LEGO's Vision: Anything But 20/20
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:00 pm
It's been a while since I've visited this site, but hey, I figured might as well drop by again... and vent to the choir.
I've already sent numerous emails directly to LEGO and you know their replies are typically vague and inane.
I will always be a LEGO fan, through thick and thin. No doubt about that. My gripe today, though, is that I believe precisely the latter is the situation; LEGO is losing its touch. Their vision is thinning.
We are all well aware of the absence of any substantial Castle sets. Nexo-Knights? Ummmm props for originality, but that is not an acceptable substitute.
I go to the local Walmart and sometimes dip by the ever-receding LEGO section just to see what blasé sets they've decided to stock and sure enough all there is are a few City, Star Wars, Batman, Nexo-Knights and Minecraft sets... I guess kids don't want Castle or Pirate sets or anything like that these days.
Evidently the Lego Batman movie is coming out tomorrow? The Lego Movie was a lovely idea, but making a Batman movie? Really? There's already so many Batman movies and LEGO feels the need to lean on someone else's brand to promote their own? I feel this is a bit of a stretch. The LA Times calls it "...the best Batman movie since 'The Dark Knight'." Let's just forget that it's even made out of LEGO, shall we?
Another example. Minecraft sets. What even? Why is LEGO promoting someone else's game? What happened to Lego Creator? It blows my mind that they ever even thought Minecraft sets were a bright idea considering Minecraft is essentially a dumbed-down version of LEGO's own bricks. Really, I find it laughable and self-defeating... and yes, I've never played it because I HAVE LEGO.
How about the explosion of Mini sets... cute, sure. But $40 for about 450 basic pieces? Ummmm, pretty sure April Fool's day is in April. What happened to affordable sets? What happened to childrens’ attention-spans? Better grab your kids an Adderall prescription before you consider that 2,000-part set.
Oh, and I must say I am exuberant to see the Bionicle line die out. That was an abomination. Let’s let HASBRO make the action figures, shall we? LEGO, what if I told you, you don't have to compete in every market?
On an up-note, I am happy to see they’ve expanded their female-friendly product lines in recent years... that was always their weak spot, so props to that... but how effectively can LEGO push their products on young girls? Trying too hard, perhaps? Do all girls like the color pink and want to be seen as a domestic, defenseless princess? I’m no feminist, but I doubt it.
I guess overall what disappoints me is that LEGO would rather nix their own product lines and replace them by borrowing other established brands. They're selling out, and it sickens me. Okay, so that's what kids want these days and who cares about us adult collectors anyway. Our days are numbered I guess, and so is LEGO’s creativity. Au Revoir.
Anyone have similar thoughts to add, or have any good news to quell my qualms?
Perhaps I’m missing something. Perhaps it’s MY vision that’s thinning.
Thanks for letting me rant. Cheers!
~ TJV
I've already sent numerous emails directly to LEGO and you know their replies are typically vague and inane.
I will always be a LEGO fan, through thick and thin. No doubt about that. My gripe today, though, is that I believe precisely the latter is the situation; LEGO is losing its touch. Their vision is thinning.
We are all well aware of the absence of any substantial Castle sets. Nexo-Knights? Ummmm props for originality, but that is not an acceptable substitute.
I go to the local Walmart and sometimes dip by the ever-receding LEGO section just to see what blasé sets they've decided to stock and sure enough all there is are a few City, Star Wars, Batman, Nexo-Knights and Minecraft sets... I guess kids don't want Castle or Pirate sets or anything like that these days.
Evidently the Lego Batman movie is coming out tomorrow? The Lego Movie was a lovely idea, but making a Batman movie? Really? There's already so many Batman movies and LEGO feels the need to lean on someone else's brand to promote their own? I feel this is a bit of a stretch. The LA Times calls it "...the best Batman movie since 'The Dark Knight'." Let's just forget that it's even made out of LEGO, shall we?
Another example. Minecraft sets. What even? Why is LEGO promoting someone else's game? What happened to Lego Creator? It blows my mind that they ever even thought Minecraft sets were a bright idea considering Minecraft is essentially a dumbed-down version of LEGO's own bricks. Really, I find it laughable and self-defeating... and yes, I've never played it because I HAVE LEGO.
How about the explosion of Mini sets... cute, sure. But $40 for about 450 basic pieces? Ummmm, pretty sure April Fool's day is in April. What happened to affordable sets? What happened to childrens’ attention-spans? Better grab your kids an Adderall prescription before you consider that 2,000-part set.
Oh, and I must say I am exuberant to see the Bionicle line die out. That was an abomination. Let’s let HASBRO make the action figures, shall we? LEGO, what if I told you, you don't have to compete in every market?
On an up-note, I am happy to see they’ve expanded their female-friendly product lines in recent years... that was always their weak spot, so props to that... but how effectively can LEGO push their products on young girls? Trying too hard, perhaps? Do all girls like the color pink and want to be seen as a domestic, defenseless princess? I’m no feminist, but I doubt it.
I guess overall what disappoints me is that LEGO would rather nix their own product lines and replace them by borrowing other established brands. They're selling out, and it sickens me. Okay, so that's what kids want these days and who cares about us adult collectors anyway. Our days are numbered I guess, and so is LEGO’s creativity. Au Revoir.
Anyone have similar thoughts to add, or have any good news to quell my qualms?
Perhaps I’m missing something. Perhaps it’s MY vision that’s thinning.
Thanks for letting me rant. Cheers!
~ TJV