PhysicsCaptain Posted May 30, 2012 Posted May 30, 2012 I hope this isn't true. As the city calendars don't really interest me I haven't ever got one, but I was looking forward to getting the Friends calendar for myself. Quote
SheepEater Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 Just for kicks today, I played dumb at the TRU store and asked for Lego Polly Pocket sets, because my 7 year old niece told me she saw them (a complete lie). The employee redirected me to the Friends set. At the same time I emailed Lego asking them where I can buy the Lego Polly Pocket sets my niece wants. Again, they redirected me to the Friends sets. "We're glad your niece is interested in building! We've never partnered with Polly Pocket, so I'm not sure exactly what your niece saw, but it's possible she was looking at our LEGO Friends line of products, which feature lots of bright colors like purple, aqua, lime green and pink, as well as female characters. I've included a link to our page for this product line to help you determine if this is what your niece saw: "(link to their Friends line) That's it, it was a dumb small experiment I wanted to do, but hey, it was fun. Quote
lightningtiger Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Girls construction toys must be the in-thing now, why ? Mega Bloks has double teamed with Mattel....which means Barbie. Yes, Barbie construction sets......Click here to read about it. Perhaps Lego will have to be more bold and bring out less stereotyped Friend's sets or maybe a licence deal with One Direction or The Wanted ? Quote
Aanchir Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Girls construction toys must be the in-thing now, why ? Mega Bloks has double teamed with Mattel....which means Barbie. Yes, Barbie construction sets......Click here to read about it. Perhaps Lego will have to be more bold and bring out less stereotyped Friend's sets or maybe a licence deal with One Direction or The Wanted ? I think if anything this is the proof I've been waiting for about what a successful experiment LEGO Friends has been. Other companies play follow-the-leader all the time, but for them to be mimicking such a risky business direction is a bit unusual. Granted, this isn't the first time Mega Brands has released girl-oriented licensed toys-- there were Hello Kitty Mega Bloks sets at one point. But I think it still goes without saying that this latest license acquisition is in direct response to the Friends theme. How TLG should respond in turn is a good question. On one hand, depicting scenes that diverge more from typical girls' toy fare would give them something their competition lacks, but on the other hand, it could also cause the girls who like those more stereotypically "girly" activities such as horseback riding and fashion to lose interest in the Friends theme and return to buying other girl-oriented toys instead. With that in mind I think the Friends theme will continue to have a sort of a balance between the sorts of settings and activities you see in other girl-oriented toys all the time like the beauty salon and more diverse stuff like the robot lab. There will also be things that straddle that gap, such as the seaplane set (which isn't girly in anything but color, but isn't all that out-of-the-ordinary for a girl-oriented toy, either). Quote
lightningtiger Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Also the MB girls construction range will be a co-license, Mattel would want a cut the profits. One way Lego could strike back would be with a Disney range for girls similar to Friend's. Let's hope this theme will never end up on the scrap pile like Ninjago would be next year. Quote
Aanchir Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Also the MB girls construction range will be a co-license, Mattel would want a cut the profits. One way Lego could strike back would be with a Disney range for girls similar to Friend's. Let's hope this theme will never end up on the scrap pile like Ninjago would be next year. If it is eliminated like Ninjago, then like Ninjago it will be replaced with something similar from a market standpoint. As long as Friends isn't terribly unsuccessful then there should continue to be girl-oriented LEGO themes even after the Friends theme itself comes to an end. It should be considered that part of the reason TLG is ending Ninjago might not have to do with the sets as much as with the story media. In BIONICLE, sales of the books were on a steady decline even when sales of the sets remained relatively stable, and the original series of movies didn't continue past 2005. With Ninjago, TLG wants to preempt the decline in success that was seen in BIONICLE. So a big part of that decision might be "can the TV show's success remain at its current level?" Since another LEGO TV show is planned for 2013, who knows? It may be that TLG anticipates that a new TV show (and consequently, a new theme to tie in with it) is preferable to sticking to their existing themes until their success stagnates. Friends is not as heavily story-driven as Ninjago, so this reason for cutting themes short might not even factor into the equation. There's a story to Friends (some basic characters and a loose concept connecting them), but from what's been seen so far story media isn't nearly as important to the theme as in Ninjago or even Hero Factory, which as far as we know is continuing in 2013. Quote
legomilk Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Today I was on an exchange. And I was told that the best marketing is successful. And they hope the holidays to sell more than 750,000 sets. Within the top 3 I hopp short pass to you. Quote
just2good Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Today I was on an exchange. And I was told that the best marketing is successful. And they hope the holidays to sell more than 750,000 sets. Within the top 3 I hopp short pass to you. It's good to know Friends is selling well! Quote
Oky Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 Just found this: LEGO Friends: Brickmaster - Treasure Hunt in Heartlake City Features two minifigures, including Chloe — a DK exclusive!When the girls of Heartlake City are around, there's always something cool to do! Now young girls everywhere are invited to join in the fun with DK's LEGO® Friends: Brickmaster. They can follow Mia and Chloe as they search for buried treasure hidden somewhere in Heartlake City or create an adventure of their very own. Featuring more than 100 bricks, two minifigures, and an entertaining book packed with exciting stories and clear building instructions, the LEGO® Friends: Brickmaster will bring creativity and fun together in a way like never before! Available in October. Too bad it doesn't come out sooner as this would have been an excellent parts pack for the current contest! Oh well. By the way, does anyone know when the summer wave will be available in the US? I'm guessing August, but just want to make sure. Also, has it been confirmed that the Advent Calendar is cancelled? Considering the popularity of this theme, it would be a pretty bad move from TLG. Quote
lightningtiger Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 Ha, take that Barbie next year eh ?! AWESOME Brickmaster book for girls......it will be a huge seller ! Great find there 'Oky'. Quote
just2good Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 Looks like a great way to get Mia! And the other figure looks cool, too. Quote
Artanis I Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 With that in mind I think the Friends theme will continue to have a sort of a balance between the sorts of settings and activities you see in other girl-oriented toys all the time like the beauty salon and more diverse stuff like the robot lab. There will also be things that straddle that gap, such as the seaplane set (which isn't girly in anything but color, but isn't all that out-of-the-ordinary for a girl-oriented toy, either). Robot lab?!? Whaaaa..? Did I miss something? Quote
Ricecracker Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 Robot lab?!? Whaaaa..? Did I miss something? I assume he's talking about Olivia's Invention Workshop. Quote
Artanis I Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 I assume he's talking about Olivia's Invention Workshop. I'd say you're probably right. Can't say I've looked at that one long and hard before, just skimmed over the thumbnail. Quote
The Cobra Posted June 24, 2012 Posted June 24, 2012 Also, has it been confirmed that the Advent Calendar is cancelled? Considering the popularity of this theme, it would be a pretty bad move from TLG. [/color] Quoting Model Gal from Brickset: The Friends Advent Calendars were technically cancelled, but they have already been made, so they will be selling in both the European and US markets (I don't know about other markets). It was on the Ambassador Forums and I heard it from Kevin Hinkle himself last weekend. So not to fret, they will be available! Quote
Pandora Posted June 27, 2012 Author Posted June 27, 2012 According to my LEGO VIP Summer catalogue, which flew through the letterbox this morning, the second wave of Friends sets will be available in the UK from August the 1st. To see which sets I'm referring to, please check the pinned Friends topic, or for more in-depth views, we already have a number of reviews (previews) of these sets by Reviewers Academy Teachers and Staff, which can be found in the review index. Quote
Blondie-Wan Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 (edited) Whoa, that Brickmaster book is awesome. Chloe will be a welcome addition to the circle of Friends. I wonder whether she'll be added to "regular" sets down the line - none of the previous DK Brickmaster books have had exclusive figures or anything like that, have they? Quoting Model Gal from Brickset: The Friends Advent Calendars were technically cancelled, but they have already been made, so they will be selling in both the European and US markets (I don't know about other markets). It was on the Ambassador Forums and I heard it from Kevin Hinkle himself last weekend. So not to fret, they will be available! Hrm? I don't understand what "technically cancelled" means, if they've already been produced and will be made available. Does it just mean they cut production short, and that there'll be fewer of them than were originally planned? It sounds like it could become a pretty sought-after item, if it's produced in even lower quantities than most other Advent Calendars and has those cool accessory elements in like skis in distinctive colors... Edited June 27, 2012 by Blondie-Wan Quote
CM4Sci Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 Whoa, that Brickmaster book is awesome. Chloe will be a welcome addition to the circle of Friends. I wonder whether she'll be added to "regular" sets down the line - none of the previous DK Brickmaster books have had exclusive figures or anything like that, have they? Hrm? I don't understand what "technically cancelled" means, if they've already been produced and will be made available. Does it just mean they cut production short, and that there'll be fewer of them than were originally planned? It sounds like it could become a pretty sought-after item, if it's produced in even lower quantities than most other Advent Calendars and has those cool accessory elements in like skis in distinctive colors... I think that means since they put so much work into making it, they decided to sell it because it'd be a big waste of time not to. Right? -Sci Quote
Blondie-Wan Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I think that means since they put so much work into making it, they decided to sell it because it'd be a big waste of time not to. Right? -Sci Well, that makes sense as to why they'd sell it, but what I meant was: if that's the case, then why are they calling it "cancelled" at all? What's the difference between this and, say, the other Advent Calendars for this year? Quote
LegoMyMamma Posted July 3, 2012 Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Hi Pandora, here is another set image you can add to the first post in this thread: LEGO Friends Brickmaster by LegoMyMamma, on Flickr --------------- Also, will there be a Friends MOC index as well? Thanks Edit: Oops -- Silly me! I now see the Friends MOC Index: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=69384 Along with Reviews Index & other fun stuff Thanks! Edited July 3, 2012 by LegoMyMamma Quote
SheepEater Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 (edited) Do any of you know if Lego shows who the designers are for their Friends sets? And I mean in depth - like they are doing for their City and Lord of the Rings line. It would feel weird if the sets were designed by a 37 year old man, being one myself... I have seen some of the videos Lego has made, it shows young women in their 20s. Edited July 4, 2012 by SheepEater Quote
LegoMyMamma Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 Do any of you know if Lego shows who the designers are for their Friends sets? And I mean in depth - like they are doing for their City and Lord of the Rings line. It would feel weird if the sets were designed by a 37 year old man, being one myself... I have seen some of the videos Lego has made, it shows young women in their 20s. Yes, Rosario Costa is said the be the designer-in-charge of LEGO Friends. Also, Fenella Blaize Holden is one of the designers; you can see her here demonstrating how to build 'stronger' walls by interlocking bricks: Another designer is Marta (I don't know her last name) and here she is demonstrating the Treehouse set design: Also, at this year's BrickFair Virginia (Washington, DC, USA) August 2-5, both Fenella and Astrid Graabæk (Town Hall designer) will be presenting for TLG two seminars: 1) The LEGO Design Process and 2) Design Spotlight: LEGO Friends So, yes, indeed there are females in every aspect of Friends theme. In addition to the design process, Leah Weston Kaae is a Senior Digital Strategy Manager for LEGO Systems - specifically involved in the online digital experience of games for the Friends theme, which also include game apps for Apple platforms (iPod, iPad). Although I don't think the entire "team" it took to develop Friends is comprised only of females. I think the 4-year global, anthropological, interactive research involved more than just females, depending on a person's responsibility at TLG (i.e. data compiling, interviews, product test & observation sessions, etc.). Yet, overall, the answer to your question is "Yes" Friends have a female design perspective. Quote
SheepEater Posted July 4, 2012 Posted July 4, 2012 Thanks. Yet, overall, the answer to your question is "Yes" Friends have a female design perspective. Which makes it all the more ironic to see those militant feminists petitioning against Lego for making the toy too girly. Quote
just2good Posted July 6, 2012 Posted July 6, 2012 A new Friends project case has appeared on Toys'R'Us.com! It doesn't have a picture yet, though. Quote
DarthNick Posted July 6, 2012 Posted July 6, 2012 Perhaps Lego will have to be more bold and bring out less stereotyped Friend's sets or maybe a licence deal with One Direction or The Wanted ? That's a scary thought my friend. I personally like the direction the friends line is going, and look forward to seeing the response to the summer wave of sets. Quote
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