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I understand there are a whole lot of people out there that actually like Games Workshop as company and what the company has done and produced, because well, I'm one of those people!

And sometimes it can feel (even though it isn't true) as though every single thread involving Games Workshop ends up focusing on the perceived negative aspects of the company's business practices.

So, this is a thread for people who genuinely like and appreciate Games Workshop to express positive sentiments about the company.

If you have negative feelings towards Games Workshop, that's completely fine. This thread is in no way trying to insinuate that those feelings are incorrect or wrong (far from it), but rather this thread is to focus on the positives and leave the negative stuff for another thread.

If you completely disagree with any or all of the sentiments expressed in this thread, feel free to sit at your computer, point at the screen and laugh at the poor deluded souls who are clearly drinking the GW kool-aid and posting, but please refrain from bringing any negative comments into this thread.

This is a happy fun place filled with flowers, where the world is wonderful and we all live in peace and harmony!

Seriously, just let the fanboys gush in a positive way, okay?


----


So I'll start off:

I've been playing GW games since 1992, and I personally really love the company and the games it has produced over the years and specifically my favorite game of all time Warhammer 40k, not the least of which because of the spectacular universe they created for the game.

At this point I sadly don't get to play as much 40K as I like because of my crazy work schedule, so actually tournaments are where I mainly do my gaming now. I love 5th edition and it is easily my favorite of all the 40K editions (and I've played them all) and I look forward to whatever crazy (or not so crazy) changes 6th edition brings to my beloved hobby.

Oh, and the Throne of Skulls tournament GW put on last year in Vegas was the absolute best tournament I've ever been to. The format was a little wacky, but I liked it as a nice change of pace from what I normally play, but the completely catered event (and the Vegas location) made it just an amazing experience.

I also really like Finecast models. Beyond the casting issues (which I've been able to avoid), I find the material to be much more pleasant to work with than metal, so the switch to Finecast from metal has made me happier overall.

Finally, I really like GW's current trend of making plastic kits that basically can be used to make one of two different units. I recognize that it affects some of the ability to make the models completely unique (as they have to share parts for the other configuration), but overall I think it really allows some nice flexibility to the kits and armies all while not completely taxing store shelf space (because you're getting two different codex choices for one box).


So that's my brief love letter about some of what I enjoy regarding GW. What about you?

I like that they make some decent looking models. I want to say more, but I cant (especially with the path GW is taking).

EDIT: Spelling mistake :(

For all it's stumbling and bumbling, and seemingly outright hostility towards it's fanbase, no, bad infinite, stay positive...

GW is still the most prominent way (at least, I think it is) for fresh blood to get into the general wargaming hobby.

Until we get our claws into them young'ns and drag 'em away, hehe.

Okay...let's keep the streak of positive endorsements to GW going at one post!

GW's Positives-

Storytelling-
They have built a genuinely epic, multidimensional story. Will it ever match then depths and popularity of say the Lord of the Rings mythos? No, but it certainly can match anything made within the last thirty years, including the monstrously long Wheel of Time series (14ish books each bigger than a fist in width in hardcover, the author died before completion, and now finally being finished by a replacement author), or the myriad worlds underneath the Dungeons and Dragons umbrella.

Quality Models-
Like it or not, they are one of the best mass producers of quality sculpts. It didn't take overnight however. GW had to essentially go through 25 years of transformation to reach this point. Despite the higher costs today, many models are praised for their detail and poses. Not every model is an award winner, but there are enough great models out there to really catch a person's eye.

Support-
GW does stand behind their product. As part of the cost of purchasing a GW model, their customer support is usually top notch. Missing an arm from a sprue? Hell, they may send you an entire sprue to replace just the one piece. Each and every customer support story is not the same, but by and large when there are problems, they are usually pretty good about fixing their kit mistakes.

I have been playing Games Workshop games since the mid 80's. What I love is the staying power of GW games. No matter where I travel I can gind some kind of pick up game. You can't say that about many other games.

Cool factions that all have a unique and interesting aestetic(even if some are goofy or samey in some cases

I Love Games Workshop for many reasons, first of which is Warhammer Fantasy I love the armies, I love the ranges, I love the amount of uniqueness that is within each group. I think that Games Workshop are not as pricey as people seem to think when compared to other tabletop games, I think people just assume when playing warhammer that they have to play 2000 points. I think WHFB has a great intertwining storyline between the races and Warhammer 40K aswell.

I love the Army Books and I love the new speed of production for new ones. I also love their site I think its very easy to navigate and I love the new blog section.

Games Workshop got me into wargaming. While I may not play 40k as much as I did last summer (remember I've only been here for a year), it was more of the players that drove me out, and not the models, the rules, or the game itself.

Warhammer Fantasy is fun, creative, and full of hilarious moments. The models in both ranges are fantastic, regardless of the materials they are made out of.

If it had not been for 40k, I would not have found other games played at my local store, and I never would have wanted to learn how to paint miniatures.

The staff are always really friendly when you go in to the store, and after one or two vists they even stop pestering you about releases.

Also they always remember your name and what you collect, and are usually quite a laugh as long as there aren't many kids/potential new customers around.

Im pretty much addicted to GW, i cant get enough.

I love how immersive the background is and the models are the best out there available imo (not just looks, poseability and options as well).

I really like their models, and they do have a good Fansite.

I have been playing GW since 1994, have seen many changes, some good and some bad. But here are my positives:

1) Customer Support: GW does have some of the best customer support after the purchase out there.

2) The models: Still a huge selection of models out there, good variety, huge plastic kits, easy to kitbash.

3) Specialist Games: I know there is pretty much zero support for specialist games proper. But GW makes pretty much all their rules for specialist games available for free downloads. That is more than many companies would do with their IP.

4) FW: I know it's not GW "proper", but this branch of the company goes out on a limb and we should appreciate them for that.

5) The storyline: GW has some great fluff behind it. And the way the story is being told it gives a feeling of being part of the story when you play.

GW really knows how to put skulls into their models.

I started playing/collecting 40k in 2007 and don't see myself stopping anytime soon.

I have very much enjoyed the Horus Heresy books. They aren't all as great as the first two books, but they certainly made all of the time I was on the road last year less of a strain.

The models are fantastic, and the game is pretty straight forward once you get down the basics.

The Forgeworld models are among my favorites. The level of detail makes my average painting skills look like a professional's. And the storylines presented in the IA books have been a great addition so far. My favorite IA are the Badab War series (9 and 10) for the rise and fall of Huron, the addition of the campaign rules, and the great models to support the story.


Edit: Although we don't play it anymore, I have a Dwarven Bloodbowl team that I enjoyed playing. To hell with scoring points. I tried to score kills!

Ok so I'm not on the super-OMG-GW's so amazing band wagon or anything but I feel like WarOne pretty much hit the nail on the head here with GWs postives. Now I'm not saying they are perfect, or even good in every aspect of the hobby, but show me a company that is. Show me a company that has great sculpts, setting, rules, etc.

GW has set up a good background. Let's face it if we are here then there is a 95% chance you liked something about it.

The model range has improved so much recently. I still have my old Archon and Raiders. Ever held those next to the new sculpts? Even marines have come a long way with the rigid hold the weapon in front of me pose to much more dynamic poses. Want the marine to be firing and aiming? Do it! Try that with a second ed model. The terrain they put out doesn't look all that bad in fact it looks pretty good.

Personally I have had no problems with finecast. That includes an honor guard box, haemonculus, and WHFB hydra. None of them even had a little bubble. I really feel like they were trying to get the kinks out of the system and some people got some less than stellar product.

But that brings me to another good point. Quality Assurance. Again WarOne was right. If you have a messed up or missing piece just call them up and they will send you a replacement. I distinctly remember missing one piece on one piece of sprue for a baneblade. After calling them up they sent me another baneblade!!! Not the sprue a whole other box. Any time a buddy had a problem with finecast...bam...a free replacement.

Honestly I don't feel like GW's paints are that bad. Do I like Vallejo? Yeah. I personally am not a big fan of the dropper bottles. They are probably one of the few companies that use those and it can be a pain. GWs aren't that bad since they don't have the tab thing to keep them open. I don't want my bottle of paint that can dry out being left open! Then again the washes they came out with are super nice...and yes I used the inks. Badab black and Delvin Mud are epic on metals, most of the main colors also have a wash that makes them pop that much better.

Its kind of nice to see a positive thread involving GW

My group of friends started playing W40k back towards the end of 3rd edition and we have loved every minute of it. GW has produce a varied and fascinating universe with unique factions each with there own rich backgrounds. The over the top grimdark is downright hilarious and the universe has enough holes in it to allow you to add your own fluff while not making the fluff proper incomprehensible. The models are top notch and after trying to buy actual 1:35 scale stuff, the prices seem a little (A LITTLE) less unreasonable.

As mentioned earlier, the lack of support for the Specialist Games is a little sad, but making the rules completely free to download was a brilliant move, and contributed to myself actually purchasing BFG models (some the the coolest looking spaceship models )

The fluff is the strongest selling point for me, I love the universe and love reading the Black Library Novels.

I started playing with WFB back in 94. and then got into 40k near the end of 2nd ed, and played that through now. Granted each system has their waxes and wanes locally and with in me. (I've played less than 15 games of 40k since 8th ed fantasy came out)

I like their sculpts for the most part. I love their customer service. Fine cast has been solid for me, no problems. I like most of their paint.

Biggest positive for me is their customer service. I bought a box of Fire Warriors a couple years ago that were missing their backpacks. No game-changers, but I still called customer support.

I was shocked when they said they didn't want them back, and that they'd send me a whole new box!

And aside from the whole finecast thing, I've never had a quality issue with them. Top notch stuff.

I am a big fan of the setting and the game of 40k. I also enjoy the fact that I moved 3000 miles and can still find plenty of people to play with.

They have great minis, great customer service and overall a great product.

I may not agree or like everything they do, but in the majority I enjoy them and their product.

Some of you really can't just give a compliment?

I love my fatties, my Eldar, and my Wood Elves. I'm really
hoping for a new color Wood Elf book with new plastics to
fill out or expand the range. Plastic Eternal Guard please!

Anyone else notice? The companies that tend to have bad business practices have great support? Like Blizzard.
But i also like how alot of the people who are frontmen for the company at least care somewhat for what they do. GW seems genuine in love with their product.

malfred wrote:Some of you really can't just give a compliment?

Yeah... What was that thing Bambi's mother said?

Well, while I have quite a few negatives, I'll stay away from them and only focus on positives-just for you, Yakky.

-1 Customer Support-if you have a bad model, they send you a replacement or the correct/missing parts immediately, no questions asked, and let you keep the old model. I had a drop pod botched because those instructions are backwards in places, phoned them up, they sent a new one and let me keep the old. Most places make you send back the trash, they let you keep it all. Got the Horus Heresy LE boxset, disc 5 of Horus Rising was slightly damaged, I called and they sent me a full new Horus Rising, not just the disc. Better customer service than any other company in existence

-2 Model quality-as models keep churning out, the quality keeps getting better. They were great back in 4th edition fantasy, good in fifth, better in sixth, and HELL YEAH awesome in 7th/8th (and similar 40k timelines). Sure, there were a few lemons (Dreadknight, Razorgor), but most were awesome.

-3 The Universe-Wow. The story that unfolds, the world that opens up and the stories that come out of it. The universe of fantasy/40k is immersive and fun-it takes you on a journey of unbelievable adventure, that, with the exception of one writer, generally isn't too OTT and is a blast. The Horus Heresy, to me, is a better, sadder version of Anakin's fall in the first three Star Wars films. Listen to the audiobooks for this one-Martyn Ellis does an awesome job, and Horus's fall is heart-wrenching, and is the fault of a traitor tricking his loving sons into destroying him. I love to read, but damn, I don't think those books can truly convey their message without hearing it-reading isn't enough.

-4 Tournament Support-This is to a lesser degree for me, but the fact that they support anyone who carries their product and they send out a bunch of merchandise to be used for tournaments is great. I don't go to many (any) anymore, but I appreciate the amount that they put in. Last I saw them give my store before I left was 1 land raider, 1 space marine codex, 1 box of plague monks and something else, drawing a blank...just given to the store-no charge. Does WotC give a full box of Magic cards to stores for their tournament winners? Nope. Promo cards, yes. Full cases? No. At least not that I've seen

GW does have their faults-plenty, in fact. But they do also shine in some areas. If they made a few simple changes, combined with keeping all these things the same, they'd go from an average company to a great company again, in my eyes.

GW is amazing overall for several reasons.

1. The depth and character of the various armies- visually and for background. Each is so fully developed that we are able to look at another miniature and say, huh, that would work for my army. It is as if each army has its own fully developed set of cultural rules, so you know what is "right", what belongs, and is consistent with the aesthetic of each.

2. And taking point #1 further, these "rules" allow for the customizability of armies. People can do full scratch sculpts or kit bash, wild paint schemes, etc, and create their own additions to their armies - and this is actively encouraged. This is directly attributable to each army having underlying visual rules that provide a framework for making more stuff. Orks are the pinnacle of this concept- when you see an Ork looted anything, you know it is "Ork" because it looks "Orky". Similarly, there is so much background, these aesthetic "rules" allow us to mentally visualize fluff characters and events.... and if we're good, create background-consistent miniatures and dioramas, etc, ourselves.

3. Being able to go almost anywhere, world wide, and find the same common game. It is like GW is a universal TTWG language, as mathematics would be a common language for humans and an alien race.

For me the background/fluff is absolutely stunning, yes I used the word stunning.
Do I like every single aspect of it? No
Do I agree with every single aspect of it? No
Could it use tweaks here and there? Yes
But overall throughout 18 years of GW, its the thing that has kept me interested the most and kept me coming back.

The improvement in the level of kit detail and quality over the years has been second to none. Some of the kits in the last 2 years have been utterly fantastic imo.

I think their scenery range, whilst very Imperial orientated, is extrmely good too and what is more, good vaue for your hard earned €. I think it is their strongest aspect in terms of overall kits.

Their non mainstream games such as Space Crusade, Blood Bowl, Necro, BFG are incredibly fun albeit not updated enough/at all.
However that dosent detract for me from the basic fun and great rulesets they have.

In short, GW despite its flaws, has given me literally countless hours of fun, pleasure and enjoyment over the years and a day dosent pass where I dont think it was all completely worth it.

GW allows my two boys to put down their 3DS and Xbox controllers long enough to play a game that allows them to use their imagination and creativity to build armies, come up with names for their marines and keeps them away from the LCD screens of their 3DS and Xbox.

The quality time spent together building something , painting it and then playing a game is time well spend. Seeing the pride in their voice and face when their army is on display for house guests, grandma, grandpa and their friends is very rewarding.

To my family, GW is more than just a game company - its a avenue where we can all come together once and a while and paint a bit, roll some dice, move some tanks and make gun, cannon and dying noises for a good time (yes, even mom).

What company doesn't have flaws?

Games Workshop; ever have you split my love. Yet I always return, they must be doing something right.

Oh; it's the kick-ass universe and models. The ability to talk with people from around the world about any specific facet regarding the game and come to mutual understanding, a shared passion. Love it.

I love the world they have created, I play both 40K and the Deathwatch RPG. For fluff they can't be beat.

The BL books, while they may not be the best written are a great read.

GW was my first tabletop game, as such it will always have a special place.

It's a game! It's fun for a few hours and then I get on with my life!

They have fantastic customer service, among the best in the industry.

Azhag the Slaughter is one of my favorite sculpts.

War of the Ring is one of my favorite rulesets.

The community grown in GWs are by far the best.