Warhammer 40K's story, how is it even remotely appealing?

[144_v1legacy]

The problem with it is, from my point of view, that it is a story that requires a certain (huge) degree of do-it-yourself retconning. A lot of the things written are exaggerated far beyond necessity in the hopes of enforcing a sense of scale that could be better attained elsewhere. A lot of items are just silly, and need to be swept under the rug. The story is a mess, and is therefore one that works best if you rewrite it using the existing text as guidelines. The story isn't great. After all, it's the setup for a game. It's an interactive story. It has to be made great through its coexistence with gameplay, tabletop or otherwise.

 

[Bifford]

It's a lot of nonsense, really. It tries to be as grim and dark as possible at the cost of logic. How can humanity have stagnated for 10,000 years? The Age of Strife was bad, but they've had plenty of time to recover. 10,000 years ago we were experimenting with stone spears, so there's no excuse. Maybe the Chaos Gods are rotting humanity's brains, making them shun innovation. A bigger plot hole is why the other races haven't outstripped humanity in technological progress. Only the Tau seem to be actually advancing their sciences.

The Imperial Guard doesn't give a fuck about casualties. Casualties matter a lot, actually. There is only a finite supply of humans and a whole lot of Orks and Tyranids to kill. The depletion of a planet's population to the IG means a loss of economic productivity.

Then there's the obsession with Space Marines. SPESS MAHREEENS!!! FOR THE EMPRAH!!!

It's quite fun, actually, but you mustn't think about it too hard.

 

[Frankster]

No, there's only a barely sane vegetable on Terra pulling the strings. Who's very poop is literally considered a source of holy power. Not much of an improvement.

Ill take the god emperor of humanity over some intangible force any day.
But point taken ><

 

[J Tyran]

The Imperial Guard doesn't give a fuck about casualties. Casualties matter a lot, actually. There is only a finite supply of humans and a whole lot of Orks and Tyranids to kill.

Manpower is actually the one resource the Imperium has an infinite supply of. With over a million worlds filled with untold trillions whats the loss a few regiments?

 

[Rastrelly]

It's a lot of nonsense, really. It tries to be as grim and dark as possible at the cost of logic. How can humanity have stagnated for 10,000 years? The Age of Strife was bad, but they've had plenty of time to recover. 10,000 years ago we were experimenting with stone spears, so there's no excuse. Maybe the Chaos Gods are rotting humanity's brains, making them shun innovation. A bigger plot hole is why the other races haven't outstripped humanity in technological progress. Only the Tau seem to be actually advancing their sciences.

The Imperial Guard doesn't give a fuck about casualties. Casualties matter a lot, actually. There is only a finite supply of humans and a whole lot of Orks and Tyranids to kill. The depletion of a planet's population to the IG means a loss of economic productivity.

Then there's the obsession with Space Marines. SPESS MAHREEENS!!! FOR THE EMPRAH!!!

It's quite fun, actually, but you mustn't think about it too hard.

a) Humanity is stagnated due to religious pricks who rule it. Mechanicus do not try to invent - only to find and copy old stuff in their search for omnissiah. All the humanity is completely "addicted" to machines built by mechanicums, so if they will lose support of Mars, they won't be able to use almost any technological device more complex then primitive tools.
b) Who said Imperial guard does not care about casualties? Some dumb generals do, but it is so even today.
c) Imperium is obviously doomed. That's why final heroic acts of some imperial forces look so epic in their pointlessness.

 

[MrPeanut]

Only the Tau seem to be actually advancing their sciences

Orks and Chaos get new techs their unique way, since no two weapons or tanks will ever end up the same.

The necrons are 100's of years ahead in research to begin with, their crypteks are actively researching new stuff but since the grand majority of necrons are still sleeping they are sort of taking baby steps.

Can't say about Tyranids, The Eldar's don't advance in tech because they are stupid.

 

[Nouw]

snip

Reading through, I think this comes down to our standards in literature. The unique qualities of Gaunt's Ghosts 'redeem' itself from using the same story but for you it doesn't, largely because it's not of a well-written quality. Rather than arguing that my standards are better than yours and vice-versa, perhaps you can explain to me what constitutes a story in your eyes because obviously we have differing opinions on it.

 

[smartalec]

There isn't much it doesn't pull from, Dune is another massive influence on 40k.

A fair bit of Asimov, too. Foundation, especially.

 

[Starke]

Only the Tau seem to be actually advancing their sciences

Orks and Chaos get new techs their unique way, since no two weapons or tanks will ever end up the same.

The necrons are 100's of years ahead in research to begin with, their crypteks are actively researching new stuff but since the grand majority of necrons are still sleeping they are sort of taking baby steps.

Can't say about Tyranids, The Eldar's don't advance in tech because they are stupid.

The 'nids are constantly evolving new abilities.

I don't remember every single response in this topic, but generally response was along the lines: "I like 40k because x,y,z appeals to me." NOT "40k is great universe because clearly x,y,z coalesce into an immortal edifice of fiction for all time."

I do remember someone saying they thought the Eisenhorn trilogy was the "best sci-fi of all time" and that "there [was] nothing superior only equals," or something very close to that. Which was, you know, easily refuted.

 

[Leoofmoon]

I'm really not even going to give a huge try at this but Warhammer 40k IS childish but its fun with how over the top violent it is! I'm sorry but you can keep you'r big boy pants on if you want but I enjoy just of "give me a fucking sword that a chainsaw and a large group of orcs to go fuck up!" Hell you want a game that's even more like that? I played Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels when I had a PS1 and it is the same type of game and story. If you wanted a happy go lucky story well too bad Warhammer is not a friendly universe and it has a mass amount of fans.

 

[Starke]

There isn't much it doesn't pull from, Dune is another massive influence on 40k.

A fair bit of Asimov, too. Foundation, especially.

Heinlein may have had a small influence as well...