LEGO Ambassador Project: Design a NEW Pirate Sub-Theme

[Mister Phes]

I think Lyichir's post has good points about theme and story.

His points are excellent, but his comment "The first way would be as a small-scale theme like the recent Castle theme or the 2009 Pirates theme" is the path we'll need to take.

The in depth Chima/Ninjago story approach won't suit us because we don't have a television series to reinforce the storyline and characters, nor is the aim of the project to create one.

Without that familiarity we could end up with a Knights Kingdom II situation which will not serve us well.

One of the aims is to reposition Pirates as one of LEGO's "evergreen" themes alongside City, Castle and Space, starting with a new sub-theme which is a modern continuation of what has been released previously. So THE_COOK, another aim to add to the list.

[2maxwell]

Let's not forget the LEGO Group does currently have a small Duplo pirate theme in production. I.e Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

That line is based on a disney show that is currently on television. The show has been doing quite well.

There are also video games... My 12 year old nephew was showing me "Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag" a couple of months back...

I'm not overly familiar with the Assassin's Creed games but from what I understand they're a fairly significant video game franchise and for them to produce a sequel with a piratical theme must be an indication of something.

You're very correct. I didnt mention it earlier because I wasn't sure if it was in the right target group, but I mean who am I kidding? Tons of younger kids play those games even though they're designed for an older audience.

[Mister Phes]

That line is based on a disney show that is currently on television. The show has been doing quite well.

Yes, I forgot to mention that it is a licensed theme. So there are two pirate theme licenses the LEGO Group have acquired...

[The_Cook]

When the project commences there will be a series of highly specific threads each containing their own set of rules to dictate the flow of information.

I've been involved in a few projects of this nature and the final result has far exceeded the expectations of the LEGO Group.

Okay, my confidence has been raised significantly.

I real life I handle software development processes and know that the process and it's management have a significant bearing on the success of any project.

This is a good point, however I should mention in the past, LEGO Ambassadors have successfully submitted ideas for themes (most recently the "Forest Fire" City sub-theme) without providing any market research or assessment of viability. So a good idea alone can suffice.

However, it would be desirable to take this approach and provide supporting research to increase the probability of the LEGO Group's acceptance. But in reality we may not be able to collate the necessary information so what shall we do? Not try at all, or submit something anyway and see what happens?

The point that I was trying to state was that: People need to think like a product design team and aim for their target audience, age range and that audiences sensibilities and skills which is a different skill from creating the "most awesome moc ever". I'm sure that the member of the forum will rise to the challenge and embrace it with the correct ethos.

Other drawing on a small sample from our own friends and relatives (who are potentially biased) I don't think we could undertake any form of proper market research or play test analysis. That's not to say that we can't think it through and present the best case possible.

Finally you're right; do the best we can. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Mister Phes]

I real life I handle software development processes and know that the process and it's management have a significant bearing on the success of any project.

I have been trained in project management and applied these skills to found the LEGO Pirates Forum and Classic-Pirates.com then devise a system which enables others to maintain them for me... And that's perpetually, whereas this project will be limited to a certain time-frame.

So I'm well aware of what's involved, however it's beneficial to have others with an understanding of systems and project management to bounce ideas off.

Your feedback has proven beneficial as it has challenged me and thus prompted me to think more deeply into certain aspects of the project which I may not have done otherwise.

So keep it comin'!

The point that I was trying to state was that: People need to think like a product design team and aim for their target audience, age range and that audiences sensibilities and skills which is a different skill from creating the "most awesome moc ever".

It is a very good point to make because designing sets won't be like building a MOC in which there aren't any creative boundaries except perhaps for time and part availability.

[Admiral Blockbeard]

Have you got any ideas how we may be able to acquire some feedback from the German market?

Matthias130182 has offered some suggestions but kindergarten is a little too young, the target demograph is German boys ages 7-12. Plus MiloNelsiano is right, interviewing children is a precarious venture without parental consent so we'd need a particular system for acquiring the information.

Hard to say how we could get German market feedback (Seeing as I am in Aus). Online questionnaires distributed by people here aimed at parents with kids in the age group could be done. Although I would not expect a massive response. You could reach out to Lego and see if they have a database they could put the questions through. This obviously requires their ethics to approve the survey. This is something they may consider, and they may even get graphic artists behind it to make t more family fun.

Anyway, the starting point is our interest and dedication. Following that a brainstorming of ideas. Once we find creative themes we can group them and test them against any research we do/ do not get from kids.

When we have then narrowed the field and created some concepts we again test against kids opinions. Lego won't require these tests but as you say it would be nice to raise the bar.

AB

[ManInATopHat]

There are also video games... My 12 year old nephew was showing me "Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag" a couple of months back...

I'm not overly familiar with the Assassin's Creed games but from what I understand they're a fairly significant video game franchise and for them to produce a sequel with a piratical theme must be an indication of something.

The AC video game franchise is huge, one of the most popular.

Black Flag, from what I understand, was one of he best selling AC games. In fact, it was so popular, they're considering turning the franchise all out pirate!

People love pirates, there's no doubt that interest is still huge in our swashbuckling friends from the past.

[rodiziorobs]

I would be interested in helping out. Creating and writing a story, fleshing out characters, or model design; whatever you need, I'll try to help out where I am able.

[pcvando]

Hey! This is great!

I would love to help any way I can, I have many pirates figures and sets, and lots of parts, so I think I could help out in building some smaller to medium sets, and I could also help out in a few backstories, I don't think it has to be too elaborate, but like the classic pirates sets, a brief backstory followed by "now you continue the adventure" would suffice!

[Comrade Commander]

Forgive me if I missed this, but what is the timeline for this? Is there a deadline for us to meet? How long does each section (sign ups, brainstorming, MOCing, etc) take?

I think setting a timeline this early will be important because it will keep us on topic and moving along.

(Also, I should add I do have a little background in business, but I am not sure how relevant it will be as it is not in sales. Either way I can chime in if I think it is useful)

[Mister Phes]

Forgive me if I missed this, but what is the timeline for this? Is there a deadline for us to meet? How long does each section (sign ups, brainstorming, MOCing, etc) take?

That is currently being determined, a timeline wasn't introduced earlier because I wanted to see sufficient expressions of interest before determining anything.

Interest levels are sufficient so we'll be moving onto a more structured format in the near future. Although I can't give a precise date yet because there is only so much time I can allocate to organising this.

[Admiral Blockbeard]

I will be attending a Lego event in Adelaide Australia soon as in exhibitor (It is early May, so some time away). It might be possible to get some surveys circulated. I would need to organise this with the co-ordinator of the event and we would also need a much better idea of our process.

[Rotaser]

I like this idea and would like to participate wherever I can (Story-Lining, simple MOCs, Brain-Stormin, as my brain is sometimes more like a hurricane dating a typhoon rather than a straight directed wind ;-) )

I agree that a consistent story should be included.

And I have an idea on the sub-theme as well:

Asia!

"Normal" Pirates, of course, and Asian ones (for an imagination use the bandits from the old ninja-theme and put them on junks ^.^). It would be a great opportunity to expand the whole pirate setting into the east, make "exotic" looking scenery and buildings and we might as well add some mythical flavor. A Chinese dragon would be an idea, or a big deep sea squid. Would be wonderful in a set together with a smaller vessel trying to escape the vicious tentacles... :)

And as a side note, piracy has been very common in the Asian seas.

Argh! Another idea comes into my mind! Piracy in the Middle Sea! With Arabian/North African pirates in swift ships pretty similar to the pirate ship from "The Lord of the Rings" theme. Lego could re-use some of the molds made for "Price of Persia" and we might see an Arabian harbor as well.

So far, just my 2cents ^.^

[Duvors]

Ideas;

The first point I'd like to bring up is characters, who are they? LEGO tends to make themes where all the heroes have names and most of the Villains are nameless save for the leader, but the pirates theme has no clear 'good' or 'bad' characters, in fact I think that the main characters ought to be distributed evenly between characters, but what are the factions? That has a great effect on the characters and there names, Pirates certainly, and people have been leaning towards the Bluecoats for the soldier faction, and I think that lot's of people would like islanders.

But three factions is a little too much, but I certainly think that all of these factions should be present, so how about two of the factions, say the Bluecoats and the Pirates, have named characters with a few grunts and the remaining faction, the Islanders, have a distinct leader and a large amount of nameless warriors?

I'm not quite feeling up to detailing a large cast of characters but I have a few ideas.

The Pirates ought to have names that sound, well, 'piratey', you know, names like 'Oneeye Jack' and that sort of thing, the captain himself ought to have a name that stands out, I personally like the name 'Black Jonny Castle' tough that might be quite a mouthful. I'm also leaning towards the idea that the Bluecoats ought to have 'french' names.

There is one specific character I'd love to see, the ghost of Captain Redbeard from the original Pirates theme, that would tie in this theme with that one and would be a nice little reference too.

[Matthias]

With referance to Rotaser:

I don' t think that the area of the pirates should be changed. The kids all around the world know carib. Pirates. There are a lot of Films and stuff.Of cause in the asian point of view a asian pirates theme would be great, but, I don't know how it is in the US, but when one of these new actionfilm with a US mainactor which is a General of the an asian army in 15th century , or Samurai XYZ films, the cinemas here can close, because nobody wants to watch that.

It would also not be different if we would get a northsea pirate theme, or a 'battle of the Hanse' theme, Many would love it but many would hate it.

And nothing is more important than that the kids can identify with the persons of the theme. And the carib. Pirates are the only way to assure that.

With referance tho Lord duvors

French namens would we great, but I think the best would be one french name like lt.de Martinet and the other names in the language of the market. German in germany, spanish in Spain and so on. In 1989 it was great with the names.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Matthias130182

[adotnamedstud]

I'd love to join in! I'll submit ideas when I can because I'm tight on time right now.

[BFN]

I'd definitely be willing to help with this; I signed up for Eurobricks just because of it. :P Probably the most unique skill I have to offer is 3D modelling and animation. I'm making some final touches to my minifigure model's weight painting, and once it's finished, if some other collaborators provide the textures (I suck at creating them myself for the most part), I could certainly compile some renders/short animations. My latest render can be seen here, and other examples of my work include this animated Christmas .gif and a render using my old minifigure model. Besides that, I'm generally a sort of Jack-of-all-trades. :P I can do concept art, as well as LDDing/MOCing and writing, but I imagine you already have enough MOCers and writers. If you need any more examples of my work in any of these areas, though, I'd be happy to oblige. With school and everything, I can probably help most with this project around Spring Break and during summer, so I may be hard to contact from time to time.

Anyway, I'm really happy I was shown this project. A new Pirates line would be great. Especially if it's possible to finally produce a pirate ship around the $60 range as opposed to $100+. :P Is there a chance for any further projects of this type in the future?

Edited March 20, 2014 by BFN

[Mister Phes]

UPDATE: March 26, 2014

Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest and shared ideas!

There has been sufficient interest to deem this project worthy of pursuing so myself and a select number of contributors to this thread are continuing to organise the full scope of the project.

If anyone else has management or marketing skills, we'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on this project.

[BFN]

UPDATE: March 26, 2014

Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest and shared ideas!

There has been sufficient interest to deem this project worthy of pursuing so myself and a select number of contributors to this thread are continuing to organise the full scope of the project.

If anyone else has management or marketing skills, we'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on this project.

Awesome! Will the updates be posted in the Pirates forum still, or should we check the "The Embassy" forum?

[Mister Phes]

Awesome! Will the updates be posted in the Pirates forum still, or should we check the "The Embassy" forum?

This project will be carried out in the LEGO Pirates Forum so all related threads will be posted there.

[Mutant Orc]

Well I am certainly interested. I missed both the 2009 reboot and the classic pirate waves and very recently I was hoping for a new lot to come out!

I wouldn't mind a slightly supernatural theme. Skeleton pirates and pirates would be a fun series.

I wouldn't want anything too crazy like Ninjago though- nothing unrealistic in technology i.e. keep to just normal boats!

[Americanlego234]

Based on what evidence? The Pirate sets released 4-5 years ago sold very well apparently so is there any particular reason they would not do so currently?

These are very good points!

I liken it to making an animated feature like Shrek - ultimately it's a film aimed at the children's market but there's enough mature subtleties to captivate an adult audience.

shrek is love, shrek is life.

[TheLazyChicken]

I wouldn't mind a slightly supernatural theme. Skeleton pirates and pirates would be a fun series.

I would really like that and I guess kids would be okay with it. They have done this with Ninjago and Fantasy Era. This would be something I would look forward too!

[legoman19892]

People at my LEGO store are always asking where the pirate theme is.

[Mister Phes]

UPDATE: April 5, 2014

The Ambassador Project has launched!

Please read the rules carefully and leave your suggestions in the Sub-Themes Suggestions thread.