Nexo Knights 2016

[Sir von Lego]

In the first wave there will be 14-15 "Space Knights" sets.

I don't remember the exact amount, but there will be a second wave in future.

It seems to be the following theme After Chima with lots of sets and marketing..

Greetings. Hendrik

[Amazing Bricks]

In the first wave there will be 14-15 "Space Knights" sets.

I don't remember the exact amount, but there will be a second wave in future.

It seems to be the following theme After Chima with lots of sets and marketing..

Greetings. Hendrik

Thanks for the update.14 to 15 sets is a lot. I wonder if those include the ultimate sets. I'm loving the sound of this theme and I hope it does better than Chima.

[Blakstone]

Sir Von Lego, have you seen any images? If so, any description would be helpful.

[The_Cook]

If it's a "Big Bang" release as everyone says then it will have some form of play feature, eg. spinner, speedorz, airjitzu, or whatever new thing they dream up.

There are likely to be 6 or 7 play-feature based sets for around $10 with the remaining 8-9 sets being the size of a standard theme with the associated range of prices.

Therefore 14 sets sound reasonable but expect a significant number to be small and play orientated.

[Cagast]

If it's a "Big Bang" release as everyone says then it will have some form of play feature, eg. spinner, speedorz, airjitzu, or whatever new thing they dream up.

I think, that instead of this there will be CCBS action figures. Would explain "ultimate forms".

[Naijel]

I'm sure most of you would consider the Elder Scrolls games to be high fantasy. They have dwarves, sort of. The dwarves, called Dwemer, all died out long ago so you never see them in game, not even skeletons strangely. However, they were skilled at metallurgy and building steam engines and so you can find working machinery and even mechanical robot-like constructions in ancient Dwemer ruins.

That's a far stretch from robo-horses, however it is becoming more common to see steampunk, even quite advanced mechs, making their way into fantasy settings.

I for one really dislike the Dwemer stuff in the Elder Scrolls and feel it is out of place. My feeling is that magic was supposed to provide the excitement, hence why for me Dungeons & Dragons and Elder Scrolls are great themes while Middle Earth is lacking in magic - only a few people seem to use it and they tend to be quite powerful. For me, introducing highly advanced steam punk, mechs or robo-horses into fantasy settings seems like missing the point, a missed opportunity to exploit magic.

There is a bigger discussion to be had elsewhere about the future of themes like pirates, western and castle stuff as to whether these themes can survive when they start to look less exciting to younger people. More and more kids are using technology from an early age and they may find these themes boring. I wonder what will happen in 20-30 years time when they have grown up. Will pure historical themes in film, books and toys hold much interest?

Edited August 10, 2015 by Naijel

[thetang22]

I wonder what will happen in 20-30 years time when they have grown up. Will pure historical themes in film, books and toys hold much interest?

It's an interesting question. I believe there will be a market for this sort of content, so long as books, film, and games continue to support it as well. Consider some of the examples that have come out in the last 10-20 years, despite the world getting more and more technological in that same period.

Lord of the Rings/Hobbit - they were all big successes in the movie scene. Sure, they were based on proven books, but at the same time...the books are how many years old, and that many years later there is still an interest by old and young alike in the big epic'ness of the story and setting.

Harry Potter - Probably the most popular books that have been released in the last how many years, now? (the films being massively popular too) Sure, they've got a modern setting, but it's the inclusion of the old-world magic and feeling that really made it something special.

Game of Thrones - the most popular show on television for the last 3-4 years, basically. Everything about it celebrates a medieval setting. The books are REALLY becoming popular too, thanks to the tv show.

World of Warcraft - this is the biggest video game, probably ever. Not only that, but there are LOTS of successful video games that still have fantastical medieval settings.

Those are 4 of the biggest entertainment franchises in the last 10-20 years, despite the world getting VERY technological during that same period. I'd say medieval fantasy isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[Velut Umbra]

What a bummer!

But I guess it was expectable since a TV show was first mentioned

[Vorkosigan]

Game of Thrones - the most popular show on television for the last 3-4 years, basically. Everything about it celebrates a medieval setting. The books are REALLY becoming popular too, thanks to the tv show.

Ok not too get too OT here, and I actually don't disagree with your general point, but GoT is nowhere close to the most popular show in terms of ratings. In fact, it is not in the top 50 (although being on HBO its not really fair to compare directly). The Big Bang theory is #1 with 23 million viewers average, GoT averages somewhere around 7 million. A highly discussed show though, to be sure.

[thetang22]

Ok not too get too OT here, and I actually don't disagree with your general point, but GoT is nowhere close to the most popular show in terms of ratings. In fact, it is not in the top 50 (although being on HBO its not really fair to compare directly). The Big Bang theory is #1 with 23 million viewers average, GoT averages somewhere around 7 million. A highly discussed show though, to be sure.

Yeah, BBT is my favorite comedy. However, you did bring up the big point - GoT is on HBO, with a vastly lower pool of potential viewers than BBT, which is on network television. And GoT generates a lot more buzz with a drastically smaller audience than BBT does with the larger audience. So..."popular" is sort of a hard term to define in this exact case...more viewers, or more buzz? Doesn't entirely matter, due to the general point.

[jedijon]

Well, it's an action theme - not because of the steampunk vibe - but because it's all vehicles and no buildings.

Guess that's the end result of named characters vs. simple factions that normally grace the castle theme.

[Isundir]

Well, it's an action theme - not because of the steampunk vibe - but because it's all vehicles and no buildings.

This is what really kills it for me even without seeing pictures, I did not want vehicles a well done airship or carriage or such aside, I've never wanted vehicles and I usually avoid anything with vehicles in it. The only thing I'm mildly interested in are the robot horses and only if they are actually looking like horses but mechanical and not some weird motorcycles like people have speculated. The problem with vehicles is that they come with lots of parts you can't utilize for anything but vehicles.

If they do whatever building comes with the series well then I might (probably) buy into that as long as it looks Castle'y, if it's anything like Ninjago were I did find most the buildings interesting and would have liked to have purchased them when they came out.

Edited August 10, 2015 by Isundir

[Itaria No Shintaku]

It's an interesting question. I believe there will be a market for this sort of content, so long as books, film, and games continue to support it as well. Consider some of the examples that have come out in the last 10-20 years, despite the world getting more and more technological in that same period.

Lord of the Rings/Hobbit - they were all big successes in the movie scene. Sure, they were based on proven books, but at the same time...the books are how many years old, and that many years later there is still an interest by old and young alike in the big epic'ness of the story and setting.

Harry Potter - Probably the most popular books that have been released in the last how many years, now? (the films being massively popular too) Sure, they've got a modern setting, but it's the inclusion of the old-world magic and feeling that really made it something special.

Game of Thrones - the most popular show on television for the last 3-4 years, basically. Everything about it celebrates a medieval setting. The books are REALLY becoming popular too, thanks to the tv show.

World of Warcraft - this is the biggest video game, probably ever. Not only that, but there are LOTS of successful video games that still have fantastical medieval settings.

Those are 4 of the biggest entertainment franchises in the last 10-20 years, despite the world getting VERY technological during that same period. I'd say medieval fantasy isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Yet no chances ever that Lego will do GOT

[Deathleech]

Ok not too get too OT here, and I actually don't disagree with your general point, but GoT is nowhere close to the most popular show in terms of ratings. In fact, it is not in the top 50 (although being on HBO its not really fair to compare directly). The Big Bang theory is #1 with 23 million viewers average, GoT averages somewhere around 7 million. A highly discussed show though, to be sure.

Being on HBO means a big hit to ratings. HBO generally cost an extra $15 a month while ABC is included with most standard cable subscriptions. I also heard Game of Thrones was the most pirated tv show which is another huge factor not being added in.

As for Knights Nexo, I am wondering how the fantasy part plays in? I see a lot of people talking about the sci-fi and historical part, but rumors said it had a huge fantasy element as well. Will the bad guys be trolls/orcs? Will we have some dwarves and elves on the good side? Will we have wizards who use magic as well as the sci fi stuff? I am anxiously awaiting pictures before I make any judgements.

Edited August 10, 2015 by Deathleech

[Kalhiki]

As for Knights Nexo, I am wondering how the fantasy part plays in? I see a lot of people talking about the sci-fi and historical part, but rumors said it had a huge fantasy element as well. Will the bad guys be trolls/orcs? Will we have some dwarves and elves on the good side? Will we have wizards who use magic as well as the sci fi stuff? I am anxiously awaiting pictures before I make any judgements.

Perhaps all the sci-fi contraptions run on magic or use magic as a power source.

Or would that be too much like Chi?

[Sorrelon]

Oh, no! Please tell me this is a bad attempt of an April's fools joke which is done with 4 months of a delay. Robohorses or disc launchers don't sound anything like Castle to me. No matter how you put it, steampunk just doesn't fit into any of the Castle lines, be it Classic Castle or Kingdoms or Fantasy Era. When the rumors of a new Fantasy Era sets for 2016 first leaked, I had really high hopes for the line, especially with the discontuniation of Lotr and Hobbit. Since they already did Dwarves and Trolls in Fantasy Era, I was expecting sets revolving around Elves and Goblins(looking like ones from collectible minifigures series), elven buildings, forest roads with elven patrolls and goblin trappers, goblin forges and cavern, civillian settlements(perhaps a medieval harbor or a fair) done in a similar taste to Medieval Market Village and Mill Village Raid. But instead, we get lame disc launching, robohorse riding Chima rip-off line whose only proof of being a Castle line is the Castle logo on it's box.

If this is confirmed, I really really really hope that this new line will be the one that replaces Chima and we'll actually get a Castle line that is Fantasy Era II. or anything but this abomination.

[CM4Sci]

Sort of new info!

Unfortunately, these sets only come up as Confidential BB 2016 PT #, so no official names right now.

I missed some sets, a 70317, 70320, and 70334-70336 (labeled with "MDP")

[Sorrelon]

Sort of new info!

Unfortunately, these sets only come up as Confidential BB 2016 PT #, so no official names right now.

I missed some sets, a 70317, 70320, and 70334-70336 (labeled with "MDP")

So, does this translate as "there is yet hope for a nice Fantasy Era themed Castle sets" ? Hope the answer is yes, crossed fingers on both of my hands, and even my toes

[Isundir]

Oh, no! Please tell me this is a bad attempt of an April's fools joke which is done with 4 months of a delay. Robohorses or disc launchers don't sound anything like Castle to me. No matter how you put it, steampunk just doesn't fit into any of the Castle lines, be it Classic Castle or Kingdoms or Fantasy Era. When the rumors of a new Fantasy Era sets for 2016 first leaked, I had really high hopes for the line, especially with the discontuniation of Lotr and Hobbit. Since they already did Dwarves and Trolls in Fantasy Era, I was expecting sets revolving around Elves and Goblins(looking like ones from collectible minifigures series), elven buildings, forest roads with elven patrolls and goblin trappers, goblin forges and cavern, civillian settlements(perhaps a medieval harbor or a fair) done in a similar taste to Medieval Market Village and Mill Village Raid. But instead, we get lame disc launching, robohorse riding Chima rip-off line whose only proof of being a Castle line is the Castle logo on it's box.

If this is confirmed, I really really really hope that this new line will be the one that replaces Chima and we'll actually get a Castle line that is Fantasy Era II. or anything but this abomination.

Well they are making what the kids want not what we want (sadly), I'd love nothing more then a new Fantasy Era to make up for the one missed during my Dark Ages but the robot horse is actually the one thing I'm slightly interested in as far as the Sci-Fi element goes, more then the race car/hover bike whatever nonsense like Clay's Cruiser. If they do a straight up mechanical horse at least that will have some function for not Castle related builds and just generally would be interesting. I'd have no hope or expectation of this that way no matter what happens it won't be a disappointment.

Edited August 11, 2015 by Isundir

[Fives]

This theme is really starting to sound like an amazing chance for something extremely authentic that was wasted because they just keep recycling the Ninjago and Chima style themes.

Don't get me wrong, Ninjago and Chima are brilliant. But Castle has been a staple classic of the LEGO system for a long time. I've felt for a while that LEGO should give us a castle theme with a story and named characters and such, but give us detailed sets like the ones we saw in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series. They could've created a new fantasy realm and rejuvenated a classic theme with a high-fantasy vibe, but instead we're probably gonna get some rocket jousting function thing and that will be the big selling point.

The only saving grave would be the minifigs. As long as they avoid colours for characters (Knights Kingdom 2 and Ninjago) or over the top armour and weapons (Chima), and give us simple, elegant medieval minifigs with nice printing and perhaps some new cape or armour designs.

In the end, I have very low hopes for this theme. However, that just my own opinion. I bet its gonna be successful.

[Sorrelon]

Well they are making what the kids want not what we want (sadly), I'd love nothing more then a new Fantasy Era to make up for the one missed during my Dark Ages but the robot horse is actually the one thing I'm slightly interested in as far as the Sci-Fi element goes, more then the race car/hover bike whatever nonsense like Clay's Cruiser. If they do a straight up mechanical horse at least that will have some function for not Castle related builds and just generally would be interesting. I'd have no hope or expectation of this that way no matter what happens it won't be a disappointment.

Totally agree on that. Unfortunately, they don't even care what we want. A separate steampunk line in 2016 would've been okay, but what really bothers me is that TLG making such a drastic change on a staple line like Castle. This would be the same as making an "alien invasion" theme for City line. While it'd be great to have it as another line, if done on the City line, it just wouldn't feel like City anymore. If this steampunk-knights will be the only Castle line in 2016, then I believe it'll be very similar to Time Cruisers line in 1996-1997. A mediocre idea executed in the worst way possible, and discontinued in it's second year.

[Pulp Detective]

I don't mind robot horses and disc launchers but as long as TLG avoids the over the top crazy vechicles with big guns and wheels in this theme then you won't see me complaining.It's also one of the reasons I'm not a fan of Ninjago and Chima,I can't stand those monstrosities at all I even stopped buying sets for this very reason.

Edited August 11, 2015 by LOTR34

[General Magma]

The only thing I'm asking this theme to give me are new, evil or just nice looking helmets that would work for LOTR orcs, new heads for fantasy creatures (preferably orcish heads to make up for the fact LEGO LOTR gave us too many orcs that looked exactly the same) and also nice MOC pieces overall... because anything else seems like too much to ask from a theme like this. It does sound interesting, and could be a fun theme, but I'm just hoping for some new stuff that would be compatible with LOTR.

Edited August 11, 2015 by General Magma

[SirBlake]

That's an interesting discussion point: what makes for the minimum level of acceptable from a parts perspective for this theme?

I'm not sure for myself. Good, usable heraldry would go a long way to redeem this theme. Usable colors and parts would help a lot too. Chima didn't offer much in that way. Orange wing pieces are pretty useless.

[Dr.Cogg]

I don't like the sound of "Space Knights", but I will wait for pictures before I make a final judgement.