Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.
2014/02/28 12:57:58
Subject: Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
RegalPhantom wrote: If your fluff doesn't fit, change your fluff until it does
The prefect example of someone missing the point.
Do not underestimate the Squats. They survived for millenia cut off from the Imperium and assailed on all sides. Their determination and resilience is an example to us all.
-Leman Russ, Meditations on Imperial Command book XVI (AKA the RT era White Dwarf Commpendium).
Its just a shame that they couldn't fight off Andy Chambers.
Warzone Plog
2014/02/28 14:32:40
Subject: Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
I'd say yes they are, and the training is carried out by Dakka Dakka.
How could they not when they are constantly being denigrated by posters on the forum?
If the thought of something makes me giggle for longer than 15 seconds, I am to assume that I am not allowed to do it. item 87, skippys list
DC:70S+++G+++M+++B+++I++Pw40k86/f#-D+++++A++++/cWD86R+++++T(D)DM++
2014/02/28 14:58:54
Subject: Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
I don't think GW actively trains their employees to apply more or less hate to certain online sites. I think they tell their employees to focus on sales and to understand that a "small" portion of their client base in engaged with non-GW supported internet sites and may be a difficult customer. I think GW is way, way too big an aloof to individually target any internet forum.
My main issue with GW employees is that they can't admit when something is sub-par. I don't even tell them what army I'm playing if I drop into a store to look around because I don't want to be pushed another crap unit. They'd get a lot further with me if they admitted something is bad, rather than defending it as good. I'm more likely to buy something if they agree to some level with me, where as I am probably going to buy nothing if they keep blowing smoke up my arse.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/02/28 14:59:57
CSM Undivided
CSM Khorne
2014/02/28 16:38:51
Subject: Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
GW employees are probably trained to direct people to the GW website as GW want themselves to be the only source of news to a new hobbyist, their website and their own magazine. Their staff are there to sell only the GW hobby which is why they only allow their own product in store and depending on how far the redshirt takes it, forbid discussion into other products (according to some accounts online). GW discourage the new hobbyist from actually exploring the hobby and, again depending on the redshirt, will claim GW is unique or that there aren't alternatives (extreme anecdotal examples are of redshirts flat out denying the existence of other fantasy companies).
Dakka is a prime example of a large community in which none of the GW rules apply, people discuss where to get discounts and alternative miniature suppliers and are free to critique products. None of these things GW want to encourage and wish to steer their new hobbyists, those they focus on most, away. Maybe some redshirts take it too far and trash talk the site, that doesn't amount to GW training people to 'hate' Dakka but it is a reflection of their corporate attitude.
2014/02/28 19:02:37
Subject: Re:Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
They are not only trained to hate Dakkadakka, but any site not in line of the "GW hhhobby."
It is a matter of corperation D baggery that comes with working in that sort of environment. On the surface its pretty standard SOP, and theres really not that mutch that a redshirt can do or say about dakka. You can see where that might build up a little operational resentment.
If you dig on the interwebs for the letters G and W, and add in something about employees... and a handbook..... You might find out something pretty interesting.
At Games Workshop, we believe that how you behave does matter. We believe this so strongly that we have written it down in the Games Workshop Book. There is a section in the book where we talk about the values we expect all staff to demonstrate in their working lives. These values are Lawyers, Guns and Money.
2014/02/28 19:46:58
Subject: Re:Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
Grot 6 wrote: They are not only trained to hate Dakkadakka, but any site not in line of the "GW hhhobby."
It is a matter of corperation D baggery that comes with working in that sort of environment. On the surface its pretty standard SOP, and theres really not that mutch that a redshirt can do or say about dakka. You can see where that might build up a little operational resentment.
If you dig on the interwebs for the letters G and W, and add in something about employees... and a handbook..... You might find out something pretty interesting.
I did just this Grot, and I haven't read it in detail, but... So. Much. Hypocrisy.
It's going to take weeks to get all that bs scrubbed out of my brain!
We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark
The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.
The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox
The people who defend GW on forums are truly amusing, because if GW had their way you wouldn't be able to discuss anything about "the hobby" on any forum period.
My Armies:
5,500pts 2,700pts 2,000pts
2014/03/01 08:47:02
Subject: Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
Azazelx wrote: So what the feth is HHHobby supposed to mean/stand for, anyway?
GW like to refer to 'the GW hobby' as if they were the hobby in it's entirety or not part of the wider tabletop miniature wargaming hobby and a hobby unto themselves.
This is of course stupid and so referring to the HHHobby is a way of making fun of that.
Fafnir wrote: Oh, I certainly vote with my dollar, but the problem is that that is not enough. The problem with the 'vote with your dollar' response is that it doesn't take into account why we're not buying the product. I want to enjoy 40k enough to buy back in. It was my introduction to traditional games, and there was a time when I enjoyed it very much. I want to buy 40k, but Gamesworkshop is doing their very best to push me away, and simply not buying their product won't tell them that.
2014/03/03 12:17:05
Subject: Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
I always imagine a GW rep saying "HHHOBBY" because he's getting an orgasm of joy, truth and undying love for the one and only tabletop company out there.
Fatum Iustum Stultorum
Fiat justitia ruat caelum
2014/03/03 12:30:00
Subject: Re:Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
I can tell you from friends in middle ranks of the retail and sales side of GW, that GW's upper ranks in those fields, in the UK anyway, actively discourage forum use and believe forums to be hotbeds of 'bitter exes', hobbyists who quit GW but can't help but endlessly troll and attack GW for anything and everything. I know that at least one of them was 'outed' as posting on this forum and his direct supervisor had a word and recommended very strongly that he stop posting. I also know that an ex store manager I know was told to get rid of one of his employees for their posting on forums by his area manager, despite all the employee doing was posting in painting and modelling type areas, the store manager refused, was himself threatened and went over his area manager's head, which resulted in he and the employee being saved but also warned to stop posting as the minis could identify the poster as a GW employee.
I believe it's all part of the moat and wall thing, I find it a great shame as I think active and open interaction, both from the people who love the games and work at the company, along with some 'official online reps', who don't just tow company lines of cut/paste legalese but actively engage with the community and bring these interactions to the board rooms and team meetings, would reap the company real dividends not only in tailoring product, but in rebuilt bridges. Whilst there are some posters on any of these forums who do literally give the company no credit at all, I know many of us are basically more than willing to interact with them again.
Can you imagine if the Forge World crew came onto Dakka for a Q&A session filtered through the mods or if there was a preview for the next codex with the writers talking through it.
If GW could see that there are always going to be a small amount of people who are never going to be satisfied or just post vitriol for the sake of it and differentiate between them and those of us with legitimate concerns but who want the games they love to do well, and started to interact with us instead of seemingly hiding behind a bunker and treating all of us as the enemy... Well, I still believe open interaction and 360 feedback can really help the company, and rebuilt the relationship between it, it's employees and it's customers.
2014/03/03 12:30:42
Subject: Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
If you dig on the interwebs for the letters G and W, and add in something about employees... and a handbook..... You might find out something pretty interesting.
It was most certainly enlightening.....
We know that what we do is not for everyone. As a niche business we appeal to a
relatively small group of people – those who love to collect, paint, model and play with
our miniatures. Our job is to find these people and supply them with the highest quality
models, punctual delivery and superior service. This is because our customers’ main
concern is with value and quality, not with price. In a business like ours respect for our
customers is absolutely paramount
Games Workshop respects loyalty from its employees. The company therefore rewards
and celebrates hard work, dedication and length of service at several milestones in your
career with us.
As you achieve five years service you will become a ‘Five Year Veteran’ and you will
receive a personalised Games Workshop gift.
After ten years of service you become a Ten Year Veteran. At this time you will receive
personalised Games Workshop gifts including an invitation to the exclusive Veteran’s
black tie dinner. Ten Year Veterans also receive a one-off 10 days extra leave. You can
take these days over a period of 2 consecutive calendar years, starting from the day
after the dinner.
At times you may receive gifts from the company which are Games Workshop products,
or personalised items or gifts for special occasions. Selling these gifts is not permitted.
Should you wish to give away gifts which you received from Games Workshop for
whatever reason, please consult your manager beforehand to obtain written permission
I think GW view Dakka, the same way that Politicians view the public who criticize them. It goes with the territory...
I would always advocate free forum, over "Officially Sanctioned and endorsed one" where peoples posts are routinely removed from a forum if they aren't inline with how the company feels or perceives itself..
The Battlefront, Flames of War Forum comes to mind....
So I would say it's a healthy discourse, I don't think they hate Dakka, it's more a mirror they can look into, warts and all, no holds barred, out of this myriad of posts does come themes and recurring grievances, suggestions and in some cases praise! Burying your head in the sand or self-deluded-narcissism aren't healthy options.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/03/04 14:02:28
Collecting Forge World 30k????? If you prefix any Thread Subject line on 30k or Pre-heresy or Horus Heresy with [30K] we can convince LEGO and the Admin team to create a 30K mini board if we can show there is enough interest!
2014/03/04 14:40:02
Subject: Are GW employees trained to hate dakka dakka?
As mostly everyone has explained, its clear why some GW employees wouldn't like this site.
However, I wonder what would happen if GW opened a forum section on their official site? I mean since we have already stated that they don't have a facebook page, maybe its true that they don't want to allow too much interaction with the customers on the internet due to the fact that there will be a lot of hate and demands etc...
In my experience GW trys to get people to stay away from forums, i definitely think if they could make them dissapear... "Speak no evil, hear no evil" and all that.
Few months ago my local manager ranted at me when i said there was a discussion about a rule on a forum, i can't quote it word for word but it was something like "They contribute nothing to the hobby", "Most of them don't even play and just want arguments" and "Degenerates who don't leave there house".
CSM Undivided
CSM Khorne 
