Virtualisation of 40k

[forteh]

Hi Hive,
Following a discussion with a friend the other week he suggested the following should be done with 40k in addition to the current game.

Create a faithful turn by turn pc/console simulation of 40k, much like the bloodbowl and spacehulk games but with the addition of a microtransaction system for codexes, units and DLC (dataslates).

Basic premis is that you buy the game as a starter set (as per the DV box) for a low cost - about 20-25 pounds. This comes with a pair of basic armies and the ability to play straight from the box, it contains the ruleset and codex information for the two supplied factions. If you want to expand on the base army you can buy units (much like we do with miniatures) in a group for a nominal fee (say a couple of pounds for a virtual box of tactical marines) and that then gets stored in your library of units and can be selected for future army lists. Want a rhino to transport them, head to the store and pick one up for less than the cost of a pint of beer.

If you want to start a new faction simply buy the codex for 5 pounds or so and start purchasing units. Additional content like apocalypse and associated units could be added at later dates and streamed out to all users.

Implementing it through steam as per bloodbowl and spacehulk makes the microtransaction side of things pretty seamless and if an editor is included then a whole host of user created scenarios, maps and campaigns could be available through the steam workshop.

Play could be PvP or against AI (obviously far more challenge PvP) but should imho be rigid turn based as per the real game, perhaps with the option to save session progress and pick up at another time that suits both players.

What says the hive? I like the concept and would definitely buy into it, it could also be a massive fund generator for GW if it's done properly and potentially open up the physical game to a whole group of new players.

[WestRider]

It already exists, but because it infringes on GW's IP, we don't talk about it on the Hive.

[forteh]

I mean fully lisenced by GW not vassal which has nothing to do with GW and is content generated by 3rd party

[mattblowers]

I sit in front of a screen too much at work. The last thing I want to do is sit in front of a screen to play 40K. I'll stick with miniatures. That might be showing my age though.

[tarrasque]

I do a lot of gaming, and would always look forward to a new 40k PC game. That being said, it can't come close to the hobby. The whole modeling, painting, and sense of personal accomplishment as your army grows just can't be adequately replicated virtually.

Edit: Plus, you can't match the feeling of seeing two fully painted armies on a detailed board full of scenery.

[julianrwr]

I think the idea of having to constantly pay to keep on playing kinda sucks
If im going to play a videogame of WH40K it should have all the armies fully updated by the time its released
But i also find vassal pretty boring so i don't think i'd like this game

[forteh]

I agree that it wouldn't come close to the hobby side of it, but it would certainly be far more accessible to a wider audience who may then go onto the physical side of the game.

The concept isn't that you pay to play, you pay to collect, once you have paid for a unit then it's yours to use how you will - exactly like miniatures.

[killercroc]

If we did this then we'd miss out on the amazing opportunities of social interaction at the game clubs.

[Yautja]

I subscribed to World of Warcraft for a few years. I'd certainly do so for an official digital 40k game. Never going to happen though as it would affect their model sales no doubt.

[arapaima]

I think a 40k turnbase skirmish game in the vein of xcom enemy unknown will deffinately interest me. Sure having a virtual copy of a unit is not as satisfying as owning an actual miniature, but this can be compensated by watching a nid rip a marine to pieces in state of the art 3D glory.

[Yautja]

I love xcom. A 40k version would be awesome and would be too small in scale to step on the real game's toes.

[kenji10000]

Well for Warhammer fantasy there is a site called universal battle. I'm sure it could be used for 40k games, the systems are somewhat similar already.

[doomminion]

I'd also build in an army painter into the game so people could customise the colour schemes of their army.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards

[roughjnick]

It all comes down to what your favourite aspects of the hobby are. For those who find building models a chore but love the gaming side something like this done well would likely be appealing. It would make for quick games allowing you to try out different armies and scenarios.

For those who love the modeling and painting aspect of course it's never going to replace the tabletop game. I'm personally in this group as not only do I love the artistic aspect I love having the physical items (I still prefer having a physical cd or dvd rather than a downloaded copy as well). Of course that doesn't mean I wouldn't get both. I loved the Dawn of War games and bought them all.

Unfortunately it's unlikely we'll ever see a licensed digital version as it would need constant updates to stay in line with the tabletop release schedule. That would mean a subscription would have to be in place. Dawn of War was one of the closest representations of the 40k game in terms of fluff and that wasn't even turn based and therefore used totally different mechanics.

[vectron]

It would need a constant source of revenue, but it need to be a subscription. A couple of alternatives:

Selling digital products like MtG:Online could be tied into the physical game, by bundling redeemable vouchers for the same units ingame (eg. buy a plastic Hive Tyrant and get one ingame for free).

Free to play but purchasable/unlockable visual upgrades like in DotA 2; skins, models etc.

Freemium; free to play but you need to unlock units/upgrades to use them by grinding, or pay to skip grinding.

Of those I'd prefer the 2nd, then the 1st.