| |
The problem is guys, while that may not mean many lugnet regulars and
afols, the majority of their sales are gonna be kids who only put
together the described models. I was once in Hamleys (being a
Londoner) and heard a mum objecting to buying Lego star wars toys over
other Star Wars toys on the grounds that "you'll only mix it up with
the rest of your Lego" - obviously not seeing that this is exactly (in
my mind) what the toy is designed for. While there is a strong
community with a fierce identity here on lugnet, we really are only a
minority of lego consumers (and I really meant that term with all its
attached connotations). Take into account that experienced people who
are "Lego Literate" as the artical phrases it will use LDraw to design
stuff, then purchase a specific set of parts from Bricklink, or second
hand sets from ebay, then we may feature even less highly on TLG's
list of top markets. Its true that we have much more in disposable
income than a kid hassling their parents, but we also have a restraint
that they dont, and we know how to get stuff cheaper or in bulk.
I would love Lego to actually leave behind all of their movie tie ins,
Bionacle (though some interesting parts came out of it) and some of
the less playable lines and focus seriously on Basic (City/Space etc),
Technic (To which Bionacle became a very, very poor cousin) and
Mindstorms (which I saw as the logical progression of technic and a
long overdue step). Only - I get the feeling that in terms of sheer
shifting of volume units, the Star Wars tie ins will do better.
As for the references to FischerTechnik - for some of the reasons
stated, I have very seriously considered it. They took bold steps of
creating solenoids - how I would have loved a proper
mindstorms/pneumatics Lego set. Their controller had more IO - one of
the most annoying RCX limitations. Only - I would still build the
chassis with Lego.
Trying to be optimistic, while Lego's like for their robotics lines
may be cooling off, the action has really heated up elsewhere, with
many mCUs on the market now, and many people with experience mounting
them on Lego creations. Maybe this will spur TLG into having another
crack when they are feeling healthier.
--
Danny Staple MBCS
OrionRobots
http://orionrobots.co.uk
(Full contact details available through website)
On 28/11/05, Steve Hassenplug <steve@teamhassenplug.org> wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> > In lugnet.robotics, Orion Pobursky wrote:
> > > I noted this article on Slashdot:
> > > http://slashdot.org/articles/05/11/28/0443232.shtml?tid=159&tid=1
> >
> > The usual slashdot blend of insightful and not quite as insightful. The
> > recurring theme that "once you have sold a user a certain amount, they never
> > need more product, so that's why LEGO went with licenses" is not one that I
> > agree with, and I suspect I am not alone, many of us like to build big
> > things.
> > But we're a niche.
> >
> > This link makes for interesting reading. http://www.techuser.net/lego.html
> > Something doesn't gibe but I can't say quite what.
>
>
> It's a very funny story. I really tried to read the whole thing, but I can't.
> I've spent too much time laughing.
>
> I recognize the author's logic trail from the cartoon network. IE: "That guy
> smokes, and those people were killed in a fire, so that guy killed those
> people..."
>
>
> Clearly, these two statements are indisputable:
>
> "Media stories about Lego tend to create the impression that most Lego
> customers
> are Lego literate and are building sophisticated models, but there is no
> evidence that such is the case."
>
> "Most people including long time Lego customers are totally unaware of the
> considerable play potential of Lego bricks and believe Lego play to be all
> about
> putting pieces together as depicted, and this perception of Lego play is
> turning
> away older age groups."
>
> Steve
>
|
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: Mindstorms on Slashdot
|
| Has anyone ever visted the Lego company?: (URL) if so, is it worth going? What do you get to see/do? When my son is a bit older we're (I'm) planning a trip to Lego Land UK. It's considerably nearer. Thomas (19 years ago, 28-Nov-05, to lugnet.robotics, lugnet.mediawatch)
| | | Re: Mindstorms on Slashdot
|
| (...) I like the tie-ins, except "Harry Pooper". Star Wars has made Lego "cool" in some quarters. They're a great reason for people who already have sufficent Lego to buy more. They just need better tie-ins. "The Matrix" Lego would have been cool. (...) (19 years ago, 28-Nov-05, to lugnet.robotics, lugnet.mediawatch)
| | | Re: Mindstorms on Slashdot
|
| (...) I think you have to be a little careful here. That mother may be right. If her kid has a ton of Lego parts that he never plays with - then purchasing a bunch more Lego parts that will be used once to build the model on the box then dumped in (...) (19 years ago, 29-Nov-05, to lugnet.robotics)
|
Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Mindstorms on Slashdot
|
| (...) It's a very funny story. I really tried to read the whole thing, but I can't. I've spent too much time laughing. I recognize the author's logic trail from the cartoon network. IE: "That guy smokes, and those people were killed in a fire, so (...) (19 years ago, 28-Nov-05, to lugnet.robotics, lugnet.mediawatch)
|
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