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So I've been playing 40k for a year now. I started with Tau, and my wife got Orks. I've been playing her orks lately, and am trying to trade my tau for dark eldar. I see so many outdated codexes.

Why is GW so reluctant to release new ones? Isn't it basically free money? They release a new IG codex and....BWOOM! People everywhere sink money into IG. If there was a new necron codex...or a new Tau, or dark eldar, or...a *lot* of things that are really outdated, people everywhere would suddenly be throwing money at GW.

So what's the problem?

The only thing I can think of is that with their absolute aversion to updating their FAQ and Errata pages that they are trying (and failing I might add) to make a codex itself as balanced and thought out as possible, probably with a bunch of play testing thrown in.

I agree with you completely.

I believe part of it is the fact that GW thinks no-one plays dark eldar. Therefore why bother with a new dark eldar 'dex when they could be making so much more cash creating an SM 'dex, a SW 'dex, an IG 'dex, etc...

I'm personally of the opinion that codexes should be prepped almost simultaneously to create an even spread of equal power teams, but where's the cash in that?

I forgot to add in that they also like to release updated or new minis for the army they're releasing the codex for, so there's a whole other tier of developement and production tied to it. I'd be more than happy to sever that tie and have the codex with a future release of the minis to be honest.

They'll probably update Dark Eldar next after Space Wolves. Dark Eldar isn't the oldest at the moment, Space Wolves is. But, I think they've done enough "EMPARAH N FRIENZ!!! LOLOLOL!!!" for a while >_>

Next you're gonna want to know how many licks to get to the center of a toostsie pop... or how the filling gets put in a twinkie.

Who doesn't know how the filling gets in a twinkie?

Dashofpepper wrote:So what's the problem?

There is no problem, and they're certainly not reluctant to release new ones. It takes time to make a codex, so there's only so many to do in a year. Also, don't forget that LotR and FB are also drawing resources. With new codexes comes new kits, so there's the production time to design and create those. Finally, as for the order they decide to do codexes in, they consider the market. As long as Space Marines comprise 40% of GW's total sales, they're always going to be first in line. IG have also always been a popular line, with a lot of player love for their myriad tanks and vehicles (look at how much of the FW line is aimed straight at the Guard) so updating them a new codex and some hot new models is also almost a no-brainer business choice.

Tau have a lot less convertability then the two aforementioned factions. There's not a hot to trot Traitor Tau conversion trend like you get with the imperial factions, so the total player base interest in the army is that much smaller. They also don't have any iconic FW vehicles that players will snap up (the Baneblade was good for Loyalist, Chaos, and Ork armies) like the other ones do. Same with Necrons and Dark Eldar. When Dark Eldar get an update, you're not going see a store have so many pre-orders for their brand new X that they can build a wall out of them, like in that one photo I've seen floating around here.

Bookwrack wrote:Who doesn't know how the filling gets in a twinkie?

Dashofpepper wrote:So what's the problem?

There is no problem, and they're certainly not reluctant to release new ones.

Your right, as long as they involve power armour that is...

They do not release new codexes because they tie them into Model releases. And because they are arseholes :(

Dashofpepper wrote:So I've been playing 40k for a year now. I started with Tau, and my wife got Orks. I've been playing her orks lately, and am trying to trade my tau for dark eldar. I see so many outdated codexes.

Why is GW so reluctant to release new ones? Isn't it basically free money? They release a new IG codex and....BWOOM! People everywhere sink money into IG. If there was a new necron codex...or a new Tau, or dark eldar, or...a *lot* of things that are really outdated, people everywhere would suddenly be throwing money at GW.

So what's the problem?

Its a shame really. New codex are not published to help the reader in mind . ( GW care not about fixing the mistakes )
to them , the biggest priority is how to take that chance to market and promote that army's product.

Do i blame them? hmm i cant , they are a company. Does that make it right? Nope!

Lukus83 wrote:I believe part of it is the fact that GW thinks no-one plays dark eldar. Therefore why bother with a new dark eldar 'dex when they could be making so much more cash creating an SM 'dex, a SW 'dex, an IG 'dex, etc...

I'm personally of the opinion that codexes should be prepped almost simultaneously to create an even spread of equal power teams, but where's the cash in that?

I COMPLETELY agree with that. The funny part is, the reason they think no one plays DE anymore, is because they are over 10 years old now! Nothing has chanced in over a friggin decade! Of course no one is wanting to play them. I bet when they FINALLY update the damn DE, they will get a SURGE of sales from them

Dark Eldar .... the one specific humanoid army that gives GW a chance to sell sexy minis , yet they dont.

Why am i not surprised though, oh i remember... they cant sculpt females too well. Need to hire new sculptors that can imo , and bring back Dark Eldar's glory xD

They figured how much they can release to yield the most profit. Since the codex
releases are tied to model releases (mentioned by GWAR!) they can only expect to
sell so many models in a given time period it doesn't make sense to overproduce.

With all the armies out, that means you're looking at really long cycles of rules inactivity.

This is both good and bad.

Good: If you start an army you can expect them not to change it for years. I've benefited
from this with my Fantasy Wood Elves (last of the 6th edition army books).

Bad: Well, you already know the bad.