Future Wild West Theme?

[Legoman123]

I couldn't really find anything on this so I thought I'd make a topic.  

For me personally the Wild West is such an interesting topic that lego is yet to explore again!  I think there's so many iconic western locations that could be done with all the new bricks we have it's kind of a must to do in the near future.

What do you guys think? 

Edited October 5, 2016 by Legoman123

[Bricknblue]

Not likely to happen. Wild West is very American, not a great world wide thing. The Lone Ranger probably left a bad taste in LEGO's mouth. Also the horrible history of Europeans killing all the natives in the Americas.... not very family friendly. 

[RetroInferno]

Well it was featured as a theme in the Lego movie, and there was no Amerindian slaughter there, so it's possible for it to be done with good taste. 

[rodiziorobs]

I feel like it's a theme TLG doesn't trust enough to put a lot of resources into (i.e. a full theme), but is content to dip its toe into occasionally--through Lego Movie sets, CMFs, etc. I doubt we'll ever see it return in full force.

[MAB]

On 05/10/2016 at 11:13 PM, Bricknblue said:

Not likely to happen. Wild West is very American, not a great world wide thing. The Lone Ranger probably left a bad taste in LEGO's mouth. Also the horrible history of Europeans killing all the natives in the Americas.... not very family friendly. 

Or alternatively, the early Americans killing ....

[Bricknblue]

3 hours ago, MAB said:

Or alternatively, the early Americans killing ....

It started with Columbus and went all the way through to today. So it started with the Europeans and the BS just continues through American stupidity.

[Lyichir]

I do think another Western theme in the future is possible, but I don't necessarily know how likely it is. Not only is the Western a less popular genre these days in general, but one of the most common sources of conflict in that sort of story (Cowboys vs. Indians) has problematic connotations in this day and age, as does the heavy emphasis on gunplay. Those issues also affect the Pirates theme, but to a lesser extent.

We'll see. Unlike themes like Castle and Ninja, and Pirates, a Western theme would not really conflict with any current licensed or unlicensed themes, which is a point in its favor. And even with the decline of the Western in pop-culture, the imagery associated with that genre is still quite recognizable and distinctive among kids, unlike less well-known/popular cultural eras like ancient Asian or African history. If we do see another take on the theme I expect it to focus on conflict between cowboys and bandits rather than Indians.

[Aanchir]

Aw man, "Future Wild West" could be the best thing since Nexo Knights! :P

Kidding of course; I know what you really meant. I agree with Lyi that the possibility is out there but right now the time doesn't seem right… Even in the United States, cowboys as a concept are not as popular with kids as they once were, and the Lone Ranger movie failed to reinvigorate the Western genre for kids.

I am glad that judging from the various Western-themed Collectible Minifigures, a new Western theme would probably have much better designed figures than the original one from the 90s. LEGO was first breaking into more varied figure designs in the 90s and hadn't quite settled on really consistent standards. As such, the Indians and even one of the bandits had features like prominent noses that made them feel like unfortunate racial caricatures. The Tribal Hunter, Tribal Chief, Tribal Woman, and Tomahawk Warrior minifigures have much better designs that better adhere to the design standards of a modern minifigure.

A part of me does wonder what the chances are of seeing a theme that's more like "Western with a twist", like how Ninjago and Nexo Knights are Ninja and Castle themes with a twist. Incorporating sci-fi elements to create an American-style steampunk theme could be interesting, although some designers have said they've had a hard time selling the idea of steampunk to kids. Mystical elements would be harder to incorporate into a Western theme without running afoul of "magical Native American" stereotypes, since cowboys with supernatural powers might be a hard sell.

[RetroInferno]

I first thing I had in mind when you mentionned Wild West with a spin is Cowboys vs Aliens. This might seem completly ridiculous but I would be 100% behind a theme like that. 

[MAB]

17 hours ago, Aanchir said:

Aw man, "Future Wild West" could be the best thing since Nexo Knights! :P

The first thing I thought of when I saw the title was "Westworld" (the Yul Brynner film). Robots and cowboys ...

[Klaus-Dieter]

That's a very interesting topic, Legoman123!

 

As a big Western fan I really, really hope that TLG will soon bring back this theme!!!

 

And there are even a lot of aspects which speak for a new Western theme:

+ Today there are so many new, great molds and colors that it would be much easier to design amazing and realistic looking Western sets than two decades ago.

+ That we get a Western minifigure in on adverage every second CMF series is a clear sign that TLG knows that their consumers like Western; otherwise they'd choose figs form other "themes".

+ The always emerging discussion that there won't be a new Western theme because of the conflict cowboys vs. Indians (which is indeed and without doubts a dark part in the history) is imo - sorry - megablocks. I mean: TLG would never release sets which show a conflict between these two groups. And what a kid plays is always its own decision and fantasy - independent from sets and set contents which are sold.

+ That kids aren't interested in Western is completely wrong. Or how do you explain with that that Playmobil every now and then releases Western sets (Wild West and Indians) - and this even outside America?!

+ Today many kids do only want sets when they offer much playability and many action elements. A Western theme is (apart from Sci themes) the theme which offers the most of them - much weaponry, blowing-up walls, trap doors, secret hiding places, real functioning canons, ... - even more action stuff than in a Pirates or Castle theme possible.

+ With the line of Exclusives growing from year to year, Western not necessarily has to get an own theme, but it would even be possible to release some huge, exclusive sets (if TLG thought that they wouldn't sell that well as non-Exclusives).

 

Regrettably there are even some aspects which speak against a new Western theme:

- The Lone Ranger theme failed because the movie was really bad quality and the sets were - because of the license - too expensive and too specific. So TLG might see this as an disclaimer of an WW theme.

- In 2002, some of the Western sets were re-released. From what I know (correct me if I am wrong) the sets weren't sold that well. This could for TLG be a sign that perple aren't into Western, too. But the "problem" was supposably rather that this were exactly the sets from 1996/97 without any changes - and 1996/97 at that time wasn't enough too far away in the past.

- It's now two decades ago that there hasn't been any new, non-licensed Western theme. So - honestly said - I'm regrettably very pessimistic about that we'll get any new one anywhere in the future.

- In 2009, The Brickster and I run a petition about which locations, minifigs and animals a new Western theme should include. A report was written and The Brickster gave it to TLG. But I haven't been hearing any positive or at least more detailed feedback til now. Imo a clear sign that TLG isn't considering to bring back the Wild West theme.

 

So, in order to get new Western sets, the best is to talk about this theme, to post set ideas, to build and show Western MOCs and to even publish them on the Lego Ideas page.

 

Btw: If you had some ideas for new Wild West sets or wanted only to view which ideas already have been posted yet, don't hesitate to visit "Ideas for new sets (Wild West):

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/topic/9151-ideas-for-new-setswild-west/#comment-151266

 

Klaus-Dieter

Edited October 17, 2016 by Klaus-Dieter

[SilentWolf]

I would love to see a revitalization of the wild west theme. The original western sets came out right as I was slowing down on buying sets, but when I picked up again they were some of the first things I bought. I have always been perplexed that they never focused on things like cattle ranchers and rustlers, or panning for gold. Though with the introduction of cows and some CMFs that work toward those ideas we could do our own. If Lego reintroduced this theme, I would like to see more of that aspect of the West examined. Also the wildlife would be great to see introduced.
Sadly, I fear that as others have pointed out the failures of recent Western themes has created a hindrance to its future. I guess I will keep building on my own, and hope with the rest of you that Lego changes their mind.

[The lego fan]

On 19 October 2016 at 9:04 PM, SilentWolf said:

I have always been perplexed that they never focused on things like cattle ranchers and rustlers, or panning for gold.

 

Now you mention those ideas, I'm realy hoping ? for TLG to focus on these points even though I very much doubt they well. ?

Nice ideas!

The lego fan.