Warlord Games Open Day 2023

The ever-popular Warlord Games Open Day makes a triumphant return for 2023. Join us here at Warlord Games HQ, in Nottingham UK, on Saturday, September 2^nd for our annual celebration of all things Warlord! As ever we’ll have a bunch of fun activities to get involved in, special guests, and fantastic special offers.

Not sure what to expect? Here’s a roundup of last year’s goings-on.

Tours

We’re throwing our doors wide open, with the complete Warlord Games experience on display for all to see. Our tour will guide you through the entire journey of a miniature, from the initial concept to the finished product. You’ll visit the Design Studio, where our sculptors and figure painters will be on hand to explain their processes and share top hobby tips. You might even get a glimpse of some upcoming releases. We’ll then walk you through the manufacturing process – see how our miniatures are cast in three different materials, resin, metal and Warlord Resin^TM. Finally, we’ll show you through a miniature’s final journey via packaging and on into the warehouse where a vast array of boxed sets, books, and blisters wait to be despatched worldwide.

Seminars

We’ll have seminars running throughout the day from special guest speakers as well as some from our very own team. Confirmed speakers include:

John Stallard – Managing Director of Warlord Games, always keen to spill the beans!

Paul Sawyer – Our Studio’s stalwart leader and Head of Product Design.

Alessio Cavatore – Designer of Bolt Action (and many, many other games over the years!).

Andy Chambers – Author of Blood Red Skies and our 2000 AD games, including the upcoming ABC Warriors.

Demo & Participation Games

Sample a wide range of our games. We’ll have staff on hand to guide you through demos of the likes of Bolt Action, Blood Red Skies, Konflikt ’47 and more! Of particular note, we’ll have a Battle of Culloden Black Powder participation game hosted by the Friends of General Haig wargaming club.

Duncan Wasdell will also be in attendance with his modular Band of Brothers-inspired WWII boards. Built with the help of the Geek Gaming Scenics YouTube channel, these boards were lovingly constructed in aid of the National Kidney Federation. You can support Duncan’s worthy efforts on the day, or via the project’s JustGiving page.

Talking Miniatures

In collaboration with former White Dwarf Editor and Design Studio Manager Robin Dews, John Stallard, Head of Warlord Games (and former Games Workshop Sales Director), has compiled and written an exciting new book about the early years of Games Workshop and Citadel Miniatures. The pair have called upon a plethora of industry stalwarts for first-hand accounts of the early days of Games Workshop and the development of the Warhammer family of games.

Lavishly illustrated and presented in two volumes with a hardback slipcase, this book is simply a must-read for any hobbyist who has ever thought fondly of a paintbrush, miniatures or dice. The book will be on sale during the day and between 10 am and 12 pm, both John and Robin will be on hand to sign your copies and chat about the book. In addition, several of the book’s contributors will be in attendance:

• Jervis Johnson
• Rick Priestley
• Tim Pollard
• Paul Robbins
• Trish Carden
• Anthony Epworth

Painting Competition

Bring along your Warlord Games or Skytrex models and submit them for our painting competition. Judged by our expert in-house painters and special guest Tommie Soule (renowned painter and author of The Art Of… Volume Five) there will be several categories in which you can prove your painting mettle, and prizes for the winners:

• Best Regiment or Squad – Must number at least 5 models
• Best Individual Model – a single miniature on an appropriate base
• Best Vehicle – any scale vehicle is permitted, so long as it comes from the Warlord Games or Skytrex ranges.
• Best Diorama – on a single-themed base of at least 6″ by 6″, but no larger than 12″ by 9″
• Best New Recruit (Under 16s) – No restrictions other than being under 16 years of age!
• Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Squad or Miniature – Between one and ten figures

You may only submit one entry per category, but may enter multiple categories. Entries must be handed in by 12:00 p.m. on the Open Day to be eligible for consideration (ask our staff to direct you on the day). Please print out and fill in this form and hand it in with your entry.

A Host of Other Activities

• Build a Bolt Action US Airborne Squad – Take home a free 6-man US Airborne squad! There’s just one catch – you’ll have to build it first! We’ll furnish you with everything you need, with our staff on hand to provide assistance.
• Spot the Sniper – Scattered around the tour route will be hidden several sniper miniatures – spot them all and you’ll be eligible for a prize!
• Staff’s Army Displays – Some of our passionate staff members’ own collections will be on display, always an inspiration!
• Terrain Workshop – Mel Bose, AKA The Terrain Tutor, will be on hand to offer top hobby tips and show off some of his work.
• & Much More!

Limited Edition Figure – Desmond Doss

As is tradition, we’ll have a limited-edition figure free for all attendees (along with a goody bag of other treats). This year’s Open Day figure depicts US Army combat medic, Corporal Desmond Doss! A pacifist, Doss was the only conscientious objector to receive the Congressional Medal of Honour for his actions in saving an estimated 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa. This fantastic miniature, sculpted by Warlord’s own Wojtek Flis (meet him at the Open Day!) depicts Doss as he appeared in the 2016 film, Hacksaw Ridge, in which he was portrayed by Andrew Garfield.

For those unable to attend the Open Day, don’t worry, the figure will also be available online over the Open Day weekend!

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