Rumil wrote an excellent post in regards to this magazine and the new line of products related to the release of a war game by
Games Workshop based on the Lord of the Rings movies. For those of you not familiar with this magazine or game, it would be a good idea to read his post.
This game and magazine are geared to a particular audience of war game enthusiasts. It is not for everyone. I personally do not play these kinds of games, but I know many people who do. Most of these people are not under the age of 18, but the ones I know are college age or older. Warhammer for example was very popular among many soldiers living in the barracks back when I was in the Army. Thus, characterizing them as “kids” depends on how one defines the term.
From what I know of Games Workshop they are nothing like your characterization, eleanor. Games Workshop, while definitely out to make a profit, are from all I can discern a respectable gaming company with a huge fan base. The fan base on which Games Workshop focuses would not accept anything like The Horrible Histories (though I admit I have no idea what the heck that is), little crystal models, teddy bears, or china dolls. For the most part, these are older and intelligent people who play these games, and Games Workshop knows this.
The game from what I've seen is based on the battle scenes portrayed in the movies. The movies in turn were based (at least loosely) on battles in the books. If adapting these battles into a war game is glorifying war, then PJ adapting the written material into a movie must also be glorifying war. Of course, the greatest sinner to glorify war would have to be the professor, himself, who first penned these battles.
While you and I may deem such a magazine as a waste of money, there are many people out there who don’t, and who are you to judge? Who am I to judge? I own a very expensive collection of swords, maille, a shield, and a great helm, not to mention a collection of historical cloths and patterns. My wife spends a lot of money on PS2 games, a modem, and soon a hard drive. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who would say we are wasting our money, and glorifying violence and war… but our response, as I’m sure Games Workshop’s and their fans’ response to your objections, would be: “p*ssoff.”