Unpopular Opinions about LEGO

[anothergol]

https://aera-ip.com/news/lego-wins-design-case-at-the-eu-court

I totally understand that Lego can protect their minifig design, or many parts like animals & tools, but that something as dumb as any combination of tile+studs can be protected (whether it's patent or design) is silly. As silly as when Lego tried to design-protect 1x5 plates.

[MAB]

The other company should invent a new mini figure display tile, one with just two studs in the middle instead of four. That would be different to LEGO's and actually look cleaner without the extra studs on the sides.

[anothergol]

3 hours ago, MAB said:

The other company should invent a new mini figure display tile, one with just two studs in the middle instead of four. That would be different to LEGO's and actually look cleaner without the extra studs on the sides.

I kinda like Lego's own (round) minifig stand with just 2 studs, but they seem to already have abandonned it :(

They could also do what Lego will eventually have to do: the same 3x4 stand but with hollow studs. The new minifig "poser" part can't hold on the full studs of the current stands.

[MAB]

39 minutes ago, anothergol said:

I kinda like Lego's own (round) minifig stand with just 2 studs, but they seem to already have abandonned it :(

Is that the Frozone one (4x4)? If so, that is understandable. Straight edged ones are much easier to align on a shelf!

 

 

[Yperio_Bricks]

Here's my unpopular opinion: Lego Sets became so expensive over the years, i feel the Lego Company put itself into a corner and can't get out anymore. TLG either has to keep set prices high and higher or reduce the amount of bricks in sets. It's comical when walls or roofs are missing and everyone knows why.

[MAB]

8 hours ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

Here's my unpopular opinion: Lego Sets became so expensive over the years, i feel the Lego Company put itself into a corner and can't get out anymore. TLG either has to keep set prices high and higher or reduce the amount of bricks in sets. It's comical when walls or roofs are missing and everyone knows why.

They have, but then they have also become bigger in both volume and part counts. After accounting for inflation, most (unscientific) studies seem to show lego is slightly cheaper now than 30 or 40 years ago. But comparisons are hard due to the way the product has changed.

[tafkatb]

Unpopular opinion? OK, here we go. I've been holding onto this one for long enough and it's time to come out with it. I am prepared for the ridicule, ostracism, even possible banning/exile this might bring upon me. But I must summon the courage to speak my truth.

*deep breath*

I want more CMF skateboarders.

HEAR ME OUT:

The "too many skateboarders" meme is beyond played out at this point. Yes, there were three different skaters across the first six series, but barely a blip since then (Bart in The Simpsons series, the zombie skateboarder who was included in a book but not part of a regular series). For comparison, there have been, by my count, nine different guitarists (ten if you count the keytar), and I never see any complaints about too many of those. Obviously, that's partly because multiple different types of music are clearly represented, with multiple different guitar molds, so I think there's an opportunity for more skaters as long as they offer a clearly different style. I'd love to see a new skateboard mold or two - they could do a single-kick freestyle board, pintail, Penny board, or even some weirder shapes along the lines of the Hosoi Hammerhead or Vision Psycho Stick. Plus, some of the more recent additions to the color palette would make for a good 80's aesthetic that would make a new "Retro Skater" stand out more from previous offerings.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

[MAB]

4 hours ago, tafkatb said:

Unpopular opinion? OK, here we go. I've been holding onto this one for long enough and it's time to come out with it. I am prepared for the ridicule, ostracism, even possible banning/exile this might bring upon me. But I must summon the courage to speak my truth.

*deep breath*

I want more CMF skateboarders.

HEAR ME OUT:

The "too many skateboarders" meme is beyond played out at this point. Yes, there were three different skaters across the first six series, but barely a blip since then (Bart in The Simpsons series, the zombie skateboarder who was included in a book but not part of a regular series). For comparison, there have been, by my count, nine different guitarists (ten if you count the keytar), and I never see any complaints about too many of those. Obviously, that's partly because multiple different types of music are clearly represented, with multiple different guitar molds, so I think there's an opportunity for more skaters as long as they offer a clearly different style. I'd love to see a new skateboard mold or two - they could do a single-kick freestyle board, pintail, Penny board, or even some weirder shapes along the lines of the Hosoi Hammerhead or Vision Psycho Stick. Plus, some of the more recent additions to the color palette would make for a good 80's aesthetic that would make a new "Retro Skater" stand out more from previous offerings.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

If you count all the different types of guitars, then maybe add in all the different types of skaters too (just wheels, not ice skates). There is the disco diva skater, the roller derby skater,  the retro diner waitress skater. 

[Aanchir]

On 1/13/2022 at 8:06 PM, Yperio_Bricks said:

Here's my unpopular opinion: Lego Sets became so expensive over the years, i feel the Lego Company put itself into a corner and can't get out anymore. TLG either has to keep set prices high and higher or reduce the amount of bricks in sets. It's comical when walls or roofs are missing and everyone knows why.

I mean, LEGO has always been an expensive toy — that's not something it gradually "became" over the years. For instance, 6390 Main Street from 1980 cost $40 USD, equivalent to over $130 in today's money. 6075 Castle from the following year cost $48 USD, the equivalent of over $142 today. Certainly, there were very few sets in the 70s and 80s equivalent to the "premium" $200+ sets that exist today (the only examples that spring to mind are Black Seas Barracuda and some motorized train/monorail sets). But I don't think those are the sorts of sets you're referring to.

Likewise, most LEGO playsets since the 70s have had missing walls and/or roofs (though the latter applies more to themes like Fabuland and Homemaker than to minifigure-based "play themes" like Town/Space/Castle). A lot of the time it's less about cutting costs and more about making it easier for kids see/reach inside and move things around than to reduce the price, especially in themes with elaborately furnished interiors.

I realize there are some sets like the City School Day set where the open roof probably has more to do with price than playability (since the two floors are pretty much equally "crowded", but only the upper floor is left open on more than one side). But even today, sets like that tend to be the exception rather than the norm.

Edited January 15, 2022 by Aanchir

[Celebrian Telrunya]

LOTR is missing like 48 sets.

Just now, Celebrian Telrunya said:

LOTR is missing like 48 sets.

No balrog, no minis tirith, theres a lot that were never made.

[jimmynick]

On 1/15/2022 at 9:48 PM, Aanchir said:

I mean, LEGO has always been an expensive toy — that's not something it gradually "became" over the years. For instance, 6390 Main Street from 1980 cost $40 USD, equivalent to over $130 in today's money. 6075 Castle from the following year cost $48 USD, the equivalent of over $142 today. Certainly, there were very few sets in the 70s and 80s equivalent to the "premium" $200+ sets that exist today (the only examples that spring to mind are Black Seas Barracuda and some motorized train/m

OK, yes, this is true, and it only seems a specious claim because we (or I, at least) have ignored inflation as applies to RRP over the last ~20 years. But

On 1/14/2022 at 1:06 AM, Yperio_Bricks said:

Here's my unpopular opinion: Lego Sets became so expensive over the years, i feel the Lego Company put itself into a corner and can't get out anymore. TLG either has to keep set prices high and higher or reduce the amount of bricks in sets. It's comical when walls or roofs are missing and everyone knows why.

At least over in Star-Wars-land where I spend most of my time window-shopping, TLG have since last year released some sets with smaller piece counts and prices that seem almost better than sets they released 10+ years ago (X-Wing, TIE fighter, Imperial Shuttle)

[danth]

6 hours ago, jimmynick said:

At least over in Star-Wars-land where I spend most of my time window-shopping, TLG have since last year released some sets with smaller piece counts and prices that seem almost better than sets they released 10+ years ago (X-Wing, TIE fighter, Imperial Shuttle)

I agree with that. The newest TIE is so good, and so cheap.

[Ondra]

Lego needs to fix two problems with their 8 stud cars, such as speed champions and Creator.

First of all, make speed champions cabin higher to fit figure with hairs. Even hairs that are in sets do not fit into car with minifigure. Supra is bad in this because its primary civilian car and minifigure provided in set has bulky hairs...

This problem is not seen in creator 8 stud wide cars, but there is second problem. Albeit height is right, these creator sets do not use speed champions baseplates, so there is no way to fit two minifigure inside like in new creator car 31127 Street racer.

 

Its kinda good that these two problems are not interchangeable, but are still there...

 

These problems, are for sure limiting playing with these sets...

[Ondra]

Hey I just found rebrickable and alternate models.

 

What is really upsetting me, that some childish easy to build alternate models instructions of speed champions cars are sold sometimes even for 5 euro, when best alternates are always free.

 

Like these MOCers are kinda out of common sense, what is good product to be paid for...

[Ondra]

https://www.lego.com/cs-cz/product/police-chase-at-the-bank-60317

 

This set is bad! Why? Is not about civilians, its again about crime.

I had in 1998 Bank set, I love it because it was just bank with Bank employees and armored car to transfer money. Sometimes robbery happens, but it was mostly civilized bank .

Now there is this...

No bank employees, three crooks with truck and three swat officers with truck and helicopter. Really Lego you again outdone yourself with your lawless city...

And top of that, you can blew up a bank. Isnt it fascinating? :P

 

Really they needs robberies even in freight train set. Just stop please, I'm frightening about that Lego city crimewave  spanning around 15 years and Im 30 years old...

Edited February 6, 2022 by Ondra

[MAB]

A  LEGO City Bank that isn't being robbed is about as much fun as a LEGO City Mobile Phone Store. How much fun can a kid have putting someone through a door, going to the desk, getting a 1x2 printed tile and then exiting.

[The Island Chronicles]

7 hours ago, MAB said:

A  LEGO City Bank that isn't being robbed is about as much fun as a LEGO City Mobile Phone Store. How much fun can a kid have putting someone through a door, going to the desk, getting a 1x2 printed tile and then exiting.

Speaking of that piece! Yoooo! I love those new doors man! I can't stop talking great about those doors. Another unpopular opinion: No more getting two doors just to make an entrance for my MOC shops. I can just buy that piece instead. 

[Stuartn]

9 hours ago, MAB said:

A  LEGO City Bank that isn't being robbed is about as much fun as a LEGO City Mobile Phone Store. How much fun can a kid have putting someone through a door, going to the desk, getting a 1x2 printed tile and then exiting.

**I decide not to post that wishlist topic about a new Lego city mobile phone store subtheme**

[Ondra]

On 2/7/2022 at 5:10 PM, MAB said:

A  LEGO City Bank that isn't being robbed is about as much fun as a LEGO City Mobile Phone Store. How much fun can a kid have putting someone through a door, going to the desk, getting a 1x2 printed tile and then exiting.

Not every children needs story to play with toys, or story involving crimes, seriously.. I was used to play with lego with not set story like nowadays. I like to expand city and used other minifigures to be part of my story.

It was just imagination, like lego used to have slogan in that days.

 

I think lego was less violent that nowadays, otherwise they stating they are not after militarization etc. .

 

Lego city is very violent, albeit they are gun free so they have free pass.

For instance playmobil use guns, but city sets are city sets. Police sets are police sets...

These toys are mostly violence free.

[Kim-Kwang-Seok]

1. There an incredible amount of toxic behaviour in the AFOL and Star Wars communities.
2. The level of immaturity is even more insane.
3. Many people missunderstand the concept of Lego.

As Bluebrixx (alternative brand) was releasing Star Trek sets I was curiously observing the reaction of their community. With horror. Like there is a lot of valid criticism as there is with Lego and I am not the one who decides what's right, allowed or whatever. But come on we are ADULTS there's gotta be a line somewhere to NOT be crossed.

I see that many Lego (or non Lego) sets could have been better designed, communication could be improved etc. But it's based on building blocks. There are limits within physics or within the world market to what this concept can do. What you can do though is improve builds with your own bricks and ideas. And not buy sets that you dislike. It's so simple. You even save money.

I guess I also participate in toxic behaviour by complaining in a long comment instead of ignoring this issue. But I can't comprehend how grown up people can behave this way and I feel ashamed that our communities make it impossible for these companies to even know what direction they could take. I never bought anything from Bluebrixx but you gotta feel sorry their or Lego designers who put a lot of work into sets and then people just bash it. Not citicise. In many cases it's pure bashing without any reason or empathy. It's not the individual employees fault, that the market works this way, that there are issues with the supply chain or if you expect unrealistic things from a construction toy for kids.

[Lyichir]

4 hours ago, Ondra said:

Not every children needs story to play with toys, or story involving crimes, seriously.. I was used to play with lego with not set story like nowadays. I like to expand city and used other minifigures to be part of my story.

It was just imagination, like lego used to have slogan in that days.

 

I think lego was less violent that nowadays, otherwise they stating they are not after militarization etc. .

 

Lego city is very violent, albeit they are gun free so they have free pass.

For instance playmobil use guns, but city sets are city sets. Police sets are police sets...

These toys are mostly violence free.

It's weird to bring up Playmobil as a comparison since a few years ago I was mildly shocked to see a Playmobil "City Action" set depicting an armed bank robbery with a woman pulling a gun from her purse to threaten the teller—a bit more grim and realistic than I'm used to seeing with Lego City. In Lego City, the worst "violence" is the destruction of property (via cartoonish schemes involving dynamite, crowbars, or occasionally heavy equipment like tow trucks or bulldozers). Violence against actual people is almost entirely absent.

Looking it up now I realize I wasn't the only one who was shocked at that Playmobil set, since apparently it was more broadly controversial and got retired and clearanced early. Today the Playmobil "City Action" theme seems to be more akin to what I normally expect from Lego City, with things like bank robberies and jailbreaks still present (among other City mainstays like deep sea exploration, firefighting, construction, and rescue services) but without realistic weaponry or the implied threat of violence against innocent bystanders.

That's not to say I don't think the the Lego City theme's sanitized image of "cops and robbers" storytelling can be itself problematic (since it frames police as universally the good guys which, while reassuring for kids, might set them up for an unrealistic expectation of the violent role that policing itself typically serves in the modern day). But that's a much bigger discussion and one I'm not keen to get into here.

Edited February 8, 2022 by Lyichir

[MAB]

Playmobil also did a construction worker with a cement mixer set that came with a crate of beer.

[Toastie]

13 hours ago, MAB said:

crate of beer

Phew -

Now in real life, I can get a crate of beer within a radius of 500 m from this place (oh well, living in a small town comes with a cost) - but I can't buy any dynamite sticks, firearms, or canons within at least 250 km - nor do I want to.

What's wrong with the beer, though? Presumably drinking at work? Just curious.

Best,
Thorsten

14 hours ago, Lyichir said:

But that's a much bigger discussion and one I'm not keen to get into here.

Oh so true.

TLG is (as far as I am concerned and as almost every other toy company) far less on the peaceful side of things. Covering up violence in fiction, be it ... whatever it is in the LEGO world, may not be perceived by (very) young humans as "nowhere related to the real world", simply as it is meant to be pure fiction. I put my favorite violent fictional minifigs on a shelf for a photo shooting; the ones on the left/center. Folks with guns and dynamite are on the center/right. On that island they can't cause much harm other than going 1:1 

Well, as you said, I'm not keen to get into there. But I know what it did to me, when I was young. Luckily (I'd say), there were - at some point in life - "Exits". Nevertheless, I clearly see @Ondra's point.

Best,
Thorsten 

Edited February 9, 2022 by Toastie
Added the picture I could not find yesterday ...

[MAB]

10 hours ago, Toastie said:

What's wrong with the beer, though? Presumably drinking at work? Just curious.

It is the situation, not the beer. Someone having a whole crate of beer while operating machinery doesn't send out a good message.

[Ondra]

12 hours ago, MAB said:

Playmobil also did a construction worker with a cement mixer set that came with a crate of beer.

Thats actually what is sometimes to see in real life.

Albeit not possible officially, yes there is a lot drinking between construction workers.

 

Im into playmobil and lego, and playmobil was used to be really lifelike. Now they are really into fantasy and action, they change in past few years a lot.