After some random research and browsing of certain sets (mainly City and modular houses), I noticed something a little discerning.

A large lack of baseplates in any set at all anymore.

For example, take a good look at the previous Fire Station in 2010.

Aside from having a wierd floorplan, it used four baseplates of two different types.

16 x 16 baseplate with driveway & 8 x 16 baseplate

Now take a look at this year's Fire Station.

Less wierd floorplan but the structure is more odd and absolutely no baseplates used. Everything is thick three 16 x 16 plates and a single 8 x 16 plate.

I don't know about you but for $100 I expect some actual baseplates to help justify the cost.

Another example, the Police Station from 2011.

One big 32 x 32 baseplate (driveway) and a 16 x 32 baseplate.

Heck, even another example of a much smaller baseplate; Bank & Money Transfer also from 2011.

One small 8 x 16 baseplate but still a baseplate all the same.

Actually anymore it seems as though the modular houses are the only sets with a baseplate included. I'm trying to figure out why the sudden change overall? I mean, normal sets (even the big expensive ones) are not using the classic system of baseplates aside from modular houses. This is why it feels like baseplates are for some reason becoming a rare breed and I find that frustrating especially when it comes to building a cityscape.

Sure I can still buy the 32 x 32 green or blue baseplate from Shop-at-home but it's not really the same though is it? What do I do to get a 16 x 32 baseplate or any other one? I also find it frustrating because it appears like I would have to buy a $150 modular house to get a baseplate in a set. That's ridiculous.

For sure, its like many companies have slimmed down on their packaging, production costs etc (TLG have done both these things), Lego have decided they can do away with base plates. And can they? Yes. Their sets are still selling and since their main audience is mainly transitory (kids grow up... usually) they can get away with making changes like this as the majority of purchasers won't notice they're missing because they never knew any different.

p.s. I discovered my childhood stash of base plates at my parent's house last week

For sure, its like many companies have slimmed down on their packaging, production costs etc (TLG have done both these things), Lego have decided they can do away with base plates. And can they? Yes. Their sets are still selling and since their main audience is mainly transitory (kids grow up... usually) they can get away with making changes like this as the majority of purchasers won't notice they're missing because they never knew any different.

I don't think lego have slimmed down their packaging, the current boxes are huge. I was looking at the latest police station and the box seems to be bigger than the modulars. I built helms deep and the packets inside only took up a third of the box, the rest was air. We didn't have this issue in the 80s, the boxes were the right size for the set. It's odd thought, the boxes for the small sets, like 70400, are the correct size for what is inside.

If I'm spending $100+ on a toy, I want a big box.

I don't think lego have slimmed down their packaging, the current boxes are huge. I was looking at the latest police station and the box seems to be bigger than the modulars. I built helms deep and the packets inside only took up a third of the box, the rest was air. We didn't have this issue in the 80s, the boxes were the right size for the set. It's odd thought, the boxes for the small sets, like 70400, are the correct size for what is inside.

 

Based on my memory and the sets I had in the 90s, and the sets I've seen and bought recently there is definitely less packaging now in my experience.

 

EG Attack of the Wargs - box is TOTALLY stuffed, no room for movement. VW Camper Van, again - box is totally full up.

 

Back in the 90s the big sets came with a box that had a big flap to lift, with see through plastic to look at the contents and those bags of bricks were floating around inside those huge boxes.

Maybe in the 80s it was different... I can't remember!

I don't think lego have slimmed down their packaging, the current boxes are huge. I was looking at the latest police station and the box seems to be bigger than the modulars. I built helms deep and the packets inside only took up a third of the box, the rest was air. We didn't have this issue in the 80s, the boxes were the right size for the set. It's odd thought, the boxes for the small sets, like 70400, are the correct size for what is inside.

 

Huge but mostly empty and it's disappointing.  I need to finish an article for the blog, comparing an old and a new set (similar houses) I have, just to show what I miss