What Happened to LEGO Space?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ม.ค. 2023
- What Happened to LEGO Space? It's been a decade since the release of Galaxy Squad, a line that might've been the last unlicensed LEGO space theme. Sure, we've gotten sets like the Galaxy Explorer, as well as 4 LEGO City sub-themes, but what happened to LEGO's unlicensed LEGO Space themes? Where did they go... and will they ever return?
- บันเทิง
I blame Star Wars for the decline of Lego space. While I like the movies Star Wars is not ideal for basing Lego sets on. Almost all the Star Wars spaceships are gray or black and very boring. Lego spaceships should be more like the ones from Spyrius or classic space to name a few examples. You should be able to use your imagination when building and/or playing with lego space sets.
Galaxy squad is the last space theme in general, but insectoids is the last of the OG space themes where each faction had their own entire line of sets within an overarching universe (example blacktron 1, space police 1, futuron) with some very minor exceptions like a figure from a different theme being included as a cameo ( Some space police 1 sets featured a blacktron figure as a prisoner, unitron monorail featured a spyrius droid for example)
Unlike later space themes which combined the protagonists and antagonists entire armies/vehicles/bases into one single theme (galaxy squad, space police 3, alien conquest, mars mission, life on mars although both factions in that theme were friendly)
Town/city space is it's own thing where it focuses on real world space travel or near future official concepts by NASA
Yeah it seems like Star Wars overshadowed any idea of a continuation of the OG space themes
Star Wars.
It reduces marketing and development cost to a minimum.
Allows them to just pick a model and reliably sell it in huge quantities, often repeately in multiple iterations.
Iam quite okay with Classic Space getting *few* models.
Like quite recently the Galaxy Explorer, the Blacktron Ship and Astronaut with Baby.
Would be nice to just have something like that on the horizon every couple of months.
This. Lego Space is Star Wars now.
@andrewj1754 same with how Harry Potter is the de facto medieval fantasy style theme now
I had no idea the Space theme kept going for so long. My era was more the Blacktron/Futuron sub-theme, circa 1987. So many great sets!
Don’t get me wrong, I love ninjago. It’s probably my favorite Lego theme of all time and 100% my favorite running theme, but in my opinion it ruined a lot of things I love about Lego. It was the pinnacle of early 2010’s Lego unlicensed themes, but it is what killed the era. I the bitsand bricks podcast Lego even stated that they are continually trying to intentionally replicate the success of Ninjago. That is what has led to in NEXO Knights. The market has changed for toys. Lego is loosing children to technology. This is why we see vidyo and hidden side. The reason we love
The 2010’s era so much, is because it was the best Lego has been at understanding it’s audience. But Lego tried over and over to capture thier “big bang themes”. If yo is look at nexo knights and chima they both have a old timey atheistic overlayed with cars and mechs and other tech. This worked well for ninjago because it allowed for cars, mechs, and castles. Three of the coolest things for young boys. The problem is ninjago was too perfect. They caught lightning in a bottle. This probably won’t happen again. They see things like castle space or pirates as fruitless when they could make the next ninjago.
Some great things just can never be replicated
To answer the last question
Potentially
Lego ninjago space bound
Well on a slightly more serious note space has the best chance at actually coming back because creating a sci-fy sci-fi theme is quite possible with out compromising the identity of space, like nexo Knights
Lmaooo
Honestly, I’m surprised Ninjago hasn’t gone to space. I wouldn’t mind it tbh
@@Glubus I mean they technically did in Codename Arcturus. And in that (I think) non-canon Greg Farshley comic.
You basically have to divide Space into two categories: realistic/near future and sci-fi. Realistic/near future encompasses the Town/City space sets and the astronauts side of Life on Mars, while sci-fi covers everything else.
Unlicensed sci-fi... is currently dead, but only because Star Wars is active and has been active for quite some time. You'll notice that LEGO tends to bring out unlicensed sci-fi space themes whenever Star Wars as a franchise is inactive and not producing any major media. Of course, due to Disney constantly pumping out new Star Wars media, I don't see that happening again any time soon.
Realistic space is alive and well, and I don't see it going anywhere.
I'd say it's VERY hasty to blame Galaxy Squad for the apparent death of LEGO Space. Reason being that unlike a lot of companies, LEGO doesn't equate one single iteration of a theme flopping as the entire concept flopping. Galador was a total failure but it didn't prevent LEGO from experimenting with later action figure concepts, just using different systems (Technic for Bionicle, Brick-built for Knights Kingdom 2 buildable figures, CCBS for later Bionicle figures, Hero Factory and the various Constraction adaptations of Star Wars, Super Heroes and Chima).
Your claim that space themes don't fit LEGO's new strategy is honestly illogical. LEGO's new strategy of "big bang" themes and licensed properties isn't genre-specific or genre-exclusive, it's just reliant on there being a need for a new "big bang" theme, and in this case, one that doesn't coincide with any major Star Wars activity. Right now there isn't really one, Ninjago continues to go strong even after its movie flopped. But if things were different, say, Ninjago got replaced after its third year by Chima, and then Chima was replaced after its third year, who's to say the next big bang theme wouldn't be space? Or pirates? Or for that matter, space pirates since LEGO likes crossing over genres these days? Nexo Knights is a good example of this, it was a Big Bang theme consisting of a mashup of the medieval fantasy and cyberpunk-lite genres that effectively acted like a Castle theme, just with high tech gear instead of swords and sorcery.
Sci-fi is not fantasy, it's science fiction, fiction featuring science, like the science they were/are doing at Interkosmos, on the space stations, and on Mars (science that used to be fiction itself).
Voyager-1 was launched in the same year as Star Wars. One of those has something to do with science. The other has something to do with a space police battling space pirates in space (and has black space suits with capes).
I wish I was into LEGO when I was younger. So many cool Space Sets! Great information shared. Thank you .
Thanks for the support GreyKnight! What’s your favorite era of LEGO Space?
Same here
Video would be much better without all the flashing words.
Thanks for the suggestion, Oliver. In my newest video I omitted that style of editing. Let me know your thoughts.
So long as movie franchise sets are available then original unlicensed themes are going to play second fiddle. There are only so many play set designs and those are going to be skewed towards a licenced theme rather than Space or Castle
ahhhhh my childhood. Early classic space (yes I am an old fart 😆) I was so excited when they finally made a black suit classic space fig. They only made it 2 or 3 times. As a kid I loved that fig. Classic Space is technically only classic space not blacktron, not space police etc. I see why people call those themes space but technically they aren’t classic space. Great vid man. 👍
Aaaaaand is back in 2024!
I wish Lego would return to classic generic themes such as Castle, Space, and
Pirates.
Instead of just releasing sets under those themes as massive expensive adult collectors items.
Richie, your script writing is just phenomenal.
Thank you for the support, BFAB!
I think he was inspired by this dbag…I mean Bfab my bad my fingers slipped with the acronym 😆. I dig both your channels. It’s different from the rest. 👍 keep it up boys.
I do remember seeing Galaxy Squad sets warming shelves as late as February 2015, only some getting discounted at ToysRUs. I myself only picked up a handful of sets at the time, mostly from the lower side of the range, and the Swarm Interceptor is still one of my favorite Space sets of all time. But I do agree there was an oversaturation of Space in a 4-year period, so transitioning from one to the other was difficult for fans. Without a gap in between for a breather, the themes didn't have a chance to resonate. The fact that Space themes became about "Humans vs Aliens" even stretches further back, with the likes of Mars Mission (2007-2008), LEGO Factory sets Star Justice and Space Skulls (2008) and the 3 themes mentioned above. In 2002, Life on Mars had Human and Alien encounters, but never came off as hostile or aggressive; rather, the Martians were HELPING the humans repair their ships and vehicles, gather resources and return home. It was less conflict and more exploration, which is what we see in City Space lines nowadays.
Another excellent video Richie!
Great video Richie! Very well said and edited! Love all the analysis you did, and your deeper look on why all three of those classic themes most likely won't return (at least not on their own), and why it might've been intentional. Very insightful stuff!
Can't wait for the next video! You're on a roll man!
“What happened to LEGO Space?”
George Lucas
Yes… and no. We did get plenty of unlicensed “story space themes” in the 2000s. I have a feeling that whole run of System Space sets was on the way out even if LEGO didn’t acquire the Star Wars license… after all they also took a short break and ended the multi year runs of Castle and Pirates
I really want the og classic space theme back
Thanks for watching, awesome pants! aWhat do you think of the Galaxy Explorer?
@@OurToyWorld I love it and it's always a great price
@@awesomepants184 sadly, as of early 2024, its almost always sold out
To me there were several distinct eras: There is the totally OG Classic Space era with blue ships and stations, yellow windows and grey utility vehicles, which lasted only two years. But that's just for kids like me who lived through this time and were as captivated by it as the kids who experienced the first OG year of Transformers. Then there is the general Classic Space era with the Classic Space figure (in different colors), which lasted until 1987 when they changed the astronauts' outfits for the first time, with Futuron. From then on they launched a new Space team every year: Blacktron I, Space Police I, M-Tron, Blacktron II, Space Police II, Ice Planet, Spyrius and Unitron, Exploriens, Roboforce, UFO and Insectoids. And by 1998 Space was done, as far as most older AFOLs are concerned. Space Police III, Alien Conquest and Galaxy Squad, while great, are "just" retro themes. And now we get the retro-retro themes. Small wonder after the success of 10497, the comeback of the OG OG OG set of them all: the Galaxy Explorer. As far as I'm concerned they can bring back one retro set every year from now on. I'd pay serious buck for an updated version of legendary sets like 6929. 6280, 6989, 6987, 6984, 6986, 6973 or 6975. Bring it on!
4:54 to be honest, atlantis also had technical cool stuff, not multiplayer game, but few simple games+AR in flash. AR. In flash player. That's something. And also there was 3d short film.
I comment on last vid about space XD awesome! ^_^
In my opinion, I think space themes were declining late 90's to early '00s. Then they dive into Star Wars license and Bionicle. Then its like they forgot how to space.
I bought a series Spaceman minifig with a baby last week.
The sad truth is it's a vote by wallet system as a lego pirates fan I know I'm going to have to wait for a new pirates of the caribbean movie or a new icons set to get a new set. Which is why when barracuda bay came out I bought several sets and when eldorado fortress releases I will buy several of them as well. I think when it comes to Legos Holy trinity that being castle space and pirates lego will always try and find a way to keep them alive in some form or another. Honestly I wish lego would release a wave of sets for one of the themes each year and then rotate to the next one the next year. It would give fans of their theme a year to get their fill and buy up as much as they can and 2 years to wait for the next wave. It also gives new builders a chance to discover these classic themes.
Could you please make a video on how too ten sets we should get, like a possible D2C avengers tower?
I’m glad space sets are back, and they look AMAZING especially in the LEGO City line.
Thanks for watching! Feel free to check out the History of LEGO City Space if you haven't seen it yet :)
@@OurToyWorld No way! I’ll go watch it tonight.
They do not look amazing when compared to what they once were. They are terrible in comparison.
@@user-ww4ks8hk4i
I actually liked the 2024 Space theme that it gotten me to buy two sets, especially the Interstellar Spaceship one is "the set" I felt most excited about.
Lego Space had lost it's charm to me after Ice Planet and the builds and themes had turned so weird that it wasn't fun to add stuffs around the build anymore.
But 2024's Interstellar Spaceship, that's one build that made me felt the impulse of modifying my very own set after 20 years not buying any Legos and was already planning how to improve it while waiting for my set to arrive in delivery.
It was a simple, realistic and elegant design and after adding some retractable landing gear and a few laser cannons here and there, a couple of missiles and two bombs under the belly, it's a simple yet impressive build that's fun to swoosh around with and a great display piece.
Yes, I know Lego does not intend to sell sets with weapons, but that doesn't mean the Interstellar Spaceship can't carry 6 AIM-120s and 2 MK-84s under it's wings with a hilariously huge gatling cannon pod stuck right in the center line just for the lols.
That's one set I'd say the Lego designers just drunk too much of the Ace Combat Kool-Aid and came up with something that's fun to play and modify with for anyone who likes fighter jets.
What happened to LEGO space was generation alpha doesn’t have the nostalgia for classic themes that generation x, y and z do
Then comes 2024, with a joint Space theme, incredible GWP, and a whole CMF line that pays homage to old Space themes.
I am actually making a Classic Space Display based on the original Space theme, but I will include Minifigs that reference other themes.
This break my heart, I was so sticked with Alien Invasion during that time, and it not seems like it has a chance to return :(
Thanks for sharing, yeah, unfortunately, these themes have come and gone :(
First, I agree with many of the people before me, about your talented video and balanced critique. Great edits and examples used in your video.
Most videos end classic space around 1988 or up too the late 90’s. I like how you delved deeper into the scope of the space theme at those times. I agree with your POV and your examples used within the vid. CITY Space is the “new standard version “ of Space for builds and in general.( I appreciated you exploring the 2010’s & on)
As for the other lines ; LEGO just seemed to get away from their OG or classic sets and in doing so they may have gotten to a point, as you pointed out, too cute , or too much for the masses.
Oh well, as an older AFOL and Classic enthusiast, who last year traveled to Billund, I’m glad that I got to see the Galaxy Explorer reboot and now the Classic CMF:
Lol, I guess that’s the most that we could’ve hoped for......
Honestly, I'm not sure I agree that Lego gave us a chance to salvage these new sets, being that they really weren't worth salvaging; Lego, as you put it in the video, didn't seem to even care if they succeeded or failed. I loved the older Space sets because they encouraged and inspired something other sets didn't: Discovery of the unknown, which walks hand-in-hand with creativity. Now, with these alien sets and such, why have them trying to destroy each other? Why not take a lesson from Star Trek and make the sets about discovering these new species, planets, and sectors. The writers of Star Trek, during Deep Space Nine, even had a "Species Creation" contest, where someone would draw their idea for a new species and send it in and it would be added to the show. Lego could have just as easily done something similar, asking fans when kind of things they thought about when they thought about space. No, Lego, as you implied in the video, sabotaged themselves, which is why I seldom buy anything of theirs anymore, rather looking up older stuff on Ebay to collect.
Or could you make a video on some of the best themes, and what would happen if they got another season, like monster fighters
They need to bring back a new LEGO Space line focused on Starships.
Or bring EVE online to LEGO. I would buy them all.
Star Wars didn't kill Lego space but it did overshadow the premise of the pre 2000 space themes
Tbh though galaxy squad/alien conquest had the wrong vibe. Space police was already a bit iffy with this crazy militarised police force arresting aliens, but then they made it fully about war. I just think a crucial element to Lego space is wonder, exploration, and imagination; and they went further and further away from that into something that’s just ethically uncomfortable and chasing the success of other media instead of trying to be its own thing. I like the direction of the new Lego city space sub theme they’re now doing a lot more because it is once again focussed on exploration. I do think they need to expand on what they’ve put out so far though and get a bit more inventive with it, I wasn’t really a big fan of the preceding city space sets that were more grounded in reality and I’d like for them to go even more sci fi with it.
But lego needs to reboot every 5 years or so to cater for new generation of kids. 2013 castle may have flipped for that generation but it’s also bcoz of lego making subpar sets…
I agree. 2013 Castle was an embarrassment and for that to be the final LEGO Castle theme is disappointing.
Whenever I saw them on shelves they were too expensive and at the time I felt they were a worse value compared to similar priced sets
What space sets are you referring to? I'm interested to hear which specific subtheme you're talking about.
@@OurToyWorld I was referring to galaxy squad.
@@raiderznation Interesting. Your feelings on the sets is similar to how I felt back in the day. They weren't bad but they just didn't feel that special, but looking back I blame myself for not giving the theme a chance.
Besides 70705 & 70709 costing a bit high all the other sets were priced decently.
@@BuildLego The price differences weren't big enough for me to consider it over star wars especially when some of the sets in the star wars theme had similar piece counts and were priced the same as galaxy squad. Not to mention the star wars sets that came out that year and the previous year were both very good waves. At the time I was only 13 so most of my set purchases were under 40 dollars and with the star wars sets having more minifigures and nicer builds galaxy squad was always my second choice.
Found your channel yesterday. Like your formula, short and informative videos that are really interesting and good writing.
Thanks!
Alien conquest was goated
So true! Thanks for watching, Silio!
I just got 2 purple classic space figures.
All brand new genuine parts.
Very happy father and son combo.
Purple Classic space figures?!?! What?!?! I had no clue those existed. What set did they come in? (I’m thinking the spacemen battle pack from The LEGO Movie 2…)
If LEGO would reintroduce the grey-blue space theme from 1997, tens of millions of adults would be all over it. And children too; they less understand the complex looking LEGO-sets after the more classic-like LEGO in the eigthies.
If you're talking about the blue spacemen/spaceship Classic Space sets, I have to disagree. The Galaxy Explorer is a Classic Space remake and is flopping big time, with it being on sale all across the United States.
More importantly.. i think what everyone is missing.. is the public’s appetite for all things space. - 2011 marked the end of the space shuttle. and the end of the 80s and early 90s started the end of the “space race” - So the public isn’t used to giving a crap about the future and exploring and science.. Just look at the lack of budget and rise of conspiracy over science and fun new future technology. We lost our hopeful ways and we no longer reach forward the way we once did.. so its no wonder space sets are less attractive to the general public when they only care about how many liked they have in the moment on social media.. more than being curious!
I mean there is always a chance to revisit the idea even as nostalgia bait or something, like they might have stuff in space, so I doubt it is fully impossible, more like shelved
They make these lego's simpler and less advanced nowadays
Lego re released the unbranded Lego space in 2024
Yooooo these videos are legit sooo 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thanks for the support, Yolo! Means a lot.
I’m a Lucas fan but I actually prefer collecting Lego Space vintage instead. It all ties together and looks beautiful. All I want is grey blue space. I was 7 so I had no money to buy it then. It took 40 years, now I have money! New kids are not into toys. Sell to Gen-x
My opinion may be unpopular but something died in the Classic Space already in the late eighties when the era of exploration were replaced with factions like blacktrons, space polices and so on.
I think a lot of people share that opinion. I consider classic space to be everything before the LEGO System space evergreen wrapped up
But, I know many that think it ended way sooner
Interesting theory however I still think it's got more to do with Starwars then anything, they dont need to do own themes because the licence sets make more money. Dreams is a very odd theme, and it dont look good.
Galaxy Squad was awesome.
Very underrated and under appreciated. The fact that it was the third space theme in 4 years did not help.
Lego Starwars happens.
Kids these days (and for a good while actually), are conditioned to like licenced merch, with so much in the way of advertising and the like. Its not just Star Wars on its own or Harry Potter on its own that was the death knell for unlicensed Lego themes. And if the kids are not receptive to unlicenced themes, then it doesn't matter if the AFOLs want Lego Space, Lego won't be giving it to them (other than the occasional icon set).
Seen sets what Lego realieses today im happy that Space ended with the 90's....
Aaaaand we're BACK BABE !!! 😂 Wawes of space sets across Lego themes for 2024 !!! YahOOOO !!!
I just got into Lego, so I might not be too sure about exactly why Lego Space faded away. Though I do think that it and Lego Star Wars can sort of coexist.
It can. It did in the 2000s - and some of the 2010s for that matter
@@OurToyWorld I guess from the look of the new Lego Space overhaul (reboot?), Lego might have put Space on hold, gotten their creatives together, and came up with some fantastic new ideas. Both the new Space and Star Wars sets look exciting
oh yeah - amazing work
Thanks for the support, MOTM!
For me there was classic space, which then morphed into blacktron / futuron, then further still with Space Police. BTII, M-Tron and Ice planet were also excellent but still interconnected with each other, and the originals. SPII didnt work as well for me and was the beginning of the end. Some strong stuff in the unitron/spyrius/exploriens sets but thats all "new" space to me now. Lost interest in it then so all the weird alien stuff never caught my eye, and then then they brought out SPIII I thought it could be something awesome but it was just awful. The Newer city space stuff thats come out of recent years feels much more in line with the early classic space/early 90's space that I grew up with. Still not sure how I feel about the aliens in the current wave, but I like that they are not fighting against them and it is a return back to more of the "research" in space concepts.
It died around 1986. The parts became a little too specific. I was there for the original 1978 launch and it was awesome... then it became a little too themed.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ronin. Are you a fan of the new Galaxy Explorer set?
The Futuron sets (1987) weren't all that different from the classic space ones. I think UFO was the first release that strayed too far away from what Lego space should be. I like all space factions from 1978 classic space all the way up to Exploriens with Space Police 1 as a personal favorite.
Take it easy, kid.
Loved Lego Space and Castle. Would buy them all again and would buy new lines if they released them today. Star Wars sets are boring and dull. Where's the imagination if they copy designs already made by TV or movies? They're trying to bring Space back in City but I don't think that will work nor will it appeal to Space fans. I loved the Galaxy Explorer reissue for their anniversary and I do hope they reissue more or better still, revive Space so that we can have hope for the future again.
What does "the theme failed" mean?
fans didn’t like it
nobody bought the sets
they ended up on clearance
no more sets
LEGO cancels the theme
@@OurToyWorld Ah. So it just failed to be profitable enough.
That makes sense, I guess.
need more VIDEO in there; great listen... not much for the eyes.
Thanks for the constructive criticism. Over the last 6-8 months, my editing style has "calmed down". I hope you have a chance to check out the newer videos to see what I'm talking about.
I am so sick of Starwars sets…
Lol, I feel you. They should take a break one of these years lmao, give everyone a chance to breath for once.
@@OurToyWorld and pass up on all that lovely money. Every year there's a new generation of man babies with $300 to burn on a Lego Millennium Falcon
I have been transferred into the internet please release me from this hell
What does it mean unlicensed space? Like a space set but is not a movie IP? I am also concerned about Lego's human first attitude. Go we not promote co-existence with our green alien friends?
Yes. Think of themes like Galaxy Squad, Alien Conquest, Life on Mars, the 21 straight years of LEGO space releases from 1978 to 1999.Original themes.
And yeah, It's weird that these LEGO spacemen haven't made peace yet with any of the aliens they've encountered. I'm starting to think they're the problem, lol.
Licensed Lego sets annoy me. It basically means you get less parts in the box, for more money. For a set that a Chinese manufacturer will rip off and pay no royalties at all, calling it “STAR WNRS” or whatever. Also, it ties the excellent Lego product to a questionable movie franchise that’s usually doomed to mediocre sequels and threequels.
@@gdutfulkbhh7537 Licensed sets can go right but I think they should be relegated to just being display oriented sets, and only a few be released per year.
I’m sorry but that editing style with the words popping up makes me sick.
I'm sorry you feel that way, Thrillhouse. Fast paced editing like this is what gives me a higher average percentage viewed which allows my videos to be pushed by the algorithm.
Believe me, there is much, much worse, and I think the insight here more than makes up for that "necessary evil".
Short answer. Star Wars sets
Yes, that probably caused the original space theme's run to end but considering the fact we got three separate space themes between 2009 and 2013 I don't think Star Wars is the culprit.
@@OurToyWorldI do think it is partly fault. As you mentioned, lego's strategy on themes shifted from that period, trying to be of bigger scale. While the possibility of a smaller space theme next to star wars seems plausible, lego don't make smaller themes anymore. Star wars takes too much space for a big space theme.