Technic figures - what happened to them?

sram

There is a thread to chose a set for makeover by Lego. This made me think a bit about some of the older sets. And got reminded that my Technic sets have no people in them, they all have the necessary accoutrements (a seat!) to accommodate a figure... but the minifigs are too small.

There was this some while back (Lego Technic Team):
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8300-1

What happened to the Technic figures? I never figured out why they were discontinued. Perhaps TLG has some valid reason for doing so?

davee123

They decided in the early 2000's to stop producing Technic figures for nondescript reasons. As I recall, they said that the Technic figures simply "didn't fit", or "weren't the focus of Technic".

My take on it is that they were probably expensive. The figures require quite a lot of assembly, and are probably pretty pricey to make. So if they could remove them, it made LEGO things cheaper. Also, it made things easier for designers, because it removed design restrictions on scale, as well as restrictions about fitting figures.

I expect they probably did some market research, and found that most Technic customers didn't really care all that much about the figures. Or, rather, that they cared more about the main model than they did about the figures that went along with them.

DaveE

sram

I have noticed how kids love it when there is a figure that goes with a vehicle. I had a date over, who commented that I was missing a driver in my Technic bulldozer.

Too bad they decided to discontinue Technic figures -- perhaps I should have hoarded some when they were available.

It might have been.

sram

Appreciate the response Dave!

TechnicNick

As a long time fan of Technic (since the earliest sets in the 1970s..) I can't say I miss the figures. For me, it was always all about the model and what it can do. The figure added nothing.

sram

@TechnicNick I agree. There is something about the mechanical functionality that is the heart of a Technic set. Also it is good to hear from another Technic fan! I have gotten the impression that there are few such fans.

Nevertheless, there is something to be said for a figure sitting in the seat that enhances play value.

TechnicNick

@sram thanks - us Technic fans are out there! Now, when it comes to playability, for me the ultimate is the little 854 Go-Kart and that never had and didn't need a figure.