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So I've noticed, as I'm sure everybody else has, that there seems to be a distinct formula to the product releases since 6th edition hit. That is to say, a few characters, a flyer, reboxed troops and a big angry monster. While it's predictable, I guess there is a kind of argument for it in that the armies that have been updated so far have mainly been the ancient ones, like Tau and Eldar, that could arguably have been said to need these things to keep up with the meta and the more recent armies.

But now the majority of the outdated armies have been brought up to speed (obligatory nod to Templars and Sisters), and the rest of the edition will primarily be looking at armies that have been updated in 5th, like Space Marines, or ones that have received updates and given things like flyers and monsters, like Orks or Tyranids. And the current approach towards releases starts to seem a little... Inappropriate, I suppose?

Take marines, for example. There's already more marine characters than I have brain cells, including a modular plastic Captain, they have a variety of non-FW flyers available, and a big monster just doesn't seem to fit the aesthetic. I'm sure that won't be enough to stop GW's current love of realising giant kits that you have to sell a kidney to afford, but still.

So I guess the question is, do you think the current release philosophy will change now that the older armies have caught up, or do you think we might be stuck with it for the foreseeable future?

I don't think Dark Angels got a MC? I really doubt vanilla Marines will

You're sort of on the nail. The thing is, they'll be going for new releases with every Codex, there's too much money left on the table in just releasing a book with no new models. However, as pointed out the nature of those new units won't be the same across the board.

For instance, Dark Angels didn't get a monster but they DID get two fliers. They also got two new unit boxes, but without any existing squads remade (unless you count standard Deathwing as half the box).
Chaos only got one flier but got two monsters - and again they got a new unit alongside the same box as an old model remade (Warp Talons/Raptors).

There are some patterns, but there's enough wiggle room to not guarantee particular unit types in the updates. I don't think Marines will get a monster either - perhaps a new Dread type at the most.

The release philosophy is built around new plastic kits - whether that's updating old models or adding new ones. There's probably some consideration going on of Apocalypse / City Fight -esque "all races" Codexes. The amount of work put into that is likely to be decided off the success of Apocalypse.

There will almost certainly always be a new unit entry or two in any new codex, where possible fitting in with what the author sees at the theme of the army. So, with Chaos Space Marines, we saw the emphasis of the effect of so much time in the warp with the addition of demon engines (including a flier) and Warp Talons. With Tau, it was the Riptide with a side helping of fliers and some unit updates. Eldar saw the main focus be on updating their necromantic Wraith units, with a side helping of . . . fliers.

So, any time you see a rumour, think about whether its reinforcing an army's themes, but also the limitation of the number kits they can fit into a release - they won't do too many on any one army to keep the pace up on Codex releases. Space Marines will likely be things to reinforce their "rapid reaction force" theme. Guard when they happen will be hordes of men and big gunned tanks.

The other thing you're likely to start seeing is older models being replaced with newer plastics alongside a sub-Codex release similar to Iyanden or Farsight - for example, I expect in that once the Eldar players' collective wallets have recovered from the recent release, Saim-Hann and the long rumoured Jetbike overhaul will be on the cards at some point.

Mc doesnt fit into sm i agree, but why did eldar? Tau already are an army base on suits so giving them a big one made sense....so other than the mc > walker theory why did eldar get one?
Granted im not that versed i eldar lore so i might be missing something.

If you're GW, how do you sell more models? If you already have a Space Marine army, what will you buy when your new Codex comes out? Nothing, because you already have all your Space Marines. That's why we're seeing all new models like the Riptide, Heldrake, and Nephilim, because these are all new things they can sell you. Resculpts of "old and busted" probably don't sell as well as the "new hotness."

This strategy is really evident when you realize it's why they didn't just make plastic kits of the Forgeworld flyers. Because, again, people who already own a resin Hell Blade aren't going to run our and buy a plastic one.