About interesting colours - if you think about movie Interstellar for example or Prometheus, Alien: Covenant. Those movies, the colour scheme is quite simple. It reminds me about that spaceship (leaked image) and that rover. Even the "alien life" seems kind of realistic?

I wish LEGO would make space sci-fi theme... at least 4-5 sets in a year if that is not too much to ask.

 

  On 11/28/2023 at 11:43 PM, danth said:

So the 2024 town space sets are "maybes" for me right now, but if a new Blacktron Icons set comes out, I'm going to be in a good mood...and the 2024 town space sets become "heck, why not" sets.

I'd love a decent sized Blacktron set to match Galaxy Explorer. I have no real interest in Star Wars, but recently saw a 75336 Inquisitor Transport Scythe going really cheap and bought it thinking it could be used to kick start a decent Blacktron flagship.

I am not into Star Wars but I’m so glad Lego is doing unlicensed space sci-fi subtheme, Space CMF Series, Blacktron Icons set and a few more things like exhibits in Natural History Museum set or Space Buggy set from DreamZzz (hopefully Mr. Oz’s non-dreaming uniform without hourglass symbol). 

2024 is definitely Year of the Space. 

Spaceship, spaceship, SPACESHIP! - Benny 

  On 11/29/2023 at 12:34 PM, Artanis I said:

The model might be interesting, but not going to win me over in that boring colour scheme.

If they're not going to make a proper space shuttle, go the whole hog and give it cool colours!

I agree. I think City space sets should be realistic like they used to be in the mid 90s while Space space sets should be like Futuron or Spyrius to name a few examples and have transparent canopies in different colors.

  On 11/29/2023 at 6:13 PM, SpacePolice89 said:

I agree. I think City space sets should be realistic like they used to be in the mid 90s. 

I don’t agree with you.  City theme is not always realistic in 21st century -  it’s no not 1990s anymore, sadly. In contrast, Friends theme is quite realistic.

I actually don’t mind unrealistic City space sets. I don’t min”realistic”  City space sets as well but City theme is still not always realistic as were speaking. 

 

  On 11/29/2023 at 6:13 PM, SpacePolice89 said:

I agree. I think City space sets should be realistic like they used to be in the mid 90s while Space space sets should be like Futuron or Spyrius to name a few examples and have transparent canopies in different colors.

I wonder if they're trying to please everyone. Putting these in City to get the City fans, making them semi-sci-fi to get the sci-fi/Space people, and making them in NASA colors and semi-realistic to get the NASA/realistic space fans?

Not sure if it'll work. It might end up like Nexo Knights; neither Castle or Space/Sci-Fi fans really loved it and action fans/kids preferred Ninjago.

  On 11/29/2023 at 8:20 PM, danth said:

I wonder if they're trying to please everyone. Putting these in City to get the City fans, making them semi-sci-fi to get the sci-fi/Space people, and making them in NASA colors and semi-realistic to get the NASA/realistic space fans?

Not sure if it'll work. It might end up like Nexo Knights; neither Castle or Space/Sci-Fi fans really loved it and action fans/kids preferred Ninjago.

You know what?  I feel like they are trying to satisfy everyone but it’s really tough to do so .  One group likesweird pace. Sets while other group doesn’t like unrealistic space sets when the same sets are put into City theme.  I don’t like Stars Wars and NASA but I love unlicensed theems, such as DreamZzzz, Ninjajog, Monkie Kid, City (including its Space subtheme). 

Nexo Knights seem more mix of fantasy, historical and sci-fi while Ninjago has the same fashion from the former.  DreamZzz and Hidden Side have similiar style.  

  On 11/29/2023 at 9:41 PM, Lion King said:

You know what?  I feel like they are trying to satisfy everyone but it’s really tough to do so

Yeah. I think divide and conquer is a better strategy.

Make a few realistic NASA sets, and make some totally Sci-Fi sets with colored windscreens. Both groups get exactly what they want and buy lots of sets, instead of both groups getting head-scratcher sets that nobody really wants.

  On 11/29/2023 at 9:49 PM, danth said:

Yeah. I think divide and conquer is a better strategy.

Make a few realistic NASA sets, and make some totally Sci-Fi sets with colored windscreens. Both groups get exactly what they want and buy lots of sets, instead of both groups getting head-scratcher sets that nobody really wants.

Exactly.

Speaking of which…, don’t we have a rumored licensed space set in 2024?

Putting this space stuff in City feels like a little extra "Brand Clout", a marketable banner that is recognised on the shelf instead of a random new mini-theme. Dual Branding of LEGO City or LEGO Ninjago gives you a couple of "built in" ( haha pun) story elements so you don't have to spend resources on creating extra narrative to engage kids and purchasing parents. It sets expectations and has advertising already to go in the form of the City Magazine and such. 

 

I think this is just put in City because it's a theme where a lot of room suddenly frees up after Stuntz is out, and that lasted about 2.5 years as a subtheme, without really diminishing the total number of other City sets.

I mean, Creator 3-in-1, or Icons, never get lines of multiple sets at the same subject at the same time (and when they do, it's like a GWP releasing alongside), at varied set sizes, and now City Space gets like 6+ sets at once, and City have quite the history of subthemes spanning outside of the City with Arctic, Volcano, Divers, previous Space going to mars more then once, Jungle, or recently the african animal rescue. 

LEGO could make new themes on the fly, but I doubt they want to risk another Vidiyo, or other short lived 2 year run of something currently, and this isn't a movie theme like Ninjago Movie, or LEGO Movie 1 or 2 .

Like, what would be the alternative , where would LEGO put this otherwise? LEGO hasn't done a generic unlicensed small standalone theme since 2015 Pirates, after that it were all Movie (LEGO Movie 2, Ninjago Movie), App (Nexo, Hidden Side, Vidiyo), or TV show (Chima, Nexo, Monkie Kid, Dreamzzz) themes backed up by books/magazines.

City Stuntz is the closest to a standalone recent "theme" that was purely focused on play and sets, not backed up by apps or media. (altho supported by familiar City characters and Rocket Racer from previous media) , 

Edited November 30, 20231 yr by TeriXeri

  On 11/29/2023 at 8:20 PM, danth said:

I wonder if they're trying to please everyone. Putting these in City to get the City fans, making them semi-sci-fi to get the sci-fi/Space people, and making them in NASA colors and semi-realistic to get the NASA/realistic space fans?

Not sure if it'll work. It might end up like Nexo Knights; neither Castle or Space/Sci-Fi fans really loved it and action fans/kids preferred Ninjago.

That might very well be the case. I like both Space and Castle but have zero interest in Nexo Knights. City space is much better than Nexo Knights but still stuck in that middle ground that I don't like.

  On 11/29/2023 at 11:05 PM, Peppermint_M said:

Putting this space stuff in City feels like a little extra "Brand Clout", a marketable banner that is recognised on the shelf instead of a random new mini-theme. Dual Branding of LEGO City or LEGO Ninjago gives you a couple of "built in" ( haha pun) story elements so you don't have to spend resources on creating extra narrative to engage kids and purchasing parents. It sets expectations and has advertising already to go in the form of the City Magazine and such. 

 

Subthemes like Blacktron and Space Police were hugely successful with just a small amount of narrative and backstory and are considered iconic today, Less is more when it comes backstory and narrative, let the builder user his or her imagination. I believe the Lego brand and an interesting build are enough for a set to be successful.

  On 11/30/2023 at 6:22 AM, SpacePolice89 said:

That might very well be the case. I like both Space and Castle but have zero interest in Nexo Knights. City space is much better than Nexo Knights but still stuck in that middle ground that I don't like.

Subthemes like Blacktron and Space Police were hugely successful with just a small amount of narrative and backstory and are considered iconic today, Less is more when it comes backstory and narrative, let the builder user his or her imagination. I believe the Lego brand and an interesting build are enough for a set to be successful.

While they were popular, it's hard to draw a comparison with how TLG makes themes these days. I've talked about it a lot elsewhere, but one of the most interesting articles about LEGO I read was how the digital age has changed how they've had to market their themes. (IIRC it was in Blocks magazine for the 10 year anniversary of Ninjago.) It essentially said that sets with a dedicated backstory and associated film or TV show or *insert other media here*, that will last a long time, are far more likely to resonate with kids today than a line with vague to no information that lasts for a year or two.

I loved getting separate themes as a kid (SPIII, Aqua Raiders, Adventurers, Vikings to name a few), but I have noticed that sets of that ilk pop up now and then in Creator or City sets instead like @TeriXerimentioned. My guess is that making them under existing umbrellas reduces the need for additional marketing material (as well as the actual number of sets needed), but that's pure speculation on my part.

Edited November 30, 20231 yr by TeddytheSpoon

I think there is something to the idea that sets like this fall too much in between real vehicles and scifi. My son loves the Duplo space shuttle and he loves classic space. Both real space and scifi themes are cool in their own ways.

Realistic ones are cool because they portray what's really happening in the world and kids can find them aspirational because they can see themselves flying on a shuttle themselves someday. If you can't see yourself doing or witnessing it in real life, you're probably going to want something more interesting. Real world designs generally aren't interesting to look at because they need to be practical. It's not necessarily something you want to emulate with a fantasy/scifi theme.

I think LEGO has done a lot of "realistic" space shuttles, or "nasa" related space over the recent years, especially recently there have been many shuttles , so something else does feel nice for a change. And that's even beside the fact the last real space shuttle flight was back in 2011.

Not saying space shuttle sets are bad, or "outdated" , but mainly pointing out that 2019-2023 have been quite the time period for nasa/space shuttle related sets of many scales, and that also includes the Apollo Lander, International Space Station, or Saturn V re-release.

And this is not including the 2022-2023 and 2019-2021 City wave (that's 4 years or Mars/Moon related City space in a row in terms of availability)  

And the Icons and small scale 3-in-1 shuttles are staying on the market at least for 2024.

Friends is still getting a 42605: Mars Space Base and Rocket next year, which means the time of moon/mars related space isn't like completely ending. 

Also there will be a 3-in-1 set named 31152: Astronaut in Space , the alternate builds could very well be a space ship or something. (piece count is similar to 40649: Up-Scaled LEGO Minifigure, so perhaps the main build is an upscaled minifig as well)

Also while there have not been Space shuttle set with a fuel tank + boosters included since 2015, I think the dark orange + booster rocket parts from the 2022 City Artemis rocket are decent enough to work with for previous minifig shuttles)

As far as actual shuttles since 2021:

Icons: 2021-now

Creator :

2021-2022

 

2023-now

Friends :

2022-2023

 

 

Edited November 30, 20231 yr by TeriXeri

  On 11/30/2023 at 3:47 PM, TeriXeri said:

I think LEGO has done a lot of "realistic" space shuttles, or "nasa" related space over the recent years, especially recently there have been many shuttles , so something else does feel nice for a change. And that's even beside the fact the last real space shuttle flight was back in 2011.

Yes! This and everything else you said. I've complained about it before. I can't believe they keep cranking out shuttles and other NASA style sets, yet can't do more than 2 unlicensed sci-fi Space sets every five years.

I wish the leaked space ship wasn't "shuttle skinned", i.e. white on top and black on the edges. It makes it look like another shuttle but more futuristic.

Also I guess these aren't for kids. Kids like colors. This is in boring colors, probably to appeal to adults who think space sets have to be in real world colors.

To my eyes, it looks like a pretty good middle ground between real-space and sci-fi Space. When I was a kid I wrote a bunch of stories and drew a bunch of pictures in my own little fictional world, which was the world of the Interplanetary Patrol and its long war against invaders from Pluto. My Interplanetary Patrol spaceships looked like supersonic jet fighters skinned with the colors and blunted edges of the space shuttle. I wanted Interplanetary Patrol sets soooo badly! Which is why I built my own Interplanetary Patrol fighter using parts from the 7470 Space Shuttle Discovery. The 60430 Interstellar Spaceship looks like it exists in that same sort of fantastic swooshy zip-pow-bang-pew-pew setting with real-space influences as Interplanetary Patrol. So I'd say it'll appeal to plenty of kids. Just not the kids who think space sets need to have lots of colors, or the adults they grew up into.

  On 11/30/2023 at 6:00 PM, icm said:

My Interplanetary Patrol spaceships looked like supersonic jet fighters skinned with the colors and blunted edges of the space shuttle.

Wow, that is exactly what this new set looks like to me, except for the pointy nose.

These are the spaceships I drew between the ages of 10 and 13. They are the spaceships I wanted most in Lego when I was a kid! I called this spaceship design the Interplanetary Patrol Venus/Earth Workhorse Fighter-Bomber, and it was basically a three-way blend of the Space Shuttle, Concorde, and F-106 Delta Dart. You can see how the 60430 Interstellar Spaceship isn't exactly the Interplanetary Patrol starfighter Lego set I wanted as a kid, but it's getting there.

Of course, you wanted different kinds of swooshy spaceships as a kid, and this doesn't satisfy your inner kid. My inner kid is pretty happy, though!

(Sorry for the low quality of the drawing scans.)

My brother's "Concorde-shaped starfighter" that started it all when I was 9:

My spaceship when I was 10:

My spaceship when I was 12:

My spaceship when I was 13 (the last time I really tried to draw it):

My MOC Interplanetary Patrol starfighter when I was 13:

 

  On 11/30/2023 at 6:00 PM, icm said:

So I'd say it'll appeal to plenty of kids. Just not the kids who think space sets need to have lots of colors, or the adults they grew up into.

I think Ninjago and Monkie Kid are evidence that Lego knows kids like colors, as those are kid oriented themes with very colorful sets. There are even a decent number of colored canopies in those sets. Heck, Monkie Kid sets are even too crazy-colored for my liking, most of the time.

So it's not so much "space sets need to have lots of colors" as much as "any set can benefit from a pop of color", especially for kids.

  On 11/30/2023 at 7:20 PM, danth said:

I think Ninjago and Monkie Kid are evidence that Lego knows kids like colors, as those are kid oriented themes with very colorful sets. There are even a decent number of colored canopies in those sets. Heck, Monkie Kid sets are even too crazy-colored for my liking, most of the time.

So it's not so much "space sets need to have lots of colors" as much as "any set can benefit from a pop of color", especially for kids.

Very well put. 

  On 11/30/2023 at 7:16 PM, icm said:

My spaceship when I was 13 (the last time I really tried to draw it):

That is like, spectacularly good art for a 13 year old. Wow.

Cool MOC too!

You're too kind. My drawing skills peaked at age 13 and it's been downhill ever since!

  On 11/30/2023 at 5:52 PM, danth said:

Yes! This and everything else you said. I've complained about it before. I can't believe they keep cranking out shuttles and other NASA style sets, yet can't do more than 2 unlicensed sci-fi Space sets every five years.

Lego has just started to do unlicensed space sets again. We got the Galaxy Explorer and next year we will hopefully get the Blacktron Ship - and I can see them doing at least one set every year (which doesn´t have to be always spaceships, though) from now. However I still wish we also would get some sets for retro themes in smaller sizes. The City Set for me also is an unlicensed sci-fi space set, though. It might be inspired by NASA-Space-shuttles, which kinda makes sense given it is an city-theme after all, but however they are updating them to have a more futuristic look. After all I don´t think, aside from the colour sheme it has that much in common with the Space shuttle.

  Quote

Also I guess these aren't for kids. Kids like colors. This is in boring colors, probably to appeal to adults who think space sets have to be in real world colors.

I don´t actually think kids care that much about colours. It is more that many different colours draw more attention and toy builders as well as sweets producers of course use that to sell their products. 

I actually prefer the smaller sets. Large sets feel like a burden to me because there's so many pieces to keep track of and it's a very long process to rebuild them. And when it comes to spaceships, smaller ones are more fun to play with. I think the Lightyear ship might be the best spaceship they've ever released. I would love to see them put that kind of effort into a whole wave of original space sets.

I also love the tiny sets. The Benny's Space Squad vehicles were great.