Comments on: Thank goodness for GW http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730 Daily news, reviews and information for tabletop gamers of all interests. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:58:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Zac http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-9251 Zac Sat, 09 Jun 2007 15:21:19 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-9251 Mostly because we don't scour newspaper websites for info about GW. So if its not an official release from GW or linked to in a location that we normally get news from then it doesn't tend to end up on TGN unless someone sends it to us. This news would also have come from the UK site which is notoriously bad to get info from. If only they were as well organised as the US site. That said, I thought we had posted about their profit warnings and staff reductions as GW did release some PR about that. It appears that we didn't so my assumption is that I simply forgot to post it. I haven't heard that the 35 store closings was an official announcement though. If we miss stuff like this please do feel free to use the Contact form to send us the info. Mostly because we don’t scour newspaper websites for info about GW. So if its not an official release from GW or linked to in a location that we normally get news from then it doesn’t tend to end up on TGN unless someone sends it to us.

This news would also have come from the UK site which is notoriously bad to get info from. If only they were as well organised as the US site.

That said, I thought we had posted about their profit warnings and staff reductions as GW did release some PR about that. It appears that we didn’t so my assumption is that I simply forgot to post it.

I haven’t heard that the 35 store closings was an official announcement though.

If we miss stuff like this please do feel free to use the Contact form to send us the info.

]]> By: Kenneth http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-9250 Kenneth Sat, 09 Jun 2007 15:08:07 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-9250 Why not even a mention of this http://tinyurl.com/2htxx2 on tgn GW coverage? Why not even a mention of this http://tinyurl.com/2htxx2 on tgn GW coverage?

]]> By: thoth awcmon http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-9011 thoth awcmon Thu, 31 May 2007 13:41:47 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-9011 Haw haw!! That is one funny figure! Hey I guess if he's a Slaanesh worshipper that might explain it. He's into that wild funky jazz scene. Haw haw!! Thanks Zack! Haw haw!! That is one funny figure! Hey I guess if he’s a Slaanesh worshipper that might explain it. He’s into that wild funky jazz scene. Haw haw!! Thanks Zack!

]]> By: glshade http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8973 glshade Mon, 28 May 2007 06:08:51 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8973 Oh my god the jazz hands mini is killing me.... Now about the topic..... I have lots of fond GW memories and most of them are in the last several years..... I play and read lots of different games and havew for years. I think That enjoyment of a game can happen despite weakness of the system or a few clunky funny minis - jazz hands - its more about the company you keep then the game you play. About GW as a company - yeah they are not turning out much product I want right now but the setting still interests me and I still love the Gaunts ghosts and Cain novels for 40K and if they made more minis for then I would be out more money... I do find that having small forces for numerous games allows me o wander from one to another through the year ( like changing sports every season ) so that nothing really ever gets boring... Anywho good topic - thanks GL Oh my god the jazz hands mini is killing me….

Now about the topic….. I have lots of fond GW memories and most of them are in the last several years….. I play and read lots of different games and havew for years. I think That enjoyment of a game can happen despite weakness of the system or a few clunky funny minis - jazz hands - its more about the company you keep then the game you play. About GW as a company - yeah they are not turning out much product I want right now but the setting still interests me and I still love the Gaunts ghosts and Cain novels for 40K and if they made more minis for then I would be out more money…

I do find that having small forces for numerous games allows me o wander from one to another through the year ( like changing sports every season ) so that nothing really ever gets boring…

Anywho good topic - thanks

GL

]]> By: Zac http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8971 Zac Mon, 28 May 2007 03:21:51 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8971 The <a href="http://store.us.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.us?do=List_Models&code=305649&orignav=300901&ParentID=258394&GameNav=10" rel="nofollow">Possessed Marine</a> at the bottom right The Possessed Marine at the bottom right

]]> By: thowawcmon http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8970 thowawcmon Mon, 28 May 2007 03:16:57 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8970 Zac makes mention above about a "Chaos possessed mini" with "Jazz Hands" from GW. Haw haw!! That is hilarious Zac. I've not noticed this "Jazz Hands" figure before, would love to see it if someone has a link. Haw haw!! Zac makes mention above about a “Chaos possessed mini” with “Jazz Hands” from GW. Haw haw!! That is hilarious Zac. I’ve not noticed this “Jazz Hands” figure before, would love to see it if someone has a link. Haw haw!!

]]> By: thowawcmon http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8969 thowawcmon Mon, 28 May 2007 03:12:56 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8969 GW is going through what all successful companies go through to one extent or another: they are the victims of their own success. They have been successful doing things one way for a long time, and then the market changes, or to put it more accurately, the market matures. And GW is left with consumers have heard it and seen it all before many times: fans of miniature gaming have "been there, done that" and are looking elsewhere for quality miniatures and terrain, and they're looking for value, interesting flavor texts, and for new ideas. And that doesnt bode well for moving their long establihsed products off the shelves as they did when their ideas and their products were fresh, new, innovative and young. GW, as all companies that have grown fat on their own success, is seeing their advantages in the industry slowly disappear, as folks are looking for a different direction. The more interesting question to me is, is there a newcomer that has what it takes to take advantage of the situation, or will the industry itself decline and shrink, not being able to compete with PC and console gaming and other competitors for the entertainment dollar? GW is going through what all successful companies go through to one extent or another: they are the victims of their own success. They have been successful doing things one way for a long time, and then the market changes, or to put it more accurately, the market matures. And GW is left with consumers have heard it and seen it all before many times: fans of miniature gaming have “been there, done that” and are looking elsewhere for quality miniatures and terrain, and they’re looking for value, interesting flavor texts, and for new ideas. And that doesnt bode well for moving their long establihsed products off the shelves as they did when their ideas and their products were fresh, new, innovative and young. GW, as all companies that have grown fat on their own success, is seeing their advantages in the industry slowly disappear, as folks are looking for a different direction. The more interesting question to me is, is there a newcomer that has what it takes to take advantage of the situation, or will the industry itself decline and shrink, not being able to compete with PC and console gaming and other competitors for the entertainment dollar?

]]> By: steeldragon http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8828 steeldragon Tue, 22 May 2007 19:36:21 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8828 If a new Space Hulk appears I will get one. I do like the 40K world and I believe I will not need any more models for my Space Marine army... GW has certainly made some decisions that might turn against them, but I believe we perceive that since we are not the market target for GW. We were. We already have one or several GW armies, so we are no longer a "good customer". The new customers are their target and their paraphernalia and marketing is oriented towards them, and we feel abandoned because of that. Hopefully that will change over time. Andres If a new Space Hulk appears I will get one.

I do like the 40K world and I believe I will not need any more models for my Space Marine army…

GW has certainly made some decisions that might turn against them, but I believe we perceive that since we are not the market target for GW. We were. We already have one or several GW armies, so we are no longer a “good customer”. The new customers are their target and their paraphernalia and marketing is oriented towards them, and we feel abandoned because of that.

Hopefully that will change over time.

Andres

]]> By: mikesilk http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8819 mikesilk Tue, 22 May 2007 14:04:06 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8819 GW will continue its slide untill the release of The Hobbit in 2010 but to rely on the flogging of an all too dead horse is the definition of insanity.get all those games back on the shelves and introduce them to a new customer( mordheim, blood bowl etc.) quit gouging your customers and dare i say offer pre-paints ( bag-o-skeletons, bag-o-goblins) its all about selection and choice i wont buy them but there are a million lazy pukes out there who will. I love to love and hate GW may they live long and prosper. GW will continue its slide untill the release of The Hobbit in 2010 but to rely on the flogging of an all too dead horse is the definition of insanity.get all those games back on the shelves and introduce them to a new customer( mordheim, blood bowl etc.) quit gouging your customers and dare i say offer pre-paints ( bag-o-skeletons, bag-o-goblins) its all about selection and choice i wont buy them but there are a million lazy pukes out there who will. I love to love and hate GW may they live long and prosper.

]]> By: evernevermore http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8812 evernevermore Tue, 22 May 2007 04:38:37 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8812 I really do hope that GW turns around their slow slide. While some of the newer games/companies out there have alot to credit them I usually end up with the problems I have with PP - I love the art, the setting is great, but the army play style I like and the army I like the story and concept for are totally different... And there are great open source options like No Limits - but then I gotta find someone willing to learn it and convert over an army or three... With GW I can unpack my army at the local shop and atleast find someone that appreciates and notices my conversion work even if they wont play me I really do hope that GW turns around their slow slide. While some of the newer games/companies out there have alot to credit them I usually end up with the problems I have with PP - I love the art, the setting is great, but the army play style I like and the army I like the story and concept for are totally different… And there are great open source options like No Limits - but then I gotta find someone willing to learn it and convert over an army or three…

With GW I can unpack my army at the local shop and atleast find someone that appreciates and notices my conversion work even if they wont play me

]]> By: Pr0fane http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8811 Pr0fane Tue, 22 May 2007 00:32:59 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8811 Excellent discussion, Zac. Props to you for kicking it off. I won't add anything to this discussion except for one point. Oldsalt, you say (and I paraphrase) why bother having this discussion, they will never listen or change? One reason; there are some of us that DO listen to what the gamer community has to say and want to react. Excellent discussion, Zac. Props to you for kicking it off. I won’t add anything to this discussion except for one point.

Oldsalt, you say (and I paraphrase) why bother having this discussion, they will never listen or change? One reason; there are some of us that DO listen to what the gamer community has to say and want to react.

]]> By: scottiesb http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8810 scottiesb Tue, 22 May 2007 00:25:26 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8810 Yes it is a sad story, but lets face the fact that GW has not adapted to the changing marketplace. Sure, the newbies (PP, Rackahm...etc) have found themselves in an ideal stituation because of the lack of response from GW. Times change and people (ok companies in this case) have the change with it. Lets face it this come down to one thing EGO. GW believes just becuase they are the ones that were there to introduce the gamers to tabletop minis warfare. That they will always be the big dog on the porch. This is so untrue. Lets look at speciality companies and the history that follows. K Mart, at one point they were the big dog on the porch for their speciality (or the lack there of, but for arguement sake we will go on) beacuse they failed to meet the needs of the changing marketplace. Wal-Mart was able to come in and control the marketplace. Wards, again the big dog on the porch, but because they failed to adapted Sears has come along and took their place. The simple fact of the matter is that just becuase you have or HAD the market share does not mean that you can keep it. And if GW doesn't want to find themselves as a footnote in this industry. They need GET OFF THEIR HIGH HORSES and do something about it. And yes even as big as they are, they can still fall and fall quick. Yes it is a sad story, but lets face the fact that GW has not adapted to the changing marketplace. Sure, the newbies (PP, Rackahm…etc) have found themselves in an ideal stituation because of the lack of response from GW. Times change and people (ok companies in this case) have the change with it. Lets face it this come down to one thing EGO. GW believes just becuase they are the ones that were there to introduce the gamers to tabletop minis warfare. That they will always be the big dog on the porch. This is so untrue. Lets look at speciality companies and the history that follows.

K Mart, at one point they were the big dog on the porch for their speciality (or the lack there of, but for arguement sake we will go on) beacuse they failed to meet the needs of the changing marketplace. Wal-Mart was able to come in and control the marketplace.

Wards, again the big dog on the porch, but because they failed to adapted Sears has come along and took their place.

The simple fact of the matter is that just becuase you have or HAD the market share does not mean that you can keep it. And if GW doesn’t want to find themselves as a footnote in this industry. They need GET OFF THEIR HIGH HORSES and do something about it.

And yes even as big as they are, they can still fall and fall quick.

]]> By: Maus! http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8809 Maus! Tue, 22 May 2007 00:21:30 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8809 But . . . you just bothered writing about it :P But . . . you just bothered writing about it :P

]]> By: oldsalt http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8808 oldsalt Mon, 21 May 2007 23:28:46 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8808 Hate to say it but I don't really see a point to this opinion piece... Yes GW repackaged an odd european hobby into a mass market juggnernaught.. and they deserve credit for that - but "credit" does not equal brand loyalty or $$. credit is a footnote in history nothing more. I worked for GW in the past and it really pains me to see the company, its models, and games... sliding down the evolutionary ladder... as faster sleeker better designed, i.e. evolved (sic), companys/ games muscle GW out... but again... GW's past does not earn them my cash today. And Yep - GW is a juggernaught... so it could take it a long time to die... but if they continue with the bad descions they are bound to do so.... or at the very least lose market dominance. As you mentioned - currently they are badly managed. ... with a change in management they could perhaps turn the company around... but I/we can't make them change management (unless you own a lot of stock!).... and therefore what use is an article about their legacy and the fact that they need to change? we all know the GW story... and I doubt any of us own enough stock to make them change management. so why bother worring/writing about it? my 2 cents? Hate to say it but I don’t really see a point to this opinion piece…

Yes GW repackaged an odd european hobby into a mass market juggnernaught..
and they deserve credit for that - but “credit” does not equal brand loyalty or $$.

credit is a footnote in history nothing more.

I worked for GW in the past and it really pains me to see the company, its models, and games… sliding down the evolutionary ladder… as faster sleeker better designed, i.e. evolved (sic), companys/ games muscle GW out…

but again… GW’s past does not earn them my cash today.

And Yep - GW is a juggernaught… so it could take it a long time to die… but if they continue with the bad descions they are bound to do so…. or at the very least lose market dominance.
As you mentioned - currently they are badly managed. … with a change in management they could perhaps turn the company around…
but I/we can’t make them change management (unless you own a lot of stock!)…. and therefore what use is an article about their legacy and the fact that they need to change?

we all know the GW story… and I doubt any of us own enough stock to make them change management. so why bother worring/writing about it?
my 2 cents?

]]> By: Stu http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2007/05/21/7730/comment-page-1#comment-8807 Stu Mon, 21 May 2007 23:21:54 +0000 http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/?p=7730#comment-8807 Oh and as an aside, if you want army scale battles WITHOUT the massive expense but still with plenty of modelling and painting opportunities you should try the 15mm scale rather than 28mm. You can play Ancients (DBA/DBM), Fantasy (HOTT), WWII (Flames of War amongst others), various Sci Fi systems and Moderns too in that scale for a fraction of the cost of a 28mm army. Oh and as an aside, if you want army scale battles WITHOUT the massive expense but still with plenty of modelling and painting opportunities you should try the 15mm scale rather than 28mm.

You can play Ancients (DBA/DBM), Fantasy (HOTT), WWII (Flames of War amongst others), various Sci Fi systems and Moderns too in that scale for a fraction of the cost of a 28mm army.

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