The age-old debate of female Space Marines reignites with the latest from an ex-GW employee and key insights into their release cycle.
A few years back, a hobbyist on Twitter reposted some of the old pics of the Female Space Marines from the Adventurers line and explained his take on why they never really “took off” back in the late 19080s.
Along came another user who posted a reply from the former head of Intellectual Property at Games Workshop, Alan Merrett, who was, at the time these models were released, the GW design manager.
He had a few interesting things to say on another forum a while back, not only about the “burning” question of “Why aren’t there any female Space Marines” but also about GW’s release cycle in general.
Making what seems to be a good point, there were technically female Space Marine models that existed way back in the male-dominated 1980s miniatures market.
But what we found interesting about this post was that even back then, GW seemed to have a dedicated release cycle (either monthly or weekly), and they apparently ended up using everything that was sculpted… even the models in the dreaded “Drawer 101”.
He went on to say:
This is a lot to read through, but we underlined the areas of interest in red. Basically, when female miniatures were beginning to be introduced into the model range (in the 1980s, mind you), they didn’t sell as well as the male variants, and stores complained that they weren’t moving product.
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Thus, GW adapted to what the community wanted and again focused on male models in the late 1980s.
Recently the resounding demand from the community to bring back Sisters of Battle, which was a massive success for GW, proves that times have changed from the 1980s customer base 1000%.
While there still aren’t any official female Space Marine models in production by GW, we can still find ladies in power armor if that’s your style- or Female Stormcasts in Age of Sigmar.
And, of course, we all know that Games Workshop generates tons of revenue off of their constant, weekly releases (with or without the dreaded “Drawer 101”)
Can There Be Female Space Marines?
If Games Workshop wanted it, the Warhammer 40k universe, with its millennia of lore and vast scope, can undoubtedly accommodate the inclusion of Female Space Marines.
Whether it’s the inclusion of female Space Marines or considering gender shifts in traditionally female factions, the essence lies in the quality of the narrative and design. As fans and hobbyists, it’s exhilarating to see the game’s universe grow, change, and perhaps become more representative.
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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.
