Black Library Closing Down!

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**Overread**

Shock and awe title somewhat hyperbole as its more BL is moving from a website to an app

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/wugetgtg/a-new-black-library-app-is-on-the-way-heres-what-you-need-to-know/?utm_source=CUSTOMERS&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WH_18th_February_BL_App_&utm_content=&utm_term=

There's the option to sync your accounts, but only until 31st of August, at which point the BL website closes down and only the app remains
I've asked over on their FB to find out if it will still support downloads cause one nice thing about BL right now is you can download and get DRM free content to put on an reader you want.

**Nomeny**

Huh, good to know.

**Dudeface**

Excuse my naivety, but what purpose does this app serve that the multitude of other epub/audio book providers do not?

**Overread**

Dudeface wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but what purpose does this app serve that the multitude of other epub/audio book providers do not?

Most likely it simply represents that a very large portion of people now use mobile phones/tablets not PCs for browsing the net. So GW is simply putting BL onto the currently most popular format as a single app instead of a website and app.

As per my earlier question it might also be a move to DRM their books on the service too if it locks them to just in-app reading. We don't know that for sure yet and it might not be an issue at all, but it would be good to know.

**Jack Flask**

Dudeface wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but what purpose does this app serve that the multitude of other epub/audio book providers do not?

Control and profit maximizing. It's the same reason why GW built their own Streaming infrastructure rather than launch their TV series onto Netflix, Amazon, etc.

This way they don't have to provide a cut to the platform holder, but also they gain complete control over their audience. You the reader won't get any recommendations for non-Warhanmer products which keeps your attention focused purely on their content, plus they gain control of whatever analytics they want. What books you read, how long it takes you to read them, how many times you look at the store page before buying it,... everything. And they don't need to ask a separate platform holder to provide that to you.

This also opens up new ways for them to stop people sharing the PDFs online, by filling all the files full of unique watermarks.

GW are basically at the corporate size where the cost of frivolous anti-privacy and legal enforcement schemes is outweighed by the advantage they get from trying to control your behavior and data.

**Mentlegen324**

I don't know why they'd close down the site, doesn't that just remove the option for anyone using a computer rather than a phone to browse and make purchases on?

**Santtu**

I was shocked when I checked the Black Library website a couple of weeks ago. It looks like a fairly standard WooCommerce storefront that hasn't been updated in more than a decade. Even my old downloads from 2012 and 2013 are still there.

**ingtaer**

beast_gts wrote:
A new Black Library app is on the way – here’s what you need to know

The Black Library App is getting a complete overhaul next month!

On the 18th of March, you’ll be able to find thousands of eBooks and audiobooks more conveniently than ever before, plunging you right into the epic battles of the Warhammer worlds.

And you can link your account right now to make sure all your books and audio books go across to the new app seamlessly.

The new app will allow you to browse and buy from a vast library – including the latest releases as they come out – and both read and listen to them all in one place with a built-in eReader and MP3 player. This includes more than 2,000 English-language eBooks and audiobooks, as well as French- and German-language eBooks where available.

Linking your existing BlackLibrary.com and BL Audio app libraries will mean you can transfer everything you’ve picked up so far into the new app, and it’ll only take a few clicks. You can start doing it right now, so hit the button below to find out how.

The Black Library app launches on the 18th of March and we’d love for you to try it straight away, so if you download it and start reading in the first month of release,* you can get all of these stories to keep for FREE:

Avenging Son in English, French, or German eBook, or English audiobook

Mark of Faith in English, French, or German eBook, or English audiobook

Sanguinius: The Great Angel in English, French, or German eBook, or English audiobook

Dominion in English, French, or German eBook, or English audiobook

Ciaphas Cain: The Anthology in English eBook or audiobook

Darkoath in English eBook or audiobook

The Return of Nagash in English eBook or audiobook

Realmslayer: A Gotrek Gurnisson Series – the audio drama

Once things are underway and you’ve had plenty of time to link your libraries, the venerable BlackLibrary.com website will be taking its well-earned rest from the 31st of August. This is the last time you’ll be able to link your accounts, so make sure you get it done with time to spare!

As they're retiring the website it's probably a good idea to grap copies of any books you've bought from there.

**Mr Morden**

So does this APP thing mean you can't access it from a PC?

**Overread**

If you want books on pc you'd just go to Amazon Kindle store.

**Mr Morden**

Overread wrote:
If you want books on pc you'd just go to Amazon Kindle store.

Don't have kindle

**Overread**

Mr Morden wrote:
Overread wrote:
If you want books on pc you'd just go to Amazon Kindle store.

Don't have kindle

You can read kindle on a pc (with a supported browser - it doesn't support Opera)

**Dudeface**

Overread wrote:
Dudeface wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but what purpose does this app serve that the multitude of other epub/audio book providers do not?

Most likely it simply represents that a very large portion of people now use mobile phones/tablets not PCs for browsing the net. So GW is simply putting BL onto the currently most popular format as a single app instead of a website and app.

As per my earlier question it might also be a move to DRM their books on the service too if it locks them to just in-app reading. We don't know that for sure yet and it might not be an issue at all, but it would be good to know.

Jack Flask wrote:
Dudeface wrote:
Excuse my naivety, but what purpose does this app serve that the multitude of other epub/audio book providers do not?

Control and profit maximizing. It's the same reason why GW built their own Streaming infrastructure rather than launch their TV series onto Netflix, Amazon, etc.

This way they don't have to provide a cut to the platform holder, but also they gain complete control over their audience. You the reader won't get any recommendations for non-Warhanmer products which keeps your attention focused purely on their content, plus they gain control of whatever analytics they want. What books you read, how long it takes you to read them, how many times you look at the store page before buying it,... everything. And they don't need to ask a separate platform holder to provide that to you.

This also opens up new ways for them to stop people sharing the PDFs online, by filling all the files full of unique watermarks.

GW are basically at the corporate size where the cost of frivolous anti-privacy and legal enforcement schemes is outweighed by the advantage they get from trying to control your behavior and data.

I tend to read via a kindle, if I didn't, I'd be buying the ebook off amazon, who already have a mobile app and there are no shortages of reader apps.

There's nothing to gain from this as they already distribute easily accessible books to other providers on mobile. Unless they intend to DRM it as noted and lock their products down, which I think would be a form of suicide for the format, I dont understand this still.

**Platuan4th**

The FAQ confirms that purchases will be DRM and only accessible through the App and that if you want it on a different device you'll have to purchase through those services.

Can I upload an ebook I've bought to the ereader I already have? (Kindle, Kobo, Apple iPad etc.)

No but the great thing about the new Black Library App is that it provides everything you need for exploring, reading and listening, all within the App. You can still purchase Black Library eBooks and Audiobooks through alternative vendors to use with your preferred eReader.

https://www.warhammer.com/en-US/explore/black-library/black-library-app/faqs

**Overread**

That's annoying!

That said most of their library is on Kindle or gets printed - this is mostly going to be a problem for their short stories. I know most are on BL but I don't know if many are sold on their own on Amazon or other stores

**Lord Damocles**

Roll up! Roll up! Bet your purchases on how long GW maintains the app for!

Nobody remembers the time they binned the White Dwarf app and users lost access to all of the issues they'd paid for! This time it will be different!

**Ashiraya**

Santtu wrote:
I was shocked when I checked the Black Library website a couple of weeks ago. It looks like a fairly standard WooCommerce storefront that hasn't been updated in more than a decade. Even my old downloads from 2012 and 2013 are still there.

I visited it out of curiosity and found it very confusing. It seems to be a place solely for ebooks and audio. It has icons and UI elements for physical books, but doesn't actually sell any.

As someone only interested in physical books where at all possible (call me old-fashioned), I was pretty disappointed.

**beast_gts**

FYI - They're also closing the Warhammer Digital site:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What is happening to WarhammerDigital.com?
Warhammerdigital.com is closing. You will be able to browse and download past purchases on WarhammerDigital.com until 10:00am (BST) on 31st August 2026, however you will not be able to place any new orders from 10:00am (GMT) on 18th March 2026. You can continue to buy digital rules for some of our games on the Apple Book Store. You can also find rules on Warhammer 40,000 - The App and Warhammer Age of Sigmar - The App.

Q. What happens to my existing purchases from WarhammerDigital.com?
You will need to download all of your past purchases made on warhammerdigital.com before 10:00am (BST) on 31st August 2026 or these will be permanently lost.

Q. I was subscribed to the Warhammer Digital Newsletter, will I still receive Newsletter information?
You will no longer receive emails specific to WarhammerDigital.com. If you're subscribed to any other of our newsletters, you will continue to receive these as normal.

Q. If I have a question or concern not answered in the FAQ section, who should I contact?
If you have a question or concern not answered in this FAQ, please Contact Us for further assistance.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Ashiraya wrote:
I visited it out of curiosity and found it very confusing. It seems to be a place solely for ebooks and audio. It has icons and UI elements for physical books, but doesn't actually sell any.

They moved the physical books onto the main site the last time that was updated IIRC.

https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/plp?productType=book

**ScarletRose**

I'm so tired of the app-ification of everything.

Guess this just means dead tree copies only from now on, bought from non-GW websites of course.

**Grimskul**

Yeah, that's pretty lame, not crazy how they're trying to push everything onto proprietary apps. Just promotes more people to pirate things if you're going to make things less accessible.

**Del Mingus**

I use my kindle to read black library books so not a big problem for me.

It at least sounds like we'll still be able to buy books through amazon, though wouldn't surprise me if they pull that option in the future to get more people on the app.

On a more positive note, it would be cool if they could use this new app as an opportunity to implement and improve the Vault experience on mobile.

**skrulnik**

I remember long ago when the Horus Heresy novels made the NYT best sellers list.
Then GW promptly changed their release model and they never showed there again...

Seems like they plan to silo off their media at the cost of any mainstream exposure.
They make a gamble that readers will pursue the material onto esoteric apps.
I think that's a bad bet.

Personal anecdote, I haven't bought a real novel from GW in 9 years.
I haven't bought a digital novel in at least 5, but have the entirety of the Siege of Terra on my Amazon list, mostly because I haven't finished the HH run yet. Close though.
If they disappear from Amazon, I won't bother to pay for them and will settle for online summaries and whatever illicit means to find them.

**alphaecho**

skrulnik wrote:
I remember long ago when the Horus Heresy novels made the NYT best sellers list.

Personal anecdote, I haven't bought a real novel from GW in 9 years.
I haven't bought a digital novel in at least 5, but have the entirety of the Siege of Terra on my Amazon list, mostly because I haven't finished the HH run yet. Close though.
If they disappear from Amazon, I won't bother to pay for them and will settle for online summaries and whatever illicit means to find them.

Unless I really wanted it and purchased via Amazon, most of my GW ebooks have come from the previous Humble Bundle offerings.

Even those I purchased from Amazon tended to be if they were on the £1.99 sales list rather than full price.

I do have some I bought via the BL site in my early kindle days. Guess I'll have to see if I need them or they've been overtaken by Humble Bundle buys.

**Mr Morden**

ScarletRose wrote:
I'm so tired of the app-ification of everything.

Guess this just means dead tree copies only from now on.

Same - I have no interest in kindle or apps

**Astmeister**

Warhammer Digital also closing. What a pitty I have about 20 books there.

**Overread**

Mr Morden wrote:
ScarletRose wrote:
I'm so tired of the app-ification of everything.

Guess this just means dead tree copies only from now on.

Same - I have no interest in kindle or apps

Sadly over the last 15 or so years mobile phones have steadily replaced home computers. Whilst video games are bigger than they've ever been, a lot of kits and people are growing up with tablets and mobile phones and don't touch a PC outside of school. Which has had a knock on effect of raising more generations who are computer illiterate because schools were pulling back on computer lessons as a subject with the assumption that home computing was now normal and most would grow up knowing the basics from home.

So I can see why GW is doing it, they are following the youth of today who are all very much app users not website users; and GW can see benefit in both having their own internal app (DRM protection) and in just having to manage one app instead of an app and a website and another app and another website and so forth.

I'm not a fan since I find tablets/mobilephone screens are not as good to read on as a proper e-ink reader; however at the same time most of the books I have from BL are on Kindle anyway. The only thing that the app, for BL, might end up having that you can't get outside of it wil be short stories. Though even then when the do omnibus prints they often roll short stories into them.

I guess the other worry would be if BL starts to pull back on books or treat books purely as collectible items and focus purely on digital sales. That's a potential risk, esp on any that are not main-series (eg Horus Heresy); but they've also done loads of reprints over the years. Heck I've got the whole original Inferno run in reprint and its fantastic quality.

**alphaecho**

Overread wrote:

I'm not a fan since I find tablets/mobilephone screens are not as good to read on as a proper e-ink reader; however at the same time most of the books I have from BL are on Kindle anyway. The only thing that the app, for BL, might end up having that you can't get outside of it wil be short stories. Though even then when the do omnibus prints they often roll short stories into them.

I have Luddite strain that means I only seem to be comfortable reading from an e-reader screen rather than a standard tablet or phone screen. It just doesn't 'feel' right for me.

**The Phazer**

It is pretty gakky to retroactively remove the ability to download epubs from people who bought from the BL website explicitly because it included those formats to be used unencumbered.

**Da Boss**

I've had issues with my Amazon account (which were basically impossible to resolve, even after a very long phonecall with customer service) that resulted in me losing a large amount of my ebooks from my Kindle.

I had to "upgrade" my old Kindle to a new one that has worse functionality and spams advertisements at me.

A few of the books I had bought which were not amazon were epubs from the black library store itself (back before they put their books on the kindle store I think).

What this is teaching me is that electronic formats are not really worth investing in because there's no security. When my kindle breaks down I'm not going to replace it.

I would have stuck with paper books anyway - it was just a hassle to get books in English after I moved to Germnay, but feth it, I'm going to bloody well order them in and wait for them, the whole nine yards. Sick of all this enshittification, and I hate giving money to Amazon anyway, genuinely evil corporation if ever there was one.

**Overread**

You can probably get rid of those ads - kindles are basically sold cheaper with ads or without ads for a fee on top. So I'd assume you could just pay the fee and get the adds removed

I do know that after YEARS of asking they added the function to show the cover of the book you're reading as the screensaver, but then disabled that from working on any book that isn't one of their own. Ergo any 3rd party purchased and loaded content.

They've also never made the system ideal to navigate.

I love my kindle, but having moved house and now having actual space I'm very tempted to get back into buying regular books. They don't format out; they don't vanish or have issues and honestly they are a lot easier to browse.

~My real sadness is losing comixoligy because the interface on Kindle is a nightmare and there's a whole bunch that just seemed to up and vanish. A huge pain cause a lot of comics htat aren't Marvel/DC don't get many print runs (if any) and even when they do they can be small runs and if you're not around when they happen - good luck getting hold of copies later.