Thoughts about Licences and TLC's future

[Assassin]

quote from Bloody Jay

" A LOTR LEGO theme would have sold well during the movie releases, when people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities were seeing and loving the movies. That fad's over, LEGO's lost the opportunity. Too bad. "

Yes LOTR LEGO would have sold well, but, and it's a damn BIG but, LEGO did NOT get the license to make LOTR sets, that license was awarded to some other company who totally screwed it up.

I can't remember who they were now, but what sets they did release were worse than Megablox, with very few individual parts, and I'm not sure, they might even have had some very basic light/sound effects on them.

So, unfortunately I very much doubt LOTR will not be released by LEGO even from a book point of view, the original license may very well contain clauses restricting any other kind of construction toy approach.

Having said that, think about all of the opportunities that could come from a mythology range, with the added benefit that there would not be licensing problems involved.

[snefroe]

You see this is why i find it hard to understand why lego has said that they wont touch anymore film licences, surely making sets of films has gotta keep them more in the public eye and help boost product sells all over the board.

there are also really negative aspects to licences:

-you're more or less stuck to designs of others and they most likely will not consult you on their work; you just have to hope for the best

-you might not even have many set posibilities to fill an entire theme or it might be very difficult to create good sets, based on a scene in a film (i've always had this problem with spiderman: the theme sets lack cohesion, the theme in general lacks substance, as if TLC basically selected just a few scenes to work from, therefore the story itself more or less fades away; this is not the case with star wars, that not only gave us "scene sets", but also model sets, like the snowspeeder, falcon,...)

-you're also dependent upon the policies of other companies, in this case, not only George Lucas, but also hasbro,... TLC cannot release any set they like, a set of minifigs for instance, isn't possible, even though highly profitable...

-you're also stuck on release dates of films/dvd's... so you can't release ep3 sets whenever you want to; you have to accept what it is been offered... very bad aspect!!!!!!!!!

-there's also tough competition: hasbro, for instance, also releases AT-AT's, gunships,... in any case, you have to hope that people will like Lego more than other toys... that's quite a challenge... if you're producing sets of your own, you're in full control, no one may copy your work

-it's probably expensive. you have to have a real good year to do very well financially

-it's also not very good for your own image and self confidence: you're giving the message that your own company is not able to produce the things people want; you're not able to produce excellent stuff of your own... in the end, Lego being a creative toy, would become a joke, after all, by using licences, you'd be telling the world that you're not creative anymore, you need the fantasy of another company to build your own sets.. Not a good message at all

[xwingyoda]

Therefore,

Doing History and Mythology themes would get rid of all those negative aspects ;)

[snefroe]

Therefore,

Doing History and Mythology themes would get rid of all those negative aspects ;)

exactly, BUT:

to link this topic with the other about the roman theme,

romans fighting persians is asking for problems in a world that's in serious religious problems... (romans: christians - persians: moslims) I'm not saying that persians are moslims and roman by definition christians, but it is asking for trouble

on other hand, TLC can't repeat these dragons and dinos over and over...

[xwingyoda]

It can surely be viewed like this unfortunitly, but when I was reffering to battle of Salamine, it was domination (power and territory) but NOT religion ;)

Persians are NOT muslims ;)

Same as for Alexander the great defeating Darius III, it was not religion once more.

If I remeber correctly, religious wars started more or less in the 14th century with the first crusades ;)

Also During the Greek and Roman Empire Jesus was not yet born, so no religious wars ;)

[Vader]

Doing licenses does mean restrictions but it has many advantages to it as well, as for the Romans well the Vikings were known for looting and plundering and yet we will soon have a viking line.

So a Roman line is not out of the question and if there that worried about religion then just give us sets with lions or say 2 fractions of Romans, better still how about a new time series but alot better than the last ones we had.

[ApophisV]

But since those would be licensed sets, they would be more expensive than just standard space sets. Most kids will prefere to buy a slightly worse designed but cheaper set! Or don't you think so?

EDIT: oooops, haven't seen the last 20 posts.... :$

[snefroe]

If I remeber correctly, religious wars started more or less in the 14th century with the first crusades ;)

14th century *wacko* *wacko* *wacko*

no wonder you frenchman voted for De Gaule as greatest frenchman ever!!

try 10th :P :P

anyway, not important, the thing is that people look at these sets with modern eyes, for TLC, religion will never be the main element of the theme, but people might look at a theme in that way, not as a conflict for domination, but a conflict between different lifestyles, religions...

do you think that TLC will go for a Roman theater, where people fight each other, and all sorts of animals? tLC would be crucified!

[xwingyoda]

My bad snefroe1, I learned that so lonnnnnng ago ;)

That's a problem, putting armies/legions without offensing anyone - quite a challenge ;)

There you go, historical city theme: buildings, roman legions guarding.... You avoid every single problem hopefully ;)

Or/and TLC can avoid all this: Atlantis, Adventure...

[snefroe]

My bad snefroe1, I learned that so lonnnnnng ago ;)

That's a problem, putting armies/legions without offensing anyone - quite a challenge ;)

There you go, historical city theme: buildings, roman legions guarding.... You avoid every single problem hopefully ;)

Or/and TLC can avoid all this: Atlantis, Adventure...

and may add: a couple of grave robbers? that's quite innocent

[SuvieD]

I think the history/mythology is more of what will not only sell but it can also avoid any type of religous or political "agenda" some people could find with it.

Besides it would be very cool to have all of those great greek mythological creatures. :-D The same goes for King Arthur. These are not only possible but entirely probable for LEGO to make it the near future. Kids would love it, adults have been begging for it for years. I think it will happen. My hope is that they will also look into the mythology of other cultures so we can get some far eastern myths as well as some south american and south pacific type stuff. This could be great! :oD

I know I have said it four or five times now, but I want a Nintendo and Lego venture. More specifically, I would like a Legend of Zelda series. Link, Zelda, Impa, Ganon, moblins, tektites, stalfos, iron knuckle! :oD ! and the triforce all in Lego. :oD :oD :oD :oD :oD :oD :oD :oD :oD :oD Go NinLego!

[xwingyoda]

If I remeber correctly, religious wars started more or less in the 14th century with the first crusades ;)

14th century *wacko* *wacko* *wacko*

try 10th :P :P

OK, OK my bad :$

Crusades started under the reign of Philippe Ier (1052-1108).

The first crusades dated 1096-1099: the Pope Urbain II desired to save the Oriental Christian Empire from the Turcs.

Why do I checked this: NO WAY we can expect a crusade theme :-D :P

[The Middleman]

I always thought a Religions of the World theme would be really cool. A mosque, a synagogue, a church, a Shinto temple, a Buddhist temple, etc.

[xwingyoda]

So true Bloody Jay!!!!

Doing the opposite of what history tought us: bringing people together thanks to their religious diversity ;)

I just love this idea: a mix of culture, religion, architecture and history.

However, I just don't see that happen due to religious tensions in today's world, really too bad :'(

[Mister Phes]

I always thought a Religions of the World theme would be really cool. A mosque, a synagogue, a church, a Shinto temple, a Buddhist temple, etc.

Would this be politically correct though? If these designs weren't faithful to the existing buildings some people may be offended. I've noticed Islamic people are very pedantic about their religion and constantly moan when someone doesn't get it right.

[The Middleman]

I always thought a Religions of the World theme would be really cool.  A mosque, a synagogue, a church, a Shinto temple, a Buddhist temple, etc.

Would this be politically correct though? If these designs weren't faithful to the existing buildings some people may be offended. I've noticed Islamic people are very pedantic about their religion and constantly moan when someone doesn't get it right.

As long as they get the anatomy of the building right, it would work. I don't think they should try to specify buildings, either - then people might get angry.

[M'Kyuun]

I'd love a line like this too. TLC have made religious buildings for their LEGOland Parks and, as far as I know, have never come under any scrutiny. Simplified versions in the UCS line would market well, I think, as long as the buildings in question were well researched and as Bloody Jay said, not based on any actual buildings, but representative of them in style and architecture. A Gothic Cathedral is high on my list, personally.

[WetWired]

I think lord of the rings is the only other theme they could bring out that would generate sales close to what star wars has.

Haven't said that it was only the recent indiana jones theme that brought me back from the dark ages

[Mr. Builder]

I just read Wolf04's post and ARE YOU CRAZY! No offense but, Lego would never commit such a crime. Terrorists? Were lucky they're even going to go into agents.

[CopMike]

Not to ruin this discussion but this thread´s 3rd birthday is the 22nd april, a bit old so to say ;-)!

Just keep that in mind when judging previous posts.

Birthday soon On

copmike

[AncientCiv]

As I said previously, I'm not attracted to the fantasy LEGO themes for fantasy sake.

Reality is so much more interesting to me! With that said, LOTR and Narina would be themes I'd be interested in buying. Not because they are fantasy, only because LOTR and Narina bring back positive memories. I think that is key to selling LEGO themes and sets. The LEGO sets that can trigger good memories or transport the child or adult out of the stressful modern world will sell the best.

I also thought of the Religions of the world theme. I'd love to see Hindu temples, Buddhists temples with Buddhists monks, Mosques, Churches, etc. As the next generation goes into positions of influence and power, I foresee the use of the "politically correct card" decreasing over time. Those under 35 years of age aren't as sensitive about these issues. Religions are a part of history. If LEGO was so uptight and politically correct, you wouldn't see an ancient deity like Anubis in the Pharaoh's Quest theme.

[richthelegodude]

As much as I would love to see a Lego Ghostbusters set, I am a bit of a lego purist. I think the fun in lego comes from making the pieces you have to hand do a good job of representing the object your modelling. I guess I am nostalgic for the time where the Lego themes was a big enough brand in their own right .

[SilentMode]

Don't forget Disney owns Marvel now, we might eventually see Marvel-based Lego sets. (Might have been mentioned before.)