A2L

The first thing that struck me is the clash of brick built blocky elements (the tree, reindeer) with the modern elements (curves, domes, arches) of the building and the detailed sleigh. Its unfortunate that we are getting a brick-built reindeer. The potential of reusing a reindeer is great. Mountain hut comes to my mind right now.

Hmm...military theme - yes, actual armies - no. Cannot be that difficult. Come on. Think that alien invaders attack the world 10 days from now. What will you use to defend them? Aircrafts - Fxx, Sukhoi, Rafale, assortment of tanks and rocket launchers and missiles from different countries coming together. How about translating this to a military theme - World Force vs Aliens or something.

Megabloks, excluding the micro scale figures, are way better. I remember being so disappointed after buying Smurfs that I never bought a single Mega set after that. Parts did not fit, some were loose and fell off. And look now, beginning with Halo, moving upto Blok Squad and now the fantastic Call of Duty line (my opinion changed after I got a Blok Squad at a clearance sale). It is amazing how far they have improved their designs, quality, build process and customer service. Not only the lines are fantastic, particularly the WWII line from Call of Duty (CoD), their builds are so solid that sometimes I thought that I was building with LEGO. Even the treads on the drone that came apart in 2 days were replaced by a different one through online customer service. The newer ones have lasted weeks of playing without a single tear. So yes, there is no comparison with LEGO, but they are definitely up there now, no more a one glance reject, even for serious collectors. This year will see a lot of my attention moving to MegaBloks from LEGO (first time ever). The only drawback being their figures (which gain have improved a lot with CoD). That is where Kre-O scores higher.

Good to see that so many AFOLs are waking up to this. Quality can be controlled. But what about the cost factor? Whatever the reasons and explanations for TLG's move, it is definitely cheaper to produce in China. Unless TLG in China, pays 3 times the salary that the average Chinese worker earns in a similar job.The question is will TLG pass on that benefit to the consumer?

I am not starting another generic animal wishlist. Since many of us talk about target audience, I thought of putting the wish list of a 7 year old, all in Friends animals series: 1. Penguin, 2. Seal, 3. Peacock 4. Panda, 5. Goat in some farm set and 6. Reindeer in Christina's Christmas set. "No wild animals should be included as they would look strange with cute blue eyes, and other kids may think they are friendly and go near them to play in real life!" If any similar thread already exists, please merge this. Would love to see your lists too (mind you all with cute eyes, eyelashes and smiley faces).

"The fawn really looks awful. Oh no, isn't the face like that of the monkey that you have, that strange mouth" - int the words of a 7 years old 'target audience'. Are we getting a deer? In Friends theme or in general?

Though I don't know about licensing terms, I can see a very encouraging action by TLG. They have introduced a battle pack in the first wave of a licensed set, The Lone Ranger and without mincing words called it a Cavalry Builder Set. I hope this carries forward into future Orc, Gondor and Rohan battle packs.

Thanks TLG, finally for giving the pooch with a different print (a bow instead of a collar), not just different color, in a separate Friends animal series. I hope this carries over to other animals and other themes.

The timeless question with friends animals: To use or not to use (in other sets). From what I can make out, one has eyelash, other doesn't, which means the one without the lash is a wee bit more acceptable in other sets (to me of course). Please TLG if you can print a bow instead of a collar on the pooch, please print bead eyes on the dolphins for another city set. My lil one of course is very excited, wants at least 4!

For me the cotton bud works very well. I just insert it and push it out genly at an angle. The head comes out neatly without damage or scratches. You have to use the full cotton buds, not the thin soft ones for babies. I use J&J.

Good to see that this topic has picked up steam finally. No, they are absolutely not. The minifigs hands are not angled outward like the minidolls. Just take a look at the elbow angles of both. Having said that, I don't think that my question is ever minifigs vs minidolls or why minidolls and not only minifigs. I have observed quite a few "perceived demographic" elements right at home and at play at gatherings. They love the minidolls and cannot ever think of minifigs as replacement of minidolls. The most shunned minifigs are the ones with "gowns" because they cannot do much. The most accepted ones are of course "cute ones" like Tamina, Hermoine (check sp). The minidolls and the animals (as much as I dislike them with cartoon like eyes and even eyelashes!) have opened a new exciting world of play for these girls. But and here comes the but that gave rise to the initial question, there is a marked degree of disappointment while using accessories, because of the hands. The disappointment becomes more when the boys show them how the sailor holds the telescope or the dj the mic vs how Andrea holds the mic. They have found a semi-happy solution by turning the head with a little force towards the mic or telescope, as the rubbery hair allows them to do so unlike the solid plastic hair. The above quote really sums up how they play. Just add a zillion multicolored hairbands and bows and tiaras that can be changed every minute (that TLG has already provided), and the picture is complete.

Excellent! Not only the ship itself, but the exceptional details in every quarter that makes your creation amazing.

This is mindblowing. One of the best creations that I have seen. The way you made the dome is fascinating. I hope some day you will put a small tutorial about the creation of the dome for newbies like me trying to find a way around in (LEGO) architecture.

To me it is a resounding Yes. I am really happy about the minifigures in particular. See LoTR. In wave 1 the prints of King Theoden and Haldir were exceptinal. However I didn't expect them to do surpass that so soon with Arwen and Elrond in wave 2. Today the figures convey so much more even after encapsulating the whole character in the trademark LEGO minifigure. I am also happy to see more printed parts replacing stickers (which unfortunately will always be there as kids love them).

Thanks Aanchir for your detailed reply. Totally agree, a very fine line.

To me this is very simple. By definition LEGO purist means parts that are made by TLG. How many ever times I read, I cannot think of other things that can be included in this. And you can enjoy your bricks however you want. Use only LEGO parts as they are, or bend them, color them, cut them, melt them, mix other parts -3rd party, custom, modified, or even clones, competitors, wooden toys, whatever you want to use. The following quote is bang on

I have no doubt about TLG's honesty. However, reading many posts on this forum gives me evidence to the contrary regarding parts made in China. So I will believe it only when I see it actually happen.

I'd be more worried about dermal absorption. But hey I'm an AFOL, and I don't suck bricks. I separated my child's Polycarbonate Duplo pieces as soon as they came. But my excitement lies elsewhere - in the property of Tritan. I have already started dreaming of the infinite clear LEGO brick designs. If I am allowed to post a link, that too regarding non-LEGO stuff, check this out http://www.eastman.c...hallenge.aspx I have no association with Eastman or any manufacturer and will not be able to tell one plastic from another without seeing the number!

And we have to compulsorily learn Mandarin to post on it! 5 years actually, if you read about TLG's new growth engine!

Now that I have read some concerns about Polycarbonate in LEGO sets being posted on some sites' comments and a few forums, is TLG looking at Tritan (Trade Mark of Eastman) or similar copolyester manufactured by other companies, which seemingly do not have BPA related problems and are better substitutes of polycarbonates?

Happy All Fools Day! Or are you starting war of the LEGO worlds? But seriously how about GlobalBricks?

First of all I'll be extremely happy if your assumptions are correct. As I have said that I have asked questions and speculated based on the Press Release. You also have done exactly the same, taking the opposite views. Both our views are based on interpretations and reading between the lines. Now lets come to some of your points. 1. I am not aware of the future of TLG's existing arrangements in China. Neither are you. Nor has TLG said anything about its existing arrangements and their future. There are two possibilities. i. TLG will have its own factory for supplying to Asia and continue its partnering/outsourcing (whatever structure it has) to produce parts for the rest of the world including Asia (like CMFs etc). Or ii. TLG will operate only its own factory in China. In the first scenario, there won't just be 2 tier production from different parts of the world, but also 2-tier production from China itself. In the second case, till TLG opens one more facility in China for rest of the world, parts made in "this" facility will be for Asia only. So there will be no China made parts for rest of the world. Take your pick. Now lets look at some simple numbers. Let us say TLG releases 100 sets per year. 70 of them come to Asia from "this" facility. And since "this facility" supplies only to Asia, where do the rest of the world get those 70 sets? Don't need to see through ABS curtain that there will be 2 tier production. Now till we get a clarity on the ABS used in "this facility" and its source, paint used, safety tests performed etc my point remains highly valid and my concern remains top priority. You are right, it is my assumption. Some of it is first hand knowledge by speaking to retailers, store managers, looking at many available competing products in the market, their pricing and sales pattern. Some of it is by looking at business practices of other MNCs manufacturing products in China for the Aian markets, and going through volumes of publicly available literature and research reports. If you are aware of any businesses that have set up manufacturing facilities in China, Vietnam, India or other Asian countries, please find out the reason. There is no doubt whatsoever that cost of production in China is cheaper than in Europe or US, but yes it is my assumption that such benefits will be passed on to the consumer to some extent to generate volume or penetrate market. I have not looked into the tax or other benefits if any (lower taxes, tax holidays if any, Economic and Technological Development Zone tax incentives for FDI, reduction or elimination of import duties, lower duties in ASEAN region, countries with MFN status etc) that may result in further cost reduction and will not comment on that. This is the end of my discussion on this topic. TLG will do whatever is best for it. At the end of it I love LEGO products over many other similar ones (clone or competirors) because of excellent quality and safety. If I see a dip in either of these I'll stop buying it. That's all there is to it.

Or they do care, provided someone gives them the option. Friends did happen after all and how! As I said with all due respect instead of putting my wishlist of 10 prints per animal or contradicting other esteemed memebr's views I'll be happy to know TLG's position on this from anyone in the know of things.

Thanks for the great ideas. I'll start with mmcb's and move on to dr_spock's when I collect many of them with capes.

By the same logic Mexico should supply "only" to the US and Canadian market, especially when in the US, the sets are priced 10-20% less due to whatever reasons (competition?). The critical question is why only the Asian market? As of now TLG does include the parts made in China in all the sets sold across the globe. So why suddenly stop using those parts elsewhere and use only in Asia? If I believe TLG's release "Having full control of the production process is essential to deliver products of a consistent high quality and safety and in harmony with our values", then why not let such products of a consistent high quality and safety be in all the sets all across the world? And what about shipping them to Australia? Isn't it nearer from a Chinese production facility? Why isn't that included? Chinese factory parts solely for APAC (Asia Pacific) will still be understandable provided TLG says Denmark, Hungary, Czech Republic for EU and Middle East (if LEGO is sold there) and Mexico for US and Canada, South America. That is strictly going by geography. Or is it because the company may face difficulties in EU/US with such quality/safety standards of Chinese made parts in future? Are AFOLs and parents in EU/US displeased with Chinese made parts (in most forums there are several complaints regarding them)? Is it because inconsistent quality stuff can be put in the Asian markets easily due to lax/non-existent regulations and consumer protection? These are just my speculations, and I am NOT accusing TLG explicitly or implicitly. But these questions will keep on coming (as they have here and in other forums) till we get a clear picture. Till then for me this is spot on.