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I have often criticized the past several years of set designs
in vague terms such as "poor design values". I think I've
finally found the words to clarify exactly what I don't like.
Current set designs, with the notable exception of the Star Wars
line are "sparse" and "thin". They use pars you wouldn't normally
use to build structures and vehicles. Designs are "open" but lacking
any substance. It's like fat free food. At first it looks appetizing
but as you take a closer look or dig in you are very dissatisfied.
I love the new colors but hate the unnecessary mixing of colors in a set.
If the thing is gray, then make it gray, not light gray, white, dark gray
and blue.
When was the last time LEGO released a set where you have to build
a wall out of bricks?
KL
In lugnet.general, James Simpson writes:
> In lugnet.general, Jake McKee writes:
>
> > I remember them very well. I also remember that the models in the box and
> > showcased on the back of the box weren't as sophisticated as they are today.
> > Not only because of a wider range of pieces, but an improved sense of design
> > and realism has made the models more detailed, better looking and somewhat
> > more complicated. I was actually looking through an old idea book last night
> > and was chuckling about how far LEGO design has come. (But really, aren't
> > today's alternative images the same concept as far as that goes?)
>
> Jake, with all due respect, what models are you refering to? The models of • 10,
> 15, or 20 years ago were far superior in terms of realism, details, and
> attractiveness.
>
> Yesteryear: Garage Doors
> Today: No garage doors
>
> Yesteryear: Cars with doors and chasis you could build
> Today: No doors, and one-piece chasis pieces
>
> Yesteryear: Buildings made primarily from basic bricks
> Today: Buildigns made primarily from POOPs
>
> IMHO, by every parameter, Town, Castle, and Space sets of yesteryear were
> designed with greater detail, attractiveness, and *care*. I'd wager that • almost
> every AFOL here would agree that set quality has dropped precipitously since • the
> early 90's. There has not been any System model between 97-01 that can • compare
> to the best sets of any year between 1978 and 1996. What has changed for the
> better in the past few years is that Lego is offering a more versatile range • of
> elements, especially the old parts in new colors. However, the irony here is
> that Lego chooses not to enhance set design and playability with this great
> expanded range of parts; instead, however, models are dumbed down and diluted • by
> careless set design and over-dependence of POOPs and BURPs.
>
> I'd also wager that kids are more sophisticated these days. Does Lego mean to
> suggest that, while I did just fine with un-seeded instructions back in the
> early 80's (I'm 26), kids these days just can't handle the same concept, the
> same task? Does Lego think that kids these days are less inteligent than the
> old guard?
>
> In regards to the old idea books, most of the models therein were great • examples
> of construction possible with existing elements. I'm afraid to say that • current
> System sets are for the most part uninspiring - they are the kind of slapdash
> nonsense that wouldn't suprise me from a lesser company. And the real irony,
> the real tragedy, is that Lego is eroding its future customer base. Lego of
> yesteryear captured the imagination - set design, alternate-model-box-designs,
> and Idea books captivated our imaginations; there really was a sense of wonder
> about it that made us fall in love with the Brick. Do curent System sets have
> that same effect today? I doubt it. Not because kids these days can't be
> inspired by non-media entertainment, but at least in this case, because Lego • has
> lost its way.
>
> respectfully,
>
> james
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: TLG and "Seeding"
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| (...) Jake, with all due respect, what models are you refering to? The models of 10, 15, or 20 years ago were far superior in terms of realism, details, and attractiveness. Yesteryear: Garage Doors Today: No garage doors Yesteryear: Cars with doors (...) (23 years ago, 28-Feb-01, to lugnet.general, lugnet.starwars)
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