This thread is to justify the "I wish we had the prototypes instead of the actual models" feeling everyone seems to be having. Observe:
The new king's siege tower set:
and the original design:
I don't know about you, But I'd much prefer the prototype over the original. Sure, you have a pair of wierd lion shields, but compared to some of the pieces in the prototype... -shudder-
I'm also adding a poll to this. Say what you prefer- originals and prototypes. Also if you could link to pictures to reinforce your point.[/img]
Last edited by Pumpkinetics on Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:52 am, edited 2 times in total.
Mostly it depends. Yes, I too wanted the prototype of this set due to the wall pieces- those lions are very cool. But sometimes not, we mostly want the prototypes due to pieces we dont have and of course sets we dont have, this often after the release.
This goes not for vikings though, but surely Vladek's Fortress, as it had Johnny Thunders...
I have to agree with you that the prototype for this set far outweighs the official set. Some of the other KK2 prototypes are better than the official sets as well.
I think two things happen between prototype and final set.
1 - The set is polished and "visually improved" (subjective)
2 - Generic pieces are sometimes changed to create product-specific pieces. (Juniorization?)
Maybe it's because I collect sets. but generally, I like the official sets because I feel that it adds the flavor of the theme. It's what makes KK2 different from Fright Knights. Sometimes the flavor is no good (I don't like the big lion shield at all), sometimes it's tolerable. It hasn't been cool in a loooooong time.
Knight Templar
n. pl. Knights Templars or Knights Templar
1.A member of an order of knights founded about 1118 to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land during the Second Crusade.
Is there a prototype was not great so set is not great option?
This set is ok, but I do not think either version is that good. It is too bulky, a copy of Vladek's Siege engine, which is a copy of 6061 and 6062. But the overall form and shape of it are nice. Plus it is cool that both factions get a siege tower where as in Legoland sets, the falcons got left out from most siege equipment.
I'm not a big fan of this set. I simply cannot get past the giant shield on each side of the siege tower. The shields do not seem to be lego to me. So, I guess the prototype is better.
I voted for the official set because its what Lego chose to be their official set. They must of have good reasons for not chosing a proto-type. Like is it unstable or too dark in color or something. I often like the official minifigs better in the official set, but in proto's I've seen, the proto-type had more figures.
Sometimes it looks like the proto-type has more pieces than the official one. Or contains pieces we've never seen before.
This is an intresting poll, I'm sure there are better proto-types out there than the official ones, but I haven't seen enough to talk about this properly.
I'm saying display your side in general, but if it is particularly based on a certain set show pictures please.
As it is, I originally meant to say originals over prototypes, but now that I look at it, the reasons I thought that were the Colour scheme on the set (Red on a good guy's tower? WT-) and the fact the angle of the prototype makes it look gawky. Otherwise, they're about equal.
That's not to say I won't be buying any. What? you get 2 shadow knights. Isn't that enough?
Well seeing as how the final release sets are the ones we get to buy I have to say I prefer them as there is very little chance of anybody convincing Lego to switch to a prototype version once the final version is released. I guess what Im saying is I make due with what Lego offers me and dont worry about what the set could have or should have been built like. If I do not like a set I simply will not buy it. Enough said.
well I would at least like to think that I'm evil...
i vote prototype because the vikings prototype are wonderful but this is no general ,
for the vikings for example the beast are in some case better in the official set
On the big LEGO exhibition in June, the 1000steine-Land in Berlin, we had the opportunity to speak with a LEGO model designer. He told us how prototypes are made.
First there is the general Idea, for example "Vikings!"
Then they have to think of how many sets are suitable and what kinds of models are possible.
Then they start to put together very raw versions of the models, using what parts they have at hand and often cutting and painting parts for not everything that would be needed is already existant. That's why we see the Pirate ship hull bow in the Those raw models are photographed to show those who have the power to decide if this stuff is ever going to produced what they can expect from the new series. There are often several stages in the development even of the raw models, so often there are different pics of them.
Then - if the deciders decided to produce that stuff - they make plans of what new parts (new molds) would be needed and produce those molds. After that another raw version is built, now including the new pieces. Possibly pics of those raw versions are alreday used for dealers catalogues for those people need to pre-plan, maybe 1 or 1 1/2 years ahead. That kind of pics usually gets leaked by Eurobricks.....
However, until they do the final product further developments are made, meaning that the pics in the dealers catalogues still differ from what makes it finally to the shelves.
And that's why we cannot trust any leaked picture in respect of what we really and finally have to expect. Wen can trust those pics in respect of what series and models we are going to get, though. If not those pics show up April 1st....
Bye
Jojo
This is just the sort of nonsense up with which I will not put. Winston Churchill
OK, sometimes I prefer the prototype, sometimes the distributed, and sometimes parts of each. The Viking line is a good example. I like the wolf better in the prot., certainly the cool beards, the giant crossbow (I forget the real name) on the ship, and the figurehead... but I kinda like the new fort too, though the old did have some good qualities. The boat with the Wyvern is also better, I think, than the littler one with the kraken.
I went looking for the original Viking pictures, and here they are (I don't know whose these are, but here they are).
There are some elements of the prototype that have been improved in the production model, but I just don't care for the huge shield, which spoils the final model.
Redwine the Ribald: Stare long enough into the abyss...
Two-Tonic Tippler: ...and you spit into it.
