Are Games Workshop getting better at keeping secrets or better at lying?

[Lumberjack]

Okay a little bit different to our normal rumours etc but lets see where it goes.

So this past few months we have had a lot of 40k rumours running around and no solid evidence to any of them.

This got me thinking what happened to the days where we would know about models and a codex release half a year before they came out?

We have had so far this year discussed:

• Black Templar
• Tau Empire
• 6th Edition Leak
• 25th Anniversary Model
• Chaos Legions
• And now mention of Dark Angels!

There are conflicting reports of rules be faked or leaked on purpose, sources turning out to be fake or so called.

Only the 25th Anniversary model has come to light and the rumours for that were mixed.

So it all comes back to:
Are Games Workshop getting better at keeping secrets and no letting out leaks anymore?
or
Are Games Workshop getting better at lying and planting false rumours to generate interest?

-Lumberjack

[PyroSikTh]

Keeping secrets.

Word on the web is that they've had to prove to New Line Cinema that they can keep a lid on their releases ready for when The Hobbit hits. Not sure on the validity of that as there's been plenty of evidence from other companies that shows that leaking rumours actually helps boost sales, but I've heard that more than I've heard conflicting rumours from reliable sources.

[Gendoikari87]

It's a corporation, lying.

[Eryx_UK]

Keeping secrets.

Word on the web is that they've had to prove to New Line Cinema that they can keep a lid on their releases ready for when The Hobbit hits. Not sure on the validity of that as there's been plenty of evidence from other companies that shows that leaking rumours actually helps boost sales, but I've heard that more than I've heard conflicting rumours from reliable sources.

I've heard the same thing with regards to the Hobbit.

As for opinion, it's better to let the customer base know what is up coming because it drives up sales either of current models ("it's worth me finishing my current collection") or people putting aside money to spend loads when the new release of their army/armies comes out. Not doing so just seems stupid to me.

[Comr4de]

Watch them release all of the new codexes

[The Infernal Penguin]

I don't think that New Line cinema are going to need to worry about boosting sales... the Hobbit is going to be a huge hit regardless. Further, I think that the marketing department for the Hobbit will release plenty of information to keep up excitement and interest - it's a year away and there are already a bunch of development diaries and suchlike - however, they probably want to be in control of the information, so keeping a tight lid on leaks makes a lot of sense.

[StainlessSteel47]

Everything is rumors rumors rumors. They are pretty tight lipped it seems and the only information I see is the stuff that people make up...

[thePyro_13]

Maybe we're just getting better at tripping over each other looking for info.

[StainlessSteel47]

Maybe we're just getting better at tripping over each other looking for info.

This seems like very much the case.

[Brother-Captain Sharp]

I've heard the same thing with regards to the Hobbit.

As for opinion, it's better to let the customer base know what is up coming because it drives up sales either of current models ("it's worth me finishing my current collection") or people putting aside money to spend loads when the new release of their army/armies comes out. Not doing so just seems stupid to me.

Rumors aren't the same as previews, and only GW's retarded business decisions make it essentially the case for their lines. Rumors are terrible marketing as you have a hard time controlling it. However, with previews, you control the light it is presented in. The Forge World management understand this and that's why they do the newsletter. It's incredibly effective to get gamers worked up over a project for months; it builds excitement and boosts sales. GW however, lets the rumor mill do the marketing, which can turn people from a product if those rumors are exaggerated. Just compare the excitement of players over Forge World's Chaplain Ivanus to the reaction they've had to rumored second waves. One is super excited and totally buying while the other is ambivalent with the hope that they're good.

[Eryx_UK]

I was referring to previews or just saying that "in the next 3 months we will be releasing X" rather than rumours. FW do understand this and I just wish GW did too.

[Gendoikari87]

I've heard the same thing with regards to the Hobbit.

As for opinion, it's better to let the customer base know what is up coming because it drives up sales either of current models ("it's worth me finishing my current collection") or people putting aside money to spend loads when the new release of their army/armies comes out. Not doing so just seems stupid to me.

Certainly works for wizards of the coast.

[Cryptek of Awesome]

Rumors aren't the same as previews, and only GW's retarded business decisions make it essentially the case for their lines. Rumors are terrible marketing as you have a hard time controlling it. However, with previews, you control the light it is presented in. The Forge World management understand this and that's why they do the newsletter.

Couldn't agree more. I love previews and still can't fathom why they wouldn't do this.

[StainlessSteel47]

Couldn't agree more. I love previews and still can't fathom why they wouldn't do this.

Or at least just tell us what they plan on doing. They don't even have to show us anything, just let us know when they plan to release certain items so some of us can plan ahead...

A friend of mine has essentially lost all interest in the game because he has no idea when the new Tau Codex or any new Tau units are going to be released. Luckily as a Necron player, with all the new stuff that has come out in November, there is time to build an army, but then they release the codex and half the stuff in it doesn't even or no longer exists. hahah. Strange indeed...

[Architech]

Rumors are terrible marketing as you have a hard time controlling it

I disagree completely. ALL news is good marketing. You know that if the forums and news sites reported a GW sex scandal that EVERYONE would check their homepage.




Granted sex scandal isn't the right analogy...but as soon as people hear rumors they get excited

they look for news, they check the homepage, the check the other sites

[PyroSikTh]

I disagree completely. ALL news is good marketing. You know that if the forums and news sites reported a GW sex scandal that EVERYONE would check their homepage.




Granted sex scandal isn't the right analogy...but as soon as people hear rumors they get excited

they look for news, they check the homepage, the check the other sites

However a rumour akin to a sex scandal is a once-in-a-blue-moon thing which does rile up interest and get you rooting around for more information. GW rumours come thick and fast from all corners, so people just get used to the fact that GW aren't going to agree or disagree to the validity of those rumours, so many just shrug it off.