Lego, bring back the alternate builds and "Just Imagine" slo

[prateek]

I never went as far as to complain, but I remember getting frustrated as a kid, not being able to buid some of the alternate models, because well, I was a little kid.

I didn't even complain. I just looked at them, just staring blankly.

[Forresto]

I hate it when alternate models take up the entire back of the box, as I like to see more than just an image of what I'm getting, but if the instructions are online, I'd never bother.

I agree with that mostly. The box should probably be mainly for showing off the set, although if possible they could squeeze in one "small" pic of an alternate build.

[Brick & Mortimer]

I think they should bring alternate models back because Lego is all about building, and alternate models are the next step after building from instructions and before designing something entirely original.

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I think it would be enough to display the alternate models on the back of the box, this should advertise the "re-building" value of Lego and not only the "playability" value...

I totally agree! That's what Lego is all about.

I think we need these alternates to inspire kids of the new generation to input their own imagination istead of playing with the main build for 15 minutes and leaving it for eternity

You are right, although the sets I've bought since I came out of my dark age are all on display .

The built usually took me just a little longer than 15 minutes though

My kids (which, for the record, I don't have yet ) on the other hand will use their imagination

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That's true. But in my opinion the current catalogs often have cool screens, the problem is that they are full of custom stuff which is not on sale.

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And I think the TLG representative have recently mentioned that they don't show the Cafe Corner anymore alongside the newest modular building because customers hate to see something cool and then being told it's not on sale...

TLG is contradicting itself a little bit. I would really like to see scenes like the 80's and early 90's catalogs. They managed to show all the sets in cool scenes without relying on "non-existing-sets".

Ah well, it may just be the nostalgia taking over

[Rufus]

Creator sets are all about the alternative builds, and some are really well done. I agree that the Licenced Themes don't really need them; most people (well, ALOLs at least) are buying them to recreate scenes and expand their collections.

The recent City sets - certainly the smaller vehicles - are so good they sell themselves without the need for alternatives, which might look a bit lame compared to the main event.

I don't really miss the alternatives; I can't think of a time I ever tried to build one when there weren't instructions.

As to the 'Just Imagine' slogan - yeah, I liked it (hey, it's better than 'Hey!'), but look what happened to the back of the UCS Rebel Blockade Runner!

[edit - 'Hey!' added]

Edited February 4, 2010 by Rufus

[vexorian]

BTW, I sometimes wish all themes would have a bucket set with tons of assorted bricks for that theme. I would really prefer it over alternate builds and I think it has the same 'imagine' effect.

I totally agree! That's what Lego is all about.

Well, it seems the focus groups do not agree. Kids apparently just want to roleplay and LEGO is also apparently trying to focus on it ... I sometimes get nightmares about LEGO becoming playmobil.

[posades]

Like most of you, I remember looking at the back of the box as a kid and trying to copy the alternate builds. Most of the time, however, I'd just get frustrated after not being able to get it completely right and wished there were directions for the alternates.

I would love for LEGO to bring those back, if just to inspire the new generation of kids. I know I'd be willing to try out one of the alternate builds, though I'd rather not have directions now that I'm older and wiser.

[Whittleberry]

I definitely reckon they should re-introduce inspirational alternative builds on boxes. I remember being inspired by the back of my Knight Bus set as a younger child and building something new based on that. To parents it looks like it adds play value and possibilities (and thus seems better value for money) and kids get excited about all the different things they will be able to make with their new set.

I read that LEGO doesn't do them any more because people rang customer service asking for instructions to build the alternative models, but I don't really think they would be that put out by there not being any, because the pictures are a bonus as it is. As long as there was a little disclaimer on the box saying that instructions were only included for the main set, I think it would increase the appeal of LEGO sets to both adult buyers and children.

[JayDuck]

I certainly think that for the most part, bringing back alternative builds would be a good thing. Small sets and troop builders can sell themselves, but for larger sets, the back of the box seems to me like a lot of wasted potential. I understand that they want to show the numbered bags/easy build, but does that need to take almost a third of the available space? And what's the deal with "HEY!"? More lost space in my opinion.

Keep the action shots, certainly, but toss in a few alternates to inspire the imagination. If parents 'have' to have instructions, maybe post some online? Or just go back to the old 'instructions included for main model' disclaimer, but show that there are other ways to combine the parts in the set. Otherwise, it seems to me that what you get is some-assembly-required Playmobil.