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.

Just wanted to discuss the various recent changes in GW's behaviour.

First of all, we had the management shake up, which saw Tom Kirby step down from some of the day to day stuff in favour of a new face calling the shots (not well up enough on management structure to comment beyond this in terms of who does what. Anyone care to cover this?)

And now, well since that change other have come fairly quickly.

Most notable is the FFG deal. For those who don't know or haven't heard, FFG now hold the license to produce GW's old non-miniature based board games. Already they have seen to Talisman, and we have Chaos Marauders and Chaos In The Old World in the pipeline, not to mention continued support for Dark Heresy and it's sister system Rogue Trader. Add into the continued promise of a third 40k roleplay setting. This is a good thing for gamers as a lot of well loved games are coming back, and of course for GW who no doubt make a fairly pretty penny for minimal outlay as they take their royalty.

The PC games seem to be doing well, but I'm not clued up enough on figures and that to really comment. Again, anyone better versed here than I feel free to add in your bits.

And then we have GW itself. Space Hulk has suddenly been released with frankly stunning new plastic models. As I have speculated, this could be the first in a line of limited releases for older games that haven't been available for some time (c'mon Quest!). The model ranges themselves are improving somewhat, and even if some of them aren't necessarily to everyones taste, I'd wager you'd be hard pressed to find some that can genuinely be described as universally cack. Apocalypse has been a roaring success, and Planetstrike was certainly well received.

And prices aside, it seems people are a lot happier with GW than they were a few years ago, mainly as they seem to have struck some kind of consistency at long last in terms of rule quality (though £10 says someone brings up Daemons of Chaos. I'd say this is the exception to the rule). And even with prices, depending on how you build your army, there seems to be some effort to make things more affordable with the increase of plastic sets. And yes, as Daemons of Chaos are an exception, the frankly bizarrely priced Greatswords are the exception here!

So yeah. GW appear to be pulling their socks up and running for their money, instead of resting on laurels. Anyone care to add their shilling to this?

If Man-O-War gets re-released, I'll shart myself and then get 3 copies.

Le Grognard wrote:If Man-O-War gets re-released, I'll shart myself and then get 3 copies.

Hmmm... you might want to try Uncharted Seas first. I've got mate's who loved Man-O-War, but enjoy this more.

I think the FFG deal really represents the most interesting development. For years GW used all of their games to develop their core brands, now they can generate additional revenue streams by licensing those brands to other game companies. 5 or 10 years ago I don't think anyone would have believed that GW would actually let another company publish one of their games or games taking place in worlds they created. It may represent the final goal of the shift to largely supporting only their core games. Things that they can't find a place for in their production schedule but want to have on the market can be released by licensees.

I'm curious to see if the reduction in Games Days and Grand Tournaments is really just a temporary thing while they reassess what they want them to be. That isn't to say I'm looking at it through rose tinted glasses and think they'll come back as totally awesome events, just that maybe they are working towards something instead of treading water like they seemed to have been doing prior to the last couple of years.

We've all seen things we thought we'd never see them do, some good ie. plastic baneblade/stompa, some bad ie. vacuformed blastscape pieces.

While not optimistic, I am at least curious what the future holds. I expect that Space Hulk will sell out, which will leave them an option to do something similar down the road, not sure what that would be and don't really feel like speculating. But every few years they could release a self-contained game that didn't require additional support beyond the box.

I'd wish they put more of their stuff out there for other companies like FFG to have a go at. The only sticking point are the miniature side of things - how are FFG at making miniatures? I know they can do counters and whatnot, but what about full-blown miniature production (like the new Space Hulk).

Also the computer game side of things, that needs to expand. Who here wouldn't kill for a Necromunda game with X-Com levels of detail as far as developing your gangers and weapons and equipping and multi-level battles?

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:And prices aside, it seems people are a lot happier with GW than they were a few years ago, mainly as they seem to have struck some kind of consistency at long last in terms of rule quality (though £10 says someone brings up Daemons of Chaos. I'd say this is the exception to the rule). And even with prices, depending on how you build your army, there seems to be some effort to make things more affordable with the increase of plastic sets. And yes, as Daemons of Chaos are an exception, the frankly bizarrely priced Greatswords are the exception here!

Tell me when the guy who has been raising the prices gets fired and we get someone who will lower them.

I only play 40k and Fantasy. I don't play their RPGs, their board games, their video games frankly sir I don't give a gak about those products.

They announced a little while ago in their financial statements that they plan on increasing plastics prices to match metals (greatswords being the first) because the quality is worth the price.

Or something like that. Just putting that out there for people who may not have heard or who have forgotten.

Grimhowl wrote:I think the FFG deal really represents the most interesting development. For years GW used all of their games to develop their core brands, now they can generate additional revenue streams by licensing those brands to other game companies. 5 or 10 years ago I don't think anyone would have believed that GW would actually let another company publish one of their games or games taking place in worlds they created. It may represent the final goal of the shift to largely supporting only their core games. Things that they can't find a place for in their production schedule but want to have on the market can be released by licensees.

I'm curious to see if the reduction in Games Days and Grand Tournaments is really just a temporary thing while they reassess what they want them to be. That isn't to say I'm looking at it through rose tinted glasses and think they'll come back as totally awesome events, just that maybe they are working towards something instead of treading water like they seemed to have been doing prior to the last couple of years.

What about Hogshead doing WFRP and before that Heroquest and Space Crusade? For a number of reasons I think Games Days are a dead concept. The Space Hulk bait and switch makes me think that GW think so too. This could be a good thing maybe GW will embrace the greater wargaming community and get involved in GenCon and such, or maybe they won't.

Goldswords are the way of the future not a blip.

Looking forward to 'Space Marine' for the XBox 360 though, the further a game's mechanics are from the Lenton studio the better IMO.

As for the OP:

Things getting better? New steam?

*snort*

Not bloody likely.

GW has no business sense. They limp and lurch their way from year to year, changing direction and focus more times than you or I change underwear, and then mistreat their fanbase to the point where they consider rumours bad when they themselves won't tell anyone anything about any product they're about to release. They're a hopeless, arrogant, antiquated company that is lucky to still even be around. Any positive gain or even the appearence of 'turning over a new leaf' is simply them changing horse mid-race for the 30th time in the past 5 years. They'll no doubt decide to refocus their efforts somewhere else within the next 6 months with a new policy of some sort that makes no sense.

Any time GW shows a bit of inspiration or something that might be considered 'good' by their fanbase, it's not going to be because they've turned a new corner or made a great decision. Rather, it's more akin to the 1 million monkeys on 1 million typewriters theory - eventually they'll make a decision that actually benefits everyone, but don't expect it to be done with any amount of consistency or purpose.

And for every good thing that happens, we get a bait'n'switch lie like the Mystery Box, something that they'll no doubt consider a roaring success because to them Space Hulk Sales = Mystery Box Successful, even though that's not the truth.

Wayfarer wrote:They announced a little while ago in their financial statements that they plan on increasing plastics prices to match metals (greatswords being the first) because the quality is worth the price.

Or something like that. Just putting that out there for people who may not have heard or who have forgotten.

Fo' real real! Not fo' play play?

Typeline wrote:

Wayfarer wrote:They announced a little while ago in their financial statements that they plan on increasing plastics prices to match metals (greatswords being the first) because the quality is worth the price.

Or something like that. Just putting that out there for people who may not have heard or who have forgotten.

Fo' real real! Not fo' play play?

I now have soda all over my keyboard,thank you Typeline ,But seriously,GW raising prices? Naw,I don't belive that for one little second.

I'd buy that GW is building up some steam. I think they have two solid products in 40k and WFB, and Lotr/WotR is paid for at least. They can close their stores and retrench any time they need to, and thanks to those stores and their websites they have extremely accurate sales data for a lot of their total revenue. There's a reason they know they can raise prices.

And they can raise prices. I don't like it any more than you do, and I think that the price increases are going to price GW out of the market. The thing is, I've been saying that for 6 years, when squad boxes first went from $25-$30. It's hard to say "this is the time they've gone to far" when they've been really good at timing it in the past.

As for plastics meeting metals, that's already the case more often than not.

Wolfstan wrote:

Le Grognard wrote:If Man-O-War gets re-released, I'll shart myself and then get 3 copies.

Hmmm... you might want to try Uncharted Seas first. I've got mate's who loved Man-O-War, but enjoy this more.

Have it, play it, love it; but I'm a sucker for the original fantasy naval game.

Polonius wrote:I'd buy that GW is building up some steam. I think they have two solid products in 40k and WFB, and Lotr/WotR is paid for at least. They can close their stores and retrench any time they need to, and thanks to those stores and their websites they have extremely accurate sales data for a lot of their total revenue. There's a reason they know they can raise prices.

And they can raise prices. I don't like it any more than you do, and I think that the price increases are going to price GW out of the market. The thing is, I've been saying that for 6 years, when squad boxes first went from $25-$30. It's hard to say "this is the time they've gone to far" when they've been really good at timing it in the past.

As for plastics meeting metals, that's already the case more often than not.

That got me thinking...

One day they will have a SoB box of 10 plastic figures... but it will cost more than buying the individual metal sisters. SoB players will rejoice... then mourn.

Wayfarer wrote:They announced a little while ago in their financial statements that they plan on increasing plastics prices to match metals (greatswords being the first) because the quality is worth the price.

Or something like that. Just putting that out there for people who may not have heard or who have forgotten.

if they price me out of the market like that i'll actually buy the current rulebooks for fantasy and 40k, and buy and use other retailers products until they get bought out and reorganized by someone else.

maximus wrote:

Wayfarer wrote:They announced a little while ago in their financial statements that they plan on increasing plastics prices to match metals (greatswords being the first) because the quality is worth the price.

Or something like that. Just putting that out there for people who may not have heard or who have forgotten.

if they price me out of the market like that i'll actually buy the current rulebooks for fantasy and 40k, and buy and use other retailers products until they get bought out and reorganized by someone else.

Well,you won't necessarily have to do that,40k minis will always be available via ebay,discount retailes and such,actualy,with all the discusion pertaining to prices I'm sort of suprised H.B.M.C hasn't tossed a link into this thread yet.

FITZZ wrote:

maximus wrote:

Wayfarer wrote:They announced a little while ago in their financial statements that they plan on increasing plastics prices to match metals (greatswords being the first) because the quality is worth the price.

Or something like that. Just putting that out there for people who may not have heard or who have forgotten.

if they price me out of the market like that i'll actually buy the current rulebooks for fantasy and 40k, and buy and use other retailers products until they get bought out and reorganized by someone else.

Well,you won't necessarily have to do that,40k minis will always be available via ebay,discount retailes and such,actualy,with all the discusion pertaining to prices I'm sort of suprised H.B.M.C hasn't tossed a link into this thread yet.

I think someone told him to quit.

But if he'd... oh I don't know... PM a link to me... I would totally love him for it.

I honestly don't know what you guys are talking about.

GW has definitely exceeded expectations so far and gets a surprisingly positive review as of late however that doesn't mean they're flawless. I love the Space Hulk, Planetstrike, and the new IG Codex/models - these have all been high quality additions and I also think the Valkyrie is the best GW vehicle model around (Command Squad Box and the new tank kits are great too). Its also a great positive that GW is licensing their IP around; there are upcoming titles that look promising like the Space Marine video game and the very secretive 40k MMORPG - like DOW and WAR Online these should give GW $$$.

I don't like that they cancelled Gamesdays (even though I'm not a tournie player it just looks somewhat dim for the hobby.) and feel that the Mystery Box marketing campaign was not really planned or at least not planned well; I do like that they opened up a site to get feedback on how to improve them though especially since the ones this yea have been let downs on this end.

GW's marketing and pricing have been the two biggest criticisms I've had with 'em; but their quality has definitely increased especially the new Space Hulk minis - which I think are GW's best looking plastics to date and even beats their FW counterparts imo.

Its unfortunate that GW is likely only going to increase prices ala Goldswords range and that their overall amount of sales/customers decreased throughout recent years...I find myself grateful of purchasing most of my guard infantry years ago instead of stocking up now (then again the newer models are much better like the Vostroyans and plastic command squad kit). Also has to be said that they're doing relatively well in this crazy economy.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
NOTE: I'm just a 40k player so I can't really comment on GW's other ranges, but so far this has been the year for 40k it looks like.

Well, in that case...

GW's taken a good, long shat on Warhammer Fantasy.

Unbalanced armies such as Daemons, DE, VC, etc. are running around the tournament scene like flies to a corpse.

Regardless, This is the year of 40k, for sure. Lotsa good updates, 5th ed., Many spin-offs (Dark Heresy, Space Hulk, etc.).

Sadly, I think HBMC called it right here.

GW has shown for years that it has no long term strategic goals. Constant change in policy and emphasis have only reinforced this.

The only thing that is universal is a steady increase in cost that is well above the rate of inflation in order to keep the shareholders happy at the expense of the long-term viablity of the company.

Any progress seen by the gaming community is entirely coincidental.

I think within a decade GW will close its doors for good.

This is more going into the video game side of things, but GW seem to be making friends with fairly big players in the industry. EA and THQ. Both companies dominate the industry and have the tendancy to milk franchises (EA mostly). DoW has been a resounding sucess for THQ and its sequel has also done pretty well, with expansions most certainly on their way. Now with Blood Bowl "touching down" (THQ not me) in stores this month and Space Marine on the way I can't see where they can go wrong. As for EA, they will most likely be interested in creating some more Fantasy titles along with the sucess of WAR. I doubt they will cover 40K as THQ is doing it and also the strategy is too close to home to its C&C series. I don't think GW will ever close its doors, it will probably evolve into something else instead.

Problem is, EA and THQ are bigger than GW, it is only a matter of time now.

If it is "Only a matter of time" isnt it nice to think that at least the IP's will survive in some form?

GW dies, big companies pick up the IP or parts of it and everything goes to fething hell. Story of their lives.

Bah... If GW miniature sales were to slow down/stop, which I figure is unlikely given that they have managed to last 25 year or more so far, they would just continue on by licensing pc and console games.

If that happens that's when we would finally get a true turn-based PC version of 40k, but I don't think any of that will happen really soon.

Le Grognard wrote:If Man-O-War gets re-released, I'll shart myself and then get 3 copies.

THIS. If GW comes out with manowar, I'm there again. Despite the nice new models, Ihave no interest in space hulk, and will flat out say the first edition was the best with deathwing and genestealer sets, sight unseen with the new set.

Dark Heresy cleaned up at GenCon ennies. It was nice to see it get several awards.

Planet strike and Apoc are nice. But beyond that I dont quite see all the rainbows your talking about in the OP.

I'm glad that this change in attitude is here, one of the main reasons that my friends stopped playing 40k is that they didn't want to spend so much money on little figures. The new content for most races also are a step of progress as one of my friends told me that he thought GW only focused on SM's and hated players who didn't play them. (I don't beleive that but the new content for Imp G and others have caused him to have renewed interest in the game)
Also, the comp games have caused many people I know to gain interest in the boardgame

BrookM wrote:GW dies, big companies pick up the IP or parts of it and everything goes to fething hell. Story of their lives.

By the attitudes floating around some seem to think the game already went to hell.

Maybe the next company to scoop up the ball will... you know, do it right.