Games Workshop has lost it's way

For the fans of the corporate giant, it is a bittersweet time. Never before has higher quality miniatures come out from the hallowed halls of the Nottingham giant; and never before have they had such an obscene price tag associated with them. Perhaps the most encouraging development are the newest codexes and army books - though many of the 40k codexes seem like tired rehashes of the same stories we have heard over and over again.

And in truth, the hobby is stronger than it's ever been - it weathered the onslaught of clicky-Knight and clicky-Tech (both of which have lost most of their staying power in recent times). I really shouldn't be complaining - after all, being publically traded means they aren't going anywhere anytime soon (unlike some of the smaller companies). But the 'fiscal responsiblity' that comes with being a publically traded company means they have to maintain their margains; and that means that have to figure out newer and newer ways of taking our money from us.

I suppose it comes down to how much you enjoy the games Games Workshop creates versus their miniatures - there aren't many miniature artists that want to collect a regiment or squad set, after all - they want the cool lord miniature or the squad leader miniature. Both of which are typically available for sale in their own, seperate blister - thank you very much.

Personally, I sit the fence between the two groups. I enjoy the quality of certain models - like Tyrion, or the Space Marine veterans. They are incredible looking models, and I'd love to collect them as pieces of (eclectic) art. But I got into the hobby with my friends - a joined purchase of Warhammer 5th edition; one of us taking the Bretonnian figures and the other the Lizardmen. Since then, I've enjoyed the practice of playing the game over and over again, loving how new army lists and new combinations of the troops you put into practice change the game.

That time is passing though. Previously, it was possible (maybe not reasonable, but possible) to collect at least one or two armies from each of the major game systems, and maybe an army or three for a couple of the minor game systems. Having two fantasy armies, three 40k armies, and an army for Warmaster, Epic 40k, Gothic, two for Mordheim and one for Blood Bowl wasn't going to be *that* outrageous - maybe $1500 to $2000 dollars. Compare the hours of entertainment you get from those miniatures versus that which you'd get form a $2000 computer over the course of 3-4 years. About the same, right?

But the recent price increases - literally a doubling of regimental box prices - means that the above scenario basically can't happen. You are going to have a single army - playing it over and over - until you've run the scenarios you and your friends have into the ground. Sounds fun, right?

Not really. Game Workshop needs to remember that their core profits come from new acquisitions, not from additions or revamps of a person's existing army. It's *really* hard to justify a new Rhino when you've already got 5, right? But a whole new army of blood letters - that's different.

Though it's unlikely to kill the hobby - after all, the cost of their miniatures has tripled since Rogue Trader days - I do mourn for the days when my friends and I could field 12 armies between 4 people.