Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Games Workshop, the company behind the popular Warhammer statues, has announced record half-year sales, attributing its strong performance to a deliberate decision to eschew artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content in favor of “human creators”.
Revenue surged almost 12% to £333.7m in the six months to November 30 compared with the same period last year (at constant exchange rates). This significant growth significantly helped its pre-tax profits rise 11% year-on-year to £140.8 million.
The results came despite news that half-year profits had taken a £6m hit due to changes in US tariffs. president Donald Trump.
The company said price increases of about 3.5% for microbooks and books would help mitigate the impact of increased trade costs.
Representative report Games WorkshopManagement said the company was “pleased Warhammer “The hobby continues to spread globally,” with its products sold by independent retailers around the world.
Sales increased both online and in-store during the first half of the financial year, with 575 stores trading globally, 134 of which are in the UK.
this LondonThe listed company revealed that it takes a “cautious” approach to the use of AI and “does not allow AI-generated content or artificial intelligence to be used in our design process or for unauthorized use outside of Games Workshop, including in any of our competitions.”
“We also agree that we will remain deeply committed to protecting our intellectual property and respecting our human creators,” it added.
At the same time, it welcomed the upcoming launch of the new Warhammer World in the United States, which will open in 2027 and follow in the footsteps of Warhammer World. nottingham The venue features a games arcade, exhibition centre, shops and restaurants.
However, the company said it could not give a release date for the upcoming film adaptation because it has been granted Amazon Exclusive TV and film rights to its hit series Warhammer 40,000.
former superman actor Henry Cavill It was first announced to be involved in the creation of live-action films more than three years ago.
Games Workshop said: “The nature of these things is that they take several years, and while we would like to be able to limit releases as much as our core business, the reality is that, as with any licensing agreement, delivery is not within our control.”
Dan Lane, chief analyst at trading platform Robinhood UK, said Games Workshop was “one of the UK’s really great success stories”.
He said: “Today’s situation shows that the health of the local Warhammer community is very poor, and Warhammer World in the United States has opened eyes to the opportunities left in the tank.”
“At this stage, the skepticism of AI is also palpable and justified – Warhammer may ultimately provide the last bastion of escapism in a world of immense language model creativity.
“But as other companies prove how useful AI can be in running their business rather than influencing product offerings, will Games Workshop become the next Luddite?”
Games Workshop shares fell nearly 3% on Tuesday despite improved financial results.