Finecast and Price Increases

Games Workshop has been the centre of much discussion on the interwebs over the past couple of weeks.  First, the rumoured move from metal miniatures to resin was confirmed and second, that announcement was coupled with an announced price increase on some of the GW range.

Finecast looks  like a good move to me.  The GW blog today shows us some of the new minis and promises us more glimpses over the coming week.  The detail on the minis they've pictured are stunning.  This is a real move forward in the mass production of gaming miniatures.  Usually, minis of this high a standard are produced in small batches, but these will be produced in large quantities and should be readily available from multiple retailers (rather than only a handful of online sellers). 

GW has even converted some multi-model kits from metal to resin.  These models look better and will definitely be much lighter in the carrying bag and on the table, giving people even more opportunities for amazing basing.  The article even points out the sculptors may now try things that they could not do before due to limitations when it came to producing the model.  I for one am looking forward to picking up a couple of special characters I've had my eye on and I am not too fussed if I have to pay a bit extra.

Which brings us to the second reason GW has been making waves lately.  A 20% price increase on part of their line.  People have been going mental about a relatively small price increase.  My theory is that people are snapping for one of two reasons.  First, everything has become much more expensive over the past year or two and salaries have not kept pace.  People are seeing their real income drop when inflation is taken into account.  Now you tell them that not only is a tank of gas 75% more expensive and a box of cereal is 150% more expensive, you tell them that their toys are going up in price too.  Snappo!  The second alternative is that there are so many "squirrels" (flitting from thing to thing and ending up with a closet full of unopened and assembled toys)  in the hobby that they cannot conceive of a way to cope with limiting their purchases. Panic leads to fear, fear leads to hate, hate leads to frothing at the mouth and gnashing of teeth on the internet.

For me, I have a set amount of money I spend each month on my hobby and often don't even use all of the money.  I think very carefully about what I wish to buy and shop endlessly for the best price.  Price increases mean I either buy less or increase the amount I spend each month.  I guess that it will lead to buying slightly less.  I am sure this is something that GW has factored into its' decision to increase prices.

Finally, rarely do you get more for less in our world.  GW has spent a considerable amount money and time improving their technology and processes, so that they can provide truly fantastic miniatures.  I've only been in the hobby for a little over a year, but I look at the difference between older kits and newer kits and I'm stunned.  All of this costs money.  GW has decided to go the way of quality rather than quantity (see Mantic Games).  Both are acceptable, just different.  Personally, I will pay for better.  After all, this is a discretionary expense we're talking about, not the weekly groceries.