Lego Hero Factory replacing Castle?

[Artifex]

Hail, friends!

Today I was at Hamleys (in London) and I was surprised that there were almost no sets of the new Kingdoms line - there was the new King's Castle, yes, the Prison Tower Rescue and Prison Carriage Rescue. As there was no Outpost Attack, the set I went there to buy, I asked an employee there if they were getting new sets any time soon. The answer?

"I don't think so - some lines are being cancelled and Castle is one of them. It will be merged with Bionicle and there will only be one line called Lego Hero Factory."

You can imagine how I felt - after the longest of Dark Ages, when I'm finally back to my senses - and to Lego! -, the line I fell in love with is being cancelled? I couldn't just believe so...

So I searched all over the internet - and read the EB thread on Hero Factory and I came to the conclusion that yes, Castle is being cancelled, but that's just because we have the new Kingdoms line. That's what happens from time to time: a new Castle, Kingdom or Kingdoms line replaces the old Castle, Kingdom or Kingdoms one.

But merging with Bionicle? We can have Bionicle heroes with swords, lances and shield and stuff, but merging the two lines? That sounds just stupid! Crazyness!

But anyway - I couldn't find anything about that "merging" thing, so here I am, looking for more information - do you have any? Please, please, please with sugar on top? Anything? Can it really be that Kingdoms is already coming to an end?

I cannot - and I shall not - believe that!

Remember: there's an Advent Calendar for the new Kingdoms line coming up later this year... I can't believe the line is already coming to an end.

[Follows Closely]

I hope that your sources are uninformed. The Castle line (call it whatever you want) has been around for a very long time. I would be shocked if it was merged or eliminated.

[Artifex]

I hope that your sources are uninformed. The Castle line (call it whatever you want) has been around for a very long time. I would be shocked if it was merged or eliminated.

Yeah, I would be shocked too - but I can't just believe it.

[Omega 8]

Perhaps the "merging" refers to the large scale KK2 type figs? It would stand to reason that, insted of releasing multiple "action figure" lines, they would consolidate them all under one heading.

[prateek]

I'm pretty sure that person was talking BS, or that he/she was misinformed.

[Artifex]

Perhaps the "merging" refers to the large scale KK2 type figs? It would stand to reason that, insted of releasing multiple "action figure" lines, they would consolidate them all under one heading.

That's what I think too. I guess the guy was completely misinformed - or mixed everything he heard the worse and most confusing way possible.

[Aanchir]

That's nonsense. Hero Factory can't be considered a "merge" of any sort-- it's just BIONICLE's successor. Your source clearly didn't have his head screwed on too tight that day.

[davee123]

The representative was correct, but not explicit.

"Castle" IS being discontinued. It is being replaced with "Kingdoms". So, say good-bye to the fantasy-style castle sets, and say hello to the new Kingdoms lineup. Chances are that Kingdoms will be around for 2010, with some small one-off sets (like the advent calendar and other impulse style sets) being released later in 2010 and 2011. And if enough merchandisers like the way Kingdoms is selling, we'll probably see the line continued with more sets released in 2011 and 2012. Maybe even beyond that (if it does REALLY well). Then, just like with "Castle", it'll probably get replaced with a new flavor of castle-themed sets.

"Bionicle" is also being discontinued. "Hero Factory" is replacing it. The hope is that Hero Factory will be just as great as Bionicle was back in 2001, but that's probably unlikely. So who knows how long Hero Factory will be around, but probably for a couple years, again, depending on how cool it is.

For a short time in 2004-2006, there was a quasi cross-breed of Bionicle and castle, being the "Large Figures" sub-theme of Knight's Kingdom. But that was axed back in 2006, and hasn't really been replaced. It was similar to the current "Ben 10" figures or Galidor.

DaveE

Edited June 30, 2010 by davee123

[CDC]

I'm pretty sure that person was talking BS, or that he/she was misinformed.

I think employees at toy stores always come up with some BS, since they know absolutely nothing about what are they selling, yet they want to sound smart. It's kinda sad really.

Once i was asking this lady when will the new sets arrive and she was like, yeah, there probably wont be any new sets cuz TLG closed it's factories..

I was like wtf, sales have increased, are you stupid ?

Castle merging with Bionicle, lmao, how could anyone believe such thing.

[Raphy]

Well, my dear friend, don't believe it. It's capital BS. :D

[Artifex]

Hail, friends!

The day I opened this thread I also e-mailed Lego. Today I got an answer:

"Dear Gustavo,

Thanks for getting in touch with us.

It is so good to hear from enthusiasts like yourself; you certainly seem to know a lot about our products.

Our new Kingdom series have replaced the Castle series, and at present there's no plans for this to be discontinued.

With regards to LEGO Hero factory, this is sort of an replacement of LEGO Bionicle, although the story line is somewhat different. Again there no plans to discontinue this product, and at present this will not be merged with any of our other products.

I hope this information has been of use to you, and please do not hesitate to take contact with us again, should you have other queries or comments you would like to share with us.

Best wishes,

Eva Bundgaard

LEGO Direct"