Luckily, I don’t need it to be Bionicle, I would be happy just to have constraction. If it could be Technic-based constraction, even better, but I would be happy with both System and Technic versions. But before settling on a story, picking a primary piece lane would be the most important factor.
For as much as Lego has changed over the decades, there is still some dogmatic thinking in how lines should behave. From what others have uncovered on the design process and the frequently rejected pitches that eventually became stuff like Throwbots, Roboriders, etc. even when the LEGO Group specifically asked for these sort of things. So if it goes with Technic as the primary base, then it has to be function based. Aside from sharing Technic’s budget, if you look at the set releases, there were no small and cheap Technic sets during Bionicle’s original run. That’s because Bionicle was serving as the inexpensive/cheap entry/gateway to the Technic line of sets. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that small Technic vehicle sets returned in 2006, the same year that Bionicle fully abandoned gear functions in their basic sets.
I do wonder if the Knights Kingdom II constraction figures had gear functions built into the torso because that was standard in Bionicle. And KKII’s mission might have been to try and convert Bionicle fans/purchasers into Castle and other System themes. We do know they tracked that based on comments around how Exo-Force did not convert many consumers to other themes and how few purchasers from other Lego product lines came to it.
And I state that because a realistic avenue might be Ninjago. Mechs being the savior of constraction jokes aside (wait, what do you mean people were serious about that?), that might be how it’s done. If going a Technic route, much like the KKII ratchets it borrowed from Galidor and the new Technic ratchet bricks it formed, it might need to be mech/dragon-like in build. Perhaps a System frame or some System covering for an otherwise Technic skeleton. . . So your pitch is good. Ninjago bikes, multiple play features, could have it so the sets could also be compatible or have smaller Ninjago mechs ride the vehicle modes.
At that point, the question becomes if the LEGO Group would want to convert people to a dedicated constraction product line or use it as a transition point towards Technic. I would hope the LEGO Group would be willing for it to truly become its own thing again but who knows.
As for my own constraction line, I haven’t really thought of a universe or story I would try telling. Mostly due to considering it not as immediately possible. One of two pitches I almost gave Lego Worldbuilder was a Technic-focused theme.
Basically, CyberSlam/Competition II, Battle Bots edition. Have a series of characters building various robotic contraptions to become champion. The main gimmick was to do what Ninjago Core/Evo did but for Technic. It could be done by a prefab gearbox, but I was thinking a couple of different gearbox cores, which could be upgraded with Power Functions, that are module and could be easily swapped out for other limbs, functions, etc. Didn’t end up pitching it because Hexbugs has the market already and didn’t think Lego would want to compete in that market share.
