Hobbyists have noticed a cycle among Games Workshop’s specialist games. With Shadespire getting “discontinued”, what’s next?
If you haven’t already heard, Games Workshop made an announcement that Shadespire and all of the Warbands within that expansion of Warhammer Underworlds are getting discontinued. (Don’t worry, the Warbands themselves are still playable). In that same vein, there’s been a pattern noticed among other specialist games from GW.
What’s Next For GW? The Cycle Among Specialist Games
Going off of things that we’ve seen for Adeptus Titanicus, Warhammer Underworlds, and a few others, there’s a definite pattern:
- Games Workshop hypes and pushes a game.
- Everyone plays for the first few months.
- Things go on direct order/products disappear from their online store.
- And now most recently, Games Workshop discontinues Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire sets.
- Also, it appears that the first Specialist Game, Blood Bowl, may be getting a new edition in 2020 according to this. If that happens look for potential new editions of Necromunda, AT, AI and even potentially Warcry a few years out as well.
Adeptus Titanicus Is Currently Getting the Direct Order Treatment
Adeptus Titanicus looks to be feeling the squeeze on the Direct Order fad. Looking at the Grand Master Edition of Adeptus Titanicus, when the game was rebooted, these were the only boxes you could find. After a time, they disappeared, then returned as a second wave, but are currently under the Last Chance to buy section.
As for the Direct Order section of Titanicus, twenty items are filling up their page. From card packs to upgrades sprues and even campaign books, these are only available through direct purchase.
As for what you’re still able to grab, you can get the starting rules set, a few Knights and Titans, and a (now sold out) Battlegroup making an Axiom Maniple. Looking into the future of Adeptus Titanicus, do you think we will see more releases fill up their online store? Or will these Knights and Titans also move to the Direct Order phase?
What Could Cause Items to Move to Direct Order?
There could be a variety of different reasons why things move to Direct Order only. It could be that once everyone gets established in their games, they have no reason to keep selling the “old” product. Games Workshop might also be making the way for new releases later down the line. Whatever the reason may be, it might be wise to grab everything while you can and adopt the game early on before products become more difficult to get your hands on.
It seems like this is only a major trend among Specialist games even though Warhammer Legends was just announced. Which is essentially going to be the final resting place for 40k units that GW will only pseudo-support. (They won’t get any new rules or changes, however, they will continue to be usable in-game).
As for other recently popular lines like Warcry and Aeronautica Imperialis, we are still in the hype/playing phase. Keep your eyes peeled for some of their older products to disappear from the online store or completely move to Direct Order.
What it really comes down to is what your local playgroup is in to. Of course, over time, we will see rules change and products in our games get updated. And regardless if things go on direct order, if you’ve got friends that support your playing, that’s all that matters.
What do you think about the Shadespire getting discontinued announcement?
Do you think another big release is going to be in store for Adeptus Titanicus? How does Aeronautica Imperialis look to you?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
