Warhammer Code 30k: Hope Is The First Step On The Road To Disappointment

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Traditional Games > Warhammer Code 30k: Hope Is The First Step On The Road To Disappointment

«‹›438 »

Safety Factor: Oct 31, 2009; Grimey Drawer

One of the guys from the Age of Darkness podcast attended the 40k open day and managed to corner some FW staff:

AoD posted:

I won�t list everything as Warhammer Community have a great write- up about the 40k releases and upcoming products. However, I did have a great chat with the Forge World team about future plans and current developments for Age of Darkness.

As usual I�ll break these down into smaller sections.

Book 9
This is based around the Thramas Crusade - nothing new there.

Up-to-date news: Book 9 is going to the reprographics department this week and then onto the printers. This means a release is most likely in the second or third quarter after printing, shipping and world wide distribution.

The Sabre kit
This was designed by the same guy that designed the plastic titans. It is his first resin kit and was created during his lunchtimes as practice on how to sculpt resin. The FW team have been really pleased to see the community response to the unexpected release of the kit and it�s rules.

Book 10
Book 10 is currently deep into production. Due to size restraints, the Dark Mechanicum army list that was originally planned for Book 9 is now going to be in Book 10. Alongside this will be rules for additional allies for both the loyalists and traitors - this will be along the lines of the Agents of the Emperor / Warmaster concepts from a few years ago. No further details as yet.

Current developments
The GW offices at Warhammer World are currently having a massive extension added. As well as new production facilities and warehouse space there is also more room for the various design studios. The plan is once this is constructed, each of the design studios (main GW, Specialist Games, Age of Darkness and Old World) will have more space for the various teams.

This also means that each team will be expanding considerably over the next two years. This will include new rules writers (2 more for Age of Darkness for example) and miniature designers. As part of the re-structuring, Andy Hoare (ex-Heresy rules writer and head of Specialist Games) is now manager of the Specialist Games Studio and the Age of Darkness studio. This role is extremely new so Andy has lots of ideas but nothing has been put into action yet. From personal experience, Andy is a great bloke who has a lot of experience within the hobby; a clear vision of where the company and the game systems can go and also communicates clearly about what is happening (within the usual limits of GW policy).

Future hopes and plans
After a long chat with the Forge World team it�s clear that the new re-structuring is still in early days and we aren�t likely to see much change as customers for the foreseeable future.

However, the team is aware of the main community concerns and hopes. The two key ones they mentioned are:
* A cheap introduction for new players into the 30k games set
* More plastic kits

Neither of these are confirmed as in production or development but the fact that the team are having conversations about these is positive. The team also discussed that by expanding the number of writers, it would be hoped that they could release more than one Heresy-related book a year. Once again, this is future developments so only Book 10 is in current development due to the current size of the team.

One final point that we discussed in a jokey manner was the �Heresy is dead� mindset. It was mentioned that currently Heresy is still producing very healthy sales figures alongside other Specialist Games and the successes of all the games is allowing the company to invest heavily into new facilities and staff. One member of the team stated that there are so many long-plans for the Heresy that they expect that within two years, �everyone will be playing Heresy�.

Not gonna lie, I'm disappointed that dark mech aren't making it into book 9. They've been part of the scope for a long time and I know a bunch of goons were planning on playing them. I know I was, but I'm not too bothered about it. I was going to be focused on my Dark Angels as soon as that book dropped no matter what. Dark mech were going to have to wait.

On the bright side, Andy Hoare is now in charge. :unsmith:

# ? Dec 1, 2019 04:38

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? Jun 7, 2024 19:18

Zasze: Apr 29, 2009

Safety Factor posted:

On the bright side, Andy Hoare is now in charge.

This is honestly the best new Heresy has gotten in a while, plus lunch break titan dude making vehicles with magnetization options is awesome give that guy a raise.

# ? Dec 1, 2019 06:07

Ghazk: May 11, 2007; I can see EVERYTHING

FW posted:

within two years, �everyone will be playing Heresy�.

SOMEONE PUT THIS ON A T SHIRT

# ? Dec 1, 2019 07:35

koreban: Apr 4, 2008; I guess we all learned that trying to get along is way better than p. . .player hatin'.; Fun Shoe

Confirmed 8th Ed rules for heresy within 2 years.

(Seriously, I don�t see waves of people deciding to go *back* to templates and 40 pages of Special Rules interactions while 40k iterates forward with the 8th Ed system.)

# ? Dec 1, 2019 10:17

Lord_Hambrose: Nov 21, 2008; *a foul hooting fills the air*

koreban posted:

Confirmed 8th Ed rules for heresy within 2 years.

(Seriously, I don’t see waves of people deciding to go *back* to templates and 40 pages of Special Rules interactions while 40k iterates forward with the 8th Ed system.)

# ? Dec 1, 2019 11:42

Endman: May 18, 2010; That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even anime may die

�Iterates forward� lmao

# ? Dec 1, 2019 12:21

TTerrible: Jul 15, 2005

koreban posted:

Confirmed 8th Ed rules for heresy within 2 years.

(Seriously, I don�t see waves of people deciding to go *back* to templates and 40 pages of Special Rules interactions while 40k iterates forward with the 8th Ed system.)

Might be something that changes now Andy is in charge but when they released the rulebook they said AoD wouldn't be changing to 8th. Invalidating everything like the 7th->8th 40k jump would be even more disruptive for 30k given the number of staff working on it etc.

also;

Endman posted:

�Iterates forward� lmao

# ? Dec 1, 2019 13:47

ijyt: Apr 10, 2012

koreban posted:

Confirmed 8th Ed rules for heresy within 2 years.

(Seriously, I don�t see waves of people deciding to go *back* to templates and 40 pages of Special Rules interactions while 40k iterates forward with the 8th Ed system.)

The current 8th is a mess and going back to this would be a godsend.

# ? Dec 1, 2019 14:17

tallkidwithglasses: Feb 7, 2006

koreban posted:

Confirmed 8th Ed rules for heresy within 2 years.

(Seriously, I don�t see waves of people deciding to go *back* to templates and 40 pages of Special Rules interactions while 40k iterates forward with the 8th Ed system.)

Holy poo poo you�re gonna die if you ever go to Longview

# ? Dec 1, 2019 16:49

koreban: Apr 4, 2008; I guess we all learned that trying to get along is way better than p. . .player hatin'.; Fun Shoe

tallkidwithglasses posted:

Holy poo poo you�re gonna die if you ever go to Longview

I played during 6th/7th at Panascope�s place when he was in Vancouver. I know what I�m in for.

�Iterates forward� was more about the rumored 8.5 or 9th Ed rules dropping next year than any edition warring between 7th and 8th.

GW is iterating forward on 8th edition rules. They�re not going back to 7th. �In two years everyone will be playing heresy� is going to be a real weird sell for most players since 8th Ed is largely seen as an improvement in core rules overall, the problems being mostly related to codex creep and how close they�re getting to the Formation shenanigans from 7th.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 03:22

TTerrible: Jul 15, 2005

koreban posted:

I played during 6th/7th at Panascope�s place when he was in Vancouver. I know what I�m in for.

�Iterates forward� was more about the rumored 8.5 or 9th Ed rules dropping next year than any edition warring between 7th and 8th.

GW is iterating forward on 8th edition rules. They�re not going back to 7th. �In two years everyone will be playing heresy� is going to be a real weird sell for most players since 8th Ed is largely seen as an improvement in core rules overall, the problems being mostly related to codex creep and how close they�re getting to the Formation shenanigans from 7th.

I'm not sure how they're iterating forward when they're just circling back to tons of codex supplements, expansions and campaign books on top of almost-formations. I don't think the line about everyone playing heresy was being played that straight. It's just hopefully going to get a bump with actual support. (allegedly, etc)

# ? Dec 2, 2019 03:38

Safety Factor: Oct 31, 2009; Grimey Drawer

Necromunda? Templates
Adeptus Titanicus? Templates
Blood Bowl? Templates

30k? Templates

I rest my case.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 03:44

DJ Dizzy: Feb 11, 2009; Real men don't use bolters.

koreban posted:

the problems being mostly related to codex creep and how close they�re getting to the Formation shenanigans from 7th.

Sure is some fine iteration they are doing there. And they are going to do this going forward, you say?

# ? Dec 2, 2019 03:44

koreban: Apr 4, 2008; I guess we all learned that trying to get along is way better than p. . .player hatin'.; Fun Shoe

DJ Dizzy posted:

Sure is some fine iteration they are doing there. And they are going to do this going forward, you say?

When the core rules have 40 pages of USRs and they bring back Initiative stats, and WS/BS is calculated starting by subtracting from a number not on a die, I�ll say they�re going backwards.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 04:06

TTerrible: Jul 15, 2005

koreban posted:

When the core rules have 40 pages of USRs and they bring back Initiative stats, and WS/BS is calculated starting by subtracting from a number not on a die, I�ll say they�re going backwards.

Ok it's added to the spreadsheet.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 04:16

panascope: Mar 26, 2005

Good, good, we're getting mad and we haven't even played a game yet.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 05:53

JcDent: May 13, 2013; Give me a rifle, one round, and point me at Berlin!

Instead of 40 pages of USRs, units now have individually named rules that all do the same!

Also, pay no mind to the what, 4 USRs Space Marines have already accrued?

The only real thing that AoD would benefit from is 8E AP rules. Not leadership, not vehicles, not "enemy WS don't matter lol," not mortal wounds, not CPs...

# ? Dec 2, 2019 06:06

tallkidwithglasses: Feb 7, 2006

I think if I were to change one thing about the HH rules, it would be to swap in the 8th edition vehicle rules.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 06:13

Safety Factor: Oct 31, 2009; Grimey Drawer

There are only 18 pages of special rules.
:goonsay:

I will happily take established universal special rules over renamed copies.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 06:21

Killer_Bees!: Dec 25, 2005; I, for one, welcome
our new insect overlords.; Buglord

Safety Factor posted:

There are only 18 pages of special rules.

I will happily take established universal special rules over renamed copies.

100% this, 8th is so bloated and grossly unbalanced this year my group has backed off it completely just like we did with the end of 7th. Heresy in my city is going through a resurgence and so is the sexy new apocalypse format for big 40k games.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 07:25

JcDent: May 13, 2013; Give me a rifle, one round, and point me at Berlin!

tallkidwithglasses posted:

I think if I were to change one thing about the HH rules, it would be to swap in the 8th edition vehicle rules.

They should have given monstrous creatures armor values and a damage chart instead. Add the ability to shear weapons off Thanathars and suddenly, Mechanicum is playing BattleTech.

Bolt Action does it well. If your weapon doesn't have the right AP, you can't get past it's 7+ to wound (for the least armored cars, tanks can go a lot higher). I vehicles have lower armor on the sides as well.

They don't have HP either. Either you gently caress it up with good rolls on the chart or go home.

Infantry without AT weapons in close assault can only shake/stun crew or damage weapons, iirc.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 10:57

BULBASAUR: Apr 6, 2009; Soiled Meat

You gotta understand that what's happening right now to 8th edition, and what happened when it was first released, is basically the perpetual cycle of how GW does business. If you've only been on this ride one or two times its less easy to see the pattern, but every new edition generates a lot of excitement, lots of people praise things, and then with time the scope creep starts to set in. People find the problems in the mechanics, power creep sets in, the studio tries to patch things up, and things kinda turn into a cacophony until the next edition.

Then everything is forgotten. New edition! They listened to us! Praise number!

# ? Dec 2, 2019 11:11

TTerrible: Jul 15, 2005

BULBASAUR posted:

You gotta understand that what's happening right now to 8th edition, and what happened when it was first released, is basically the perpetual cycle of how GW does business. If you've only been on this ride one or two times its less easy to see the pattern, but every new edition generates a lot of excitement, lots of people praise things, and then with time the scope creep starts to set in. People find the problems in the mechanics, power creep sets in, the studio tries to patch things up, and things kinda turn into a cacophony until the next edition.

Then everything is forgotten. New edition! They listened to us! Praise number!

No! 8th is different! This is new GW! You don�t understand!

Also good to see people melting down about NPC factions and only space marines getting love :allears:

# ? Dec 2, 2019 12:47

Ghazk: May 11, 2007; I can see EVERYTHING

8th is such a mess I�ve completely stopped trying to keep up.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 15:50

tallkidwithglasses: Feb 7, 2006

I don�t think vehicles should have facings.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 16:04

long-ass nips Diane: Dec 13, 2010; Breathe.

I play the game the correct way. by buying models and never assembling or painting them, so the rule set is largely irrelevant.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 16:21

TTerrible: Jul 15, 2005

long-rear end nips Diane posted:

I play the game the correct way. by buying models and never assembling or painting them, so the rule set is largely irrelevant.

Welcome, brother.

tallkidwithglasses posted:

I don’t think vehicles should have facings.

Trash idiot subhuman.

Ghazk posted:

8th is such a mess I’ve completely stopped trying to keep up.

Welcome home.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 16:41

Lord_Hambrose: Nov 21, 2008; *a foul hooting fills the air*

I am extremely excited for 9th edition to move fully to the AoS system. Would fix so many problems.

drat, Heresy is so good.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 17:23

tallkidwithglasses: Feb 7, 2006

TTerrible posted:

Trash idiot subhuman.

I�d rather that vehicles have 30 wounds apiece, sorry that you like bad rules.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 17:54

TTerrible: Jul 15, 2005

tallkidwithglasses posted:

I�d rather that vehicles have 30 wounds apiece, sorry that you like bad rules.

Going to shoot this battlecannon out of my antenna.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 17:55

moths: Aug 25, 2004; I would also still appreciate some danger.

I prefer the idea that the miniature denotes the center of its location's probability cloud, but w/e.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 18:16

tallkidwithglasses: Feb 7, 2006

moths posted:

I prefer the idea that the miniature denotes the center of its location's probability cloud, but w/e.

I agree, which is why the game shouldn�t have vehicle facings or templates.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 18:24

Hixson: Mar 27, 2009

koreban posted:

Confirmed 8th Ed rules for heresy within 2 years.

(Seriously, I don�t see waves of people deciding to go *back* to templates and 40 pages of Special Rules interactions while 40k iterates forward with the 8th Ed system.)

Never speak of this ever again

# ? Dec 2, 2019 19:43

panascope: Mar 26, 2005

BULBASAUR posted:

You gotta understand that what's happening right now to 8th edition, and what happened when it was first released, is basically the perpetual cycle of how GW does business. If you've only been on this ride one or two times its less easy to see the pattern, but every new edition generates a lot of excitement, lots of people praise things, and then with time the scope creep starts to set in. People find the problems in the mechanics, power creep sets in, the studio tries to patch things up, and things kinda turn into a cacophony until the next edition.

Then everything is forgotten. New edition! They listened to us! Praise number!

Sage wisdom.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 20:08

panascope: Mar 26, 2005

Bulbasaur, a Heresy master during the pre-Inferno era (2012-2017), received an 8th Edition player who came to inquire about Heresy.

Bulbasaur served Buckfast. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The 8th Edition player watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," Bulbasaur said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Heresy unless you first empty your cup?"

# ? Dec 2, 2019 20:30

TTerrible: Jul 15, 2005

Cup

# ? Dec 2, 2019 20:33

Safety Factor: Oct 31, 2009; Grimey Drawer

BULBASAUR's crown has been stolen by a bunch of Australians. He can't possibly compete with the inventors of Centurion mode or people sick enough to write an Eldar fandex.

# ? Dec 2, 2019 20:38