Warhammerfest Roundup of the Bloodbowl release 2016 or 2017?

[frogboy]

The golden age of BloodBowl and if there's pictures in White Dwarf i'm buying in, simples

[Deus Magi]

I'd have to disagree. I think it is. In 1988 it was £1.50, now it's £2.99, I don't think the price has gone up that much comparatively to the smaller size that it is now, considering it's very slick, well produced and has great artwork. it's very affordable. I picked up a comic the other day and it was £2.50.

Devils advocate now,..... how much is GQ, Cosmopolitan? A fiver? Yes they are bigger magazines, but if you take out all the adverts what actual content do you have?

I don't buy white Dwarf at the moment, but likely I'll be in there if there are well written articles on Bloodbowl in it. A lot of White Dwarf content now seems to be for the younger audience, and I understand that this is due to GW's key audience/target area demographic. When I did buy it, I tended to read forward to the Forgeworld items at the end, which I just see as more adult? Can't quite explain that.

It's not just about the cost, but the content.

I know. I was playing devils advocate, as I can actually see both sides of this one. you are correct, it is an advertising machine for GW. I have always said, and this goes back years me saying this, that GW are actually charging for their catalogue, which most firms used to give out for free. To be able to do that is excellent marketing. The magazine is still going, albeit in GW's own shops, compared to many that no longer exist. Mourn the old magazine? Many do, for the reasons that you give, but things always change.

Cosmopolitan is a huge magazine with dozens of articles and features in each issue. GQ publishes interviews, research, fiction, all sorts of things. Modern WD just can't compare to them.

I know, but was in essence making a point regards cost, but see totally what you mean.

How many pages are just catalog entries for new GW products?.

I agree, it is their catalogue.

I have a bunch of old White Dwarf magazines from the late 80s and early 90s, and they had a lot of quality interesting content. They published short stories, background and fluff, new rules, new scenarios for games like Space Hulk and 40k, and had a lot of great minis painted in the 'Eavy Metal sections. Some even came with templates to cut out for use in your games, like new Space Hulk or Dungeonbowl tiles.

There are those that mourn the White Dwarf, prior to GW presents, which REALLY was a different magazine. it won't return to that (although who can say what the future holds, stranger things have happened) but it may change and incorporate articles, rules, maps, floor plans, scenarios, templates, small fiction and all sorts. I'll refer to that as "something for the dads."

Nowadays (or at least last time I checked, circa 2014), WD is a glossy advertising brochure. Oh, don't get me wrong -- they still have very talented painters and really do glossy advertising photos WELL -- but you don't see a lot of figures/armies pictured beyond the ones they are advertising at the moment. Battle reports virtually always feature the "release of the month" and the "release of the month" almost always "wins" the battle report, because they want you to think it's the new hot shit and rush out to buy it.

This is true.

Now, there's admittedly arguments against releasing important rules in a temporary medium like a magazine, which goes out of print very quickly (I think they should always then collect these rules and release them as standalone products like the Blood Bowl magazines), but the content was much more compelling in the past.

I myself have looked this way, and thought, is it me getting older? Or due to things changing? I put it down to a bit of both.

Ah, wouldn't let me post it, Babs pipped me to the post! Frogboy, keep the faith. Babs is right though (You mean the official Australian league, or do we all have to travel? ), and that's the right attitude. To put the game forward and get behind it, will only benefit everyone. if I'm getting it right, there'll be the single games with probably a few daft rules for a one off fun game, to interest and get the new players involved and then the other rules for long term leagues, for the hard core coaches and serious players. That way all three parties will be kept happy, because GW (in doing so) will be giving the naysayers something to still moan about!

Finally, a place where I agree with you, Deus Magi!

Are you ill! Just pulling your leg. it was bound to happen sometime! Not being mean, just a little joke. Overall, I see your point. I do wonder if the target audience, er hum, a few years younger than I, who are spending all the money on product, don't want to read the interesting articles and stories that you mention, instead wanting to look through pictures and have an "instantly absorbed/throwaway magazine" rather than something to reminisce over and re-read in later years?

[Darkson]

I stopped buying WD years ago, but when they relaunched it (when they split it and Visions) I intended to give it a chance.

But I couldn't.

Because they only sell it in GW stores or gaming stores, neither of which we have here.


They'll happily (try to) sell me Visions via WHSmiths (other newsagents are available) but not WD.

[Deus Magi]

I stopped buying WD years ago,......................Because they only sell it in GW stores or gaming stores, neither of which we have here.

Well you can always have it delivered mail order, I assume they still do that. You can get it digitally, but it's just not the same as a physical magazine.

[JT-Y]

The WD app is a good thing. Download the issues you want for a slightly reduced cost. It's what I use on a Galaxy tab rather than buying hard copies.

[JT-Y]

Do you know if the new Blood Bowl game and products will be available in retail stores, both GW and independent? Since it's being produced by ForgeWorld, I wasn't sure. It would be great if it is, though.

To the best of my knowledge yes. Fitting in with release schedules from the big studio is probably the scariest thing for them because Forge World traditionally has no such worries.

[ddancer]

I'm not too pleased about the scale creep. I love the 3rd and 2nd Ed Minis - now they are going to be dwarfed by others.

I also really wish they had metal minis. Resin and plastic feel so frail - that and they don't have any weight to them. A strong gust of wind or a bump to the table and they go all askew.

The other stuff seems pretty awesome, though.

[mikeyc222]

that and they don't have any weight to them. A strong gust of wind or a bump to the table and they go all askew.

that more than anything is why i have always preferred metal minis. all it takes is one rogue dice roll and a scrum is completely scattered. i'll deal with it, though. i will just fill the bottom of the bases with putty to give them extra weight, and i have been considering switching to a dice tower for a while, anyway.

[lunchmoney]

I also really wish they had metal minis. Resin and plastic feel so frail - that and they don't have any weight to them. A strong gust of wind or a bump to the table and they go all askew.

Base weights solve that problem.

[spubbbba]

If we come across as bunch of bitter old whiners it will put off people just taking an interest in the game. It’s not their fault that GW have given the community a kicking in the past. Like it or not GW has the potential to reach far more people than anyone else. Multiple releases over time, particularly boxed sets will generate extra interest too.

I think it is wise for the NAF to try and have a cautious relationship with GW. It looks like they are trying not to alienate existing fans of the game by keeping the crp ruleset.

No one is forcing anyone to buy this new boxed set or teams, but more choice for us consumers is a good thing. I’ll be interested to see the prices the new teams go for. If they are competitive then based on the quality of the designs and sculpts so far it should encourage independents to up their game.

Personally, I prefer plastic both due to it being more robust when handled and the greater conversion possibilities.

A slight concern is that the 2 teams in the boxed set seem to be single pose. Although some look to be multi-part the joins are in odd ways like across the torso. The same is true for the GW fantasy models I have bought recently, certain torsos only fit specific legs, sometimes the same is true with arms and bodies.

I’d hope for modular plastics like we have with space marines and that would allow easy kitbash conversions within teams, across the range (the aforementioned elves for instance) or with fantasy and 40k models.

Mind you that could risk hiding the impact of Blood Bowl if lots of people buy AoS or 40K kits to convert rather than wait for the new teams.

[ddancer]

I also really wish they had metal minis. Resin and plastic feel so frail - that and they don't have any weight to them. A strong gust of wind or a bump to the table and they go all askew.

Base weights solve that problem.

True. So do metal miniatures. I also have issues with how frequently resin/plastic snaps off limbs.

[ddancer]

If we come across as bunch of bitter old whiners it will put off people just taking an interest in the game. It’s not their fault that GW have given the community a kicking in the past. Like it or not GW has the potential to reach far more people than anyone else. Multiple releases over time, particularly boxed sets will generate extra interest too.

Expressing an opinion isn't whining. It is exactly as I said, expressing an opinion.

I'm happy to see them involved again as I loved the GW Blood Bowl models in the past (except the re-release of some stars and the 5th ed Humans..)

Even without GW's involvement, we've had a good number of recruits show up at our BB League. While GW may help boost the signal, I don't think they are crucial to my enjoyment of this game or my leagues health with this game.

[Deus Magi]

I'm not too pleased about the scale creep. I love the 3rd and 2nd Ed Minis - now they are going to be dwarfed by others.

I also really wish they had metal minis. Resin and plastic feel so frail - that and they don't have any weight to them. A strong gust of wind or a bump to the table and they go all askew.

The other stuff seems pretty awesome, though.

I'm not all for bigger and bigger mini's. BUT, bigger mini's sell. Going back to 1987, Ral Partha and Grenadier were excellent minis, really detailed, but I preferred the larger GW. The scaling up of the board is good though, more room to lay down the older mini's and Big guys. The Big uns bases on the old board did get in the way sometimes, if two were on squares next to each other, so a good idea (from my perspective, I understand league organisation table size will be an issue).

I also really wish they had metal minis. Resin and plastic feel so frail - that and they don't have any weight to them. A strong gust of wind or a bump to the table and they go all askew.

Base weights solve that problem.

I'm full on with you. I just like the weight, and they just feel like they are worth more to me and have more value.

I also really wish they had metal minis. Resin and plastic feel so frail - that and they don't have any weight to them. A strong gust of wind or a bump to the table and they go all askew.

Base weights solve that problem.

Totally agree, I sell Base Weights for various base sizes, and the reason behind that wasn't to make cold hard cash, but because I use them myself. I use them on metal mini's as I want them to stay in place. I wholeheartedly advise people to use them for plastics (either the ones I sell or someone else's) as they really make a difference in game.

A slight concern is that the 2 teams in the boxed set seem to be single pose.

Likely due to cost factors in setting up the plastic moulds perhaps, but it would not surprise me if bits came out to change poses, and other bits on them. Looking back at past plastics, they were in pretty similar poses as well.

I'm happy to see them involved again as I loved the GW Blood Bowl models in the past (except the re-release of some stars and the 5th ed Humans..)

I really liked the 5th edition humans. Lots of positionals, but at the end of the day, it's personal taste.

[Darkson]

I stopped buying WD years ago,......................Because they only sell it in GW stores or gaming stores, neither of which we have here.

Well you can always have it delivered mail order, I assume they still do that. You can get it digitally, but it's just not the same as a physical magazine.

As I'm not sure if I want to buy WD these days (I stopped because of all the complaints above) I'm not paying for it to be delivered if I can't see it upfront.

And I don't like eMags (or eBooks for that matter). I'm perfectly comfortable on PCs, so it's not a tech thing, but I just don't like them, so a WD app is no useless for me.

[Deus Magi]

Fair play!