We need a new sub theme

[Muddy]

Lego City focuses around 8 basic sub themes

- Food (Rarely the focus - Pizza, Burger, Ice Cream, etc)

- Transportation (Harbor, Spaceport, Airport, Trains, Postal, Etc)

- Public Works (Sanitation, Road Repair, Garage, Bank, etc)

- Emergency Response (Coast Guard, Police, Fire, Etc.)

- Construction (Vertical (bldgs), horizontal (roads)

- Entertainment (Sports, racing, movie theater, etc)

- Homes/Shops (Rarely the main focus)

- Farm (Newest Addition)

- although I love the addition of banks, and farms in recent times

I want a divergent sub-theme

There are so many things they can incorporate into the city

They have yet to make a real push for homes, or toward shops like grocery stores (save for the beautiful modial series)

I would love to see a Corner Deli, or Toys R'Us, or Grocery Store

But that is not what I really want to see

The collectiable minifigures have been hinting at going this direction

Imagine a Lego Circus...

You could have the clown cars, Elephants balancing on balls

Dunk the guy

Shooting Gallery

Etc

With the creame-de-la-creame : A circus Train

With only minor additions Lego could make this beautiful series

Add lions, and giraffes maybe hippos

So then wait a little while for follow-up

Lego Zoo

They should work with Sea World, Columbus Zoo, etc to make the first Non-Duplo Zoo

Sea World - would obviously focus on Sea Life

They could include Penguins, and polar bear exhibits

Mammal Section

- Horse repainted as Zebra, reintro Pony Mold, recolor the Bear Mold, there is so much they could do

Aviary

- Owls, Parrots, Bats... Redeco of Bird as Eagle pattern, Ostrich also reintro the bird in a cage mold but in different colors

Reptile Room

- Sadly reptiles are less represented than other filliums

Alligators, Snakes, an easy turtle is taking a starfish and attaching a 2x2 dish, tortoise could be brick built, a chameleon is easy to make, the Indy whip could be a good start for a snake, and maybe a giant python would be cool to make as well

Insects

- More implied here termite mound, ants, scorpions, spiders - "bird eating spider"

Also there are two "rare" molds of beauterfly and Bettle that could be reintrod in different colors

Monkey Buisness

- Monkey, Chimpanze (new mf series 5 mold), Ape (Costume) could be used

So what divergent sub theme would you like to see?

Zoos? Circus? Houses? Shops? More Eateries?

[Aanchir]

Well, part of the reason there aren't new sub-themes is the fact that the ones they tend to cycle through are often the most popular with kids. Young boys (one of the primary audiences for LEGO city) tend to love fire engines and police cars. If LEGO city sub-themes other than these mainstays were introduced, they might have to be released at the expense of the tried-and-tested Fire and Police lines-- a risky decision.

Meanwhile, this year we have the introduction of a Space subtheme, which is certainly fairly "new"-- while in some countries the mid-90s Launch Command theme and the late-90s Space Port theme were a subset of Town (making the complaints about space centers not fitting into the average city seem a little ridiculous), that was the only time this sub-theme has really been played with as a part of City. Even the latest realistic space-travel theme, the Discovery Kids theme with its NASA spacecraft, didn't include any of the Earth-based aspects of space travel, except for mini-models of launchpads that certainly couldn't fit in any minifig-scale LEGO city.

LEGO has plenty of material at their fingertips just by cycling through these older sub-themes that haven't been touched in a while. The Harbor sub-theme coming out this summer, while not necessarily as rare historically as Space sub-themes, is still a rarely-explored sub-theme, having only been featured in one set in the past decade. Meanwhile, while the Farm sub-theme demonstrates that LEGO is willing to approach new ideas for City sub-themes, it doesn't indicate that they can do so whenever they feel like it. I'd love a circus or zoo sub-theme, but neither would be exciting enough to take the place of Police or Fire sets in the minds of children within the target age range. And so they'd have to be introduced to fill an already-present void-- just like how Farm appeared shortly after the short-lived Coast Guard subtheme was discontinued.

[Dan the Brickman]

I would like to see some form of zoo myself. If for no other reason, then to get a bunch of new animals.

[Syn]

Really and truly, I would love to just see more City stuff, besides the same ole same ole. Grocery Stores, Department Stores, Eateries BESIDES Pizza, Lodging would be a nice thing to see. Holiday Inns? Marriot? ext. What I want to see more than all is more Modular buildings with as much diversity as other. I honestly believe these sets would be good enough for their OWN subtheme all to there lonesome.

[MetroiD]

This kind of topic seems to be brought up every few months once we know what the new City/Town line-up would consist of. And year of year, TLG give us the same old themes. What's more important though, year after year those provide consistent, good sales. Recently, LEGO have also added quite a few "different" sets such as e.g. the transportation hub, so I really don't think we're short of options in terms of City sets.

I myself also wouldn't mind Zoo being added to the current City line-up, mostly because I'd like to see some more animal moulds, but seeing as such a theme generally appeals to smaller children, it's reserved Duplo territory. I honestly can't see it making a transition into 'regular' City.

[Section8]

I would say the evergreen town/city themes are even less than you've listed. We haven't had a Town/City-branded home since the early 90s. Farm is just an one-off theme like Divers was. The only themes that I see year after year are Emergency, Construction, Transportation, and common town buildings (like banks and shops), with those first three being the most popular. Race used to be in there as well, but since they are making racing sets as other themes, it hasn't been in the Town theme much.

I am still surprised that Lego has never made a proper hotel. It is one of the most common buildings in any decent-sized town. I for one loved the idea of staying in a hotel when I was a kid; I'm sure others did too. I think a Vacation subtheme would be neat, with a hotel as well as various attractions (the aforementioned zoo would be ideal) and maybe a beach.

Another theme that wouldn't be too far from what Lego is currently producing is a winter town. Yes, I know they have those holiday village sets, but those are too elaborate and expensive for the City theme. There could be a more City-style ski lodge, ski slope, rescue helicopter, etc.

[train_nut]

We need zoo, circus, amusement park, factories, churches, museums, ski resort, mini cruise liner. Just hear us out LEGO!

[BasOne]

I thought you meant 'sub' theme

[Gregorovich]

Yes, I would love to see both a zoo and a more leisure based subtheme. I would like to see more actual restaurants, bakeries, greengrocers, etc...

I think that a hotel would be a great set, and I would love to see a zoo for all the animals. I also think sports would be good, as we've not had any for a long time. I think it would be so cool to get a swimming pool or a tennis court.

[Raphy]

I'd really love to see the return of Town Race :D

[Aanchir]

I would say the evergreen town/city themes are even less than you've listed. We haven't had a Town/City-branded home since the early 90s. Farm is just an one-off theme like Divers was. The only themes that I see year after year are Emergency, Construction, Transportation, and common town buildings (like banks and shops), with those first three being the most popular. Race used to be in there as well, but since they are making racing sets as other themes, it hasn't been in the Town theme much.

Farm lasted two years (three if you count its cameo in this year's harbor), and we had a home set just last year (8403 City House). But I don't consider homes to be a consistent subtheme of City, and I agree that the perennial subthemes are Fire, Police, and Construction. In general, a subtheme today could arguably be considered anything significant enough to merit its own "Hey!" guy on the back of the box.

I am still surprised that Lego has never made a proper hotel. It is one of the most common buildings in any decent-sized town. I for one loved the idea of staying in a hotel when I was a kid; I'm sure others did too. I think a Vacation subtheme would be neat, with a hotel as well as various attractions (the aforementioned zoo would be ideal) and maybe a beach.

Hotels, like zoos, aren't as fun and exciting to act out as firefighting or police chases. A hotel would indeed be a cool thing to have sets of without its own subtheme, though: maybe as one of those 6x16 "modular buildings" like the aforementioned City House. We did have a hotel off to the side in the Cafe Corner set, but this was not technically a City set, and anyway it didn't have an interior (something I'm happy to see has been amended in more recent modular buildings). Really, though, the more "exciting" hotel scenarios aren't the ones that spring to mind for most children... So a theme all unto itself wouldn't be all that great.

As for a "vacation" subtheme, there are a couple themes or subthemes that fit the bill: first of all, there's the "leisure" subtheme of Town, although that more often was concerned with mountain retreats and so forth. And then there's the Paradisa theme, which had a wide variety of vacation-related sets (including 6416 Poolside Paradise, which was either a hotel itself or a private home far outside the reach of most people, including impossibly-smooth spherically-curved windows, a swimming pool, a parrot, and a butler).

Another theme that wouldn't be too far from what Lego is currently producing is a winter town. Yes, I know they have those holiday village sets, but those are too elaborate and expensive for the City theme. There could be a more City-style ski lodge, ski slope, rescue helicopter, etc.

And a snowplow! That's something I'm very upset hasn't been included in City sets, especially since I'm up in New England during the winter nowadays and see the work of snow-clearing firsthand. I suppose part of the reason there hasn't been one of these is that snow-clearing isn't something kids in all countries (or regions of the country, in the case of places like the US with sprawling territory and vastly varying climates) get exposed to during childhood. In the southern United States, some places don't ever get enough snow to merit plowing the roads. Thus, the familiarity of LEGO's mainstay City subthemes is also an advantage it has over some other equally-valid city-related subthemes.

[lightningtiger]

Er, everyone don't we all ready have a similar topic all ready open or not ?

As we all know Lego love making police and fire sets, also construction and farm vehicles....why, some may ask.....ask Tonka and Matchbox the same question...answer is MONEY !

Boys and even girls love the role play of being the hero to the rescue or that helpful hand to get the job done !

But how many sub-theme's can a toy company support without a drop in quality ?

Being on more shops I say, you gotta give the crooks somewhere to rob and fire fighters to put out fires don't we ?

[CptMugwash]

You've been stealing my thoughts!

I did think about a zoo, sealife centre, circus, theme park theme etc, although could be fun and provide lots of new parts probably wouldn't be as big of a hit as the current aforementioned themes emergency and construction which is why I think TLG wouldn't go down this road, however I am sure there will be other themes in the future that will bring out new moulds, eg kingdoms with the new chicken and goat mould.

One thing I missed was the hospital subtheme, injured minifigs need somewhere to go, I thought this would have been a recurring thing but I don't know the numbers

Anyways I did think of a theme that could have legs,

A wilderness/mountain theme, based on survival you could have,

Campsite + brown bear

Mountain Rescue Helicopter & Climber

Naturalist with camera + deer

Canoeist

Treehouse

Etc.

A few new moulds but nothing too extravagant.

We've seen the log cabin creator set touching on this type of theme, with bear grylls/ray mears and scouts as a kind of backing it could be a runner what do you guys think? an adventure/camping/mountain/survival/wilderness kind of theme.

Edited March 6, 2011 by CptMugwash

[Muddy]

I just watched the movie "Big"

The focus of the "Transforming Building" scene is the point I want to highlight

A zoo has many play features that are more fun than a boat that just floats

Just imagine all the cool things you can do

Just look at the age upon when kids go to the zoo on school trips ditto with amusement parks

Maybe throw them together

Imagine the play value of sea world - dolphins jumping through hoops, polar bear fishing for salmon (sandred fish)

Imagine creating slides for the penguins to shoot down

The tide pool

Even impulse sets would be cool

Lion tamer?

Eagle's nest

So many other cool things

They should do a cake topper set

I so can't believe Lego has not designed a better Lego rose yet - carrot top + 1x1x2/3 round Belleville corner

-----

What harbor farm set?

I am surprised Lego action themes have not made King Kong, Godzilla, etc yet

There are so many cool things they could do with that

[narbilu]

I would really like to see:

New hospital sets:

1. ambulance

2. full spec hospital

3. emergency room

4. dentist :)

5. heli

Zoo sets would be really cool too:

1. ice theme -> polar bear, puinguins, orca etc

2. desert theme -> camel, oastrich, lions etc

3. jungle theme -> monkeys, gorilla's

4. food stands

5. entrance

6. theme houses -> snakes and lizards - aquarium etc

that so far... I will come up with some more themes

Regards,

Narbilu

Edited March 8, 2011 by narbilu

[Muddy]

Duplo Animals vs Normal Lego

Believe it or not duplo does not have that many more animals than normal legos

Cost is a big factor in Lego selection process

- paint schemes are cheaper than new molds

- standing cat -> Lioness/Tiger

- Horse -> Zebra

- Polar Bear -> Brown or Grizzly

- Bear (mold 2) -> panda

- Whale parts -> Orca

Duplo has a giraffe mold (or 6), hippo molds, penguin molds, seal, sheep

That really isn't that different given the additions above...

I mean the rumor for the next Modular set is that of a "Pet Shop"

Play features are part of the focus of the Lego company "play well"

So incorporating icebergs for example would be fun or "escape of the monkey's"

Duplo Animals vs Normal Lego

Believe it or not duplo does not have that many more animals than normal legos

Cost is a big factor in Lego selection process

- paint schemes are cheaper than new molds

- standing cat -> Lioness/Tiger

- Horse -> Zebra

- Polar Bear -> Brown or Grizzly

- Bear (mold 2) -> panda

- Whale parts -> Orca

Duplo has a giraffe mold (or 6), hippo molds, penguin molds, seal, sheep

That really isn't that different given the additions above...

I mean the rumor for the next Modular set is that of a "Pet Shop"

Play features are part of the focus of the Lego company "play well"

So incorporating icebergs for example would be fun or "escape of the monkey's"

[travisco_nabisco]

I really want LEGO to introduce a utilities subtheme. This could include

- Power plants (solar, gas, hydro)

- Substations

- Utility Trucks (they have some of these already)

- Sewage Plant

- Pump Station

- Recycling facility

I know that this is never going to happen since utilities don't have a big play factor, but I would really appreciate some services to support a growing LEGO metropolis.

[city boy]

i think they should get a license and make models of caterpiller or jhon deere farm and construction and make minifig scale models like these

i think they should get a license and make models of caterpiller or jhon deere farm and construction and make minifig scale models like these