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How Lego Became the Apple of Toys (2015)

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Re: How Lego Became the Apple of Toys (2015)

#31

Post by doctoboggan »

unfunco wrote: post #23
pdpi wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> there are so many special pieces that it does not spark your own creative fantasy (in my opinion) but limits it. Those pieces aren't anywhere near as limiting as you think. The Saturn V model uses the 64951 tub/barrel pieces as thruster nozzles. The LEM uses the 64644 telescope/spyglass piece for the legs. That's the immediately visible bits in the model I have handy, I remember seeing a bunch more of those on my f…

The 31129 Majestic Tiger uses a 1x1 pink flower plate as a butthole.

In thought you were joking but I looked it up and this is 100% true. I applaud their commitment to anatomical correctness.

Re: How Lego Became the Apple of Toys (2015)

#33

Post by wwilim »

kawogi wrote: post #26

I'm still mad that they discontinued Mindstorms. My school isn't able to replace their components if they break and I cannot get additional motors for my projects any more. Does anyone know how good their "LEGO® Education SPIKE™" stuff is? Is it as open as the NXT-bricks? Are these somewhat compatible? Linux IDE available? I wish someone would offer a replacement for those who have a 3D-printer, rp2040 and some solde…

The original Mindstorms connectors were actual bricks, about the size of two stacked 2x2 plates

Re: How Lego Became the Apple of Toys (2015)

#36

Post by tda »

kleiba wrote: post #8

Lego is still quite amazing but not quite as cool as it used to be. I suppose the various boxes were always meant to be such that you could build that one really cool building/vehicle/etc. with it. Sometimes with a predesigned variation, too. But today it seems that the purpose of most boxes is to do only that - and then, what, put the object into a display case? Or, more likely, play with it for a while and then for…

And it is not only the variety of pieces, but also that the number of colors has exploded. Lego is becoming more like Playmobil, with the advantage that you have extra fun putting your sets together, and with the disadvantage that they will disintegrate and be hard to put together again.

I find myself "helping" my kids keep their built sets whole after playing with them, as once the sets become pieces it is too tedious/frustrating for the kids to find all the pieces to put them back together again amongst the pile. Also because the manuals are very much step by step, it is very clear what piece you need for the next 1 step, but not what you need for the next 10 steps. So searching ahead is not so easy for the kids.

But regardless of all my opinions, the kids are huge fans of lego. I have also noticed that as the sets are much larger, it is quite nice to buy a set second hand, build it once and then sell it again. I found out there are even people renting out the top sets for like 10€/week. So these sets are more like puzzles to me, where the joy is in building them. Such a contrast with when I was a kid; I never kept my sets built, I was always building my own designs.

Recently my kids got something called plusplus. A 3d building block where all blocks are identical (shaped like ++) and in limited colors. They were having fun building their own designs from the start. Limitations really spark creativity

Re: How Lego Became the Apple of Toys (2015)

#37

Post by dangus »

kleiba wrote: post #8

Lego is still quite amazing but not quite as cool as it used to be. I suppose the various boxes were always meant to be such that you could build that one really cool building/vehicle/etc. with it. Sometimes with a predesigned variation, too. But today it seems that the purpose of most boxes is to do only that - and then, what, put the object into a display case? Or, more likely, play with it for a while and then for…

Nah dude, you are plain wrong. The truth is that Lego has so much variety, they make an experience for everyone.

They have sets with multiple builds and more flexibility. They’ve got stuff for adults who want a pretty object in their house that they built. They have Lego Friends for the girly girls. They have every licensed property imaginable for people who are into that. They have Minecraft which has more build flexibility of being voxel themed in the first place. They sell classic bins with assorted parts. They have Duplo for toddlers. They have train sets for train people. They have roller coasters and “fast” sets. They have a robot/programming product. They have construction and technic. They have car sets for people who like model cars. They have city and creator sets for people who like to build realistic model towns and worlds. They have space and aviation stuff. They have products created by fans that are voted on by their fans. They have a custom model set builder.

They literally make everything. You can get whatever experience you want, including all the old experiences.

Re: How Lego Became the Apple of Toys (2015)

#38

Post by jansan »

sbecker wrote: post #19

Just to provide some counterpoint to the echo chamber here - as a Dad of a six year old who played with legos as a kid and again now, I can affirm - Legos and the sets they put out now are way cooler now than when I was a kid! You might worry that the less general purpose, specialized pieces might stunt creativity, but guess what!? The 6 year old has no problem taking them completely apart and building something off…

Having two teenage boys I cannot confirm this. They play with other stuff, but Lego is for building once and putting it on a shelf, where it will collect thick layers of dust. My sons never really played with Lego, which I found a bit disappointing.

Re: How Lego Became the Apple of Toys (2015)

#39

Post by irrational »

kleiba wrote: post #8

Lego is still quite amazing but not quite as cool as it used to be. I suppose the various boxes were always meant to be such that you could build that one really cool building/vehicle/etc. with it. Sometimes with a predesigned variation, too. But today it seems that the purpose of most boxes is to do only that - and then, what, put the object into a display case? Or, more likely, play with it for a while and then for…

My son gets the sets, builds the one thing, then starts heavily modifying it. Eventually pieces from other sets will be incorporated into this set and it into other sets and eventually the Death Star has become a castle. So, it’s more of a mindset thing than a LEGO thing. If you insist that the one thing is all the set can become, that is fine, but it can also become many other things if you let it go.

Re: How Lego Became the Apple of Toys (2015)

#40

Post by hospitalJail »

Dig1t wrote: post #18

There are a few “Apple of X industry” companies out there, I think it’s pretty interesting that you can generalize the things that make them what they are. Disney is the Apple of movies. Nintendo is the Apple of video games. They are usually the types of companies that tightly control almost all of their product, are at a premium price point, and have an “elevated” sort of brand recognition. For example Nintendo is i…

Its interesting, you find quality with these brands.

I'm certain these brands advertise they have quality, but I think they fall far short of the competition constantly. Nintendo? Disney? Apple? When I think of their actual quality compared to the best in the business you are talking B- quality.

Sure you never get a C or a D like when I get a random Android phone for $100, but you are never going to get a Baulders Gate 3 from Nintendo.

Although now that you mention it, all of these brands have total fanatics that border on cult worship. I wonder if this is natural, or some unethical psychology their marketing departments use.

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