Empty hives: Necromunda’s problem
The new Necromunda has launched with teams for the Goliath and Escher gangs, and expanded rules for those gangs in a Gang War supplement. This is considerably less than launched the first time around, but it’s the 2018 release schedule that concerns me.
It looks like the remaining four gangs will be released at a rate of one per quarter in 2018, the order being Orlock, Van Saar, Cawdor, and Delaque. You read that correctly; one year after its release the new version of Necromunda will have the same number of gangs available as the first edition of the game had at launch.
On top of this, further Gang War supplements will be released, giving each gang expanded rules and adding weapons (and possibly other rules, such as skills) that all gangs can use. That’s right, you’ll need to keep buying those gang war books to keep your gang up to date.
This deal is looking worse all the time.
The original Necromunda launched with 6 gangs, campaign play, progression rules for gangers, and a weapons chart for everyone. Apparently it will take several books and a full year of releases for the new version to reach that level. Will anyone still be playing then?
Variety is the spice of life, and playing a game for several months with only two gangs available doesn’t appeal to me. Waiting a full 12 months for a gang, but buying supplements over those months just in case I need them later also holds little appeal.
I won’t knock the new models. The 1990s metals had their charm but the new plastics look wonderful and present some great conversion and customisation options.
However I think Necromunda’s hives will be rather empty this time with so much of the content missing.
Scent of a Gamer 
Agreed that the drip-feed release schedule makes little sense. The “get you by” lists for the other original gangs might be enough for some of us old-timers with original models to get playing, but I can’t see it being all that great if they follow the Blood Bowl formula…
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is because it is being released by Forge World not the main games Workshop business, FW have less product development funding and so a slower release schedule and a constant drip of funding are nessesary. I think It is aimed at us old timers, and people will buy the plastic gang kits whenever they come out. There will be new release hype every three months and Chaos and Genestealer Cult White Dwarf updates to keep interest in the meantime. This is actually pretty good support compared to a lot of Historical type of Wargames.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I don’t know how many times I’ve read complaints about GW not giving their other games enough support. This way they keep the game alive and in progression which I think helps maintaining interest in it. If they’d release everything at once the game be dead after that (and the price too high).
I would love for them to drop some expansions to Space Hulk for example. But I’m stuck with a few WD updates.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Honestly I think releasing the six gangs over 2-3 months would have been better. Then get some organised play to bring people into stores with their gangs.
I don’t see the new version lasting with only 2 gangs now. People waiting 12 months for their Delaque gang will be hard-pressed to find opponents.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Have to confess I am thinking as primarily a painter/collector who occasionally games… and knowing my rated project completion a couple more gangs could be out before I get the first two painted… 😂
LikeLiked by 5 people
I think everyone agrees that the game needs more gangs. That’s why House Hipster have already been announced. Sure some people out there be in for a wait (and 12 months might be too long).
LikeLiked by 3 people
While I am a huge fan of Space Hulk, it’s also a good example of a self-contained board game. I’d love to see a “Deathwing” expansion (just retool the Dark Millennium models) and rules for hybrids in s proper book, but SH is still a complete product as-is in a way that Necro Underhive very much is not.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Releasing at too slow a rate (with a mandatory “codex” purchase each time) seems a good way to kill Newcromunda without really giving it a chance to properly take off. Dave’s suggestion of 2-3 months would have been a much more sensible rate than over 12 months…
LikeLiked by 1 person