RE: [Epic] GW BOYCOTT (MUST READ IMEADIATELY) (fwd)

From: Mark Leaman <mleaman_at_...>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 1997 15:58:47 -0400

Perhaps I'll dump all my GW hobby stuff for model trains.

>-----Original Message-----
>From: PAULO ALEXANDRE CORREIA POMBAL(leic)
>[SMTP:pacp_at_...]
>Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 1997 1:40 PM
>To: space-marine_at_...
>Subject: [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 Tue Jun 03 1997 - 19:58:47 UTC