Jump to content

Games Workshop, An Appreciation Thread

Lorfarius

By Lorfarius,
in Gaming Unplugged

 Share

Recommended Posts

Joyrex-J9

Joyrex-J9

Posted
Posted
that is heartening, but they were announcing being out of pocket £2million a few years ago

Didn't they cut costs like crazy, close shops etc. to claw that back?

I think they expanded fast while riding high on the LOTR boom, then when interest in that died down, found themselves in trouble. They obviously had some smart guys in to restructure and sort the business out for them to turn that around.

They aren't my cup of tea anymore and I can't say I'm not a tiny bit bitter for what they were and what they've become, but like you say they are a UK business and doing well, so we should be happy for them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sweetdaddyg

sweetdaddyg

Posted
Posted
Didn't they cut costs like crazy, close shops etc. to claw that back?

I think they expanded fast while riding high on the LOTR boom, then when interest in that died down, found themselves in trouble. They obviously had some smart guys in to restructure and sort the business out for them to turn that around.

They aren't my cup of tea anymore and I can't say I'm not a tiny bit bitter for what they were and what they've become, but like you say they are a UK business and doing well, so we should be happy for them.

I think it was more to do with them throwing their prices up an shitting on their customer base, but the theory is the same I guess

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Joyrex-J9

Joyrex-J9

Posted
Posted
I think it was more to do with them throwing their prices up an shitting on their customer base, but the theory is the same I guess

The business restructuring guys came in and looked at what they could do to save the company, "double all your prices, which will double your profits for zero expenditure!, Right that's that problem solved, pub lunch anyone?"

Those guys don't care about the fans, it's about the bottom line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sardan

Sardan

Posted
Posted

The new minotaurs are utterly utterly hideous. The anatomy is all wrong 9yes I realise the irony of this statement, but still).

If you like reaper stuff (I like some) check out Tre Manor's own company - red box games. Norse inspired stuff and truly great dwarfs.

I like the LOTR stuff (it is mostly scuplted by the Perrys) but the scale makes me cry.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sardan

Sardan

Posted
Posted

Oh and to answer your question:

When did GW become the hobby equivalent of a major record label? Mass produced turgid output at premium prices with little regard for the customer.

IIRC 1991, when they stopped selling and licensing other games and covering them in White Dwarf.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cocky

Cocky

Posted
Posted
the privateer press stuff.....is that warmachine perchance?

Are the minis prepainted, silly question, looking at the pics no prepainted mini is ever that good

No. Though they have started to release plastic miniatures which look fantastic and hopefully easier to assemble. The Exemplar Cinerators in particular are beautiful models.

I think they expanded fast while riding high on the LOTR boom, then when interest in that died down, found themselves in trouble. They obviously had some smart guys in to restructure and sort the business out for them to turn that around.

If you read the GW financial statements the company was well aware at the time of a lotr bubble and never believed they would maintain those revenue levels.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Asura

Asura

Posted
Posted
The business restructuring guys came in and looked at what they could do to save the company, "double all your prices, which will double your profits for zero expenditure!, Right that's that problem solved, pub lunch anyone?"

Those guys don't care about the fans, it's about the bottom line.

Is it really like that?

I mean, seriously, they have a network of shops up and down the country, each with 3-4 full time staff, with one in every major town (and some minor). They're open 7 days a week with facilities that are free to use, and all they have to support them is a magazine, an online store, and the sale supplies for a hobby that, let's face it, once you've bought the right kit you could just play pretty much forever with little to no further investment.

I find it something of a miracle they're still in business.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sweetdaddyg

sweetdaddyg

Posted
Posted

Theres the constant refreshing of editions every few years to put paid to that

The indies, which they keep an insanely tight control of, help defer some of the losses from the main stores

however the staffs overbearing overeagerness is for me the biggest danger to the company

as someone with many years of experience of the hobby as they call it, I dont need some grinning idiot gurning over me

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Benji Dude

Benji Dude

Posted
Posted
Theres the constant refreshing of editions every few years to put paid to that

The indies, which they keep an insanely tight control of, help defer some of the losses from the main stores

however the staffs overbearing overeagerness is for me the biggest danger to the company

as someone with many years of experience of the hobby as they call it, I dont need some grinning idiot gurning over me

I've found that with the staff if you visit the shop often enough then they'll remember who you are and remember that you don't go in for all that over-the-top-let-me-sell-you-things attitude. Of course getting to that stage can be a bit arduous.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sardan

Sardan

Posted
Posted
I mean, seriously, they have a network of shops up and down the country, each with 3-4 full time staff, with one in every major town (and some minor). They're open 7 days a week with facilities that are free to use, and all they have to support them is a magazine, an online store, and the sale supplies for a hobby that, let's face it, once you've bought the right kit you could just play pretty much forever with little to no further investment.

Well as sweetdaddyg has already said it isn't quite like that. While in principle all you really need is the basic rules and some army lists (and can make up your own) that is why the GW business model goes further than this.

They constantly bring out new books and new models. There is an element of "power creep" with the new stuff being better in game than the old stuff thereby encouraging players to "upgrade". Every few years once the level of creep has completely messed up the game then they release a new edition, which itself spawns new models and further new books! It is a bit like the CCG business model (and one that, sadly but understandably, WotC adopted for D&D).

Lets not also point out that the models are very expensive, and have become relatively more expensive over the years. Models that are good in the game also tend to be more expensive (funny that). And starter sets are extremely good value to get teenagers hooked!

The popularity of pick-up games (in-store) and tournaments reinforces the core rules, model and edition changes and what is "legal". Add rules to WD and you have a magazine many fans will *have* to buy. Put plenty of adverts in WD (well it is one big advert really) and you hopefully increase sales of new miniatures.

I think it is a shame that GW went down this route. I used to like that they sold lots of games, other people's included, and created Uk versions of US games under license. However I suspect that this model is more profitable, or at least easier to make profitable, particularly as many people who would have become wargamers or role-players are now computer games players.

Having just three games also means you are less likely to cannabalize your own customer base.

GW have also focused on the younger end of the market, teenage boys primarily. I think this is relatively shrewd as in my opinion they have become wealthier (or their parents have), have more time to play and have fewer things to spend their money on. Older gamers, in my experience, tend to be more creative in terms of tinkering with rules themselves and therefore buying less (they also have lots of other things competing for their money as well as not as much time to play and therefore get less return on their money).

The upside to this (and to the similar process that has happened to D&D) is that much of the games industry, particularly among older gamers, has gone back to being a hobby, and with the internet what other people are doing with their hobby is much more widely available.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sweetdaddyg

sweetdaddyg

Posted
Posted

D&D used to be sold in the UK by GW. However then Virgin started selling AD&D 2nd edition which is where I got my stuff from in those days.

I remember when WD used to cover D&D and many other games, and there was the possibility of the odd free mini with it.

No chance of that now.

GW's mandate is "Bleed em dry"

Its a shame because in my eyes they were once the true leaders of this hobby, but now many of the indies are beating them at their own game.

Also, I expect GW stores to sell dawn of war and blood bowl video games before this years out, like Waterstones they will bow to the need to sell more than core product.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sardan

Sardan

Posted
Posted

Aye. Back in the day they actually produced a version of D&D under license. They also printed some of the AD&D manuals in the UK under license. They also produced a number of other game systems under license, MERP, Runequest and Call of Cthulhu are all RPGs that immediately spring to mind as games that had GW editions printed.

GW also produced their own games as well as Warhammer, Golden Heroes, Judge Dredd RPG spring to mind. Then WFRP came along.

Gw was a retailer that sold a lot of companies' games not just GW games and Citadel miniatures.

White Dwarf covered loads of games but primarilt D&D, AD&D, Runequest, Traveller and CoC. It was a magazine for the gaming community and not just a GW house publication.

Happy days, but those days are long gone. It is more than nostalgia for me as my interest in WHFB and WH40K is extremely limited.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sweetdaddyg

sweetdaddyg

Posted
Posted

I have the old doctor who GW game somewhere

I dont know how GW isnt bought up by Wizards yet, but I am sure it will come some day

Oh I have the Judge Dredd RPG as well

I think their problem is they are now a remarkably niche product competing against videogames which are minimally less niche but infinately more popular

that and they now only have three core products

I miss epic, man o war, necromunda and what was that other one, the 40k man o war one....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Use of this website is subject to our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Guidelines.

  I accept