New rumors are here that a number of Warhammer 40k playtesters have been “let go” by Games Workshop.
While some hobbyists would argue that there doesn’t seem to be much “playtesting” involved in games like Warhammer 40k, we know there is a dedicated group of individuals that volunteer their time to help GW with the rules.
The playtesters we have spoken with in the past have assured us that they catch most “broken combos”, errors, and mistakes and share them with Games Workshop heard of time, but GW, unfortunately, ignores their warnings in some cases…
On the flip side, some commenters online are also keen to point out that a lot of “coaches” get what could be considered unfair advantages from early access to the rules by being playtesters as well.
We have even heard of instances where playtesters and coaches tell their fans and subscribers that they will only share early access information if it is “leaked” online first, which perhaps has started becoming an issue for GW.
RUMORS: Games Workshop Axes a Number of Warhammer 40k Playtesters
We have heard from several industry insiders that a number of Warhammer 40k have been “let go” by Games Workshop. Of course, “let go” may not be the best phrasing, as reportedly they were not paid to begin with.
While we dont have the exact details on the number of individuals, we have also heard reports that a “Core” group of folks loyal to one particular person at GW are still doing playtesting work for the company.
As the source of some of the recent codex leaks has been reported to be from playtesters (a claim we think may be unsubstantiated), we could see how GW would perhaps be looking to “clean house” in order to potentially plug any leaks from those individuals.
We could also see how a crafty individual looking to gain a power base on the North American side of Games Workshop could even in theory leak these rules themselves in order to push for a culling of “disloyal” playtesters as well.
Order 66 or Istvaan III much?
All that aside, it’s also unclear at this time if Games Workshop will be sourcing new playtesters for games like Warhammer 40k, or if these rumors are even true at all.
One thing however I think we can all be certain of in 2022, is that people want to get paid for their work. Perhaps being a playtester, or content creator for free access to merchandise and/ore rules is starting to become not payment enough for these volunteer services?
Or perhaps GW is transitioning them to paid positions to exert more control over them? Either way, we will know soon enough- if the codex leaks stop on the Warhammer 40k side of things…
What do you think about Games Workshop and the Warhammer 40k playtesters?
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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.
