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!Hey guys,
_MegaBloks_
Yup, that's right... i'm using the 'MB' word! ...lol
Perhaps this is the wrong place to ask, but… does MegaBloks have an open forum
for their product lines like Lego does with this here fan-site ‘Lugnet’...
What i mean to say is… is there an Mbugnet?
Because with Lego slipping and the new MegaBloks pirates line and their new
perfect minifigs that mirror Blastermans, I just find that they better suit my
building needs now.
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1130479
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=72883
So yah, i'm jumping ship, pun-intended.
MegaBloks just got a better future with better product development.
Lego will always be the staple for it's core bricks, but it's limited to that
because of its slow inclination to develop and its unwillingness to better its
brick accessories. This, along with the juniorzation, which lately has gotten
better, and the color issue. But TLG's lack of realism simply puts MegaBloks
ahead in my mind. Here’s what I’m talking about:
http://www.megabloks.com/en/products/browse.php?level=2&level2=1&subCat=25&lId=0
I'll still buy bulk bricks from TLG, and the occasional buckets, but MegaBloks
will supply the rest. I've no longer got any product loyalty for Lego. For me,
the Viking line was a breath of fresh air.. but from what I heard it’s been held
back from N. America indefinitely?
Just some of my thoughts...
Thanx 4 listening,
--==Richard==--
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I'll admit that Megabloks look really cool on the shelf. But I have to question
a really cool looking Pirate ship or castle w/ dragon when there's only a
hundred pcs or so. I look at the boxes and see a LOT of juniorization. And talk
about color problems!! There's so many multi-hued pcs and graphics it's
somewhat overwhelming.
The Lego Vikings are certainly interesting, but their pushing it with the
strange "realistic" paint. I'm very glad to see that the beasts are multi-pc
constructions rather than molds.
While the Megabloks Dragons are great to look at, I would much prefer Lego use
their new hinge pcs and design multi-pc constructions that actually need to be
built.
I respect you descision, but I have to question the logic behind it. Megabloks
themes offer very little for building. They make nice playsets, but when the
largest set in theme has about a hundred pcs, can it really be that much better?
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Kirby Warden wrote:
> I'll admit that Megabloks look really cool on the shelf. But I have to
> question a really cool looking Pirate ship or castle w/ dragon when
> there's only a hundred pcs or so. I look at the boxes and see a LOT of
> juniorization.
I agree, the dragons themselves are, well, sculptured giant-figs. They
aren't bricks.
> And talk about color problems!! There's so many multi-hued pcs and
> graphics it's somewhat overwhelming.
Well, MB hasn't figured out more isn't better for the palette. Instead of
having a global palette with, say, two dozen colors in it (which LEGO even
breaks this rule, sadly, for the Harry Potter and Star Wars lines, making
HP- and SW-only colors), they have a palette of a dozen colors for every
theme; this leads to hundreds of colors after awhile. Marvel, Pirates,
Dragons, and whatever else they have is all adding up to having way more
than two dozen colors.
This just confuses kids, and makes it even harder to get a nicely colored
MOC. You think OldGray and Bley is bad? Imagine having that /multiple/
times for each color.
> The Lego Vikings are certainly interesting, but their pushing it with the
> strange "realistic" paint. I'm very glad to see that the beasts are
> multi-pc constructions rather than molds.
The beasts maybe multi piece, but that doesn't make them configurable, it
only makes them positionable. These are no mini-figs, son, no mini-figs!
> While the Megabloks Dragons are great to look at, I would much prefer Lego
> use their new hinge pcs and design multi-pc constructions that actually
> need to be built.
I agree. I'd rather have something Bionicleish/Knightish to have reusable
generic parts melded with special-use detail pieces.
> I respect you descision, but I have to question the logic behind it.
> Megabloks themes offer very little for building. They make nice playsets,
> but when the largest set in theme has about a hundred pcs, can it really
> be that much better?
I totally agree here, Megablock has painted their way into a corner. *cough*
--
Patrick "Diablo-D3" McFarland || pmcfarland@downeast.net
"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids,
we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and
listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo,
Inc, 1989
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Kirby Warden wrote:
> I'll admit that Megabloks look really cool on the shelf. But I have to question
> a really cool looking Pirate ship or castle w/ dragon when there's only a
> hundred pcs or so.
Surely you include LEGO's new "Lil' Pirates" line, or whatever it's called, in
your critique? One of the new Pirates Jr. ships has only 140 pieces.
> I look at the boxes and see a LOT of juniorization. And talk
> about color problems!! There's so many multi-hued pcs and graphics it's
> somewhat overwhelming.
You're showing your age, Kirby! I don't think that multi-hued pics and graphics
bother kids as much as you might think. If they did, Japanese animation would
disappear, and most action figure lines would vanish as well.
> The Lego Vikings are certainly interesting, but their pushing it with the
> strange "realistic" paint. I'm very glad to see that the beasts are multi-pc
> constructions rather than molds.
>
> While the Megabloks Dragons are great to look at, I would much prefer Lego use
> their new hinge pcs and design multi-pc constructions that actually need to be
> built.
I'm less awed by a piece-built figure that, in the end, sort of almost looks
like what it's trying to be, if you blur your eyes. If the figs and monsters
are poseable and work alongside basic bricks, that's enough for me. YMMV, of
course.
> I respect you descision, but I have to question the logic behind it. Megabloks
> themes offer very little for building. They make nice playsets, but when the
> largest set in theme has about a hundred pcs, can it really be that much better?
Well, give it time--the series was just launched in the past three weeks or so.
Bionicle looked like the dumbest thing ever, until it took off. And whatever
happened to Galidor?
It's hard to predict how the toy market will behave, but I think that Richard's
defection will not be the last.
Dave!
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
> In lugnet.dear-lego, Kirby Warden wrote:
> > I'll admit that Megabloks look really cool on the shelf. But I have to question
> > a really cool looking Pirate ship or castle w/ dragon when there's only a
> > hundred pcs or so.
>
> Surely you include LEGO's new "Lil' Pirates" line, or whatever it's called, in
> your critique? One of the new Pirates Jr. ships has only 140 pieces.
I try not to aknowledge the Junior line. Though I have bought some Junior sets
at deep discount for some chrome pcs and out of curiosity as to what I might be
able to do with some of the parts. Most of the pcs went to my kids who
gleefully found their own uses for them.
> > I look at the boxes and see a LOT of juniorization. And talk
> > about color problems!! There's so many multi-hued pcs and graphics it's
> > somewhat overwhelming.
>
> You're showing your age, Kirby! I don't think that multi-hued pics and graphics
> bother kids as much as you might think. If they did, Japanese animation would
> disappear, and most action figure lines would vanish as well.
Am making no assumptions here, I love anime and admit that the toys could be the
only thing keeping the toy market floating at this time. However, I was
refering directly to the excuse that color issues are part of the reason why
someone would choose Megabloks over Lego.
> > The Lego Vikings are certainly interesting, but their pushing it with the
> > strange "realistic" paint. I'm very glad to see that the beasts are multi-pc
> > constructions rather than molds.
> >
> > While the Megabloks Dragons are great to look at, I would much prefer Lego use
> > their new hinge pcs and design multi-pc constructions that actually need to be
> > built.
>
> I'm less awed by a piece-built figure that, in the end, sort of almost looks
> like what it's trying to be, if you blur your eyes. If the figs and monsters
> are poseable and work alongside basic bricks, that's enough for me. YMMV, of
> course.
I have a tub full of molded Lego beasts/animals that serve no function what so
ever. I've seen my kids play with theirs on occasion, but not in conjuction
with a MOC. Molded beasts are fine for specific themes. However it suits my
own purposes more if the pcs can be reused outside of a theme. Admittedly, the
Megabloks dragons are superior display pcs and several of them could make for a
nice collection. I have no doubt that these dragons will be in high demand in a
few years.
> > I respect you descision, but I have to question the logic behind it. Megabloks
> > themes offer very little for building. They make nice playsets, but when the
> > largest set in theme has about a hundred pcs, can it really be that much better?
>
> Well, give it time--the series was just launched in the past three weeks or so.
> Bionicle looked like the dumbest thing ever, until it took off. And whatever
> happened to Galidor?
I have no doubt that the Pyrates line will be successful. It looks like a
really cool series of playsets. As a toy, Megabloks stand on their own and will
not be giving up ground easily. But as a substitute for Lego they fall far
short of a universal building system. G.I. Joe was fantastic to me because I
had to build the vehicles and playsets. I believe that this holds true for
Megabloks themes. However, this reduces Megabloks themes to action toys that
must be built, rather than a building system whose pcs can be combined with
other lines of product. I would hazard a guess that Lego system is %80 reusable
across themes (minus whole minifigs, specialtly/printed pcs) while Megabloks
themes are only%20 reusable. ("reusable" isn't the word I want here...)
> It's hard to predict how the toy market will behave, but I think that Richard's
> defection will not be the last.
I don't consider a defection as much as a change of taste. If he combines
Megabloks elements with Lego pcs as he states his intentions, I would be
interested to see the results. However, if he's really just looking for a
cheaper poduct that offers more detail, am I the only one who noticed that
Megabloks themes are no longer a cheap alternative to Lego? I was at TRU
yesterday and saw a Dragons castle with 170 (or maybe 140) pcs for $40. I
turned around to compare Lego prices per pc and was shocked to find that most
Lego sets were actually a better deal. I picked up a recent Star Wars set that
was 180pcs at $30.
> Dave!
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In lugnet.off-topic.clone-brands , Kirby Warden wrote:
> I have no doubt that the Pyrates line will be successful. It looks like a
> really cool series of playsets. As a toy, Megabloks stand on their own and > will not be giving up ground easily.
Hi Kirby thanks for your response!
I can see in the next few years Megabloks gaining greater market share and
continuing to improve it's product line in terms of quality, realism and
general appeal to a wider youth audience then Lego.
> But as a substitute for Lego they fall far short of a universal building >system.
Oh, but you see, i have a huge collection... some where in the 180- 200K range.
So Megablok is simply serving as a supplement.
If Lego was able to adapt and bring a greater maturity to their product lines,
IMHO they'd do a lot better. It's always better to shout higher and get kids to
build better models with more realism, that has that 'cool' factor, than appeal
to a younger audience with simpler sets and less inspiring system lines. For
example, Lego would have been far more dynamic to get the license for Lord of
the Rings(R), than Harry Potter(R)...although the Potter series is getting
really edgy and mature in the last few installments of the novels as Harry
Potter evolves and matures. This'd be a great opportunity for TLG to appeal to
kids 8-11 and fight to keep them instead of accepting that that group is lost to
computer games and girls.
And p.s. thanks for forwarding to the appropriate news groups as well!
Just my thoughts,
--==Richard==--
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In lugnet.off-topic.clone-brands, Kirby Warden wrote:
> I have a tub full of molded Lego beasts/animals that serve no function what so
> ever. I've seen my kids play with theirs on occasion, but not in conjuction
> with a MOC. Molded beasts are fine for specific themes. However it suits my
> own purposes more if the pcs can be reused outside of a theme. Admittedly, the
> Megabloks dragons are superior display pcs and several of them could make for a
> nice collection. I have no doubt that these dragons will be in high demand in a
> few years.
After many years of LEGO purchases, I've recently added some MB sets. As I live
in Denmark, I can buy only LEGO in the stores, and pays the very high price
accordingly. So to get MB sets, I have to buy from UK or USA.
I have bought quite a number of MB Dragon War sets, but the dragons themselves
get ditched immediately - in a tub in the basement. My interest is solely in the
landscape baseplates and the structural elements like walls and rounded bricks.
As the Pyrates line offer very little of this, I have no intention of buying any
of these sets, but the coming Dragons Orient sets might get on the to-buy list.
>
> I have no doubt that the Pyrates line will be successful. It looks like a
> really cool series of playsets. As a toy, Megabloks stand on their own and will
> not be giving up ground easily. But as a substitute for Lego they fall far
> short of a universal building system. G.I. Joe was fantastic to me because I
> had to build the vehicles and playsets. I believe that this holds true for
> Megabloks themes. However, this reduces Megabloks themes to action toys that
> must be built, rather than a building system whose pcs can be combined with
> other lines of product. I would hazard a guess that Lego system is %80 reusable
> across themes (minus whole minifigs, specialtly/printed pcs) while Megabloks
> themes are only%20 reusable. ("reusable" isn't the word I want here...)
>
> > It's hard to predict how the toy market will behave, but I think that Richard's
> > defection will not be the last.
>
> I don't consider a defection as much as a change of taste. If he combines
> Megabloks elements with Lego pcs as he states his intentions, I would be
> interested to see the results.
I have both LEGO, MB and Playmobil, and sometimes I mix all of them in
playscapes, but normally I keep them seperated. For rendition of scenes from
Tolkien (the books, not the films), like Battle of Helms Deep, I find MB much
more versatile than LEGO or Playmobil. For scenes like Prouncing Pony in Bree,
LEGO is by far the best, and for scenes like Tom Bombadil in the Old Forest the
Playmobil landscape elements and scrubbery comes in handy.
So, like Richard, I'm not defecting, just expanding my horizon.
I still have 2400+ LEGO sets, and I'll keep buying LEGO, even if I dislike the
very historically incorrect LEGO Viking sets (Vikings never used catapults!! -
but LEGO seems to suffer from catapultitis in all themes except Police - yet).
Arne, Copenhagen
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In lugnet.off-topic.clone-brands, Arne Lykke Nielsen wrote:
even if I dislike the
> very historically incorrect LEGO Viking sets (Vikings never used catapults!! -
Who knows; if real vikings constantly experienced terrible monsters and dragons
flinging at them from every direction, they may have improvised catapults :)
-Josh
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Richard Noeckel wrote:
> !Hey guys,
>
> _MegaBloks_
>
> Yup, that's right... i'm using the 'MB' word! ...lol
>
> Perhaps this is the wrong place to ask, but… does MegaBloks have an open forum
> for their product lines like Lego does with this here fan-site ‘Lugnet’...
I personally don't know - but Lugnet DOES have a forum for discussing Megabloks
and other clone brands: <http://news.lugnet.com/off-topic/clone-brands/
lugnet.off-topic.clone-brands> .
You'll probably get more information there.
-Lenny
:followups to o-t.clone-brands
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Leonard Hoffman wrote:
> In lugnet.dear-lego, Richard Noeckel wrote:
> > !Hey guys,
> >
> > _MegaBloks_
> >
> > Yup, that's right... i'm using the 'MB' word! ...lol
> >
> > Perhaps this is the wrong place to ask, but… does MegaBloks have an open forum
> > for their product lines like Lego does with this here fan-site ‘Lugnet’...
>
> I personally don't know - but Lugnet DOES have a forum for discussing Megabloks
> and other clone brands: <http://news.lugnet.com/off-topic/clone-brands/
> lugnet.off-topic.clone-brands> .
>
> You'll probably get more information there.
>
> -Lenny
>
> :followups to o-t.clone-brands
Thanx-man!
I actually totally forgot about that!
Plus, i never really wanna leave Lugnet, i'm here for the people, they just
'happen' to share the same enthusiasm for a hobby we all enjoy.
Peace,
--==Richard==--
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Richard Noeckel wrote:
> Just some of my thoughts...
Eh, I don't like the Dragon product line. The occasional special piece in a
kit is great (Bionicle pushes the limits of good taste, but doesn't break
them), the Dragon line is hard to be considered bricks at all. From what
I've seen, there are very few studs on many of their products (such as this
dragon-in-an-egg product, I can't find any studs or stud holes in it; to be
fair, the translucent foggy shell does obscure some of it).
I haven't seen their Pirate line, because Walmart is carrying less of MB
than they are of LEGO (see "Ahh, the old times..."), so its just 3 or 4
different Dragon products, their Marvel line (of which I can say is just a
clone of the Bionicle-in-a-can or Knights-in-a-can concept), and their
micro-building stuff. About a dozen products total.
--
Patrick "Diablo-D3" McFarland || pmcfarland@downeast.net
"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids,
we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and
listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo,
Inc, 1989
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Patrick McFarland wrote:
> Richard Noeckel wrote:
> > Just some of my thoughts...
>
> Eh, I don't like the Dragon product line. The occasional special piece in a
> kit is great (Bionicle pushes the limits of good taste, but doesn't break
> them), the Dragon line is hard to be considered bricks at all. From what
> I've seen, there are very few studs on many of their products (such as this
> dragon-in-an-egg product, I can't find any studs or stud holes in it; to be
> fair, the translucent foggy shell does obscure some of it).
Just for reference, the Dragon Eggs sets are marketed as what they are--a Dragon
figure in an egg, with no claims of included bricks. The Dragons typically have
a four-stud arrangement on their backs to accommodate a seated minifig.
Other sets have about as many studs and stud-holes as a standard LEGO castle
that uses the modular wall system. Granted, the MB wall sections are more
specialized than LEGO's (that's possessive, not plural) are, but the idea is
basically the same. Admittedly, other Dragons sets are modularized to the point
where conventional bricks are almost entirely absent.
> I haven't seen their Pirate line, because Walmart is carrying less of MB
> than they are of LEGO (see "Ahh, the old times..."), so its just 3 or 4
> different Dragon products, their Marvel line (of which I can say is just a
> clone of the Bionicle-in-a-can or Knights-in-a-can concept), and their
> micro-building stuff. About a dozen products total.
I've noticed the conceptual similarity between Bionicle and the new Marvel
Tech-Bot sets. I'm not thrilled with either, to be honest, but I think the
Tech-Bots include at least a few conventional bricks.
As far as the shelf-space at Wal*Mart, the tides shift endlessly. Before the
recent Star Wars deluge, my Wal*Mart had about ten or fifteen LEGO sets, and the
were interspersed with MEGABLOKS, C3, and Best-Lock.
Dave!
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Dave Schuler wrote:
> > Richard Noeckel wrote:
> > Just some of my thoughts...
> are more specialized than LEGO's (that's possessive, not plural)
That's too funny... lol
I like how you felt the need to justify that!
That made me smile.
Well done. :-)
--==Richard==--
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Patrick McFarland wrote:
> Richard Noeckel wrote:
> > Just some of my thoughts...
>
> Eh, I don't like the Dragon product line.
Did i mention the MB Dragon’s line somewhere?!?
(I don't think i linked to it?)
Actually i was referring to their new 'Pyrate' line and how they reinvented the
minifig that really got my attention. Interestingly enough though, the Dragon
line was just the start of MB's direction into something better. Just look on
Brickshelf(R) lotsa pieces from MB are being used to supplement and detail Lego
landscapes.
So yah, i guess the Dragons line served as a catalyst for my interest into MB.
--==Richard==--
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Richard Noeckel wrote:
snip
> For me, the Viking line was a breath of fresh air.. but from what I heard it’s been held
> back from N. America indefinitely?
According to Jake, Vikings will be available from Shop at Home in North America.
These sets just became available on many European SAH's and will probably be at
US SAH soon. I do agree that not releasing the sets in NA is stupid because
kids here would like them. Dino Attack will also be popular. Its too bad
stores can't have both.
Ben
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Benjamin Ellermann wrote:
> In lugnet.dear-lego, Richard Noeckel wrote:
>
> snip
>
> > For me, the Viking line was a breath of fresh air.. but from what I heard it’s been held
> > back from N. America indefinitely?
>
> According to Jake, Vikings will be available from Shop at Home in North America.
> These sets just became available on many European SAH's and will probably be at
> US SAH soon. I do agree that not releasing the sets in NA is stupid because
> kids here would like them. Dino Attack will also be popular. Its too bad
> stores can't have both.
>
> Ben
Yah, but i was wondering, or secretly hopping that it'd reach mass retail in the
U.S. and Canada!
I recall now that it might have been pushed back a year in our market...
What i'd really like are some definitive answers regarding product availability.
Thanks though,
--==Richard==--
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Benjamin Ellermann wrote:
> In lugnet.dear-lego, Richard Noeckel wrote:
>
> snip
>
> > For me, the Viking line was a breath of fresh air.. but from what I heard it’s been held
> > back from N. America indefinitely?
>
> According to Jake, Vikings will be available from Shop at Home in North America.
> These sets just became available on many European SAH's and will probably be at
> US SAH soon. I do agree that not releasing the sets in NA is stupid because
> kids here would like them. Dino Attack will also be popular. Its too bad
> stores can't have both.
>
> Ben
I'm not positive about this but I heard the other day that LEGO Viking Sets
could be found exclusively at Toy's R Us.... ah here it is
Eric Olsen:
Q:Why did LEGO wait till 2005 to make vikings?
A: scandinamvian humbleness... we did not think people would want it.. we were
wrong! the demand is overwhelming... especially medium sized sets. ... a little
girl I previeweed this told me.. there are no horns and no dragons, you know...
so we say "vikings or whate3ver it is..." even the retailers loved it when we
showed it in Feb. In the US it is exclusive with TRU, in the UK exclusive with
Woolworth...
That's from the Brickfest 2005 Keynotes
Chris
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Chris Givan wrote:
> In lugnet.dear-lego, Benjamin Ellermann wrote:
> > In lugnet.dear-lego, Richard Noeckel wrote:
> >
> > snip
> >
> > > For me, the Viking line was a breath of fresh air.. but from what I heard it’s been held
> > > back from N. America indefinitely?
> >
> > According to Jake, Vikings will be available from Shop at Home in North America.
> > These sets just became available on many European SAH's and will probably be at
> > US SAH soon. I do agree that not releasing the sets in NA is stupid because
> > kids here would like them. Dino Attack will also be popular. Its too bad
> > stores can't have both.
> >
> > Ben
>
> I'm not positive about this but I heard the other day that LEGO Viking Sets
> could be found exclusively at Toy's R Us.... ah here it is
>
> Eric Olsen:
> Q:Why did LEGO wait till 2005 to make vikings?
> A: scandinamvian humbleness... we did not think people would want it.. we were
> wrong! the demand is overwhelming... especially medium sized sets. ... a little
> girl I previeweed this told me.. there are no horns and no dragons, you know...
> so we say "vikings or whate3ver it is..." even the retailers loved it when we
> showed it in Feb. In the US it is exclusive with TRU, in the UK exclusive with
> Woolworth...
>
> That's from the Brickfest 2005 Keynotes
Heh. Actually, they had a handout at BrickFest created especially for TRU
having Vikings in October. It was a pretty cool ad with some neat graphics. If
I was really cool, I'd post pics of it. But I am not cool. I am lame.
;o)
Vikings ROOL!!
-Lenny
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Here's the full answer:
Erik Olson:
Why did Lego wait until 2005 to explore a Scandinavian theme with Vikings?
Jørgen Vig Knudstorp:
There's several answers to that. One is I think there's some Scandinavian
humbleness-- we did not think anybody would find Vikings interesting!
I'm slightly overwhelmed by it. I can tell you the sets especially the medium
size 7017 are flying as hotcakes at the moment, and we also see great interest
in the biggest set 7019 and the ship [7018] that she [Christina] showed us a
moment ago.
But if you're truly a Vikings person--I gave this set to a 7 year old (I
received some early editions)--she looked at this and she said:
--You know vikings had no horns in their helmets.
--There really weren't any dragons in the times of Vikings.
And so on we went ...
I think we've made also a little bit of a mess of Nordic mythology. Sometimes
Kjeld and our other partners of the board refer to it as "this Viking or
whatever line it is." But I think its going to be a great line and hope to
continue it based on the early reads.
Frankly when we presented to the retailers in February we expected a fairly
sceptical reception but it was even back then an overwhelming positive reception
which means we immediately started plans for extending it next year.
But you see that in the US I think Mike was correct it's an exclusive
distribution with Toys R Us. It's the same in the UK with an exclusive with
Woolworth. And that reflects on some of the scepticism it's met with. That's the
story so far.
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In lugnet.dear-lego, Chris Givan wrote:
> In lugnet.dear-lego, Benjamin Ellermann wrote:
> > In lugnet.dear-lego, Richard Noeckel wrote:
> >
> > snip
> >
> > > For me, the Viking line was a breath of fresh air.. but from what I heard it’s been held
> > > back from N. America indefinitely?
> >
> > According to Jake, Vikings will be available from Shop at Home in North America.
> > These sets just became available on many European SAH's and will probably be at
> > US SAH soon. I do agree that not releasing the sets in NA is stupid because
> > kids here would like them. Dino Attack will also be popular. Its too bad
> > stores can't have both.
> >
> > Ben
>
> I'm not positive about this but I heard the other day that LEGO Viking Sets
> could be found exclusively at Toy's R Us.... ah here it is
>
> Eric Olsen:
> Q:Why did LEGO wait till 2005 to make vikings?
> A: scandinamvian humbleness... we did not think people would want it.. we were
> wrong! the demand is overwhelming... especially medium sized sets. ... a little
> girl I previeweed this told me.. there are no horns and no dragons, you know...
> so we say "vikings or whate3ver it is..." even the retailers loved it when we
> showed it in Feb. In the US it is exclusive with TRU, in the UK exclusive with
> Woolworth...
>
> That's from the Brickfest 2005 Keynotes
>
> Chris
All of this information is correct. Please note than when I posted on this
thread in early July we did not know when the sets would be released in North
America and I was pestering Jake for more information (which he did not have
yet). Check out my more recent post http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=51469
Several large retailers were hesitant about picking up this line but TRU was
not. That is why they got the exclusive.
Ben E.
Classic-Castle Sets Admin
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