It used to be a secret, whispered in hushed tones in the backs of game stores, but it’s become more mainstream in the past few years to the point that most people seem to know.
There are re-casters out there in other countries that you can get product from for cheaper.
This weekend though, it looks like it may have just become harder to interact with them.
Honestly whats happening now seems to be the norm of sorts as they scatter and come back stronger in time, just like the bits sellers on eBay and abroad.
Thanks to Faeit for a great report about whats going on.
From Faeit
There are several knock off companies that produce models copying Games Workshop and Forgeworld models. These companies are in places, like China where copyright laws are less enforced or non-existent. There seems to be some movement on these companies, as a couple are closed temporarily.
This is interesting on the heels of a Game Workshop vs Chapterhouse out of court settlement, that finally closed another chapter in the history of our hobby. It does appear that Chapterhouse will be up and running again towards the end of this month, as a behind the closed doors agreement was reached.
While I do not like to report on legal proceedings, if you missed it the best place I had found to read up on the Chapterhouse news was on Spikey Bits. You can read some indepth articles by following the link to Rob’s site (instead of digging through endless rants on forums). https://spikeybits.com/2014/11/final-settlement-gw-vs-chapterhouse.html
So when it comes to making knock off versions of models, here is the latest information on what a reader here on Feait 212 discovered and sent in.
via an anonymous reader on Faeit 212
I’m not entirely sure how much this matters, but a number of cheap chinese copiers, of both GW & FW figures, seem to have shut. Specifically some on the Alibaba site. Note I said ‘some’, not all.
Having received notification from a contact, here is a direct quote:
‘Aliexpress Warhammer store information.
Because the GW intellectual property inspection, aliexpressshops closed temporarily, such as the need to buy products, through e-mail contact, pay using paypal, the shop product species in the album view.
Due to the stricter GW supervision, we are forced to use this way to do the trade for a safer & more stable environment. Thank you for your understanding.’
Hot on the heels of a new GW appointed CEO, the final out of court settlement between GW & Chapterhouse, a released interview with outgoing CEO Kirby including talk of chinese copiers and I’m wondering if this is related at all. Or am I like others and just a bit paranoid?
So what do you think about the issue? Is buying recast/ knock-off items wrong? -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.
