Can you fix 40k?! Chatting to a Games Designer (James Hewitt!)

[@Robbielee46]

Gary needs a service award. I worked there and gary was my manager.

[@CornishMoose]

Loving this series of "insider" videos

[@OldManRogers]

They are brilliant insights to the hobby. It might be nice to get someone more up to date on GW rules/editions (not necessarily a geedub employee) to give thoughts on 'fixing' the games but to be fair if they make 40k more like current AoS it will be a good thing

[@KrullMaestaren]

They have been solid so far. Only podcast that I bother to listen to because it is fun :)

[@demonrich]

I will forever love James Hewitt for Adeptus Titanicus

[@noserenda]

Beast game GW makes

[@T_A_WOW]

It is the best game they make!

[@84jesterx]

I've been meaning to try that one out.

[@nedosnedos7323]

I own it and have painted a bit, is it really as good as everyone says?

[@zeno6111753]

Thats the scale of which 40k should be played IMHO. If they added tanks, infantry and such I would give it a go. And of course, if the game had solid rules and support.

[@mohussain4792]

To actually have commentary and insight into the process of the workings of a games/minis studio has been such a delight to listen.

[@Paul-vt3nf]

Adeptus Titanicus is the best game I've ever played. I have converted and painted around 3000 points of corrupted nurgle titans and knights. So much fun.

[@aarontunney2628]

James is such a big gaming brain. I love hearing him chat about game design. Also, why isn’t his mash recipe in the show notes?!?

[@Majormore]

Loving all the love for Gary in the maidstone store. Lovely chap. I worked for him there for a bit in 99 before heading to the studio.

[@terrencemiltner1005]

I had a supplier who had their catalog in a three ring and would mail updates from time to time. What a great idea.

[@cinderheat]

I went to school with James, he was in the year above but we were mates! He made an awesome ork/bike/racer game that we loved playing. I've always loved seeing him do things like this.

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

Well you must be one of three people! Either way, hope you're keeping well, it's been forever.

[@cinderheat]

@@JamesWhoMakesGames Hey! Yes I was! I've just pinged you on LinkedIn

[@neilharrickey]

These pod cast round table sessions are such fun. Made my morning when this popped up

[@Kardine]

I really like the tone you handle these chats. You keep it overall very positive even though every now and then some frustrations about the workshop might show a little. :D

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

I'm diplomatic and tactful! (except on twitter)

[@christopherryder6132]

you guys really kill it with these chat shows. Definitely the most professionally done podcast since the independent characters. Thanks for the content

[@Maggers42]

Love the "GW Manuals should come in a ring binder". Like they did in Rogue trader! Where you were encouraged to cut out stuff from WD etc to add them. Or all the Orc supplements.

[@hobbybobley]

I have loved watching this video, and it was a pleasure to work with you both (Peachy & James) on Betrayal at Calth for the play-through video. They were very fun times and I have some fantastic memories of you all! 🙂

[@RotnDot]

Another thoroughly enjoyable experience, cheers chaps! Also: the audio definately was on point this episode.

[@robertparnham6595]

Betrayal at Calth is a fantastic game, I still play it to this day!

[@stonehorsegaming]

Best game GW ever made.

[@leipherd8118]

The mechanics of Betrayal is next level stuff. Incredibly clever and really stood out against the clunky rules of the main game

[@Whatever123466666]

I love Gary at Maidstone GW and James is bang on. I'm in my late 30's and he's been one of the few consistent parts of my life - apart from a brief period in the early 2000's he's always been at GW Maidstone.

[@redsven7624]

Midway through, on the Jervis front he has made a set of 4 page Napoleonic rules for Perry's - on their site. Fascinating to look at as it if you read them you can clearly see lessons learned from the AoS experience even though they are very different rules

[@jasonbecker2265]

James, thank you so much for Blitz Bowl! There was no way I was ever going to get my wife to play Blood Bowl (and she new another woman who played and ran Blood Bowl Sevens events), but she'll play Blitz Bowl with me, since we can play in less than an hour.

[@liamfishwick2943]

Really enjoyed that interview. Thanks guys

[@AoSCoach]

It was so hard telling you both apart. Like being interviewed by a mirror. Glad we are breaking the stigma

[@nazteeb]

Fair play these interview shows are bloody awesome! Love this!

[@carlh8731]

O man I remember Gary from working in GW Eastbourne, think he might have been a regional or cell manager at the time and would occasionally be in the store.

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

Ha! Yeah, that's when I was working in the store. Carl from Eastbourne! We used to speak on the phone - I had to call around the shops at the end of the day to get everyone's figures. (That's when Si Grant was there too, right?)

[@carlh8731]

@@JamesWhoMakesGames Yeah thats me, hadn't put 2&2 together with names lol. Yeah Simon and Dom M were in Eastbourne at the time. Lots of us all moved around the same time.

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

@@carlh8731 small world, innit! Those were the days. I had a lot more hair.

[@spacedawwwg]

Happy to say I was part of the team who used eyes to digest this content.

[@keiranclifford8471]

Gary!!! That’s a blast from the past- Maidstone used to be my local GW

[@_Loken]

I'm proud to say I was a part of the team that watched this video.

[@hsgunderson3152]

Congrats on 50k Gents. It has been a fun ride and this has become my favorite 40k Podcast

[@thepaintingphase]

50k absolute madness lol! Thank you! 😍😍😍

[@stig78leic]

Another great guest and show. I really look forward to these chats

[@PezzaTheFlezza]

Great name btw!

[@mathieuboe9128]

It was absolutely called "Seigneurs de Guerre" (edited by MB Games) ! This episode is going to be awesome I can already tell.

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

I'm going to assume that my pronunciation was, ahem, exactement parfait.

[@mathieuboe9128]

@@JamesWhoMakesGames You nailed it mate. Thank you (and The Painting Phase team) for the inverview, it was brilliant !

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

Merci bien! 😘

[@IceCoolHobbies]

Another Maidstonian here checking in; can certify Gary is a gentleman and a legend!

[@Majormore]

Hahah snap. I used to work in the store with Gary and he is indeed a legend!

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

@@Majormore if there was some way of finding out how many new hobbyists a person has created, his score would be astronomical.

[@edwindrood2816]

Cheers! Great show. Any chance of hearing more about Jervis? He is a legend, IMHO

[@weatherthis8062]

James was definitely a breath of fresh air for GW box games, awesome video as always guys. Makes driving in the car on long work trips enjoyable 👍.

[@MrTumnus1987]

FUCK YES, IT’S JAMES, THE LEGEND! Strapping in for this one.

[@njbolt90]

I learnt to play WFB at Games Workshop Maidstone! Early to mid 2000s.

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

I was there from 2002 to about 2004... You never know, I might have taught you!

[@craftingtroll]

I love this show! It is brilliant! So much fun to listen to while doing some hobbying. Have binged all the talkshow episodes in the last 2 weeks and it has been a fantastic hobby aid. Thank you all for making this show! I know for certain that whenever you release an episode that will be a time in the week that gets me some hobbying done! Been working on both terrain pieces and miniatures during this episode. All the guests so far have been really interesting to listen to as well. Hope you'll keep bringing in some more guests from all over the hobby, because this format of the show is perfect. Cheers from Sweden! :)

[@thepaintingphase]

That’s a lovely comment, thanks so much and I’m glad it gets you painting.

[@ChristianVonCarmian40kVtuber]

I am not even of 'a certain age' and it was Hero Quest and Space Crusade that got me into wargaming with miniatures

[@nasigoring1525]

NGL James looks like an absolute blast to hang out with.

[@AnddehHiggs]

Shoutout to Maidstone Gary! Love popping into the Warhammer store to see him

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

I love how many people in the comments have been spouting their love for Gary. The man's a legend!

[@kailenmitchell8571]

Alternating activation, one simultaneous turn, alternating: all units move, all units fire, all units, damage and model removal, then all models declare charges if available then melee, finally casualties are removed only after all models have had attacked.

[@Domstar75]

Congratulations on 50k + subscribers, keep up the good work! 🤘🏻

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Great video and interview!!!

[@staalforsfh]

Oh my god, out of nowhere - James Hewitt of Silver Tower legend. Excited to listen to this!

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

I can appear without warning, you never know where I'll be next!

[@bradp6452]

Great interview. I did a little bit with James and Sophie on League of Infamy. That game really needed to be played with friends but dropped in the middle of covid which really hurt it.

[@andytechdad]

These interviews go from strength to strength, this was my favourite one yet. James was an amazing interviewee.

[@bobholt390]

41:40 is where the video title question is asked

[@ThePaintingwOOki]

Interesting that you mention introducing rules but by bit. I am subscribed to imperium magazine and that is how it is done going through rules and introducing them but by bit

[@winowmak3r]

I love listening to you guys while I paint my models. Awesome show to just chill out and listen to the banter.

[@georgesutherlandhoward4417]

Oh, hey, James Hewitt! I work in video game dev and do some tabletop game dev on the side, and I've always found your professional insights really useful, so thanks for that! That bit about needing the gear change speaks to me on a profound level. I've got three or four tabletop projects I bounce between, and it's such a refresher. And the point about writing rules with the intention to minimise the "friction" between the mechanics and the events and strategy on the tabletop is very much something that I aim for. You want people who give a shit about the source material and the themes to be able to translate that knowledge and care and investment into their gaming actions AND for those actions to be the way the game encourages and rewards you for playing - the "meta" choices, so to speak.

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

Cheers George! One of these days I'd love to get into video game design, but I never have the time to sit down and figure it all out. I feel like there are a lot of parallels on the design side, even if the implementation is quite different. I'll get there eventually!

[@georgesutherlandhoward4417]

@@JamesWhoMakesGames Oh yeah, the details and implementation might be different, but the fundamental aspects regarding player psychology and rewards, design and legacy limitations, etc. and how you think about these thing as a developer, are very much applicable to both. Also, that rush of good brain juice when you watch people play a test build of the game and see them start actively engaging with the systems and gameplay in the exact way you hoped they would *chef's kiss*

[@AubLambe]

This might be my favorite episode so far. What a pleasure to listen to. Thank you James for all your work

[@thepaintingphase]

Isn't he awesome, what a treat to listen to. We'll have to have him back!

[@DarthSid]

@@thepaintingphase That would be great! Such a nice person. Maybe he could give some insights on designtrends within tabletop games? Past, current and future?

[@SunChaserXVII]

Calth and Silver Tower have some of my favourite mechanics ever, James Hewitt is my gave dev hero. Great interview! (and I'll have to try Titanicus someday)

[@evanlusty1334]

Class guest! Thanks guys!

[@davydatwood3158]

Oooh! Stargrunt is my favourite wargame, at least for anything involving infantry, and Jeff (Geoff?) is the first person in "40K KZbin Land" who has ever encountered it. So happy now!

[@magicstar9154]

53:51 I LOVE Blades in the Dark!!!!

[@erikl1558]

Always enjoy a good Hewitt interview. Love the insight into the GW history as well.

[@the_real_ch3]

I think another main reason you get diminishing returns on play testing is that it's a bit like software. No matter how much testing you do nothing will prepare you for the ways that the gen pop end user will exploit and break things.

[@NapGod]

"It doesn't know what it wants to be." Nailed it. Horus Heresy is a heavy, crunchy ruleset geared more towards a simulation of narrative events rather than an abstracted game. AoS is filled with fantasy absurdity - the rules are very flavorful and match the faction lore, your heroes get to make heroic actions, your monsters roar at people, and there's as little math as possible between one epic thing and the next because you're not trying to simulate anything the mechanics are an abstraction to allow your Celestant Prime to smash in turn 3 after he's powered up or for your chaos hero to achieve the favor of the dark gods and ascend to Daemon Prince. I love playing both Horus Heresy and AoS. I tried to force myself to get into 40k because the Astartes fan film is what drew me into the hobby, but I just can't be bothered. 40k is like all of the number crunching and load-out obsessing with none of the simulation because the bodyguard rule is written in an abstract method so you can't actually shoot Celestine who's in front of you, you have to shoot her "bodyguards" who are sat behind a building but still within X inches of her. It ends up being the worst aspects of the two other games without either of the payoffs and I also have to wait 30 minutes while my opponent takes their whole turn too. Which is a massive shame because I love 40k sculpts.

[@thepaintingphase]

Interesting comment thanks Man.

[@nataliereed4238]

If you like the HH ruleset, one option might be tracking down some 7th edition rulebooks and codices. Those are more or less the same rules as HH. You won't be able to use Primaris (good riddance :P ), Leagues of Votann, most of the Death Guard, the newer Sororitas and Knights and Mechanicus units, etc. Not unless running counts-as or doing some homebrew rules, anyway. But since you're not feeling able to enjoy that side of the hobby at all right now, that's probably a step up regardless. And the counts-as can be a lot more generous anyway, as things hadn't gotten quite so strict in terms of "you only get to use exactly what's in the box" yet.

[@LakeyWargames]

Fantastic chat again guys!! Always getting to learn something new from all these insights behind the scenes in the industry and laugh my head off at the same time, perfect combination! ^^

[@thepaintingphase]

Our pleasure! 😍👍

[@leefellows8770]

I was wondering why KZbin kept putting this video in front of me so I decided to watching it. I get to the section talking about Blades In The Dark and realise what the algorithm was getting at. Enjoyed the interview even though 40k isn't really my thing

[@rcdemoral1982]

In regards to the rules topic - the easy/hard version of the rules, this reminds me of Battletech. You can use the crazy advanced Battletech that simulates the ply # of toilet paper that your mech warrior uses, vs Alpha Strike, which is much more abstracted with LOADS of optional rules to bolt on to make it more advanced, as you want (like weather, visibility, artillery, air strikes, etc etc)

[@GermanNightmare1976]

Another lovely one, you just keep knocking them out the park!

[@Stilloadingjake]

Another great episode. I'm in the RAF and we have a club at my current base, I never knew there was so many fans of the hobby in the military its great.

[@thepaintingphase]

Nice to hear.

[@bighammyrfc]

The TriService tournament is in April.

[@jules_paints_40k29]

Awesome video again guys , and James was a brilliant guest and did know he did the silver tower , absolutely love that game , just a shame the app kept crashing .

[@laam999]

Silver Tower is my all time fave game. I've been catching up on the sidetracked podcasts and this is a huge surprise. Can't wait to finish this episode 😁

[@BigBlueLuke85]

Thanks for all the hard work gents! Love to see it 👍

[@Mr_Stuey]

Great video and great chat. Agree with the 40k v Skirmish games debate. I have around 2000pts of a 40K army I have enjoyed painting and bought models that looked good rather than competitive. Look the setting and the feel but I just want a basic ruleset and no more swamping of books upon books to be able to play. I have no problem with that side of it being there, but I want a lite version alongside it. Xenos rampant is now where im looking to use the 40k models

[@BrentWalker999]

Onepage Rules for you then:)

[@carlstanford7607]

Great guest and interview

[@whofreakincares1000]

Love what I hear and learn. Great show chaps, I put everyone on that is into the hobby

[@volkarve]

Came for the >DAKKA!< stayed for the Sidetracks. Another great video guys. I'm looking forward to the Necromunda content

[@redhatter94]

This was a lot of fun, I really like the talk about game design. I would love to gave more experts in the field of wargaming on the show.

[@thepaintingphase]

Well I’m sure as time goes on we can accommodate that 👍

[@Trashloot]

This ia the only video i ever saw from you guys and i really loved it. The discussion was fun and interesting throughout the whole video and everyone seemd so interesting and passionate :D.

[@dietrichmcgoogilygoo9606]

I’ve always wondered why gw don’t take the Lotr SBG approach with 40k where you release a main rulebook and a book with every profile in it. I’ve bought so many models after reading profiles I wasn’t previously interested in. They started with the indices in 8th but just dropped it.

[@TrippyTheShroom]

I got into MESBG about a year ago and it's became my main game. It's so much better in almost every way from a game design perspective and if GW would just update a few armies I think it could see a big resurgence.

[@aleopardstail]

@@TrippyTheShroom to be honest they could use the entire MESBG system for 40k and the game would both work and be a hell of a lot better, probably not need many changes either

[@klavakkhazga3996]

Reason: 💰💰💰

[@playfulruss4227]

@@aleopardstail I wonder if part of their agreement with New Line/Saul Zaentz/whoever now was that they couldnt use the system for other games?

[@aleopardstail]

@@playfulruss4227 didn't think of that, good point, maybe, pity if it is as thats easily the best sort of group combat game they have

[@MiniatureRealms]

Love it, looking forward to the next one.

[@LincolnTank-StillOnTheSprue]

So many superb members of staff have jumped from GW. Imagine if they'd gone the extra mile to keep all these great people to design games and deliver their product. Their loss is incalculable, but the hobby community benefits

[@RyanPST88]

I guess so but I still really enjoy every GW game I've played 😬

[@Blottingpaper]

The main issue is that there's so many games it's hard to find them all and the time to play them.

[@biseinerheult78]

While it's definitely a loss for GW, there also always new people coming in and every new hire has the possibility to become great at what they do. I work in video games and game studios generally have a lot of fluctuation on their staff, especially the really big and famous ones. As long as you can keep key talents and manage to keep good people around for about five years or so, studios usually do fine and the quality of their output does not decrease. At the same time cities with big studios usually also have thriving indie scenes, because one of the best ways to learn the craft is to work with the best people, which you will very often find at big studios who are able to pay their salaries. So these big companies basically become learning centers where people learn from some of the best people in the industry, before they move on to smaller companies, where they'll have a bigger impact on development or found their own indie outfits. I see GW in the role of these big AAA studios: they have some key staff, they have resources that dwarf those of every other company in the industry and people can go there and learn their craft from some of the best in the industry before moving on to other places or starting their own.

[@PhantomRonin]

I love how Para Bellum handles their rules and updates for both versions of their "Conquest" game by making them instantly accessible yet have a gorgeously illustrated book available separately.

[@stigbeitelken5166]

These interviews are brilliant. Thank you for making them :)

[@thepaintingphase]

Our pleasure! We’ve lucked out with our guests

[@Deadjim17]

In regards to your point on how do you make Custodes thematic but not overpowered, shooting/hitting isn't all that big a problem and can be neutered or buffed when wounding. By getting rid of the wounding/toughness table in 8th/9th you've really reduced your options on making weapons stronger or weaker depending on the opponent you are shooting at.

[@andrewjamieson7178]

This was an excellent video! Great to hear James discuss his experiences in designing games. I've attended one of his workshops before and it was superb. I must do more. Discount code?! Yes, please....

[@thepaintingphase]

Awesome, he’s a lovely man.

[@Orcimedes]

I love the little anecdote starting at 1:34:24 .

[@GlennGriffin]

Great interview!

[@BillieJoe512]

I, too, have a quite diverse collection of games workshop miniatures without really having played with them. I tried Kill Team twice, but never quite got into it. I now discovered One Page Rules, a miniature agnostic set of rules for SciFi and Fanatsy wargames, both army-sized and skirmish. I played only one game up until now, but I feel confident enough to try to teach it to a friend of mine now, who never played. It feels much more streamlined than the games workshop games. I also especially enjoy their tools to create your own units and army books, they have rough design guidelines and calculate points costs in an online tool; just gives me the option to build the models I'd like to build and use them. In sum: would recommend to check that out.

[@mattdutton2094]

Great episode yet again, absolutely smashing it guys. 👏

[@tenthdeviation]

I remember Gary, I went to the Maidstone store alot around 2003. Whole team there was great. Remember going to a chariot racing event one time, most fun I had as a kid.

[@thepaintingphase]

It’s great when a good person, sticks in your memory.

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

Okay, so this is weird, but I was working there in 2003, and I'm pretty sure I ran the chariot racing game - possibly even wrote the rules for it! 😅

[@Eazfb]

Wohoooo, you guys need to do this more often. Having it once a week doesn't satisfy my addiction listening to yer banter.

[@pajmage]

These videos are tremendous. I love hearing about the ins and outs of GW and the different departments within. In regards to "fixing 40k" is there an argument to be made that a D6 based system is too limiting with the variety of units/models/rules these days?

[@Dagenham_Swish]

Yes, loving the Bill Bailey reference early on there

[@Fulou]

Spent half the video salivating at the thought of jammy dodgers. Thanks for that :)

[@_threepointedcircle_]

Thank you for this. Today has not been kind and this has lifted my spirits

[@thepaintingphase]

Well I hope tomorrow is better and I’m glad we’ve helped, even if just a little.

[@Thyrwyn]

Great conversation: very thorough, informative and entertaining. But the best bit has nothing to do with GW: shoutout to James Hewitt and his comment about Blades in the Dark. I've never played the game, but reading and digesting that game has impacted every role-playing game I've run, and how I think about every game I play. "every die roll has consequences" should be the foundation of every rules set. Or, to put it another way: "Nothing never happens". If you roll dice, something happens. It seems intuitive, but it's missing from so many games (many of which I love).

[@mo_dakka]

Great video! I love your podcast. Some of the rules light stuff you are talking about with 40 K has been done with the Warhammer Alliance. You probably know what this is, but just in case you don’t, it is the James Workshop schools program. It has a booklet that comes with it with a scenario that really really breaks down the rules. Online there are follow up scenarios to teach you more rules. so it’s out there. The problem is that GW are so big and (seemingly) disorganized that you have to dig to find it. There are also many indie games that do the live document rules that you mention. As someone new to Warhammer table top, even though I have been a very long time fan of the lore, I find I can just except Warhammer for what it is. If it does not do X Y, or Z, there is an indie game out there somewhere that can do it for me.

[@thepaintingphase]

Great comment.

[@Richard-ri4yq]

Silver Tower is excellent, 3 of us are playing through the campaign now.

[@TB1439]

Always a pleasure to watch your weekly video :D

[@spaceork6973]

What did they say at 1:17:40? Can’t understand

[@thepaintingphase]

I said ‘killing your darlings’, which I meant as to remove something you love but you know probably doesn’t work. Hope that helps.

[@Speakhardly]

Great episode!

[@grimmriffer]

Funny hearing you talk about the beginners and advanced rules in GW games. I always used to think of the two rulesets for games like blood bowl and space fleet as "fun" and "crap". As for 40k, I saw a 'tuber demonstrate a small battle recently. They had about 6 books on the table and every action took about 8 rolls and re rolls. One side got steamrollered. The comments were full of folks pointing out they'd forgotten a whole vital rule... but with 6 books to refer to, well, hardly f***in surprising, is it. 🙄

[@myrar8708]

Just stumbled upon this, what a great podcast!

[@alanmorales5784]

Greatest episode yet! Love it! you guys just addressed every question I had about what 40k game mechanics seems like most of my assumptions were very similar and most of the thoughts regarding how it could be better. Hey Peach can you guys have the mighty John Blanche, I would love to hear his thoughts on working with GW and his approach during the glory years 80’s

[@KingPiotyr]

Yes!!!! Makes my morning when I see a new episode!

[@David_R434]

Great video. Really enjoy the fallout game and the miniatures are lovely. As for 40k I always thought that kill team and the power levels were an attempt to make a simpler option. The problem is that the tournament scene is too big and now seem to be driving the game.

[@MrGilmo88]

Super true, but they need to make it more like the eSporr community. Atm it's a weird middle ground. It needs to pick a lane

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

Power levels don't simplify the game though. Its still the game, you just made the points balancing harder.

[@David_R434]

@@matthiuskoenig3378 Think it was an attempt to make it easier for the casual gamer. Then they just kept patching it. Think would be easier if they split out a game for competitive players and then a cut down game that didn't have the FAQs and seasons etc

[@danielkochis5133]

I LOVE Silver Tower! It was the gateway game for me that brought me to AoS, 40K, and most recently Horus Heresy.

[@TheSchwanze]

I still have Battle Masters, complete in the box in the loft! Great game! Also still have Hero Quest and all the expansions but ive lost the gargoyle for some reason :(