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2024/09/19 18:01:44
Subject: Re:Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
SirDonlad wrote: I still think my title edit suggestion is better - primarily because 'gravely ill' in the new context is a rather unfortunate pun and the title of this thread is among the search results which announce his condition and thus reads veeeeery differently.
Um. That's strange. I have the opposite reaction to the thread title vs your suggested title.
"Gravely ill" means the health situation is very serious, with a high risk of death. Nothing punny about it. Sadly, the actual medical situation here is even worse than 'high risk', but nonetheless it's a well-worn phrase that seems appropriate in this context.
On the other hand, to me, saying "mortally wounded at the battle of Salute" would sound flippant and disrespectful. It would be making a joke out of something that shouldn't be joked about. Except by Paul himself, should he wish to, of course.
You could say he was "mortally wounded" if he had sustained a light injury, such as a cut or a broken toe or something.
I really don't want to start an Internet Fight (this is hardly the thread for it) but I am curious about whether anyone else reads the thread titles the way I do, vs the way Sir Donlad does. Call it professional curiosity due to my day job in writing-related fields. The phrases might read differently in different English-speaking countries, for instance.
I read it the same way as Zenithfleet personally.
ChargerIIC wrote: If algae farm paste with a little bit of your grandfather in it isn't Grimdark I don't know what is.
2024/09/19 18:06:10
Subject: Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
It is with great regret that we must announce that co-founder of Warlord Games Paul Sawyer passed away on the evening of 27th March 2025, following a long battle with brain cancer.
Paul was a man of enormous character, and he fought tooth and nail to the end, always in good spirits. He was a true friend to us all. That he passed surrounded by the love of his family is a blessing.
We offer our sincerest condolences to Paul's family - his wife Julie, his daughters Catherine & Holly, and his granddaughter Aurora-Rose, whom he was fortunate enough to be able to meet before his passing.
Paul was not a man to be made a fuss of, he'd perhaps not even thank us for writing this short dedication. We believe it would be his wish that we carry on unabated. We shall strive to continue to shape Warlord Games upon the immensely strong foundations he put in place.
We raise our collective glass to the late, great man. He will be sorely missed.
My sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues who were lucky enough to work with him.
RIP, Mr Sawyer.
"All GW will gain is my increased contempt for their business practices." - AesSedai
"Its terrible the way that conversion kit is causing him to buy 2 GW kits... " - Mad4Minis
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2025/03/28 14:47:47
Subject: Re:Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
Dude was "the face" of GW for me back when I got into the hobby when I would read copies of White Dwarf front to back multiple times.
Got to meet him briefly at a Baltimore Games Day years ago. Great, enthusiastic and friendly dude.
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
2025/03/28 14:58:26
Subject: Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
RIP Paul Sawyer. Thank you for making sure the fun of the hobby was always at the forefront.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Message from the family to those who donated to the GoFundMe:
"To all that knew and loved Paul, it’s with a truly broken heart that we must share the news that our beloved husband and father passed away on the evening of March 27th surrounded by the immense love of his family. From the very beginning of his diagnosis, he showed nothing short of heroism with his bravery and strength and that carried through right until the end. We are truly devastated and will feel his loss forever. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the kindness that has been shared with Dad and to us as a family during this cruel battle. May he finally rest peacefully. All our love, Julie, Catherine and Holly "
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/03/28 15:14:56
New Career Time?
2025/03/28 15:23:37
Subject: Re:Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
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.
2025/03/28 16:20:12
Subject: Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
What a blow, to his family and the company.
On a personal level, his editorials were a formative part of my early gaming years and I’ll always remember his boisterous style and obvious passion for the hobby.
2025/03/28 17:32:19
Subject: Re:Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
Found this from one of his earliest issues as editor.
Text:
A TALE OF FOUR GAMERS This month sees the beginning of a new series that we are going to be running in White Dwarf. Games Workshop gave four guys from around the company £50 and let them loose to collect an army. The articles will follow them as they collect their forces, from buying, to painting, to playing. Roy Barber, Richard Gunson, Richard Hobson and Paul Sawyer all rose to the challenge and we'll be keeping track of how their armies develop over the next few issues of White Dwarf. Left: Paul pretends to order from Mail Order but we know he's ringing the local pizza house! Right: Richard Hobson raids the Mail Order racks for Wood Elves.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/03/28 18:05:06
2025/03/28 18:00:21
Subject: Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
40k: Necrons/Imperial Guard/ Space marines
Bolt Action: Germany/ USA
Project Z.
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2025/03/28 18:30:41
Subject: Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) is gravely ill
A very sad day. Someone at the forefront of the hobby and his tenure as WD editor was what helped form my appreciation of this daft little hobby we share.
At least now he is at peace, dealing with cancer is an awful thing, not just for the patient but their friends and family too.
Some months on now from the passing of Paul, and at time of writing still no mention in White Dwarf.
I understand it's probably a super-busy job but would have thought a little cut-out in the news section would not have been asking too much for someone that was a central name of the magazine for so many years.
If you ever wanted a perfect example of the change from a smaller company for and by hobbyists, to corporate behemoth, this is probably it.
Whilst I understand the sentiment, not sure criticising a magazine on behalf of someone few if any of us ever met, let alone were friends with, feels right.
Just feels a bit crass.
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
I met him a couple of times actually over the years, although only when he worked for Warlord. Felt like I knew him much better of course as he was editor for quite some time, and you got to feel you knew them as so much of the character came through via the articles and battle reports.
I don't think it's out of place at all to say that there should have been some mention? Not everyone keeps up with social media and might not have heard. So perhaps leave the White Knight act at the door just this once?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/05/27 22:56:30
Commissar von Toussaint wrote: Wow just saw this. Very sad. One of my favorite features was the Tale of Four Gamers, which was actually honest about combat value vs monetary cost.
Rest in peace.
Speaking of, Paul Sawyer's rebuilt Beastmen army is up on eBay.
A whole story there. He had sold off the original to a friend, including the Herdstone. That friend later sold off the army again. Paul was talking to him about how he wanted to rebuild the army and the friend still had the original Herdstone sitting around because it was too big to ship with the original army, so the rebuilt version had the original Herdstone from the article and is included in the auction.
This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 2025/05/27 23:49:56
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Hallowed is the All Pie The Before Times: A Place That Celebrates The World That Was
2025/05/28 07:14:56
Subject: Re:Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) has passed
Speaking of, Paul Sawyer's rebuilt Beastmen army is up on eBay.
A whole story there. He had sold off the original to a friend, including the Herdstone. That friend later sold off the army again. Paul was talking to him about how he wanted to rebuild the army and the friend still had the original Herdstone sitting around because it was too big to ship with the original army, so the rebuilt version had the original Herdstone from the article and is included in the auction.
My understanding from Reddit is that some of those Beastman models originally belonged to Dave Taylor, editor of Australian White Dwarf during Fat Bloke's run, and a legend in his own lifetime much like Paul because of it (at least down under). I think that's why some of the models have green trim on the bases while others have brown.
2025/05/28 07:28:26
Subject: Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) has passed
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: Whilst I understand the sentiment, not sure criticising a magazine on behalf of someone few if any of us ever met, let alone were friends with, feels right.
Just feels a bit crass.
From what I understand people working in the Nottingham 'lead Belt' regularly hang out, play together, drink together whatever, whichever company they currently work for.
I don't think it's out of line to ask GW or White Dwarf to recognize the loss of one of their great contributors.
" - Mad4Minis
