[Epic] GW BOYCOTT (MUST READ IMEADIATELY) (fwd)
IN GAMING HALLS, May 27th, 1997
A Declaration
By the GAMERS of the
WORLD COMMUNITY,
In a general game assembled
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one group
of Gamers to dissolve the Gaming Bonds which have connected them with
another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and
equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle
them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self evident, that all Gamers are created
equal, they the are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are, unambiguous rules, complete rule sets,
affordable miniatures and the pursuit of fair and friendly games. That
to secure these Rights, Gaming companies are instituted among men,
deriving their powers form the consent of the Gamers, that whenever any
form of Gaming Company becomes destructive of these ends, it is the
Rights of the Gamers to alter, abolish it, institute new games or to
purchase from new gaming companies. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that
Gaming companies should not be changed for light and transient Causes;
and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Gamers are more disposed
to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by
abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long
Train of Editions, and Price Raises, pursuing invariable the same
Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Monopoly, it is
their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Gaming Companies, and
to provide new Games for their future entertainments. Such has been the
patient Sufferance of these Gamers; and such is now the Necessity which
constrains them to alter their Gaming Company. The History of the
President of Games Workshop is a History of repeated injuries and price
gouges, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute
monopoly over these Gamers. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a
candid World.
They have instituted continuous price increases without justification.
They have produced miniatures for numbers of years, without change in
form and charged a greater price.
They have NOT produced miniatures for army books that have been out for
years.
They have constantly revised editions of games and forced us to buy the
latest editions. The changes have been too drastic to allow editions to
play together.
They have constantly produced miniatures, included with their games
that many gamers do not want, but give no allowance to this.
They have consistently produced games without complete rules sets, as
to allow them to sell us future rules that should have been included.
They have consistently produced game for which support is dropped in 18
months.
They have produced rule sets that are ambiguous and force us to buy a
monthly magazine for "official" answers.
They have taken a gaming magazine, added "official" rules and sold us
the latest catalogue.
They have "promised" that army books would be compatible with the
latest edition of Warhammer and then proceed to rewrite them. Thus,
forcing us to purchase OUR army books again.
They have replaced metal miniatures with plastic ones and either kept
the price the same or raised the price.
They have reduced the number of "plastic" miniatures in the plastic
boxed set, to allow us to "easier field our regiments" but now lowered
the price.
They have disallowed older "official Citadel" miniatures in
tournaments, saying that they are no longer "official"
They insist that all miniatures be what you see is what you get, or not
allow their use in games.
They have made the Rhino model from the same mold for over ten years.
Yet they have went form $12.50 US for two to $18.00 US for one.
They have produced plastic Terminator models and attempted to sell them
for the outrageous price of $6.00 U.S. each.
They have put item such as the Forbidden Rod, The Book of Ashur in our
games.
They have insulted us by saying "if the rules don't cover it, roll a
d6", because they have written poor rule sets.
They have taken rules from older editions of games and introduced them
as "new", in rewritten Army books.
They have reduced the number of models in a blister pack from 3 to 2
and raised prices of the packs.
They charge outrageous prices for "Special Characters" even though you
only get one miniature in the pack, and then disallow them in a
tournament games.
They remake demon models and raise the price 300%.
They make regiments of troops in Fantasy Battle not worth buying, eg.
Two Skaven Slaves for $6.00 US for 4 pts. of models in the game.
They have given snotty customer service calls, requesting that the
"Consumer" say "Please!", when it is clear that they should say
"Please!" to us!
They have harassed distributors for selling the product they buy as
seeing fit.
They have harassed store owners for the way they decide to conduct
business.
They have often said that gamers should use their own models and
conversions, but will not allow them in a tournament.
They have played games with the consumer, by repurchasing, repackaging
and reselling miniatures at a higher price.
They have produced a game Epic 40K which changed army organization and
figure basing, in order to sell us new miniatures.
They have lowered the age requirements of their games and their
complexity, in order to lure in new gamers at a lower age level.
Therefore abandoning the older gamers that have played their games for
some time.
They have misrepresented their position on the "Current Status" of
gaming systems.
They have left many gamers without support, because of slowing sales.
Which they then reproduce after a number of years with new rules and
miniatures.
They have added elements of randomness to our games that add nothing to
gamely, but unbalances thing to a greater degree.
They have been utterly insensitive to the voices of gamers, their needs
or their economic station.
They have ignored pleas for justification of price increases and led
us to believe it was for "quality" alone.
In every stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in
the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only be
repeated Injury. A Company, whose Character is thus marked by every act
which may define a Monopoly, is unfit to be the Gaming supplier to a
free gaming People.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the WORLD GAMING COMMUNITY, in
General agreement, appealing to the Gamers of the world for the
rectitude of our intentions, do , in the Name, and by Authority of the
good Gamers of the World, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these
Gamers are, and of Right, ought to be, Free and Independent of Games
Workshop. That they are absolved from all Allegiance to any rules
systems and products they produce, and that all commercial Connection
between them and the Company of Games Workshop is and ought to be
totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent Gamers, they have
full Power to play and buy any games system, with any miniatures they
see fit, and to change any rules and any miniatures in order for a
better game. Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we
mutually pledge to each other our games, our fortunes, and our sacred
Honor.
Signed,
Gerald McVicker,
Member of the "World Gaming Community"
Feel free to copy this and replace it with your name. Send copies to
your
friends. Make a statement to Games Workshop, send them a copy as well.
Let them know, that WE the WORLD GAMING COMMUNITY have the economic
power
to decide which companies will supply us with out entertainment. Make
them
remember that they work and cater to our needs, and that we will NOT be
slaves to their prices!
Received on Thu Jan 01 1970 - 00:00:00 UTC
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