LEGO responds to Collectible Minifigures cardboard box problems
Hear what the LEGO Group has to say about the controversial cardboard packaging for the latest series of Collectible Minifigures – and what the company’s next steps might be.
While LEGO 71039 Marvel Series 2 has gone down pretty well with fans as to what’s inside the box, the controversy about the boxes has overshadowed the minifigures themselves. Switching from plastic packets to cardboard boxes was a savvy sustainability move, but the fact that fans can no longer feel and attempt to guess what minifigure they’re about to buy has led to rampant ripping open of boxes.
With that in mind, one of the first sessions in the LEGO Group’s recent Fan Media Days event was centred around this new cardboard packaging. Predictably, those in attendance had a lot of questions (and opinions) about the situation, with many keen to know why the LEGO Group made the decision, what other options were discussed, and if the reaction from fans would spark a change in future Collectible Minifigures series.
It was interesting to see the other sustainable options, such as paper bags that the LEGO Group demonstrated were not sturdy enough to withstand more than five attempts to feel what was inside. If a sustainable option was to go forward, it did appear that cardboard boxes were the only way.
Hear from Brick Fanatics‘ Matthew, who attended the event, in more detail about what led the LEGO Group to the decision of Collectible Minifigures boxes, as well as if and when we’re likely to see any changes to the packaging for future series.
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imo this will backfire hugely. China is catching up on quality and now offers similar products of a similar quality at half the price. I’ve ordered Moon Knight through Temu for a little over 2€ and the quality is surprisingly good, and the detailed print even beats Lego’s. It came with two Headpieces instead of the One Lego offers. And most importantly, I got to select it!
Yes, the mystery has its charms, but that charm turns into frustration when you have three times the same mjnifigure whilst trying to get that specific one that you wanted through the weighting method. (which works perfectly on Moon Knight since it’s the only one in that weight range)
Lego is facing big problems in the future if it’s going to push through its philosophy. They might be the market leader today, but their range and easiness to create a collection of Minifigures becomes a hassle and people don’t like hassles. (not to mention the price of their products compared to competitors).
Watch out, Lego because your monopoly position is fading.
i like the figures in the blind bags where you could guess it. But this is no fun. I brought one. And don’t really like buying more. Better to let us know what are in them, like when you buy Hot Wheels cars.
Have a picture of the figure that’s in that box on the back or a number. Then collectors can go nuts and anyone else can just buy a random one if they like.
If paper are too thin then why not some cloth material. There are lot of cloth material made from plants.
Don’t break so easy and easy to recycle ??
Why don’t they use a plastic bag that is recyclable? Single-use plastic is bad but let’s not forget, the item inside is plastic and Lego have just announced they’re ditching using recycled plastic for their parts.
why can’t lego release a box of a set in a series for genuine collectors, I now but a complete set viaresellers on fleabay
LEGO makes enough money they shouldn’t have to put anything in surprise bags or boxes to begin with; which is the whole flipping problem!!! so stupid
By putting the minifigs in boxes, Lego are basically promoting gambling to children.
Well done Lego!
They could make minor changes to the boxes like we had originally thought (but debunked). Where certain dots in a sequence or unique sub codes to identify the characters. Something subtle and unknown unless you knew to look for it (or research it).
In my honest opinion is this nothing more than a physical “loot box” in that your in theory gambling.
lol I find all quite fun trying to get the minfigures I want…..its all part of the fun of searching gor them
Can’t Lego just punch a load of random little holes at different positions around the boxes?, that way if you really want to work out what you have in the box you should be able to, but there is still enough of the figures hidden that the little kids that want the surprise and don’t care if they get a double.
Why don’t they put a code on the box, a different number corresponding to a specific figure but don’t publish what figure belongs to what number. Children and those who just want a go at getting 1 or 2 they can just buy a random one but for those who would like to complete the set buys one of each number.
this is absolute nonsense. they could just put the picture of the minifigs that is in the box on the outside of the box! that way they can make the boxes significantly smaller and have even more sustainable packaging. but no, they only want to talk about sustainability in terms of plastic vs cardboard because that way they sell more of these as people buy multiples trying to get the one they actually want. imagine if other Lego products or even hot wheels were sold this way. it’s insane. they are physical loot boxes.
I can just imagine the bedlam in stores if hot wheels came in blind boxes especially with rare ones like treasure hunt cars (if they still anything like that)
There would ripped boxes everywhere.