Future of the CMF - Poll

[Itaria No Shintaku]

I wanted to gather the opinions of my fellow eurobrickers on some questions I ask to myself very often about what Lego wants to do with CMF.

CMF was one of the best themes ever for me, and I am very concerned about the chance it could end soon.

If you want to take some seconds to complete this poll so that I can know your opinion, I'd glad.

Thanks.

INS

[Hrw-Amen]

I would much rather they stuck to the normal format. I can understand a special line for the movie as this is something special to LEGO but the Simpsons? Why not have a line specifically for superheroes or Lone Ranger or whatever else range they do? I am not sure they will sell well, where I come from most people think the Simpsons have had their day. It was good but now it is old and tired, time to move on to something new. It just seems like LEGO is a bit late for this particular range.

[Lyichir]

Personally, I think there's plenty of room in the future for both traditional "mixed" series and potential "themed" series. There's plenty of themes that could do well to have a Minifigures series: DC and Marvel Super Heroes are an obvious choice, as well as Star Wars if the licensing works out, and if the Ninjago movie that is being produced does pan out, I would not be surprised if we got a Minifigures series based on that theme (after all, the TV show has a lot of interesting characters already, not to mention whatever new characters could be introduced for the movie). Friends could do with a Minifigures series as well, to perhaps diversify the types of outfits and roles for the characters (maybe even getting into the sort of out-there roles Barbie has enjoyed like astronaut). I have doubts about whether lines with less of a media push will get series; as much as I'd like a Hero Factory series now that the sets are minifig scale, Hero Factory never has been and probably never will be the media behemoth Bionicle was in its heyday, let alone as big as Ninjago is now. The same applies to Chima, which from what I have read has failed to meet expectations, even if it has enjoyed moderate success.

Not being a Simpsons fan, I have little interest in that theme's series, but I understand the reasoning behind it. The Simpsons has a long history and a massive cast of characters, and a Minifigures series is probably a better way to get many of them out of the way. From what I've heard, there will only be a few sets besides that series of figs, meaning that this could be the only practical way to sell side characters. Other themes could potentially benefit from this type of model as well. For instance, if Spongebob got a Minifigures series, it could help to diversify the cast of characters without relying as much as the existing sets have on endless redesigns of the same core cast.

I don't think the era of diverse, theme-less series is over, though. If and when they come back, I honestly don't know how they will or won't be numbered, and it doesn't bother me that much. As a collector but not a completionist, I don't mind sitting out a few waves, and if a fig does appeal to me (as many of the Lego Movie figs surely will once I've seen the film), I'll get the ones I like and pass on the ones I don't.

[TheLazyChicken]

I like all the CMF including the movie wave. I understand the movie has the CMF's because it is very special I suppose, but the simpsons is just not working for me. I think they could do that but I would hope for them to also release the normal type of waves along with the licensed wave, that way its a win-win. (At least for me it is)

[obsidianheart]

Personally, this whole "The Movie wave doesn't have a 12 on the box so it doesn't count" thing is starting to come off as a little weird for me. I get that some people are a really miffed about this, but it's starting to look a bit like a tantrum.

[Freddy Bricker]

While I do hope they revert to the regular series, as there are way too many possible figs for them to do, I still sort of hope we get "themed" series every now and then. My only would be problem with 2014 is that there is no regular series. I guess it's made up for though, with all the great figures in series 12.

And regarding the question about how it'll be handled, I think it will go back to series 12 since (yes I'm bringing it up again) there is no clear indication that TLM series is indeed, series 12. But I can see why they would revert to series 1, as skipping a whole year of regular figs will make newcomers to the theme ask "why is this called series 12, it JUST started getting a numbering system"? And I like to think Lego don't like confusing their customers, but they have before, so only time will tell (hey time, ya gonna squeel yet?)

Edited November 23, 2013 by Freddy Bricker

[Lego Otaku]

Olympic set didn't have number either so LEGO can easily release the movie set without number, then continue with 12 later in 2014

[tomdobs55]

Maybe just every other series will be themed

[JeagerEX]

A City themed minifigures will be great also especially the characters from LEGO City Undercover that was never made in physical form such as Natalia, Rex Fury and Chief Dunby. And it supposed to be in the City theme.

Edited November 23, 2013 by JeagerEX

[Itaria No Shintaku]

The general audience says that TLC didn't make a smart move into making CMF of the movie, then...

[Lyichir]

The general audience says that TLC didn't make a smart move into making CMF of the movie, then...

The general audience on Eurobricks. Or, perhaps more accurately, the general audience on Eurobricks before we know who most of these characters are, since none of us have actually seen the movie yet. And in fact, looking at the numbers as they stand now, I see 17 who think doing something other than the standard numbered series is good and only 16 who see it as bad; not an overwhelming majority by any measure, and for the moment not a majority at all.

There are more members who say they might buy fewer, true, but that number is not necessarily indicative of the source material of the fig series. The question is phrased vaguely enough that it also encompasses people who planned on buying fewer figs no matter what the series contained, because of unrelated circumstances (personally, I've gotten less of the past few series than I did with earlier ones, not because of a lack of interest but because it's harder to justify sitting in a store and feeling all the packages now that I'm home from college and rely on others for transportation). And even though that's probably not the case for the majority who voted that way, that's still a tiny percentage of members on a site that itself only comprises a tiny percentage of Lego fans. Those voters thinking they personally would buy fewer is not even the same thing as them thinking Lego has made a bad decision! For instance, in the case of the Simpsons figures, I doubt I'll buy a single one, but I'm not self-centered enough to assume my opinion is typical of Lego's entire audience.

[jtr]

It would be bad business to a make minifig range from any normal themes - there are a lot of people who are persuaded to buy the sets for the minfigs (star war and super heroes). Also is there an issue with quality of the CMF range ?

[Dorayaki]

I'd be upset if the rumored Simpsons CMF comes soon after the Lego Movie CMF without an interval of normal series. However I believe TLC won't stop making normal series.

My concern is actually different from the questions above. I'm more worried about special themed CMF since we're not sure if TLC would continue this project in order to complete other existed licensed themes. If they just favor Simpsons and themselves, it'd be pretty unfair. However, the conflict between original series and special series could only be solved by adding more production by year.

About number rumor, I believe most old fans stick to the old way. I personally don't see that need to change the numbering mechanism for now if it doesn't bring any good.

I can understand a special line for the movie as this is something special to LEGO but the Simpsons? Why not have a line specifically for superheroes or Lone Ranger or whatever else range they do?

Excuse me, I don't think you can understand once you don't accept this theme, even when it's just about regular sets. It's the conflict between all original series and special series, not which license TLC decide to import. Unless you find some resaonable thoughts like room for army building.

Edited December 3, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Junpei]

Themed CMF's? I don't think so. Star Wars, Ninjago, etc. make so much money because people want the minifigs, and to buy the minifigs, you have to buy the sets (unless you know about Bricklink, which probably at least half of the people who buy any kind of Lego don't). Also, I have heard about some quality issues with CMF's compared to normal minifigs.

[Dorayaki]

Themed CMF's? I don't think so. Star Wars, Ninjago, etc. make so much money because people want the minifigs, and to buy the minifigs, you have to buy the sets (unless you know about Bricklink, which probably at least half of the people who buy any kind of Lego don't). Also, I have heard about some quality issues with CMF's compared to normal minifigs.

Please ask The Lego Movie first . I believe that CMFs should only include exclusive characters from both original designs and licensed themes, unless they are discontinued. It's rather more debatable if the CMFs we get have already made appearances in regular sets.

[Itaria No Shintaku]

There are more members who say they might buy fewer, true, but that number is not necessarily indicative of the source material of the fig series.

The question is phrased vaguely enough that it also encompasses people who planned on buying fewer figs no matter what the series contained, because of unrelated circumstances (personally, I've gotten less of the past few series than I did with earlier ones, not because of a lack of interest but because it's harder to justify sitting in a store and feeling all the packages now that I'm home from college and rely on others for transportation). And even though that's probably not the case for the majority who voted that way, that's still a tiny percentage of members on a site that itself only comprises a tiny percentage of Lego fans. Those voters thinking they personally would buy fewer is not even the same thing as them thinking Lego has made a bad decision! For instance, in the case of the Simpsons figures, I doubt I'll buy a single one, but I'm not self-centered enough to assume my opinion is typical of Lego's entire audience.

Actually, not. It says "compared to previous series" and it implies that it's a quality test on this series. There is no justified reason to think that someone would stop buying minifigures for different reasons but the fact that he/she dislike this series. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_picking_%28fallacy%29 for infos.

[Haltiamieli]

I've yet to acquire any Series 11 figures, as hunting the ones I want from BL for acceptable price is just too bothersome compared to physically visiting nearby stores and feeling the packages for a while. All in all the non-availability of Series 11 has sort of lessened my interest in the theme as a whole, or distanced me from the (relative) buying frenzy I had with a few preceding series. That may result in me buying less of the "so-so" Series 12 figures (figures that aren't that cool or novel or useful for me as whole but have an interesting part or two) than I would have done in series past.

I think themed or licenced waves (The Lego Movie, The Simpsons, MMOG, what ever comes after) are, on the whole, a wise choice to keep the theme moving and evolving instead of stagnating in the same model until it dies out. Let's just hope we'll get many more waves, licenced and/or not. I have no problem skipping some series like The Simpsons completely if it keeps other series more fitting for me coming now and then. MMOG series could be the bestest ever.

[Lyichir]

It would be bad business to a make minifig range from any normal themes - there are a lot of people who are persuaded to buy the sets for the minfigs (star war and super heroes). Also is there an issue with quality of the CMF range ?

I disagree with this. Take a look at the Super Heroes theme: while the minifigs are indeed a big draw, the current fig selection tends to favor "big name" heroes (and lately, favors those who feature in movies around the time of release). The DC range has only featured one non-Batman, non-movie set, and the same number applies for non-movie, non-TV show sets in the Marvel range. Figs of cult favorite characters like Squirrel Girl would be more likely to see the light of day via a minifig series than they would in normal sets. Now, a series entirely comprised of B-list heroes probably wouldn't sell that well either—but many of the A-list heroes have had enough costumes and depictions in years of comics and other media that it would be easy enough to feature a unique Batman, Spider-Man, or Iron Man along with the classic depictions of more niche characters. And I think fans would appreciate those characters and costumes getting a wide release through a minifigures series to being limited-supply exclusives from Comic Con or a similar event, as so many have been.

Actually, not. It says "compared to previous series" and it implies that it's a quality test on this series. There is no justified reason to think that someone would stop buying minifigures for different reasons but the fact that he/she dislike this series. See http://en.wikipedia....cking_(fallacy) for infos.

I bought less of Series 10 and 11 than previous series because it became infeasible to do so. I didn't like those series any less than earlier ones. And while I couldn't have known how difficult it would be to collect Series 10, by the time Series 11 rolled around I could assume by previous experience that I would not be able to buy many of the new series.

I know what cherry picking is, and I know that I was not doing so, since I have no way of knowing why any member other than myself voted any particular way. What I was pointing out was that the question you asked was phrased poorly. An "implied" quality test is not the same as an explicit one, and if that was what you intended by the question you should have asked "Do you like these upcoming series more than previous series?" Nonetheless, I understand that that nitpick probably wouldn't account for more than a miniscule percentage of the respondents, which is why I explicitly said so in my post.

I then went on to point out the real problem with your conclusion: that "The general audience says that TLC didn't make a smart move into making CMF of the movie" assumes that the response "I will not buy as many of this series" meant "I think everyone will buy less of this series" when that is absolutely not the case. The conclusion that can be drawn is that the majority of respondents to this poll (which only constitute a "general audience" in regards to the tiny percentage of Eurobricks members who responded, Eurobricks members themselves being a tiny percentage of Lego fans) plan to buy less of these series, which reflects only on their personal levels of interest and not on any opinions they may hold about Lego's business sense.

[Dorayaki]

I've yet to acquire any Series 11 figures, as hunting the ones I want from BL for acceptable price is just too bothersome compared to physically visiting nearby stores and feeling the packages for a while. All in all the non-availability of Series 11 has sort of lessened my interest in the theme as a whole, or distanced me from the (relative) buying frenzy I had with a few preceding series. That may result in me buying less of the "so-so" Series 12 figures (figures that aren't that cool or novel or useful for me as whole but have an interesting part or two) than I would have done in series past.

I think themed or licenced waves (The Lego Movie, The Simpsons, MMOG, what ever comes after) are, on the whole, a wise choice to keep the theme moving and evolving instead of stagnating in the same model until it dies out. Let's just hope we'll get many more waves, licenced and/or not. I have no problem skipping some series like The Simpsons completely if it keeps other series more fitting for me coming now and then. MMOG series could be the bestest ever.

I think it's smart if the purpose is to motivate consumers to keep buying instead of being tired of regular series. But it doesn't seem smart if regular series just end or disappear for a long time, which isn't doing with the "freshness" thing. After all it's the designer who can make a series novel and cool, or even special series could be tedious in the same way.

For now I don't think the so-called and rumored "MMORPG" is kind of special theme. If it doesn't include any specific protagonists from the storyline of the game, it could be very simiar with normal series.

I bought less of Series 10 and 11 than previous series because it became infeasible to do so. I didn't like those series any less than earlier ones. And while I couldn't have known how difficult it would be to collect Series 10, by the time Series 11 rolled around I could assume by previous experience that I would not be able to buy many of the new series.

The conclusion that can be drawn is that the majority of respondents to this poll plan to buy less of these series, which reflects only on their personal levels of interest and not on any opinions they may hold about Lego's business sense.

I'm sad to agree with these. That's pretty true, but that means CMF is probably losing its market and it could end if TLC don't do anything. Even though there are still some problems with special themes, just hope that TLC would try to find the best business solution.

In my personal view, TLC has been trying to introduce new parts and designs though still with some rehashings. But if its market is declining, it's more about how they market than how cool the minifigures are.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Itaria No Shintaku]

I then went on to point out the real problem with your conclusion: that "The general audience says that TLC didn't make a smart move into making CMF of the movie" assumes that the response "I will not buy as many of this series" meant "I think everyone will buy less of this series" when that is absolutely not the case. The conclusion that can be drawn is that the majority of respondents to this poll (which only constitute a "general audience" in regards to the tiny percentage of Eurobricks members who responded, Eurobricks members themselves being a tiny percentage of Lego fans) plan to buy less of these series, which reflects only on their personal levels of interest and not on any opinions they may hold about Lego's business sense.

Actually my conclusions were drawn also by other sources, like comments on various blogs, other posts here, and the like.

I can say without any fear of being corrected that in general AFOLs are strongly against this move.

Now, since AFOLs are 1/4 of the general lego target, I may think that they think children will say "OH! LOOK! IT'S EMMET! DAD BUY ME ONE!" or something like this,.. but my experience taught me that more AFOLs buy CMFs than children (or at least, I happened to see more of the first and less of the second, and I sell them so I know what I say). As much as I think that this trend will be reverted for CMF Movie Series ( I bought about 80 minifigures for each wave, being S9 the most targeted with more than 150 minifigures... and I plan to buy 20 of this one, just to say...), I strongly believe their sales will drop down compared to minifigures seris 9 in january 2013.

I instead believe that minifigures series simpson will be sold more than this one even if I'll buy just the regular 16 since I don't plan to collect them.

[obsidianheart]

Actually my conclusions were drawn also by other sources, like comments on various blogs, other posts here, and the like.

I can say without any fear of being corrected that in general AFOLs are strongly against this move.

Man, I super don't want to make you mad here, but you've been pretty dismissive of any viewpoint that opposes this for a while now. It got a little tense in the rumor thread and I've been trying to figure out a way to point it out without getting rolled out of here for disagreeing with one of the popular kids, but I got nothing so here we are. You reference sources we aren't allowed to know about and constantly talk about how the CMF line is probably doomed because LEGO messed it up for you. I'm probably in trouble here, but all this hate for the new CMF direction is just frustrating to read.

[Blakstone]

I don't have much of an issue with The LEGO Movie CMF wave though the bots are disappointing for me. I expect to skip the The Simpson's wave entirely. If LEGO continues specific themed CMF after that, I will participate if the theme is interesting. Of course since I now collect Tolkien, Castle, Superheros, historical, modulars (so far only the Fire Brigade but give me time), historical, and mythology LEGOs, they might have an easy time of that.

I do think that the numbered CMF waves are over. Even when TLG makes a wave that is not tied in to a specific theme, I suspect they will simply give each wave a unique name. That way newcomers are not put off because they missed the first 11 or 17 parts of the series. I know many people, myself included, that avoided long running book or television series because they felt there was too much to get caught up with. I only missed the first 4 waves of CMF. I noticed the collectable card games follow a similar pattern.

Obsidianheart, take heart. We can disagree all we want as long as we are civil about it and I think you are doing just fine. I have often disagreed with Itaria No Shintaku over some of his opinions on the desirability of female minifigs among others. But he does have an inside source of some type and when he says that something is happening, I believe it. Those with such inside information risk losing it if they identify it. But he does sell LEGO professionally. I recommend you differentiate his opinions from his scopes. But I still learn a lot from reading his opinions even if I don't always share them.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Blakstone

[MAB]

I don't care that much for the Simpsons line, but I hope they continue with the numbered series - even if scaling back to one per year, along with one licensed series - and numbering back at series 12.

For me, the Movie series is not Series 12, as there is no number on the box. Just like Team GB was skipped in numbering.

Also, they do not appear under "Minifigures" theme in the lego.com shop. They are classed as Movie merchandise instead. To me they are not even part of the CMF line, and my CMF collection is complete without needing to buy these (or the Simpsons).

[Itaria No Shintaku]

Man, I super don't want to make you mad here, but you've been pretty dismissive of any viewpoint that opposes this for a while now. It got a little tense in the rumor thread and I've been trying to figure out a way to point it out without getting rolled out of here for disagreeing with one of the popular kids, but I got nothing so here we are. You reference sources we aren't allowed to know about and constantly talk about how the CMF line is probably doomed because LEGO messed it up for you. I'm probably in trouble here, but all this hate for the new CMF direction is just frustrating to read.

Well, I am very frustrated since this steering has potentially destroied my favourite line. I am a minifigure collector, I own more than 5000 minifigures, and I probably bought about 1 thousand just in the CMF line. This way they just simply wiped out my fun into chasing the minifigures, feeling the packets, collecting them, buying entire boxes, exchanging them and the like.

I feel like I'm entitled to have such an opinion. Actually, don't like don't read, isn't that?

Obsidianheart, take heart. We can disagree all we want as long as we are civil about it and I think you are doing just fine. I have often disagreed with Itaria No Shintaku over some of his opinions on the desirability of female minifigs among others. But he does have an inside source of some type and when he says that something is happening, I believe it. Those with such inside information risk losing it if they identify it. But he does sell LEGO professionally. I recommend you differentiate his opinions from his scopes. But I still learn a lot from reading his opinions even if I don't always share them.

I can quote the fact that if I share too much of my sources, I can be identified and lose the chance to have some little piece of information that I usually try to share among the community as much as I've done in the previous years and months. I thank you for respect and be sure that it is mutual.