One day after dumping it’s bombshell of questionable legal mumbo-jumbo on it’s “partner stores” and it’s distributors in North America, the Tau are conviently leaked.
Which leads some to believe that this was all planned to divert attention away from this new “policy change” that has so many people from retailers to customers up in arms.
So whats wagging got to do with any of this? Well I may have been watching too much of the show “Psych” lately, so I find that now I like to break events down and compare them to similar situations in movies to find clarity.
Wag the Dog was a 1997 movie staring Dustin Hoffman, and Robert DeNerio (among others). It was a satire featuring the President of the United States, creating a fake war to cover up a sex scandal that probably would have seen him not get re-elected.
So I think some interesting parallels can be drawn from that movie, to the events of late last week where at least our gaming attention was drawn away from a very serious issue.
One of the reviews for the movie when put into the context above is frighteningly similar as to what was perhaps, the intended effects of the Tau leak (or again I could just be watching to much “Psych”).
“Wag the Dog is a brilliant satire of the American political system with enough realism to make it plausible. It speaks the strongest to people who already have a visceral loathing of the American democratic process (not how it was in 1789 but how it is now). They see a degraded and ignorant public easily duped by politicians who are no more than habitual liars who will say anything to get elected but lack any idealism whatsoever. Intelligent, funny, but also very depressing, 9/10.“
Games Workshop’s document to its retailers was also leaked, and you can see a copy here for yourself.
For me the most disturbing part of this document is here;
“This POLICY reflects the unilateral decision of GAMES WORKSHOP after a careful review designed to assess and pursue the best interests of GAMES WORKSHOP’S business and its brand. In issuing this new POLICY, GAMES WORKSHOP is not seeking your agreement to the requirements outlined below. The decision to comply with this POLICY is left to each individual Retailer. However, GAMES WORKSHOP does reserve the right, pursuant to this POLICY, to terminate sales of GAMES WORKSHOP products to any Trade Account who chooses to violate this POLICY or any Authorized Distributor supplying a Retailer that chooses to resell in violation of this POLICY.”
Which again I can draw some interesting parallels to a great movie, this time one we have probably all seen.
“Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station.”
―Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin Episode IV
“The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.” ―Princess Leia to Grand Moff Tarkin Episode IV
That’s my soapbox for today folks, what do you think about all of these recent events? -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.
