This is getting kinda crazy. It is almost like I don't recognize Games Workshop anymore! With the Tau leaked pictures, how many new releases does that make in the last eight months?
I can hardly keep count... ok I lied, yeah it is pretty easy to recap.
Here take a look.
- July 2012: Warhammer 40k 6th edition
- August 2012: Daemon Update
- September 2012: Dark Vengence
- October 2012: Chaos Space Marines
- November 2012: Warriors of Chaos Update
- December 2012: Hobbit Release
- January 2013: Dark Angels
- February 2013: Warriors of Chaos
- March 2013: Daemons
- April 2013: Tau
The prolific nature of these releases is amazing to behold. In the span of six months we will already have four 6th edition codexes! The pain many have already felt in their wallets is now taking a toll. All the complaining about GW's turtle trot has now been replaced with delirious model ecstasy overload. Watching as well, blogs and rumor mongers trying to keep up, is both amusing and sad. It has now become routine, as everyone waits for the leaked White Dwarf pics to arrive the third week of every month.
How much longer can Games Workshop keep this up?
Eldar are next, then we have Orks and Tyranids after that. Then you have to ask yourself, how much longer can GW go without an Space Marine or Black Templars update? With the always rising prices the average gamer cannot keep up, and with every new codex comes new space to fill, putting pressure on retailers to find room for all the inventory.
What is the method to Games Workshop madness? There are a couple of theories.
- Boost revenue and value for possible merger or take over.
- New design direction focused on minor tweaks, a few new models, speed of release.
- No more rules without models (The Chapterhouse effect)
- They knew Hobbit would bomb so they buffering the losses with releases.
Whatever the reason Games Workshop is on a record pace.
The biggest danger and something I am noticing, is armies getting lost in the shuffle. I am sure this is different for every area, but you don't have enough time to wrap your head around a new codex before the next one.
In my local area Dark Angels are already an old memory, as everyone is still painting Heldrakes and wondering what Daemons to add their forces. Thank God, all the 6th edition codexes are good, but what will happen when the first codex turkey drops?
This hyper release schedule means powergamers look for the obvious combos first and forget the rest. The average player cannot keep up with all the rules. Gone are the days where the average player could afford every codex; the hardback price increase has stopped that cold. No real meta can be established as every tournament result is made obsolete the next week. This doesn't affect the average hobbyists, but for the punditry and online rabble-rousers they now exist in a confusing and futile realm.
Personally, I could use a break, a few Warhammer Fantasy releases to catch my breath...please? I can barely keep up and I am starting to think even the biggest GW fanboi will be joining me soon.
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Meat for Meta is rated editorial nonsense. These articles are meant to complain about some group, somewhere, that is playing the game for all the wrong reasons or simply to just make fun of 40k nerd rage.