What if Bionicle had started 10 years later?

[Indigogeek]

Instead of Bionicle's run being 2001-2010, what if it was 2010-2020? Ignoring predicting the next 6 years, how do you think bionicle, would have changed? Marketing? media? sets? mood? What do you think would have changed for bionicle, and do you think it would have been better or worse for its run?

[Mr. Lightning Bolt]

It might be a little crappier, unless they maintained the Technic build.

[Toa Smoke Monster]

I think it would've depended on what Lego line or lines ran in the 2001-2010 timeframe. Bionicle, if I'm not mistaken, had an influence in how the Hero Factory sets and story currently play out, as Bionicle had influences from its previous line and so forth. So whatever lines came in that timeframe would've impact Bionicle if it had started in 2010.

 

That being said, I personally think that Bionicle's story would've been scaled down a lot, maybe with fewer characters and their personalities not as freshed out. The sets may have been more like HF in design, though I can't make a judgment on that since I don't own any HF sets. We probably would've gotten fewer books too. As for media, I think that would've been okay, since I've seen HF commercials and they look kind of cool. For mood, I think it would've stayed the same roughly. A smaller storyline would affect it, and it may not have gotten as dark as Bionicle did in some points, but I think it still would've had its dark moments.

[Kopekemaster]

I'd suspect that it would be much less interesting, "toned down for the new generation".

[~Shockwave~]

It might be a little crappier, unless they maintained the Technic build.

 

Well that's a bold statement. Especially since most people I've seen talk about this say the new designs are a good thing. And it stopped being technic around the Metru Nui era right?

 

On topic: I think it would be less story driven. Most lines seem to be going away from that.

[Mr. Lightning Bolt]

 

It might be a little crappier, unless they maintained the Technic build.

 

Well that's a bold statement. Especially since most people I've seen talk about this say the new designs are a good thing. And it stopped being technic around the Metru Nui era right?

 

On topic: I think it would be less story driven. Most lines seem to be going away from that.

 

I think it stopped being technic during Inika. Metru Nui still had a sense of Technic, even after that Rhotuka foolishness.

[~Shockwave~]

 

 

It might be a little crappier, unless they maintained the Technic build.

 

Well that's a bold statement. Especially since most people I've seen talk about this say the new designs are a good thing. And it stopped being technic around the Metru Nui era right?

 

On topic: I think it would be less story driven. Most lines seem to be going away from that.

 

I think it stopped being technic during Inika. Metru Nui still had a sense of Technic, even after that Rhotuka foolishness.

 

 

A quick google search shows that the Technic label has been gone since the Toa nuva.

 

Regardless of opinions on the matter, it stopped being Technic in 2002. It may have had a sense of it. but it was not. And now we have a much more versatile building system in hero factory. I fail to see how that's worse.

[Pomegranate]

I think it definitely would have had its own TV show, which would be wonderful And the Bionicle websites, as wonderful as they were, would've been even better with the resources web designers and programmers have now. Probably more videogames, too. I tend to look at these sorts of scenarios from a "how would the change in technology affect this" point of view, and the leap in technology from 2001 to 2010 is astounding.

 

With all the love that high budget special effect sci fi movies with robots and stuff that have become popular again, the Bionicle story may have gone more into the sci-fi Metru Nui stuff, or to stand out it would've stayed closer to the sci-fantasy and mystical jungle island stuff. It depends on what the marketing department expects to sell better, really.

 

The sets would all be twice as expensive, that's for sure

 

Regardless of opinions on the matter, it stopped being Technic in 2002. It may have had a sense of it. but it was not. And now we have a much more versatile building system in hero factory. I fail to see how that's worse.

The Technic build had a certain feel to it. I don't know how to explain it, but it felt so different to build and play with a classic Rahi or a Bohrok than it did to snap on increasing amount of socket joints together that looked less and less like recognizable LEGO. The play features leaving behind functions for posability is obviously another factor in that. For some, that's worse. For me it's just different, but I do miss it.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Pomegranate

[Lyichir]

Hypothetical questions like this are near-impossible to answer because it's not just a matter of what Bionicle would be like if released today—the question implies that Bionicle would not have been there for ten years, so the many changes Lego in general has experienced may not have occurred in the same way. The company might not even be around to create Bionicle—while Bionicle was far from the sole saving grace of the company during its time of crisis around the turn of the millenium, taking that one piece out of the picture might have ruined the company's recovery.

 

I can't imagine that much would be forced to change in terms of sets (other than colors, since some older colors would have been retired by then, especially the old grays). Unless another constraction theme replaced Bionicle during its ten-year absence, few of the improvements Bionicle showed over its lifespan would have been achieved. Hero Factory is largely the way it is because of lessons learned during Bionicle's run.

 

In terms of media, again, unless some other theme took its place, Bionicle's media might not be much different since it wouldn't have been there as precedent. Perhaps it could have a TV show like Ninjago does now, but again, Ninjago is how it is in great part due to Bionicle's influence, so Lego might have never experimented with TV.

 

It's hard to tell what Bionicle's story would be like had it started ten years later, largely because Bionicle was very much a product of its time. High-information franchises like Harry Potter and Pokémon were becoming breakout successes, so Bionicle's lore-heavy storyline would be less likely to be maintained had it debuted ten year's later. The theme might be completely different from Bionicle except for the name.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Lyichir

[Crunchyn]

It would've been interesting to see MNOG for smartphones [though I'm really only saying this because I'm having a really hard time looking for good story-based games on the Android >_<]

[LordofBionicles]

No way to tell since Bionicle's relevance was because it was released at the very beggining of the XXI century.

[TwistedLego]

I believe, strictly speaking sets, that there would be a lot of change. As someone mentioned earlier price would be a big one, colors, and even the style and look of Bionicle. For example, excluding Hero Factory is there any other LEGO set out there that does a blend between action figure and interlocking toy? I believe that Bionicle was a result of where the LEGO company was at the time and where the technic line was. I think if you shift the release of Bionicle 10 years later it would have completely changed the concept due to the changes both of those have had since then.

Another interesting thing would be the collectible aspect Bionicle had. Im not too familiar with current LEGO lines but do any of you think they would have done promotions like the Golden Hau, Platinum Avohkii, or Sterling Silver Krana? Would todays Lego Sets include something like a silver collectible piece within its packaging?

[SarracenianKaijin]

If Bionicle started ten years later, with the exact same stuff as 2001 had, with all the same sets and MNOG's and promos and all that, honestly?

 

I think it might turn out a heck of a lot better.

 

What I mean is if you really look at the pop-cultural landscape of 2001 compared to 2011 you will notice there is a huge difference in what is and what isn't more acceptable. Nowadays people not only have easier access to various pop-culture media, they are also more receptive and tolerant of what they consume. Not to mention different priorities in what people want. Things like Adventure Time or Steven Universe would just not be possible in 2001.

Those things also have a larger community filled with older people, compared to Bionicle which pretty much only had children to maybe early-teen if lucky. With a larger, more mature community discussions become a lot more constructive, and horrible storytelling practices would be a lot less tolerated. Greg Q&A and BZPower's domination of Bionicle fandom would not exist.

 

With that kind of feedback comes a more solid chance of executives listening to the demands. Bionicle might have turned out a whole lot different post-2006, or even post-2004.

Edited April 27, 2014 by SarracenianKaijin

[believe victims]

If Bionicle had started ten years later, TLG probably would have filed for bankruptcy back in '01-'03 or so.

 

That's not what you meant, though, so I'll give an honest answer. I think we probably wouldn't have gotten a game like MNOG, as games like that have largely fallen from the marketing landscape of LEGO in exchange for your average platformers and such. The story would assumedly be written by the same people, so I can't see much improving there. can't speak for sets because Bionicle defined constraction for nine years, so I can't really begin to imagine what 2010 constraction would have been without Bionicle there to influence it.

 

I can say with certainty, though, that mini-cds would never have come with canister sets. That was such a '00s thing.

[Hexann]

It just wouldn't be the same. I must concur with the previous statement that said we probably wouldn't have gotten MNOG.

[Bluest-of-Jayys]

The Bionicle fandom on Tumblr would def be a lot larger.

 

At least we have ask blogs now, that's a step up.

 

Along those lines, there would probably be more social media involvement. Most of my Bionicle-related internet surfing came from BZP and Lego.com in the 00's, but now I get my fandom fill from a lot of different sites.

[UnderscoreChronix]

It would probably be like Chima.

[Collector1]

I think it would be more "kid friendly" and would have at least a TV show like LEGO's other IPs such as Ninjago and Chima.

[Sumiki]

I see it as a lot more like Hero Factory. Story would probably be a little thinner, a lot of the coolest parts of '01 wouldn't be there. Sets would probably be about the same.

[boston100]

if bionicle had started in 2010 it might not be here at all. remeber bionicle was what saved lego from bankruptsy.

[Pranciblad]

if bionicle had started in 2010 it might not be here at all. remeber bionicle was what saved lego from bankruptsy.

You know I'm getting a little tired of seeing Bionicle presented as "the line that saved Lego. It did help yes, being a successful line that helped keep the company afloat in an otherwise bad period, and it was a big part in shaping how future lines were made, but it ultimately didn't stop everything from coming down in '03 and it certainly didn't put the company back on its feet alone.

 

Lego underwent a myriad of changes in the mid-2000s to stay afloat. Shedding unsuccessful ventures, rethinking the way they developed, manufactured and distributed products-- but no, I always hear Bionicle talked about as if it was a magic bullet for Lego's financial woes.

 

Sorry for being a little negative, but I had that bottled up for a while.

Edit: Removed the really nasty bits. I didn't mean to get that worked up!

Edited June 16, 2014 by Pranciblad

[DNZe]

My life would not exist as it is today

Edited June 16, 2014 by Dakuru N-Z

[Aanchir]

 

if bionicle had started in 2010 it might not be here at all. remeber bionicle was what saved lego from bankruptsy.

You know I'm getting a little tired of seeing Bionicle presented as "the line that saved Lego. It did help yes, being a successful line that helped keep the company afloat in an otherwise bad period, and it was a big part in shaping how future lines were made, but it ultimately didn't stop everything from coming down in '03 and it certainly didn't put the company back on its feet alone.

 

Lego underwent a myriad of changes in the mid-2000s to stay afloat. Shedding unsuccessful ventures, rethinking the way they developed, manufactured and distributed products-- but no, I always hear Bionicle talked about as if it was a magic bullet for Lego's financial woes.

 

Sorry for being a little negative, but I had that bottled up for a while.

Edit: Removed the really nasty bits. I didn't mean to get that worked up!

 

It's not just BIONICLE that's talked about that way — a lot of people also talk about LEGO Star Wars as "the line that saved LEGO". Really, both BIONICLE and Star Wars were just small parts of the big picture, and neither could have been enough to save the LEGO Group on their own.

[Collector1]

 

 

if bionicle had started in 2010 it might not be here at all. remeber bionicle was what saved lego from bankruptsy.

You know I'm getting a little tired of seeing Bionicle presented as "the line that saved Lego. It did help yes, being a successful line that helped keep the company afloat in an otherwise bad period, and it was a big part in shaping how future lines were made, but it ultimately didn't stop everything from coming down in '03 and it certainly didn't put the company back on its feet alone.

 

Lego underwent a myriad of changes in the mid-2000s to stay afloat. Shedding unsuccessful ventures, rethinking the way they developed, manufactured and distributed products-- but no, I always hear Bionicle talked about as if it was a magic bullet for Lego's financial woes.

 

Sorry for being a little negative, but I had that bottled up for a while.

Edit: Removed the really nasty bits. I didn't mean to get that worked up!

 

It's not just BIONICLE that's talked about that way — a lot of people also talk about LEGO Star Wars as "the line that saved LEGO". Really, both BIONICLE and Star Wars were just small parts of the big picture, and neither could have been enough to save the LEGO Group on their own.

 

Then what saved LEGO from falling a part?

Edited June 16, 2014 by Collector1

[Aanchir]

 

 

 

if bionicle had started in 2010 it might not be here at all. remeber bionicle was what saved lego from bankruptsy.

You know I'm getting a little tired of seeing Bionicle presented as "the line that saved Lego. It did help yes, being a successful line that helped keep the company afloat in an otherwise bad period, and it was a big part in shaping how future lines were made, but it ultimately didn't stop everything from coming down in '03 and it certainly didn't put the company back on its feet alone.

 

Lego underwent a myriad of changes in the mid-2000s to stay afloat. Shedding unsuccessful ventures, rethinking the way they developed, manufactured and distributed products-- but no, I always hear Bionicle talked about as if it was a magic bullet for Lego's financial woes.

 

Sorry for being a little negative, but I had that bottled up for a while.

Edit: Removed the really nasty bits. I didn't mean to get that worked up!

 

It's not just BIONICLE that's talked about that way — a lot of people also talk about LEGO Star Wars as "the line that saved LEGO". Really, both BIONICLE and Star Wars were just small parts of the big picture, and neither could have been enough to save the LEGO Group on their own.

 

Then what saved LEGO from falling a part?

 

Lots of different factors. There's a reason there's a whole book about it.

 

Lay all jokes aside, BIONICLE did play a pretty meaningful role during that period. Even if it didn't save the LEGO Group on its own, it DID provide a useful template for other story-driven LEGO themes to follow going forward. The aforementioned book has an entire chapter about BIONICLE and the role it played during the LEGO Group's financial turnaround, and I think it'd be a worthwhile read for any LEGO fan.

[_Macku_]

Bionicle wouldn't exist, because it saved LEGO. Without the start of Bionicle, no more LEGO. No more LEGO, no Bionicle.

Edited June 21, 2014 by _Macku_

[Lyichir]

Bionicle wouldn't exist, because it saved LEGO. Without the start of Bionicle, no more LEGO. No more LEGO, no Bionicle.

Bionicle alone isn't responsible for saving Lego. Read the other posts in the topic for more information.

[fishers64]

 

Bionicle wouldn't exist, because it saved LEGO. Without the start of Bionicle, no more LEGO. No more LEGO, no Bionicle.

Bionicle alone isn't responsible for saving Lego. Read the other posts in the topic for more information.

 

Yes, but that doesn't change the validity of his statement. If Bionicle + Star Wars = Lego saved, then removing either Star Wars or Bionicle from the left side of the equation would spell Lego's doom. (and so on, if you add ten or twenty factors to the equation...remove one, and Lego could be gone.) I think we can agree that Bionicle is at least a factor, if not the whole thing?

 

It's possible that they could have had a different storyline theme than Bionicle, though, and it still might have worked. I don't think starting HF in 2000 would have been the best thing, though. People liked different stuff back then.

Edited June 22, 2014 by fishers64

[Pranciblad]

Yes, but that doesn't change the validity of his statement. If Bionicle + Star Wars = Lego saved, then removing either Star Wars or Bionicle from the left side of the equation would spell Lego's doom. (and so on, if you add ten or twenty factors to the equation...remove one, and Lego could be gone.) I think we can agree that Bionicle is at least a factor, if not the whole thing?

Look, all I was trying to say was that "Bionicle + Star Wars= Lego saved" is a gross oversimplification and I'm tired of seeing it verbatim. I'm not trying to deny that Bionicle played a role in the recovery, just that it wasn't the key to it like so many people think.