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Games Workshop

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Ranked #733 in DIY, #14996 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Introducing Games Workshop

 

Games Workshop Group PLC (often abbreviated to GW) is a UK Game production and retailing company. Games Workshop is one of the largest games companies in the world, and is the dominant company in the miniature fantasy wargaming hobby (owning appx 98% of the market)

Founded in 1975 by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson (also known for their Fighting Fantasy gamebooks), Games Workshop was originally a manufacturer of wooden boards for games such as backgammon and chess which later became an importer of the U.S. roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons. Under the direction of Livingstone and Jackson, Games Workshop expanded from being a bedroom mail-order company to a successful gaming publisher and manufacturer. An early promotional magazine Owl and Weasel was superseded in June 1977, partially to advertise the opening of the first Games Workshop store, Livingstone and Jackson with the gaming magazine White Dwarf, which Livingstone also edited.

Their publishing arm also created UK reprints of famous, but then expensive to import, American RPGs such as Call of Cthulhu, Runequest, Traveller and Middle-Earth Role-Play. In 1979, Games Workshop provided the funding to help found Citadel Miniatures, in Newark, a company that would produce the metal miniatures that were used in role-playing and table-top wargames. The Citadel name has become synonymous with Games Workshop Miniatures and continues to be a trademarked brand name used in association with them long after the Citadel company was absorbed into Games Workshop.

There are yearly Games Day events held by Games Workshop which feature the Golden Demon painting competition and you can find the Official Games Workshop website through this link.


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History 

In 1984, Games Workshop ceased distributing its products in the USA through Hobby Games Distributors and opened its Games Workshop (US) office. Games Workshop (US), and Games Workshop in general, went through a large growth phase in the late 80s and early 90s. Issue 126 of the White Dwarf (June, 1990) stated the company had over 250 employees.

Following a management buyout in December 1991 the company refocused on their most lucrative lines, namely their miniature wargame Warhammer Fantasy Battle (WFB) and Warhammer 40,000 (WH40K) lines. The retail chain refocused on a younger, more family-oriented market. The change of direction was a great success with a rising share price and growing profits, in spite of the fact that it lost the company much of its old, loyal fanbase. The complaints of these old customers led a breakaway group of GW employees to publish Fantasy Warlord in competition with GW, but this met with little success. Games Workshop expanded in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia opening new branches and organising events. The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in October 1994. In October 1997, all UK based operations were relocated to the current HQ in Lenton, Nottingham. This site now houses the corporate HQ, the White Dwarf offices, mail order, and the creative hub.

By the end of the decade, though, the company was having problems with falling profits being blamed on collectible card games such as Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon.

In recent years, Games Workshop has been attempting to create a dual approach that will appeal to both older, loyal customers while still attracting the younger audience. This has seen the creation of initiatives such as the "Fanatic" range that supports more marginal lines with a lower cost trading model (the Internet is used widely in this approach, to collect ideas and playtest reports). Games Workshop has also contributed to designing and making games and puzzles for the popular television series The Crystal Maze.

Wargames Promoted by Games Workshop 

The miniature wargames the company promotes are considered to be a welcome substitute to those young people mostly immersed in video gaming. Some view it as a learning experience that cultivates artistic talent as well as resource management skills, and that the hobby reminds people of more traditional mediums of entertainment, harking back to simple toy soldiers. The release of Games Workshop's third core miniature wargame, The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game (LoTR SBG), in 2000 signalled their intention to capture the younger audience with a simple, yet effective and flexible, combat system.[citation needed]

Other key innovations have been to harmonise their core products, and to branch out into new areas of growth. The acquisition of Sabretooth Games (card games), the creation of The Black Library (literature), and their work with THQ (computer games) have all enabled the company to diversify into new areas which have brought old gamers back into the fold; plus introduced the games to a whole new audience.

Games Workshop Amazon Plexo 

The Sound of Warhammer 40,000 Chapter III by Northern Lite

The Sound of Warhammer 40,000 Chapter III by Northern Lite

Track Listings
1. Insect Stride - Northern Lite
2. U more...0 points

Games Workshop Space Wolves Codex

Games Workshop Space Wolves Codex

The ferocious warriors of the Space Wolves are fam more...0 points

Games Workshop Tyranids Codex

Games Workshop Tyranids Codex

This book is the essential guide for putting toget more...0 points

Games Workshop Imperial Guard Codex

Games Workshop Imperial Guard Codex

The Warriors of the Imperial Guard form the staunc more...0 points

Games Workshop Necron Codex

Games Workshop Necron Codex

This book is the essential guide for putting toget more...0 points

Games Workshop Paint Set

Games Workshop Paint Set

This paint set contains one Blood Red, one Goblin more...0 points

Games Workshop Tyranid Battleforce Box Set

Games Workshop Tyranid Battleforce Box Set

The Tyranid Battleforce is a great starting point more...0 points

Games Workshop Space Marine The Emperors Champion Blister

Games Workshop Space Marine The Emperors Champion Blister

Before an important battle the battle brothers of more...0 points

Games Workshop Space Marine Scouts with Sniper Rifles Box Set

Games Workshop Space Marine Scouts with Sniper Rifles Box Set

Although Scouts are lightly equipped they are trai more...0 points

Games Workshop Hobby Starter Set

Games Workshop Hobby Starter Set

This paint set contains 9 0.4 fluid ounce standard more...0 points

Games Workshop Tau Codex

Games Workshop Tau Codex

The Tau seek to bring enlightenment and unity to t more...0 points

Games Workshop Tau Codex

Games Workshop Tau Codex

The Tau seek to bring enlightenment and unity to t more...0 points

Games Workshop Imperial Guard Leman Russ Box Set

Games Workshop Imperial Guard Leman Russ Box Set

The Leman Russ Battle Tank is the most commonly fo more...0 points

Games Workshop Chaos Space Marine Bike Box Set

Games Workshop Chaos Space Marine Bike Box Set

The roar of a Chaos Space Marine bike's engine fir more...0 points

Warhammer 40,000 (Imperial Guard Command Tower, Boxed Model) by Games Workshop

Warhammer 40,000 (Imperial Guard Command Tower, Boxed Model) by Games Workshop

Box contains one complete Imperial Guard Command T more...0 points

Games Workshop Chaos Space Marine Icon Bearer Blister

Games Workshop Chaos Space Marine Icon Bearer Blister

The Chosen are the elite of a Chaos Space Marine a more...0 points

Games Workshop Space Marine Command Squad Box Set

Games Workshop Space Marine Command Squad Box Set

It is usual for noted Space Marine warriors to be more...0 points

Games Workshop How to Paint Citadel Miniatures Book

Games Workshop How to Paint Citadel Miniatures Book

How to Paint Citadel Miniatures is an introduction more...0 points

Games Workshop How to Make Wargames Terrain Book

Games Workshop How to Make Wargames Terrain Book

How To Make Wargames Terrain clearly explains how more...0 points

Games Workshop How to Make Wargames Terrain Book

Games Workshop How to Make Wargames Terrain Book

How To Make Wargames Terrain clearly explains how more...0 points

White Dwarf #295 (US Edition, August 2004) by Games Workshop

White Dwarf #295 (US Edition, August 2004) by Games Workshop

Square-bound magazine published by Games Workshop more...0 points

Warhammer 40,000 (Elder Battle Force, Citadel Minatures) by Games Workshop

Warhammer 40,000 (Elder Battle Force, Citadel Minatures) by Games Workshop

Box contents 20 Eldat Guardians; 3 Eldar Jetbikes; more...0 points

Warhammer Thorek Ironbrow's Anvil of Doom (Boxed Miniature) by Citadel Miniatures

Warhammer Thorek Ironbrow's Anvil of Doom (Boxed Miniature) by Citadel Miniatures

Box contains 1 unassembled, unpainted miniature.0 points

Games Workshop Space Marine Terminator Chaplain Blister

Games Workshop Space Marine Terminator Chaplain Blister

When wearing Terminator armour a Space Marine Chap more...0 points

Warhammer Empire Handgunners Regiment (Boxed miniatures for Warhammer Game) by Games Workshop / Citadel Miniatures

Warhammer Empire Handgunners Regiment (Boxed miniatures for Warhammer Game) by Games Workshop / Citadel Miniatures

Box contains 16 miniatures with metal and plastic more...0 points

Games Workshop Tyranid Lictor Blister

Games Workshop Tyranid Lictor Blister

Lictors rove ahead of Tyranid swarms seeking out p more...0 points

Games Workshop Tomb Kings Army Book

Games Workshop Tomb Kings Army Book

This book is the essential guide for putting toget more...0 points

Games Workshop Tau Hammerhead Box Set

Games Workshop Tau Hammerhead Box Set

The Hammerhead is the main battle tank of the Tau more...0 points

White Dwarf #290 (UK Edition, February 2003) by Games Workshop

White Dwarf #290 (UK Edition, February 2003) by Games Workshop

Square-bound magazine published by Games Workshop more...0 points

Games Workshop Lord of the Rings Riders of Rohan Box Set

Games Workshop Lord of the Rings Riders of Rohan Box Set

This box set contains 6 plastic Riders of Rohan. A more...0 points

The Citadel Journal #25 by Games Workshop

The Citadel Journal #25 by Games Workshop

Squarebound irregular journal published by Games W more...0 points

Warhammer: Conquest of the New World by Games Workshop

Warhammer: Conquest of the New World by Games Workshop

16-page campaign supplement for the Warhammer Lust more...0 points

Games Workshop Space Marine Land Speeder Typhoon Box Set

Games Workshop Space Marine Land Speeder Typhoon Box Set

The Space Marine Typhoon Land Speeder boxed set co more...0 points

Games Workshop Lord of the Rings Dunlending Warriors Blister Pack

Games Workshop Lord of the Rings Dunlending Warriors Blister Pack

Dunlendings bear unequalled animosity to the Men o more...0 points

Warhammer 40,000 (Dark Eldar Battle Force, Boxed Miniatures Set) by Games Workshop

Warhammer 40,000 (Dark Eldar Battle Force, Boxed Miniatures Set) by Games Workshop

Box contains unassembled plastic models. 20 Dark E more...0 points

Games Workshop Space Marine Dreadnought Box Set

Games Workshop Space Marine Dreadnought Box Set

A Dreadnought is piloted by a mighty Space Marine more...0 points

Games Workshop Black Templars Codex

Games Workshop Black Templars Codex

The Black Templars have continued in the style of more...0 points

Games Workshop Black Templars Codex

Games Workshop Black Templars Codex

The Black Templars have continued in the style of more...0 points

Games Workshop Eldar Codex

Games Workshop Eldar Codex

This book contains a full army list for the Eldar, more...0 points

Licensing information 

Alongside the publishing rights to American role-playing games in the 1980s Games Workshop also secured the rights to produce miniatures and games for several classic British science fiction properties such as Doctor Who and several characters from 2000 AD including Rogue Trooper and Judge Dredd. They also secured the rights to produce 28mm miniatures based on Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

In conjunction with the production of cinematic adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Games Workshop acquired the rights to produce a skirmish wargame based on the films, and also on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. The rights to produce a roleplaying game version of the films were sold to another firm, Decipher, Inc.

Though they had the rights to produce a Battle of Five Armies game, the rights to the one-inch scale normally used by Games Workshop were already owned by another company. For this reason, the game was done in 10 mm scale for the normal warriors, and "heroic" scale for the named characters.

Games Workshop has not acquired the rights to produce works based on The Silmarillion, which is currently the exclusive property of the Tolkien Estate. However, they were somehow permitted to use Eorl the Young and Khamûl the Easterling (from Unfinished Tales) in their recently-released The Two Towers and A Shadow in the East Supplements.

Games Workshop Stuff on eBay 

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Core Games 

The following games are in production and widely available.

Warhammer Fantasy Battle
Warhammer 40,000
The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game

Specialist Games 

The following games are considered "specialist" and are not necessarily available in Games Workshop stores. They are however available through mail order and are supported by the specialist games division of Games Workshop. Note also that some of these games (e.g. Necromunda) are available only as rules and miniatures, not in the "boxed set" form that they originally took. They are all set within one of the universes of the main games. The rules are also offered as a free download from the Specialist Games website. These games are aimed at the "veteran" gamers. These are gamers who are more experienced in the core games produced by Games Workshop. This is because the rules and the style of play are often more in-depth than the core games.

Warhammer Fantasy universe
Blood Bowl - an American football style game using fantasy creatures
Mordheim - a skirmish game. An expansion (Empire in Flames) was also released
Warmaster - a game for fighting larger battles with smaller (10 mm) miniatures

Warhammer 40,000 universe
Battlefleet Gothic - a game based around spacecraft combat
Epic - a game for fighting larger battles with smaller (6 mm) miniatures.
Inquisitor - a skirmish game using larger (54 mm) more detailed miniatures
Necromunda - a skirmish game

The Lord Of The Rings Strategy Battle Game universe
The Battle of Five Armies: The Hobbit Strategy Battle Game - a game for fighting larger battles with smaller (10 mm) miniatures. The game was named after (and initially centred on) the Battle of Five Armies, one of the later scenes in JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit.
The Strategy Battle Game has now expanded and has recently added many new supplements to the list of its current games and scenarios.

Forge World
Forge World has recently released its first in-house game:

Aeronautica Imperialis - a game based around aircraft combat

Warhammer Historical;
Warhammer Ancient Battles
Warmaster Ancients
English Civil War
Legends of the Old West

Out of print;
Warhammer Fantasy universe
Advanced HeroQuest
Kerrunch - a simplified version of Blood Bowl.
Man O'War - a game of naval combat in a fantasy world. Two expansions were also rele