71046 CMF series 26: Space themed!

[danth]

I thought Lego couldn't do stand alone Star Wars figures due to not having the license for that. They have to be playsets.

[BrickBob Studpants]

6 hours ago, Accio Lego said:

Take into account that themed unlicensed series are probably a decent way to get around the inevitable slump of switching to boxes and, well, there are some licensed sci-fi themes I’d love it to be, but it’s most likely we’re looking at something unlicensed here. 

How are unlicensed series supposed to help with that though? Sure, they save themselves the licensing fees, but unlicensed series will hardly convince people that dislike the boxes to stick around  If customers detest the boxes to the degree it becomes noticeable in the sales (which I‘m not fully convinced yet will actually happen), it‘d be more reason than ever to go all-in with desirable licensed characters. Just my two cents.

Edited August 18, 2023 by BrickBob Studpants

[Accio Lego]

2 hours ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

How are unlicensed series supposed to help with that though? Sure, they save themselves the licensing fees, but unlicensed series will hardly convince people that dislike the boxes to stick around  If customers detest the boxes to the degree it becomes noticeable in the sales (which I‘m not fully convinced yet will actually happen), it‘d be more reason than ever to go all-in with desirable licensed characters. Just my two cents.

Plenty of people only collect certain types of minifigs from the numbered unlicensed series (historical/space/castle/fantasy/monster/costumes etc.). These people might be hesitant to do a truly blind pull from a regular series where 70% of the figs are for themes they’re uninterested in, but would be willing to take their chances with a series where all the options are something they’re interested in. That’s my theory anyway, I don’t exactly have the resources to confirm via focus groups like lego does. But I imagine Lego will be closely comparing the sales statistics of series 25 vs this ‘Space’ series. 

[Lion King]

10 hours ago, danth said:

I thought Lego couldn't do stand alone Star Wars figures due to not having the license for that. They have to be playsets.

Yes, you are right.  I saw someone’s comment on space-themed CMF in other thread. It’s why I shared my opinion herein first place. 

[SpacePolice89]

1 hour ago, Accio Lego said:

Plenty of people only collect certain types of minifigs from the numbered unlicensed series (historical/space/castle/fantasy/monster/costumes etc.). These people might be hesitant to do a truly blind pull from a regular series where 70% of the figs are for themes they’re uninterested in, but would be willing to take their chances with a series where all the options are something they’re interested in. That’s my theory anyway, I don’t exactly have the resources to confirm via focus groups like lego does. But I imagine Lego will be closely comparing the sales statistics of series 25 vs this ‘Space’ series. 

You have very accurately described my buying pattern when it comes to CMFs. I only collect minifigs that are in some way related to older space factions.

[Classic_Spaceman]

Considering that we are getting yet another space set next year (10341 LEGO Icons Space -  not to be confused with 10391!), I am assuming that the Space CMF is actually going to be in-house space, not Star Wars or another license. 
 

[Lion King]

45 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Considering that we are getting yet another space set next year (10341 LEGO Icons Space -  not to be confused with 10391!), I am assuming that the Space CMF is actually going to be in-house space, not Star Wars or another license. 
 

Exactly. I meanly. this is where I’m leaning toward in-house CMF more and more. 

[BrickBob Studpants]

Us AFOLs sure are a funny bunch. I remember all the complaints about specialised series being way too niche (S14 and ESPECIALLY S18) and everybody preferring variety, but as soon as it's a specialised Space theme: *crickets* 

[Lion King]

59 minutes ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

Us AFOLs sure are a funny bunch. I remember all the complaints about specialised series being way too niche (S14 and ESPECIALLY S18) and everybody preferring variety, but as soon as it's a specialised Space theme: *crickets* 

But I love S14 and S18! I am quite thrilled about space-themed series :) Yes, we are a funny bunch for sure. 

[Accio Lego]

5 hours ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

Us AFOLs sure are a funny bunch. I remember all the complaints about specialised series being way too niche (S14 and ESPECIALLY S18) and everybody preferring variety, but as soon as it's a specialised Space theme: *crickets* 

To be fair, series 25 being its own thing probably helps. When one of the numbered series is themed with something you don’t like, you know it’s going to be a year or so before another unlicensed series comes along. Since this is coming separately after series 25, anyone who isn’t a huge fan of unlicensed space themes can just skip it like they would a licensed series they didn’t care about, and it presumably won’t affect any future releases to their detriment. 

[Breakspear]

8 hours ago, Accio Lego said:

Plenty of people only collect certain types of minifigs from the numbered unlicensed series (historical/space/castle/fantasy/monster/costumes etc.). These people might be hesitant to do a truly blind pull from a regular series where 70% of the figs are for themes they’re uninterested in, but would be willing to take their chances with a series where all the options are something they’re interested in. That’s my theory anyway, I don’t exactly have the resources to confirm via focus groups like lego does. But I imagine Lego will be closely comparing the sales statistics of series 25 vs this ‘Space’ series. 

That's a really interesting thought and would reflect with how some other blind bag/blind box systems seem to work: each series is released as a unified collection, with the design of all figures reflecting some overarching theme or style. This reduces the level of consumer uncertainty, even if they don't know the specific figure they will receive. Lego should understand this principle as its licensed CMF themes already operate on this principle.

I note that some toy/collectable brands which use 'themed series' (I'm thinking Popmart and LOL Dolls) tend to compensate for the lack of thematic diversity within a series by releasing lots of niche themed series concurrently or in quick succession. This allows them to maximise their appeal to a wide range of consumer tastes at any given time (e.g.. you didn't like the recent 'pyjama party' and 'world of sports' themed collections? Don't worry, the 'famous people from history',  'fairy tale', and 'greek gods' collections are coming out next month!).

5 hours ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

Us AFOLs sure are a funny bunch. I remember all the complaints about specialised series being way too niche (S14 and ESPECIALLY S18) and everybody preferring variety, but as soon as it's a specialised Space theme: *crickets* 

Of course nobody is going to complain if its their particular niche that is being served. . But seriously (and to the point made by Accio Lego above) I do think the switch to blind boxes changes the calculus and makes the idea of niche/themed series more palatable.

One thing that excites me (and for the record, I'm not a Space collector) about the idea of a themed series for Space is the greater range of new Lego character designs it could result in. Characters that wouldn't otherwise be included in a mixed-theme unlienced CMF series because they arn't architypal enough to represent their theme/genre alone. Things like a space doctor, a space scientist, a space courier, a space cowboy, a space engineer/mechanic, a space farmer/colonist etc. That's my hope anyway!

[Black Falcon]

Well, I still have my suspicions, that it will really turn out to be an unlicenced space series, but I really hope it will. In normal Minifigure Series there are always Figures you like and which you don´t, and with the boxes you might have the choice to either buy a full series, or buy the figures you want for a higher price. With a themes Series it is more likely that buying the whole will be worth it. Even when there are two Figures you wouldn´t want to buy, you will still end cheaper if you buy them all. That beeing said, I just hope they will do Themed, unlicensed Series, as I would really like to have a Castle or Pirate one. For the Space Series, it might depend a lot on the figures. While I got myself the classic Spacemen I didn´t really like the Alien they had inside. Anyways we will have to wait and see when more infos arrive.

[Agent Kallus]

I still don't know what to think this will be, but if it is unlicensed Space then I hope we a cat printed to be in a classic space space suit and it not a cat, a dog, if not both.

[Pop Star c o]

Honestly, I don't mind at all what it turns out to be. I just really hope there'll be more than 12 figures.

[Lion King]

1 hour ago, Pop Star c o said:

Honestly, I don't mind at all what it turns out to be. I just really hope there'll be more than 12 figures.

It will be unlikely except for Disney series. 

[Pop Star c o]

Please, promise me it will have more than a dozen figures!

Edited December 26, 2023 by Pop Star c o
I love my friends!!!

[Black Falcon]

I doubt they will return to making more figures again. Unless it is specially nessecary, for instance when Lego is asked to by the license owner.

If the series really is going to be about Space I would think there would be both old and new Space figures. Likely one new coloured Classic Space guy, which would actually be the only one I could imagine they would take the original design, for other themes they could take an updated, more detailed design. And some new Alien guys. I also Kinda like the idea mentioned in this thread they could make different specialists like an space doctor etc.

[Megbricks]

2 hours ago, Pop Star c o said:

Please, promise me it will have more than 12 figures!

Oh I sooo wish for an 18 fig series:)

[Lion King]

1 hour ago, Megbricks said:

Oh I sooo wish for an 18 fig series:)

Isn’t that 16 figures enough? I mean… the original figure slots were 16 throughout CMF until the recent years. 

[Megbricks]

47 minutes ago, Lion King said:

Isn’t that 16 figures enough? I mean… the original figure slots were 16 throughout CMF until the recent years. 

Yeah. Really 12 is enough. I am just really a fan of Classic space;)

[Black Falcon]

1 hour ago, Megbricks said:

Yeah. Really 12 is enough. I am just really a fan of Classic space;)

Well it depends, for normal Series 12 might be enough. But for licensed Series it can be more difficult IMO. I mean for Marvel it didn´t really matter but for other series like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings it would indeed limit it a lot. Lord of the Rings would basically already need 9 spots for the Fellowship of the Ring. Then lets say Saruman, Galadriel, Elrond. Now people would expect Sauron there too I guess, but no place - it is quite limiting IMO. Harry Potter you have Ron, Harry, Hermione, then there are 9 places left. I mean you can do quite a bit with that but it just gives you a better diversity. 

[Lion King]

3 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

Well it depends, for normal Series 12 might be enough. But for licensed Series it can be more difficult IMO. I mean for Marvel it didn´t really matter but for other series like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings it would indeed limit it a lot. Lord of the Rings would basically already need 9 spots for the Fellowship of the Ring. Then lets say Saruman, Galadriel, Elrond. Now people would expect Sauron there too I guess, but no place - it is quite limiting IMO. Harry Potter you have Ron, Harry, Hermione, then there are 9 places left. I mean you can do quite a bit with that but it just gives you a better diversity. 

Agreed. If there is Lord of the Rings sereis, fans wll want to build their armies, ignoring the main caharacters (Fellowships). Disney makes sense that it has 18-figure Sereis since there are so many many many characters that we don’t get yet, such as Belle & the Beast, Lady Tremaine and her evil daughters, etc. Marvel is…not that big deal to Lego, I guess?

and i think Lego has a tight budget for regular series while they have other licensed series. Let’s say, make new molds for regular series and lincesned ones. I’m okay wiht recolored parts, such as Queen’s big skirt being reused for Rocco Aristocat. I stil don’t think the esigenrs run out of ideas for regular series.  So I’m ok with 12 slots. 

[Black Falcon]

2 minutes ago, Lion King said:

Agreed. If there is Lord of the Rings sereis, fans wll want to build their armies, ignoring the main caharacters (Fellowships).

Well. Actually I would hope they won´t put Orcs or such in that Series. And no Gondor or Rohan Armor. That would just end bad IMO. For that they should make Army packs.

 

Quote

and i think Lego has a tight budget for regular series while they have other licensed series. Let’s say, make new molds for regular series and lincesned ones. I’m okay wiht recolored parts, such as Queen’s big skirt being reused for Rocco Aristocat. I stil don’t think the esigenrs run out of ideas for regular series.  So I’m ok with 12 slots. 

Well you can always make new Knighst, new historical Figures etc, bring old figures from old themes back etc. So yeah there should be enough ideas

[Lion King]

5 minutes ago, Black Falcon said:

Well. Actually I would hope they won´t put Orcs or such in that Series. And no Gondor or Rohan Armor. That would just end bad IMO. For that they should make Army packs.

Uh, will it sell well if they go for Orcs or another factions if they ignore Fellowship characters when it comes to CMF? It would be a waste for them to put Fellowship characters in CMF after all. 

9 minutes ago, Black Falcon said:

Well you can always make new Knighst, new historical Figures etc, bring old figures from old themes back etc. So yeah there should be enough ideas

Yeah… we have Jungle Explorer (Johnny Thunder) and Galactic Bounty Hunter (Blacktron), Space Police, Fright Knight, Classic Policeman (just printed, no stickers like the 1978 verison), Brown Spaceman. But I like wacky and new characters like food and animal costumed minifigures, unicorn knight, a guy wearing a Titanic ship costume, bard (wiht blue Forestmen’s hat). 

[Black Falcon]

1 minute ago, Lion King said:

Uh, will it sell well if they go for Orcs or another factions if they ignore Fellowship characters when it comes to CMF? It would be a waste for them to put Fellowship characters in CMF after all. 

In the Harry Potter Series you also had Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, and Dumbledore in both Series (Harry actually even 3 times) which you also have in the Sets, and especially the 3 main characters thousand times. It matters how they are made. They would need to be different from the ones in Rivendell. (Athough, they would likely even sell if they were just the same) But the more detailed they are the more they would sell.