Hero Factory 2014 Discussion

[Front]

I got all the pictures in my head I was really sceptical, back when I saw what the constraction team was up to, but now I really think these products are nice. Some good play features too. I hope you'll like the products.

Right now I'm more excited about the new Mini Ball Joint parts, which were shown in Mixel products. They will hit the stores soon. Be sure to check them out, my favorite LEGO product in 2014.

2014 is the year of building with balls and cups, no matter what size your balls are

Erland

Part Design

[bacem]

I got all the pictures in my head I was really sceptical, back when I saw what the constraction team was up to, but now I really think these products are nice. Some good play features too. I hope you'll like the products.

Right now I'm more excited about the new Mini Ball Joint parts, which were shown in Mixel products. They will hit the stores soon. Be sure to check them out, my favorite LEGO product in 2014.

2014 is the year of building with balls and cups, no matter what size your balls are

Erland

Part Design

right. now i wanna see pictures even more. thanks for your information.

[Aanchir]

I got all the pictures in my head I was really sceptical, back when I saw what the constraction team was up to, but now I really think these products are nice. Some good play features too. I hope you'll like the products.

Right now I'm more excited about the new Mini Ball Joint parts, which were shown in Mixel products. They will hit the stores soon. Be sure to check them out, my favorite LEGO product in 2014.

2014 is the year of building with balls and cups, no matter what size your balls are

Erland

Part Design

I'm kind of surprised I haven't seen the Mixels ball cups in any other themes whatsoever. I had thought we might see them in Ninjago, but no dice. Then again, I guess since the Mixels themselves are a March/April release rather than a January release, we won't likely see them in the January 2014 wave of any theme. In the meantime, the Mixels don't seem like they'll be terribly expensive, so it shouldn't be hard to buy a few of those in order to accumulate enough joint pieces for some real experimentation.

Glad to know the Hero Factory sets from next year don't disappoint, though! I'm quite excited to see pictures. Even though we've heard the main idea of next year's sets and some brief descriptions, it's not quite enough for me to properly visualize them.

[DraikNova]

I might use some of the Mixels balljoints to add proper finger articulation to some HF MOCS. They might also be useful for building some mini-HF at a proper scale. I'm kind of surprised actually; your post, Front, seems to imply that the new balljoints won't be used for the miniature heroes?

Edited October 18, 2013 by DraikNova

[bacem]

I might use some of the Mixels balljoints to add proper finger articulation to some HF MOCS. They might also be useful for building some mini-HF at a proper scale. I'm kind of surprised actually; your post, Front, seems to imply that the new balljoints won't be used for the miniature heroes?

i'm sure they won't from all the descriptions we get, the miniature heroes is a minifig, which means, they won't use any ball joints.

[Dorek]

I'm still holding out for Mixel scale "minifigs" in the HF sets. I don't see why it couldn't work, honestly, and we know how they like to repeat certain elements across themes when it's a novelty, so I'm still picturing that.

[Pate-keetongu]

The issue I have with that is that regular minifigures are not optimized for part-swapping. You CAN switch the individual hands, arms, and legs, but after a certain amount of mixing and matching it can weaken those connections. Whereas the BIONICLE minifigures, Exo-Force robots, skeletons, etc. have arm and leg connections that are designed so they can be assembled and disassembled indefinitely, much like constraction figures. Plus, those LEGO skeleton and robot parts can often be reused for totally different applications, including as details on larger constraction models.

I have to disagree with this. I make lot of (purist) minifigs which involves a lot of arm and hand removals, but I have only broken a few pieces which seem to be special, weaker colored plastic; Sand green arms had that problem, there was a topic about the issue on EB somewhere. But the "irregular minifigures" have the thing other way round: I haven't used for example the battle droid or Ninjago skeleton arms very much, but I have a lot of those with broken clips.

And when it comes to minifigures on Hero Factory, I see it as good thing. It is always good to have more minifigure parts, both regular and irregular. They might also make the theme a bit fresher. I buy the sets for parts only, and a think that the Breakout wave has been the strongest so far. My dearest wish is to have sets with "Double ball cups" (Fortunately there is one on Ninjago dragon mecha, so the piece wasn't killed after Breakout Stormer) and 1x3 liftarms with ball cups (luckily got a few on the contest prizes). Those pieces are really hard to buy in large quantities for decent prices on Bricklink; probably I have to order a hundred or something from LUGBULK.

I see many people posting constantly about when the pictures come available. I am somewhat happy with the fact that TLG has succeeded in keeping the confidental pictures secret. Is always cooler to have a clean view of a finisher product (though seeing prototype pics afterwards is interesting too). The pictures come when they come.

[Vinyl Scratch]

I'm still holding out for Mixel scale "minifigs" in the HF sets. I don't see why it couldn't work, honestly, and we know how they like to repeat certain elements across themes when it's a novelty, so I'm still picturing that.

Thing is, if the minifigs are using Mixel joints, then the mechs would be giant.

[Dorek]

We're assuming minifig-esque mechs where the Heroes fit entirely inside (the overused Pacific Rim comparisons didn't hurt that idea). I was thinking more Aliens exo-suit type deal.

[Takanuinuva]

I have my own theory about the Hero Factory Minifigures. What if there similar to the Technic figures from the competition theme. I never understood why they stopped making them. They were decent articulated figures and could fit with a lot of the technic vehicles Lego released.

[Gatanui]

I have my own theory about the Hero Factory Minifigures. What if there similar to the Technic figures from the competition theme. I never understood why they stopped making them. They were decent articulated figures and could fit with a lot of the technic vehicles Lego released.

I think those would be too big to qualify as "minifigures".

-Gata

[Aanchir]

Plot twist: The new Hero Factory sets use LEGO Friends mini-dolls.

On a more serious note, I just remembered that last time I was trawling through the LEGO Customer Service replacement parts database, I DID find some curious new minifigure parts...

• 16000 MINI ARM, RIGHT, UPPER PART in Dark Brown, Dark Green (classic green), Black, Aqua (Light Aqua)
  
• 16001 MINI ARM, LEFT, UPPER PART in Dark Brown, Dark Green, Black, and Aqua
  
• 16013 MINI ARM, RIGHT, LOWER PART in Medium Stone Grey (Light Bluish Gray)
  
• 16014 MINI ARM, LEFT, LOWER PART in Medium Stone Grey
  
• 16016 MINI ARM, RIGHT, ASSEMBLED (spelling out because the Eurobricks word filter would change it to "Megabloks" otherwise) in Dark Brown
  
• 16017 MINI ARM, LEFT, ASSEMBLED in Dark Brown
  
• 16360 MINI UPPER PART 2K, NO. 2742 in Sand Yellow (Dark Tan)

All but this last one are in the category "Loose Parts", meaning that in sets they will appear as sub-parts of a pre-assembled part. However, naturally, the "ASSEMBLED" arms are probably combinations of the upper and lower arms. The last, being in the category "Mini Figure", is a fully-assembled minifigure part, but it may or may not include some of the others mentioned.

Anyway, from the colors listed these certainly don't sound like Hero Factory minifigures, but I feel like some theme, at least, is going to be seeing newer and more complex minifigure arms. Friends, maybe? I dunno. In any case, I figured I'd be alright sharing these here while we're talking about new and innovative minifigures, before I forget about them again. Carry on.

[Takanuinuva]

Plot twist: The new Hero Factory sets use LEGO Friends mini-dolls.

On a more serious note, I just remembered that last time I was trawling through the LEGO Customer Service replacement parts database, I DID find some curious new minifigure parts...

• 16000 MINI ARM, RIGHT, UPPER PART in Dark Brown, Dark Green (classic green), Black, Aqua (Light Aqua)
  
• 16001 MINI ARM, LEFT, UPPER PART in Dark Brown, Dark Green, Black, and Aqua
  
• 16013 MINI ARM, RIGHT, LOWER PART in Medium Stone Grey (Light Bluish Gray)
  
• 16014 MINI ARM, LEFT, LOWER PART in Medium Stone Grey
  
• 16016 MINI ARM, RIGHT, ASSEMBLED (spelling out because the Eurobricks word filter would change it to "Megabloks" otherwise) in Dark Brown
  
• 16017 MINI ARM, LEFT, ASSEMBLED in Dark Brown
  
• 16360 MINI UPPER PART 2K, NO. 2742 in Sand Yellow (Dark Tan)
  

All but this last one are in the category "Loose Parts", meaning that in sets they will appear as sub-parts of a pre-assembled part. However, naturally, the "ASSEMBLED" arms are probably combinations of the upper and lower arms. The last, being in the category "Mini Figure", is a fully-assembled minifigure part, but it may or may not include some of the others mentioned.

Anyway, from the colors listed these certainly don't sound like Hero Factory minifigures, but I feel like some theme, at least, is going to be seeing newer and more complex minifigure arms. Friends, maybe? I dunno. In any case, I figured I'd be alright sharing these here while we're talking about new and innovative minifigures, before I forget about them again. Carry on.

I click on the links you posted but none of the pictures are loading. Are there pictures of these parts?

[Devorath]

So it's my first time here in a few months. Can anyone sum up the information for me please?

Edit: Anyway, I remember a frenzy started on BzPower last year when someone (official) said that 2014 would have something red, something with wheels, and something to do with MINIFIGURES...

[Corydoras]

Just to clear thinhs up a bit... The hero figs have proportions roughly like system minifigures and are tiny compared to their machines, they bear no resemblance to Technic figs or something more complex like Mixels.

[MakutaNocturn]

Maybe those minifigs will be in that size.

[Fikko3107]

Makes me think of that one Kaiju from Pacific Rim. The crab one from Hong Kong.

I don't want to be a stickler, but there was never a Crab Kaiju in Hong Kong. The only crab Kaiju in that movie is Onibaba, which attacked Tokyo, before being taken down by Stacker Pentecost on Coyote Tango. Are you referring to Onibaba, or Otachi, the large, flying, Acid-Spitting Kaiju in Hong Kong?

They do seem to imply that the villains are giant, considering the Heroes need to use mechs.

Just picture Pacific Rim with LEGO. And since Ghost worked on both of them.

IT'S GLORIOUS.

Unless the episode is in that damn crappy 240p as the Brain Attack episode. Wasted opportunity to the max.

Glad I'm not the only person who thinks the episode looked horrible visually. One shot had Furno literally looking like a mass of pixels.

I'm optimistic about this as a whole. Exo-Force is one of my favorite themes, and I always have a penchant for Contraction themes. It might just be the first HF line where I buy more than two sets...

[Gatanui]

Plot twist: The new Hero Factory sets use LEGO Friends mini-dolls.

I totally dig this.

-Gata

[Phantoka_Chirox]

I don't want to be a stickler, but there was never a Crab Kaiju in Hong Kong. The only crab Kaiju in that movie is Onibaba, which attacked Tokyo, before being taken down by Stacker Pentecost on Coyote Tango. Are you referring to Onibaba, or Otachi, the large, flying, Acid-Spitting Kaiju in Hong Kong?

Heh. I think he just mixed up Japan with HK.

Being a big Pacific Rim fan myself, being deprived of actual PR merchandise, I'm quite excited for mechs and giant monsters. Shame I won't be getting them anytime soon by the start of 2014. Summer Brain Attack sets haven't even arrived in my country.

[MakutaNocturn]

Heh. I think he just mixed up Japan with HK.

Being a big Pacific Rim fan myself, being deprived of actual PR merchandise, I'm quite excited for mechs and giant monsters. Shame I won't be getting them anytime soon by the start of 2014. Summer Brain Attack sets haven't even arrived in my country.

Where do you live? Oo

Maybe these mechs will be Exo-Toa-like? Big enough to sell for 12$

[Bfahome]

Edit: Anyway, I remember a frenzy started on BzPower last year when someone (official) said that 2014 would have something red, something with wheels, and something to do with MINIFIGURES...

That had nothing to do with anything actual or official. It was a joke, because I don't think LEGO has had any recent year where they didn't release something red, something wheeled, or new minifigure designs.

[Chro]

I think Devorath was just pointing out that, ironically, one part of that joke was more relevant than expected.

[Infernum]

Heh. I think he just mixed up Japan with HK.

Yeah...

[ToaJaller78]

I made a funny vid today on my phone "The Dark maker" Where Stringer and nex are the villains. Then I had an Idea......

Funny twist: Stringer and nex break out and help the beasts for not being released.

[ToaJaller78]

Plot twist: The new Hero Factory sets use LEGO Friends mini-dolls.

On a more serious note, I just remembered that last time I was trawling through the LEGO Customer Service replacement parts database, I DID find some curious new minifigure parts...

• 16000 MINI ARM, RIGHT, UPPER PART in Dark Brown, Dark Green (classic green), Black, Aqua (Light Aqua)
  
• 16001 MINI ARM, LEFT, UPPER PART in Dark Brown, Dark Green, Black, and Aqua
  
• 16013 MINI ARM, RIGHT, LOWER PART in Medium Stone Grey (Light Bluish Gray)
  
• 16014 MINI ARM, LEFT, LOWER PART in Medium Stone Grey
  
• 16016 MINI ARM, RIGHT, ASSEMBLED (spelling out because the Eurobricks word filter would change it to "Megabloks" otherwise) in Dark Brown
  
• 16017 MINI ARM, LEFT, ASSEMBLED in Dark Brown
  
• 16360 MINI UPPER PART 2K, NO. 2742 in Sand Yellow (Dark Tan)
  

All but this last one are in the category "Loose Parts", meaning that in sets they will appear as sub-parts of a pre-assembled part. However, naturally, the "ASSEMBLED" arms are probably combinations of the upper and lower arms. The last, being in the category "Mini Figure", is a fully-assembled minifigure part, but it may or may not include some of the others mentioned.

Anyway, from the colors listed these certainly don't sound like Hero Factory minifigures, but I feel like some theme, at least, is going to be seeing newer and more complex minifigure arms. Friends, maybe? I dunno. In any case, I figured I'd be alright sharing these here while we're talking about new and innovative minifigures, before I forget about them again. Carry on.

Either these are for another theme, or I smell new colours........