Greg posted his thoughts on the recent digital version of Codex: Space Marines here.
Here is the new teaser trailer for what I presume is Warhammer 40K, 6th edition (thanks to Mike D for the link).
"VI" = 6th ed. = June . Hmm.
The 5th ed. rulebook has not been available for sale from the GW website for a short while. However, there`s been no official statement regarding 6th ed. until now. If this follows previous GW marketing efforts, will June 23 be the date when we can pre-order the new rules, which would be released a couple of weeks later?
I admit that I am somewhat disappointed in the lack of real info. I don`t count all the various spoilers that have been floating about the internet. I have not seen a proper, coordinated marketing campaign.
Some questions for the peanut gallery:
- Does the publishing of the latest iteration of the core rules for GW`s flagship game demand more marketing horsepower than the efforts shown so far?
- What do you think of the now-usual GW news blackout? What purpose does such a news blackout serve?
- What would be an appropriate level of marketing effort for such a significant release? How would you create interest and excitement for 6th ed.?
- What kind of content and functionality do you want to see in a digital release of the core rules? What would be a fair price?
It is the 25th anniversary of 40K; I`ve been really looking forward to the release of 6th ed.
The release of new core rules is of not-insignificant interest to me. I play a lot of tournament 40K - besides local events, last year I set aside time and money to travel to events in Vancouver and Las Vegas. How will my Eldar Swordwind work under the new rules? How do I need to modify both my strategy and tactics? Should I change up the new Crimson Fists army I am painting? What new models will I spend my hard earned dollars on? I just want to get a handle on the game I shall be playing for the next several years.
I was chatting with the guys at Warhammer World when I went in to pick up some paints, and apparently it's all to do with getting the rights to do miniatures for the Hobbit.
ReplyDeleteEssentially, New Line don't want any pre-movie spoilers, and have said to GW "if you can't guard your stuff, why should we trust you with ours?"
Therefore, GW are being super close-mouthed to prove to New Line that they can both sculpt Hobbit models and not spoiler the films.
Apparently.
If all news releases of information are authorized releases (i.e. no `leaks`), should that not be enough? Even New Line has been releasing official photos and short scenes of the upcoming movie. Up to now, there`s been no buzz generated at all for 6th ed.
ReplyDeleteAs for players, I am watching some people who are trying to extend the life of 5th ed. with rules additions. Others are creating alternative rules engines and background for the use of 40K figures.
Arguably, as other bloggers have pointed out, the real competition for GW isn`t Privateer Press or Battlefront, but rather xBox and video games in general. There`s only so much discretionary spending to go around.
Personally, I think it's ridiculous to have black outs. I can see GW being restricted from showing Hobbit models. The Hobbit has nothing to do with their other games, so I don't buy it. Also, they proved able to keep a secret when they did the original LOTR lines. I think it boils down to GW being greedy once again. With all the other companies producing bits and units for GW armies, they are simply trying to cut them out. Really, what's the big deal if you let people know what's coming? Honestly, this business practice is foolish. How can you save up for anything when you never know when it will be available? I fail to see how it creates interest. Really, how many people are going to save their hobby money "just in case" GW puts out something they want? I think that hobby money will get spent on other things. So, along with the gross annual price increases, GW is shooting themselves in the foot.
ReplyDeleteAll that aside, I am curious to see what they've changed. I hope the rumors are true that they've gone back to a more detailed set of rules. The wound allocation rules that are being reported sound great, with wounds allocated to the nearest models rather than it's current incarnation. Well, June 23rd we'll find out when we can get it. Also, I am excited about it being Dark Angels and Chaos in the starter(if the rumors are to be believed). Hopefully that comes out next month as well.
Apparently that's the point: they aren't trusted to even *make* Hobbit models until they've jumped through New Line's hoops.
ReplyDeleteNot that I agree with any of it, it's complete foolishness in my opinion, especially when people are already invested in a given system. Imagine if WotC had released D&D 4e with nary a warning!
It seems bizarre to me that any efforts toward New Line would be tied to 40k. Not only are the games not really related, but well-placed leaks are an ice-age old effective tool to build buzz.
ReplyDeleteThe silence on 6th edition is perplexing, but my expectations on the marketing side and the actual rules are so low, it is not surprising.
I don't think a digital release has to over-think it. But something with easy access to a list of the endless special rules that dominate 40k (and short of something completely shocking, are likely to still dominate the "new" edition) would be super helpful. And an army builder tool would be excellent.
It seems bizarre to me that any efforts toward New Line would be tied to 40k. Not only are the games not really related, but well-placed leaks are an ice-age old effective tool to build buzz.
ReplyDeleteThe silence on 6th edition is perplexing, but my expectations on the marketing side and the actual rules are so low, it is not surprising.
I don't think a digital release has to over-think it. But something with easy access to a list of the endless special rules that dominate 40k (and short of something completely shocking, are likely to still dominate the "new" edition) would be super helpful. And an army builder tool would be excellent.
The blackout is really annoying.
ReplyDeleteI like getting hyped up for stuff, especially my hobby. I just don't think GW is making very good decisions lately.
I loved the old "Incoming" messages. At least you knew something was coming in a few months.
There is definitely a lot of anticipation mixed with scepticism right now. I mean, what kind of game is coming? Like most people, all I can think about is what will happen to the armies I lready own. That's lots of time and money invested that can easily be altered with the release of a single book.
If GW would at least give some sloe trickle of hype, it would ease a lot of people's minds. How about a little feature on some of the new Universal Special Rules coming? How about a little feature on the new psychic powers system? Anything, really...
I think that this is going in the clear direction that GW has been going for years.... Solid forethought and product management... Just like Selling off Dark Heresy after it sold out but before it was released...
ReplyDeleteRemember this is about selling product to GW so they blackout to sell off product in stores to new people, ie they don't want people saying 'yeah but the new book and figs come out in two months'
This makes sense as they primary market is tweens who haven't played before. They aren't worried about gamers who are in the hobby, not unlike a drug dealer, they know you're hooked, they only care about new clients.