Post by MajorSoB on Jul 12, 2010 1:36:49 GMT -5
Last week I went on vacation. It was probably the first vacation I have taken in about six years. I drove to Atlanta, Georgia then Georgetown, Delaware. While in Delaware I took a side trip with Brian to the Glen Burnie Battle Bunker near Baltimore. I had a good time talking with the manager. He showed me around the place, took us out back to see the Games Days tables in progress, and talked over the new Fantasy rules. We stayed there talking for almost three hours. To be honest it was very refreshing what I learned. Let me list a few things here:
-First off, the GW stores don't seem to have any more advanced info than anyone else. It seems the GW web of secrecy applies to their stores just like independent retailers.
-Battle Bunkers no longer stock Forgeworld products. There is some talk about them getting some back but right now its just talk. The only thing that they can do is order the products from Forgeworld and save customers shipping.
-GW stores only stock items that are stockable, meaning if it is direct only ( like most characters, etc ) you wont find it on their shelves.
-The GW manager was a HOBBYIST, shocking I know! He showed one of his personal armies which was a very mediocre ( in army construction ) Space Wolves army. He had converted and painted it outstandingly but also explained he often gets tabled with it. His whole take on the game was that it should be played for fun. He explained he wont play an OTT army and actively discourages hard builds. HE used the term leaf blower, etc, and explained that while it has its place in the hobby he didnt like seeing it in his store since it encourages the negative parts of the hobby, again shocking!
-He also went on to explain the origins of the 'Ard Boyz tourney. It originally was a concept that was developed in the Baltimore area as a true tournament of champions. It also was played with, get this, COMP included! Apparently corporate liked the idea of the tournament of champions but they dropped comp to keep it simple. While we both agreed that 'Ard Boyz style tourneys have their place, he also felt that comp style tourneys featuring FLUFFY armies should also have their place as well. ( If you don't believe me ask my son, he was there!)
-The Red Shirts were helpful and friendly. They talked to Brian about his fantasy army and when he asked about "good" units to include, they talked about "fun" units to play...I know what a concept, actually having fun while playing! Also we saw a Female Red Shirt, not only are there 40K players who are women but now GW employees too!
-The manager also showed us the new fantasy rules. While I am in no hurry to buy a 500+ page phone book for $75, he showed us an advanced copy of the paperback book that will be included in the boxed set. He also went on the explain the new rules and I would say that overall fantasy seems much more playable in 8th edition, and possibly more balanced as well! While I am in no rush to start painting my fantasy stuff, I did get the impression that this edition may be more fun and might not need a spreadsheet income tax style comp matrix to be balanced.
So after my visit I was filled with hope for this hobby. I realized that not every player or every store manager plays MathHammer and there are still people out their who enjoy the FUN that this game can bring. It was a good visit, I got to see some awesomely painted armies, some well designed tables and got to spend an afternoon talking about this game we all love. Next time I am bringing an army and playing!
-First off, the GW stores don't seem to have any more advanced info than anyone else. It seems the GW web of secrecy applies to their stores just like independent retailers.
-Battle Bunkers no longer stock Forgeworld products. There is some talk about them getting some back but right now its just talk. The only thing that they can do is order the products from Forgeworld and save customers shipping.
-GW stores only stock items that are stockable, meaning if it is direct only ( like most characters, etc ) you wont find it on their shelves.
-The GW manager was a HOBBYIST, shocking I know! He showed one of his personal armies which was a very mediocre ( in army construction ) Space Wolves army. He had converted and painted it outstandingly but also explained he often gets tabled with it. His whole take on the game was that it should be played for fun. He explained he wont play an OTT army and actively discourages hard builds. HE used the term leaf blower, etc, and explained that while it has its place in the hobby he didnt like seeing it in his store since it encourages the negative parts of the hobby, again shocking!
-He also went on to explain the origins of the 'Ard Boyz tourney. It originally was a concept that was developed in the Baltimore area as a true tournament of champions. It also was played with, get this, COMP included! Apparently corporate liked the idea of the tournament of champions but they dropped comp to keep it simple. While we both agreed that 'Ard Boyz style tourneys have their place, he also felt that comp style tourneys featuring FLUFFY armies should also have their place as well. ( If you don't believe me ask my son, he was there!)
-The Red Shirts were helpful and friendly. They talked to Brian about his fantasy army and when he asked about "good" units to include, they talked about "fun" units to play...I know what a concept, actually having fun while playing! Also we saw a Female Red Shirt, not only are there 40K players who are women but now GW employees too!
-The manager also showed us the new fantasy rules. While I am in no hurry to buy a 500+ page phone book for $75, he showed us an advanced copy of the paperback book that will be included in the boxed set. He also went on the explain the new rules and I would say that overall fantasy seems much more playable in 8th edition, and possibly more balanced as well! While I am in no rush to start painting my fantasy stuff, I did get the impression that this edition may be more fun and might not need a spreadsheet income tax style comp matrix to be balanced.
So after my visit I was filled with hope for this hobby. I realized that not every player or every store manager plays MathHammer and there are still people out their who enjoy the FUN that this game can bring. It was a good visit, I got to see some awesomely painted armies, some well designed tables and got to spend an afternoon talking about this game we all love. Next time I am bringing an army and playing!
