Games workshop

The History of Games Workshop

By Shnooze

  • Founded

    Gamesworkshop was founded in the year 1975 on 19 Bolingbroke Road, London by John Peake, Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson.

  • Owl and Weasel

    Owl and Weasel, a magazine dedicated to Gamesworkshop's product line, hobby, and other assorted and related things was founded in the same year to support Gamesworkshop.

  • Peake Departing

    In early 1975 John Peake had left Gamesworkshop, taking away their main source of income. Regardless, Gamesworkshop stayed afloat with the distributing rights to Dungeons and Dragons and other TSR products in the United Kingdom.

  • White Dwarf

    White Dwarf was founded to replace Owl and Weasel as an improved form of magazine more focused on the hobby as well as in Colour to show off the many painters and their skills with miniatures.

  • Retail Store Opening

    Gamesworkshop's first store was opened in the April of 1978, creating more popularity around the hobby and what was available for you to experience.

  • Citadel Miniatures

    Gamesworkshop funded the founding of Citadel Miniatures, who began production of metal cast miniature models that would coincide with Gamesworkshop's product line and business.

  • USA Distribution Ceased

    Distribution of their products and hobby supplies in the United States of America ceased in the year of 1984, pulling back most suppliers and retailers.

  • Management Buyout

    Gamesworkshop's management was bought out in the year of 1991 by Bryan Ansell who made the company go through some major changes.

  • Floating on the UK Stock Exchange

  • All UK based relations moved to Nottingham

  • Falling Profits

    Profits were falling due to the popularity of easy to get into trading card games such as Magic the Gathering and Pokemon T.C.G.

  • Falling profits, again.

    A large decrease in interest with the brand had become present during the year of 2004, causing more economic struggle but not enough to keep the company down.

  • Cease And Desists

    During the year of 2004 Gamesworkshop issued dozens upon dozens of Cease and Desist orders to websites and services. The fanbase around the hobby was greatly displeased with how thoughtless it was, considering that a large portion of the websites were made by the people that kept Gamesworkshop afloat during it's tougher economic struggles.