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I heard a rumor today that GW was going to come to GenCon this year.

I found this dubious, since they haven't shown up in years. Has anyone else heard this?

I know they don't show up since it isn't "their" convention, and that multiple people will be selling their product cheaper than they will.

This rumor also came with the rumor of multiple "GenCon Only" figures.

I think there is simply confusion between a Games Day and GenCon.

Thoughts? Confirmations? Squid?

From what I understand GW insists that they are a hobby unto themselves and do not recognize the existence of other miniatures companies or their conventions.

Mattlov wrote:I know they don't show up since it isn't "their" convention, and that multiple people will be selling their product cheaper than they will.

Not only that Mattlov, but there will be lots of stalls there selling non-GW products!!! Such an alien concept should require only the hardiest of GW staffers who have undergone the most rigorous of training to prepare themselves for the idea of miniatures that aren’t part of the HHHobby.

These staffers will obviously be mindscrubbed afterwards to remove all memories of WoC, Privateer Press, Catalyst, Fantasy Flight and anyone else who happens to be there.

I didn't believe it, but have heard the rumor a couple of times now.

I know how silly they are about it, it is quite comical.

If they were attending, then why all the secrecy? I doubt this is a true rumor.

Why all the secrecy? This is GW we're talking about.

Chances are they are going, but they'll only tell everyone (including the event organisers) 10 days prior.

H.B.M.C. wrote:(including the event organisers)

And then when they say "No, it's too late now.", they'll use that as proof that going to cons was stupid in the first place and never do it again. :3

They were at GAMA Trade Show this year, which they also usually never goto.

We don't have a booth this year so I don't have access to the super secret Exhibitor's list yet or I'd give ya a more solid answer.

H.B.M.C. wrote:These staffers will obviously be mindscrubbed afterwards to remove all memories of WoC, Privateer Press, Catalyst, Fantasy Flight and anyone else who happens to be there.

I think GW will just go ahead and kill them instead, easier to do and it pleases Lord Kirby to no end.

I would guess gW wouldn't' be 'happy' unless they had a big 'spectacle' booth like FFG (which had a 'neighborhood' when I attended in 2010!), WotC (Who had an upper level 'lounge') and similar... I would assume that getting that much space takes some advance planning.

Not saying either way, of course, but I'll be surprised. Unless maybe they're looking at cutting their own shows as they don't feel there's a return on them?

I think I actually remember hearing that they are going. It's a shift of money from 'ardboyz, IGT, and other support, and back to doing some trade shows.

My guess is they figure to treat retailers the way their stores treat customers.) Just work on the new crop that turns over every 5 years and leave the veterans to fend for themselves.)

Balance wrote:I would guess gW wouldn't' be 'happy' unless they had a big 'spectacle' booth like FFG (which had a 'neighborhood' when I attended in 2010!), WotC (Who had an upper level 'lounge') and similar... I would assume that getting that much space takes some advance planning.

If they do like they did at GAMA, they'll probably just get a couple of local Black shirts managing a booth.

Cyporiean wrote:

Balance wrote:I would guess gW wouldn't' be 'happy' unless they had a big 'spectacle' booth like FFG (which had a 'neighborhood' when I attended in 2010!), WotC (Who had an upper level 'lounge') and similar... I would assume that getting that much space takes some advance planning.

If they do like they did at GAMA, they'll probably just get a couple of local Black shirts managing a booth.

Up until a couple months ago that wasn't possible. They just reopened their GW store here in Indy after not having one for more than a decade.

The guys at GAMA would have been from the trade sales team. For GenCon, I'd expect a mix of trade sales and redshirts, depending on whether or not they are bringing product to sell.

@ Origins... I heard GW would be at Gen Con. I was shocked, but it's good the pompous asses show their customers a little support.

I think this makes perfect sense...gives GW a way to do a TON of 6th edition intro games

ironicsilence wrote:I think this makes perfect sense...gives GW a way to do a TON of 6th edition intro games

AH! An excellent point! It would have just come out a couple weeks before!

This could be the primary reason.

I don't see them bringing anything to sell, since the WarStore will be there selling it cheaper.

mikhaila wrote:I think I actually remember hearing that they are going. It's a shift of money from 'ardboyz, IGT, and other support, and back to doing some trade shows.

My guess is they figure to treat retailers the way their stores treat customers.) Just work on the new crop that turns over every 5 years and leave the veterans to fend for themselves.)

Mike, it seems as though you are growing more and more annoyed with GW antics lately. Is that a fair observation?

From what I understand GW insists that they are a hobby unto themselves and do not recognize the existence of other miniatures companies or their conventions.

I echo this sentiment. GW going to Gencon would be like admitting the existence of all those other 'pretenders' that try to lure so many good natured but oh-so naive hobbyists away from GW with their false promises, only to have their hopes and dreams dashed when they find that there isn't a lick of grimdark in those other games, which everyone knows forms the lifeblood of any successful game system.

Maybe they need to go there so they can keep all those gamers from unwittingly being enticed into paying lower prices for such obviously inferior products.

Well the gen con floor plan is out and it looks like GW will officially be in attendence, GW/FW/BL will be in booth 1743


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I'll be very interested to see what sort of con only stuff they will be selling.


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Hmm after looking at the map, GW is in 1743....the warstore...is in 1733...literally right next to GW. Seems a little odd...cant imagine GW will be selling anything at gen con other then maybe a show only fig?

ironicsilence wrote:Automatically Appended Next Post:
I'll be very interested to see what sort of con only stuff they will be selling.

Heh, I like you, you're a funny guy.

ironicsilence wrote:Automatically Appended Next Post:
Hmm after looking at the map, GW is in 1743....the warstore...is in 1733...literally right next to GW. Seems a little odd...cant imagine GW will be selling anything at gen con other then maybe a show only fig?

That right there is comedy gold. I am sure hilarity will ensue. It is really tempting to set up a lawn chair and watch the Trade Sales goons look progressively more glum over the weekend.

Aaaand CMON is pretty close at 1631...

BaconSlayer wrote:

ironicsilence wrote:Automatically Appended Next Post:
I'll be very interested to see what sort of con only stuff they will be selling.

Heh, I like you, you're a funny guy.

ironicsilence wrote:Automatically Appended Next Post:
Hmm after looking at the map, GW is in 1743....the warstore...is in 1733...literally right next to GW. Seems a little odd...cant imagine GW will be selling anything at gen con other then maybe a show only fig?

That right there is comedy gold. I am sure hilarity will ensue. It is really tempting to set up a lawn chair and watch the Trade Sales goons look progressively more glum over the weekend.

Aaaand CMON is pretty close at 1631...

I cant imagine GW doing anything other then running 6th edition 40k demo games and if they are selling anything it would have to be a show only fig or pre-release....cant see any possible way they would be selling anything when you can literally go to the next booth and pay much less. Doesnt make any sense at all...the people at gen con get some say in where there booth is going to be located so either this was planned or GW didnt have the pull to get a different location / war store had the pull to get right next to GW for the lolz

I could maybe see Forgeworld having their Event figs for this year, so there is that. Forgeworld has potential to do a killing, though I would bet it is just orders only as I can't imagine them dealing with stock and the nightmare that is the GenCon loading docks.

Best part about GW possibly selling stuff is that now they have an Indiana store, they will probably be one of the few exhibitors charging tax.

BaconSlayer wrote:I could maybe see Forgeworld having their Event figs for this year, so there is that. Forgeworld has potential to do a killing, though I would bet it is just orders only as I can't imagine them dealing with stock and the nightmare that is the GenCon loading docks.

Best part about GW possibly selling stuff is that now they have an Indiana store, they will probably be one of the few exhibitors charging tax.

yeah good shout, likely taking forgeworld orders, though the booth doesnt look all that big so if they are taking orders things could get tight. I could see them stocking some of the smaller stuff, like dreads and dread arms, armor sets, chaos conversion kits...then taking orders for bigger stuff.

Mmmmm... Big enough. Looks like they are sharing a 20' square endcap. If they were smart (unlikely) they could do the trade dress to where GW, BL, and FW each have a 'facade'.

Also, if they were smart about what all they had on hand, they could have a few smaller items, as you mentioned, but not having seen any mention of event pre-orders in any of the recent Forgeworld newsletter makes me believe that they aren't carrying much stock, if any. It seems like pre-orders would be a no brainer, so it might be a blackout, no merchandise at all, or they are just there in name only. I don't know which is more likely, so I say just roll a D3.

6th edition intro games and maybe pre-orders for the 6th edition starter set could be possible, maybe even pre-orders for the next codex coming out

I'll be over at 2031!

I expect they're experimenting with having a 'presence' and will be mainly running demos. A 20 x 20 is not that big for a company as large as GW, with 3 'subsidiaries' represented.

Never rule out incompetence...

Don't assume they're setting up a both not expecting to make money. Don't assume they know the best way to make money at a convention.

They've done the following in the past:
1. The could fill it with their standard retail product.
2. They could offer Forge World as special orders only.
3. Of course they don't do sales so it's all full price.

Then they'll not sell much and report back that Origins isn't the market for them. Never mentioning The Warstore and their location and their pricing of course.

In other words, be careful what you wish for/ask for/hope for. Their answer to problems/situations is not always what would appear the logical one to the customer/fan.

Wow the GenCon guys couldn't have done that by mistake. Doesn't GW kinda dick with the WarStore anyways? You could make a couple of thirty minute sitcoms on what they're going to do to eachother.

Balance wrote:I'll be over at 2031!

You make it to easy. THE HUNT BEGINS!

The first year I went to GenCon was the last year GW went. That was back when that had the van full of bits and you could get buy them at the con. Good times, good times.

Also, when did a GW store open up in Indy?