Hey everyone! Adam, from TFG Radio, here to yell from his soapbox at you on your soapbox.
While waiting for the FAQ to drop (it’s still April by the way) we were asked by Games Workshop to fill out a survey about the company and it’s products. The survey was not for the faint of heart. If you played more than one of their game systems, the survey seemed to last a long time. However, it is a good opportunity to let Games Workshop have an idea of where their games are in the minds of their customers and what areas they seem to be strong in and what areas they could do with some improvement. It gives us a chance to let Games Workshop know how we feel about the games we play. They seem to be open to suggestions and willing to listen. Unfortunately, what sometimes ends up happening is that you’ll get people that will write a literal wall of text complain about something as trivial as the color of the 43rd Assault Company of the World Eaters being the wrong shade of blood in the latest Horus Heresy book and that Games Workshop is the worst company because of it.
As with any fandom, there are those individuals that are very passionate about their chosen hobby. In addition, some become passionate about certain aspects of the hobby to the point that they ignore all else, because they really don’t care about anything else. When given the opportunity, they will talk nonstop about their favorite subject to almost anyone that will listen, or has ears. In many cases, this enthusiasm is a great asset to the community as actually helps a lot of people just coming into the hobby. The flip side of this is when you get those that have a criticism about Games Workshop, and they begin to talk about it non-stop. they do this so much so that the negativity that results from this turns many people away from the hobby, if not also that individual. When they are given a chance to speak to the company, many times they will write a 100 page essay on all the things they are doing wrong and how they(the writer) know what is best and begin to lay out what the company needs to do to make things right (in his mind). The bad thing about this is that the tone that the writer usually take is many times an agressive one and one that actually demeans the company, it’s employees, and just about anyone that disagrees with the author. What ends up happening is that Games Workshop most likely doesn’t get too far in reading the message as they have no reason to continue the verbal abuse(because that is what it is).
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t criticize Games Workshop. They are not perfect and they have not always been the best as communicating with it’s fanbase. It has only been within the last few years that they have more active in the community than i have seen them in a long time. Even though they are talking to us more, that doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to voice your opinion about them as a company, the products they make, or their other services that they offer(or don’t offer). My issue is that the delivery of your message does not have to be super aggressive. From my experience, it is much easier to either get what you want, or to have someone actually listen to your suggestions, if you take a more level headed approach in your writing when communicating with them. Although they may not implement your idea, they will most likely actually read your entire message at the very least. They may even use your idea at a later date. now you won’t really be compensated for it, but that is a whole other topic. So try to keep a level head when writing about your passion and hopefully you’ll get your army of Squats a new codex*.
That’s all for this week, I hope you enjoyed the read. Let me know your thoughts, and what you’re most passionate about, in the comments section. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook, Twitch, and Patreon pages to stay up to date on what we’re up to and when episodes drop!
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*Reset the Clock!
You catch more flies with sugar than you do with vinegar.
One of life’s universal truths, as valid in the 41st millenium as it was when we just hurled rocks and branches from our caves.
I disagree to a point. I don’t think these people are passionate about GW or 40k so much as they are passionate about finding an oppressor. Be it GW or ITC, etc.. Too many people want to be a victim these days. They get off on the attention and sympathy. This hobby is simply the vehicle for it.
I’m just happy that GW now have a lot more players in the Design Studio … real people, who game in their spare time. Some like Ben Johnson are regularly winning events … others like Stu and Robin (W40K studio) have a background in stats / resolving difficulties .. others are ex-GW Events teams (professional GW judges)… they are asking and listening which is a lot different to 20 years ago when we got the book, then waited three or four years to get the next.
Salient points will go forward … already this has lead to CA every December and FAQs every post-Adepticon / post-NOVA. 60+ play-testers then test out issues for a while for all players NOT just those camping at the top-tables. eg- Now they are trying to get a fix to the flyers blocking land underneath them (Stu Black’s interview on Friday’s Warhammer Tv.)
And being honest … most folks with manifestos are irregular / poor players / “that man”. Most real players are using the kitchen table or garage. Very few have time for much else.