| |
With LA's insistence that lego doesn't seem to see well down here, and legos
emphasis on breaking each set down into seperate packaging within a main
package, wouldn't it make more sense for TLG to return to modular design. To
do this, all they need to do is to keep 1 or two major sets, a few minor
sets, and also sell the major, seperated sets component models as individual
sets. To supplement this [or as a different marketing idea], they could also
do the folowing:
Adventurers:
Continue, but try and keep a theme there for over 1 year before introducing
the next. In between themes, produce a 'bridging' range, like having some
way for the desert to join the jungle, and maybe jungle sets with a
beach/jetty to lead through to dino island [but don't release these bridge
sets when the range is initially released.]
Castle:
return to the 1980's design, where you could add castles together to create
a larger castle. They could then release:
2-3 different towers/castle corners.
1-3 different castle wall sections
1-2 different gate-houses
1-3 different castle structures [eg Blacksmith, armory, Tavern, Mill, Shops,
Houses.]
4/5 siege engines/other items [Archery butts, jousting tournament, etc.]
1 Keep/Main tower [this could be on a raised plate, so children could build
a defensive wall around it with the other sets. eg 6098]
[with wall section, only include knights with no fixed alliegance so that if
there are two children in a family, both can get the same set, but are able
to build them into seperate castles to allow them to have an even force.
(The easiest way would be to use knights like the one on 4801, equipped with
either bow, crossbow, spear or battle axe. Then have the main army [with
extra shields] available in mini-fig packs [1 or 2 for each 'army'])
This would allow children to build a good castle with much greater
playability, and wouldn't require a huge outlay to begin, as a basic, 1 wall
high tower (think 6034) wouldn't be much above $15 Aus [$9-10 US] They could
also include instructions to show how to build a larger castle/wall section
with a combination of sets. [2 small towers to build a larger tower, tower
and wall to build a longer wall, with a defensive tower in it's center]
Model team/UCS
Continue as is.
Also, introduce 'Times gone by' range, where collectors can get re-releases
of earlier sets [eg USS Constelation, town plans, cars from 60's, classic
space...basically any set released more than 10 years ago or those more
recent sets with high demand, but with minor colour changes, so that the
originals don't lose value.]
Space:
2 ranges:
Range 1: combination of spaceport and classic space, with an earth based
'mision control', and space shuttle/spaceship able to transport 4x10 or so
crates [supplies] and small vehicles [think modified 928]
Range 2: a new civilisation, seperate to town, etc. This could contain some
form of set to link it to Range 1, but would also contain the ranges like
UFO, Insectoids, Blacktron, Space Police, 'Galactic Gungans' [TLG really
should look for a new way to use these heads, and this would be a start]
This range could have bases [optional] and lots of spaceships.
Town Jr:
Basically continue as they are going, but with some more buildings.
Town:
1/2 large sets [seaport, town-plan, multi-level carpark, airport type sets]
3-4 houses
3+ normal cars
service station/garage
emergency centres
shops
Miscellaneous vehicles and other structures
More general people, as opposed to police/fire/medical.
Trains:
Ideally produse 1 or 2 trains as done now.
Also, produce:
1-3 engines
2-6 different carriages [freight, passenger, etc]
1-3 different stations, ranging from a small platform with timetable [like
7715] to a big station.
1-4 different 'utility sets', including track maintenance, signals, level
crossings, freight/vehicle loading area, etc
Continue with tracks, maybe with bridge ramps and supports
And, as TLG is going to be selling S@H sets through Lego Direct [Including
Exclusives], why not also sell the extra sets like I've listed above through
this service as well. This would mean that TLG aren't risking having a huge
range just sitting on shelves, as they would only need to produce a small
quantity, and then expand it's production if the need arises. [after all,
that's what happened with LD parts range] With a 2-3 year turnover of sets,
children would have a good opportunity to create a better range where all
the sets are connected and interchangeable].
Any other thoughts? [Cross posted to general for extra thoughts, and to
org.au, as there's a fair amount of talk there apparently, although I can't
currently see it :( ]
Benjamin Whytcross
BWhytcro@PacificAccess.com.au
Ph: (03) 9856 5282
Directory Technology Pty Ltd
1/436 Elgar Road,
Box Hill, 3128
Growing older is compulsory..Growing up isn't :-)
|
|
Message has 2 Replies:
4 Messages in This Thread:
  
 
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|
