The Kinder Surprise Experiment

Non-analytical Note => Announcement ADDENDUM

2006-12-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

It is a standard expectation that the announcement will be followed by that which is announced. But certainly not after a period of 2 or more months, but rather much much sooner.

That has not been the case here. Please do forgive.
Furthermore, forgive that the new post (i.e., one with relevant new information) is still not here.

Namely, experiments have been put on hold since then to the near (week or 2 from now) future. Only because the KSExperiment HQ members have been busy with all sorts of end of the year issues.

Anyhow, it must be noted that during that period several things have been changed in relation to the original announcement.

Namely, Spain fell off the list of countries to be included in the experimentative mix while Hong Kong and Thailand have been confirmed (provided that eggs are found there - this in process as of right now).

Further: Mauritius and Germany are under "?" status; no word from the field explorers. They are alive and well, but they still have not reported to the HQ. They will be reprimanded for lack of prompt activity.

And finally some really good news - another country has been negotiated for inclusion in the experimentation. Please see below:

Looking forward to providing these results for veneratius publicus.

Danilo the 1/2 of Head-Experimenting team.

Non-analytical Note => Announcement

2006-10-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

Dear inquisitive minds who have stumbled (purposefully or accidentally) onto this location in the realm of webistic excursions of the mind // to be more exact - those of you who care about the issue of current vs. former state of KSE's and are reading this report like some other analytical reports present here:

Note that this will not be and is not an analytical report.
The title indicates as much.
And adds that something will be announced.

That something is the following:

Experimentational Analysis of KS toys has been conducted upon the factor (guideline) of organized randomness so far. In the sense that typically 1 egg per carton was picked and its internal quality assessed.

Such method was qualified as appropriate on the basis that:
a) Kinder Surprise Eggs are produced seasonally; i.e. every year a specific batch is offered
b) Nature of KSE purchases in general is a random choice from the displayed carton
c) Necessity lays in emphasizing how random picking of present-day eggs yields a likely dissatisfaction in comparison to equivalently conducted purchases in the past.

Such procedure will be continued.

Furthermore, and as a conclusion to the previously mentioned abc's, the factor of geographical variance has been chosen as the underlying nature of the project; in order to determine if the changes (past vs. present) are being experienced globally.

So far Italian and Canadian KS eggs were predominantly analyzed.
But the expansion is in the works.

As such, it is my pleasure to announce that:

1. The following countries' offers are already being analyzed in the Kinder Surprise Experiment HQ

2. This set is in the process of acquisition

and finally

3. This a list of countries being negotiated

It is expected and hoped-for that other countries will be added to the list of crucial experimental procedures in KSE HQ.

Thanks to all the research assistants, and best of insights to all the readers.

DtheE

Analysis of a Grecian Offering to the KS Experiment

2006-10-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

While the announced is being waited on (photo proofs are on their way), other things trickled in, and rather to put them in the backfill, where space is getting to be more crammed as each day passes - I bring it out in the open.

However, a little prologue is required.

Namely, experimenting is a dynamic field. It is always good to have a partner, and then there is the administration, and a supervisor, and supporting cast/research assistants: maybe fellow experimenters, maybe those cherishing the higher (read: objective) form of truth.

It is that in needed expansionary and almost-all encompassing modes of experimentation that Experimentista Danilo decided to seek assistance.

The most recent one came in the help of Dragana via her friend, who provided me with the insight into the current Hellenic affairs.

Namely, an egg from those parts was sought, and one was bought. Of course, it would have been over-the-top and absolutely unnecessary (if chocolate-thirst is put aside) that the egg in whole would reach the KSE HQ. After all, it would have melted on the way, and that would have most likely affected the analysis.

Instead, the agile research assistant provided us with high-quality photographic evidence of the "find"; which, it should be noted was not a Kinder Surprise Egg, but an alternate option - "Kinder Joy".

This KS product is similar to standard egg insomuch that the chocolate tastes the same (stomach witness on hand), and that the toy is alike all others.

"!!!!"

Not much more should be said, but professional course KSE HQ decided to take, forces us to endure the shock, and carry on.

Namely, KJ consists of a chocolate covered set of 2 halves: So, that the toy and its "manual" were appropriated in two containers, instead of the usual one. Not a big difference, and basically the only one if one considers the plastified outer shell as a 1st cousin to the foil that encloses the chocolate of KS eggs.

For the rest, Kinder Joy does not seem to offer much of the supposedly inherent joy. The obtained toy, although one would expect much from a special line of Kinder production, was nothing but a regular piece. A "musical note-person", from a very large set that spans more than do-re-mi-fi-so-la-si-do. Rather unimpressive (regardless of the collectionary issue at stake once again), as one would really wish to obtain something joyous and not so regular from a special offer.

Grecian gods may or may not be displeased, but the joy of a kid opening something that has an intriguing ? sign all over the package will certainly lack in this case. As such, poor mark must be given, and a poor mark is therefore assigned.

Glossary of terms:
Mark = a measure of merit
Grecian/Hellenic - originating and coming from Greece
Poor = low in quality
Quality - a measure of objective respect appropriated for a specific KS item

Signing off,
D the E

Investigative Conclusion

2006-10-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

KSEs are not a product of Big Brother (of the Orwellian kind), and thus notion that 1+2=3 is not prohibited. And considering that logic is the basis for 1 and 2, then a combination of these should not give a result that is any less so.

Namely, as it was shown in 2 posts ( IR No.1 - Aug 19, 2006 and IR No.2 - Sept 24, 2006 ), sets and need for collecting these, are the predominant notions in the world of KSEs as well as in other "surprise" eggs.

Why!? Question, regardless of its depth, cannot be answered in concrete terms because the choice of such production is behind closed doors. However, the answer can be approximated by the assessment of the driving force - the economics of profitability.

In the world of consumer production, in order to guarantee a profitable reaction each action must be of the lure-type; i.e. it must increase the possibility that the buyer will return.

And recognizing the latest human trend: the need for completeness, Kinder Surprise production team worked it out that it is appropriately wise to offer toys that interconnect and are "more" interesting when fully brothered/sistered-up; or even to simply indicate that such and such toy has 2-3 more of compatriots. So that if you love a boat, or a car, or a bird with magnifying lens, or a tree (what was Kinder thinking in this case!?), or a monster, or a ghost on wheels, or a knight with a tent, or an alien, or unlikely members of a castle - you will certainly like to get the other 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or however many there are, albeit the fact that they look very much alike.

The following examples nicely illustrate the point. Clockwise: 1.3 Boats 2.Monster House 3.4 Knights with Tents 4.2 Magnifying Lenses 5.Castle People

This is truly a sad, and yet consistent, state of affairs. There was not a single toy I have received in the last 2 years that was not attached to a set of a kind. If my memory serves me well - special sets existed only as a special treat and with special characters. If a car was received - there was never an announcement that there is another one in that year's batch. And for a good reason! Actually, for a truly definitely very good reason - each toy was a surprise! That is the essence of these little ones. They still are, but less so. As it can be understood that there are 6 more monsters, 2 more boats, 3 more knights, etc.

Do you want to lower the surprising effect of the surprise or to experience such a thing? I certainly do not, and would expect every KS lover to be of the same opinion. Yet, either we are at a mercy of our beloved item, or we simply stopped caring, or worst yet! our apetites indeed have changed and we appreciate a collectionary role rather than that of a player.

Shame for and shame on both parties.

Danilo - Chief of 1 half of the Experimenting Team

Investigative Report No.2 - Choosing different Sameness

2006-09-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

A country is a large space. The world is even bigger.

So, moving from one city to another, from one country to another will always give different experiences, different offers (which are circularly connected with the former). But, since we are all humans what will be encountered is essentially a slight variation of the original; recycling of the idea. And because the ideas are usually copyrighted - some modification is made and thus a new product is yielded.

The same applies to KSEs.

Originally, and still at least theoretically, idea of having a toy inside a capsule surrounded by wonderful chocolate egg of the edible kind is simply marvelous. Now, having established through documented decades of positive (read: profitable) experience that KSE factory underwent, other - "renegade" - factories appeared.

Indeed, if the idea works, why not (re)produce it locally!?

e.g. Turkish-produced Balaban
These have been encountered in Montreal, and if there they must be elsewhere. But, that is not the point. The mere existence of the regular chocolate egg with yellow capsule with incisions on top of each end is. The toy from a randomly chosen egg was quite decent - a formula car containing 11 pieces - far better than anything seen lately amongst KSE ideas. Although the pieces' grooves and bolts were a bit hard to combine, once finalized (and instruction was somewhat a necessary guide!) the toy was bigger than the capsule, considering its length. And it was playable; i.e., the idea of a vehicle was exactly that - only on the mini, toy scale.

Furthermore - if licensing with one element (toy/character/image) is out of reach - another and others will be not. Or vice versa - it is actually possible that the company owning specific line of images cannot induce KSE to support it, whereas another will gladly do it.

e.g. Italian Zaini
Produced in the neighborhood of KSE, this type of chocolate egg with a surprise toy inside the capsule consists of the following:
- chocolate egg which is 1/2 totally white and 1/2 regular chocolate
- the capsule is KSE standard size, but one half is green and the other white
- the toy is not of the building kind; it is a part of the collection*
* this time it was one of the Winnie the Pooh (series of 10) characters, but further research showed that other WD lines are existent

It is hard to infer from a single example of each of the alternate chocolate surprise eggs if they are better or worse, or far from either, than the original KSEs. One can only note that idea of collecting is definitely out there (Zaini) and that idea of a toy inside a capsule inside a chocolate is still functional.

How will the alternate companies fare against KSE and how will KSE fare in general remains to be seen. Only certainty is that the offerings are increasing, albeit their similarity.

D, the E

NOTE: pictures relating to above-mentioned examples are in process/ update coming soon

Investigative Report No.1

2006-08-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

The topic is as previously mentioned => the latest trend of having lots of 100 or more (or a bit less) being sold on Ebay at spectacular prices in the pre-bidding stage.

Now, why should this been as an at least somewhat insane purchase idea?, and why could people achieve by engaging in such an acivity of receiving a large lot of toys that need to be assembled.

Mind you - if someone offered a lot of old toys, all would be ideal. The old toys were good, and were meant to be played with; hence the term "toys". However, it is our observation that last several years, and potentially some years beforehand, offered toys that are be to collected, to be organized as sets.

This means that the nature of interaction with KSEs has changed.

Getting back to Ebay sellers, who are certainly offering a well-arranged idea; one must realize that buying a lot of 100 or so toys will certainly not give extra pleassure in the realm of playing with toys. A kid will certainly not have the capability to buy such a lot, and kid's parents will certainly not go into oversaturation of their kid. So, that leaves us with a group of a bit older "kids", who are collectors and nothing else. Because, it is only under such circumstances that the buying of a lot makes sense; there may be a toy you need but could not get within someone else's collection (which is for sale!), so that a financial splash improves your chaces of completing the set - whether it is the 4 3D trees, or 26 note-people, or...well it does not matter.

Playing with the toys you own cannot be improved with the purchase of another hundred from someone else; buying them for the purpose of seeking for one specific piece can -> this is simple reasoning. Hence, with the incorporation of the basics of economics in this issue: the sale of an item exists only because there is a high likelyhood that someone will make a purchase, it can be maintained that people who will buy KSE toys are out there. And, observing the deeper logical reason why would they buy it leaves us with sad understanding that collecting has become the new playing and that may be heart of dimished toy qualtiy in KSEs, which coincidentally are being produced in insanely large sets.

Collecting is the new playing. Unfortunately, this applies to KSEs as well.

Intro to Investigative Report(s)

2006-08-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

It is not my nature to write what will be offered here; having written over 50 experimental reports during schooling and then some more beyond (author's note: for further understanding of this statement, please see archive of this blog) I can consider myself to be an experimenter, and not a journalist.

Yet journalistic report is what is required, and as a true scientist I submit myself to the need for open-mindedness and acceptance of different formats. However, the experimental mode of oiur investigation will resume soon.

Some items are already ready for review, and the factor of geographical variance will be more so assessed.

But, I have spent enough time prologuing.
The drammatic items of interest are as follows:

1. Sales of capsule+toy lots (on the order of 50, 100, etc) on Ebay
2. Ever-increasing amount of appearing non-KSEs with the same formula (chocolate+capsule+toy)

1+2 => 3. Collecting (now) vs. playing (the past)

These topics will be duly dissected. For now, it was important to establish the initial expansion of the awareness.

Soon, soon the editorials about the above-mentioned topics will come.
Bare a bit longer.

Thank you.

Signing off,
D the E

Posting the Posts

2006-08-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

WILL RESUME!
Soon; is today soon enough!?
Because, today it will happen.

But. Which way and what way and whose way will be implemented - I do not know.
Everything is veiled in secrecy.
Just like the info provided by infamous Leader of the Nouvion branch of the French Resistance Michelle (from Allo, Allo). As such, listen carefully - I will be saying this only once.

Once posted, the thing will not be changed.
Grammar and other little nuisances of language life will be in being, as there is no time to be cutsy and sweet.
We are on the front of something very important and very large.
And opposing fractions are mulling around.

We must not let them touch us again.
They surely will watch, but we will make sure that is all they do.
--> Short inputs, a cut, and reemergence of words in burstful manner; we must act like that.

Vive la Kinder Re(tro)sistance!

Needed Info

2006-08-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

Things have happened! Our last post, which included inside information about the thought and design process at the KSHQ brought upon us a terrible demise. Demise of physically altering nature.

Namely, our insider information was right; it was dot-on. The dialogue about the "Blue Giant" did go as supposed; However, it was believed that having commentary provided in the manner of imaginative play - it will not be taken seriously by the bad guys.

Instead, they read through our mask, and went after us. Reality was much too close to the reality.

We have been threatened! We have been advised to stop analyzing the toys. One of the methods of conviction included alterations as presented in the photo:

It was only a search for a secure server, and thus unobstructed resistance work that held us up from continuing our experiment. Experiment as a quest for the truth! We cannot allow the public to be unaware of how things are deteriorating inside the plastic capsules embedded in still nicely tasting chocolate. We do not wish only for the chocolate to be good. We want the return of KSE totality to true form!

Vive la retro Kinder!

Experiment No.12 - Friendly Blue Sort of Giant on Wheels

2005-08-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

Location: 11 land-hours northward of NYC

VERY PROBABLE MONOLOGUE BACK AT KSE DESIGN HQ
"Wow, blue. Excellent!; what a thought! Once realized, this will be a killer toy. OK, so we will have this piece in blue, and this one, also this one, aaand this one will be blue too - but to distinguish it as a bottom part, we will put wheels on it. Perfect. So, what do we get? Aaaa, mmm - yes! Blue, sort of a giant that can move like a car as his feet are wheels.
But, I am thinking that the whole thing might look too blue now. Hmmm, maybe by adding something - reddish for example will make things better. Sure it will; having finished the design school (my job is secure with such academic background) I have learned that whole 2 colours are better than just one. So, to the final touch we go...I know! As I am sure that the series with gnomes on animals was a huge hit, I will repeat the same trick => the red piece will actually be a gnome, placed on giant's lap.

Now, this is quite something! A toy that can be pushed around like a car, and it is also a friendly looking giant...and if a kid gets scared by it (despite its stupid grin) there is also a gnome. So if the kids are scared of one, there is the other to ease their minds.
And, of course - this can easily be extended into a series:
Giantish creatures on wheels!
Altogether brilliant work, I must say."

REAL MONOLOGUE BACK (OR RATHER HERE) AT KSEXPERIMENT HQ - DURING ANALYSIS
"Puke, puke, gasp, arg, gaaasp, aarghh//-------------------------"

ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTE: Experimentista in charge of this experimental report had to be taken to the hospital due to interaction with ridiculous stupidity that this toy radiates with. Careful analysis of notes and last comments left behind by experimentista Danilo helped us yield the conclusion that this experiment deserves Mark = 0

Extracurricular Experiment: Capsule vs. Capsule

2005-08-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

Location: TO-RON-TO, ON

It has already been noted that current/newer series of KSE do not follow the golden rule of extra-surprise notation: Special toys are to be found in specially coloured capsules.

In the golden days of KSE, this golden rule was a rule observed consistently; it was observed nonchalantly at the same time, just like the Sun nonchalantly shines its rays upon us. Yes, variances did exist - full orange of half-yellow half-orange capsule would mark some glorious special surprise in comparison to regular toys within pure, but classic, yellow capsules. Now no special capsules are to be found, at least to the west of the Atlantic mid-point.

But this alarming issue seems poised for topple-effect by another alarming detail: The beloved classic yellow capsule is on the brink of extinction. As much as this is just an aesthetic issue, its importance is unmistakable.

Just like with the real eggs - no right mind would want to crack open a rotten looking egg. Fresh looking ones, just like the one on the right in both of the pictures, have the inviting nature in comparison.

And before a parting thought, a departing question for all the readers: Is it pure coincidence that this experimentista pulled out worse toys/surprises from "rotten" eggs!? Thus, wonder may be a good state of mind, considering where KSE might be heading.

Signing off with great dispair,
experimentista Danilo

Experiment 11 - Not nice toy

2005-08-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

I know all of you, this hot blooded multitude of watchers, are shrinking with expectations to see what this last experimental result is about. What will be the new abominal surprise? A jelly monster about to melt and get my carpet dirty? A live maggot busy eating the chocolate (no God, please not this. Not for the chocolate but the fact is that I am really scared of maggots)? A nasty charicature of myself with the writing "loser" printed in flashy yellow letter on my forehead?

Well no. It is something a lot worse than that. Well, maybe not a lot. Probably not even worse. Bet definitely BAAAD!

"So what did you find?" you are asking with a single nervous twitch of your left eye (better go to a doctor and fix that... you know these kinds of tics tend to become permanent. Trust me, I know...).
Open your eyes (yes, the left one as well) and be ready for this catastrophic experiment about... Magic Kinder Knights on horses.

Well, ok, I will give you that it does not sound very catastrophic. It just sounds a bit boring in fact. And indeed this toy IS boring! As I am about to explain you scientifically. No, do not close the browser. Stay tuned!

Opening a single KM I found this. Now, if they have made these black and said these are orks from the Lord of the Rings, I would have though it was somewhat cool. Instead it looks like an ork but it is supposed to be a knight in a shihy armour. And with a very ugly face!

The shiny is there, since botht the entire tent (urgh... it must weight a LOT) and the knight are made of copper (metallic plastic) (nice! I m loving it!). While the horse and other parts are made in yred plastic. Making it totally unrealistic for the horse of course... Anyhow, since I like shiny stuff, materials gets a passing mark with a 7/10.

Ok, so this toy is made of 7 parts, 5 for the tent and 2 for the combo horse+knight. The assembly is straighfroward regarding the horse+knight and a just a bit more complicated for the tent. So regarding assembly, I feel it can rightfully deserves a 7/10. Hey, this toy is doing pretty good!!!

Quite extensive stickering is also necessary for the tent and minor one for the knight. And stickering is GOOD my friend.

There are other three similar knights into the series (but given the odds, finding just another one would take ver 10 years of egg unwrapping). All as distasteful.

The thing that bothers me is proportion. The knight of course does not fit in the tent. Nor even without the horse. And the horse in comparison with the knight must be a pony or something... Also another colour would have improved this toy, while only two makes for a rather cheap-looking thing.
The knight is also a bit scary with that missing, tiny face... the kind of thing I could have nightmares off. So I do not feel for it. BUT, so far it is getting a passing mark.

However, how can a lovely pony be dyed entirely red??? who would do that to such a lovely creature?

So this toy get a final failing mark of 3/10 for animal cruelty.

Experiment 10 - Asterix Figurine 4

2005-08-24T06:57:00.000-07:00

Other Asterix character. Damn, I start to feel tingly for these Asterix figurines and would like to have them all! This said, I do not even know how many they are, but I just like them a lot better than other series (like the Happy Hippos).Too bad that since I must do without KSE for now, I may never get a chanceto open another egg with an Asterix in it.

Anyhow, getting back to SERIOUS SCIENTIFIC TALKING (I think I need to scientify myself towards stiffer teminology), these are my remarks on this toy.

It was found in a single KM egg. And it contained the magical druid of the magic potion. It is a nice figurine in pink plastic with paint-over in different colours. Original colours have been preserved,with the nice addition of a rich golden/copper metallic print for the couldron.
However a few details are missing:

fire and wood under the couldron-missing!
details of the stick to mix the potion- missing!-
gras- cutting half-moon instrument - only partially shown and not really recognizable.

For the rest the toy is quite good. Of particular good taste is the color concoction of the herbal mix of the potion. Two shades of green and light touches of brown are shown.

Face details are nice, nothing else to observe. The figurine, upon interrogation of the magic internet, was found to respond to the name (if you call it, it barks) of Getafix of the orginal Asterix series. One of the nicest characters in my opinion. More information can be achieved at this address: http://asteriximages.dirtyrubbish.com/getafix/page1.htm

Since I like the gold of the pot, this toy reaches a passing mark of 6/10.

HOWEVER, the fact that the fire is missing detracts all reality from this figurine, which therefore is depreciated to a barely not possiang mark of 5/10. And this is final!

Future of KSE Experiment on the Italian front

2005-08-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

With this short message, is this experimenter's expressed desire to let everybody know what the near future of the KSE will be on Italian soil.

With a TV advert this afternoon, it was communicated to the nation that the next premium series in KSEs, supposed to replace the cherished Asterix series (you will be missed!), is a Sponge Bob Series.

This experimenter is not overly familiar with Sponge Bob. Only recently arrived on this side of the Atlantic Ocean and it did not success in getting as much press as on the other shore line of the aforementioned Ocean. However, I am aware Sponge Bob is a truly loved characters by children and adults alike in many parts of the world and I am convinced it will be interesting to investigate how the spongyness of this Sponge will be translated into platic static figurines.

IT is this experimenter's hope to be able to retrieve soon the first specimen of this type to be able to conduct immediate observations.

Experiment 9 - The Asterix saga continues

2005-08-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Experiment 9 - The Asterix saga continues
and sinks miserably. As if the Gauls had teemed up with Vikings and hadgotten hold of a ship without the ability to govern it, leaving it totouch the bottom of the ocean.
This is the splendid toy I found in a KM (Kinder Merendero).

What is it? are you asking. Let me tell you. It is a "magic" board. and it works this way. There is a screen where you seen an image, and a tag that you can pull out and push in. Images are better able to explain its functioning than words. How lame.

SURPRISE FACTOR: really nice. The first 5 times you do this is somewhatintriguing. It takes about 5 times to figure out how this effect can be achieved without electronics. And it is the kind of thing you want to show your friends to surprise them as well. So it gets a 10/10. For once a Kinder Surprise, really delivered a surprise.

CONSTRUCTION FACTOR: simply 0/10. There is abosolutely nothing to do but"play"with it.

PLAYFULLNESS FACTOR: awful. You have done it 5 times and you loose interest in it, to the point you forget it at home and cannot even show it around to your friends to "mesmerize" them. Actually this is likely a good thing, since they make take you for a looser if they figure out the trick soon enough. So it gets a 1/10

OVERALL: the final mark is going to be really low. This toy becomes unplayable after not even 1 minute and it just adds to the home junk we produce (trust me, I am an expert), just that it becomes junk way faster than anything else, plus it is made of likely non recycable plastic, so here you go with a final mark of 2/10.

Goscinny and Uderzo, if I were you, I would insur. (I know, I know,in all these years, they have done worst to your work...but still!)

Experiment No.8 - Puzzled over this

2005-08-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Another KS egg, another surprise.

Unfortunately, this experimental report is lacking the picturesque configuration as the equipment necessary for the inclusion of real eye-openers is lacking at this very moment. As such, your brains will be stimulated only through the words which, as any other published on this page, will be 100% objective.

This surprise is a puzzle consisting of 3 rows of 5 pieces.

I) Design, etc.
These pieces are very thin and made out of very-very light cardboardy material. They barely filled 50% of the bottom half of the capsule => design and quality are quite low. However, the pieces connect perfectly, and as such the mark is somewhat higher than zero: 3/10

II) Puzzle Details
a) The puzzle is of rectangular contures, and actually represents 1 fourth (top right corner) of the total drawing. Drawing is nicely coloured, and the characters: giant lizzard, large goose, and two gargoyly (purple and grey) characters do seem fun. Hence, the use of colours and funness of the drawing make it 8/10.

b) However, as much this puzzle does not make sense - 3 gigantic monsters on top of a roof of the structure from which a goose is leaning out, it seems that the whole puzzle is nonsensical, i.e. full of sporadic things that just seem to be space fillers. If this is some insane world where crazy characters of human-house sizes are playing on the roofs of those very same houses - then, who are the houses for? And who is flying a green airplane? -> Its size corresponds to human use, and yet there are no humans here; How could they be?!? So, very much an incoherent world - probably the drawn participants do not know how to live it in it themselves. Mark: 4/10

III) Series includes 3 more drawings, so that in total one "grand" picture is yielded - 20x13.5cm (Author's Note: We do metric system here!). That means 60 pieces, which could have nicely fitted in 2 kinder eggs are spread out in 4 eggs to provide upon (potential) completion a crazy drawing that may be laughed at - and thus enjoyed in a way, and then left to collect dust. Not a great series; mark: 5/10.

IV) Toyfulness - not a lot of playing time with not a lot of pieces. And, besides - puzzles are to be engaging, not easy. Mark: 3/10

Final mark: 23/50 = 4.6/10

Addendum to Experiment No.6

2005-08-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

Addendums, that is corrections, are no new thing in this reality. Even scientific writings are not immune to their appearance.

As a matter of fact, the experimenter behind these words does indeed appreciate (as should all of you dear readers) the existence of addendums, as they allow scientific findings to be closer and closer to the absolute values.

With this intro about addendums we jump to the one relating to the statistical approximation mentioned in experimental report No.6 - section II, subsection iv.

There, it was maintained that on the order of 1000 purchases will be necessary for completion of the series (12 character is all). But, after recent discovery of another cyber figurine, the forementioned number must be adjusted to 624.

This however does not change the overall result for Experiment No.6, as the lowering of the average has its positive and negative consequences just like the introduction of any other new variable to the process.

Yours,
always impartial experimenter Danilo

Latest news about KSE in Italy

2005-08-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

I need to point out at this stage of the experiment that I have been unable to find more specimen and the desired quality to continue on with the experiment. Kinder Merendero surprise eggs are no longer on the shelves (apparently for Ferrero people, August does not classify as summer and it does not classify as anything at all: their winter pure KSE are not available and their summer Merendero eggs are also missing in action).

I am able to report three more experiments totalizing 7 all together, but that is it. I am left to take the hard decision is this number of eggs analized is of any relevance to the purposes of this experiment or if it has been a total waste of time.

Sadly yours...

Giovanna

Asterix Figurine 1, 2 and 3 together

2005-08-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

Just for completeness, this is the happy Asterix family so far, made of the last three surprises I have found. Aren't they cute???

For your own enjoyment, these are two family pictures of the Gauls family. From left to right, see the unknown Gaul (possibly a Roman spy), the beauty of the village (also possibly a Roman spy) and Asterix (most definitely not a Roman spy).

Experiment 7 - Asterix Figurine 3

2005-08-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

Experiment 7
Based in: Italy
Surprise found in: Kinder Merendero Surprise Egg Trio Pack (advertising the Asterix series)

Wow, things must have changed since our times. All of the surprises of the trip pack were Asterix figurines! It is sort of my childhood dream coming true but it is also too easy! Where is the hunt for premium figurines gone????

Anyhow, this is the last of the Asterix figurines found so far.

And that's her, the beautiful muse of the druids. The blond girl. With red flowers and big silver earrings. Sitting romantically on a tree trunk. Possibly another roman spies, even if I was told she is actually called Panacea.

The figurine is nicely carved, with a nice flowering hair and richness of details, like the pendant earring, the bracelet, the yellow dots on the red flowers, the buckle of the belt.

But the paint job is not as amazing. The gold of both part of the earring and of the golden bracelet are really dim, almost unprecedented. While the earring, I think it was supposed to be silver, has a light touch of blue and some white instead (seem as if the silver had run out). The golden buckle instead still looks pretty nice.

As the image shows, the paint job is badly done also on the pink of the dress, overspilling onto the trunk.

The details of the face are instead nicely done.

The figurine in its complex is nice: a variety of colours, a nice subject. But these toys have never been great fun to play with, since they are completely static and, as they have become, a mere collection item. Not even when they are in groups. Especially if you do not run into known, recognizable characters like Asterix and Obelix. These almost unknown people just do not have history enough. Only role playing and the market instilled impulse to collect the collectible, make people wanting them all.

Total mark : 7/10

P.S. Should you require more info about Astreix characters, browse the following:
http://asteriximages.dirtyrubbish.com/characters.htm
http://www.asterix.co.nz/characters.htm

Experiment No.6 - Cyber What???

2005-08-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Location - From the perspective of an Ocean and a Lake: East of Atlantic, North of Ontario

Upon opening of this KSE capsule, it has been determined that geographical variance equates to zero when immunity to existence of solid (no assembly required) figurines is considered. But, only once all the factors are analyze will it be known how does this surprise rate amongst its compatriots.

I) Design Issues
i) Material - very light plastic; hence this toy lacks sturdiness although it is envisioned to be a immobile piece. Also, poor quality of plastic gives this toy a cheap look - something a figurine should posses. Mark: 2/10
ii) Colouring Scheme - an immense array of colours graces this toy. Individually considered they would not inflict negative comments; however, having this palette on a very small surface area - one would think the colouring scheme escaped from fashion jail. Mark: 0/10
iii) Details - Considering that other design elements got little if any care, it was only rational to have some creative energy go into this department. Being 100% better done than (i) and (ii) this section gets: 10/10

II) Series

i) Characters - Plentiful! and then some. Namely, there are 12 pieces and as much they are all different, they do not offer amazing variation that is to be expected in an encounter with beings from another world, story, etc. (Just remember Masters of the Universe) Mark: 3/10
ii) Story - A blurb explaining the background is present. But it ends with 3 dots and one must depend on imagination to fit pre-set characters in some sensible playful story. This venture would be manageable if it was not for the immense amount of unknown characters. Mark: 3/10

iii) Personality - Each character seems to be described up to the point. Good or bad - a Gaussian middle for sure: 5/10
iv) Collecting - Statistical approximation warrants the conclusion that around 1000 purchases will be necessary for the completion of this series. Certainly a good business ploy, but a frustrating situation for the player/collector. Another middle: 5/10

III) Toyfulness
This toy is immobile, or in more accurate words the legs are connected to the base. Hence, one may use it only as an ornament and that is not sufficient to a kid. Mark: 0/10

IV) Usefulness One of forced nature (please see above). Hindered by quality and overall look. Mark: 2/10

Overall Mark: 2.5/10

Experiment the 5th - Dolphin

2005-08-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Every Kinder Surprise Egg (KSE) includes the same amount of chocolate, packaging material and paper inserts - instructions. But! not all contain the same toy. Not all of them contain whatsoever.

This KSE offered something that certainly is useful in a minimalistic fashion, but is un-fun in a maximistic fashion. But, let us not jump to conclusions, and allow me not to be unseemingly bias.

Point by point this KSE is analyzed, and the final mark tallied only after usefulness, design, toyfulness are considered.

I) Design
a) The colours. Certainly, they are nice - silverish gray for the bottom part of the dolphin, and azure blue for the top part. Of course the tongue is red, and the eyes are black - just like the real dolphins are. (5/10)
b) Pieces. Only three exist. Very, very small amount. Yes, they connect almost perfectly (one connection is not a smooth line), but they do not offer much joy in the assembly process due to its simplicity. Additionally, the head piece has a hole on top (reminiscent of the real dolphins I guess, which simply looks unnatural due to its large surface area. (4/10)
c) Cuteness. Sure, it is there - but is that enough!?; I mean - all dolphins are cute. 10/10 (by default)
d) Quality Plastic out of which this dolphin is made seems very cheap. It is not offering a vision of grandeur, although it should because after all this product is envisioned as a desk piece. Mark: 6/10
e) Series.
There are other 2 that pose as pencil holders - a crab and a awan (why exclude other animals, or is that only water involved creatures have the ability to hold pencils). There are several levels of dicontent with the series. Two are theoretical: What happened with 4-piece series which used to be somewhat a standard in the good old times? Additionally, looking over the No's - it is noticed that Swan is#1, Crab is #2 and this Dolphin #29. Certainly alarming, as this can mean only one of two things: KSE creators are running out of ideas so that after a wile they decided to add one more toy to this series, or people were thrilled with the pencil-holder idea that one more piece had to be brought to light to satisfy the demand. Also - but not theoretically: Who wants to have 3 pencil holders. Isn't one enough, and with 3 of them, nicely placed on the desk a lot of space is occupied. (3/10)
Mark for this section: 28/50 = 5.6/10

II) Usefulness It certainly is there. This dolphin is actually a pencil (and potentially a pen) stand. According to the drawing/instructions, one is to place it on the desk and to use dolphin's mouth and its tail fin as grooves for the pencil. Definitely a practical and compact offering. Mark for this section: 9/10

III) Toyfulness Not much of it. This toy is not a toy, but a schoolastic element(pencil holder), and as such does not posses any fun for kids ages 3 and above. Contrary to the official set-up I did try to use this dolphin as a toy: I put it in the water only to have it sink due to the hole on head. This is not quite the parallel to the reality (dolphins do not sink), as it can be confirmed in The Guide to Life, the Universe and Everything
Mark for this section: 1/10

FINAL MARK 5.6/10 + 9/10 + 1/10 = 15.6/30 = 5.2
Note: this high score may be misleading as the usefulness of the non-fun kind helped the overall average.

Experiment 4 - Asterix Figurine 2

2005-08-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Experiment 4
Based in: Italy
Surprise found in: Kinder Merendero Surprise Egg Trio Pack (advertising the Asterix Series)

The second Kinder Merendero I opened was a nice surprise since inside I found another Asterix figurine. I was surprised since usually, in the old days, only one out of three and rarely two of the surprises were belonging to the current premium series.

The figurine that I found was the Unknown Gaul. Definitely a strong strong man.
Is he maybe a spy of the Romans??? I m still convinced of this, but my co-experimenter Danilo dissents on this point, claiming him to be Unhygenix (does the name stand for Non-Hygienic? I do not find anything dirty about this man. Well, beside the obvious fish smell).

Anyhow, the figurine is rather nice, with really fine details in the eye of the fish, in the belt of Unhygenix and, even if to a smaller degree, in the face.

The details of the belt (four corners keeping the yellow string) are in silver, while the fish is in a metallic blue paint of really nice aesthetic.

the picture does not show but the Gaul has two braids at the back of really nice carving and the black top he is wearing is in fur (what a WRONG fashion statement!).

If it was not for the lack of more colours, this would be a super nice character, even if even like this he is carrying himself nicely.

Final Mark: 8.75/10

P.S. Despite what you may think, I do not have any preference for or give my support to the Romans. Yes, I live in Italy. But I am from that area that anciently was part of the Gallia (today northern Italy). I am therefore of Gaul/Celtic descent AND PROUD of that!

Experiment 3 - Asterix Figurine 1

2005-08-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

Experiment 3
Based in: Italy
Surprise found in: Kinder Merendero Surprise Egg Trio pack (advertising Asterix Series)

Having opened the Kinder Merendero, the surprise I found was the following: Astreix while drinking the magic potion.

This is the first of the Asterix Premium series I found. It represents Asterix (Goscinni & Uderzo') drinking the super magic potion.

Asterix is standing on a tree trunk in order to look a little bit taller. He has always been disturbed by his shortness since most Gauls were very big men. The tree turnk was originally separated from the body of Asterix, therefore requiring one assembly.

Asterix is represented in the traditional way with red leggings, shoes (rare thing for a Gaul), a black muscles top with a green belt fixed with yellow buttons and a short sword at its side. Also, he is wearing the typical metal hat with big side wings. To be noticed that the hat is painted in silver.

The figure all together is nicely done. Even some of the small details are neatly painted, including the small yellow strokes on the sword and on the cup (the cup is green, with top strokes in a lighter shade of green, givin depth to the cup).

The facial details, despite satisfying, are not perfect since the eyes make our blonde Astreix look very much like a chinese.

For the rest the toy is definitely well crafted and the paint does not get out of the lines in almost any case.

Final mark : 8.5/10

Experiment Ni - Gnome On a Rabbit

2005-08-10T23:39:00.000-07:00

Location: If looking toward Arctic -> left of Atlantic

The opening of second half-yellow half-orange capsule is not brining greater joy to this experimenter than the one that was the result of Zeroth Experiment.
But alas! This is scientific work - success and lovely results cannot be expected always.

So, to the contents we go. And notice once again that the pieces are very simple - yes, there 6 altogether (improvement over previous analyzed case), but quantity does not mean quality. These pieces are very simple and big - and even if there were no instructions how to assemble them one would be able to realize the correct set-up in no time; this statement does include kids less than 8 years of age.

Stickering. Yes, this time around there was some to be done, just like in the good old days. The eyes of the rabbit were the specialty, and with amazing rush I jumped toward thee. Are they crooked or not, I do not know.

Toy in its finality. As the title suggest, this is nothing more than a gnome on a rabbit. Whoop-ti-du. But, I might be too harsh - I remember some cartoons that had such characters, and they were sitting on the little animals for their little rides. But I also remember safety issues being taken care of - some sort of a belt would be appropriate, and not teaching kids that it is ok to sit on a jumping thing and just ride off with no belt!!! Also - and this is most important - the gnome is orange; why!? And are there orange gnomes out there. Totally orange. I simply doubt that. Hence, I must conclude that this was just pure manufacturing - no care of the details. And that is quite shameful.

Toy in action. Well, according to very well constructed diagram, the idea behind this toy is that one is supposed to hit a button (i.e. the tail of the rabbit) and that the rabbit + unmoving (but waving) gnome are supposed to jump forward. This however does not happen; no matter how many times it is tried. Yes, some circus acrobatic do occur, but no forward motion has been established in more than 10 tries.

Series. There are other 2 gnomes riding their own animals/insects. So I guess that is why this orange one is waving - to his blue and pink buddies. Strangely unappealing.

The final verdict. Due to the fact that gnome-animal combinations are available in cartoons, etc. does not make this an allowable toy, but it does give it reality credit - it is not an altogether nonsensical idea. But, all other factors (cumbersome pieces, colour scheme used for the gnome, safety hazards, etc.) force it to be considered as not so fun. And that is the basic need of the Kinder Surprises. As such, this toy gets 3.5 out of 10.

Experiment 1- The Musketeer

2005-08-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

Experiment 1
Based in: Italy
Surprise found in: Kinder Merendero Single Surprise Egg

Procedure: having opened a Kinder Merendero Single Surprise Egg and having given the chocolate content from it to a family member from consumption, the surprise section was opened.

This was the content inside. Looking at the building instruction and final realization on the provided leaftet, I could immediately inderstand it was a musketeer (strange, originally I though it to be a spinning tree or something). The pieces were 8 in total, with simple assembly required, using the snap-on technique. Two of the parts (the inside joint to keep the wheels in place [yes, as crazy this is, our musketeer is on wheels] and the sword) are casted in a nice metallic plastic. To be noticed that stickets are provided for the decoration of the coat and the feather details on the hat.

Upon assembly of the toy this was the final result. To be noticed that the face of our musketter was alerady painted, therefore minimizing the fun of sticking the eys and moustaches on the face (and messing up the position) which is since the beginning together one of the greatest fun and source of unhappiness (since the eyes were almost always misplaced).
However, I would have preferred to place the eyes miself instead than finding them painted on already.

The musketeer moves on two wheels concealed at the bottom and at the same time, due to the movement, it agitates the sword up and down.

On the back of the leaflet, the image presented clarifies that the musketeers available are four (what a surprise uh? let me refresh your memory: Atos, Portos, Aremis and Dartagnan).

This toy would be possibly more fun to play with when a sword fight could be arranged with another musketeer, but by itself entertains for a short time, while being rather pleasant to see.

Final mark of this toy: 6.5/10

Zeroth Experiment - Zero point of tolerance

2005-08-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

Outrageously Stupid Toy

Many years have passed since my potentially subjective embeddedness in love and joy toward any opened kinder egg has been truly fruitful. However, it seemed that my disconnect with surprise was purely due to me stepping into adulthood; But, I might have been wrong because how could I have thought that a 3D tree and similar stupidities can be fun to anyone.

I seek the truth - why are things so bad in the land of Kinder Supresos.

The first analytical foray touches upon this utterly bizarre toy. But of its character a bit later on. Now I must properly assess the KSE.

I) The quality of chocolate surrounding the capsule with the toy is intact. I cannot vouch for taste of chocolate after being in the fridge (I used to have cartons of KSE as a kid in the fridge, and preferred the cold chocolate over room temperature), but that test will be made in due time. Hence, out of 10 marks chocolate is getting the full set.

II) Packaging. The foil around the chocolate is of the same colours as it ever was, but with more languages. That is a nice touch - urging kids to learn foreign languages. One difference I can note is the appearance of Internet Surprise MAGICODE image, that did not exist (logically) in the days before internet. Additional newness is the mini barcode that allows for a quick scan at the cashier station, rather than manual typing of the price - minimizing the work -> good call.

III) Plastic capsule. I am wary of the new design. Namely, all the capsules are half yellow and half orange. Originally any appearance of orange (and usually of the whole capsule) meant that there is some special toy inside it. Now, all of them are the same, and the lack of this extra level of intrigue is simply saddening.

IV) The toy itself. From the technical aspects of assembly pieces to the overall sense zeros must be given all around. Namely, the toy consists of only 6 pieces out of which 3 are these yellow helicopter looking blades. The connections between pieces are made quite simply - click-ons are made to ensure proper set-up; Rather too banal this researcher would add.
And that brings us to understanding what this toy is. Well, it is quite simply an elephant with a rats nose that is capable of flying. The question is - how did this horrible (or is it!?) mutation come about. That research is yet to come.

V) Final judgment. This toy is not a fun toy. It is funny however. Who could think of such a series; there are 3 other "animals" of similar mutation that exist. Who will want to collect them all - not me! And not just that, I mean - what message is to be gained from the toy - how are we to play with it, rolling it down the table, flying it in the air. Are we to scrounge-up every granule of imagination that has ever existed on this planet and to pretend that this is on a faraway world, and if so - who made this monstrous animalchine. What Dr. Frankestein was at work? Or maybe this is not such an elaborate happening - maybe this ratlike elephant jammed its front trunks into the blades and got stuck there, just like did his tail into the 3rd wheel/blade thingie.
And with one parting look
- a repeat of the judgment, but a categoric one: this toy is an absolute idiotic piece of ridiculous stupidity and deserves not a zero as a grade, but non-existence (unfortunately as an experimenter I do not have powers that would give such outcome, just the mindset that allows objectivity and nothing but).

Procedure step by step - Opening a Kinder Merendero

2005-08-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

As fo today in Italy Pure Kinder Surprise Eggs are very rare finds, and I must admit I have not found one single shop selling them.
Therefore I will conduct my experiment on more readily available material, namely Kinder Merendero (see below inthe July postings).
This particular experiement has also the purpose of discovering the possible differences in surprises exhisting between pure and Merendero eggs.

Below there are detailed pictures about the opening and structure of a Kinder Merendero Egg.

These are 5 steps to open a a Kinder Merendero:

STEP 1 - The full egg

This is how appears a Kinder Merendero Egg

STEP 2 - Opening the Egg

As shown, the egg opens thanks to two little flaps at the bottom left of the egg, below the expiry date. The flaps are easy to separate.

Step 3 - The two halves

These are how the two halves of the egg look like. To be noticed there is no plastic egg shell for the surprise. Instead there is half containing the snack (a white and milk chocolate lake in which two milk chocolate pralines swim), covered in a transparent plastic film with Kinder written on it.
The other half, covered in orange film with question marks on contains the surprise.

Step 4 - Opening the surprise

To open the half egg containg the surprise, a clever flap embedded in the previous one is used to separate the film covering from the shell.
The white plastic item you see on the orange film is the plastic spoon to be used with the chocolate in the other half. The slimmer part at the top is the spoon, while the part you see at the bottom is the handle.

Step 5 - The inside

In this image you can see what the surpise half looks like. The surprise appears in pieces, as in a pure Kinder Surprise Egg, but it is unwrapped, the pieces being loose in this half.

Kinder Merendero Trio Pack

2005-08-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

For completeness on the subjet, this is the packaging of the Kinder Merendero trio pack, in this case the one promoting the Asterix Premium series. Both the front and the back of the packaging are shown. Single eggs are also sold.

Dispute on Fonts - temporary interruption

2005-08-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

The two experimenters have agreed to temporarily suspend the ongoing duspute on font size for this very website.
They have agreed to keep posting on the site with the current font for some time, until a viewer will suggest us what has to be done regarding this matter.

Dispute on Fonts - tentative resolution

2005-08-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

This is what Mr. Danilo sent me regarding our dispute on Fonts. Please read and carefully observe the above for your own record.

Compromise/ing the Font

2005-08-03T17:21:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
with only 50% administrative power, I can only hope that the other 50% of it will side with the following ideas. I said: "I hope", but I also believe in the success in this important side-venture as, after all, both of us administrators are experimenters in heart and as such prefer logic over opinions; objectivity vs. subjectivity.
(Please disregard the blatant nonsense embedded in the construction stating that experimenting and subsequently logic come out of an organ that has nothing to do with creation of logic, but rather of those chaotically unstable, and often dreaded [in the science world] feelings)

As such, with no intention of removing my dear colleague in any way - proof pending - I would like to offer way(s) out of this problematic issue of font-size correctfulness:
1. Make a sample of available font sizes and ask you dear readers to chose the most preferable one - that way choice wil be independent of Giovanna's or my own wishes (fairness in its truest form)
2. Have my own writings presented in the font-size of my choice and Giovanna's in hers (real compromise)
Or in the true spirit of endearing quantum mechanical methods
3. Toss 100 (or a random # equivalent to the number of page visitors on August 5th) coins where 1 side represents 1 font size and other (logically) another, so that one side that has more than 50% showings will be chosen as the official font of this experiment.

Finally, it is unfortunate that bureaucracy is a persistent issue in the scientific dealings, something that us scientists regret, but have to put up with until it is resolved in the favour of reality and correctness. That is why I hope that you are noticing how we are fighting hard to resolve the situation as quickly as possible so that we can focus on the heart (again this accidental nonsense) of the real issue presented on this page.

Yours truly,

experimentista Danilo

War on fonts

2005-08-03T15:07:00.000-07:00

With this message, it is intention of this experimenter to divulgate some recently happened facts that have the potential of distrupting the regular procedure of this experiment.
In the past two days, the graphical layout of this site has been substantially changed, to shape itself in the current and almost definite form you see right now.

However, these changes, made by this experimenter, have not been endorsed by my fellow lab partner Danilo. While he just expressed words of praise for the new images used in the layout, we have broken into a strong argument regarding the font to be used in the site. In particular the argument revolves around font size.

While it is my opinion the fonts should all be reduced, for a better look and also for better usage of the site (avoiding the text to scroll too far under), Danilo is claiming to be blind (then I m not really sure how he read anything anyway) and therefore in need of big, huge, montrous fonts.
I would like to point out that my fellow experimenter refuses altogether to increase the font size setting it to big, huge or humongous on his own Internet Explorer.

Since the matter is still to be solved, it is my intention to warn our viewers that this argument has caused us to threaten each other numerous times to cancel our reciprocal administrative rights and throw each other out of this site all together.

In case I disappear suddenly, I would like to let all of you know that I loved this experiment and that I did not give up without fighting.

Our First Comment

2005-08-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, August 1st 2005, not only we entered into the second month of activity (just a matter of calendar really), but also we received our very first comment.

It is unsure who posted this comment, whether it was my fellow experimenter Danilo, or if there was a third party involved. We are currently in the process of tracking down this commenter thanks to the help a russian guy named Yuri, who is not a spy.

It is of interest to track him/her down since we would like to know more of our audience.

In the meantime we also proud to disclose our new layout for the Kinder Surprise Experiment Website.

Feel free to contact us with your comments on that or on any other aspects of the site.

Experimental Problems

2005-08-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Update

The two experimenter would like to extern the problems incurred into while performing the experiment.

Our main problem is the fact that the picture uploading embedded into the system of Blogger.com is non functioning.

No picture can be uploaded in whatever manner on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.

This unconvenience will cause the experimenters to incurr in some delays in publishing material and possibly in not meeting the schedule deadlines for the conclusion of our deductions.

We deeply apologize with everybody involved.

The Asterix series

2005-07-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

It seems time to this experimenter to mention the current premium gift edition of Kinder Surprise: the Asterix Series.

Premium gift editions are highly (usually at least) collectible figurines linked in a series. Previous historical series were Happy Hippos, Egyptian cats and others. Some of these figurines have been really nicely crafted, some even hand painted and many are right now selling at prices well about 500 USD on Ebay on the collectors market (or so I read, because looking up Ebay right now, nothing has bid past 5 dollars...).

Asterix is the newest Kinder Surprise series.

I have already been able to observe two of the figurines, both found in the kinder Merendero trio pack.

I found Asterix and a second figurine whose identity I have not been able to pin down so far.

This figurine appears fat, blonde (therefore it is not Obelix) with the traditional Gauls braids, is wearing a fur sleeveless shirt, a leather belt, red tights (no shoes as usual, because they are not Romans in the end!) and is holding in the streched left arm a shiny fish. (a picture will be posted soon)

Talking about the craftmanship, it should be notices that the fish and the corners of the X on the belt are painted in metallic paint and that the eyes are painted with great accuracy with white and black both falling in the eye socket and not going out of the borders.

I would rate this toy a 7/8 out of 10, this being the best Kinder Surprise egg I ever found in the chocolate shell (which is by itself a great consolation for a boring toy).

More to come soon.

Elucidation: The Quarantine

2005-07-29T23:21:00.000-07:00

This note has the purpose of explaining why the experimental team in charge of this project deemed it relevant to quarantine the link relating to the purchase of Kinder Surprise Eggs (KSE)

It must be repeated how the objective of the experiment primarily consists of:

the showcasing of diminishing level of quality in the toys
&
the quest for the route that will ensure high-grade surprises upon the assembly of KSE toys

With this being the case, it was deemed best to clarify that in no way do we advertise the purchase KSE for pure enjoyment. Our investigation came to life recently, so that any suggestion to you readers as of right now would not be based in facts. We want to stay true to the scientific method, and we will: facts 1st, conclusions at the end.

Please observe all our current findings, and look for more to appear soon.

Disclaimer: any purchase of KSE (and any related products) made by the team is done only for experimental purposes

Further investigation into Kinder Merendero

2005-07-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

Given the impossibility to find Pure Kinder Surprise Eggs around where I live in this moment (I m searching into smaller shops or minimarkets, since big supermarkets do not keep them for the summer time), I am investigating the nature of Kinder Merendero, surrogate Kinder Eggs readily available in this season.

These eggs are a Kinder Ferrero products and, according to the official Ferrero Italy website, they have been first commercialized in 2001. The very informative website, available in English as well but not completely, displays also the available packages of the product and the nutrition table of Kinder Merendero. The site itself writes: "Summer begins, Kinder Merendero is back. Kinder Merendero doesn't fear the heat of the summer, you can take it wherever you want and eat your snack using the spoon ". Therefore this seem to be a summer exclusive product. Further investigations in the winter will clear the doubt.

As for the surprise itself, the website advertised the Asterix series as Kinder Merendero Surprise

Now, let's talk about the packaging. Kinder Merendero looks like an egg, half white half orange, trademarks colours of Kinder Eggs. But the shell is made of plastic and it opens in two symmetrical halves. These two halves contain separate products. On one half there is the snack: a white cream with two chocolate pralines in it. In the other half there is the surprise. On the orange platic foil concealing the surprise is attached the white plastic spoon to eat the snack with.

So far two Kinder Merendero Eggs have been open out of 4 total. More about these results later.

For now, I have to express my impossibility to taste any kinder product. Being a strict vegan, it is impossible for me to eat kinder products since they all have milk content. Therefore the sweet taste of Kinder will always be for me a childhood far memory.

For more information:

http://www.ferrero.it/cronologia/index.html

Laziness of Mr. Ilic about to prejudicate the experiment

2005-07-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

Warning.

Intense laziness, cronical desease that long time ago affected Mr. Ilic, is about to prejudicate this experiment.

Fore Experiment 1-Kinder Surprise at the supermarket

2005-07-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

Experiment conducted on July 25th at 14:30.

Goal of the Experiment: find Kinder Surprise Eggs

Results: at the chosen supermarket, no pure Kinder Surprise Egg was to be found. Trying to formulate an hypothesis about the reason of the absence, I think the eggs are nowhere to be found given the high temperatures of the Italian summer. Chocolate, expecially when thin and wrapped into aluminum foil, melts too quickly here to be sold (keep in mind there are very few air conditioning system here, in cars or apartments).

Hence, many Ferrero products have been withdrawn from the market for the summer time (it is the case for Ferrero Rocher and Mon Cherì).

Nevertheless, other Kinder Ferrero products are to be found. Specifically, Kinder Ferrero occupies ONE OUT OF FOUR cashier stand with its products.

Calculating that there are 31 cashiers in the supermarket and that Kinder Ferrero occupy one fourth, the total cashier occupied are: 7.75.

In these Kinder stands, there we no pure Kinder Surprise to be found, as aforementioned, but the new type of Kinder Merendero eggs were sold.

I bought 4 of those to conduct further experiments at home.

Foreword

2005-07-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

The Kinder Surprise Experiment is scientifically conducted by the two physicists and Kinder Surprise Egg lovers Giovanna and Danilo, from a location set in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, half the way between the two countries of residence of the two scientists.

The purpose of the experiment is to analyze the variety of Kinder Surprise embedded toys: their quality, their type, their fidelity to what advertised and their change over time, and possibly the variance of them when related to geographical location.

To achieve this goal, the two experimenters will probe the content of 10 kinder surprise egg each in their own locations (North of Italy and South East Canada) and gather information based possibly on three egg groups from other locations over the world.

Other experiments related to other Kinder Ferrero products or unrelated makers may as well be conducted at a later time.

All results will be published here.

Prologue to the Foreword

2005-07-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

I clearly remember it; as if it was 1 day ago.

On July 23, 2005 I have had my final promille of endurance/tolerance with declining quality of Kinder Surprise Eggs' toys used up. It was then that I contacted my favourite co-experimentista, Giovanna, to jointly conduct an experiment on both sides of the Atlantic - one that would show "if the whole global village is forced to endure this regime of lunacy" (my words exactly) with once so-loved and so-good toys.

Being true scientists, we have thought of a couple other intriguing issues that could be analyzed in parallel with our main objective. As such, we give to you our experimental report in anticipation of better times ahead for all of us who want to keep on being genuinely surprised by the Kinder Surprise Egg contents.