Subject:
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Re: Rant
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Mon, 30 Oct 2000 18:12:01 GMT
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Original-From:
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John Barnes <[barnes@]spamcake[sensors.com]>
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Viewed:
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1109 times
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One point that hasn't been mentioned in all the foregoing discussions
about Lego's direction with the new Technic sets is what I think must
be of vital concern to them and that is "critical pieces".
Especially these days, now it's so easy to download construction information,
in order to ensure people who already have modest (or even huge) technic
collections carry on buying sets, they have to keep inventing new pieces
without which construction is either hard or impossible. I think you can see
this trend just by comparing the larger set evolution over the last few years.
What seems to have happened recently is that Technic has become surprisingly
complete, in its basic form, so they have shifted emphasis to highly
specialised
parts for inclusion in things like the throwriders and highly colorful
versions of
technic parts like connectors and gears that used to be traditionally grey
or black.
I seem to have 40 tooth gears in almost every color!
If I had a vote or an opportunity to influence Lego in any way, it would be
to encourage
them to make generic pieces in the full range of lengths/sizes. Like the
new smooth
beams for example. Why can't we have 2 - 16 stud lengths. Technic plates. Why
not 2x2 up to 8x8 and all rectangles in between? And there are numerous other
generic derivatives of standard forms that could come in different sizes,
right-angle
pieces, pieces that make changing hole orientation easier etc etc.
But, as nice as this might sound for those, apparently few of us who could
make use
of them, meccano (erector?) sets just don't make it as toys these days
because the
bulk of kids (who are the target market segment?) don't want to put things
together
from basic pieces anymore. The ultimate construction toys for the new millenium
have very simple instructions; 1. Connect left half to right half.
So I live in hopes that Lego might, but I'm not holding my breath.
JB
ps: My comment about kids maybe a little strong. Perhaps the toy manufacturers
are sensitive to the fact that "some" kids don't want complex or intricate
toys. My
appologies to all the kids out there who's imagination and creativity are
still in tact.
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