Episode 115: Digital 40K

by Vachones · June 16, 2020

In this episode, we discuss the digital content and products that exist for Warhammer 40K. With the announcement of the new Warhammer 40K app, we decided to look back at the history of Games Workshop digital releases to this point. We also discuss the third party developers and content producers that have rushed to fill the needs of the community. Finally, we discuss what our hopes are for the Warhammer app and how it might help to shape the future of Warhammer 40K.

Introduction

With the coming release of the Warhammer app, we wanted to talk about Games Workshop’s history with digital products. An app for Warhammer 40K has been something we have been asking for for a while. In many ways, GW has been behind the times when it comes to digital products, a by product of being behind the Ivory tower for so many years.

History of GW digital releases

Video games! GW has never had an issue lending their license to game companies.

Spans several genres of games; turn based, real time, shooter, board game adaptations.
Several platforms; PC, console, and on phones.
Some are classics, many are just meh, some are just not good at all
The classic Dawn of War series has done a lot for bringing in new players. Dawn of war 1 in 2004, Dawn of war 2 in 2009.
Space Marine as a FPS game in 2011
Space Hulk multiple versions, board game adaptations.

Why haven’t they duplicated the tabletop experience as a video game?

Black Library

E-Books and audio books.

Codexes as E-Books have been around for a while as well, so you could get access to the rules in a digital platform, but… it’s more of a direct digital translation of a physical book, not something that takes advantage of the digital platform to make it easier to use; still have to swipe to the correct page to find the rule.

Third Party Content and Apps

Third-party content and developers have rushed to fill areas of need from the community.

Content when they stopped engaging with the community.

GW is doing all of these now, but the content producers attached to Warhammer 40K are still quite successful.

Apps to support the game