Dorayaki

Wow. Just wow. It's perhaps the most perfect combination of LEGO minifigure scale bricks and Technics in regular sets so far. Glad that LEGO go into a very correct direction. The initial set should be the Merryground, although for unknown reason, LEGO didn't immediatedly design more following sets.

Just for the previous Friends, Disney and Elves lines, their common problem is lack of appearances as offiical LEGO franchises, while DC Superheroes already have enough public visibiliy, obviously. But yes, it would make a different kind of conflicts if girls wouldn't see the Super Girls have public minidoll representings or have equal spotlights with Batman and Superman. TLM also showed that licensed heroines didn't have very major role, no matter they're minidolls or not. It could be nice if LEGO could additinoally make a minidoll spinoff advertising for all themes if the girl's market is big enough. Yeah. I wonder what kinda of set LEGO would pull out if they prefer minidoll in this case, or they would compromise to use minifigures. Based on the information, although this could be a different canon, some of the characters have appeared in current minifigure line unless we ask for specific variations. But it's true that some similiar themes like Friends would have significant impacts on the LEGO character MOC database if they also have minifigure variations in the same time.

@ Aanchir > I don't get why so many people are worrying about female characters disappearing from the regular DC Super Heroes range because of this. > they question how many of those girls will ever move onto other themes, as if they consider Friends nothing more than a stepping stone to "real LEGO", rather than "real LEGO" in its own right I agree with these points alot. Just based on the franchise itself, the main concern I have is that, Super Heroes Girls to Superheroes could be similiar with Disney Princess to major Disney/Pixar themes. I don't doubt that girls would be initially attracted to these heroine characters, but the question is whether girls would be redirected to the whole universes of these franchises. As for me, I'd also like to see girls do teamwork with guys in more major films beside a series specifically for girls As for the figure type issue, suppose we'll really get Super Heroes Girls minidolls, the difference for this case is that, unlike Disney series, we already get some of the minifigures from DC franchise, and luckily some of them have been represnted in major LEGO product lines and media works like TLM/Dimensions. But the reason could be very contradictory at the same time. If SH minifigure line couldn't attract girls so LEGO introduce SH minidoll line, why don't they also do Friends/Disney minifigure line to attract other consumers in the reverse way? If LEGO could notice this, the alternative figure idea should be applied to more licensed/non-licensed themes. This may also add diversities to the minidoll lineup. Also, suppose that LEGO wouldn't get all these characters available in both minidoll and minifigure range, girls' would be unable to call some of their favorite male heroes into the minidoll world for help (duh, unless the targeted girls are all radical feminists). And I'm not sure if the huge LEGO DC fanbase would accept to get the exclusive characters as minidolls. An interesting point could be that whether minidoll supervillains would be eventually introduced, considering that Disney sets failed to do it in the two waves so far.

Well.... good eyes. :p Yeah, the concept is similiar with the Junior set 10684 (although it's debatable why it wasn't under the Friends' brand). And I agree that this is getting some conflicts with Creator's direction. The only differences are different color palettes and.... uh.... figures.I do think this is an appealing set, but I expect that the main building tries to use an original concept to make difference.

Assassin's Creed looks like a good potential license but not too suitable for kids. Very lovable fig and the hand knife is very awesome. Can't wait to see more!

True. I like the Elves minidoll line so far, but meanwhile it could be great if LEGO could improve the minifigures in a different direction. Thanks for these useful tips. I was indeed struggling that how to make the minidoll designs or characters designs visible on the minifigures but also have to make them look like minifigures. Like you said, it could be abit too much. I'll try to reduce the shadings with the eyes and torso next time with newer figs. Thanx for overpraise :p. I agree that LEGO should do some homework on targeting at older AFOLs. I think skin color was the basic characteristic of the characters. Even though there have indeed been flesh characters using yellow figures as representing in LEGO history (like this), currently the ears of headgears have given colors and they could look good in line with Hobbit characters.

Well although it's impossible for me to attend, I'm sure people would like to share interests with fantasy world materials, not just younger girls. Wish to see your best work there. And generlly I think the main issue is that we haven't been familiar with the exact building style of Elves. Maybe a bigger and higher version of treehouses, or a temple for elven goddess?

While Mixels probably work, the mainstream action figures are quite tricky due to the difference of figure size. I always believe that action mini-figure could work with the oridnary minifigures, however the new rebooted BIONICLE hasn't introduced mini-figures so far. Otherwise, BIONICLE should have a place in such kind of game. (Hero Factory could be Chima's counterpart, but it ended abit too early to enter this game).Retro characters are also welcome additions. Beside Johhny Thunder, a Fabuland figure would be very interesting addition. My (perhaps unnecessary) concern is that whether LEGO believes that TLM could cover all LEGO themes so that theme representives don't need to be considered. Emmet, despite looking like an ordinary City figure, is a very storywise character. Bad Cop is also not a regular City Police member. Benny seems to be the only one that particularly relates to the retro Space among the TLM team. Of course, there is no ordinary heroine character that could cover Friends :p. That's quite reasonable. Yes, the targeted market this time are video game fanbase and probably couch potatoes who are inclined to licensed materials. DC Supeheroes and LotR both take the advantages here. TLM and NinjaGo also dominate the current LEGO media series as a common point.But again, as a "LEGO" game, it's kinda missing the point for physical LEGO consumers. Now it's a "crossover between licenses and media" more than "crossover for real LEGO". Besides, I wonder if Undercover didn't meet LEGO's expectation in sales? In Disney Infinity's case, Marvel Supeheroes don't really steal Disney heroes' spotlights, however Disney heroes are also popular TV/film superstars themselves, unlike most of the LEGO's characters with no cartoon advertising.

Uhmm.... It's probably just me, but I feel like the predicted roster doesn't meet my expectation that it could make a considerable leap from TLM1. In LEGO's original theme category, the only new theme (not used by TLM1) is Chima (as a major TV series, it deserves, even if it ends this year) and many mainstream LEGO themes are still absent here. Considering that the size of roster could allow a better diversity, I'm not sure if all main characters from TLM and NinjaGo are all added in the initial wave is a good marketing strategy. With that said, LEGO seem to focus more on the new licenses. Acquisition of licesnes is not what LEGO can really control, but the new exclusive licenses seem controversial. They weirdly relate to Ideas' core fanbase (if Portal Chell is true) but also relatively dissapoint Ideas voters and project owners who would like to realize their dream as regular sets more. Hope that LEGO would adjust this one day. The lack of Nickelodeon themes (which currently work with MB) might dissapoint some other loyal fans. Unlike the ongoing Disney themes for regular sets, Nickelodeon once played a big role and now dissapears from LEGO's marketing view. Simpsons and Scooby-Doo are both pretty reasonable additions, since they're not just LEGO's new aquisition, but are also classic cartoon licenses that deserve a role. One point to note is that, CMF characters (including the ones from TLM1 series) played a key role in TLM1. But now since this game doesn't go with CMF, the diversity of LEGO's original representives would be relatively weak. I think it could be better if the game categorize the game roster into two groups, original and licensed so that it could make good competition and balance.

I never though of this and it's truly interesting. But sadly the Chima warriors don't look very friendly and only particular ones and several CMF costumes work. Still, as long as Friends' Heartlake City is closer to the real world setting, you need to MOC some fairylands to make it Fabuland. Well no matter what figures they are, I like the products and the characters as same as other minifigure themes. Of course it would be nice if LEGO could reconsider it.

I found this saying alittle bit unfair. Well, yeah, LEGO had been doing boys' interests in the last decade that often includes actions. But now since dailylife themes are also part of the LEGO world (especially when they're also popular enough), I don't see why Dimension can't have non-action type protagonists like Friends. Remember that CMF characters are not all capable warriors in the real world case, but MMO still manages to make all of them playable. I can imagine that Olivia use attacks similiar with CMF Scientist's. In Disney's case, some of their popular films or characters don't have action scenes, and Infinity do remember to include some of them so that the fans wouldn't feel ignored. As for the figures, we need to go back to the original assumption whether we really need diversity of figures that all represent "ordinary human", if it's not about marketing to girls anymore. Making all of them appear as minifigures is still a feasible option if it's LEGO's major concern. I can only say that, if Uni-Kitty, Gollum and Hulk from DC video games are all allowed to be playable characters, maknig a minidoll moveset for all minidolls characters in video games doesn't sound like a big deal. Back to Elves, yeah, if Emily is ever involved in a video game, her pendent would work in a particular way. I wonder how her (grandmother's) "elemental power" is defined in the storyline. While the tribes haven't made appearances in the story, there should be some other elves that have the same origin and know how to use the power of "heart".

Arguably, this sets looks more competent for that use. Emily's journey is forced to extend from twenty minutes to three full-length films (and that makes more sense ). Based on the character of the same name from Heroes of Tomorrow. While Emily "Hemly" Jones mourns the loss of her grandmother, she surprisingly finds out that her grandmother was the ex-girlfriend of Henry Jones Sr., thus confirming that Emily herself is also a member of the adventrous family. Now Emily has to go on her own way and explore the secrets of Elvendale crystal hollow.

Continuing Friends minifigures. I keep on doing the other original girls-oriented theme Elves, but it doesn't quite work as the last time. One main problem (for me, a MOC rookie) is that the Elves introduce several new skirt pieces that don't exist in minifigures' range, so in order to keep in line with other licensed minifigures like Marge Simpsons, I need to cut fabric by myself this time. The tattoos are also hand-applied here and they don't look quite natural. Emily Naida Azari Farran Aira To be quite honest, I think the designs do look better on the original minidolls better even if the minifigures can be improved further. But as long as elves already had their counterpartners in CMF series and Hobbit, it could be nice to see more original LEGO elf minifigures in the future line and Elves itself.

Ideas has done the fanbase testing and LEGO didn't give a damn about that ...... The Dimension set could test how many actual consumers are there. (In the worst case, if people just don't buy these for that price, I doubt that would work ). Well, sadly too many non-physical licensed characters are there in LEGO video game ranges. It's one of the reasons why FOLs are eager to see thos LotR and DC figures for this game

Well I know it's a very late reply, but I kinda think your statement is vague. To me, this Grand Hotel is not very colorful and is neutral enough to be put in most of Town-related MOCs. Of course, if neglect the color palette thing, most Heartlake buildings should work for LEGO City simultaneously.Creator have been doing most of the jobs LEGO City don't do these years, so the complaints are getting fewer. Perhaps one day we could see another non-Modular version of resort there.

In City's case, the main issue is the video game predecessor Undercover isn't considered in Dimensions. Needless to say, the police characters are capable of action despite they might be less appealing to video game fanbase. Two potential factors are there, one is that Uc wasn't directed by Warner Bros, the other is that Uc's storyline is pretty underestimated in the later City catalogue. It's pretty offtopic, yes, Friends is indeed the furthest from "action" among all LEGO themes. However, it's actually against the main concept of the theme "oridinary girls can do extraordinary things", and their lack of roles in both TLM1 and this game fail to show that concept. Disney Infinity did include several non-action type heroines so Friends shouldn't have that problem. As for Elves, as mentioned, the theme could have done more with action scenes and video games and I believe the characters' potential, because they're not weaker than many of the current member from Dimension roster. Coincidentally, Disney Infinity also included TinkleBell, and I think Infinity did a better job to balance between their different targeted markets.

Well, I'm not very sure. Although this game does include some other recent thmes (in Zane's example, he might just need a different texture palette and no alteration to the game), but Elves might just be too new to join. I think Friends, the other and earlier girls-oriented theme, could had be considered while the game was in development.I agree that Elves are very competent video game characters, as same as the Ninjago characters. And in general, it's a pity that we've not got to see Elves take their powers into "actions" in both the storytelling and the app game so far. The must had been some fights in Skyra's generation.

Uhmm... I'm not sure if this thread is necessary or has other more reliable references other than the Oz figure set? To me, starting a discussion right now seems relunctant. It's like that LEGO Ideas Team announced their Dr. Who cooperation before a set approved.

Great work, although I'm not sure if this pic is true. If it is, are the characters classified by alphabet or theme? And also, does that list include all pack toy characters or not? There should be some characters that aren't unlockable via toys, in theory. Just hope that Olivia is in this game...

I think the two cateories are pretty different. The former one would have many unseen factors because LEGO and WB might not be ready to negotiate with all license owner. Original themes, on the other hand, should have no problem to deal with, which is the main reason why I seriously doubt that the first wave of the packs don't give us good diversity of theme representives. The current roster is slightly different from the TLM master builder list so far. Old theme presentives like Johnny Thunder was relevant with TLM1 (representing voices of AFOLs) but not excatly with this new game, so current original themes of LEGO have a better chance. CMF series' absence might be due to both the MMO and unablity to reintroduce any of the old character in another set. And it could be too early to think about more unused licenses, not even those non-WB properties. I personally wish to see regular sets coming with these esclusive licenses in the future. Well, the train is done, unless LEGO has surprises for us. To me, I never thought any of the previous LEGO PC video games make competition with the human-like Marvel video games, although physical interactive toy marketing could be another story. Hopefully it just depends on how much fee could interest Disney to participate.

I think LotR isthe only discontinued major license that this game includes, which isn't very logical along with Oz and BTTF. Seriously expect that this is a hint for upcoming physical sets.Now the gap between Disney properties and Warner bros makes the whole TLM crossover world very restricted, sadly. The first half do hold half of the massive popular LEGO characters (I believe Queen Elsa' magic could double the sale ). The ignored original LEGO themes like Chima and Friends make the situation even worse. Just hope that the characters and themes can be added by DLC packs. The transmission equipment make these packs so expensive. If the cost doesn't make up a problem, I expect this system to be more widely used by giving every major LEGO regular set playable characters so that every consumer would like to touch this game. Hope that Dimension 2.0 could reach this goal.

Again, I'm not sure if this game series is a good excuse to introduce exclusive characters rather than giving regular sets. Mostly, the fact that certain licensed characters never got into regular sets doesn't mean that it's easier for them to get into this game as interactive toys. It should be more about LEGO and owner's approvement.Based on how other interactive toy games work, we can only play as the characters that appear in these toy packs. Could we unlock and play as Dorothy even if she doesn't appear physically like how other traditional LEGO video games work? Also, if this game does introduce original characters as physical figures, this would definitely show unfairness to those predecessor games, especially Undercover and Universe.

Well yeah, this could conflict with the MMO game which already gave CMFs spotlight. But since CMF also showed up in TLM1, their absence would be abit strange. I'm not sure how Warnar Bros approved Oz (and how the Idea failed), but in this case I expect to see a regular Oz set that truly allow us to get more characters. Star Wars showed up in TLM1, so I think SW can pass in this case. On the other hand, popular Disney licenses like PotC, Frozen and Pixar films are used by Disney Infinity now, which creates more troubles for them in this game > Friends Urghhhhhhh...... Honestly, do you WB have to give every ninja a pack but not at least leave one for Laval or Emily?

It's a something innovative but doesn't surprise me that LEGO would do this. The major problem is that this technology could only interact with the toys that are exactly designed for this game, but we couldn't use the current minifigures and bricks we have on hand, like the Fusion case last time. This would somewhat violate the natural rule of LEGO bricks. Also, as long as it hasn't ensured to cover all major LEGO themes and licenses, it doesn't seem right to give a certain theme/license better favor by having multiple toy packs while other themes has zero. Since selling physical minifigures isn't what this game is doing, I think it's more fair to give every theme a pack so that every theme lover could enjoy this game. So far, the unannounced current LEGO major themes (by my standard) are Chima (arguably), Undercover (the WiiU predecessor), Friends, Elves, CMF series, Disney, TMNT, Simpsons and upcoming Scooby. Ironically and weirdly, the choices of known themes also don't seem to reflect on certain decisions LEGO made recently. Rejected Ideas Oz and the second BTTF set, no 2015 LotR sets anounced. I'm not sure if LEGO is testing the market or just wants to hear more shouts from FOLs.

I do think this license is something we've never seen in LEGO before, the fact is that golden ages, and even golden ladies, are almost never the stars of LEGO products. This makes the set a good addition to any of the LEGO city MOCs. Like TBBT, it doesn't necessarily sell to normal kids, although the market is probably and arguably smaller than the fanbase of any previous Ideas license. I don't expect it to get through, but it's a nice try.