[Poll] What if Bionicle was a System Theme?

But at the same time the Mask of Light movie received a “Saturn award” for its immense popularity.

Evidently Miramax made a whole lot of $$$$$ (even given the fact that it was a direct to DVD movie), don’t you think?

######also bionicle lasted ten freaking years, man.

I agree System portrays scenes really well, but I feel like a lot of the community, and myself to some degree, are just uncomfortable with the idea of System as a medium for a traditionally Technic theme. As for story-wise, Bionicle G1 2001-03, Ninjago 2011-13, and Bionicle G2, all follow the general plot: Elemental heroes (Toa, ninjas), led by the old wise people (Turaga and Mata Nui to an extent, Sensei Wu, Ekimu), fight a fallen warrior of darkness that’s the brother of the old wise person (Makuta to Mata Nui/Ekimu and Garmadon to Wu), and in the end are saved by a hero of light (Takanuva, Lloyd, Ekimu). The story itself isn’t the problem, as we have seen the general pattern spawn 2 long successful themes. It just matters if the story is simple enough to get into (try summarizing Chima), and interesting enough to keep following (Bionicle G2 boring?).

I voted both systems. Why would you only want one? All it would do is limit scale and new pieces that would come out. Ideally bionicle should exist at minifig and ccbs scale as well as all the scales in between like Fabuland, Belville, Scala, and Galidor since that’s really the only fundamental difference. Granted smaller scale guarantees more location type sets but then you’ve lost compatibility with the old larger action figures. Really at the end of the day both systems will be most useful if you’re a moccist as it will grant the most versatile selection of parts, something lego used to be pretty good at but everyone has seemingly forgotten about now that lego elements have become more standardized. I guess it’s because AFOLs who grew up with traditional lego only think the toy should adhere to a certain scale or something. Ha! That’s the most backward thinking I’ve ever heard, but that’s what happened. I know it was done for sustainability reasons but I think there should have been more compromise, instead of just axing the mid scale stuff altogether. A Belville hairband at minifig scale is a car fender, at bionicle scale it’s a visor. I mean, you can do some really awesome stuff by simply altering the scale of something and very few people seem to see this since lego finished belville off years ago in favor of Friends.
I don’t really see the debate here, bionicle should be done in both scales, period.

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I’ve never been the biggest fan of system. (It’s probably why I was drawn so much to constraction in the first place.) However, if this was done well and had a decent story, I wouldn’t be completely opposed to buying a few of the sets.

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Come on, it was featured alongside such cinematic classics as Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation or Ju-on: The Grudge.

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What I’m trying to say in general is that you can’t deny G1’s immense popularity.

Sorry if I’m repeating something that’s been suggested before, but what if Bionicle came back as a theme with sets exclusively like the Axalara and Skopio? Maybe not all the sets would be that large, but you could keep the constraction figures for the line while setting Bionicle up to compete against technic bulldozers and cranes instead of SW and Ninjago.

Clearly it means a lot less sets per year (5-6 vs 18-20), but I also think Lego could easily market these towards an older crowd, considering as the sets would have more pieces and be harder to build.

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I kinda wonder if that would work actually, I for one wouldn’t mind. From what I heard from my local lego store anyway, Bionicle only really sold to a slightly older crowd and didn’t catch on with the new kids. Maybe just a few larger models to sell to older fans to keep the theme alive could potentially be profitable. There are all kinds of sets marketed towards adults after all, such as UCS and D2C sets. Unlikely for sure, but it’d be nice.

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I would love it as long a the story was good. That was what truely made bionicle special, the amazing universe and the characters. That is what made me buy the sets.

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Working off of the idea that most MOCists are well-versed in both systems, yes. In practice, the vast majority aren’t even close. I’m definitely not.

I mean, both systems would be more expensive and possibly less accessible to the average LEGO consumer. No issues; I totally see your idea; however, there is potential for a counter-argument.

-Azani

Two words: bendable knees.

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Have you forgotten? we already had a system theme:

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They meant if the whole line was one

Anyway, I don’t think it would’ve sold as well as it did imo.

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I think it might be cool to have system constraction figures like the 2023 GWP set with terrain, vehicles and such. I’d also imagine it would be best as an 18+ line or at least targeted at an older audience like the Avatar sets. Much like the GWP, I think the sets should cover G1 characters, locations and scenes as the OG fans will likely make up the majority of the consumer base. I am not apposed to a traditional system theme with minifigures.

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Buildable figures like the 2023 Tahu might be the only way Bionicle can be its own thing and not step on Ninjago’s non-existent toes.

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Help I voted the wrong choice in the first poll. How do I undo?

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You should be able to change your vote by pressing the “show vote” button and selecting your preferred option :slightly_smiling_face:

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I’m pretty late to join this conversation, but I wanted to add some of my insights on the subject:

At this point, If TLG decides to bring Bionicle back one day, it must be mainly system-focused rather than Technic or have an all-out original building style again. (E.g. CCBS)

However, as some people have noticed and pointed out recently, Lego has integrated Technic functions into system builds very effectively in the last 20 or so years.

Almost every recent set that features gimmicks or action functions contains many Technic parts inside of them.
So, if We’re lucky enough to see another Gen of Bonks, maybe We’ll see figures that mix System construction with Technic functions, thus giving the"best of both worlds" for us and potentially new consumers.

Imagine a wave of six sets like the 2023 GWP Tahu, but maybe slightly bigger (Around the same height as the Toa Mata/Nuva.), with small, system-compatible Technic functions on their back.

I think that would be awesome! :slightly_smiling_face:

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