New Video Game Trend?

[Tinn-man]

I've noticed that both Lego and Mega Bloks are starting to make building sets based off of video games. For example, Mega Blocks just sealed the Halo License, and Lego now is going to make sets based off of Prince of Persia. Do you think this trend will continue, with things like nintendo , or will it die out and this is just a freak thing. I think that this is a new trend, with video game popularity rising, and might continue in future years.

[Oky]

If would have payed attention, you would know that the Prince of Persia theme will be based on the upcoming movie, not the game! The only Lego set that we know to be based on a videogame is the Rogue Shadow, and the TFU theme was only a mini-subtheme to the SW theme. So, right now, there is no sign for me that TLC is going to release sets with videogame licenses. Most videogames these days are too violent for TLC anyway. MegaBloks, on the other hand, is very likely to get every game license that they can get their greedy little hands on.

[Tinn-man]

If would have payed attention, you would know that the Prince of Persia theme will be based on the upcoming movie, not the game!

Ah, all of my posts today have been horrible and/or redundant.

Most videogames these days are too violent for TLC anyway.

Well, I don't see lego doing any thing like Gears of War, but I could see them doing Mario or Sonic.

[5150 Lego]

If would have payed attention, you would know that the Prince of Persia theme will be based on the upcoming movie, not the game! The only Lego set that we know to be based on a videogame is the Rogue Shadow, and the TFU theme was only a mini-subtheme to the SW theme. So, right now, there is no sign for me that TLC is going to release sets with videogame licenses. Most videogames these days are too violent for TLC anyway. MegaBloks, on the other hand, is very likely to get every game license that they can get their greedy little hands on.

But the movie will be based off the video game. So his question is not far off. As for video games being to violent for TLC, please quote me TLC's so called violence policy. Not all video games are violent you know.

[Oswald the Rabbit]

At least with Lego we get quality. I am so glad that TLC stole the Disney license from Mega Blows.

[Siegfried]

But the movie will be based off the video game. So his question is not far off. As for video games being to violent for TLC, please quote me TLC's so called violence policy. Not all video games are violent you know.

Someone from LEGO (the CEO?) did recently say in an interview (which I can't find) that they avoided making Batman sets based on The Dark Knight as it was not a kid friendly movie, but that's the closest I've heard of any policy.

[Millacol88]

Someone from LEGO (the CEO?) did recently say in an interview (which I can't find) that they avoided making Batman sets based on The Dark Knight as it was not a kid friendly movie, but that's the closest I've heard of any policy.

Yes, I remember that was on LAML radio. I think the personality being interviewed that time was Steve Witt. He said that when it comes to violent material such as The recent Batman movies, the Lego company does not want to encourage children to see said movies. He also said that the reason Harry Potter was discontinued was because the movies were getting darker and there was no longer any central action point, such as a distinctive vehicle or building, to base the sets around. So, violent games are out, obviously. And the games you mentioned: Sonic and Mario, lack that central distinctive point. What are you going to do, recreate a level of Mario, block for block, Goomba for Goomba, and so on? And end up with a set that only looks good from the side? (They are sidescrollers). I just don't see it happenning or working.

[Oky]

But the movie will be based off the video game. So his question is not far off. As for video games being to violent for TLC, please quote me TLC's so called violence policy. Not all video games are violent you know.

I said "most"! Sheesh! Please, pay attention, people!

Well, I don't see lego doing any thing like Gears of War, but I could see them doing Mario or Sonic.

I agree, Mario and Sonic are some possibilities. That's what I meant by "most": There are exceptions like that. Still, I don't see it happening very soon.

Edited February 16, 2009 by Oky Wan Kenobi

[Siegfried]

Yes, I remember that was on LAML radio. I think the personality being interviewed that time was Steve Witt.

Yes! That was it... Thanks!

[Shadows]

Someone from LEGO (the CEO?) did recently say in an interview (which I can't find) that they avoided making Batman sets based on The Dark Knight as it was not a kid friendly movie, but that's the closest I've heard of any policy.

I found this, it isn't exactly the same as what you saw, but it covers the idea.

I e-mailed Lego's spokesman Michael McNally, and he confirmed the company's Solomonic logic. Lego, he wrote, agrees that good-versus-evil combat "is at the root of children's play scenarios, and we believe is an important part of a child's exploration of the world." But they don't want it infecting the children's perception of the real world around them, so the solution is to place it decisively in the realm of fantasy.

Now honestly, I think that's actually a weird policy and clearly not one they follow in the Indy and Batman lines, but it's been said enough times that I believe they at least claim it.

[5150 Lego]

I said "most"! Sheesh! Please, pay attention, people!

You know, wether or not you feel your right or not, there no reason for you talk to to people in the manner that you do. Point is you still implied that TLC wouldn't touch video game based licences while the POP might be based on an upcoming movie, the movie is still being based off the video game.

The Lego Company, it seems, has a policy of not producing toys that replicate 20th century weapons. "You can have swords, and you can have laser guns in space, but no actual 20th century guns," Anderson says. So his four children can play games like Halo, since it contains only futuristic, fantasy war, where you're killing only green- or blue-blooded aliens. The same goes for Roman swordplay titles. "But it clearly walls off Grand Theft Auto."

(I e-mailed Lego's spokesman Michael McNally, and he confirmed the company's Solomonic logic. Lego, he wrote, agrees that good-versus-evil combat "is at the root of children's play scenarios, and we believe is an important part of a child's exploration of the world." But they don't want it infecting the children's perception of the real world around them, so the solution is to place it decisively in the realm of fantasy.)

This makes no sence. There aknowlege that good vs. evil combat is part of kids play, and basicly are incourgaging it, but then say they don't want it affecting childrens perception of the "real world'?? This is crap. Plain and simple. All this says is...

"At this point in time, we haven't found a licence yet that will give us an excuse to include modern day weapons in our line."

..But with the IJ license, there preety much there. Heck, with this reasoning, the Halo licence would have been perfectly acceptable.

Edited February 16, 2009 by 5150 Lego

[Oky]

Calm down. You really need to have a little more respect. Ther's no reason to talk to people in the manner you have lately.

Don't you think it's also disrespectful not to pay attention to what others are saying and then make overly smart remarks like you did? That's all I'm asking everyone to do - pay attention to others - so that we don't have to litter the boards with such discussions. If I came across rude, I apologize.

Back on topic: Another game license that would be possible IMHO is Ratchet & Clank. It's a quite popular game too, and although it's mostly about running around and shooting, it has a rather light tone and some cool vehicles and locations to base sets on.

Edited February 16, 2009 by Oky Wan Kenobi

[Shadows]

This makes no sence. There aknowlege that good vs. evil combat is part of kids play, and basicly are incourgaging it, but then say they don't want it affecting childrens perception of the "real world'??

It's a little vague, but basically they're saying that they don't want kids to think that they're going to get shot walking down the street, so they don't include that kind of conflict in "real life" themes. Obviously they're twisting that concept a bit by having 8,000 police stations, but they never give the cops guns, do they? The guns are reserved for the movie/fictional/fantasy characters. Maybe it's why we never saw a cop in a Batman set.

[MacK]

Well I think it's very probable that Lego will start making sets based off video games. I mean if the megablok sets sell well Lego would be stupid not to start making their own video game sets.

Of course Lego won't do sets based off games such as Gears of war or FEAR, but there are plenty of more child friendly games out there.

At the moment it's really just a waiting game to wait for more news on Lego's future moves .

[5150 Lego]

It's a little vague, but basically they're saying that they don't want kids to think that they're going to get shot walking down the street, so they don't include that kind of conflict in "real life" themes. Obviously they're twisting that concept a bit by having 8,000 police stations, but they never give the cops guns, do they? The guns are reserved for the movie/fictional/fantasy characters. Maybe it's why we never saw a cop in a Batman set.

Now i get what your saying, but it what there saying is still a bit contradicting. Its not like were asking them nor do we expect them to make a "street gang theme" or anything in that matter. I really don't think we give kids enough credit these days.I get the whole Fantasy vs. real thing, but i still feel TLC is being very contradictive.

Espeacailly with the Indianna Jones License. They claim that "fantasy" violence with lazers and aliens and such are ok, but human on human violence isn't. IJ reaks of this. Perhaps there using the story line as an excuse, but bottom line the good guys are humans and the bad guys are humans. As for the police, giving them guns doesn't send any different a message. perhaps if the TLC put as much effort into Educating kids on the jobs of police officers as much as they do on months long introductions to thier latest theme, they wouldn't have to worry about kids getting the wrong message.

I dunno. Call meold fashion, but i don't feel that one form of violence is nessasarly better or more acceptable than the other. At least not when it comes to kids.

[keetong]

Unfortuanly mega blocks make pokemon sets and since nitendo is very close to pokemon, I think you would have to have a lot of luck. Whats this about prince of persia?

[Oky]

Whats this about prince of persia?

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