PlaymoFriends
General => Brainstorming For Playmobil => Topic started by: Rhalius on March 19, 2012, 16:05:42
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Love or hate the figures, the concept is good.
The problem is, it can be a bit too random.
So my suggestion would be to have a second surprise figure series thats more focused, and could be released once or twice in a year, shortly before a mayor theme is launched.
This year will see the return of Western after many years for example, that could be accompanied by a release of male and female western figures that are not seperated by gender.
All figures of this series would be compatible with the western sets and could give better results when mixing them up instead of mostly silly combinations.
Heres a few lists of suggestions for various themes their figures:
Western.
Various cowboys, cowgirl, bandit, Undertaker, Confederate soldier, Union soldier, Indians from various tribes, Banker, Dancer, Barkeep, Blacksmith, goldseeker, Rodeo clown, Country singer, Mexican cowboy, gentleman, lady, con artist, sherrif, old lady, Pastor, Stable boy, drunk, gambler,
Medieval.
Blacksmith, Herald, Bard, Farmer, maid, stable boy, Gypsy fortune teller, Gypsy dancer, Gypsy musician, Teutonic Knight (with horned helmet), Highlander, Princess, Noblewoman, Nobleman, Musician, Tavern Wench, Guardsman, Sailor, Sculpter, Painter, Elderly advisor, Bischop, King, Queen, Prince, Hospitaller doctor, Merchant, Woodsman, Monk, Viking, Norman Knight, Mercenary, Janissary, Mongol Archer, Arab spearman, Beggar, Spy, Diplomat, Prisoner, Tax collector, Squire, Hunter, Renaissance doctor, Berber, Irish warrior, Templar knight, Harem Dancer, female knight, Milkmaid.
Modern.
Policeman, Female swat agent, Firewoman, Doctor, Nurse, Judge, Cameraman, Reporter, Maid, Handy man, Guitar player, Singer, Dancer, Astronaut, Tennis player, Golfer, Diver, Asian tourist, Train conductor, Actress (with oscar in hand), Bodyguard, Thief, Sailor, Construction worker, Salesman, Office worker (in a suit with laptop), Waitress, Juggler, female clown, Mail man, Bride, Priest, Clicky in gorrila suit, Old woman, old man, coast guard.
Pirates.
Musketeer (old french style like the three musketeers), female pirate captain, sailor, Redcoat grenadier, Scottish bagpipe player, Dutch blue guard soldier, Napoleon, very unfortunate pirate (eyepatch, wooden leg and hook), black female pirate, Prussian Grenadier, Arab pirate, noble lady, nobleman, fat merchant, carpenter, Dockworker, Duelist, Spy, Conquistador, Blackbeard, gentleman pirate, Navigator, officer, peasant lady, shipwrecked soldier, Italian sailor.
Ancient.
Praetorian, old philosopher, Spartan Hoplite, generic hoplite, Egyptian civilian, Greek/roman noble lady, Celtic warrior, Persian warrior, Roman spy, Centurion, Legionaire, barbarian male civilian, barbarian female civilian, Roman hornblower/ flag carrier, Roman Peltast, Carthaginian marine, Eastern merchant, female barbarian warrior, Gladiator, Snake charmer, Gothic swordsman, German hunter, African spearman, Persian archer, Sailor, Persian lady with urn.
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I would like to see those groupings, not as mystery figures in individual packs, but just sold as one set, but still interchangeable like the f?gs. Does that make sense? I mean like all those western klickies together in one add-on set, with the easily changable parts so you could buy more than one set and change them around and make them all look different.
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Part of the concept of the mistery figures is the randomness.
This you suggest would be a different concept (except for the mistery part) so it would be better make it into another line IMO. Im not saying it is a bad suggestion just saying it would fit better a whole new line.
Maybe the re-instate of the 5 clickies box.
Or boxes with parts and accesories for 5 characters yourself can put together as you wish. But as I said... it would be a completly different thing. I feel that woud be better.
:love: :love: :love:
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Instead of the mistery figures, the idea of a 5-pack sounds great! :)
I like all the ideas, but I was wondering how the con artist would look like? ;D
And how would the ancient german hunter look like?
Maybe someone some ideas?
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It's pretty much meant as a different thing yes, thats what I meant with second series. I gues that was a bit unclear.
I'd see it more as a thing to promote the upcoming release of a theme, like releasing a bunch of cowboy figures at the launch of the cowboy theme. Each year they could pick two themes with new releases that they wish to give some extra promotion, and for the occasion they could release fewer figures than with the regular series, but all of that theme. It could be released about two weeks or a month before the release of the promoted theme and could already feature new parts that would be used for the new theme. There could be 6 figures for each promotion.
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Ah excellent idea, my friend. Except the modern figures and the Greek/Romans... :lol: Just my opinion... though I'm sure I would get some for the parts, ha!
Honestly, I think any sets that have a lot of figures - like the two packs or the other larger packs suggested - are very welcome. Sometimes I find myself wanting to buy or buying sets only for the figures and not the rest of the parts. And they are after all the central items! I would undoubtedly purchase more of these than any other sets I have if they were to be released, especially considering that I find the grey inner pieces and ease of customisation of these Series figures to be absolutely fantastic.
That said, reading this and reading/thinking of my own ideas makes me excited for these to be released, despite it being so doubtful! Alas, we can but hope, I suppose... You have a lot of excellent ideas here for figure options though; well done, Rhalius!
...Templar knight, Harem Dancer, female knight, Milkmaid...
Slipped that right in there, eh? :lol:
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Like someone said, I think this was discussed before..
The blind figures split by gender make no sense. I believe even for kids. A boy will want for example knights, and maybe a lady to be their queen/princess/damsel in distress... But will probably end up getting a skater, or a vampire? That is probably discouraging (sp?)...
If they MUST be blind, your solution would be fine. At least people would have a lot less chances of ending up with really "off" klickys. And parts would actually be (mostly) interchangeable. To say that of the first series.. well.. only for freak shows. It works for us cause we have other parts to add in the mix.
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Yes, we had discussed this before. I was one of those in favour of less randomness. For all the PR about mixing and matching, the assortment is way too random to come up with anything half decent.
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Yes, we had discussed this before. I was one of those in favour of less randomness. For all the PR about mixing and matching, the assortment is way too random to come up with anything half decent.
Exactly. Besides, I ASSUME most NORMAL PEOPLE aren't interested in all themes, so it's kind of a let down.
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It wouldn't be that bad if it weren't for the mystery slant, mind you. That way you'd pick up only the figures you're interested in (which is what I used to do with the specials). But yes ... this smacks of cynicism on the part of PM (and Lego, too), which is what I've been saying ad nauseum.
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I think you just have to either like or dislike the F?gures for what they are... a random assortment of klickys. That's what they are, and trying to make them something else, like say an army-building set, or change the way it's done, isn't going to work. I like their randomness, and want one of each, no matter the theme, just to keep as they are as a collection of their own. To me they are a theme in and of themselves. If you don't like them, stick to buying other things, and be glad to give your wallet a break by skipping them.
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Well, that works for US... (sort of)
But I think it could be MUCH better if they were themed.
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And btw, I think kids are probably a lot less stuck on staying in a particular theme than we collectors are. ;) Children are happy with a much more random assortment in general, and will fit all the toys into one story whether they belong together or not.
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And btw, I think kids are probably a lot less stuck on staying in a particular theme than we collectors are. ;) Children are happy with a much more random assortment in general, and will fit all the toys into one story whether they belong together or not.
Hmm, I actually think that themes are better, especially if there were as many options in each theme as suggested here. If someone really wanted a selection, they could pick random bags from each theme! :lol:
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It's true that kids are easier tempted to buy from all kinds of themes, but I must say that thinking back about it I wish I did stick with fewer themes.
But still, there is a great amount of randomness possible within a single theme, and I would really like Playmobil that explore that and come up with less obvious choices within such a theme instead of always redoing the same few characters.
Any theme would in theory be capable of filling an entire playmobil catalogue after all. For modern its pretty obvious of course, and thats all compatible. But same is potentially possible for other themes. They shouldnt do that of course, but I just like to point out they have an equal range.
For example western.. within that you could have the themes: Train, ranch, Fort (north vs south), mines, town, Indians, Mexicans, Riverboat.
Or medieval: Castle (with interiour sets sold seperatly) village, forest, Stables, Armies, Merchants and trade, Crusaders, Arabs, Vikings, Highlanders, Religion, Farm.
Or pirates: Pirates, Asian pirates, Redcoats, Conquistadors, Palace, ghost pirates, trade, tropical island (with natives), Fort.
Maybe even space: Monorail, mine, city, evil aliens, very advanced intelligent aliens, bandits and space police, explorers, space station, space port.
Providing a wider range of figures within a theme just expands the play possibilities for a child. Give a kid some knights and soldiers of two factions and you know he will play a battle with them. Provide some peasants, and then the peasants could be protected by one army. Add a princess and knights could fight for her favor, or she could be kidnapped. Add a minstrel or jester and there might be some comic relief between the fighting. etc.
It simply allows children to really think further as they play and encourage more creativity. To us it might come natural to think of all the possibilities with a figure, but a child might require more encouragement.
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I think you just have to either like or dislike the F?gures for what they are... a random assortment of klickys. That's what they are, and trying to make them something else, like say an army-building set, or change the way it's done, isn't going to work. I like their randomness, and want one of each, no matter the theme, just to keep as they are as a collection of their own. To me they are a theme in and of themselves. If you don't like them, stick to buying other things, and be glad to give your wallet a break by skipping them.
I want ONE of each, yes. But I don't want FIVE of this, and NONE of that (which is what happened to another poster in another thread). That's the problem with this theme, for me.
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Yeah, that can be a little frustrating, or it can be viewed as a challenge, either way.
Rhalius, what you say is true, and to some extent they used to do that. Like say for the western theme, you can make from existing sets, a fort, a ranch, a town, an indian camp, a wagon train, a stagecoach robbery, a cattle drive, a civil war battle, a train robbery, or just a train ride, indians hunting a herd of buffalo.... the list goes on and on. It wasn't all that limited. Same with the old medieval theme. I wish they would go back to having more variety within each theme.
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I think you just have to either like or dislike the F?gures for what they are... a random assortment of klickys. That's what they are, and trying to make them something else, like say an army-building set, or change the way it's done, isn't going to work. I like their randomness, and want one of each, no matter the theme, just to keep as they are as a collection of their own. To me they are a theme in and of themselves. If you don't like them, stick to buying other things, and be glad to give your wallet a break by skipping them.
I want ONE of each, yes. But I don't want FIVE of this, and NONE of that (which is what happened to another poster in another thread). That's the problem with this theme, for me.
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???
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:lol: I agree though, bonniebeth. More variety, even in current themes, would surely be nice.
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I like your figure ideas, Rhalius :) but I absolutely HATE Playmobil's mystery idea! >:( If I were to know what I was getting I'd probably order one of each figure and multiples of some, but as it is I haven't bought a single mystery figure!
I can't imagine most children are happy with the idea either. Remembering back when I was a child, I knew which toys I wanted and which ones I didn't. I don't think a little girl wanting the ballerina and getting the Laura Croft figure would be happy, nor would a little boy wanting the rockstar and getting the pizza guy. I think children would get tired of the disappointment pretty fast and most parents aren't going to buy dozens of mystery packs just to get the one their child wants.
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I like your figure ideas, Rhalius :) but I absolutely HATE Playmobil's mystery idea! >:( If I were to know what I was getting I'd probably order one of each figure and multiples of some, but as it is I haven't bought a single mystery figure!
I can't imagine most children are happy with the idea either. Remembering back when I was a child, I knew which toys I wanted and which ones I didn't. I don't think a little girl wanting the ballerina and getting the Laura Croft figure would be happy, nor would a little boy wanting the rockstar and getting the pizza guy. I think children would get tired of the disappointment pretty fast and most parents aren't going to buy dozens of mystery packs just to get the one their child wants.
Yes I see parents quite often picking up the packs and quickly putting them back down. I have a feeling the Lego packs sell well due to the huge adult collectors base. My kids only like them due to me buying so many and they are not disappointed knowing that eventually they will get the ones they want. They do know exactly which ones they want also. I can use most all of them but we collect every theme and that is not common.
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It is sad to get one that you really don't want, and it is annoying to feel them all the time to make certain their identities. :( I wouldn't mind so much if they were specifically themed, because you'd know (if you really like a certain theme) that you'd be happy with any of the possibilities. At least there would be less feeling anyway.
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Except in the case of army building where you often want your figures to be uniform (or maybe that's just me? ;) ), I agree that if the mystery figures were by theme it wouldn't be so bad.
I just don't understand why Playmobil didn't decide to release these mystery figures as budget Specials in bags instead. They could charge the same and then everyone would be happy. Playmobil might even be happier as their sales could very well be higher.
I've been to two different Toys 'R Us stores and saw that multiple mystery packs had been torn open with some of the parts spilled out into the large box containing the packs. While I certainly don't approve of shoplifting (if some parts and/or figures were stolen from the bags) and the destruction of property, I can understand people's frustration at wanting to know what is inside of the bag. Incidentally, one summer in college I had a retail sales job and I remember the store manager telling me that statistically speaking 9 out of 10 shoplifters do not enter a store with the intent to shoplift but only do so after receiving poor or no service. I've never bothered to research this statistic and it was obviously said to me to encourage good customer service, but this very well may be true and something Playmobil might consider.
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Except in the case of army building where you often want your figures to be uniform (or maybe that's just me? ;) ), I agree that if the mystery figures were by theme it wouldn't be so bad.
I'd like to be able to do that, but I reckon the crusaders are all discontinued now. :(
I just don't understand why Playmobil didn't decide to release these mystery figures as budget Specials in bags instead. They could charge the same and then everyone would be happy. Playmobil might even be happier as their sales could very well be higher.
That's a good idea too, if they put them in even smaller boxes or something. I really do like the grey inner pieces that allow for easy customisation though, and I hope that their quality lasts like the original inner pieces. So if they still included those and the figures in pieces that'd be great, and it might add to sales. But I still think some of the lesser desirable figures would be left in giant hordes.
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I believe lego is doing this already. I went to TRU and saw they had the ninjago mystery packs. I could be wrong as I'm not a lego expert. I like this idea. I wouldn't hurt my feelings to go back to regular specials so you know what your getting.
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I believe lego is doing this already. I went to TRU and saw they had the ninjago mystery packs. I could be wrong as I'm not a lego expert. I like this idea. I wouldn't hurt my feelings to go back to regular specials so you know what your getting.
Now that you mention it I too saw the Ninjago theme packs. confirmation makes it fact ;D
I think it is better for a company to know what is selling and then you can adjust your product lines
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A litttle mystery is fine, but its a bit too much randomness now, I agree that kids will definatly be disappointed at times with the figure they are getting.
There will be few kids that would like all 12 figures of the set, theres always some they dislike. Thats true for us as well, and it might be stronger for kids even.
And if its a bit more specific you will at least know that each figure can be used with the playmobil you have. Sure, if its just western you could still end up with five undertakers, three farmers, four sherrifs and a southern soldier, but since its all the same theme it would be easier to mix them up a bit with each other. The five undertakers could just be used as a group of important bankers, the three farmers can be placed around a bit and maybe mixed up some so they wont look like, and three of the four sherrifs could be deputees. And their accesoires would always be usefull.
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I don't prefer random f?gures in this case,but I suggest a box with about 5 interchangable figures in themes,with accessories!For example Victorian family with mum,dad,boy,girl,baby,hats,umbrella,etc.Or other families like western,modern,medieval!Or people in a specific work (for example a box to include an employer with black suit and laptop,2 employees,2 secretaries and many accessories).Another good idea could be also multi klicky sets,like king and princess that released in 2010.I would like for example an interchangable woman,with many wigs,accessories,extra dresses,to be transformed from princess to household wife,victorian lady,pirate woman,cowboy woman,fairy,bride.I want her with white clothes of course,which is a neutral color,and by adding accessories to totally change!
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hm well thats not a bad idea.. but if you have swappeable clicky sets, it might be good to have about three clickies in there of the same gender who can mix and match amongst each other. There could be some extra wigs in there perhaps, and more accesoires than required such as belts, hats, cuffs, beards and such, along with accesoires to match the theme of the three clickies.
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Also a good idea would be double faced figures,with one side normal colour and the other side black colour,but long hair to cover the other side!Also the hands to be removed in order to change the white and black.So if it will be realized,it will be good!
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Not really a fan of double faced clickies. I'd rather see three black clickies together in a package. You can then always mix up their parts with other figures to fit them in other themes.