Subject:
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Re: New Lego Exoforce
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.build.mecha
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Date:
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Sat, 31 Dec 2005 08:58:34 GMT
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In lugnet.build.mecha, Mladen Pejic wrote:
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Tobias Möller wrote:
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(Posting to both .mecha and .debate now, since the post contains the L-word,
but it’s actually more of a .debate topic... follow-up as you see fit)
Another thing I wanted to comment on in my previous reply, but forgot to
include because I was busy constructing a long sentence declaring how awful
I found those little robots, was the abundance of weapons in these new sets.
(by the way, it’s the metallic plastic, not the design itself, which IMO
makes the minibots seem awful)
In the past, LEGO was quoted as saying something like “we will never make
sets with modern weapons of war” (thus excluding things like the Western
rifles or Pirate guns). Machine guns and rockets seem, to me, to break that
“rule”, and I don’t really like it.
LEGO has a history of making “peaceful” toys, and that is something I (and I
believe many others) have valued. To see them finally give in to some sort
of “demand” of violent toys is a bit sad. (I don’t consider things like
police stations - which obviously exist only because there are criminals in
the LEGO cities - to be “violent” in the same way as a rocket launcher)
On the other hand, I myself and countless others have built realistic
weapons out of LEGO, and I have never seen anything wrong with that. I have
drooled over some of the really awesome mechas and spaceships armed with
huge, detailed weapons. But then it’s the fans doing it, not the company
itself.
I guess it just felt good to know that at least one company stood up and had
a more peaceful message than most other.
Any comments?
-- Tobias
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I agree 100% with you Tobias.
I am greatly disappointed that LEGO is caving in and selling toys that
resemble modern weaponry.
Some will think that I am a hypocrite for saying that, as I myself build
nothing but military-themed creations.
Nevertheless, as you said, Tobias, there’s a difference between what the fan
does and what the company does.
Also, another reason why this bothers me is because it takes the challenge
out of building military models. The day that LEGO starts making parts that
look like 120mm Rheinmetall cannons, or 20mm Vulcan gatling guns is the day
that I stop building military models.
I just love all the new uses LEGO builders (especially over at build.mecha
and .space) have found for relatively mundane LEGO parts.
Kotaro Ono’s guns, made
entirely of minifig tools and equipment, led me, like others, to re-examine
what was possible with parts. Subsequently, I came up with stuff like
this,
composed entirely of minifig tools.
It’s this kind of creativity that will be lost once LEGO starts churning out
1-piece, molded M16s and AK47s.
Hopefully it’ll never come to that. I sincerely hope TLG sticks to
non-military models.
Mladen Pejic
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Mladen, Tobias,
I fully concur. (And I was wondering when such a post would surface... ;-)
I first saw the Stealth Hunter on the back of the (latest?) LEGO Magazine a
couple weeks back. I was quite amazed and in awe: I thought to myself, “That
looks so cool” but at the same time “I guess LEGO has gone and broken their own
rules.”
I was aware of their stance on imitating “modern weaponry” in their
sets, so as to why we would never see WWI or WWII or anything beyond that.
Pirates and cowboys are more “whimsical” (then why didn’t you go for the LOTR
license dang nabbit!?! LOTR!!!...i digress). Space ships (and much of Star Wars)
are bound to have lasers and other types of “guns” but those fall under the
realm of “fantasy” so they are acceptable. We are all aware that there is more
contemporary realism with those type of weapons than TLC would like to admit,
but it’s on the hush. And the kids (aka target market) have to love it (yes, we
AFOLs love ‘em too but the kids are the main audience and their belief systems
have yet to be thoroughly formed).
However, I think the staunch stance that TLC
has maintained—until this point—about not pursuing modern weaponry, and
remaining “peaceful” with their product lines, has been admired by various
segments of the community, as you both have said. It seems that for them to
“jump on the bandwagon” now is rather brash and insconsiderate.
However, I also understand that TLC has to offer new product lines (and adhere
to some fads and/or trends in this crazy world) and delve into areas of
unfamiliar territory, so I can respect the fact that they ventured into anime. I
just do not know if it makes it “right” for them to sell big ol’ bazookas and
whatnot as a result. I guess the ethical issue is whether to change a belief or
adapt to meet new tastes?
Perhaps, though, a compromise could be worked out.
Would the situation be any different (more or less acceptable) if TLC offered
construction tips for “suppin up” their mechas? What if they showed possible
designs on the instruction booklet but not on the box art? Does that make things
any better? ...Or... Does a disclaimer citing a given product line’s origination
(comic/tv show/etc...I could not tell if Exo-Force was LEGO-designed, ala Alpha
Team, or more of a license) and story make it more acceptable for LEGO to
include weapons of a modern nature? Or should they not offer any products that
violate their up-until-now consistent stance? Comments...?
There is a difference between what the fan does and what the Company does, so
maybe in this case a compromise would be the next iteration of the My Own
Creation series with one of the esteemed mecha builders’ creations being used
(e.g. Soren or Eric Sophie). I have talked to Eric before about a meeting he had
with TLC about his mecha (which, despite biting remarks, have remained peaceful)
and the possibility of a fan’s mecha for the MOC incarnation is not out of the
question. Then again, I am not sure if the Company offering a fan’s design of
modern weaponry would remedy the situation, as it would still be crossing the
line and marketing big guns to little kids, another reason LEGO has ventured
away from this path, in my humble opinion, because of the correlations between
video games and juvenile violence.
I am a bit torn, overall, on this debate. Last year LEGO did not do so hot, as
we are all aware *cough* color issue *cough*, so they definitely are looking
to expand into new market segments and capture new audiences in order to regain
(and maintain) a profit. Exo-Force looks like it might be a key player in that
schema. One thing I do know is that the Stealth Hunter was a set I (23-year
old AFOL) bought (picked up one Saturday) to actually build and not simply use
for certain parts; that is something I have not done in some time. (I actually
have not set aside the time to build it yet but the Wasp model—instructions
offered via the not-yet-debuted website—looks more enticing than the mecha; I’ll
probably build the mecha but i think the Wasp may end up remaining intact.)
I guess that’s all I have to say about that.
Sincerely,
Andrew
ps - Kudos on the “anime” hair and the clear stickers as opposed to printed
bricks (the quantity here makes the stickers more desirable, in my humble
opinion, for quality and the ability to opt not to use them, especially with
various curves and wedges within one color within one set).
pss - I too dread the day when LEGO produces molded, modern weapons, as
innovations and creative parts usage, by someone like Kotaro Ono definitely
excite and inspire. LEGO, please just keep making nifty minifig tools and
gizmos.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: New Lego Exoforce
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| (...) There seems to be a building instructions section now up on the Exo-Force website. There are no instructions for the Stealth Wasp yet, but there are several pictures including a rear view which should give you enough info to put it together. (...) (18 years ago, 13-Jan-06, to lugnet.build.mecha, FTX)
| | | Re: New Lego Exoforce
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| (...) Oops, I think that day arrives when the Batman sets debut in April. Have a look at what Two-Face's henchman is holding in this pic: (URL) And here's Killer Croc with the same: (URL) Cheers, Paul. (18 years ago, 14-Jan-06, to lugnet.build.mecha, FTX)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: New Lego Exoforce
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| (...) I agree 100% with you Tobias. I am greatly disappointed that LEGO is caving in and selling toys that resemble modern weaponry. Some will think that I am a hypocrite for saying that, as I myself build nothing but military-themed creations. (...) (18 years ago, 30-Dec-05, to lugnet.build.mecha, FTX)
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