EXCLUSIVEIt's Wokehammer! Games Workshop engulfed in gender row with fans after it said Warhammer squadron that was previously thought of as men-only has 'always had females'

Daily Mail ^ | April 16, 2024 | Aiden Radnedge

[Ciaphas Cain]

A 'woke' gender row has broken out among Games Workshop fantasy fans after women were added to an army squadron for the first time.

Bosses behind the Warhammer game have introduced a female character to one of its most popular table-top battalions whose devotees include film star Henry Cavill.

But some men are furious at the move, insisting that the 'Adeptus Custodes' brigade has always been all-male and any changes should have been done differently.

A new edition of Warhammer 40,000 fantasy fiction introduces a character named 'Custodian Calladyce Taurovalia Kesh' - and using female pronouns for her.

Long-time fans say it is the first time a woman has been part of the gold-clad Adeptus Custodes squad - with an online backlash breaking out in response.

Fan site Wargamer discussed the controversy in a post which described how there had been 'nearly three decades of Warhammer 40k books and short stories only featuring male-presenting Custodian Guards'.

It went on to say: 'The introduction of a canonically female member of the Custodes is being seen by fans as a conscious narrative shift on GW’s part.'

Another Twitter user asked Games Workshop whether more female members would be added, to be told: 'We'll just have to wait and see.'

There was a backlash online from some fans unhappy with the development.

[Ciaphas Cain]

Obviously I'm a fan of Warhammer 40,000 (hence my screen name). This has become a really big deal among the game's players/fan base. The Custodes have been around in-game for ten thousand years, the game itself is almost forty years old. In all that time there has not been a single female Custodian (who by the way are meant to be MORE powerful than the ever popular Space Marines).

There are already all-female factions to play with, namely the Sisters of Battle.

This situation is becoming an object lesson in corporations going "woke" and then bungling to safe face with its customers.

[Bubba_Leroy]

The last video games I ever played were Asteroids and Pac-Man. Then they went and came out with a feminist version of Pac-Man (Ms. Pac-Man) and the industry has gone downhill ever since.

[Ciaphas Cain]

There are many video games based on the franchise. Warhammer 40K is primarily a tabletop miniatures wargame. You create your army by buying the minis, put them together and paint them. Then you wage a battle with another player.

Lots of fun but it can get horribly expensive.

Games Workshop stock has been pretty strong for awhile now. COVID gave the game a huge boost. It'll be interesting to see if their stepping into DEI impacts that.

[Reno89519]

Okay, lets divert the attention of DEI to online games and get them out of politics. Let’s get some popcorn and watch the fun.

[Chode]

if all else fails, lie...

[DCBryan1]

Ha my son plays the fish commie Tau and I play faggy elder and drunk Squats v2.

[Ciaphas Cain]

Robin Williams was a 40K player. He mostly collected and played Eldar. Supposedly there is footage somewhere of a game he was in and he treated his Eldar as if they were gay.

[Tacrolimus1mg]

I’d pay to watch that. I’m sure it was hilarious.

A friend of mine wanted me to do a Battle Sister cosplay with him and get me into the game. Sadly, I don’t have a lot of money to throw around.

Still thinking about the costume, though... I’d really like to make it, but my Fallout (76) and Gears of War plans come first.

[sit-rep]

...introduces a character named 'Custodian Calladyce Taurovalia Kesh' - and using female pronouns for her.

I suddenly lost interest...

[ferret_airlift]

Maybe it’s like Life of Brian. The entire squadron is women, pretending to be men.

[DCBryan1]

he treated his Eldar as if they were gay.

oh no!!!!