Review of WH+ It's current state and it's potential

[Kenzaburo]

If I where GW I'd do this in regards of WH+:

 

1. Produce a software available thorugh WH+ that functionally is a copy of Battlescribe (include within WH+-links to fluff pages and such for each unit entry). All updates and changes to rules for any GW game goes through this software, nowhere else. Spend the time avaiable to produce this up until the launch of 40k 10th edition including the new rules set.
2. Discountinue book printing (at events those that like paper brings their pdf-printouts from WH+ for army lists, game rules, army rules etc and the others bring their tablet or phone).
3. At the same time 10th ed 40k launches (simultaneously as WHFB old world?). Launch this software that handles/manages all rules for all GW games.
4. Watch the subscriptions skyrocket and cash in the revenue for the long foreseable future that more than enough compensates for the loss of revenue from printed rule/army books.
5. Thank me for the idea.

 

This will satisfy everybody (us the customers and the GW excel-sheet-riders in their management).

 

Unfortunately it won't satisfy everybody at all, brother. Not everyone owns a tablet while handling all the content I currently need to play a game of 40k on just a phone would be a nightmare. That move will kill a good part of your customer base. Your idea has some merits and, as others have said on this thread before, the addition of more support for digital rules in general via WH+ would be a boon. 

 

But the "go fully digital, everyone else can go screw" approach is not a valid business idea, I fear. 

[phandaal]

I like books, so that would not satisfy me. GW just needs to make digital versions purchasable without having to buy a physical version along with it.

[Leonaides]

Yup, when you get down to it, 40k/aos are analogue games and attract a large amount of analogue/tactile preference people. Otherwise gw might as well ditch physical models entirely and just move wholesale into total war style games.

 

Though my batteries may run low, and my tablet screen getvstuck on loading,

my foes know well that my paper codex never tires.

[StraightSilver]

Yeah, I don't use digital products, I love my books too much. A move to digital only would put me off playing.

However, I am a 48 year old luddite and can see that having digital alternatives of everything (without forcing people to buy the physical product) is a necessity, but both should be kept available. 

[Magos Takatus]

I think I am enjoying Hammer and Bolter more and more. Today's episode, "Kill Protocol", was really good. 

I agree for the most part. I think I am starting to notice the cheap animation less, or there is less of it. A question of Faith, In the Garden of Ghosts and Kill Protocol told quite interesting stories in my opinion. I'd be happy if we got another season of Hammer and Bolter with a bit more time in the oven some time in the future.

[StraightSilver]

Yeah, it's weird, but it felt like Kill Protocol actually had more animation than previous episodes. The Kastellan in particular. There were still a few "slideshow" moments, particularly the fight scenes, but overall it felt more like animated TV show than usual. But Hammmer and Bolter has always been about the stories, and I feel they are more like Audio Dramas with pictures, but still very enjoyable.

[Redcomet]

This weeks battle report was an absolute delight. The themed grots and squigs, and the bespoke kill team rules made for a fun game. I hope they do more narrative games like this in the future. 

[StraightSilver]

Yeah, I loved the battle report, cheesy puns and all. :)

But it was great, loads of fun and actually a really cool little mission.

Pulling crackers for initiative is such a great idea for Christmas games. :)

[phandaal]

Yeah, I don't use digital products, I love my books too much. A move to digital only would put me off playing.

 

However, I am a 48 year old luddite and can see that having digital alternatives of everything (without forcing people to buy the physical product) is a necessity, but both should be kept available. 

 

Another issue with the suggestion above is tying all rules to Warhammer+ essentially turns 40k into a subscription-based game. Feels wrong.

[chapter master 454]

Much like going analogue only like we are now technically (you can't go digital unless you get a hard copy of your book...which defeats the point of digital imo), it creates issues for one group who for those who maybe enjoy their books.

 

I will point out that I advocate for E-Pubs because I actually do enjoy reading the fluff and having it on my tablet which I can have with me while on break at work lets me pass the time. However I at no point said "screw hard copies, E-Pubs only" because some people like their books which I can I understand...new book smell is quite intoxicating...no I don't have a problem you have a problem!

 

There is no reason to not have both digital and analogue co-exist properly. Like I say, why we can't have E-Pubs and make use of warhammer digital to be another means to interact with the app is confusing to me. The only reason is greed and incompetence at a higher exec level who doesn't understand the policy put in place. I mean, GW are still getting their teeth panned in back to front by supply chains being completely screwed around due to ongoing nurgle interference with a 100% reliance on analogue where digital could of helped in relieving some pressure. Not saying they wouldn't still need to say the codices for GSC and custodes be pushed back but at the very minimum they could come out and say "right well...we are going to have to delay hard copy deliveries for a little while but you can still get it online digitally" and not affect their whole marketing schedule because now I wager they aren't feeling so hot with having 3 codices dropping in one month (if tau aren't delayed for the same reasons GSC and Custodes were).

[b1soul]

Confused by the use of the word "analogue" in this thread. When I think analogue, I think something like an analogue tape or analogue radio or analogue camera.

 

To me, 40K isn't an analogue game...it's a physical game with paper books and plastic/resin/metal models

[phandaal]

Confused by the use of the word "analogue" in this thread. When I think analogue, I think something like an analogue tape or analogue radio or analogue camera.

 

To me, 40K isn't an analogue game...it's a physical game with paper books and plastic/resin/metal models

 

 

"Analog" is used as shorthand for "physical," and is meant to distinguish between a physical object and a digital representation of said object.

[Taliesin]

Looks like The Exodite is indeed next up.

 

" while the next taste of animated goodness comes via an incredible new trailer for The Exodite. With a new T’au Empire codex on the horizon and their expansion continuing, consider it an essential watch for all adherents to the Greater Good." 

[ThePenitentOne]

Just watched Kill Protocol.

 

From now until the end of time, every time I turn on a computer, I will chant "Spirit of this machine, heed my will!"

 

Great little cartoon.

[StraightSilver]

I rewatched it and my favourite but is the happy little chime when she reloads her pistol. :)

[Magos Takatus]

Yeah, that got a chuckle out of me too. :)

[Noserenda]

Is it just me or is this weeks releases delayed? Usually pop em on after Hawkeye but nothing for hours? 

Kill protocol was great, perfect use of the anthology format.

[Shovellovin]

Is it just me or is this weeks releases delayed? Usually pop em on after Hawkeye but nothing for hours? 

 

Kill protocol was great, perfect use of the anthology format.

 

Maybe Warhammer+ is affected by the Amazon Cloud being down? I think both Netflix and Disney+ were affected by the outage.

[Red_Shift]

I really think GW should have recruited a couple of YouTube personalities to bump up the content of Warhammer plus at launch. Wolf Lord Rho, for example, does videos that enthuse about how good individual black library books are and speculates about the future. Nothing too controversial and they could have had tens of videos ready at launch and somebody to help pump out content. 
 

Im watching hammer and bolter atm. It’s not great, not awful and it really lacks any draw to make the next episode a must see. Same for the Blood Angels animations. I’ve still not finished those because they just don’t grip me. Contrast series 4 of cobra Kai which I binged in a couple of evenings. 
 

I think Warhammer plus really needs a series that is a draw beyond bolter porn. Something like a new Cain and Jurgen story might do it. Kal  Jericho maybe. A comedy would be more interesting and far more likely to appeal to more than die hard Warhammer fans.

Edited January 12, 2022 by Red_Shift

[ThePenitentOne]

Could you imagine if they did a Necromunda show?

 

Then you could have some real humanity and form an emotional bond with the characters. I like both H&B and AoD, but both are lacking genuine emotional human connection to characters who are with us long enough to develop character growth over a prolonged arc of time- which is exactly what makes a show like Cobra Kai so binge-worthy.

 

Necromunda or guard could do this.

 

I feel like it's possible to develop emotional bonds with non-human characters, but with Space Marines and Custodes, their stoic, superhuman and somewhat infallibility are part of the faction's schtick... And it's the exact opposite of what you need to make a series into a tour de force that you can't stop watching.

 

There have been emotional bonds in some of the H&B episodes, but because they are stand alones, that emotional connection doesn't persist from episode to episode. Would I kill to check back up on the Tech Priest and her Robot, or the Farseer and his Wraith Mum? Hell yeah, but they're stand alones, so its never gonna happen.

[Verevolf]

I really think GW should have recruited a couple of YouTube personalities to bump up the content of Warhammer plus at launch. Wolf Lord Rho, for example, does videos that enthuse about how good individual black library books are and speculates about the future. Nothing too controversial and they could have had tens of videos ready at launch and somebody to help pump out content. 

 

Im watching hammer and bolter atm. It’s not great, not awful and it really lacks any draw to make the next episode a must see. Same for the Blood Angels animations. I’ve still not finished those because they just don’t grip me. Contrast series 4 of cobra Kai which I binged in a couple of evenings. 

 

I think Warhammer plus really needs a series that is a draw beyond bolter porn. Something like a new Cain and Jurgen story might do it. Kal  Jericho maybe. A comedy would be more interesting and far more likely to appeal to more than die hard Warhammer fans.

 

 

I think, GW have kind of marketed Hammer and Bolter incorrectly. People are seeing it as a low quality Anime content, but I wonder... should it be seen as a motion comic? Watching the latest episode the style made me think that maybe they should lean in further towards the low animation rate and go full motion comic? I think it would be more interesting stylistically? 

Edited January 14, 2022 by Verevolf

[phandaal]

 

I really think GW should have recruited a couple of YouTube personalities to bump up the content of Warhammer plus at launch. Wolf Lord Rho, for example, does videos that enthuse about how good individual black library books are and speculates about the future. Nothing too controversial and they could have had tens of videos ready at launch and somebody to help pump out content. 

 

Im watching hammer and bolter atm. It’s not great, not awful and it really lacks any draw to make the next episode a must see. Same for the Blood Angels animations. I’ve still not finished those because they just don’t grip me. Contrast series 4 of cobra Kai which I binged in a couple of evenings. 

 

I think Warhammer plus really needs a series that is a draw beyond bolter porn. Something like a new Cain and Jurgen story might do it. Kal  Jericho maybe. A comedy would be more interesting and far more likely to appeal to more than die hard Warhammer fans.

 

 

I think, GW have kind of marketed Hammer and Bolter incorrectly. People are seeing it as a low quality Anime content, but I wonder... should it be seen as a motion comic? Watching the latest episode the style made me think that maybe they should lean in further towards the low animation rate and go full motion comic? I think it would be more interesting stylistically? 

 

 

I do not think many people would buy that kind of marketing. GW is trying though - they describe the "animation" style as "unique."

 

Now all I can think of is that Janovich video on YouTube. Animate me, brother!

[Red_Shift]

 

I really think GW should have recruited a couple of YouTube personalities to bump up the content of Warhammer plus at launch. Wolf Lord Rho, for example, does videos that enthuse about how good individual black library books are and speculates about the future. Nothing too controversial and they could have had tens of videos ready at launch and somebody to help pump out content. 

 

Im watching hammer and bolter atm. It’s not great, not awful and it really lacks any draw to make the next episode a must see. Same for the Blood Angels animations. I’ve still not finished those because they just don’t grip me. Contrast series 4 of cobra Kai which I binged in a couple of evenings. 

 

I think Warhammer plus really needs a series that is a draw beyond bolter porn. Something like a new Cain and Jurgen story might do it. Kal  Jericho maybe. A comedy would be more interesting and far more likely to appeal to more than die hard Warhammer fans.

 

 

I think, GW have kind of marketed Hammer and Bolter incorrectly. People are seeing it as a low quality Anime content, but I wonder... should it be seen as a motion comic? Watching the latest episode the style made me think that maybe they should lean in further towards the low animation rate and go full motion comic? I think it would be more interesting stylistically? 

 

If it was Karl Kopinski  art like the older Kal Jericho cartoons or the classic sisters artwork that would definitely work. Imagine daemonifuge  revisited like the original Warhammer Monthly! 

[Orange Knight]

I've really enjoyed Hammer and Bolter. It is probably my favourite content on Warhammer+ despite not having as many episodes as I would like, at least thus far.

 

It reminds me of "Love, Death and Robots" but it's obviously more cohesive by virtue of each story taking place in the same universe. Some of the episodes aren't as good as others, but the ones that stand out are really good.

 

I'm aware that the animation gets a lot of criticism at times, but I have no real issue with it. Maybe it's because it reminds me of the old "Spawn" cartoon - not sure if anyone has seen that or not.

 

Still, the content trickle is definitely too slow, but I'm hoping the service is ultimately a success. The only way it will improve is if the support is there to warrant a financial investment.

[Dark Shepherd]

Could you imagine if they did a Necromunda show?

 

Then you could have some real humanity and form an emotional bond with the characters. I like both H&B and AoD, but both are lacking genuine emotional human connection to characters who are with us long enough to develop character growth over a prolonged arc of time- which is exactly what makes a show like Cobra Kai so binge-worthy.

 

Necromunda or guard could do this.

 

I feel like it's possible to develop emotional bonds with non-human characters, but with Space Marines and Custodes, their stoic, superhuman and somewhat infallibility are part of the faction's schtick... And it's the exact opposite of what you need to make a series into a tour de force that you can't stop watching.

 

There have been emotional bonds in some of the H&B episodes, but because they are stand alones, that emotional connection doesn't persist from episode to episode. Would I kill to check back up on the Tech Priest and her Robot, or the Farseer and his Wraith Mum? Hell yeah, but they're stand alones, so its never gonna happen.

I think Necromunda is PERFECT for live action, which would go on a mainstream platform

 

They said in the report that Eisenhorn is still in development and theyre looking for distribution partners...translation they have a production company on board and are trying to get a streaming service or tv channells to commission it

 

Also says theyve other live action shows in development but not as far advanced