WFRP/40K games shut down by GW [merged]

[SteveC]

This is indeed sad news, but also not something unexpected from Games Workshop. On some levels, I think they are allergic to having multiple product lines that all succeed. All of their games other than Warhammer/Warhammer 40K go out of print no matter how well they're doing.

I'm a big fan of Warhammer Quest: I think it's a phenomenal game, but it's been out of print for a long time. It was a tremendous success at the time. Same thing with Blood Bowl, same thing with the reissue of Talisman ... all of these products were successful.

First product in a new RPG line sells out entirely in three days? Sounds like something that's not profitable enough to continue!

I understand that Games Workshop is publicly traded. If I were a shareholder, I would be asking for some serious explanation from the management team. Either right the ship or get shipped out.

--Steve

 

[jdrakeh]

In other news...Matt Sprange was seen frantically rushing towards BI with contract papers in hand...

Maybe it's the *snicker* Holy Grail -- you know, 'the ink's drying, honest folks!' license that was 'announced' almost four years ago but has never materialized or been mentioned by name

 

[Cergorach]

The CEO was already replaced in november 2007 (the former head of sales was made CEO, Mark Wells). The share started today at 170 pence, is now 190p, but the Basic earnings per share is a loss of 0.4p (according to the half year results) and no dividends at this time. At these prices and the current value of the uero to the pound, it might be interesting to buy a hundred shares of GW stock ;-)

What really suprised me was the sales in the US are less than they are in the UK or in Europe. They currently have 335 GW stores, I am curious what the distribution is of these stores (couldn't find it).

Interesting item:
http://investor.games-workshop.com/latest_results/Results2008/Interims/default.aspx

 

[Agamon]

Lame. Bloody GW. Blood Bowl and the BI stuff was the only GW stuff I cared about. At least I have all the WFRP books I need. Still, lame.

 

[Gundark]

managed to order DH online. So I should have it by next week. I'm debating picking up more WHRP books. One of the players in my group has most of them, however there is a good chance I could be moving.

 

[Tewligan]

This is indeed sad news, but also not something unexpected from Games Workshop. On some levels, I think they are allergic to having multiple product lines that all succeed. All of their games other than Warhammer/Warhammer 40K go out of print no matter how well they're doing.

Casualties of War(hammer):
Mordheim
Necromunda
Space Hulk (for a long time, anyway - is the remake out of print yet?)
Gorkamorka
Some game featuring orks dogfighting in airplanes (it was in and out of stores REALLY fast)
Space Crusade
Dark Future

Several of these games were awesome - the problem with them was that they didn't require constantly buying new miniatures to stay current/competitive. When that happens, GW gives a game the axe.

 

[PaulofCthulhu]

This is what happens when a game company goes public.

The end.

I would have to concur, it seems Public Limited Companies and fandom aren't a good marriage.

Still, it's one less issue for WotC to worry about with 4th Edition D&D I guess. One less avenue of defection.

More than the game, my thoughts are with the employees who are losing their jobs because of this.

 

[Plane Sailing]

AFAIK Bryan Ansell has always hated RPGs, he seems to have some kind of vendetta against them. Ever since he took over GW from Jackson/Livingstone and shut down White Dwarf as an RPG mag, GW have been roleplaying's Heart of Darkness.
(My POV may be totally out of date. I'm still burned by the demise of White Dwarf back in the '80s!)

I remember Bryan Ansell being an avid RPG-player in the 70's, with very entertaining sections in APA's like "Trollcrusher" (I remember him also attaining MCPotY* award around that time too, although I don't know what for.

I also remember when citadel minatures started we had nicely detailed adventurer figures for the first time in the UK (barring Ral Partha imports).

I didn't know that he was responsible for gutting White Dwarf though - a most reprehensible act. I collected issues 1-65 of White Dwarf and in its day it was the best RPG magazine bar none, but I felt quality had started petering off by the time I stopped collecting it regularly.

Cheers

 

[Dragonbait]

To Add to the Casualties of War(hammer):
Warhammer Quest
Talisman

They're also keeping tight control over thier "Specialist Games":
Blood Bowl
Battle Fleet Gothic
Battle of Five Arimes
Epic
Inquisitor
Mordheim
Necromunda
Warmaster

They all pull from the same budget for minis and have to have them approved by the GW mucky-mucks.

I wonder if the Specialist Games are getting killed off too? I hope not.

 

[pawsplay]

Hey, I just broke down and bought the WFRPG book, too! Aw, catfuzz.

*starts hunting the 'net for WFRPG sourcebooks while getting is good*