Wargames Illustrated now under new ownership

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**Pacific**

Some interesting news for fans of the magazine

http://wargamesillustrated.co.uk/wargames-illustrated-under-new-ownership/

We are pleased to announce that as of 1 April 2015 Wargames Illustrated Limited is now under the sole ownership of previous editor Dan Faulconbridge.

Dan has been working on WI for ten years now (since WI200) under the stewardship of original owner/creator Duncan Macfarlane and most recently for Battlefront Miniatures.

Dan would like to thank all the guys at Battlefront and particularly the previous Editor in Chief John Paul and owner Peter Simunovich for allowing him to wrestle complete control of the magazine from them, and for their guidance over the last few years.

Wargames Illustrated’ s relationship with Battlefront will continue to be a close one, with the two companies continuing to share premises in Nottingham, WI continuing to feature top quality Flames Of War articles on a regular basis, and Battlefront continuing to distribute the magazine.

The look of the magazine won’t alter radically for the foreseeable future – we will continue to ‘illustrate wargames’ to the highest possible standards. We will also be working tirelessly behind the scenes on creating new ventures and new platforms for ‘the world’s foremost wargames magazine’.

Now, I know there was a lot of negative press when the mag first came under the stewardship of Battlefront, but for me I didn't think there was that much of a change when this happened. Yes, the big FoW releases got the front page, but there was still a lot of wargaming content from other manufacturers.

That being said, I had found myself reading the bi-monthly Wargames: Soldiers & Strategy more than WI over the past few years.

It will be interesting now to see if there is more coverage of Bolt Action and the like, which didn't seem to get anything like the coverage it deserved in WI considering the explosive growth of the game.

**bubber**

Surprised Warlord Games didn't buy it - they're buying up everything else!

**UNCLEBADTOUCH**

Swiftly separated from battlefront before the lawsuits begin lol

**BrookM**

Warlord already has more than enough going on as is, I don't think running a mag on the side is something they'd be willing to take on as well.

**Pacific**

From the sounds of it the magazine is just going to be independent.

As it should be, although the continued proximity to Battlefront means that no doubt it will still be the place to go to for FoW news.

I am looking forward to seeing how it changes though over the next few months though and seeing if they get a bit more breadth of coverage. Some of the lesser known lines covered by Miniature Wargames and the like, and perhaps even some sci-fi and fantasy? They have dabbled with this in the past (usually alternative history, steampunk etc.) although would love it if they did branch out a bit more as I think there is definitely a hole in the market at the moment.

**BrookM**

Just so long as the mag doesn't become grognard centred I'll be happy to pick it up again, as I've always found it enjoyable light reading.

Also, maybe now we'll get some nicer subscription deals with stuff other than Battlefront's junk.

**endtransmission**

The digital version has become a lot nicer over the last few months with all the popouts and zoomable maps, though the videos need to become a lot better... they are far too shakey-cam and low quality to be of any real use.

Thankfully the sound effects only lasted one issue

**filbert**

I like WI - it's a good read and part of my monthly purchase of the holy triumvirate of WI, WS&S and MWG so it is good to see that it will continue as such. Hopefully the split will allow them to focus on a wider range of games as well.

**pgmason**

Quite pleased with this news. I've only recently started reading WI as I get more into historical games, but I generally find it interesting. Under Battlefront its WW2 coverage has understandably been focused primarily on FoW (which I don't play) but hopefully it will be easier for them to include material for other games like Bolt Action (which i do) now.

**Triple9**

This is good news. I hope this means there will be a broader scope of coverage. As much as I like FoW, it will be nice to (maybe) see Bolt Action or Battlegroup.

**BrookM**

Funny enough, from WI's Facebook:

GUESS WHAT WE PLAYED LAST NIGHT?
Away from the office and after the end of the working day, WI staff are often only armed with the vagaries of the camera 'phone. Hence, these shots aren't as good as we like BUT do give a flavour of both and upcoming rule set and a showcase game to be found in the WI 'Zone' at Salute 2015. Many thanks to Osprey and the North Star Military Figures crew for the chance to 'have a go' at adventuring in the city of Frostgrave.

**Pacific**

I know a lot of the elements of the magazine will have been written/planned months in advance, definitely think there is an improvement with Wargames Illustrated over the previous few issues.

It now seems to have become more of an "wargames inc. Flames of War" rather than "Flames of War plus other wargames" type magazine. Actually some non-historical stuff as well (Post-Apoc has featured in the previous few issues, as well as a feature on the new Frostgrave) so definitely encouraging changes.

Not it just needs some articles on Bolt Action for the transformation to be complete!

**endtransmission**

They seem to be drafting in some of the bloggers from Lead-Adventure.de to write articles on the eras that are new to WI, such as the post apocalyptic and wild west articles recently. The increase in modelling articles has also been quite nice to see.

I do agree that it would be nice for some Bolt Action bits to start making an appearance

**BrookM**

I never really got where the notion came from that Wargames Illustrated was supposed to be historical only.

I for one welcome them straying from the path of the grognard and shining a light on other games like 7TV!

**Fenrir Kitsune**

It is much better now that every other page isn't an advert for something battlefront related.

**Pacific**

BrookM wrote:
I never really got where the notion came from that Wargames Illustrated was supposed to be historical only.

I guess it's probably due to the age of the magazine, which I believe pre-dated sci-fi gaming at least(?) and therefore that was just what it covered.

Definitely changed a bit of late though with an article on Frostrave in the latest mag and even a review of Aliens Vs. Predator on the website at the moment(!)

http://wargamesillustrated.co.uk/alien-versus-predator-the-hunt-begins/

**BrookM**

I'm reluctant to call that a review as next to nothing is really told about the game itself, but it's something I suppose.

**Howard A Treesong**

I've got issues from 10-15 years ago with SF or fantasy content in them. It's not commonplace but it was there.

**notprop**

Their new subscription promotion has gone back to being a free FoW boxset. They stopped doing that about two years ago but have restarted now that BF no longer own it?

I had heard there was some sort of deal when BF took offer WI. The mag was on its last legs and was loosing money, I think the new owner helped BF but it on the consession that he was allowed to buy it of them some time later. This seems to have happened.

Where I heard that escapes me. But it's all true, 'onest Guv!

Was thinking of renewing my sub now that you can get this smexy Comets into the deal!

**BrookM**

Huh, I thought you could only get Warlord plastics with a subscription now?

edit.

Wow, could've sworn they had Bolt Action boxed sets up there first.

**Pacific**

I think it varies every month.

Previous month was a Warlord boxset, they have FoW in this month's.

**RobertsMinis**

I got some nice Warlord German Genardiers, a great wee bonus for subscribing.

**BrookM**

I suppose they stopped doing those little historical vignettes then.

**Herzlos**

I quite liked those vignettes, but that was a long time ago. I do miss the freebies (my sub renewed 2 weeks before the Warlord offer).

**notprop**

You can get the vignettes at the shows they attend. Show only models if you will.

I'm not sure if you get them for subscribing at a show or just let them know you subscribe at the stand.

**Azazelx**

BrookM wrote:
Just so long as the mag doesn't become grognard centred I'll be happy to pick it up again, as I've always found it enjoyable light reading.
Also, maybe now we'll get some nicer subscription deals with stuff other than Battlefront's junk.

I was going to subscribe for a couple of years awhile back, but price-wise BF treats Australians with a level of contempt just below GW. So when I realised the price difference, I didn't bother.

**Triple9**

I would subscribe, but the cost to the States is $30 more than the cover price, so it just makes more sense to get it at my FLGS.

**Pacific**

Azazelx wrote:
BrookM wrote:
Just so long as the mag doesn't become grognard centred I'll be happy to pick it up again, as I've always found it enjoyable light reading.
Also, maybe now we'll get some nicer subscription deals with stuff other than Battlefront's junk.

I was going to subscribe for a couple of years awhile back, but price-wise BF treats Australians with a level of contempt just below GW. So when I realised the price difference, I didn't bother.

How do they rationalise that then, based on their home base being (relatively) next-door to you guys ?

Are you able to order FoW at lower rates from overseas traders?

**Azazelx**

Yes. FoW is cheaper to get from the UK