Now, back in the day (i.e. before I started this blog), I was a very big fan of Warhammer 40K, a light wargame with a very dark background. I stopped play as my friends lost interest, and I found it difficult to stick with game that cost more than crack, and took more preparation time than a calculus exam, when the rent was due. Then I found Dawn of War, a very fun little PC adaption of WH40K. It reminded me why I loved the game and why I played Orkz, the chavs/barbarians of the game. Then I discovered a new Ork Codex (read as rulebook and playing guide) was coming out. I investigated, as I do still have some of the models.
Sad thing to say is, it sucks, its the embodiment of everything people say is bad about Games Workshop. The Orkz (delberate use of "z") have lost their trademark special rules, meaning that they are significantly toned down in close combat, and they weren't exactly uber in the first place. Orkz could take down most things if they timed it right, but now just about everything will be striking before them, resulting in a bloodbath. To make matters worse, various changes to to unit selections have made 99% of Ork army lists obsolete, requiring significant purchasing to make up the difference. In broad terms, everything that made the army popular has changed for the worse. Again. GW we had enough of this shit with Tyranids, Chaos and fecking Dark Angels
Its not all bad, most notably the shootaboys and lootas, but baring a last minute rewrite its a clusterfuck. So, Games Workshop, my message: Well done, you are now the Disney of minature wargaming. Sure, you are popular with the kiddies, and the money is still coming. However, you stopped being good in the 90's, you keep putting out mediocre product,and everybody with two brain cells to rub together has written you off. Buy out another, better, company and complete the metatphor already.
Yep - totally agree, as I am a Space Marine, Tyranid and Ork player (I have more money than sense). I just can't leave GW - as much as I want to.
Unfortunatly, for every one of us that agrees with what you are saying, there are at least two who will argue the point. I started gaming back in 1995, as you will find out by checking my blog.
I remember all the old stuff that GW had, and how many customers left when their other games were dropped, i.e. Man O' War, Talisman, Warhammer Quest, Epic, Space Hulk etc etc etc.
I am a fan of their models, but price increase after price increase has pushed us vets towards cheaper, though just as detailed, model makers such as Lone Wolf and Warcrow.
Unfortunatly these other companies don't appear to have proper games out (as far as I have seen, I may be wrong) so GW still is the market leader.
I recently invested around £800 or so in Rogue Trader and other rare &/or oop models + a copy of Rogue Trader. Its amazing how GW keeps changing its fluff.
But if you look closely, GW is heading towards a final downward spiral. Stock prices have fallen dramatically, as people no longer spend so much in their stores. The stores are closing down - the only one left in North London is Brent Cross, although a new one in Wood Green has opened. I've seen people walk in, take a look, and walk out again when they realise that to start the hobby they will need to spend about £160 to £200 to get started.
GW are overpriced. I also recently applied for a job (I say recently, it was November 07) and I'm still trying to get a bloody interview - so if this is how they treat people who like them, I'd hate to see how they treat their enemies.
As for me, a month off from gaming at Brent Cross has allowed me to re evaluate my love of GW, and to be honest, I'd rather just collect and paint the models now.
95% of the kids who collect GW collect Space Marines. When I go in with my Mk 1 Rhinos, Dreadnaughts, Predators and troops the little beggers take the mickey, with comments like "Whats that supposed to be, it looks like a tin robot" and "My terminator is as big as your whole dreadnaught"
So gaming there is now very boring, as you will ALWAYS be playing against Marines. The terminator rules are ridiculous - 2+ save and a 5+ invulnerable save - 2+ on 3 dice was bad enough in 2nd Ed.
The rules are f***ed up, and get worse with every new codex and every edition of 40K - and 5th Edition is supposed to be on its way in 2008! This might actually be so bad that it kills the game completly!