Games Workshop had to temporarily shut down its official Warhammer.com website after scalpers disrupted pre-orders for the coveted Siege of Terra: End of Ruin special edition book.
The publisher launched pre-orders for this highly anticipated collector's item - an anthology of short stories set during the aftermath of the Horus Heresy, the galaxy-spanning Space Marine civil war that shaped Warhammer 40,000's grimdark universe 10,000 years before the current setting.
This deluxe edition features a faux-leather cover with gold foil detailing, gilded page edges, and an embossed metal Imperial eagle emblem. Warning of extremely limited availability, Games Workshop implemented a queue system for the June 10 launch at 10am BST.
The ordering system quickly collapsed under overwhelming demand and suspected bot activity. After widespread complaints across Warhammer communities, the website unexpectedly went offline.
"Scalping bots attempted to circumvent our security measures," Games Workshop explained. "Our technical team detected this activity in real-time, forcing us to temporarily disable Warhammer.com."
Currently, the special edition appears temporarily removed from the website with an email notification signup replacing the product page. Games Workshop assured fans that all illegitimate orders are being canceled, prioritizing genuine collectors.
While some praised the company's anti-scalper stance, longtime fans remain skeptical about lasting solutions. Suggestions include implementing raffle systems or lore-qualification requirements for premium releases.
This incident follows years of pre-order controversies surrounding Games Workshop's limited editions, which routinely appear on secondary markets at exorbitant markups. The £20 million ($27 million) employee bonus recently announced by the thriving miniature wargame company contrasts sharply with these fulfillment challenges.
Beyond its core tabletop business, Games Workshop continues expanding into digital media through partnerships like Amazon's upcoming Warhammer 40,000 cinematic universe starring Henry Cavill and the development of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3.
