, new colors for the heads, if they're gonna use the Brain Attack Head (wchich is most likely). Transparent purple is my dream.

I wouldn't complain about new feet, but... we just got two new foot designs just this year. We're not in desperate need of new feet IMO. Though part of the reason I feel that way is that I don't really have a problem of the 2.0 foot design, and I'm generally not fond of replacing a good piece just because it's been out for a while.

[Voxovan]

I wouldn't complain about new feet, but... we just got two new foot designs just this year. We're not in desperate need of new feet IMO. Though part of the reason I feel that way is that I don't really have a problem of the 2.0 foot design, and I'm generally not fond of replacing a good piece just because it's been out for a while.

The problem is that 2014 beast feet can be used only for... beasts, duh. Nah, jk, but they still can't be used in every set, 'cause they look very, emm... "beasty" I'd say. They'd work out in bad guys, maybe in Onua or, idk, Lewa, but still. And I didn't mean that LEGO should "replace" the 2.0 feet, just give us a new one

[Lord-Vorahk]

I wouldn't complain about new feet, but... we just got two new foot designs just this year. We're not in desperate need of new feet IMO. Though part of the reason I feel that way is that I don't really have a problem of the 2.0 foot design, and I'm generally not fond of replacing a good piece just because it's been out for a while.

The 2.0 foot piece is okay, but the ankle is too far back, meaning that a relatively small foot ends up looking like a clown shoe.

[LegendsOfNinjago]

It'll be interesting to see if Lego brings back the old Bionicle pieces or reinvents Bionicle with te new Hero Factory pieces.