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'''Games Workshop''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_kingdom British] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game Game] production and retailing company. Games Workshop is one of the largest games companies in the world, and is the dominant company in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_wargaming miniature wargaming] hobby. The company is listed on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Stock_Exchange London Stock Exchange] with symbol GAW.
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[[File:GWLogo2.png|thumb|200px|right|Games Workshop logo]]'''Games Workshop''' is a British game production and retailing company. Games Workshop is one of the largest games companies in the world, and is the dominant company in the miniature wargaming hobby.  
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
  
Games Workshop was originally an importer of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States American] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_game board games] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_game RPG]s. When they became publishers of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_kingdom UK] based roleplaying magazine [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Dwarf_magazine White Dwarf], Games Workshop created a national chain of gaming stores in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980 1980]s. Their publishing arm also created UK reprints of famous but expensive to import American RPGs such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_of_Cthulhu_%28role-playing_game%29 Call of Cthulhu], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runequest Runequest], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveller_%28role-playing_game%29 Traveller] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MERP Middle-Earth Role-Play].
+
Games Workshop was originally an importer of American board games and RPGs. When they became publishers of the UK based role-playing magazine [[White Dwarf]], Games Workshop created a national chain of gaming stores in the 1980s. Their publishing arm also created UK reprints of famous but expensive-to-import American RPGs.
  
During the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990s 90s], following a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_buyout management buyout] in December 1991 the company refocussed on their most lucrative lines, namely their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_wargaming miniature wargame] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_40%2C000 Warhammer] lines. The retail chain refocussed on a younger, more family-oriented market. The change of direction was a great success with a rising share price and growing profits, in spite of the fact that it lost the company much of its old, loyal fanbase. The complaints of these old customers led a breakaway group of GW employees to publish [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_Warlord Fantasy Warlord] in competition with GW, but this met with little success. Games Workshop expanded in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States USA] opening new branches and organizing events. The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in October 1994. In October 1997, all UK based operations were relocated to the current HQ in Lenton, Nottingham.
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During the 90s, following a management buyout in December 1991, the company refocussed on their most lucrative lines, namely their miniature wargame lines. The retail chain refocussed on a younger, more family-oriented market. The change of direction was a great success with a rising share price and growing profits, in spite of the fact that it lost the company much of its old, loyal fanbase. Games Workshop expanded in Europe and the USA, opening new branches and organising events. In October 1997, all UK-based operations were relocated to the current HQ in Lenton, Nottingham.
  
By the end of the decade, though, the company was having problems with falling profits being blamed on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trading_card_game collectible card games] such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_The_Gathering Magic: The Gathering] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon Pokémon].
+
By the end of the decade, though, the company was having problems with falling profits being blamed on collectible card games.
  
Recently the company has been attempting to create a dual approach that will appeal to both older, loyal customers while still attracting the younger audience. This has seen the creation of initiatives such as the "Fanatic" range that supports more marginal lines with a lower cost trading model (the Internet is used widely in this approach, to collect ideas and playtest reports).
+
Recently the company has been attempting to create a dual approach that will appeal to both older, loyal customers while still attracting the younger audience. This has seen the creation of initiatives such as the "Fanatic" range that supports more marginal lines with a lower cost trading model.
 
 
One of their better-known games is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HeroQuest_%28board_game%29 HeroQuest] which was sold in high street stores under the MB name and introduced many people to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hack_%27n%27_slash hack 'n' slash] style of game.
 
  
 
==Miniatures games==
 
==Miniatures games==
 +
Games Workshop originally produced miniature figures via an associated, originally independent, company called Citadel Miniatures (of which Marauder Miniatures was an imprint) while the main company concentrated on retail. The distinction between the two blurred after Games Workshop stores ceased to sell retail products by other manufacturers, and Citadel was effectively merged back into Games Workshop.
  
=== Currently in Production ===
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===Main Production===
The following games are in production and widely available.
+
The following games are the main production lines of Games Workshop.
  
* [[Warhammer Fantasy]]
 
 
* [[Warhammer 40,000]]
 
* [[Warhammer 40,000]]
* [[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]
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* Warhammer Fantasy, replaced officially by Age of Sigmar
 
+
* The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game and The Hobbit
=== "Specialist" games ===
 
 
 
The following games are considered "specialist" and are not necessarily available in Games Workshop stores. They are however available through mail order and are supported by the specialist games division of Games Workshop. Note also that some of these games (e.g. Necromunda) are available only as rules and miniatures, not in the "boxed set" form that they originally took. They are all set within one of the universes of the main games.
 
 
 
====Warhammer Fantasy Universe====
 
* [[Blood Bowl]] - an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football American football] style game
 
* [[Mordheim]] - a skirmish game
 
* [[Warmaster (game)]] - a game for fighting larger battles with smaller miniatures
 
  
====Warhammer 40,000 Universe====
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===Specialist Games===
* [[Battlefleet Gothic]] - a game based around spacecraft combat
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The following games are official spin-offs games that are intertwined with the main production lines.
* [[Epic Armageddon]] - a game for fighting larger battles with smaller miniatures
+
*[[The Horus Heresy (Game)|The Horus Heresy]]
* [[Inquisitor (game)|Inquisitor]] - a skirmish game using larger more detailed miniatures
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**[[The Horus Heresy: Betrayal at Calth]]
* [[Necromunda]] - a skirmish game
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**[[The Horus Heresy: Burning of Prospero]]
====Lord Of The Rings Universe====
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*[[Assassinorum: Execution Force (Game)|Assassinorum: Execution Force]]
* [[Battle of Five Armies]] - a game for fighting larger battles with smaller miniatures
+
* [[Inquisitor (game)|Inquisitor]] - a classic miniature RPG game
 +
* [[Necromunda (game system)|Necromunda]] - based on gang warfare in the hives of [[Necromunda (planet)|Necromunda]]
 +
*[[Gorkamorka (game)|Gorkamorka]]
 +
*[[Space Hulk (Board Game)|Space Hulk]]
 +
*[[Warhammer Quest: Blackstone Fortress]]
 +
*[[Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team (2016)|Kill Team]]
 +
*[[Adeptus Titanicus (2018)]]
 +
*[[Combat Arena]]
 +
*[[Deathwatch: Overkill]]
 +
*[[Gangs of Commorragh]]
 +
*[[Imperial Knights: Renegade]]
 +
*[[Shadow War: Armageddon]]
 +
*[[Speed Freeks (Game)|Speed Freeks]]
 +
*[[Space Marine Adventures: Labyrinth of the Necrons]]
 +
*[[Stormcloud Attack]]
 +
*[[First Strike]]
 +
*[[Lost Patrol]]
 +
* Blood Bowl - an American football style game (Warhammer Fantasy)
 +
* Mordheim - gang warfare in the Mordheim city (Warhammer Fantasy)
 +
* Warmaster - uses smaller versions of models to fight larger battles (Warhammer Fantasy)
 +
*Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower (Age of Sigmar)
 +
*Warhammer Quest: Shadow Over Hammerhal (Age of Sigmar)
 +
*Gorechosen (Age of Sigmar)
 +
*Warhammer Underworlds (Age of Sigmar)
 +
* Battle of Five Armies - uses smaller versions of models to fight larger battles (Lord of the Rings). Replaced by The Hobbit after the release of the ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''.
  
 
=== Out of print ===
 
=== Out of print ===
====Warhammer Fantasy Universe====
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The following are older, out of print spin-offs of Warhammer 40,000:
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_HeroQuest Advanced HeroQuest]
+
* [[Battlefleet Gothic (game)|Battlefleet Gothic]] - focuses on space combat
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kerrunch&action=edit Kerrunch] (Simplified version of Blood Bowl)
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* [[Epic (game)|Epic Armageddon]] - uses smaller versions of models to fight larger battles
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manowar_%28wargame%29 Manowar] (a game of naval combat in a fantasy world)
+
* Space Marine: an expansion to the epic-scale Adeptus Titanicus introducing troops
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sea_of_Blood&action=edit Sea of Blood]
+
* Advanced Space Crusade
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sea_of_Blood&action=edit Plague Fleet]
+
* Space Fleet: predecessor to Battlefleet Gothic
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plague_Fleet&action=edit Mighty Empires]
+
* Tyranid Attack
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mighty_Empires&action=edit Mighty Warriors]
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* Ultra Marines
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_Quest Warhammer Quest] (a small-scale adventure and skirmish game, essentially a step up from Advanded HeroQuest in complexity)
 
====Warhammer 40,000 Universe====
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Advanced_Space_Crusade&action=edit Advanced Space Crusade]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorkamorka Gorkamorka] (a skirmish game detailing gangs of [[Ork|orks]])
 
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Digganob&action=edit Digganob] (an expansion for Gorkamorka)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Space_Fleet&action=edit Space Fleet] (Simple spaceship combat game from before Battlefleet Gothic)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Hulk Space Hulk] (two editions were published, expansions below were for 1st edition)
 
** [[Deathwing]] (expansion boxed set)
 
** [[Genestealer]] (expansion boxed set)
 
** Space Hulk [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign Campaign]s (expansion book in both soft and hard-cover)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranid_Attack Tyranid Attack]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_Marines Ultra Marines]
 
  
=== Licensed games ===
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=== Licenced games ===
These games were not made by Games Workshop but used Games Workshop style models (usually of lesser quality) and concepts with simplified game systems. These games were made by mainstream toy companies and available in standard toy and department stores rather than just in Games Workshop and specialist gaming stores. They are clearly set in Warhammer worlds.
+
These games were not made by Games Workshop but made by other toy companies and available in stores other than Games Workshop and specialist gaming stores.  
  
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlemasters Battlemasters]
+
* Space Crusade
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HeroQuest_%28board_game%29 HeroQuest]
+
** Operation Dreadnought: an expansion for Space Crusade
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Crusade Space Crusade]
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** Eldar Attack: an expansion for Space Crusade
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Dreadnaught&action=edit Operation Dreadnaught] (Expansion for Space Crusade)
 
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eldar_Attack&action=edit Eldar Attack] (Expansion for Space Crusade)
 
 
 
==Role playing games==
 
Several of the miniatures games (e.g. Inquisitor) involve a role playing element, however Games Workshop has in the past published [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role_playing_games role playing games] set within the Warhammer universe. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay returned to print with a new edition on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_29 March 29] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005 2005]. It is being published by  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Industries Black Industries][http://www.blackindustries.com/], a Games Workshop subsidiary.
 
 
 
=== Out of print ===
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Heroes Golden Heroes]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_Fantasy_Roleplay Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]
 
 
 
==Board games==
 
Games Workshop had a strong history in boardgames development, alongside the miniatures and RPGs. Confusingly, several may have had roleplaying elements, or for that matter had miniatures included or produced.
 
 
 
=== Out of print ===
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_%28board_game%29 Apocalypse]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlecars Battlecars]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_for_Armageddon Battle for Armageddon]
 
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chaos_Attack&action=edit Chaos Attack] (Expansion for ''Battle for Armageddon'')
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blood_Royale&action=edit Blood Royale]  (multiplayer, battle and resource game of medieval Europe)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamity_%28board_game%29 Calamity]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chainsaw_Warrior&action=edit Chainsaw Warrior] (solo play game)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chaos_Marauders&action=edit Chaos Marauders]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_Encounter Cosmic Encounter] (under license)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Curse_of_the_Mummy%27s_Tomb&action=edit Curse of the Mummy's Tomb]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Future Dark Future]  (similar to Car Wars)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who_%28board_game%29 Doctor Who - The Game of Time and Space]] (1980)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doom_of_the_Eldar&action=edit Doom of the Eldar]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dungeonquest&action=edit Dungeonquest]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fury_of_Dracula&action=edit Fury of Dracula]
 
* [[Horus Heresy]]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Judge_Dredd_%28board_game%29&action=edit Judge Dredd ] (see 2000 AD character [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Dredd Judge Dredd] for background)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kings_and_Things&action=edit Kings and Things] (under license)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quirks&action=edit Quirks]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_Rivals Railway Rivals]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_Trooper_%28board_game%29 Rogue Trooper] (another 2000 AD related game)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Super_Power&action=edit Super Power]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisman_board_game Talisman] (3 different editions)
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valley_of_the_Four_Winds&action=edit Valley of the Four Winds]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Warlock_%28board_game%29&action=edit Warlock ]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlock_of_Firetop_Mountain_%28board_game%29 Warlock of Firetop Mountain]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Warrior_Knights&action=edit Warrior Knights]
 
  
 
==Computer Games==
 
==Computer Games==
 
+
*{{Main|Video Games (List)}}
Games Workshop produced and published several [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_Spectrum Sinclair Spectrum] games in the early years, not all of which were based in the usual Warhammer settings
+
Many computer games have been produced by third parties based on the Warhammer universes owned by the firm. These include:
 
 
 
 
*''Apocalypse'' (1983) based on the original boardgame
 
*''Argent Warrior'' (1984) Illustrated adventure
 
*''Battlecars'' (1984) 2 player racing game written in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC_programming_language BASIC]
 
*''Chaos''  (1985) multiplayer turn based "board" game, written by Julian Gollop
 
*''D-Day'' (1985) based on the Normandy Landings
 
*''HeroQuest'' (1991) based on the MB board game
 
*''Journey's End'' (1985) text adventure
 
*''Key Of Hope, The'' (1985) text adventure
 
*''Ringworld'' (1984) text adventure
 
*''Runestone'' (1986) text adventure
 
*''Talisman'' (1985) text adventure
 
*''Tower Of Despair, The'' (1985) text adventure
 
 
 
 
 
Many [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_game computer game]s have been produced by third parties based on the Warhammer universes owned by the firm. These include:
 
 
(Miniature game they are based on is included in parentheses after the game name)
 
(Miniature game they are based on is included in parentheses after the game name)
  
* ''Space Crusade'' - (Space Crusade) + 1 sequel. On Amiga platform
+
* ''[[Space Crusade (video game)|Space Crusade]]''
* ''[[Dark Omen]]'' (Warhammer Fantasy Battles)
+
* ''[[Space Hulk (video game)|Space Hulk]]''  
* ''[[Shadow of the Horned Rat]]'' (Warhammer Fantasy Battles)
+
* ''[[Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels]]''  
* ''[[Space Hulk (computer game)|Space Hulk]]'' (Space Hulk)
+
* ''[[Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000|Final Liberation]]'' (Epic 40,000 - Space Marines, Imperial Guard, Orks)
* ''Space Hulk - Vengeance of the Blood Angels'' (Space Hulk)
+
* ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior|Fire Warrior]]'' (Tau)
* ''[[Final Liberation]]'' (Epic 40,000 - Space Marines, Imperial Guard, Orks)
+
* ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War|Dawn of War]]'' (Space Marines)
* ''[[Fire Warrior]]'' (Warhammer 40,000 - Tau)
+
* ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate|Chaos Gate]]'' (Space Marines)
* ''[[Dawn of War]]'' (Warhammer 40,000 - Space Marines)
+
* ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War|Rites of War]]'' (Eldar)
* ''[[Chaos Gate]]'' (Warhammer 40,000 - Space Marines)
+
* ''Gorkamorka'' (Orks)
* ''[[Rites of War]]'' (Warhammer 40,000 - Eldar)
 
* ''GorkaMorka'' (Warhammer 40K - Orks)
 
 
 
A Warhammer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMORPG online role-playing game], [[Warhammer Online]], is in development by Mythic Entertainment who took over from Climax under whom the project was deemed cancelled.
 
  
 
==Other media==
 
==Other media==
  
Many [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic comic]s and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novel novel]s have also been produced based on the Warhammer universes, published by the [[Black Library]].
+
Many comics and novels have also been produced based on the Warhammer universes, published by the [[BL Publishing]].
 
 
==Miniatures==
 
Games Workshop originally produced [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_figure miniature figure]s via an associated, originally independent, company called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Miniatures Citadel Miniatures] (of which [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maurauder_Miniatures&action=edit Maurauder Miniatures] was an imprint) while the main company concentrated on retail. The distinction between the two blurred after Games Workshop stores ceased to sell retail products by other manufacturers, and Citadel was effectively merged back into Games Workshop.
 
  
 
==Magazines==
 
==Magazines==
  
Games Workshop's best known magazine is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Dwarf_magazine White Dwarf], which in the UK has now passed 307 issues. Seven different international editions of White Dwarf are currently published, with different material, in five languages. Originally a more general roleplaying magazine, since around issue 100 White Dwarf has been devoted exclusively to the support of Games Workshop properties.
+
Games Workshop's best known magazine is [[White Dwarf]], which in the UK has reached 354 issues. Seven different international editions of White Dwarf are currently published, with different material, in five languages. Originally a more general role playing magazine, since around issue 100 White Dwarf has been devoted exclusively to the support of Games Workshop properties.
  
Games Workshop also published [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fanatic_Magazine&action=edit Fanatic Magazine] in support of their Specialist Games range, but it was  discontinued after issue 10, though it lives on in electronic form. Fanatic was preceded by a number of newsletters, devoted to the particular games.
+
Games Workshop also published [[Fanatic Magazine]] in support of their Specialist Games range, but it was  discontinued after issue 10, though it lives on in electronic form. Fanatic was preceded by a number of newsletters, devoted to the particular games.
  
There was also the Citadel Journal, intended as a "deeper" magazine for modelling enthusiasts and more experienced gamers. It often featured unusual rules and armies, and was occasionally used as an outlet for test rules. Under some editors, they also published fan fiction and fan art. This is no longer published.
+
There was also the [[Citadel Journal]], intended as a "deeper" magazine for modelling enthusiasts and more experienced gamers. It often featured unusual rules and armies, and was occasionally used as an outlet for test rules. Under some editors, they also published fan fiction and fan art. It was taken over by [[BL Publishing]].
  
==Licensing==
+
==External Links==
  
In conjunction with the production of cinematic adaptation of ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings The Lord of the Rings]'', Games Workshop acquired the rights to produce a skirmish wargame based on the films, and also on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. The rights to produce a roleplaying game version of the films were sold to another firm.
+
Games Workshop has expanded into several divisions/companies producing products related to the Warhammer universe:
  
==Games Workshop Group PLC==
+
* [http://www.gamesworkshop.com Official Games Workshop website] produce the tabletop wargames, Citadel miniatures and the Specialist Games range.
 
+
* [[Sabertooth Games]] produce the [[Card Games|Horus Heresy]] and [[Card Games|Dark Millennium]].
Games Workshop has expanded into several divisions/companies producing products related to the Warhammer universe.
+
* [[BL Publishing]] is the publishing arm of Games Workshop.
 
 
* [http://www.gamesworkshop.com Games Workshop] produce the tabletop wargames, Citadel miniatures and the Specialist Games range.
 
* [http://http://www.sabertoothgames.com/stg/ Sabertooth Games] produce the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCG CCG]s and The Lord of the Rings Tradeable Miniatures Game.
 
* [http://http://www.blpublishing.com/ BL Publishing] is the publishing arm of Games Workshop.
 
 
* [http://www.warpartefacts.com Warp Artefacts] produce merchandise based on Games Workshop's intellectual property.
 
* [http://www.warpartefacts.com Warp Artefacts] produce merchandise based on Games Workshop's intellectual property.
* [http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/ Forge World] make complementary specialist resin miniatures and conversion kits.
+
* [[Forge World (company)|Forge World]] make complementary specialist resin miniatures and conversion kits.
 
 
==External links==
 
 
 
* [http://www.games-workshop.com/ Official Games Workshop website]
 
* [http://www.warhammer.net/ Games Workshop and Warhammer community]
 
* [http://www.xs4all.nl/~mgsch/gaming/games_workshop.htm List of Games Workshop Games (including pictures)]
 
 
 
{| style="border:none; background-color:#5A5A5A;padding:5px;font-size:95%;"
 
|
 
This article is based upon [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Games_Workshop Games Workshop] from the free encyclopedia [http://en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia] and is subject to [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/fdl.txt GNU Licence for free documentation]. There is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Games_Workshop&action=history List of authors] in the Wikipedia, which can be [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Games_Workshop&action=edit edited].
 
|}
 
  
 
[[Category:Games Workshop]]
 
[[Category:Games Workshop]]
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[[de:Games Workshop]]
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[[fr:Games Workshop]]

Revision as of 08:57, 21 February 2019

Games Workshop logo
Games Workshop is a British game production and retailing company. Games Workshop is one of the largest games companies in the world, and is the dominant company in the miniature wargaming hobby.

Overview

Games Workshop was originally an importer of American board games and RPGs. When they became publishers of the UK based role-playing magazine White Dwarf, Games Workshop created a national chain of gaming stores in the 1980s. Their publishing arm also created UK reprints of famous but expensive-to-import American RPGs.

During the 90s, following a management buyout in December 1991, the company refocussed on their most lucrative lines, namely their miniature wargame lines. The retail chain refocussed on a younger, more family-oriented market. The change of direction was a great success with a rising share price and growing profits, in spite of the fact that it lost the company much of its old, loyal fanbase. Games Workshop expanded in Europe and the USA, opening new branches and organising events. In October 1997, all UK-based operations were relocated to the current HQ in Lenton, Nottingham.

By the end of the decade, though, the company was having problems with falling profits being blamed on collectible card games.

Recently the company has been attempting to create a dual approach that will appeal to both older, loyal customers while still attracting the younger audience. This has seen the creation of initiatives such as the "Fanatic" range that supports more marginal lines with a lower cost trading model.

Miniatures games

Games Workshop originally produced miniature figures via an associated, originally independent, company called Citadel Miniatures (of which Marauder Miniatures was an imprint) while the main company concentrated on retail. The distinction between the two blurred after Games Workshop stores ceased to sell retail products by other manufacturers, and Citadel was effectively merged back into Games Workshop.

Main Production

The following games are the main production lines of Games Workshop.

  • Warhammer 40,000
  • Warhammer Fantasy, replaced officially by Age of Sigmar
  • The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game and The Hobbit

Specialist Games

The following games are official spin-offs games that are intertwined with the main production lines.

Out of print

The following are older, out of print spin-offs of Warhammer 40,000:

  • Battlefleet Gothic - focuses on space combat
  • Epic Armageddon - uses smaller versions of models to fight larger battles
  • Space Marine: an expansion to the epic-scale Adeptus Titanicus introducing troops
  • Advanced Space Crusade
  • Space Fleet: predecessor to Battlefleet Gothic
  • Tyranid Attack
  • Ultra Marines

Licenced games

These games were not made by Games Workshop but made by other toy companies and available in stores other than Games Workshop and specialist gaming stores.

  • Space Crusade
    • Operation Dreadnought: an expansion for Space Crusade
    • Eldar Attack: an expansion for Space Crusade

Computer Games

Many computer games have been produced by third parties based on the Warhammer universes owned by the firm. These include: (Miniature game they are based on is included in parentheses after the game name)

Other media

Many comics and novels have also been produced based on the Warhammer universes, published by the BL Publishing.

Magazines

Games Workshop's best known magazine is White Dwarf, which in the UK has reached 354 issues. Seven different international editions of White Dwarf are currently published, with different material, in five languages. Originally a more general role playing magazine, since around issue 100 White Dwarf has been devoted exclusively to the support of Games Workshop properties.

Games Workshop also published Fanatic Magazine in support of their Specialist Games range, but it was discontinued after issue 10, though it lives on in electronic form. Fanatic was preceded by a number of newsletters, devoted to the particular games.

There was also the Citadel Journal, intended as a "deeper" magazine for modelling enthusiasts and more experienced gamers. It often featured unusual rules and armies, and was occasionally used as an outlet for test rules. Under some editors, they also published fan fiction and fan art. It was taken over by BL Publishing.

External Links

Games Workshop has expanded into several divisions/companies producing products related to the Warhammer universe: