Negative Creeps.

I'm just gonna come out and say it. 

I'm getting pissed off at people who continually criticise Games Workshop.

Over the last 6-12 months more opinions are thrown around as to why Games Workshop are the devils.

"They make you buy loads to be powerful and make big games look good so you'll buy more!"

"Kill Team is terrible because its small scale!"

"Their pricing is terrible!" 

"Matt Ward!" 

"Ultramarines!" 

"Because other people don't like them I have to fit in too!"

Scuse the last one, but thats how it feels quite often. 

Now then, lets clear one thing up. You can hate Games Workshop all you want, it doesn't mean I may hate you. But, if you keep typing about why GeeDub is the spawn of satan on the internet all the time chances are, I have no respect for you. Its all too easy for people slag other people or opinions off. I've recently been involved in a couple of threads where I've been chatting to people about the creative aspect of GW, for instance the Necromunda campaign I want to get going, and people seem like they have to comment negative things about Games Workshop. Why be so negative when others are being positive about the hobby? I don't hijack other peoples threads saying why certain other companies don't appeal to me, and there are a lot out there that are incredibly popular that I just don't 'get'. If people are enjoying talking about the games and hobby aspects they love who am I to preach otherwise? So why then do people insist on doing this to Games Workshop based subjects? 

Perhaps its easier for people to be negative about something they hate or dislike, than it is to be positive about the things we love. Perhaps they go both together, where to praise something, we must first knock something down thats competition. It could relate to human instinct, that its easier to lash out than it is to embrace, but surely, as an 'evolved species', we're beyond that now? Far from it, it would seem. But thats getting too deep, and I'm no expert on delving into the human mind. 

Theres argument that Games Workshop are targeted for being the biggest wargaming company in the world, and therefore open to criticism. Does that mean anyone who becomes successful should be questioned and laughed at? What happens when the companies you admire so much become more successful and start doing things you don't like? Will they become targets for insults also? 

The thing is, Games Workshop has been around for so many years and influenced so many generations, that people will be fans of certain eras. Therefore, certain editions of games, models etc will be loved by some and hated by others. The same goes for how the company runs also. When it first started, GW sold many different games. As they started making their own models they wrote their own rules, and gradually were able to sustain themselves on purely the games they themselves have produced. Shouldn't this be the target for all companies? 'Oh but they're money grabbing bastards'. Well, heres news for you. To be a successful business you have to make ways of grabbing the money. Without it, you can't grow or sustain what you do, its simple. Even I have questioned some of the decision making of GW in terms of pricing, but then I compare it to other companies and for myself, the higher price point comes with a better quality of model.Obviously the aesthetics of a model can always be questioned, but arguing over opinion is the most wasteful consumption of time two people can have. Who cares what we like and don't like? Enjoy what you like and matter not what others do. 

The other thing that irritates me about people slagging off GW, is the fact a lot of them may never have even heard of wargaming had it not been for a Games Workshop store. There still isn't enough gaming shops in towns, and its a shame. I'd love for there to be some sort of store nearby to go play, buy models etc, but the fact of the matter is, we're in a niche hobby. Not being in the mainstream means getting new people involved in what we love doing can be difficult. So when someone walks past a GW store and see the models and tables inside, intrigue perks up. This is how many of us got into the hobby, its our first taste of wargaming and opens up a whole new world of hobby goodness. 

 See my main problem is that I've become so passionate about this hobby. almost 20 years ago I was introduced to this world, and after having around 15 years away I found a group of people nearby and have been firmly embedded into the hobby since. Everytime someone takes a jab at the aspects of the hobby I love, I feel like they're being personal. Someone in the hobby who is highly respected recently brought this up too, and likened it to religion, and he's right. We've all been the subject to someone who is passionate about their beliefs and preach to us why we should feel the same, well thanks, but no thanks. But they keep trying, on and on. And thats where it gets truly annoying. Why spend so much time preaching to other people about the negatives of what they believe in when you don't give them reasons to believe in your own passions?

I'm sorry if this has seemed like an inane ramble, but if you're a regular reader you'll be use to this by now. I'm sure you can all relate to this, even if you don't like the GW side of the hobby. What would you rather listen too or read...

"This game I've got into is amazing, theres some cool background, minis aren't too expensive but look pretty cool and its fun to play".

Or...

"Play this instead, GW games are shit, expensive and the rules are crap. Its all about the latest models that are always overpowered and then something else comes out that beats that in a couple of months so why bother."

Which honestly sounds more appealing? Theres probably a lot of points I've forgotten to mention, but I think this will do for now. I've seen a lot of hypocrisy where people have said things to slag off GW then use things from those worlds to benefit themselves to get a few more likes and attention over social media.

I'll tell you why I love Warhammer 40k.

Its tactical, while people see new units come out being overpowered my brain enjoys the challange of finding a counter to new threats, and despite whatever outcome on the table, whether its a win, loss or draw, I always learn something new.

The background is just out-fucking-standing. It competes with Star Wars in terms of depth, I mean how many scifi worlds can match that? Star Trek is probably up there I'm sure, but little else comes near to how many stories are told in that one universe, and what that means is its incredibly immersive. Not only do I enjoy reading about things that have happened in these worlds, but I love creating new stories through games. Little events in games isn't just 'this space marine rolled a six on overwatch'... its 'Brother Radimax quickly swung around while reloading his heavy bolter as a genestealer bolted towards him. Ditching the heavy weapon he quickly unholstered his boltgun leaving the genestealer with a gaping hole in its cranium.' I just love coming up with little stories for things that happen in games, and with such a rich background its not difficult to then be inspired from these to create stories for more games.

The models. This is where personal opinion comes in, but the quality of the plastics is amazing. I absolutely love cutting bits up and changing things, and the GW plastics are probably the best for this purpose. If you don't like the armies in the GW universe, then thats fine. Not everyone will be pleased by what a company can produce and thats true in so many mediums like films, music, videogames etc, Personally, I love the look and feel of the worlds and cannot ask for more.

The social aspect. I've met some awesome people since getting back into wargaming, and the laughs and tears we've shared are incountable. From amazing comebacks and close fought draws to getting thrashed or having insane random dice moments, they've always been entertaining. When I joined the Tredegar Reavers, I didn't just meet some fellow gamers, I met some new friends. This, is what the hobby should be about.

Its simple ladies and gents. Show passion for the things in the hobby you love, not disdain or hate for what other hobbyists enjoy no matter your opinion.

Death By Die: Beyond the Die

Well, its been a little quiet on the blog front which means in life, its been a busy old time. Photoshoot last weekend, editing images since along with trying to get some other things in order hasn't left that much free time lately for the hobby, and when I have had free time, its been on things I can relax a little more with, like wrestling or films etc. This however gave me an idea. Death By Die is primarily a gaming blog. Its where I post about all things dice related, usually battle reports, gaming news, projects etc. The thing is, I'm not JUST a wargamer. I'm a wrestling nerd, I love my Toronto Raptors, and I do occasionally play video games and watch films. This is why looking forward, Death By Die will be a much more all encompassing blog where you will hear about how I rolled five ones (again), but also where I recommend films and videogames, and even talk about the world of wrestling.

Early memories of wrestling include a snake chomping on the arm of the Macho Man, Undertaker scaring the shit out of kids (and some adults) in the audience, Shawn Michaels superkicking Marty Jannetty through a window and Roddy Piper owning whoever he talked to. Theres a lot happening at the moment in the wrestling world and I have a need to chat about some of it. Take not of the picture... Bray Wyatt, is the man.Wrestlemania is getting incredibly interesting, Daniel Bryan, Brock Vs Taker... it could be a classic!

At the Tredegar Reavers we're excited to be holding an event to honour International Table Top Day! April the 5th isn't far away so our levels of excitement are rising. If anyone lives nearby feel free to come, theres no price for admission and you can get playing some great games with like minded people! If you'd like to know more, just click here!

Watched both Elysium and Star Trek: Into Darkness in the last week, and both were really solid enjoyable films. Star Trek again surprised me. The first I didn't expect to like, but had a good time watching it and the same is true with the second. Zachery Quinto makes an exceptional Mr Spock. If anything is proven by these great scifi films, its that we need a 40k film NOW. 

Elsewhere I've avoided the Imperial Knights (for now) and got myself one of these.

It may get used as part of a small Imperial Guard (you might ask who in a couple of months) but its main use will be a graffiti'ed up water cannon variant for my Necromunda themed campaign I'll be running at club. I've had so many ideas that I can't wait to get this started. The idea is it will knock people over but not do much damage, its all about crowd (gang) control! It should bring some interesting elements into the Necromunda rules, which will be adapted a little so current 40k players can slide in a little easier and not feel too overwhelemed with rules changes. 

I may also soon post about a certain type of people thats been incredibly annoying in the gaming world. GW haters. 

I can understand a little about how GW handle their business, but thats what it is at the end of the day, a business. People saying £85 for an Imperial Knight is laughable. I've seen a couple of people say this yet they've spent over £300 on a Warhound Titan from FW. I mean come on like. Yes I know the Warhound is better in game terms, but that Knight model is so full of detail considering the size its a good price. Its getting to the point where people seem to be hating GW just because its the cool thing to do. I just wish instead of slagging off something about the hobby I love that they'd go spend time showing off parts of the hobby THEY love. Anyways, I'll save this topic for another time. 

Anyways its now time to tune out. I've got the WWE Network to plunder, curry to cook, and Los Santos to rule.

Saturday Salvo: Controversies and Sisters.

This weeks Saturday Salvo takes a look at two things... so lets get the biggy out of the way... Go here for more.

Beasts of War are parting from Wayland Games, due to Games Workshop being upset that they'd shown unreleased images and sketches of unreleased images on some of their shows. The Beasts of War boys are now a completely independant entity and I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours (wrestling reference there). They'll be relocating to Nottingham and a couple of other possible locations which means they'll be in the hub of British Wargaming. They will also continue to expand shows to cover the Games Workshop brands, so it will be interesting to see how this works out.

However, the internet has gone wild.

As per usual, people have been putting their hate-filled rants online. One of the comments called GW scum, and that they'll support Beasts of War. But wait a second, what exactly IS BOW's stance on Games Workshop? They're continuing to support the company and its games in videos, so how can others vent such rage when the people affected by it are continuing to do shows dedicated to its games? It could be argued that not showing anything based from GW would hit its audience... 

The problem is BOW had several letters sent to them warning about showing off unreleased GW images and material, yet they kept showing these despite GW's efforts to stop this. Why GW are so protective and secretive we may never know, but if you're a company and you want to release products in a certain way surely you're entitled to that right to do so? Natfka, man of Faeit212 had similar trouble after showing many images of unreleased Games Workshop material and was promptly shut down after failing to take heed of a number of warnings from GeeDub. They have both since reached an understanding and Faeit212 still thrives despite not showing so many rumours and by increasing its range of games.

I do not understand why GW have not created some sort of newsfeed to perhaps dispel rumours or create them via a video show. They're not high cost anymore since Youtube has become such a huge platform, and they even advertised for a 'video presenter' a number of months ago. In an interview I had with two members of the White Dwarf team they even stated about going into video with some sort of show that would appear online, but its seems as this idea has been shot down. The point is Beasts of War were told not to show material that GW hadn't released but continued to do so. Hopefully, like Natfka, the Beasts of War guys will continue to grow and use this as a positive step towards an even better range of shows. What are your thoughts on this subject?

Next up, along with a digital Blood Angels release, is this.

While not a full codex SOB fans won't be SOB'bing anymore as they finally get some sort of love. Even though its just another update from the White Dwarf list its still a good sign and fingers crossed if sells well, GeeDub will produce a full codex for fans of the army. 

Finally, some of you may have not just seen this but already given your money to Mantic for a copy.

Mars Attacks! the board game has reached its target in just 15 minutes, beating the record of Deadzone by around half. Thats pretty insane fair play! Personally, I don't think I like the look of it. I'd have a go but theres not enough there for me to want to drop money on it. The target was initially $50,000, but its now on $171,674. Thats incredible and a great feat! How do you guys feel about Kickstarter and how companies are using it to launch games? Do some companies even need to use it and hurt the smaller guys who are trying to get off the ground?

This weekend I'll hopefully be putting a post up with a battle report, my new almost finished Chapter Master and news on an event thats happening in the Valleys of South Wales.