The Great FAQ Attempt

There have been rumors swirling for a while now in relation to Games Workshop releasing FAQs. Each has been wrong but we can assume there is some sort of release soonish - they need to actually answer some questions in relation to 6th edition rather than just patching books to have the same rules as 6th.

Games Day 2012.

So.

Many folk may have wondered where I've been. Actually, now that I remember, not many people probably care enough and promptly are wondering why I'm even on 3++ with my infrequent posting habits

That must change!

Games Workshop goes 'digital'...

Sorry is this 2000?

Games Workshop has apparently gone 'digital' and by that we mean they are releasing more stuff for you to buy from them that you really don't need. Yay for extra Space Marine content in an apple only product?

Going digital would actually involve Games Workshop involving itself in the online world - where the majority of people reside to at least some extent during their lives. It's nearly impossible not to these days yet Games Workshop still seems to refuse to acknowledge the existence of the Internet or that it could actually provide them with insight into their customer base. I'm sure many people will jump up and down over GW goodies for their apple product but really, woop de do. All GW has done is skipped the important part of the digital/IT world which if they paid attention to, might increase their viability as a company and tried to suck more money out of you. Color me unimpressed with a care factor of zero.

I particularly can't wait for the articles on "collecting guides and tactical guidance for making the most out of your miniatures collection on the painting table and the battlefield." and the utter fail the actual tactics will be. At least I'll get a laugh after someone posts it online and we can all read it.

Anyway, discuss, whine at GW, whine at me, whatever away. ^^

A curious monetary point about the new Privateer Press plastics...

This was pointed out by me to an emailer. Recently Privateer Press has been working on releasing more and more Plastic kits, specifically multi-part plastic Warjack and Warbeast kits which allow multiple (generally three) potential models to be made from one purchase. You basically get one body and then the bits to make any of the options provided and with some nifty magnet use, you have an all in one purpose Warbeast/Warjack. This is a great step in the right direction as one of the major advantages Games Workshop has over any other model company is they produce excellent multi-part plastic kits. Regardless of the asthetics or detailing on the models, plastic is much easier to work with and coming with lots of little bits makes all of us happy. Closing that barrier down is good.

Dark Millennium 40k MMO & US Throne of Skulls canned

Further cancellations of Games Workshop products/sponsored events have been announced though at least with Dark Millennium the game is still going to be released - just not as a MMORPG. More below.

Games Workshop has also announced after Throne of Skulls finishes in October in North America, that's going out the window same as 'Ard Boyz.

New Citadel/Games Workshop Paints

So Games Workshop has re-released all their old paints with fancy new names and about doubled their product range in this regard. The only thing anyone really cares about though is pink came back right? Never count pink out.

Their website is currently taking forever to load so if you can get on this post gives a run-down of their new paints - apparently there are new styles and stuff.

Anyway, go wild. Shame they are still $6/pot in Aussieland ^^.

'Ard Boyz Canned

So it seems 'Ard Boyz has been cancelled. Two ways to take this - the terrible bullcrap of a competitive event that was 'Ard Boyz is gone & Games Workshop has pulled even more community support leaving us with... Throne of Skulls and the dedicated and hard work of individuals outside of Games Workshop who somehow manage to put together excellent events and satsify hundreds of people.

Dreadfleet has sunk

Alas, we hardly knew ye. Now rot in your watery grave, you unasked for boat game.

It's official.
Dreadfleet sank. In order to deal with unwanted, impossible-to-sell stock (of a 'limited edition' game), GW recalled all its own caches. As you're reading this, they're being chewed apart by industrial machinery, or burnt to lovely crisps of plastic and fancy cardboard.

This might seem strange to some, but destruction of stock is usually a far better solution than cutting prices. Well, if you're selling a luxurious brand. So not 'boats with skulls, the limited edition game.' Yeah.
Let's not question GW's bruised ego, however. It's very likely they did this to make use of some tax evasion trick, because - as we all know - modern GW will never cut prices, hold sales, or heavily discount slow stock that's sucking up space in their warehouses.

A Company Embraces the 'Net

Recently, I've become quite charmed by Dystopian Wars. (That's a portion of my badly photographed fleet to the left. WHY U NO WORK CAMERA?!)

For those of you who don't follow the 'lil wargames that pop up, Dystopian Wars is a combined arms steampunk wargame, primarily focusing on naval engagements. It plays quite well, even though the rules are quite MK1.

The first thing I always do when I start up a new game is go look at the forums and fansites. I don't think I have to tell any of the readers of this blog that the e-community is probably the fastest way to getting good at your wargame of choice.

Conversion: Scratch Built Ork Stompa

Har, Har, Har! Check out this amazing Scratch built Ork Stompa.

I just recently found all my Games Day pictures (YEAH!) and this guy was one of the last things I snapped! 

First off, pardon the sneeze guard with scratchy glass Games Workshop uses to keep your models protected.

The best conversions in my option are always the ones you can't figure out how they made it.

Besides a few bits here and there, I really have no idea what this thing is made out of- it could be insulation foam in there for all I know, lol.

Comparison: Games Workshop & Privateer Press

I'm going to pre-face this by telling everyone to be nice in the comments. Don't flame and don't be fanbois/fangirls - this is an objective post and nothing is going to be gained by whining about companies or flaming each other.

With that out of the way... This post is going to look at some of the good and bad points of both companies in a comparison. Puppy has already done this alone with Games Workshop. As we move towards 2012 there is a massive disparity in terms of what each company does well. Whilst their gaming systems are very different in terms of size and scope, they are some of the largest tabletop wargames out there. Combined with the Privateer Press' founders seemingly basing their company off what many believe Games Workshop does poorly, it's only natural to see such comparisons made (and knowing the Internet and people in general - the flaming and fanism [<-- new word]).