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| Above picture © Copyright Hawk Wargames |
After seeing how bad GW has been getting, I really have little / no desire to play 40k anymore. I barely recognize the game anymore, and my finances simply cannot keep up with the rate of change that they are trying to throw at us.
The models and books keep getting more expensive, and they keep releasing more of it more quickly in order to keep us hooked. However, counter-intuitively, they are sending out cease-and-desist orders to web-isode producers who generate hype for their new products (not to mention free advertising) by trying to get sneak peeks at the products before they are released.
Given the totalitarian treatment of its fans and supporters, I can no longer ethically support GW as a company.
I figured I was just done with miniature gaming for good. Then, on a whim, I watched some youtube reviews of the new-game-on-the-block: Dropzone Commander by Hawk Wargames. The models are interesting, and in 10mm scale (a scale I have been interested in due to its emphasis on vehicles and ease of painting), and the rules are lauded as well balanced.
Desiring to know more, I started to watch some of the normal blogophiles reviews. What really shocked me is when the game's primary designer/creator began showing up on the videos. Beasts of War, Bluetable Painting... he made his rounds and actually met people in the gaming community face-to-face to show off his product. What's more, he is genuinely passionate about having a game that is balanced and realistic, yet still fun. His attention to detail during the design process is alone worthy of much praise. The background to the game is believable, the setting is appropriately dire, and the factions are unique from each other but none appear to be game-breakingly unbalanced.
When I saw the newest edition to his product line, the 2 player starter set with plastic models, I knew I had no reason to not try out the end result of all his devotion and labor. The set looks chock-full of goodies, including everything you need to make a highly-detailed game board straight out of the box. It literally has everything that you need to play a game of DZC: a game board, beautifully-detailed terrain, 2 complete armies (albeit small ones), the rules, templates, markers, dice, even a tape measure with a Hawk Wargaming logo! The only thing missing out of the box is an opponent.
Games Workshop could definitely take a lesson in caring about the product they sell from Hawk Wargames. I eagerly await my foray into Dropzone Commander, and I hope that Dave continues to show the same level of dedication and passion as his game becomes more popular. It'll go a long way toward keeping me a loyal customer.
I urge you to give GW a break. Vote with your wallets, and let them know that corporate bullying is not the way a gaming company should operate. Try out Dropzone Commander's starter set, support a guy who really cares about the game and the community he's built, and you might be surprised with where it takes you.
Hawk Wargames' Page
--FP135
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