Editing Games Workshop (section)

=== Refocus ===
Tom Kirby became General Manager in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investor.games-workshop.com/our-history/|title=Our history - Games Workshop Group PLC - Investor Relations|date=7 February 2011|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref> 
Following a management buyout by him and [[Bryan Ansell]] in December 1991, when Livingstone and Jackson sold their shares for {{currency|10|GBP}} million,<ref name=independent>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/a-visit-to-the-fantasy-world-of-ian-livingstone-1162339.html | author=McGrath, Melanie | title=A Visit to the Fantasy World of Ian Livingstone | work=[[The Independent]] | date=2 June 1998 | access-date=11 January 2018}}</ref> Games Workshop refocused on their [[Miniature wargaming|miniature wargames]] ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]]'' (WFB) and ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]'' (WH40k), their most lucrative lines. The retail chain refocused on a younger, more family-oriented market. The change of direction was a great success and the company enjoyed growing profits, but the more commercial direction of the company made it lose some of its old fan base. A breakaway group of two company employees published ''[[Fantasy Warlord]]'' in competition with Games Workshop, but the new company met with little success and closed in 1993. Games Workshop expanded in Europe, the US, Canada and Australia, opening new branches and organising events in each new commercial territory. Having been acquired by private equity firm [[ECI Partners]] the company was floated on the [[London Stock Exchange]] in October 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mergr.com/eci-partners-exits-games-workshop-group|title=ECI Partners Exits Games Workshop Group &#124; Mergr|website=mergr.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/summary/company-summary/GB0003718474GBGBXSSMM.html|title=Games Workshop|publisher=London Stock Exchange|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref> In October 1997 all UK-based operations were relocated to the current headquarters in [[Lenton, Nottingham]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lentontimes.co.uk/streets/willow_road.htm|title=Willow Road |publisher=Lenton Times|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

The company diversified by acquiring Sabretooth Games (card games), creating the [[Black Library]] (literature), and working with [[THQ]] (computer games).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/04/26/thq-extends-warhammer-40k-licensing-deal/|title=THQ extends Warhammer 40K licensing deal|date=26 November 2004|publisher=Engadget|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Drakenburg.jpg|thumb|A Games Workshop store in [[Düsseldorf]], Germany, pictured in 2009]]
In late 2009 Games Workshop issued a succession of ''[[cease and desist]]'' orders against various Internet sites it accused of violating its intellectual property generating anger and disappointment from its fan community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boingboing.net/2009/11/28/games-workshop-decla.html|title=Games Workshop declares war on best customers. Again. / Boing Boing|website=boingboing.net|date=28 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/264704.page |title=GW Fansites vs. GW: Cease & Desist Fallout - Forum |publisher=DakkaDakka |access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref>

On 16 May 2011, Maelstrom Games announced that Games Workshop had revised the terms and conditions of their trade agreement with independent stockists in the UK. The new terms and conditions restricted the sale of all Games Workshop products to within the [[European Economic Area]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk/index.php?act=new&ref=212|title=Games Workshop Changes|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref>

On 16 June 2013, WarGameStore, a UK-based retailer of Games Workshop products since 2003, announced further changes to Games Workshop's trade agreement with UK-based independent stockists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqBGtuKrJaQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUryD5rJgGsJ8JiqrFwgzRSA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/gqBGtuKrJaQ| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Games Workshop UK Retailer Trade Terms Changes 2013|last=WarGameStore|date=18 June 2013|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Tom Kirby stepped down in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investor.games-workshop.com/2017/07/25/retirement-of-tom-kirby-as-non-executive-chairman/|title=Retirement of Tom Kirby as non-executive chairman - Games Workshop Group PLC - Investor Relations|date=25 July 2017|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref>

In July 2021, Games Workshop made changes to their IP guidelines, adopting a "zero tolerance" stance towards fan-made games, videos and animations, drawing criticism from fans.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clayton|first=Natalie|date=21 July 2021|title=Games Workshop is trying to shut down fan animations|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games-workshop-is-trying-to-shut-down-fan-animations/|access-date=7 September 2021|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Creative Assembly reiterates stance on Total Warhammer mods in wake of Games Workshop IP changes|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/total-war-warhammer-2/mods-radious-games-workshop-ip|access-date=7 September 2021|website=PCGamesN|date=5 August 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=21 July 2021|title=Lookout YouTube, GW Just Updated Their IP Guidelines|url=https://spikeybits.com/2021/07/lookout-youtube-gw-just-updated-their-ip-guidelines.html|access-date=7 September 2021|website=Spikey Bits|language=en-US}}</ref>

The presence of Games Workshop in the East Midlands has led the region to become the centre of the wargames industry in the UK, known as the [[Lead belt (wargaming)|lead belt]] with numerous other 
companies founded by former employees.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Games Workshop is worth more than Marks & Spencer and Centrica |url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2020/07/02/why-games-workshop-is-worth-more-than-marks-and-spencer-and-centrica |access-date=25 August 2021 |newspaper=The Economist |date=2 July 2020}}</ref>