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The ork codex will be released after the models. This is a new sequence for GW, as the codex is normally in the first wave. This begs to question, why the change?

I do not think that this is a supply issue. GW sits on its sculpts for a long time prior to release. If they did not have the books handy, then they could have delayed the release.

I have heard some people say that it is related to the Chapterhouse case. They said that GW wants to bring out the book last, so that noone can be inspired by the images in the book to create original sculpts. By releasing the models first, GW can argue that the physical products were available, and that inspiration from the images alone is unlikely.

I prefer to think that it may be related to market research. GW may be interested in the effects of rules on the purchasing habits of players. By releasing the rules last, they can determine what percentage of ork players will buy models regardless of their rules, and then what models sell better when they have good rules.

What do you think?

I am taking the cynical approach and saying that GW have begun to realize that yes, people DO buy their models to play the game, not just to 'collect citadel miniatures' but GW haven't decided to put any more effort into their rules writing so instead they are just trying to get people to buy before seeing what the rules actually are.

(Yes I know they are putting the rules in the WDs but that is not nearly enough to work with.)

 jonolikespie wrote:
I am taking the cynical approach and saying that GW have begun to realize that yes, people DO buy their models to play the game, not just to 'collect citadel miniatures' but GW haven't decided to put any more effort into their rules writing so instead they are just trying to get people to buy before seeing what the rules actually are.

(Yes I know they are putting the rules in the WDs but that is not nearly enough to work with.)

Well, there's your answer at the end. To sell white dwarfs to sell models to sell codexes. Because they aren't overcharging enough on the codex and models in the first place

I don't think it tells GW anything to see if people buy the models before the codex is released.

There are some people who buy models only for painting. They might buy models now or later.

There are also plenty of existing Ork players who presumably will buy some new models and then buy the codex when it comes out later. Some Ork players will wait for the codex, decide what new units they want and buy the kits later on.

There will be other people who buy the codex then decide to play Orks and buy models after working out an army list.

I have no idea how GW could tell the difference between these groups of people.

 Kilkrazy wrote:
I don't think it tells GW anything to see if people buy the models before the codex is released.

There are some people who buy models only for painting. They might buy models now or later.

There are also plenty of existing Ork players who presumably will buy some new models and then buy the codex when it comes out later. Some Ork players will wait for the codex, decide what new units they want and buy the kits later on.

There will be other people who buy the codex then decide to play Orks and buy models after working out an army list.

I have no idea how GW could tell the difference between these groups of people.

I think that GW may be particularly interested in comparing the sales numbers for the items prior to the codex release with the numbers after the release. If the stuff sells just as well prior to the codex being released as after it is released, then the rules have no appreciable effect on sales. This would give GW the green light to put zero effort into the rules. In fact, they would likely perform some kind of cost benefit analysis on the money spent playtesting versus the money gained in sales.

I also suspect that the time of purchase tells them something about the buyer. Relatively few new players will purchase kits prior to the release of a codex. Thus the early purchases are likely to be made by veteran players with that army or painters. If the kits sell well prior to the release of the codex it would suggest that the vets really like the race (are dedicated to it) or that the painters like the new kit.

 spaceelf wrote:
The ork codex will be released after the models. This is a new sequence for GW, as the codex is normally in the first wave. This begs to question, why the change?

Nope, not a new sequence. - They actually did it one better with the Astra Militarum release. If my memory is correct.

Week 1: Release Scion models and Taurox, rules in White Dwarf, including Imperial Guard Codex.
Week 2: Release Militarum Tempestus Codex.
Week 3: Release Something Else
Week 4: Release Codex Astra Militarum.

The Tempestus codex might have been the same week though. In any case, it doesn't massively change the point.

I think it's a way to make the White Dwarfs worth a purchase.

I've heard good things about the weekly anyway, but releasing rules through the white dwarf developes interest.

Let's think about it this way. I knew my Spehs marheen codex was coming, I bought it about two months afterwards. I bought the AM and I was psyched for it - I'm psyched for the ork codex as well.

Don't confuse garnering interest with laze. It's a very effective tactic. Why do you think movies have like a full month of adverts before they release?

I think the OP has it the wrong way around; the Market Research is done and this is the result.

We have been pondering this at my club and had a bit of a chat with a few GW managers. This came about by allot of members lamenting the wait (4weeks, really?) for a codex.

The consensus is that it is to maximise the effect on those that will impulse buy new products with the weekly realease schedule. A codex straight off would have allot of players formulating list of effective units and not buying cool model kits as well as undermining the surprise of each weeks new releases.

The second half of this is that those players that wait for he codex will get so excited by the massive (really?) 4 week wait that they will go out and splurge on a host of new kits before the books. Effectively reinforcing the first type of behaviour.

I don't know if this will work on the gaming community in general, we tend to be a cynical bunch nonetheless the are allot of gamers that just like the shineys so ymmv.

I think it is a supply issue, it gives them 4 extra weeks to make up stock. Considering they closed down the production side of Memphis is all coming from the factory in the UK.

Giving lead time makes sense in a few ways:

1) It sells white dwarf

2) It sells some kits before rules are even out to compare to other things in the book. Imagine if you saw the pyrovore in a bubble before seeing the rules for hive guard, they would have sold more.

3) It sells potentially crap options forcing people to rebuy it after release. Lets be honest, flash gitz are crap compared to 5 S8 T7 plasma cannons for 150pts.

4) Gives them a chance to build stockpiles.