Fugazi Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 Baseplates are big pieces of plastic which contribute very little to the set's function, have little versatility as pieces, and aren't really integral to any of the interesting parts of a set's build. If LEGO has to cut costs to keep prices low, I think baseplates are a perfectly OK place to cut them. I don't have a clue of what the official policy is, but it seems that TLG now tries to avoid the old baseplates as much as possible, and has started replacing them with extra-large regular plates like 16x16 and such. This is true for System sets but also for Games, Creator... Actually I think this is not a bad thing at all, as the regular plates are much more versatile than the old baseplates. Quote
meyerc13 Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 I don't know... think how nice the marina would look with something like one of the old baseplate with river pattern included. There are pluses and minuses to that idea. On the positive side, I've seen some great MOC that use those old printed baseplates, and you can't buy them separately - only road, green, and blue baseplates. On the negative side, if they included the baseplate, they'd probably include less large plates in the set, and I like having those for MOC purposes. And the large baseplates give you less flexibility in laying out the set the way that you want it. I think the perfect compromise is to have various baseplates available for special order, since they don't include them in sets any longer. I know I can buy them used on Bricklink, but I'd rather buy new from LEGO. Quote
Aanchir Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 I don't know... think how nice the marina would look with something like one of the old baseplate with river pattern included. There are pluses and minuses to that idea. On the positive side, I've seen some great MOC that use those old printed baseplates, and you can't buy them separately - only road, green, and blue baseplates. On the negative side, if they included the baseplate, they'd probably include less large plates in the set, and I like having those for MOC purposes. And the large baseplates give you less flexibility in laying out the set the way that you want it. I think the perfect compromise is to have various baseplates available for special order, since they don't include them in sets any longer. I know I can buy them used on Bricklink, but I'd rather buy new from LEGO. I agree completely on that point. Some of the ridiculous BURPs we used to have are in retrospect a little excessive. But things like river plates would be nice to be able to purchase seperately, for those of us who have space for an actual "tabletown" or train layout. A problem with the "river plates", of course, is that they're just road plates with different printing. And a road plate tends to have a fairly narrow "smooth space" relative to what you'd need for the Marina's big boat, sailboard, and the already-large footprint of the set You'd need at least two baseplates to make enough space for playing on, which would surely at least double the set's footprint. And then you still wouldn't have any "open water"-- just a narrow inlet! I appreciate a good baseplate (I have a fairly large collection at home), but this is just one example of how their usefulness is limited. They're also no good for large multi-lane highways, inclined roads, or many other applications. This is one reason my baseplates at home are either used for the set they came with or stacked up in a bin, rarely coming out except for ambitious MOC projects that never get finished. Quote
Joebot Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Baseplates are big pieces of plastic which contribute very little to the set's function, have little versatility as pieces, and aren't really integral to any of the interesting parts of a set's build. If LEGO has to cut costs to keep prices low, I think baseplates are a perfectly OK place to cut them. Personally, I don't see how a baseplate would contribute much to this set. It would make play a lot "bumpier" if you should want to slide the boats and/or sailboards around in front of the marina, or under that arch. In my opinion, the current layout works just fine. A baseplate may not add function, but I think it adds a lot to the visual appeal, especially for Lego sets that are designed as location-based playsets (as opposed to vehicles). For example, I bought a couple of the Prince of Persia sets last year. They're decent sets, but they seem so empty once they're built, because they're just little structures floating in space. Stick them on a big tan baseplate though, and they look much better. Or look at the new upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean sets. That new London Escape set looks pretty nice, but again, it's just a little building and two carriages in an empty void. Imagine if it came with a printed baseplate, like that old Wild West dirt track, but printed with a cobblestone street pattern instead. NOW the set starts to feel like an actual physical location. I agree with meyerc13 that a good compromise would be if TLC had a wider range of baseplates avaialble for sale through Pick-a-Brick. I would love different sizes (8x16, 16x16, 16x32, 32x32) in different colors (green, blue, grey, brown, white, tan). Quote
Vindicare Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Like it says...anyone know if 3648 is available in the US? I haven't seen it at TRU yet, or at Target. Also, is it like the bank set and is exclusive to Target? I'm making this thread because I did post the question in the general city 2011 sets, but got no answer and I'd really like to get this set! Quote
Fuzzylegobricks Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 No, This Set Is For European Lego Costumers Only Quote
lightningtiger Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 No, This Set Is For European Lego Costumers Only Buzz....wrong.....Target in Australia will be have this set sadly though mid-year toy sale I believe (thanks to Lego Aussie HQ in Sydney).....hence even though connected by name only.....Target US might have it ! Keep on asking ! Quote
AllanSmith Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 No, This Set Is For European Lego Costumers Only New Zealand has it. I bought mine about a month ago. Quote
romdam Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) The marina set looks like junk regardless of whether it would have a baseplate or not. The seaport as well with no real dock type thing. They take steps forward with city corner and the family house then 3 steps back with these sets. Edited February 11, 2011 by romdam Quote
LEGO Guy Bri Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) Hopefully release this set in the U.S. soon .(they better) I could be talking (typing) out of the side of my face but, I always thought the European market had some new sets available before it makes it to the U.S. I know the U.S. market is to big for TLG to not sell here. Hope that is the case.. If I remember correctly, the first time I saw 3222 Heli and Limo on eBay, I immediately checked S@H and had to change region before I could get a price on it. It was another month or so before I saw it on my own region. Edited February 11, 2011 by Leg Godt Gud Quote
MAH4546 Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 No, This Set Is For European Lego Costumers Only Absolutely not. It will be a late release in the United States and available this summer. I believe in the U.S. it will be a Wal*Mart exclusive. Quote
Vindicare Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Absolutely not. It will be a late release in the United States and available this summer. I believe in the U.S. it will be a Wal*Mart exclusive. Grr...I hate waiting for sets sometimes. Can we get a confirmation to the Wal Mart exclusive. Quote
LEGO Guy Bri Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 I don't understand the point of TLG releasing many of the sets as originally planned (i.e. police Dec-Jan or Bank Jan.) in the U.S. but, held back the Police Chase... I wander what this means for the U.S. release of sets like the Marina, Harbor, Speed Boat, S.B. Transport, etc... Quote
The Yellow Brick Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 New sets have appeared over at brickset Look at that nice couple Quote
prateek Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 Woah! These are some of the best polybags I've seen in a long time! Quote
freeedrik Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 Woah! These are some of the best polybags I've seen in a long time! The best polybags i've EVER seen :D Quote
buddy Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 Woah! These are some of the best polybags I've seen in a long time! I have to agree with you there, they both look excellent. I hope that they will free with the Daily Mirror here in the UK. ~buddy~ Quote
Brickviller Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 These look very good, especially the one with the astronaut, sadly it won't be avaliable in regular stores otherwise I would buy at least then (s of thousands ) Quote
lightningtiger Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) COOL two minifigs in a co-promo bag ......but aw, man (as Ben10 would say)....we in the land of Oz don't get newspaper promo's like that. Two things about the other I noticed, first which is COOL...stacks of the new 1x4 trans-blue tiles but secondly, why is our space mechanic using a giant spanner/screwdriver on that eh ? The jet ski looks easy to copy.....might knock up a few from my river town. Brick On Everyone ! Quick edit...... 30015 instructions Plus scan down on to page two of said instructions and we have all the new harbour sets ! Edited February 12, 2011 by lightningtiger Quote
Brickviller Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 Pic of the Harbour sets They look better than I thought Quote
RubeusHagrid Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 These look very good, especially the one with the astronaut, sadly it won't be avaliable in regular stores otherwise I would buy at least then (s of thousands ) How do you know it won't be in regular stores? Quote
Brickviller Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 How do you know it won't be in regular stores? Well at least not in the country where I live, because they never sell them seperatly here, but maybe in the UK they will be sold but I don't know because I don't live there Quote
The Yellow Brick Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 Look at those amazing harbour sets. I wish lego would release a beach like the one in that scene. Looks like my lego beach will be getting a makeover this year Quote
Zorbas Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 Thanks for the pictures The Red Brick and Brickviller. The promo sets look very good, especially the satellite with the astronaut. The harbour scene looks beautiful too. (That crane is a free ticket to the 80s). Quote
MAH4546 Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 Pic of the Harbour sets They look better than I thought Awesome! Thanks! But do you happen to have a bigger copy of this image? Quote
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