The LEGO Company : 625


LEGO Company / 625

The sky is *not* falling —

Jake McKee

In the last few days, I've seen much discussion, and recevied many questions about the future of the company. As you probably saw/heard, 2003 was a rough year for the LEGO Company, for a number of reasons. Kjeld has retaken the helm, and has said (...) (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX) !!

Re: The sky is *not* falling —John Gerlach

(...) Jake, thanks for trying your best to keep us 'fans' informed. Your insight and comments are always most appreciated. Mindstorms may continue to evolve? "Continue"?? It really hasn't evolved since it was originally introduced, most of the (...) (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Ross Crawford

(...) Ummmm, Scout, Microscout, Spybotics???? Are those not evolution? Even the flagship RCX has had 2 firmware upgrades, although the hardware itself hasn't changed significantly (except for the removal of the power socket, grrrrrr). ROSCO (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —David Koudys

In lugnet.lego, Jake McKee wrote: snip (...) Thanks for the info, Jake. Take care, Dave K (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Anne Carasik

(...) Hi Jake, As always, thanks for keeping the community informed. We can't tell you how important that is. I do have a question for you: when will the restructed management address the color change? I know everyone is grateful for the information (...) (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Matthew J. Chiles

(...) This is a very, very pressing issue. And for me, also, it is preventing me from buying any new sets in the future. It is disturbing that the excuse used for new colors was that Lego today is too dark and depressing. The reason for that is not (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Paulo Renato

(...) Indeed, this is a most disturbing issue for me too. Although i'm enjoying some of the new sets that are coming up, i can't make a move to buy them. I'm freezed, expecting how this color change will turn out. I strongly believe that this (...) (20 years ago, 14-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Christian Treczoks

(...) I'll second that question. The new greys ("Wehrmachtsgrau"=WW2 German Millitary grey as it's already called) and brown *have* to be put on the new managements desk for redecision as one of the biggest mistakes of the recent years. Luckily, I (...) (20 years ago, 14-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Calum Tsang

(...) On behalf of rtlToronto, I want to thank you for keeping all of us us in the loop. We don't get too worked up over the usual Lego rumours up here ("Oh no, the new grey causes cancer, etc") but this one is very important to us. We even stopped (...) (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, FTX)

RCX 3.0 with 82 ports...Wow! —Bruce Sheridan

(...) How big is that succker going to be? How many batteries will it take? Where will they fit all those ports (is that 41 motor ports AND 41 sensor ports?) What kind of a contest would use something like that? Bruce (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, FTX)

Re: RCX 3.0 with 82 ports...Wow! —Ross Crawford

(...) 48 x 48 studs, with colour TFT display..... mmmmmmmm..... (...) As many as you can afford? (...) Oh no they'll all be multi-purpose, assignable to either input or output, or a combination LOL (...) A Big A$$ one. ROSCO (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, FTX)

Re: RCX 3.0 with 82 ports...Wow! —Dan Boger

(...) Pft. I'll run off a cold fusion reactor, fueled by tap water. Batteries. Pft, I say! (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)

Re: RCX 3.0 with 82 ports...Wow! —Calum Tsang

(...) rtlToronto28: The Industrial Automation PLC Is Normal rtlToronto34: Show Me the Digital Flight Control System! rtlToronto52: A Theatre Lighting Controller Too Far Calum (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, FTX)

Re: RCX 3.0 with 82 ports...Wow! —David Koudys

(...) I don't think this'll be a good idea--any mention of "flight control software" this could land the builder with a visit from the local authorities... (URL) news article) Ahh, Americans--gotta love 'em... oh wait, maybe this should have been (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)

Re: RCX 3.0 with 82 ports...Wow! —Iain Hendry

(...) It just confirms how glad I am I live in Canada when I read junk like that. Holy crap. Iain (States got da coasters, but we got da flats!) PS - Probably no robot from me for marbles (surprise surprise), but I have a good reason and it's a long (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)

Re: RCX 3.0 with 82 ports...Wow! —Steve Hassenplug

(...) I heard it was going to use Blue Tooth technology, and allow you to connect 256 I/O devices wirelessly. The actual controller fits into a 2x2 plate, and runs on 1 lithium battery. It has a 1ghz processor, and 1gb ROM. Someone else said it has (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Nathan Wells

(...) Jake, THANK YOU for letting us know what is going on at LEGO HQ! My faith in LEGO is restored! Good Luck LEGO and may you have a better year for 2004! Nathan Wells (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Gregory Muri

No, the sky is not falling. Instead it is just raining these disgusting blue-grey colors and chuncks of this red-brown stuff. The new color changes SUCK!!!! Change them back, and fire whoever thought them up in the first place. Fix this problem (...) (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Orion Pobursky

(...) ...begin sarcasm... Oh look! It's a dead horse! Lets beat it! ...end sarcasm... -Orion (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Gregory Muri

You know Orion, it may be a dead horse but that certainly doesn't make the problem go away. Keeping it in the forums every once and awhile is a good thing in my opinion. You are not required to agree with me and neither is anyone else. However, I am (...) (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Anne Carasik

(...) Thank you Greg. I agree with you. TLC seems to be avoiding this question, which is really frustrating. -Anne (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Gregory Muri

Hi Anne, glad there are people out there who feel the same way I do and are not afraid to say so. TLC has made zero effort with regards to the color change issue. Simply posting that garbage about the color pallette and then dropping the issue is (...) (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Anne Carasik

(...) Why should I be? I give them money. Since I have a choice on what I pay for, I have a right to open my big mouth and say something :) (...) I couldn't agree more. I couldn't tell you how upset I was about the whole thing. It was enough to (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Mark Riley

(...) I think what Greg might have been referring to is the disparaging remarks from some other folks here (who aren't bothered by the color issue) who find it necessary to characterize those who feel otherwise as "whiners" or "complainers". FWIW, (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Tanvir Mahtab

(...) I don't mind new colors in new sets. But I do dislike what the changes mean for reissues of old sets. I was looking forward to reissues of sets like 6080 down the line. But even if that happens, it will look less like a light gray building and (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Jeff Reuland

Well you can mark an X next to my name and put me on the 'unhappy' list! I like the old grays. Someday people will be buying Lego collections on ebay just to get the old colors......... (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Don Heyse

(...) Me too. I've resisted buying the new colors, but I just started building a set I got as a gift and a couple of things struck me. I just don't buy the lame focus group / crisper pallette explanation. The implementation is just too hurried and (...) (20 years ago, 14-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Tom Bozzo

(...) I actually think "lame focus group" is a perfectly good explanation. Focus groups seem to result in plenty of abominations that happen to have tested well -- if not necessarily in a well-designed test. I didn't find the color palette (...) (20 years ago, 14-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —David Schilling

(...) You know what I think is really funny about all the griping about these new Lego colours? As soon as we find out that TLC *does* change its mind, and returns to the old colours, (and understand I'm not saying that they have or will!) everyone (...) (20 years ago, 14-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Richie Dulin

(...) I wonder if most Lego fans aren't truly happy unless they have something to complain about.... Cheers Richie (20 years ago, 15-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Paulo Renato

(...) Richie, You're speaking for yourself right? There a lot of people here that are talking for theirselfs but trying to input that on others. And at least, there are two on this tread already. Doesn't seem very reasonable to me. I think we should (...) (20 years ago, 15-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Paulo Renato

David, You make good points in your post. 1. This one is not: (...) As for me (and i think for a lot of people) you are *very* wrong. Are you saying we just want a color or a part because it is rare? Not me. I don't care if a part is rare, i care if (...) (20 years ago, 15-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Matthew Miller

(...) Sure. New colors are good. What's bad is getting rid of *key* old ones. (20 years ago, 15-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Orion Pobursky

(...) You're right, you have the right to complain but as a reply to this particular thread I feel it was inappropriate and rude. In my opinion, if you want to add more to what must be 500+ posts, start you own thread. -Orion (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Mark Riley

(...) Inappropriate? Naw, if TLC's management and policies are getting revaluated, then I can't think of a more opportune moment to remind TLC that some of us AFOLs still haven't "gotten over it". Mark (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Aaron Muhl

(...) particular (...) to add (...) Orion, This is an open forum where people can discuss ideas, and share their opinions. No one has personally attacked Jake. I don't feel opinion sharing is rude at all. In fact, even though I don't agree with you (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Gregory Muri

First off, there is nothing at all rude about me posting in this topic. This is exactly where a viewpoint, such as mine, should be made. Lego made a public posting and I chose this as my response. For the level of frustration and disgust I have (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Paulo Renato

(...) Orion, I find Gregory's post *very* appropriate. I really can't understand what makes you so upset. Color change is not a closed subject and, it seems for me that we (the people who are bothered about it) have here a good opportunity to reopen (...) (20 years ago, 14-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Lindsay Frederick Braun

(...) Agreed. Sorry, Orion, I can't appreciate a sarcastic tone belittling what for the large-scale builders is an *extremely* serious issue. You may not find it so, but trust me, if you own 500lb. of dark grey, it is *very* serious indeed, so I (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Larry Pieniazek

(...) What ever do you mean, Orion? We never beat dead horses HERE. OR use sarcasm. (0) More seriously, now certainly would be a good time to revisit the color decision if it were ever going to happen that it got revisited, and a politely worded, (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —David Gregory

(...) I read the press release at lego.com which said, "The LEGO Company will focus on the fundamental product idea, as represented by the LEGO brick...," which seems to be in accordance with what you said about returning to your "core." I also (...) (20 years ago, 12-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Ross Crawford

(...) Not that I'm qualified to say, but I doubt it, mainly because it hasn't been in effect long enough yet for TLC to see how it will affect their bottom line. ROSCO (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Mark Papenfuss

(...) WOW! Thats really good news. My two youngest are going to loooove this. Great move, Dora is very popular with the younger set and this line should do very well. I just hope they are kept in the same line and size as the other Duplo stuff (yes (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Paul S. D'Urbano

(...) <snip> (...) Thanks Jake!!! With tough times like these, I wouldn't blame your company for circling the wagons and not telling anyone a peep about what they're planning to do. I think it's great that you've been allowed to notify this (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Gregory Muri

WOW! I am not sure exactly what to say to this Paul. My post here was done intentionally to keep the color change issue present and current in the forums. I think that was accomplished and there certainly was no other meaning written or implied. I (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Marc Nelson, Jr.

(...) Come on! The relationship that Jake's company has built with this community is a business relationship. TLC is not a 'friend of mine', it is one of many businesses vying for my disposable income (and doing a poor job of it lately). What (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Paulo Renato

(...) That makes two of us. (...) Agreed. That's what i've been trying to say but my broken english doesn't allow me to. Best regards from Portugal Paulo Renato (20 years ago, 14-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Allan Bedford

(...) For what it's worth... I hope this is the last of the rough years. I think you've got the right guy at the wheel now and I think his connection to the company, its past and its future, will be good for everyone. I feel badly for those (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Geoff Gray

Jake, Once again thank you for keeping us informed. I know it can be frustrating dealing with rumors and negative talk, but you always handle things professionally and also put *at least my* mind to rest on issues. Your input (and that of your (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Terry Prosper

(...) Wouhou! More SW sets! We might finally see the Jawa Sandcrawler after all! Terry (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

The sky *has* fallen (was Re: The sky is *not* falling) —Richie Dulin

(...) You mean my books, keychains, pens, pencils, erasers, watches, clocks, lunchboxes, coffee mugs, umbrellas, fridge magnets, greeting cards, caps, ties, t-shirts, calculators, stickers, bookmarks, pencil cases, schoolbags, backpacks and shoes (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Lindsay Frederick Braun

(...) Jake- Thanks, as always, for keeping us informed. I brought it up in the thread later, but I will ask you directly: does this shakeup portend a reversal of this highly ill-advised color reformulation, or at least a re- evaluation of what can (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Jason J. Railton

(...) Thanks for this much-needed interjection Jake. Don't worry - not everyone takes Newswire's rambling seriously. Or slashdot, for that matter. Jason Railton (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Matthew Miller

(...) Sounds somewhat promising. However, I hope the growth and improvement in this area also follows the "back to basics" direction. Pretty much *everything* after the first RCX (and 2.0) has been slanted away from open-ended creative building, and (...) (20 years ago, 13-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —Per Langkilde

(...) Might the rumor of new grey have influence ? Lets hope that 'returning to our core' means getting the old colors back. (20 years ago, 15-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)

Re: The sky is *not* falling —James Wilson

(...) I doubt it. The new greys didn't come to light until November. I'm pretty sure the sales of 2004 sets had very little impact on the 2003 numbers. More likely the fact that there wasn't a Harry Potter or Star Wars movie in 2003, as they've (...) (20 years ago, 16-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, FTX)