LEGO Star Wars 2012 Pictures and Rumors

[Mirandir]

Whoa. I doubt they are celebrating anything, it must be a coincidence. And like the TIE, some might appear in other movies too.

I am interested to see the other CW and EP3 set, as most of that has been covered. Also, I can't possibly think what 5 other ANH sets could be, unless they are all remakes.

Yeah I guess the tie fighter could be any of the OT episodes but the other four are clearly Episode IV sets. And yep besides the Endor battle pack and the new collectible thing they're all remakes.

[Navy Trooper Fenson]

Is "first half of the year" January or are those eleven sets released in different months, because SW.coms Twitter announced only 6 sets and multiple exclusives? http://twitter.com/#!/starwars/status/94456757769871360

I hate those retarded Jedi Truths...

I don´t like and understand this new strategy. Wasn´t Exo-Force discontinued because the kids only bought the small 15$ sets instead of the bigger ones for 30 to 100$? As far as I understand LEGO makes more money the bigger their sets are, what you are saying would mean that the number of expensive sets is decreasing and not only that, the number of small sets that are bought seems to decrease, too.

Also, is the number of children still not having BPs because they are too expensive bigger than the amount of people who would rather buy two BPs? I doubt.

Those conflict BPs are just a stupid idea. Army builders sometimes only want some figures multiple times. ARCs for example are very rare. It would make more sense to include them in another set (

) than in a battlepack. Same with the Endor set. We got enough Scouts through Ewok Attack and Endor Playset and don´t forget all the older sets. No one needs a team of Scout troopers the size of the resident Hells Angels club. Stormtroopers are much more popular and you again screw up this situation through giving only one of those (not to mention there is a demand for multiple Navy Troopers and regular officers, too).

This tactic only leads to more people buying the figures from Bricklink and Ebay instead of LEGO themselves. They only increase the winnings on the aftermarket.

Those collectible sets sound awful. I am not going to pay 10 bucks for some stupid figure that ends up on Bricklink for a fraction of that price anyway and if they are not figures this can only mean minimodels and I don´t need to see this needless branch arising ever again. Who wants to make minimodels should be easily capable of that through their own bricks and those who buy them to get bricks probably aren´t satisfied, most of the recent minis don´t include any exclusive bricks anyway.

Well, I am looking forward to bricklinking everything from this years wave. Poor LEGO, otherwise I probably would have bought the sets directly from them and not on the aftermarket.

Yeah I guess the tie fighter could be any of the OT episodes but the other four are clearly Episode IV sets. And yep besides the Endor battle pack and the new collectible thing they're all remakes.

If you know already the periods the sets are from and already described the content of two of them, why can´t you just tell what the rest of the sets contain exactly?

Edited August 2, 2011 by Navy Trooper Fenson

[Emperor]

Those conflict BPs are just a stupid idea. Army builders sometimes only want some figures multiple times.

Right, because TLG only has customers who are army-building people willing to pay thousands of dollars for battle packs - who needs those countless children wanting to be able to play immediately with only one set anyway?

I think what Mirandir says sounds legit, of course it isn't proven until we have pictures, but since it is the first time he has such news there is no way to make sure he isn't lying. For the moment I am willing to believe him, I don't see any reason why he should start to post fake news after 4 years on this site...

[Mirandir]

Is "first half of the year" January or are those eleven sets released in different months, because SW.coms Twitter announced only 6 sets and multiple exclusives? http://twitter.com/#!/starwars/status/94456757769871360

I hate those retarded Jedi Truths...

I don´t like and understand this new strategy. Wasn´t Exo-Force discontinued because the kids only bought the small 15$ sets instead of the bigger ones for 30 to 100$? As far as I understand LEGO makes more money the bigger their sets are, what you are saying would mean that the number of expensive sets is decreasing and not only that, the number of small sets that are bought seems to decrease, too.

Also, is the number of children still not having BPs because they are too expensive bigger than the amount of people who would rather buy two BPs? I doubt.

Those conflict BPs are just a stupid idea. Army builders sometimes only want some figures multiple times. ARCs for example are very rare. It would make more sense to include them in another set (

) than in a battlepack. Same with the Endor set. We got enough Scouts through Ewok Attack and Endor Playset and don´t forget all the older sets. No one needs a team of Scout troopers the size of the resident Hells Angels club. Stormtroopers are much more popular and you again screw up this situation through giving only one of those (not to mention there is a demand for multiple Navy Troopers and regular officers, too).

This tactic only leads to more people buying the figures from Bricklink and Ebay instead of LEGO themselves. They only increase the winnings on the aftermarket.

There's nothing in the strategy that suggests that there will be less expensive sets. The strategy is to use the cheap sets to get more kids into buying Lego Star Wars and by that getting more buyers of the more expensive sets.

Those collectible sets sound awful. I am not going to pay 10 bucks for some stupid figure that ends up on Bricklink for a fraction of that price anyway and if they are not figures this can only mean minimodels and I don´t need to see this needless branch arising ever again. Who wants to make minimodels should be easily capable of that through their own bricks and those who buy them to get bricks probably aren´t satisfied, most of the recent minis don´t include any exclusive bricks anyway.

Well, I am looking forward to bricklinking everything from this years wave. Poor LEGO, otherwise I probably would have bought the sets directly from them and not on the aftermarket.

Well, the point with the sets ain't really the fig. On the other hand I can't really se people wanting more than one each of these sets. But then they'll most likely be turning up everywhere. Even in places/stores where you don't normally find Lego Star Wars. Again the strategy is that instead of one buying many they want many buying one each. In the end getting more people buying the more expensive sets.

If you know already the periods the sets are from and already described the content of two of them, why can´t you just tell what the rest of the sets contain exactly?

Nah, it's more fun to just drop little bits here and there and watch the speculation take off...

Right, because TLG only has customers who are army-building people willing to pay thousands of dollars for battle packs - who needs those countless children wanting to be able to play immediately with only one set anyway?

I think what Mirandir says sounds legit, of course it isn't proven until we have pictures, but since it is the first time he has such news there is no way to make sure he isn't lying. For the moment I am willing to believe him, I don't see any reason why he should start to post fake news after 4 years on this site...

Ummm I was right about 21010 brandenburger Tor wasn't I?

Yeah that's a genuine Lego Architecture set. The setnumber is 21010.

BTW don't know if this is known already but there's also a Brandenburg Tor coming out with setnumber 21011...

[Aanchir]

I, for one, welcome our multi-faction-battlepacks-and-collectible-vignette overlords. Of course, I'm not a buyer of Star Wars sets so my opinion probably doesn't count for much. But some of this year's sets (particularly the Episode I sets) have brought me close to collecting this theme again, so here's hoping that next year's sets are just as impressive.

Really, the multi-faction battle packs sound like they make a lot of sense. Including multiple factions in sets is something TLG has done-- successfully, I might add-- in almost all of their recent themes. Even licensed themes: look at 7569, 4191, and 4865. These are all similarly-priced to the Star Wars battle packs, with similar contents. And thankfully, Star Wars seems to be keeping the inherent concept of battle packs the same. Rather than including familiar characters like the battle-pack-sized sets in these other themes, the Star Wars ones still sound like they include stock characters for army building.

I can't see how including multiple factions in battle packs will make people in general buy fewer sets. True, it's good when a set can be augmented by other sets to create a richer play experience-- this is the sort of thing that makes for repeat customers. However, small sets like these are often the sets most accessible to children. And if the kid's first set bores them, with little room for role-play, then their first impulse won't necessarily be to buy more sets from the same brand they found boring. A small set has to leave a good first impression, and having multiple factions for straight-from-the-box role play helps with this, as sales have evidently demonstrated in other themes.

It'll still be easy to army-build characters in multi-faction battle packs. Of course, the Endor battle pack as it has been described would lead to a serious imbalance between rebel and imperial forces, but aren't the rebels supposed to be at a disadvantage in terms of troop numbers?

[The_Chosen_1]

For example, they could make MINI models of all the pod racers and include the figures of the drivers. Instant sellout of all models.

Now THAT sounds incredibly cool! Lego would be smart to play off of the warm reception to the new Podracers set. I would be in for more Podrace-themed minifigs/sets.

Just realized that 5 out of the 6 OT sets in jan is actually episode IV sets... are they celebrating a 35 year anniversery of episode IV?

Again, awesome!!! I figured that more ANH sets would be in the pipeline. Lego wouldn't go through the trouble of making an all-new hair mold for Luke, and not use it several times. I would LOVE to see a properly done Mos Eisley Cantina set, Lars Homestead, Obi-Wan's hovel, new Sandcrawler, or a Yavin IV base.

Edited August 2, 2011 by The_Chosen_1

[Brickdoctor]

There's nothing in the strategy that suggests that there will be less expensive sets. The strategy is to use the cheap sets to get more kids into buying Lego Star Wars and by that getting more buyers of the more expensive sets.

The price might stay the same, but by including both factions you've made it cheaper for those who only planned to buy one set of BPs, since now they only buy one BP. I, for example, would probably buy both BPs if they were both OT BPs, but if you're right I'll probably only buy the OT BP. So where before I would've spent $20+, now I'm spending $10+.

EDIT: Though actually, if they do one OT BP and one other BP each year with this formula, I end up spending the same amount since now I'll buy one each year instead of two every other year. So it evens out eventually.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Brickdoctor

[Navy Trooper Fenson]

Right, because TLG only has customers who are army-building people willing to pay thousands of dollars for battle packs - who needs those countless children wanting to be able to play immediately with only one set anyway?

LEGO was never charitable. They are a company. I don´t think the number of BPs that LEGO can sell to those kids is bigger than the number of BPs LEGO won´t sell to AFOLs because of the dropping of their usual routine.

There's nothing in the strategy that suggests that there will be less expensive sets. The strategy is to use the cheap sets to get more kids into buying Lego Star Wars and by that getting more buyers of the more expensive sets.

Does the human mind function like that? That would mean people are too stingily to buy 20$ sets but are okay with paying 10$ or more after they already paid 10$.

Nah, it's more fun to just drop little bits here and there and watch the speculation take off...

Oh, now that is just being contrary!

Barrowman = Mirandir XDDDDD

Edited August 2, 2011 by Navy Trooper Fenson

[Petit-bleu]

Nah, it's more fun to just drop little bits here and there and watch the speculation take off...

You are a very bad person...

Nah...Finally seeking may be far more pleasant than finding.

I really like the idea of ANH sets. New Jawas and Tusken might be on tracks.

[Emperor]

LEGO was never charitable. They are a company. I don´t think the number of BPs that LEGO can sell to those kids is bigger than the number of BPs LEGO won´t sell to AFOLs because of the dropping of their usual routine.

That is the point - you migth believe they make more money with the battle packs bought by AFOLs, but unless you have actual proof that AFOLs spend more money than children/parents, I won't take this for granted - even though there are many AFOLs around the world, LEGO is still considered to be a children's toy by most adults; therefore I am pretty sure the majority of TLG's customers are children.

[Aanchir]

Does the human mind function like that? That would mean people are too stingily to buy 20$ sets but are okay with paying 10$ or more after they already paid 10$.

Yes, it does. Frankly, I can't tell you how many times I've been in stores where the kids and parents are in the LEGO aisle looking for sets, and the parents insist that the kids get "something small". Never mind that there's often more play value, a better price per piece, and cooler contents in the larger sets. Never mind that the kids will likely be begging for new sets every time they're in the store. Small, low-priced products cater to that market, hence why small products like trading cards, action figures, and the collectible minifigures are so incredibly successful.

There's a reason small, low-priced sets are called "impulses", you know. A person often won't think twice about grabbing a small set rather than saving up for a larger set with a better value. The higher the price tag, the more hesitation. And furthermore, the more customers TLG has, the more are likely to become repeat customers. It's a lot easier convincing yourself to buy a big, expensive set from any theme if you've already "tested the waters" with smaller sets from the same theme.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Aanchir

[brickbuilder]

There's a reason small, low-priced sets are called "impulses", you know. A person often won't think twice about grabbing a small set rather than saving up for a larger set with a better value. The higher the price tag, the more hesitation. And furthermore, the more customers TLG has, the more are likely to become repeat customers. It's a lot easier convincing yourself to buy a big, expensive set from any theme if you've already "tested the waters" with smaller sets from the same theme.

But then again, these new $10 impulse sets seem to be different than normal sets. A mini set is a whole different experience than a system set.

Assuming of course the $10 sets are just mini sets that come with figs. I guess they could be small vignettes, or little things like speeders, turrets, and walkers. I like the second option a lot better.

[Aanchir]

But then again, these new $10 impulse sets seem to be different than normal sets. A mini set is a whole different experience than a system set.

Assuming of course the $10 sets are just mini sets that come with figs. I guess they could be small vignettes, or little things like speeders, turrets, and walkers. I like the second option a lot better.

Personally, I don't expect the mini sets to float my boat really (the few Star Wars sets I'm still attracted to these days tend to be the larger and more impressive ones with a variety of minifigures). But assuming that there is some considerable building involved to avoid conflict with Hasbro, it sounds like it could be a much cooler product than the minifigure packs from various themes in 2000 that simply came with information cards and fairly useless display bases.

Mirandir, can you tell us whether these "minifigure sets" are going to include character figs or army-building figs? I'm expecting character figs, so as not to conflict with the battle packs, but I have nothing to go on besides your description.

These packages could be the source of that Amidala minifigure that's been spotted. And personally, I wouldn't mind that-- I'm kinda skeptical about how well a Theed Palace set could be done, and while it might be possible to impress me it certainly might be rejected by the AFOLs who actually buy Star Wars sets. And, of course, their opinions matter way more than mine.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Aanchir

[Mirandir]

Again, awesome!!! I figured that more ANH sets would be in the pipeline. Lego wouldn't go through the trouble of making an all-new hair mold for Luke, and not use it several times. I would LOVE to see a properly done Mos Eisley Cantina set, Lars Homestead, Obi-Wan's hovel, new Sandcrawler, or a Yavin IV base.

I really like the idea of ANH sets. New Jawas and Tusken might be on tracks.

None of the above in 1st half year I'm afraid.

However speaking of Yavin IV I do predict that we'll see a couple of Yavin IV award ceremony MOC:s in 2012...

[zlego]

I really hope that those sets are just rumors for a couple reasons

1-I personal like two battle that have one good side and one bad side because you would get more minifigs and better speeders or whatever that come with the set

2-12 sets are too many,why would lego make so many sets for the first wave and what sets would they make for the second wave

3-dose any body rember those minifig packs that lego stop making because hasbro said they were to much like the toys they were selling those minifig sets sound a lot like that, why would lego try to do that again

why would lego try to change the game now?

Edited August 2, 2011 by zlego

[Aanchir]

I really hope that those sets are just rumors for a couple reasons

1-I personal like two battle that have one good side and one bad side because you would get more minifigs and better speeders or whatever that come with the set

2-12 sets are too many,why would lego make so many sets for the first wave and what sets would they make for the second wave

3-dose any body rember those minifig packs that lego stop making because hasbro said they were to much like the toys they were selling those minifig sets sound a lot like that, why would lego try to do that again

why would lego try to change the game now?

From Mirandir's description, I expect these ones to have more building involved than the ones in 2000. In other words, they'll be actual building toys, not just four-piece minifigures with a one-piece base and a trading card attached. It's the same way TLG hasn't gotten in any trouble that forces them to end the battle packs, since they put speeders and so forth into them so they're not simply minifigure packs.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Aanchir

[Fives]

I absolutely LOVE this new BP concept! It sounds so cool, and even though yu get less guys for each side in one set, you could get more new CW clones instead of waiting a whole year!

[White Cat]

I study a little about business so this's my point of view (please take not that my English is terrible)

Each generation required changes to attract new customer, when the current gen goes old and stop collecting TOYS then it's time to makes change for the new gen. I don't know much about people around here in this topic but I can says alot more of you guys older than me like 2 or even 3 times. But you're still collecting TOYS, anyway. And I would call that "loyal customer", for a big Company/ Corp like Lego, if it's not something suddenly happens like Financial Crysis then it'll properly stay alive for 5 or 6 or may be as far as 8 years into the future even if their product don't sell well (kinda like hotel business, actually a little easier than hotel business).

So with new BPs like that. They'll definitely attract more young customer. After all, TOYS are for kids is the thing that nearly every adults think. Well, Gundam Model Kits of Bandai or Military Vehicle of Tamiya is for teen and upper but people in a lot of country still think they are TOYS. More customer, more popular --> higher stock.

And like I said in the introduce box when I first start login to this forum, I comes from Vietnam. Which is the price of Lego here is 2 or 3 times higher than US. Ok, now that's normal because maybe we're not that worse than AUS or Singapore. But please take note that a normal citizen here in this country can consider salary about 200$/ month is a nice job.

With that being said, the new ideas of BP really makes me amazed. It's a risk move but a brilliant move indeed. Now they are more worth of money than before and in the eyes of people, they're a little more affordable. A little more popular in poor country lead to a little more popular world-wide --> higher stock.

Last but not least, they're all IMHO.

[Piranha]

I'll sum up what I've presented here as facts. Unfortunatly I cannot, or at this point rather don't want to, prove them with pictures or by naming sources. So I guess you'll have to take my word for it.

1.) Lego will change the battlepacks to include both sides. The reason behind this is that they want "conflict in a box". The kids should be able to spend they're allowance on a small set and be able to do battles with just that set. As it is now they need to buy both battle packs to do that.

One battle pack is an Endor Battle pack with 2 rebel troopers, 1 scout trooper with a speeder and a storm trooper as well as a tree with a flickfire launcher.

The other Battle pack is a CW battlepack featuring 2 Commando Droids, 1 ARC Trooper and one ARF Trooper. The Structure is a small republic artillery Cannon.

2.) There will be a total of 11 Lego Star Wars sets in stores in 1st half year of 2012. This includes 2 Special Edition (Store exclusives) sets and 3 sets from a new concept but excludes any UCS sets, polybags or any other promos.

Of theese sets 6 will be OT, 2 CW, 1 EP III and 2 EP I sets

3.) The new concept is a sort of collectible that are standalone but may expand on each other. The set includes a display stand a minifigure and buildable parts of which one can be displayed either standing or hanging. The price of theese sets will be $9.99/€9.99. There will be three of theese sets released per half year.

In the first wave one is clearly OT and the other two could be said is Episode I. But the concept is more Star Wars in general than related to a specific movie.

4.) The Queen Amidala fig will not be released in the first half year. But I guess that's no suprise as the fig shown at comic con was a pretty rough prototype.

Thanks for the info I 100% believe this. Just follow the logic and reason. In many other themes we see "factions" and "conflict" in one set more so now (Like the Black Pearl being POTC), why not expand the idea to SW.

I wonder what the EP3 will be?

Look forward to seeing the new concept in pics then reserve judgment.

Just realized that 5 out of the 6 OT sets in jan is actually episode IV sets... are they celebrating a 35 year anniversery of episode IV?

Interesting.

Yeah I guess the tie fighter could be any of the OT episodes but the other four are clearly Episode IV sets. And yep besides the Endor battle pack and the new collectible thing they're all remakes.

Well I am guessing, X-Wing, Y-wing and two other common ones we have seen before.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Macoco

[Brickdoctor]

I wonder what the EP3 will be?

Probably something in Sith and CW. An Eta-2 would be reasonable. If the rumors are true, of course.

[lightningtiger]

Okay, now this gets one head scratching......

"3.) The new concept is a sort of collectible that are standalone but may expand on each other. The set includes a display stand a minifigure and buildable parts of which one can be displayed either standing or hanging. The price of theese sets will be $9.99/€9.99. There will be three of theese sets released per half year.

In the first wave one is clearly OT and the other two could be said is Episode I. But the concept is more Star Wars in general than related to a specific movie.

4.) The Queen Amidala fig will not be released in the first half year. But I guess that's no suprise as the fig shown at comic con was a pretty rough prototype."

Hmmm, I say Queen Amidala might be the second half in one of these new collectible sets.

Also OT fans will be happy more OT than anything else !

Now we wait for sneaky pictures to start popping up on some photo-sharing site and try and download before it gets shut down !

[Mirandir]

Hmmm, I say Queen Amidala might be the second half in one of these new collectible sets.

Actually I don't think so. Becasue the set in which the fig would make most sense in comes already in the first wave.

[mutley777]

The 2 faction battle packs sound like a very logical idea to me. The kids getting a battle in one pack is a great idea that is bound to sell well.

I know in the UK alot of retailers got stuck with unwanted battle packs in the old arrangement. As Lego shipped them in cartons with 3 of each BP (6 in each box) if only one was selling well they got left with loads of the other. This ended up with the Assassin Droid BP always being on sale and the Hoth Rebel and even the Mandolorian BP too.

[lightningtiger]

Actually I don't think so. Becasue the set in which the fig would make most sense in comes already in the first wave.

Ah, so we get the queen in her red robe in a first half set eh ?

Well, not narrows it down right, say a throne room ?

Keep on guessing !

[zlego]

I really think we should all think about this for a second

I don't think anyones not telling the truth but these sets kind of sound unrealistic

I don't think lego would want to make to many OT sets with the upcoming 30 anniversary of ROTJ

I really don't think lego would cut down on CW sets with the upconing season 4 and other sets that they could make from season 3

I dont't think lego would make episode 3 sets because the similarities with season 4

I'm sorry but i just don't think this is what where getting and i just don't want to let people become sad if these turn out not to be true