Subject:
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Re: what makes a legend?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.lego.direct
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Date:
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Fri, 19 Oct 2001 22:51:55 GMT
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Viewed:
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674 times
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In lugnet.lego.direct, Brad Justus writes:
> We're having a debate here in the ABS-paved halls of LEGO Direct that I'd
> like to throw open to the community.
Thank you! I am always glad to help any way I can!
> The topic is: what makes a LEGO Legend a legend? Or, more precisely, if we
> cannot bring back a set precisely as it was (or pretty darn close), can it
> still qualify as a Legend?
(Snipped)
> The first three offerings in the series -- the Guarded Inn, Metroliner, and
> Club Car not only meet the above criteria, but are as faithful to their
> originals as we could possibly make them. Setting aside boneheaded mistakes
> like (doh!) putting an Indian horse in a medieval castle set (unless, of
> course, you were going for the "Tudor Teepee" look), these three sets vary
> only slightly from their honored ancestors -- minor differences, such as
> "ventilated" minifig heads instead of the original solid ones are all that
> set them apart.
>
> Now we are considering where we go next with this line. We've gone back to
> the early 90s with the Metroliner and Club Car, and to 1986 for the Guarded
> Inn. Now we'd like to dial the Wayback Machine a bit further back... and
> here's where we start to run into "issues."
>
> Without revealing what specific sets we have under consideration (hey, we're
> trying to maintain an aura of mystery here!), the dilemma is this: in
> general, the farther back we go, the more compromises are necessary in order
> to make the set. For example: the old metal-axle wheelsets? Forget it.
> They're not coming back; we're stuck with the wheels we've got now.
> Baseplates and road plates have changed, too -- on some of the road plates,
> we use one fewer stud now (8 instead of 9) between the roads and the edge of
> the plate -- which could affect the "look" and arrangement of sets using
> those plates (e.g. buildings could be closer together than in the
> originals). And the list goes on: unavailability of certain decorated
> elements (though we could use stickers); the need to use slightly different
> elements to replace an element for which we no longer have the mold; and so
> on. You see the problems...
Yes... But don't tell me you destroyed the molds! :-(
> We can bring back almost any set (but before you ask: the Airport Shuttle is
> not in the cards -- there's no way to get the motors and track -- and
> believe me, I'm as disappointed about this as you are). The thing is, we
> can't bring them all back *exactly* as they once were. There are some sets
> which are comprised largely of basic elements, with a few rarer bits thrown
> in. And there are others which require compromise. And then there are those
> which require a whole lot of compromise.
>
> So here's my question for you all: how much compromise can you live with?
> Should we just cross any older Town set off the consideration list because
> we can't use the metal-axle wheelsets? Are stickers ok? How many changes are
> allowed before it's not a Legend anymore? Where do you -- where should we --
> draw the line? Is the Legend in the spirit of the overall set or in the details?
Ok, here goes my opinion:
As for metal-axle wheelsets, the replacement is ok (old axles might get
rusty... I have a couple ones like that); Stickers are sometimes "not enough
sticky", so if TLC wants to use them for the replacement of decoration in
elements it may be a good idea to make them "stickier", and more resistant
to athmospheric humidity (sp?).
*Changes* are indeed a tricky issue. I personally would not mind about most
changes, if they represent an improvement (like the wheelsets, or the heads,
or the "helmet evolution" from the 80's). It is only when the element in
question is *central* in the playset, or *extremely rare*, that I can feel
slightly sad.
The case of the roadplates is one of the tricky ones. Mostly the missing
stud makes no difference, but in those cityscapes from the 80's... well, you
can always try to use extra baseplates on the sides - who knows, it may work
out fine!
Anyway, in response to your question, the Legends' Spirit rests in the SET,
at least for most sets (99% of the sets before '97). I hope no juniorized
set ever gets to be a "legend"!
;-)
> Next year, we hope to give you at least one opportunity to vote -- from a
> short list of candidates -- for the Legend set you'd like to see us make.
> When we post the contenders we'll be specific about any changes we'll have
> to make from the original. But it would be incredibly helpful to us now to
> know how far we can go with those changes.
Neat! I cannot wait to cast my vote! :-)
> We've received great input from the community here, and from many of you
> individually, on the direction we're taking with products coming from LEGO
> Direct. We need some of that input now. Please help us make next year's
> Legends everything you want them to be.
You guys are on the right track. Keep up the good work!
Pedro
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | what makes a legend?
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| We're having a debate here in the ABS-paved halls of LEGO Direct that I'd like to throw open to the community. The topic is: what makes a LEGO Legend a legend? Or, more precisely, if we cannot bring back a set precisely as it was (or pretty darn (...) (23 years ago, 19-Oct-01, to lugnet.lego.direct) !!
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