Space is Back...

[vahkimetru]

I wish... :$ Its just a photo edit by me, so don't get too excited. But hey, isn't this so cool!

Remember, just a fake. :excl:

[blueandwhite]

I've never understood why some fans are so eager to see the return of classic-space. Its not as if there aren't enough space-themed sets in the pipeline with Star Wars and Exo Force. These sets provide a plethora of great space-related bricks which can easily be used to MOC original spaceships. So I guess my question is: What is the appeal of classic space?

Later.

[vahkimetru]

I've never understood why some fans are so eager to see the return of classic-space. Its not as if there aren't enough space-themed sets in the pipeline with Star Wars and Exo Force. These sets provide a plethora of great space-related bricks which can easily be used to MOC original spaceships. So I guess my question is: What is the appeal of classic space?

Later.

Well, fans love the SW sets. (I know I do), but they want to see LEGO do some more original work.

[xwingyoda]

Classic Space was a fantastic theme 8-

[xenologer]

I've never understood why some fans are so eager to see the return of classic-space. Its not as if there aren't enough space-themed sets in the pipeline with Star Wars and Exo Force. These sets provide a plethora of great space-related bricks which can easily be used to MOC original spaceships. So I guess my question is: What is the appeal of classic space?

Later.

I don't consider StarWars to be science fiction, and the exo-force stuff is rather.... mecha based. So while those themes look kinda 'tech-y or spacey' they don't really have the same attitude or spirit of the classic space themes.

As far as these sets go for MOC space parts. Exo-Force, is ok, its mostly old system bricks and colors. SW is... kinda bad, since it uses a lot of specialized SW pieces and colors 'jedi-red', the *I wanted to say that this set contains a lot of big pieces but didn't want to take the time to write it all, so I used the word "<insert that tiresome argument>" instead* printed cockpits from the JediStarfighter or Tiefighter... for some examples, and consequently I find that even when building my own MOCs, if they used SW pieces they tend to end up looking StarWars-like.

[snefroe]

I've never understood why some fans are so eager to see the return of classic-space. Its not as if there aren't enough space-themed sets in the pipeline with Star Wars and Exo Force. These sets provide a plethora of great space-related bricks which can easily be used to MOC original spaceships. So I guess my question is: What is the appeal of classic space?

Later.

ok... you're toutching very sensitive grounds here :-P :-P :-P

1) clasic space and sw is not the same at all and cs doesn't even compare with exo. sw is all about specific characters of a film, it's all about specific models of craft, trucks,... they are built around 6 films. sw is all about following lines and orders what to design, what can and can't be allowed. Classic space is the opposite, it's about creating things that don't nessecarily have to look like real models, it's just about a bunch of astronauts flying around, or driving around on the surface of a weird planet in a cool, or weird looking hovercraft, speeder, car, ... I don't know if you're into drawing, but the difference between sw and classic space is like the difference between drawing based on acurate and detailed observation on the one hand, and drawing comics on the other.

2) you're saying people are building space mocs with whatever parts they can find, very often sw parts, and many are great at it. You're right. you don't need an official line with "classic space" ships, however, imagine what lego designers would be able to do if they would actualy get the resources of the company to back them up. They themselves could build huge space ships the size of a crawler or a blockade runner for half the price or so with 10 astronauts, instead 3 or 4, of which one is yet another "luke" or whatever ... just think: a space ship the size of a star destroyer for "only" 150$!

3) several sets are truly great designs if you think about the limited options they had back then. several space sets are truly magnificent, like the Galaxy Explorer it has everythng you want: it's multifunctional, lots of room for additional stuff, it looks beautiful, the color combination is great,... it's very sophisticated, for its time... or take the All-Terrain Vehicle . i tried for years to build a truck with a radar station like this type... it's simple, it's solid ... it was just what i wanted at that point. it had so much playability to it... and don't get me started on futuron or blacktron 1! :-P :-P that radar station of blacktron was just brilliant!! never saw anything after that, that even came close!

[xenologer]

This post does give me a Crazy Idea...

some builders sell instructions for their own custom models (usually on cd or something nice)

additionally, some sell bricks (bricklink for one)

What If:

some of the more talented fans of Classic Space, started building their own designs in the CS spirit, and started to sell instructions and the bricks to go with them?

Would there be a big enough support market?

Would Lego take the hint?

[blueandwhite]

ok... you're toutching very sensitive grounds here :-P :-P :-P

I aim to please :-D !

Seriously, I know that this is a big issue for some classic-spacers (much like the classic-castle fans who demand the return of a traditional castle line). I'm simply pointing out the virtues of other lines which have kept a steady stream of sci-fi related LEGO elements coming our way.

1) clasic space and sw is not the same at all and cs doesn't even compare with exo. sw is all about specific characters of a film, it's all about specific models of craft, trucks,... they are built around 6 films. sw is all about following lines and orders what to design, what can and can't be allowed. Classic space is the opposite, it's about creating things that don't nessecarily have to look like real models, it's just about a bunch of astronauts flying around, or driving around on the surface of a weird planet in a cool, or weird looking hovercraft, speeder, car, ... I don't know if you're into drawing, but the difference between sw and classic space is like the difference between drawing based on acurate and detailed observation on the one hand, and drawing comics on the other.

Again, I never suggested that Star Wars was classic-space, or that the two lines were essentially the same. I was simply observing that Star Wars provides spacers with as many, if not more space-related elements than classic-space did. And yes, I have a degree in fine arts, so I am familiar with art. I see things a bit differently. For me, the bricks themselves are your medium. What you do with them is your choice. If you prefer the fantastical retro-designs of the 1980s, nothing prohibits you from making a MOC that reflects your preference.

2) you're saying people are building space mocs with whatever parts they can find, very often sw parts, and many are great at it. You're right. you don't need an official line with "classic space" ships, however, imagine what lego designers would be able to do if they would actualy get the resources of the company to back them up. They themselves could build huge space ships the size of a crawler or a blockade runner for half the price or so with 10 astronauts, instead 3 or 4, of which one is yet another "luke" or whatever ... just think: a space ship the size of a star destroyer for "only" 150$!

That's the problem. LEGO will never throw as much support behind its own brands (an unfortunate truth) because they are untested. Star Wars likely sells more sets to Star Wars fans than it does to LEGO fans. Accordingly, LEGO is more than willing to throw a plethora of money into the line. Classic Space on the other hand has a smaller following of older fans who yearn for days past. These AFOLs may lust for a true successor to classic-space, but there is no evidence to suggest that younger fans feel the same way. Like the Pirate, and Castle lines, there is nothing to suggest that classic-space will succeed now when LEGO was struggling with it so much in the 1990s. This means that LEGO is going to be far more skeptical when launching a new Space line. If such a line were to be developed, it would likely be akin to KKII; a line made up largely of *I wanted to say that this set contains a lot of big pieces but didn't want to take the time to write it all, so I used the word "<insert that tiresome argument>" instead* and existing elements, with a few new bricks to keep people interested.

3) several sets are truly great designs if you think about the limited options they had back then. several space sets are truly magnificent, like the Galaxy Explorer it has everythng you want: it's multifunctional, lots of room for additional stuff, it looks beautiful, the color combination is great,... it's very sophisticated, for its time... or take the All-Terrain Vehicle . i tried for years to build a truck with a radar station like this type... it's simple, it's solid ... it was just what i wanted at that point. it had so much playability to it... and don't get me started on futuron or blacktron 1! :-P :-P that radar station of blacktron was just brilliant!! never saw anything after that, that even came close!

Where did this come from?

I never suggested that the classic space designs were lacking. I simply noted that Star Wars and Exo Force are giving fans alot of space-related LEGO, such that MOCing space articles should be relatively easy. I just wondered why fans continue to find these classic lines so appealing in light of newer lines which provide an incredible wealth of new bricks. I'm a huge classic-castle fan (and I hate KKII), but I don't really see the appeal of returning to the past and reinventing the wheel as it were.

Just my opinion mind you,

Later.

[xenologer]

... Well like I said

The new SW sets arent very good in terms of MOCing parts.

They all have the new SW windscreens and SW colors.

Cant rebuild an old Classic Space set if you don't have the colors or the parts you wanted, right?

What am I going to do with a silly windscreen that has a tie fighter pattern on it, or a jedi starfighter on it, or millenum falcon pattern....

all I want is some of these:

but you have to concede, that the chances of them appearing in a set as long as SW is the focus theme is pretty slim.

StarWars is about recreating sets that look just like the stuff from the movies, and that means, custom pieces all over the place that end up being not too useful elsewhere.... Any spaceship that uses a Tie Fighter Windscreen as its cockpit suddenly looks like its trying to copy the Tie Fighter cockpit....

[vahkimetru]

I'm familiar with Classic Space from my older cousins (18 and 22 years old) who have huge tubs of classic castle and classic space parts in their house. I think if we mixed the advanced building methods of today, and the good old parts and minifigures from yesterday, we'd have a nice theme.

ut has anyone even taken a look at my photo edit and thought of commenting?

[xenologer]

ut has anyone even taken a look at my photo edit and thought of commenting?

right then...

I think you could do with less stars in the background, they are visually really distracting....

also, the right side of the box is slanted at the wrong angle, it should be vertical like the left side.

lastly, did you use flash photography on the ship itself? it has some really harsh highlights on all the studs, if you could take the photo outdoors in natural light it might come out better.

[gerkenz]

all I want is some of these:

but you have to concede, that the chances of them appearing in a set as long as SW is the focus theme is pretty slim.

Hmm the parts are not rar I think: for example:

there a plenty of sets using this part in numerous colors without any pattern:

see peeron fo the set: Part 2507

and search for it at bricklinks to get them starting by $0.165

You just have a problem with grapping this part in trans-yellow ;)

[snefroe]

i'm not going for the "it used to be a lot better" argument either. i don't see the point in going back to classic space as it used to be. there are some pics of a "classic space world" on brickshelf, and sure, they are very nice, but at the same time, they're dated... i'd love to see a legend of some kind, but i wouldn't go back to that world. However, as i stated in my second point of my originel post, i think the designers would be able to produce a great space theme. as a fan of space i'd go nuts if that were to happen, (like phes going crazy if lego were to start a new qualitative pirate line :-P ). Sure, fans produce brilliant stuff as well, but they usually don't produce a coherent theme (ship, medium ship, large ship, truck, spacestation). they just build a ship. however, if giddens' stuff would ever be sold by lego as a product, i'd buy it, no doubt.

in my third point i was going back to the original question of the topic. why is it so appealing? It had great designs... that doesn't mean i don't like the later stuff, i usually try to buy all the lego sets i like, whatever theme, even tho classic space would be my favourite...

i agree, they will only spend a lot of money in garanteed hits, like sw. they won't step into a new adventure like "neo classic space".

[Sting]

Space fans should be happy. I'm not sure, but I know that TONNES of castle fans would kill for a Lord of the Rings Theme with the quality of the Star Wars theme. Same goes for a well-designed Pirates of the Carribean Theme. I would be in joy buying these sets, and even if they have SOME specialized parts that blatantly make it of the LOTR or POTC world, you can take those out and use the other 90-95% pieces that aren't super specialized.

Space fans should be happy they are still getting blasters, windshields, engines, boosters, yadayayada! I would love the return of Classic Space (I used to be a HUGE space fan... I have tonnes of Classic Space sets and parts that I dont use anymore because I am a Pirates/Castle/Adventurers fan... I wish I had realzied this when I was younger). If Classic Space returned it'd be a step in the right direction!

And vahkimetru... do you want comments on the set or the photoshopping... because the set is a little hard to see.

[Morten]

I am very fond of Classic space. Why? Because it

[Brett96s]

I've never understood why some fans are so eager to see the return of classic-space. Its not as if there aren't enough space-themed sets in the pipeline with Star Wars and Exo Force. These sets provide a plethora of great space-related bricks which can easily be used to MOC original spaceships. So I guess my question is: What is the appeal of classic space?

Later.

Classic space is the greatest because there were no boundaries and you could use your imagination for a wold that didnt exsits , like star Wars there was a back ground story. In classic space you could do what ever and it would just feel like a new theme and set everytime.

[The Hordesman]

Appeal?

Cool factions, nice logos, som of the colorschemes like the Ice Planet, were AWESOME. Also, the set design was nifty.

The only negative thing about it was the motorcycle helmets and silly robots, but apart from that, it rocked. It was when UFO and Insectoids appeared that classic space fell, but it was probably not because of these factions but under their time, it was hard getting anything else than UFOs under its year and Insectoids under its year. The classic first theme may have been one-factioned, but when Lego produces aliens they should understand that people want some humans for them to fight, Exploriens did exist the first year of the UFO, but they became hard to find that year. Thus, the loss of classic space due to bad sales, I believe.

[blueandwhite]

Classic space is the greatest because there were no boundaries and you could use your imagination for a wold that didnt exsits , like star Wars there was a back ground story. In classic space you could do what ever and it would just feel like a new theme and set everytime.

No boundries? There are no boundries with any line of LEGO product. Just because the box says Star Wars, Exo Force, Harry Potter or Knight's Kingdom doesn't mean you are limited by what you can build. As Sting observed, Star Wars provides tons of bricks that are useful in MOCing a Spaceship/station of your own design. There are hundreds of original non-Star Wars torsos and heads out there which can easily be used to make a colourful crew of astronauts. I guess I can understand that some people feel some nostalgia for the lines they grew up with, but to suggest that a licence actually hampers what you build is beyond comprehension. Bricks are just bricks. Many can be used for any MOC in any theme. The one thing Star Wars does give spacers more than any other line is a steady flow of bricks that can easily be incorporated into an awsome array of Space MOCs.

And that's a good thing, isn't it?

Later.

[Jipay]

I was a fan of the UFO sets actually. I really liked the helmets and the cool fibre optics. But I was really much into Blacktron/mtron space police and ICE Planet. Those were cool sets *sing*

Classic space is the greatest because there were no boundaries and you could use your imagination for a wold that didnt exsits , like star Wars there was a back ground story. In classic space you could do what ever and it would just feel like a new theme and set everytime.

No boundries? There are no boundries with any line of LEGO product. Just because the box says Star Wars, Exo Force, Harry Potter or Knight's Kingdom doesn't mean you are limited by what you can build. As Sting observed, Star Wars provides tons of bricks that are useful in MOCing a Spaceship/station of your own design. There are hundreds of original non-Star Wars torsos and heads out there which can easily be used to make a colourful crew of astronauts. I guess I can understand that some people feel some nostalgia for the lines they grew up with, but to suggest that a licence actually hampers what you build is beyond comprehension. Bricks are just bricks. Many can be used for any MOC in any theme. The one thing Star Wars does give spacers more than any other line is a steady flow of bricks that can easily be incorporated into an awsome array of Space MOCs.

And that's a good thing, isn't it?

Later.

Actually, everything was done for the kids to be creative on the old lego sets : alternate models, huge displays of lego sets into the catalogues. Now they only present the models one by one, no alternative model is proposed on the back of the booklet *wacko*

[Starwars4J]

I was a fan of the UFO sets actually. I really liked the helmets and the cool fibre optics. But I was really much into Blacktron/mtron space police and ICE Planet. Those were cool sets *sing*

Classic space is the greatest because there were no boundaries and you could use your imagination for a wold that didnt exsits , like star Wars there was a back ground story. In classic space you could do what ever and it would just feel like a new theme and set everytime.

No boundries? There are no boundries with any line of LEGO product. Just because the box says Star Wars, Exo Force, Harry Potter or Knight's Kingdom doesn't mean you are limited by what you can build. As Sting observed, Star Wars provides tons of bricks that are useful in MOCing a Spaceship/station of your own design. There are hundreds of original non-Star Wars torsos and heads out there which can easily be used to make a colourful crew of astronauts. I guess I can understand that some people feel some nostalgia for the lines they grew up with, but to suggest that a licence actually hampers what you build is beyond comprehension. Bricks are just bricks. Many can be used for any MOC in any theme. The one thing Star Wars does give spacers more than any other line is a steady flow of bricks that can easily be incorporated into an awsome array of Space MOCs.

And that's a good thing, isn't it?

Later.

Actually, everything was done for the kids to be creative on the old lego sets : alternate models, huge displays of lego sets into the catalogues. Now they only present the models one by one, no alternative model is proposed on the back of the booklet *wacko*

Thankfully they brought that back in a limited fashion with Vikings, they had a great display on the instructions and boxes like the old days :'-)

[vahkimetru]

Thanky you Jipay for putting my topic in the news!

I liked the Blacktrons except their torsos were useless with that huge 'B'...

I think my cousins should sell some of their classic space. One has a solid stud minifig head! :ohmy:

[Jipay]

Well we almost all do have this kind of minifig heads... *sweet*

[vahkimetru]

I know, I'm younger than most members, so I don't. The hollow stud works better actuaally, because the possbilities are more...

[Beagle]

Cool topic! Classic Space was definitely one of the first Lego lines that really got me hooked. I was born in '78 and am 28 now, so for me the heyday of Space Lego was the old blue and grey sets and the first incarnation of Blacktron (before the big "B" on their chest!). I started to drift away from it around the Blacktron II/M-Tron/Space Police period.... but enough self-indulgent rambling, on to why I think Classic Space is so cool:

1. The focus was on exploration and colonization, not war-making. While there were pieces that could be considered "guns", they were underplayed and could serve multiple purposes.

2. Classic Space brought a fantastic level of detail to Lego pieces. In addition to simple bricks, we now had tiny computer screens and readouts, little levers and radar dishes, and all those wonderful transparent windows and lights. Even in the design of the sets there were always neat little hidden things... compartments that opened to reveal cargo, smaller ships hidden inside larger ships, etc.

3. The playability of the sets was high. The space stations, moonbases and spacecraft all had nicely compartmentalized interiors which seemed to suggest a real sense of "living quarters" in space. For some reason it fascinated me as a kid (and still does) that these little Lego spacemen had a sprawling environment in which they lived and worked... they could arrive in a shuttle, and walk down an airtight corridor to a control room, grab a cup of coffee and stare at their little Lego computer screens. :-) I really enjoyed the design of these environments, particularly those corridors because they really made it seem like there was a tiny little functional world in scale with the minifigs. Does any of this make sense? I feel like it's kind of an abstract concept that I'm not explaining very well. I guess I just liked the idea that in the cold, empty vacuum of space, my minifigs had a self-contained little environment they could call home. I think my favorite Classic Space set, the one that best illustrates that intangible quality to which I'm referring, is 6987, the Blacktron Message Intercept Base.

Anyway, sorry for being long-winded. :-)

[SuvieD]

Simplicity in design and parts. Life was simple the brick was simple. Every part was useful and mocs relied on creativity not specialty pieces.

I myself prefer the original Blacktron and Space Police series.

I don't like many of the new parts for making space stuff. It just isn't the same. Click hinges for one are destoying many of the possibilities in ships due to the greater thickness. Yet they are helping in others such as Mecha and landing gear. LEGO and many other companies have said children just don't have the imagination that they used to back in the days of the classics. I say it is because they quit pushing imagination by pumping out the story driven junk we see everywhere now. I'll admit it does sell but it may not be promoting the creative process as it once did.

That is why classic (insert theme) is better than the stuff from today. For me at least.