Subject:
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Re: Technic's only in a coma (WAS Re: Technic's Dead )
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.dear-lego
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Date:
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Mon, 5 Aug 2002 21:11:11 GMT
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Just my comments on Technic, and Lego in general...
Most of us know that Lego is a company, and it does rely on a lot of market
research, and it's important to realize that while we are a market segment,
we are not the biggest market segment. Some of us tend to be stuck in the
sets of yesterday, where we think the sets were so much better (in some
cases, probalby so, other cases, probably not).
(from Suz's last post:)
> I know that TLC wasn't happy when their 90's research showed that boys
> were building the main model, only to put it on a shelf. and that was
> happening a lot. With releases in 1999, traditional TECHNIC was
> essentially killed off in favor of something more sexy, and cool -
> something to show off (and to look more attractive on store shelves).
> The blocky look was out. Action was in.
>
> TECHNIC turned away from the old solitary-kid, up close, quiet,
> real-life functionality to a new high-energy shooting, grabbing, and
> slamming activity. I think they wanted to look more like a "convertable
> cool toy" company than a "construction kit you can use to make a cool
> toy" company.
>
> Many people say that kids have changed, and thus toys have too. They'll
> say that kids lack the attention span for thinking about model assembly,
> beyond a certain point, especially if it's something they want to use ASAP.
>
> So, how do you really expect old-style TECHNIC to stick around?
The important thing is to remember that Lego has to change with the times.
Times were different from when we grew up as compared to children of today.
(personal observation here:) I've noticed that children have much shorter
attention spans these days--which may be a reason why Lego has changed over
the years (speculation on my point). This is also evidenced by Jack
Stone--making the jump from Duplo to System parts is a pretty big step (as
mentioned by Brad Justus at the LEGO Direct Q&A during Brickfest), and I've
seen a lot of kids get frustrated and run to their parents for help (we
won't even talk about the parents that can't stand the fact there is Lego
all over the house and they can't discipline their kids to clean up after
themselves...but I digress on that point...personal rant..but there are
parents who love the fact that their kids play with lego instead of playing
video games...I once met a guy in his early 50's and told me "it's cheaper
than therapy, and more fun, too!"..
Ok, back to the point... Lego has had to change as children have changed,
since it appears that children are their primary target, and they also want
to be a valued brand to families worldwide (which we all know how much Lego
pays attention to quality--how many sets have been delivered without a
missing part? Of my 20 years, I think I've had probably 5-10 sets with a
missing part, so kudos to quality control...
People are saying that Lego is running out of ideas, and they should come to
the AFOL's for ideas. That may be true--Lego did create the MOC product
line, didn't they? New products, created by AFOLs...and they have been
successes, right? Just because an idea may be good, it may not sell...Lego
needs to listen to children and be in synch with them--what children like is
what sells. Like all risks, some work..some do not...(I'm going out on a
limb here when I state that its a personal belief that Lego needs to learn
how to market their product in the US by not using someone from
Europe--Americans, Europeans, and Asians all have different tastes,
behaviors and attitudes--its important to know this. I've worked for
European companies before, and withought the understanding of how Americans
work and think, you cannot market to them successfully.)
I think that Lego does listen to us, primarily in part to the creation of
LUGNET, which has united us to a very strong community. Lego even sent
people to Brickfest--if that isn't listening, I don't know what is.
However, some people feel that Lego doesn't listen enough. Maybe so, maybe
not... Some people have such a passion for the Lego product that sometimes
they forget Lego is a company, and for Lego to survive, it has to behave
like a company, not your best friend--sorry to say, business is business.
Anybody who has had to manage people or products knows this.
As long as we keep being nice, making suggestions, treat the company and
it's employees with respect, who knows, maybe Lego will soften and listen to
us more... Remember, it's important "not to bite the hand that feeds
you"..or "you get more flies with honey than vinegar"..pardon the cliche's
there, but hopefully you get the point across...
Ok, rant done... Some of my personal Technic ideas...
As for Technic sets...when I was doing engineering, I remember how much
modeling and simulation was done with the "6-bar linkage"...talk about a
perfect opportunity for Lego...(who knows, maybe Dacta has already made a
"6-bar linkage" course and program.. I think something like that would be
great for kids in junior high..who needs to keep running simulations when
you can do something physical in conjunction...Engineers seem to have a
common thread that "blowing stuff up" is a lot of fun...granted, blowing up
Lego isn't fun, but watching a catapult that you designed and built can give
you an incredible sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.. (Note, anybody
attending an NGLTC show, beware of the Trebuchet payloads..wood pieces and
minifigs have been measured at up to a 20 foot+ distance)
Who remembers the seven basic machines? Screw, inclined plane, wedge, block
and tackle, pulley, etc...(ok, so I've forgotten a few of the basics too),
but imagine a lego kit for each function..what better way to disguise
learning as fun?
And for a really wild idea...
Since Lego space is bogged down with Star Wars, we know everybody is
screaming for the Galaxy Explorer.... but anybody care to step up to the
plate and join the rants and raves for a TECHNIC LEGEND???
Hm...let's see... There's the good old yellow Fork Lift (set 950), or the
956 Auto Chassis, even the 8880 Super Car... (ok, so the Super Car may be a
little tooo expensive for a Legend...
Ya think there's a market for a Technic Legend????
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: Technic's only in a coma (WAS Re: Technic's Dead )
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| (...) I'm just jumping in to this thread now, sorry if I'm redundant.. (...) nope, no way. (IMHO) (...) What about DACTA? If price were not an issue, why wouldn't we buy a zillion DACTA TECHNIC sets? could/should the adult community focus on that (...) (22 years ago, 5-Aug-02, to lugnet.dear-lego)
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