Blizzard teams up with Mega Bloks for Warcraft and StarCraft sets
by Mathew McCurley 
Jun 13th 2011 at 4:30PM
What is most interesting to me about this licensing partnership is Blizzard's consolidation and general changing strategy regarding the World of Warcraft and StarCraft intellectual properties. In South Korea, StarCraft is already on everything you can imagine, and licensing in general is one of Blizzard's biggest assets (as it is for most content creators.) Does this licensing deal signal a renewed push to put Warcraft and StarCraft on lots of new, carefully hand-picked products? Suffice to say, I am excited about Blizzard's licensing future.
The sets are scheduled for release in summer 2012. We have no news on what characters or settings will be featured in the sets, but our imaginations can happily wander. Will we get vehicles? Iconic location play sets? Lore exposition in block form? I've got a few ideas...
- Mow your way through the Alliance front lines in the TRUE WARCHIEF™ Orc Catapult complete with Garrosh Hellscream and Captain Krazz exclusive figures!
- Protect your lands from the filth of the Forsaken in Genn Greymane's HOWL-ON-WHEELS™ combination Gilnean stagecoach and roadster. Exclusive Genn Greymane and Crowley figures!
- Stormwind is back with a vengeance as you pilot CHINSTAR-ONE™, the new (and totally canon) gnomish-built air-assault platform piloted by King Varian Wrynn. Exclusive Varian Wrynn figure comes with two faces -- Varian and Lo'Gosh (slightly angrier Varian).
- The fight against the elements rages as The Earthen Ring battle Deathwing and the elemental lords. Join the fight in Thrall's I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS™ modified Goblin earthfury tank. Exclusive Thrall figure comes with optional attachable Aggra.
- Hide in your ship for 2 expansions as the world around you is obliterated with THE EXODAR™ playset, complete with exclusive Velen figure who does nothing.
Filed under: Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
anbilow Jun 13th 2011 4:32PM
My childhood loyalty to Lego continues!!! No other blocks for this guy.
lethian Jun 13th 2011 4:57PM
^ i like him he has taste
Boz Jun 13th 2011 5:13PM
I was like you once. I bought Rice Krispies instead of Krispie Rice. I bought clothes at Banana Republic instead of Old Navy. I drank Absolut instead of Mr. Boston.
Then I had triplets.
Mega Bloks don't seem so bad, anymore (though that could be the Mr. Boston talking).
Metalupis Jun 13th 2011 5:18PM
New meaning to the term "having the wrong build"
epuration Jun 13th 2011 5:24PM
did anyone else think of minecraft as they were reading the title 0.o
Alchemistmerlin Jun 13th 2011 5:56PM
I agree!
Megablocks? Epic fail.
Justin Jun 13th 2011 6:05PM
I've been a lifelong LEGO devotee, but for HALO, I actually don't mind picking up the Mega Blocks. I'll be interested to see how these properties develop, but I can definitely see myself getting the Starcraft sets, at least.
Luke Jun 13th 2011 6:25PM
Seriously, screw Mega Bloks.
I actually support the liscensing of intellectual property to companies like Mega Blok and Lego, but back in my day if we wanted to build the Millennium Falcon, we had to design it ourselves.
Also, only the weak need instructions. Real builders figure it out themselves.
Horde ... eh Lego for life!
loop_not_defined Jun 13th 2011 6:28PM
I would love it if Blizzard eventually switches to LEGO. However...I've gotta indoctrinate my kid into Warcraft while she's still young! ;)
She's already figured out the whole "stack them up and knock them down" bit with her wood blocks. It's only a matter of time before she's hitting me up for the next best toy fix, and this stuff isn't coming out for another year!
gewalt Jun 13th 2011 7:33PM
And they say Activision has no control over blizzard. HAHAHAHA
relmatos Jun 13th 2011 7:53PM
BLIZZARD BETRAYED US. Say NO to Lego imitations. Demand the original.
Zapwidget Jun 13th 2011 8:50PM
Considering that all LEGO mini figs look identical, be they orc, centaur, wizard, human, alien, whathaveyou, and the only different between male and female figures is females wear a "dress" and are a quarter inch taller, they made the right choice. Mega makes custom figures for all of their licensed products, unlike LEGO, where Chewbacca is identical to Han Solo with a funny wig.
MattKrotzer Jun 14th 2011 8:38AM
Couldn't agree more. I love WoW, and I've been hoping for them to sign a deal with LEGO, but sadly, now I won't be buying this product. I refuse to mix the inferior, inconsistently manufactured product with my LEGO bricks. It's just not happening.
cygnus Jun 14th 2011 2:05PM
I hate the poor quality of mega bloks and the lame imitation they shamelesly became. Using mega bloks make me feel dirty... And there's people that even use them with LEGO blocks!!! Brings me to tears... every time.
Natsumi Jun 15th 2011 2:33AM
To all of you advocating Lego over Megablocks:
Have fun with your overpriced plastic blocks.
Biggest sets I could find (of similar size):
(Megablocks)
Halo UNSC Pelican Dropship: 944 pieces, $59.99
ODST Covenant Invasion: 669 pieces. $49.99
UNSC Shortsword: 471 pieces. $39.99
Covenant Wraith: 459 pieces. $29.99
(Star Wars Lego)
Clone Turbo Tank: 1141 pieces. $119.99
AT-AT Walker: 815 pieces. $109.99
Obi-Wan's Jedi Starfighter: 676 pieces. $99.99
ARC-170 Starfighter: 396 pieces. $59.99
Emperor Palpatine’s™ Shuttle: 592 pieces. $59.99
As you can clearly see, Lego as a brand name is overpriced when they are EXACTLY THE SAME THING AS MEGABLOCKS. They even interlock with Megablocks. On top of that, the non-licensed sets are way cooler than the Lego sets and the figures a) are articulated better and b) don't count as multiple parts to the sets.
leggomymuoio Jun 13th 2011 4:34PM
Agreed anbilow, Mega Bloks are like the red-headed step child of Legos. I'll pass.
scone_thief Jun 13th 2011 4:35PM
Mega blocks? seriously? Lego>mega blocks in every way imaginable.
Suzaku Jun 15th 2011 12:30AM
I agree. Mega Bloks are the Gobots of brick-based building toys.
I've often told my friends that Warcraft and Starcraft were perfect properties for Lego licensed products, and though I didn't mention it, I also secretly hoped that the license would never wind up with Mega Bloks.
It's not that I have anything against them, it's just... They're a pale imitation of Legos.
ManiacFive Jun 13th 2011 4:35PM
If these are half as good as the Halo minifigs which adorn my desk I shall be all over these in a flash.
Will they be minifigs at all is a question.
Thomas Higgins Jun 13th 2011 4:38PM
One wonders why Bliz hasn't heard of this simple equation.
Step one, make huge IPs out of your games.
Step two, license these IPs to Lego.
Step three, let these IPs be released as Lego video games.
Step four, profit!