As printing free 3D models continues to threaten GW’s revenue, more downloadable files, like the Lord Discordant have been spotted!
The 3D printing trend is picking up speed and it’s here to stay. Hobbyists and companies such as Games Workshop may not be prepared for the digital pivot that seems to be on the horizon for our hobby.
We’ve seen 3D printers grow in popularity as more and more people are beginning to print their own models. With this being said, it’s picking up speed and becoming more popular.
But why now all of a sudden you ask? Well, it’s a complicated question may have a lot to do with both supply vs. demand, and perceived necessity by hobbyists.
This Chaincannon was spotted on eBay from Kojo1231 going for $4 per bit.
As you know, GW kits have notoriously lacked all the bits options for their squads for years. Only a short time after hobbyists found out that the Chaos Havoc boxes only came with one Chaincannon, we saw 3D printable renderings flood the market.
ANYCUBIC Photon UV LCD 3D Printer Assembled
In 2019 it’s even easier for hobbyists to source and print bits, perhaps more so than any of us had thought. The undeniable allure is that it’s not too expensive for any person to get into 3D printing in order to monetize and/or supplement their hobby.
GW still has yet to make an official statement for or against offering consumers digital model product downloads.
New Alternate Models Of Popular Units Increasing
Jimsbeanz has a perfect Celestine stand-in free downloadable printable model called the “Undying Saint With Wings”.
While Celestin may not be new, this alternate model definitely offers a cheaper, more sturdy option. People can have this model ready and waiting for them on their kitchen table by the time they come home from work on any given day. With Sisters of Battle coming later this year, it might only be a matter of time before we begin to see cheap, printable models that would be perfect for the Sororitas.
Alternate Lord Discordant
Also coming from Jimsbeanz on Thingiverse once again, there’s an alternate model that fits the bill for a Lord Discordant in 40k. But you might be thinking that it would cost a fortune to get a quality 3D printer. Right now, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
This alternate Obliterator model is a single resin piece printed from the $500 printer shown above.
Regardless of if hobbyists or companies are prepared, the 3D printing era is here and things are looking to only be speeding up. 3D models have even already been available for download before the kits themselves have released:
This Sweet 1950s Hovercar Beach Lander was spotted on Thingiverse recently. Alternate digital new releases being available before their analog counterparts can potentially threaten GW’s revenue stream as technology advances at a rapid pace.
GW hasn’t directly made a statement on all of this, but from the outside looking in, there may be an easy fix to all of this.
GW Could Sell Their 3D Model Files Online
As policing their property inside of people’s homes might be near impossible, they could embrace the 3D printing age and offer their official miniature files online as a purchasable file. Rather than potentially lose revenue to people in the hobby community with printers, they could always turn a profit.
Of course, the parameters and usage of such files could definitely be up for debate. The sales theory seems pretty sound… just ask iTunes, Hulu, or any video game with a ton of DLC.
Keep a close eye on the 3D printing trend as we move further along into the year. Who knows what we’ll be seeing next!
What do you think about the quality of 3D printers now? Have you purchased a printer for yourself? Would you buy official miniature printing files from GW if they offered them? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
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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.
