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Obviously not, putting hyperbole aside drbored.

Paper is cheap and comparatively quick to turn around. They can sell you new rules for miniatures you already own, then not keep the rules in print forever and release new books. They satisfy the demand for ‘support’ and ‘new stuff’ without the two-year+ development time for models. Books help cash flow.

They still produce more miniatures than books and that won’t change.

If these books sell well they can reprint to keep up with demand, in Far East for cost or Europe for speed. If they sell ok they’ll sell out and not reprint and still have made their money/moved a story on. If they sell badly they can pulp them for much less risk than cutting an injection mould.

Books are cashflow to GW, they don’t intend to become a bookseller.

As for Chaos Knights, I'm of the opinion those where released in response to fan demand for them. The fanbase has been vocal and consistant in wanting support for chaos knights so GW proably saw an easy codex oppertunity. Modern GW will useally pick low hanging fruit like that

blaktoof wrote:
I predict it will be successful.

PA will end with the end of 40k and the begining of a new game that will be similar in its place called Age of the Emperor. The Emporer will die and be reborn, the details of which will end with the devestation of old Marines, the death and rebirth of the eldar race, the full awakening of the necrontyr, a series of waaaghs so big that gork and mork stop fighting and turn their gaze onto the orks when the first Prime Ork returns (Ghaz), Tau enlightenment, Tyranids main fleets arriving, etc. All storylines will advance to a phase where GW can create new lines of models for major factions- not just new models within the faction line. The end result will be similar to AoS in events, and in scope of model replacement for factions- allowing GW to further their model lines to be more obviously GW specific. (In effect invalidating 3rs party sculpts)

Everyone seems to forget that WHFB was on a serious decline in sales and player numbers by the time AoS was introduced.

The idea that they'll tamper with the current 40k universe when it's still printing money is just completely insane. Even if they could convert a majority of the player-base to an AoS 40k, just 20% dropping out in rage would tank everything they've built since 8th.

Dumb Smart Guy wrote:

blaktoof wrote:
I predict it will be successful.

PA will end with the end of 40k and the begining of a new game that will be similar in its place called Age of the Emperor. The Emporer will die and be reborn, the details of which will end with the devestation of old Marines, the death and rebirth of the eldar race, the full awakening of the necrontyr, a series of waaaghs so big that gork and mork stop fighting and turn their gaze onto the orks when the first Prime Ork returns (Ghaz), Tau enlightenment, Tyranids main fleets arriving, etc. All storylines will advance to a phase where GW can create new lines of models for major factions- not just new models within the faction line. The end result will be similar to AoS in events, and in scope of model replacement for factions- allowing GW to further their model lines to be more obviously GW specific. (In effect invalidating 3rs party sculpts)

Everyone seems to forget that WHFB was on a serious decline in sales and player numbers by the time AoS was introduced.

The idea that they'll tamper with the current 40k universe when it's still printing money is just completely insane. Even if they could convert a majority of the player-base to an AoS 40k, just 20% dropping out in rage would tank everything they've built since 8th.

This is my thinking too. 40k is on the rise, all in all. Things like Kill Team and Apoc, along with games set in the 40k universe (Titanicus, Aeronautica Imperialis, Blackstone Fortress, Necromunda) are all on the rise and still being supported in varying ways. If they change the lore in any significant way, they have to rewrite the lore for all of those games as well.

I wouldn't expect any drastic changes to the lore, not at the scale of AoS (destroying the universe and making it from scratch)

BUT

I wouldn't be surprised to see some major changes in the theaters of war. The map, the territories, the ways people fight, could all change drastically. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eldar finally give up and all join Ynnari, or for the Tau to realize they were Necrontyr all along and join forces with the Necron, or for the Tyranids to suddenly grow a personality and be able to communicate and negotiate. I could see them killing off as many characters as they're introducing, delete planets and make new ones, and wrap up a few plot points only for them to create a bunch of different mysteries that they'll try to make us care about.

And let's be real, we went from 20+ years of the 40k story not changing at all, to suddenly changing a LOT in a short amount of time. I think this is a good thing. Expanding the timeline, heading into the future, it's all good. The issue I have is with the way they're doing it. Hyping it up as the 'worst/best thing ever to happen to 40k' and... really it's just a way to sell a bunch more 50 dollar hardback books...?

I really want there to be some good developments. Have the Tyranids eat Baal and force the Blood Angels to move home planets. That'd really feel like a change in the lore. If they can blow up Cadia, they can blow up Baal too.

Nothing is off the table. Evolving story allows creative freedom to do whatever they like, not just fill in ‘historical’ gaps or remake kits.

drbored wrote:

Dumb Smart Guy wrote:

blaktoof wrote:
I predict it will be successful.

PA will end with the end of 40k and the begining of a new game that will be similar in its place called Age of the Emperor. The Emporer will die and be reborn, the details of which will end with the devestation of old Marines, the death and rebirth of the eldar race, the full awakening of the necrontyr, a series of waaaghs so big that gork and mork stop fighting and turn their gaze onto the orks when the first Prime Ork returns (Ghaz), Tau enlightenment, Tyranids main fleets arriving, etc. All storylines will advance to a phase where GW can create new lines of models for major factions- not just new models within the faction line. The end result will be similar to AoS in events, and in scope of model replacement for factions- allowing GW to further their model lines to be more obviously GW specific. (In effect invalidating 3rs party sculpts)

Everyone seems to forget that WHFB was on a serious decline in sales and player numbers by the time AoS was introduced.

The idea that they'll tamper with the current 40k universe when it's still printing money is just completely insane. Even if they could convert a majority of the player-base to an AoS 40k, just 20% dropping out in rage would tank everything they've built since 8th.

This is my thinking too. 40k is on the rise, all in all. Things like Kill Team and Apoc, along with games set in the 40k universe (Titanicus, Aeronautica Imperialis, Blackstone Fortress, Necromunda) are all on the rise and still being supported in varying ways. If they change the lore in any significant way, they have to rewrite the lore for all of those games as well.

I wouldn't expect any drastic changes to the lore, not at the scale of AoS (destroying the universe and making it from scratch)

BUT

I wouldn't be surprised to see some major changes in the theaters of war. The map, the territories, the ways people fight, could all change drastically. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eldar finally give up and all join Ynnari, or for the Tau to realize they were Necrontyr all along and join forces with the Necron, or for the Tyranids to suddenly grow a personality and be able to communicate and negotiate. I could see them killing off as many characters as they're introducing, delete planets and make new ones, and wrap up a few plot points only for them to create a bunch of different mysteries that they'll try to make us care about.

And let's be real, we went from 20+ years of the 40k story not changing at all, to suddenly changing a LOT in a short amount of time. I think this is a good thing. Expanding the timeline, heading into the future, it's all good. The issue I have is with the way they're doing it. Hyping it up as the 'worst/best thing ever to happen to 40k' and... really it's just a way to sell a bunch more 50 dollar hardback books...?

I really want there to be some good developments. Have the Tyranids eat Baal and force the Blood Angels to move home planets. That'd really feel like a change in the lore. If they can blow up Cadia, they can blow up Baal too.

I honestly think they were ready to pull the trigger with Ynnari but backed away when they saw how much people still liked and used the monocodex elves. Most of the armies are too distinct to consolidate without pissing people off.

Whats more likely to me is they use the story to justify culling the army and character lists. Baal being eaten by Tyranids means they can kill off half the BA characters and cut down on the models.

 Vankraken wrote:

blaktoof wrote:
I predict it will be successful.

PA will end with the end of 40k and the begining of a new game that will be similar in its place called Age of the Emperor. The Emporer will die and be reborn, the details of which will end with the devestation of old Marines, the death and rebirth of the eldar race, the full awakening of the necrontyr, a series of waaaghs so big that gork and mork stop fighting and turn their gaze onto the orks when the first Prime Ork returns (Ghaz), Tau enlightenment, Tyranids main fleets arriving, etc. All storylines will advance to a phase where GW can create new lines of models for major factions- not just new models within the faction line. The end result will be similar to AoS in events, and in scope of model replacement for factions- allowing GW to further their model lines to be more obviously GW specific. (In effect invalidating 3rs party sculpts)

I seriously hope your wrong as that would be probably the most anti consumer path GW could take. That being said it wouldn't surprise me if it happens (it basically happened with AoS, why not skin the 40k sheep as well).

Don’t worry though, the playerbase will lap it up and ask for more. If there is one thing I’ve observed with a lot of newer 40k fans is they seem to dislike literally everything that makes 40k’s background unique and clamour at GW to change it.

It’s such a bizarre stance. 40k’s setting is (if not the) one of the strongest elements it has going for it.

If it fails, it will be because it was not very interesting to the playerbase. GW will eat the loss and move on. It isn't something to worry about. They have had ventures fail before.

I personally will not be satisfied unless Cypher kills the Emperor and his soul is reincarnated as a Sister of Battle. Advance the story!

 Grimtuff wrote:

 Vankraken wrote:

blaktoof wrote:
I predict it will be successful.

PA will end with the end of 40k and the begining of a new game that will be similar in its place called Age of the Emperor. The Emporer will die and be reborn, the details of which will end with the devestation of old Marines, the death and rebirth of the eldar race, the full awakening of the necrontyr, a series of waaaghs so big that gork and mork stop fighting and turn their gaze onto the orks when the first Prime Ork returns (Ghaz), Tau enlightenment, Tyranids main fleets arriving, etc. All storylines will advance to a phase where GW can create new lines of models for major factions- not just new models within the faction line. The end result will be similar to AoS in events, and in scope of model replacement for factions- allowing GW to further their model lines to be more obviously GW specific. (In effect invalidating 3rs party sculpts)

I seriously hope your wrong as that would be probably the most anti consumer path GW could take. That being said it wouldn't surprise me if it happens (it basically happened with AoS, why not skin the 40k sheep as well).

Don’t worry though, the playerbase will lap it up and ask for more. If there is one thing I’ve observed with a lot of newer 40k fans is they seem to dislike literally everything that makes 40k’s background unique and clamour at GW to change it.

It’s such a bizarre stance. 40k’s setting is (if not the) one of the strongest elements it has going for it.

I''ve not heard many people arguing for massive change, some people have suggested they'd like to see some movement and change sure but.. one can still keep the spirit of the setting while having somethings change

 Grimtuff wrote:

 Vankraken wrote:

blaktoof wrote:
I predict it will be successful.

PA will end with the end of 40k and the begining of a new game that will be similar in its place called Age of the Emperor. The Emporer will die and be reborn, the details of which will end with the devestation of old Marines, the death and rebirth of the eldar race, the full awakening of the necrontyr, a series of waaaghs so big that gork and mork stop fighting and turn their gaze onto the orks when the first Prime Ork returns (Ghaz), Tau enlightenment, Tyranids main fleets arriving, etc. All storylines will advance to a phase where GW can create new lines of models for major factions- not just new models within the faction line. The end result will be similar to AoS in events, and in scope of model replacement for factions- allowing GW to further their model lines to be more obviously GW specific. (In effect invalidating 3rs party sculpts)

I seriously hope your wrong as that would be probably the most anti consumer path GW could take. That being said it wouldn't surprise me if it happens (it basically happened with AoS, why not skin the 40k sheep as well).

Don’t worry though, the playerbase will lap it up and ask for more. If there is one thing I’ve observed with a lot of newer 40k fans is they seem to dislike literally everything that makes 40k’s background unique and clamour at GW to change it.

It’s such a bizarre stance. 40k’s setting is (if not the) one of the strongest elements it has going for it.

There is nothing thats changed about the 40k setting in terms ot tone or style - Some people are just super hysterical about Primaris but otherwise its the same tone.

The Imperium is in a worse state than ever before, their enemies are more numerous, the Chaos forces are led by multiple Primarchs, the orks by one of their greatest leaders in centuries.

I cna look at my original Rogue Trader and curent day and recognise more in it now than the years of matt ward and co, see Father Logan on his sleigh, Grey Knights having a pyramid of being super pure, Super super pure and super super super pure etc etc - the wolfy wolf wolf years etc - for one thing the way the setting is discussed has the dark humour it was lacking - read Regimental Standard - thats old school 40k in a new form

Anyone who claims that current 40k is not true to its roots does not know or understand the original.

drbored wrote:


And let's be real, we went from 20+ years of the 40k story not changing at all, to suddenly changing a LOT in a short amount of time. I think this is a good thing. Expanding the timeline, heading into the future, it's all good(..)

Why is that necesseraliy a good thing?



I'm not super into 40k these days, but hasn't the narrative shifted to being more character and story-driven the last few years?