Awesome to hear that the movie is making progress.

Will the BM set be available for purchase to non-Brickmasters in BM countries? Or is that not an option for us unless we have the subscription?

-Niki

How are you liking the scripts so far? Have you settled the debate on a deforested Mata Nui? (I'd really like to see it...)

Will he be Miserix? (That's what I'm hoping...)

Really good job on the Mutran Chronicles, too. This is looking to be one of my favorite serials yet. The part where they flipped the Rahi was hilarious... I'm glad to see you injecting a bit of humor into the story. Some of my favorite memories of 2001 are the funny personalities the Matoran had.

No, it won't be for sale in the US (the only country that has BrickMaster) -- that would defeat the purpose of it, since the point is for it to be a BrickMaster-exclusive set in the US to drive BM subscription sales.

And no, it won't be Miserix, it's a Rahi.

Greg

So, what do you think of the end of it? Epic or anything like that for lack of other words?

What do you mean bad years? The older years were so much better (non sale wise, but then again, who cares about that?) in nearly everything.

Especially the really old sets. 1990 & before.

And you wouldn't get angry if I said that the Rahi should be Krahka, right?

Because it should.

uk

No, it won't be for sale in the US (the only country that has BrickMaster) -- that would defeat the purpose of it, since the point is for it to be a BrickMaster-exclusive set in the US to drive BM subscription sales.

Ah, got it. Thanks, Greg.

For some reason, I thought that England had access to Brickmaster as well... dunno where I got that idea... but yeah, nvm then.

-Niki

Interesting. I like Rahi (and animals in general) so I'm looking foreward to the Brickmaster set, even if it's not the awesome old Brotherhood leader (Well see him somewhere else anyways). I don't suppose you could tell us what kind of animal the Rahi is based on?

Okay, then. How about my first question?

*Heads to NC to bribe and sway the test groups. Or join it.*

Thanks for the cool info, as always!

-CF

*Heads to NC to bribe and sway the test groups. Or join it.*

 

Thanks for the cool info, as always!

 

-CF

I second that notion!

Well, sounds like all good news to me.

The movie script is out with the folks in Denmark for a final read. I am expecting that we will pretty much have an approval by the end of the week or so. The ending is set, hopefully the beginning is too -- surprisingly, there has been more debate about how to start it than how to end it!

Looks like we'll have a great beginning, as soon as they decide.

It looks like the BrickMaster BIONICLE set will be out in the fall -- we are still looking into the possibility of getting it sold in non-BM countries. It will play a role in story, possibly a significant one, and should make its first appearance in either the Federation of Fear or Mutran Chronicles serials.

Whoo! Now this is what I'm buying Brickmaster for! Shame it's not Mesirix.

The CEO of LEGO Group, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, wrote a wonderful post on our Intranet this week praising BIONICLE as "rocking and unique" and reaffirming the company's commitment to maintain the line's success. (If you haven't heard of Jorgen Vig, he has been running the company for a few years now and helped to turn it around from the few bad years we had early in the decade. I had the chance to meet him in person last year -- he's a really cool guy, very down to earth, and very open to talking with employees. He's very popular in the company.)

Just great. Y'know if the CEO says to keep it riunning, then things are going REAL good.

My events calendar is SLOWLY filling up. I am in talks to do a program at a local library, trying to get some local Barnes and Noble signings scheduled, and of course, Comic-Con rears its head again at the end of July.

Uh-oh, Will you be to busy to answer PMs regularly? Cause when you can't, the OGD gets really spammy.

2009 sets are still in focus groups -- I think the last round of testing is the end of Feb. in North Carolina.

Just out of curiosity, what would happen if the Carolina kids dislike the sets, but the other groups like them?

Greg

~CN

Very cool. About the BM set.... Will Canada have it for purchase? Last i checked they don't offer BM to us...

I like JVK a lot. I met him at Brickfest a few times, and he is that kind of man you want to help run the business. What makes him more awesome, is that he will remember who you are.

-Omi

Sounds great Greg. And I am very jealous for those lucky kids. I'm from North Carolina, but I am way to old to participate in the test groups.

F-X-

Now, by local Barnes and Nobles, where is local in your eyes?

Hey, Greg, can I be a product tester?

-Bb5

A few responses --

Uncle K -- By "bad years," I am referring to the years this decade where LEGO Company lost millions of dollars and was in danger of ending up, at best, a much smaller company if we were lucky. I am sure you are joking with your "who cares about sales" line -- we do. You can put out the best toys in the world, but if they don't sell, it doesn't matter -- you will just have the best toy designers on the unemployment line.

ChocoLvr - In this case, "local" refers to "I can walk to it." Anything that is going to require extended travel someone is going to have to pay for, and at this point, neither LEGO nor Scholastic is inclined to do that (except for Comic-Con). So I stick to things within driving distance of where I live.

Biobylon - LEGO doesn't have much say in this. The testers are chosen by the marketing research firm we employ. We specify how many boys of what age range and what level of enthusiasm for BIONICLE, but we do not actually pick them.

Greg

Hey Greg- Have you finished the second chapters of the serials and blog yet?

Serials, yes, biocast not yet

Uh Greg? Just curious because you didn't mention my question, but will the Brickmaster sets be available in Canada, or not because it could be considered Brickmaster country?

N-North Carolina!? Can you please tell me when and where!