In a surprising twist for Warhammer enthusiasts, Games Workshop has decided to bring back the special edition of “Siege of Terra: End of Ruin” after a chaotic pre-order launch. Scalpers previously caused a website meltdown, forcing the company to reconsider its approach.
Back in June, Games Workshop faced an unexpected challenge when scalpers overwhelmed the pre-order system for the highly anticipated “Siege of Terra: End of Ruin” special edition. This incident led to the temporary shutdown of the Warhammer.com website, creating a stir among fans.
Set in the aftermath of the Siege of Terra during the infamous Horus Heresy, the “Siege of Terra: End of Ruin” is a collection of compelling short stories. For those unfamiliar, the Horus Heresy is a significant event in Warhammer 40,000 lore, depicting a civil war among Space Marines that occurred 10,000 years prior, laying the groundwork for the universe’s grim narrative.
The special edition captures the interest of lore enthusiasts with its exquisite leather-effect cover, gold detailing, and additional ornamental features. It was initially marketed as a limited-time offering, set to release on June 10 at 10am UK time.
Chaos at Launch
Games Workshop’s plan to use a queue system to manage sales unraveled as eager fans faced difficulty in securing their copies. Social media platforms buzzed with complaints, and discussions erupted on various forums as Warhammer.com abruptly went offline. This downtime left the community puzzled.
In an uncommon move, Games Workshop addressed the situation by explaining that scalpers attempted to manipulate the system using bots. The company stated that their vigilant team identified the issue in time, leading to the temporary shutdown of the site for protection.
Half a year passed without further updates, but the wait is over. Games Workshop is reintroducing the “Siege of Terra: End of Ruin” special edition with a new sales strategy that has already garnered excitement among fans.
A New Hope for Fans
According to an announcement on the Warhammer Community platform, the special edition will be available for ordering this weekend as part of a “guaranteed stock run.” Fans can place their orders between Saturday and 8am UK time on Christmas Eve, ensuring they receive a copy. This strategy involves printing the books based on demand, with potential delivery taking up to 180 days.
Fans have embraced the news enthusiastically, celebrating this as a victory against scalpers. “Era of Ruinin’ Scalps,” was a jubilant cry from one fan, while others praised the print-on-demand approach as a clever move.
Many are hopeful this method will extend to future special editions, expressing willingness to wait longer for their copies if it means fairer access. “It’s about freaking time,” exclaimed one supporter, while another saw it as a game-changer with transformative potential.
Games Workshop has long struggled with pre-order challenges, particularly with exclusive editions falling prey to scalpers who resell at inflated prices. This new approach could finally ensure these coveted books reach genuine fans.
Image credit: Games Workshop.
Games Workshop is reintroducing the “Siege of Terra: End of Ruin” special edition with a new sales strategy that has already garnered excitement among fans.