Hero Factory 2010

[The Alchemyst]

Eh, I liked how no one liked him. That way I picked him up for $2.

Oh and simple response to those pics:

Voyatoran, Mahritoran, New mold count: 0

Av-toran: Ranged from 7-8 I believe, including new hand/feet molds.

[vexorian]

New molds are such a non-accomplishment, unless it is a weapon or armor decoration it is just the designer's way of saying "I give up". Hands came with every glatorian era set but av-matoran used the normal joints.

All I'm getting is that you liked the Voyatoran. What about the Matoran of Mahri Nui? That was certainly an interesting design that sot of blended the elements that were presented the year before and after it- Something I feel would have been better implemented.

I would have tried a mahri matoran but I don't have any, I did see the instructions and those guys are very nice in that build using that femur piece as torso.

I like how every single LEGO-serving store in this city has not been successful at selling the barraki yet they don't manage to figure out they should make the price drop... Barraki priced same as glatorian, that's so exciting...

Edited January 26, 2010 by vexorian

[Omicron]

New molds are such a non-accomplishment, unless it is a weapon or armor decoration it is just the designer's way of saying "I give up".

This does not make any sense whatsoever. If anything, a designer's way of saying "I give up" is the Voyatoran, considering they all reused parts including masks and nothing new came from them.

-Omi

[vexorian]

This does not make any sense whatsoever. If anything, a designer's way of saying "I give up" is the Voyatoran, considering they all reused parts including masks and nothing new came from them.

-Omi

bah I give up.

old post:

I really don't get why would anyone want new molds on every single set. They should be the exception rather than the rule if we want to call it a building toy. It is not like we collect pieces... The nice thing about impulse sets is getting a small number of utility parts at a low cost. At least that was the point with impulse sets in themes with a healthy fan base...

Edited January 26, 2010 by vexorian

[Front]

How many reused parts have you guys spotted on the HF heroes ?

[Nightmare]

How many reused parts have you guys spotted on the HF heroes ?

Hands and Head .__.

[Omicron]

I really don't get why would anyone want new molds on every single set. They should be the exception rather than the rule if we want to call it a building toy. It is not like we collect pieces... The nice thing about impulse sets is getting a small number of utility parts at a low cost. At least that was the point with impulse sets in themes with a healthy fan base...

Ok lets put it this way. If Lego did not progress with the franchise and make new molds/pieces, we would still have sets like this. We would be stuck with 3 colors and a total of 10 different pieces.

Making new molds and pieces allows Lego to expand on the horizon and create so many possibilities.

-Omi

[Vezon]

Hands and Head .__.

There's a chance that they're retooled slightly to have the same new sockets as the Ben 10 sets, so those might not be completely old pieces.

[Aanchir]

I really don't get why would anyone want new molds on every single set. They should be the exception rather than the rule if we want to call it a building toy. It is not like we collect pieces... The nice thing about impulse sets is getting a small number of utility parts at a low cost. At least that was the point with impulse sets in themes with a healthy fan base...

But we do collect pieces. Even AFOLs practically peed their pants over the new 1x3 tiles in System, or even over recolored cheese wedges. And I can't think of any Technic or BIONICLE fan who ever purported to buy the sets in order to stock up on plus axles.

Certainly I admire when old parts are implemented in creative new ways (for example, Kiina), or even in the same ways to present a different look. I was, to judge from appearances, part of a minority that actually liked the reuse of the Inika torso and design structure. But to create a totally new aesthetic, new designs have to be implemented. And FYI, the new parts in Hero Factory (20-21 in the midsize sets) total about the same amount as any BIONICLE canister set series ever has. So "new molds on every single set" isn't by any means a new trend.

Meanwhile, it's silly to say "masks and weapons should be new, but other stuff shouldn't". Unlike System sets, BIONICLE parts-- even "generic" parts like the Metru waist or shins-- are loaded with tiny aesthetic details. Inika limbs might have the same function as Rahkshi limbs, but the variation in details (especially for the sake of stylistic consistency) makes a world of difference in how it can be effectively used. So it's important to keep some variety available to work from, which tends to mean cycling in new parts on a regular basis. Which is what LEGO has done with BIONICLE since the beginning, and what they're presumably continuing to do (or Front would soon be out of work =P).

I don't by any means think that LEGO should pull a Hero Factory every year and release a series of figures almost exclusively from new parts. But doing so every once in a while does more good than harm in the long run, broadening the variety of parts which may be used in future sets.

[God Iron]

Personally, I think a blend of new and old is the best.

By the Glatorian Legends, the Inika build was getting stale but at the same time making alot of new unessererry (Spelling Fail ) molds. Like Hero Factory.

Also BlazeBike =

[Omicron]

But we do collect pieces. Even AFOLs practically peed their pants over the new 1x3 tiles in System, or even over recolored cheese wedges. And I can't think of any Technic or BIONICLE fan who ever purported to buy the sets in order to stock up on plus axles.

Certainly I admire when old parts are implemented in creative new ways (for example, Kiina), or even in the same ways to present a different look. I was, to judge from appearances, part of a minority that actually liked the reuse of the Inika torso and design structure. But to create a totally new aesthetic, new designs have to be implemented. And FYI, the new parts in Hero Factory (20-21 in the midsize sets) total about the same amount as any BIONICLE canister set series ever has. So "new molds on every single set" isn't by any means a new trend.

Meanwhile, it's silly to say "masks and weapons should be new, but other stuff shouldn't". Unlike System sets, BIONICLE parts-- even "generic" parts like the Metru waist or shins-- are loaded with tiny aesthetic details. Inika limbs might have the same function as Rahkshi limbs, but the variation in details (especially for the sake of stylistic consistency) makes a world of difference in how it can be effectively used. So it's important to keep some variety available to work from, which tends to mean cycling in new parts on a regular basis. Which is what LEGO has done with BIONICLE since the beginning, and what they're presumably continuing to do (or Front would soon be out of work =P).

I don't by any means think that LEGO should pull a Hero Factory every year and release a series of figures almost exclusively from new parts. But doing so every once in a while does more good than harm in the long run, broadening the variety of parts which may be used in future sets.

Something we can agree on. :P

-Omi

[vexorian]

Ok lets put it this way. If Lego did not progress with the franchise and make new molds/pieces, we would still have sets like this. We would be stuck with 3 colors and a total of 10 different pieces.

Making new molds and pieces allows Lego to expand on the horizon and create so many possibilities.

-Omi

I specified that my opinion was for impulse sets so you may as well stop trying to trivialize things. Sure new pieces are sometimes a good thing, when it is an old piece in a different color or when it is really useful and adds new possibilities. But there is definitely such thing as too many new molds and if the design itself is always the same new molds become an excuse for raising the price tag. There is also a thing like new parts that do just what a bunch of pieces already do when put together, those new molds just limit what you can do without adding any features at all to the game (but I guess they save LEGO a bunch of money). I really think that in the av-matoran case the new molds are an anti-feature rather than a good thing, they are just compound versions of what old pieces were already able to do.

But you guys are never going to get it and I'd rather spend my time on more productive things, so I give up, you win. You may now go and buy all Ben 10 sets as they are obviously targeted at you, plenty of new molds in there.

Edited January 26, 2010 by vexorian

[Omicron]

I specified that my opinion was for impulse sets so you may as well stop trying to trivialize things.

Impulse sets are meant for buyers to "buy on impulse". If nothing intrigues the buyer, then the impulse is not there and the set is left on the shelf and remains there until clearance. Usually what sparks this impulse is a new piece/mold and piece in a new color.

Also you didn't specify, and I quote:

I really don't get why would anyone want new molds on every single set.

Only time you mentioned impulse sets, it had no relevance to the discussion of new pieces/molds.

-Omi

Edited January 26, 2010 by Omicron

[vexorian]

Impulse sets are meant for buyers to "buy on impulse". If nothing intrigues the buyer, then the impulse is not there and the set is left on the shelf and remains there until clearance. Usually what sparks this impulse is a new piece/mold and piece in a new color.

Also you didn't specify, and I quote:

Only time you mentioned impulse sets, it had no relevance to the discussion of new pieces/molds.

-Omi

The negation of 'for every' is a single counter-example. Impulse sets are the counter example. The specification comes in the second paragraph.

A new mystery: All the other themes manage to sell impulse sets without giving them unique molds. But maybe you are right and the av-matoran are so low quality or so expensive that without the new molds there would be no reason to buy them.

Edited January 26, 2010 by vexorian

[Omicron]

But maybe you are right and the av-matoran are so low quality them.

I'm pretty sure that Lego aims to have the highest quality possible, so not sure where you get the lowest quality from.

All the other themes manage to sell impulse sets without giving them unique molds.

That is because you aren't looking hard enough. Their impulse sets feature new molds/pieces as well.

-Omi

Edited January 26, 2010 by Omicron

[Bfahome]

Let's stop arguing and ... unite?

UNION

PIERCE THE HEAVENS

etc.

How many reused parts have you guys spotted on the HF heroes ?

Almost four!! :angry:

[The Crazy One]

Almost four!! :angry:

You mean 3?

[Bfahome]

You mean 3?

No, the heads, the hands, and the foot sockets. I counted each hand twice in sets with two hands, hence almost four.

[Darkness Falls]

The negation of 'for every' is a single counter-example. Impulse sets are the counter example. The specification comes in the second paragraph.

A new mystery: All the other themes manage to sell impulse sets without giving them unique molds. But maybe you are right and the av-matoran are so low quality or so expensive that without the new molds there would be no reason to buy them.

...Quality does not equal quantity.

[Front]

.......................................

A new mystery: All the other themes manage to sell impulse sets without giving them unique molds. But maybe you are right and the av-matoran are so low quality or so expensive that without the new molds there would be no reason to buy them.

Could it be that the market for action figures are quite crowded and full of competition ? Novelty is needed to sell. Not like city police stations, which you can sell looking nearly the same each third year.

[ultimate antrozek]

Anyone else think that Hero Factory look good in Megaman X style?.

It's not final ver. of Xplode. final version is more hunchbacked. Anyone noticed that in the set. Xplode does have weird armor that looks like shells?

[CabooseBM]

It does work rather well, and the story concept kinda matches too, I prefer Classic Megaman though. (Do one in that style! Do one in that style!)

[The Alchemyst]

The negation of 'for every' is a single counter-example. Impulse sets are the counter example. The specification comes in the second paragraph.

A new mystery: All the other themes manage to sell impulse sets without giving them unique molds. But maybe you are right and the av-matoran are so low quality or so expensive that without the new molds there would be no reason to buy them.

Lego and Bionicle are treated differently.

I.e. size of pieces and number of new molds.

I mean, so new molds and pieces with more plastic equate to more cost, and if the cost was the same across system and Bionicle, that means less pieces.

Also, I mean, if you're going to talk about the sets categorized as impulse in system, they cost $3.50, and if price per parts really matters in these cases to you, it's pretty bad.

Also, there are draws in the same regard, mostly the fig, and in Bionicle, like Omi said, it's the recolors/new parts.

And what makes them "low quality", other than personal taste?

[Leugi]

It's great to have new molds when they are not some thing that could be already done with existing pieces... Like many of the Inika parts... Or when they look awesomely better than other old pieces, like the glatorian heads and hands.

Anyone else think that Hero Factory look good in Megaman X style?.

Me! Me!... And I find that fact so utterly awesome!...

Eghm... sorry, well, yeah, it does look a bit like Megaman X, which in my opinion is a great thing (But I'm sure other people can quite hate that)...

[masterehlek]

I don't see why people hate the names of the Hero Factory sets. True, the names aren't similar names to those of Bionicle, but Hero Factory is it's own brand. Sure it started as Bionicle, but Bionicle started from tevhnic which didn't have Bionicle names.

I've also noticed that the Hero Factory sets are like the agori of 2009-2010 (they can't bend their elbows or knees) which I consider a bigg let down (bigger than their names). I know that though their sets have some flaws in it's pieces (legs and arms), later Lego could fix it like how they changed the Toa Mata (least posable), to the Toa Metru (more posable), eventually perfecting it with the Toa Inika (most posable).