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| Photo visualization of GW's rollout plan to support the new Adeptus Titanicus. |
Many fans of the Horus Heresy, 30k and Epic were very excited to see Games Worksop's re-launch of Adeptus Titanicus last year. Certainly I was. Anxious, yes. But on the whole, good stuff. The new models are really striking, great kits. The rules are excellent, a reminder that GW can really put excellent rules out there. The game looks cool, and is great fun.
But there was also a lot of trepidation for many fans - there certainly was for me. The new scale, the eye-watering prices, all limiting the audience of the game. And GW itself seemed to be half-assing it when it came to getting the game out there in the first place. The combo of models and weapons in the original box was a let-down (only one weapon load-out for the Warlords, etc). The game itself seemed to take forever to get to market. GW only seemed to be releasing this game because some unseen power was forcing them too, and doing the bare minimum needed to support it.
But hey, once it got out there, if would be out there!GW would surely get behind the game, muster its formidable marketing and product release engine, and get things moving, right? Right?
Let's see how that has been going...
Late last year, there was the fiasco where they tried to force you to purchase an entirely new Warlord Titan just to get some of the new weapons for the Warlord Titan kits. This episode inspired one of their most tone-deaf responses to fan furor I have seen from them - and with GW's standards in this regard, that is saying something.
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| Wow - that spin will make you dizzy... |
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| If only I could some new weapons for my Warlord Titans... |
Hey - maybe I can try those new Cerastus Knights while I'm waiting for new weapons for my Titans? That seems like fun! I just need those command terminals to run them in the game...oh...too bad this has been the case for two months or so now:
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| Only the temporary lasts... |
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| Oh rats...maybe I can get that other one...? |
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| Nope... |
It's not like there are no models out there or anything. The original Warlord (and the "new" one) are out there, so are the Reavers and Warhounds. And you can fill you boots with terrain (at least for now). But the funny word "Titanicus" is in the title of the game for a reason - the game is built around the Titans. Nobody is running around wishing they would release Adeptus Terrainicus. The different weapon load-outs of the Titans are an integral part of the enjoyment of the game. Somehow it's been almost a year and you still can't get a full suite of weapons yet...I'll paint the buildings and stuff at some point, but I want to work on the Titans...stop trying to make me buy more super-expensive Titan models just to get more weapons.
I'm sure there are a lot of good people trying to do the best they can. It's just a hobby. These are first-world problems. And in business, stuff happens, right? But maybe you could divert 5% of the energy used to issue new deamonic whackadoodle stuff and actually get your act together on Adeptus Titanicus?
And so, back to the 19th Century for now!
Maybe GW is bringing a 3D printer onto the market? It’s the best explanation I can think of. It would be shaped like a skull with a 300% markup.
ReplyDeleteIt really surprises me that people fall for the GW product. It certainly does not appeal to me. I used to buy a few paints from them now and then, but have found cheaper better products elsewhere, it’s not hard after all. GW are the greedy Evil Empire.
ReplyDeleteWhen I learned that were going to release the game in yet another scale I decided not to buy anything, I still have a ton of Epic 40k I'm quite happy with. Given the premium price they're asking I'm not even tempted. I can feel your pain though.
ReplyDeleteIt's like they want people to even pay more than what it's worth on eBay.
As a company they made huge steps forward these past few years but this a step back.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteWe've bought about 20 - 25 AT18 Titans between us and love the game - a very welcome re-release. That said I entirely second your comments and like you suggest we have no interest in Knights what so ever, we just want the three basic Titans with FULL weapon loads available. I don't want Knights or scenario books or even scenery - just Titans with lots of weapon choices please. I hope someone is listening to you.
Unlike you I don't stress about it though, this is GW - they'll do what they like when they like - end of!
Best wishes,
Jeremy
I'd totally buy Adeptus Terrainicus.
ReplyDeleteI KEED, I KEED!!! Great rant, dude... one might even call it... "Epic"...?
I was seriously considering getting into AT... well, not anymore. There are other companies I can throw my money at and these have their products in store... well, most of the time anyway.
ReplyDeleteI tried to think of something balanced, conciliatory and nuanced to say in response to your rant, Greg. Perhaps something like it's unfortunate that the lack of corporate support for the AT has betrayed an excellent re-imagining of the rules and the outstanding quality of the models. But in reality, there is no excuse. GW is still run by a gaggle of smug, incompetent, pud-pounding, half-witted ass-clowns who somehow brilliantly excel at over-promising while diligently under-delivering at the highest possible price. Once I get settled back from our vacation my 3D printer will be running day and night producing beautiful proxy models from talented open source designers, with my heart warming upon each print, knowing GW will be getting sweet fuck all from my wallet.
ReplyDeleteI love AT18 but yeah, the fact that we still don't have all the weapon options for the main titans is a joke, coupled with the fact they already previewed the Knight Porphyron its like yeah fine, that's nice and all but could you... I don't know, maybe sort the weapon loadouts for the Warlord and Reaver first, and get those damned Cerastus terminals back in stock while your at it?
ReplyDeleteAs for Forge World and the Quake Cannon and Gatling Blaster, really FW? You didn't think everyone who has at least 1 Warlord is going to want at least 2 of each since they can be magnetised? I do wonder sometimes whether they actually think about these things...
I still love the game though and damn me I know I will still buy all the new things, and stock up on the weapons/terminals when they come back in stock *sigh*