Bionicle 2016 Sets Discussion

[Dorek]

As an Ambassador, could you ask Lego about the state of the theme ? I don't know if they would be able to answer, but some official clarification would be nice anyway.

There's something related to that which I'll make an announcement on a bit later, once I get some more clarification. (I don't have anything new or definitive, but I'll at least have a chance for more info later; a teaser for a teaser, if you will =P).

The post-summer set I've heard some rumblings about ISN'T Umarak, but it's also hearsay, and if those Toyfair dates are indeed accurate (which we have no reason to believe they aren't!) it's likely Umarak's what the stock people were referring to.

Edited May 17, 2016 by Dorek

[GK733]

There's something related to that which I'll make an announcement on a bit later, once I get some more clarification. (I don't have anything new or definitive, but I'll at least have a chance for more info later; a teaser for a teaser, if you will =P).

The post-summer set I've heard some rumblings about ISN'T Umarak, but it's also hearsay, and if those Toyfair dates are indeed accurate (which we have no reason to believe they aren't!) it's likely that's what the stock people were referring to.

Do you have any time-frame? Because of this statement the whole community is going to keep an eye on you.

[Dorek]

Do you have any time-frame? Because of this statement the whole community is going to keep an eye on you.

Soon? I know very little, and even less of how much I'm allowed to say. It's nothing super major as yet; no news of the line status or future sets or anything.

[Lyichir]

Soon? I know very little, and even less of how much I'm allowed to say. It's nothing super major as yet; no news of the line status or future sets or anything.

Oh man, now I have to jump on the bandwagon and start picking apart your words for tidbits of information. If it's something that justifies an announcement yet not about the status of the theme or future sets... what does that leave? Not knowing how much you're allowed to say suggests that you got this info via the LAN (since you could safely talk about it if it were rumors or hearsay from elsewhere), and if they're reaching out via the LAN that would imply that it's something that requires or at least would be helped by a partnership or collaboration with fansites. I'm guessing this might mean we'll be seeing another contest or similar promotion. Alternatively, there's been a lot of news relating to the Lego House lately, and we know via Christian Faber that a Bionicle exhibit is in the works... maybe it's connected to that. The latter also makes sense even if the rumors of the theme's decline are true, since the plans for the Lego House will be going forward even if the theme itself is ending or on the decline.

How close am I? Or am I way off?

Edited May 17, 2016 by Lyichir

[Dorek]

Oh man, now I have to jump on the bandwagon and start picking apart your words for tidbits of information. If it's something that justifies an announcement yet not about the status of the theme or future sets... what does that leave? Not knowing how much you're allowed to say suggests that you got this info via the LAN (since you could safely talk about it if it were rumors or hearsay from elsewhere), and if they're reaching out via the LAN that would imply that it's something that requires or at least would be helped by a partnership or collaboration with fansites. I'm guessing this might mean we'll be seeing another contest or similar promotion. Alternatively, there's been a lot of news relating to the Lego House lately, and we know via Christian Faber that a Bionicle exhibit is in the works... maybe it's connected to that. The latter also makes sense even if the rumors of the theme's decline are true, since the plans for the Lego House will be going forward even if the theme itself is ending or on the decline.

How close am I? Or am I way off?

The hearsay and rumors surrounding another summer set are just what I've heard, personally; if any of that came from the LAN I wouldn't even hint at it until there was something I was allowed to say =P. Might well be nothing at all.

As for the other thing, it's more of an announcement of an announcement. Soon, I think. I've asked for clarification =P.

[Lyichir]

The hearsay and rumors surrounding another summer set are just what I've heard, personally; if any of that came from the LAN I wouldn't even hint at it until there was something I was allowed to say =P. Might well be nothing at all.

As for the other thing, it's more of an announcement of an announcement. Soon, I think. I've asked for clarification =P.

My post was only about the second part; the announcement. I don't really think the rumors of another summer set amount to anything, since if there were another set planned, we would have heard about it by now, and if the theme were indeed failing I would imagine that trying to shoehorn another set into the existing release schedule for this year would be the last thing Lego would try to do (if it were even possible at this late stage, it would risk sabotaging the sales of current sets for what would presumably be a diminished return).

Edited May 17, 2016 by Lyichir

[Dorek]

My post was only about the second part; the announcement. I don't really think the rumors of another summer set amount to anything, since if there were another set planned, we would have heard about it by now, and if the theme were indeed failing I would imagine that trying to shoehorn another set into the existing release schedule for this year would be the last thing Lego would try to do (if it were even possible at this late stage, it would risk sabotaging the sales of current sets for what would presumably be a diminished return).

Isn't that kind of exactly what the Stars did? =P. At least, they were technically supposed to conform to the standard release schedule but LEGO rushed them out the door so fast they hit in November.

[Lyichir]

Isn't that kind of exactly what the Stars did? =P. At least, they were technically supposed to conform to the standard release schedule but LEGO rushed them out the door so fast they hit in November.

I didn't remember those being November, but even so, that's not that far from the normal "January sets release at retail in mid-December" that we normally get. They were still technically the next year's sets.

[TwistLaw]

I went to Wal-Mart this morning and got all the creatures crazy cheap! $2 Dollars each

god I hate being european... in Italy I've never ever seen LEGO sets on discount. At least, at less than the 80% of their price.

[MrHerofan]

I don't see the secret sixth set that we have heard nothing about until today will be what wraps up the line. Remember the Bionicle reboot was said to have at least three years. We are barely 1.5 years in the lines life. I just can't see LEGO going back on there word unless the line was doing just that bad. Now while the line may not be the best selling line that LEGO has to offer I doubt that its doing that bad. Not everything is going to be a success or sell that great. Just look at Transformers and Power Rangers in most store their selections are not the best but more keep on getting released and with no real end in sight.

I just don't really like seeing all of this negativity that has been plaguing the community for the past few months. Like its cool to speculate on the lines future, but just coming back to this whole doom and gloom feel just is not that fun. Now the line is more than likely not doing that great right now, but we do not know for sure it's all based on speculation. Sure the fear is widespread, but if you go into the Power Rangers or Transformers communities it is just as wide spread. Maybe LEGO fans treat the lines differently? I'm not sure but I really don't like all of the negativity.

As for what the secret sixth set could be my guess is either Eskimu's air ship or a limited/select retailer edition set of Mask Maker Makuta. They would probably save the larger Makuta for next year.

[dimaks13]

Look at bottom right!

[Dorek]

Weird. Stock art of 2015 Tahu, but on a 2016 box and with some kind of Scorpion? Most odd.

[dimaks13]

Weird. Stock art of 2015 Tahu, but on a 2016 box and with some kind of Scorpion? Most odd.

Minibuild is small Skull Scorpion.

[Logan McOwen]

Wait... There's a Bionicle magazine coming out now?

[Bbrink1996]

It says "Totenkopf Skorpion" which is german for Skull Scorpion so whatever it is, it is related to Skull Scorpio. Also, it looks indeed like a magazine or something.

[GK733]

4chan got hold of the whole thing

http://i.imgur.com/NW30T3n.jpg

It's for sure a magazine.

Edited May 18, 2016 by GK733

[Bbrink1996]

4chan got hold of the whole thing

http://i.imgur.com/NW30T3n.jpg

It's for sure a magazine.

Yep, looks like a magazine. Possible instructions for a mini build Skull Scorpio, a "extra long" comic and 2 posters. The 2 posters thing is really exciting because I love the posters we have gotten for Bionicle so far. Now let's hope it's not a german exclusive thing or something.

[Tazakk]

And it's labelled "LEGO BIONICLE Nr. [1]" at the bottom.

Here we goooo

[any chance that comic is going to be a reprint of (part of) the first graphic novel? Hard to tell, but to my eyes it looks kind of like the opening bit with the Skull Spiders and the Jungle village.]

EDIT: yeah, the comic image there is definitely this.

Edited May 18, 2016 by Tazakk

[Voxovan]

Oh wow it's a great decission from Lego to release a magazine/activity book/whatever with 2015 story and characters now, when we're almost in the half of 2016... We should've gotten this a year ago

[Dr_Chronos]

Oh wow it's a great decission from Lego to release a magazine/activity book/whatever with 2015 story and characters now, when we're almost in the half of 2016... We should've gotten this a year ago

I'm more in the camp of "better late than never", especially when considering that Lego doesn't even make these magazines. Most likely the first or first few issues will be a quick recap of 2015.

[Fulcrumfan91]

I'm more in the camp of "better late than never", especially when considering that Lego doesn't even make these magazines. Most likely the first or first few issues will be a quick recap of 2015.

Perhaps this magazine will continue the graphic novels where they left off? It could be a reason for why the third one was cancelled....though I feel that'd be more wishful thinking on my part.

[Junior Shark]

One of the posters is of 2016 Tahu, so maybe the magazine is a hodgepodge of 2015 and 2016 material?

[Logan McOwen]

Possible instructions for a mini build Skull Scorpio

Not just instructions - These Lego magazines come with free little sets, so that Scorpion is included!

[Junior Shark]

But will we even see this magazine? IIRC, all the Lego 'zines (Nexo Knights, Ninjago, Star Wars) are only in select continental European countries. Poland, Czech Republic, Germany.

[Aanchir]

One of the posters is of 2016 Tahu, so maybe the magazine is a hodgepodge of 2015 and 2016 material?

LEGO Ninjago Magazine issue 1 from 2015 used stock art of Kai ZX from 2012 on its cover, and LEGO Star Wars Magazine issue 1 from this year used art of the Clone Wars version of Yoda, who hasn't been in a set since 2013. So I don't think the publishers of these magazines are overly concerned with the timeliness of their cover art. They probably just want to start each series off with an iconic character, and Tahu Master of Fire (who was used extensively in last year's promotional imagery) fit the bill for the Bionicle theme.

Side note: that Skull Scorpio mini-model doesn't really look like a Skull Scorpio at all. Might be more a case of poor naming than poor design, though.

But will we even see this magazine? IIRC, all the Lego 'zines (Nexo Knights, Ninjago, Star Wars) are only in select continental European countries. Poland, Czech Republic, Germany.

If you want it in the United States you're definitely going to have to import it. After all, if they wanted to bring any of these magazines to this country they'd probably start with the more popular themes like Ninjago, Star Wars, and Friends.