Articulation reaches a near-ideal state that's hard to improve on.

Exactly. I liked the move from the Nuva to the Metru, and I was expecting something equally awesome in the move from Metru to Inika. While there were improvements in that change , there have yet to be drastic changes in basic torso/limb styles since the Inika for the Toa, which is a slight disappointment to me. But, oh well.

Nice entry.

Articulation reaches a near-ideal state that's hard to improve on.

 

Exactly. I liked the move from the Nuva to the Metru, and I was expecting something equally awesome in the move from Metru to Inika. While there were improvements in that change , there have yet to be drastic changes in basic torso/limb styles since the Inika for the Toa, which is a slight disappointment to me. But, oh well.

 

Nice entry.

 

Well, there's rarely ever a significant change in set articulation except between story books. If next year we see no new innovation, I will be disappointed, but of course with all the changes in story (a feature to which we have been treated at the start of about every story book), it's hard to imagine not seeing changes in sets to accompany those.

Anyway, Bonesii, I daresay I have to agree on most of this stuff, with the possible exception of the 2006-2008 section, as I believe with Takanuva and the Mistika "ruthless elegance" may be making a comeback. Likewise, you may be counting your chickens about this section when it comes to the further elimination of Technicism, as most of the vehicle sets this year would appear to indicate a return to action feature, which is welcome by me-- after all, it's not like there's much to be gained by replacing vehicle functions with articulation. (I can see it now: Rockoh T3! Vehicle features ADJUSTIBLE MIRRORS! ) With luck, the vehicles will be just what we need to strike a balance and reestablish that lost aspect of play value which complexity is able to bring.

Nevertheless, good job for the most part.

A well written article, but in the 2002-2003 section, you say "LEGO strengthens the popular canister sets by extending it to villains. Also falls into a clonism trap.", but the Mata, Rahi and Turaga were still 90% clones of thier own groups.

Articulation reaches a near-ideal state that's hard to improve on.

 

Exactly. I liked the move from the Nuva to the Metru, and I was expecting something equally awesome in the move from Metru to Inika. While there were improvements in that change , there have yet to be drastic changes in basic torso/limb styles since the Inika for the Toa, which is a slight disappointment to me. But, oh well.

 

Nice entry.

 

Well, there's rarely ever a significant change in set articulation except between story books. If next year we see no new innovation, I will be disappointed, but of course with all the changes in story (a feature to which we have been treated at the start of about every story book), it's hard to imagine not seeing changes in sets to accompany those.

 

Anyway, Bonesii, I daresay I have to agree on most of this stuff, with the possible exception of the 2006-2008 section, as I believe with Takanuva and the Mistika "ruthless elegance" may be making a comeback. Likewise, you may be counting your chickens about this section when it comes to the further elimination of Technicism, as most of the vehicle sets this year would appear to indicate a return to action feature, which is welcome by me-- after all, it's not like there's much to be gained by replacing vehicle functions with articulation. (I can see it now: Rockoh T3! Vehicle features ADJUSTIBLE MIRRORS! ) With luck, the vehicles will be just what we need to strike a balance and reestablish that lost aspect of play value which complexity is able to bring.

 

Nevertheless, good job for the most part.

Waist artic in canisters is the main thing I'm hoping to see in the future.

I'm very curious what you mean about the Mistika. I agree ruthless elegance is still present, but mainly in villains and some titans -- remember Takanuva is a titan this year. The Mistika are actually the ones I was talking about as going away from it, and more towards "Noble Heroism." Tahu's ninja mask being perhaps the biggest example. Although that shield spinny thing is pretty ruthlessly elegant. I didn't go into detail on this one though, 'cuz there's another planned entry coming soon related to the topic I started about this a while back.

Yes, the vehicles are experimenting with basically what I'm seeing as the fusion of Technicism and Bioniclism in a large set. I didn't mention that, you're right. Probably forgot it because the results are still very very up in the air about them, and I do suspect, unfortunately, that it might fail. But I'm cautiously hoping that it won't, at least for the sake of Technicism fans. But good point, regardless.

Also not sure what you meant about play value. I could guess, but I'd rather hear you say it.

A well written article, but in the 2002-2003 section, you say "LEGO strengthens the popular canister sets by extending it to villains. Also falls into a clonism trap.", but the Mata, Rahi and Turaga were still 90% clones of thier own groups.

What that line refers to is that in 2001, the villains were titans (the Rahi), not canister sets, and not clones. It's true that each Rahi set came with two Rahi, with only slight differences, so they could be thought of as clones within the set, but that's not what "clonism" is -- clonism refers to different sets being clones. Meaning you would have to make two seperate purchases, like the blue Bohrok and the red Bohrok. With the Rahi, Tarakava were not clones of Nui-Rama, etc.

But in 2002, Bionicle introed the Bohrok, which were the first canister villains, and they were also clones.

The line about the clonism trap refers to clonism from 2001 being used again in 2002, rather than improving, and actually getting a little worse. It doesn't mean there was no clonism in 2001 -- there was. As you say, the Toa and Turaga were mostly clones (although neither were quite as clony as the Bohrok). Also, the Mctoran were clones.

Hope that helps.

*claps and cheers*

-Xai

Technicfan here. If lego was so bent on eliminating technicism, then why are they releasing the vehicles, which feature gears, action features, and expensive design, which contributed to its removal in the first place?

As I commented above, these are able to feature action features without a loss to poseability. (In all honesty, how much poseability can a vehicle have? ) The same was evident in other inanimate objects in BIONICLE, such as Karzahni's trap, Lesovikk's sled, and of course some of the playsets.

I have better hopes for this than are expressed by Bonesiii, and not only wish for the success of this experiment for reasons of having fallen deeply in love with most aspects of Rockoh (ohhhhhh... the styliiiiistic consiiiiistency...), but also foresee its success for the same reasons listed above, as well as the compatibility of these sets which was absent from the playsets, which is a potential benefit to sales.

Technicfan here. If lego was so bent on eliminating technicism, then why are they releasing the vehicles, which feature gears, action features, and expensive design, which contributed to its removal in the first place?

I'm not totally sure I understood this -- are you disputing that Bionicle moved away from Technicism?

Since it's about what Aanchir and I were talking about, lemme for the record sum up the history that led to these vehicles:

First of all, you read the entry already so know about the original Technicism mistake, the poor Rahi, Bahrag, etc. sales, and the subsequent move away from that style.

Now, during all of this, there was a fairly vocal, seemingly sizeable minority that actually did like Technicism (one being MercenaryXero, also including much of our staff, and many prominent MOCers). Many of them see Technicism as Bionicle, unlike the majority. A lot of them have also seemingly been among the most loyal to the fanbase, at least in online participation.

These fans, fairly I think, often ask LEGO to give them treats. I think it fair for the reasons I gave in my "Bring Back Gears" blog entry. The caution being -- they have to be careful not to demand too much and keep in mind that they are a minority.

One other factoid is that vehicles apparently have sold well when tried thus far, as long as they were cool -- Ussanui and the Sea Sled are examples. Ussanui I know sold very well, although Takanuva was a big reason for that.

So this year, Bionicle is doing more of a treat for these minority Technicism fans by including a lot of Technic-style elements in several vehicles, most of them pretty large compared to past vehicles. The danger here is that large sets tend to be seen as "too Technic" by the majority fans and sell poorly (the Rahi, for example, most of which were actually smaller than Axalara, although probably about the same considering there were two in each one). The advantage this time is that these vehicles (mostly anyways) are more stylized than the Rahi or Bahrag.

So the tests are going to be if 1) enough minority fans buy these to make up for the majority fans who won't, 2) enough majority fans like them enough for the "Bioniclism" in them to buy, and 3) if the smaller ones will do better than the larger ones (Axalara mainly). Jury's still out.

Technicfan here. If lego was so bent on eliminating technicism, then why are they releasing the vehicles, which feature gears, action features, and expensive design, which contributed to its removal in the first place?

As I commented above, these are able to feature action features without a loss to poseability. (In all honesty, how much poseability can a vehicle have? ) The same was evident in other inanimate objects in BIONICLE, such as Karzahni's trap, Lesovikk's sled, and of course some of the playsets.

 

I have better hopes for this than are expressed by Bonesiii, and not only wish for the success of this experiment for reasons of having fallen deeply in love with most aspects of Rockoh (ohhhhhh... the styliiiiistic consiiiiistency...), but also foresee its success for the same reasons listed above, as well as the compatibility of these sets which was absent from the playsets, which is a potential benefit to sales.

Good points there.

I'm more of a neutral. Perhaps I started as a fan of Technisism but shifted to a Bioniclist. I always like new sets; with the exception of the Hordika and Vahki; and my tastes always seem to agree with the current styles. I'm just happy for new sets.

Although Bioniclist/Technicist could become the first ever BZP political parties.........

*random thought*

Hapori Election 2009

Technicist Candidate: Tohu (he has gears!)

Bioniclist Candidate: Takanuva 08 (he has launchers, a cool mask, and simple limbs!)

*end random thought*

Technicfan here. If lego was so bent on eliminating technicism, then why are they releasing the vehicles, which feature gears, action features, and expensive design, which contributed to its removal in the first place?

I'm not totally sure I understood this -- are you disputing that Bionicle moved away from Technicism?

 

Since it's about what Aanchir and I were talking about, lemme for the record sum up the history that led to these vehicles:

 

First of all, you read the entry already so know about the original Technicism mistake, the poor Rahi, Bahrag, etc. sales, and the subsequent move away from that style.

 

Now, during all of this, there was a fairly vocal, seemingly sizeable minority that actually did like Technicism (one being MercenaryXero, also including much of our staff, and many prominent MOCers). Many of them see Technicism as Bionicle, unlike the majority. A lot of them have also seemingly been among the most loyal to the fanbase, at least in online participation.

 

These fans, fairly I think, often ask LEGO to give them treats. I think it fair for the reasons I gave in my "Bring Back Gears" blog entry. The caution being -- they have to be careful not to demand too much and keep in mind that they are a minority.

 

One other factoid is that vehicles apparently have sold well when tried thus far, as long as they were cool -- Ussanui and the Sea Sled are examples. Ussanui I know sold very well, although Takanuva was a big reason for that.

 

So this year, Bionicle is doing more of a treat for these minority Technicism fans by including a lot of Technic-style elements in several vehicles, most of them pretty large compared to past vehicles. The danger here is that large sets tend to be seen as "too Technic" by the majority fans and sell poorly (the Rahi, for example, most of which were actually smaller than Axalara, although probably about the same considering there were two in each one). The advantage this time is that these vehicles (mostly anyways) are more stylized than the Rahi or Bahrag.

 

So the tests are going to be if 1) enough minority fans buy these to make up for the majority fans who won't, 2) enough majority fans like them enough for the "Bioniclism" in them to buy, and 3) if the smaller ones will do better than the larger ones (Axalara mainly). Jury's still out.

 

Technicfan here. If lego was so bent on eliminating technicism, then why are they releasing the vehicles, which feature gears, action features, and expensive design, which contributed to its removal in the first place?

As I commented above, these are able to feature action features without a loss to poseability. (In all honesty, how much poseability can a vehicle have? ) The same was evident in other inanimate objects in BIONICLE, such as Karzahni's trap, Lesovikk's sled, and of course some of the playsets.

 

I have better hopes for this than are expressed by Bonesiii, and not only wish for the success of this experiment for reasons of having fallen deeply in love with most aspects of Rockoh (ohhhhhh... the styliiiiistic consiiiiistency...), but also foresee its success for the same reasons listed above, as well as the compatibility of these sets which was absent from the playsets, which is a potential benefit to sales.

Good points there.

Note, also, that there are other factors that may have arisen since Technicism was phased out. It's entirely possible LEGO isn't so "bent against Technicism" as your blog entry made it seem to this person (if not to everyone). By now it's possible that technicism has found its place in BIONICLE in the vehicles (after all, we hadn't gotten a proper vehicle since the Ussanui until Lesovikk's sled came around. Perhaps that was the set that revealed the true calling of Technicism?

Interesting point -- and vehicles do definately make a lot of sense as a "proper place" for a style that's all about machinery, after all.

I must say I agree with all the points.

I however dislike the removal clonism in Toa

That is why I still dislike all the Inika and dislike all the Newva.

I liked the Mahri however. Cause they (at least four of them) showed mixture of semi-clonism and awesomeness (which is basically Ruthless Heroism).They had similar body shape and format but were different enough to be cool. The two I had a problem with was Matoro and Kongu, mainly cause Matoro's mask, horrible pose, and seemed...old, while Kongu, it was cause of the quarterback shape body.

The Inika however were too different in many ways. Their format was similar but their parts had various minor shape differences and looked so ugly that way. Plus the way they masks and heads that year.

The Phantoa problem is that their format was different from each other. They seemed way to different from each other. I can'tt think of anything else now..

The Mistoa's problem is the same as the Phantoa's problem plus, their own indivdual problems. Tahtu, his pose in the toyfair didn't do him justice, put I think his arms a bit too thin for his body and he seems to quarterbackish. Plus the continued use of blue pins...jeez color will ya Lego....The rest of this post continue once BZP stops being slow now..

I like the Technicism THough it seems Lego may be moving slightly back to it just so they cna keep some of their older fan like with the 08 vehicules. Though I have too admit I liked the Rahi and Bahrag more because of how complicated they were too build. I cherish my Nui-Rama, they are my fav set and always will be aside from maybe Lewa Mata Anyway enough of my personal tastes. I agree that Lego will constantly have to change to keep with the market and to please kids. As for what you said about red it's already not the fav colour. If I'm not mistaken green has gone into the forefront.

Really? Any possibility you could provide a quote for that? *suspects a joke *

Cuz that would be very interesting... and welcome IMT.

bonesiii, thank you for writing this blog. It completely makes sense of why I dislike the storyline from 2006 to the present. My preference for Technicism precludes the possibility of it even appealing to me. Thank you for thinking deeply about such matters.

No problemo.