Why doesn't GW suck?

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**Zubbiefish**

Stupid questions but I want to know;
What has GW done for me lately?

We've all spent hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on this stuff.
What keeps you in it?
Is there another woman (company) in your thoughts?
Why are they better, assuming they do for you what your wife does that is,?
Why, why, why?
It's the question du jour. It's the future of the hobby.

**syr8766**

Things GW has gotten right:
Cities of Death and other alternative settings (boarding actions as well)
Specialist Games (Necromunda, Mordheim, BFG)
Combat Patrol
Killteam
Great background and depth of story
lots of variety
Nostalgia
Market Saturation (I know I can get a game of 40k in somewhere).

For these reasons I keep coming back to the old neighborhood, though I like to visit other parts of town too!

**yakface**

I like 40k/games workshop because they continue to have the total package of great miniatures, a superb background and a wide fanbase.

While other companies may make better miniatures or cleaner rules, nobody has the total package down as well as GW IMO.

GW has also proven that over the years they can slightly alter their games to provide new challenges to the gamer. Some players find this frustrating (that they have to re-organize their forces everytime a codex is re-done) but ultimately this is what gives veteran players something new to accomplish.

If GW never changed the core rules on their games and/or the army codexes, giving boosts to some units and weakening other units I guarantee that 40k would have gotten ridiculously boring to everyone by now.

This formula has worked for GW for over 20 years so I feel confident that there will still be players playing their games in another 20. I can't say that about any other tabletop miniature game.

Simply put, I enjoy the game, the universe, the miniatures and I can find opponents to play against when I want to play a game and have a good time. That's all I can really ask for.

**rryannn**

GW's games provide an outlet for my creativity, a part of me that would be squandered if I spent all day playing Halo. As a college student, painting and gaming provide a relaxing environment to escape from the day to day stresses of classwork.

I know that there are more gaming companies beyond GW, but I have yet to experience their product.

**Infantryman**

Ditto, but replace HALO with Sleeping or something.

**malfred**

They brought back the Harlequins. Exalt!

**Drake_Marcus**

Posted By yakface on 10/25/2006 7:23 PM

I like 40k/games workshop because they continue to have the total package of great miniatures, a superb background and a wide fanbase.

While other companies may make better miniatures or cleaner rules, nobody has the total package down as well as GW IMO.

GW has also proven that over the years they can slightly alter their games to provide new challenges to the gamer. Some players find this frustrating (that they have to re-organize their forces everytime a codex is re-done) but ultimately this is what gives veteran players something new to accomplish.

If GW never changed the core rules on their games and/or the army codexes, giving boosts to some units and weakening other units I guarantee that 40k would have gotten ridiculously boring to everyone by now.

This formula has worked for GW for over 20 years so I feel confident that there will still be players playing their games in another 20. I can't say that about any other tabletop miniature game.

Simply put, I enjoy the game, the universe, the miniatures and I can find opponents to play against when I want to play a game and have a good time. That's all I can really ask for.

I'll stay with this answer- very complete, but it missed the best thing:

Brian Nelson

**scramasax**

it is the only system that my friends are playing and that i can play on a stable basis. That migth change since there is enough people that begin to play confrontation around

**Clayman**

You can play almost anywhere you go or talk about it with a good chance of people knowing what you're on about.

Its also the main system people play(except Necro and warmachine/horde) in my club so it's a good way to pass my evenings from time to time.
What i also like about GW (great scott,yes there are things that are good) is the 'once upon a time' thing when a -really- good model comes out(plastic termies,DP,GK terminators etc)

but even all that seems to be going to ruin

**nyarlathotep667**

Yes, I'm posting in here. No, I'm not going to grouse about GW. Well, not in this thread at least.

The chief thing I think about GW that doesn't suck is John Blanche's art direction. Between his own art and the work of the various artist's he's directed, GW would probably have long folded. I know I never would've stuck around if it wasnt for him. His works in the 80's, along side those of Ian Miller, Mark Gibbons, and many others under his direction have put his stamp on all things GW and created one of the most accessible sci-fi & fantasy universes out there.

Some of the sculpts are pretty darn good. Brian Nelson is indeed their premier plastic magician and the fantastic work the Perry twins have done with the LotR line is amazing. Dave Taylor's totally awesome custom armies are another cool thing, but I think they are more his fevered creations at home rather than a GW sanctioned thing (well, I'm sure without his employee discount they wouldn't be possible on his salary).

But that's about it.

**jojo_monkey_boy**

I think yak summed it up pretty well. I'm still mostly in the hobby because of people I know though. If the community here dried up, I'd definitely stop playing rather than trying to forge a new group.

**syr8766**

Posted By jojo_monkey_boy on 10/29/2006 2:26 PM
I think yak summed it up pretty well. I'm still mostly in the hobby because of people I know though. If the community here dried up, I'd definitely stop playing rather than trying to forge a new group.

Quoted for truth. A lot of what got me back into Warmachine and into Warlord was that my 40k group dried up for a time. It came back this summer, but if it dries up again, that'll probably be the end for me for a while.

**Hellfury**

Posted By Zubbiefish on 10/25/2006 6:46 PM
Why doesn't GW suck?

Because GW isnt experienced in the carnal pleasures?

Seriously though, There are a few reasons not to complain about them, though it still doesnt outweigh their negative side.

Take their new modelling program for instance. Its good that they are joining the 1990's by using this ware, and we are getting better models faster because of it, even if we arent saving any money as consumers doing so.

Other examples:
How their catalogue is a totally rad magazine nowadays. Or how specialist games gets awesome support. Or how the prices are low. Or how they appreciate their customers by having low prices for entrance fees for their advertising conventions. Or how they have paint so good it cannot be compared to any other company. or how...er...wait a sec...I am thinking of a different company... :S

Full ahead mates! As you were.

**TroyBrun**

I first got into it by painting the figs. Playing has always been a secondary add on.

Too bad they can't Market and Retail their donkey out of a wet rice-paper bag though.

But when a new fig comes out that I like, I'll snatch it up (off the internet, never full price), slap paint on it and add it to the shelves with the others and wait for the next one I can't live without.

If I want to play something for the sake of playing, I'm on to Flames of War or Napoleon's Battles.

**malfred**

Yair, I blame your Grand Perceptor and his coven of gamers for keeping me in GW!

**Hellfury**

Grand Preceptor is the debil! I miss the debil...

**Smatticus**

The best thing about 40k in my opinion is the rich background. I recommend that people try and land a copy of the original 1st edition rulebook rogue trader. I would also recommend the book of the astronomicon and the compendium (likely you won't find the book of the astronomicon). All those books make for a great read, and although histories have changed slightly they are still very entertaining.

I really think GW should put out a book like a codex just with background info and short stories about the universe. The more background fluff the more apt I am to stay hooked.

**syr8766**

Posted By malfred on 10/29/2006 8:13 PM
Yair, I blame your Grand Perceptor and his coven of gamers for keeping me in GW!

Quoted for truth. I was ready to give up and was looking to pack away my armies when he got me jazzed up about my IG again (talking about COD). Then, he sends me a box of Space Marine stuff that he picked up for me months ago at a going out of business sale.

Every time I try to get out, they pull me back in!

**Zubbiefish**

I like the fluff and the games and the models and the community (in general) and alot of other things about GW.
I like the responses that I got here. Sometimes on this board you think that there's not much in the way of good things being said.
I find that it's not hard to get exited about GWs games. That's a good thing. Not for my bank statement maybe but generaly speaking. Some others haven't got the same appeal, no matter how cool they are at first blush.
What about the second part? Who else do you like? Why them and not your first love GW?

**malfred**

It doesn't work the other way, though. Just earlier he was trying
to peddle some Tomb Kings my way (3k points worth!)

**syr8766**

Yeah, he's getting out of fantasy, I think. And of COURSE you want to start a Tomb Kings army.

Meh, I should have picked up his dark eldar when I had the chance.

**beef**

like sombody said earliar its the VHS of wargaming, you know there is better out there like confrontationm but not many people play it so GW becaomes the no1 by default.

**Hellfury**

Thats actually a very good way of putting it, Beef.

I like that.