Lego 3866 Battle of Hoth Game USA?

[mrfootball]

So all signs look as if this game won't get released in North America as Hasbro has put the kybosh on it (licensing issues).

It looks like a great game, with 30+ microfigs from what is my absolute favorite Star Wars genre - Hoth

Has anyone ordered this from overseas yet? What's the best source and are there any decent prices for this set?
I figure it would sell for somewhere between $35-$39 retail if it were available here.

[Mister Ed]

Hasbro has an exclusive Star Wars game license? Really? I guess that surprises me. Surely the figure license wouldn't have any relevance to this.

[mrfootball]

They have that R2D2 in Trouble game...as well as Star Wars Fighter Pods (if that's considered a 'game')

[buriedbybricks]

They also have the droid version of Operation which is quite funny. Hadn't heard about any exclusive rights though.

Hoth was due in February and I was wondering why I hadn't seen it yet...

[mrfootball]

This was Lego's answer (originally posted over on ToysNBricks.com)

Re: 3866 Battle of Hoth (US availability)

Postby silvashado » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:48 pm
I emailed LEGO customer service about the game not being available in the U.S. and this was their reply:

Thanks for getting in touch with us and letting us know how you feel about the availability of LEGO® products. As a big Star Wars™ fan myself, I am always looking forward to the new releases so I understand how much you were looking forward to playing the Battle of Hoth™ Board Game.

We can understand your disappointment. However we do have strict licensing agreements with Lucas Arts, as Lucas Arts has other licensing agreement with other toy companies. We want to be able to keep that Star Wars licensing agreement so LEGO has to follow strict guide lines. Again we know how disappointed our Star War fans are going to be about the product not being available in the United States. We will pass your comments along to our marketing team to let them know of your concerns and disappointment."

[emmtwosix]

Oh that sucks. Big time. I was really looking forward to this. At least there's always bricklink.

[sparkart]

So instead of "U mad bro?", it's "U mad Hasbro?"
While I can't say I'm mad, bro, who in the USA isn't disappointed by having to resort to the aftermarket for these?

[mrfootball]

Those are great! That set comes with 32 of them too!

Just placed an order on Ebay via a UK seller - way overpaid, but I want this set.

[buriedbybricks]

As a big LEGO games fan, this is very disappointing.

Way to pee in my cornflakes.

[Mister Ed]

Did this take LEGO by surprise, do you think, or was the plan ALWAYS to not release this in the US?
I know there have been plenty of LEGO games that didn't seem to make it to the the US (some of which I would have really LIKED to have had the opportunity to buy) but in this case it seems like the US would have been a BIG market for this game, so I wonder if they developed it KNOWING that that market would be closed to it, or only found out later...

[MrCRskater]

This is a real bummer. Stupid Hasbro! I was really looking forward to this game, especially after the Hogwarts game (which had pretty good gameplay). As Mister Ed said, this isn't the first time the US has been jypped out of a sweet-looking LEGO game. Has anyone had any luck ordering from one of the European S@H sites and having it shipped to North America?

[mrfootball]

I'm in the USA and tried buying from Amazon UK, but it wouldn't let me. I looked at BrickLink, but with the best deals, the shipping was about the same as some of the offers on Ebay. I bought one earlier today and I ended up paying about $56 for the set to be shipped from the UK.

There's another seller right now that just put up an offer for about $52 shipped from the UK.

[emmtwosix]

Maybe we should band together and throw our money in a community pot to get a whole shipping container full of these sent to the U.S.

[winbrant]

Or hope, like that Kingdoms Advent calender 3 years ago, that a pallet accidentally ends up in NA and it's offered up via S@H.

Judging from the response it's Lucas Arts and not Hasbro. Though it's Hasbro that has board games and, in the past, had objection with the original SW LEGO mini-fig packs (3340-3343). Unusual

[mrfootball]

Since Lucas Arts controls the licenses, any disputes by one company against another would be handled through them.

At any rate, this set will be missed in the US and I would wager those little microfigs (being that they're Star Wars, Lego and hard to get) will be highly collectable. Somebody's bound to come up with some cool MOC's using those microfigs.

[Mister Ed]

I just realized that my brother-in-law is going to be working at the London Olympic Games this summer. I wonder if he'll be able to find a copy while he's there. I'll certainly ask. (And before anybody thinks to ask, no, I'm not going to prevail upon the poor guy to drag home multiple copies. Sorry. )

Actually, it sounds like the chances that there will be any copies still floating around come summer are low. Still, worth a try.

[sparkart]

.

[greekmick]

Hi

I am located in UK and would be happy to send someone the Hoth game if you would be able to send me the following item in exchange (I will pay any additional postage/costs). We never have any good storage items available to purchase in the UK and would love this item for my son birthday. I would be most grateful for any help.

http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Minifigure ... 46&sr=8-15

thanks

[winbrant]

Since Lucas Arts controls the licenses, any disputes by one company against another would be handled through them.

Lucas Licensing controls the licenses...LucasArts is the publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software. Ahhhh, I'm thinking they hold to any games associated with LEGO Star Wars...which extends to board games?!...which may detract from sales of their video games (with the latest hitting the bargain bins at $20 now)

[nyjpapi]

I'm just going to have my buddy from the UK that's coming to visit next month, hit Argos or Hamleys and pick one up for me. Much easier than overpaying on eBay.