Lego to open factory in China + 70014 Picture + New search box @ Lego Spy!

Lego Factory
A while ago Lego announced that they would be opening a factory in China. I didn't really post information on it here because there wasn't really much information. But today (4/11/2013) I stumbled upon an article at a website called The Wall Street Journal (I won't bother posting a link here because you have to pay. So stupid.) with an article on this subject. Just take my word for what I'm saying here because unless you have signed up for TWSJ you will have to believe what I say. Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO of Lego, stated that the factory in China, "will not be producing products for North America and Europe" and that the profits they have had in Asia have been going up by about 50% annually and that's why they have decided to establish the factory there. I feel... Relieved I suppose that the products won't be shipped to North America and Europe but instead will be continued to be produced in Lego's previous factories.

70014 The Croc Swamp Hideout (The Legends of Chima
Now we have a new image for 70014 The Croc Swamp Hideout. As far as I can tell, the set is an over sized  crocodile ready to swallow you whole! Not exactly but that's what most of the set is, a large crocodile head, in a swamp, apparently a hideout. As you can probably tell from that, I'm not crazy about The Legends of Chima but I see how it would appeal to a fan of the theme. Pictures: -Eurobricks- -Brickset-

This is the Lego Spy, out.

PLUS! Check out the new search box to find an article you're looking for! (It should be on the left side of this page)

Laval's Journey Update

Hi, I just thought I'd mention that Lego Legends of Chima: Laval's Journey is now available at www.amazon.com for Pre-Order at a price of $29.99 USD. Here's the description at Amazon:

• Discover and unlock more than 60 characters, each with their own unique abilities.
• Knock down LEGO walls with Laval's powerful roar, glide across the skies with Eris the Eagle, use Gorzan the Gorilla's super punch, or dig tunnels with Worriz the Wolf!
• Explore in the vast lands of Chima from the murky Croc Swamp to the peak of Spiral Mountain
• Collect Chi Droplets in order to "Chi Up" and reach secret areas of the game and access hidden collectibles. Or, unlock the Chi-play mode extra to play the game with an unlimited amount of CHI.
• Experience an all-new LEGO story featuring 15 levels

That's it for now, and, as always, this is the Lego Spy, out.

Note that this is a preview hosted at Amazon.com
It is by no means what the box will look like.

Laval's Journey

Click to view larger (this is kind of a strange picture)

Here's a little bit of news I thought might interest any Legends of Chima fans. The Lego Legends of Chima Laval's Journey is scheduled for release later this year and now we have a little (mind what I said there: a little) news on that revealed on Lego.com. It basically states: "Discover the Legend of the Triple Chi Armour!" and below that it says:

"Get ready for an epic adventure as Laval races to unlock the secret of the legendary triple-Chi armour before Cragger can manipulate its awesome power to threaten the balance of Chima itself!

Laval and his allies will explore Lion Temple, Eagle Spire, Gorilla Forrest, Rhino Quary, Croc Swamp and more as they harness the power of Chi to leap, swing, fly and fight through 15 levels of intense action!

Can Laval discover the truth behind the legend of the triple-Chi before it’s too late?"

Well, It's kind of weird with this whole, "triple-Chi armor thing that apparently has the power to manipulate its awesome power to tip the balance of Chi itself" given the fact that there hasn't been any mention of it before. Anyway, I guess this will be a handheld exclusive, listing only the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, and the Playstation Vita. Click here for a link to the Lego.com page. 

NY Toy Fair 2013 - Legends of Chima

Sorry this is a day late. Here is the large selection of Legends of Chima sets that were shown at the NY Toy Fair 2013. There are quite a few so let's go:
Sets:
70007 Eglor's Twin Bike $25.99
70008 Gorzan's Gorilla Striker $49.99
70009 Worriz's Combat Lair $69.99
79010 The Lion CHI Temple $119.99
Speedorz:
70104 Jungle Gates $14.99
70105 Nest Dive $14.99
70106 Ice Tower $14.99
70107 Skunk Attack* $14.99
70108 Royal Roost* $14.99
70109 Whirling Vines* $14.99
70110 Tower Target * $14.99
70111 Swamp Jump* $14.99
70114 Sky Joust* $??.??
Action Figure:
70200 Laval*
70201 Eris*
70202 Gorzan*
70203 Cragger*
70204 Worriz*
70205 Razar*
Games:
50006 Legends of Chima $19.99
*Brickipedia - If no "*" is shown: Brickset
**Price subject to change

Lot's of Chima stuff there! Looks interesting, a bunch of new tribes - foxes, gorillas, and skunks - so that should peak some people's interest. This is the Lego Spy, out.

German Toy Fair - City, Castle, Chima, Creator, and MORE Galaxy Squad!?

Welcome back to Lego Spy, sorry this was posted late but I was busy earlier. Anyway, there's so many Lego City sets I'm not going to list them and host pictures, so I have a list of links to the pictures on flickr.
So let's begin with City:
60019 Stunt Plane
60020 Cargo Truck
60021 Cargo Heliplane
60022 Cargo Terminal
60025 Grand Prix Truck (far right on image for 60011, 60012, and 60013)
????? ???
Coast Guard (subtheme):
60011 Surfer Rescue (left on image)
60012 4x4 and Diving Boat (right on image)
60013 Coast Guard Helicopter (center of image)
60014 Coast Guard Patrol

Castle makes a return in 2013:
70400 Forest Ambush (bottom right of table)
70401 Gold Getaway (bottom left of image)
70402 The Gatehouse Raid (center of image)
70403 Dragon Mountain
70404 King's Castle

Creator:
31010 Treehouse
31012 Family House

Chima:
70008 Gorzan's Gorilla Striker (top right)
70010 The Lion Chi Temple (top left)

And some more images of Galaxy Squad!
First, my worry of content in 70709 Galactic Titan has vanished. It comes with a little bug-caterpillar train and a mini bug base with cocoon torture area? Awesome! :-P

Secondly, we have 70707 CLS-89 Eradicator Mech. It's a very nice set with nice detail and pieces, especially two bug vehicles with awesome abdomen pieces! This is the Lego Spy, out.

(click to view larger)

Legends of Chima now available!

Lego Legends of Chima is now available on LegoShop.com here! There are 3 main kinds of products: regular play sets, Speedorz sets, and foam toys.
9 products - regular sets
7 products - Speedorz sets
4 products - foam toys
Even though it is debatable, I think they all look very cool! Click here to view the minisite. All these products will be released January 1st, 2013. This is the Lego spy, out.

Legends of Chima

As it appears, Lego Ninjago will be replaced with Lego Legends of Chima! Little to nothing is known about this theme other than there will be a battle game similar to Ninjago's spinjitzu spinners, in which the characters ride mini vehicles called speedorz. The first wave of sets is to include 14 sets and will probably be released some time between spring and summer 2013.

(below) This is the only currently known minifigure: ? Lion ? (sorry, picture isn't great)