Scalpers Crash Warhammer.com, Forcing Games Workshop to Pull Site Offline Over Special Edition Book Pre-Orders

Games Workshop was compelled to take its official website, Warhammer.com, offline temporarily following widespread disruption caused by scalpers during the pre-order launch of the *Siege of Terra: End of Ruin* special edition book.

The highly anticipated special edition marks a new anthology of short stories set in the aftermath of the Siege of Terra—an epic event at the heart of the Horus Heresy. For those unfamiliar, the Horus Heresy tells the tragic tale of the Space Marine civil war that forever changed the fate of the Emperor and laid the foundation for the grimdark universe of *Warhammer 40,000*. This collection is more than just lore—it’s a cornerstone of the franchise's narrative history.

The special edition of *Siege of Terra: End of Ruin* is particularly appealing to collectors. It features a leather-effect cover with gold foil detailing, gilt-edged pages, and a striking metal emblem depicting a shattered Imperial eagle—making it a standout addition to any fan’s library.

Games Workshop had clearly communicated that the special edition would be available on a “strictly while stocks last” basis, with pre-orders scheduled to begin at 10am UK time on June 10. The company also announced plans to implement a queue system aimed at ensuring fair access for all fans.

However, things quickly went off the rails. Fans attempting to place their orders found themselves stuck in an endless loop, unable to complete purchases. Frustration mounted across social media platforms, Discord servers, and Reddit communities. Amid growing confusion, Warhammer.com simply went dark—leaving many fans puzzled and disappointed.

And so, it begins

As complaints escalated, Games Workshop released an official statement confirming that the site had been deliberately taken offline. The reason? Scalpers were exploiting automated bots to bypass security measures and hoard limited stock before genuine customers could get through.

“Scalpers attempted to use bots to bypass our normal safeguards,” Games Workshop stated. “Our eagle-eyed Tech Priests caught this happening in real-time, so we pulled Warhammer.com offline.”

As a result, the *Siege of Terra: End of Ruin* special edition is currently unavailable on the site. In its place, a notification page now asks users to provide their email address to receive updates when the product becomes available again. Games Workshop emphasized that the release is still moving forward, stating, “we’re just absolutely determined that real fans get it.”

The company further clarified that all invalid orders generated by bot activity are being removed as a top priority. “Please forgive us for a delay as we sort it all out,” they added in their public message.

While the incident has left some fans frustrated, the transparency of Games Workshop’s response has helped ease tensions. Some players have even described the shutdown as a small win against scalpers. However, skepticism remains about how effective the company’s current anti-bot strategies truly are. Suggestions have emerged from the community calling for a raffle-based system or even a Warhammer knowledge quiz to ensure only true fans secure these exclusive items.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Games Workshop has faced such issues. Scalper interference has marred multiple high-profile releases over the years, often leading to resales at dramatically inflated prices. All eyes will be watching closely to see how the company manages the next phase of pre-orders once they resume.

It’s also worth noting that Games Workshop is not struggling financially by any means. Far from it—the Nottingham-based giant recently announced a £20 million bonus (approximately $27 million) for its employees, reflecting the strong performance of the brand across global markets.

While Games Workshop is best known for its tabletop miniature games, including *Warhammer 40,000*, it has expanded significantly into broader entertainment ventures. Its intellectual property has driven major revenue through successful video game titles like *Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2*, animated series such as Amazon’s *Warhammer 40,000 Secret Level*, and most recently, a cinematic universe deal with Henry Cavill. Development is also underway on *Space Marine 3*, signaling a bold future for the brand beyond the tabletop.