Viking Line 2006

[Mister Phes]

But are Viking sets still loaded on shelves all around the world? Master Yoda *yoda* reports they are in France because apparently they're not selling. I haven't been to a toy store in what seems like a long time so I can't report upon the situation here. I might have a quick look tomorrow if I get time.

[Mithrandir]

Isn't S@H supposed to be cheaper than stores as an incentive to buy there?

you'd think that, wouldn't you.... but no.... not with lego! i think they're trying to promote the s@h by giving new sets to them first, before releasing them to the regular shops. that way, the impatient fans among us would be able to buy the sets asap, but at a full price thru the lego chain, and not at tru or whatever...

Heck, that's not even the case. The new technic mini tractor and quad bike were available on amazon.com and in TRU stores back in December, and they finally just appeared on S@H last week.

LEGO sets were once in production for 3 years so it didn't matter if someone missed the sets from the year before because they were still available. So, what's the deal with the Vikings? Does LEGO plan to release more of the 2005 Vikings sets in conjunction with the 2 new 2006 sets, or are they on their own?

I don't know. I think Lego is bowing to the whole "One Set One Year" standard that Crap*Mart and Target seem to love.

For example, most of the 2004 Technic sets were discontinued at the end of 2005 (I'm glad I got them all when I had a chance!)

And a lot of the Star Wars Episode 3 sets were discontinued after only 9 months!! I kept putting off buying "Wookie Attack" (7258, I wanted the chain links) because it was a brand new set and I wanted to focus on getting some older sets first... and then when I finally got around to it in November, it was nowhere to be found! The Arc fighter is on S@H now, but I can't find it in any normal stores anywhere (Glad I bought it back in september).

So I guess we ought to get the sets when they're available. *shrug*

When I first saw the viking line, I told myself that I'm going to get every single set. Over Christmas, I ran out of money and decided to only get the one set I wanted most, the Viking Longboat. I've always had a thing for boats, and this reminded me of the old pirate boats that were out when I was a kid (those were the days, sigh).

However, after I built it, I just felt like something was missing. I'm not really sure what it was; I think the boat was just too empty. The figures were awesome, the axes were damn cool, but something just didn't rub me right about it, and I've held off getting the rest of the viking sets because of it.

[snefroe]

a complaint i often hear from shopkeepers is that lego produces too many different themes in a year; Perhaps they've decided to streamline the lines, less themes, but more sets per theme. at least, that's what i'm hoping... however, perhaps they're just "making some room" in the catalogue for pirates in 2007...

i also think, and i guess that's what some one stated before, that a theme with two minifig factions fighting each other, has a greater longevity compared to one faction fighting beasts...

[gylman]

However, after I built it, I just felt like something was missing. I'm not really sure what it was; I think the boat was just too empty. The figures were awesome, the axes were damn cool, but something just didn't rub me right about it, and I've held off getting the rest of the viking sets because of it.

I agree - both the castle and the boat were too empty. It looks great on the picture, but once built.... you have to add much from your own collection to make it look really cool. That may not be an issue for AFOLs with 200,000+ bricks sitting around, but for the average buyer it will be.

[xwingyoda]

Well Gyl, that comment is unfortunatly true to nearly all sets produced by TLC (except vehicles off course !!).

I think that playability is the issue at stake here: its easier for a kid to play in a shop if that shop has no back wall, all KK sets are like that, they are not really looking as a real castle, but as a nice playset.

Oh well, tks to spare parts and our creativity to MOC something nice ;-)

*yoda*

[Mister Phes]

a complaint i often hear from shopkeepers is that lego produces too many different themes in a year; Perhaps they've decided to streamline the lines, less themes, but more sets per theme. at least, that's what i'm hoping... however, perhaps they're just "making some room" in the catalogue for pirates in 2007...

Even I'll complain about having too many LEGO themes! For almost the entirity of 80's there was only 3 SYSTEM themes - Space, Castle and Town (or does Train make 4?). Then Pirates joined in 89 and then Paradisa in 92. From 1994 onwards the number of themes exploded and their life span shortened, which from my perspective didn't seem like a brainwave because the 90's only yielded 3 decent themes (Western, Adventurers and Ninja) and a lot of garbage.

Then we look at 2000 onwards. What decent themes have we had in this time period? Orient Expedition (arugably the final 2 years of Adventurers however), Vikings and the beloved Star Wars. Maybe Town or World City or whatever that has evolved into is alright, but I'm not familiar enough with the sets to make an assessment.

Rather than having a short theme based on every thing imaginable I'd rather have a long established theme that I can follow. But The LEGO Company doesn't really care what I like, so expect to see more short half-arsed themes that go nowhere, and perhaps the occassional decent one that never gets a chance to go anywhere. Like Vikings for example.

[Cutty]

a complaint i often hear from shopkeepers is that lego produces too many different themes in a year; Perhaps they've decided to streamline the lines, less themes, but more sets per theme. at least, that's what i'm hoping... however, perhaps they're just "making some room" in the catalogue for pirates in 2007...

Even I'll complain about having too many LEGO themes! For almost the entirity of 80's there was only 3 SYSTEM themes - Space, Castle and Town (or does Train make 4?). Then Pirates joined in 89 and then Paradisa in 92. From 1994 onwards the number of themes exploded and their life span shortened, which from my perspective didn't seem like a brainwave because the 90's only yielded 3 decent themes (Western, Adventurers and Ninja) and a lot of garbage.

Then we look at 2000 onwards. What decent themes have we had in this time period? Orient Expedition (arugably the final 2 years of Adventurers however), Vikings and the beloved Star Wars. Maybe Town or World City or whatever that has evolved into is alright, but I'm not familiar enough with the sets to make an assessment.

Rather than having a short theme based on every thing imaginable I'd rather have a long established theme that I can follow. But The LEGO Company doesn't really care what I like, so expect to see more short half-arsed themes that go nowhere, and perhaps the occassional decent one that never gets a chance to go anywhere. Like Vikings for example.

Fixed for emphasis! I did so "AMEN" to that!

Indeed Lego should introduce sets that have the possibility to become classics. I cannot imagine anyone drooling over our current lines (KK2, E-F, Alpha T. aso.) in the years to come like people do with revered classic-castle or classic-space.

[Mister Phes]

Like everything these days... The attitude is "Who cares about giving it the potential to become a classic, just so long as has enough contempory appeal to makes a quick buck..."

[Djole]

That machine seems to be a good set....and a number of figs is better than good...

I'm surely gonna buy this one...Viking minfigs are VERY good...i really like them...

And other set...hm...you can seriosly hurt somebody with that catapult....

I mean-it's TOO BIG...It could be simplier...and that dragon...BIONICLE is on that way >>>>>>

Vikings are awsome theme...I wish they did that 10years ago...

greetings from Serbia

[snefroe]

still, we're seeing more and more signs that vikings will have been dropped by 2007. yesterday TT showed me a photo with the parts he found in the Billund PAB and there was lots of vikings stuff in it, like 4x4 viking shields, the tan masts,... It's as if they're getting rid of all the left overs...

[Mister Phes]

They're getting rid of the Vikings to make way for new Pirates! :-D

[xwingyoda]

They're getting rid of the Vikings to make way for new Pirates! :-D

One can only hope ;-)

*yoda*

[KimT]

still, we're seeing more and more signs that vikings will have been dropped by 2007. yesterday TT showed me a photo with the parts he found in the Billund PAB and there was lots of vikings stuff in it, like 4x4 viking shields, the tan masts,... It's as if they're getting rid of all the left overs...

What shields? The decorated radar dishes or the old technic part? As for the tan masts - I'd get rid of those too if I was LEGO. This isn't a sure sign that they'l drop the theme. Maybe they have something better in store than more longboats with tan masts ;-)

I surely don't hope that they'll drop this their best non-licensed theme in years :'-(

KimT

[snefroe]

still, we're seeing more and more signs that vikings will have been dropped by 2007. yesterday TT showed me a photo with the parts he found in the Billund PAB and there was lots of vikings stuff in it, like 4x4 viking shields, the tan masts,... It's as if they're getting rid of all the left overs...

What shields? The decorated radar dishes or the old technic part? As for the tan masts - I'd get rid of those too if I was LEGO. This isn't a sure sign that they'l drop the theme. Maybe they have something better in store than more longboats with tan masts ;-)

I surely don't hope that they'll drop this their best non-licensed theme in years :'-(

KimT

yep, i was refering to those 4x4 radar discs, but i also saw the dark red 4x4 disc from the longboat in it...

[KimT]

I'm sure it's a mistake letting the 4x4 radar dishes become a part of the PAB.

please let it be a mistake :'-( :'-(

KimT

[SuvieD]

One problem I see is that the vikings have no personal enemy. Castle has Vladek and others, Star Wars and Harry Potter both have baddies, Bionicle is based on the protection of islands by going to battle and even the town sets have robbers to add an element of "bad" guy. The monsters in the viking line are just that monsters. If LEGO introduced a group of bad guys behind the monsters or even someone to ride on the monsters I think it would appeal more to the 10 year old boys. It wouldn't need some huge story or anything, just some human enemies.

They didn't make the vikings historical and they never went into the Norse mythology much so this left vikings to just be sets. Similar to the 80's, which is great for the older fans but there is a reason LEGO has not returned to the 80's style sets. They make what sells best and sad to say I don't think vikings are a big profit maker. I think viking was a great idea but it is going the way of the ninja. In five years it will be hard to find and very expensive.

Sad really.

I really want the new sets. I will get the smaller one for the figures and the nice seige weapon parts and the larger for the dragon parts mostly. I like the new wheels and all the horn parts in both. In general these sets are great.

Even more than the sets though I would love to be able to get a hour at PaB in Billund. *sweet*

[snefroe]

One problem I see is that the vikings have no personal enemy. Castle has Vladek and others, Star Wars and Harry Potter both have baddies, Bionicle is based on the protection of islands by going to battle and even the town sets have robbers to add an element of "bad" guy. The monsters in the viking line are just that monsters. If LEGO introduced a group of bad guys behind the monsters or even someone to ride on the monsters I think it would appeal more to the 10 year old boys. It wouldn't need some huge story or anything, just some human enemies.

They didn't make the vikings historical and they never went into the Norse mythology much so this left vikings to just be sets. Similar to the 80's, which is great for the older fans but there is a reason LEGO has not returned to the 80's style sets. They make what sells best and sad to say I don't think vikings are a big profit maker. I think viking was a great idea but it is going the way of the ninja. In five years it will be hard to find and very expensive.

Sad really.

I really want the new sets. I will get the smaller one for the figures and the nice seige weapon parts and the larger for the dragon parts mostly. I like the new wheels and all the horn parts in both. In general these sets are great.

Even more than the sets though I would love to be able to get a hour at PaB in Billund. *sweet*

I agree. i think you need a minifig vs minifig theme if you want it to be of any interest to kids. I don't expect kids to use the serpent to fight the poor vikings, they'll most likely build a second ship with more vikings or other minifigs.

i just hope they won't follow the same procedure when or if they ever produce a pirate line... i think that would seriously screw up the line...

yeah, i was very mad at TT last night when he showed me his picture with this red bucket filled with goodies, but i'm over the shock now... This was, btw, not the regular pab, but the huge box they fill every night/morning with parts from unsold or out of production sets... at least i think so...

[Christian]

One problem I see is that the vikings have no personal enemy. Castle has Vladek and others, Star Wars and Harry Potter both have baddies, Bionicle is based on the protection of islands by going to battle and even the town sets have robbers to add an element of "bad" guy. The monsters in the viking line are just that monsters. If LEGO introduced a group of bad guys behind the monsters or even someone to ride on the monsters I think it would appeal more to the 10 year old boys. It wouldn't need some huge story or anything, just some human enemies.

They didn't make the vikings historical and they never went into the Norse mythology much so this left vikings to just be sets. Similar to the 80's, which is great for the older fans but there is a reason LEGO has not returned to the 80's style sets. They make what sells best and sad to say I don't think vikings are a big profit maker. I think viking was a great idea but it is going the way of the ninja. In five years it will be hard to find and very expensive.

Sad really.

I really want the new sets. I will get the smaller one for the figures and the nice seige weapon parts and the larger for the dragon parts mostly. I like the new wheels and all the horn parts in both. In general these sets are great.

Even more than the sets though I would love to be able to get a hour at PaB in Billund. *sweet*

I agree. i think you need a minifig vs minifig theme if you want it to be of any interest to kids. I don't expect kids to use the serpent to fight the poor vikings, they'll most likely build a second ship with more vikings or other minifigs.

i just hope they won't follow the same procedure when or if they ever produce a pirate line... i think that would seriously screw up the line...

yeah, i was very mad at TT last night when he showed me his picture with this red bucket filled with goodies, but i'm over the shock now... This was, btw, not the regular pab, but the huge box they fill every night/morning with parts from unsold or out of production sets... at least i think so...

The big box that you talk about that it might be from(not the Pba one), does not only consist of bricks which are out of production, but also of bricks which they have in too large quantities, which might very well be the case with these bricks from the viking line. Atleast that is how I think it works, but I am not sure.

BTW when speaking of this box, I must admit that I once found all of the sealed bags for a republic gunship.

Even though that I do belive that this means that the viking line is on its way out of production, do I really hope that it is not!

[xwingyoda]

He he, after Bluish greys and Reddish Brown, I sense a new whinning topic :-D :-P

*yoda*

[KimT]

He he, after Bluish greys and Reddish Brown, I sense a new whinning topic :-D :-P

*yoda*

ROFL

KimT

[gusmoore17]

Here's another REALLY BIG PROBLEM with TLC Marketing!!:

As the Admin's Guys must know, here at eurobricks.com comunity there are a lot of AFOLs from Latinamerica, I have seen people must from Brazil, a guy from Colombia and me, hehe, from Mexico. The point is that in the past years, TLC at our countries has made such an effort on bringing only the "movie" sets and making the little boys to forget about lines such as Vikings, Knights' Kingdom, Adventurers (Orient Expedition specifically) and this year we're not getting any line but Exo Force and the basic Star Wars Sets (no KK, no ISD, no Jabba's Sailbarge, of course no Vikings, a few Bionicle stuff, no new Ferrari ones, no Nickelodeon, NO BATMAN!!, >:-( ).

So, Hello!! Here in Latinamerica TLC has lots and lots of real followers, such as Mr. Phes for example who really misses the 80's wave, such as me who have seen the change from Forest Men to KKII, passing by King Leo's sets....Others who have collected every single Star Wars sets and that now (like me) have to buy the new and good stuff from Ebay.com and at very very expensive costs (Pay Pal, Intl. Money Order, plus shipment, the fastest because if not maybe someone at the post office sees the packages inside and steal the Lego sets, it has happened to me, etc, etc). :'-(

If TLC is complaining about their financial results, and its taking back such loving sets like the Vikings line, it's because their marketing department plus the "genious" designers who are guilty of making such rubbish like "System scale Bionicle" are making the boys not only forget about the good stuff Lego sets are, but getting interest in things like MegaBlocks.

:-D Yeah!, finally I could speak for us!!!! *sweet*

[snefroe]

Here's another REALLY BIG PROBLEM with TLC Marketing!!:

As the Admin's Guys must know, here at eurobricks.com comunity there are a lot of AFOLs from Latinamerica, I have seen people must from Brazil, a guy from Colombia and me, hehe, from Mexico. The point is that in the past years, TLC at our countries has made such an effort on bringing only the "movie" sets and making the little boys to forget about lines such as Vikings, Knights' Kingdom, Adventurers (Orient Expedition specifically) and this year we're not getting any line but Exo Force and the basic Star Wars Sets (no KK, no ISD, no Jabba's Sailbarge, of course no Vikings, a few Bionicle stuff, no new Ferrari ones, no Nickelodeon, NO BATMAN!!, >:-( ).

So, Hello!! Here in Latinamerica TLC has lots and lots of real followers, such as Mr. Phes for example who really misses the 80's wave, such as me who have seen the change from Forest Men to KKII, passing by King Leo's sets....Others who have collected every single Star Wars sets and that now (like me) have to buy the new and good stuff from Ebay.com and at very very expensive costs (Pay Pal, Intl. Money Order, plus shipment, the fastest because if not maybe someone at the post office sees the packages inside and steal the Lego sets, it has happened to me, etc, etc). :'-(

If TLC is complaining about their financial results, and its taking back such loving sets like the Vikings line, it's because their marketing department plus the "genious" designers who are guilty of making such rubbish like "System scale Bionicle" are making the boys not only forget about the good stuff Lego sets are, but getting interest in things like MegaBlocks.

:-D Yeah!, finally I could speak for us!!!! *sweet*

i'm curious... so what did you guys get in the 80's? did you get Classic space, town, trains... anything?

[daz]

Hi

New viking sets are now up for preorder on amazon.co.uk, release 10 AUG

7020

[xwingyoda]

Tks daz for this news which reveals that those sets are quite expensive: 26 and 36

[snefroe]

Tks daz for this news which reveals that those sets are quite expensive: 26 and 36