It looks like there has been a crackdown down lately, as another source of Games Workshop 40k rules leaks has disappeared.
We’ve been seeing a lot of the playtesters getting axed recently (we’ll look at those rumors as well), as GW is trying to cut down on the giant amount of leaks we’ve seen.
While we don’t know exactly if this person on Reddit was a playtester or just someone who grabbed the scoops from them (and they always had great 40k rules leaks), Games Workshop could have gotten involved and made them remove their account. Or, with all the people getting released lately, they might have just decided to leave before things got too hot.
Either way, this is interesting to see if the leaks really do start slowing down by GW putting the pressure on or if people are just starting to get nervous about leaking things.
Another Games Workshop Source for Rules Leaks Disappears
This is the account, and the deleted profile was supposedly the Eldar leaker and had lots to say about Guard, WE, and Daemons, but had vanished now that Daeoms announced.
As we said, it’s hard to know why they left, as they were just a Reddit commenter, but we expect more to follow. With GW turning up the heat on everyone involved in their process, playtesters are going by the wayside, and so might be the people they were leaking info to.
Or, perhaps this individual might have realized their source was out of the loop and didn’t feel it worthwhile to keep going with the possibility of backlash. Another option that might require a small tinfoil hat is this is an account Games Worksop made to leak stuff to build hype.
We’ve talked about it before, but it does seem strange that so often, there is a potato picture on the web, and then, bam, hours later, GW comes to the rescue with perfect photos and a cheeky article to save the day!
No matter which reason you pick, it will be very interesting to see if we continue to see tons of leaks or if GW can actually keep things under wraps (well, at least what they want to). Now, let’s check out the recent rumors about the playtesters getting the ax and why whole codex leaks have slowed down.
RUMORS: Games Workshop Axes a Number of Warhammer 40k Playtesters
We have heard from several industry insiders that several Warhammer 40k has 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 don’t 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” to plug any 40k rules leaks from those individuals potentially.
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 to push for 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/or rules is starting to become an insufficient payment 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…
Check out the latest rumors about the rest of the 9th and 10th Edition Warhammer 40k rumors for new releases, including the next 40k Primarch, Leagues of Votann, Space Marines, and more!
View Gallery: 38 Images
Here’s the most up-to-date list of new Games Workshop bits from preview models that we should watch out for. Click on the gallery above to see dozens of Rumor Engines with new models still left to be revealed!
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What do you think about GW still trying to crack down on the 40k rules leaks?
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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.
