Why Lego is so secretive?

[mobi]

I can understand why Apple is secretive because they have competitors like Microsoft, Samsung etc.

But Lego is just a toy maker and they don't have any competitor as such (the cheap copies didn't stand out).

If they were less secretive then design issues in 42056 would have fixed before mass release.

What is the reason for secrecy then?

[Sariel]

Of course they have competitors (Mega Bloks, Playmobil, K'NEX, Cobi, just to name a few) and cheap knock-off brands are right on their toes trying to copy everything new they make. I've seen copies of official sets pop up within months of the official release.

Apple is only secretive because they don't want you knowing in advance that none of your accessories will work with their new ports.

Edited June 1, 2016 by Sariel

[Cwetqo]

You've seen this?

That's why.

[dr_spock]

The toy business is highly competitive. You don't hear as much about it in the news like high tech Apple. Competitive advantage is getting the product out to market before the other guys.

[Rockbrick]

Because China

[nerdsforprez]

I think it also adds to their brand. LEGO makes it to all the popular nerd/pop culture websites and news outlets. It is superbly large for a toy company. Part of the draw, even if it sounds anti-climatic, of LEGO for AFOLS is its exclusivity. This exclusive nature comes with a heavy price tag of secrecy.....

[__________________________]

Of course they have competitors (Mega Bloks, Playmobil, K'NEX, Cobi, just to name a few) and cheap knock-off brands are right on their toes trying to copy everything new they make. I've seen copies of official sets pop up within months of the official release.

Apple is only secretive because they don't want you knowing in advance that none of your accessories will work with their new ports.

Not to get off-topic, but there are some good reasons for this. One of the main problems people have with laptops is portability, and by changing these ports we can increase portability.

I know this video is a joke, but I think you are taking it seriously. However, if we followed your logic, we would still be charging our laptops with Leyden jars.

[Alternator]

I'd also point out that there are issues with most of the flagship technic models

Tubing on the AROCS

Lag on one of the motorized excavators tracks

Excessive strain in the mobile crane trucks gearing

Etc...

I just think in the case of the porsche the focus was more on the modelling side, the size, the build experience etc...

Edited June 3, 2016 by Alternator

[Sariel]

I've just been to the LEGO vault yesterday and they have a section with knock-off copies of their sets. I can't post the photos right now, but the copies look 95% like the originals and apparently they can be created in as little as 12 weeks after the LEGO set is released. So yeah, there are good reasons for secrecy.

[mobi]

Is it really that easy to replicate Lego with precision quality (while being much cheaper at the same time)? May be easy for non Technic but possibily more challenging for Technic sets.

I am bit surprised that those copycat manufacturers are not offering well designed MOCs as unofficial Lego sets

[roppie11]

Is it really that easy to replicate Lego with precision quality (while being much cheaper at the same time)? May be easy for non Technic but possibily more challenging for Technic sets.

I am bit surprised that those copycat manufacturers are not offering well designed MOCs as unofficial Lego sets

Well, its all about money, they don't care about good or anything, they make products fast, to be before TLG and make money. The whole planet is only about money. its the sad truth.

Edited June 3, 2016 by roppie11

[Sven F]

Besides knockoffs getting a head start (which they probably get through inside info from the factory before it reaches us anyway), leaks present the product in an unfavorable way.

Presentation is overlooked by consumers, but if you see a new set on a blurry photo taken in poor light with someones phone, you are very likely to get a poorer impression of the final product and not get as excited about it as if you had seen it shown officially through hi-res renders.

Leaks often show unfinished and unpainted elements assembled in the wrong way - especially true for minifigures.

We also don't know what sort of deals TLG has in the contracts with any licence holders, it probably states a reveal date which lego has to vouch for.