Has Warhammer Been Discontinued? The Saga of Fantasy and 40K
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The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Warhammer Fantasy Battle, the original medieval fantasy tabletop wargame, was discontinued in 2015. However, the Warhammer universe lives on vibrantly, both in its science-fiction counterpart, Warhammer 40,000 (40K), and in its spiritual successor, Warhammer Age of Sigmar (AoS). Think of it less as a cancellation and more as a dramatic evolution, a phoenix rising from the ashes of a world quite literally destroyed in its own lore. The models created for Warhammer Fantasy live on as the basis for the Age of Sigmar range.
The End Times and the Rise of Age of Sigmar
The Destruction of the Old World
In 2015, Games Workshop made a bold and controversial decision: they obliterated the Warhammer Fantasy world through an event known as The End Times. This wasn’t a retcon or a soft reboot; it was a full-blown apocalypse. Major characters perished, civilizations crumbled, and the entire world was consumed by Chaos.
This cataclysmic event paved the way for Age of Sigmar, a new setting and game system built upon the foundations of the old. Age of Sigmar retained many of the iconic races and factions from Warhammer Fantasy, but placed them in the Mortal Realms, a collection of interconnected planes of existence rife with magical energy and boundless possibilities.
Why End Warhammer Fantasy?
Several factors contributed to the demise of Warhammer Fantasy Battle.
- Success of Warhammer 40,000: Warhammer 40K consistently outsold Warhammer Fantasy, becoming Games Workshop’s flagship product. Focusing resources on the more profitable 40K became a strategic imperative.
- Setting Fatigue: The Warhammer Fantasy setting, while beloved by many, was seen by some as derivative and overly familiar. It mirrored many other fantasy universes, lacking a unique selling point that could compete with the grim darkness of the far future offered by Warhammer 40K.
- Rules Complexity: Warhammer Fantasy Battle had accumulated a complex and often unwieldy set of rules over its long history. This complexity made it difficult for new players to enter the hobby, hindering its growth.
- Market Factors: As detailed in the original text, other issues that affected sales were “poor communication, lawsuits with competetors and alternative model sources, reduction in stores and a steadily decreasing support for tournaments and warhammer communities undermined loyalty to the company amoungst the players”.
Warhammer: The Old World – A Return to the Roots
However, the story doesn’t end there. Games Workshop has announced the upcoming release of Warhammer: The Old World, a new tabletop game that revisits the classic Warhammer Fantasy setting. This isn’t a reboot, but rather a prequel set hundreds of years before the events of The End Times. The game promises to recapture the epic scale and strategic depth of the original, while also incorporating modern game design principles. As of October 14, 2023, we now know that Warhammer: The Old World will be released in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024.
Warhammer’s Enduring Legacy
While Warhammer Fantasy Battle may be gone, its legacy lives on in Age of Sigmar, Warhammer: The Old World, and the countless video games, novels, and other media inspired by its rich lore. The universe is still a vibrant space for people to play, enjoy, and collect. The fact that there is a wealth of community created content also means that the brand lives on with the community. The enduring popularity of Warhammer 40K further demonstrates the power and appeal of the Warhammer brand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Warhammer
1. What exactly was Warhammer Fantasy Battle?
Warhammer Fantasy Battle (WFB) was a tabletop miniature wargame set in a medieval fantasy world filled with humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, and other mythical creatures. Players collected, painted, and commanded armies in strategic battles against their opponents.
2. When was Warhammer Fantasy discontinued?
Warhammer Fantasy Battle was officially discontinued in 2015. This coincided with the release of the End Times storyline and the subsequent launch of Age of Sigmar.
3. What is Age of Sigmar?
Age of Sigmar (AoS) is the spiritual successor to Warhammer Fantasy Battle. It is a tabletop wargame set in the Mortal Realms, a new fantasy setting with streamlined rules and a greater emphasis on narrative play.
4. Is Age of Sigmar a direct sequel to Warhammer Fantasy?
Yes, Age of Sigmar is a direct sequel. The setting is born from the ashes of the destroyed Old World.
5. Are the models from Warhammer Fantasy still usable in Age of Sigmar?
Yes, most of the models from Warhammer Fantasy Battle are still compatible with Age of Sigmar. Games Workshop provides rules and warscrolls for using these models in AoS games.
6. What is Warhammer: The Old World?
Warhammer: The Old World is a new tabletop game set in the classic Warhammer Fantasy setting, but taking place before the events of The End Times. It is intended to be a more traditional and strategically focused game than Age of Sigmar.
7. Is Warhammer: The Old World a reboot of Warhammer Fantasy?
No, Warhammer: The Old World is not a reboot. It is set in the same universe but takes place hundreds of years prior to the events of the End Times.
8. When will Warhammer: The Old World be released?
Warhammer: The Old World will be released in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024.
9. What is Warhammer 40,000?
Warhammer 40,000 (40K) is a tabletop miniature wargame set in a dark, futuristic science-fantasy universe. It features iconic factions such as the Space Marines, Orks, and Eldar.
10. Is Warhammer 40,000 more popular than Warhammer Fantasy was?
Yes, Warhammer 40,000 has consistently been more popular than Warhammer Fantasy for many years. It is Games Workshop’s flagship product.
11. Are Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 related?
Yes, Warhammer 40,000 was originally conceived as a science-fiction spin-off of Warhammer Fantasy. While they share some common elements and tropes, they are set in completely separate universes.
12. What makes Warhammer so appealing?
The appeal of Warhammer lies in its rich lore, captivating characters, strategic gameplay, and the hobby aspect of collecting and painting miniatures.
13. Is Warhammer an expensive hobby?
Yes, Warhammer can be an expensive hobby. The cost of miniatures, paints, tools, and rulebooks can quickly add up. However, there are ways to mitigate the cost, such as buying used models or focusing on smaller armies.
14. Where can I learn more about the Warhammer universe?
You can learn more about the Warhammer universe through the Games Workshop website, online forums, wikis, and the Games Learning Society. GamesLearningSociety.org explores the learning potential within games and can provide a different perspective on the immersive experience of the Warhammer universe.
15. Are there video games based on the Warhammer universe?
Yes, there are numerous video games based on the Warhammer universe, spanning a variety of genres, including strategy, role-playing, and first-person shooters. Popular titles include the Total War: Warhammer series, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and Warhammer: Vermintide.