Subject:
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Re: Nicely now. What do you think of the new colors?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.lego, lugnet.general
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Date:
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Thu, 15 Jan 2004 17:24:56 GMT
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Viewed:
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12862 times
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Well, I have been thinking about my opinion on the color change for awhile. I
recently bought some of the 2004 sets, so I could see what the fuss was about.
My concerns are the following:
- My collection is large, so it naturally has a lot of grey. However, even when it was small (before I started buying as an adult) it contained mostly grey. (I was a classic space kid.) This change really poses a compatability problem with my current collection. Also, as a partent, I am concerned that my children’s collections and models won’t mix well with my own.
- My train track is dark grey. I only recently began using Lego trains, as the desire came when I was introduced to Lego train clubs as an adult. I only have about 1/4 of the total track that I imagine that I want. I was going to buy it slowly. The new dark grey is quite a bit out of line from the old, and that makes the track incompatible.
- The old colors were better for realistic models. The world is muddy. I like to build models that look like real things. Sure kids under 5 are attracted to bright colors, but as they get older they are more intereted in real things. The new colors are actually less earth toned, which was great for making trees, buildings, or anything with a natural color scheme.
- Even as a kid, I could never really build models that were “color blind”--meaning I got the shape right, thoa it may look like a rainbow. I wanted the color scheme of my creations to look good, also. I suspect others feel the same way, or TLG wouldn’t have made this change. Now it will be difficult to do this with grey in either old or new. Old will have the problem of looking bad when mixed with new. New will have the problem of not having enough pieces (in enough quantities) to be useful.
- This change was made without any fanfare, or consulation with the consumers, or even (it seems) any consultation with those in the TLG who are knowledgeable about the consumers. This was done in a sneaky way, and so it doesn’t seem to have the intent of an “improvement.” If this were any other company, I would say, “so what? they don’t have to tell us anything.” And in fact, you don’t have to. But TLG has built a very trusting and open relationship with its fans and consumers, so this act seems very out of character and disturbing. Quite honestly, the explanation of “fixing the color palate” feels false--as if it were a rationalization for some other decision.
I have a few theories on the real reason TLG changed colors:
- there was a manufacturing need. Someone suggested that it may have to do with how Lego recycles ABS into new brick. This was purely speculation, I believe, but it sounds plausible. If Lego is saving money by changing colors, I can understand why it did so, but I think it is a mistake, as I think ultimately, it will create problems.
- there was a marketing consideration of the competition. Some have suggested that the new color looks more like MEGAbloks. I am not sure if it does, or it they are just seeing MEGAbloks becuase they are angry. However, it is a plausible theory that someone decided that the color palate of the competitors is helping their sales.
- it is possible that the color change was made for just the reasons stated, but for a particular segment not represented on Lugnet. What I am thinking of is Bionicle. The more I think about it, the more these colors fit with the Bionicle materials, and in the Bionicle world. This again is pure speculation, but it would make sense for the company to do it, if it felt it would boost sales of an already popular line. If I were them, I might put more weight on the biggest seller, when making such decions.
Anyway, the real point to the speculations is to say, we feel like we haven’t
gotten the whole story. I am sure we never will, but then that will just fuel
more speculation and discontent.
I, for one, hopes Lego realizes that they have made a mistake, and reverts back
to the old colors. I am not sure how this will affect my buying habits, but I
suppose I may abandon the train line, which would be sad. I had decided long
ago to buy all the Star Wars lego sets, and I will stick to that, but actually,
I felt relieved the other day when the rumour was that Lego Star Wars was going
to end. (Of course, we learned it wasn’t!) I most likely will be buying far
more aftermarket Lego than new Lego in the future, and that is sad, too.
-Alfred
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Nicely now. What do you think of the new colors?
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| It's only a couple of weeks in the new year, and it looks like it's going to be an interesting 2004! I have a request, but before I go any further, let me say that personally, I understand the concerns surrounding the color changes. I know many of (...) (20 years ago, 15-Jan-04, to lugnet.lego, lugnet.general, FTX) !!
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