Castle Sets 2010

[Jack Bricker]

I don't know that there needs to be an actual dragon leader. I liked it when Lego left it up to your imagination on who were the bad guys and who were the good guys and who lead what. It seems that when Lego gets too caught up in developing story plots it begins sacrificing things like good set design etc...

[Aanchir]

Don't go around throwing racism in a thread without thinking about what you are actually implying. Chinese factories have lengthy records of being fined by both their foriegn and domestic parent companies and government agencies, only to continue abuses of overall safety, worker rights, and material integrity. I think the consumers of any product (including Lego) have a right to hold these factories accountable for the materials they produce, and they are the ultimate responsibility for products released to consumers. It's not racism to imply these factories are run by less than reputable people, considering the same types ran American and European factories until social groups ended their command of the labor market. The deliberate action of cutting corners always extends throughout the produce to increase yield without increasing costs. That's why the factories moved. These leadership practices produce the quantities needed and sometimes human rights are sacrificed. China is the current hotbed of these factories. It has nothing to do with skin color, religion, or any other baseless construct. It has to do with human nature. Perhaps you should focus on that rather than just accussing someone else (be it passively) of racism. This is not a forum for that disucssion.

That said, I do hope these sets do exhibit high quality. I was happier with more recent Chinese parts, and if these sets are 100% Chinese (or even partially), I would not buy the sets if the quality of some or all pieces are below normal TLG standards. That said, I do like the sets though the lack of certain elements (horses, civilian buildings, other common complaints) makes me hope the second Kingdoms wave doesn't mirror the fantasy line with a second and third release of less-and-less sets that are more-and-more expensive.

I understand that Chinese factories are less than reputable in ways. For instance, workers there are underpaid in order to keep costs down. There are other human rights issues that might also be at play.

However, that doesn't have anything to do with product quality. The type of plastic used, the quality of the molds, and the quality of the printing is entirely in LEGO's hands. After all, these aren't third-party manufacturers, they're genuine LEGO factories run by genuine LEGO employees.

Note that LEGO makes a press release whenever the production of a main-line product or part of a main-line product is entrusted to another company-- they did this, for instance, when the production of BIONICLE canisters was entrusted to a company that specialized in packaging as of 2005 (and this was not a company without attachments to LEGO-- they had previously been responsible for the production of baseplates). They made similar press releases more recently, in 2008, when LEGO decided to take back production of parts from the company Flextronics, which had before 2009 been responsible for all the production facilities in Mexico and Hungary, and which before 2008 had controlled production in the Czech Republic.

As LEGO employees, the only thing that makes the manufacturers in China different from those in, say, Hungary, is where they live. Is it not racism to imply that people living in a certain place are morally deficient?

-----

I have a somewhat unique perspective to this issue as an eighteen-year-old BIONICLE fan. In 2007 there were numerous complaints of pieces breaking, which some n00bs blamed on "LEGO parts from China" (note that in 2007 no parts were made in China). Clearly, for that generation, "China" was equal to "cheap quality". That's just sad. And adults who oversimplify quality issues by blaming Chinese manufacturers in general are to blame for this growing mindset.

[Sir Dillon]

Sorry to step on your discussion, but this is not the place to talk about TLG's general quality control. Such issues would be better addressed here: [link]

[Emperor Claudius Rome]

When are we going to see these sets in stores?

[metalandi]

Yeah would like to know that too, we haven't heard anything official yet, have we? Just heard a rumour once, that they're gonna come out late summer.

[gunm]

When are we going to see these sets in stores?

Yeah would like to know that too, we haven't heard anything official yet, have we? Just heard a rumour once, that they're gonna come out late summer.

You mean the new Kingdoms sets? I believe these were slated for August.

[Legorski]

You mean the new Kingdoms sets? I believe these were slated for August.

August is so far away!

Then again from what we have seen of the sets they seem to be totally worth the wait, lets hope that they live up to the expectations.

[Svelte]

Whilst the US Toy Fair said 'August' on all the sets, in Europe/ rest of the world most of the second year sets are available on S@H in June. So I expect we will start to seeing these show up in June Some retail stores may get them earlier depending what distribution deals LEGO strikes with individual countries.

[DLangRI]

Weren't the third wave of Fantasy sets supposed to be released in August of last year? I remember picking mine up in May. It was rainy that day.

[UsernameMDM]

Little late but I see we have updated set pics in the first post from Whung. Thanks!

[ziljin]

I am late to the party, but the battle packs look great.

[Santhor]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, but after playing Assassin's Creed, I'd like to see an expansion on the Prince of Persia style Middle East-Crusades stuffs...ooh, and some nice long, THIN swords, kind of like symmetrical katanas, would be excellent. Anyways, sets are still looking great w/ new box art, but the dragons need another scale-mail-strap torso.

Also, I think a dragon knight leader (not to mention more horsemen) is in order...something great helm, broadsword, NOT in their 90's warrior guy...now THAT I would definitely buy.

Expansions on Kingdoms city-fishermen (docks-2 smallish boats, 1 medium size, 4 fishermen, bartender, 2 sailors, 1 or 2 soldiers-shacks, small bar pub+grub=$60-$80) Training grounds (3 soldiers, 2 archers, captain/knight, training arena, 1 or 2 horses w/ barding, extra weapons, medium barracks-$40-$65)

-Santhor

Edited March 29, 2010 by Santhor

[Sir Dillon]

This thread is meant more for the discussion of the existing line. Ideas for future castle sets can go here: [link]

[UsernameMDM]

I am making myself go blind by looking at those pics! Can't wait for some larger sized box pics to come out.

[Santhor]

This thread is meant more for the discussion of the existing line. Ideas for future castle sets can go here: [link]

Okay, thanks. I'll remember that next time. Maybe.

Still loving the box arts, though, but are there any bigger pics?

-Santhor

[UsernameMDM]

Sexy pics from brickshelf:

[Warning: Pictures over 3000 x 2000 pixels large]

That dark red kingly outfit is EXACTLY what I wanted! SA-WEET!

[just2good]

Sexy pics from brickshelf:

That dark red kingly outfit is EXACTLY what I wanted! SA-WEET!

Wow those are epic win!

How'd he get them?

[Sandy]

It's a decal. Nice try, though.

[The Penguin]

Bah! That April Fool's day and it's jokes!

The pics are indeed "sexy", a shame the prince is not real!

Good day, aldies and gentlemen! )

[lightningtiger]

Yep, it's another April Fools I guess........but it is a great stickered torso though !

I'm a conformist! !

[The Crazy One]

I have never been interested in Historic themes to be honest, but this theme is something else. I love it. I can see myself buying the whole line!

Edited April 1, 2010 by The crazy one

[Nicholai]

Greetings everyone.

For a long time I have been watching this forum but this is my first post.

I don't think images posted by UsernameMDM are fake.

This images are taken from some auction site and some of those auctions ended over two weeks ago.

Edited April 1, 2010 by Nicholai

[metalandi]

These are clearly not fake. You can clearly see the torso is printed if you looka t the picture in the big size. Any info where that will be included? Can't recall seeing this fig anywhere before..

[Nicholai]

These are clearly not fake. You can clearly see the torso is printed if you looka t the picture in the big size. Any info where that will be included? Can't recall seeing this fig anywhere before..

Advent calendar

Pictures of blacksmith and woman show them with different heads than MMV ones.

Edited April 1, 2010 by Nicholai

[blueandwhite]

The best thing about April Fool's day is that more often than not we start to fool ourselves.

Honestly, if these were forgeries they would easily be the best forgeries ever done by an AFOL. Looking beyond the perfect decals, we also have several knights wearing the new helmets. I must say, the new prince fig looks excellent. This is going to be an amazing line and it looks like the Advent Calender is a must-have item this year. It's nice to see a few calender exclusive figs.

Edited April 1, 2010 by blueandwhite