One area where Games Workshop improved between 2010 and 2011 was in the release of FAQs. The release of a new Army Book was followed with a comprehensive FAQ three to four months later that addressed all the points not identified in their in-house playtesting.
This was great and certainly addressed one of the previous points of contention that had been aimed at GW. People felt that the Studio had turned over a new – proactive – leaf and that this was their path for the future.
Unfortunately, winter has returned.
The Vampire Count book was released in January 2012 and The Empire book in April 2012 and to date we have had no FAQ for either tome. This isn’t because there aren’t issues, you can check out a summary of the VC ones here and The Empire here.
It is really sad that there has been a return to the old ways and I can only hope that GW see that releasing timely FAQs is not only a easy means to keep customers happy but also an integral part of their customer service premise.
Fantasy seems to have taken a major backseat to 40k this summer, and I fear it may get that treatment again when the Hobbit stuff surfaces. Hopefully they turn this around and show fantasy some love soon, the less interest GW shows in their games, the less interest the fans will show.
ReplyDeleteI keep wondering how long will Fantasy be a viable game in its current form? A cumbersome game of large formations which are well over priced compared to a game in the grim grimness and dark darkeyness with gunsa and flimflam and arguable with the BIG MODEL syndrome cheaper to get into ... It worries me slightly.
ReplyDeleteI dont think we are playing the same game...
DeleteReally? Odd...I don't think may people are playing it to be fair based on sales figures alone ; P
DeleteI haven't worded that very well I admit. What I means is more and more it does seem that 40K is carrying Fantasy and with volumes down I really wonder how long before the game has a massive overhaul or they drop it like its hot.
40K comparatively is much easier to get into. There's no way I can convince anyone to start Fantasy these days they've just out-priced everyone.
What sales figures are these? AFAIK GW dosn't release any break down of sales between systems. As far as evidence goes, there is none. Just a rumour that some guy started about 40k being over 50% of sales.
DeleteOur local scene is hardly anything to measure this by. We probably account for less than 1% of the market (Australasia is roughly 10% in total)
Rumours about from Gamesday UK that there is a Fantasy release before the end of the year and FAQ updates on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteWarriors next month (November release) then Hobbit in December
ReplyDeleteI hope warriors aren't so lamentably dull this time they should be easily the most exciting race.
DeleteI think to be an exciting army book the race has to be able to compete in all phases of the game. With the chaos armies having no missile phase it makes them very one dimensional apart from the hated hell cannons. Even beastmen get ungor that can have bows.
ReplyDeleteSo I hope that chaos get something that allows them to have a multi dimension army.
What no missiles?
DeleteMarauder Horsemen are the way to go.
Throwing axes 6" range 2 points each or Javelins 12" range at 1 point each.
Nothing can withstand them. To keep a level playing field and not be cheesy nobody takes them (except idiots like me). And, yes, they are very exciting, I almost pee myself each time I use them, almost.