Editorial – GW Phasing Out Battleforces?
Did anyone else notice the second straight release from Games Workshop has lacked the possibly essential staple product of a Battleforce / Battalion?
Battleforce’s were in the past a fast and easy way for new players to get into the hobby at a natural discount over buying the individual kits themselves. They took up less space on the shelf, and from a business standpoint could allow GW to package slow moving kits in one big package deal to keep inventory moving.
Unfortunately they also became a go to purchase for Bits sellers looking to load up on stock quick in one convenient package, which could have possibly incensed GW into perhaps looking for an alternative to balance the overselling of product (from their standpoint) and the need to keep entry level prices attractive to new players.
For the second release in a row, the battleforce / battalion has been phased out in favor of new more expensive combo kits. The Space Marines now have the new 2013 Strike Force, and the Dark Elves have the Warhost of Naggaroth, for $225 and $170 retail respectively, both well over the normal battleforce price point.
We’ve been hearing a “big announcement” is coming in 2014 about some “new program” maybe this is one explanation?
Is it just natural to assume that the hobby is getting even more expensive for beginners, or is something more nefarious afoot? -MBG
