Thoughts while building The Brick Bounty

[Captain Fortune]

Yesterday, when I was building the new Brick Bounty (TBB), some thoughts and reflections related to the evolution of Lego Pirates came to my mind, and I wanted to share it with you.

Some users often feel some disappointment or frustration with the new sets, 2009-2010 wave included. I can undestand it. Here in this forums, we are not childs. We grew with the oldest Classic Pirates, in my case I grow with 1993-1996 sets, but some of you even remember the first wave of 1989, wich was completely different than the recent ones. In conlusion: we are used to the "model building" style of Lego.

Those old sets from the 80s to mid 90s (mostly the earlier period) were more oriented to the "model building", similar to the classic scale models (http://en.wikipedia..../Model_building). Now, this kind of style is more used in other lines of products like Star Wars or Creator, wich are more popular to the collectors.

These new pirate sets are more simple, more "direct", oriented to the playfulness and the esthetic cryteria. They are thought for other kind of costumers. This "model building" style won't come back.

So it was very useful for me to change my point of view. We have to focus in other things. It's true that the sets have more simple structures, but it's also true that are more detailed. And despite this simplicity, in general the sets are solid and logical, unlike the 1996 wave.

And look at the minifigs: they are much better now! If you compare it with the oldest, they were absolutely repetitive and simple! Then look at the accessories, lots of new pieces, tools, etc. Esthetically speaking, now we've got very good-looking sets, nicer textures, etc. The same happens with the colors, we've got a huge variety.

I think that I'm not telling excuses, but real reasons. I keep on my loving memories the old Lego Pirates, but it has changed and it's a good idea to change our points of view with it.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Captain Fortune

[khatmorg]

I don't really get what you mean by old sets being of the "model building" type. If you mean instruction wise I sorta understand I guess but from a build philosophy not really. Building techniques evolve with the addition of new elements but they don't seem to be THAT much different.

Edited March 31, 2015 by khatmorg

[Captain Braunsfeld]

This "model building" style won't come back.

You made a good point here.

The 1990s sets gave me a short break in my "dark ages". Those were good times.

Still I hope that the "model building" style will come back in one way or another. Or I will continue to build ships!

[Hive]

I grew up with the first Pirates wave and have fond memories thereof - but I don't miss them. They were great for their time, but LEGO sets nowadays has evolved with more parts, more colours and more details (not least on minifigures!). The only thing that has "devolved" is perhaps the complexity and general size of sets. And that, I do of course miss. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a Pirate set the size and scale of the Imperial Trading Post or El Dorado Fortress but with new colours, parts and technique?

[Captain Fortune]

I don't really get what you mean by old sets being of the "model building" type. If you mean instruction wise I sorta understand I guess but from a build philosophy not really. Building techniques evolve with the addition of new elements but they don't seem to be THAT much different.

No, i meant that the old sets are more similar to the typical model (model of a town, house, ship, etc) than the current sets, so they had more complexity and were more similar to the real life. Now, they priorize other things, like the playfulness.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Captain Fortune

[Maxim I]

I agree with you. Luckily there was POTC for Model Builds!

I have the Black Sea Barracuda next to the QAR on my shelves. They are similar and a nice example how technics evolved in almost 25 years!

The problem is when you put the BBB or the TBB next to it, they are looking ridiculous.

It is true what you say, the ships are more playfull now. So it is up to us to make model building ships :)

[Kolonialbeamter]

Interesting discussion. I agree with you, Captain Fortune, sets used to be of more 'aesthetic value' (from a model builder's perspective). I would go as far as to make this a generalisation. It's interesting to see this changed over the years/decades... sometimes it fills my heart with some nostalgia (Eldorado Fortress, BSB )... The last pirate set I consider 'beautiful' was the exclusive 2010's Imperial Flagship.

Well, things change, and I must I like TLG's general focus on minifigs these days/years. Seems a lesson learned from the Star-Wars franchise... minifigs are a major cash cow. Btw, I need more new bluecoats!!

However, I would really like to see what designers today could do if tasked with releasing a new (exclusive) Eldorado Fortress...

[2maxwell]

Its certainly true that the new sets focus on playability and, dare I say it, functionality over form. The big captain's cabins in particular bother me, even on the imperial flagship. They dont fit the look at all imo, and I much preferred the older style of narrowing sterns a la galleons. I really dont have that many problems with the modern ships otherwise. That being said, I understand the change and am sort of ready to deal with it.

[Cervantes]

It wouldn't be so bad if Lego made collector "model" pirate ships in the $199-299 range like they do with Star Wars.

[Dunedain]

I really wish TLG would make sets like El dorados or the Imperial trading post, but of course with the newer parts, colors, and building techniques the are available now. Really it comes down to hoping that these newest Pirate sets sell incredibly well, and honestly they do seem to be, for what its worth. I think if they do then maybe there is a slim chance we could see an UCS, or exclusive style set of Pirate/Imperial buildings/forts, that are huge and incredibly detailed. Although I do like the newest Imperial fort and outposts, it does seem like they are puny skeletons of what "could" be, with nothing to them.

Heres to hoping for huge, detailed Pirate sets.

[David Thomsen]

I also think the financial problems TLG used to have might have changed things a lot, like I built the new Fort set the other day and it gives the appearance of size without really having many pieces in it. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, since a kid is probably going to enjoys fort with a good size over a smaller, more detailed one with more pieces. It gets Lego into kids' homes.

I never had the BSB but I spent a lot of time wishing I had had it. The new Pirate ships are great because they let me experience something I never had. Looking back, the BSB looks like a brick-built 'Creator' set, whereas the new ships, while seemingly more simple with their specialised parts, have more details because of it. I guess it depends how you define 'model' sets.

If I, with no nostalgia for the BSB, were asked to choose between that and the BBB, I might actually choose the latter.

[Cervantes]

The BBB seems nice, but I hope I get another crack at the barracuda someday. It's design bellies it's age. I think my favorite part is that they actually had a deck on it with cannons below. Made it feel like a full ship instead of just leaving the bottom hull exposed.

[Captain Roger]

Some users often feel some disappointment or frustration with the new sets, 2009-2010 wave included. I can undestand it. Here in this forums, we are not childs. We grew with the oldest Classic Pirates, in my case I grow with 1993-1996 sets, but some of you even remember the first wave of 1989, wich was completely different than the recent ones. In conlusion: we are used to the "model building" style of Lego.

Yeah, and that old style was better because sets were more detailed. Eldorado fortress was much better than both 2009 and 2015 Soldier's fort. Both Brick Bounty and Brickbeards bounty are poorer ships compared with BSB or SES. And of course, Imperial Trading Post, Rock Island Refuge and Skull Island were great sets, and there aren't sets like those in 2009 and 2015 waves.

Those old sets from the 80s to mid 90s (mostly the earlier period) were more oriented to the "model building", similar to the classic scale models (http://en.wikipedia..../Model_building). Now, this kind of style is more used in other lines of products like Star Wars or Creator, wich are more popular to the collectors.

Sadly, you are right.

These new pirate sets are more simple, more "direct", oriented to the playfulness and the esthetic cryteria. They are thought for other kind of costumers.

Old 1989-1997 pirate sets were really useful to play. I don't think 2009 and 2015 sets offer more posibilities. I Think if a set is detailed, it offers more posibilities, so old sets were better to play than 2009 and 2015 waves. For example, Eldorado fortress has 2 canons and 12 cannonballs, 2009 Soldier's fortress only one cannon and 2 cannonballs. Ah, and 2015 fortress is really small, so it offers less posibilities than both 2009 and 1989 sets.

So it was very useful for me to change my point of view. We have to focus in other things.

I disagree. We have to focus in best points of each wave, and express our opinions in forums. Then, TLC could read our posts and release best products

And despite this simplicity, in general the sets are solid and logical, unlike the 1996 wave.

Well, I agree about the 1996 wave was really poor, and even 2009 and 2015 waves are better. But I must admit Pirates Perilous Piftall and was a great set. Shipwreck Island was a nice set too. But both 2009 and 2015 pirate ships are better that RBR, and soldiers sets in 1996 were scarce (only 2 sets, a one-cannon ship and a little tower with only one minifig). In 2009 ana 2015 waves, we have cool soldiers sets.

It's true that the sets have more simple structures, but it's also true that are more detailed.

No, There aren't more detailed. Only 2010 Imperial Flagship and Brick Bounty and Brickbeard's Bounty cabins are more detailed. 2009 and 2015 sets have less cannons, less cannonballs, less space, and BB and BBB decks are really empty compared with BSB and SES.

And look at the minifigs: they are much better now! If you compare it with the oldest, they were absolutely repetitive and simple! Then look at the accessories, lots of new pieces, tools, etc. Esthetically speaking, now we've got very good-looking sets, nicer textures, etc. The same happens with the colors, we've got a huge variety.

I agree about this, specially about minifigs and cannons. 2009 and 2015 minifigs are MUCH better than 1989-1996 minifigs. And I prefer the Dark Pearl Grey cannons to the classic grey cannons. Nostalgia is a bad thing because some people would prefer worse things if that worse things were part of their childness...but is not my case.

I keep on my loving memories the old Lego Pirates, but it has changed and it's a good idea to change our points of view with it.

I prefer to keep the good points of each wave. For example, I changed all 1992 redcoats from my Imperial Trading post and replaced them with 2009 redcoats. I changed all 1989 pirates from my BSB and replaced them with 2009 pirates. And of course, I replace all my 1989-1996 cannons for 2009 cannons. So I have the best point of each wave in my collection.

[Captain Fortune]

Captain Roger,

I think that we agree more than disagree.

Old 1989-1997 pirate sets were really useful to play. I don't think 2009 and 2015 sets offer more posibilities. I Think if a set is detailed, it offers more posibilities, so old sets were better to play than 2009 and 2015 waves. For example, Eldorado fortress has 2 canons and 12 cannonballs, 2009 Soldier's fortress only one cannon and 2 cannonballs. Ah, and 2015 fortress is really small, so it offers less posibilities than both 2009 and 1989 sets.

I dindn't say they were not playable. How could I say that, if I did it myself! Now have more gimmicks, they are modular, they have more opened walls, etc. [Eran más de mírame y no me toques,y no te lo tomes al pie de la letra. Quiero decir que eran modelos más serios y más rígidos que hoy en día].

I disagree. We have to focus in best points of each wave, and express our opinions in forums. Then, TLC could read our posts and release best products.

Agree. However, I'm only saying that we shouldn't be attached to the old times. [Algunos están muy anclados en el pasado, sólo ven lo bueno de lo antiguo sin ver los avances que se han hecho en otras áreas].

Well, I agree about the 1996 wave was really poor, and even 2009 and 2015 waves are better. But I must admit Pirates Perilous Piftall and was a great set. Shipwreck Island was a nice set too. But both 2009 and 2015 pirate ships are better that RBR, and soldiers sets in 1996 were scarce (only 2 sets, a one-cannon ship and a little tower with only one minifig). In 2009 ana 2015 waves, we have cool soldiers sets.

Well, Perilous Pitfall has been very criticised. I recognize that I like it, but I also think that is really weird. (Look at this review: http://legosteveblog.blogspot.com.es/2011/04/lego-pirate-wave-4-1996-1997.html) But well, that is not important. The fact is that this wave was really poor and bad thought, nevertheless I appreciate the intent to be original and break with the past.

No, There aren't more detailed. Only 2010 Imperial Flagship and Brick Bounty and Brickbeard's Bounty cabins are more detailed. 2009 and 2015 sets have less cannons, less cannonballs, less space, and BB and BBB decks are really empty compared with BSB and SES.

Yes, they are. Maybe I didn't explained myself well. It's not a matter of quantities, but details. [Las supuestas pintadas de los prisioneros dentro de la cárcel, los catalejos, las botellas, animales más variados y realistas, paredes más coloristas y con relieves, etc. En sets como El Dorado Fortress, no había más que el típico tiburón y la típica copa amarilla.]

I prefer to keep the good points of each wave. For example, I changed all 1992 redcoats from my Imperial Trading post and replaced them with 2009 redcoats. I changed all 1989 pirates from my BSB and replaced them with 2009 pirates. And of course, I replace all my 1989-1996 cannons for 2009 cannons. So I have the best point of each wave in my collection.

100% agree.

[Captain Roger]

I agree with you. It was a pleasure to talk about this

In any case, I prefer 1989-1995 sets to newer waves, even 2009 and 2015 waves gave us really cool improvements: better minifigs, new and better accesories (golden cups are much better than that old yellow cups, same about old and new cannons, and you are right, bottles and spyglass are a nice novelties). Ah, and Eldorado fortress included a transparent cup, no yellow cup.

About animals, 2009 alligators have better color than 1994-1997 alligators, and the alligator of the 2015 treasure island is much better than the older if we talk about morphology. About shark, the best shark is included in 10679 Pirate Treasure Hunt, because it has gills. I don't like the shark included in Brickbeard's bounty because it was childish with that eyebrows. And 1989-1996 parrots are better than 2009 parrots, but I'm glad TLC changed the parrots in 2009 wave, because there are different parrot species in real life, and now we have the posibility of using 2 parrot species in the LEGO Pirate universe. And of course 2009 fishes are a great novelty

[Maxim I]

I really wish TLG would make sets like El dorados or the Imperial trading post, but of course with the newer parts, colors, and building techniques the are available now. Really it comes down to hoping that these newest Pirate sets sell incredibly well, and honestly they do seem to be, for what its worth. I think if they do then maybe there is a slim chance we could see an UCS, or exclusive style set of Pirate/Imperial buildings/forts, that are huge and incredibly detailed. Although I do like the newest Imperial fort and outposts, it does seem like they are puny skeletons of what "could" be, with nothing to them.

Heres to hoping for huge, detailed Pirate sets.

It would really surprise me to see an UCS Imperial Fort coming out because there are already parts of the imperial fort/harbour. Itcis true those 2 smaller sets are not as nice as El Dorado or ITP. But as the slakker sets can be connected to eachother and you have many alternative possibilities with the small sets, I am surr you can make your own ITP.

So if there will be an UCS, please let it be a Bluecoats ship, but not a copy of the IFS