Bryan Ansell, co-creator of the iconic Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop game and a key figure at Games Workshop throughout the late 1980s, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on 30 December 2023. The news was announced on Ansell’s official Instagram account, which he shared with his wife, Diane.

Ansell, a seasoned sculptor, joined forces with Games Workshop in 1978 to establish Citadel Miniatures, a brand under which the company continues to manufacture its British-made products to this day. Subsequently, he became the managing director of Games Workshop itself. During his time at the helm, the company underwent a significant transformation, transitioning from being an importer and distributor of tabletop games such as Dungeons & Dragons to becoming a manufacturer, eventually exporting its own science fiction and fantasy products to numerous countries across the globe.

Apart from guiding the company through its initial stages of growth, Ansell’s most significant contribution to Games Workshop was his role in bringing to life the Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop wargame. This creation, which was a result of collaborative efforts with fellow co-founders Rick Priestley and Richard Halliwell, would eventually emerge as one of the company’s standout products, alongside Warhammer 40,000.

He also played a major role in creating the 1980 sci-fi wargame Laserburn, which served as a predecessor to Warhammer 40,000 and incorporated elements such as bolt guns and power armour. Ansell’s contributions were not limited to design, as he also served as lead writer for the Warhammer Realm of Chaos supplements. These supplements not only provided comprehensive details about the setting’s Chaos gods but also laid the foundation for the heavy metal horror-fantasy tone that would later become synonymous with the Warhammer franchise.

In 1991, Ansell departed from Games Workshop, leaving behind a company that had experienced significant growth under his stewardship. In the years following his departure, he embarked on a new journey by running a smaller manufacturer of historical miniatures called Wargames Foundry. Interestingly, Wargames Foundry had initially been established to provide Ansell’s father with an activity after his retirement. However, in 2005, Ansell himself retired from Wargames Foundry, allowing his family to carry on his legacy and continue to operate the company.

Our condolences to the late co-creator’s friends and family.