Speculation on the upcoming Death Star

Gremer · August 2016

^I think 7142 has it beat.

brickupdate · August 2016

I saw the images. I suppose one thing that LEGO has that we don't is: DATA.

Clearly, with this being so similar to the old DS, they are not hoping that those who already have DS will buy the new one. Perhaps this is such a big seller, so consistently, that they didn't want to mess it up. So they made obvious updates (the figs), and that required them to change the model #.

Does this take the place of a UCS set that would have been released? If so, that is a real shame. Otherwise... the bright side is that for the next 5-10 years, kids will gawk at this in the store, and beg their parents for it.

worldofpenguins · August 2016

I don't understand the pricing.
Big Ben - half the price and 147 more pieces - ok, not licensed
Ghostbusters Firehouse - $150 less and 618 more pieces
Cinderella's Castle - $150 less and 64 more pieces - also Disney
How does the price match the piece count? It's ridiculous. I guess in 8 years that price will be looking better.

SprinkleOtter · August 2016

worldofpenguins said:

I don't understand the pricing.
Big Ben - half the price and 147 more pieces - ok, not licensed
Ghostbusters Firehouse - $150 less and 618 more pieces
Cinderella's Castle - $150 less and 64 more pieces - also Disney
How does the price match the piece count? It's ridiculous. I guess in 8 years that price will be looking better.

Big Ben has mainly tiny parts and no minifigs. DS has loads of large pars, and lots of minifigs.

bobabricks · August 2016

Now that I see the set is exactly the same, I want to see the designer video, just for my own amusement. :)

TheLoneTensor · August 2016

bobabricks said:

Now that I see the set is exactly the same, I want to see the designer video, just for my own amusement. :)

Whatever perkiness we may see in the video, this will be what's inside the designer's head...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5015319/uploads/editor/hb/4imwy302qxf9.jpg

wardm · August 2016

has anyone spotted any differences in the leaked images? I'm curious to know which small changes they made.. (darth vader's tie looks different and I see the border of palpatine's throne room is different too!)

pharmjod · August 2016

Since I doubt investors are gonna fool with this set, I fully expect it to have sales on it eventually.

TheLoneTensor · August 2016

wardm said:

has anyone spotted any differences in the leaked images? I'm curious to know which small changes they made.. (darth vader's tie looks different and I see the border of palpatine's throne room is different too!)

Wait, they changed Darth Vader's tie?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5015319/uploads/editor/ag/rl2s055dwvdw.jpg

tamamahm · August 2016

The intent was never to remake.
The intent here was a re-release, that way the price could be raised.
(IMHO)

JooTog · August 2016

TheLoneTensor said:

wardm said:

has anyone spotted any differences in the leaked images? I'm curious to know which small changes they made.. (darth vader's tie looks different and I see the border of palpatine's throne room is different too!)

Wait, they changed Darth Vader's tie?

Yes. The new one is a bow.

Image: http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-33021441641232/green-darth-vader-boys-bow-tie-5.gif

SprinkleOtter · August 2016

What does the Death Star wear to a formal event?

A bow-TIE

dougts · August 2016

tamamahm said:

The intent was never to remake.
The intent here was a re-release, that way the price could be raised.
(IMHO)

Yep. $400 was far too cheap for Lego by their vastly overinflated prices of the last couple years. Easy solution: Slap a new number on it, update the figs, and bump the price 25%

Mynatt · August 2016

Well for the record these appear to be some of the changes:

Missle launder across from the trash compacted now uses the new spring loaded launchers instead of the rubber missle.
New Vaders Tie Fighter.
Revised colors for the trash compactor.
The weapon of mass destruction has new peices.
Some new parts used for the turrets in the back.
Many more lasers on the box.
And of course the new figures as well.

I am sure that there is more but that's all the ones I notice immediately.

ISDAvenger · August 2016

Looks like the Tractor Beam Vault Room floor was DBG, but is now black.

Bumblepants · August 2016

ISDAvenger said:

Looks like the Tractor Beam Vault Room floor was DBG, but is now black.

OH! This changes everything! Back on the buy list!

bobabricks · August 2016

@ISDAvenger no it was black before, it does seem that we get a dark blue R2 unit at the bottom floor instead of black. The black protocol droid and assassin droid seem to have been replaced with imperial officers which is a shame. I was hoping for an updated version of that protocol droid. :/

ISDAvenger · August 2016

bobabricks said:

@ISDAvenger no it was black before, it does seem that we get a dark blue R2 unit at the bottom floor instead of black. The black protocol droid and assassin droid seem to have been replaced with imperial officers which is a shame. I was hoping for an updated version of that protocol droid. :/

Ah, your right. Guess its been awhile since I looked at it. I have a couple, just unbuilt at the moment. We are getting a blue R2 and I do believe they said we are getting a new Death Star Droid that looks like the one from the movie (bug eyed version).

bobabricks · August 2016

Oooo, could that mean a possible 4-LOM in the future?? I'm now intrigued to see the new minifigure line up for this set. I also want to see what parts have been replaced. I know for sure they would replace the tie fighter window in Palpatine's throne room, though the one thing I actually enjoyed about building 10188 was seeing all the old pieces and building techniques. It was truly a nostalgic set that was still on the shelves.

Chewybricks · August 2016

Its unfortunate that it is basically the same set as before. Whomp Whomp

Steve_J_OM · August 2016

I must be in the minority of those who aren't terribly disappointed. I love my 10188 and I think I'd feel worse if this was just different enough to want, and put me into a dilemma. As it is, I'm content that I don't have to search for another few hundred pounds in the budget, and those who missed out on 10188 have another chance to pick it up.

monkey_roo · August 2016

If it's true could this we the SW Lego set to finally jump the shark? Assult on Hoth has issues, but at least there was an attempt to redesign what was there, to be fair the hanger doors and structure are vastly superior to the 2007 set, but here, nothing, not even a pretence to making an effort.
if true maybe the issue is one of marketing and expectation, if Lego has simply said this will be a minifigure update and minor tweaks, the set will basically be the same at the same price etc. Then I doubt there would have been much fuss, especially if the new Snowspeeder had arrived this year and the main UCS. I don't know, all seems very slapdash to me

Paperballpark · August 2016

lordzarak said:

^ Why bother when it will be reissued yet again, but now with minidolls.

@pricey73 beat them to it...

mr_benn · August 2016

^ Loved seeing this at STEAM 2 years ago, was a contender for my favourite thing at the show! My favourite bit isn't shown in the pic above but showed the transformation of the exoskeletons into proper minidoll cyborgs...

I have to say that part of me is a teeny bit disappointed that it's just a re-tread of #10188, but then it really is one of my favourite sets that I own - I know it's not a 'proper' Death Star and just a bunch of vignettes and all that, but I've filled mine with all my my loose Imperial Officers, droids, Stormtroopers and DS troopers and it looks great and certainly attracts attention! I'm pleased that those who don't have the DS will have the opportunity to have it again :)

MattsWhat · August 2016

ecmo47 · August 2016

I know it all about marketing but it would have been nice if Lego would have just put out a Memo that stated that "The beloved Deathstar Playset is going to go into "drydock" for a much needed "overhaul" and will be back in the Fall of 2016". That would eliminated false expectations for the AFOL community and gin up some excitement in the kid community. Win-win for all.

DougTemplar · August 2016

More importantly can I bricklink the new parts and then sell my #10188 on ebay and charge even more? ;)

WatfordScottyM · August 2016

ecmo47 said:

I know it all about marketing but it would have been nice if Lego would have just put out a Memo that stated that "The beloved Deathstar Playset is going to go into "drydock" for a much needed "overhaul" and will be back in the Fall of 2016". That would eliminated false expectations for the AFOL community and gin up some excitement in the kid community. Win-win for all.

Exactly this! ^

False expectations in the AFOL community are entirely down to the rumour-mill. Lego could have quashed the rumours, but why should they? I can't understand people getting upset because Lego haven't produced what they (incorrectly) expected. It's not the end of the world. Just another set you don't have to buy if you don't want to.

Paperballpark · August 2016

ecmo47 said:

I know it all about marketing but it would have been nice if Lego would have just put out a Memo that stated that "The beloved Deathstar Playset is going to go into "drydock" for a much needed "overhaul" and will be back in the Fall of 2016". That would eliminated false expectations for the AFOL community and gin up some excitement in the kid community. Win-win for all.

I think you're being overly optimistic there. People would then have been speculating on what the 'overhaul' would look like, and maybe they'll change the play features, or add a surround, or maybe even change the whole thing, and would they make it bigger, or... etc. etc.

And then people would have been just as disappointed when it's revealed.

A.Brickovsky · August 2016

I just can't get over the fact they didn't even add any slopes and tiles to make it smoother. Because not only minifigs in 10188 were outdated...
It's like they rereleased the 2008 Beetle in Creator line. They didn't - the new Beetle is entirely new, original, modern design. But their bestselling Death Star remains the same for whatever reason... please don't tell me that if they changed the design for a modern one, plus updated minifigs, even if the overall structure remained the same, that it wouldn't sell...

Paperballpark · August 2016

A.Brickovsky said:

But their bestselling Death Star remains the same for whatever reason...

I think you answered your own question ;)

pharmjod · August 2016

This is one of those times where I really would love to know the breakdown on how many of the original DS went to resellers / investors vs the general public. I suspect this is one set where the reseller community had a statistically significant impact on sales. I don't think that will be a problem with the new one. Part of me wants to see this set fail misserably and have to be put on massive discount to move. Of course $400 is still probably the floor for it, which given LEGO did no actual work for this one means they will still make good money. Sigh.

TheLoneTensor · August 2016

Mynatt said:

Well for the record these appear to be some of the changes:

...
Revised colors for the trash compactor.
...

Thank GOD they did this. I can finally sleep at night, and my children now have a brighter world in which to grow up. Well played Lego! Bravo.

A.Brickovsky · August 2016

Paperballpark said:

A.Brickovsky said:

But their bestselling Death Star remains the same for whatever reason...

I think you answered your own question ;)

Not really - it can always be more bestselling ;)

Paperballpark · August 2016

^ erm, grammatically, no it can't. It's a generic term to denote that something sells very well. Sure it could sell better, but it would still be bestselling.

It's like the old saying - if it ain't broke, why fix it? If LEGO have a design that sells consistently well, then why risk that by changing it too much?

TX_5555 · August 2016

Paperballpark said:

^ erm, grammatically, no it can't. It's a generic term to denote that something sells very well. Sure it could sell better, but it would still be bestselling.

It's like the old saying - if it ain't broke, why fix it? If LEGO have a design that sells consistently well, then why risk that by changing it too much?

Maybe Disney was upset that their name was not on the box and this fixes the problem.

Paperballpark · August 2016

^ I was going to add that as a reason, but there have been redesigns of boxes before without changing the set number - see Tower Bridge, Pet Shop and Palace Cinema for examples.

mountebank · August 2016

One consolation in this sorry business is the equivalent Death Star thread over on Brickpicker. There is much amusement to be had in reading it.

BrickDancer · August 2016

^I bet! TLG just basically nuked the Horde like Alderaan with this news.

bobabricks · August 2016

I really don't know why Lego made a whole fuss about a new UCS set when really all they are doing is a rerelease. Something like this would have been a bit less misleading for the past few months...

Paperballpark · August 2016

mountebank said:

One consolation in this sorry business is the equivalent Death Star thread over on Brickpicker. There is much amusement to be had in reading it.

Indeed. It seems one guy has about 60 of #10188...!

Kleiovous · August 2016

^Every cloud I suppose...

prevere · August 2016

^If he opened all of them up, spent 1000 hours of work to create a gigantic Death Star, sell it as an UUCCS Ultimate Ultimate Custom Collector Series model, he'd double his money.

Aanchir · August 2016

bobabricks said:

I really don't know why Lego made a whole fuss about a new UCS set when really all they are doing is a rerelease. Something like this would have been a bit less misleading for the past few months...

How big a fuss have they really made about it, though? Weren't AFOLs mostly getting hyped about the new Death Star on their own? Mind you, I haven't been following the discussion here, but I don't think LEGO has even put out any official statements about the new Death Star yet.

Of course, once it IS announced, I'm sure they won't promote it any less than they promote any other new UCS set, because even a re-release of an extremely popular set won't achieve the best sales it can without any kind of advertising. But let's not start projecting the excitement we felt when rumors emerged about a new Death Star onto LEGO. They weren't really stoking the fire all that much.

As for the price increase, at least half of that just amounts to inflation. $400 in 2008 is equal to $457 in today's money. I haven't seen a specific piece count for the new death star but I've seen some guesstimates of around 200 more pieces than the old one, which could potentially add another $20. This isn't to say the price is reasonable, but is it really that much LESS reasonable than the price of the old one?

It sort of reminds me of complaints about last year's Millennium Falcon being an overpriced rehash of the previous one, despite having a better price per piece and price per gram than ANY of its similar-sized predecessors after adjusting for inflation. Really, for every set these days that seems unfairly priced, even in the Star Wars theme, there's usually at least one with a value as good or better than similarly priced sets from ten to fifteen years ago.

TheLoneTensor · August 2016

The fu$$ $tem$ more from the di$appointment of Lego $quandering a wonderful opportunity for advancing the craft, choo$ing in$tead to pur$ue other prioritie$.

SprinkleOtter · August 2016

TheLoneTensor said:

The fu$$ $tem$ more from the disappointment of $quandering a wonderful opportunity for advancing the craft of Lego. Lego ha$ their prioritie$, and they are pur$uing them head on.

That is kind of the point of a business.... LEGO has been quite good to AFoLs, better than can be expected.

Heck, do you know how many AFoLs were upset when this set retired? Now it is back.

woony2 · August 2016

Well this makes me even more happy about the £205 I spent on my 10188. I still love it, my son spent 11 days building it and still plays with it regularly. The next ucs set needs to be spectacular, otherwise the line truly ended with the tie fighter.

eggshen · August 2016

TheLoneTensor said:

The fu$$ $tem$ more from the di$appointment of Lego $quandering a wonderful opportunity for advancing the craft, choo$ing in$tead to pur$ue other prioritie$.

#75159 The Death Star 2, The Search for More Money

lordzarak · August 2016

eggshen said:
#75159 The Death Star 2, The Search for More Money

Stop the thread! We have a winner!

Paperballpark · August 2016

What's the world coming to when a business actually wants to make MONEY?!

Jeez guys, are you for real? :/

Speculation on the upcoming Death Star

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