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Or you could do Nids and Guard. 10-20 gaunts and a Warrior or two, and an Infantry squad and a Commisar seems like they could release that for $30-40ish (Although knowing GW, it'll be $60-75 minimum), especially if the Warror was a one-piece model (or unconvertible). Toss in a paper cut-and-paste "bunker" for the guard to defend or something, and you could have a possibility for a neat scenario for an affordable price.

My thoughts, as a relatively new gamer:

1) Prices are too restrictive. I'd love to buy loads more models but simply can't afford to. I'm self employed and it can be months apart before I have enough 'spare' cash to treat myself. Lower the prices without impacting quality
2) Release models for each of the big entries. Give players some out of the box variety, so I don't have to paint my Kabalite Warriors a different colour or add a cape to denote them as Trueborn.
3) For the popular models, ensure that they're sold as full units. Ie, 10 Aspect Warriors instead of 5. It's more appealing to have more for your money, an excess of miniatures, than it to have to spend more to get what you want / need.
4) Make it so that the Specialist Games are available to play in store. You don't even have to stock a lot, you could still keep it as mail order only, but having them available to play gives players the opportunity to get in to them.
5) Ensure that stores have a gaming ready squad of each unit available, as a tabletop 'try before you buy'. Not sure what benefit that Cairn Wraith will have in your VC army? Set up, and try him out.
6) I agree with whoever said take White Dwarf back to how it was 10 years ago. You want it to act as a forum, you only need to look at Dakka and other sites to see what people are interested in seeing and talking about
7) Why not get customers involved in the development process of games and armies? You could run a competition or something similar to invite a number of gamers to HQ per quarter (or whatever) for their thoughts on current versions, what they'd like to see, what hasn't worked etc
8) Improve the marketing strategy! Advertise new models in advance! Let us know what's in development and when it should be released! Secrecy a load of bull, we're all here to enjoy the hobby, why lock us out?
9) Bring back the ability to buy individual sprues / components.
10) In store conversion competitions, ala the sprue bashing tables at Games Day.
11) I think some people need to see more than 'build an army to ultimately game'. I don't have any gaming mates, and would like to see something that would give me an inclination to hang out in my FLGS doing something cheap, yet fun. No idea what this would be though. Refer to last bullet point...? :-S
12) As for miniature development, one change I'd like to see is a ball and socket joint to make different poses easier without having to trim sections off, then green stuff them up
13) I wouldn't even bother with starter packs. I'd give stores / gamers the option to build their own starter pack out of every race available. Someone said in this thread that the CSM box was great, apart from having the possessed? If you could choose your own units then you wouldn't have this problem. So rulebook + codex + units of choice = £ total, taking in to account multi buy discounts or similar. AoBR is restricive to those that don't want to collect SM's or orcs. Same with all starter sets. This suggestion lets 2 friends go halves on a starter kit and get exactly what they want.

No other thoughts for now...

Again, that's actually making a new starter set and then just breaking it into two boxes.

It's not making "legal minimum armies".

It's a minor distinction, but I think it's an important one.
The starter sets more and more aren't seemingly(at least if the 'new' players here on Dakka are an indicator) what people are buying when they "get in" to the game.

If they did the 'campaign pack' idea, I'd fully expect them to do it in such a way that it's a relatively cheap piece($45 for 750 points on each side) and in a small box about the size of maybe a Valkyrie or the High Elf Dragon.

Depending on how the sprues are done and restricting it to infantry only will do alot for the size of the box. The other thing is by making the models 'exclusive' to that box, it gives the players buying the campaign box a unit that they can truly make their own--and which might make people look seriously into starting the armies included by giving them some awesome looking 'signature' unit that can be the centerpiece of the army.

I believe I own a hundred shares (bought it several years back and I think I just left it alone because they weren't getting killed during our 3+ year recession... If we can garner some interest in the gaming community to invest in the Company, then in theory, we should be able to get an actual gamer on their board.

No one quoted my post Spent so long on that




Anyone know how much a share of Games Workshop is, anyway?

Likewise!

(I think the share price was at about 420p last time I looked)

Incidentally, my last post certainly wasn't wish listing. What I describe appears nowhere on my personal list of desires. It would, however, be my recommendation to the board.

R.

precinctomega wrote:Likewise!

(I think the share price was at about 420p last time I looked)

Incidentally, my last post certainly wasn't wish listing. What I describe appears nowhere on my personal list of desires. It would, however, be my recommendation to the board.

R.

420p?

I think that's Pence, their version of pennies.

$4.20 for a share?

Holy Gak, I need to get in on this action!

I would ban most of the people on sites like Dakka from the hobby. Up to and including confiscating their models.

They've all "quit" the hobby anyway.

Worglock wrote:I would ban most of the people on sites like Dakka from the hobby. Up to and including confiscating their models.

They've all "quit" the hobby anyway.

No you wouldn't.

Bad PR.

I think Worglock si a pretty cool guy. eh trolls threds and doesn't afraid of anything.

RatBot wrote:I think Worglock si a pretty cool guy. eh trolls threds and doesn't afraid of anything.

*Insert joke about Warmafail players here.*

*insert typical elitist Warmachine player response to Games Workshop "peon" here*


*derail thread into pointless Warmafail vs. Failhammer debate*




EDIT: added Orkmoticon to cement facetiousness of post.

It wasn't meant as an attack against you, but a joke about how Worglock called Warmachine Warmafail.

coolyo294 wrote:It wasn't meant as an attack against you, but a joke about how Worglock called Warmachine Warmafail.

Yeah, I know.

Anyway, I don't remember if I already posted in this thread, but in case I didn't, summary of what I'd do:

1.)Improved communication with customers such as previews, etc
2.)If not a price decrease, a freeze on prices. If necessary, find a way to reduce production costs.
3.)An official presence at major conventions, just not our own (IE GenCon, whatever the UK and EU equivalent of GenCon might be). I don't think I've ever heard of GW doing anything big at GenCon. Games Day is fine, but the only people going to Games Day are already GW fans. They could, perhaps, attract new customers at other Cons.
4.) If possible, improve support for Specialist Games. Ensure that all rules have models and all models have rules (this would, of course, apply to the main three games as well). It may not be feasible to expand and update them like the main games, but acknowledge they exist and try to promote them a bit beyond that one "What's New Today?" a couple months ago where they showcased them a little.

Oh

5.) Close most retail branches outside the UK/EU. I know that the UK retail chain is quite successful. It is unnecessary in North America, IMO, and if I'm not mistaken, Australia.

@ Slarg232 and precinctomega - As the OP, I read your posts with interest. Some good ideas in both

Slarg232 wrote:

Worglock wrote:I would ban most of the people on sites like Dakka from the hobby. Up to and including confiscating their models.

They've all "quit" the hobby anyway.

No you wouldn't.

Bad PR.

I absolutely would.

It's great PR. Why because you don't have the clowns that have been "quitting GW" (for the past 10 years) getting underfoot.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

coolyo294 wrote:

RatBot wrote:I think Worglock si a pretty cool guy. eh trolls threds and doesn't afraid of anything.

*Insert joke about Warmafail players here.*

Somebody got a case of the defensives.

I would ban most of the people on sites like Dakka from the hobby. Up to and including confiscating their models.

That's not a cure though pal, doing so just means that the people on the board have no passion for the hobby, which would make it even more stagnant - a company steered by people with no interest in what they're about is doomed to fail.

I know where you're coming from and what your'e saying, but I think it's only healthy to have a few voices speaking up and being heard, putting across the views of the forum masses. It's just about a companies relationship with their customers.

I agree with point one. That is totally logical.

My other thought is the concept of beta testing games. Get some of the die-hard gamers from around GW HQ, swear them to secrecy, and let them go hog wild. I think that may help the game become more balanced.

Ok, I've had another thought. Either, get rid of White Dwarf, or take a leaf out of Hornby Mag's book, and make it a bit more independent, otherwise, I am paying £5 for an advert.

Rant over, my soap-box broke...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Yet another idea. 200-300pt armies for around £30-40. It would mean that me an a mate who's interested could walk into a store and we could start an army at the same time, which is great fun.

kitch102 wrote:

I would ban most of the people on sites like Dakka from the hobby. Up to and including confiscating their models.

That's not a cure though pal, doing so just means that the people on the board have no passion for the hobby, which would make it even more stagnant - a company steered by people with no interest in what they're about is doomed to fail.

I know where you're coming from and what your'e saying, but I think it's only healthy to have a few voices speaking up and being heard, putting across the views of the forum masses. It's just about a companies relationship with their customers.

You need to understand the real story here.

You see, one day, after a trip to his local GW with his parents, a young Worglock was merrily leaving the store, a box of Space Marines clutched in his hands, when suddenly, as they approached their car in the parking garage, a Warjack jumped out from behind a dumpster. The steam-powered monstrosity looked the terrified child dead in the eye and asked "Hey, kid, ever dance with Deneghra in the pale moonlight?" and shot both his parents.

Years later, as a millionaire GW Hobbyist, he made a solemn vow. Never again would this city and its loyal GW fans live in fear of other games. He would become a symbol, fighting to protect Games Worskhop games and punish those who would dare show disloyalty to their old hobby.

He's the hero Games Workshop deserves, but not the one it needs right now.

He is:

THE GRIMDARK KNIGHT!

RatBot wrote:

kitch102 wrote:

I would ban most of the people on sites like Dakka from the hobby. Up to and including confiscating their models.

That's not a cure though pal, doing so just means that the people on the board have no passion for the hobby, which would make it even more stagnant - a company steered by people with no interest in what they're about is doomed to fail.

I know where you're coming from and what your'e saying, but I think it's only healthy to have a few voices speaking up and being heard, putting across the views of the forum masses. It's just about a companies relationship with their customers.

You need to understand the real story here.

You see, one day, after a trip to his local GW with his parents, a young Worglock was merrily leaving the store, a box of Space Marines clutched in his hands, when suddenly, as they approached their car in the parking garage, a Warjack jumped out from behind a dumpster. The steam-powered monstrosity looked the terrified child dead in the eye and asked "Hey, kid, ever dance with Deneghra in the pale moonlight?" and shot both his parents.

Years later, as a millionaire GW Hobbyist, he made a solemn vow. Never again would this city and its loyal GW fans live in fear of other games. He would become a symbol, fighting to protect Games Worskhop games and punish those who would dare show disloyalty to their old hobby.

He's the hero Games Workshop deserves, but not the one it needs right now.

He is:

THE GRIMDARK KNIGHT!

You sir, just made my day

RatBot wrote:

kitch102 wrote:

I would ban most of the people on sites like Dakka from the hobby. Up to and including confiscating their models.

That's not a cure though pal, doing so just means that the people on the board have no passion for the hobby, which would make it even more stagnant - a company steered by people with no interest in what they're about is doomed to fail.

I know where you're coming from and what your'e saying, but I think it's only healthy to have a few voices speaking up and being heard, putting across the views of the forum masses. It's just about a companies relationship with their customers.

You need to understand the real story here.

You see, one day, after a trip to his local GW with his parents, a young Worglock was merrily leaving the store, a box of Space Marines clutched in his hands, when suddenly, as they approached their car in the parking garage, a Warjack jumped out from behind a dumpster. The steam-powered monstrosity looked the terrified child dead in the eye and asked "Hey, kid, ever dance with Deneghra in the pale moonlight?" and shot both his parents.

Years later, as a millionaire GW Hobbyist, he made a solemn vow. Never again would this city and its loyal GW fans live in fear of other games. He would become a symbol, fighting to protect Games Worskhop games and punish those who would dare show disloyalty to their old hobby.

He's the hero Games Workshop deserves, but not the one it needs right now.

He is:

THE GRIMDARK KNIGHT!

I really wish I had enough space to sig this.

kitch102 wrote:

RatBot wrote:

kitch102 wrote:

I would ban most of the people on sites like Dakka from the hobby. Up to and including confiscating their models.

That's not a cure though pal, doing so just means that the people on the board have no passion for the hobby, which would make it even more stagnant - a company steered by people with no interest in what they're about is doomed to fail.

I know where you're coming from and what your'e saying, but I think it's only healthy to have a few voices speaking up and being heard, putting across the views of the forum masses. It's just about a companies relationship with their customers.

You need to understand the real story here.

You see, one day, after a trip to his local GW with his parents, a young Worglock was merrily leaving the store, a box of Space Marines clutched in his hands, when suddenly, as they approached their car in the parking garage, a Warjack jumped out from behind a dumpster. The steam-powered monstrosity looked the terrified child dead in the eye and asked "Hey, kid, ever dance with Deneghra in the pale moonlight?" and shot both his parents.

Years later, as a millionaire GW Hobbyist, he made a solemn vow. Never again would this city and its loyal GW fans live in fear of other games. He would become a symbol, fighting to protect Games Worskhop games and punish those who would dare show disloyalty to their old hobby.

He's the hero Games Workshop deserves, but not the one it needs right now.

He is:

THE GRIMDARK KNIGHT!

You sir, just made my day

And mine XD

I think to improve the gaming experience and draw in more people, you could bring back the expansions, I fondly remeber the old 40k ones, such as the battle of piscina, Dark Angels Vs Orks... it was a campaign in a box with cardboard terrain.

There were no models in the sets but special rules for Characters.

The best part was that the missions could be used by any race, but atleast the expansion gave you some fluff, some games and also operated an escalation system as it went on.
So you also had skirmish games, slightly bigger battles then if you wanted you could go epic.

This allowed new gamers or those wanting to start a new army to slowly grow one slowly and learn to use it effectively, or use parts of existing armies.

If you targetted these expansions at specific periods in Warhammer or 40k lore.... such as Rynns world, or the Battle of Iyanden etc. It could be a real winner.

Low cost, low commitment, covers different gaming areas and allows people to experiment with new stuff without handing over their wallet.

dantay_xv wrote:I think to improve the gaming experience and draw in more people, you could bring back the expansions, I fondly remeber the old 40k ones, such as the battle of piscina, Dark Angels Vs Orks... it was a campaign in a box with cardboard terrain.

There were no models in the sets but special rules for Characters.

The best part was that the missions could be used by any race, but atleast the expansion gave you some fluff, some games and also operated an escalation system as it went on.
So you also had skirmish games, slightly bigger battles then if you wanted you could go epic.

This allowed new gamers or those wanting to start a new army to slowly grow one slowly and learn to use it effectively, or use parts of existing armies.

If you targetted these expansions at specific periods in Warhammer or 40k lore.... such as Rynns world, or the Battle of Iyanden etc. It could be a real winner.

Low cost, low commitment, covers different gaming areas and allows people to experiment with new stuff without handing over their wallet.

Genuine question here - is that not what the Badab War books are about? I've not spent £50 on one yet so don't know.

Here are my thoughts, which are just my opinions mind everyone, on how GW could increase their sales and expand their products. In no particular order, here they are:

1) Bring back a cheaper, faster paced set of games. Gorka Morka, Necromunda, and so forth. That way you get a variety of fast paced game play and you long for the epic larger battles after taking a break. I know there is blood bowl but I never was really interested in playing it. Plus I loved leveling up my Necromunda gangs.

2) Create some very simple entry level board games (think risk, axis and allies, etc) that are based in the GW universes. Include a few minor models, and make the game stream lined and simple. Have it be an introduction piece to the larger, more complicated universe.

3) Get with the times. I think the biggest pain for me getting back into war gaming after taking nearly a 15 year break from it, was the fact that so much had changed and I had to buy a ton of books, which to be honest, I wasn't happy about. Create subscription based ebook apps, and give your customer all the rules for all the games for a yearly fee of like $50, that way you got a guaranteed $50 from me a year, and you still sell your printed books for those that don't want the digital copies. Plus GW stands to make way more profit off of model sales. If I have access to every rule and army book I am inclined to play more armies. You give access to all the books for really cheap for all the games, and people will be more inclined to play. Some games already supply digital versions of the books for free online and it hasn't put them out of business.

4) fix the games. There are so many broken things in both 40K and Fantasy (more so in Fantasy I think) that can really just lay waste to an army. Plus there are tons of balance issues at certain point scales. I hate to say it, but simplify the core units, and tone down the special characters. I know it adds flavor to the game but it also comes with a ton of issues. I cannot tell you how much I hate the Dark Elf army, it is so broken. I will admit that most special characters in Fantasy are not worth their points though (some exceptions) so I never use them. However, a lot of times it seems that you have to play against a certain army's strategy and if your opponent decides to not use that it sort of hurts you, and vice versa of course.

5) Offer deals. Say if you spend x amount you get 20% off your purchase, or holiday deals, or large boxed sets which are discounted. I can tell you that when I dusted off my old models from the late 80s and early 90s I revamped them almost exclusively off of ebay, buying used. I probably saved 50% easily of overall cost if I had bought them new. This means GW didn't see any of my money. I will continue to do so because so far I haven't got a bad deal yet and all the models came as advertised so I have no complaints. Old customers who have been playing for a while and want to build a new army will often buy used, because it is the same thing but cheaper. I was also able to buy lots of bits for my old models to modernize them. Plus, I don't really feel like spending $50 on a Land Raider when I already have the original one, though the new one does look cooler.

6) Tap into new markets. They have done this with video games, and the new Space Marines game looks kind of cool actually. They also tapped into literature, which sells. Now, if they could only come up with an animated series....that would be freaking awesome. Then maybe even movies. I know that is a stretch and it is a risk and it may not pay off, but at some point they really need to expand into that manner.

These are just my opinions

@ kitsch102. I have no idea, I havent bought any of the Imperial Armour books as I generally wouldnt spend £50 on a book.

I'd rather spend £20-30, on an expansion that I could use, based on gw rules (nothing experimental) and doesnt mean that I need special permission to use certain mini's, i.e. I could use the rules in a standard game too.

The other great thing about an expansion set is you can consider to split the costs with a friend too. Especially if it is less than say £30.

I do not kow but with IA I would find it hard to decide who keeps the book as for many that kind of cash is a hefty investment

At the mo, my limit is £30 a month, which means 1 month is supplies and 1 month is models, or I wait a few months to make a significant purchase.