2014 City Sets - Rumours and Discussion

[Darth Punk]

Well, TLG is in a hard spot, because some AFOLs don't like seeing 'yet another Police/Fire station' and yet something different like Arctic is too far out there. They have to make a series of City sets that will appeal to a broad audience, so very specific wishes (e.g. I need a blue bakery for my LEGOpolis) aren't something one should count on TLG making.

For what it's worth, I'm looking forward to the two smaller sets.

Not really, because TLG core customers are not AFoLs, they are children. Children who every year discover Legos for the first time. And while TLG takes into considerate AFOLs, if a decision for a set is between an AFOL direction or a children friendly direction, AFOLs are going to lose every time. I know that seems very obvious, but some don't seem to show that kind of understanding. I see people complain all the time calling TLG stupid,because they don't agree with a set or a line. I'm sorry to say they are not,basing their sole success with keeping people here happy. They didn't become a billion dollar company by being stupid.

While we might not understand the whys and probably never will the,one thing that can be counted on are sets geared toward children.

I'm not defending TLG, it's just the way it is and complaining about it,isn't going to change anything. I do however believe in constructive criticism because TLG does monitor sites like this when conducting market research. Bad mouthing someone is never a good way to get someone to listen to you or find find your critiscm valid. A good message badly delivered can be easily ignored.

[GregoryBrick]

Not really, because TLG core customers are not AFoLs, they are children. Children who every year discover Legos for the first time. And while TLG takes into considerate AFOLs, if a decision for a set is between an AFOL direction or a children friendly direction, AFOLs are going to lose every time. I know that seems very obvious, but some don't seem to show that kind of understanding. I see people complain all the time calling TLG stupid,because they don't agree with a set or a line. I'm sorry to say they are not,basing their sole success with keeping people here happy. They didn't become a billion dollar company by being stupid.

That's exactly what I said? The generalized message from AFOLs is sometimes too inconsistent or inappropriate for TLG to follow directly. It's some mixture of 'No more Fire/Police stations' or 'Do something different [but not that, that's too different]') or 'LEGO should make [very specific and niche product]'. LEGO is primarily going to make sets children want, and if AFOLs expect something otherwise, they will be in perpetual disappointment. I want LEGO to keep doing what they're doing, because that's the appeal. They're toys.

Anyway, I don't think the smaller snowcat should have been more elaborate. That would have bumped it into a higher pricing tier where it would be less impressive (even with additional parts and tracks). I'd rather get a set that has tons of value for $15 than a set that is 'pretty good' for $30-$40. You already get a parka-guy, an axe, a crane+hook, an ice-ball, tracks, etc.

[andythenorth]

if AFOLs expect something otherwise, they will be in perpetual disappointment.

That's an awesome description of an AFOL's permanent state. You should add it as a dictionary definition.

Edited February 6, 2014 by andythenorth

[lightningtiger]

As adults we all have different opinions, tastes, etc., now if you read the word city what does make you think of ?

Drilling into ice blocks for crystals or traffic driving along roads past buildings ?

What is a child mean't to think seeing the word city on a box showing a polar mining operation for something other than what would be actually mined in such an operation ?

Now some kids might not care or give two hoots......it's Lego to them and the name of each box doesn't really matter to them as long as it also says LEGO.

Then on the other hand, if a child's teacher asks a student to write something they would find in a city and they write about a polar mine........D+ might be the grade on that kid's paper.

Deep down this is a storm in a tea cup, what's done is done......the sets will be out in a few months, some people will buy them, others won't......all in all...it's LEGO and make it how ever you want.

Let's hope we don't get bogged down and start drifting this topic in to the off-topic zone.

[Moebius118]

Anyone else hoping the arctic icebreaker is more of a arctic drillship? You know because the theme is more leaning towards mining operations this time around? It would have more play-ability as well as a standalone set. Like these examples below:

http://gcaptain.com/...e-Drillship.png

http://www.drillingc...-Korea-web8.gif

I know they wouldn't be that large but they could also be considered ice "breakers". Also the full orange paint scheme would be a lot more forgivable on a drilling ship.

Also some penguins would be cool.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Moebius118

[Brickforia]

If the Movie's Seacow is an upcoming exclusive release & pics are flying around already, then why not the icebreaker?? This is the one set for me which will decide whether Arctic will be a must-buy across the entire range, or not bother with it at all. & with the exclusive Martian Manhunter from the lego store only round the corner in March, my contenders for my $75's worth of lego will need to be decided sooner than later. Currently Im leaning towards the Movie Dropship & maybe a couple small-pack Superheroes basically for the minifigs. Am still holding out hope however this icebreaker will be the greatest ship lego's ever released - don't let me down lego! Clock's ticking!

[williejm]

Arctic drillship? Hmm that would be controversial. Almost as controversial as having penguins in an Arctic theme!

[korpen4444]

Lego CITY: Alaskan division

The Arctic sets really appeal to me. I'll try to pick them up along with the police wave.

[Moebius118]

Arctic drillship? Hmm that would be controversial. Almost as controversial as having penguins in an Arctic theme!

I apologize for being so controversial. Maybe the penguins snuck aboard the ship?

I've always wanted a real Octan product line. You know with rigs, refineries, terminals. I guess my dreams are running wild through this "icebreaker" ship. When they said mining + arctic theme I thought drill ship. I guess thanks to the movie Octan is evil now, so that'll never happen.

If the ship isn't just a rehashing of set 60014 Coast Guard, then I'll probably be satisfied enough. Fingers crossed for something far more epic though.

(Like a drillship, hint hint, wink wink)

Edited February 7, 2014 by Moebius118

[Hrafnblod]

If the Movie's Seacow is an upcoming exclusive release & pics are flying around already, then why not the icebreaker?? This is the one set for me which will decide whether Arctic will be a must-buy across the entire range, or not bother with it at all. & with the exclusive Martian Manhunter from the lego store only round the corner in March, my contenders for my $75's worth of lego will need to be decided sooner than later. Currently Im leaning towards the Movie Dropship & maybe a couple small-pack Superheroes basically for the minifigs. Am still holding out hope however this icebreaker will be the greatest ship lego's ever released - don't let me down lego! Clock's ticking!

Well for one, Arctic is a summer line and the Sea Cow is in all likelihood going to be available to VIP members in less than two weeks. I am anxious to see the icebreaker, though. Could be really cool.

I apologize for being so controversial. Maybe the penguins snuck aboard the ship?

I've always wanted a real Octan product line. You know with rigs, refineries, terminals. I guess my dreams are running wild through this "icebreaker" ship. When they said mining + arctic theme I thought drill ship. I guess thanks to the movie Octan is evil now, so that'll never happen.

If the ship isn't just a rehashing of set 60014 Coast Guard, then I'll probably be satisfied enough. Fingers crossed for something far more epic though.

(Like a drillship, hint hint, wink wink)

Considering "big oil" is seen by a lot of consumers as "bad" (despite oil being required to make ABS plastic for Lego bricks...) it might not go over well to have a whole line promoting the industry. I'm betting that's why these arctic lines are drilling for fossils, as it is.

[Dorayaki]

Honestly, I worry that the TLG designers have run out of ideas. They are trying to fob us serious collectors off with random new themes like Arctic and Mining because they have run out of ideas for Police and Fire - which is the true spirit of City. What's missing from this year is more Fire and Police sets. My collection is now worthless.

Also Coastguard. What a joke. Everyone knows that Cities aren't in the ocean.

Uh...... what about a harbour city? Habour makes more sense than Arctic IMO. Also there have been many subthemes, such as Train, that deserve to have more sets every year. The designers shouldn't run out of ideas.

This arctic theme would of been better suited for the winter wave rather than the summer wave of sets although I do think ti will still sell well.

2014 Winter news:

City: Jungle Adventure

Friends: Arctic Expedition

Not really, because TLG core customers are not AFoLs, they are children. Children who every year discover Legos for the first time. And while TLG takes into considerate AFOLs, if a decision for a set is between an AFOL direction or a children friendly direction, AFOLs are going to lose every time. I know that seems very obvious, but some don't seem to show that kind of understanding.

Agree with this. Sometimes AFOLs are picky, we can't avoid rehashing and some updates can be good, but the lack of new things would make KFOLs lose their interests after two or three years.

Lego CITY: Alaskan division

Chima?

Edited February 7, 2014 by Dorayaki

[Darth Punk]

As adults we all have different opinions, tastes, etc., now if you read the word city what does make you think of ?

Drilling into ice blocks for crystals or traffic driving along roads past buildings ?

What is a child mean't to think seeing the word city on a box showing a polar mining operation for something other than what would be actually mined in such an operation ?

Now some kids might not care or give two hoots......it's Lego to them and the name of each box doesn't really matter to them as long as it also says LEGO.

Then on the other hand, if a child's teacher asks a student to write something they would find in a city and they write about a polar mine........D+ might be the grade on that kid's paper.

Deep down this is a storm in a tea cup, what's done is done......the sets will be out in a few months, some people will buy them, others won't......all in all...it's LEGO and make it how ever you want.

Let's hope we don't get bogged down and start drifting this topic in to the off-topic zone.

Most children can decern the difference between the arctic and the city and can usually tell you more than you ever want to know. Most children learn by means other than looking at boxes. If a child is learning only by looking at a box that is the fault of the parent, not TLG. If a teacher if grading a paper based an untaught subject they are hardly a teacher. I guess the stars are full of wars too?

The only storm I see is imaginary but rather boorish.

Anyone else hoping the arctic icebreaker is more of a arctic drillship? You know because the theme is more leaning towards mining operations this time around? It would have more play-ability as well as a standalone set. Like these examples below:

http://gcaptain.com/...e-Drillship.png

http://www.drillingc...-Korea-web8.gif

I know they wouldn't be that large but they could also be considered ice "breakers". Also the full orange paint scheme would be a lot more forgivable on a drilling ship.

Also some penguins would be cool.

Maybe they could call it the Valdez .

[Aanchir]

Guys, I don't think any of the Arctic stuff is supposed to suggest commercial mining. From what I can tell, it's all meant to be scientific research stuff. So the drilling for mysterious crystals is NOT a stand in for mining (something kids might readily understand; after all, we DID just have a mining subtheme) but rather a stand-in for ice coring, something kids would NOT likely understand the purpose of without a bit of explanation.

[Brickforia]

I wish the Arctic HQ had a bunk bed area, which is surprising given the blurb for the icebreaker does include beds. Surely the crew at the base would be there longer than the crew on the ship, & yet they must sleep standing up (given the amount of minifigs & apparent floor space inside HQ)!

[lightningtiger]

I wonder what the reasoning behind what sub-themes the designers in the City department chose sometimes ?

Like with police, we know it's all about the money as it's meant to be their best selling sub-theme.....now something like Arctic research....not sure of a common thread or historic events that could inspire such ideas in a designers head.

Anyway, what's done is done........I guess we might see some IRT MOC's carrying the equipment to their drilling sites......see imagination at work ?

[Moebius118]

Well for one, Arctic is a summer line and the Sea Cow is in all likelihood going to be available to VIP members in less than two weeks. I am anxious to see the icebreaker, though. Could be really cool.

Considering "big oil" is seen by a lot of consumers as "bad" (despite oil being required to make ABS plastic for Lego bricks...) it might not go over well to have a whole line promoting the industry. I'm betting that's why these arctic lines are drilling for fossils, as it is.

Yea I do understand. I don't think it would have to promote any industry. I mean it can still be neutral tone. Having a bank in a set doesn't make it represent or promote big banking which people also have negative stigmas about. But alas I guess "City" will be continually confined to police stations and fire brigades.

Guys, I don't think any of the Arctic stuff is supposed to suggest commercial mining. From what I can tell, it's all meant to be scientific research stuff. So the drilling for mysterious crystals is NOT a stand in for mining (something kids might readily understand; after all, we DID just have a mining subtheme) but rather a stand-in for ice coring, something kids would NOT likely understand the purpose of without a bit of explanation.

I agree this arctic line isn't to suggest anything commercial operated. But imagination doesn't mean we have to stay away from things that look industrial or commercial. Just suggesting what if the icebreaker had a more epic construction or design such as a "drillship" instead of looking like another fire or coast guard vessel. I was not trying to imply it had to be commercial. I love Octan and all but for this arctic line they would clearly seem out of place. (And blatantly commercial).

Edited February 8, 2014 by Moebius118

[Hrafnblod]

Yea I do understand. I don't think it would have to promote any industry. I mean it can still be neutral tone. Having a bank in a set doesn't make it represent or promote big banking which people also have negative stigmas about. But alas I guess "City" will be continually confined to police stations and fire brigades.

I agree this arctic line isn't to suggest anything commercial operated. But imagination doesn't mean we have to stay away from things that look industrial or commercial. Just suggesting what if the icebreaker had a more epic construction or design such as a "drillship" instead of looking like another fire or coast guard vessel. I was not trying to imply it had to be commercial. I love Octan and all but for this arctic line they would clearly seem out of place. (And blatantly commercial).

I think there's a difference, though. There's activism of some sort or another against basically all of "big oil" because it's removed from most people's world in the most immediate sense, we only see it at the pump basically so it's easier to oppose the other parts of the industry. Everyone goes to the bank though, and banking is a long standing institution that people don't have as much of a problem with even if "big banking" is a bad thing. Basically, a gas station would probably go over fine, just like a bank goes over fine. A drilling platform, drill ships, and things like that would not be received as positively since a lot of modern consumers see those as a necessary evil in even the best circumstances.

I'm with you hoping the icebreaker doesn't just look like another Coast Guard boat though, not that I didn't like the Coast Guard boat. I'm just hoping for something a little heftier.

[Piranha]

I wonder what the reasoning behind what sub-themes the designers in the City department chose sometimes ?

Like with police, we know it's all about the money as it's meant to be their best selling sub-theme.....now something like Arctic research....not sure of a common thread or historic events that could inspire such ideas in a designers head.

Anyway, what's done is done........I guess we might see some IRT MOC's carrying the equipment to their drilling sites......see imagination at work ?

The City theme is a interpretation of the modern world. Scientists are still conducting Arctic and Antarctic research today. I fail to see how it is not a logical subtheme for City.

[Cwetqo]

Dont forget that large amount of land in arctic circle belongs to Denmark. They have arctic expeditions, camps, icebreakers etc...

[lightningtiger]

Now we are getting picky.......lucky I was excellent at geography at high school.

Australia has the largest claim in Antarctica.......

Now, let's see....ah, city is modern world.....yes, but maybe if Lego intends of extending the city limits to a few thousand Km's.....maybe calling it Modern World would be better.

A city is a habitat to live, work and play, so is a town or village.....a research base is not really such a thing......true you work there, you sleep there, you can have snow ball fights there. On the other hand, can you go to the shops ? no, can you go to hospital ? no, can you take a train somewhere ? no......only way in and out.....helicopter or ice breaker.....real city transportation ?

I have no problem with the subtheme as such, but calling it a city subtheme is just off.......what's next...... deep sea diving like from the 1990's ? (though that would be more plausible than an Arctic theme)

Anyway, back on-topic.....I wonder if the ice breaker will have the standard ship haul or not ?

[Legoman123]

I do really want to see some Lego City jungle sets.

[lifeinplastic]

..and some Lego City Savannah/Outback sets please!

My favourite 2014 City set is the Campervan - hopefully the train and station will not rely on stickers.

[metalandi]

Now we are getting picky.......lucky I was excellent at geography at high school.

Australia has the largest claim in Antarctica.......

Now, let's see....ah, city is modern world.....yes, but maybe if Lego intends of extending the city limits to a few thousand Km's.....maybe calling it Modern World would be better.

A city is a habitat to live, work and play, so is a town or village.....a research base is not really such a thing......true you work there, you sleep there, you can have snow ball fights there. On the other hand, can you go to the shops ? no, can you go to hospital ? no, can you take a train somewhere ? no......only way in and out.....helicopter or ice breaker.....real city transportation ?

I have no problem with the subtheme as such, but calling it a city subtheme is just off.......what's next...... deep sea diving like from the 1990's ? (though that would be more plausible than an Arctic theme)

Anyway, back on-topic.....I wonder if the ice breaker will have the standard ship haul or not ?

You just forgot that Antarctica is not the same as the Arctic...the first is ocated on the south pole while the second is on the north pole.

Besides that i think it doesn't really matter of which theme this is a subtheme. I mean it's not like there's "City" printed on each part of it. if it bugs you so much you can always overwrite the city logo on the box and instructiuon. If it really is that important.

Edited February 9, 2014 by metalandi

[The Jersey Brick Guy]

He might of been mistaken and read Antarctica when the discussion was about the Arctic Circle.

[Klaus-Dieter]

Thank you all very much for the information, the links and the pictures!

From what I can say of the pics so far:

Passenger Train

Nothing exceptional there. I dislike that they designed the platform much too small and much too short. The new nose piece for the cockpits makes the train looking much more realistic and much nicer.

Cargo Train :thumbup:

The cattle waggon is a neat idea - so does the waggon with the cable drums. The small truck and the forklift are nice, too. Plus I really like the red office and that the cargo crane this time is set up on wheels. The only things I don't like is that there's only one cow included, that the cargo crane track is much too short and mainly that the truck can't drive through beneath the cargo crane (since the small office is directly placed there).

Arctic sets :wub:

Apart from the too high number of helis (in total three (including the one in the icebreaker)) and the imo much too small base camp I really like these sets! The design is amazing!

The only thing I find strange and even a bit funny is that TLG is releasing the Arctic sets as a summer theme - shall this be an allusion to the climate change and season creep?

Klaus-Dieter

Edited February 9, 2014 by Klaus-Dieter