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Q-Why is it called Warhammer?
A-Because Battle Chisel didn't test well with audiences.

Actually that's a bit of a fib. We all know GW doesn't do market research.

Now I know how the first Warhammer book had this cover



But did they name the game for the cover or did they ask John Blanche to draw something with a hammer to go with the name? And if they did name it for the cover, why pick the hammer out of all the elements there?

So anyone know the origin of the name?

I always assumed it was because of Sigmar and his hammer, but I'm not familiar enough with the beginnings to know if Sigmar or other main aspects were fully developed by then.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:A-Because Battle Chisel didn't test well with audiences.

Though, if you think about it, "Battle Mallet" has a pretty nice ring to it.

Because if you want to name your game "Thrusting Broadswords" some people might get the wrong idea.

I swear to the Space Emperor, one day I will create a game called Battleaxe in the 401st Century about the all-powerful God-Mikado and his legions of Star Samurai.

Because peaceful negotiations was taken

Wasn't it because TSR had published a similar miniature rule set under their "Chainmail" line?

Alfndrate wrote:Because peaceful negotiations was taken

Dunno about that one but I know Diplomacy is taken.

Darn good game.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

Alfndrate wrote:Because peaceful negotiations was taken

Dunno about that one but I know Diplomacy is taken.

Darn good game.

I keep hearing good things about it, but doesn't it take, like, 6 hours to play? That's kind of a turn off for me.

Judging by the cover, it should really have been titled "Ouch! My jaw!" - The Mass Combat Fantasy Roleplaying Game

This is a pointless thread methinks. The name, for all we know, was chosen because it sounded cool to the guy that had final say over what it should be.

Because it sounds KYOOOOOL

English Assassin wrote:Judging by the cover, it should really have been titled "Ouch! My jaw!" - The Mass Combat Fantasy Roleplaying Game

Damn I want that game.

Chowderhead wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

Alfndrate wrote:Because peaceful negotiations was taken

Dunno about that one but I know Diplomacy is taken.

Darn good game.

I keep hearing good things about it, but doesn't it take, like, 6 hours to play? That's kind of a turn off for me.

For a short game, yes.

"Normal" games of Diplomacy take weekends to play.

English Assassin wrote:Judging by the cover, it should really have been titled "Ouch! My jaw!" - The Mass Combat Fantasy Roleplaying Game

Man, I laughed really hard at this. Consider it sig'd.

chaos0xomega wrote:This is a pointless thread methinks. The name, for all we know, was chosen because it sounded cool to the guy that had final say over what it should be.

Yeah but we know who wrote the game, people on this board have met the folks, has anyone heard?

Anyway I would have gone with Skullcrusher myself.

Because a "warhammer" carries a certain feeling of weight. It isn't an elegant or fancy-boy's weapon. It is a brutal implement that bludgeons you, crushes your skull, etc.

I think it is an allusion to the brutality and tone of the game as they envisioned it in their early "heavy -metal" days...

And it has "war" in it which gives obvious bonus points...

Monster Rain wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:A-Because Battle Chisel didn't test well with audiences.

Though, if you think about it, "Battle Mallet" has a pretty nice ring to it.

What about "Fight Club"? That could've been a good game too.

i told you not to talk about that, jesus...

CT GAMER wrote:Because a "warhammer" carries a certain feeling of weight. It isn't an elegant or fancy-boy's weapon. It is a brutal implement that bludgeons you, crushes your skull, etc.

I think it is an allusion to the brutality and tone of the game as they envisioned it in their early "heavy -metal" days...

And it has "war" in it which gives obvious bonus points...

TBH Warhammer sounds either like a Heavy Metal band or Concert. And seeing a lot of the earlier stuff it would fit with what they created.

Plus there has always been something Grim about brutal and blunt weapons.

Warhammer the name applies probably more towards WHFB(the original WH game).

well I guess when WHFB came out, there are several direct/indirect references GW can make towards the name.

1. Hammer and anvil tactic of WHFB, in which the hammer is what makes mess of things.

2. Hammer sounds more brutal and destructive than "sword" and "axe".

3. The warrior-monks or whatever carries the hammer(poster boy of the humans).

4. Probably same reason the makers of Dungeon and Dragons named their RPG game D&G. Sounds unique and cool.

chromedog wrote:

Chowderhead wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

Alfndrate wrote:Because peaceful negotiations was taken

Dunno about that one but I know Diplomacy is taken.

Darn good game.

I keep hearing good things about it, but doesn't it take, like, 6 hours to play? That's kind of a turn off for me.

For a short game, yes.

"Normal" games of Diplomacy take weekends to play.

And man, is it awesome. My advice would be to either spread it out over a couple of longer sessions or just do a turn every day or two with some people you see on a regular basis. Once you get the mechanics figured out and play it you'll understand how that can be reasonably done.

Well, Warhammer came out in the 80s. So, I assume cocaine had a large role in the decision making process.

I'm not sure tbh, I always thought Warhamster was a better name anyway....

Chowderhead wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

Alfndrate wrote:Because peaceful negotiations was taken

Dunno about that one but I know Diplomacy is taken.

Darn good game.

I keep hearing good things about it, but doesn't it take, like, 6 hours to play? That's kind of a turn off for me.

Best with 7 people, a well stocked bar, and a whole day to play. We usually limit the "Lie to 5 people while making a deal with 1 person" phase to 15 minutes. Hard to limit the "You lying bastard" phase. Deciet always takes less time than outrage.

If you guys got the oppurtunity to rename both Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40K, what would you name them?

I think that Galaxy In Flames (like the third HH book) would be a really fitting name for 40K. It basically captures the essence of what's going on.

As for Fantasy, I'm not particularily well-versed in the current lore and such, but maybe Realm Of Chaos would be a cool name?

Coz it sounds better than combat whacker

Inanimate wrote:If you guys got the oppurtunity to rename both Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40K, what would you name them?
.. for Fantasy, I'm not particularily well-versed in the current lore and such, but maybe Realm Of Chaos would be a cool name?

Agreed as it's just a dice rolling fest with too much randomness. As for 40k I'd call it Warhammer 4Up 'cause that's the defining mechanic

Fight Land - The Ultimate Fights of Our Time! and Super Star Warrior - Atlas to the Galactic Conquest.

I thought I saw an explanation once, maybe in an interview with Bryan Ansell, I think they just thought it sounded good for the style of game.