Games Workshop slowed down this week with a scant four made-to-order miniatures that are over 20 years old; here is what they are really trying to sell you now.
Games Workshop Hits Pause on New Miniatures: What They Are Really Trying to Sell You
Games Workshop (GW) has always been a company of surprise, and their latest moves certainly have fans raising an eyebrow or two. Instead of the usual parade of new miniatures, this week’s announcements were… well, a little different. We’ve got four Made-to-Order Warriors of Chaos models and three new board games hitting Barnes & Noble, seemingly aimed at hobby newcomers. But behind the chaos (pun intended) lies a bigger question: why is there a slowdown in Warhammer miniature releases, and what are they actually trying to sell?
Made-to-Order Warriors of Chaos and Board Game Releases
First up, the four Made-to-Order Warriors of Chaos. These are classic models pulled straight from the vault, and while longtime fans are probably nostalgic for these miniatures, they’re hardly the game-changers some might have been hoping for. Yes, it’s nice to see these Chaos champions make a return, but it doesn’t exactly scream “big release.” At the same time, GW is rolling out three new board games—aimed at new hobbyists—through Barnes & Noble. A sign of diversification? Perhaps. Is this a sign of things slowing down on the miniature front? Almost certainly.
Slower Miniature Releases: A Strategic Shift?
With only one Warhammer 40k release in the last six weeks, many fans are wondering if GW has hit the brakes. For a company that usually feeds us a steady diet of new miniatures, rulebooks, and lore updates, this feels like a drought. It’s not just about the models themselves—GW has built a universe so sprawling that even the smallest release can have big implications. But with the release calendar looking sparse, it’s hard not to ask: What’s the holdup?
The Impact of Space Marine 2 on Warhammer’s Release Schedule
Here’s where things start to make sense. Enter Space Marine 2, the game that’s currently eating up everyone’s attention. With over two million copies sold and the title already being hailed as the fastest-selling Warhammer video game, it’s clear GW has hit digital gold. And at $60 for the base game, it’s competing directly with the price of many miniature sets. For a fan standing in front of a store shelf, the choice between a shiny new video game and a box of Space Marines could be a tough one. GW seems to be playing it smart by giving the game room to breathe before piling on new miniature releases.
Warhammer 40k & Age of Sigmar: Where Are the New Models?
If you’re a 40k fan who’s been feeling neglected, you’re not wrong. With only one major release in nearly two months, the miniature world feels eerily quiet. And Age of Sigmar fans? Well, the 4th Edition didn’t exactly make the splash GW hoped for. Rumor has it they’re even “giving away” Skaventide boxes to drum up interest. Ouch. Sure, Kill Team: Hivestorm and a potential second wave of Blood Angels might be on the horizon, but without new factions or big expansions, things feel… slow.
Games Workshop’s Broader Strategy: New Audiences, New Focus
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. GW has always been good at finding new ways to expand its reach, and with Space Marine 2 smashing records and Barnes & Noble board games introducing new players to the hobby, they’re clearly trying to broaden their audience. It’s easy to see how Space Marine 2 could be a gateway for video gamers to eventually pick up a paintbrush. This broader focus could be a long-term play, giving the company time to develop the next big thing for tabletop fans.
What This Means for Long-Time Fans
For those who’ve been painting and playing for years, the wait for something new might feel frustrating. But hey, this could just be the calm before the storm. There’s always a new release on the horizon, and while GW might be focusing on video games and board games for the moment, they’re undoubtedly working on something big for their loyal fans.
Conclusion: What’s Next for GW?
So, what’s the takeaway? Games Workshop’s pause on miniature releases seems to be part of a larger strategy. With Space Marine 2 capturing the spotlight and board games reeling in new hobbyists, it feels like they’re shuffling the deck before unleashing their next big wave of miniatures. Sure, the recent release drought might have left some of us feeling like an abandoned Guardsman on a Tyranid-infested planet, but fear not—there’s always another storm on the horizon.
All the Latest Warhammer New Rules & Model Rumors
What do you think about the shift from GW? Do you think they are slowing down to get more people to buy Space Marine 2?
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!
