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Not stressing at all - one good release being announced is not exactly a crushing number. (Necromunda - the first GW release that I have been really interested in for about a decade.)

AoS - Nope!

Warhammer 40K - Nope!

Necromunda - Hells, yeah!

Mordheim would be even better! (As long as it has nothing to do with AoS.)

The Auld Grump - even after I sold off my WH40K, I continued playing Necromunda and Mordheim - while my Warhammer got repurposed for Kings of War.

I'm imagining the stress levels are definitely dependant on what armies you play / actually like.
I'm quite fine with AdMech and Skaven; been a real lax year odd for us, really.
Not massively fussed on the Vultarax and Karacnos on FW's side, since I'm laying back waiting for Cyraxus.
As for actual GW stuff, the only thing I've actually been hyped about release-wise for this past year are the Astarties dice, with the nice red Techmarine ones.

I will admit, though, that seeing so much new stuff is like having someone wave a load of newspapers in my face, expecting me to take note of it all, or at least manage to focus on something, which is a bit hezzy.

I think some of those statements are quite apt:

"No time to absorb".
"Lack of stability".

I thought they did an excellent job releasing those indexes to ensure everyone could get into 8th and not too many really messed up things, it was quite well done.
Then the codex (codii?) coming out pretty fast, what is the hurry?
I know, I know, "never satisfied", yes, more a "careful what you wish for" I think is the more apt phrase at this time.

We are overly "blessed" with GW doing the right thing in most cases.
I feel obligated to reward good behavior but it is getting a wee bit much.

 MagicJuggler wrote:
Define "good release."

Obviously, it's a personal thing. For anyone who's busy gaking on everything that GW does, there are no good releases, but then you need to wonder why they're actively responding to threads on the current stuff rather than being active in Oldhammer-focused forums or whatever their personal cup of tea is.

Of course, most people have found something to like about GW's output of the past few years - even as far back as Kirby's stuff - whether it's one of the vaunted returns - such as the AdMech or the Deathwatch/Thousand Sons/Tzaangor/Necromunda/Genestealers/etc. The cleaning up of the mess of 40k (for the time being) with 8th. Boxed games like Gorechosen and WHQ. Bundles in the form of Start Collecting or stealth-bundles in the form of games like Stormcloud, Renegade or Comorragh - some of which also serve as good boxed games. Not to mention a lot of very nice models.

But yeah. If your schtick is pissing on everything GW to be one of the cool, cynical kids. Then there haven't been any.

To answer the OP question. It's pretty relentless. Luckily I'm able to pretty much keep up with picking up what I'm interested in, if not with the painting. Compared to a few years ago when I barely bought anything outside of the odd kit of FW release, it's a big change.

I picked an excellent time to focus on what I've already hoarded. The backlog is bad now but it would have been far worse if I had delayed.

If I were to get stressed about anything, it'd be the backlog. Whilst there are lots of new kits I'd happily buy, there isn't a point if I'll never get them built.

I'm not really hyped about what they lastly released, and i have to say, quite pissed off that it was even more marines even more expensive than before... But if the releases were more reasonnable, then i would be happy with then keeping the new stuff coming at such pace.

And let's face it, although in my opinion the indexes should habe been free downloadable content while waiting for tje codices, this tremendous rate of releases ensuees that the shift to 8th goes ahead much smoother, which is arguably great.

I'm fine with the rate of product releases. I play many armies in 40k but I don't HAVE to get everything the second it comes out. I've got my Marine codex and a handful of new Marine toys and will happily plug along with that until I feel my Marine army is ready to go for 8th. From there I'll move on to my CSM, and then on to either Demons, Orks, DE or Tau, but I'm in no rush. As someone who has had armies go 5+ YEARS with an outdated codex, I'm a fan of the new schedule.

What IS stressing me out is the rate at which the RULES are changing. You expect some FAQs from time to time but this feels like a bit much. It's starting to remind me of 7th all over again where you're constantly tracking the new rules, the exceptions to the rules, and the addendums to the exceptions to the rules, and then there's Chapter Approved - a whole new book ... of rules .... UGH ...

Tycho wrote:
I'm fine with the rate of product releases. I play many armies in 40k but I don't HAVE to get everything the second it comes out. I've got my Marine codex and a handful of new Marine toys and will happily plug along with that until I feel my Marine army is ready to go for 8th. From there I'll move on to my CSM, and then on to either Demons, Orks, DE or Tau, but I'm in no rush. As someone who has had armies go 5+ YEARS with an outdated codex, I'm a fan of the new schedule.

I have that problem too of getting things as they come out.
I seem to be pushing hard on getting a few options totally complete of the BT army as my main competitive one so the new kits are sitting for a little bit.
I think to balance it out I will need to dig a bit into my CSM army and get them as a good counterpoint to it all, nurgle may become the favored god for now.
It will be a good reward to get a few new kits built and painted.

What IS stressing me out is the rate at which the RULES are changing. You expect some FAQs from time to time but this feels like a bit much. It's starting to remind me of 7th all over again where you're constantly tracking the new rules, the exceptions to the rules, and the addendums to the exceptions to the rules, and then there's Chapter Approved - a whole new book ... of rules .... UGH ...

I understand that, BUT it really is a good thing with all the changes because it is a brand-new ruleset and they seem to be aware that if anything appears "broken" they cannot leave things for long.
It is understandable to do some rapid tweaking as the ravening hordes of players have chewed on the system a bit.
Think of it as "post beta testing".

The "Chapter Approved" I feel is a whole different animal.
This specifically addresses the competitive gaming end of things.

It has been strongly demonstrated that there are die-hard casual players and die-hard competitive gamers.
Update core rules where both groups seem to be OK with it and stick the more finicky nit-picking bits in with Chapter Approved.

I would really like to know who is organizing all this stuff at GW, I think I am a fan.

I understand that, BUT it really is a good thing with all the changes because it is a brand-new ruleset and they seem to be aware that if anything appears "broken" they cannot leave things for long.
It is understandable to do some rapid tweaking as the ravening hordes of players have chewed on the system a bit.

It's too soon to tell whether it's good or bad in that respect. If, in a few months everything settles down a bit and we have a nice calm equilibrium then I'm fine with it. Problem is, I've played this game the entire 30 some odd years of its existance and that experience has taught me to never underestimate GWs ability for needless complication. Hopefully they go a different route this time, but I am skeptical.

Think of it as "post beta testing".

Absolutely not and that is my biggest issue. This is the ACTUAL BETA TEST. The "most play tested edition in ever", and WE are the beta testers. Some of this stuff was so blatantly obvious right from the get-go that it makes me think they actually play tested it *less* than previous editions because the plan all along was to treat the release like an open beta. If they did truly play test it (I know that supposedly som eof the ITC guys were involved), then the testers failed. Hard.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that it might also have been an issue with GW. When I say they "failed" I say that under the assumption that the testers had access to the full ruleset and as many units as humanly possible. It could be though, that they were only given the contents of the "Know No Fear" set and told to go to town. In which case, what are you gonna do? That's GWs fault.

It has been strongly demonstrated that there are die-hard casual players and die-hard competitive gamers.
Update core rules where both groups seem to be OK with it and stick the more finicky nit-picking bits in with Chapter Approved.

The two are not mutually exclusive. There are people like me (and I would argue that people like me make up a bigger group than people who sit ONLY at the extreme ends), who are both competitive gamers AND casual gamers depending (in my case anyway) on the time of year. I have my two or three big tournaments that I plan for every year and work really hard to optimize my list and squeeze every last bit of efficiency out of, and then, after those tournaments - I'm chilling at the LGS and could care less about how competitive my list is (and often run narrative campaigns). Additionally the biggest issue with 2nd edition is the SAME issue GW had with 7th Edition. You want to play your Imperial army? All you need is the core book, the codex, these two other codexes, these three supplements, these four Chapter Approved articles, this White Dwarf, and these rules addendums. The entire point of 8th was to eliminate all that and they are already threatening to bloat it. So I'm nervous because I like going to tournaments, but if it becomes the kind of thing where I have to track a 50-60 page FAQ for a 12 page rule set ... no thanks ....

Tycho wrote:
It's too soon to tell whether it's good or bad in that respect. If, in a few months everything settles down a bit and we have a nice calm equilibrium then I'm fine with it. Problem is, I've played this game the entire 30 some odd years of its existance and that experience has taught me to never underestimate GWs ability for needless complication. Hopefully they go a different route this time, but I am skeptical.

Brother! I was involved in 40k just shy of the Rogue Trader days.
Historically I would agree with you, I am just unsure how involved the rules writers of old were involved in this ruleset.
I have been rather impressed how they rolled this out so-far, the index rules were terribly well done for a temporary placeholder.

Absolutely not and that is my biggest issue. This is the ACTUAL BETA TEST. The "most play tested edition in ever", and WE are the beta testers. Some of this stuff was so blatantly obvious right from the get-go that it makes me think they actually play tested it *less* than previous editions because the plan all along was to treat the release like an open beta. If they did truly play test it (I know that supposedly some of the ITC guys were involved), then the testers failed. Hard.

I personally found that making separate tables for capability vs points values has made things unnecessarily complex trying to figure out capability vs points cost.
I swear that alone is lengthening out the process of wrapping your brain around what is good or bad.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that it might also have been an issue with GW. When I say they "failed" I say that under the assumption that the testers had access to the full ruleset and as many units as humanly possible. It could be though, that they were only given the contents of the "Know No Fear" set and told to go to town. In which case, what are you gonna do? That's GWs fault.

Historically, they have been in a hurry before.
The true line of sight is such a basic issue, now I have to model a line of trees in my area terrain with no gaps? Okay...
They got a lot right, it seems to give that much more contrast to what was blatantly missed

The two are not mutually exclusive. There are people like me (and I would argue that people like me make up a bigger group than people who sit ONLY at the extreme ends), who are both competitive gamers AND casual gamers depending (in my case anyway) on the time of year. I have my two or three big tournaments that I plan for every year and work really hard to optimize my list and squeeze every last bit of efficiency out of, and then, after those tournaments - I'm chilling at the LGS and could care less about how competitive my list is (and often run narrative campaigns).

I am of a similar nature.
I like the mental challenges to figure out the rules and come up with an effective plan.
For more casual games I tend to play in a much more risky way, so in the rare event it goes right it makes for something memorable.(15% chance to succeed.. oh what the heck...).
I do see what you mean of being "both" it just becomes a conflict where someone wants to create some fluffy scenario so may need to lean on more flexibility.
Tournaments tend to be a showcase of the hobby so a greater mix is wanted.
It would not do to see an all flyer army or some other lopsided list fielded.

Additionally the biggest issue with 2nd edition is the SAME issue GW had with 7th Edition. You want to play your Imperial army? All you need is the core book, the codex, these two other codexes, these three supplements, these four Chapter Approved articles, this White Dwarf, and these rules addendums. The entire point of 8th was to eliminate all that and they are already threatening to bloat it. So I'm nervous because I like going to tournaments, but if it becomes the kind of thing where I have to track a 50-60 page FAQ for a 12 page rule set ... no thanks ....

I used to get all the codexes and the various supplements up to 5th edition. 6th-on I stopped dead, it was too much.
So-far for 8th I will play along, I do not regret all the Index and 3 codex so-far.

Oh, I will admit there is a huge amount of history to justifiably be bitter over with GW.
So far, they seem to be taking the right actions, right now is the most I have EVER seen people play 40k in my area.
I think that counts for something.

I am always a little anxious when GW does something right, because I know it will only be so long before they screw it up again. More used to the norm of "everything is broken, let's spend half the game complaining about it."

That said, the pace of good releases surprises me. I like 8th edition rules, I like what they are doing with Chaos in 8th edition, I like the Dark Imperium box set, I liked the 30k boxed sets, I like the way FAQs are going up and how the community itself is being managed.

Rob, the community manager, left GW about a week ago. Alan Bligh is dead. Thinking Duncan's time must now be short, and Tom Kirby is itching to end our present happiness.

That would be the GW I know. And it's a little stressful.

Not just GW, I could easily drop $50~$100 on Bones 4 or the new plastic terrain KS.

Plus there's this weird thing that just about EVERYTHING ever made is available in some form, either it's still in production at the original or a new company or on ebay.

Over the last year or so I amassed over 100 Space Fleet ships (circa 1991) and then started getting Starfleet Wars ships (circa 1980).

This is an insane time!

I am just unsure how involved the rules writers of old were involved in this ruleset.

With the onset of 3rd Ed., the sales team has been the driving force in what the writers do ... so the sales staff is actually the one constant. Additionally, the people that are writing 8th are the primary parties responsible for 6th and the disaster that was 7th. So I think a certain level of trepidation is understandable.

I am always a little anxious when GW does something right, because I know it will only be so long before they screw it up again. More used to the norm of "everything is broken, let's spend half the game complaining about it."

That said, the pace of good releases surprises me. I like 8th edition rules, I like what they are doing with Chaos in 8th edition, I like the Dark Imperium box set, I liked the 30k boxed sets, I like the way FAQs are going up and how the community itself is being managed.

Rob, the community manager, left GW about a week ago. Alan Bligh is dead. Thinking Duncan's time must now be short, and Tom Kirby is itching to end our present happiness.

That would be the GW I know. And it's a little stressful.

Nailed it. When you put it like that, I guess the pace of good releases IS stressing me out. I'm terrified the other shoe will drop any day now and they will blow it. They've never NOT eventually completely blown it ... Here's hoping they get it turned around for good this time!

Tycho wrote:
Nailed it. When you put it like that, I guess the pace of good releases IS stressing me out. I'm terrified the other shoe will drop any day now and they will blow it. They've never NOT eventually completely blown it ... Here's hoping they get it turned around for good this time!

Also another "nailed it".
I cannot argue against this particular statement.
"They've never NOT eventually completely blown it..." no truer words.
I salute your final statement of optimism.
You would feel like a fool for stating it, but absolutely hope it works out.
I guess we enjoy the ride while it lasts?
Would it be all over but the crying when the Tau and Eldar Codex hit?

 techsoldaten wrote:
I am always a little anxious when GW does something right, because I know it will only be so long before they screw it up again. More used to the norm of "everything is broken, let's spend half the game complaining about it."

That said, the pace of good releases surprises me. I like 8th edition rules, I like what they are doing with Chaos in 8th edition, I like the Dark Imperium box set, I liked the 30k boxed sets, I like the way FAQs are going up and how the community itself is being managed.

Rob, the community manager, left GW about a week ago. Alan Bligh is dead. Thinking Duncan's time must now be short, and Tom Kirby is itching to end our present happiness.

That would be the GW I know. And it's a little stressful.

Rob wasn't community manager, he was a Warhammer TV presenter, there's a big difference! I don't know about Duncan, but yeah others might want to snap him up at this point.

Oh, and Tom Kirby is finally out, as in out-out.

WHAT... Rob left? WTF... Why?

Not stressed out, but a bit frustrated I will never have enough time for all I want to do

As a person with way too many damn hobbies, I already casually play AoS and Malifaux, so as much as I LOVE the new 40k, I decided NOT to invest any € into it because I simply have no time for it. Setting objectives is also helping me a lot, I decided I'd only buy the Ironjawz's Dragon after all my army is painting, and I'm only missing 4 miniatures.

Now, with that said, GW already kicked my wallet with 2 of the new "allies" boxes, with the Daughters of Khaine and the Giant Spider and I am DREADING the release of the Cthulhu Elves. If they have the same quality as their other releases, I'll want to go extra hard on Lovecraftian goodness.

 oni wrote:
WHAT... Rob left? WTF... Why?

Unknown (but most likely clashes between him and GW, I GUESS), this is his final tweet:

What a shame. He was a great guy.

Crud again. First (I'd heard) James Hewitt and now Rob.
I've really enjoyed the rules, videos and humor that both those guys helped create.

As Captain Picard once said "I have become aware that there are more years behind than there are ahead..."

 TheAuldGrump wrote:
Not stressing at all - one good release being announced is not exactly a crushing number. (Necromunda - the first GW release that I have been really interested in for about a decade.)

AoS - Nope!

Warhammer 40K - Nope!

Necromunda - Hells, yeah!

Mordheim would be even better! (As long as it has nothing to do with AoS.)

The Auld Grump - even after I sold off my WH40K, I continued playing Necromunda and Mordheim - while my Warhammer got repurposed for Kings of War.

That's something I've been thinking for a long time. Ditching Specialist Games wasn't funneling those customers over to their two main games, it was just leaving them to go off and search the wide world for other games to play.

But right now, there's a plethora of awesome in miniatures gaming, and more if you include non-minis board and card games. If you want to get everything awesome from every game company, you'll go mad.

Going mad reminds me of all those good Lovecraft games out right now.