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Dear Ambassadors,
It has been some time since there has been any kind of voting poll for new sets.
Now that the new 2008 sets have come out, it would be a good time to start
thinking of sets that people would like to see in the future.
I think that the LEGO Coummunity has a good feel for what would do well, and
they probably have some new ideas that have not been considered.
With the recent announcement of Tormod being appointed as Head of Coummunity
Development, do you think that gathering ideas for possible Town Sets for 2009
is a good idea?
Many Thanks,
Scott
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=wardlws
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Scott Wardlaw wrote:
> Dear Ambassadors,
>
> It has been some time since there has been any kind of voting poll for new sets.
> Now that the new 2008 sets have come out, it would be a good time to start
> thinking of sets that people would like to see in the future.
>
> I think that the LEGO Coummunity has a good feel for what would do well, and
> they probably have some new ideas that have not been considered.
>
> With the recent announcement of Tormod being appointed as Head of Coummunity
> Development, do you think that gathering ideas for possible Town Sets for 2009
> is a good idea?
>
> Many Thanks,
> Scott
Given that City is one of TLG's most popular lines (especially for 2007), and
seeing some of the new 2008 City product is not Police/Fire/Rescue, I'm all for
gathering ideas for new town sets for 2009. I definitely think it's time to
bring girl builders into LEGO City/Town... (i.e. more girls, more houses, even
4-person cars, for starters...) One suggestion...walk down a street, and do not
look at the houses or buildings--look at everything else, as it's those little
details that make the overall town "pop"... Newspaper machines, parking meters,
trash cans, benches, street lights, traffic/parking signs.
I think TLG is on this trend--look at Corner Cafe, Market Street, and the
upcoming set in the line. Great detail, and it's all very inspiring!
I've got a few other ideas, but I can't make them too public just yet...
Scott Lyttle
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Scott Lyttle wrote:
> In lugnet.ambassadors, Scott Wardlaw wrote:
> > Dear Ambassadors,
> >
> > It has been some time since there has been any kind of voting poll for new sets.
> > Now that the new 2008 sets have come out, it would be a good time to start
> > thinking of sets that people would like to see in the future.
> >
> > I think that the LEGO Coummunity has a good feel for what would do well, and
> > they probably have some new ideas that have not been considered.
> >
> > With the recent announcement of Tormod being appointed as Head of Coummunity
> > Development, do you think that gathering ideas for possible Town Sets for 2009
> > is a good idea?
> >
> > Many Thanks,
> > Scott
>
> Given that City is one of TLG's most popular lines (especially for 2007), and
> seeing some of the new 2008 City product is not Police/Fire/Rescue, I'm all for
> gathering ideas for new town sets for 2009. I definitely think it's time to
> bring girl builders into LEGO City/Town... (i.e. more girls, more houses, even
> 4-person cars, for starters...) One suggestion...walk down a street, and do not
> look at the houses or buildings--look at everything else, as it's those little
> details that make the overall town "pop"... Newspaper machines, parking meters,
> trash cans, benches, street lights, traffic/parking signs.
>
> I think TLG is on this trend--look at Corner Cafe, Market Street, and the
> upcoming set in the line. Great detail, and it's all very inspiring!
>
> I've got a few other ideas, but I can't make them too public just yet...
>
> Scott Lyttle
As an avid train fan, the best town sets to me are those that can be used
interactively with a train layout. With the decision to retire 9V trains, this
may be a poor time to ask for new train-related additions. But, LEGO has
released few train-related buildings over the years, and it would certainly be a
great time to have another.
My first choice would be to see a sawmill set that could be used with or without
a train setup. The addition of Power Functions motors and interactive features
would be nice although certainly not required.
It would also be great to offer some warehouses that could be used with rail
goods or with the current generation of "Cargo" themed sets. A reissue of the
famed 1980s 6391 "Cargo Center" would be ideal, although it would also be
satisfying to see a set like this updated for the present "look" of the LEGO
City sets. I love how this set in particular is hinged, allowing for two very
different looks of the same building. This would be great to see in future town
sets. (it shows up in the filling station of the new Town Plan set!)
I think the current Creator house sets are filling the need for houses very
well. I'm wondering, however, where those poor minifigs are going to find
something to eat. I recall the early '90s "Ristorante" set, but I'm not sure
that there's been a dedicated restaurant or diner since then. And there's never
been a grocery store - that could be a cool set. (I'm not sure if the rumored
"Green Grocer" upcoming set will fill this void)
And if LEGO ever reissues the Airport Shuttle... well, let me know! Hey, I can
wish...
-Jordan Schwarz
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With the recent announcement of Tormod being appointed as Head of Coummunity
Development, do you think that gathering ideas for possible Town Sets for 2009
is a good idea?
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Yes, and I have some suggestions.
If you actually built a LEGO town using only the sets released in the last few
years, you would have to wonder why the town is in so much constant danger that
it requires so many police stations, fire houses, hospitals, and rescue squad
dispatch centers. Furthermore, where do all those public servants live?
The LEGO town needs a lot more basic things such as houses, schools, libraries,
businesses, restaurants, factories, etc.
I think the 50th anniversary town plan set
is a great start, because it has things like a movie theater and a fountain. A
LEGO movie theater is a great addition to the Town system, and to echo
what Scott Lyttle said, the little
details like fountains and benches make a lot of difference.
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I was hoping that the Ambassadors would make a new post to town, train, and
announce, especially since they just announced a poll for Star Wars sets for
2009.
While we wait for their post, I might want to add that the suggested sets should
be aimed at a younger audience. A poll on other Cafe Corner type sets would be
nice as well for AFOLS only.
I might suggest action oriented sets; as not many kids would want to buy a
school building unless it came with a school bus. I think firestations and
police headquarters have done well, because they have action vehicles and
themes.
Thanks again,
Scott
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I might suggest action oriented sets; as not many kids would want to buy a
school building unless it came with a school bus. I think firestations and
police headquarters have done well, because they have action vehicles and
themes.
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This is a big reason that LEGO has always had a hard time marketing to girls.
LEGO town/city has always been too action-oriented, and that simply doesn’t
appeal to girls . . . at least not to the extent that action appeals to boys.
Sets that allow children to roleplay and to enact vignettes of everyday life
appeal to both sexes. They don’t have to be as detailed as the Cafe Corner. They
just need to exist in the first place.
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Scott Wardlaw wrote:
> Dear Ambassadors,
>
> It has been some time since there has been any kind of voting poll for new sets.
> Now that the new 2008 sets have come out, it would be a good time to start
> thinking of sets that people would like to see in the future.
>
> I think that the LEGO Coummunity has a good feel for what would do well, and
> they probably have some new ideas that have not been considered.
>
> With the recent announcement of Tormod being appointed as Head of Coummunity
> Development, do you think that gathering ideas for possible Town Sets for 2009
> is a good idea?
>
> Many Thanks,
> Scott
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=wardlws
I thought that the sets for 2009 were already in development and are pretty much
fixed at this time. If not, how about a gun store, reference the discussion on
weapons. Or a liquor store or maybe a large movie theater. A drive in. or a
very large bridge. You might want to look at all the old store displays. The
directions are probably around somewhere - unless they were put with the
Samsonite records. I have an old castle and a river paddle boat that are rather
impressive as well as a Beefeater model and the Target or TRU Harry Potter, Yoda
and R2D2.
John P
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Scott Wardlaw wrote:
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I was hoping that the Ambassadors would make a new post to town, train, and
announce, especially since they just announced a poll for Star Wars sets for
2009.
While we wait for their post, I might want to add that the suggested sets
should be aimed at a younger audience. A poll on other Cafe Corner type sets
would be nice as well for AFOLS only.
I might suggest action oriented sets; as not many kids would want to buy a
school building unless it came with a school bus. I think firestations and
police headquarters have done well, because they have action vehicles and
themes.
Thanks again,
Scott
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Scott,
We posted the Star Wars poll at the request of the LEGO Star Wars designers.
Each theme is created by a different group of product designers with a Design
Lead. Certain themes/design leads are more willing to work with fans to gather
feedback. Star Wars is one of these themes and has used sites like Fbtb.net in
the past for fan polls.
The Ambassadors certainly will pass along any Town/City suggestions posted in
this thread. More variety in the City theme would be welcome. After all,
construction crews can only build so many fire stations to put out fires at the
police station ;-)
Ben Ellermann
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In lugnet.ambassadors, Scott Wardlaw wrote:
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I was hoping that the Ambassadors would make a new post to town, train, and
announce, especially since they just announced a poll for Star Wars sets for
2009.
While we wait for their post, I might want to add that the suggested sets
should be aimed at a younger audience. A poll on other Cafe Corner type sets
would be nice as well for AFOLS only.
I might suggest action oriented sets; as not many kids would want to buy a
school building unless it came with a school bus. I think firestations and
police headquarters have done well, because they have action vehicles and
themes.
Thanks again,
Scott
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Following on this, I am absolutely sure a yellow school bus would sell great, at
least in the US! Something like
this or
this.
Regular city buses could be fun as well, such as
this,
this or
this.
Regular buildings, like a coffee shop, diner, grocery store (10185 is nice but
not for kids), town hall, etc. would be great too!
Roy
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I appologize for the lateness of my response. I have been extremely busy
lately.
Ben, thanks for responding. After re-reading the posts, I felt that the
timeliness of my original post may have stepped on the toes of others.
Moving forward with it then, here are my suggestions for new town sets:
Post Office w/ Truck(s)
Bank w/ Armoured Truck
Pizza Place w/ Delivery Car
Motorcycle & ATV Dealership
Museum w/ Egyptian Display
Bus Station / Bus Stop w/ bus(es)
Intermodal Terminal
Lastly, I'd like to see an American firetruck instead of the European firetrucks
that have been made thus far. I think that these would certainly do very well:
pump truck: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:NYFD.jpg>
ladder truck:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dsg_Gainesville_Fire_Truck_20050507.jpg>
In all cases, I believe that Town sets need to be more unified. Nearly all of
the sets produced in the last 10 years have been stand-alone buildings on
smaller 16x16 baseplates. Most of us remember the late '80s catalogs that had
Town on the front cover. It pictured multiple buildings all built on 32x32
baseplates that allowed them to be placed together with streets connecting them.
The advertisments pictured kids dreaming of having their own complete town
layout.
This dream of collecting all of the town sets to build my own town was the
reason that I became so envolved in LEGO as a kid. This idea of building my own
layout of connecting buildings and streets, is what has led to my return to LEGO
as an adult. The stand-alone buildings do not inspire collecting sets toward a
larger goal. To me they reflect that these buildings are to be purchased,
built, played with for a short time, and then cast aside. A goal of building;
not one building, but a town of buildings, will keep the dream alive, extend the
playing life of these sets, and energize customers toward collecting more sets.
Thanks again for listening,
Scott
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