I can say from conversation that the idea of plastics have come up. but the problem is there are certain figures that no one buts or is bought in a limited quanty. (personalities, ect.) It would be a major major loss to create plastics molds for all figures in line. This would then leave us with a massive amount of overhead and excess stock. For company our size it is not economical for GW. Im sure it is. They have some beautiful minis, but look at it.. You get a 10 pack of metal minis form us for 25$, you get a 5 pack of minis form them for nearly 40 or so.
Rule book is that same thing, one book with all armies for us for 50$.
Faction books All and rulle book come to 50$ for rulebook, 20$ chaos codex, 20$ daemonhunters, 15$ dark eldar, 15$ eldar, 20$ IG, 20$ necrons, 15$ orcs, 20$ space marine, space wolves, $10 dark angels, $10 blood angels, $20 tau, 20$ tyranids, 20$ witch hunters.
So for the rulebook, and all factions it would cost.....$285
OUCH.