The multi-region thing can’t hurt them but I think the key to their dominance is a cynical one.
Back in the 1970s(?) when they were a small London retailer in a fledgling sector of gaming they made a decision to make their retail operation exclusive. Meaning they had a high street presence in a pre-internet era selling ONLY their own product.
This turned Games Workshop into a predatory trap rather than a gateway to something larger.
In terms of pure capitalism this was absolutely the right decision, and although in some countries (such as the USA) their monopolization of retail space isn’t as total as it is the UK, their complete dominance of these core markets created a very secure business model. The lack of competition this created has also allowed all of their past missteps and problem periods.
Their business cycle is approaching a pivot point I think, due to ridiculous pricing and terrible play experience from their main games. They have plenty of resources to turn it around again and create a boom to follow the bust.
The only thing that we’ll never change is Warhammer retail stores exclusivity and thus their market dominance is secure as far as I can see.
I long for the day when I can be positive about a GW product again and you never know it could happen.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
warbossd.
