I don't much about the Beasts of War guys, but this is an interesting read:

http://www.beastsofwar.com/games-workshop/announcement/

Basically GW are trying to stop them from reviewing any GW products, discussing any new GW releases, or even featuring any pictures of GW models on their site.  I'm not convinced how much of GW's bullying would ever stand up in court if someone had the time and money to throw at it.

This all started because BoW published new models on their site before GW had officially released it, they also used GW's logo without permission...I think they got 3 cease and desist letters before GW wanted to go further

To be honest ...I think they only have themselves to blame..I am sure Apple, Coca Cola or any other big international company that dominates in their chosen field would do the same

Do GW actually want people to buy their stuff or do they just want to p*ss the wargaming community off with their, frankly, obnoxious approach to business? A business in the leisure industry, where people are wanting to relax, enjoy themselves and not hear about all this corporate nonsense.

I stopped buying GW stuff several years ago because it was a) very expensive for what it was, b) the attitude of their store staff was often either condescending or otherwise obnoxious, c) the constant revamping of rules to "force" people to spend even more money on their overpriced products and d) their bully-boy attitude to the rest of the industry.

A good company that has lost it's way IMHO.

I dont think GW actually think of themselves of belonging to the wargaming community...I think they consider themselves part of the GW community

Quote from: Fenton on 06 October 2013, 08:26:54 PM
I dont think GW actually think of themselves of belonging to the wargaming community...I think they consider themselves part of the GW community

After all, they are the HOBBY!

I heard a rumour about GW stores stopping having game or painting tables, only a place where to sell stuff...

DO NOT get me started!!!!

Would it be breaching their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988, specifically Sections 16 and 20 to announce that Games Workshop intend to release a new range of Barbies?

Well first of all GW thinks it IS the hobby. (LOL 1).

And yes gaming tables are rare these days. More like a come in give us your money, leave fast. (LOL 2)

But I am also looking at how sheepishly the majority of gamers does whatever GW says and pays outrageous prices.

So stores are costing them so much money that they have to raise prices? Any store that does not make profits is closed so LOL 3.

LOL 4 for the argument of inflation and LOL 5 that they are actually successful. Raising prices by 15 % and raising earnings by 1 % means you are loosing sales, full stop.
Did I mention I nowadays buy my hobby items from Pendraken? Miniatures also come from a few other suppliers but none of them is named GW, Citadel or Forgeworld.

Their stupid release policy (no word untill we say so) is unrealistic and a total slap in the face of a gamer. How can you justify a gamer starting an army and within weeks his Codex is outdated and his minis basically worthless? (Necron Pariahs anyone?) The "gamers spend what they have on what is there" approach is true but GW did not anticipate "what is there" includes other manufacturers. I mean those with a bit more appreciation of their community. Did I mention Fore.- and after- sales service?

Lastly it is beyond me why anyone would want to play the standard GW powergamer that gets a nervous breakdown if you actually have some units left after their initial turn. Been there, seen it, rejecting it.
So my gaming budget is indeed spent like GW says, unfortunately for them entirely NOT on THEIR merchandise. After all it is the VENDOR that needs to convince the BUYER. Not the vendor allowing the buyer to have some candy.

Quote from: Leon on 06 October 2013, 06:53:21 PM
I don't much about the Beasts of War guys, but this is an interesting read:

http://www.beastsofwar.com/games-workshop/announcement/

Basically GW are trying to stop them from reviewing any GW products, discussing any new GW releases, or even featuring any pictures of GW models on their site.  I'm not convinced how much of GW's bullying would ever stand up in court if someone had the time and money to throw at it.

I think that's the point with them picking on people who aren't going to be able to afford to fight them legally, they must think it sends out a message to others about crossing them etc.
It's a real shame that GW are now just a parody of what they once were, they well and truly sold out now that the money keeps rolling in....

And when someone stands up to face them in court (CHS) they look pretty bad.

When that author in the US finally got help from the authors' guild (or so) they were made aware that "Space Marine" IS a generic term and IF it can be copyrighted then only by the owner of its 1932 appearance and not by them. As a result GW could not sell "Space Marines" in the US. I might be mistaken but if that ever happens GW can basically dissolve.

Last time you seen so many people celebrating in the streets was the end of WWII....

The only satisfaction I have from all of the above is that GW's sales model will ultimately fail.  They burn customer after customer meaning they have to find new ones.  Whilst there will always be a procession of spotty teenage boys hankering after their latest releases, their number of long term customers will fall.

I used to be a GW fan...then became a customer...then purchased a few supplies etc...and now the only thing I buy from them are washes (I just like them).  Repeat this several thousand times and the end result is obvious.

Bad business sense: don't annoy your customers.

Quote from: get2grips on 07 October 2013, 02:03:12 PM
  They burn customer after customer meaning they have to find new ones. 

But that IS there plan as far as I can see, its why they keep releasing starter sets and new codexes and models

They have shareholders to take care of etc...they are there to make money not to pander to wargaming in general...Same as Battlefront and Flames of War

QuoteBut that IS there plan as far as I can see, its why they keep releasing starter sets and new codexes and models

They have shareholders to take care of etc...they are there to make money not to pander to wargaming in general...Same as Battlefront and Flames of War

Correct. You can not label GW as being part of the 'Wargaming community'. They are not looking at keeping customers for long hence the rehashing codex's/armies regularly. You need to look at them in them in the context of a cross between a toy manufacturer and a video games manufacturer. In this context they are reasonably priced, I have 3 kids and the costs of toys is frankly horrendous - last xmas was a £100 barbie house, which mostly stands idle, amongst other things. At least GW products have some repeat appeal.

WH40K boxed set £61.50 - 48 minis plus rule set - hours of fun assembling, painting and gaming.

Grand theft auto V - £41.99 - learn to nick cars shot people and treat women badly - completed in a couple of weeks and discarded.

When my son is a bit older I know which I'll be buying.

And he will most certainly tell you he "got bored of it" and go back to TV or computer games. As a caring parent you will attempt it again until you realise it is not much use. I read that after every christmas on ebay.
The attention span of their average customer is simply too short to have any impact on wargaming.

Let me iterate again: GW come, give them the money, leave fast. Bitch about prices et al and keep shoving money at them. OR
Pendraken where you pester Leon with millions of questions, buy twice as much as you planned and your spouse reluctantly agreed upon, be happy. Get a laugh on the forum (as opposed to a C&D from GW).
Wargaming and "the hobby" is entirely what you make of it.

People wrongly do not distinguish between the two anymore and ignoring GW and their "products" has actually increased my fun manyfold, maybe you (and your son) can try as well. Nothing better than a hobby that teaches you so many things... (history, art, craft skills...)