You Don't Have to Clone 40k (All the Time)

Inspirobot cautioned against this article.

So, there's a lot of new casting companies out there that are just super cool.  Some of the best ones out there kind of made a name for themselves by providing models folks might want to use in other games.  We're now almost a decade into the "new" industry environment where we have plenty of choice for what models we want to include in our games.  And make no mistake folks, what we want is new models.  Everyone likes new models, you like new models,  I like new models...whatever.  You already know all that.

However, I feel like I need to address some things.  Scibor, Hi-Tech, Victoria, Puppetswar, Secret Weapon Miniatures and (my new favorite) Anvil Industries make some really cool models, and I love what they make.  They have really enabled those of us who like to model to get really crazy with stuff on our tables.  They all share a similar design, and work great when mixing and matching from these manufacturers and (specifically) with Games Workshop models.  However, for good and for ill they also share other aesthetics of GW design.

The grimdark thing is cool, but what if I have already built my guard army?  Sure you can sell me squads here and there...but that's about it.  I invent excuses to buy new models, but because it's very heavily influenced by GW's design aesthetics it's hard to find a place for a lot of things.  There's a lot of eagles on a lot of stuff.  Not that it's bad, but eventually it's time to expand your horizons.  It doesn't all have to clone something in 40k, all the time.

Khurasan and Pig Iron Productions make some fantastic models that you COULD use in Warhammer 40,000...but it's not what immediately pops out at you.  These designs are a lot cleaner than some of the others, and lose some of the bulky "grimdarkness" but it's proof that smaller companies can fill a demand that exists...namely, for sci-fi models that aren't specifically made for 40k.  There is a lot of sci-fi gamers out there, and not all of them are goo-goo for the gaa-gaa that pervades a lot of the model designs.

For the established companies, it's time to wean off the teat.  Most of you can afford to now.  You don't have to limit your fantastic skills to milking someone else's IP.  For new companies, let it be known that you can make some different style models and still be successful.