Discover the life and legacy of Brian Ansell, co-creator of Warhammer and key figure at Games Workshop
Brian Ansell, best known as the co-creator of Warhammer and co-founder of Citadel, a division of Games Workshop, passed away at home on December 30, 2023, at the age of 68, surrounded by his family. His departure marks the end of our time in the world of strategy and miniatures games, leaving behind a legacy unmatched in the industry.
Apart from being a famous name in the company, Ansel was a revolutionary in the world of wargaming. In the year In 1978, while Games Workshop was distributing and supporting role-playing games in Europe, Ansel founded Citadel to complement this offering with smaller items. This initiative was the offspring of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, a game that not only used Citadel’s minilines, but also redefined the wargaming genre.
The evolution of Warhammer and the rise of Ansel
Under Ansel’s leadership, the new brand was not only a commercial success, but also a creative revolution. Ansel, with his unique vision, led Games Workshop to focus entirely on the hobby of tabletop wargaming, a sector that still dominates today. In the year In 1980, he was responsible for designing Laserburn, a science fiction wargame that laid the foundation for 40K, incorporating elements such as bolt weapons and power armor.
As an author, Ansel contributed greatly to the creation and development of this complex universe. He was instrumental in writing the Chaos supplement, which established the horror-fantasy tone that not only detailed but defined the game’s Chaos Gods.
Controversies and changes at Games Workshop
Ansel’s administration was not without controversy. The decision to close the London office and move the business to Nottingham, where Citadel used to be, has sparked mixed reactions. At the time, the editorial team of White Dwarf magazine in London expressed their displeasure with a hidden expository text hidden on the contents page of issue number 77, “Breaching Brian Ansell”.
Ansel left the company in 1991 after overseeing the company’s growth. He later founded Wargames Foundry, a small historical miniatures company, to give his father a job after his early retirement. Ansel retired in 2005, and his family continues to operate Wargames Foundry.
The legacy of the pioneers
Brian Ansell’s legacy in the world of wargaming and miniatures is undeniable. Through his work at Citadel and Games Workshop, he inspired not only the gameplay and vision of wargaming, but also gamers and designers. His influence extends beyond the universe of numbers, touching all aspects of the board game hobby.
Ansel’s passing is a sad time for the genre and its small gaming community, but his legacy and vision live on in the worlds he created and the communities he fostered. His contribution to the world of war will be remembered as a true visionary and pioneer.
This universe that started on tables has gone beyond being a phenomenon in the world of games and has successfully crossed over to other media. It has inspired television series, video games and novels, expanding its universe and horizons. Titles like “Total War: Warhammer” and “Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War” are notable examples of video game adaptations bringing the experience of war to a wider digital audience. These adaptations have helped further cement this universe’s legacy in popular culture.