How often does lego cycle themes?

[wolfwing]

I know certain sets seem to be around in one form or another alot, but what is the life span of sets on average? And how often is there a new theme. Seems some of the themes I like more, such as the less fantastical historic themes are out at the moment and things like pirates.

[CMP]

I know certain sets seem to be around in one form or another alot, but what is the life span of sets on average? And how often is there a new theme. Seems some of the themes I like more, such as the less fantastical historic themes are out at the moment and things like pirates.

Depends on the type of theme and how well it does. Action themes usually only get a wave or 2, classic historic themes have the same, current historic themes (KK2 - Kingdoms) are getting 3 or 4, liscensed themes (not counting Star Wars) get a 1 wave to 3, and space themes get around 2 nowadays. Usually.

[The Green Brick Giant]

It all depends on how much the items sell.

It used to be you could find 1-3 year old sets in the stores, but that's long gone. I say you can find sets for about 18 months, but it depends on what it is. City sets with Police and Fire usually stay around until the next theme is released, about every 3 years. However the Fire truck is so great it's been for sale for 7-8 years.

Action themes are 1-3 years, mostly two. However I don't think we were ever supposed to get a second wave of Power Miners, the first wave just sold really well. It begs the question why LEGO felt the need to release 14 PM sets the first year and 4 the next, but whatever.

All LEGO says is that there will always be City, Castle, and Space themes, those are the classics. However Space sometimes means Star Wars, City came out of World City which was kind of modern / futuristic Town, and Castle gets redone when they run out of ideas.

[wolfwing]

Though on average how often does new theme come in? They last 1-3 years or so, but when was the last new theme, and on average when might we expect the next new them?

So right now they have technically two space themes? space police/star wars or is police considered something different?

[Mirandir]

Though on average how often does new theme come in? They last 1-3 years or so, but when was the last new theme, and on average when might we expect the next new them?

The evergreen themes like Castle, Space and the city subthemes of police and firefighters get renewed every three years or so. Usualy after taking a years hiatus.

Then there are themes that one could say is almost evergreens that pop up from time to time. Like Pirates. Before the release last year it was last seen in 2004 and that was as a subtheme of the not-so-fun "4 juniors" theme.

New themes arrives yearly. E.g. this year we did get Atlantis, World Racers and a whole bunch of license themes. Theese themes usually stays with us 1-2 years, sometimes even 3, and are rarely revisited.

So right now they have technically two space themes? space police/star wars or is police considered something different?

Both yes and no. Both are space themes but is a license. And I belive that for a long time Star Wars was the only space theme but with the introduction of Mars Mission in 2007 LEGO restarted their inhouse space theme after a 6 years long hiatus.

Edited September 14, 2010 by Mirandir