special issue castles

[timber_wolf899]

Dear Lego

I'd like to see more special addition castles such as 10176. This set was not perfect of course, but was a lot of fun, had great parts, fig counts from days of yore, coul dno thave costed much to produce,and well.......It was good as a castle fan to know that lego took the time to make me a special set. Take taht as you will.

I'd most like to see minifig scale UCS, but this would be a viable second choice.

[Athos]

Since it was on clearance, both on S@H and Tuesday Morning, I doubt it was successful enough that they'll do it again.

Though I would blame said failures, not on the marketing system, but on a crappy design.

Steve

[Bruce N H]

Steve, you found this at Tuesday Morning? How much was it going for and how many did you buy?

Bruce

[timber_wolf899]

Well yes many were sold at reduced price, but the production costs had to be lower than the 'aerage' set. Thus I am thinking the profit margin may not have been too bad.

[natelite]

can't be good when you have to clearance them at 50% or more. i doubt profit margin is 90% to allow them to turn any profit at that level.

[Athos]

Steve, you found this at Tuesday Morning? How much was it going for and how many did you buy?

Bruce

I didn't find any, but remember reading some post about it being there. Here's the thread:

http://www.classic-castle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13106&highlight=tuesday+morning

I got mine from S@H for 50% off.

Steve

[Jansen]

Ya, they had it there at 50%. I didn't get there in time for it though!

[Voran_the_Scholar]

It would be nice to see more castles like that... maybe bring back some of the old ones! Or at least stop using the same old baseplate and put some actual brick-built hilly ramparts in there.

[MoonCheese]

Somehow I doubt Lego would use up that many bricks for hills, hence their use instead of BURPs and raised baseplates.

[davee123]

We likely won't see any UCS or "bonus" castles in minifig scale unless there isn't a comparable set within the current kid-oriented lineup. Since 1995, all the castle sets over $75 have come out as the only one on the market for that given year (actually, from before 1995, too, but the price range has gone slowly up with inflation):

Code: Select all

6090   1995  $95   Royal Knight's Castle
6097   1997  $80   Night Lord's Castle
6093   1998  $90   Flying Ninja Fortress
6091   2000  $90   King Leo's Castle
8781   2004  $90   The Castle of Morcia
8877   2005  $100  Vladek's Dark Fortress
10176  2006  $100  King's Castle
7094   2007  $100  King's Castle Siege


To date, the company's been pretty picky about its products competing with one another, so I'd bet we won't likely see another "special edition" castle unless the current castle lineup doesn't offer something in the same price ballpark.

Of course, if they go the route of the UCS Falcon or the ISD price-wise ($300+), that might be sufficiently distinct in market base to offer one in the same year as another large castle set. Unfortunately, I'm not sure castle has the same sized adult fanbase as Star Wars or Trains (a la Cafe Corner, etc). Perhaps the new chess set will help the company try to gauge the adult castle community (which is too bad, really, since it sounds like it's getting a lot of negative feedback in terms of price).

For 2008, the only one that's over $75 that I've seen so far is the Troll Warship at $80-- might this be an indicator that we'll get a larger "fortress" type set? Hmm...

DaveE

[timber_wolf899]

I hope so as castle is alla bout well castles.

But honstly if we had a 500 UCS castle i WOULD buy it. I dont care if i had to get a third job! Actually i'd get two so i could keep one for the dragon hord.

[natelite]

well, the castle template being on lego factory seems to me that UCS castle is imminent.

[Heir of Black Falcon]

DaveE,

I sure hope a big castle is in the works. I love the fortifications in castle series... seems to make it more... castley.

I wish I had seen 10176 on sale. I'd have gotten one. It came out during a lapse in my collecting.

I was suprised to hear that Black Falcon's had been rereleased. I an not sure how I feel about rereleasing really. I can see the pros and cons I guess just seems to cheapen a classic.

R

[davee123]

I was suprised to hear that Black Falcon's had been rereleased. I an not sure how I feel about rereleasing really. I can see the pros and cons I guess just seems to cheapen a classic.

The word we got was that basically fans weren't as into re-releases as was hoped. Essentially, people were opting not to buy the re-release of a set because they already owned the original. Of course, there are deviants out there (myself included) who bought multiple copies of the re-released stuff, but there weren't enough of us to warrant continuing the Legends lineup. What they were hearing predominantly was that fans would be happier with a *new* set that was merely reminiscent of a classic-- sort of like the 10176 set was intended to be, I think.

well, the castle template being on lego factory seems to me that UCS castle is imminent.

I dunno-- I think the best sign is the chess set. Lego factory is targeted at both kids and adults, while the chess set is DEFINITELY targeted at adults, what with its $300 price tag and all. Since UCS is almost always at adults, the best sign that something like that might be coming are similar things in the castle genre.

Personally, I would LOVE to see Lego come out with a UCS-style modular castle design. Straight wall sections, corners, towers, gatehouses-- each for ballpark $50-$100. If Lego Factory had a bit better piece selection and pricing, I could easily see some fans churning out some really high quality sets of that style-- we wouldn't even need Lego's co-operation!

In fact... this sounds like a good idea-- I bet it's already been tried. Has it? (goes and checks) Hmm... Well, I can see one obvious module, and a few others that MIGHT be intended to be modular. Anyone know of any attempts like this?

If Classic-Castle organized something where it designed modular castle sections for Lego Factory, and advocated members buying them, I wonder whether that might attract some attention at Lego? Hmm. I guess I kind of doubt it would work unless the selection gets improved or the price goes down-- but it might have some potential...

DaveE

[Heir of Black Falcon]

I keep hoping pick a brick will do the castle wall and battlement sections.... but BL has been good for that so far.

wish I had seen when they released BF's again, I'd have bought a few. I love the BF faction!

R