seems like PP stepped off the right path. at first they started with cool minis, now they got into the way of mass-production, for which GW was criticized.
I believe that's what happens to any company willing to develop their game that much (be it GW, PP or Rackham). The need to release new stuff frequently causes the lower overall quality.
Actually the new books aren't released till august 2008 One book for pirates and stuff and one book called warmachine legends, which seems to be the end of the current WM storyline.