Future Castle Sets?

[Ql97]

Definitely.

Also, your ideas about AFOL targeted sets is a good one. I'd hope them to be Expert level. And new parts from time to time when necessary would be nice. I don't think they'd need to be more expensive just for the sake of it. Their pricing should be the same as any other set.

I don't think they would have to be that much more expensive, maybe 5 dollars per set. My reasoning behind this is that by making a theme target exclusively at adults, Lego would effectively be excluding 95% of their buyer base. With fewer sets in production, they would have to do something to offset the cost of printing new minifigures, etc. I just know that if Lego released an uber-detailed, medieval style set every year, like Medieval Market Village or Kingdoms Joust, I would be happy.

[x105Black]

I know I would, and I think there would be a substantial audience for it even beyond the AFOL and Castle markets.

[Ql97]

I know I would, and I think there would be a substantial audience for it even beyond the AFOL and Castle markets.

I which case lego would end up juniorizing it so that kids could play with it. Then, they would decide that they could make a TV show based on it, and decide that to make it more 'awesome,' they should add a bunch of sci-fi and other ridiculous stuff. End result: Nexo Knights.

[Ardelon]

Well, my hope doesnt rest so much on Dimensions pack as on CMFs and maybe even a yearly juniors set.

[x105Black]

Well, my hope doesnt rest so much on Dimensions pack as on CMFs and maybe even a yearly juniors set.

Juniors sets are likely to feature Nexo Knights more than a Castle theme.

CMFs are wonderful for this, but they tend to focus on historic characters like the Egyptian more than on medieval fantasy characters like the Heroic Knight or Goblin. I'm hoping to see more such characters, myself.

[Aanchir]

Juniors sets are likely to feature Nexo Knights more than a Castle theme.

I have to disagree there. Part of the reason wacky themes like Nexo Knights exist is for kids who feel like they've grown beyond more conventional fare and want something that will challenge their imaginations more. Younger kids aren't yet at that age where their interests become fickle and they must have the latest, trendiest thing. And they haven't experienced the classics long enough to get bored with them or think of them as old-fashioned. They are still an enthusiastic audience for that stuff. Heck, it wouldn't surprise me if even a classic Space themed Juniors set could have real sales potential.

Also, LEGO might not want to risk alienating the older kids Nexo Knights is aimed at by rushing out sets aimed at the preschool/kindergarten age bracket. Not until they've had an opportunity to gain that older audience's trust, as they have with Ninjago after a good five years of success.

The one advantage a Nexo Knights themed Juniors set would have over a more conventional Castle themed one is that it could make use of more current minifigure elements, the same as how the previous Castle-themed Juniors set reused minifigure elements from the 2013 Castle range. But I don't think that's as big a concern as how they want the Nexo Knights brand to be perceived in its first few years.

Side note: I recently saw some more prelims for the Nexo Knights "Ultimate" characters that had age ranges listed, and apparently they're aimed at ages 7–14. This honestly surprises me a bit. In Ninjago, impulse-priced "gimmick" sets like the spinners generally dip down to the 6–14 rather than sticking with the same age range as the regular building sets. But I guess that's partly because in Ninjago spinners, the bulky, expensive spinner means cutting down on the actual building. The Ultimate sets don't appear to include any bulky or expensive parts that would cut down on building the same way.

Chima Speedorz sets were also aimed at ages 7–14, but not only did they include more building than the spinners, they were also bigger sets in general — $14.99 instead of $9.99.

[x105Black]

I have to disagree there. Part of the reason wacky themes like Nexo Knights exist is for kids who feel like they've grown beyond more conventional fare and want something that will challenge their imaginations more. Younger kids aren't yet at that age where their interests become fickle and they must have the latest, trendiest thing. And they haven't experienced the classics long enough to get bored with them or think of them as old-fashioned. They are still an enthusiastic audience for that stuff. Heck, it wouldn't surprise me if even a classic Space themed Juniors set could have real sales potential...

There are Ninjago Juniors sets, and Nexo Knights is basically another Ninjago. The LEGO employee said Nexo Knights is the Castle theme for the time being, and there were Castle themed Juniors sets. All of this points to Nexo Knights Juniors or no Castle themed Juniors, in my opinion.

[Lyichir]

There are Ninjago Juniors sets, and Nexo Knights is basically another Ninjago. The LEGO employee said Nexo Knights is the Castle theme for the time being, and there were Castle themed Juniors sets. All of this points to Nexo Knights Juniors or no Castle themed Juniors, in my opinion.

I wouldn't be so sure. Keep in mind that the Disney Princess theme didn't prevent an unbranded princess-focused Juniors set, and the Pirate-themed Juniors set notably had different branding than this year's Pirates sets (such as a unique, more cartoony flag pattern for the rowboat). Juniors may occasionally borrow from other themes but it also occupies its own space, to the extent that a more "traditional" castle might still be a possibility.

That said, which would you rather have—sets that offer a mix of castle-ish and sci-fi elements, or giant prefab wall panels? I would think that for most adult builders, even Castle fans, the choice would be pretty clear.

[Artanis I]

That said, which would you rather have—sets that offer a mix of castle-ish and sci-fi elements, or giant prefab wall panels? I would think that for most adult builders, even Castle fans, the choice would be pretty clear.

Yep, Bricklink

[x105Black]

I wouldn't be so sure. Keep in mind that the Disney Princess theme didn't prevent an unbranded princess-focused Juniors set, and the Pirate-themed Juniors set notably had different branding than this year's Pirates sets (such as a unique, more cartoony flag pattern for the rowboat). Juniors may occasionally borrow from other themes but it also occupies its own space, to the extent that a more "traditional" castle might still be a possibility.

That said, which would you rather have—sets that offer a mix of castle-ish and sci-fi elements, or giant prefab wall panels? I would think that for most adult builders, even Castle fans, the choice would be pretty clear.

That Pirate Juniors set was basically an extension of the Pirates theme, even if the flag was a little cartoony, in much the same way that the Castle Juniors set was an extension of Castle 2013. I'd expect the same extension concept to apply here.

I'd rather have a Castle themed set than cyber-castle themed set, since either one will likely have giant prefab wall panels as a Juniors set.

Yep, Bricklink

Or that, of course.

[Murrig Icehammer]

Doubtful, but it'd be vastly preferred over minidoll elves and techno knights.

Here's an example of what I'd love to see, which is what you were talking about earlier:

The original planned elf from Fantasy Era, from official LEGO documentation....

That would be exactly what i was hoping for. But i guess even Lego has some disappointments in their pocket (in form of NK).

...Could have been great, just let a man dream...

[x105Black]

That would be exactly what i was hoping for. But i guess even Lego has some disappointments in their pocket (in form of NK).

...Could have been great, just let a man dream...

The only thing I don't like about that picture is the bow and arrow on the shield. I also didn't like the dwarves helmet shields. The crown shields made sense, and if I had been around to get any of those sets I probably would have swapped them out.

Other than that, its a solid concept. I wonder why they haven't gone back to it.

[MAB]

Other than that, its a solid concept. I wonder why they haven't gone back to it.

Presumably because of LOTR. That picture is from about 2008, isn't it? So not long before they would have started planning for LOTR. It was only like concept art at the time in the club magazine, so maybe they decided to use what they came up with in the CMF series as they knew LOTR was coming by then.

Exactly. The Dimensions packs only appeal to LotR minifigure collectors.

And even then only ones that want to collect minor print variations. I am a LOTR minifigure collector (as well as the sets!). But the dimensions ones have no interest whatsoever for me. They are existing ones with such small details changed, the changes are pointless. Some will consider my collection incomplete. I consider it complete. I am happy without them.

Now if they release a decent Witch King or Eowyn, then I'll buy it. But not print variations of characters I have had multiple times already.

[x105Black]

Presumably because of LOTR. That picture is from about 2008, isn't it? So not long before they would have started planning for LOTR. It was only like concept art at the time in the club magazine, so maybe they decided to use what they came up with in the CMF series as they knew LOTR was coming by then.

And even then only ones that want to collect minor print variations. I am a LOTR minifigure collector (as well as the sets!). But the dimensions ones have no interest whatsoever for me. They are existing ones with such small details changed, the changes are pointless. Some will consider my collection incomplete. I consider it complete. I am happy without them.

Now if they release a decent Witch King or Eowyn, then I'll buy it. But not print variations of characters I have had multiple times already.

True, but if they are done with the major Lord of the Rings sets I would think that it would be a great time to get back to it. Maybe they have to wait for the license to expire.

If they did Eowyn, I'd certainly buy one.

[Ql97]

And even then only ones that want to collect minor print variations. I am a LOTR minifigure collector (as well as the sets!). But the dimensions ones have no interest whatsoever for me. They are existing ones with such small details changed, the changes are pointless. Some will consider my collection incomplete. I consider it complete. I am happy without them.

Now if they release a decent Witch King or Eowyn, then I'll buy it. But not print variations of characters I have had multiple times already.

It's worth getting Legolas, his new face is perfect, much better than the previous two. You can skip Gimli and Gollum though. I myself bought three copies of each of them, to help show that there is indeed demand for more LotR dimensions, in the hopes that they will gives us some new characters. Yes, I want them that badly.

[x105Black]

LEGO has the license to Gauntlet (the game from 1985, and presumably all sequels and remakes) through Midway. Midway will be appearing in a Dimensions Level Pack, and part of the level is Gauntlet inspired.

I'm hoping that the Gauntlet connection will inspire future sets, as there is a dearth of LEGO sets in a medieval fantasy theme that seems like it will last years. I'm grasping at straws.

[thetang22]

Perhaps Gauntlet might play some part...and if that's the case, would help balance out Nexo Knights taking the place of traditional Castle/Fantasy. Seriously...had Nexo Knights just come out at the same time as Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit...the vitriol wouldn't be nearly as bad. At least there would have been something.

[x105Black]

Yeah, Nexo Knights is tainting Castle. If it had come alongside another Castle or licensed medieval theme, things definitely wouldn't be as bad. In fact, they wouldn't be bad at all, and I'm sure there would be a lot of people who saw it as 2 Castle themes rather than all of those saying we currently have zero.

[InvincibleEagle]

I was disappointed to see an ad for Nexo Knights in the new Lego Magizine. I was hoping the new Castle theme would be more in line with Kingdoms, Fantasy Era, and the classic Crusaders.

Oh well; it's probably a good thing that I won't be tempted to buy them.

[Dr.Cogg]

What I don't get is, If Nexo Knights is the new Quote " Castle Theme" then why not give us a few more LotR sets because at least its an Actual Castle theme, unlike Nexo Knights, which while fun as an Action theme, is not a true Castle theme.

[Lyichir]

What I don't get is, If Nexo Knights is the new Quote " Castle Theme" then why not give us a few more LotR sets because at least its an Actual Castle theme, unlike Nexo Knights, which while fun as an Action theme, is not a true Castle theme.

Firstly, because Nexo Knights IS a castle theme as far as Lego is concerned. It has knights, horses, castles, dragons, wizards, jesters... pretty much all the trappings of a castle theme. It may not be a historic theme or a traditional medieval-fantasy theme, but those are not categories Lego uses in the first place.

Secondly, because the Lord of the Rings theme probably hadn't been selling too well (given the plummeting number of sets each year), and the introduction of Nexo Knights wouldn't do anything to make Lord of the Rings more viable than it had been before.

[x105Black]

What I don't get is, If Nexo Knights is the new Quote " Castle Theme" then why not give us a few more LotR sets because at least its an Actual Castle theme, unlike Nexo Knights, which while fun as an Action theme, is not a true Castle theme.

I agree. If they could have Hobbit / Lord of the Rings alongside Castle 2013, I don't see why they couldn't give us a couple of Tolkien sets while Nexo Knights is going on.

Firstly, because Nexo Knights IS a castle theme as far as Lego is concerned. It has knights, horses, castles, dragons, wizards, jesters... pretty much all the trappings of a castle theme. It may not be a historic theme or a traditional medieval-fantasy theme, but those are not categories Lego uses in the first place.

Secondly, because the Lord of the Rings theme probably hadn't been selling too well (given the plummeting number of sets each year), and the introduction of Nexo Knights wouldn't do anything to make Lord of the Rings more viable than it had been before.

It has horses? That's debatable.

If they put out a Lord of the Rings set with Eowyn, or a nice Witch King, or some Gondor soldiers, I'm sure it would sell. LEGO lacks confidence, though.

[LegoEomer]

Nexo Knights is probably the dumbest idea Lego had ever. I mean, after like 30 successful years, why take a radical change?

[BrickJagger]

If they put out a Lord of the Rings set with Eowyn, or a nice Witch King, or some Gondor soldiers, I'm sure it would sell. LEGO lacks confidence, though.

Since Lotr didn't sell well at all, why would that one set?

Nexo Knights is probably the dumbest idea Lego had ever. I mean, after like 30 successful years, why take a radical change?

Because Castle wasn't selling well. You could've said the exact same thing when KK2 came out.

Lotr is dead as a doornail, guys. You could say that it's still alive because of Dimensions, but that would mean that Chima is also alive.

Just get over it already. It's been almost three years.

[Aanchir]

Nexo Knights is probably the dumbest idea Lego had ever. I mean, after like 30 successful years, why take a radical change?

Maybe because some of the LEGO Group's greatest successes in those 30 years (LEGO Space, LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Bionicle, LEGO Ninjago, LEGO Friends, The LEGO Movie, etc) were themes in which they stepped outside their comfort zone? Nexo Knights isn't the first "radical change" the LEGO Group has undergone and it certainly won't be the last.