If you were to own GW...

[TrashMan]

What would you do? How would you fix/improve 40k in terms of LORE (not talking tabeltop rules here)?

 

 

Here's my (incomplete) list:

- fix the Tau by removing/toning down their insane luck/plot shields and insane technological progression. They are like that omnidiscippliniary scientists with 50 PhD's from comics. Let them be "tenderly" tended to by the galaxy. But no total annihilation.

- remove perpetuals

- retcon the Gathering Storm (the entire "Elite GK's, Smurfs and Guilleman captured" thing is terrible and needs to go, incosistent Crawl backstory needs fixing. Having him be directly guided by the Big E would be far superior to what we have now)

- nerf Tyranids (no Bio-titans, they don't need them. No rending claws. Tone down their individual bull:cusstery and focus more on NUMBERS)

- Bring back OldCrons. The new ones are far too human and far too egyptian.

- KEEP the babycarrier (Before you should "HERESY", think about it stated purpose - fighting greater demons. Armor is useless, mobility and reach are important. In that sense, the design fits the role.)

- That 40K kids book never happened

- Make comedic 40K race game and imperial guard simulator (each soldier in a regiment is a life)

- fire whoever designed that eldar chick. Terrible. TERRIBLE.

Edited November 19, 2019 by Chaplain Dosjetka
=][= Keep it civil and don't dodge the swear filter. =][=

[Xenith]

If I owned GW I wouldn't let you near the lore.

[TrashMan]

If I owned GW I wouldn't let you near the lore.

 

What eldar chick? Thought you were talking about lore, not rules or models?

 

That eldar farseer with bare feet, a dress, chandelier in her hair and some silly cat.

[TrawlingCleaner]

What would you do? How would you fix/improve 40k in terms of LORE (not talking tabeltop rules here)?

 

 

Here's my (incomplete) list:

- fix the Tau by removing/toning down their insane luck/plot shields and insane technological progression. They are like that omnidiscippliniary scientists with 50 PhD's from comics. Let them be "tenderly" tended to by the galaxy. But no total annihilation.

- remove perpetuals

- retcon the Gathering Storm (the entire "Elite GK's, Smurfs and Guilleman captured" thing is terrible and needs to go, incosistent and spastic Crawl backstory needs fixing. Having him be directly guided by the Big E would be far superior to what we have now)

- nerf Tyranids (no Bio-titans, they don't need them. No rending claws. Tone down their individual bull:cusstery and focus more on NUMBERS)

- Bring back OldCrons. The new ones are far too human and far too egyptian.

- KEEP the babycarrier (Before you should "HERESY", think about it stated purpose - fighting greater demons. Armor is useless, mobility and reach are important. In that sense, the design fits the role.)

- That 40K kids book never happened

- Make comedic 40K race game and imperial guard simulator (each soldier in a regiment is a life)

- fire whoever designed that eldar chick. Terrible. TERRIBLE.

 

1) That's kinda Tau's thing though right? The lucky underdog that has no idea how hopelessly outmatched they are. Their tech is advancing at a fast pace but it's still far behind DAoT imperium tech, there's nothign to say that the human race didn't grow exponentially in the same way Tau has. I honestly think Tau probably mirrors Humans and Eldar's growth more than anyone else.

 

2) Perpetuals make a lot of sense IMO, they're so rare that there's such a small amount of them but because they've lived forever they can play such a big part in the 40k story.

 

3) Gathering Storm was great overall IMO, it had some weird bits and a couple of bits I would have taken out personally but it's one of the only actual advancements in the lore. The being captured bit was definitely weird but ultimately served a purpose. Cawl's backstory being all over the place is ideal, he's a fragmented character and his origin should reflect that. There's nothing to say that he isn't being guided by the emperor and I like that it's not explictily stated or even really illuded to.

 

4) Tyranids are the unstoppable tide, they're the ultimate apex predator as they adapt to everything, every race can throw at them. Them not having bio titans makes no sense. They're the unstoppable tide but the tide has many small waves and many big waves.

 

5) They're more relatable as they currently are and actually have personality futher than: Kill all life just because we're evil robots.

 

6) The kids books are great IMO, they bring the horrible world of 40k to kids that can't really comprehend it yet and can relate to it. Kids generally struggle to relate to adults and vice versa. It's a smart finacial move from GW; get them in and introduced young and watch as their plastic addiction spirals out of control into their adulthood

 

7) I really like the Ynari/Yvranne design, they're still noticably eldar but also noticably different

[MARK0SIAN]

I always think 40k lore/narrative works best when it’s quite narrowly focussed and contained.

 

If you think of the stand out stories and novel series (Gaunts Ghosts, Eisenhorn/Ravenor, Helsreach, Beast arises and others) they either tend to be focussed on a particular enemy and/or confined to a specific and small area.

 

If I owned GW, I’d switch focus from the Galaxy wide stuff they keep using at the moment and narrow down the focus in a lot of areas.

 

On a more personal note i would also find out who it is exactly who has such an axe to grind against Forgeworld and show them the door.

[Jarl Caldersson]

Well I will attempt to keep this on track.

 

First I would start by including digital editions to collectors editions. People pay good money for a book that is quickly obsolete.

 

I would begin a list of non-canon lore, or "reference-lore" to help customers know what is still canon. Along with this I would make a timeline to keep players in the know.

 

Retcon Cawl made new organs and say he fixed the SM organs to the condition of HH, with improved weapons. The reason why Cawl never released the Primaris was because he was unable to, only Guilliman had that authorization.

 

Guilliman created the "primaris" project after his fight with Lion and Dorn he began to doubt the chapter idea, and secretly made legions of marines in case it didn't work out. This makes it so Guilliman isn't this great perfect mind, he has flaws like everyone else.

 

Release a letter saying this lore was made to make true scale marines as the fans requested, however HH will stay the same scale for the time being as it was vastly SM vs SM.

 

Make new IG and tempestus models. The current design and their strategic/operational/tactical doctrines are a mess.

 

SW didn't use Rune Priests after Nikea.. only after Russ vs Horus did they use them as they were desperate to save Russ.

 

At least 1 unique primaris unit for each first founding+BTs (only because I don't want my house burned down). Give chapter back some of their HH heritage.

 

Reengage to make a Space Marine 2 video game. We need a closing to this lore

 

Hire/sponsor community outreach to players. These would be prominent people that could give direct feedback to the team, but not able to make actual changes. This is to help see how proposed lore would react to players, or how we can make it fit better.

Edited November 20, 2019 by Jarl Caldersson

[StraightSilver]

I would overhaul the website and ensure adequate server coverage on big ticket items

 

I would have one or two larger stores in key areas (outside of Nottingham), maybe Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow, London etc. These stores would carry the full GW range including Forge Word items etc.

Or - have new branded stores - Warhammer Books, Warhammer Specialist Games etc.

I would license third party manufacturers to produce upgrade kits or even expand GW's own range with upgrade sprues for certain armies outside of Space Marines

I would engage more with the media outside of the fanbase - not necessarily to make the hobby more mainstream, but to "get it out there". GW is one of the best performing UK retailers right now but not once have they engaged with major outlets to shout about their success - the "don't do interviews"

I would worry less about stock turn and ensure that stores carried more stock and that there was enough warehouse space to end the very limited nature of some releases.

Some of those suggestions are wish listing and probably don't make good business sense but if I owned the company I would be rich beyond my wildest dreams and wouldn't care about profit - ha ha ha.

EDIT:

Oops.... totally missed the point of the thread....

From a Lore point of view I'd pretend that 80% of anything post-Dark Imperium hadn't happened, I'd still have released Primaris marines but would have just sold them as true-scale.....

 

Edited November 19, 2019 by StraightSilver

[Evil Eye]

First off, I'd start releasing metal (or non-awful resin) models again, mainly just upgrade kits, alternate sculpts for non-named character models and "flavour" models. I wouldn't release any units in metal only, they'd be purely optional, alternative sculpts for adding variety to an army.

I'd add more customization/wargear options to units (especially HQ) across the board. So for example, more weapon options for the Lord of Contagion beyond a Plaguereaper and a Manreaper. This would tie in with the above point, as rather than having to release a complex multi-option plastic kit that can cover any build, you could have a fair few metal sculpts representing the different options available. I'd also be a bit more lax with the whole "no precise model, no rules" thing, in as much as allowing room for conversions without getting into 5th ed Tyranids territory where really good units were left without a proper model for years.

 

I'd contract out a separate company to keep older models available (ala the mail order service of yore). This would allow people to get hold of old rare minis without having to go through eBay scalpers, and would also allow for GW to make a few extra pennies from the licensing without having to dedicate warehouse space or production facilities to what is effectively an evergreen Made To Order service. Metal models that got Finecast versions would be available in metal or (non-dreadful) resin.

 

I'd team up with hobbyists to release optional supplements for adding more flavour/variation to games. These would be BIG books and would include large amounts of fluff, loads of extra scenarios/optional rules, and also rules for converted/homebrewed models made by the aforementioned hobbyists. These would be somewhat akin to the old Apocalypse datasheets, where the studio would convert all sorts of wacky things up and they'd get rules to go with them, except as well as the studio, the conversions would also be provided by community contributors.

 

I'd release more painting and modelling books, everything from basics to 'Eavy Metal style guides. Also a triumphant return of How to Make Wargames Terrain (AKA the best book GW ever made). In addition, codexes would see a return of the modelling and painting sections.

Finally, remember the Uniforms and Heraldry series WHFB got briefly, giving fluff and colours for different armies? Bring those back, for 40K, AoS and also the upcoming Fantasy reboot.

[m0nolith]

I’d retcon Primaris out of existence.

That’s it.

[Slasher956]

lore wise....

1) sit down with BL & the codex writers and make them learn about military logistics & numbers (bonus points for knowing about kursk!)

2) write an over arching framework for all the lore to fit in ... ie foundings and how they work - are they fire and forget or forever being replenished or raised and demobed etc etc

3) write a time line framework

 

4.... now you can fix the lore!

[Chaplain Elijah]

I would do a terrible job and be hated by the community so no thank you.

[gideon stargreave]

I would stop trying to answer all the questions. 40k is a wonderful setting because it has unknown depths, progressing the narrative just doesn't work for me.

[killersquid]

If I owned gw, I would let them keep operating as they are. I like how things are going.

 

Folks who tend to be most vocal about changing the game, are those I'd keep as far away as possible from any ability to change it. Especially after reading some of the things in this thread.

[Dagoth Ur]

1.) Return all the primarchs - yes this includes nr. II and XI - and bask in the salt of my enemies and the cash of my allies.

 

2.) Enforce a higher standard of quality control and editing in Black Library (Seriously, the inconsistencies are horrid at times).

 

3.) Bring back Inquisitor Obiwan Sherlock Clouseau.

 

4.) Abolish primaris and just rescale all Space Marine and Chaos Space Marine sculpts to primaris scale.

 

5.) Give the Tyranids some character - as is they are just a boring NPC race, just like the Oldcrons were.

 

6.) Devoted a whole septology of books to Trazyn's exploits across time and space.

[Jarl Caldersson]

lore wise....

1) sit down with BL & the codex writers and make them learn about military logistics & numbers (bonus points for knowing about kursk!)

2) write an over arching framework for all the lore to fit in ... ie foundings and how they work - are they fire and forget or forever being replenished or raised and demobed etc etc

3) write a time line framework

 

4.... now you can fix the lore!

 

 

that reminds me. I'd hire a couple military consultants. Having been in combat, some of how the BL write combat is ridiculous. I know its 40k/HH and supposed to be over the top, but the tactics make no sense and such.

[Slasher956]

 

 

that reminds me. I'd hire a couple military consultants. Having been in combat, some of how the BL write combat is ridiculous. I know its 40k/HH and supposed to be over the top, but the tactics make no sense and such.

 

 

They are civis whos idea of tactics comes from hollywood and the beeb!.... but I could forgive them the buisness end of modern tactics if their numbers made sense... great armies of man ... with less than fought at Kursk!

 

(ps ex-scallyback (R.Sigs) here)

Edited November 19, 2019 by Slasher956

[Xenith]

 

If I owned GW I wouldn't let you near the lore.

 

What eldar chick? Thought you were talking about lore, not rules or models?

 

That eldar farseer with bare feet, a dress, chandelier in her hair and some silly cat.

 

 

What, the emissary? She's supposed to represent how the pre-fall aeldari dressed before the path of the eldar. And the "silly cat" is a Gyrinx, which has been in the fluff for over 2 decades.

[Bryan Blaire]

If I suddenly owned GW, I would take a very, very long time learning the company, reading the curated museum’s worth of lore snippets and books, looking through mounds of art work, etc., and generally assume that I do not know better than folks that have been running this stuff for far longer than I have.

 

There are a few things I’d like to be different, sure, but I also know that owners (especially ignorant owners, like all of us would be if we were to suddenly own the company) can have a terrible, terrible impact when they meddle too much in day to day affairs. Any changes that I’d want to have happen would be very slow to be implemented (like half a decade or longer) and would be worked into the business model for sustainability, not simply instantaneously pleasing detractors.

[Sergeant Centurion]

I dont like their actual lore, but i accept people like it, they have right to accept it as the same maner i foun it bland and allready rusted, every   time some one its saved in the last time... ho god...In the actual status erase Primaris its not and valid option.

 

. If i own GW :

 

+And the investors not have grab me by the  , i will make the campaing books more spaciated in time, whit and extra effort in the narrative, to not make PA and the "we launch that book, and now its no more important  becouse the next day after release we tease another one" factor.

 

+Less coming soon teasers, seriusly, this starts to looks comedic: this product coming soon, tomorrow another box coming soon, comings soons in events, one day they will make a ComingSoonCon full of coming son and i really not found it like a joke. Of course this its my apreciation, but its boring for me. I like to see an announce a week ago... not 3 months.

 

+Erase Primaris at this point can only make the fluff worse. I love my Space Marines whit all my heart, im really a fan boy of this faction, the pre Cawl marines are my clear favorite. But a new range for good or worse its here, and i really like some of the Primaris units (The first wave if this big boys) and im collecting them whit the Conquest Magazine. 

If the primaris was a new mk of power armour with new guns, and enanced sistems to improve the wearer like i think one day ( and latter i discovered Godwing itself saying somethig similar to this idea in the first inteiuw videos GW realease every week,  "in some point of the proyect they have this idea but latter was changed in Primaris") im sure more people will be less upset about this.

I dont want my classic pals will be replaced by this "new blonde cute guys in the school" who probably pass one day to be a normal one and another new blonde school boy comes next year.

The only way to ensure to make both kind of people happy i can imagine its make two timeframe for 40k: one between the horus heresy and the Guilliman launch of the Indomitus Crusade and another ongoing, and work in both ranges, not only Primaris.

 

+Give some life to fortifications, some improvement in rules or equipment, the fortifications are the great forgotten in this edition, few people  know who use it in matchs.

 

+Multi weapon and equiptmen HQ box, and make start box of full easy to build models ( push up miniatures, not monopose ), open your box, build your miniatures whit no glue in few minutes and start to play, like the AOS one thit magician Stormcast and Naghash friends.

Edited November 19, 2019 by PeteySödes
=][= Swear filter dodge =][=

[Lexington]

Nuke it all back to 2nd Ed and watch everyone lose their damn minds.

[TorvaldTheMild]

I wouldn't care about balance, I'd just make Khârn even more killy.   I'd make him so killy that he'd be an army of one and everyone would get so pissed off with Khârn running about killing all their units.

Edited November 19, 2019 by TorvaldTheMild

[Panzer]

I wouldn't care about balance, I'd just make Khârn even more killy.   I'd make him so killy that he'd be an army of one and everyone would get so pissed off with Khârn running about killing all their units.

 

So like the new Gotrek in AoS. :D 

[PeteySödes]

=][=   Hot topic here but we have the "   " for a reason. No points for creativity unless you count warnings. Carry on.   =][= 

[Sergeant Centurion]

I totally forgot, my apologises.

[chapter master 454]

Behead Phil Kelly and have someone who hates eldar write their codex!