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You’d think I would have learned my lesson by now about the color change and
just taken refuge in a concrete bunker. Nope, not that bright I think!
I come to you with a final update, and some good news, as well as bad.
Bad news first – After much discussion and debate internally, the color change
will stand. There was some good thinking that went into the color change
(although, yes, the implementation fell flat), and as such we are going to stay
the course. I know this isn’t the answer you’re hoping for, and I know very very
well that many of you aren’t happy about this news. I also know the reasons why
you aren’t happy. Rather than cover them all again, I will skip straight to the
good news.
Good news – based on the discussions and debates, many colleagues are clear that
the color change dramatically affected the AFOLs. They are also clearly aware of
the reasons it has upset you. In order to help address some of your concerns,
several things have been agreed upon.
* The three new colors (light gray, dark gray, brown) will now be classified as
"universal", and these colors will NEVER be touched again. There will, of
course, be colors that change over time with trends, but not these universal
ones.
* A certain few parts that are crucial to keep in the old colors will likely be
created as service pack type items. An example of this would be the 9v train
track. I am interested in getting feedback from you (via this thread) on which
elements MUST be produced in the old colors for the long term. (And no, you
can’t say "the whole range of parts!" :) )
* We also have received confirmation from colleagues that in the future, we will
include both the adult and kid enthusiasts in any testing related to
modification or change of the core building system. (Please note that there are
not any plans whatsoever in the works for making changes)
I know this isn’t the silver bullet update you were hoping for, but hopefully
this bears some good news for you.
Again, I know the color change upset many of you, and I don’t mean to re-open
wounds. Thanks for your patience while we worked on getting this put to bed once
and for all. As I’ve said before, out of all bad things comes something
positive. In this case, the positive is that there are many more people
internally who understand your passion and interest.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community Development Team
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Message has 59 Replies:
 | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Hi Jake, So, in summary, it was a slight screw-up borne of good intentions, it's too late to fix it, but it'll never happen again, and further, future ideas borne of good intentions will be bounced off everyone. OK, then. Tell you what. Hire (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Ok, all basic brick sizes are a must for old grey and brown. All basic plate sizes are a must for old grey and brown. All basic style bricks and plates are a must for old grey and brown (arches, slopes, tiles). All Minifig accessories, technic (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| In lugnet.general, Jake McKee wrote: ..... (...) ..... Thanks for the update Jake. I think that the train track is a key item. Public displays of mottled layouts would not look good. Buildings in new shades of gray sharing layouts with buildings in (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| In lugnet.general, Jake McKee wrote: <snip> (...) Hey Jake, Many thanks for the 'heads up'. Like many others, I agree that the 9v track is pretty important to keep as the original dk gray. Other than that, I've got nothing. As an aside, I agree with (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Which colours ARE "universal" now?
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| Hi, Jake, first of all: I know you're only the messenger. Take the bullets to those who are responsible for this. (...) <sarcasm> Translation: Even the dumbest managers can learn a little from an outright desaster. It may be late, but what the f..., (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Thanks for the update Jake, wish it was better news. I have to say that I fall into the category of people that feel this change is in no way acceptable. Your statement that "some good thinking" went into this only strengthens my opinion that the (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego) !
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) IMO train track (you can ignore the cross track) and the current "retro" brick and plate packs, plus the 2x4 brick packs, would suffice. Those cover most of what folks tend to use in bulk. For most everything else we're just going to have to (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Why not a Lego bunker - there's a few here who could help you build one ;0) (...) I think we'd all like clarification on which current colours will be "universal"... (...) Well yes, all of them, but I have a suggestion. Why don't Lego release (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) change (...) Jake - get ready for some more griping. I hope you will continue to forward these gripe emails to the decision makers on this matter. Yes, this did open new wounds and I'm still astounded that TLC does not get it. But I would also (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Jake- Very good news! Thanks. Light and dark grays are our favorite colors for making large real-world models. Here is what would keep us building for a long time to come in dark gray: 1x1 bricks 1x2 bricks 1x3 bricks 1x4 bricks 1x6 bricks 1x8 (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Hello! (...) Fine. Becoming aware of something usually is a good first step into a better direction. (...) Yeah, great! We (the AFOLs) fight against those new colours and you (TLC) make them even more solid and declare them made for eternity? (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) SNIP (...) This is fairly disheartening. Comming up with names like "Universal colors" is a big part of the financial problems Lego is having. Duplo for instance has been stuck with so many diffrent labels that many consumers can't find it if (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) The first item on your list of "good news" confuses me. Are you saying that these three colors are now instant classic colors and only they will remain unchanged? What about white, black, red, yellow, blue and green? Those are also core (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| "Jake McKee" <jacob.mckee@america.lego.com> wrote in message news:Hx8uCD.19rs@lugnet.com... (...) likely be (...) train (...) which (...) you (...) I had a good think, purely and selfishly as a castle builder, armour, weapons etc, they will be fine (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (snip) This is a fairly radical opinion, I guess, but I'm not convinced that the 9V track is one of the "key" pieces to keep in production in old dark grey. I know it's different but frankly, this is an area where reality DOES vary. Railroads (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| "Jake McKee" <jacob.mckee@america.lego.com> wrote in message news:Hx8uCD.19rs@lugnet.com... [ ... snipped ... ] (...) likely be (...) train (...) which (...) you (...) All five of the current 9v track elements should continue to be produced in the (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) So maybe the fact that many AFOLs will not buy these rubbish colours for having no mud in their collections bears some good news for you. I think you will agree that i.e. a clear castle-wall in unique grey looks much better than a wall with (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Hello Jake, I know that you have heard a lot of... concerns, but I would like to add some praise along with my input. I am glad that TLC has decided to retain the gray, brown, drk gray colors. I was terribly afraid that TLC had done away with these (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| In lugnet.general, Jake McKee wrote: <VERY LARGE SNIP> Hi Jake, Well, I know you've been reading this thread; I've seen a few responses already. I think there are two reasons why AFOLs are angry and/or upset with the color change: (1) The new colors (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) I'm shocked no one has asked the following question: Just which colors are "universal" and which colors aren't? I'm assuming from what you write that non-universal colors can be changed, from time to time. As an AFOL, it would be great to know (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| In lugnet.general, Jake McKee wrote: Hi Jake Thx for the update. Sounds like LEGO is trying to make the best of a situation that went bad unintentionally. (...) Regarding the service packs. While I appreciate the gesture, I'm not sure it is (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - SLOPES WANTED
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| The solid news is appreciated. Personally, I still don't believe that the Lugnet community knows the true reasons for the color change. Also, I don't think we have heard of the "good" effects these changes were supposed to produce. I have been (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Thanks for listening and understanding. Sorry your ears are taking a bashing! You're doing better than other companies would do. Please explain the "good thinking" though. IMHO "good thinking" would be to make future new colours more realistic (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego) !
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) I look forward to the list of 'universal' colors! (...) I'd like to see train wheelsets (trucks)(2878c01) and decorative sides (2871) maintained in the old gray color. It would be nice to have some variety for train modeling. I agree that the (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (this is pretty much a translation of what I wrote on 1000steine.de already) (...) Sorry I can't see ANY good news, all I see is a big PR blurb in a desparate attempt to regain some lost ground. (...) So much for your corporate values then.... (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| I thank you for continuing to advance this news to us. I suppose it's really not so bad, as long as LEGO colors don't bounce all over the rainbow range every few years. Given enough time, I will be able to build a collection of the said colors in (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Well, Jake, I admire your willingness to again appear before a mob to weather another volley. Those above you at TLC can learn a great deal from your genuine devotion to the product and its loyal (until now) users. I believe TLC has made its (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Jake, I have been quiet on the color issue since it was announced because I have been trying to determine how it would personally affect the hobby for me. This is my conclusion: I support Lego because I enjoy it for what it is, a good product that (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) snip (...) snip (...) Thank you for the update. Being classified as universal colors really doesn't matter to me. I have no use for the new gray given their inorganic nature and it really wouldn't matter to me if they changed years from now. I (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Jake, First let me say thank you again and again for all your time and patience dealing with what seems to be an endless number of cranky old weirdos. Okay, now to the nasty stuff. (...) Honestly, every time I open a new set with New Grey - the (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Jake, Thanks for the update! (...) This doesn't really make sense to me. What's the point of having mottled looking light/dark grey trains running on a nicely matched dark grey track? Since the color change is permanent, start producing all elements (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| In lugnet.general, Jake McKee wrote: //SNIP// (...) Ok, what parts HAVE TO stay the old greys? And we can't say "everything"? How about everything but technic, because I don't buy technic and some of them seem to enjoy the new colour? What does Lego (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Jake & All, (...) First, thanks for posting information for us on this subject, I am sure you feel like drinking pink fluid sometimes when you do. : ) Seriously, I know a lot of people in the clubs I am involved with are upset about this, as I think (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Given your position, that would pretty much require having to resign, wouldn't it? (...) So did the thought process... (...) I hereby dub this the "Understatement of the Millennium". (...) Clearly "dark purple" is not a "universal" color. ;) (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Thanks Jake, for once again reaching out to the community. I understand how the company works, and I am glad to hear that they are allowing some parts to be continued in the old colors! Having said that, I think the following would be great to (...) (20 years ago, 5-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Wow! looks like I missed all the fun! I guess there's disadvantages being upside-down after all... (...) I think the main thing most AFOLs are worried about is unintentional changes, and bad quality, as seen in the new Knights Bus. Also I'd be (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) I figured as much. Oh well what can I do about it except stop purchasing brick or act like a spoiled 5yr old. Personally I don't want to do either so you can consider this a positive reply to your post (...) well that's an understatement (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| In lugnet.general, Jake McKee wrote: SNIP (...) Leave ALL colors untouched from now on. I can understand producing more or less of certain colors a year for manufacturing restraints, spicing up designs or producing other parts in rarer colors, but (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Personally, for myself, the only problem the new colors represent is storage. I cannot possibly mix them in with the old colors. What I don't like is how the new Strata 1000pc tub comes with the stupid lime, orange and light blue colors. It (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| I'm glad to hear that TLC might continue service packs in the original colors. Could you give us an idea of how the current original-color packs are doing, sales-wise? This is what I would like to see continue to be sold in the original colors: (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego, FTX) !!
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update (some ideas)
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| (...) Personally, I think that the best way to go is to take the 6 main themes (Castle, Space, Town, Train, Pirates, Technic) and figure out, for each of them, what parts builders of those themes most want (and for each part, whether they want old (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Bah... I'm simply leaning towards finding a different hobby to spend my money on. I've got enough bricks to continue to build for a while, but after that maybe I'll just stop buying your products. There are a few sets that I think are pretty (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Bummer. (...) Translation: it will embarrass too many people to change back, and now we guarantee that we won't change back and embarrass them! (Humor alert! Do not take seriously! Jusss...ssst teasing...) :-) (...) Really basic bricks: (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| [snipped lots of not positive blabla] (...) I do not feel understod at all. If this is your final update, you have finally lost a consumer, a big fan, a big supporter and promoter. My buys for this years sets is less than 1% of what I bought in the (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| In lugnet.general, Jake McKee wrote: First, Jake, let me say that I really appreciate you keeping this communication with the AFOLs going. I feel utterly betrayed by TLC as a loyal customer and from their behavior thus far regarding some of the (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| I have to say I am not happy with the final outcome. But, if Lego is serious about makeing a select few parts avaible in the old color schem I could live with the followling: 1) train track 2) 1 x 2 brick 3) 1 x 4 brick 4) 2 x 2 brick 5) 2 x 4 brick (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Hello Jake, First to respond to your request: At a minimum, I would request all bricks, plates and slopes in all three classic colours. I would further stand behind the requests others have made for specialty pieces. I would add the new pieces which (...) (20 years ago, 6-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Hi Jake, I didn't bought any of the 2004 sets and i think i will not. I'm really frustrated with this color change. I was thinking what - apart for changing back the colors (the wiser move: if there's anything worst than making a mistake it is not (...) (20 years ago, 7-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Keep the original grey colors for - the minifig torso/arms/legs colors - all the train parts (tracks, doors, windows, etc - all the basic bricks and plates (as sold in the bulk packs) - the 48x48 building plate I have not posted anything yet (...) (20 years ago, 7-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| With respect to the old light grey, I cannot figure out which set cannot be build in the new light grey. I like the new light grey much better. When I can, I will probably sell all my old light grey parts and obtain new light grey parts. This (...) (20 years ago, 8-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| (...) Jake, thanks for the update. I appreciate your efforts in communicating with us, and I see you take a lot of unnecessary abuse on here because of it. Anyway, I believe you are asking the wrong question here. I don't think there is a part that (...) (20 years ago, 9-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
| | | Living with the Color change
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| Yes we do have a life besides the hobby, and in the grand scheme of life the Color Change is trivial. But within the realm of our hobby, the change is severely annoying on a daily basis, probably for years to come. That's why the issue can't be 'put (...) (20 years ago, 9-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego, lugnet.color, FTX)
| | | Re: Color Change - Final Update
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| Dear Jake, I'm sure you have likely had your fill of AFOLs micromanaging TLCs business, but I really can't resist here. There are two things off the top of my head that I hope that you and TLC will consider: 1. Master Builders get any part in any (...) (20 years ago, 11-May-04, to lugnet.general, lugnet.lego)
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