Games Workshop took its website, Warhammer.com, offline after scalpers triggered chaos during the pre-order launch of the Siege of Terra: End of Ruin special edition book.
The Warhammer publisher opened pre-orders for the highly anticipated Siege of Terra: End of Ruin special edition, a new anthology of short stories set in the aftermath of the Siege of Terra and the Horus Heresy. For those unfamiliar, the Horus Heresy depicts the Space Marine civil war 10,000 years before the Warhammer 40,000 timeline, laying the groundwork for its grimdark universe and explaining the Emperor’s entombment on the Golden Throne.
Siege of Terra: End of Ruin is a major release for Warhammer 40K lore enthusiasts, with its special edition boasting a leather-effect cover, gold foil accents, gilt page edges, and a metal emblem of a shattered Imperial eagle.
Games Workshop announced the special edition would be available “strictly while stocks last,” with sales starting at 10am UK time on June 10. A queue system was promised to ensure fair access.
However, the queue system faltered, leaving eager fans unable to secure their pre-orders. As complaints flooded social media, Discord, and Reddit, Warhammer.com abruptly went offline, leaving fans puzzled.
And so, it begins
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Frustration mounted among fans who had set aside time for the pre-order launch, only to be left empty-handed. Games Workshop later issued a rare statement, explaining it had intentionally taken Warhammer.com offline after detecting scalpers bypassing its safeguards.
“Scalpers used bots to circumvent our protections,” Games Workshop stated. “Our vigilant Tech Priests spotted this in real-time, so we shut down Warhammer.com.”
As a result, Siege of Terra: End of Ruin is currently unavailable on Warhammer.com, replaced by a page offering email notifications. Games Workshop reassured fans the special edition is still coming, emphasizing, “We’re determined to ensure true fans get it.”
“We’re canceling all fraudulent orders,” the company added. “Please bear with us as we resolve this.”
The statement has somewhat eased fan frustration over the troubled launch, with some calling Games Workshop’s response a “small win” against scalpers, though skepticism persists about its ability to counter bots. Suggestions include adopting a raffle system, as used by other companies, or requiring fans to pass a Horus Heresy quiz to prove their dedication.
Games Workshop has long faced pre-order issues, with special edition book launches frequently targeted by scalpers who resell at inflated prices. Attention now turns to how the company will manage the relaunch of Siege of Terra: End of Ruin pre-orders.
Notably, Games Workshop, based in Nottingham, UK, is thriving, recently distributing £20 million (roughly $27 million) in staff bonuses.
While Games Workshop’s core business is selling miniatures for tabletop wargames like Warhammer 40,000, it is increasingly a major IP player, generating significant revenue from hit video games like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and animations such as Amazon’s Warhammer 40,000 Secret Level episode. Games Workshop and Amazon recently finalized a deal for Henry Cavill's Warhammer 40,000 Cinematic Universe, which will include films and TV series. Space Marine 3 is also in development.
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