Forge World 40k died quietly as Games Workshop rebranded their models as part of their Forgeworld website merge with Warhammer in general.
40k: Forge World Dies Quietly As Games Workshop Rebrands
Forge World, a name that evokes both nostalgia and awe among Warhammer hobbyists, was born in October 1998. Imagine the masterminds behind the original Thunderhawk Gunship, decided that regular models just wouldn’t cut it. They wanted something bigger, something bolder – something that could give your wallet a workout.
Here’s the history and future prospects of Forge World, and how its iconic models continue to captivate Warhammer hobbyists. Find out more about Forge World by clicking on the sections below or just jump in from the beginning.
Origins and Early Days
In its infancy, Forge World was all about crafting exquisite Warhammer terrain and jaw-dropping limited-edition models. Think of it as the haute couture of the miniature world. Their debut in White Dwarf magazine coincided with the third edition of Warhammer 40,000, instantly cementing their place in the hearts of gamers. Who could resist the allure of detailed, resin-cast giants towering over your standard plastic troops?
Key Milestones and Achievements
Over the years, Forge World expanded its horizons. From the majestic Elysian Drop Troops to the colossal Titans that could make even the bravest Space Marine gulp, they left no stone unturned. They didn’t just make models; they crafted legends. By 2005, the Elysian Drop Troops were dropping jaws, and Forge World had become synonymous with intricate designs and unparalleled quality.
In 2018, they evolved into the Specialist Design Studio, focusing on projects like the Horus Heresy and Epic Scale games. But as all epic tales go, even legends have their twilight. By 2024, Games Workshop quietly folded Forge World into its main brand, ending an era but ensuring the spirit of Forge World lived on in the resin-cast dreams of hobbyists everywhere.
Iconic Forge World Projects and Models
Imperial Armour
Ah, Imperial Armour – the series that made us all believe our armies weren’t complete without a monstrous creature or a tank that could double as a small apartment. This was Forge World’s playground for exotic vehicles and titanic terrors, where imagination knew no bounds, and practicality was left at the door.
Exotic Vehicles and Monstrous Creatures
Imperial Armour wasn’t just a product line; it was an experience. From the sleek lines of the Eldar vehicles to the brutish might of the Ork war machines, every model told a story. And let’s not forget the monstrous creatures – beasts so detailed you could practically hear them roar as you painted their scales. These models weren’t just for show; they were the stuff of Warhammer legends, turning ordinary battles into apocalyptic sagas.
The Horus Heresy
If Imperial Armour was the playground, then the Horus Heresy was the grand stage where heroes and villains clashed in tales of betrayal and glory. Set ten thousand years before the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, this series brought the Age of Darkness to life.
Horus Heresy Fulgrim Transfigured Model
The Horus Heresy was all about the lore, diving deep into the history of the Imperium and the tragic fall of the Primarchs. With rules, scenarios, and characters straight out of Warhammer’s most pivotal era, it gave fans a chance to reenact the battles that shaped the galaxy. And the models? Let’s just say if you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of Warhammer history, this was your golden ticket.
Specialist Games
Forge World’s Specialist Games were the hidden gems in their crown, catering to niche tastes and hardcore fans alike. Whether it was the sprawling battles of Epic or the intense skirmishes of Necromunda, these games offered something unique and thrilling.
Epic Scale and More
Epic, Battlefleet Gothic, Adeptus Titanicus – these names may not ring as many bells as Warhammer 40,000, but to those in the know, they represent a world of strategy and detail. Forge World’s contributions to these games were nothing short of spectacular, offering finely detailed miniatures that brought each universe to life. Whether you were commanding fleets or titans, the level of craftsmanship was second to none, making each game a miniature masterpiece.
The Impact of Rebranding & Transition to Games Workshop Webstore
Rebranding is never easy, especially when it involves a beloved entity like Forge World. For many, this transition felt like the end of an era, but it also marked the beginning of something new and exciting under the Games Workshop umbrella.
Renowned for producing highly detailed and specialized models, Forge World has long held a special place in the hearts of hobbyists and collectors. The rebranding represents a pivotal moment for both new and veteran hobbyists. Games Workshop seeks to harmonize Forgeworld’s identity with its overarching vision, ensuring a seamless experience for its devoted fan base.
We’ll get to the new Warhammer website roll-out, but even as recently as 2022, Games Workshop was already renaming Forge World miniatures as “expert-level model kits” on their main webstore.
Warhammer Replaces Games Workshop & Forge World Websites
Now, they’ve got it all in one place with Warhammer Plus+, events, painting, and both stores in a single shopping spot. Looks like Games Workshop is trying to get up close and personal with customers and build their brand as a “lifestyle business.” They’re saying stuff like:
Games-Workshop.com and Forgeworld.co.uk are together at last as Warhammer.com! It’s a one-stop online shop where you can find the entire range of Warhammer miniatures in one place, as well as rules, boxed sets, paints, and a selection of Black Library novels.You’ll be able to get miniatures that aren’t available in most Warhammer stores, and you can get your orders delivered to your local Warhammer shop for free. Plus, our returns and exchange policy is there to ensure you get the best possible customer service.
It’s not a huge surprise that all the typical GW products are on here, but even all the Black Library titles are as well. So now you can go to one place for basically everything Warhammer-related.
2020: The Social Media Rebrand
Let’s start with the first rebrand when they knew behind the scenes that a big new edition of Horus Heresy was in the works.
This post came out in 2020 when they started focusing on Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness more (30k and Adeptus Titanicus). It was a big tip-off to a new edition of Horus Heresy, but it took about a year and a half from this for the current 2022 edition of the game to actually drop.
2021: Manufacturing & Packaging
Google Street view of where they’re adding on
Then, in 2021, GW built a new warehouse, and all they said was they would be using the space to make more paint and resin. However, it was all under the GW banner, meaning they were, perhaps, one step closer to absorbing Forge World back into the company overall.
Looking back, we assume this was to help with all the recent resin upgrades and new character products for Horus Heresy. However, back then, we weren’t sure what they would be making and if it would even still be “Forge World” 40k or hours Heresy products anymore.
2022: Rebranding of Horus Heresy Resin Forge World Products
You can provide your own sartorial flair to the VII Legion with this upgrade set containing 11 detailed resin helmets, each one positively festooned with noble foliage. There are three sets each of three different knightly designs, plus one helmet with a transverse crest for your Praetors and Sergeants, and one square-jawed feller with a bare head.
Packs like these started coming out in the summer of 2022, and the branding radically differed from the previous resin products. In terms of packaging, product listings, and marketing copy, they simply called them detailed resin pieces.
2023: Forge World 40k is No More on the New Warhammer Site
All the Forge World Horus Heresy and 40k products are now on the new combined Warhammer dot com site, and when you try to go to their previous Forgeworld.co.uk website, you’ll end up back here. Sadly, we could not find one instance of the term Forge World on this new retail site anymore.
Looks like Forgeworld is doing the vanishing act in their product listings. Now it’s just “15+ Expert Kits” without any mention of Forge World. It seems like they’ve pulled a Houdini and Forge World is basically no more.
Sadly, our rebranding theory from years ago seems to have come true!
The Horus Heresy upgrades are also now called Expert Kits, meaning everything that was Forge World is now just an “Expert Kit.”
This page the only thing that remains of Forge World after the rebrand, no 40k. However, even this Facebook page has only been about Horus Heresy since 2020. Plus, as you can see, the website is linked to the new Warhammer site.
Games Workshop Confirms Forge World’s Legacy and Future
Along with their design, Games Workshop put out an FAQ for their 2023 site launch. In it, they confirmed our fears: Forgeworld is no more.
Even The Iconic Boxes Are Dead Now
There is something a little strange about getting a box without the iconic branding.
We recently saw this box and were sad that there is no mention of Forgeworld, the cool cog skull, or anything. Just like on the website, it simply says Expert Product 15+ on the box. Some people will probably be getting boxes in the old packaging, but anything newer will most likely look like this from now on.
The Future of Forge World Models
In conclusion, Forgeworld may have undergone a significant transformation, but its impact on the world of miniature-wargaming is undeniable. From its early days crafting colossal resin models to its modern incarnation within the Games Workshop empire, Forge World has always been about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the hobby for models.
While the brand name might have faded, the spirit of innovation and quality lives on, ensuring that both newcomers and veterans of the game have plenty to look forward to in Warhammer hobby. It looks like the time for Forge World Models has ended, and the age of Expert Kits is here.
All GW Stores to Rebrand & The Changes Ahead!
What do you think about the fate of Forgeworld with Forge World Models being rebranded into expert 15+ kits by Games Workshop?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
