GW controls the hobby ecosystem, as outrage fails because players buy what they hate. Even if the stock dips or bankruptcy hits, Space Marines are here to stay.
Another Long War Two-Fer is here: Keep those hobby muscles strong with this week’s webcast and the latest exciting podcast of tabletop wargaming awesomeness, mostly centered around Warhammer 40k.
The Long War: Episode 531
Show Summary:
This week, Rob and Kenny discuss Games Workshop’s control over the Warhammer 40k hobby, break down GW’s latest releases and Kickstarter controversies, and debate whether hobbyists can change the business practices they complain about. Here are the key takeaways, section by section:
- 00:00-06:10: Rob and Kenny catch up on dermatologist visits and internet troubles, sharing awkward medical stories, installation nightmares, and Kenny’s unexpected McDonald’s Boo Bucket adventure.
- 06:10-08:25: Kenny returns to 40k with his first escalation league game, bringing Creations of Bile Chaos Space Marines against World Eaters in a 600-point melee showdown.
- 08:25-12:25: Tournament scoring, painting deadlines, and Warhammer subscriptions take over, as Kenny praises his local gaming community and explains why he still prefers paper score sheets.
- 12:25-16:55: New paints and Kickstarter controversies headline the hobby news, with Army Painter and Squidmar announcing releases while Steamforged Games faces questions about unfulfilled projects.
- 16:55-22:00: GW’s canceled Necromunda RPG raises questions about licensing and unsold inventory, as Rob considers whether finished products could be destroyed and revisits the limited-edition Space Marine Codex.
- 22:00-25:20: GW’s $400 Armageddon terrain set gets mixed reviews, with Rob praising its prepainted battlefield while questioning the cardboard layouts and minor paint imperfections.
- 25:20-29:10: Warhammer pricing and GW’s control over gaming accessories spark debate, as the guys compare modern costs with classic miniatures and discuss how official terrain could affect third-party companies.
- 29:10-35:10: Games Workshop’s secrecy and expanding retail network come under scrutiny, with Rob discussing a Wall Street analyst conversation, holiday Battleforces, and GW’s reported jump from 6,500 to 9,100 trade accounts.
- 35:10-40:00: GW’s influence over local game stores takes center stage, as Rob and Kenny debate whether tabletop retailers could survive without Warhammer and why collectible card games have become essential.
- 40:00-44:55: Hobbyists funding the practices they hate sparks a heated discussion, with Kenny revisiting the Indomitus launch controversy and explaining why he buys from local game stores instead of GW’s website.
- 44:55-49:50: Online boycotts and GW’s record profits raise questions about consumer influence, as the guys argue that veteran players keep spending despite frustrations while Games Workshop prioritizes new customers.
- 49:50-53:20: Warhammer video games and licensing fuel the discussion about GW’s future, with Rob questioning whether Dawn of War and Total War can match Space Marine 2’s success while Kenny praises GW’s control over its IP.
- 53:20-57:45: Gundam Assemble emerges as a potential challenger to Games Workshop, as Rob and Kenny compare Bandai’s advantages, revisit competition from X-Wing and Warmachine, and explain why Warhammer needs stronger rivals.
How close GW was to bankruptcy at one point.
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