Saturday, September 17, 2011

Boats and Hoes

So instead of spending their time writing a new Tau Codex, they have released a limited edition pirate game for 115 dollars. Excellent. That is just what the community has been begging for.

Now tell me, how is this game better than the Pirates of the Crimson Coast game, where in you don't spend over 100 dollars to play? Oh wait, that game is out of production, right? Yeah and so will Dreadfleet very shortly. In fact, it's intended to be that way.

Jeez, would you get on with a Tau codex already? At least give us a PDF update.

That is all.

20 comments:

From The Fang said...

I have a feeling we'll have to wait til after the Necrons. Probably early next year I reckon.

To be honest I'm always disappointed when they release anything non-40k but I suppose some people must play the other systems!

DimmyK said...

haha was thinking just the same.... :(

Tao said...

Be careful what you ask for. Last time there was a PDF update for Blood Angels or Sisters it was less then....stellar.

Pete W said...

With this one I think that GW have forgotten that the Space Hulk miniatures are of the same scale as their 40k models and I wager that a lot of people bought the game for the rather tasty models. I know that I'd love to get my hands on the terminators that came with the game.

The difference here is that they have gone for a scale they have no other models in and once you've played the game a few times, you're likely done with it since the forces can't be expanded on or altered.

There is also the increasing success of Dystopian wars and Uncharted Seas for those who like some naval combat in a non-historical fantasy/steampunk setting. Those models really interest me, I can expand the forces and I know that support will remain for some years at the very least.

To me it's a shame that they have gone for another limited release when they could have put some energy and effort into the already excellent Specialist games, which are lingering away in a poorly supported format.

Oh well, £ talks.

Pete

Unknown said...

I'm just baffled by their choice of game. I mean, there's loads of people crying out for a new Warhammer Quest -now that's an easy seller and it's not like they have to touch the rules either.

Tim said...

I'm baffled too. This would have made sense around the time when the Pirates movies were out, but it just seems a little behind. Is this really good business sense? I sure as hell aint buying it and I don't understand who would. 115 bucks? That is insane for a boardgame, which this essentially is. At least 40k releases get more mileage on the tabletop so you're willing to spend..but this, nautical combat? I just don't get it.

The Scribe said...

Yeah, I mean, COME ON! There hasn't been a Squats codex in, like, ever...

but seriously, I am glad that I am not smoking whatever they are smoking, because so many of GW's business choices and practices seem bizarre.

Cobalt Cannon said...

I would guess that they are looking for an infusion of cash to support a future plan/product. There are plenty of GW fanboys out there especially in europe with more fan lust than sense and drool at the chance to give Phil Kelly a vigorous crotch massage. They'll buy this. GW artificially increases demand by making these games limited production runs. I'm willing to bet that Space Hulk helped fund this years explosion of Warhammer Fantasy releases. This sea battle game will likely be funding something to be released in the future.

It's a nice looking product, until you see the price tag and that all the game pieces have to be put together and painted. Good luck painting the sails as you see them advertised! For 40$ I can buy Axis and Allies which is a much better game without having to compare, with much more depth, with pieces ready to go out of the box. I would also save on cost of paint by not needing any.

I have noticed lately that what used to be 40K blogs have been all turning into blogs for Infinity, Flames of War, and 15MM Sci Fi. I think that this economy combined with the fact that these alternatives are soo much cheaper than GW products, is spelling the fall of GW dominance. Gamesworkshop is overpricing themselves out of the market. It's too much of a rip-off compared to everything else.

I myself am on the GW boycott bandwagon, and enjoying the music. There're just too many better rule systems out there with great cheap but fantastic miniatures.
Grunts, Tomorrow's War, Heavy Gear, Infinity, Critical Mass Games, Ground Zero Games, Flames of War, and more.

When Gameworkshop stops using their heads to give themselves prostate exams, then I'll give them some consideration. In the mean time, George Washington is enjoying his comfortable stay in my wallet.

Cobalt Cannon said...

I would guess that they are looking for an infusion of cash to support a future plan/product. There are plenty of GW fanboys out there especially in europe with more fan lust than sense and drool at the chance to give Phil Kelly a vigorous crotch massage. They'll buy this. GW artificially increases demand by making these games limited production runs. I'm willing to bet that Space Hulk helped fund this years explosion of Warhammer Fantasy releases. This sea battle game will likely be funding something to be released in the future.

It's a nice looking product, until you see the price tag and that all the game pieces have to be put together and painted. Good luck painting the sails as you see them advertised! For 40$ I can buy Axis and Allies which is a much better game without having to compare, with much more depth, with pieces ready to go out of the box. I would also save on cost of paint by not needing any.

I have noticed lately that what used to be 40K blogs have been all turning into blogs for Infinity, Flames of War, and 15MM Sci Fi. I think that this economy combined with the fact that these alternatives are soo much cheaper than GW products, is spelling the fall of GW dominance. Gamesworkshop is overpricing themselves out of the market. It's too much of a rip-off compared to everything else.

I myself am on the GW boycott bandwagon, and enjoying the music. There're just too many better rule systems out there with great cheap but fantastic miniatures.
Grunts, Tomorrow's War, Heavy Gear, Infinity, Critical Mass Games, Ground Zero Games, Flames of War, and more.

When Gameworkshop stops using their heads to give themselves prostate exams, then I'll give them some consideration. In the mean time, George Washington is enjoying his comfortable stay in my wallet.

Tim said...

Colbalt, I enjoyed reading your comment. I hope that Dreadfleet makes the money they are hoping for. I really want GW to success because I love their games, their style, and somebody's got to keep John Blanche employed! HAHA! (I actually love John Blanche's work and seeing his Dreadfleet art is really great, but that's another topic)

Dreadfleet just seems like an unnecessary tangeant for the company and I don't see it making them lots of money. I am curious as to their thinking. Will a limited edition ship board game really sell out? It will eventually I suppose but I can't see it happening as quickly as they are hoping. I just hope it doesn't become a failure to be honest...maybe I should reconsider this post, lol.

EVERYONE BUY DREADFLEET! (there is a great need for a sarcasm font.)

Tau of War has strayed from 40k, almost to the point of closing down the blog, not because I don't like 40k or Tau anymore, but the lack of support, new releases, etc, have left me with little enthusiasm...and that's what a blog lives on! I really want to play 40k again, but GW has to make it worth it for all us Tau players...I know, I know, they really do not like customers dedicated to only one line, but hey, we exist and we spend money.

NockerGeek said...

Honestly, I doubt any correlation between the release of Dread Fleet and the lack of a new Tau codex. Even if there were shared resources between codex writers and Dread Fleet developers (and it looks like Phil Kelly was involved in DF), I doubt DF took that much time away; a standalone boardgame ruleset doesn't seem like it would be much of a timesink vs. the writing of a multi-unit codex that has to interact with a dozen others. I imagine DF is one of those releases that's in addition to their normal codex/army book release schedule (much like Planetstrike, and equally useful to 40K players :P), rather than instead of such a book being released.

If you want to be upset over anything drawing resources away, look to the massive push to get Fantasy armies updated to 8th edition. This year has seen, what, 3 army books released, and only one codex (not counting the WD Sisters) with only one more codex this year? I'm just looking forward to 2012, which, if rumors hold true, will see all three of my armies - Tau, CSM, and Black Templars - getting new books. Until then, I can make do with what I have.

Tim said...

You're probably right, Nocker. I just fear that Tau will never get updated. Ever. Because that is how it looks right now. Just check BOLS and now there seems to be an IG release coming soon...WTF?

NockerGeek said...

IG's getting all their codex models de-ForgeWorld-ified, which is good. Space Wolves and 'Nids need the plastic kit love next, since both have notable chunks of their codex unavailable (and in the 'Nids' case, it's roughly half their army). I think GW is learning that getting armies out and fully represented in a timely fashion is a good thing; the fact that the Dark Eldar have almost all their units reflected as minis less than a year after their codex is a testament to that. I imagine that when the Tau get redone, we'll have a much quicker turnaround on new kits, since most of the line could be left as-is.

Unknown said...

I'm also wondering why they've released Dreadfleet when so many other Codexes are desperately needing updating. I'm missing the Tau too, and I've not bought anything since Grey Knights. From the people I've spoken to, they won't be buying Dreadfleet because (1) its a standalone (2) its damned expensive (3) you can't use the miniatures for anything other than Dreadfleet - a reason Space Hulk did sell well (4) GW in a curious attitude to marketing and the fan community hasn't released anything to the stores for people to see and get excited about. Posters and emails are all very good, but I'd like to see the miniatures up close, hold them, maybe try the game, and get excited about it before I would consider parting with $190. So the whole thing is just bizarre?!
If they are looking to make some cash, they should release the Space Hulk miniatures as individuals - even if only for order through the web store. I reckon those miniatures would still sell like crazy. They're still big on eBay.

Crisiswalker said...

I'm new to 40k and I'm just starting to collect Tau and when i read things like this i get this cold feeling in my gut that keeps saying "is it to late to switch to space marines". I just like the idea of Tau to much to join the 10 million + horde of space marines so lets hope things start to look up.

Morgrim Dark said...

Is anyone out there really actually excited by Dread Fleet? I truly don't know the answer to that question.

One strong appeal for games like Infinity is the fact that it is an internally consistent game system. So I know that whatever faction my opponent brings to the table it will reflect a consistent game design and insight that quite frankly Games Workshop lacks.

@Crisiswalker - by all means get into the Tau. They are a cool looking army with lots of neat stuff they can run. My best advice is don't get dragged into the idiotic competitive 40k mantra that seems to rule the internet these days. Find a core group of gamer friends who play the game for the love of hobby and not simply to win games all the time.

Unknown said...

I think it's a double edged sword. On the one hand it's fantastic and needs applause that they are still thinking outside of the box and doing things slightly outside of their comfort zone. On the other hand though I, like many of you who have commented already, feel that there are more pressing releases that need to be made first.

Sebastian said...

I have to say I agree that a lot of 40k blogs are going to Infinity and beyond. (Finally got to say that in a practical sense!! :D)

I also have been reading up on Infinity and admiring several of the factions. I love my tau, but lack of support can only go so far. Forgeworld is a brilliant team, but the price point is just too much presently (and understandable to an extent)

Ah well, might go off and invent a new race to fight alongside my Tau ;)

- T.

Cobalt Cannon said...

I just noticed today that Gamesworkshop posted picks of the ships' sails to show that the designs are molded into the sales. HAHA It makes me wonder if they read my last post here.

What's a real shame about the Tau being ignored by GWS really, is the loss of such talents such as OSH, and Tael. I trolled so many threads for such a long period of time on Advanced Tau Tactica admiring the hobbies of OSH and Tael, and they both gave me so much inspiration, and motivation to paint my own tau. And look at what GWS is turning away from the hobby they created. In a way it's not just ignoring the tau, but Snubbing all of these wonderful people that have truly MADE this Hobby what it is with their efforts. And now they will sensibly and likely move to another hobby. Good work Gameworkshop! Nice thinking there. ; ) Way to maintain your market base!

Pete W said...

Well I'll give some credit to GW. With their relentless showing of the fancy colours and silliness of Dreadfleet. That combined with a lack of time on my part to really organise much 40k gaming means I'm actually tempted by Dreadfleet.

The mat and terrain look pretty neat (with the exception of skulls everywhere, but this is Warhammer) and I like the quirkiness of the ships. In no way does it compete with an actual naval wargame but it might be a laugh to play with and I can even get a game done in the language school where I work since it's self contained with respect to the playing area.

I definitely think that Spartan Games' naval offerings are better longer term investments of time and money, but I think that this could be a fun thing to play as well as offering a good playing area for SG models if I decide to try them out.

Feel free to talk me into/out of this crazy idea :-)

Pete