The White Dwarf Falls

After 37 years, White Dwarf appears on the stands for the final time this January. Still technically a rumour, but enough sources have confirmed it that it's pretty much a certainty. This one blindsided me, I can tell you. I've been reading White Dwarf since issue 95, so it's been a monthly staple of my gaming world for 27 years. It's like a pair of comfy slippers or your favourite mug. How White Dwarf has slipped in content over the years is old news to anyone reading this. But back in the day it was agog with great articles, scenarios, rules and other gamery info.

Even the odd freebie. I still have the outhouse from one magazine that gave away a free card stock building. Observe.

I declare this terrain piece re-named the White Dwarf memorial outhouse.

I don't hate White Dwarf now though. There's still a lot of very pretty pictures, and the odd interesting article or battle report, but admittedly it's not got a lot of meat on it's bones if I'm totally frank. That said, I'm a little choked up at the thought of it vanishing.

The Dwarf that started it all. The 3rd edition release issue. To say I was instantly hooked would be something of an understatment.

So, what will be filling the void left by the dwarf? Games Workshop are due to make some manner of announcement tomorrow, but according to those in the know we'll get a new monthly magazine called Warhammer Visions which will weigh in at a hefty 190 pages of predominantly hobby content, all for the princely sum on €9, and will be available much as White Dwarf was, in newsagents etc. That does sound good, but well, we'll see. The name Warhammer Visions conjures the image of airbrushed fantasy art rock album covers for me. It's not got the pathos of White Dwarf, that's for damn sure.

The second publication will be White Dwarf Weekly (probably), featuring new releases and what else I'm not sure. This will be €3.20. I'm kind of stumped as to what this magazine will be like, and weekly? In any case, it will be available only from independent retailers and GW stores. White Dwarf weekly kicks off February 1st.

So, farewell oh White-Bearded one, you've given me a lot of joy down through the years. Safe journey to the halls of the ancestors. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to wallow in a pile of really old White Dwarf magazines.

Sniff. Excusemeivegotsomethinginmyeye.