Opinions on stuff we need, and stuff that is destroying LEGO

[Spitfire2865]

Honestly, I think those Castle sets look amazing. I might actually pick one or two up if I have the money. And I have NEVER been interested in Castle!

PS. Galaxy Squad overall is still alarmingly bad, esp the minifigs. One man's opinion. The set you posted is good though, but it doesn't negate my overall arguments.

You opinion again. Dont call opinions facts, because you will look foolish. Trust me.

[BlueberryWaffles]

Tereglith, I'm an honest guy. I gotta say that Galaxy Squad set you posted looks pretty good.

You do know most of the big ones are that good right? Don't judge a theme by the $15 set.

[Cardinal]

Someone in the Castle thread hit it on the head when they said that the LOTR minifigs are amazingly detailed while these new Castle figs are very plain. Imagine if LEGO were putting that same extraordinary effort into detailing their own medieval stuff. Really taking it to the next level. Now that would be amazing!

The new Castle stuff is a huge step backwards. Look at some of the amazing, amazing sets from the Fantasy Era. Those need to be improved and expanded upon! Evolve that!

The younger target age argument for the new castle stuff is the best argument I've heard. I will have to think about that. But for me, it still doesn't erase the disappointment with the new Castle stuff and my general dislike for Lord of the Rings (sorry, the theme just doesn't interest me, and I didn't like the movies either.)

[Tereglith]

Also, about the sabotage theory, which I said seems credible but I'm not backing it 100%...According to the theory, it's unclear whether LEGO are doing it intentionally from the top down or if there is some imposter within LEGO or from another company or monied interest etc. It's a conspiracy theory with a lot of possibilities. Or you could be right and the designs were just junk. I find that so hard to believe. Go back and look at those new Castle sets posted on the front page. Something ain't right.

PS. Galaxy Squad overall is still alarmingly bad, esp the minifigs. One man's opinion. The set you posted is good though, but it doesn't negate my overall arguments.

I'll reiterate that this theory makes NO SENSE, and you should abandon it completely if you want to seem credible at all. If top execs at TLG wanted to stop producing non-licensed castle and space themes, they would just STOP MAKING THEM. I don't see what's so hard to grasp about that. As for an impostor inside LEGO, no one person has the power to push a theme through on their own. All themes and all sets within themes are thoroughly tested, vetted, and put past focus groups, and the designs themselves come from a very small core group of designers, none of whom are MegaBlocks sleeper-cell agents (though that would be a fun idea for a humor novel). And again, if LEGO were doing under-the-table deals with Lucasfilm and the like, the deal would involve just straight-up stopping production, not doing a weird New-Coke style marketing ploy.

Like I said before, the new castle line isn't aimed at you, or at me, or at my kid sister. It's aimed at very, very young boys who are too young to enjoy Lord of the Rings. I don't see what's so hard to grasp about that. LEGO realizes that LOTR is soaking up the castle money of TFOLs and AFOLs at the moment, so they're very smartly making a simple, bright-colored theme that appeals only to KFOLs. And have you looked at the galaxy squad sets? Like at all? For my money, this http://brickset.com/...il/?Set=70701-1 is one of the best sets of the year for its size, and this http://brickset.com/...il/?Set=70708-1 is headed for instant-classic status when it comes out. I really don't see what your gripe with the minifigs either, they're a great Lego-ized take on the archetypal space marines, and the bugs are pretty cute.

Edited April 30, 2013 by Tereglith

[Spitfire2865]

The new Castle stuff is a huge step backwards. Look at some of the amazing, amazing sets from the Fantasy Era. Those need to be improved and expanded upon! Evolve that!

The younger target age argument for the new castle stuff is the best argument I've heard. I will have to think about that. But for me, it still doesn't erase the disappointment with the new Castle stuff and my general dislike for Lord of the Rings (sorry, the theme just doesn't interest me, and I didn't like the movies either.)

Ok, For the castle issue, Maybe you just grew up.

And for the LOTR issue, honestly, Is Lego supposed to cater to Your likes while ignoring millions of people who do like it? Lego profits on those millions who do like it.

[Cardinal]

Just looking at all the Fantasy Era stuff. Some day I want to get every single set and display em together. Absolutely incredible toy design.

[Spitfire2865]

Someone in the Castle thread hit it on the head when they said that the LOTR minifigs are amazingly detailed while these new Castle figs are very plain. Imagine if LEGO were putting that same extraordinary effort into detailing their own medieval stuff. Really taking it to the next level. Now that would be amazing!

Ok, so for EVERY Lego theme, they are going to make Super realistic figures. So for the Average Joe minifigure for the City line, they will print a wrist watch on his arm because he works in an office and have a very detailed Employee ID card on his belt.

Just looking at all the Fantasy Era stuff. Some day I want to get every single set and display em together. Absolutely incredible toy design.

Then go on ebay and buy all of them. If thats what you want No one is stopping you from going out and finding them.

[Galaxy Explorer]

So you want a Millennium Falcon but nothing to chase it? 99% of its screen time is involved with trying to get away from something, usually an Imperial Fleet. Star Wars is a very "vehicle-based" entity. X-Wings, TIE Fighters, Slave 1s, AT-ATs are all great sellers so taking that away really would hurt. Please don't get me wrong- I absolutely LOVE Star Wars playsets.I believe I have all of them, and I look forward to the next release, hopefully the rumored Ewok Village. But to suggest taking away all vehicles save for one that at its cheapest costs $100 retail is not too smart. What Star Wars set could someone with a limited budget be able to buy?

[xboxtravis7992]

Lego is not forced to make any licence, they make them because they sale well. If the licence collapses Lego cancels the theme. That seems to be what happened to Galidor, Prince of Persia, and Avatar the Last Airbender. .When sets don't sell Lego cancels them, sells what stock they have, and then moves on to the next theme. So even if Star Wars or Superheroes died out, Lego can pick up new licenses or make new IPs.

The truth is Lego is a for profit company, not an ideology. They will pick up what ever license or make whatever IP they need to sell ABS plastic bricks to the masses. The only thing which would damage their reputation would be continually making a bad product. If anything licenses have given Lego plenty of opportunity to make great products, just look at Orthanc, The Executer, or the Constitution Train Chase.

The market demands licensed themes, and Lego is delivering a strong product, strengthening brand image if anything. Furthermore outside of the AFOL population how much of the market cares about Lego's own IP's? Everybody can recognize Star Wars, only FOLs recognize Blacktron. Even my own favorite Lego IP's such as Bionicle are fading into the memory of a small niche market; yet brands such as Harry Potter will be famous for years down the road. Even if the Superhero market or Star Wars fandom collapsed today; people will still watch their DVD copies of Episode IV and The Avengers, they will still share those movies with their children. CUUSOO has proven this potential, their has not been a Back To The Future movie in years, yet its fans were so dedicated they literally told Lego, "We will pay you lots of money for a Lego Time Machine Delorean!" Lego cannot build such a loyal fan following with its own IP's, yet they can easily buy the rights to any IP they want.

Not to mention how many Fans of Lego started of with a licensed theme; my own first system set was the 1999 X-Wing. It was only after years of buying Star Wars sets that I begin to care about things such as Modular Buildings, and Shop at Home exclusive trains. I don't even know if I would be an AFOL today if Lego did not sell Star Wars sets when I was a child.

And while the new Castle sets don't appeal to me, they seem to be targeted at an age group which is to young to buy Lord of the Rings. If anything Lego is increasing their profit by dividing their themes by age demographics, Castle for the Kids, Lord of the Rings for Adults and Teens.

Finally, history has shown that it was strict original themes which contributed to the near death of Lego. During the early 2000' when the only Licensed IPs when Lego held only a few Licenses; Lego nearly went bankrupt while pursing weird in house themes such as Jack Stone, Clikits, Island Extreme Sports, and Alpha Team. Lego was so into building its own licenses they helped fund the television production of Galidor just so they could own the toy rights instead of simply licensing the rights. The only success of this era was Bionicle which was a hit, yet by itself could not save the company. Fortunately Star Wars brought in the big bucks and Lego was able to restructure their finances, only to then rebound as one of the world's leading toy makers. Simply put, Star Wars saved Lego.

Edited April 30, 2013 by xboxtravis7992

[Cardinal]

I think I'm just sick of all the shelf space being devoted to SW ships. I don't care if they exist, I just LEGO would put more effort into the more "artistic" or "creative" endeavors like all the things I've mentioned, stuff like Atlantis, Fantasy Era, new historic theme etc. I give LEGO huge props for their modulars and collectible minifigs. The two best things they've ever done IMO.

[Paul B Technic]

Are you for real? If a theme does not sell well then LEGO will stop making it. if you don't like a theme then simply don't buy it...

[Cardinal]

Xboxtravis I agree with some of your points. SW LEGO has become almost an honorary in house LEGO theme if that makes sense. LEGO and SW are infused absolutely, and I do like LEGO SW. That is my one exception to the licensed stuff.

[obsidianheart]

If I may, I believe that the LOTR figures are "amazingly detailed" because they represent specific, established characters. I remember before fleshie figs when Star Wars minifigs were yellow and Luke, young Obi-Wan, and teen Anikin all had the same (or close to) face-print. Guess what? People were unhappy that their precious characters were too undefined and underdesigned. Then the Lando fiasco happened, and now licensed characters are all flesh-toned and distinguished. Castle dudes look plain because they can be whoever you want them to be, not Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins.

"Artistic" and "creative" endeavors are nice, but rarely have a legion of fans who grew up with the theme and want to invest in it either for themselves, or to show their children why they (the parent) like it.

The "Sabotage" conspiracy theory, I'm sorry to say, is one of the most ridiculous things I've read for a while.

[Andy D]

I really think the whole issue here is that the titile of the thread is incorrect. The thread should be titled "Stuff I like and stuff I don't like"

The beginning of he thread, and many of he responses would be much different with just a change in title.

Just MHO, YMMV

Andy D

Edited May 1, 2013 by Andy D

[Tereglith]

I think I'm just sick of all the shelf space being devoted to SW ships. I don't care if they exist, I just LEGO would put more effort into the more "artistic" or "creative" endeavors like all the things I've mentioned, stuff like Atlantis, Fantasy Era, new historic theme etc. I give LEGO huge props for their modulars and collectible minifigs. The two best things they've ever done IMO.

But all the themes you've said you want them to cancel are what fund the artistic and creative themes you're a fan of. No licensed themes = no modular buildings, because LEGO doesn't make very much profit on the big D2C sets. They need all those sets you don't like to finance the sets that you do like. And your worries about LEGO's licenses collapsing and leaving the company high and dry are unfounded as well - There's an 18 month turnaround time on set design, so if for some reason everyone in the world decides they hate Star Wars (which, just a guess here after thirty years and two terrible movies that could have killed the franchise, they probably won't), LEGO can downsize their Star Wars production within a fiscal year. And I highly doubt that every single license would become unpopular at the exact same time, like you seem to be afraid of. And even if they did, it would give TLG one very rough fiscal year before they acquired new contracts and started making sets from new popular licenses. It wouldn't kill the company. I think this just boils down to you not understanding how TLG works from an economic standpoint. You have absolutely no leg to stand on with your claims other than "I don't like these sets, so they should stop making them, because the only purpose of TLG is to cater to my personal tastes", which is incredibly self-centered at best.

[Spitfire2865]

Xboxtravis I agree with some of your points. SW LEGO has become almost an honorary in house LEGO theme if that makes sense. LEGO and SW are infused absolutely, and I do like LEGO SW. That is my one exception to the licensed stuff.

You have been saying this whole time that Star Wars is destroying Lego. Now you admit you like Legos theme?

Honestly, Cardinal, All your arguments have been proven to be just your opinions, not actual facts. Im trying to help you, just end this. Each comment you make, you contradict yourself or restate an older argument which was previously proven wrong.

Edited May 1, 2013 by Spitfire2865

[Tereglith]

The "Sabotage" conspiracy theory, I'm sorry to say, is one of the most ridiculous things I've read for a while.

I know, it's pretty great. I really want to write, like, a short story or a sitcom pilot now about a Mega Blocks sleeper agent working as an undercover terrorist at LEGO. It's such an absurd idea, there's a lot of comedic potential there.

Honestly, Cardinal, All your arguments have been proven to be just your opinions, not actual facts. Im trying to help you, just end this. Each comment you make, you contradict yourself or restate an older argument which was previously proven wrong.

At least he's more yielding than most people of his ilk on the internet. Hopefully once we've thoroughly disproven all his negative points we can turn this whole thread into a discussion of how great it would be if LEGO made an Ewok village playset.

[Spitfire2865]

Please just end this before youre left with the argument "But...but..you all misunderstood me. I didnt mean that, I meant this."

Or where you just end up flaming about how Eurobricks is an unfair place when actually, if you are mature about the difference between facts and opinions,it is a VERY nice site to be on.

At least he's more yielding than most people of his ilk on the internet. Hopefully once we've thoroughly disproven all his negative points we can turn this whole thread into a discussion of how great it would be if LEGO made an Ewok village playset.

Im sorry but I dont see this having a happy ending. Its a shame though. I would have liked to discus an Ewok Village. Its been so long since I did anything related to Star Wars.

Wait..Tereglith. "ILK"? Not familiar with that term.

Was it just a typo?

[Tereglith]

Im sorry but I dont see this having a happy ending. Its a shame though. I would have liked to discus an Ewok Village. Its been so long since I did anything related to Star Wars.

Wait..Tereglith. "ILK"? Not familiar with that term.

Was it just a typo?

ilk: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ilk?s=t

[Spitfire2865]

ilk: http://dictionary.re.../browse/ilk?s=t

Ya learn something new every day! Haha

[obsidianheart]

Man, you know what theme I'm totally ambivalent to? Lone Ranger. Don't care about the licence, not planning on seeing the movie, not a fan of the history.

You know which theme I just spent a couple hundred dollars on? Lone Ranger. My kid's birthday is coming up, and while he doesn't care about the characters, he thinks the sets are neat and there's a train, and he doesn't care why it's there or who is on it, but he loves looking at pictures of it and I bet he'll love zooming it around the track.

You guys see the point I'm making here, right?

[Spitfire2865]

Man, you know what theme I'm totally ambivalent to? Lone Ranger. Don't care about the licence, not planning on seeing the movie, not a fan of the history.

You know which theme I just spent a couple hundred dollars on? Lone Ranger. My kid's birthday is coming up, and while he doesn't care about the characters, he thinks the sets are neat and there's a train, and he doesn't care why it's there or who is on it, but he loves looking at pictures of it and I bet he'll love zooming it around the track.

You guys see the point I'm making here, right?

Yes. I on the other hand love history, trains, and would like to see the movie if I can (which I probably cant anyway, Well..Probably guna have to catch that on TV in about a year)

And the thing is, I dont think youre wrong. If only the world could realize opinions are different.

[Drachmyre]

I may end up buying Lone Ranger just because it seems like it might be a source of the browns and red pieces. And there is another reason even the less popular stuff sells.

[Cardinal]

I predict Lone Ranger sets will be a bigger bomb than Prince of Persia. And I like the western themes in general.

Spitfire, you have to read all my posts on Star Wars in particular. It's a very special theme. I have some SW sets and figs and love them, I love SW, and yes, it is a licensed theme, but it is so entwined with LEGO and there is such a great history there with all the sets that SW has almost become an honorary in house LEGO theme. So yes, not everything is black and white, of course.

BTW SW is the only licensed theme I buy.

[obsidianheart]

I remember you now, Cardinal. You had the topic that said Galaxy Squad was intentionally designed to fail by Lucasfilm moles within LEGO, and then got upset when Rick locked it and a bunch of us pointed out you were being sensationalist.

That's why the conspiracy sounded so familiar. You've posted it before.

I thought you quit because of the "moral issue" of your "freedom of speech" being impeded by moderators?

Edited May 1, 2013 by obsidianheart