How Lord of the Rings (and mythology) saved Games Workshop

Published by Hellenic Moon on December 29, 2024December 29, 2024

To celebrate the release of the new Lord of the Rings anime, War of the Rohirrim, we will discuss how important The Lord of the Rings has been in making Games Workshop the largest and most successful miniature hobby gaming company in the world. Given their huge success, you might be surprised to find out that there was a time not so long ago when Games Workshop almost went out of business back in the early 2000s, and they probably would not have made it had it not been for Lord of the Rings.

In fact, even before Game Workshop officially collaborated on Lord of the Rings, the fantasy worlds created by JRR Tolkien were the main inspiration for their first Warhammer Fantasy game released back in 1983. The Lord of the Rings has been the engine behind their success right from the start. Looking beyond Games Workshop, The Lord of the Rings has had an impact on almost all fantasy authors ever since, including George RR Martin, author of Game of Thrones, who even styled his name in a similar way to JRR Tolkien, and has spoken in interviews about how The Lord of the Rings inspired him.

Before we get into the story of how The Lord of the Rings saved Games Workshop, we wanted to remind you to check out our old blog post about how Greek mythology influenced The Lord of the Rings. Entire books have been written about the subject, which give the background needed.

The Legacy and Impact of Games Workshop’s Lord of the Rings Games

Games Workshop, renowned for its Warhammer franchise, has long been a pillar of the tabletop wargaming industry. However, in the early 2000s, Games Workshop’s financial health faced significant challenges, and its collaboration with the Lord of the Rings franchise became a pivotal chapter in its history. The release of the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game (initially branded as “The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game”), a product inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe and Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptations, not only revitalized the company’s fortunes but also cemented its place in gaming history. This post delves into the history, evolution, and enduring impact of Games Workshop’s Lord of the Rings games, including the recently announced War of the Rohirrim – Battle of Edoras starter set.

The Early Days: Securing Middle-Earth

In 2001, Games Workshop secured the licensing rights to produce tabletop games based on the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The timing was impeccable. Peter Jackson’s films were critically acclaimed blockbusters, introducing a new generation to Tolkien’s legendary tales. Games Workshops’s adaptation, titled the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game, launched alongside the films, offering fans a way to recreate the epic battles on their own tabletops.

The game used 25mm scale miniatures and a skirmish-based ruleset, focusing on small engagements that reflected the personal struggles and heroic feats depicted in the movies. Starter sets like the iconic “Mines of Moria” box introduced players to the game, featuring miniatures of Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf alongside goblins and a cave troll. The aesthetic fidelity of the miniatures to the films was a significant draw, appealing not only to wargamers but also to collectors and Tolkien enthusiasts.

Lord of the Rings: A Financial Lifeline in the Early 2000s

In the years leading up to 2001, Games Workshop faced declining sales and increasing operational costs. The Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40K franchises, while popular, struggled to sustain the company’s rapid expansion. However, the release of the Lord of the Rings Battle Game proved to be a financial watershed moment. The game’s popularity surged alongside the global success of Jackson’s films, and GW’s revenue saw a dramatic increase.

Between 2001 and 2003, Games Workshop’s stock price reportedly rose eightfold, thanks largely to the success of the Lord of the Rings line. The game attracted a broader audience than Warhammer ever had, drawing in fans of Tolkien’s works who might never have otherwise considered tabletop wargaming. This newfound customer base revitalized the company’s sales and helped it expand its retail presence, opening new stores and increasing production capabilities.

The synergy between the films and the game was crucial. Each movie’s release brought renewed interest, with new miniatures and expansions timed to coincide with the premieres. For instance, the Two Towers expansion introduced factions like the Riders of Rohan and Isengard’s Uruk-hai, while the Return of the King expansion included the Army of the Dead and Minas Tirith soldiers.

Challenges in the Post-Lord of the Rings Trilogy Era

Despite its early success, the Lord of the Rings Battle Game faced significant challenges once Peter Jackson’s trilogy concluded in 2003. Interest in the game waned as the films left the public eye. Games Workshop, having scaled its operations to meet the demand during the peak of the trilogy’s popularity, now found itself with high overhead costs and declining sales. By the late 2000s, the company’s fortunes had begun to falter again.

To address these challenges, Games Workshop made several strategic decisions. The company shifted its focus back to its core Warhammer lines, which by this time had regained traction with the release of new editions and revamped miniature ranges. Meanwhile, the Lord of the Rings game transitioned from being a flagship product to a more niche offering, supported mainly by a dedicated fanbase.

In 2011, the licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products was renewed and expanded to include The Hobbit films. This extension allowed Games Workshop to produce miniatures and expansions based on the prequel trilogy, providing a fresh influx of content and rekindling interest in Middle-earth gaming. However, the Hobbit line never reached the same heights as its Lord of the Rings predecessor, partly due to the mixed reception of the films themselves.

The Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game Today

Despite its ups and downs, the Lord of the Rings Battle Game has endured as a beloved part of Games Workshop’s catalog. The game has evolved through several editions, with the current version rebranded as the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. This rebranding reflects its broader focus, encompassing not just the Lord of the Rings trilogy but also The Hobbit and other Middle-Earth tales.

The game continues to thrive within its niche, supported by a passionate community of players and collectors. Games Workshop has periodically released new miniatures and supplements, keeping the game fresh and engaging. Recent years have also seen a resurgence in interest, spurred by the enduring appeal of Tolkien’s works and the expansion of the tabletop gaming hobby.

A New Era: The War of the Rohirrim – Battle of Edoras Starter Set

Games Workshop recently released The War of the Rohirrim – Battle of Edoras starter set, a new entry point for the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. This release coincided with the animated film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, directed by Kenji Kamiyama and set to explore the history of Helm Hammerhand and the founding of Helm’s Deep.

The Battle of Edoras starter set is designed to appeal to both newcomers and veterans. It includes 56 plastic miniatures, terrain pieces replicating the wooden palisades of Edoras, a comprehensive rulebook, and a scenario booklet with missions inspired by the film. The set allows players to recreate key moments from the story while providing a robust foundation for expanding their Middle-Earth collections.

However, the release has not been without controversy. Notably, the set does not include Héra, the film’s main character. Instead, Héra is available separately in two different boxed sets, each priced between $30 and $40. Some fans expressed frustration at needing to purchase additional products to obtain the protagonist, while others saw it as an opportunity to diversify their collections.

Legacy and Cultural Impact of The Lord of the Rings

The Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game holds a unique place in Games Workshop’s history and the broader tabletop gaming industry. Its initial success during the early 2000s provided a critical financial lifeline, enabling the company to weather a challenging period and emerge stronger. Moreover, the game’s enduring appeal showcases the power of storytelling and world-building in engaging and sustaining a dedicated player base.

For Games Workshop, the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game represents more than just a product line. It is a testament to the company’s ability to adapt and innovate, leveraging the popularity of Tolkien’s works to create a game that resonates with fans across generations. Today, Games Workshop is a FTSE 100 company with a market capitalization of over £4.6 billion, a far cry from its precarious position in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While Warhammer remains the cornerstone of its success, the Lord of the Rings game played a crucial role in shaping the company’s trajectory.

Where would Games Workshop be without mythology?

The influence of The Lord of the Rings has been with Games Workshop from almost the very start, having influenced their first Warhammer Fantasy game released in 1983. And in turn Warhammer Fantasy influenced their now most popular game – Warhammer 40,000. We have an old blog post you should read about how Greek mythology influenced Warhammer 40,000, if you want to learn more about that.

Long before Games Workshop produced The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game that launched their company to the next level, their main 2 products, Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40,000, were already both influenced by The Lord of the Rings and mythology. So it was like coming round full circle for Games Workshop to be the official partner of The Lord of the Rings.

Today the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game stands as a remarkable example of the synergy between popular culture and tabletop gaming. By combining Tolkien’s timeless narratives with high-quality miniatures and engaging gameplay, Games Workshop created a product that not only captured the spirit of Middle-Earth but also revitalized its own fortunes. As the game continues to evolve and new generations of players discover its magic, it remains a shining example of how great storytelling and innovative design can leave an indelible mark on both an industry and its fans.