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marielle wrote:You might not like it, but there clearly is a "GW hobby"; it is perfectly possible to be a wargamer and never spend a single penny on anything other than GW products.

Sure. It's also possible to paintball without spending a single penny on anything other than Brass Eagle products. Don't mean that you're playing the Brass Eagle Hobby.

I can also only buy Farberware cookware, and that doesn't mean that I'm "staying with the Farberware hobby". I'm cooking, dammit.

At the end of the day, there's only a "GW Hobby" because people keep calling it that, giving them brand association.

To answer OP's question though, I am continuing with my WARGAMING hobby that I so happen to choose to express through playing 40k.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, the poll is limiting. I buy secondhand/discount 40k stuff (gotta support where you play, one way or another) AND I buy heads from Hasslefree, backpacks from Secret Weapon, and (soon to be) bases from Dragonforge.

At the end of the day, there's only a "GW Hobby" because people keep calling it that, giving them brand association.

And saying that there isn't doesn't mean that there isn't.

I voted other.

I first became a GW customer in 1994 and I greatly enjoyed their products during the 3rd Edition years. 4th edition was a terrible shock. This edition provided a double whammy of completely invalidated my HTH eldar aspect warrior blitzkrieg playstyle by adding "charge what you shoot" and "can't charge after disembarking" and then the new codex largely invalidated the rest of my collection by removing the sublists. I had zero interest in playing dire avenger and firedragon gunboats or bike councils, so my interest in GW products was effectively killed. I worked on a Chaos army on and off during 2003-2005. When 4th edition Chaos dex rolled around and invalidated my Chaos army as well (by eliminating all the Legions)... This was the straw that broke the camel's back and I left GW for Warmachine. Between 2005 and 2008, I played 3 games of 40k.

Fast forward to 2008. I had to go to a small town with no Warmachine presence. To get my wargaming fix, I grudgingly went back to 40k. I bought a few pieces in order to restart a few aborted projects. Aside from irritation at the prices, modelling as always was a joy. While 5th edition was a significant improvement over 4th edition, it did not restore any of the tactical choices that were removed at the end of 3rd edition. As a result, my overall experience was NOT appreciably better than I had remembered.

Now that I'm living in a city with a thriving Warmahordes scene - Unless 6th Edition offers a HUGE improvement in tactical choices... I do not see myself playing much 40k in the forseeable future. As I have resigned myself to the idea that my 40k models are now basically glorified display pieces, ALL motivation to buy is gone.

Summary: I have left GW for other system(s). I am unlikely to return to the GW system unless they bring tactical flexibility back to their core ruleset. I have retained existing GW product in my possession. If the chance arises, I may offload a significant portion of my GW collection. Unless prices drop significantly or the CORE ruleset is changed, adding value to their premium priced models - I will not be purchasing new GW product outside of paint.

hmm, while i intend to stick with games workshop for a long time (unless they do something that really oversteps the mark) i would like to get into other systems. only issue is geography, i live to far from my local club to go due to the location of my school (at which i live), when i'm at home i can't get into the club because they want regularly attending members. so i guess i will have to stay at the GW stores, though the one in my area is run by one of the nicest guys i have ever met and i hope he sticks around

Love it, bought it, buying it, will continue to buy it. I don't get overly stressed about the politics or price fluctuations of my toys.

I stopped buying Games Workshop rulebooks and minis a long time ago. The prices just moved into the unreasonable category for me, and since then they've only gotten worse!

I still read the fluff books and I do have first, second, and third editions with tons of codex books and other source books to refer to which is really helpful since my old group now just plays Dark Heresy and the other WH40K RPGs. Turns out we all liked the setting more than the actual minis anyway, so we found a much cheaper way to enjoy it.

Meh. Half the people leaving the "GW Hobby" will be back the second some awesome new toy for whatever army they loved gets released, then they'll be back posting about how much they hate GW while they blow half a pay check on a new army.

For me, it's about the fluff and models, and as long as that stays the same or improves, I'll keep spending. I don't buy that much as it is, I can afford price hikes if I really want to buy something. I don't like higher prices but, again, meh. Nothing you can do about it but quit buying, and I'm not gonna do that cuz I still feel like my money is well spent on something I enjoy.

I will stay on, I just returned to GW games in 2008 with 40k 5ed. I still like the game (I think it is in its best state ever currently), still love the miniatures and don't loose sleep over strange marketing decisions of the management (too old for that). The prices can be dealt with by ordering from the proper outlets and buying second hand. The priceraises have made me much more aware of what I buy or not, actually making me satisfied in sticking to a limited number of projects and geting those actually done (also very satisfying). Besides that I still think I get plenty of bang-for-the-buck even at full GW prices. I am aware of he alternatives though and don't want to miss my two FoW armies.

I see no reason to get rid of the stuff I have. I'll keep playing the games when I feel like it and buying the miniatures I think are good value. I'm just buying more stuff from other manufacturers.

Heres me:

I will continue to buy GW as the funds and my want to increase/start an army happens. In the mean time (no current plans for a new army, outside of a potential 'ard boyz one) I have begun to test other waters, not due to GW dislike, but just to see what else is out there. My habits are pretty much going to parallel whatever happens with my local FLGS.

I voted 'Other'. I have very mixed feelings on the topic: on the one hand, I thoroughly enjoy GW figures (am finishing a diorama project for my brother) and am expanding one of my armies and starting a fourth. But I also see the benefit of buying things second-hand. In fact, I try to get as much of my stuff as possible at a discount by bypassing their site or my FLGS (completely different subject there), or getting stuff for free. In the end, I guess I'll be one of those people that end up bucking the system in a sense simply because I don't believe the price point is right, nor do I feel I sometimes get a good ROI. Not saying this is right by any means, just simply the way I feel. Plus it's difficult me to get any type of games in because of my schedule and obligations, so if/when I play it's always small-scale by myself on the dinning room floor. So for now I'm in, but am sitting on the fence waiting to see what happens.

I am staying thith them. With the now prices though I am more likly to just make my 2k worth of Grey Knights, not 3k+

Other - I plan on purchasing second hand what I need to finish off a decent 'nids list, but after that I'll not be purchasing any more GW products.

Instead, if there's an army I want to play, then I'll exercise my sculpting skills and sculpt my own models. From there, I'll make molds of the models I made and recast as needed to fill out the army. At least, that's my current plan for a Chaos Demons army.

I'm with Saphos, don't feel like critiquing these guys for having a business plan. Their share price tells its own story.

People vote with their wallets, and I'm in.

What exactly is the "GW Hobby"?


I'm Done with them, !@#$ them.

Tired of talking about it, tired of being villianized because of thier !@#$ ups. I can honestly sympathise with those who wish to stick with them, but I for one do not care if they ever come out with another product. I'm through with them.

They've done it to themselves, I see no reason to entertain B.S. with greedy mutts who have lost thier sense of perspective.

Saphos wrote:I will stay on, I just returned to GW games in 2008 with 40k 5ed. I still like the game (I think it is in its best state ever currently), still love the miniatures and don't loose sleep over strange marketing decisions of the management (too old for that). The prices can be dealt with by ordering from the proper outlets and buying second hand. The priceraises have made me much more aware of what I buy or not, actually making me satisfied in sticking to a limited number of projects and geting those actually done (also very satisfying). Besides that I still think I get plenty of bang-for-the-buck even at full GW prices. I am aware of he alternatives though and don't want to miss my two FoW armies.

Can it?

I called TheWarStore yesterday, which is known for selling discounted GW products, trying to get some quotes for Hive Guard. They then informed me that they could no longer sell Finecast models, as per GW. They could still sell plastic, but not Finecast, for some odd reason. (Which blows my mind. I really don't understand that particular move by GW.)

So depending upon what you want, prices may be dealt with by ordering from the proper outlets. Better bet is second hand, but that usually involves a bit of luck to get exactly what you want.

I stay with 40k because it's the only game system that is regularly supplied in Belgium. The other game systems are likely to be popular inbelgium as well, but you have to dg deep to get a ready supply of them. Often you can only buy a rulebook of a certain game, but you can't fund the models for it.

That's somewhat the only reason why I stick to GW. If I could find a game system, and get my friends to join in, I would definatly change. I hope I can convice some to switch over to Malifaux.

CiaranAnnrach wrote:
I called TheWarStore yesterday, which is known for selling discounted GW products, trying to get some quotes for Hive Guard. They then informed me that they could no longer sell Finecast models, as per GW.

that's rich. just rich.

Wait, what? Why can't they sell finecast models?

Yes, but only the odd miniature here and there. I'm 35 and the gaming side of things is winding down anyway. I do still however enjoy an evening painting a good model (however badly).

marielle wrote:

At the end of the day, there's only a "GW Hobby" because people keep calling it that, giving them brand association.

And saying that there isn't doesn't mean that there isn't.

Why? I REALLY think that you and others are confusing "brand association" with things you do. Unless you think it's cool if I go engage in my "Old Navy hobby" when I'm going to buy clothes, my "Sears Hobby" when I go to buy tools, and my "Valvoline hobby" when I've got to get an oil change, then I think you need a bit more rational than that. You're not your khaki's, dude.

Are people who own Macs "Apple hobbyists"?

I'm excited because I'm going to my "Reel Big Fish Concert Hobby" later tonight.

I'm still with GW but until they change their policies and stop overcharging, I'm buying all my models from ebay. (I still go to them for paints and brushes though...)

malfred wrote:Wait, what? Why can't they sell finecast models?

I didn't think to ask, though I wish I had. I was somewhat dumbstruck when the sales rep I talked to informed me of it. She agreed with me that it really doesn't make sense at all, particularly when the people they service are primarily within the US.

Whether this is GW just giving TheWarStore the bird, or all online retailers the bird, I don't know. I've not followed up with other online retailers to see how widespread this new business model of GW's is.

Really, allowed to sell plastics, but not Finecast. Makes no sense at all.

daedalus wrote:
Are people who own Macs "Apple hobbyists"?
.

Have you never spoken to a Macuser before?

malfred wrote:

daedalus wrote:
Are people who own Macs "Apple hobbyists"?
.

Have you never spoken to a Macuser before?

I've met one or two sane Mac users. I see your point though. To be fair, I own a Mac, among other computers. I'm not frothing at the mouth over it though. Just use the right tool for the job.

I am conflicted. On a social level Warhammer/40k is the only locally played game. I do enjoy 40k still, but I am not as interested as I once was in their product. Since the gothicness has been replaced with Grimdark, my interest has wavered greatly.

I will try new things and try to get others involved in time.

I guess everyone has to branch out at some point.

well i guess i'll state my opinions on the matter(such as they are).

some people like GW's game systems and their models, which is great. I don't anymore. My last try was late 2009, with 40k fifth edition, which i just did not enjoy playing. That's me, no big whoop. at the time, prices were still high in my opinion, though i was personally unaffected as the local group at my school had a special super-ridiculous wholesale price cut from an online distributor whose name i won't mention, but i just wasn't having that much fun playing the game.

sure, i was having fun with my friends, but the system itself didnt do it for me(mostly it being the 'I-Go, You-Go' that means dealing with your enemy's threats isn;t as realistic IMO to activation based gameplay) so when i left school i quit 40k.

the recent stuff from GW was just icing on the cake, as I was just starting to go back to my hometown LGS to start up other game i am actually playing, and made me immune to wanting to play any of the GW systems(not that they aren't already pretty dead in my LGS, its all WM/H, FOW, and recently, DW has been picking up momentum since i brought in my stuff and started demoing, players are buying starters and getting interested).

but yeah, no more GW for me, apart from their paints, which i buy from the LGS to show some support, and since i'm too darned used to them(although i am slowly weaning myself onto other paint companies as well). but, due to the magic of matte medium and RO water, all my 5-6 year old paints that were all dried out are fresh as the day i bought them, so i'm not really doing GW any favors there haha.

Just to try to put things in perspective, when I referred to the "GW Hobby" I meant GW systems and products (WHFB, 40k, LOTR, etc.). I am not asking if you are leaving wargaming. I understand that it extists beyond GW and was interested if people were leaving GW products specifically.

Sorry for any unclarity.

To further add to the point daedalus is making:

What distinguishes "The Games Workshop Hobby (TM)" from the wargaming hobby?

Keep in mind that playing only Games Workshop games means you are part of the wargaming hobby, it just means you only like that particular brand. It'd be like saying "I don't play video games, I play X-Box 360 games." You're still playing video games, you just only happen to play video games on the X-Box 360.

In any event, that makes my answer in this thread somewhat inaccurate. I was never involved in the GW Hobby because I deny the existence of the GW Hobby. I am not going to play any GW games beyond their historical rulesets, and I will not be purchasing any of their models or modelling supplies, so my vote is still accurate.

I don't have a 'GW hobby'.

I have a WARGAMING hobby of which GW games play but one small part. It has always been thus with me - I have NEVER been a single gaming company shilll. It has always been at least one other game competing with GW for my time and cash from the beginning.

Why would you voluntarily lock yourself into the gaming equivalent of a straitjacket when there are sooooo many other games and companies out there? Seems a bit limiting to me.

Still, us older gamers still remember a time before GW stores and the internet for ordering stuff. When mail order and imported magazines and the small, virtually unknown gaming stores were the only way to get into the hobby.
I think it's because of this that we ARE aware of just how much is out there.