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First of all this is not an "I hate GW" thread and I'm certainly not just nagging about... well you all know.
And I'd prefer if you didn't either.

Don't get me wrong I still love GW's miniatures!

EXCUSE the spelling and grammatical mistakes and stuff... Also the general RANDOMNESS of this post,
It's 2 in the morning. Give me a break!



Now let me tell you all a very sad tale...

I remember a time when Games Workshop still actively involved itself with the hobby. A time where Dinosaurs roamed the Earth...
One of the ways in which GW actively involved themselves was through their website(s). (They had one for each major country)

Once upon a time these GW Websites were a great hobby resource that all Hobbyists could enjoy, a vast (well not that vast actually but pretty big) treasure trove of knowledge for the avid wargamer.
Alas they even had a separate area for the sales which was separated from all the good the Hobby stuff.



But that is inconceivable I hear you say 'how could GW be that cool? ' 'Were they once actual Hobbyists just like us?'.

Such talk is understandable...
Some of you didn't experience the change and don't know any better...
For some it may be too long ago for you to remember...
However a few of us actually do remember...
Those of us that do mourn the loss of a once great asset.

Circa 2008 (not exactly sure on the date) for whatever reason GW decided to shut these great websites down never to be seen again (or so I thought) and replace them with the excuse for a Wargaming company website we see today...

The only good thing was that we could get this with the launch of the new website...


A model which is exceptional and all... I have one... but I think I'd rather have the website.

As we know now the website has been transformed into a bland store front with only a few meager tutorials here and there that are not very inspiring in the least...

'But why did they do that?' I hear you ask.

Alas I wish I knew...

From that day on GW chose to pursue a different path. A path that was centered on making money, instead of centering their business on the Hobby we know and love(d)...

I don't know if that was necessarily the better path to take, but they must have had their reasons.

All I know is from that day forth GW decided to make our hobby;
a little less welcoming...
a little less fun...
a little less affordable.

I could go on but there are plenty of threads for that!

This seemed to be the first domino in the series of events that have lead to the situation we have today.
With more than a few hobbyists falling out of love with GW...

Oh, and did you know that White Dwarf actually used to be good too!
I know right!
Who would have thought?



Anyway enough with the sad stuff...
This is what prompted me to write this at 2am on this fine morning.


Just now I accidentally discovered a way to access GW's old website (the US one anyway) and I felt that I had to share it with you.
I was browsing through and was surprised by how much things have changed...
have a look for yourselves....http://web.archive.org/web/20071011004700/http://us.games-workshop.com/default.htm
Unfortunately not all the links work, it's difficult to navigate (because I can't find the search function) and a lot of the pictures are broken... but it's still there.

It's just crazy how much things have changed.
I didn't realise before this just how bad things have become... It's like GW is a completely different company.

Hey once upon a time GW even recommended that you buy supplies from another hobby company (Woodland Scenics) in one of their articles.

And MADNESS like using junk and basic materials to build terrain was once suggested... HELL IT WAS EVEN ENCOURAGED!!!!!!

What kind of a sick world is this?

EDIT (Site map helps) http://web.archive.org/web/20071010092314/http://us.games-workshop.com/home/site_map.htm

And the award for disjointed, rambling and confusing opening post of 2013 goes to...

^Thank you sir! What do I win?

 MeanGreenStompa wrote:
And the award for disjointed, rambling and confusing opening post of 2013 goes to...

Seriously. I'm all on-board for threads that legitimately criticize GW, but does this really need to be its own thread?

Let this be a lesson kids - don't post while sleep deprived.

 infinite_array wrote:

 MeanGreenStompa wrote:
And the award for disjointed, rambling and confusing opening post of 2013 goes to...

Seriously. I'm all on-board for threads that legitimately criticize GW, but does this really need to be its own thread?

Let this be a lesson kids - don't post while sleep deprived.

While I am quite sleep deprived...

You are missing the point.

LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR
The purpose of this Thread is certainly not to criticize GW!

The purpose of this thread is... Well? Um?

Just look at the links. GW's old website was once hobby centered and that reflected it's attitude then.
It's just really interesting to see just how different things are now
What if things had continued like they once were?
I justwanted to share that with you all.

Now THAT is why I wrote what I wrote.

"I can tell you that the purpose of this thread IS NOT TO CRITISISE GW."

Saying it over and over doesn't make it true, y'know. Just embrace what it is.

 Flying Pooo wrote:
^Thank you sir! What do I win?

A closed thread?

Moving on!