PlaymoFriends
General => Report & Review => Topic started by: Giorginetto on December 07, 2009, 06:28:11
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Been looking at reviews and pictures of the new dragon / magic / mediaval sets ... Not as excited as i was with the romans or more especially when the revised castles and varius mediaval sets came out in the early / mid 90s....
I hope they bring back some short of revised mediaval town houses and shops. For so many years Playmobil made these , and houses like TownHall, Potter shop and Museum are truly awesome. The roof of the museum the klickies of the townhall ( with the once very rare red necklace ...) were once - before the ebay and internet days - some of the most sought after sets..... i knew someone who paid 100 dollars and that was quite a few years back for just a mint museum knight ......
The new Mediaval sets , all these dragons and press the button items are well interesting but somehow are not so playmobil in classic design terms in my opinion. And dont get me wrongo , the new big flying dragon is awesome for example ( havent got it but looks very good ) but well two dragon kingdoms , actually three , and one kings castle - which is nice but the new design walls and towers feel and look SMALLER than the older design walls and take ages to set up etc etc - , ok thats great but where are the rest ?? robin hood, town houses etc etc . The mediaval theme reached its peak in the mid 90s and since then its shrinking not expanding . Nice touch the special sets that give us some great klickies like the temple knights etc but i think there are TOO MANY DRAGONS .... these days .... ??? ??? ??? ???
They blamed Mozart for 'too many notes' but when it comes to playmobil mediaval i think the cannons sets , mixed with Knights and lots of dragons , lots that is is somehow messing things up. For someone who want to set up a big mediaval set he / she is limited and has to inevitably go back to old sets ...
I guess i never really liked the new mediaval walls also ... does anyone share this view or i am just been pointless ??????? ??? ??? ??? ???
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Not missing the point at all, you're absolutely bang on as far as most people on this board feel.
We liked the variety of Medieval life represented in the 90s sets, and we are extremely disappointed by the entire focus being on knights and combat in the current knights theme. I think almost everyone here who collects Knights would prefer a return to the style of the 90s.
We like Steck for its variety of build options, and dislike System X castles because they are too limited. Odd you should say it takes ages to set up, as it was designed to make it easier, with larger pieces, especially the 3268 keep pieces (which I hate btw), but we all know the pain of those stupid red and yellow connectors, so maybe that's what you were referring to.
The new Dragon Knights theme is Playmobil going off on a Fantasy tangent. We have yet to see if this will replace the standard Knights, I suspect they'll run side by side for many years yet. If the fantasy theme went on with orcs, trolls and goblins then I'd like it better; dragons while impressive are too big to have many, but that may be a bit too obviously LOTR for Playmobil to pursue. The dragon "tower" castles look to be the same style as the recent Spanish lighthouse, not a building system I like with no variation possible at all, though i'll no doube be getting one of each at least eventually.
If we assume Playmobil have researched their market, then this is what they think will sell to boys, and we'll see more fantasy and dragon stuff and less realistic medieval life, if less than the current offering is possible.
At least we all still have the option of building our towns and marketplaces using DS and accessory items, though I'm not expecting much joy from ordering DS items in the US from all reports on this forum.
For realistic historical sets it looks like we'll be relying on the Romans, Egyptians and whatever follows. The Romans were also sadly thin on life outside the army, the Egyptians doing slightly better for civilians, but I think the days of bakers, potteries, museums and blacksmiths are long gone. With no Hans Beck to steer things that way, those old sets are going to command higher and higher prices on eBay.
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I agree with you 100%, Georginetto.
I started collecting only since last year, but I have seen what used to be available in the Medieval theme, and I wish they were still available. They are much better than what is offered now.
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Hi Georginetto :wave:
Like Martin stated most on this forum preferred the steck system and how in the 90's there was a more balanced representation of army and civilian life. Playmobil's new focus on the army life seems to be a reflection of what is going on in the market place. Playmobil is finding itself competing with young boys and girls who are increasingly drawn to video games (& violent ones at that) at early and early ages. Now with the news that the large knight castle is being discontinued I wonder if it is going to be replaced or the new focus set on the dragon knights theme?
I do feel that Playmobil has tried to appease some of us classic collectors by reintroducing the market stand and the red, blue & yellow framework houses. I have seen and myself was able to achieve a lot of civilian representation through these limited sets.
I was not shocked, disappointed yes but when Hans left he must have had some influence on things as things changed quite rapidly. I do realize that if Playmobil does not follow market forces they would not be able to afford new molds and could shrink as a company. The opposit is happening as they are doing something right in these challenging times. After reading more articles on the history of Geobra I am starting to wonder what could happen to Playmobil when Mr All Mighty departs?
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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I'm a collector of modern theme sets myself :love:, but my fascination of the Steck Medieval castles, & houses is always present ;D! I gave in to buying the wizards workshop 3839 :cloud9:, & have been battling not collecting the 3666, & 3667 castles ever since! I just wish that PM would listen to what customers like! We spend a lot of money supporting them, & you would think they would be more a tuned to our desires! BTW, I favor the old dragons in sets 3345, 5732, & 3840 :)9, not the new ones with chicken wings :no:!
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I do feel that Playmobil has tried to appease some of us classic collectors by reintroducing the market stand and the red, blue & yellow framework houses.
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
Noe thats something i dont have . i have about 16 houses , white , red, yellow , one green houses but still dont have the blue one !!! they seem quite rare and frankly had forgotten all about them .... when were they released ? are they really that hard to find?? only a couple on ebay waiting from someone in the US to tell me if he can ship to greece .. they seem more rare than the others though..... :( :( :(
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but still dont have the blue one !!! they seem quite rare and frankly had forgotten all about them .... when were they released ? are they really that hard to find??
Hi Giorginetto :wave:
They were released some where between 2006 or 2007 ??? and were discontinued in 2008 . When the yellow one came out the blue one went . We can still get the red and yellow for $35 from Playmobil USA. Unfortunately we do not have too many stores that carry the Add-Ons so it is hard to find stock left over and sellers on ebay seem to always try to capitalize on this with unrealistic mark-ups .
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Hi Giorginetto :wave:
They were released some where between 2006 or 2007 ??? and were discontinued in 2008 . When the yellow one came out the blue one went .
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
bought a blue one just now from Britain on ebay .comes with a coupe of klickies also drinking beer !!! excellent !!!!
;D ;D ;D
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bought a blue one just now from Britain on ebay .comes with a coupe of klickies also drinking beer !!! excellent !!!!
;D ;D ;D
Yup, that sounds like a British house.
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I've always felt that the fantasy themes of Playmobil (I include the ghost pirates in these) were a step in the wrong direction, conjuring up ideas of cheap tat and just getting in on the market, so I'm not surprised nor sorry to see them go.
Moving maybe off topic a bit, one thing I have noticed is that Lego are duplicating Playmobil's new lines very quickly indeed and, of course, Lego's nature allows them to do this.
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I definitely agree Gordon! LEGO seems to be able to wait then capitalize on others ideas!
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Lego are doing a medieval marketplace set at present for their Castle theme, so hopefully Playmobil will be quick to realise there's still a demand for non-combatant figures and buildings!
We may be losing the Ghost Pirates, but we're gaining Dragon World, so Fantasy is still present in the Playmo themes. I'm not dead set against Fantsay, but I do think they show Playmobil chasing a market rather than innovating, which is a shame for a company with such a great history.
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What I've noticed is that Lego are producing sets, for example, similar to Playmobil's construction sets only a short time after PM.
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Lego are doing a medieval marketplace set at present for their Castle theme, so hopefully Playmobil will be quick to realise there's still a demand for non-combatant figures and buildings!
We may be losing the Ghost Pirates, but we're gaining Dragon World, so Fantasy is still present in the Playmo themes. I'm not dead set against Fantsay, but I do think they show Playmobil chasing a market rather than innovating, which is a shame for a company with such a great history.
I really think Geobra is too staid to successfully innovate, with Hans Beck gone Playmobil is a cash cow and I doubt that the designers or owner wish to rock the cash flow when they can follow current trends with reduced risk.
Gepetto
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I really think Geobra is too staid to successfully innovate, with Hans Beck gone Playmobil is a cash cow
Gepetto
and with Mr Beck and his ethical rules gone i really hope i dont see Playmobil turning into a GI Joe Toy line with tanks , grenades and angry , hostile and violent faces . The new Fantasy Line with the dragon sets in my opinion has VIOLENCE in a way that was not portrayed before in the PM series. The faces especially of klickies with red like blood lines on face , angry hostile faces, the maces and much more destructive weapons that are far more destructive the very angry dragons and their posture are VIOLENT. I am personnally very opposed to such a theme and design , I hope this doesnt catch up and PM keeps Hans ethical guidelines .I am ok with wester weapons some police weapons and ok with some 'politically wrong' sets such as the chained bear and the axeman executioner which i think were silly but didnt do much harm but the new fantasy line is way too violent for Playmobil standards .
I also like to refer to the new 4845 ,4846 series . Just take a look at the klickies . they are more action figures packed with dynamite and weapons than anything else. So i am afraid its heading towards a GI Joe line... . Very wrong , considering the following ...
Beck's motto, "no horror, no superficial violence, no short-lived trends", paved the way for one of the great success stories of the toy business. Over 35 years, 2.2 billion Klickies .....
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I agree with much of what has been posted in this thread. Although I don't have much Steck and I don't hate System X, I definitely see where Steck is preferable overall. I also don't like the fantasy direction in which Playmobil is headed, but hopefully we'll see a renaissance of the Knight's and Western themes.
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I agree with much of what has been posted in this thread. Although I don't have much Steck and I don't hate System X, I definitely see where Steck is preferable overall. I also don't like the fantasy direction in which Playmobil is headed, but hopefully we'll see a renaissance of the Knight's and Western themes.
The Western is another big story . Back in 1977 there were 11 different western town houses plus the indian set plus the fort which is easily expandable ( these old western sets go very well with romans and vikings by the way... just see an Asterix comic , its like a carbon copy from it !!!! )
I am afraid we wont ever see such a collection again ..... People arent very keen on westerns anymore and that short of thing, mid 90s wasm the peak with the amazing mine , the saloon and the north and confederate armies ( though they had the wrong weapons at start , a silly decision partially solved via the confederate special klickies much later which had the proper rifles with bayonnaites..) What a great line that was !! And the indian sets were amazing... !!!!!Much better than today's airport and zoo sets etc etc etc . But's that just me opinion ... :wave: :wave: :wave:
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The Western is another big story . Back in 1977 there were 11 different western town houses plus the indian set plus the fort which is easily expandable ( these old western sets go very well with romans and vikings by the way... just see an Asterix comic , its like a carbon copy from it !!!! )
I am afraid we wont ever see such a collection again ..... People arent very keen on westerns anymore and that short of thing, mid 90s wasm the peak with the amazing mine , the saloon and the north and confederate armies ( though they had the wrong weapons at start , a silly decision partially solved via the confederate special klickies much later which had the proper rifles with bayonnaites..) What a great line that was !! And the indian sets were amazing... !!!!!Much better than today's airport and zoo sets etc etc etc . But's that just me opinion ... :wave: :wave: :wave:
I collected the Western theme as a child and had Fort Bravo and an Indian tepee but, unfortunately, none of the buildings. I'd love to have the newer saloon and sheriff's office and the older bank, blacksmith, hotel, drugstore, farm house, horse barn, church, ranch, and train station, but ebay prices for these are exorbitant. I have, however, acquired from ebay many extra fort parts and, as you mention, they work well not only for the Western theme but also as forts for the Romans, Vikings, and "barbarians".
Yes, unfortunately, Westerns have been out of favor for quite some time. The reason I mention its return is because there are rumors of an "Old El Paso Western Theme" for 2011. If this is the case, it would make many Western fans, like you and me, quite happy!
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What a great line that was !! And the indian sets were amazing... !!!!!Much better than today's airport and zoo sets etc etc etc . But's that just me opinion ... :wave: :wave: :wave:
Although I don't collect the cowboys & Indians/western theme, or any other theme that is historically relevent, I don't consider them inferior to the modern sets that I enjoy! I personally enjoy what Playmobil has done to promote the modern airport, zoo, veterinarian, harbor/cargo, firefighting, hospital, construction, supermarket, rescue, city business, police themes, etc., etc., etc.,! Even though I don't collect the older history themed sets, I'm still impressed with their design & detail & support their existence, but don't belittle them as being inferior to modern items! The only theme that I don't see a reason for is the ghost pirates, winged magic dragon knights, and what's up with the newest adventure series with hook launchers :no:. They don't follow a historical reasoning what so ever, but look to be mimicking a trend of popular movie creations. Hans philosophy is gradually being swept under the rug as time progresses, & I'm afraid eventually PM will look exactly like Lego with no moral belief restrictions, but that's just my opinion ;)!
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Hello :elf:
I would consider the modern theme to be a great representation of the real world at hand. All the modern themes have done a great job at what they are mimicking. This was not about what is wrong with anything other than the knights taking on a new direction. With the loss of the "Good Guy" castle and the earlier discontinuation of the "Bad Guy" castle it leaves Playmobil with very little in the historical knights theme. As soon as I saw the large knights castle on the chopping block I had to wonder if we were going to have to get used to Playmobil taking a "Fantasy" direction. There have been many popular movies about this subject and as stated many times, Playmobil seems to take notice of these short lived trends. Even the traditional girls themes are taking the "Fantasy" approach to their sets. Now with the loss of the traditional "doll house" it only leaves the fairy sets as a pink theme. Also the new adventure theme that is so similar to "Indiana Jones" has the over sized creatures and a "fantasy" style to them. I think this new dragon knights theme is a short lived replacement and will soon fade only to be replaced with a all new historically accurate knights theme full of peasants houses, women & children. Thats just my opinion and dream :xmascheer:
One other thing I wondered about when this new direction took place is- If this is what happened to the designs when Hans left what could happen when Mr. All Mighty leaves? He is no spring chicken and it is all under his control. Who are Geobras heirs? do they care about Playmobil? Will it just be somebody's cash cow? Oh I need to go back to auction sites and find more of the classics 8}
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Too many dragons :hmm: yes ...
I still only have the old model, which I quite like! I'll eventually try to get another one. Maybe green. (I have the red one.)
The blue steck house isn't so old as that, but indeed, it seems to have been around for a short while. (I got one, fortunately :) ... It's the only one I have, up till now ... I still intend to get a few others, but it'll have to wait.)
I like Martin's idea of goblins, orcs and trolls, but it's at the same time a little scary ... Maybe they'll put the klicky away!!! 8}
And I don't think all this has to do with the recent passing of Hans Beck. It's too recent, don't you think? Besides, some symptoms of this way of making the business were already there for a while.
I agree with Rasputin, and I believe he knows what he's talking about, when he says that the new videogame generation may have been the main source of the market researches for Playmobil, it looks like so ... and geobra B. always seems to have thought on kids. And to make the minds of the kids (i.e. give them what some -- like me -- think they need) is probably more difficult than to give what they want.
"Educational toys" don't make the industry much of a living, they must think ... So, give 'em entertaining toys, based on games and a little in the movies (Pirates of the Caribbean, Eragon(s) &c. ...)
I can't say I miss the eighties ... I was too young in the eighties to tell. And now, I can buy through the internet. I only hope I'll still wish to buy :'( ...
Hm ... (Gloomy subject :P )
Merry Christmas!
:xmascheer:
Gustavo
:blackhair:
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I think this new dragon knights theme is a short lived replacement and will soon fade only to be replaced with a all new historically accurate knights theme full of peasants houses, women & children. Thats just my opinion and dream
I hope you're right! :) I just can't imagine Playmobil without the traditional Knights and Pirate themes.
I don't collect the modern themes and haven't followed them closely over the years, but I do think Playmobil currently has some nice offerings within them.
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One thing to remember is that Playmobil is a German company. That means that trends in Germany will have more effect on the designers than trends in other parts of the world. Cowboy used to be huge in Germany, later than it was in the US. I believe there are still cowboy reenactment clubs active?