Bell of Lost Souls - Latest Comments in News: Army Builder v3.2

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

horus_the_warmaster — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:02:42 -0000

this is gr8 bcoz iv allways found it difficult to pick up a peice of paper and a pen and write a list lol

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

RexScarlet — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:23:06 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Anon — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:30:15 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

jon — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:26:17 -0000

Its more the point of using your brain over mindlessly handing over someone your hard earned scratch in lue of you using a calculator

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Zapp — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:13:33 -0000

Hey champ, you might want to unbunch your panties, I think they are making you a bit "sad"....

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Maine — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:22:29 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Sathos — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:13:28 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

heartbitt — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:33:55 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Fulminata — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:57:31 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Fulminata — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:46:01 -0000

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".

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Sathos — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:56:14 -0000

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

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Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Evan B — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:49:35 -0000

Good to know they're putting the money we're forced to pay them to use community-developed army files to use.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Anon — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:49:20 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Yad — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:30:51 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Forhekset — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:10:48 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Forhekset — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:06:56 -0000

I was puzzled by that too, since I've been using 1280x1024 for years and years.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Forhekset — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:03:35 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Lord of Deeds — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:29:38 -0000

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

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Lazuli — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:28:34 -0000

I don't speak German and I can use it perfectly fine.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Lord of Deeds — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:23:35 -0000

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?

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Fulminata — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:53:48 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Dantethegolden — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:33:47 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

jlong05 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:16:44 -0000

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.

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Dantethegolden — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:13:26 -0000

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...

Re: News: Army Builder v3.2

Sathos — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:44:08 -0000

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.