Kingdoms 2012?

[Ogre]

Kingdoms could be continued in 2012! Found this interesting little tid bit on CC forums -

Link

Says "Castle", not "Kingdoms". I'm guessing that merely means that MMV will not be discontinued, or some such thing. I doubt there will be a second "Castle" theme competing against LOTR.

[KnightSnap]

I was at Walmart (U.S.) today and was able to pick up the rest of the kingdom sets that I didn't have, which included all the most recent ones, for 50% off. While double checking the price at Lego to make sure it wasn't 50% off of a 20% inflation or something, I noticed that none of the kingdom sets are listed under the main category anymore; only a keychain and the Joust:

http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Kingdoms-ByTheme

So it appears that (more or less officially) at least here in the states the line is done.

All the sets are still listed in the Australian version of Lego Shop Online, although the more popular ones are sold out (Mill Village Raid, Escape from the Dragon's Prison and Blacksmith Attack).

[DarthSion]

Castle is fine by me, kingdoms is nice but as long as it is not stupid skeleton stuff I will be happy.

[Brinstar]

I don't hold out much hope that there will be any more Kingdoms sets or indeed any non licensed castle sets for the time being. I think LOTR is just to close to castle for two to be able to co-exist. A similar thing happened with Space when Star Wars was introduced in 1999. There were no separate space themes that year or the year after, although we did see the Life on Mars series in 2001 and then no more space until 2007.

If this is the case it would be a pity as castle is one of my favorite themes and I was particularly fond of the Kingdoms line, which I think is probably the best Lego castle sub theme since the early-mid nineties. I also think there was plenty of scope for more sets, with more siege weapons and a large fortress for the Dragon Knights obvious sets to make.

[David Thomsen]

Says "Castle", not "Kingdoms". I'm guessing that merely means that MMV will not be discontinued, or some such thing. I doubt there will be a second "Castle" theme competing against LOTR.

I actually find this very interesting. The answer seems to suggest that Castle will continue in 2012 in some form other than LOTR and the Joust set. I doubt very much that all they mean is that the MMV will not be discontinued. Hmm.

Also, I notice that the Kingdoms sets are still listed on every S@H region except the United States. I have no idea what to make of that.

[Belchher]

Not ALL the kingdoms sets are listed though. The kings castle has vanished, and now that some of the others are showing as sold out ( with no restock date as is usual , I think its a reasonably safe assumption that the Joust is the last hurrah for Kingdoms. It would be nice if that hint on twitter or wherever it was turned out to be true, but I'm not holding my breath sad to say.

And as an aside, pretty much every major chain in Australia that stocks the kingdoms sets suddenly has them discounted, some REALLY heavily. This includes the MVR which is one of the newest sets, not available for almost 50% off. Make of that what you will, but it says to me they're getting rid of them for good and want the shelf space for new 2012 sets and themes.

[Elander]

Would you not like a ancient theme? Some collectable minifigues looks very promising.

I think, I've enough Castle and Kingdoms stuff. A Roman/Greek theme would be (and LotR is) very welcome.

[SilvaShado]

Would you not like a ancient theme? Some collectable minifigues looks very promising.

I think, I've enough Castle and Kingdoms stuff. A Roman/Greek theme would be (and LotR is) very welcome.

I agree. I'd like to see something different than the typical medieval knights. Roman/Greek would be fantastic.

[Saruman the White]

I think lord of the rings will cast a huge shadow over the kingdoms theme and it will eventually come to an end like so many others. As for lord of the rings I think it's going to do amazingly well and become one of the main themes over the coming years.

[Darth Nihilus]

I think lord of the rings will cast a huge shadow over the kingdoms theme and it will eventually come to an end like so many others. As for lord of the rings I think it's going to do amazingly well and become one of the main themes over the coming years.

Well, seeing as the non-licensed themes are rapidly disappearing, this is an entirely plausible opinion. The LoTR books/movies are and were wildly successful, and what with the release of the 2 new movies and probable video games to go alongside, I would think that LoTR would become pretty successful. Also, as the amount of Kingdoms sets has decreased drastically from the first wave, it would seem that TLG is phasing it out, as it were. The 'last blast' of the Joust set seems to confirm my opinion, though I am quite curious as to the Black Falcon faction introduced in aforemetioned set. That faction could very well become the pro/antagonist of a new era of Castle/Kingdoms sets. It would really be a relief to have a faction other than the Crownies in play, rather than the cliched Crownies vs Invading Faction sets, as the Dwarves vs. Orcs line was. Although I think that the Black Falcons may remain exclusive to the Joust set for now, it would be an interesting move on TLG's part to create a whole new faction and place them as main characters. The return of the Wolfpack or something like it would be very interesting as well.

[DarthSion]

After sending my sister out to get me MVR for $69 at Kmart, I know what I hope for, INFO, how come kingdoms do not show piece count or even the name of the set?, PotC and SW have their name on them but my kings castle and mvr do not.

[Artanis I]

After sending my sister out to get me MVR for $69 at Kmart, I know what I hope for, INFO, how come kingdoms do not show piece count or even the name of the set?, PotC and SW have their name on them but my kings castle and mvr do not.

All sets in North America have piece count & name. Only licenced sets (from what I can tell) in the rest of the world have the name, piece counts are only mentioned in eg a box of 600 assorted bricks etc.

[Hive]

Love LOTR as a whole or not, I think it's a poor substitution for Kingdoms. I don't think kids are as much into it as adults, compared to themes like Superheroes, Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc. The (at least current 3) movies are not exactly for kids. Also, there's no real structures to build... only scenes. No castles, no prison carriages, no towers, no mills, etc. All the sets are mainly just about the minifigs. Will they really appeal that much to kids? Many AFOL's dream, I know, but the kids...? I could be wrong of course, time will tell. But I feel Kingdoms leaves a gap that LOTR does not fully fill.

[Piranha]

I hope at least in the collectible figs we start seeing some Knights and stuff, that would at least partially fill the void, and I do mean partially

[Saruman the White]

Love LOTR as a whole or not, I think it's a poor substitution for Kingdoms. I don't think kids are as much into it as adults, compared to themes like Superheroes, Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc. The (at least current 3) movies are not exactly for kids. Also, there's no real structures to build... only scenes. No castles, no prison carriages, no towers, no mills, etc. All the sets are mainly just about the minifigs. Will they really appeal that much to kids? Many AFOL's dream, I know, but the kids...? I could be wrong of course, time will tell. But I feel Kingdoms leaves a gap that LOTR does not fully fill.

Well I loved it when I was younger and knew loads of people who did so I think the gap shall be filled.

[Captainmorgan]

I heard LEGO tweeted LOTR is not going to be a substitution and that they will make more Kingdoms sets. I could be wrong, but I am sure they did. Hopefully

[Gatekeeper]

I heard LEGO tweeted LOTR is not going to be a substitution and that they will make more Kingdoms sets. I could be wrong, but I am sure they did. Hopefully

I'm hoping that they treat LOTR like Harry Potter. When Potter came out, I believe, Castle took a short hiatus. Harry Potter was a "fantasy" set of the medieval theme. With luck LOTR will actually be replacing Harry Potter and a realistic castle theme will continue.

Edited December 31, 2011 by Gatekeeper

[Mirandir]

I heard LEGO tweeted LOTR is not going to be a substitution and that they will make more Kingdoms sets. I could be wrong, but I am sure they did. Hopefully

What they said was that Lego Castle would continue. But whatever was meant by that is debateable. It doesn't say that we'll be getting any new sets besides Kingdoms Joust and I believe that what they meant was that it would continue via the Kingdoms joust set.

I'm hoping that they treat LOTR like Harry Potter. When Potter came out, I believe, Castle took a short hiatus. Harry Potter was a "fantasy" set of the medieval theme. With luck LOTR will actually be replacing Harry Potter and a realistic castle theme will continue.

Yes. I think that Castle/kingdoms will take a hiatus while LotR is running and I have a hard time seeing that LotR would continue far beyond 2013. I believe we'll see the final wave of LotR/the hobbit sets in december of 2013 and canceled in 2014 and then Castle/Kingdoms will probably do a comeback in summer or fall 2015.

Edited December 31, 2011 by Mirandir

[KristofBD]

Yes. I think that Castle/kingdoms will take a hiatus while LotR is running and I have a hard time seeing that LotR would continue far beyond 2013. I believe we'll see the final wave of LotR/the hobbit sets in december of 2013 and canceled in 2014 and then Castle/Kingdoms will probably do a comeback in summer or fall 2015.

Yep such reasoning seems very plausible. I'm not unhappy with this: LOTR will still give Castle fans some nice sets, and will inject some new ideas into the historic themes. Kingdoms has been a great series - especially the second wave (including the joust), but there may be the danger of repetition, so I am ok with a short hiatus.

[Saruman the White]

What they said was that Lego Castle would continue. But whatever was meant by that is debateable. It doesn't say that we'll be getting any new sets besides Kingdoms Joust and I believe that what they meant was that it would continue via the Kingdoms joust set.

Yes. I think that Castle/kingdoms will take a hiatus while LotR is running and I have a hard time seeing that LotR would continue far beyond 2013. I believe we'll see the final wave of LotR/the hobbit sets in december of 2013 and canceled in 2014 and then Castle/Kingdoms will probably do a comeback in summer or fall 2015.

I'm hope you're wrong about that because I'd like to see LOTR lasts forever.

[Sir_Basil_Ashton]

I hope LEGO continues to create Castle/Kingdoms while the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit theme is going. I'm very doubtful though because I don't think they'd want to have two themes competing towards the same audience. As a parent, I would purchase my kids Castle/Kingdoms sets if they were cheaper than Lord of the Rings/Hobbit sets. There's a possibility that 2012's Joust set will be a test to see how well it sells with the kickoff of the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit theme.

[Vindicare]

I hope LEGO continues to create Castle/Kingdoms while the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit theme is going. I'm very doubtful though because I don't think they'd want to have two themes competing towards the same audience. As a parent, I would purchase my kids Castle/Kingdoms sets if they were cheaper than Lord of the Rings/Hobbit sets. There's a possibility that 2012's Joust set will be a test to see how well it sells with the kickoff of the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit theme.

I doubt that last part very much. Joust is already out, which LOTR isn't coming out til summer.

[Piranha]

I think that message about LEGO Castle continuing in 2012 just means you will be able to buy the Joust in 2012 as the Castle set.

[David Thomsen]

I think that message about LEGO Castle continuing in 2012 just means you will be able to buy the Joust in 2012 as the Castle set.

The message goes like this:

Unless they didn't read the question properly, they seem to imply that Castle will continue in some form other than the Joust set. Or at least that is my wishful interpretation.

Still, they're obviously wrapping up Kingdoms, and that makes me wonder where they could possibly take Castle next, since the fantasy-free Kingdoms theme crossed over with LOTR the least. Hmm, I wonder if...

...nah.

[Artanis I]

'round and 'round and 'round we go...

This whole topic is an infinite loop.