LEGO could use Playmobil for inspiration!

[ArneNielsen]

It is a well-known fact, that Playmobil has been very "inspired" by LEGO throughout the years, blatantly copying ideas from sets and themes.

But sometimes I would wish for the other way around: that LEGO got inspired by Playmobil.

Playmobil of course copied LEGO Desert Adventurers with an Egyptian theme - but unlike LEGO, much focus was on the civil life of the ancient Egyptian civilization.

Why didn't LEGO make a set with a gem like this:

https://www.playmobil.de/aegyptisches-haus/6485.html

Or this (even if it is a warship, not a civilian):

https://www.playmobil.de/nilschiff/6486.html

I could also have used these in the LEGO Western theme:

https://www.playmobil.de/windrad/6214.html

https://www.playmobil.de/grosser-wasserturm/6215.html

(I know, there was a simple windtower in the Outback series, and there was a simple watertower in the Lone Ranger series, but both were very basic)

I would so love to have LEGO make a History theme without it being all about war and warriors!

[Mister Phes]

Definitely!

Plus, Playmobil has managed to maintain ongoing Space, Knights and Pirate themes whereas the LEGO Group doesn't seem to have this ability.

 

[Littleworlds]

Oh yes! These are lovely sets. I'm really taken by the realism playmobil tried to achieve and it is quite Ironic that the more versatile toy-system of them two quite often is the one which has less versatile sets. Then again, TLG seems to be very successful with what they are doing.

 

[kurigan]

Because it's up to the builder to make Lego in to what you imagine. Themes in Lego are just marketing. Stories sell, and story is conflict. If you want a house, build a house. If you want a wind mill build a wind mill. If you want to sell bricks, make up a character for the most popular fictional genera at that moment and animate some cutesy commercial showing all the awesome adventures he has. Or, better yet, licence preexistence, popular and well established franchises so the writing is already done. Playmobil is, what it is, forever. If it's a car, then it's just a car. If it's a house, then for ever more it will be a house. Check the landfills in a million years, and they will still be plastic cars and houses. Take a Lego car and decide you want a tractor, a space ship, ever a castle (why not) and you can tear it down and build it back up in to any of those things. To continue existing and being the awesome thing it is, Lego needs to sell. If putting it in a box labeled "War Toys" is what gets it out the door, then so be it. If it says something about society that conflict sells better than domestic bliss, I'm not sure it's a bad thing. It's easy to say "but what of the children?" but what kind of upbringing , what sort of life preparedness, are they being given if all their stories and fantasies are about a perfect world where nothing goes wrong and everyone gets along? 

 

Without the darkness, how would we recognize the light? 

Dave

[Aanchir]

I doubt much of the stuff that Playmobil has made that LEGO hasn't is stuff that LEGO has never thought of. But both companies do their own research and development to figure out which concepts will have the best business case for developing them into products. And seeing as they're different companies in different product categories, I don't think it's surprising they might arrive at different decisions.

I also don't know whether it makes too much sense for a market leader like LEGO to look to a much smaller competitor for inspiration when so often (as you mention) it's Playmobil that is seemingly following the LEGO brand's lead.

But I'm with you in your frustration that so many of LEGO's historic themes tend to focus myopically on conflict and battle rather than on other parts of the lifestyles of people in those places and time periods… it's still pretty bewildering to me that we've never had a traditional Castle set featuring a "Great Hall" for banquets (a pretty iconic medieval scene), a castle kitchen/pantry/larder, or a royal bedchamber.

That sort of thing was a big part of my appreciation for the Elves theme, which did seem to put more effort into making their world feel "lived in". I do think LEGO is generally getting better about that sort of thing, but it's been a long, slow road so far and there's still a lot of improvements I'd love to see going forward.

[Toastie]

Is it just me, or is there more to it? Today I was at the local Smythe's (is it that? - it was Toys'r'us before) and now Playmobil have a "movie" as well. There is so much fuzz about Lepin and what are their not to mention here brand names - but Playmobil is happily sitting next to LEGO in any store I know; and it appears as if there are 1:1 copies of virtually everything. Do they cooperate or does one company simlpy not care what the other does - or do they both live in some sort of synergism?

Best
Thorsten 

[Littleworlds]

@kurigan: I don't think anyone proposed lego completely abandoning conflict in sets. It just doesn't needs to be everywhere. There are a lot shades between extremes. 

 

[Aanchir]

19 minutes ago, Toastie said:

Is it just me, or is there more to it? Today I was at the local Smythe's (is it that? - it was Toys'r'us before) and now Playmobil have a "movie" as well. There is so much fuzz about Lepin and what are their not to mention here brand names - but Playmobil is happily sitting next to LEGO in any store I know; and it appears as if there are 1:1 copies of virtually everything. Do they cooperate or does one company simlpy not care what the other does - or do they both live in some sort of synergism?

Playmobil is a radically different situation from any knock-off or clone brand. In their case, taking cues from LEGO's successful ventures doesn't violate any type of law or even any type of IP — after all, Playmobil playsets are not even a construction toy, much less a brick-based one. So them taking similar concepts to what LEGO's done and adapting them to their own toy system is really no different from how LEGO has adapted pre-existing concepts from other parts of the toy industry like dollhouses, train sets, pullback racing cars, finger skateboards, action figures to their own toy system.

LEGO might not be super pleased with it — after all, Playmobil IS still a competitor — but they've come to terms with the fact that imitation by competing toy companies is inevitable, and that it's just the nature of the business. Particularly as long as LEGO remains as successful as they are, they serve as a useful indicator to other companies of what concepts are trendy or appealing to today's kids. So it's not a concern they worry themselves with to the extent of stuff like IP theft or corporate espionage.

13 minutes ago, Littleworlds said:

@kurigan: I don't think anyone proposed lego completely abandoning conflict in sets. It just doesn't needs to be everywhere. There are a lot shades between extremes. 

And anyhow, I don't think Playmobil would serve as a great role model for nonviolent, conflict-free play when you consider that the Police subtheme of Playmobil's City Action theme includes FAR more violent weapons and scenario than anything that's ever appeared in LEGO City sets! To say nothing of the controversy that erupted over their City Action Bank Robbery playset a few years ago…

[TeriXeri]

The thing that Playmobil does NOT have , what LEGO does, is that with LEGO you can recreate builds close to Playmobil sets like the Egyptian or Western Examples above.

Playmobil has to go wide with it's range because there's very little customization options to the builds.

Unless they changed it, you couldn't even change hair/heads/legs/torsos on figures.

I had various Playmobil sets as a kid, from a Pirate Ship, to Trucks, to Helicopter and a Mobile Crane, but you cannot turn it into something else, unlike LEGO.

Of course, this is not meant as an excuse that LEGO can just make everything within fair bounds (money being a big factor to obtain the parts needed for such custom theme builds).

And to say Playmobil copied LEGO, on some ways, Playmobil was ahead and LEGO later made similar sets, like a Western Fort existed in Playmobil way before a LEGO Fort Legoredo, same with things like elephants, big cats and such which later got LEGO moulded animals.

Egypt or Western history or animals are not something invented by any Toy company for that matter, so does it really matter who's first?

Edited July 26, 2019 by TeriXeri

[Littleworlds]

@Aanchir Oh, I didn't know about that theme, but I have seen pictures of a Playmobil SWAT-team. That stuff is definitely on the uncanny side of realism.

@TeriXeri I admit it has been a while (90s *cough*), but when I was last playing with playmobil, you could change the hair pieces at least. It was probably not really meant to be replaced regularly, like in lego, but it was possible^^

[TeriXeri]

Just now, Littleworlds said:

 

@TeriXeri I admit it has been a while (90s *cough*), but when I was last playing with playmobil, you could change the hair pieces at least. It was probably not really meant to be replaced regularly, like in lego, but it was possible^^

I know hairpieces could come off but I see that similar as replacing arms on LEGO figures, not an official intended way to customize, and could risk breaking parts. 

Edited July 26, 2019 by TeriXeri

[Littleworlds]

@TeriXeri Yes indeed. Certainly not official and likely not very healthy to the plastic... 

[TeriXeri]

I do hope LEGO does learn in some ways from Playmobil however, like in selling big animals : 

I know LEGO has had Big Cats, Mammoths and Bears in City themes like Arctic, Jungle, Mountain Police etc, but putting that in a City theme isn't always the most economical way for someone who just wants a Mammoth or Sabertooth, and aftermarket only goes so far and is only used by a fraction of people. (Mammoth example would cost like €19 right now)

Unlike LEGO however, playmobil actually has sold sets with just animals in them , while for LEGO, you had to get some (larger) City sets.

And they don't just sell them once, but repeatedly:

Moulded animals is where the "customization" part of LEGO bricks partly fades away, and I feel the distribution of Playmobil animals is just better this way. (from a customer point of view)

 

Even dinosaur sets without or very few humans involved were made. (Playmobil Dinos)

I would absolutely love if something like LEGO animals/dinosaurs were sold more seperate like this.

Of course Playmobil also had some Dinosaur Action themes more closely resembling Jurassic Park/World, LEGO Dino or Adventurers.

 

Edited July 26, 2019 by TeriXeri

[Vorkosigan]

Would love it if LEGO made some historical army builders like these. 

[KotZ]

I have to say, as someone who loves LEGO and Playmobil, there is some LEGO can learn, like traditional historical/fantasy themes can sell. I'm not ashamed to admit a friend of mine and I played with Playmobil (mainly to complete a mulit-year long story we had going) well into our high school years. And we played (honestly, I still play with it, and if I roped him into it, my buddy would too) with LEGO about a year longer. For us, Playmobil had the durability to play outside, and it's easily constructible buildings with specific plans were great for waves of enemies and battles. While LEGO provided large scale battles that didn't constitute waves (as well as forces of everything from knights to Star Wars), Playmobil gave us the option to bring buckets of it to each other (mainly because I was the only person on the block with any) and play.

As for the historical stuff, as Playmobil became more historical, the more I enjoyed it. I love history. I loved the Union vs Confederate sets they had. One of my favorite sets still is a Roman battlepack I had. I still remember the first Playmobil guys I got were a knight and a firefighter. I still remember my first "real" LEGO set that wasn't Duplo was 6013 Samurai Swordsman. Playmobil has knocked it out of the park with their sets with historical, fantasy, pirates, and TSA (yes look it up) figures. LEGO could learn a lot from that, at least if they analyze Playmobil's market trends.

But a Playmobil movie? That's a cashgrab that will fail. It's already got terible reviews. It's also not as versatile as LEGO. Still, I fall into the mindset that they are separate toys for different things.

[Aine]

For playmobil movie to be successful, it needs to be not only good, but also different from LEGO movies. Where lego stories were all fun and hyperbole and irony and action and whatnot, PM could/should try a more "serious", less frantic, not so much crazy approach, thus creating a movie for the people who'd like to see a story, not flashes. But with an average attention span of a gold fish, will the movie-goers movie-go? Idk. From what I gathered on imdb, from talking with people, from reviews, nowadays movie industry is not very industrious, and they use preconstructed formulae, save ideas and pandering style, so anything different could struggle to sell the tickets.
And heck, I liked the lego movies, just that they are not the best stories, they are just fun ones.
Also, @kurigan made some really good points!

[Littleworlds]

I just remembered Professor Mobilux, a character Playmobil invented in the 80s. I don't know how popular the series was, but the audio plays, involving time-travel through the different play-themes, were quite quirky and enjoyable. It would be nice if they would theme the film in that spirit. In general though it appears the interest in such movies is limited, as TLG has found out.  

 

 

[The Island Chronicles]

I have the school bus set. Unfortunately because of the photo restrictions, I can't upload it. 

I bet Lego has yet to do a legit school bus for the City theme though. I know they have one for Hidden Side and Friends. I say "legit" becsuse the bus from set no. 7641 kinda looks like a school bus, but if you look at it closer, it seems to be based more off of those Hertz Car-Rentals shuttle than a school bus. 

They haven't revealed all the great vehicles for 2020 though. So I'm keeping hope alive. 

Edited July 26, 2019 by pooda

[Chiaroscuro]

Growing up in the 70s/80s here (Brazil) I was an huge Playmobil child. Lego wasn´t available here until the 90s, and I only discoreved this pleasure much later in my live, around 5 years ago. And mainly because of my interest on Playmobil, which limitations also lead me to Lego. The things that limit Playmobil for me was the lack of flexibility and its size. Its scale is much bigger, and as an adult I like to make display sets, not play with them anymore. So anything with Lego takes too much space. I bought all the Egyptian 2007 wave of Playmobil, build a good diorama, but eventually had to sell my collection. Then I started with Lego, which size is also a concern, but scale is better. But something that Playmobil get right is the historical themes. I still look with envy at the stores when I see that currently it has Egypt, Roman, and even Vikings themes (with HtTD sets). I know Lego avoids military themes, but and Old Roman theme would be soo cool, even if not military focused. I know I can build anything with Lego, but the lack of such themes leads to less usufull minifigs and acessories. Zoo and Farm themes are also lacking in Lego.

[Aanchir]

On 7/26/2019 at 4:31 AM, Aine said:

From what I gathered on imdb, from talking with people, from reviews, nowadays movie industry is not very industrious, and they use preconstructed formulae, save ideas and pandering style, so anything different could struggle to sell the tickets.

That's definitely not a "nowadays" thing. Even the early days of cinema were packed with repetitive adaptations and remakes, and a lot of movies even back then had considerable compromises on casting and storytelling to fit with studios' preconceptions about what filmgoers wanted to see (or in some cases, what government or industry censorship boards demanded. No matter what era you look at, you can find countless examples of filmmakers playing follow-the-leader and embracing pop culture trends and cliches in hopes of sharing in other recent movies' successes. It's just tougher to spot in hindsight since when so many movies tell the same sort of story using the same sorts of tropes and techniques, only the best or most famous examples tend to be widely remembered.

[anothergol]

On 7/25/2019 at 9:50 AM, ArneNielsen said:

Playmobil of course copied LEGO Desert Adventurers with an Egyptian theme

you mean Indiana Jones? (which was itself "inspired by" older stuff btw)

[Aine]

2 hours ago, Aanchir said:

That's definitely not a "nowadays" thing. Even the early days of cinema were packed with repetitive adaptations and remakes, and a lot of movies even back then had considerable compromises on casting and storytelling to fit with studios' preconceptions about what filmgoers wanted to see (or in some cases, what government or industry censorship boards demanded. No matter what era you look at, you can find countless examples of filmmakers playing follow-the-leader and embracing pop culture trends and cliches in hopes of sharing in other recent movies' successes. It's just tougher to spot in hindsight since when so many movies tell the same sort of story using the same sorts of tropes and techniques, only the best or most famous examples tend to be widely remembered.

yeah, of course! It's just a bit easier to spot today, becuase the quality (seems like) dropped in past decade. But we're moving from the topis at hand. :-)