This "game" is an abomination in the eyes of the Emperor!

[AdeptusAstartes]

Oh, I get the backstory all right. It just feels like in each edition, GW decides it isn't violent enough, and so ups the ante even more, to the point of ridiculousness, and sometimes even beyond. So in other words, like an Ork thought it up, and then Rick Priestly fleshed it out. And all those things seem more like the things the IoM would do.

Um, what specific example(s) are you referring to? I mean, it's funny you say that it seems like an Ork thought it up, because well, you're right. But that doesn't make it unrealistic at all. The violence in most Warhammer 40k novels is understated when compared to a soldier in actual warfare or as a citizen/political prisoner in various totalitarian regimes during the 20th century, e.g. USSR, Communist China, East Germany, Poland, Guatemala, North Korea, etc etc. This is why I recommended you do some nonfictional reading. It might help you "get" that the characters and events portrayed in various Warhammer 40k novels (such as Gunheads, Let the Galaxy Burn, Last Chancers, etc etc) are mere shades of their 20th century counterparts.

I would really recommend that you start with reading "The Rape of Nanking" or "Khe Sahn: Siege in the Clouds." You might also want to read "Storm of Steel" (yes it's actually a nonfiction book even though it sounds like a Warhammer 40k title) or "Stuka Pilot." Both are amazing reads and all of them will make the absolute worst battle sequences in any Warhammer 40k novel pale in comparison.

And Astartes, how would you like to join a little group of mine called the "Troll Squad", used only when people on other forums are giving me crap. I'll let you spread the word of your Emperor on those places.

*puts fishbowl "helmet" back on head*

Let us not delay then in going, you and I, to the houses of these heretics! Paint upon their crooked beams the wings of Eagles and I shall bring the sky crashing down upon their heads!

[Shadow Archon]

Ah, Warhammer 40k. The fiction where humanity is closest to the Daleks(EXTERMINATE) from Doctor Who in terms of behavior, with an addition of religious zeal. I can't really think of a human civilization more genocidal in my readings.

[EndlessSky]

You will find there are instances in actual human history that are just as dark and genocidal or even more so than Warhammer 40k. I find it kind of silly that humanity is portrayed as the heroes or generally good a lot in science fiction considering human nature and history. Then of course it is humans that are writing it so it is to be expected. I mean hell, we are just as genocidal and destructive towards our OWN race nonetheless another intelligent species.

[Shadow Archon]

You will find there are instances in actual human history that are just as dark and genocidal or even more so than Warhammer 40k. I find it kind of silly that humanity is portrayed as the heroes or generally good a lot in science fiction considering human nature and history. Then of course it is humans that are writing it so it is to be expected. I mean hell, we are just as genocidal and destructive towards our OWN race nonetheless another intelligent species.

Yeah. Just reading about Napalm bombings performed in World War 2 and the Vietnam war in my History book makes me feel sick.

[Hawki]

Quoting posts above in a sense, I guess the thing about 40K is that its numerous genocidal acts are perhaps watered down in that a) they're common and b) the races of the galaxy are pretty much all evil to various degrees (yes, even the tau). In a sense, that puts it as the anathema to Doctor Who: Christopher Eccleston once said in an interview that the underlying theme of DW is "to respect life in all its forms." It's definatly something I agree with and what makes me gravitate towards the series, how it's really without any species or faction polarization that's common in other sci-fi stuff.

[AdeptusAstartes]

Brothers and Sisters I greet you in the name of the Emperor! The time draws nigh and Chaos suckles at your mind with temptations to play this vile heresy of a "game!" Resist! Do not forget who you are! Stay true to the Emperor! Report any suspicious behavior to your local Imperial Youth Leader! Do not allow this disgusting "game" to cloud your judgement and damn our world, such as it is!

[Norfindel]

Sorry, but i tried to play a 40K game once, and nearly fall asleep. It's fail.

[Kacaier]

And with the game's release, a new Chaos God was born, the God of Rocking Awesome StarCraft! Yeaaaah!

[//MavericK\\]

*takes off badly fitting fish bowl poorly painted as a Space Marine helmet*

Ok, time out.

Holy fuck dude. Can't you just sit back and enjoy the 20th Century allegory without backing me into a corner?! Jeez!

*takes a hit of his inhaler and re-dons his poorly constructed Space Marine Helmet*

Eh-hem....

Such questions are beneath me, Whelp! Your only concern is to remain fit for service in whatever capacity HE may see necessary!

This ^

And the answer is no.

/thread

[Hellgrinder]

Hey Adeptus, here are REAL pictures of:

The Emperor

Lion El'Jonson

Leman Russ

and Vulkan