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Why have textured slopes been arbitrarily abandoned? The last few retail
purchases of Lego sets that I made disappointed me greatly in that the pieces
I'd most desired, 2x2 medium-slope corners and 2x2x3 extreme-slope bricks, both
in dark red, were no longer textured. They are now smooth. This means that
they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks in my
collection.
For a pictorial example, scroll down a bit on this page on my website:
<http://www.xenobuzz.com/MyLegoCreations/Odds%20&%20Ends.htm>
Because of this, I've now decided to never again purchase retail sets.
Bricklink will now get all my Lego dollars. I'm greatly saddened by this but I
feel that I have no choice as the System no longer bears any resemblance to the
one that I had grown to admire and respect for its cohesion, quality and
integrity.
Sometimes it feels like TLG is deliberately trying to break with the older
fanbase and focus its energies on attracting newer and younger fans who will
have no memory of Classic colors, fingered hinges, realistically textured roofs,
electrical train tracks, and sets that actually contained lots of bricks as
opposed to elaborately sculpted but ultimately tacky one-use pieces that make
the set look like any other clone brand.
Only the Designer and Creator lines have kept the flame alive.
What's up, TLG?! I can feel my faith in the company dyin' ovah heah!!
Dave S.
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In lugnet.ambassadors, David Simmons wrote:
> Why have textured slopes been arbitrarily abandoned? The last few retail
> purchases of Lego sets that I made disappointed me greatly in that the pieces
> I'd most desired, 2x2 medium-slope corners and 2x2x3 extreme-slope bricks, both
> in dark red, were no longer textured. They are now smooth. This means that
> they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks in my
> collection.
>
> For a pictorial example, scroll down a bit on this page on my website:
>
> <http://www.xenobuzz.com/MyLegoCreations/Odds%20&%20Ends.htm>
>
> Because of this, I've now decided to never again purchase retail sets.
> Bricklink will now get all my Lego dollars. I'm greatly saddened by this but I
> feel that I have no choice as the System no longer bears any resemblance to the
> one that I had grown to admire and respect for its cohesion, quality and
> integrity.
>
> Sometimes it feels like TLG is deliberately trying to break with the older
> fanbase and focus its energies on attracting newer and younger fans who will
> have no memory of Classic colors, fingered hinges, realistically textured roofs,
> electrical train tracks, and sets that actually contained lots of bricks as
> opposed to elaborately sculpted but ultimately tacky one-use pieces that make
> the set look like any other clone brand.
>
> Only the Designer and Creator lines have kept the flame alive.
>
> What's up, TLG?! I can feel my faith in the company dyin' ovah heah!!
>
> Dave S.
I think you'll find that there has always been variation in the depth of the
texture on slope bricks, it's just that the variation is now greater. I'll
hazard a guess and say that TLG are using their molds for longer to save money.
If you choose not to buy new sets then that's obviously your choice but to act
as though smoother slopes is some sort of betrayal is a little worrying. As for
"they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks in my
collection" well I'm just going to say that you're showing a distinct lack of
imagination.
Tim
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Timothy Gould wrote:
> I think you'll find that there has always been variation in the depth of the
> texture on slope bricks, it's just that the variation is now greater. I'll
> hazard a guess and say that TLG are using their molds for longer to save money.
From what I remember when we last asked that question, the answer was indeed
that one - the textured area of slopes is wearing off with time; in particular
when molds are cleaned.
We'll pass the question again anyway.
Jean-Marc
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Timothy Gould wrote:>
| |
I think you’ll find that there has always been variation in the depth of the
texture on slope bricks, it’s just that the variation is now greater. I’ll
hazard a guess and say that TLG are using their molds for longer to save
money.
If you choose not to buy new sets then that’s obviously your choice but to act
as though smoother slopes is some sort of betrayal is a little worrying. As
for “they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks in my
collection” well I’m just going to say that you’re showing a distinct lack of
imagination.
Tim
|
Hey Tim,
I’ve always noted the change in the style of roof bricks, from the circular
pattern to the rougher bumpy style to the hopefully current
more-smooth-but-still-bumpy pattern. That never bothered me.
However, if it’s a fact that TLG is so desperate to save money that they’re
using molds beyond their ability to produce identical parts, then it seems
something is indeed rotten in Denmark! (Forgive me, William, I could not
resist!)
Did I say betrayal? I don’t think I did. Granted, it sometimes feels that way
given all the other changes recently, but even I would not personally ascribe
that much emotion to the situation. It saddens me more than a little, but
betrayal? No. You don’t know me, so why would you worry about my state of
mind? Furthermore, given that assessment on your part, it’s very petty to
indulge in flinging inflammatory and needless insults after you’ve just finished
accusing me of mental instability.
As for your last statement, well, I’m just going to say that I think you’re
showing a distinct overabundance of (fill in the expletive noun).
Dave S.
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, David Simmons wrote:
| |
In lugnet.ambassadors, Timothy Gould wrote:>
| |
I think you’ll find that there has always been variation in the depth of the
texture on slope bricks, it’s just that the variation is now greater. I’ll
hazard a guess and say that TLG are using their molds for longer to save
money.
If you choose not to buy new sets then that’s obviously your choice but to
act as though smoother slopes is some sort of betrayal is a little worrying.
As for “they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks
in my collection” well I’m just going to say that you’re showing a distinct
lack of imagination.
Tim
|
Hey Tim,
I’ve always noted the change in the style of roof bricks, from the circular
pattern to the rougher bumpy style to the hopefully current
more-smooth-but-still-bumpy pattern. That never bothered me.
However, if it’s a fact that TLG is so desperate to save money that they’re
using molds beyond their ability to produce identical parts, then it seems
something is indeed rotten in Denmark! (Forgive me, William, I could not
resist!)
Did I say betrayal?
|
“Sometimes it feels like TLG is deliberately trying to break with the older
fanbase” is close enough for me.
| |
I don’t think I did. Granted, it sometimes feels that
way given all the other changes recently, but even I would not personally
ascribe that much emotion to the situation.
|
Excellent news.
| |
It saddens me more than a little, but betrayal? No.
You don’t know me, so why would you worry about
my state of mind?
|
I worry because by virtue of sharing a hobby there may be some perception of
crossover between your views and mine. If you were a Meccano hobbyist I wouldn’t
be worried in the slightest.
| |
Furthermore, given that assessment on your part, it’s very
petty to indulge in flinging inflammatory and needless insults after you’ve
just finished accusing me of mental instability.
|
Well played but I wouldn’t say that being finding some behaviour ‘worrying’ is
neccessarily an implication of an unstable mind.
| |
As for your last statement, well, I’m just going to say that I think you’re
showing a distinct overabundance of (fill in the expletive noun).
Dave S.
|
Perhaps you can elaborate on this?
I do sincerely and absolutely believe that someone who can’t find a use for what
could be considered a new type of piece is being unimaginitive. That’s an
opinion which is highly unlikely to change. Maybe I shouldn’t be quite so blunt
about that feeling but I am sick to death of all the stupid moaning about
various things that Lego has ‘done’ to fans, particularly when such changes can
be used to positive effect in MOCs.
Yours,
Tim
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Timothy Gould wrote:
| |
I do sincerely and absolutely believe that someone who can’t find a use for
what could be considered a new type of piece is being unimaginitive. That’s
an opinion which is highly unlikely to change. Maybe I shouldn’t be quite so
blunt about that feeling but I am sick to death of all the stupid moaning
about various things that Lego has ‘done’ to fans, particularly when such
changes can be used to positive effect in MOCs.
Yours,
Tim
|
Yeah, there’s been a lot of complaining lately, and I’m certainly guilty on
that score. However, I believe most of the major complaints are all
justifiable, i.e. the color change, click-hinge replacement of fingered hinges,
Bionicle parts in System sets, and IR Trains without electrical track just to
name a few. Those who can recall when TLG’s product was in its prime will
always have difficulty with the current offerings. It’s hard to let go of fond
memories of Forestmen, Futuron, and Main Street.
It is sad to me that in order to survive, TLG has been forced and/or decided to
morph their product into something that hardly resembles what came before.
What’s most unfortunate is that all these things have so greatly polarized the
fanbase to the point where it seems that there will always be two, fiercely
divided camps. One side who decries the current state of things, the other
decries the other side for complaining, rinse & repeat.
I’m happy for you that you are trying to take a positive attitude towards the
situation. However, perhaps that should include not using my initial post as an
excuse to vent your own frustrations. You could have just said to yourself;
“Dude, get a life!” and move on the next ng! :-)
Dave S.
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, David Simmons wrote:
| |
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Timothy Gould wrote:
| |
I do sincerely and absolutely believe that someone who can’t find a use for
what could be considered a new type of piece is being unimaginitive. That’s
an opinion which is highly unlikely to change. Maybe I shouldn’t be quite so
blunt about that feeling but I am sick to death of all the stupid moaning
about various things that Lego has ‘done’ to fans, particularly when such
changes can be used to positive effect in MOCs.
Yours,
Tim
|
Yeah, there’s been a lot of complaining lately, and I’m certainly guilty on
that score. However, I believe most of the major complaints are all
justifiable, i.e. the color change, click-hinge replacement of fingered
hinges, Bionicle parts in System sets, and IR Trains without electrical track
just to name a few. Those who can recall when TLG’s product was in its prime
will always have difficulty with the current offerings. It’s hard to let go
of fond memories of Forestmen, Futuron, and Main Street.
|
Agreed but also remember we now have Skeletons, Star Wars and Market Street. And
I like seeing Bionicle parts in system sets so long as they go (which I agree
can be hit and miss).
| |
It is sad to me that in order to survive, TLG has been forced and/or decided
to morph their product into something that hardly resembles what came before.
What’s most unfortunate is that all these things have so greatly polarized
the fanbase to the point where it seems that there will always be two,
fiercely divided camps. One side who decries the current state of things,
the other decries the other side for complaining, rinse & repeat.
|
Well put. I just wish both camps would spend more time building etc. than
complaining.
| |
I’m happy for you that you are trying to take a positive attitude towards the
situation
|
Too many good new parts and colours for me to take any other position. The 9V
trains issue (if they are gone) is the only one that really bugs me.
| |
However, perhaps that should include not using my initial post as
an excuse to vent your own frustrations. You could have just said to
yourself; “Dude, get a life!” and move on the next ng! :-)
|
At the least I should have been more polite about it so I’m sorry about that.
Tim
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Timothy Gould wrote:
| |
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, David Simmons wrote:
| |
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Timothy Gould wrote:
| |
I do sincerely and absolutely believe that someone who can’t find a use for
what could be considered a new type of piece is being unimaginitive. That’s
an opinion which is highly unlikely to change. Maybe I shouldn’t be quite
so blunt about that feeling but I am sick to death of all the stupid
moaning about various things that Lego has ‘done’ to fans, particularly
when such changes can be used to positive effect in MOCs.
Yours,
Tim
|
Yeah, there’s been a lot of complaining lately, and I’m certainly guilty
on that score. However, I believe most of the major complaints are all
justifiable, i.e. the color change, click-hinge replacement of fingered
hinges, Bionicle parts in System sets, and IR Trains without electrical
track just to name a few. Those who can recall when TLG’s product was in
its prime will always have difficulty with the current offerings. It’s hard
to let go of fond memories of Forestmen, Futuron, and Main Street.
|
Agreed but also remember we now have Skeletons, Star Wars and Market Street.
And I like seeing Bionicle parts in system sets so long as they go (which I
agree can be hit and miss).
|
Heh, we’ll have to agree to disagree there. I just don’t think they mesh with
the System at all.
| |
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It is sad to me that in order to survive, TLG has been forced and/or decided
to morph their product into something that hardly resembles what came
before. What’s most unfortunate is that all these things have so greatly
polarized the fanbase to the point where it seems that there will always be
two, fiercely divided camps. One side who decries the current state of
things, the other decries the other side for complaining, rinse & repeat.
|
Well put. I just wish both camps would spend more time building etc. than
complaining.
|
Wouldn’t it be nice? I think one of the reasons that there’s so little traffic
on Lugnet these days is due in part to the fact that a significant percentage of
people (like me) don’t have much positive to say. I mean, I still love building
and I always will, but I’m just not optimistic about the future right now. As
such, my participation in the forums has taken a real nosedive because I don’t
want to be seen as yet another broken record.
| |
| |
I’m happy for you that you are trying to take a positive attitude towards
the situation
|
Too many good new parts and colours for me to take any other position. The 9V
trains issue (if they are gone) is the only one that really bugs me.
|
I agree on the new parts, particularly the 1x1 slope. By far, the best new
piece in years. Colors, well, that particular equine corpse has been
flattened enough to read newsprint through! I’m not a huge Train fan myself,
but I can definitely how those folks would be hopping mad!
| |
| |
However, perhaps that should include not using my initial post as
an excuse to vent your own frustrations. You could have just said to
yourself; “Dude, get a life!” and move on the next ng! :-)
|
At the least I should have been more polite about it so I’m sorry about that.
|
Apology gratefully accepted! I suspect it will be quite some time before the
negativity over all the recent changes subsides in the form of ng static, but if
you and I can reach an understanding, then there is indeed hope!
Dave S.
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In lugnet.ambassadors, David Simmons wrote:
> Why have textured slopes been arbitrarily abandoned? The last few retail
> purchases of Lego sets that I made disappointed me greatly in that the pieces
> I'd most desired, 2x2 medium-slope corners and 2x2x3 extreme-slope bricks, both
> in dark red, were no longer textured. They are now smooth. This means that
> they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks in my
> collection.
>
> For a pictorial example, scroll down a bit on this page on my website:
>
> <http://www.xenobuzz.com/MyLegoCreations/Odds%20&%20Ends.htm>
>
> Because of this, I've now decided to never again purchase retail sets.
> Bricklink will now get all my Lego dollars. I'm greatly saddened by this but I
> feel that I have no choice as the System no longer bears any resemblance to the
> one that I had grown to admire and respect for its cohesion, quality and
> integrity.
>
> Sometimes it feels like TLG is deliberately trying to break with the older
> fanbase and focus its energies on attracting newer and younger fans who will
> have no memory of Classic colors, fingered hinges, realistically textured roofs,
> electrical train tracks, and sets that actually contained lots of bricks as
> opposed to elaborately sculpted but ultimately tacky one-use pieces that make
> the set look like any other clone brand.
>
> Only the Designer and Creator lines have kept the flame alive.
>
> What's up, TLG?! I can feel my faith in the company dyin' ovah heah!!
>
> Dave S.
I have noticed that too. I do not expect Lego to pay much attention to such a
complaint or should I say as much attention as they did to the change of colors.
They will probably tell you that in their research the kids liked the smooth
rather than the texture. And don't pay too much attention to comments that you
have a lack of imagination. It usually takes more to be specific than general.
Good luck with finding the textured ones (I believe that Peeron lists the smooth
ones as a different part.)
John P
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In lugnet.ambassadors, David Simmons wrote:
> Why have textured slopes been arbitrarily abandoned? The last few retail
> purchases of Lego sets that I made disappointed me greatly in that the pieces
> I'd most desired, 2x2 medium-slope corners and 2x2x3 extreme-slope bricks, both
> in dark red, were no longer textured. They are now smooth. This means that
> they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks in my
> collection.
>
> For a pictorial example, scroll down a bit on this page on my website:
>
> <http://www.xenobuzz.com/MyLegoCreations/Odds%20&%20Ends.htm>
If you look closely at your photo, especially the corner slope, you'll see that
the surface is mottled, not smooth like bricks. This seems to confirm that it is
a consequence of the deterioration of the molds.
But note also this http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=716249 pic
which shows the considerable variations in slopes even pre-1980. There are
probably many more examples. And the houses still look ok.
This is not a new thing. It's just a result of trying to get as much life out of
the current molds as possible.
ROSCO
(Although I am an ambassador, these are just my own observations, not an
"official" response)
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Ross Crawford wrote:
snip
> If you look closely at your photo, especially the corner slope, you'll see that
> the surface is mottled, not smooth like bricks. This seems to confirm that it is
> a consequence of the deterioration of the molds.
>
> But note also this http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=716249 pic
> which shows the considerable variations in slopes even pre-1980. There are
> probably many more examples. And the houses still look ok.
>
> This is not a new thing. It's just a result of trying to get as much life out of
> the current molds as possible.
>
> ROSCO
>
> (Although I am an ambassador, these are just my own observations, not an
> "official" response)
If mold deterioration was the case, the "pits and mounds" would appear the same,
just "flattened". The parts of the mold that makes the "pits" would be in
contact with the molten plastic first, and would most likely wear down fastest,
creating shallower "pits". I observed this on the black 2x8 slopes that came in
set 4954; a shiney patch about where the plastic is injected into the mold.
Speaking of, if mold wear was the case, the wear would be uneven. Also, the
bricks would seem larger (and the inside smaller), because the whole mold would
wear down, not just the textured part, and I know that's not the case, because
if it were, it would be very difficult to snap bricks together.
sjf
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In lugnet.ambassadors, David Simmons wrote:
> Why have textured slopes been arbitrarily abandoned? The last few retail
> purchases of Lego sets that I made disappointed me greatly in that the pieces
> I'd most desired, 2x2 medium-slope corners and 2x2x3 extreme-slope bricks, both
> in dark red, were no longer textured. They are now smooth. This means that
> they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks in my
> collection.
...
Well, as said, we asked again, and here is what we've been told to answer: TLG
is switching back to textured slopes.
So it turns out I was wrong about molds wearing off (and as some poeple pointed,
it didn't quite fit anyway); apparently there had been some kind of decision
involved, but that decision has apparently been reversed, and there will be
textured slopes again in the future.
Of course this only prompts more questions, to which we don't quite have answers
yet, such as whether slopes which have never been textured to start with will
get some textures; how long will it take to get rid of untextured slopes, etc...
We don't know that; only that TLG understood the importance of textures to fans,
and acknowledged they had to return.
Jean-Marc Nimal
LEGO Ambassador
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| |
|
In lugnet.ambassadors, Jean-Marc Nimal wrote:
> In lugnet.ambassadors, David Simmons wrote:
> > Why have textured slopes been arbitrarily abandoned? The last few retail
> > purchases of Lego sets that I made disappointed me greatly in that the pieces
> > I'd most desired, 2x2 medium-slope corners and 2x2x3 extreme-slope bricks, both
> > in dark red, were no longer textured. They are now smooth. This means that
> > they will not match all the hundreds of other textured slope bricks in my
> > collection.
> ...
>
> Well, as said, we asked again, and here is what we've been told to answer: TLG
> is switching back to textured slopes.
>
>
> So it turns out I was wrong about molds wearing off (and as some poeple pointed,
> it didn't quite fit anyway); apparently there had been some kind of decision
> involved, but that decision has apparently been reversed, and there will be
> textured slopes again in the future.
>
> Of course this only prompts more questions, to which we don't quite have answers
> yet, such as whether slopes which have never been textured to start with will
> get some textures; how long will it take to get rid of untextured slopes, etc...
>
> We don't know that; only that TLG understood the importance of textures to fans,
> and acknowledged they had to return.
>
> Jean-Marc Nimal
> LEGO Ambassador
Hooray! Good work, guys. I'll sure be looking forward to the textured slopes
coming back. Now, just bring our 9V Trains back, too!
-Jordan Schwarz
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There will be a little while longer with some smooth slopes coming out because
they haven't quite got the new moulds ready yet, but they will be switching back
to texture for the foreseeable future. hooray!
Steve
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.ambassadors, Jean-Marc Nimal wrote:
| |
So it turns out I was wrong about molds wearing off (and as some poeple
pointed, it didn’t quite fit anyway); apparently there had been some kind of
decision involved, but that decision has apparently been reversed, and there
will be textured slopes again in the future.
Of course this only prompts more questions, to which we don’t quite have
answers yet, such as whether slopes which have never been textured to start
with will get some textures; how long will it take to get rid of untextured
slopes, etc...
We don’t know that; only that TLG understood the importance of textures to
fans, and acknowledged they had to return.
Jean-Marc Nimal
LEGO Ambassador
|
Hey Jean-Marc,
HOORAY!! Wonderful news!! Thanks very, very much for your earnest and
civil reply! I hope that the reversal applies only to sloped bricks which had
been textured previously, as it would be bizarre for all the new curved slopes
to be textured as well.
Looking forward eagerly to the confirmation of new textured slopes in
forthcoming sets being posted to this and other Lugnet ng’s!
Dave S.
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