Does this sound familiar GW?It about that time of the year when GW looks around the war gaming table and chooses not to see anyone else there. GW states they are a model company, which I agree with. So lets review, They make very nice models and the plastic are 2nd to none. The finecast still sucks, forgeworld stuff is very cool, but not playable 100% of the time ( sorry but for the price I'd better be able to play the model ). The rules are not perfect, but what is 9 after all they are a "model company"? They have dropped tournament support,which is both good and bad for us. So with 6th ed looming and the introduction of flyer models ( and maybe new flyer rules ) things are going to be great!! right??
Before I get into this cluster $#$% I will say that I spend a large sum of money every month on models from GW and other companies. Where not talking 1 or 2 boxes here btw. I have 6 armies that range from of 2500 points up to 8k. I started in May of 2010 so I have been busy to say the least. So if you haven't figured thgis out I'm going to rant, yes this is a rant, but take heart as it will illustrate a point. Here goes.....
What I dislike about GW is the business model or lack of one. I also hate the tight lipped BS they feel they need to implement in a age of information. GW you treat your players like children and we are not children. Still no official word of 6th Ed. Piss poor rules with no clarification until months later if ever ( the INAT was started due to GW not FAQing the rules or at least in a timely manner ). Piss poor quality of the finecast line ( no, a free return is not quality control ). I could go on and on. What does this add up to??? It adds up to a openings for other companies to exploit. Angry customers will go to another company at the drop of a hat. Privateer press saw the GW price increase this year and again put out the starter set/ rule book sale just in time !!! LOLZ . They also let their player base know what is going on with teasers and actual pictures months before release. Does this affect sales? do people stop buying to wait for the new book. Well in the terms of the new Colossal release I'd say no. I bought a ton of stuff that I will be playing and will buy more. Oh and all the extra crazy stuff like the Colossal's and battle engine can be played in any game. No BS asking your opponent or is it on a list of "ok'd" in this tourney. Nope you buy it, do the points fit?, if yes that play the sucker.
So 6th Edition maybe is due in a month or 2 and my predictions are:
1.it will be more similar to Fantasy than ever before
2.Flyers will be a must have in the new meta, flyer rules will be crazy good
3.the ~ price of a new army will be $470 to start
4. it will nerf Nidz and Deamons further
So why the critical thinking about GW? It is this and this alone. Adepticon is the largest gaming convention and there is about 3-4k people there. Only a portions of that played and less only played GW. A typical convention see's 5-10k minimum. So what does that mean? It means we are a small community and the big dog GW is a margin smaller than what we think they are. They community stops playing for even a short time it could hurt GW where they actually go away. If 6th ed flops ( which I don' think it will ) I believe GW could fold.
So what am I going to do?
1. Play more of other game systems ( Warmahordes and Dust )
2. continue to play 40k ( I do like the game ), but I will no longer purchase GW models.
3. Since GW is no longer supporting tournaments I can use other companies models since there is no requirement. Pop on the correct base size and go. also most large gaming conventions have no problem with this just ask the organizer prior to the event.
This is what I'm going to do. I'm not saying it is right for everyone, but consider what happens when you placate to asshats? You will get #@$@.
BTW GW I have 2 new WARMAHORDES armies. Keep it up Dust Warfare is looking good too :)