While many still doubt, more and more evidence is showing up that CMF S13 will be a licensed theme focusing on the Simpsons characters.

Everyone has his/her own idea about that, and there is a topic for discussing this.

My question to the audience here is: how does this choice increase the stakes that there will be MORE licensed CMF in the future?

My first thoughts are about super heroes. They would do a perfect CMF series, both DC and Marvel choices. (Even if I myself DO NOT like licensed CMF).

Also SW and LOTR would really do, even if in minor form.

What are your thoughts about this?

I think LEGO can't do SW CMFs as it is in there license agreement that they can't make individual "action figure" toys, which counts as minifigures. However, they can have promotional sets like that.

I think LEGO can't do SW CMFs as it is in there license agreement that they can't make individual "action figure" toys, which counts as minifigures. However, they can have promotional sets like that.

That's correct. There was a CUUSOO project created asking for a bucket of 50+ stormtroopers and their weapons. TLG responded in the 'Official LEGO comments' section that the agreement for star wars is for playsets and not action figures.

If I can find the project I'll post it.

EDIT: Finally found it on CUUSOO

http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/2674

Here's the comments from LEGO;

This is a (very) fun concept, but since we have the construction toy license and not the action figure license for Star Wars, it will not be possible to release a set consisting solely of minifigures. If the Dark Bucket concept were to go further, it would need to include some significant brick-based model component to be considered a construction toy for licensing purposes.

Edited October 21, 201311 yr by JTS

That's correct. There was a CUUSOO project created asking for a bucket of 50+ stormtroopers and their weapons. TLG responded in the 'Official LEGO comments' section that the agreement for star wars is for playsets and not action figures.

So they definitively have different licenses between SW and Simpsons...

The restrictions on Star Wars as well as (if I remember correctly) the reason character magnets are glued, is because of Hasbro aggressively protecting their action figure licencing on Star Wars. I'm pretty sure whoever holds the rights to produce and distribute Simpsons action figures (looks like Playmates, but Google pulls up some stuff by Kidrobot as well) won't rattle sabers as much, or does not hold as strongly-worded exclusive rights.

So they definitively have different licenses between SW and Simpsons...

If the rumours about Series 13 are true, then yes, the licenses will be different.

So they definitively have different licenses between SW and Simpsons...

Yes. Simpsons doesn't have action figures out right now. That means they can go right on with those. But they can't:

Star Wars

TMNT

Hobbit (I wonder if that means they can't do LOTR either?)

Marvel

DC

Yes. Simpsons doesn't have action figures out right now. That means they can go right on with those. But they can't:

Star Wars

TMNT

Hobbit (I wonder if that means they can't do LOTR either?)

Marvel

DC

That's very interesting to know

Where is this information from?

I agree that certain existing licenses cannot do it as the Star Wars quote above proves, but The Simpsons is a new license where the contracts were probably designed for the possibility.

So it really depends on what any new licensed CMF is for. While I would love a Lord of the Rings and it could be possible as there is not a competing action figure line that I am aware of, there is a competing line for The Hobbit. The action figure license does not seem to restrict other building toy competitors from doing their version of a Marvel CMF line. I think it would be a smart move for LEGO to to that. LEGO also does not shy away from some new molds for CMF.

My favorite stuff in CMF is historical and I am at a loss what license would bring the best minifigs to CMF (excluding Tolkien stuff). I would much rather have waves dedicated to specific themes: One for Castle, one for Pirates, one for Mythology.

I agree that certain existing licenses cannot do it as the Star Wars quote above proves, but The Simpsons is a new license where the contracts were probably designed for the possibility.

So it really depends on what any new licensed CMF is for. While I would love a Lord of the Rings and it could be possible as there is not a competing action figure line that I am aware of, there is a competing line for The Hobbit. The action figure license does not seem to restrict other building toy competitors from doing their version of a Marvel CMF line. I think it would be a smart move for LEGO to to that. LEGO also does not shy away from some new molds for CMF.

My favorite stuff in CMF is historical and I am at a loss what license would bring the best minifigs to CMF (excluding Tolkien stuff). I would much rather have waves dedicated to specific themes: One for Castle, one for Pirates, one for Mythology.

Let's hope S12 and S14 have some nice slots for such. S14 is said to.

Licensed CMFs seem like a bad idea from a sales standpoint. In every wave so far, there have been at least one or two army bulder type figures; figures people would want multiples of. With "hero" figures, this won't be the case. How many Homer Simpsons will anyone actually want???

I guess you could have variations on them (different costumes), but even then, once I have the full set, I won't be buying extras.

That's very interesting to know

Where is this information from?

All of those licenses have an action figure line:

Hasbro has a SW line

Playmates has a TMNT line (funny enough, they used to have Simpsons)

Bridge Direct has a Hobbit line

Hasbro has a Marvel line

Mattel has a DC line.

LEGO can't make CMFs for a license that has an action figure line.

Edited October 21, 201311 yr by Tolkien

LEGO can't make CMFs for a license that has an action figure line.

It all depends on the contracts involved. I don't think it would prevent a Marvel CMF since Mega Blocks was able to do one when they had the construction toy license. But we know it prevents a Star Wars one.

Besides I think LEGO will likely seek new licenses for CMF instead of a rehash of existing minifigs.

I think having a Simpsons CMF line-up is smart and not smart... confusing I know.

Smart because the major point of the Simpsons is the large cast (has anyone seen that poster of all of the characters?) and how they interact together. Yes, there are certain places that would be good for sets as well, but to achieve the full cast, it might be easier to start off with a CMF line and see how they sell.

But I will agree it isn't the smartest choice only because no one needs an army of any of those figures. I can't think of anyone that would be a good "army builder." With that said, the target audience probably doesn't army build anyway. It's us AFOLs that want multiples, not the random bag purchased. If those happen to be multiples, then they will probably buy more until they get what they want. But more than likely they weren't planning on buying an army of Ned Flanders or whomever may be in the series.

But back to it being smart, it may be harder to feel the packets if the bodies are molded also, so TLG may get more money from us CMF regulars...

As far as other licensed themes getting CMF line-ups, I don't see that happening. Especially with how successful the SW battle packs have been, if they continue that trend with castle and the stellar $20 sets in the Super Hero line, people will continue to buy the sets for the figures. I didn't know Megablocks had a Super Hero CMF line. I wonder how they did in relation to MB sales in general? I don't know how well that company is doing, so I don't know how well other companies CMFs sell compared to TLG's.

There are no army builders... but I would be willing to bet only a tiny fraction of figures sold were for army builders; the rest for people who just wanted complete sets, and the vast majority just going to kids who were actually randomly getting figures.

The Simpsons will add a whole slew of fans to the mix, although it may actually be less appealing to younger kids, and even older kids and young adults who were not fans of the series when it started (and was a lot better).

Limiting to 16 figures... some people (who are probably not fans) wonder how they can come up with 16 figures - there's SO many Simpsons characters and variations that it would be a super difficult job to pick which ones.

I would love to see super heroes as well... I am collecting figures as is possible, but I don't want the sets (if you're a fan of CMFs and have some super heroes to trade, please look at my CMF trading post - link in signature). I would happily buy super hero CMFs.

But my interest is waning. Given series 12 as characters from the movie (which I know nothing about, since I had a mini dark ages for the past couple of months... or maybe just a blackout), I was glad I could stop buying (I suppose I should actually wait and see, though). Simpsons... well... every time I try to ween myself off the LEGO habit, TLG just keeps reeling me back in...

I think there is a pretty good chance since the current popularity levels of the line seem to be dropping off and the licensed way seems like something lego would do to try to keep the series alive. The next 3 waves of series 12 Lego movie, 13 simpsons, and 14 lego mmorpg. 1 licensed, 2 that could be debated as licensed themes. as far as my thoughts on it. I really don't think it'd be a good idea. Seems like it being licensed would mean the figures, which are already 3 bucks a pack and kind of pricey as It is, would have to cost more due to licensed theme fees.

Honestly I used to really be into the figures but got burnt on them plus got further turned off with the mr gold thing. Not sure if I'm going to get any figures in future releases and the concept of licensed themes is not drawing me back in.

and there'd also be a potential issue to actually creating a licensed theme CMF line. Lego has a licensed theme for sets but could they actually get the permission to do CMF bags? The problem is that if CMF's are actually sets or not, like are series 12 and 14 licensed themes or not, is highly debatable.

Edited October 22, 201311 yr by SweetiePie88

What surprises me is that it appears TLG locked up the next 3 lines by linking them to specific media (movies, tv, and games). It would seem more logical to release a "normal" series in between just in case interest wasn't as high in the other lines. That being said, the possibility of classic characters showing up in the CMF line is very appealing. I will just skip the Simpsons (unless it has some amazing accessories) and save for the next ones.

I think there is a pretty good chance since the current popularity levels of the line seem to be dropping off and the licensed way seems like something lego would do to try to keep the series alive. ....

I agree. If it weren't for the Blues Brother and my obsessive/compulsive disorder (not clinically), I might have stopped at 10. I am not looking forward to 12; but from here on out, if the CMFs are themed, I will only buy themes I like... that means that, out of the next three, the Simpsons are the only one's I'll buy. And that's a good thing.

What surprises me is that it appears TLG locked up the next 3 lines by linking them to specific media (movies, tv, and games). It would seem more logical to release a "normal" series in between just in case interest wasn't as high in the other lines. That being said, the possibility of classic characters showing up in the CMF line is very appealing. I will just skip the Simpsons (unless it has some amazing accessories) and save for the next ones.

I'm the opposite... out of the three, only the Simpsons is appealing to me. I suppose I will wait and see, of course, and get some of the interesting ones - but I do not feel like I need to be a completionist anymore... In fact, I probably shouldn't have even gone for the Series 11 box - especially with the terrible distribution. But does seem crazy to me that they won't be intermixing generic CMF sets within those.

I don't necessarily mind themes, but that means if you don't like the theme, you completely skip it, as opposed to liking a handful of the regular CMFs and then trying to complete the set.

I don't think they can do this with any of the other licenses, though. I'd be all over LOTR CMFs, as well as Superhero ones, but I know better than to expect them. Ditto Star Wars; Harry Potter is dead (as a LEGO license, that is), and I'm not sure, even if it were possible (and I don't think it is), that Indiana Jones, POTC, or Toy Story have the diversity needed.

Now, non-licensed themes could be good, but I don't like most of the themes. There's one in particular that I like the concept of, but not the execution, and so did not buy into it - Monster Fighters. Unfortunately they already did so many classic movie monsters in CMF, it would be redundant. I would probably skip castle and the other, newer themes (like Chima and Galaxy Squad).

All in all, winding down CMF would be great for my wallet.

As long as original CMF line (army builders) still exists, I don't mind having other kinds of CMF because it helps us get minifigures that didn't appear in their own licensed playsets. The success / stake is determined by whether their choice of license and characters is good or not.

How many Homer Simpsons will anyone actually want???

The question is, should we have protagonists in CMF line? I'm not sure about that.

The next 3 waves of series 12 Lego movie, 13 simpsons, and 14 lego mmorpg. 1 licensed, 2 that could be debated as licensed themes. as far as my thoughts on it. I really don't think it'd be a good idea.

Previous CMFs aren't based on stories. If we make a Ninjago CMF and include Cole, Kai and Zane, it looks "licensed". Despite being rumors, if the characters are generic enough (not the story characters), they are still typical CMFs I guess.

I still doubt if we really have to count license CMF as one of the part instead of a special edition. In a view of sales scheduling, if TLC still make series timeline overlapping like some past series did, it's okay to sell a licnesed and an original CMF series together. But that's nothing with series number I guess.

Edited October 22, 201311 yr by Dorayaki

I think there is a pretty good chance since the current popularity levels of the line seem to be dropping off and the licensed way seems like something lego would do to try to keep the series alive. The next 3 waves of series 12 Lego movie, 13 simpsons, and 14 lego mmorpg.

How is the popularity dropping off, any sales numbers to prove this? The way I see it, TLM has nothing to do with keeping CMF alive as a line, it is just promotion for the film, nothing more nothing less. S13 could be a questionable business choice, but seems more like exploration into a new territory. Often new ideas or concepts are tried by companies. S14 is based on a product based on a product (like S12, so LEGO IP). Funcom said the plan is every time a new CMF series comes out, they will come with codes for in game redemption. That would get complicated if CMF started having licenses across multiple IP's.

I don't necessarily mind themes, but that means if you don't like the theme, you completely skip it, as opposed to liking a handful of the regular CMFs and then trying to complete the set.

The only one this applies to so far would be S13. S12 and S14 will contain various minifigs from multiple themes, not based on a singular IP.

But back to it being smart, it may be harder to feel the packets if the bodies are molded also, so TLG may get more money from us CMF regulars...

Or the other way around since molded bodies give you more differences. Actually you never go for the bodies, but for the accessories.

Correct, you go for the accessories now since all of the bodies are the same other than sorry legs or dress pieces. But with multiple mixed bodies with the same type of round belly could prove difficult and make it harder to find the accessory. But I will l wait and see what comes with what and see how hard it is. It's hard enough finding the actual figures in stores.

Licensed CMFs seem like a bad idea from a sales standpoint. In every wave so far, there have been at least one or two army bulder type figures; figures people would want multiples of. With "hero" figures, this won't be the case. How many Homer Simpsons will anyone actually want???

Well, obviously it would depend upon exactly what the figures are, just as it would with non-licensed figures. If there actually were going to be a Star Wars wave (for example - and yes, I'm aware of the reason it wouldn't happen; I'm using it purely as an example), I think it's safe to say plenty of people would want to amass huge numbers of stormtroopers, Jawas, and so on, while being happy with just one or two of Luke, Han, Leia, etc.

Plenty of licensed themes feature minifigures, or at least the potential for minifigures, that lend themselves to army-building, including Star Wars, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Toy Story, Marvel & DC Superheroes, and many more. Obviously licensing considerations and other factors preclude many of these from being given the so-called "CMF" treatment anyway, as has been extensively discussed with Star Wars, but merely being from a licensed theme doesn't automatically mean something is inherently unlikely to be desirable in vast quantities... although it's probably safe to say it's not sought with The Simpsons. But then, army-building is only a part of what drives sales of the CMFs, anyway.

What surprises me is that it appears TLG locked up the next 3 lines by linking them to specific media (movies, tv, and games). It would seem more logical to release a "normal" series in between just in case interest wasn't as high in the other lines. That being said, the possibility of classic characters showing up in the CMF line is very appealing. I will just skip the Simpsons (unless it has some amazing accessories) and save for the next ones.

I don't know that I'd count The LEGO Movie and the Minifigures game the same way I'd count other "media" themes; these two are themselves based on LEGO's own material, after all, and I suspect the character mix in these waves will be pretty much like what we've gotten in the first eleven waves. They'll undoubtedly be a mix of various character archetypes, from various "themes" as we know them, rather than being dependent upon being recognizable as specific characters like all those from The Simpsons.

What surprises me is that it appears TLG locked up the next 3 lines by linking them to specific media (movies, tv, and games). It would seem more logical to release a "normal" series in between just in case interest wasn't as high in the other lines. That being said, the possibility of classic characters showing up in the CMF line is very appealing. I will just skip the Simpsons (unless it has some amazing accessories) and save for the next ones.

Is there a possibility that the "locked up themes" could be available in the same wave? That way you may only have to wait one period until a wave of regular CMFs come around.

I think, too, there's just the factor of wanting to "keep their toes in the water" when it comes to a certain price point and portion of the niche market. CMFs are great for "point of sale purchases" (AKA impulse buy, AKA, you bought it as you were at the register) and for the secondary market (Okay, that's anecdotal - do resellers like the CMFs?)

Also, and more importantly, everyone is doing these "blind figure packs" - not just clone brands but across the toy market. From hobby games to weird mass-market "trend toys" (Like Pod Fighters?) there's always a point in the market for "random figure in a package"

I think the CMF line is a victim of its own success...look at the upcoming Kreo Line for Dungeons and Dragons from Hasbro - from what I've seen the bulk of sales will succeed on the impulsive collecting habits of army builders - the most expensive set in the 2014 opening Spring wave is about 25.00, but there's ...a complete line of 36 CMF (2.99), 10 "non blind figures with accessories" (4.99), 3 battle packs (two figs, 8.99). 75 total figures/variations over the sets.