What Comes After White Dwarf
We all know the monthly White Dwarf is history. Here is what is said to be coming next month:
via ACE01
White Dwarf as we know it today is no more.
Jan 2014 (Tyranids) was the last edition. 2 New publications are to replace the mag, as follows:
White Dwarf Weekly:
Priced at £2.50 (or £2.75?), this will be a weekly publication which will contain new release info and pictures, battle reports, gaming articles and Jervis (& possibly Vetock). A small volume (~1/3 the size of current WD) intended more for the ‘gaming’ crowd.
Warhammer: Visions
The new monthly mag now priced at £7.50 and for your extra £2 gets a ~100 page bump to 252 pages. Current WD subscribers will get mail containing info on their subscription and how it will be affected (a legal requirement for those paying by DD in the UK). Visions caters for the ‘hobby’ crowd, and will focus on collecting, painting (paint splatter) and conversions (kit bash), and will include Blanchitsu, Armies on Parade/Golden Daemon (Parade Ground) & Design Studio (This month in x) updates.
Commentary:
I’m indifferent about this update and change to my main monthly hobby mag, an extra 66% page count increase for a 36% cost increase doesn’t seem too bad, assuming the content is worthwhile rather than filler. For me (and many people), the highlights of WD we’re the insights and inspiration coming from columns like Blanchitsu and from the Design Studio, so the appeal of the new Warhammer Visions remains, and I think the new title is suitable.
On the subject of WD Weekly, I can see why people are struggling with it a little more, though I’m keeping an open mind. An extra ~£10 per month for access to gaming articles (and new release ads) is difficult to justify, as personally I don’t think the current WD style, tone and level of report has really found a target audience that would buy them outright. As a very simple, brief report with a heavy bias towards the new release of the month as they currently are in WD, a mag of battle reports and ‘ads’ doesn’t sound appealing, particularly as many already think that the current WD is too focussed on advertising.
The potential of the weekly, however, is exciting. WDW could provide Datasheets, Battlescrolls, altars of war etc as physical counterparts to the digital releases providing those who don’t own/want the required tech to get access. Coverage of long lost topics from the past could resurface, articles on campaigns, scenarios, and even tactics would bring something missing back to the current white dwarf.
A bit more extreme, perhaps, but GW could also decide to use the mag as an opportunity to completely alter the way they handle release windows, to allow models to be released at a whim, more in line with how projects are handled at the design studio. Allowing the flavour of the month to occupy, for example the first three weeks of a month would leave one or two slots for additional kits or collections for another army or game. This style of release could even allow for more rapid response to purchasing trends, allowing GW to take advantage of sales popularity on particular SKU’s, or provide content top boost others, helping them flatten their revenue model. Mid-term changes to – or updates for – armies are something I think the whole gaming community would welcome.
Right now, I’m interested to see what direction the pair of publications take…
ACE01
