More Cultural Subthemes?

[Dorayaki]

As the CMF series expands, we've seen many different kinds of CMF characters with distinctive cultural backgrounds, from Rome, from Sparta, from England.... But when back to the regular themes, the Lego Castle is still majorly based on stereotypical medieval castles and army. We know there have been some subthemes such as Ninja and Vikings, and some other action themes like Adventurers and Ninjago are also much culturalized. The Fanstasy Era, even though obviously not what happened in human history, still provided some distinctive designs of imaginary cultures. But since 2010 such kind of things never appear again.

Maybe TLC think the major targeted consumers are still more interested in medieval themes? I personally think the medieval themes can return biennially, while a subtheme can fill the vacancy, though it's more like that TLC has been put less focus on historical themes in general.

[jodawill]

I've never understood why City has always been such a constant staple while themes like Castle and Pirates have come and gone. (Seriously, Pirates? Was that ever not a great seller?)

I agree with you that it'd be cool to see more cultures. I really liked the Spanish Armada in 1996. It's too bad they didn't make more sets with those minifigures. I'd love so much to make a huge Armada display, but the minifigures for that theme are really expensive and hard to find offline.

[SirBlake]

While my preference is for medieval Western Europe, there has been lots of discussion around expanding to things like Ancient Greece or the Roman Empire. A lot of people would love that and I certainly wouldn't mind.

[greenalfonzo]

I want to see a middle eastern castle theme. Prince of Persia was nice, but I'd like to see a more classic middle ages series. A caravan & oasis complete with camels & round tents, a casbah-type market scene and building. A big tan crusader-style castle, etc.

[robuko]

There have been excellent licenced historical sets in recent years with PoTC, LoTR, Hobbit and Lone Ranger. My guess is that this simply saturates the target customer. I would love to see more variety too, but I think it will basically come from movie franchises for a while. I know those sets are more about the minifigs but they have been good for parts too (PoP). So let's hope next summer's big hit is Romans vs Vikings vs ninjas!..... Scurries off to write script for Jerry Bruckenheim....

[ShrikeArghast]

I had always hoped that with the introduction of the Roman figures we might see a Lego Rome. But, alas, that doesn't seem to be in the cards. I suppose at least by keeping the castle stuff relatively consistent over the years it at least makes everything work well together.

[Sigolf Brimabane]

I want to see a middle eastern castle theme. Prince of Persia was nice, but I'd like to see a more classic middle ages series. A caravan & oasis complete with camels & round tents, a casbah-type market scene and building. A big tan crusader-style castle, etc.

And the Vikings could come to some marketplace there in Serkland or Miklagard :D Would be a hit (y)

[Dorayaki]

I've never understood why City has always been such a constant staple while themes like Castle and Pirates have come and gone. (Seriously, Pirates? Was that ever not a great seller?)

I agree with you that it'd be cool to see more cultures. I really liked the Spanish Armada in 1996. It's too bad they didn't make more sets with those minifigures. I'd love so much to make a huge Armada display, but the minifigures for that theme are really expensive and hard to find offline.

Well modern themes are what we can relate more to so I guess that make sense, oh, but I'd say there should also be more subthemes for City for that I've never understood why Police has always been such a constant staple.

Strictly speaking, the Spanish style ship wasn't a very compete subtheme, though it'd be nice to see different styles of ships. Vikings can also be regarded as part of the pirates.

Edited March 5, 2014 by Dorayaki

[Lordofdragonss]

I've never understood why City has always been such a constant staple while themes like Castle and Pirates have come and gone. (Seriously, Pirates? Was that ever not a great seller?)

I agree with you that it'd be cool to see more cultures. I really liked the Spanish Armada in 1996. It's too bad they didn't make more sets with those minifigures. I'd love so much to make a huge Armada display, but the minifigures for that theme are really expensive and hard to find offline.

City and Starwars are best sellers. Space and Pirates are the worst. Kid's just don't like them anymore...

[Ardelon]

I'd love to see a Castle theme based on a non-European culture, whether it be a Middle Eastern, Far Eastern or „Mayincatec“ theme. But I wonder whether these themes are good sellers – Prince of Persia is cited as a poor seller, but I don't know whether it was on account of the film not doing well, or whether western kids just aren't that interested in a non-stereotypical Castle theme. After all, LEGO deals heavily in stereotypes recognizable to kids. I worry that the only non-Europan Castle-related thing that can sell itself on recognizability ara ninjas, and the only non-European theme we'll get is a reimagining of the Ninja theme of 1998, several years after Ninjago ends.

As for an Antiquity theme, I doubt we'll see a Roman theme, since it's completely reality-based and a lot of countries base their national heritage on being part of the Roman Empire or fighting against it. So I think TLG wouldn't want to touch it, for fear of being seen as taking sides. I would guess thats why we've seen so much Roman CMFs (legionary, centurion, emperor, gladiator) - this was the only way these minifigs could see the light of day.

I do think however that a Greek-inspired fantasy theme could be doable, without actually being set in Greece, similarly to Ninjago being inspired by a Japanese aesthetic. Although, there have been plenty of ancient Greek based CMFs as well, so my own argument can be used against this idea.

[Boettner Builds]

I want to see a middle eastern castle theme. Prince of Persia was nice, but I'd like to see a more classic middle ages series. A caravan & oasis complete with camels & round tents, a casbah-type market scene and building. A big tan crusader-style castle, etc.

I would SO buy EVERY set If LEGO made something like this!!!

[The_Cook]

I also doubt that we'll see a Roman theme. Whilst they may have provided many great advances to civilisation the Roman's were quite blood-thirsty and that degree of violence is something that TLG is keen to avoid. At least with the Medieval theme you have the notions of chivalry. There's also the slavery issue, again something that TLG wouldn't want to encourage.

As for middle-eastern themes, they start to veer towards the crusades; territory of Christians vs Muslims, a topic which runs a little too close to some of the politics in the middle east today.

[Sigolf Brimabane]

I also doubt that we'll see a Roman theme. Whilst they may have provided many great advances to civilisation the Roman's were quite blood-thirsty and that degree of violence is something that TLG is keen to avoid. At least with the Medieval theme you have the notions of chivalry. There's also the slavery issue, again something that TLG wouldn't want to encourage.

As for middle-eastern themes, they start to veer towards the crusades; territory of Christians vs Muslims, a topic which runs a little too close to some of the politics in the middle east today.

There's always been a lot of slavery in the Middle East too :/ But, the Vikings had thralls (who in some regards had it a bit easier than other slaves) and they still made an okay Viking theme. I can't see why they couldn't do the same with the Middle East or the Romans. The Crusades part is probably a big hinder here and the modern politics, it would be a sensitive subject I guess.

[Faefrost]

I think something of a classical China would work well. The Empire vs the Horsemen. A Nice Great Wall type set. A Chinese style Imperial palace. Rampaging horsemen with Yurts. Just some good possibilities.

I think Roman and Napoleanic type themes are a narrower niche that while great for adults would confuse kids. They tested the Europa line with kids years ago and got mixed results. Which is why it morphed into Pirates.

As far as Pirates. Here is part of it. Pirates sells fairly well. However Pirates of the Caribbean sells orders of magnitude better when there is a supporting movie. So long as there is a clear indication of a movie in the pipeline Lego will probably hold off on unlicensed. Just because of the huge difference in ROI.

I also doubt that we'll see a Roman theme. Whilst they may have provided many great advances to civilisation the Roman's were quite blood-thirsty and that degree of violence is something that TLG is keen to avoid. At least with the Medieval theme you have the notions of chivalry. There's also the slavery issue, again something that TLG wouldn't want to encourage.

As for middle-eastern themes, they start to veer towards the crusades; territory of Christians vs Muslims, a topic which runs a little too close to some of the politics in the middle east today.

Actually Lego loves bloodthirsty historical and adventure themes. It is more modern real world type violence that they have issues with.

[Ardelon]

I also doubt that we'll see a Roman theme. Whilst they may have provided many great advances to civilisation the Roman's were quite blood-thirsty and that degree of violence is something that TLG is keen to avoid. At least with the Medieval theme you have the notions of chivalry. There's also the slavery issue, again something that TLG wouldn't want to encourage.

As for middle-eastern themes, they start to veer towards the crusades; territory of Christians vs Muslims, a topic which runs a little too close to some of the politics in the middle east today.

It would be quite easy for the designers to steer clear of slavery, gladiators and what not in amy theme and focus on romanticized combat. I think the cultural issue is more significant.

And it's just as easy to make a Mideastern theme self-contained, with a local good kingdom vs. a local evil kingdom or bandits, without any ties to any European theme or faction, which should eliminate any cultural/civilizational conflict.

I think something of a classical China would work well. The Empire vs the Horsemen. A Nice Great Wall type set. A Chinese style Imperial palace. Rampaging horsemen with Yurts. Just some good possibilities.

But that's the thing, TLG might just want to make a generic oriental theme merely inspired by East Asian aesthetic. Sets like the Great Wall would run counter to such an attempt. It would be like expressly identifying a castle as the Tower of London. That would raise uncomfortable questions of who the good guys and bad guys represent in real life. TLG would face criticism for taking sides and for dumbing down history.

Of course. maybe TLG could find a good reason why to make sets explicitly based on China. Maybe it would be a good way to penetrate the Chinese market. And the Orient Expedition shows they don't mind assigning sides to real-life cultures. So, who knows.

[ED-209]

These are all great ideas, but I think the main problem is that kids these days just aren't as interested in history. (Did I really just type "kids these days"? Damn, I am getting old! )

But for the record, I'd buy pretty much any of the historical themes discussed; Middle eastern, ancient China, Feudal Japan, Greek, Roman, but especially Vikings!

I'd love to see TLG alternate each year between their standard Castle theme one year, and one of these (or others) the next. I believe the motif of Lego Castle (rival factions/kingdoms with different colour schemes) could very easily be redressed in different cultural settings.

[Dorayaki]

There have been excellent licenced historical sets in recent years with PoTC, LoTR, Hobbit and Lone Ranger. My guess is that this simply saturates the target customer. I would love to see more variety too, but I think it will basically come from movie franchises for a while.

Among the licenses. I think Disney franchise would be the most capable one to provide lots of different cultural references because many of their stories are based on a specific culture (Mulan from China, for example). But the recent Cinderella's castle doesn't look very inspiring to historical lovers for lack of size

[sander1992]

It would be great if TLG can create a Castle line that will last longer than 3 years.

The setup of Kingdoms and now castle isn't good. It is good vs. bad setup and it has limitations.

The old fashioned setup has to return. More teams/parties. Two teams of Knights, one group of outlaws.

Some villagers/farmers and wizards. Among the teams you can create diversity and styles. One group of Knights look more eastern and the other western.