What is the term Chapterhouse Effect that’s been flying around lately, and have we already started seeing it?
First it was the splash release of the Tervigon, and Thunderwolves all conspicuously close to each other a few springs ago.
Both models were kits that Chapterhouse (and others) had produced figures or upgrades for existing figures BEFORE Games Workshop did.
Then Citadel Colors got a whole facelift right around this time, but maybe more notably every paint was renamed with a GW specific term.
Retailers were only notified with a weeks time that they were “required” to purchase a new $3,000 plus rack of paints to that end due to what some sales reps were quoted as saying was a “strategic release”.
Then it was very vocal court case of GW vs Chapterhouse etc. last summer (2013) in Chicago, where many say GW may have won the battle but lost the war for the hearts and minds of the very gamers they consider thier customers.
And who can forget the whole Space Marine attack, where GW seemed to go after everyone and everything and that had used that name in print.
Now we’re seeing new terms being coined like Astra Militarum for Imperial Guard, and Games Workshop has continued to omit certain codex units from the game (i.e the Doom of Malan’ tai,) that don’t currently have models.
If this all a unique set of coincidences, OR a definitive plan on Games Workshop’s part?
Which also seems to begs the question; Can another company (non GW) claim legal rights to a model of a particular unit/concept, IF there was no model produced by them when the concept of that model was introduced in print?
Furthermore is the ability to do this by an independent game company good or bad for the hobby in general?
In a time where 3d printing is becoming more and more real, what do you think the future will hold for table top wargaming? -MBG
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
