Smaul, I'm a little bit confused about what houserules have to do with any of this? Or arguing for that matter?
There is one set of Epic Armageddon Rules on the GW website, with one set of lists. GW does not support older versions of the game (Space Marine is AFAIK the first?) though there are multiple versions out there on the net, if you choose. However, that is the same for anything. For a GW type example, it is the same as playing by the official WH40K rules or instead using one of the fan rules mods out there. It is my understanding that despite the existence of alternative rules, the rules published and supported by GW are considered the official WH40k rules?
I know you feel a bit strongly about the houserules thing but no one is going to go and make your group use them and it really has nothing to do with Specialist Games.
When I want to play BFG, I go to the GW website and get the rules. When I want to play Epic Armageddon, I go to the GW website and get the rules. I hope that is how WOTR ends up too but it may be that they keep the book in print but sold only direct (or Forgeworld?), since it is just the one product code. Three with the movement trays.
Notlegolasjusttipsy, I suppose it depends on your individual purchasing practices? There is very little that is specifically WOTR atm (see the above answer to Smaul). So, happy thoughts of a better tested official edition aside (even if rules design and playtesting is just opinion), it may just mean that you get some of the same stuff in different places and probably most of it in the same place - because SBG is going to get more promoted, not less.