LEGO Chima

I don't know if you're noticing this, but LEGO Chima seems to be everywhere... And I don't consider this a bad thing.

Despite my cynical nature, I've always thought that if LEGO want to be successful with their non-licensed brands, they need to adopt a different marketing approach -- IP like Star Wars pretty much sells itself, but LEGO IP has always been a problem, like Power Miners, Rock Raiders, Aquanauts, etc.  It's not that the sets are less fun, or have less play, but it doesn't resonate with the public at a cultural level -- IP like Star Wars does and will have lasting cultural resonance.

With LEGO Chima, I see bits of the movie Avatar... bits of Thunder Cats... factions based on animalistic traits... there seems to be a deeper story there, but as far as I can tell, the story is a bit weak, but -- and here's where it becomes interesting -- LEGO is releasing a cartoon around the same time they release the sets, to help fill the story void in... to tell the deeper story... and LEGO will release a video game around the same time... and NOT a year or two years later like LEGO Batman (sets released and were out of production by the time the video game was released and became a overnight hit; only disappointing kids because the sets were no longer being produced)... and LEGO Harry Potter and LEGO Indiana Jones suffered from a similar fate.

Now there might be some contractual agreements with licensed IP that the video game and sets couldn't be released at similar times, or production times weren't in sync (see: my cynicism above), but with LEGO Chima, it's interesting to see product release in timed with the animated series & video game release.  And it will be interesting to see if it successful or not, with a non-licensed IP.

... I know NinjaGo was a sleeper hit for LEGO last year -- it has Ninja's that haven't been produced by LEGO for many years, so it's no surprise to me -- but to be honest, the NinjaGo line didn't have that cultural resonance with me... be it a deeper story, or something I could relate to.

FOLLOW UP: On one hand, I like to see LEGO succeed with a a non-licensed IP, but on the other hand I'm not too happy with 2013's pricing structure & the news of layoffs at LEGO...

Wax/Wane of Video Game Development?

In LEGO Universe news comes this post:

LEGO Universe developer NetDevil, based in Colorado, have laid-off "a lot of talented folks" reveals a now former employee. The studio has cut "over 20 people."

Only a "very, VERY small team" is retained for LEGO Universe. Numerous former staff have posted NetDevil tombstones on their Facebook profiles.

Full story here: http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/11156/netdevil-left-with-very-small-team

I'm thinking this is just the wax/wane phase of video game development. Others are thinking this could mean to the end of LEGO Universe. Historically speaking in the video game industry, developers are only held onto for a short time after the game is out the door. In larger companies, talented developers would be moved onto the next project. It's unfortunate in this case.

What this could mean for LEGO Universe is a slowdown in new content development. With the recent changes in LEGO Universe, I've been thinking about renewing my subscription.

UPDATE:
So a follow up article: http://gaming.icrontic.com/news/lego-universe-development-sold-to-the-lego-group/

Sounds like the LEGO Group bought development rights to LU and is cutting the fluff.  This could be a good thing where products are introduced into LU at the same time they hit the shelves...