LEGO Friends Constraction Dolls?

[Katanga]

Just a hypothetical scenario here. Say Lego put out a line of Friends constraction figures. What do you think they would look like? Do you think they would have any unique play functions? Would you actually buy one?

 

I personally think a line of Friends constraction figures would be pretty neat. They'd likely use the main characters from the line and try to mimic their minidoll counterparts. This means we'd likely get a lot of shells in new and unique colors and possibly some printed parts. The slimmer torso shell that comes with Jyn Erso would also most likely be used for their builds. For characters that have skirts, I could see Lego using actual cloth skirts similar to how the Rey and Kylo figures had cloth robes.

One thing I'd be hopeful for is that head and hair piece are actually separate. That's something that sort of bothers me about some of the Star Wars figures and it limits the use of the part in MOCs. As for any functions, I doubt they'd have much beyond extra accessories. However, I still think that'd be alright.

[Aanchir]

I'd be more excited for Elves constraction sets, but that's mostly due to having more of an attachment to that theme and its characters.

 

I don't honestly know whether buildable dolls should use the CCBS, since the doll market doesn't seem to favor as rugged a look as the action figure market. If they did use the CCBS, part of me thinks that some "unclothed" portions of the dolls might should use new beams instead of standard beams + shells. This is especially true because the outfits of LEGO Friends and Elves characters generally have short sleeves or no sleeves at all, so full-size arm shells might feel out of place.

 

I'm also curious how best to work in a creative/"free-building" angle. Armored, robotic, and non-human characters are somewhat easy to mash together into original creations. With human characters with lots of exposed skin, that's perhaps trickier without creating something that looks unnatural. It's true that the LEGO Star Wars buildable figures have less of a creative building angle than any previous series of buildable figures, with no alternate or combination models advertised anywhere. However, with an in-house, girl-oriented theme entering an unprecedented "buildable doll" market, there may be more pressure to prove that they're more than "kits designed to build one thing". A certain amount of fashion play is also often expected of dolls, so I think you'd also want any outfits to be somewhat customizable.

 

Separate head and hair might work, but it could also might be costly since it could mean more new molds. I'm also curious what material the hair should be made from. Chances are you'd want it to be somewhat flexible, since most Friends and Elves characters have long hair and you wouldn't want that to limit the figures' posability. Actual doll hair would be the most flexible, but I know from experience that doll hair is a nightmare to keep neat, let alone to tame into character-accurate styles. Rubber might work, but could still be somewhat limiting.

 

As far as play features are concerned, I'm not sure what would be ideal. LEGO Elves sets tend to emphasize "magic" with their play features. It might make the most sense to give the characters accessories with action features than to incorporate action features into the figures themselves. That could potentially help cut down on the "uncanny valley" effect.

 

Overall, buildable dolls are a direction I definitely wouldn't mind the LEGO Group moving, even though I don't think the fashion doll market is growing as rapidly as it was a few years ago. There are a LOT of unanswered questions, though. And since I'm neither a girl nor somebody who grew up playing with dolls, I'm probably far from the most qualified person to answer them.

[Alyska]

I'm also in the "I'd rather have Elves" camp. I think they should come up with an alternative to CCBS for that to happen though- something that allows for a less bulky build. Some of the recent Monster High dolls have had buildable figures, so a slightly more robust version of them might be ideal. 

 

I think I've talked about this before, but I like the idea of separate plastic hair that is itself made from multiple pieces. So you have the basic scalp with bangs (if applicable) and a bunch of small holes  in various places to attach locks, ponytails, buns, hats, crowns, hair accessories, etc, like how some minidoll hair has attachable accessories. It also means the detachable parts can be moved and rotated for poseability. This increases the customisation and playability value, as it mimics the hairstyling of traditional doll-play. In fact, it might be better in some ways, since you can mix and match it with other dolls. They could even have recoloured parts in blind bags like the Bionicle mask packs.

 

Short skirts could be molded plastic but I like the idea of cloth for long skirts and cloaks. Some nice textures and shapes can be included here, like Naida having a shimmery fish-scale design or Aira having soft, floaty fabrics.

 

Now, the nature of these figures means that they're inherently going to have less versatile parts, and human proportions may mean they don't stand up on their own easily. So, giving them "play" value should be about poseability and customisation. Have several options for hair and clothing in the one pack (even if it's just a reversible cloak, or one that doubles as a skirt.) Include some versatile stickers that can be placed on the figures in different arrangements. Hey, maybe even have a software pack like the old Barbie ones where you could design outfits and print them onto special fabric. Have an online service ala Hero Factory that allows you to order a personalised Elf with customised hair, skin and clothing colours, along with stickers of your choice (bonus deviousness: make some sticker designs and  accessories available only through this service)

 

Diverse body types might be too much to hope for, but the medium has more potential for it than traditional minidolls do. Picture tall, lanky Aira, short, curvy Naida, or strong and athletic Azari.

 

Hands: Have two pairs of hands included with the figure. They are both realistically human in shape and proportion, but one is molded in a "C" shape and functions like a minifig's claw-hand, being able to hold things with handles or stems. The other is an open hand with a stud in the middle of the palm, for holding various objects that click onto it.

 

Some of the accessories could have simple mechanisms, like Aira having a flying machine with wings that flapped when you turn a gear handle, or Farran with a giant flower that opens and closes or something.

 

Hire me Lego

[Bfahome]

Whether it'd be Elves or Friends or both, I think it'd be pretty fantastic (though Elves would probably provide more thematic variety).  As has been stated, the parts would probably have to be entirely new pieces, and if they're compatible with the CCBS (or even if not, in some cases) then that opens up a lot of building possibilities.  Maybe even for future figure themes; the Star Wars figures are fine as they are, but I won't say no to improvements!

 

Unfortunately, I feel like the requirements of specially-shaped pieces might bring some fears of another Galidor for LEGO, but if they can make something that bridges the gap between the two styles I would love that so much.  Many Galidor parts are so neat looking but the difference in systems makes them difficult to incorporate with the CCBS.  A bit of a tangent, but I think it's somewhat relevant.

 

e: and no I have absolutely do not have any ulterior movies for wanting a precedent set for LEGO making buildable doll figures I don't know what you're talking about >.> <.<

Edited October 20, 2016 by Bfahome

[Ta-metru_defender]

Wait. Would it involve giant robots?

[Alyska]

 

e: and no I have absolutely do not have any ulterior movies for wanting a precedent set for LEGO making buildable doll figures I don't know what you're talking about >.> <.<

If you're thinking what I think you're thinking... Miraculous Ladybug Lego YES. 

 

(fits stupidly well with Lego given her power is creation and all too).

[Aanchir]

 

e: and no I have absolutely do not have any ulterior movies for wanting a precedent set for LEGO making buildable doll figures I don't know what you're talking about >.> <.<

If you're thinking what I think you're thinking... Miraculous Ladybug Lego YES. 

 

(fits stupidly well with Lego given her power is creation and all too).

 

As excellent as that would be, sadly it'll probably be a few years before that has any chance of happening, seeing as LEGO just launched their DC Super Hero Girls license and might be hesitant to pick up a separate superhero license right after that. :/