Hello all, the revolutionary Phat J here to talk about the current hot button issue on the internet, the Limited Edition Codex Space Marines and it’s astronomical price point.
Here we are, another week and another Games Workshop controversy. It’s as regular as a bowel movement after a hot cup of coffee on a crisp fall morning. Unfortunately, this particular bowel movement is overshadowing what should be a celebrated and much anticipated ‘release’, the Codex Space Marines. Did you like what I did there? That’s the kind of wordplay a $160,000 literature degree from a fine arts college will get you. It DOES pay to go to school, kids.
If you are one of those weirdos that refuses to be influenced by social media, the quick and dirty of the whole controversy is that Games Workshop is offering a Limited Edition Codex Space Marines that can be yours for the low, low cost of $420 (US). Yes, you read that correctly. No, it’s not gold plated. Yes, it’s the same size as the regular, mundane book.
What DOES it include? Well, hold onto your pants and get a load of this!
- Uniquely numbered collectible box
- Unique art and gold foil details
- 6 Bronze-Finish metal Chapter Badges
- a Crux Terminatus Badge
- 6 Art Prints
- The Command Pack ($35 US)
- Gold ribbon bookmark (NOT ACTUAL GOLD)
It goes without saying that the backlash online has been, let’s say, enthusiastic. Reactions have ranged from simple astonishment at the price point to unfettered rage and have even sparked discussions regarding class-warfare.
Look, I get it. Games Workshop products are expensive. I’m not upset about it. Manufacturers can charge what they believe the market is willing to pay. I AM having a hard time figuring out this price point. What’s the real value of this product? The mundane Space Marine Codex and the Command Pack have a retail price point of $75 US. You can even get that cheaper from online discounters such as Frontline Gaming (plug). If my math is correct, that leaves $345 US of unspecified value with this limited edition. Where does this number come from? Are we supposed to believe that the art prints, gold filigree, and metal markers are worth $345 US? Usual net profit margins on the high end would be around 10% on manufactured products. I am assuming that these are direct only, so the retailers are not taking 40% of the retail price away from their sales. It’s possible that some unforeseen cost caused Games Workshop to lose their shirts on the cost to manufacture this product, hence the obscene price point. Things do happen, unexpected shipping costs, rushed manufacturing due to outside circumstances, etc. I’d like to think that is the case here, where Games Workshop looked at their costs to manufacture these things and the $420 US price point was necessary to recoup their expenditure.
A part of me understands the rage being expressed online. Yes, this is a product that you can choose not to purchase, however, in the difficult financial state of the world we are in at the moment it comes across as tone deaf. When it costs $100 US to fill your car with fuel and the cost of day to day life continues to climb, Games Workshop implements price increases and then releases a $420 limited edition Codex Space Marines. There are people who can afford this and will purchase it. I think right now the general population just doesn’t have the patience or understanding of WHY someone would want to purchase this. That line of thinking invariably leads to thoughts of WHO has the money to make this purchase and why don’t I have that kind of money. This is getting into class economics and ethics, and I am sure that topic is beyond the grasp of my dedicated readers. Let me put this in a way you dummies understand, okay? GAMES WORKSHOP BAD MAN. CHARGE ME MONEY. ME NO MONEY. HOW ME MONEY? WHY NO MONEY? HATE MONEY MAN. I WANT FREE. Okay, you get it now dumb dumb? Does that make sense now?
At the end of the day, the internet is going to do what it does best, allow disgruntled people an outlet to vent their frustrations. Much like your unemployed, child support delinquent cousin Michael in Houston, Warhammer 40,000 fans will continue to take to the Facebook comments sections to voice their opinions that no one cares about. Like a man yelling at a cloud. We don’t have to like or even understand what and why Games Workshop does anything. They are a company that manufactures products to sell for a profit. It’s also not fair to judge a person for how they want to spend their money. Trust me, I like to get the pitchforks and the torches as much as the next peasant. But this isn’t the move, guys. If you don’t like it, if you don’t think it’s worth the money, just don’t buy it. We don’t need a thousand angry peasants storming the comments sections of EVERY SINGLE WARHAMMER POST. Just don’t buy it. Don’t talk about it. Just go about your life, okay? Can we all just GO ABOUT OUR LIVES?
On a final note, could you do a brother a solid and use my affiliate link when making your purchases with Frontline Gaming? Look, I gift these guys with my VALUABLE time when writing these article and I deserve a slice, right? I’m not asking for much! Just give me your money. What’s so hard about that? Plus you get a discount on almost ALL Games Workshop products. Its a win for both of us! Lord knows I need that money.
