This very much gives Forgeworld models the same level of "official" as does any other product GW releases for Warhammer 40k. In fact this goes so far to say its as official as the Tau codex is for games.
Our units are official Warhammer 40,000 units. If someone does not wish to play against our units, as they may not wish to play against a Codex:Tau Empire Army for example, that is their decision.
Check out the rest of this below.
Also note the following quote regarding Games Workshop and Forgeworld being the same company.
If you would like a comment on this from a different department within Games Workshop I would suggest you direct your questions to them.
A huge thanks goes out to Father Gabe for not only asking this question in terms but sending it in. (I have included the question so that there is a better understanding of what was asked).
via Father Gabe here on Faeit 212
On 18 November 2013
Good Morning,
I am contacting you regarding an issue that seems to continue to be a hot topic despite the best intentions of Forge World and Games Workshop to address it. The issue specifically is even though new Imperial Armor books have official "Warhammer 40,000 Approved" stamps on certain models/army lists, they are not widely considered official by your customers.
Large in part now due to Warhammer World listing Forge World units/army lists as unusable in their official tournaments (Like Throne of Skulls), which has, of course thrown the Warhammer 40,000 crowd across the many nations into confusion.
Though I understand Games Workshop, Forge World, Black Library and Citadel are departments within Games Workshop LTD and not separate companies, is it possible for a join statement from a "Games Workshop" representative to make a blanket statement saying that Forge World/Games Workshop are the same and that rules for one are rules for the other? Or at least something similar, there is a great misunderstanding if Forge World is official rules for Games Workshop codexes? Are Forge World rules considered expansion/supplement rules? Or is Forge World a separate company altogether?
I realize that your staff are nearing the holiday season, working diligently on Horus Heresy, Warhammer Forge, etc., and it is appreciated. I would however, greatly appreciate a response or addressing of any of these issue that seems to consume customers/fans.
via Forgeworld in response to the email above.
Thank you for your email. Our models and rules are developed for the Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 universes. We make it clear in our Imperial Armour books, when a units profile has been stamped with a 'Warhammer 40,000' stamp that:
'This unit is intended to be used in 'standard' games of Warhammer 40,000, within the usual limitations of Codex selection and force organisation charts.'
'As with all of our models these should be considered 'official', but owing to the fact they may be unknown to your opponent, it's best to make sure they are happy to play a game using Forge World Models before you start.'
Our units are official Warhammer 40,000 units. If someone does not wish to play against our units, as they may not wish to play against a Codex:Tau Empire Army for example, that is their decision. Likewise Tournament organizers can decide what rules and/or units are allowed or not in their tournaments.
If you would like a comment on this from a different department within Games Workshop I would suggest you direct your questions to them.
If there is anything further we can do to assist you, or if you have any queries about the information we have requested or provided, please telephone us.
Regards,
Forge World