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Last year, I spent some time with my family, and they wanted to play some Warhammer. Sadly, after a few rounds, we switched to games the younger family members could enjoy, like Destinies, Oathsworn, and another popular one. I mentioned that next time, I’d make a Python app that explains the rules as you go, with a query tool. A lot of features worked — I built a roster, an armory, an army builder, and a game tutorial. Then I added a second player mode and a pretty rough terrain editor. It was a lot of fun, and we managed about ten games, especially exciting when the CPU controlled the Tyranids and players could handle small detachments. After getting distracted by other work, I recently decided to rebuild it with a nicer user interface and better graphics. I’m wondering how risky this is with Games Workshop’s policy, so I thought I’d ask here rather than on the official forum. Also here the first log i put out on itch Hi, I’m rebuilding my Warhammer 40K Combat Calculator project from the ground up in GameMaker.

The original version started as a Python app, but the new rebuild focuses on a cleaner interface, better visuals, easier controls, and long-term expansion into full battle and campaign systems.

The app is designed to be:

Offline-first

Fast and lightweight

Easy to understand

Community driven

Friendly for players who struggle with complicated rules or interfaces

Current features in development include:

Army roster builder

Armoury for custom weapons

JSON save/load

Multiple weapons per unit

Points tracking and warnings

Unit stats and validation systems

Planned future systems include:

Full battle simulation

CPU armies

Crusade progression

Roguelike campaign mode

User-made campaigns and missions

Battle history and progression tracking

This Patreon helps support:

Development time

Art and UI upgrades

Testing

Accessibility improvements

Future content systems

The original version of the project was built as a working Python prototype, including an early combat system capable of running quick matches against a CPU opponent.

That prototype proved the core systems could work in practice and helped shape the direction of the full rebuild.

The new GameMaker version focuses on improving the interface, visuals, usability, accessibility, and long-term expansion into larger battle and campaign systems while keeping the fast quick-match style that made the original prototype fun to experiment with.

I want the project to stay flexible and community focused while slowly growing into something genuinely useful for tabletop players.

Would it have to be licenced from GW?

I dont know, but....
You should probably be talking to a lawyer sooner rather than later.

The current plan is for it to remain a fan-made companion utility with user-created data rather than an official rules database.

The original prototype was built in Python, and the new rebuild is mainly focused on roster management, battle simulation, campaign systems, and accessibility features.

I’m also avoiding official art/assets and building a custom UI style for the project.

So the data the app uses will be inputed by the user.

So no using official logos
official art
copied codex text
copyrighted datasheets
paid rules reproduction
selling GW assets.

But these are allowed.
army builders
calculators
campaign trackers
roster tools
dice apps
fan utilities

users enter their own data
it’s a utility framework
it’s not distributing rules databases
it’s more of a sandbox/companion app. It combination of apps and features. That all work together using the same input data. Sorry seems messy long day.

Fine, don't talk to a lawyer just in case.

ccs wrote:
Fine, don't talk to a lawyer just in case.

I have asked for some Advice It will just take some time. I iam building to make it one page rules compatible as well.

The following post is not a joke. Nor is meant to be light hearted.

Don’t.

Just don’t.

Your heart is in the right place, and I commend your efforts to create a playing aid. I think it’s a great idea, and could even help make the game more accessible.

But.

GW Is Defensive Of What It Sees As Its IP.

GW has many many millions of pounds in the bank.

GW has an actual legal team.

We could argue about how you can’t actually copyright rules in the same way you can say, a character or what have you.

But that genuinely doesn’t matter when you’re that badly outgunned in the legal arena.

Please. For the sake of your own sanity, do not poke that Bear.

You can use fan data and have your app just be a vessel for it in order to avoid legal retribution. This is how New Recruit operates, for example.

But it's probably a good idea to follow ccs' advice about a lawyer regardless, because it sounds like precarious ground to tread.

I like the idea, but you lost me at "users enter their own data".

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
The following post is not a joke. Nor is meant to be light hearted.

Don’t.

Just don’t.

Your heart is in the right place, and I commend your efforts to create a playing aid. I think it’s a great idea, and could even help make the game more accessible.

But.

GW Is Defensive Of What It Sees As Its IP.

GW has many many millions of pounds in the bank.

GW has an actual legal team.

We could argue about how you can’t actually copyright rules in the same way you can say, a character or what have you.

But that genuinely doesn’t matter when you’re that badly outgunned in the legal arena.

Please. For the sake of your own sanity, do not poke that Bear.

Yes thanks for the info and judging by most people's reaction it isnt a good idea. Iam meeting my friend on Saturday for breakfast who works in copyright. He generally tells me things are a bad idea. Also i am not going to give up on the concept, Maybe not for 40k.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

stroller wrote:
I like the idea, but you lost me at "users enter their own data".

The best way to explain how it’s structured is like this: you start by going to the roster and creating a Race, a Faction, and a Soldier. Then you set up boxes for movement and other actions. Next, you head to the armoury to create as many weapons with stats as you like. After that, you equip the soldier with a weapon from the armoury and save. It might sound complicated, but it’s really not. All the data is user-inputted, and what you can do with it is actually quite interesting—like simulated battles, campaigns, and co-op against the CPU. I’m starting to rethink some of this, though. As what's discussed above.

I would love something like this so that I could get a good grasp and learn the rules basics before heading to a game store feeling like a complete noob.

Would also be a good way to test out some strategies and new units you want to field but not sure how best to use them.

kaotkbliss wrote:
I would love something like this so that I could get a good grasp and learn the rules basics before heading to a game store feeling like a complete noob.

Would also be a good way to test out some strategies and new units you want to field but not sure how best to use them.

I’m completely revising my ideas so I don’t lose a lot of code. What you described is similar to what the app partially did before. It’s not dead, but I’ve had the same honest, not negative, reactions in many places—and if it succeeds, that could actually make things more complicated. So I’m reworking everything, including the rules I’m using. It’ll be its own unique thing, and you’ll be able to use models from any game you want.