There is something i feel should be pointed out here.
From the beginning: i got into
40k decades ago about 1990 - so i've seen
GW's practices, not quite from the beginning, but pretty close.
you didn't hear about
40k; you accidentally wandered into a shop because it said 'D&D' in the window and started asking questions about the sci-fi models they had in the cabinet.
After that you might buy into it and then you would go to the same shop to meet people who also play the game and maybe pick up a copy of white dwarf.
THIS IS BEFORE THE INTERNET OR MOBILE PHONES what you didn't get from white dwarf or your store owner or the parts catalouge you
just didn't have or didn't know about. end of.
The only reason that
GW even
exists today is because people like me put our money into it back then, and let me tell you, prices were cheaper!
You could get any part you wanted from any model you wanted for about £1 maybe £2 and you could just buy the parts to upgrade your rhino to a razorback if you felt you wanted to.
We made the community that supported their company, we (the players) supported their stores, it became our community hub (no internet, no mobile phones!) - they encouraged us to do so to 'make the hobby our own'.
they used to supply models, terrain, game books, templates and dice to anyone who walked in the door wanting to play because
GW knew that as soon as they got into it, they would be buying multiple armies. and
IT WORKED.
Now look at things today; you have to ask in advance and then jump through hoops to even use one of
GW's tables, you have to bring everything (may as well do it at home now, you can smoke/drink while doing it), no proxying allowed, staff get funny over 'houseruling' in their store (even though
BRB enshrines it), you can't buy bits now, white dwarf is now a mini catalouge, we all go to a forum rather than the
flgs for hobby info, and most importantly - that statement from the
GW CEO stated how they now view us all -
Games Workshop is in the business of selling toy soldiers to children. - Tom Kirby, Chairman of Games Workshop PLC
If you play
40k and buy the models; he's talking about YOU.
Personally - if someone insults me as casually as that and despite having that pointed out to them still maintains that attitude - thats the opening of hostilities, and they are going to have to do some
serious ass-kissing for me to forgive and let it drop.
There are three people in this thread who eigther didn't see that era or have developed 'stockholm syndrome' towards the company and i don't see why.
Since when did
GW earn that loyalty from you? what did they do that impressed you so much youre willing to spend time on this thread (which was answered ages ago) arguing against the general concensus - they don't deserve your devotion.
BTW please avoid falling into the trap of feeling burned because the other guy got the same models for a fraction of the price; there's satisfaction in knowing you have the 'genuine' item, right? i'm feeling that with 'Bello Canis' my Warhound.
On a positive note, I see the new Skittarii stuff as the first step in the right direction for
GW - the ranger squads are reasonably priced and the codex being £20 was refreshing. only dissapointment was the Onager at £40; £30 and i would be defending
GW for 'doing the right thing'.
On a negative note, vehicles are still typically about £45 - that's too much for a plastic kit. All their vehicles need to come down in price a bit - how much spare cash do they think the children they sell to have?!?
