My point of view
hope (any one) who may read this, remember it is only my 2 "cent"
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PROBLEM: TLC focus their attention on the "kids" with toy that is no longer LEGO anymore T_T~
LEGO --> a box containing a TLC-designed model with instruction on how to build that particular model using many many "BASIC" bricks.
BASIC --> brick parts that do not have any "meaning" on their own.
P.S. with the exception of some "VERY!"selective parts like weapons and pre-printed brick.
When i was a kid, i can play LEGO day in day out, WHY?! because it is so fun when i build "MY!" castle or "MY!" spaceship. i use the brick parts i can find in sets my father bought for me, so every spaceship or castle i made with my own imaination, i think is the BEST in the world.
Not to forget, i also play and sit down and admire the model built using the instruction.
so i just wish that KK2 will be stopped after this year's. I really hope that TLC don't "dedicate" their entire CASTLE theme to their target market(6-9? im not sure the exact age group) IT WILL BE A TRAGEDY~
i have waited so long before "CASTLE" line resumed(Im not a harry porter fan for your information)... I really hope something good come out.. other than waiting the release of "vintage" sets in LEGENDS..
People will argue whether LEGENDS is good theme? voices of them?
-> Collectors: "I spend so much on these vintage sets and i take pride in them, not everyone can afford the time and money to COLLECT them! So why should i carry on collecting when after so much effort, a little kid around the neignbourhood just bought the "same" model kit just with the LEGEND wording on the box playing with it in his bathroom, when i spend hundreds getting the same model kit and keeping it MISB in my collection."
-> Non-collectors: "YEAHHHHHHH, the LEGO model which i couldnt get when it was available can now be owned!! YEAH"
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Solutions ?
TLC need to make money to continue the business rite? so their marketers tell them it is the kids(6-9?) who are contributing to their profit. So their delicate the themes to them.
WHAT ABOUT US? the older more imaginative group : ) who want and NEEDS more of the "BASIC" to build their "BEST in the world" model T_T~
1) marketers can be WRONG in their research, so why not try to start a line producing model kits for the other target group. start off it with a few kits, and see the results, no harm tryin rite?
2) if it is financially impossible then try the solution 1) by Droping off the line of maybe "STARWARS or Harryporter" when it is suppoed to end in the future.. i can wait..
although i think the two line above are great but im not fans of the movies thus...
3)"FOCUS" on the MOC theme MORE! save the money of hiring designers when you can have so many great non TLC people who builds wonderful model. And futhermore tons of people are interested in these sets. (see how much popularity "brickmania" or any of the WINNERs in CC MOC contest's model gained! not to mention TRAIN MOC or TOWN MOC in other community)
4) Use the net and ask the opinions of the PEOPLE! before releasing the sets.
5) TLC: "Why risk the above when my highly paid and "professional" marketers are warning me against it? So i carry on my focus of the theme on the target market "kidS", and to creat a win-win solution, carry on introducing LEGENDS and MOCs as a sub-line to the other non tagetted groups."
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CONCLUSION --> if solution 5 is unfortunately used, all i can say is i will have to turn to the evilbay to buy the older model kits. or i sit at home and wait and wait for TLC's not so focus line of LEGENDS or MOCs, when they release so few every year. Or turn to designer sets.. but if that really happens, i will be very sad..