The future of 40k

[DarkLink]

So, someone posted this (http://www.heresy-online.net/forums/showpost.php?p=767275&postcount=1861) on Heresy-Online. It's a supposed interview with someone who knows what's going on at GW HQ, and has some extremely interesting things in it. Such as how GW might be advancing the plot, and all sorts of general rumors about new directions future codices will be taking.


Here's a few choice quotes:


Grey Knights. When? How? who are the other fodder soldiers?

-Grey Knights will not be changing a whole lot. Fodder soldiers will include units from the Ordo Hereticus who can be added as allies,
so for the most part, they'll be a small army of 'Holy **** What Just Happened' all over your enemy's face.


What will happen to the outer worlds once the Emp dies?
-Well, for one, the outer worlds of the Imperium will fracture into smaller kingdoms, with the worlds closer to Cadia,
Terra, and the like all remaining under Imperial control. The Astronomicon is something we're still discussing, but we have a few ideas for how it could remain active.


*Will Marneus Calgar be allowed to continue as the super sue Ward made him, or will he be toned down/brought low in the future?
I remember seeing an idea that had him seceding the Ultramarine pseudo-empire from the Imperium as a whole. I'd kind of like to see that.
- We're still discussing what to do with Calgar. We're thinking of having him be offed right along with Rowboat,
and making the Ultramarines some kind of desperate, dirty-fighting Space Marine chapter. Ward is NOT happy with this,
but the Ultramarines will end up either irrelevant, or a bit better for it all as far as fan-reactions go.


Edit: Oh, and don't forget to drop by the grocery store and get some salt. You're probably gonna need it.

[Image]

Forgive my fanboy-ism, but I find it hard to believe that anyone at GW would be so forthright with such major lore changes. I felt as though it could be realistic until I read how apparently easily this individual spoke about "offing" a major character like Marneus Calgar.

I admit it; I <3 Calgar. So, this might be more of a gut-reaction than anything else, but personally, I think the suggestion of some extra salt is a good one. Nonetheless, this does raise some interesting considerations! :)

[eldargal]

Seems like utter bollocks. GW have said they will not be advancing the timeline, they have the entire 41st millenium to flesh out and they can go backwards if they want.
The stuff about Ultramarines sounds like it was written by one of your typical 'anti-smurfs' too stupid to realise the Ultramarines have been the standard SM force since long before Ward appeared.

[Mystery.Shadow]

Calgar Take Me Away!

[BuFFo]

Calgar joins the Dark Eldar.

[DarkLink]

This has more or less been the response on Heresy Online as well. Even the guy who posted the interview questioned its source.

I personally like the idea of GW actually advancing the fluff, and some of the things the guy puts here seem fairly interesting. At least if GW does go forward, then the new books will have actual revalations in them, instead of the we-already-have-known-for-10-years-that-someone-betrayed-this-person-and-now-after-all-this-time-we-finally-learn-their-first-name (DUN-DUN-DUN!) drivel. Seriously, every time someone starts talking about the new Horus Heresy book and how much new information it has, I always think "wait, I thought we already knew that".

[eldargal]

Maybe they will release a series of alternate timeline books or something. :rolleyes: I just think this is someone making stuff up to get a big reaction and have a laugh.

[Grailkeeper]

Roubuote gulliman, the emperor and abaddon die. Abaddon replaced by a computergame character.



right.

[Mal]

GW would never release such big info before hand, any major changes are released with books/minis to boost sales.

Cutting the heart out of their space marine poster boys would be a very bad business decision, and for this reason alone I call the source into serious question.

GW is a business first and foremost.

[Kahoolin]

Yeah I'll be bringing my salt to the table on this one too. They won't change the story line because there is no story line, only a setting. Changing the setting would be meaningless to anyone who isn't familiar with the old setting, so why would they bother when their first order of biz is attracting new players?

[Farseer Uthiliesh]

I doubt that they will advance the timeline; the whole 'one minute to midnight' theme is a core element, and therefore shapes the current status.

[rogue.trader.voril]

...and making the Ultramarines some kind of desperate, dirty-fighting Space Marine chapter.

They need some attention after the cluster**** Ward made of the Space Marine codex.
(Irbian & Anonymous on Heresy-Online)

Those two lines prove this entire post is BS. Fluff wise the UMs would rather go down fighting and Noble than live at all costs. In real life the UMs have been GWs flagship for some two decades... that doesn't change without a power restructure within the company. No real secret why the first movie coming out is UMs.

Second, anyone who has had an editor toss your work back on your desk and tell you to 'fix it' knows that if it is not what GW wants, it's not what GW is going to get. Who else holds such tight reigns over their IntProp as GW? If the Codex: Space Marines was so badly "cluster****(ed)" why wouldn't the editor just red line the whole book and tell Ward,"I made some notes. Fix the red lines."?

[Pendragon38]

My thought is an Intern at GW saw a plot for the (what if) was to happen to the EMO Imp of man was to die and if it s somewhat true than its a free for all for the planets,and not that I see it happening but the Orks may come out on top and man will own a small corner of the Galaxy.

[emperorsaxe]

This is surprising news, if it is news at all. I believe that it is nothing more than an attempt to frenzy all those who enjoy GW's story/time line universe. I for one could never see that macragge seceeding from the imperium and becoming a stand alone realm. Thats crazy! The Ultramarines seceeding, talk about chaos OMG. I can't see GW diverging from their story setting when so much can be done within it. Just my two bolter rounds worth tho'.
Respects, Emperorsaxe

[DadExtraordinaire]

So, someone posted this (http://www.heresy-online.net/forums/showpost.php?p=767275&postcount=1861) on Heresy-Online. It's a supposed interview with someone who knows what's going on at GW HQ, and has some extremely interesting things in it. Such as how GW might be advancing the plot, and all sorts of general rumors about new directions future codices will be taking.
Here's a few choice quotes:
Edit: Oh, and don't forget to drop by the grocery store and get some salt. You're probably gonna need it.

I'm with Eldargal on this.

This is utter rubbish. There is no detail at all in any aspect of any answer to the questions being asked.

an example:

* Why do you hate Epic?
- The higher-ups hate Epic because it doesn't sell as well as the main game.
Yes, they're the money-grubbing *******s you've been led to believe they are, but on the flipside,
the company's had to do a few minor layoffs for some of it's lesser-known writers and employees lately.
Even with the money of the 13-year-olds the staff here are constantly told to cater to, we're hemoragging money like no tomorrow.
If the company goes belly-up in the next fiscal year, or otherwise needs to have some intellectual property sold, I won't be surprise.

The answer around the business going belly up is utter garbage. Anyone can say if company A does / does not do X, Y, or Z they could be in trouble. This person has a gift of prescience maybe they should be at the DOW or the LSE?! :D

Lastly IMHO it would seem the interviewee is not UK based and therefore I have to question the validity of all this nonsense as the only people truly knowing about future plans would be GW board in the UK.

Move along now.....there is nothing to see here.....

[fuzzbuket]

im calling bull

no not one bull
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWTkg6eJWNU

like that many bulls :D

[lowdog]

Ultramarines become an antagonistic, dirty fighting force? Yeah...with Space Wolves, Dark Angels, Blood Angels, and all the Chaos Legions we don't have enough "dark, edgy" marines out there.

Seriously, I'm kind of sick at this point of the broader cultural trend that gives creativity points to anyone that looks at something established and says "I know, I'll just make it dark and edgy! Bow down before my imaginative might!"

[BuFFo]

I wouldn't mind change, but then again I am not an U.M. player. I guess if I were, I may not like the fluff change so much.

[Image]

I wouldn't mind change, but then again I am not an U.M. player. I guess if I were, I may not like the fluff change so much.

As a UM player, I'm not sure how I would feel about such a change. I can't speak with authority on this matter, but I know that one of the aspects that drove me to Ultramarines is the honour and versatility behind them. They're steeped in tradition and are lead by a character who is not mindlessly zealous.

Usually, I'm okay with curve balls in the fluff - for instance, I would love to see the Tau lose some of their optimism :P - but I think offing Calgar and having the UMs divert from the codex astartes would be misguided. UM players get a lot of flak because of the fluff behind the chapter and, I suppose, the support that GW provides them, which is attractive to new players. Altering what the UMs have been designed as will alienate a greater portion of the fan-base than it will attract I feel.

Plus, in killing Calgar, you'd still have to understand what Sicarius would do. Somehow, I don't expect that he'd allow straying from the codex, particularly when you have such a cast of characters also loyal to the codex (Tigurius, Cassius, et al).

To make what I consider a fair comparison BuFFo: imagine if DE suddenly decided that the path the Craftworld Eldar chose is the better one and pursued that instead. While it might be neat for those who don't play these particular armies, I don't think it would be appreciated by those who are actually buying the models/novels/etc.

[Drew da Destroya]

Yeah, this looks like someone jumped onto /b/, said "Hay guiz im tottaly a GDub righter!", and proceeded to make a bunch of **** up.

"I'm not in the Codex-writing department, but here's a bunch of information on what will appear in the next couple codexes. Also, we're going back to mini-codexes, since that worked out great last time! Oh, and you hate X, Y, and Z? I totally do too, so you can totally believe me!"

Not buying it.

[Valkerie]

GW is still getting grief for getting rid of the Squats in 3rd edition. Making major changes to their flagship army? Probably not in this reality.

Besides, as others have said, 40k (and for that matter, WFB), is a setting, not a timeline. GW exists to sell toys, making sudden massive changes in the setting is not going to help them sell plastic. In fact, it would probably hurt their sales, as well as piss off a whole lot of people. I just can't see GW doing something that silly.:)

[Cyberscape7]

First off;
Turning the ultramarines into an underhanded fighting force? Its like giving the orks a model with a BS of 4!
Secondly, if calgar was to dissapear, Sicarius would become chapter master(:D) and calgar would rip the emperors corpse off the throne and elect himself emperor of mankind.
I can just see him doing that:)

[Sparda]

So, someone posted this (http://www.heresy-online.net/forums/showpost.php?p=767275&postcount=1861) on Heresy-Online. It's a supposed interview with someone who knows what's going on at GW HQ, and has some extremely interesting things in it. Such as how GW might be advancing the plot, and all sorts of general rumors about new directions future codices will be taking.


Here's a few choice quotes:








Edit: Oh, and don't forget to drop by the grocery store and get some salt. You're probably gonna need it.

I'm surprised he didn't included GW scraping all there models, all there idea's and trying to get into another market, makes it seem more believable that way imo. >_>

[Orannis]

As it stands the Golden Throne is falling. And the tech priest of Mars are unable to repair it.

Personally I'd like to see the throne no longer holding he Emperor's soul in stasis, so he'll be released into the warp. The Light of the Astronomican goes out and the Imperium falls into chaos. Alien races sensing their weakness begin to take human worlds as they flounder in the dark.
A few remaining loyal Primaches make a return. Before the Emperor's Death Cypher will make it to the Golden Throne, fighting his way past Custode's if needed and kneeling before the Emperor with his broken sword. Something unspoken will happen between them and the sword will be repaired. Far away Lion 'El Johnson will emerge from his self-imposed solitude in The Rock, which he will then direct towards Terra.
Upon hearing whispers of the Emperor's death Abbadon will lead a 14th Black Crusade heading through the Cadian Gate to do battle with his nemesis. It an apparent pre-emtive strike Abbadon an his retinue of Black Legion Terminators assault a command center while Creed is in the middle of organizing a defense. Abbadon's marines quickly dispatches most of Creed's High Command and Abbadon approaches Creed gloating of his victory to be and that unpronounceable sword strikes a killing blow only to be deflected by none other then Marneus Calgar, who teleports in, taking a mortal wound protecting Creed.
Black legion and Ultramarines First company terminators duke it out, some crazy stuff happens cos of his chaos forged guantlets of Ultramar and Calgar kills Abbadon. As Abbadon falls he cries out Creed's name.
The black legion retreats and Calgar dies from his wounds, leaving Sicarius as Chapter Master. We keep Calgars rules in the new SM codex and we replace Abbadon with someone who isn't to be laughed at like a Saturday morning cartoon villain.

Sometime later a new light will appear in the Warp. This turns out to be the Emperor ascended. As being the focus of all positive human worship for the last 10,000 years has powered him up to be a beacon of light humanity can use to navigate the Warp. Replacing the Astronomicon.
Perhaps he can stabilize certain area's close to terra for safer warp travel allowing the center of the Imperium to stay together. Though it starts to fray at the edges. Many worlds have stopped paying tithes or levying regiments of guard, instead keeping the resources to defend themselves and neighbouring systems. The Imperium is fractured.
Dorn will reappear with a bionic arm and marshal the forces of Terra, with the help of the Black Templars and their Legion strength he will try to hold together what he can.
The Ultramarines return from Cadia victorious and with the help of their successors try to hold their 'Empire' from the encroaching 'nids and other xeno's races.
Guillimen may return the scars on his neck healed and a pilgrims visiting his shrine report his eyes moving, albeit over days. The chapter apothicaries look into it and deem him to be alive.
Once reunited with his Chapter and facing rapidly mounting losses and attacks on all sides they become more like the Raptors, a chapter that has faced extinction many times and come back from the brink where other Chapters have been wiped out. They begin to use Codex approved camo schemes (putting their pride aside) guerrilla warfare and other unorthodox tactics to survive. Roboute telling his Chapter that the Codex was meant to be an operational guideline rather then inviolable dogma.

In this time we could have all the xeno races expanding. The Eldar taking back maiden worlds. Chaos and Deldar raiding steps up on worlds now unable to defend themselves properly. Tau begin openly trading with humans near their Empires fringe or worse invade those worlds still loyal. Orks begin to Waaarrgh. 'Nids take advantage of their preys weakness. More necron's begin to awake as the C'tan's timeless machinations come into fruition. And finally many imperial worlds renounce their oaths and try to hold onto what little power they have.

[Mal]

I just want to know what will happen when the dragon awakens... the deceiver and the nightbringer will be in for a world of hurt when that bad boy wakes up from nap time.

Not to mention that the dragon is the omnisiah and is entomed on mars... lots of fun to be had with that plot twist...

[Galadren]

The second I saw "Salamanders Codex" I decided that this was the appropriate amount of salt.

http://www.sickcall.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/SaltMine.jpg

[Kahoolin]

Seriously, I'm kind of sick at this point of the broader cultural trend that gives creativity points to anyone that looks at something established and says "I know, I'll just make it dark and edgy! Bow down before my imaginative might!"Yeah I'm over it too. Morally tarnishing established heroes is lame. What, aren't writers capable of inventing new heroes who actually appeal any more? We gotta make Spiderman or whatever dark and gritty?

It's all part of our whole civilizations downward spiral of creativity. Everything seems like a mash up of in-jokes and stuff we're already aware of these days.

[DarkLink]

The second I saw "Salamanders Codex" I decided that this was the appropriate amount of salt.


Lol. On the bright side, at least this gives us something to talk about, if nothing else. What if GW did bother to advance the story?

And, yes, there is a story. Story and setting are indeed two distinctive things. 40k the game focuses on the setting, and contains few story details. The Black Library, however, covers the story, as well as expanding on the setting. The story is currently kinda sitting on a giant cliffhanger after the Heresy, a resolution to which I would actually be interested in seeing.

[Galadren]

I agree. I love the idea of advancing the story. The death and rebirth of the Emperor, the return of the Primarchs, etc etc. I think it's all great stuff. Just that particular post...ugh, total BS.

[Kahoolin]

And, yes, there is a story. Story and setting are indeed two distinctive things. 40k the game focuses on the setting, and contains few story details. The Black Library, however, covers the story, as well as expanding on the setting. The story is currently kinda sitting on a giant cliffhanger after the Heresy, a resolution to which I would actually be interested in seeing.I don't think what you mean by story and setting is what I mean.

You're right, story and setting are different. To me, a story is a plot designed to entertain, and a setting is a set of circumstances that stories take place in. The Black Library books and all of our games are stories within the 40k setting. If the Emperor dies and the Imperium fragments into little kingdoms that changes the setting. It also changes the stories, but only because the setting has changed. But there's no real "story of 40k", there's just the setting (the current circumstances in the background) and its history (the Heresy etc). We, and the BL writers, make the stories.

The giant cliffhanger you're talking about is to me the setting, not part of an on-going story that started with the Heresy. If it gets resolved in any way then 40k is not 40k any more. As someone said before, five minutes to midnight is the setting 40k takes place in. Change that and everything changes, and I just don't think they would do that for no apparent reason. The setting might seem a bit old to vets like most of us but imagine you are a new player. It probably seems intense, dark and detailed unlike anything you've seen before. It certainly did to me back in the day. I just don't see them risking their winning formula.

[Galadren]

Imagine a six year cliffhanger like this.

The golden throne has failed, the Emperor has died, the Imperium is fracturing, Chaos is growing bolder. More worlds are falling into darkness. Xenos are expanding their territories. Worlds band together into smaller realms to look after their own. Ultramar has recalled many of their successor chapters to defend and expand their realm in an effort to hold humanity together as much as they can. Cadia and other fortress worlds have annexed many nearby worlds in an effort to do the same. Other Space Marine chapters look to their own regions and sectors in an effort to hold back the darkness. Those without a realm of their own to watch over, such as the Black Templars, Imperial Fists, and Dark Angels, rush to hot spot after hot spot desperately trying to hold back the tide. Like wise the Grey Knights do the same, fighting as never before to hold back ever increasing encroachments of the daemonic. The Imperial Church is struggling to maintain it's grip. Cathedrals and holy sites are like fortresses more so now than ever before, the ranks of of the Adeptus Sororitas dwindling as over time faith in the Emperor slips further and further, time and the lack of new devotees taking their toll. And the Inquisition? Well, the Inquisition War has resumed. Some in the Inqusition still hold true to the Imperial Creed, while others make their moves and seek greater power for themselves.

Still, all is not lost...

Light pushed back the darkness before, and it can do so again...

Edit: This is my idea for 6th edition. 7th edition would be the return/rebirth of the Emperor, second coming of the Primarchs, the Great Crusade all over again.

[DarkLink]

Still, all is not lost...


...for Marneus Calgar has discovered his latent psychic powers, becoming a psyker greater than the galaxy has ever known. Now he sits on the throne, prepared to lead the Imperium back to its former glory:rolleyes:.

[Grailkeeper]

...for Marneus Calgar has discovered his latent psychic powers, becoming a psyker greater than the galaxy has ever known. Now he sits on the throne, prepared to lead the Imperium back to its former glory:rolleyes:.

Whilst all the while unaware of the mounting jelousy in his previous pyschic advisor, Is the new imperium ready for the Tigurian heresy?

[Galadren]

:rolleyes:

[Porty1119]

This. Sounds. AWESOME!!!!!!

GW should totally listen to y'all. The current storyline/setting is getting really boring, and something that doesn't turn army fluff and characters TOTALLY upside-down, while still being a change in scenery, would be a great thing for 40k.

As for my army? Who's to say a fully airmobile elite Guard regiment would have trouble finding an employer...

[erwos]

I have to admit, advancing 40k's armageddon clock from 11:55PM to 11:59PM would be pretty sweet.

That said, I'm having a fair bit of trouble believing the link from the original post, as it reads like a wishlist. The timeline doesn't seem to work with the current rumored timeline:
Q1: GKs
Q2-3: Necrons
Q4: SoBs

Basically, they'd need to shove Chaos out the door before SoBs, which seems decidedly unlikely, or they'd have to release four 40k codexes in a year, which is also unlikely coming off the back of Fantasy 8E. The only real point in its favor is that CSMs would be a valid option to slot in for the yearly marine codex - they sell quite well.

So, yes, much as I think a Damocles Gulf campaign and mini-dex (this is the only sane way to make the AdMech and Tau sublists happen) would be awesome, I have my doubts. Too bad, as it's exactly what 40k needs these days.

[DarkLink]

Honestly, I think they could advance the story even more, while squeezing even more Grimdark out of the setting.

Step 1
Emperor dies, and the Imperium starts to splinter into various fractions. As various xenos factions grow in strength, they start to pick off parts of the Imperium. Meanwhile, elements of the Imperium have to race to try and ressurect the Emperor and hold the Imperium together.

Step 2
The Emperor comes back, and starts another war on the scale of the Horus Heresy, only with the various Xenos races on the offensive instead of Horus this time.

Step 3
Another cliffhanger right before we figure out if the Emperor's Crusade saves humanity or not. Then GW can milk this for another few decades before moving on.

[gridespider]

As it stands the Golden Throne is falling. And the tech priest of Mars are unable to repair it.

Personally I'd like to see the throne no longer holding he Emperor's soul in stasis, so he'll be released into the warp. The Light of the Astronomican goes out and the Imperium falls into chaos. Alien races sensing their weakness begin to take human worlds as they flounder in the dark.
A few remaining loyal Primaches make a return. Before the Emperor's Death Cypher will make it to the Golden Throne, fighting his way past Custode's if needed and kneeling before the Emperor with his broken sword. Something unspoken will happen between them and the sword will be repaired. Far away Lion 'El Johnson will emerge from his self-imposed solitude in The Rock, which he will then direct towards Terra.
Upon hearing whispers of the Emperor's death Abbadon will lead a 14th Black Crusade heading through the Cadian Gate to do battle with his nemesis. It an apparent pre-emtive strike Abbadon an his retinue of Black Legion Terminators assault a command center while Creed is in the middle of organizing a defense. Abbadon's marines quickly dispatches most of Creed's High Command and Abbadon approaches Creed gloating of his victory to be and that unpronounceable sword strikes a killing blow only to be deflected by none other then Marneus Calgar, who teleports in, taking a mortal wound protecting Creed.
Black legion and Ultramarines First company terminators duke it out, some crazy stuff happens cos of his chaos forged guantlets of Ultramar and Calgar kills Abbadon. As Abbadon falls he cries out Creed's name.
The black legion retreats and Calgar dies from his wounds, leaving Sicarius as Chapter Master. We keep Calgars rules in the new SM codex and we replace Abbadon with someone who isn't to be laughed at like a Saturday morning cartoon villain.

Sometime later a new light will appear in the Warp. This turns out to be the Emperor ascended. As being the focus of all positive human worship for the last 10,000 years has powered him up to be a beacon of light humanity can use to navigate the Warp. Replacing the Astronomicon.
Perhaps he can stabilize certain area's close to terra for safer warp travel allowing the center of the Imperium to stay together. Though it starts to fray at the edges. Many worlds have stopped paying tithes or levying regiments of guard, instead keeping the resources to defend themselves and neighbouring systems. The Imperium is fractured.
Dorn will reappear with a bionic arm and marshal the forces of Terra, with the help of the Black Templars and their Legion strength he will try to hold together what he can.
The Ultramarines return from Cadia victorious and with the help of their successors try to hold their 'Empire' from the encroaching 'nids and other xeno's races.
Guillimen may return the scars on his neck healed and a pilgrims visiting his shrine report his eyes moving, albeit over days. The chapter apothicaries look into it and deem him to be alive.
Once reunited with his Chapter and facing rapidly mounting losses and attacks on all sides they become more like the Raptors, a chapter that has faced extinction many times and come back from the brink where other Chapters have been wiped out. They begin to use Codex approved camo schemes (putting their pride aside) guerrilla warfare and other unorthodox tactics to survive. Roboute telling his Chapter that the Codex was meant to be an operational guideline rather then inviolable dogma.

In this time we could have all the xeno races expanding. The Eldar taking back maiden worlds. Chaos and Deldar raiding steps up on worlds now unable to defend themselves properly. Tau begin openly trading with humans near their Empires fringe or worse invade those worlds still loyal. Orks begin to Waaarrgh. 'Nids take advantage of their preys weakness. More necron's begin to awake as the C'tan's timeless machinations come into fruition. And finally many imperial worlds renounce their oaths and try to hold onto what little power they have. Sounds like a game i played last week.

[Galadren]

Step 1: Advance story

Step 2: ?????

Step 3: Profit

[UltramarineFan]

GW advancing their fluff? ... pahahahahahahah!! lol that's a good one mate.
Seriously that sounds like complete garbage, making the ultras go evil? riiiight..

[N0rdicNinja]

I do find it odd that every time they release a campaign book and attempt do a world wide storyline advancing campaign... it always seems to end in a way that allows everything to go back to exactly like it was before. >.>; The stagnation is rather annoying, I wish there was something more to look forward to in the 40k fluff, instead of constantly reading about things that have already happened.

[Mr.Pickelz]

as a space wolf player, i do wonder, DID Leman russ actually die? if not, then would he come back at the same time dorn/roboute/lion/etc.. would as well? :):)

[Mal]

dorn is dead, completly and utterly... he was killed in a boarding action, the lion while technically alive had his head cut off... it'll take a while for that boo boo to heal... guilliman is also technicallky alive, but turn off that stasis field for even a moment and he'll finish dieing... there really are not many loyalist primarchs left who can come back.

[Galadren]

dorn is dead, completly and utterly... he was killed in a boarding action, the lion while technically alive had his head cut off... it'll take a while for that boo boo to heal... guilliman is also technicallky alive, but turn off that stasis field for even a moment and he'll finish dieing... there really are not many loyalist primarchs left who can come back.

Thing is, if the Emperor returned I could see it happening. Him healing Guilliman and the Lions wounds. Finding a way to call back Russ, Vulkan, and Corax. I think he could probably even find a way to bring back Dorn.

Sanguinius is still screwed, though. :p

[DrLove42]

The FW book for their Warhammer Forge features an alternate history line, one where Chaos overuns the lands of the Empire instead of the Empire beating them back

I doubt the studio would advance the story, but its obviously well within FW ability to advance it in any direction they choose!

[Beta_Ray_Bill]

Those two lines prove this entire post is BS. Fluff wise the UMs would rather go down fighting and Noble than live at all costs. In real life the UMs have been GWs flagship for some two decades... that doesn't change without a power restructure within the company. No real secret why the first movie coming out is UMs.


Power restructure like Mr Priestly leaving? Not that I believe this load of ****, but just saying. Something needs to happen though, for the player's sake.

Unfortunately, the storyline could stay where it is for the next 20 years and not have an impact on how many little models sell... And that's kinda what they want. If it ain't broke don't fix it, you'll definitely upset fans no matter which way you take the story, so may as well just not rock the boat.

[Unzuul the Lascivious]

This is bollocks. Utter bollocks. Ignore.
As for advancing the 40K universe, as has been said they're doing ok sale wise, so why bother? The last 40K update basically advanced the timeline by saying - 'ooh, the Golden Throne is failing and no-one knows how to fix it...'. Here's the way I see it. IF the GW sales start to fail, they need to pull out their trump cards - the Primarchs. By releasing fluffy stories about the return of the Primarchs, the healing of the Emperor perhaps and the major races reaction to the return of the Primarchs, they would gain huge sales, not just of literature but new models, new rulebooks, new characters for other races to compete against the Primarchs, White Dwarf sales through the roof - the possibilities would be almost endless. I still think they could release a Mechanicus army too, full of Skitarii and all that gubbins, there's another army to rinse.

[Quaade]

The reason for why we're seeing a ressurgence in DARKER AND EDGIER!!!! (yes, it's with caps) is because the current writers are of an age where they grew up with DARKER AND EDGIER!!!! Image comics and such of the time.
Now they are merely emulating that style, so to speak the inmates are running the Asylum.

That being said, the interview, wow, heamorrhagin millions? Didn't the published 2009 finansialreport say that GW had turned things around and were now making money again?

Minidexes? Yes, let's go back to a businessmodel that didn't pay off and left a complete cluster**** of the rules as editions and updates happened.

[eldargal]

Yes, 126m revenue, 13m profit from GW itself, another 3m from royalties for 2009-210. This in spite of the worst financial crisis in eighty years and a general decline in luxury goods sales. Anyone who writes stuff like this has never read a GW financial report post 2007 and certainly has no insider knowledge.



The reason for why we're seeing a ressurgence in DARKER AND EDGIER!!!! (yes, it's with caps) is because the current writers are of an age where they grew up with DARKER AND EDGIER!!!! Image comics and such of the time.
Now they are merely emulating that style, so to speak the inmates are running the Asylum.

That being said, the interview, wow, heamorrhagin millions? Didn't the published 2009 finansialreport say that GW had turned things around and were now making money again?

Minidexes? Yes, let's go back to a businessmodel that didn't pay off and left a complete cluster**** of the rules as editions and updates happened.

[Lockark]

Alot of the stuff about the emperor dieing came across to me as "We're thinking about doing this, but doesn't mean we will." like the brain storming going on behind close doors in GW right now.

It was the Tau Farsight enclave "mini-dex" that made me go "WTF?"

[Duke]

I don't so much mind which direction they take the fluff... If we played warhammer 30k and then the heresy happened I'm sure a lot of people would have cried but life would have moved on... What I don't like is the non-communicative approach gw takesmwithveverything.

Duke

[Farseer Uthiliesh]

Personally, I like the fact that the future is unwritten as it lets us do that if we want. Besides, as soon as GW says what happens post 40k, then some people are bound to become upset. I mean, what if they write that the Imperium collapses, taking with it half the Marine chapters, the Eldar all die, Tyranids eat half the eastern side of the galaxy, etc etc? It's going to make some people mad. I like it the way it is, as I love the imminent collapse theme.

[eldargal]

'Advancing the story' destroyed one of my favourite settings, namely Forgotten Realms Dnd. After tha disgrace that was Spellplague the entire system is dead to me. Never underestimate just how attached the majority of your fanbase will be to the status quo.;)

[Farseer Uthiliesh]

'Advancing the story' destroyed one of my favourite settings, named Forgotten Realms Dnd. After tha disgrace that was Spellplague the entire system is dead to me. Never underestimate just how attached the majority of your fanbase will be to the status quo.;)

Oh yes, that and Dark Sun's story. The second edition of the setting was awful.

[erwos]

'Advancing the story' destroyed one of my favourite settings, namely Forgotten Realms Dnd. After tha disgrace that was Spellplague the entire system is dead to me. Never underestimate just how attached the majority of your fanbase will be to the status quo.;)
You forget that Forgotten Realms is Ed Greenwood's baby, and that Ed Greenwood is perhaps the worst writer ever. Every time I read one of his (solely-authored) books, I feel like clawing my eyes out by the end. I've never read any 40k book that bad, including Goto's trash.

[eldargal]

I've not read any of the novels. I discovered the setting through the pc game Baldurs Gate and got into it that way. Got very into the setting, ran a bunch of campaigns with brothers/friends etc. Then they go and destroy virtually all of what we had grown to love, cities, dramatis personae, even nations. I guess if the author is that bad it explains why.:rolleyes:

[Galadren]

All I can say about Greenwood's work is it's nerd masturbation full of strong willed women with sharp tongues and loose attitudes about sex. My kind of women, but he's pretty much one note.

Anyway, the story can be advance without disaterous results. Look at Privateer Press. The story advanced from mk I to mk II in Warmachine and Hordes and the fans ate it up.

[eldargal]

That's true but it does depend on the setting and fanbase. GW have a problem in that their settings are so well established and so old that any major change, no matter how good, will invariably anger many people because it will mean the setting they know and love is now a different one. Plus in 40k they have the problem that they can't just rebrand everything 41k. WFB they can push the timeline somewhat, in fact I think it has moved from around 2516 to 2522 over the past, well, however long it has been.
This was the problem Forgotten Realms had, too, plus the added disadvantage that the changes were simply horrific.

I think the issue is how can you advance the story without invalidating everything that has been, maybe Warmachine managed that, I've not investigated the setting much.

[DarkLink]

You forget that Forgotten Realms is Ed Greenwood's baby, and that Ed Greenwood is perhaps the worst writer ever. Every time I read one of his (solely-authored) books, I feel like clawing my eyes out by the end.

You didnt learn your lesson the first time? Or the second? Or the third?

[erwos]

You didnt learn your lesson the first time? Or the second? Or the third?
I am a glutton for punishment. Or maybe I keep hoping he'll improve. He doesn't.

I firmly believe the 40k team is capable of better. As it is, they're getting killed by lack of innovation.

[Galadren]

That's the thing about 40k, though. Even if you move the story forward, you still have all of that story behind you to play in. People play chapters like the Celestial Lions who were wiped out, or Pre-Heresy armies before they were Chaos. Hell, the Witch Hunters codex has an IC that is dead. Even if it's a game of the Grim Dark Future, it's a historical game of the Grim Dark Future. Pushing the story forward doesn't invalidate what came before, and it gives people more to work with when building their own armies.

GW just needs to do it carefully. Don't push it to far. Like I said before, maybe the Golden Throne fails and things are starting to get really desperate, but don't wipe anyone off the map.

[cobra6]

I'm with Galadren on this. I think a very small but important nudge foward would leave virtually all of the existing fluff intact, but could provide terrific grist for new gaming ideas/novels/etc.

For example, what if the Emp didn't "die" per se, but simply vanished right off the GT? The Custodes turn around one day and he's just not there. Astronomican still works (no one know how, but that's part of the mystery.) Is the Emp dead? Is he alive? Is he on Terra? Is he now leading your renegade IG/SM/SoB army in battle on the tabletop? Absolutely nothing else has to change, except now instead of a withered vegetable on the GT, we have an intriguing mystery that you the gamer can help solve.

[erwos]

For example, what if the Emp didn't "die" per se, but simply vanished right off the GT? The Custodes turn around one day and he's just not there. Astronomican still works (no one know how, but that's part of the mystery.) Is the Emp dead? Is he alive? Is he on Terra? Is he now leading your renegade IG/SM/SoB army in battle on the tabletop? Absolutely nothing else has to change, except now instead of a withered vegetable on the GT, we have an intriguing mystery that you the gamer can help solve.
Aside from the hilarity of the situation (Brother-Custodes: "Captain, I LOST THE EMPEROR! I AM SO SORRY!"), I really think that it needs to be an event with actual repercussions. That's what disappointed so many people about the Eye of Terror campaign - everyone was completely revved up to see how things would change with Chaos finally breaking the Cadian Gate, and THEN NOTHING CHANGED. GW took exactly the wrong lesson from that, and decided "no more even discussing changing the setting".

[cobra6]

Yeah, I was one of the ones who was dissapointed in the aftermath of 13th BC, thats for sure!

Be that as it may, change has to come slowly for something as widely known and venerated as the 40K Fluff. At least at first, any changes would have to leave every race, and even every "homeworld" (like Cadia, Baal, Alaitoc, etc.) intact. Then, if all the fans' heads didnt explode, incrementally more significant changes could happen later.

Like the 11th Primarch turns out to be Slaanesh disguised as Marneus Calgar, and allies with Farsight to kill Abbadon, but is thwarted by Leman Russ, who destroys Cadia in the process. :D

[archimbald]

some of it sounds good - new csm dex, croon models, rouge/antihero tau....


rest sounds like bull

[DarkLink]

Even slow change is a whole lot more than we're getting now.

[Spectre]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm really hoping this guy is the real deal. To me, it sounds legit(wishful thinking), possibly aged(I think the guy didn't post this info for a while, thus the reason for some of the inconsistencies), and very very interesting.

Ah well, it probably is fake, but one can dream.

[Galadren]

No. There's so much in there that is absolute BS and stupid that I can't even take the good parts.

[DarkLink]

Despite the common attitude towards Mark Ward, I really don't believe that he's really the sort of person these rumors would make him out to be. Maybe I'm just not a judgmental person, but I'm not inclined to think that Ward would really turn emo over Marneus Calgar getting killed off, nor that "every single person in the entire GW HQ hates his guts" (I paraphrased a little in that last part).

[Corporal_Chaos]

I think that a change to the 40K universe would be kind of neat. I also feel that we are in the midst of 40K as it is and will be left with nothing new. Advancing the story would be an excellent way to introduce new races and advancements in tech and story. Seeing how techno phobic the Imperium is. Alas, take it as it comes the new generations are taking over and we cannot halt progress....Or can we?:cool: