WD arrives on time shock!

[Wildeybeast]

That's right folks, hold onto your hats because my copy of WD arrived through the post this morning, meaning the good folks at GW have posted it before it's release date of today!
But why? A simple admin error that meant my copy got posted out early? A reversal of their much criticised policy of making subscribers wait to get it in attempt to force people into stores to grab a copy on release day (along with a bunch of other stuff they don't really need but will be seduced into buying)? Or a one off relaxing of this policy on the basis that unless you are part of that elite group of players who have been eagerly awaiting a jaberslythe or finecast witch king there is nothing of any interest whatsoever in this month's edition of WD? Only time will tell.
I'm interested to know if anyone else got their copy today and what you think this means for future releases of WD. My guess is that I'll get January's edition detailing the release of a big new army about a week after it's available in stores, but maybe I'm just being a bit cynical.

[eldargal]

It would be nice if they scrapped the silly idea of sending out subscriptions later, but probably just the vagaries of the post.

[Wildeybeast]

I have to say, I don't think it is due to the vagaries of the post. Their current policy is to post WD out on release (so it should have been posted today). Given that is second class, the earliest it could have been posted was Thursday to have arrived today. So it has been posted out earlier than their stated policy says it should have been. Perhaps just a mistake on their part, but it could be a return to the old system where subscribers got their copy in time for the release day of WD.

[DrLove42]

Mine arrived today as well. I was mildly shocked to say the least as well

Which is a shame, cos i don't have time to read it today, and my brief flick through suggests its not a great issue for a non-fantasy player.

The supplementary dreadfleet battlerep/advetising book is a nice touch though

[Wildeybeast]

I already own Dreadfleet, so the promo magazine went straight into the recycling, particularly given that the 'batreps' are just two page summaries, I couldn;t care less about reading them. Might entice a few people to buy it, obviously they are keen to get rid of the remaining copies.
There isn't much interesting to read in there, some beastmen stuff though not really surprising given it's the December issue. Campaign rules on Necrons verus BT are good enough and some apoc datasheets for SoB GK and DE, but a bit of a none issue. Though the article from John Blanche will be worth a read, I always like hearing from him.
Obviously UK copies have been sent out early then. Do we think this is a one off relaxation given the lack of any big releases or a more permanent policy shift? And what about subscribers in RoW, have you recieved your copies?

[tongalad]

I bought mine on Friday in an indy store..result!

[eldargal]

I wish my copy arrived, I want to read the John Blanche article particularly.:( Not to mention the stuff about the new WFB book. I do hope they are posting subscribers copies earlier, or trying too.

[gamesbluetiger]

Mine arrived this morning too! Was that surprised i forgot i had it till reading this thread!!:confused:

[Loken]

Now if White Dwarf was actually a magazine I cared about. I have bought every issue since 223 and I am not going to renew. Just so much crap in that magazine.

I only play 40K. And I really can't stand that they still waste so much space on LoTR which NO ONE plays. If it was just Fantasy I could handle it, but LoTR is basically a specialist game.

And how about useful articles on painting, conversions and terrain building like they used to have? Now it is just so much crap and useless Battle Reports.

My 2 Imperial Credits.

Alec

[Cherub]

lots of people play lotr where I live. its not a bad game

[eldargal]

My six brothers and I all had our own subscriptions once, now we share one and sometimes buy extras from the store if it is a particularly good issue. I have to say it is improving though, especially with the promise of regular scrolls of binding and such in WD. Not to mention rumours of a similar WD lists and such for 40k.

Also, I actually enjoy Standard Bearer. Seriously, people whine about WD not having enough hobby articles then they whine about the one regular articles about various facets of the hobby even if it isn't modelling or painting.


Now if White Dwarf was actually a magazine I cared about. I have bought every issue since 223 and I am not going to renew. Just so much crap in that magazine.

I only play 40K. And I really can't stand that they still waste so much space on LoTR which NO ONE plays. If it was just Fantasy I could handle it, but LoTR is basically a specialist game.

And how about useful articles on painting, conversions and terrain building like they used to have? Now it is just so much crap and useless Battle Reports.

My 2 Imperial Credits.

Alec

[Cherub]

People like to whine its what makes the interwebz so great....and so annoying.

I picked up the privateer press mag last night just to compare with the white dwarf and SHOCK they do the same stuff that WD does. Lots of adds, painting and hobby articles.

I must say though the article in the WD about the skullvane manse is nicely timed as I'm painting lots and lots of terrain right now.

[Psychosplodge]

I've had this argument with a store manager today who was trying to get me to subscribe. Why would I pay in advance for something to come later than the release date? and if I was that bothered by a cover price saving all gw products are available elsewhere cheaper if you want to wait :mad:

[Cherub]

I dont subscribe....my FLGS sells his product at american prices (I live in Canada where the prices are a tad higher) so my WD is cheaper there.

[Wildeybeast]

So, January's issue turned up on release date too! I must admit I am shocked, but looks like GW may have actually dropped their much criticised 'treat subcribers badly policy'. I wonder what has motivated this? Negative reaction? A drop in subcriber numbers? Or simply no noticeable difference of in-store WD sales? Whatever, it looks like we got through to them (assuming, of course, I'm not the only one to get their copy today).

[eldargal]

They did say at Games Day Australia (where people actually had the sense to ask questions that they said they might answer, unlike GD UK ie not release related) that they always invited consumer feedback and would change policies accordingly. It seems they have done so, which is good because it made no sense at all.:rolleyes:

[Wildeybeast]

None whatsoever. Did they really think that people were going to cancel their subscription and go into a store to pick one up on release day? Most subscribers, like myself, do so for the ease of having it delevered to my door, as opposed to the 40 minute round trip to go into town to get a copy. Good to see that they do listen and respond to at least some customer feedback, well done GW.

[HsojVvad]

What I find so funny is alot of people here complain about WD, but still have subscriptions. That I can't understand.

My question is, why do you even buy WD? I am just curious. Maybe I am missing something since I haven't bought one in over 5 years.

[Wildeybeast]

Not sure if that question was directed to me, or just a general one, but I'll field it anyway. I don't have any major problems with the content of WD (other than the consistent and inexcusable grammatical errors) in fact I quite like reading the insights into the design process, Jervis' thoughts in standard bearer and the tatical insights granted by battle reports. My issue was that I signed up for my subscription many moons ago on the basis that it would be delivered to my door in time for release day. GW broke that contract, for no good reason, when they decided to start posting it out on release day, meaning on some occasions I had to wait up to a week after release to get hold of a copy. Most other subscribers had similar feelings and experiences and GW now wisely seems to have gone back to the old policy of getting it to people on release day.

[eldargal]

My six brothers and I used to have a subscription each, over the past five years it whittled down to us now sharing one, so I wouldn't say we subscribe in spite of complaints. Every now and then when there is an issue that we like we weill buy another copy. I have to sya I think WD has been on the improve since SoM, I'm not quite at the point of getting my own subscription again but I think perhaps by the end of this year I might be if they keep it up.

As Wildey says, subscriptions were good because it got delivered to your door before you could buy it in the stores (and for a little bit more you could get the subscription model). Having subscribers get it after stores was ridiculous, there is no reason to subscribe if I can wander down to GW or some other store and pick it up days before it would arrive.

[DrLove42]

My subscription has just expired. I didn't renew it. If I continue to hear WD being delivered on the day of release, i'll probably renew. I buy them all anyway, may as well get em cheaper