Is Warhammer today really a rip off when compared to Warhammer in the late 90s?

[Orange Knight]

I found this great and also very funny video that clearly had a lot of research put into it.

 

The TLDR answer is: Yes, but also No?

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Orange Knight

[Scribe]

I'm guessing, as I dont watch Youtube videos.

 

Cost per model up.

Value (points) per model down.

 

GW has done an amazing job of maximizing their profits.

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

Haven’t watched yet but midwinter minis did a comparison a few years ago, and generally when adjusting for inflation most units that existed way back when are technically cheaper since a lot were units of 5-10 bought in blister packs of of 1-3.

 

however any sort of character unit skyrocketed in cost.

[Grotsmasha]

Midwinter also did two recent videos, The BEST Wahammer has ever been,  and The WORST Wahammer has even been, released at the same time.

Pretty interesting points in both of them, and funnily enough, the answers were both Yes, and No

[sitnam]

5 hours ago, Scribe said:

Value (points) per model down.

 

I feel like this is true, but scanning through some 3rd/4th vs 10th edition points, it's not quite as clear.

 

Points cost for Cadian Shock Troops vs 3e infantry squads is 65 vs 60. But modern Cadians come with a box and specials for free, whereas old infantry were just 10 dudes with lasguns.  On the other hand, the costs  of guard vehicles has kept pretty steady. Scout Sentinels now cost the same as 3e models with Lascannons, Hellhounds are actually a tad more expensive  now without including 3e upgrades. A Leman Russ with pintle heavy stubber, Hunter Killer missile, and hull Lascannon and sponson bolters is a 2 point difference from now and 3rd (btw, was 12 points for a pintle heavy stubber ever worth it besides filler?)

 

Chaos Space Marines is another example. 3e CSM were 70 points for 5 with barebones war gear and no aspiring champion, modern CSM are 90 for 5 with an AC and special weapon. A 3E Defiler with max upgrades cost the same as a Defiler now.

 

So those first two examples were pretty unclear to me. If really depends on how much you wanted to deck out for upgrades or your weapon choices. Vehicles seem to hold value better.

 

But then I saw 3E Necrons, where basic Warriors were double their points now,the Monolith was half its current cost, and Scarab Swarms are slightly more expensive now. This leads me to believe an analysis really needs to go faction by faction

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by sitnam

[Beef]

Certainly money wise it does feel like a rip off now then in the early 90s when i started.  I have adult money now but that just means i spend more money now.  Personally i feel like others have stated character models are way over priced.  Especially when you see the 1 small plastic sprue for for the extortionate price they charge.  Back in the day atleast the higher price cost for characters could be attributed to the fact they were lead/metal compared to the standard plastic infantry models.

 

As for points cost it feels like the points have stayed the same roughly.  the increase from 1500 point games to 2000 is a welcome change i found returning to the hobby.  

[Captain Idaho]

1 hour ago, Beef said:

I have adult money now but that just means i spend more money now. 

 

Ah a position too true for many of us!

 

****

 

I think the price of things has gone up a lot and in recent years wages and income have not gone up as quickly alongside inflation. So warhammerz is more expensive alongside everything else.

 

In other words, the amount of spare income (dare I say, disposable income?) we have versus "back in the day" is much reduced.

 

Video games £70+ a pop? Dairy milk chocolate bar is over £2? A pint £5? What a world right now!

[Corswain]

Warhammer. Warhammer never changes.....

 

I stared covetously at things I couldn't afford then and I stare covetously at things I cannot afford now.

 

 

[TwinOcted]

9 hours ago, Orange Knight said:

I found this great and also very funny video that clearly had a lot of research put into it.

 

The TLDR answer is: Yes, but also No?

 

 

The guy running this channel does a really good analysis, and the answer's pretty much what we expect.  But ye gods, he needs to realise he's not as funny as he thinks he is.  Eating caviar into the microphone, and recording in the shower, what's that about?

[Orange Knight]

1 hour ago, TwinOcted said:

The guy running this channel does a really good analysis, and the answer's pretty much what we expect.  But ye gods, he needs to realise he's not as funny as he thinks he is.  Eating caviar into the microphone, and recording in the shower, what's that about?

 

The caviar bit went on too long, I agree. Was that supposed to be him eating people's salty tears? Who knows

Once the analysis and comparison gets going at least it's a great video.

It's interesting to consider that the majority of kits aren't actually more expensive when everything is accounted for, but the value inflation of the Hero models is both real and outrageous. I do think that making plastic injection moulds for a single character that most people will only purchase once may be the biggest factor in the price hike.

[Domhnall]

1 hour ago, Captain Idaho said:

 

Ah a position too true for many of us!

 

****

 

I think the price of things has gone up a lot and in recent years wages and income have not gone up as quickly alongside inflation. So warhammerz is more expensive alongside everything else.

 

In other words, the amount of spare income (dare I say, disposable income?) we have versus "back in the day" is much reduced.

 

Video games £70+ a pop? Dairy milk chocolate bar is over £2? A pint £5? What a world right now!

And a Freddo is now 35p! Egad! 

 

Video games do seem to be the odd ones out when it comes to price and inflation.... I'm sure I remember a mega drive (Genesis) games were releasing in the £40-£50 range back in the mid 90's.  So going by inflation, £80-£100 should really be the norm today, but they're still a bit lower than that *.

 

Regarding single character costs, they are ridiculously expensive, even though they do have more gubbins added in the box. A box of 10 intercessors = £40. A captain is £27. 67% of the cost. From the 1997 price list, a 10 box of Space Marines (Metal tactical Squad) was £20 (it was £10 for the bare bones, no frills plastic ones), A standard captain is of your choice was £4. So that's either 20% or 40% depending on what box you compare it to.

 

* - Admittedly, that market is now a different beast as microtransactions, in game purchases, etc have created a sepearate revenue stream meaning games can be cheaper. Can you imagine, a world where you could buy additional seperate bitz for your bought boxed sets and stick them out? Madness**  

** - and yes, I'm not lost on the irony, that this was a thing GW used to do!