Games Day UK Preview
In a few short days, Games Day UK will finally be here. The ‘home’ event of Games Workshop usually gives the biggest hints of forthcoming projects and the first glimses of the latest advanced releases. Here is a round up of what I’m expecting:
Warhammer
With the release of 8th Edition, there seems to be more of a focus on Fantasy this time around.
High Elves feature prominently, with at least two big games based on the new Island of Blood boxed set and the early availability of the new plastic kits. These are on sale just one week before general release though, so there may be something else on the sales stands too? Dark Eldar perhaps? Maybe that is just wishful thinking!
Other sneak peeks may include Orcs and Goblins or Tomb Kings.
As mentioned above, the biggest gaming tables of all will probably be based around the Island of Blood. There is also a big display from the Studio based on the Siege of Volganoff
Warhammer 40K
There’s one thing in the minds of most 40K players heading to Games Day …
Dark Eldar! This has been confirmed and Jes Goodwin will be on hand to discuss the new minatures. We’re expecting more details of this over the next couple of days. Will there be any available to purchase, probably not, but there is a slight chance. We should certainly get some good pictures of the assembled plastics and metal characters, and the sprues too. A fuzzy image has been leaked onto the net and things are looking very tasty for the nasty side of the Eldar.
Grey Knights? We’re all hoping we’ll get a sneaky peek at something from the Ordo Malleus.
Tau? Necrons? Templars? A few people have been muttering about them, but most of us think it is unlikely that we’ll see anything.
Gaming Tables – There are at least two big Imperial Guard battles to take part in. One is based on Gav Thorpe’s “Path of the Warrior” novel, the other is a daring escape from the clutches of the Tyranids. There are also bound to be some ridiculously epic constructions from the GW stores and gaming clubs.
Lord of the Rings
The new Dwarves, Goblins and Cave Drake will certainly be around, beyond that, who knows!
There will be a few big battles of course, the biggest two I know of are based in the Dark Lord’s lands. The first is based on the march of Aragorn the King and the free people on the Black Gate. The other is Sûladan’s assault on the city of Abrakân, city of the Golden King.
Forgeworld
The biggest thing will be the new Badab War book, which is the first of two parts. The second is supposedly out in November. Alongside this are the lovely Huron sculpt, plus Red Scorpions Magister Loth, the power armour upgrade sets and the new character upgrage kit too. Lots of stuff for the marine players amongst us.
In addition, Forgeworld are usually quite open about forthcoming work. Up to yet we have heard that work is in progress on an Imperial Armour book which features “…snow, Eldar and a popular Space Marine Chapter” – Space Wolves perhaps? Also, we’ll probably see an updated Phantom/Warlock titan, and there are mutterings of other Eldar projects in the wings too.
There are two Forgeworld seminars going on – I will try my hardest to be in one!
Black Library
Pre-release versions of The First Heretic, Sabbat Worlds, Ciaphas Cain: The Emperor’s Finest and Zombieslayer will be on sale. Also, the tradition Games Day chapbook is called Bloodline and is written by James Swallow.
Signings are from 1000-1200 and 1300-1600. The guys behind the Ultramarines movie will be with Dan Abnett from 1300-1400.
Fantasy Flight Games
FFG will be giving demo games of Chaos in the Old World, Warhammer: Invasion, Death Angel and Horus Heresy. The Horus Heresy game is probably their finest work yet (in my opinion anyhow) and is certainly worth checking out. Chaos in the Old World is good for a giggle! The four Chaos gods play in such characterful and different ways, so you can choose a god suitable to your preferred playing style (so that is the mindless slaughter of Khorne for me then!).
Computer Games
There will be extensive previews of ‘Space Marine’ and ‘Dawn of War 2: Retribution’ and the chance to play some ‘Dawn of War 2: Chaos Rising’ too. There may even be some news on Dawn of War 3!?
Well – there’s bound to be lots of other stuff going on. I will endeavor to update BoLS with anything and everything I find as quickly as I can. For the very latest, I suggest you follow me on twitter, as I will be sending stuff straight there from my phone. If you see me knocking about in my lovely BoLS hoodie, please come and say hello and tell me about any news you’ve seen or heard. If there’s anything in particular you would like me to try and find out, drop me an email and let me know!
