Games Workshop Shuts Down Warhammer.com Amid Scalper Chaos

Games Workshop faced significant challenges during the pre-order launch of the special edition book "Siege of Terra: End of Ruin," causing their website to go offline after scalpers overwhelmed the queue system. This highly anticipated release is a part of the Horus Heresy lore, crucial for fans of Warhammer 40,000. The special edition features a luxurious design, but the pre-order process was marred by issues as bots bypassed safeguards, prompting Games Workshop to temporarily disable their website. They have since assured fans that the book will be sold to genuine customers once they resolve these distribution issues. This incident has spurred discussions among the community regarding potential improvements to the pre-order system, including the possibility of raffles or tests to ensure that true fans can secure the coveted edition.

"Siege of Terra: End of Ruin" is pivotal in the Warhammer 40,000 lore as it explores the aftermath of the Siege of Terra, a critical event in the Horus Heresy saga that shaped the universe's grimdark narrative. This anthology offers insights into the conflicts that ensued post-siege and adds depth to the ongoing stories within the Warhammer 40K setting.

Warhammer 40,000, often referred to simply as 40K, is a tabletop wargame created by Games Workshop that has garnered a massive following since its launch in the 1980s. The game is set in a dystopian science fiction universe inhabited by various factions, including Space Marines, Chaos forces, and xenos races. In addition to the tabletop game, Warhammer 40,000 has expanded into various forms of media, including novels, video games, and upcoming cinematic adaptations spearheaded by Henry Cavill, enhancing its popularity and reach across different platforms. The ongoing success of Warhammer 40K has led to significant financial achievements for Games Workshop, including substantial employee bonuses reflecting their strong market performance.