Topic: The times, they are a changing

[Michael Stockin]

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[Zygmund]

You nailed it regarding GW.

But these days there are many, many other companies, and I see people are still buying from several sources, doing their own kitbashes, and scratchbuilding too is still a thing.

What I would say is that GW models have become more "realistic" in representing the GW universes, and people who want exactly that look can get it straight from the box without compromises. And the hobby has probably grown because of that. Monopose plastic snap-kits are way easier than the other extreme, multi-part metal or metal-and-resin models. IP, TM and (c) have become stricter in the toy industry, and like you said, GW is wise in protecting their IP and thus shifting away from generalist looks and non-protected ideas. But that doesn't mean you cannot build whatever you want!

If you want to see people kitbash and scratch-build, you can easily find groups where that is the main thing. I'm following a couple of such groups in Facebook, and they are also present as niches in more generalist groups. But I'm sure they exist in other media too if FB is not your cup of tea.

-Z

[Michael Stockin]

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[Michael Stockin]

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[Zygmund]

I don't think GW has come up with anything truly unique even when the looks of their miniatures have distinctly changed. And even if they did, the 3d freelances quickly capitulate on it and you can soon find alternative designs in the web, and up till now also physical models in kickstarters.

Do you have a specific model or looks in mind, that you cannot find alternatives for, or cannot easily kitbash from bits from various companies?

Actually, I'm also seeing that GW looks back to their own old miniature lines and aesthetics and remakes them. Just yesterday I saw a 40K imperial commissar and thought it was Rogue Trader or 2nd ed. But I was told it comes from a recent plastic box. Looked exactly like the early 90's!

With the new plurality (of games, and of warbands in those games), new designs flirting with current fantasy themes, and larger scale, GW is also entering a dangerous ground where all Wyrd: Malifaux, PP: Warmachine, Rackham: Confrontation, Reaper etc. etc. models start to better fit the GW games/universes. These days when I see a new GW sculpts, I often reckon I've seen a similar figurine from another company earlier!

-Z

[Michael Stockin]

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[GamesPoet]

Buying and reading Beastgrave has become quite the education.  The setting is a W:AoS location called Ghur ... supposably some sort of beastial land, one of the 8 "Mortal Realms".  I bought the game because I liked the figures ... seemingly a beastman and wood elf vibe to them.  However, the "wood elfs" aren't really what I'd call wood elfs after all, they look more like beasts, all of them have hooves.  And in both warbands, the figures are quite variable in look, it is like having different beasts with different skills going at it with each other, akin to humans having different classes and going at each other in small warbands.  And of course all the figures are not interchangeable with their parts, unlike the days gone past.