Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.
2014/10/12 17:03:54
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
it will (theoretically) allow people who are vaguely aware of warhammer and potentially interested in learning more to realise they have a store specialising in it on their highstreet
the might walk or drive past a Games Workshop without realising it sold 'that warhammer stuff'
It will also help sell to grandparents/other people who might buy gifts for little timmy without asking... They know timmy plays those warhammers, but don't shop online and have no knowledge of game stores, but in the weeks before his birsthday they walk past the warhammer shop and suddenly realise they can buy his present there
so relevance of the rebranding to the current/regular customer is nil, but it probably does stand a reasonable chance of adding extra sales
2014/10/12 17:25:46
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
The re-branding seems to make sense. A lot of people with limited knowledge of the hobby can be confused as to why a place called Games Workshop sells the Warhammer stuff.
Probably stop all those grandparents asking for the latest xbox game too.
2014/10/12 17:40:07
Subject: Re:UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
Anytime a company considers flushing 25+yrs worth of brand recognition there is something wrong.
There not doing this because they have just now noticed they only sell 2 games, as that has been the case for a number of years.
My guess this is another attempt at shoring up the moat and castle walls. Expect much more extolling of the virtues of the miniature pieces of art sold to collectors by Warhammer.
The logical end process for this is that they stop selling rules and just sell guidelines to be used while shouting pew pew. While moving around your finely detailed mass produced pieces of art.
Your last point is especially laughable and comical, because not only the 7th ed Valkyrie shown dumber things (like being able to throw the troopers without parachutes out of its hatches, no harm done) - Irbis
2014/10/12 18:54:11
Subject: Re:UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
No offence but that seems awfully paranoid of you. Besides- What is dead may never die.. just look at Necromunda etc etc. Still a fair sized community of gamers playing that. So even if they did do what you're suggesting, the games would live on regardless.
Anyways. Let's see how the rebranding plays out shall we?
OldSkoolGoff wrote: Seems smart to me. Loads of times I've been hanging out at a GW and someone comes in looking for video games or monopoly or whatever.
I take it I don't need to explain why those people not coming in anymore is actually a BAD thing?
SeanDrake wrote: Anytime a company considers flushing 25+yrs worth of brand recognition there is something wrong.
There not doing this because they have just now noticed they only sell 2 games, as that has been the case for a number of years.
My guess this is another attempt at shoring up the moat and castle walls. Expect much more extolling of the virtues of the miniature pieces of art sold to collectors by Warhammer.
The logical end process for this is that they stop selling rules and just sell guidelines to be used while shouting pew pew. While moving around your finely detailed mass produced pieces of art.
The other option was to make some more Games for the Workshop, but doing that is hard. Much easier to bin all the signage, spend some quids and keep on coasting.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/12 19:02:39
We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark
The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.
The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox
Dammit! Where is GW Fulchester when you need it?!... ...I think you'll find that's Warhammer Fulchester now. ... ...Seriously, someone needs to get on that right now!!
OldSkoolGoff wrote: Seems smart to me. Loads of times I've been hanging out at a GW and someone comes in looking for video games or monopoly or whatever.
I take it I don't need to explain why those people not coming in anymore is actually a BAD thing?
They weren't *real* GW fans anyway
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/10/13 02:16:16
2014/10/13 03:01:58
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
Back in 1996-1997, I had never heard of Games Workshop, or Warhammer, or anything of the sort.
I went into the store in Queens Street Glasgow for the first time, looking to buy a new computer game.
Needless to say, from 1997 to 2013, I bought rather a large amount of toy soldiers from Games Workshop as a result of that mistake.
I'd just like to second this point.
When I walked into my first Games Workshop back in the early 2000s (I think 2002? I donno, I was a little over 10 at the time..) I saw "games" and thought it would sell video games. Needless to say it did not, but I was still drawn in by the miniatures. Went in on the hobby a bit later (with birthday money), and have been investing bits here and there ever since.
Not sure what I'd have thought of a store simply sporting the name "Warhammer".
Is it wrong to want to walk into one of these stores wearing some sort of knightly LARP getup and act disgruntled when I am told the store does in fact not sell weapons for me to smite my foes with?
Fafnir wrote: Oh, I certainly vote with my dollar, but the problem is that that is not enough. The problem with the 'vote with your dollar' response is that it doesn't take into account why we're not buying the product. I want to enjoy 40k enough to buy back in. It was my introduction to traditional games, and there was a time when I enjoyed it very much. I want to buy 40k, but Gamesworkshop is doing their very best to push me away, and simply not buying their product won't tell them that.
2014/10/13 05:05:08
Subject: Re:UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
The plain black-white storefront doesn't really fit imho.
The product has always been quite colourful (with the painted previews always being cartoonishly bright) and the posters as well. You pick up a box of anything they sell and it's always designed to pop and attract the eye. If more of the product was blandly packaged (a bad move) then it may work, but all I see is a very minimalist (and not in a good way) storefront and some colourful boxes, which don't really seem to fit in with the aesthetic (or the other way around).
just hangin' out, hangin' out
2014/10/13 05:22:22
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
Have they already sewn up the internet domain names for Warhammer everywhere they plan to sell? Would be funny if somebody bought the heck out of Warhammer.net, .com, .whatever in various venues to see how they'd get around that.
Thread Slayer
2014/10/13 07:56:02
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
privateer4hire wrote: Have they already sewn up the internet domain names for Warhammer everywhere they plan to sell? Would be funny if somebody bought the heck out of Warhammer.net, .com, .whatever in various venues to see how they'd get around that.
The same what video game companies do, when people register names like halflife3.com. They send a nice man in a suit to whoever has sold you that domain name and you are forced to relinquish it. Otherwise a lawsuit ensues, and you are found guilty of trying to scam the company for money, as you registered a domain with a pre-existing trademark.
42nd Cadian Infantry Regiment - 4605 pts.
Sven Bloodhowl's Great Company - 7033 pts.
Elements of Dark Angels 2nd and 3rd Companies - 1155 pts.
The Last Hatred Kabal - 3005 pts.
Eldar Slaves - 630 pts.
2014/10/13 08:14:47
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
privateer4hire wrote: Have they already sewn up the internet domain names for Warhammer everywhere they plan to sell? Would be funny if somebody bought the heck out of Warhammer.net, .com, .whatever in various venues to see how they'd get around that.
The same what video game companies do, when people register names like halflife3.com. They send a nice man in a suit to whoever has sold you that domain name and you are forced to relinquish it. Otherwise a lawsuit ensues, and you are found guilty of trying to scam the company for money, as you registered a domain with a pre-existing trademark.
That would work with "halflife3.com" but if you register a "warhammer.com" and even had a token reason to have a website about warhammers then you would be fine as it is an item as well as a brand and thus not as strong a claim as something which is explicitly and clearly tied to an IP.
Take the recent examples of movie websites that have "XXXXthemovie.com" sites.
Glory is fleeting. Obscurity is forever.
2014/10/13 08:26:47
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
There was an urban myth (probably apocryphal) that someone registered '21st Century Fox' or similar as a website name in the early days of the internet. The urban myth ran that the studio paid said person a large amount of money to get the name back.
That being said, I think aggressive domain name camping is much more heavily policed these days and also, I believe GW have had these domain names under their control for some time prior to this potential rebranding.
If someone wants to take the time and trouble, you can do a domain who is search and it will tell you who owns it and for how long they have owned it.
privateer4hire wrote: Have they already sewn up the internet domain names for Warhammer everywhere they plan to sell? Would be funny if somebody bought the heck out of Warhammer.net, .com, .whatever in various venues to see how they'd get around that.
The same what video game companies do, when people register names like halflife3.com. They send a nice man in a suit to whoever has sold you that domain name and you are forced to relinquish it. Otherwise a lawsuit ensues, and you are found guilty of trying to scam the company for money, as you registered a domain with a pre-existing trademark.
That would work with "halflife3.com" but if you register a "warhammer.com" and even had a token reason to have a website about warhammers then you would be fine as it is an item as well as a brand and thus not as strong a claim as something which is explicitly and clearly tied to an IP.
Take the recent examples of movie websites that have "XXXXthemovie.com" sites.
In theory yes, but I think it wouldn't be as easy. It's true it used to be easier back in the day - at least I sure heard more stories of "smart" domain registering netting some profit. In order for your plan, you would have to not only express desire to run a website about warhammers, but actually run it. If you were found owning a domain name for a long time and not doing anything with it, I don't think you would be able to keep it.
42nd Cadian Infantry Regiment - 4605 pts.
Sven Bloodhowl's Great Company - 7033 pts.
Elements of Dark Angels 2nd and 3rd Companies - 1155 pts.
The Last Hatred Kabal - 3005 pts.
Eldar Slaves - 630 pts.
2014/10/13 09:43:32
Subject: Re:UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
Domain Name: WARHAMMER.COM
Registrant Organization: Games Workshop
Spoiler:
Registry Domain ID:
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Registrar URL: http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/ Updated Date: 2013-11-30T00:00:00Z
Creation Date: 1997-01-28T00:00:00Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2015-01-29T00:00:00Z
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Registrar IANA ID: 2
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@web.com Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.8003337680
Reseller:
Domain Status:
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: Games Workshop
Registrant Organization: Games Workshop
Registrant Street: Willow Road
Registrant City: Nottingham
Registrant State/Province: Nottinghamshire
Registrant Postal Code: NG7 2WS
Registrant Country: UK Registrant Phone: +44.11590040000
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax:
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email: paul.hill@games-workshop.co.uk Registry Admin ID:
Admin Name: Administrator, DNS
Admin Organization: Games Workshop
Admin Street: 6721 Baymeadow Dr
Admin City: Glen Burnie
Admin State/Province: MD
Admin Postal Code: 21060
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: +1.4105901400
Admin Phone Ext:
Admin Fax: +1.4105901444
Admin Fax Ext:
Admin Email: DNSAdministration@games-workshop.com
Registry Tech ID:
Tech Name: Technical, DNS
Tech Organization: Games Workshop
Tech Street: 6721 Baymeadow Drive
Tech City: Glen Burnie
Tech State/Province: MD
Tech Postal Code: 21060
Tech Country: US
Tech Phone: +1.4105901400
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Fax: +1.4105901444
Tech Fax Ext:
Tech Email: DNSTechnical@games-workshop.com
Name Server: NS3.GAMES-WORKSHOP.COM
Name Server: NS2.GAMES-WORKSHOP.COM
Name Server: NS1.GAMES-WORKSHOP.COM
DNSSEC: not signed
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/ Last update of WHOIS database: Mon Oct 13 05:41:20 EDT 2014
They seem to own:
Warhammer.co.uk Warhammer.com
They don't own (and are owned by somebody):
Warhammer.uk warhammer.net
warhammer.co
warhammer.org.uk warhammer.eu
warhammer.guru
warhammer.me
warhammer.info
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/13 09:49:16
2014/10/13 10:29:48
Subject: Re:UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
I know a much cheaper and less time consuming way to increase their marketing/drop in new customers, they just need to use the same tactics that worked on me when I was 9 and got caught up with the hobby.
I mean, when you walk past a shop with a 6ft vinyl sticker on the window of an emperor titan, which as we all know is a walking cathedral with huge guns on it, it tends to grab the interests of young guys.
My hobby instagram account: @the_shroud_of_vigilance My Shroud of Vigilance Hobby update blog for me detailed updates and lore on the faction:
Blog
2014/10/13 10:54:22
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
Man the wargamming community is freaking nuts when something changes lol. A therapist could have a field day watch what happens when I do this "space marines have no eyebrows BOOM " half the wargamming internet folks take heart attacks and scream how someone made them mad so they going out of business lol.
Now on topic meh I think it works with all the upcoming games and ones that where already out. My friend didn't even know they sold models of them because the store was gamesworkshop not warhammer which is what they brand all their videogames/computer/consul games as and people who draw to those games will not search gamesworkshop but warhammer "name of game" and never see the minatures.
Hell they made blood raven crap for people who played WARHAMMER dawn of war lol
I need to go to work every day.
Millions of people on welfare depend on me.
2014/10/13 11:05:42
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
I also think its a good idea to change it to Warhammer, had plenty of friends walk past the stores with me and think it was board games or an obscure video game shop. Will see if the Birmingham store has changed yet in a few days.
jonolikespie wrote: Is it wrong to want to walk into one of these stores wearing some sort of knightly LARP getup and act disgruntled when I am told the store does in fact not sell weapons for me to smite my foes with?
Have an exalt.
As a side note, I can't imagine a drop in incidental traffic is a good thing.
Games Workshop: Edinburgh
10 October
Ok so I see that the web is asking a lot of questions due to the "Warhammer" rebranding we have done, so let me explain.
After almost 26 years here in Edinburgh we have changed the name on the front of the shop.
Nothing else changes, everything we did we will keep doing! Just the name changes.
I'm hopeful that most of you will agree it makes sense, we get called "The Warhammer Shop" ALL THE TIME, so we are joining in!
Its only a trial to see if it makes any difference to us, and its only being done in 3 shops, here, Chiswick and Bath, if we feel like it works it MAY get rolled out one day...but don't expect to see it anywhere else for a long time...so there you go, goodbye Games Workshop Edinburgh...Hello The Warhammer Shop!
I'm interested in your thoughts and reactions if you have any, if so comment away below.
ps. We will still be celebrating our 26th Birthday on 1st November...who says I can't have my cake and eat it!
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/10/13 11:10:30
Trialing it in 3 stores sounds like an eminently sensible thing to do. Give it 12 months, see if there's an effect, gather feedback (i know, i know) and make a call then as to roll it out nationally or revert.
2014/10/13 17:48:09
Subject: UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
Simo429 wrote: This is one of those things I'm not sure where the fume is coming from.
There are many things I don't agree with that gw do but I'm not going to be pining over the name games workshop.
It is always an objectively 'big deal' when a decades old company decides to re-brand itself. GW is apparently considering doing just that. Normally, such aggressive re-branding is an indication that things are not going very well.
Kirasu: Have we fallen so far that we are excited that GW is giving us the opportunity to spend 58$ for JUST the rules? Surprised it's not "Dataslate: Assault Phase"
AlexHolker: "The power loader is a forklift. The public doesn't complain about a forklift not having frontal armour protecting the crew compartment because the only enemy it is designed to face is the OHSA violation."
AlexHolker: "Allow me to put it this way: Paramount is Skynet, reboots are termination attempts, and your childhood is John Connor."
2014/10/13 18:16:48
Subject: Re:UK GW Stores re-branding? Two stores have changed name.
I take it I don't need to explain why those people not coming in anymore is actually a BAD thing?
Sure. Explain away. Explain how a 60 year old woman walking into the store asking where CoD is because it's her grandson's birthday tomorrow and then sighing and walking back out the door helps GW in any way whatsoever.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/10/13 18:38:08
Oh my God! He wants to be a ballerina? That's MY f*#%ing dream!
Legion: Dark Angels 
... ...Seriously, someone needs to get on that right now!!
42nd Cadian Infantry Regiment - 4605 pts.
Sven Bloodhowl's Great Company - 7033 pts.
Eldar Slaves - 630 pts. 
Mordian Iron Guard - Major Overhaul in Progress 