licensing sensory overload

[Fives]

Look at the Friends theme. It is the first non-licensed theme to have flesh coloured figures. Sure they aren't traditional minifigs, but they are still LEGO figures. I would love for LEGO to do away with the yellow skin tones, as someone said before. The flesh skin tones seem way more realistic. But, I think the one reason that LEGO uses yellow for skin is to keep things cartoonish. Sure, minifies are becoming more detailed, but I've always seen flesh figs as more realistic due to A) having a realistic sin tone, and B) being based on real people (actors who portray the characters in films). So in the end, I'm rather indifferent about the whole yellow/flesh argument. I prefer licensed sets because they are based on stories I know and love, so I can connect to them better. In turn, this has made me prefer flesh figures, but I still think that most of LEGO's non-licensed figs would look bad with flesh skin. It just wouldn't be fitting. If the fig isn't based on an actual person from a film, they shouldn't be flesh.

Sorry, I feel like this turned into a pointless rant leading nowhere.

Edited June 16, 2012 by Fives

[TheLegoDr]

The CMF have done a really nice job of collecting different cultures/backgrounds while still maintaining the classic yellow minifigure. I like both licensed skin tone and classic yellow. I, like a lot of others, would quit buying things if they discontinued yellow, just as some will quit buying if they discontinue licensed skin tone. I like both.

I don't understand why race is such an issue with everyone. Yes, people have different skin tones, but that shouldn't be what defines them as people. As the late Mitch Hedburg said, "I don't care what skin color you are, but we have to draw the line somewhere. To hell with purple people!" That is just a humorous bit and no offense to purple people. Actually, that is what I like about some of the Star Wars characters are the odd colors their skin tone is. I think it blends right in, but for some reason yellow is just such an extreme compared to the "fleshie" it is hard to incorporate into other settings. So every figure being yellow would make it easier to accomplish that, if you suspend the belief that everyone in the real world isn't the same.

As far as skin tones go for Lego minifigures, I do like the variety in the licensed themes. A great example is the POTC theme with the zombies.

[HawkLord]

I agree with everything you just said here. However, I think TLG has a reason for still keeping the yellow figs. If they changed them now, they'd have a lot of angry AFOLs on their hands, and could potentially lose many customers.

Oh, I definitely agree with that. I would never want Lego to do away with the yellows completely.

[purpleparadox]

Oh, I definitely agree with that. I would never want Lego to do away with the yellows completely.

I wasn't saying I'd be mad, I was saying some people would. I'd be fine without yellows. (Although that's liable to change.)

[has a differing opinion]

It's racist because it brings race into it. All yellow = no race.

That's actually more racist-different skin tones bring more variety to a MOC.

I think you're referring to the fact that MOCers prefer not to mix the flesh tones. I personally have no problem with combining them both.(but not on the same figure)

I'm starting to think this is just a "kids these days" argument.....

Edited June 17, 2012 by has a differing opinion

[sologuy369]

It's racist because it brings race into it. All yellow = no race

Not really. Kids aren't really thinking racist thoughts when building Lego.. I have seen many different skin tones in Lego corsponding to the character it's based off of. Thats how it is. It's not rude to make white people white and tanner people tan and darker skin colors darker. It's life and 100% reality.

To write that a bit shorter, it has nothing to do with being racist or diversity, but just with movie accuracy.

And on the other hand, I hope nobody takes this comment the wrong way.

Personally, I think licenses are fine.

[MstrOfPppts]

I wouldn't complain if all the figs were fleshies ... though I know I'm in minority. Duplo's always had the right skin color and they also included a lot of different races. Also the friends line has the realistic skin color, and noone's complaining about these two?! I think the problem is in people who see the problem of racism in toys ...

[CorneliusMurdock]

This topic has been done several times before. I see no reason for a new thread.