zedzed Nov 21, 2009, 8:43 AM

12. When BIONICLE finally does end, are you going to release previously unknown information? (Such as TSO's real name)
22) Depends on what you mean by "end" -- even if LEGO stopped doing sets, that does not mean official story would end, so I would not need to rush and release lots of stuff right away.

Tahu: Spirit of the Mist Nov 21, 2009, 2:46 PM

1Just something I was curious about.

2Hello, sir.
3You have said before that you are not allowed to read fan-fiction. Is this because LEGO doesn't want to risk plagiarism, or something else?
4If you don't want to answer, feel free not to. It was just something I was sort of curious about.
5--Tahu
6It's for two reasons. One, there is always the chance that if you are reading someone else's work, you can accidentally use some of it later not realizing you are stealing it -- and I don't want to risk that. Also, if I don't read it and everyone knows I don't read it, then no one can sue LEGO claiming their ideas were stolen.
7It's the same reason that if you send a letter in to LEGO suggesting a new character or set design, it never gets to the people who design the sets -- it gets bounced to Consumer Service and they send a form letter back saying we are not allowed to accept ideas from outside the company.

8--Tahu

9That's ironic, coming from Greg

Ravrahn Nov 21, 2009, 3:27 PM

zedzed Nov 21, 2009, 8:43 AM

102. When BIONICLE finally does end, are you going to release previously unknown information? (Such as TSO's real name)
112) Depends on what you mean by "end" -- even if LEGO stopped doing sets, that does not mean official story would end, so I would not need to rush and release lots of stuff right away.

12Seems pretty good confirmation that the story isn't wrapping up, and since that's one of the reasons people think the line will end, this is evidence to the contrary . Yay .
13If the story won't end immediately next year, after the super-final-battle, then it probably means a big reboot, again, or the start of a new saga, perhaps meeting those aliens with Atakus' swords? I doubt that it means the end of the franchise, after all, the story team isn't going to reboot with no sets, that'd be rather pointless. The not-immediate end would only be necessary if the story needed wrapping up after the set's conclusion, so it implies that the story won't end next year, or if it does, won't end on a "Victory . Yay ." note.

1Hey Greg . It has been a while, but I have some questions for you.....
2One: How good are the Legend Reborn Movie sales?
3Two: For 2010, we know that Nektann has his own set and story importance. I was wondering though... 4A. Will he be depicted with other Skadki? B. Will he be reduced in size to that of a Toa/Glatorian in Bionicle story (due to his set being equally sized with the rest of the stars and story following set)? And C. Will he/and or skadki resume the neutral enemy role like Malum did with the Vorox and Skrall (since the Skadki wouldn't have any reason to serve their former enemy, the Makuta)?
5Three: How far are you on the single 2010 novel?
6Four: Has there been any ideas for the 2010 serials?
7Five: For the recent topic you made "Favorite Protagonist Team for Bionicle," would you be able to make a serial on that (just an idea)?
8And Six: Are you going to resolve the situation with Tahu and the Toa Nuvas' plans to destroy the energized protodermis soon? It would seem like a good idea since Tahu is confirmed to take part in the 2010 story (which is supposed to take place on Bara Magna).
9Thanks .

10-Toa Deserok

1Hi Greg .
2Recently, someone posted this quote in the official Greg dialogue:

GlatorianJaller Nov 21, 2009, 8:12 PM

310) Does Tahu literally look like his 2001 form in 2010? I understand in media he would look like his stars form, but in story will he look like his first form ever?

410) In comic, he looks like the 2010 set

510) I understand that, but in story is he supposed to be his original form?

610) In story, the Ignika turns him back into a Mata. I am not sure the Ignika cares if he looks just like he did in 2001, which is probably why he doesn't.

7So that means that Tahu officially looks like the new set even in story, right? Is it possible that the Ignika transformed him back to how he looked until 1000 years ago, before the Toa Mata's organic tissue decayed during the time in which Toa canisters were swimming in the Endless Ocean? Or did the Toa Mata always look the same way as 2001?
8Thanks in advance .
9Toa-Kal

10The only thing that is non-canon is his size compared to 2001. But your theory wouldn't hold water, since the decay of his tissue would not change how his armor looked, and that is what is different in 2010.

1Hello Mr. Farshtey, 2How are you today? I just have a few questions. It's about those 2 glatorian found in the mata nui robot. What exactly were they doing there? How were they meant to survive in there, afterall being organic wouldn't they need food or something? Did they write that messege on the wall so that Bara Magna, and their mission wouldn't be forgotten? And they died due to the Great Cataclysm, correct? 3Thanks.

41) Hasn't been revealed 52) Did we ever say there were no supply stores? Or that they could not have been kept in some form of stasis until it was time for them to act? 63) No 74) That's correct

11. In the Game Boy Advance game BIONICLE: Quest for the Toa (formerly BIONICLE: Tales of the Tohunga), one Ko-Matoran states that Matoro has a good singing voice. Most of the Matoran statements in this game were backed up elsewhere (for instance, that Onewa is called "The Referee"), but I can't remember if I've ever seen this anywhere else. Is this tidbit canon?
21b. If so, does it have anything to do with his knowing the language of the birds? (for instance, it could easily refer to birdsong.)
32. Where do Rahkshi staves come from? In other words, are they created along with the Rahkshi armor when a Kraata is put in EP, or are they manufactured?
42b. If they are manufactured, who manufactures them? My guess would be the Nynrah Ghosts (seeing as they do a lot of the "personal" manufacturing for the Makuta), but Xia would also make sense.
53. Will Nektann's tool have a name or a function in-story, or is it just a blade? I'd obviously rather if it had a name and function like other Skakdi weapons, but not sure whether there's time or necessity to work that into the story.
6Thanks in advance for your help .

71) I guess, first I have heard of it since that game pre-dates me at LEGO 81b) No idea. 92) They are created along with the Rahkshi 103) I tend to doubt it will be given a special name, since the primary writing for his appearance is already done

Aanchir: Rachira of Time Nov 23, 2009, 5:18 AM

11. In the Game Boy Advance game BIONICLE: Quest for the Toa (formerly BIONICLE: Tales of the Tohunga), one Ko-Matoran states that Matoro has a good singing voice. Most of the Matoran statements in this game were backed up elsewhere (for instance, that Onewa is called "The Referee"), but I can't remember if I've ever seen this anywhere else. Is this tidbit canon?
21b. If so, does it have anything to do with his knowing the language of the birds? (for instance, it could easily refer to birdsong.)
32. Where do Rahkshi staves come from? In other words, are they created along with the Rahkshi armor when a Kraata is put in EP, or are they manufactured?
42b. If they are manufactured, who manufactures them? My guess would be the Nynrah Ghosts (seeing as they do a lot of the "personal" manufacturing for the Makuta), but Xia would also make sense.
53. Will Nektann's tool have a name or a function in-story, or is it just a blade? I'd obviously rather if it had a name and function like other Skakdi weapons, but not sure whether there's time or necessity to work that into the story.
6Thanks in advance for your help .

71) I guess, first I have heard of it since that game pre-dates me at LEGO 81b) No idea. 92) They are created along with the Rahkshi 103) I tend to doubt it will be given a special name, since the primary writing for his appearance is already done

11Meh, nothing much. The fact that the Matoro tidbit is canon is surprising; sure wish Greg had been around back then so he could explain it a bit better.

12Bah, I was about to ask him if it was a Muaka claw or the like. Oh well...

1Hi Greg, I hope you're having a nice day. I just had one little question about Lein. Did he live before or after the shattering, and if after would he be part plant like the rest of Bota Magna's residents? 2Thanks, 3ToC

4Before, and no, he is not part plant. The "part plant" thing is not even official, as that was part of a storyline that is not currently slated for execution.

Island in the Sun Nov 24, 2009, 4:04 PM

1Hi Greg, I hope you're having a nice day. I just had one little question about Lein. Did he live before or after the shattering, and if after would he be part plant like the rest of Bota Magna's residents? 2Thanks, 3ToC

4Before, and no, he is not part plant. The "part plant" thing is not even official, as that was part of a storyline that is not currently slated for execution.

5So this kinda debunks my Lein MOC.

2Hi Greg.
3During the thirty minutes or so it´s been since it was posted in the news, you have probably been asked this several times already. However, I am determined to be assured of a few questions raised by the letter regarding Bionicle's ending (or rather, the ending of the sets). So, if you don´t mind:
41) Did you know about this? 51a) If yes, when did you hear about it?
62) Do you know when the ultimate decision was taken? If so, when?
73) Will this make you more likely to accept things suggested by fans into the canon?
84) The letter mentions that 'a new, more flexible buildable figure property created by the same people who brought you BIONICLE' will appear. Are you somehow related to this project? 94a) If yes, how?
105) From what you know, is there a possibility that the sets might reappear at some point?
116) As a last (and pretty much non-related) question, are there any of the above questions that you haven´t been asked during the last thirty minutes?
12I would appreciate greatly if you could take your time to answer these questions. Thank You in advance.

131) The decision was made some time ago, and yes, I did know about it -- I had to, in order to be able to craft story appropriately. 142) Not specifically, no. 153) Depends on the things. 164) I will probably be doing some writing for it, for the web/LEGO Magazine, along with Daniel Lipkowitz, but my primary focus will remain BIONICLE so far as story work goes. 175) Right now, there are no specific plans for it to return. But no one has told me that is an impossibility for somewhere down the line. 186) Yours is the first recent PM I have read.

19Conclusion: BZPower doesn´t, as I´d suspected, PM Greg every time they see something more unusual than sets being out of stock.

1Hi Greg, just a few quick questions.
21) Can you confirm whether Branar participated in the Battle of Roxtus or not? 31a) If so, did he run off with Stronius' band afterwards or is he on his own? 42) Can you also confirm whether Fero participated in the battle or not? 53) How did Lein die? Was it natural causes, like Certavus, or did he during the Core War?
6Thanks for reading.
71) Yes, he did 81a) He's on his own, I think 92) For a short time 103) Natural causes. He died long before the war

1Hello, Mr. Farshtey. How are you? I was just wondering, with the story being continued despite the sets' cancelation:

21) Will you still have an approved name list?
3and
42) Will the new line have a storyline to go with its' sets?
52a) Will the new pieces be compatable with bionicle/technic pieces?


6Thank you for your time,

7makuta of xhini nui

81) Don't know at this point 92) I can't really discuss the new line depth at this point. 103) It will be based off the same building platform as BIONICLE, yes

Master of Lehrak Nov 24, 2009, 6:17 PM

1Hello There Mr. Greg. Im kinda new and I have a few Questions if you can AnwserPlease
21. If tuma died in TLR then the STARS skrall is an early version of him? 32. Were the vorox transformed to beast by the great Beings? 43. (Random Question) Do you like Pie? 54.

» Click to show spoiler «

6Is nektann considered a bad guy or an ally for Mata Nui?

75.

» Click to show spoiler «

8Is skrall in STARS form an ally for Mata Nui?

96. Will there be any titans or warriors for 2010?
10Thank you sir for your time 11- Master Of Lehrak

1Hi, Greg. It's good to see that you will continue the story, but I have 2 questions and a suggestion/thought. In the email that was sent to Black Six, Lego said that they had no plans for BIONICLE sets in the foreseeable future. How long is "foreseeable future"? Months? Two years? And is it possible they might start making the sets again if the new line to replace it does not sell so well?
2A thought. Why doesn't TLC reboot the BIONICLE line in a new direction with all the elements of the sets in the new line? It makes sense. It would still appeal to younger children with that flexibility range the new line will have if the story is laid out well enough so they(youngsters) will easily understand core elements. Plus, you could still dive into more detail so the hardcore fans will get some in depth story info.
3Thanks.

41) First off, no one has said to me that we will never do BIONICLE ever again, but there are no plans to bring it back now. But foreseeable future does mean years, because we have product planned out a couple years ahead. And the new line's failure would most likely not hasten BIONICLE's return, because the message it would send would be that there is a decreasing audience for buildable action figures. 52) I can't speculate on what form any future incarnation of BIONICLE, if it ever happens, would take. That would probably be decided in Billund.

1Now that BIONICLE is ending, I do have a few questions:
21. Is the story team going to still "control" what goes on in future stories? Such as new characters and such? Or are you the "boss" now? 31a. Would new names for anything need to go pass the legal team as well?
42. Why would BIONICLE continue the story without the sets? Please don't think I'm complaining, in fact, I am exactly the opposite: I love the fact that story will not be limited to the sets. But if Lego continues the story on BIONICLEstory.com, how will they profit from it?
5

61) My stuff would still be having to get approved in Denmark, the same way it does now, but there will be no formal story team meetings, etc. Most of the old story team is moving on to the new line, while my priority will remain BIONICLE. 71a) I don't know how names will be handled at this point. Right now, I am trying to find ways to minimize having to use new names. 82) In terms of actual profit, they don't -- they don't make money off of BStory. But if they ever want to bring BIONICLE back in the future (and no one has said they do not), it doesn't profit them any for it to drop totally off the radar screen. If it vanishes completely into obscurity, then it becomes that much harder to revive it ... that is why Lucas allowed the publication of Star Wars books for all those years in between the two trilogies, it kept fans' interest alive.

9

1I just read the new letter LEGO write to us sad.gif and I have a few new questions:
21) Will we still have comics? 31b) If we don't when will the last comic come?
42) Will we still have story-years?
53) Will we still have movies?
64) Will the story only be told in story serials?
75) Are we still having graphic novels?
86) Is there a chance we will have books?
97) What did they mean by "expanding the category to appeal a younger audience through an established third-party property"? 107b) Does this involve the new series?
118) Why did LEGO decide to stop making BIONICLE sets and what were your thoughts about this decision?
12Thank you for reading this. This decision of stopping sets is a real shock to me. sad.gif

131) Two more issues, January and March, plus Papercutz will have at least one graphic novel with all-new material in 2010, if not more. 142) I don't know. The story is no longer bound to set releases, so it may be that fans would rather not have stories that last a whole year. We'll see. 153) At this point, there are no plans for more movies. 164) Right now, the plan is for online story. Whether or not they will be serials is something I want to discuss with you guys. 175) As things stand, Papercutz currently has I think two graphic novels planned for 2010, #8 and #9, and others on the radar. But they want to see how 8 and 9 sell before deciding whether or not to go forward. 186) The book series had already been cancelled before LEGO made this decision. There is one more book slated for publication, which will come out as a book in Europe and online in the US. 197-8) I think I would like to get more clarification from TLC on your questions, rather than speculate on answers.

2Hi Greg
3Bad news about the sets finishing, but I would like to be one of the first to congratulate and thank you for continuing the story for us. Much appreciated.
4Just got a few questions about the story that I hope you can answer .
51) Will the story be told through serials or in book form (i.e. chapters posted on the site each week or something?)
62) Will the disappearance of sets give you much more flexibility in the story?
73) Is the intention to continue this into the foreseeable future or is there a deadline when Bionicle will entirely end?
8Thanks Greg .

91) I don't know yet. That may depend on what I hear from you guys in the next six months. 102) Yes 113) Right now, no TLC website for any product line is planned past 2011 (plans for 2012 will probably start next year). So TLC at this point has said they want me to keep doing story at the very least through the end of 2011.

12So, Bionicle will run for another 2 years MINIMUM and the story is going to be much more flexible which is great .

13Hi Greg
14Sorry to sent two PMs, but I just thought of a few more questions .
151) Was the decision to cancel taken before or after this year's 'reboot'? It strikes me as odd that 2009 was penned as a massive saga reboot, and that now, just a year on, the setline has been cancelled
162) Does this mean that The Legend Reborn is the final movie, or are LEGO planning one final movie for the series finale next year?
17Thanks .

181) It basically comes down to set line decisions have very little to do with where the story is. They are made based on the needs of the various markets in terms of sales and demographics and such, not whether we just started a new story or not. 192) There are no plans for more movies at this point. The movie plans were always tentative, since they were based on TLR sales, and with the toy line ending, a movie that promotes awareness of the line and helps sell toys doesn't really make sense as an investment if there are no toys to sell. So Tinseltown Toons will be doing other projects for us.

1I know you can't talk much on 2010, but I have a few questions.
21) The new theme replacing Bionicle is NOT Ben 10, correct?
32) What kind of pieces will summer 2010 sets be? Bionicle/technic, brick or mix?
43) Is there going to be a story like Bionicle? Will there be a book or books, online serials, etc? 53. Will you be writing the story?
64) Do you think the new theme will have a similar feel to Bionicle? Sets, story, all?
75) Do you think the majority of BZP will like this new theme?
86) When should we start hearing and seeing things on this new theme?

91) Correct. Ben 10 comes out in January, not in summer. 102) It is based on the same platform as BIONICLE 113-4) I really can't go into detail on this, but I will not be on the story team for it, my priority is working on BIONICLE story. I don't really have time to be involved in two different stories plus do my job. 125) No idea. 136) Beginning of next year. I know info will be released around ToyFair in Feb., if not before.

Antony13 Nov 25, 2009, 9:38 AM

17) What did they mean by "expanding the category to appeal a younger audience through an established third-party property"? 27b) Does this involve the new series?

1I am aware you finished a book for Bionicle 2010, and I heard a lot about a comic, so I have a few questions about that since the devastating news that is the end of Bionicle sets:
21: Will the book be released at all, be it in stores or online?
32: Will there be a comic, be it the last one?
43: Will there be anymore Bionicle franchise after Jan '10?
5Thank you very much .
6

71) Yes. It will be published as a book in Europe and most likely serialized in the US online. That has not changed. 82) Two more issues, January and March 93) I'm not sure what you mean by "BIONCLE franchise" -- can you clarify for me?

10Oh . Two comics . Better then I had hoped for . Whoopie .
113: By that, I mean caps, watches, backpacks, etc. Something to commemorate Bionicle's seeming "final year."
12

13I am sure that whatever was already on schedule of this sort will still be coming out, but we aren't planning anything special.

15

1Just resending this to make sure it doesn't slip through. Is the below color shift explanation okay to be considered canon?
2Thanks,
3- Tilius

4Am I right in thinking that his silver/white colour change isn't going to be explained in the story?
5Could it perhaps be Takanuva altering his colours to keep himself less visible. He does it without saying anything, just as a 'common sense' reaction to exploring a new land - it could be dangerous, so altering his visibility makes sense. Because having gold shining all over the place would be a bit obvious.
6That's if there isn't already an explanation.
7- Tilius

8Yes, someone else suggested the color shift explanation too, and that makes sense to me. I think the "non-story" reason for it is that the 2008 Takanuva outsold the 2003 Takanuva, so that is why they went with that look.

9Yes, you can consider that canon.

1Hi, Greg. It's good to see that you will continue the story, but I have 2 questions and a suggestion/thought. In the email that was sent to Black Six, Lego said that they had no plans for BIONICLE sets in the foreseeable future. How long is "foreseeable future"? Months? Two years? And is it possible they might start making the sets again if the new line to replace it does not sell so well?
2A thought. Why doesn't TLC reboot the BIONICLE line in a new direction with all the elements of the sets in the new line? It makes sense. It would still appeal to younger children with that flexibility range the new line will have if the story is laid out well enough so they(youngsters) will easily understand core elements. Plus, you could still dive into more detail so the hardcore fans will get some in depth story info.
3Thanks.
41) First off, no one has said to me that we will never do BIONICLE ever again, but there are no plans to bring it back now. But foreseeable future does mean years, because we have product planned out a couple years ahead. And the new line's failure would most likely not hasten BIONICLE's return, because the message it would send would be that there is a decreasing audience for buildable action figures. 52) I can't speculate on what form any future incarnation of BIONICLE, if it ever happens, would take. That would probably be decided in Billund.
6Then there is hope for the BIONICLE sets?
7Like I said, no one has ruled out that it will ever come back. But there are no plans to bring it back right now and no plans being discussed right now. If I wanted to be optimistic about it, I would look at lines like Alpha Team, Adventurers, Mars, etc., which have often gone away for years and then come back again. If LEGO knew it did not EVER want to do BIONICLE again, then they would not be bothering to keep the story going because there would be no point to it.

1Hi GregF. I hope you're doing well, I just have a few questions. 21. Is BIONICLE.com going to be deleted after the sets stop being made? 32.Do you get to decide the whole BIONICLE story by yourslf, without the help of the story team? 43. How long ago dis LEGO make the desicion to end the BIONICLE sets? 54. Is there any specific reason to why LEGO is canceling the sets? 65. Why are you keeping the story, but not the sets? Isn't the set more important than the story? 76. Is the Mata Nui story going to be wrapped up in the winter of 2010? 87. Will you introduce any new characters?
9Thank u.

101) Don't know. You should probably ask Binkmeister this, he is the web producer. 112) There are no future story team meetings scheduled, as most of the team will be involved with the new line. But anything I write will still need to get approved by LEGO before getting posted, as it is now. 123) Long enough ago that we were able to tailor the end of the current story and create sets for a new summer 2010 line. 134) This is something I would rather get clarification from TLC on before I answer 145) Basically, because if we stop doing story completely, then everyone in the world forgets about BIONICLE and it drops completely off the radar screen -- which would make it very hard if we ever wanted to bring it back. If you look at Star Trek and Star Wars, they had comics and books for years in between series or movies, to keep the fans' interest alive. 156) March 2010, yes. 167) I can't speculate on this at this point. I won't be venturing into post-set story until summer 2010, so I have a lot of time to make decisions yet.

Toa Krahlixx Nov 25, 2009, 8:41 PM

1Greg F , 2will bionicle really end or will it turn outas something new like knights kingdom into castle 3also did the ignika revert taahu into his mata form? 4thanks in advance