History & Fantasy : advantages and disadvantages, other thoughts

[Gustavo]

Hello, Playmofriends!

Always hoping that gB does pays attention to what we think,
& considering that some of us (I can say for myself) never get bored of chatting about playmo,
I'd like propose this new thread.

Please, lets try (at least) not to use it to complain so much, aye?

There are many news in the playmobil world (specifically, in the catalogue, for 2009), so, I think we could discuss some things, not only about this new line Playmobil has been developing (divided into many, I mean, a fantasy line, which contains the themes of "seapeople" (mermaids, nymphs, or "Atlantid people" ), dragon knights, fairies, the already gone (but I'll mention them, anyhow) bunnies, and ghost pirates), so that we can share our opinions, and thoughts on them.

I'll let the thread open, and speak next week about what I think, for a beginning. I'd love to hear your opinion on the matter, no matter what you have in mind. Lets brainstorm, shall we?

(Respecfully, though, please, I beg, and as much without bitterness or bad feelings about it, as possible, if possible. If not, awgh, that's all right. As long as noone disrespects anyone else, including geobra ...)


Gus

[Rasputin]

Does not leave much room for debate 

I would have to say that i am not really that disappointed with the choice to try to sell a marketable toy . If it keeps playmobil in business than so be it . What i do not like is that they chose to use this building system on the new castle and on the Egyptians . I love what stecks and system X have allowed us to do with our building to enhance the Klickies world .

I guess I really just want Playmobil to stick to High Quality Interchangeability . I can finds useful parts in any theme be it History or Fantasy as long as they are customizable .

[cachalote]

fantasy has a very big problem -  when you are used to "synthesize" people and buidings and vehicles for your designs, fantasy figures don't come out as good. 
the dragon in the picture is a good example of this. 
does anybody thinks he looks well-built? 
i can't agree with rasputin - that playmobil should do whatever keeps the business going.
they have built a solid reputaion (something difficult to attain but easy to loose) doing high quality toys.
that's what they know how to do and maybe they shouldn't loose their focus.
when you try to do something you have no experience in doing, things tend to go wrong. like the dragon. 

[Martin Milner]

I'm with Rasputin - I'd rather have Playmobil still around with the occasional shoddy item (I agree that dragon looks poorly produced) than have them collapse and then no more Playmobil.

If you don't like some new theme, think of it as the necessary evil that allows your own theme to be produced.

Like Ras, I can find parts in any theme that are useful, but I'd like customisable building parts and not big lumps of plastic that clip together and can't be taken apart again. If that's the direction Playmobil go, I'll be buying buildings from different sources when I need them.

I don't have a problem with Fantasy as log as it's clear that's what it is. History can be a turn off to some kids, but when they see that the two themes can blend, then maybe they'll find history more interesting.

[CountBogro]

I basically agree with Rasputin and Martin.

I still think that the Dragon-theme is rather a nice theme. I reserve my judgement on both the dragons and the tower. I would like to see them for real; although I doubt I will the towers very much.
The Dragon looks to me as if it's produced in the same way as Nessie; so it might nice.
All in all Fantasy has been part of Playmobil for a long time. I heard nobody moan when the the fairytale castle was released, nor when the entire Magic theme was released.
When the fairy-theme with the unicorns were released some of us were delighted while others just mentioned that they weren't into it.
The two fairytale sets weren't bemoaned either.
Some would argue that the Noah-set is pure fiction; yet no-one complained. Actually, it was a great hit in the shops! And now they're bringing in the Dragons and suddenly "Fantasy" isn't right. C'mon - watch the telly, read the books - there's Fantasy all over the place - and also for the adults ...

I think this theme might be a bigger hit then we would like to think.

As to the discussion Fantasy vs. History; I think there's plenty of room for both. I for one like both.

Bogro

[BlueWizard]

Exactly! Is it somehow different from the previous fantasy themes as Bogro says?  or is it just a quick reaction to something new?

I also agree with the comments on the building system to be more of a concern... it would be great to be able to use parts you like as with the steck system.  The clip/snap together sets don't make for easy customizing.

My other concern is for the number of sets released for each theme.  It seems that once a new theme is released with 6 to 9 sets our only hope for something new in that line is a special or something in the DS catalogue.  I would like to see further releases for new themes... why not more Egyptian or Roman set or 2, for instance? 

Anyway I am just happy that Playmobil releases some sets that I'd like to get each year - historical or fantasy!

David

[Rasputin]

cachalote, Is that the dragon that is in the new advent calendar or the one that comes with one of the towers . It looks really small and as though the wings or legs do not move 

[CountBogro]

Technically it's a Wyvern and not a Dragon as it doesn't have front legs ...

[cachalote]

i think this dragon is the one that comes with the towers rasputin. 
the calender has a different one (you can see it the 2009 new knights thread).
maybe they are both very appelaing to a 5 year old (and also, of course, to some of our members) but when the 5 year old grows i have a feeling these will not be the figures he would like to go back to. 
... or maybe i am just an old-fashioned "classicist". 

[Gustavo]

Beginning with the catalogue,

I know it isn't a History book, but
it brings

pg. 18, pirates,
pg. 20, knights (Middle Age)
pg. 22, Romans

It's exactly backwards, in historical theme. It isn't a crime but ... c'mon! Is it historic playmo? Why not keep the chronology?

This catalogue I have doesn't bring Egyptians yet, but I was taking a look at the new online catalogue, and I noticed that Romans and Egyptians come together. Is Romans getting out of catalogue?? I agree with the Blue Wizard: there's a problem of taking collections out of line, for .. what reason exactly? Where are the Vikings? Where's the 1900? We all miss them, and I'm sure kids that keep coming would like them a lot.

I like the fantasy themes, because they can be combined with historic. For instance, merpeople go really well with Romans and even pirates. Dragons go well with knights. Ghost pirates are great to play with pirates. (Maybe not adults, but I like the idea.)

I can't be sure about gB NOT having made any sort of agreement with Hollywood. Maybe they didn't, and got smart, but they've been following the cinema, in a non official way (unlike Lego, which produces themes namely ... Star Wars, Indiana Jones), Playmobil has been making material for kids to play LordoftheRings-Eragon-otherdragons, and PiratesoftheCaribbean. That's wonderful for kids & for Playmobil, and -- in my opinion -- for the playmobil world.

I only would like to see things in order in the catalogues:

Egyptians
Romans
*Merpeople
Vikings
*Dragons
Middle Ages (civillian, BACK WITH THEMATIC STECK TIMBERED HOUSES & bellic)
("Arabian nights", which have been partially done + Crusaders, which were never a theme)
*Fairies
Fairy Tale Castle
*Bunnies
Spanish Sailors (NOT AS PART OF "PIRATES" ...)
*Ghost Pirates
Pirates
Western (I'd really like to see this back in the catalogue too)
1900 (idem)

& then

ranch-forestanimals-farm
zoo
transport/airport-harbour-transport/trains
construction
citylife (or city services)
police-rescue-hospital
modern living
modern dollhouse
leisure-sports-adventure
dinosaurs


These are some of the things I think, for a beginning. I'll possibly speak somethings else


Gus