Still using the dodgiest licence ever, so not worth using.
FredBanting
· 4 months ago
What does this even mean?
BuFFo
· 4 months ago
I have no clue.
I payed for AB 3, back in 2005, and they have always been more than happy to help me regain my license when I reinstall the program.
The AB people are very helpful, and I have had zero issues with the license system after buying new computers over the years.
Shavnir
· 4 months ago
It means "If you want to be subscription based just do it". The license is so convoluted its absurd.
Ranillon
· 4 months ago
I think he is referring to how you have to tithe to LoneWolf on a yearly basis to be "up-to-date" on your license. On top of that if you wait to renew your license you not only pay the current cost, but also the cost for all the time you missed!
I'm sorry, but given the standards of the industry that is just unreasonable. Unless you are talking top-end applications usually costing many thousands this sort of licensing scheme is very rare. Thus, in this context this approach just comes off as a heavy-handed money grab.
I am willing to pay for the initial program, of course, and for major upgrades, but having to pay for what should come for free is just outrageous.
heartbit
· 4 months ago
Totally retarded. If the updates are for bugs why I must pay for them?, and if I don't want to update for a new fresh release and stick to my current one because is enough and functional for me why I must pay?
Ranillon
· 4 months ago
To be fair you can get the updates manually if you hunt them down. But, to my mind that just makes this worse -- why then make people pay just to have the updates and army lists more conveniently? Automatic download of updates is a feature of many programs nowadays -- without having to pay Adobe or Microsoft or whatever a yearly tithe. It just strikes me as a a clumsy and self-defeating sales tactic.
When I originally bought the software years ago I really liked it, but when after a year the program popped up and told me I could no longer get automatic updates without paying for the privilege my good feelings toward Lone Wolf disappeared instantly. The standard in the industry is that you pay for a version and then get support/bug fixes for free, only paying again when a new version with a lot of additions comes out.
I understand that Lonewolf is offering the new edition "free" to those subscribed, but their system in effect represents the user loaning Lone Wolf money in exchange for a new edition coming at some vague future date. That's backwards. Thank you, but I want to get something meaningful at the time when I buy, not some promise that may or may not be fulfilled later.
Sathos
· 4 months ago
To make this all clear to people who dont have it but may consider it...
You pay you $40 for the program and 12months of updates, at the end of that year you pay about $12.50 to extend for another year.... In my eyes that isnt bad for the work that they do.
And no...I havent got it yet but am considering it...I had a bootleg copy years ago and it actually made toying with army lists fun, something I would do when bored opr to decide what to buy next etc
Yad
· 4 months ago
And when was the last major release of AB? April 12, 2006 (V3.1C). So I pay 40$ for the program and 12 months of AUTOMATIC updates, as I can still get the updates and apply them manually should my license expire. Then I pay 12.50 to keep my license current. In total I'v spend what, $65.00 till the next update. And then, when I look at the feature list, I'm completely bleh about it. For that, and the reasons Ranillon mentioned, there is no way I'll bite at this.
Sathos
· 4 months ago
and by comparison was photoshop cs3 free for cs2 owners??? no. but to each there own mate I just didnt want people thinking its $40 for yearly renewal although for the work they put in I'd pay it, thats personal choice tho... $40 a year to change army building from a chore to something I can have fun with in my spare time is worth that to me so $12.50 is a bargain! hehe
________________________________
heartbit
· 4 months ago
My point was exactly that if I purchased a piece of software, and I ran for a year (suscription fee) and for me was just plain good, why a I got extend my license and pay over and over (as a extended loan). I
f I choose to do not, I will not get any BUGS updates after expiration date and I will not be able to use the software either.
This suscription model works just fine for magazines, etc ..., but my old magazines will not deny to open themself for reading if I don't renew my suscription.
Sathos
· 4 months ago
Thats what you are missing mate...you can still get the bug fix patches (though you have to manually install them) and the software still works fully... if you use emule or similar grab a copy of an old version like 2.2, well out of date and yet it still works fully, your only problem is you will only get upto 40k 4th ed on it as the people who write the lists (not the same people who make AB) have only written 5th ed in support of the new Army Builder although you could make the list yourself if you got hold of the AB 2.xx development tools.
The updates and therefore the yearly subs is entirely optional but it saves hassle and therefore is down to personal taste... also if you keep your subs up when AB 4 comes out you get it at a reduced price instead of paying $40 again.
FredBanting
· 4 months ago
Ah. That is weird. Glad I don't have AB.
FredBanting
· 4 months ago
Not available for Mac.
I made my own list templates for the armies I use.
Justin Grover
· 4 months ago
I second that- no availability for mac is a sad thing.
Anonoymouse
· 4 months ago
Oh well, 95% of the rest of the world can use it.
FredBanting
· 4 months ago
Well, as long as their PC isn't in the shop with a virus. :)
I personally don't like Army Builder, it's an unattractive format and very plain. My army lists have flair and style.
Guess that's why I'm a Mac. ;)
Matt Stanley
· 4 months ago
I'd want it for a Mac as well, That way I could create an army list while waiting for my carmel machiato with soy whip.
FredBanting
· 4 months ago
As long as you say "huh-wip", then it's cool. Yeaaaaaah....
RealGenius
· 4 months ago
That's macchiato, thankyouverymuch.
FredBanting
· 4 months ago
And for the astute, "caramel". Only that twit Eva Longoria Parker says "carmel". Isnt' Carmel a place?
:)
RealGenius
· 4 months ago
A lovely place. Officially "Carmel-by-the-Sea".
Former mayor: Clint Eastwood.
Eldanesh
· 4 months ago
Psssh,.. I run AB on Parallels. You can run any Windows app on that or use BootCamp. I used to run AB on Virtual PC too.
Artax_IX
· 4 months ago
Thirded.
It's quite lame.
veritechpilot01
· 4 months ago
its funny how this new version had iPhone support yet not Mac support...
RealGenius
· 4 months ago
It actually doesn't have iPhone support. It just lets you export in "mobile friendly" format, which just makes an HTML page.
I love this though: "We've updated the user interface to take advantage of the larger monitors more prevalent today. Army Builder 3.2 is now optimized for viewing on a 1024x768 monitor..."
Seriously, WTF? 1024x768?
1999 called and it wants its desktop resolution back.
Forhekset
· 4 months ago
I was puzzled by that too, since I've been using 1280x1024 for years and years.
Fulminata
· 4 months ago
Interfaces are optimized for the lowest common screen resolution, when AB3 first came out that was still 800x600. I used more back then, and I use more than 1024x768 now, but you don't optimize for higher than the lowest common resolution or else you can make it unusable, or at least inconvenient to use, for those with a lower resolution.
1024x768 is now that lower end, so it's a good thing that AB is going to be optimized for it. It will give them a larger area of screen real estate to play with when laying out the interface.
That doesn't mean that you can't expand the AB window to fill your screen and be able to see more of your lists and options at once. It simply means that if you're viewing at a lower resolution than 1024x768 that you may not be able to see all of the interface on your screen at one time.
Anonymous
· 4 months ago
Too good for a pen, paper, and a calculator?
zenjah
· 4 months ago
Too good for stylus, clay tablet, and an abacus?
Anonymous
· 4 months ago
I can think of plenty of other things I'd rather spend my money on than something that arranges semi-nice looking army lists - more Warhammer models, for example.
Valhallan42nd
· 4 months ago
Excel is the new pen and paper. Open Office is the new Excel for cheap people.
FredBanting
· 4 months ago
That's how we did our army lists in 95. And we LIKED IT!
Rift Knight
· 4 months ago
Uphill both ways too.
Rift Knight
KnightShift
· 4 months ago
I just got Army Builder the other week 'cuz I recently got into 40K (and am now hopelessly addicted :-) and though I haven't quite got the hang of all of it yet, I have to say it's a powerful product that will come in quite handy. And these look to be some pretty nifty upgrades.
Bojesphob
· 4 months ago
Is that why the IG codex update is already a month behind?
bluegiant601
· 4 months ago
IIRC that has something to do with their "not getting their tails sued off" agreement with GW.
muras
· 4 months ago
Yep, they intentionally leave at least a month between codex release and AB update as per their agreement wish GW. All in all a month isn't too bad to wait for some guys to build up the files in their free time in my opinion.
Bojesphob
· 4 months ago
Oh, no, I meant more of they said that they would have it finished in June and it's already halfway through July is all...
AbsoluteBlue
· 4 months ago
The update has been around for a bit on ab40k (http://www.ab40k.org/)... go here for the AB updates for latest updates for 40K.
Bojesphob
· 4 months ago
Huh.... I was just going off of the Army Builder site, they say that it's still in progress. I'll have to check that out, AbsoluteBlue! Thanks!
AbsoluteBlue
· 4 months ago
The AB site itself is horrible and updates are infrequent at best. I found that the ab40k site is much better to follow, if using AB for 40K specifically.
Shaggyterry
· 4 months ago
you also have to remember that these are volunteers that do the data entry and list creation. people have other priorities other than AB.
Artax_IX
· 4 months ago
That excuse doesn't fly.
They're using AB as supplemental income at the least. With the subscription fee they charge their customers, they need to provide a little bit more service than what they currently do.
Fulminata
· 4 months ago
You guys are talking about two different things:
Volunteers make the lists, so complaining that the lists aren't out on time is likely to just get people to tell you where you can stick it, because they don't make a dime.
The people that make the core Army Builder program do it professionally.
jlong05
· 4 months ago
This is correct. The maintainers of the datafiles do not, have not, never will, work for Lonewolf(the makers of Army Builder). At best we get some assistance in programming help and access to beta releases prior to the general public. This allows the maintainers to be more on top of changes to the core application.
As for the updates to the datafiles, the maintainers do not, have not and will not get paid for their creation. GW tends to leave us alone when we do what we do for free. I like to keep it that way. The 1 month embargo on new codexes is only a guideline. We WILL NOT release prior to that, however there is no PROMISE it will be released on day 30 either. We are volunteers and real life takes precedence over playing with plastic toys. Sorry guys.
Updates are generally made available through the AB tool, however for the MOST UP TO DATE versions of the datafiles, I recommend visiting the ab40k website at www.ab40k.org.
Ranillon
· 4 months ago
I agree. The people who maintain the various army lists deserve a hearty virtual pat on the back for all their work.
Plus, without them Lone Wolf wouldn't really have a product to sell. In effect the company is being subsidized by these volunteers. That's another reason why their license scheme irks me.
Dantethegolden
· 4 months ago
huh. i did not know that. that's pretty cool. props to the volunteers.
however....that makes it even more absurd that they're charging you 12 bucks to renew your license in order to access new content that's created for them for free. i love this hobby, but it's such a racket...
jlong05
· 4 months ago
And again, this is a choice for the gamers. You can ALWAYS update your data files manually, you are charged the annual fee for the automated update functionality within the tool(The thing that brings you to their site when new updates are available). You do not have to use that though as you can visit that location from a browser and download the files yourself and them import on your own.
The annual fee also provides updates to the tool though(which the 3.2 update would cover)
Lastly, the makers of AB are not being subsidized by volunteers. They freely provide the datafile creation tool to all users which is what is used to create the files. Everyone that has purchased a copy of AB has the right to create whatever datafiles they wish. This isn't to say that those files will be made available in AB for others, but for your personal use, you can freely create the next codex file yourself, saving yourself the time of waiting on the official release of the file.
Dantethegolden
· 4 months ago
how easy is it to plug in codex information? is there a template that you just throw point values and rules into, or is there a little bit of programming involved? i don't have AB currently, but i'm thinking about getting it, since my usual way of making a list involves scribbling points onto a peice of notebook paper, and it's a pain to tweak a list that way.
Fulminata
· 4 months ago
Creating army builder files is not a trivial project. It's a complex tool set because army lists can be fairly complex beasts when you get down to it. There's no pre-existing template that you can just plug numbers into.
Unless you already have at least some coding experience, I wouldn't recommend getting it with the idea of building your own file sets.
Fortunately, for 40K, you don't have to. There's a whole team of volunteers working on the lists for you.
Maine
· 4 months ago
By "update your data files manually" he means you can install the army list files yourself. It's a very simple process.
My license expired a year ago. All the license provides you is access to the auto-downloader. So instead I get the files directly from the makers (ab40k.org, and other sites for other game systems; many of them are linked on AB's own page). Download the file, launch Army Builder, click "Import" at the game system selection screen, and navigate to and pick the file. Acknowledge the import, and it's done.
Get the existing ab40k files and you dont have to plug anything in from your codex.
Lord of Deeds
· 4 months ago
First off I like Army Builder, it allows me to quickly do lots of what if lists. Also the consistency and legibility of the out put IMHO is excellent and making copies for multiple opponents is easy. How many of you have been frustrated by your opponent giving you or referring to a barely legible pen and paper list that makes it a chore to figure out if the list is legal. By the way, if you are using a spread sheet you are attempting to do what Army Builder does, just with out some of the bells and whistles that Army Builder has.
I don't have an iPhone but do have an iTouch and I am very curious how the mobile support will work and will defiantly try it, but I don't anticipate it being very useful. What I really need is an Army Builder mobile app (similar to iBodger for Warmachine/Hordes) that allows me to build an army list on the fly. I am excited about the PDF capability because that will make the lists I create that much more portable. I can copy them to my flash drive and no matter what computer I am using practically, I can view and print the lists. The other enhancements don't sound like they will change dramatically how I use the program but they sound positive nonetheless.
As for the complaints about the license support, get over it. They are selling a niche program for a niche market. They have a right to try and collect compensation for their efforts. If you don't like it, don't buy it and if enough people agree, the company will either have to change their practices or go out of business.
BTW, the D6 Generation podcast interviewed one of the developers. It’s worth a listen, especially for all you army builder skeptics.
Ranillon
· 4 months ago
I completely agree that Lone Wolf deserves to get money back for their efforts. It's how they are attempting to do so that is the problem.
And, as far criticism goes if Lone Wolf is trying make money off their software they have to be willing to take the bad reviews with the good. After all, if you are going to buy the product it's only fair to know that there is a "gotcha" in their licensing scheme. If I had known about it when I originally bought AB I would have at least reconsidered my decision. More importantly to their bottom line if I had known from the start what the real cost would be I would have been much more likely to maintain my subscription. The "guess what -- pay us more money!" shock that came out of nowhere after the first year went a long way toward souring my feelings.
Besides, if they don't know that people are mad over their licensing scheme they won't be able to potentially change their policy in response. In that sense complaining like this is doing Lone Wolf a favor.
Forhekset
· 4 months ago
Then you've obviously never had to deal with it. It's a complete and total ripoff. I tried very hard to pirate the software out of spite for how much money I had to pay and the fact that I'll have to do so again just to get the update is absolutely ridiculous.
I've never even heard of any other software using such a system, it's just blatantly agitating and gouging money they don't deserve.
They would be infinitely more popular if they done away with all of that stuff, and in turn would make alot more money.
Mike X
· 4 months ago
Uhhh. Seriously?
One thing: The AB 3.x box is $40 and includes a free year of upgrades and automatically installed patches.
After your subscription ends, you can still install patches but in a manual method. Even then, it's simple as hell.
The software is still 100% useable after your account expires.
The ONLY thing you pay for on a yearly basis is upgrades to the core software, which is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL.
Seriously, dude. MMO games charge monthly for their services, and that's REQUIRED.
You need to understand how great of a deal this all is and quit whining...
And I'd like to mention, the yearly account renewal cost is most likely due to people like you trying to pirate the software in the first place. Oh, the irony you've bestowed upon yourself is incredible.
Fulminata
· 4 months ago
The whole system currently in place is 100% due to piracy. Prior to AB3 the guys at Army Builder tried selling the product without "all that stuff" and they made less money, not more, because everyone just copied the program and shared it.
Mike X
· 4 months ago
That's what I said. Pirating made them start charging yearly for core upgrades.
Forhekset said he "tried very hard to pirate the software out of spite for how much money [he] had to pay", yet he only has to pay $40 for it... that's not much, considering Microsoft Word is $100+ and most video games (which is still software) are $30-60.
I'm sure their software doesn't fly off the shelves, and they are a business and need to keep their web site running AND distribute paychecks to their employees AND still make a profit, so an OPTIONAL yearly renewal fee is really rather understandable.
Plus, the very fact that they make the renewal optional is quite generous and humbling on their side of things. Most other companies would be greedy jerks and require it.
Anon
· 4 months ago
Are you suggesting that army builder is 2/3 as valuable as a 360 or PS3 game? Or 2/5 as useful as microsoft word? The program is nothing more than a minor convenience and I would much rather put my $40 toward something else.
Fulminata
· 4 months ago
bleh, didn't mean to hit the "like" button on anon's comment.
I will say that army builder is more valuable than a 360 game, at least for me. I've gotten more use out of it than any 360 game I can think of.
90% of the things most people buy daily are nothing more than "minor conveniences".
Anon
· 4 months ago
bleh, a 360 game is designed for around 20 hours of use (on average) and is something that most people could not have any chance of replicating.
Army Builder on the other hand can be replaced by a codex, a pencil, and a scrap of paper.
Sathos
· 4 months ago
I am with Mike X on this... what the people who havent bothered to look at AB's site need to understand is that the renewal fee payable yearly is NOT $40, its $12.50 and is optional... to my mind its well worth paying $40 for the program+ licence key, getting your 2nd free licence key so you can have it on your pc and laptop or whatever... then paying $12.50 every 12 months to keep your purchase in best health.
Even the old 2.x versions of AB are still fully functional when they are long out of date... its the list writers that are no-longer supporting the old versions and rightly so, they are ensuring the future of the program they like to work with.
Forhekset
· 4 months ago
Who cares what MMOs charge for, that's not even relevant.
$40 should cover it forever. They don't even make the data files that I actually want the program for anyway. What am I paying for repeatably? A UI setup and potential for unlimited data files of which there are not. Most people would only use it for one game I would imagine.
The only reason it isn't piratable is because it hasn't drawn any attention from the people who would like to conquer software, not because it's any harder to get through.
And considering up until now it's been possibly years since they even upgraded the software, it's just so hideously pointless. I'm very surprised they've even updated it at all.
I'd much rather pay the people who make the data files. At least they actually do some work.
Forhekset
· 4 months ago
And what do you mean "people like you"? I said I only wanted to pirate it in protest for the stupid overcosting of the product.
So up yours, Mr Self Righteous.
Zapp
· 4 months ago
Hey champ, you might want to unbunch your panties, I think they are making you a bit "sad"....
Eldanesh
· 4 months ago
PDF support, FINALLY.
Valhallan42nd
· 4 months ago
That did kinda bug me.
Kharloth
· 4 months ago
meh..... waste of a good amount of cash when all you need is a caluclator, pen and paper
Sathos
· 4 months ago
Indeed...thats all you "need"
All you "need" is bread and water but surely its nice to have an 8 course meal sometimes ;)
steesefactor
· 4 months ago
I like army builder, but I think it's over priced and the licensing scheme is ridiculous. I'd be amazed if more than 10% of buyers renewed. And the lists can be quite buggy and out of date... but other than that I like it. :-)
Sathos
· 4 months ago
The best lists are those written by 3rd parties like www.ab40k.com as for renewal, about half of my gaming group have the program and they all renew...thats a good 15-20 people
steesefactor
· 4 months ago
I like army builder, but I think it's over priced and the licensing scheme is ridiculous. I'd be amazed if more than 10% of buyers renewed. And the lists can be quite buggy and out of date... but other than that I like it. :-)
Mike X
· 4 months ago
Damn, active subscription only? Mine just ran out like last month!
brotherwill
· 4 months ago
Very cool to hear.
David
· 4 months ago
I use excel and write up my own lists, etc... AB is a hassle, and not cheap.
Lord of Deeds
· 4 months ago
Like any of the stuff in this hobby is cheap. Seriously, if $40 is breaking your bank how do you play 40K or any other GW game at all?
jon
· 4 months ago
Its more the point of using your brain over mindlessly handing over someone your hard earned scratch in lue of you using a calculator
eike
· 4 months ago
I'm not sure why people pay money for producs such as army builder anyway. There are a lot of very, very good alternatives made by fans, some of them are even open source.
Its free, most armies are available in english (and the others will follow), its very and intuitive to use, its browser-based and it gives you several options for nice formats.
Sathos
· 4 months ago
I just had a look at that mate...umm I dont speak german so even though the army may be in English, the entire java app isnt which isnt greatly helpful...while I am sure it is great for a free, browser based product it shows all the reasons why AB isnt free in its functionality.
Lord of Deeds
· 4 months ago
eike, thanks for the link, never knew that site existed and I am surprised that given the amount of time I spend on Warseer or DakkaDakka and other forums I have never come across it before. The fact that it is in German though is a big hurdle and makes it significantly less usful for me and any other English only reader. Didn't see the output options and the screen wouldn't allow me to see the entire army list which instead of a top down fashion was presented horizontally which I thought was werid. Well to each his own I guess. Good thing no one is putting a gun to your head forcing you to buy AB
Lazuli
· 4 months ago
I don't speak German and I can use it perfectly fine.
Evan B
· 4 months ago
Good to know they're putting the money we're forced to pay them to use community-developed army files to use.
RexScarlet
· 4 months ago
Pros;
The program, "when the Data-Files are correct," is simple to learn and lets a player organize an Army list rather quickly.
Auto-update reminder is hella-simpler than manually downloading the update, since the auto-updater keeps track of what you have or have not updated, and instantly notifies you when there is a new update.
Cons;
AB is "nothing" without the Data-Files (and the people that create them for FREE) as the existing "construction" program is difficult.
Data Files are NOT always correct, and could be "years" before said mistakes are addressed or fixed. (people doing it for free has always been the excuse for not being current, having mistakes, etc.)
The "NEW" Annual Anniversary renewal fee (starts from a set date, not from date you renew) and is 12.50-ish per renewal.
On a final thought AB skirts the edge on what you are buying (and always has), so if you are just looking for a program to “construct” a set of rules into the program to make army lists, then that is what AB is “kind-of” advertising.
But if you are looking at AB for the ability to download already finished Data-Files for specific game systems, AB is “not really” selling that ability, just “hinting” at it.
I will not renew, and I have had AB for over 10 years.
All Comments
I payed for AB 3, back in 2005, and they have always been more than happy to help me regain my license when I reinstall the program.
The AB people are very helpful, and I have had zero issues with the license system after buying new computers over the years.
I'm sorry, but given the standards of the industry that is just unreasonable. Unless you are talking top-end applications usually costing many thousands this sort of licensing scheme is very rare. Thus, in this context this approach just comes off as a heavy-handed money grab.
I am willing to pay for the initial program, of course, and for major upgrades, but having to pay for what should come for free is just outrageous.
If the updates are for bugs why I must pay for them?, and if I don't want to update for a new fresh release and stick to my current one because is enough and functional for me why I must pay?
When I originally bought the software years ago I really liked it, but when after a year the program popped up and told me I could no longer get automatic updates without paying for the privilege my good feelings toward Lone Wolf disappeared instantly. The standard in the industry is that you pay for a version and then get support/bug fixes for free, only paying again when a new version with a lot of additions comes out.
I understand that Lonewolf is offering the new edition "free" to those subscribed, but their system in effect represents the user loaning Lone Wolf money in exchange for a new edition coming at some vague future date. That's backwards. Thank you, but I want to get something meaningful at the time when I buy, not some promise that may or may not be fulfilled later.
You pay you $40 for the program and 12months of updates, at the end of that year you pay about $12.50 to extend for another year.... In my eyes that isnt bad for the work that they do.
And no...I havent got it yet but am considering it...I had a bootleg copy years ago and it actually made toying with army lists fun, something I would do when bored opr to decide what to buy next etc
________________________________
f I choose to do not, I will not get any BUGS updates after expiration date and I will not be able to use the software either.
This suscription model works just fine for magazines, etc ..., but my old magazines will not deny to open themself for reading if I don't renew my suscription.
and the software still works fully... if you use emule or similar grab a copy of an old version like 2.2, well out
of date and yet it still works fully, your only problem is you will only get upto 40k 4th ed on it as the people
who write the lists (not the same people who make AB) have only written 5th ed in support of the new
Army Builder although you could make the list yourself if you got hold of the AB 2.xx development tools.
The updates and therefore the yearly subs is entirely optional but it saves hassle and therefore is down
to personal taste... also if you keep your subs up when AB 4 comes out you get it at a reduced price
instead of paying $40 again.
I made my own list templates for the armies I use.
I personally don't like Army Builder, it's an unattractive format and very plain. My army lists have flair and style.
Guess that's why I'm a Mac. ;)
:)
Former mayor: Clint Eastwood.
It's quite lame.
I love this though: "We've updated the user interface to take advantage of the larger monitors more prevalent today. Army Builder 3.2 is now optimized for viewing on a 1024x768 monitor..."
Seriously, WTF? 1024x768?
1999 called and it wants its desktop resolution back.
1024x768 is now that lower end, so it's a good thing that AB is going to be optimized for it. It will give them a larger area of screen real estate to play with when laying out the interface.
That doesn't mean that you can't expand the AB window to fill your screen and be able to see more of your lists and options at once. It simply means that if you're viewing at a lower resolution than 1024x768 that you may not be able to see all of the interface on your screen at one time.
Rift Knight
They're using AB as supplemental income at the least. With the subscription fee they charge their customers, they need to provide a little bit more service than what they currently do.
Volunteers make the lists, so complaining that the lists aren't out on time is likely to just get people to tell you where you can stick it, because they don't make a dime.
The people that make the core Army Builder program do it professionally.
As for the updates to the datafiles, the maintainers do not, have not and will not get paid for their creation. GW tends to leave us alone when we do what we do for free. I like to keep it that way. The 1 month embargo on new codexes is only a guideline. We WILL NOT release prior to that, however there is no PROMISE it will be released on day 30 either. We are volunteers and real life takes precedence over playing with plastic toys. Sorry guys.
Updates are generally made available through the AB tool, however for the MOST UP TO DATE versions of the datafiles, I recommend visiting the ab40k website at www.ab40k.org.
Plus, without them Lone Wolf wouldn't really have a product to sell. In effect the company is being subsidized by these volunteers. That's another reason why their license scheme irks me.
however....that makes it even more absurd that they're charging you 12 bucks to renew your license in order to access new content that's created for them for free. i love this hobby, but it's such a racket...
The annual fee also provides updates to the tool though(which the 3.2 update would cover)
Lastly, the makers of AB are not being subsidized by volunteers. They freely provide the datafile creation tool to all users which is what is used to create the files. Everyone that has purchased a copy of AB has the right to create whatever datafiles they wish. This isn't to say that those files will be made available in AB for others, but for your personal use, you can freely create the next codex file yourself, saving yourself the time of waiting on the official release of the file.
Unless you already have at least some coding experience, I wouldn't recommend getting it with the idea of building your own file sets.
Fortunately, for 40K, you don't have to. There's a whole team of volunteers working on the lists for you.
My license expired a year ago. All the license provides you is access to the auto-downloader. So instead I get the files directly from the makers (ab40k.org, and other sites for other game systems; many of them are linked on AB's own page). Download the file, launch Army Builder, click "Import" at the game system selection screen, and navigate to and pick the file. Acknowledge the import, and it's done.
Get the existing ab40k files and you dont have to plug anything in from your codex.
I don't have an iPhone but do have an iTouch and I am very curious how the mobile support will work and will defiantly try it, but I don't anticipate it being very useful. What I really need is an Army Builder mobile app (similar to iBodger for Warmachine/Hordes) that allows me to build an army list on the fly. I am excited about the PDF capability because that will make the lists I create that much more portable. I can copy them to my flash drive and no matter what computer I am using practically, I can view and print the lists. The other enhancements don't sound like they will change dramatically how I use the program but they sound positive nonetheless.
As for the complaints about the license support, get over it. They are selling a niche program for a niche market. They have a right to try and collect compensation for their efforts. If you don't like it, don't buy it and if enough people agree, the company will either have to change their practices or go out of business.
BTW, the D6 Generation podcast interviewed one of the developers. It’s worth a listen, especially for all you army builder skeptics.
And, as far criticism goes if Lone Wolf is trying make money off their software they have to be willing to take the bad reviews with the good. After all, if you are going to buy the product it's only fair to know that there is a "gotcha" in their licensing scheme. If I had known about it when I originally bought AB I would have at least reconsidered my decision. More importantly to their bottom line if I had known from the start what the real cost would be I would have been much more likely to maintain my subscription. The "guess what -- pay us more money!" shock that came out of nowhere after the first year went a long way toward souring my feelings.
Besides, if they don't know that people are mad over their licensing scheme they won't be able to potentially change their policy in response. In that sense complaining like this is doing Lone Wolf a favor.
I've never even heard of any other software using such a system, it's just blatantly agitating and gouging money they don't deserve.
They would be infinitely more popular if they done away with all of that stuff, and in turn would make alot more money.
One thing: The AB 3.x box is $40 and includes a free year of upgrades and automatically installed patches.
After your subscription ends, you can still install patches but in a manual method. Even then, it's simple as hell.
The software is still 100% useable after your account expires.
The ONLY thing you pay for on a yearly basis is upgrades to the core software, which is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL.
Seriously, dude. MMO games charge monthly for their services, and that's REQUIRED.
You need to understand how great of a deal this all is and quit whining...
And I'd like to mention, the yearly account renewal cost is most likely due to people like you trying to pirate the software in the first place. Oh, the irony you've bestowed upon yourself is incredible.
Forhekset said he "tried very hard to pirate the software out of spite for how much money [he] had to pay", yet he only has to pay $40 for it... that's not much, considering Microsoft Word is $100+ and most video games (which is still software) are $30-60.
I'm sure their software doesn't fly off the shelves, and they are a business and need to keep their web site running AND distribute paychecks to their employees AND still make a profit, so an OPTIONAL yearly renewal fee is really rather understandable.
Plus, the very fact that they make the renewal optional is quite generous and humbling on their side of things. Most other companies would be greedy jerks and require it.
I will say that army builder is more valuable than a 360 game, at least for me. I've gotten more use out of it than any 360 game I can think of.
90% of the things most people buy daily are nothing more than "minor conveniences".
Army Builder on the other hand can be replaced by a codex, a pencil, and a scrap of paper.
Even the old 2.x versions of AB are still fully functional when they are long out of date... its the list writers that are no-longer supporting the old versions and rightly so, they are ensuring the future of the program they like to work with.
$40 should cover it forever. They don't even make the data files that I actually want the program for anyway. What am I paying for repeatably? A UI setup and potential for unlimited data files of which there are not. Most people would only use it for one game I would imagine.
The only reason it isn't piratable is because it hasn't drawn any attention from the people who would like to conquer software, not because it's any harder to get through.
And considering up until now it's been possibly years since they even upgraded the software, it's just so hideously pointless. I'm very surprised they've even updated it at all.
I'd much rather pay the people who make the data files. At least they actually do some work.
So up yours, Mr Self Righteous.
All you "need" is bread and water but surely its nice to have an 8 course meal sometimes ;)
For example, check out http://onlinecodex.de/
Its free, most armies are available in english (and the others will follow), its very and intuitive to use, its browser-based and it gives you several options for nice formats.
The program, "when the Data-Files are correct," is simple to learn and lets a player organize an Army list rather quickly.
Auto-update reminder is hella-simpler than manually downloading the update, since the auto-updater keeps track of what you have or have not updated, and instantly notifies you when there is a new update.
Cons;
AB is "nothing" without the Data-Files (and the people that create them for FREE) as the existing "construction" program is difficult.
Data Files are NOT always correct, and could be "years" before said mistakes are addressed or fixed. (people doing it for free has always been the excuse for not being current, having mistakes, etc.)
The "NEW" Annual Anniversary renewal fee (starts from a set date, not from date you renew) and is 12.50-ish per renewal.
On a final thought AB skirts the edge on what you are buying (and always has), so if you are just looking for a program to “construct” a set of rules into the program to make army lists, then that is what AB is “kind-of” advertising.
But if you are looking at AB for the ability to download already finished Data-Files for specific game systems, AB is “not really” selling that ability, just “hinting” at it.
I will not renew, and I have had AB for over 10 years.