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Community => Non-40k Gaming => Topic started by: Alienscar on November 12, 2015, 11:27:48 AM

Title: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Alienscar on November 12, 2015, 11:27:48 AM
A while ago I read a few rumours that said a new Games Workshop magazine is on the way that would include more hobby content. There is now rumour that Specialist Games could be making a come back. Putting these two rumours together how cool would it be if the new magazine turned out to include new missions for HeroQuest or new rules/updates for Blood Bowl.

What do you all think? Is something you can believe? Would it be something you would buy?
Title: Re: Specialist Games
Post by: Irisado on November 12, 2015, 11:33:59 AM
I don't think that the rumours are credible, unfortunately.  The reason being is that GW has made it clear that it neither supports nor updates the rules for any of its specialist games, and they have long since been taken over by the community, with mixed results.  In view of this, I cannot see GW devoting its resources to producing a magazine for rules and models which it no longer produces, as it wouldn't make enough of a return for its investment.

I love Epic Space Marine (second edition) and Advanced Heroquest/Heroquest, so I would be more than happy to see these games make a comeback, however, the philosophy underpinning those games has long since disappeared from GW's games design.  As a result, I'd be rather apprehensive as to exactly what the end product might end up being.
Title: Re: Specialist Games
Post by: Alienscar on November 12, 2015, 01:50:23 PM
You might be right Irisado but ignoring the fact that the rumour has come from both Hastings and Atia does it not strike you as odd that the rumour originated on the Facebook pages of Games Workshop shops. There is even a reference to this on the Facebook of Peterbrough's GW Store. So whilst you don't think the rumours are credible I find it odd that GW stores themselves are involved.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Mr.Peanut (Turtleproof) on November 12, 2015, 01:57:09 PM
Hope Is The First Step To Disappointment.

There's a chance that GW is feeling the hurt in their wallet after crapping all over their specialist division and slaying Warhammer Fantasy, but don't count on it.  I have read reports that Age Of Sigmar is a boon and other reports that it's bleeding them out (scuttlebutt that many of the glowing reports are from the desperately impoverished one-person-store operators trying to build hype (off the clock, not getting paid to advertise this junk on social media).

I do know for a fact that the Assassinorium game is hurting them, they're charging astonishingly high prices for the individual models and the boxed set is rotting on the shelves of some stores.

Hope aside, would be super cool if they calmed down their pricing rampage and made the magazine good again.  Lots of fond memories of battle reports and keen paintjobs in the ol' White Dwarf.

Moving this over to Non-40k Gaming, fam.'
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on November 12, 2015, 02:01:43 PM
I never read Facebook pages, except for 40K Online's when the server goes down, so I wasn't aware that's where the rumours had originated from.  There have been a lot of rumours in the past about Specialist Games making a comeback, none of which has ever come to fruition, which is why I remain sceptical.

Hobby content is a very opaque statement from GW.  That could mean almost anything, and it also doesn't mean that it is has to be new content.  They could easily re-print old specialist games material, for example, although I find it unlikely that they would even do that, unless this new magazine were specifically to be aimed at experienced players.

I would love all the rumours that you've mentioned to come true, I really would, I've just had my hopes about Specialist Games dashed too many times to feel overly optimistic.

Hope aside, would be super cool if they calmed down their pricing rampage and made the magazine good again.  Lots of fond memories of battle reports and keen paintjobs in the ol' White Dwarf.

Seconded :).
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Alienscar on November 12, 2015, 03:12:21 PM
Hope Is The First Step To Disappointment.

Only if you are a pessimist otherwise hope springs eternal or even when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope.

I never read Facebook pages, except for 40K Online's when the server goes down, so I wasn't aware that's where the rumours had originated from.

I don't read Facebook either I just took it for granted most people on here would have read the rumours on Faeit or BoLS.

That could mean almost anything, and it also doesn't mean that it is has to be new content.  They could easily re-print old specialist games material, for example, although I find it unlikely that they would even do that, unless this new magazine were specifically to be aimed at experienced players.

Funnily enough the rumour is the opposite and is supposedly aimed at beginners.

Hope aside, would be super cool if they calmed down their pricing rampage and made the magazine good again.  Lots of fond memories of battle reports and keen paintjobs in the ol' White Dwarf.

Seconded :).

I too would like to see the return of a hobby magazine.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on November 12, 2015, 03:18:32 PM
Funnily enough the rumour is the opposite and is supposedly aimed at beginners.

That's interesting, since it suggests to me that they might be thinking more of boardgames, such as Heroquest.  If so, it would make sense for something like Blood Bowl to return as a one off release, a bit like how Space Hulk has returned on a couple of occasions.  They could also make a one off boxed set for the games which could not be turned into a board game, a bit like how they released Dreadfleet.

There was a rumour being discussed on another forum about the return of some Specialist Games as one off boxed sets, to that may tally with this idea of new content which you've seen.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 12, 2015, 06:27:47 PM
I was really out of the loop, because I completely missed this Assassinorium game.  It looks cool but it will probably end up like Dreadfleet (which I really wanted to get but couldn't afford).

And I too would love for the specialist games to return.  I really really would.  A happy childhood memory of mine was getting the Mordheim game on Christmas.  My friends and I played it for years.  A helmet was the only armour you needed.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Spectral Arbor on November 12, 2015, 07:26:18 PM
If Age of Sigmar has been "successful" in GW's eyes, they might be making a reasonable assumption that people are willing to spend $200 on a game, where they wouldn't spend $1000 on an army for WHFB... for example.

Something I loved about Blood Bowl was that I could buy a starter "army" for $50 [in the before times] and then spend another $50 to buy the rest of my "army" to fill out a roster. I could buy an paint an "army" in a weekend, if I was really in a mood to do so. I mean, it always took me longer than that. But I could have. I still have a Human, Orc, Dark Elf, Dwarf, and Chaos team kicking around. :)

So if they're finding that people are more willing to spend $200 [several times] they might be inclined to restart the Specialist Range. If their current M.O. is to soak someone for a Starter Box, then maybe sell a couple hundred bucks more goodies before people ditch, then the specialist range would certainly fit that bill. I suspect they ditched Specialist Games, because they were under the impression that everyone loved their models soooo much they all wanted to buy $1000's of models. But that doesn't seem to be the case, it gets too intimidating. So the specialist range lets them sell you a $200 "army" and then if you like it you buy another $200 "army". There's less "Oh amphetamine parrot, I've got to paint 200 Clan Rats before I have a painted army..." You can paint 15 duders in a weekend, and you can play Blood Bowl forever. :)

As a gamer first, painting can kiss-me-where-I-poop-type hobbyist, the Specialist Range was perfect for me.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Alienscar on November 13, 2015, 10:53:02 AM
Well then, those of you with the Warhammer App or read rumour sites will know that this is no longer a rumour. Some specialist games are making some sort of a come back.

I'll be honest I have absolutely no interest in the majority of the specialist games but if they happen to release the American only box sets of HeroQuest in the UK I will be crying tears of joy.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 13, 2015, 11:57:31 AM
Any news on what games might be brought back?

Necromunda would be cool.  They could release the game as a book, and make a plastic boxed set for each house, with enough parts to build a basic gang (leader, heavy, 2 juves and a bunch of gangers) with booster sets for terrain and similar stuff.  All the 40k city terrain could easily fill in.  And maybe this time they could bring vehicles into it.  They could be particular models common to all gangs.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: The GrimSqueaker on November 13, 2015, 01:08:20 PM
The article mentions "Our all-new Specialist Design Studio will even be tasked with bringing back and re-vamping some of our old favourites. Blood Bowl, Epic, Necromunda, and Battlefleet Gothic are just some of the great games the team are already eyeing up."
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on November 13, 2015, 01:09:50 PM
Revamping definitely suggests to me that any of these games which they do remake will be one off boxed sets.  Blood Bowl and Necromunda would definitely be well suited to that format.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 13, 2015, 02:09:05 PM
Just so long as models for all the gangs are included I'd be very happy.  With the extras like the enforcers and ratskins coming later too.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on November 13, 2015, 02:23:40 PM
Hmmm... revamp and streamline the rules for BFG and I can think of many people who would be interested in picking that stuff up.  That is, as long as they don't make it into a board game...
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 13, 2015, 02:55:34 PM
From a business perspective this makes sense.  Think about it; not everyone has the time or money to make a full sized army, but smaller easier to pick up sets might work better as starter games for beginners or side projects for veterans.  Just so long as they have staying power.  Necromunda and Mordheim were best played as campaigns, not one offs.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Spectral Arbor on November 13, 2015, 07:35:44 PM
The nice part of specialist games, from a gamer perspective, is exactly that. You can buy the basic set, and then you can buy more models to fill out those factions, or buy other models to start new factions.

It's exactly what I did with Blood Bowl. We played that like a religion, one year. I looked at BFG, but they were shutting it down at the time, and since I prefer painting infantry to vehicles [even then...] it didn't seem like something I'd get into. The rules seemed tight, and if I recall there were movement related restrictions that would make the game strategically AND tactically challenging from turn to turn... but I never had a chance to try it.

I tried Necromunda and Mordheim a couple of times. While they seemed like they'd be Ok, I liked Inquisitor more for that sized game. And Blood Bowl is awesome. I'm going to see if my buddies are in the mood for a game next weekend. :)

I really hope that these games take off again. I also hope Epic comes back. I think I'd really like that game.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Ebon Star on November 14, 2015, 04:40:56 PM
Personally, I'll be waiting for my revised Necromunda. Though part of me is saying at the back of my mind that it won't be as good as Underhive, which tempers my expectations.

Not so sure about an Inquisitor revival though. As much as I enjoyed Inquisitor back in the day, doesn't Dark Heresy and the other FFG RPG's kinda take it's spot?
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 14, 2015, 05:17:40 PM
I really hope we get a proper revival of necromunda and not just a watered down version of it.  I really want to build a gang and play with it.  This could be the thing that reunites my old regular gaming buddies.  I'm drawn towards either House Delaque or House Van Saar.

I wonder how necromunda might look these days, since GW has changed its style somewhat over the years.  Take the Golaiths for example.  Are they going to get the huge 80s era punk style Mohawks that the originals had or are they going to get more smaller and more sensible looking ones like the second wave models had? 

And I was pretty sure Dark Heresy is Inquistor's replacement.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Slick Samos on November 14, 2015, 06:34:48 PM
Interestingly (more accurately disappointingly) Mordheim was not mentioned in the official announcement by Games Workshop ... alas the Old World has slipped into the ether ... or has it? 

To be honest I don't think they even know what they're doing :P  But I like the idea of it so far :)

Slick Samos
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Alienscar on November 14, 2015, 07:31:43 PM
Interestingly (more accurately disappointingly) Mordheim was not mentioned in the official announcement by Games Workshop ... alas the Old World has slipped into the ether ... or has it?

Do you not think that Mordheim could be covered by the "many, many, more" part of the official statement?
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on November 14, 2015, 10:42:40 PM
Interestingly (more accurately disappointingly) Mordheim was not mentioned in the official announcement by Games Workshop ... alas the Old World has slipped into the ether ... or has it?

Do you not think that Mordheim could be covered by the "many, many, more" part of the official statement?
Do you think they can justify doing a Mordheim game when they have, officially, killed off the Old World?
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Ebon Star on November 14, 2015, 10:57:52 PM
I really hope we get a proper revival of necromunda and not just a watered down version of it.  I really want to build a gang and play with it.  This could be the thing that reunites my old regular gaming buddies.  I'm drawn towards either House Delaque or House Van Saar.

I wonder how necromunda might look these days, since GW has changed its style somewhat over the years.  Take the Golaiths for example.  Are they going to get the huge 80s era punk style Mohawks that the originals had or are they going to get more smaller and more sensible looking ones like the second wave models had?

Honestly, this. Though I get the feeling at the back of mind there's every possibility we'd get something closer to Execution Force or the Space Hulk re-release than a true Necromunda successor, despite everything in the market saying there's a gap for Necromunda. I've played my fair share of other Wargames, and Skirmish games wise right now nobody - not even Infinity - offers the same experience as Necromunda.

I've made many comparisons to Necromunda and X-COM in this regard to most people - Necromunda is about hiring a Juve, watching the Juve gain levels, giving the Juve progressively better gear and skills...and then watching as said Juve is gunned down in cold blood.

Interestingly (more accurately disappointingly) Mordheim was not mentioned in the official announcement by Games Workshop ... alas the Old World has slipped into the ether ... or has it? 

To be honest I don't think they even know what they're doing :P  But I like the idea of it so far :)

Slick Samos

Honestly, I think a Mordheim reboot would be *VERY* different given Age of Sigmar happened.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 14, 2015, 11:00:07 PM
Interestingly (more accurately disappointingly) Mordheim was not mentioned in the official announcement by Games Workshop ... alas the Old World has slipped into the ether ... or has it?

Do you not think that Mordheim could be covered by the "many, many, more" part of the official statement?
Do you think they can justify doing a Mordheim game when they have, officially, killed off the Old World?

I keep forgetting that Fantasy is effectively dead.  Maybe a remake of Mordheim is unlikely then.  Unfortunately.

If they remake Necromunda I hope they replace the second era style strength modifies armour save rules with the fixed ap rules of third edition onwards.  Because the first set just makes armour useless.  In a game were 99% of the weapons would be either AP - or AP 6, flak armor would actually be a useful investment worth the cost.

@ Ebon Star

I can only hope that GW realises what a dedicated cult following these old games have and it encourages them to do it right. 
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Ebon Star on November 15, 2015, 12:40:14 AM
@ Ebon Star

I can only hope that GW realises what a dedicated cult following these old games have and it encourages them to do it right.

Agreed. If it turns out that Necromunda was just a board game like Execution Force, I'd be pissed.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Spectral Arbor on November 15, 2015, 10:19:01 AM
What about a "3d" version of space hulk? Or a 3d version, played on a square-grid board, like a larger Blood Bowl board? I think that would work rather well, though it might be tricky to get all the buildings to line up on a grid.

Board games have a nice way of making things nice and clean, rules wise. The inclusion of "unfixed" points of reference makes the requirement for LOS and such more critical, and thus subjective. Determining cover is much cleaner, when you can say, "He's in a square adjacent to the corner, so he'll get a cover save if you shoot from anything behind "this line" and he won't if you shoot from anything on "this side of the line".

Board games, like Blood Bowl, have much tighter control of the movement potential of the pieces, and thus it's easier to create rules regarding movement, such as the "tackle zone" rules, involving blocks, dodge rolls, throwing, catching, assists, fowls... most of those have modifiers for being within 1 square of an opponent. It would be an ugly mess if each rule was "within 1 inch" of an opponent.

I don't think Blood Bowl has ever required an FAQ to more clearly define any rule, that I'm aware of. :)

I didn't look into Execution force. I have no interest in the models, and Space Hulk has that "cult following" that makes me suspect that it's a better game than EF. So I don't know how EF plays.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Alienscar on November 15, 2015, 01:28:26 PM
Interestingly (more accurately disappointingly) Mordheim was not mentioned in the official announcement by Games Workshop ... alas the Old World has slipped into the ether ... or has it?

Do you not think that Mordheim could be covered by the "many, many, more" part of the official statement?
Do you think they can justify doing a Mordheim game when they have, officially, killed off the Old World?

I keep forgetting that Fantasy is effectively dead.  Maybe a remake of Mordheim is unlikely then.  Unfortunately.

Is it that simple though? I don't really know that much about Blood Bowl but wasn't it based on the old fantasy races?

As for Mordheim and from a fluff perspective does it really matter that the old world has gone? Can Mordheim, from a stand alone game point of view, not stand on its on two feet? Kind of the old world is dead long live Mordheim.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Spectral Arbor on November 15, 2015, 01:59:13 PM
Fluff wise, you could just be performing historical re-enactments of games / gangs gone by.

Galaxy Quest: Historical documents - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wXDnJt3cUI)

I'm pretty sure GW doesn't reeeeaaalllly care about their own fluff, when it would prevent making a dollar. They lack integrity, as a company.

So it could well be set in the Old World. It could well be set in AoS, in a town that had been built up on some asteroid or whatever the beslubber they do these days, and then "Wham!" smaller asteroid lands on bigger asteroid, in the middle of Mordasteroidheim and other inhabitants of nearby asteroids are like, "Hey, I want a chunk of radioactive-death-rock!" so they use rockets to push their asteroids into near orbit of Mordasteroidheim and then use... magic? To teleport down and steal the radioactive-death-rocks.

Why not, right? People might be too young to remember everyone saying, "It's the nineties!" but you could just as easily say, "It's the Age of Sigmar!" and you'd have the same laisse faire attitude. :)
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 15, 2015, 03:29:18 PM
Actually yeah, Blood Bowl is based on the fantasy races.  So if they bring that back then maybe they could do Mordheim.  They're releasing the PC version of the game so it's not been forgotten.

And since I dug out my necromunda rule book I'm getting all sorts of ideas for it.  First of all, in addition to their skill and weapon lists, I think each gang needs a special rule to really set them apart.  For example, since they're crazy Redemptionists, House Cawdor could have Hatred of everyone for example.

Oh, and when you buy a new gang member, you should get to pick one skill table available to your gang and generate one skill off it via a D6, to show that they've had a life before they meet your gang.  Gives a nice bit of random to the game and makes it more interesting.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Ebon Star on November 15, 2015, 03:34:02 PM
I didn't look into Execution force. I have no interest in the models, and Space Hulk has that "cult following" that makes me suspect that it's a better game than EF. So I don't know how EF plays.

I'm picking Execution Force as an example of what we might come to expect instead of a full reboot. Don't get me wrong, I'd like a full reboot of Necromunda or Mordheim, but there's always the doubt that they'd go that route.

Trying not to get my hopes up anyway.

Also yes, GW don't care about their own fluff. This was established when Matt Ward wrote Codex: Grey Knights  8)
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on November 15, 2015, 03:53:23 PM
There's a rumour suggesting that whatever they decide to do with Epic will be set in the 30K era.  I'm not sure how thrilled I am by the prospect of this, as I see 30K as being very Marine focused, so I'm not sure how much attention other races would receive.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 15, 2015, 03:56:04 PM
There's a rumour suggesting that whatever they decide to do with Epic will be set in the 30K era.  I'm not sure how thrilled I am by the prospect of this, as I see 30K as being very Marine focused, so I'm not sure how much attention other races would receive.

I hope that's not the case.  I don't want a game that's just marines versus marines.  Everyone should be involved.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Ebon Star on November 15, 2015, 04:07:08 PM
There's a rumour suggesting that whatever they decide to do with Epic will be set in the 30K era.  I'm not sure how thrilled I am by the prospect of this, as I see 30K as being very Marine focused, so I'm not sure how much attention other races would receive.

Well going by Forge World, we got the Imperial Army (or Solar Auxillia) and Mechanicum, with the Dark Mechanicum upcoming and the Sisters of Silence and Adeptus Custodes still going round the Rumor Mill. I'd say that it's very Imperium focused rather than Marine focused. Still, I wouldn't have my fingers crossed for Orks or Eldar. Not to mention races like the Tyranids and Tau weren't even around at that time.

...I'd like to see a Plot Twist in that it turns out to be set during the Great Crusade Era though.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: The GrimSqueaker on November 15, 2015, 04:18:32 PM
Apparently, Mordheim is *finally* coming out of early release soon and will actually be a full fledged video game. It wouldn't be out of the ordinary for GW to follow up the video game release with a box set. Same with Blood Bowl which is already into its second iteration as a video game.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 15, 2015, 07:54:03 PM
Is there anyone here who played Necromunda or Mordheim?  What are your experiences with the specialist games?
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: The GrimSqueaker on November 15, 2015, 08:00:32 PM
Necromunda is very well done if you have a decent DM. A guy here used to do an update of his games just a few threads down here in Non-40K.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on November 15, 2015, 08:18:16 PM
Necromunda is very well done if you have a decent DM. A guy here used to do an update of his games just a few threads down here in Non-40K.

Oh hey, thanks for pointing that out!  I'm going to check it out.

And yeah, for these sorts of games a good DM is essential.  If they do join in they should try to remain neutral though.  That's why I think the enforcers make a good force for them.  Alternatively, they could have a bounty hunter gang paid for in the fluff by the guilders.  Was that ever a thing in Necromunda?
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on November 29, 2015, 05:50:43 AM
There is some suggestion that the Epic boxed set may well be Adeptus Titanicus, rather than a complete Epic game.  I never played the original Adeptus Titanicus, although I'm reliably informed that it was very good.  That said, I'd be a bit disappointed if this is the game they decided to release, as I'd like to see a more diverse game.
Title: GW Specialist Games
Post by: Looshkin on December 16, 2015, 04:27:19 AM
Well, we know that GW is regenerating their specialist games line, and we know that they were recently hiring for people to work on those games. According to BOLS, we now know what they will be working on:

GW RUMORS: Specialist Games Begins (http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2015/12/gw-rumors-specialist-games-begins.html)

“Specialist Games is forming thier team and beginning to lay out product roadmaps.

Look for an initial set of of 4 games to be developed concurrently:

Blood Bowl
Battlefleet Gothic
Necromunda
Mordheim
This initial set will be released in sequence and each will get a regular seasonal release slot in future years.

Necromunda is slated for the first release.

The relaunched Necrumunda will be focussed around gang kits and new terrain kits designed especially for the new range.

Other existing lines and previous “recent successful boardboardgames” will be folded into Specialist Games purview and added into the rotation with the above four.

Thus we will see very regular product releases for Specialist games throughout the year, but there may be long intervals in between releases for any one system.”


Please apply salt as necessary. That said, I'm pretty excited about this!
Title: Re: GW Specialist Games
Post by: Calamity on December 16, 2015, 05:17:22 AM
Necromunda is up first with new gang and terrain kits?!!  Happy days!  That's exactly what I was hoping for!  Yes, I'm excited and I'll be watching this closely.  I'll definitely be getting some if it turns out to be true!
Title: Re: GW Specialist Games
Post by: Looshkin on December 16, 2015, 05:20:20 AM
I'm assuming they looked at the success of something like Mantic's Deadline, and thought 'Hang on, didn't we have an IP that was basically exactly that game?'

Very exciting times. I'm not expecting anything in the short term, but at least it looks as though GW might be listening to a very vocal portion of their customer base.
Title: Re: GW Specialist Games
Post by: Calamity on December 16, 2015, 05:24:49 AM
Yeah, it's about time they started listening.

If these plastic gangster kits turn out to be half as good as I think they'll be (and GW plastics do tend to be very good) then not only can I make my gang, but us IG players might suddenly find our range vastly expanded.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on December 16, 2015, 08:03:12 AM
I think that they've chosen the most logical options to start with.  I'm certainly glad that they resisted any temptation that they may have had to begin with Epic.  I might be tempted to try Mordheim, but I will wait for further details with interested.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Lorizael on December 16, 2015, 05:24:51 PM
GW are always listening. Not everything is worth listening to or acting on though... ;)

I'm surprised if that list of first releases is 100%. The first jobs to go up were ones linked to the Middle Earth IP, plus the implication of the internal memo and announcement was that the new studio would be moving forward with new games and box sets with 'some' old favourites being revisited.

I'd expect something completely new to be in the first handful or releases rather than just re-hashes of a bunch of old-aged games.

Battlefleet I can very much see as it's very different to the standard fair, plus it would be mega to include a HH version- easy money!
Bloodbowl makes sense as it seems the biggest surviving specialist game, plus the BB logo was included in the announcement...
Mordheim seems unlikely, at least as 'Mordheim'. A different city within the Mortal Realms makes more sense, maybe a nexus where the realms meet at certain times... But it feels like rules for that could be easily incorporated into existing Warhammer without much effort.
Necromunda? Meh. Definitely seems like something to be left out until some new stuff has been produced.

I'm not convinced we'll get much in the way of plastics though. Remember Forge World is merging with this new studio- so it may mean lots of resin. I'd imagine we'll get box sets or generic kits in plastic with specialist kits and add-ons in resin.

IMO. :D
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on December 16, 2015, 06:27:04 PM
Resin gang kits eh?  I can live with that.  So long as they're customisable.
Title: Re: GW Specialist Games
Post by: Alienscar on December 17, 2015, 12:39:45 PM

GW RUMORS: Specialist Games Begins (http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2015/12/gw-rumors-specialist-games-begins.html)

“Specialist Games is forming thier team and beginning to lay out product roadmaps.

Look for an initial set of of 4 games to be developed concurrently:

Blood Bowl
Battlefleet Gothic
Necromunda
Mordheim

Please apply salt as necessary. That said, I'm pretty excited about this!

To be honest I dismissed this latest info on BoLS as so called click bait. The provided list is almost just a repeat of the list provided by Games Workshop and the statement at the beginning about the Specialist Team getting together and forming a roadmap is also not new news and comes across as just rewording the fact that GW stated that a new division was being set up.
Title: Re: GW Specialist Games
Post by: Looshkin on January 5, 2016, 07:28:58 AM
Well, apparently there was a lot of info that was released at the GW 40th Birthday Bash over the weekend. The information pertinent to SG is pasted below:

Quote
Specialist Games
Forge World is effectively being divided into three parts all overseen by Tony Cottarel in an Emperor Palpatine-esq way (in my mind at least). One section is led by Alan Bligh and will continue producing all the normal 40k, 30k and Age of Sigmar that we are used to. Second section is led by Andy Hoare and is focusing on the traditional specialist games that we would recognise from the past like Necromunda, Blood Bowl etc. The final section is going to focus on Lord of the Rings. Each section includes the manager and three developers.

In terms of models, there will be a core focus in plastic in the starting box sets that will be designed by the SG department and then manufactured by the main Studio. Blood Bowl is currently in development but mentions were made about Adeptus Titanicus coming back to its roots of a Titan vs Titan game set in the heresy and additional Necormunda gangs made in resin. All of this is still in very early days of development and chat. The new department opens officially on the 18th January.

One final point is that the main GW Studio is not going to develop the Horus Heresy / Age of Darkness as that it staying within FW. This may include further plastics however as FW may be branching into plastic manufacture in the future as mentioned with the traditional specialist games above.

Just as importantly, there were a couple of BB minis knocking around:

http://cdn.bols.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12443672_10153385032843831_1385530810_o.jpg (http://cdn.bols.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12443672_10153385032843831_1385530810_o.jpg)

http://cdn.bols.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12482866_10153385032873831_91970050_o.jpg (http://cdn.bols.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12482866_10153385032873831_91970050_o.jpg)

So, exciting times. Good to see some new BB sculpts.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on January 5, 2016, 08:29:47 AM
The comments about Adeptus Titanicus make sense.  I have always believed that this was more likely to be the initial option that they would take to handle Epic.  It's not my cup of tea, but from a financial perspective it makes sense to start with a boxed game of limited scope, especially given how popular it was when it was first released.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Alienscar on January 5, 2016, 11:02:16 AM
I'll be honest I am confused by the Adeptus Titanicus stuff. Why would a 6mm game set in the Horus Heresy be popular now. Isn't 40k already bordering on Epic in style given the amount of Super Heavies/Gargantuan Creatures that can be included? I am also confused by the statement about AT returning to its roots. Did it ever move away from its HH setting?

I like the look of the BB models.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on January 5, 2016, 11:07:34 AM
Adepticus Titanicus is just a titan versus titan game.  It may well be set in the Horus Heresy, but it's a very different game compared to any sort of 40K because of the scale and rules mechanics.  Also, comparing current 40K to Epic is bordering on an inferior and poorly balanced form of Epic.  Epic is a far better scale for fielding super heavy vehicles and titans.

Adepticus Titanicus moved away from its Horus Heresy setting when it was converted into (Epic) Space Marine and a wide range of armies were gradually introduced.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on January 5, 2016, 12:32:43 PM
I'm just so happy this is all happening!  GW seem to be getting back on track with regards to their fan base.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: The GrimSqueaker on January 27, 2016, 05:53:02 PM
GW has started showing off Blood Bowl minis at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. So it's fair to think BB will be one of the first games out of the gate.

Edit: Returns in 2017 so a bit of a wait.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on January 27, 2016, 09:32:27 PM
Makes me glad my local GW store is starting up a Blood Bowl League.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Lomendil on January 29, 2016, 07:55:44 PM
Quote
Blood Bowl
Battlefleet Gothic
Necromunda
Mordheim


It'll be interesting to see if any of these get popular in my area. Frankly I like them all (admittedly I've never actually played BF Gothic, and only ever played Mordheim online - including once on here of all places) so if even one gets a decent player base in stores and game clubs, I'll be happy with that.

Kinda hope they don't beslubber with the rules too much. I wasn't entirely sold on the new Blood Bowl rules, and I really wish they'd taken the time to mildly nerf CPOMB. Still, the stacking up of 2000+ TV CPOMB killer teams is rarely a problem for IRL leagues since they're usually quite short.

Necromunda could use something to fix the 'winners keep on winning' metagame. Win a game, you win more resources, which puts you in a better position to win the next game, and so on. Doesn't tend to snowball completely out of control, but it's still a problem. Maybe there could be some mechanic similar in principle to BB's incentives.

Mordheim was a great setting with a great aesthetic. Of all SG properties, this is probably the one I'd most want to play.

Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Irisado on January 30, 2016, 04:51:23 AM
Out of that list, Mordheim would be the only one I'd be interested to play.  I played Blood Bowl years ago and didn't like it all, while Necromunda never really grabbed me as a concept.  Battlefleet Gothic is a very good game, but I'm not overly interested in spaceship combat games.

A skirmish type Fantasy Battle game, which is essential what Mordheim is, would be much more appealing.  I'll be interested to see how much they tinker with it vis à vis the original concept.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Wyddr on January 30, 2016, 10:53:43 AM
Conversely, Battlefleet Gothic would be my pick for the "Specialist Game I'd Most Like To See." Wanted to play it ages ago--even started buying a few cruisers--but it was prohibitively expensive and models were very hard to come by, so I abandoned those plans.

I love spaceship games, I love 40K--BFG is right up my alley.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Spectral Arbor on January 30, 2016, 02:27:44 PM
An Orcish Blood Bowl team is, I dunno, like if Orks were the Eldar of 40k. Orcs would be the Eldar of Blood Bowl.

They're so awesome. I really love that game. We've been playing a ton of 40k lately, I bet I could get a group going for Blood Bowl again. Still have the models. Just need to dust off those old turn counters... Turnover! You forgot your marker! I'm going to wreck you now, Bwahahahaha!
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Looshkin on January 31, 2016, 04:45:38 AM
So for those interested enough to be interested, but not interested enough to go looking for them, the BB minis from the Nuremberg Toy Fair:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mUwvBxerQTYVvE1em5REkJ1ryDYfNpOxcDv5Du5s2ZgkKQNhrQELFTJf_QX1T8LJnhfmz8R4kh-xcK8otuNlVKKdoGLam8MpljHh8MARjtuAwWhBkJGn8fqy_DqeXh4XXdKz9fT-rAWquztWccew-eVwa0Xx8J_xvpqR0g3FuqpHnsgrNtmmsWPCehoGs5NUu7tWLfauUBzNN2o0OlY722EWnT3e7P_FGr3RSEP7is-bzSRyGALF1Fuzz2b3KRMrWBvK1Det-1A_KSoCx0yweZiZgKlhqiLhjS8PSaII8W18zHBGIQ3XxMpfh5TQFrliDewoEo4RapE248fCIrImzwwJM_opHFn9u-SRoo_RnV5KYnGLJXyuyQfcSNB_g_yPOF2HVly5wrsE26S7kznSi1bJxlk_CHhCns2jEbx8BLmQFfm_Zvch6wl8iJniPTHWm3zKFXhKF-rGZRn3Auh73mEwXrXRYOYT8XeZm-P3tit0-IqzsPpGTEFZ_D9wJMPBLQWb_4ySRhndl1qyRX8n3bXUORuhgsZGx62f22yMqAm4FjgbKzHSmwvmHsGxnG7-vOR3Gw=w878-h585-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iUxKvaKMWv3-ai9F8qSwDoRuui65951lJf71MjtLgBtmDsmj1sbaZ70lVC0gsZrdm7M-dd8m9Bs62lAwRCU8JtSJSszFhK4nWJZNoGT6-CMvyPt3qif_xm5cU72KrR3vynHUk0H728SA-AoHUYYWXdIdnna6Yz4xyIqGKJJh4dGUT-ANYi73pB-GKSZIM0afbAgILSESxHdGynuVODfOrc5J_qiz_VvWRvhPFKbAJCL1RzB2f7lel8BGa1Hu_GV2HyzTSgPyJTQa8kc6Mv9BFyW31dj3xGq0Sm1zPbtlSswSKVWr5fb1TK4-T0AKfICe11A_zcxqnk1rCcz0kFqQK5Loyi08LFi6R--bOBZ_oBBl0EqWpitXuQrhtXaIHaGzuf2f_EzQbYbZg-BXTZ40IJUBPdHffIA_4MmRZkDLBSbnObaEaTdVi1DFGrzaCd-EPz9z-RGDxCkHNKJW_SFTHeC23xy3489uyGIzSpkwelu7CTxAUgP-z5lhf-7X2uiq6RQvwd-sAwUNW2zIBDRi47jHv84iHGi9_sKKaXfon_lz6NhYV41Kqmlp7T_mf2_zDaIiXg=w878-h585-no)

Now I for one absolutely love these minis. The catcher is dynamic, and hopefully the dynamism that has slowly crept into GW sculpts over the last few years will be echoed in any skill position players (Runners, Catchers etc). The Orc Thrower actually looks like he's throwing a ball. That is remarkable considering the throwing poses that GW has produced before!

The Human Lineman is nicely detailed, and that Orc Blitzer (I'm guessing at that, rather than a blocker) is just frickin sweet. Just a mass of angry orc that looks as though he's travelling at pace. I wouldn't want to be the ball carrier with that thing bearing down on me.

If all of the minis that are produced are of this quality, I can see myself picking up a lot, even if it's just to paint. They are lovely and will really bring the game to life IMHO!
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on January 31, 2016, 06:04:29 AM
Those look sweet!  8)

I'll be seriously getting this game for sure with minis like that.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: The GrimSqueaker on January 31, 2016, 05:49:53 PM
I love spaceship games, I love 40K--BFG is right up my alley.

Exactly. I'll probably pick up a new box set of BFG when it comes out. Still have my Tau fleet around somewhere but would easily go Chaos again if the mood struck. One of the reasons I pre-ordered the computer game.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on January 31, 2016, 07:10:45 PM
With BFG making a return, I am definitely down to picking up another Space Marine fleet.

And running a Space Marine fleet in the game on Steam, but that's another matter
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on February 1, 2016, 11:42:32 AM
I think I'll go Imperial Navy, and say that they're in cahoots with my IG force. 
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on February 1, 2016, 05:30:37 PM
You know you want to write up some terrible guard fluff about how a Space Marine chapter is indebted to your regiment and agree to ferry them between battlefields aboard their battle barges.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Calamity on February 1, 2016, 05:36:22 PM
You know you want to write up some terrible guard fluff about how a Space Marine chapter is indebted to your regiment and agree to ferry them between battlefields aboard their battle barges.

Why yes, I think I do know...this.  8)
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: The GrimSqueaker on February 1, 2016, 05:45:00 PM
Please, the proper way to do this is to write terrible Guard fluff involving a paradise planet that's also a Forge World that has its own armoured companies, titan legions, and billions of elite troops under arms that's so important and wonderful it also has its own naval yards and sector fleet. Perhaps throw in a Marine chapter or two that wish they could recruit the Guardsmen from this planet.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on February 1, 2016, 05:47:48 PM
And don't forget that it is the long lost Tanith 7th regiment that is also lead by a Colonel-Commissar and how he has the affection of a certain older Commissar.


Oh god... what have I done...
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: The GrimSqueaker on February 1, 2016, 05:56:56 PM
However, I am hoping there will be more expansion fleets in the future. Tau would be a highly unlikely long shot but there's always hope. All depends on how well the launch goes and feedback on gameplay.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on February 1, 2016, 10:26:07 PM
It'll be interesting to see if the old rules out of the Armada book will be compatible with the new rules when the game comes out.  That would allow people to still use the various fleets like Tau; Space Marines; and, as much as it pains me to say it, Necrons.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: The GrimSqueaker on February 1, 2016, 11:16:53 PM
Necrons, like Space Marines, just didn't have much variety in ships. There's that one, that guy, him, and yeah. Even *Tau* had more ship types. Really hoping that's changing else said fleets will be very bland.
Title: Re: Specialist Games [coming back, new extra rules in print?]
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on February 2, 2016, 07:19:00 AM
Space Marines did not have a variety in capital ships, but they had access to their own escorts as well as the ones from the Imperial Navy.  The issue I had with Necrons is that they really didn't have a weakness.  They were as hard to hit as Space Marines while being more survivable, and faster than Eldar.