Ideas for new Lego themes! (Non-licensed)

[Lion King]

On 9/5/2023 at 4:33 PM, Karalora said:

I love the idea of resurrecting Adventurers in theory, but the one big caveat I have is that the classic theme tended to be very othering toward people of color. The protagonists were all implicitly white, and you can tell because the face prints for the Indian and Chinese characters had distinctly "ethnic" features, marking them as different. Fortunately, LEGO doesn't do that anymore--the same shapes for eyes and mouth are used for minifigs of every implied ethnicity. A multinational hero team who travels the globe helping out the downtrodden in whatever way is needed (retrieving stolen cultural treasures, disaster relief, etc.) could be a really great spin on the genre.

That’s very true. 

[SpacePolice89]

6 hours ago, Karalora said:

Looked at objectively, a typical minifig face with highlighted dots for eyes and a simple line for a mouth can stand in for a human of any race or ethnicity equally well, because it looks equally like--that is to say, equally unlike--all of us.

• I'm back! And I completely agree with you. I agree that adding such stuff is unnecessary and simple faces are much better. The minifigures you asked about look quite neutral in my opinion, I just didn't have the time to look at them before. My point was that I believe it's nothing wrong with the non-European minifigures but like you I prefer the same for all face approach because it's more inclusive.

[MAB]

14 hours ago, SpacePolice89 said:

It's equally natural that minifigs from sets and themes based on other regions look like the people from that area and there's nothing wrong with that. Many people seem to think that any depiction of anyone not European is automatically racist. I don't like when political or ideological agendas are being imported into the fun and friendly world of Lego. Flesh colored minifigs was a huge step in the wrong direction, All people are equal and nothing represents that better than classic yellow minifigs.

So why is it OK to use stereotypical prints to represent race but not more accurate skin colour? The downside of having stereotypical prints based on race is that if a head does not have that print, it is assumed not to represent that race. So if certain shapes are used to represent the eyes of Asians, then if the eyes on another head are round, it cannot be Asian. It is the same with male and female: no lipstick and eye lashes, it is assumed to be male. There are people that don't believe yellow represents them, and that they are excluded from LEGO roleplay because of it. Flesh tones help there.

 

Adventurers doesn't have to be European characters. If someone believed they were Americans, or from east Russia or Chinese, it makes no difference.  They were never given homelands and the different names in different locations suggests there is flexibility in back stories. 

1 hour ago, SpacePolice89 said:

• ...  but like you I prefer the same for all face approach because it's more inclusive.

It is only inclusive if you believe it represents you. Otherwise it is exclusive as you believe it represents others and not you. For a number of years, some of my best selling parts on bricklink were reddish brown heads and hands, always selling fast when i had them. That suggests to me the people buying them don't feel yellow represents people of colour.

[Yperio_Bricks]

Sorry, but in my opinion this is wrong because yellow minifig only represents white people. Is there anybody who really thinks the minifig was invented being yellow because the designers at that time thought it would be inclusive and all people in the world would feel equaly represented or was it because of the reduced color palette that was available and that the social dimension was comepletely irgnored at that time too? It's a good story to tell people nowadays that one color serves all but that is simply not true.

[MAB]

57 minutes ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

Sorry, but in my opinion this is wrong because yellow minifig only represents white people. Is there anybody who really thinks the minifig was invented being yellow because the designers at that time thought it would be inclusive and all people in the world would feel equaly represented or was it because of the reduced color palette that was available and that the social dimension was comepletely irgnored at that time too? It's a good story to tell people nowadays that one color serves all but that is simply not true.

I agree they probably invented the story that yellow was chosen to be race independent, and of course it all went wrong when they needed to represent Lando. At the time minifigs were invented, the vast majority of LEGO consumers would have been white. Interesting though that the first duplo minifigs from the late 70s were actually white, not yellow as for minifigs and the earlier maxifigs (aside from the bright red 'red indians'). But then a more realistic flesh tone came in for duplo in the early 80s. Tan would also have been a possibility at the time, and this was used later for Caucasian characters in Brickheadz. 

I find classic smileys are fine for contemporary printed torsos with little detail. But for the detailed bodies that minifigs get today, having the same smiley on all of them looks terrible.

[SpacePolice89]

1 hour ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

Sorry, but in my opinion this is wrong because yellow minifig only represents white people. Is there anybody who really thinks the minifig was invented being yellow because the designers at that time thought it would be inclusive and all people in the world would feel equaly represented or was it because of the reduced color palette that was available and that the social dimension was comepletely irgnored at that time too? It's a good story to tell people nowadays that one color serves all but that is simply not true.

We wouldn't have this problem if they had stayed with yellow minifigs only and used only the classic smiley face with its variations like glasses and beards. Since no one is actually yellow it's a perfect color for all minifigs. All official communication from Lego states that yellow is meant for everyone, everything else is just speculation. 

52 minutes ago, MAB said:

it all went wrong when they needed to represent Lando

If they had used yellow it wouldn't have gone wrong. Flesh colored minifigs and too specific ethnic facial details only causes confusion and is not inclusive, even if I believe that there's nothing wrong or malicious with such designs they still lead to ideological or political dimensions that should not be a part of Lego.

[BrickBob Studpants]

17 minutes ago, SpacePolice89 said:

If they had used yellow it wouldn't have gone wrong.

A yellow Lando absolutely would not have worked  In my opinion, the switch to realistic skin tones for licensed characters was an excellent decision.

The yellow licensed characters from back in the day look extremely dated now. And speaking of dated: I don‘t mind simplicity, but most of these designs were way too simple for my liking.

[MAB]

2 hours ago, SpacePolice89 said:

We wouldn't have this problem if they had stayed with yellow minifigs only and used only the classic smiley face with its variations like glasses and beards. Since no one is actually yellow it's a perfect color for all minifigs. All official communication from Lego states that yellow is meant for everyone, everything else is just speculation. 

If they had used yellow it wouldn't have gone wrong. Flesh colored minifigs and too specific ethnic facial details only causes confusion and is not inclusive, even if I believe that there's nothing wrong or malicious with such designs they still lead to ideological or political dimensions that should not be a part of Lego.

I don't think LEGO would be where it is today if they had retained classic smileys in yellow and not used detailed figure prints and semi-realistic skin tones.

 

[Lion King]

Don’t you think it’s way off the topic when the thread is suppsoed to be about ideas for unlicensed theme? This gets messier here. 

Just saying…

 

[Karalora]

It's been drifting for a while. Every post on the actual topic seems to spawn a whole sub-discussion about some tertiary aspect of the suggestion.

[Lion King]

Okay, back to the topic, shall we? 

I have been thinking about a new generation to adventurers theme. What if Johnny Thunder has a grand daughter, Judy. And Judy is in modern era rather than 1920s - 1940s? Judy has been looking up to her grandfather after listening to his amazing stories along with Pippin (her grandmother). Judy wishes to have her own adventure, her own story to start. She grabs Johnny’s hat and put on before setting off.

Now Judy and her new team learn about an hidden city that was sealed away under Earth’s surface. There are so many clues would point the team to the Lost City filled with priceless treasures down there. A new villian, named Count Ivan Wicked, desires to find the Lost City and seize the treasure for himself. Judy and her team determine to stop Count Ivan from finding clues before he could find a way down to the Lost City.

Unknowst to them, the Lost City is still active underground for centuries and the denizen don’t want the outside world to know their existence. Also, denizens already have co-existed with dinosaurs and prehistoric sea creatures peacefully down there. The Lost City has trans-neon, medium-sized crystals - orange, blue, green - act as source of light.

I mean, I would love to see something fresh for Adventurers. Something fantasy, something s I-fi, something historical. I guess. 

Edited September 7, 2023 by Lion King

[Karalora]

31 minutes ago, Lion King said:

Okay, back to the topic, shall we? 

I have been thinking about a new generation to adventurers theme. What if Johnny Thunder has a grand daughter, Judy. And Judy is in modern era rather than 1920s - 1940s? Judy has been looking up to her grandfather after listening to his amazing stories along with Pippin (her grandmother). Judy wishes to have her own adventure, her own story to start. She grabs Johnny’s hat and put on before setting off.

Now Judy and her new team learn about an hidden city that was sealed away under Earth’s surface. There are so many clues would point the team to the Lost City filled with priceless treasures down there. A new villian, named Count Ivan Wicked, desires to find the Lost City and seize the treasure for himself. Judy and her team determine to stop Count Ivan from finding clues before he could find a way down to the Lost City.

Unknowns to them, the Lost City is still active underground for centuries and the denizen don’t want the outside world to know their existence. Also, denizens already have to co-exist with dinosaurs and prehistoric sea creatures down there. The Lost City has trans-neon crystals like orange, blue, gree, acts as source of light.  

I mean, I would love to see something fresh for Adventurers. Something fantasy, something s I-fi, something historical. I guess. 

I can dig it (get it? Underground...dig...? I'll see myself out). Some thoughts:

1. What role does modern technology (internet research, smartphones, etc.) play in the adventure? It probably needs to play some role, or it won't come across as authentically modern.

2. What are the underground denizens like? Are they humans or some fantastic pulp adventure race?

3. I love the idea of neon crystals as light sources, and I'm thinking these could also serve as a general visual motif for the underground world. Maybe the dinosaurs and other creatures have crystals growing on their bodies!

[Lion King]

5 minutes ago, Karalora said:

I can dig it (get it? Underground...dig...? I'll see myself out). Some thoughts:

1. What role does modern technology (internet research, smartphones, etc.) play in the adventure? It probably needs to play some role, or it won't come across as authentically modern. 

2. What are the underground denizens like? Are they humans or some fantastic pulp adventure race? 

3. I love the idea of neon crystals as light sources, and I'm thinking these could also serve as a general visual motif for the underground world. Maybe the dinosaurs and other creatures have crystals growing on their bodies!

ha, dig! :)

1.) Since there are no internet signals deep there, it would be cool to have some modern vehicles like driller or off-road truck. Also, Judy and her team would try to figure out where are clues since these clues are not documented online. Just very little info there. It does need some some feeling of clssic adventuer vibe, isn’t it? Originaly, the hidden treasurers were from the outside world but there were no documents on them after they “disappeared” (brought into the Lost City). 

2.) I’m thinking about humans. But not too primitive, yet not too modern. Denizens forbid any outsiders from leaving the Lost City (few people did escape and wrote down documents and put clues hidden around the world some centuries ago). Denizens prefer to be “unseen” from the outside world. Centuries ago, original builders decide to create an underground city and bring their treasures from the outside world. They don’t know that there are already dinosaurs and other creatures but they made a peace with those creatures. 

3.) Oooh, that would be amazing!!

Also Count Ivan uses his driller wiht some trucks (his minions ride thesee) while heroes use a small, old car that Johnnny once drove several years ago (Judy restored that car out of love).  

Sorry if my writing is not very clear thanks to American Sign Lanauge conflicted with written English. 

[Karalora]

It makes sense if the wi-fi doesn't work deep underground, but one would expect computer tech to play some sort of role. Maybe the team's computer expert manages to develop a "crystal GPS app" that helps locate large or important crystal deposits?

I guess my larger point is that if you don't have anything for the characters to do with laptops and smartphones, then there's no reason to set the theme in the modern day as opposed to a few decades ago.

Edited September 7, 2023 by Karalora

[Lion King]

27 minutes ago, Karalora said:

It makes sense if the wi-fi doesn't work deep underground, but one would expect computer tech to play some sort of role. Maybe the team's computer expert manages to develop a "crystal GPS app" that helps locate large or important crystal deposits?

I guess my larger point is that if you don't have anything for the characters to do with laptops and smartphones, then there's no reason to set the theme in the modern day as opposed to a few decades ago.

That’s very true. A computer / tech expert on Judy’s team would be perfect for an underground adventure. GPS and rock technologies could make more sense for this theme. Actaully, you are right. I think a mobile lab to study any rock and crystal while they continue their journey deep. And GPS is mos needed to navigate the team and to measure how far they go deeper. Plus, they need some oxygen supplies!

Speaking of oxygen, the Lost City would have biolusiment plants to produce food and oxygen. Neon crystals still act as light source around the city and inside buildings

[SpacePolice89]

1 hour ago, Karalora said:

I have been thinking about a new generation to adventurers theme. What if Johnny Thunder has a grand daughter, Judy. And Judy is in modern era rather than 1920s - 1940s? Judy has been looking up to her grandfather after listening to his amazing stories along with Pippin (her grandmother). Judy wishes to have her own adventure, her own story to start. She grabs Johnny’s hat and put on before setting off.

With the current trend of including all present day stuff into City would this be a standalone Adventurers theme or a city subtheme?

[Lion King]

24 minutes ago, SpacePolice89 said:

With the current trend of including all present day stuff into City would this be a standalone Adventurers theme or a city subtheme?

No to City theme.

Take a look at Power Miner theme in late 2000s, they set in present day wiht some rock creatures. Does it tell you it’s a City subtheme

[SpacePolice89]

32 minutes ago, Lion King said:

No to City theme.

Take a look at Power Miner theme in late 2000s, they set in present day wiht some rock creatures. Does it tell you it’s a City subtheme

I agree. A standalone theme is much better. I have always regarded Power Miners as futuristic, a little bit like Aquazone but underground

[Lion King]

Another idea for unlicensed theme - How about “Fantasy Pirates”?! :)

[SpacePolice89]

4 hours ago, Lion King said:

Another idea for unlicensed theme - How about “Fantasy Pirates”?! :)

Do you mean a Pirate theme with stuff like mermaids and ghosts or more of a Nexo Knights approach?

[Yperio_Bricks]

Would it look like the Dreamzzz ship?

[Lion King]

7 hours ago, SpacePolice89 said:

Do you mean a Pirate theme with stuff like mermaids and ghosts or more of a Nexo Knights approach?

Not exactly like Nexo Knights since that theme had so many high-tech vehcile s and the AI wizard, no. But these monsers, yeah. 

I would like to see pirates encountering army of merpeople (with shells in their hair), ghostly pirates, sea witch, some strange sea creatures the pirates have never seen before.  Captian RedBeard’s great nephrew Fred Beard found a mysterious map to an uncharted sea, called “Hidden Sea”, the ea is where Captian RedBeard’s hasn’t explored up there yet. 

The legend has it said - Beyond Hidden Sea, thee will be a city of Atlantis (not sunken yet). The city is guarded by airbus of fantasy creatures and storms. Above all, Atlantis has a most valuable relic -  Crown of Sea - wore by ithe city’s king, King Poseidon and his wife, Queen Neptunia. 

Freddie set off sailing a classic pate ship to find a way to Hidden Sea and reach the city of Atlantis!

it’s kinda prequel to Atlantis theme becuase the city hasn’t sunken yet,lol. Plus, sequel to the classic Pirate theme. 

[Black Falcon]

Wouldn´t a sunken Atlantis kinda make more sense, when Poseidon and Neptunia rule it especially? Also a sunken Atlantis with waterpeople would just sell better IMO

[Lion King]

2 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

Wouldn´t a sunken Atlantis kinda make more sense, when Poseidon and Neptunia rule it especially? Also a sunken Atlantis with waterpeople would just sell better IMO

Dude… I just said prequel to Atlantis theme. 

Plus, I never described Poseidon and Neptunia as “merpeople”. They would be the human king and queen while their kingdom was populated by humans before merpeople took over that city when it sank. 

 

[dimitri_bricks]

"Time travelers", a group of aventurers / scientits studying history by traveling in differents times of Earth (this includes the future), the main objective is to not interfere...

We can have these travelers in different pariods : ancient egypt, roma, atlantis, prehistory, maya, middle ages, dinosaur times, spatial age...

Edited September 9, 2023 by dimitri_bricks