http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/7.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net
Yesterday I had to reinstall windows. When I load AB3, it tells me that I've already installed it and have to wait 120 days to install it again! I've emailed their customer service and haven't gotten anything back.

This is worse than Micro$oft. It's crap like this that makes people wait around for the crack instead of buying software.

Dont buy this garbage. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305315.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305315.page GMT
Not actually worse than MS, but good luck cracking it.

Nobody's done so yet.

Garbage? Hardly.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305321.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305321.page GMT Garbage? Hardly.[/quote]

Of 9 people I have talked to, you are the first to say that. 1 in 9 liking it is hardly worth my investment.

I am glad you enjoy it, but I will stay away from it thank you very much.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305411.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305411.page GMT I love Army Builder 3.
I preferred the ease with which I could put AB2 on all 3 of my computers. Sure...
IMO, though, AB3 is a better product. It's more refined.

I don't expect you to but, if you wanted, you could add 2 more onto your "like" side, as both the guys i regularly game with are fans, as well.

I can't speak on their customer service, as I've never had a need to use it. AB has always been solid for me.


Eric

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305439.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305439.page GMT
Darrian]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305446.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305446.page GMT
The DRM barrier is extremely annoying - I ran into almost exactly the same issue with reinstallation.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305450.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305450.page GMT
I feel like we're playing survivor now.


I don't remember having any issues getting it on my lap top and desktop, although, I'll admit it might have been more than 120 days between installs.

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305505.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305505.page GMT
I did not have any problems. Along with the main key, they give you a second key for a second computer. I have several friends that use it, and the only one who has had any trouble had the same problem. As far as I can remember though, their customer service got back with him in a couple of days.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305525.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305525.page GMT
I prefered AB2.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305534.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305534.page GMT
but AB is a great video game.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305541.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305541.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305555.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305555.page GMT
Is that 5 for 15 or 6 for 15. I can't figure it out.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305567.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305567.page GMT
I make it 7 for 16. Lovin' the AB 3.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305642.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305642.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305646.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305646.page GMT
I use it and quite like it.
It came in handy for validating lists for a tourney recently (2 ork players and a Marine tried to sneak points past the limit).

I have my two licences, and the two computers it runs on, and there are no issues with it on my side.

Yes, in the past I've used pen, paper and a codex, as well a a codex and excel (hand coding in the macros to get it to do everything with drop downs), but this is way easier.
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305661.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305661.page GMT
One of the best tools a 40k player has at thier disposal.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305678.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305678.page GMT
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305683.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305683.page GMT
PS: 9 for 18.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305766.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305766.page GMT
AB3 rocks it the hard way for 40k. So easy to make lists, load old ones and adjust them slightly. They seem to be pretty on top of the few errors that crop up and there is a good system for reporting and resolving them. I was at a 40k tournament in Ottawa last month, and every list I saw except one was an army builder printout (the other was done by hand).

I do use Armies of Immoren for Warmachine though (gets updated faster, is free, and formats nicer since I have cards for the models' stats)
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305772.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305772.page GMT
AB just makes army building and nudging so easy. Withhow quick you can mix and match units in and out you can have a much better variety of lists to look at, you can rearrange it in multiple ways and add your own notes all over the place.

It gets an A in functionality, even if you need to double check at the end in case a couple points values are wrong. You can even fix those yourself if you want for future lists instead of waiting for the developers to do so. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305811.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305811.page GMT 13 for 22 - Peter Elias
14 for 23 - Brad Chester
15 for 24 - Mike Mutscheller
16 for 25 - John Willingham

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305816.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305816.page GMT
One of the few things Stelek and I agree on. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305818.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305818.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/212700.page

I decided to try a ratings poll, and see how many fall above
and below the non-committed user. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305822.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305822.page GMT
Yesterday I had to reinstall windows. When I load AB3, it tells me that I've already installed it and have to wait 120 days to install it again! I've emailed their customer service and haven't gotten anything back.

This is worse than Micro$oft. It's crap like this that makes people wait around for the crack instead of buying software.

Dont buy this garbage. [/quote]

So , you ...
1.Purchased a Product On-line.(No CD, just a registry key if it is the same as mine)
2.Something happened so you needed to do an OS re-install.
3.You sent them an E-mail when you couldn't re-install, and have not recieved a respone in 24hrs.
4.Called the program 'garbage' online, in a Forum.(Because of points 2 & 3 I assume)

Your original rant indicates to me that you have unreal expectations of AB, up to and including product support.

Perhaps the person who sold you the PC is having unreal expectations of you being [i]able[/i] to use said system.

Design a better one(AB that is), with instant customer support-and I wont think you churlish, Sir.



]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305911.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305911.page GMT
I love it, but I only have the trial version..]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305924.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/305924.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306003.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306003.page GMT
There are only certain units I use, so I can get away with Spreadsheets just fine. "Fortune and Doom Seer", "Vyper with EML", "Six SM with Meltagun," etc. The system works.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306027.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306027.page GMT
I just dont like not owning anything, I don't like the idea of buying the right to use something for a little while, on one piece of hardware, under conditions they set, at night, with the lights off, with the.... (you get the idea).

Besides it is clear that AB3 was done as a marketing ploy with intentional dropping of support for AB2 and the addition of NEW LICENSING.

Meh, I don't think I will buy AB 4 when it comes out as the AB3 track record was about the same as I remember AB2 being.

In the future I will just probably make an excel file as I buy the new codices.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306138.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306138.page GMT 40k easier in Excel. Which leaves just Flames of War. I can't really justify the cost for just one game.

Each to their own I suppose, it's not a bad program and I would recommend it to others (especially over the GW ones). I just don't use it myself. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306253.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306253.page GMT
It's not the greatest, but it's easy enough to use and comes in real handy. When I'm planning out an army I will use that to mess around with options, but when I come up with a 'final" list I'll usually use a design program to lay it out so I can squeeze it in 1 or 2 sheets instead of 4 or 5]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306324.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306324.page GMT
G]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306416.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306416.page GMT
The reason for all the DRM (digital rights management) is that Army Builder 2.0 was very heavily pirated. All you needed was a burned CD and it would work, and there was also a license key generator. Most people I know didn't pay for AB2 (hell, I went half-sies with a friend of mine) for it.

It can be a pain in the ass, but I still like having it.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306420.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306420.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306628.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306628.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306677.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306677.page GMT
So delete your windows install, and pretty much all games and software you buy for the PC.

[quote=Augustus]Besides it is clear that AB3 was done as a marketing ploy with intentional dropping of support for AB2 and the addition of NEW LICENSING.[/quote]

Actually it was a ploy to keep in business.

You could crack AB2 as Iorek pointed out, and lemme tell ya as an unpaid volunteer for many years...that musta sucked for the guys trying to make a living off a stolen product.

Now it's more difficult to crack, and zomg they can actually make money off the software.\

Heaven forbid.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306679.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306679.page GMT 40k easier in Excel. Which leaves just Flames of War. I can't really justify the cost for just one game.

Each to their own I suppose, it's not a bad program and I would recommend it to others (especially over the GW ones). I just don't use it myself. [/quote]

I always find it amusing to hear someone say it's easier to make army lists in excel.

How is any effort a better deal than zero effort?

Of course warmachine gets updated more often.

There's only 5 frigging armies to keep updated, and they aren't GW armies with all kinds of weird dependencies to account for.

The 40k file isn't 3x as large as most other game files for nothing, ya know.

30$ is pricey...]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306684.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306684.page GMT
Excel is to Army Builder as Double-entry Accounting is to Poetry.

Nothing alike, from my experience.

BTW, as the original poster stated, he would rather have a 'cracked' copy, to avoid situations like this.

Pathetic. Why do you think they make a Reg. file so cheapkates CAN'T crack it.

I think the editors/developers/volunteers do a fething great job.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306693.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306693.page GMT
Gave up with AB3. It worked but I just hated it. Over-engineered for my purposes.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306744.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306744.page GMT
The End Times must be neigh, as I just described a spreadsheet as "visceral"...]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306792.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306792.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306794.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306794.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306796.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306796.page GMT
How is any effort a better deal than zero effort?[/quote]
When I play 40k I don't always play from GW codicies (such as when I play with my Squats) therfore Excel is less effort.

[quote=Stelek]Of course warmachine gets updated more often.

There's only 5 frigging armies to keep updated, and they aren't GW armies with all kinds of weird dependencies to account for.

The 40k file isn't 3x as large as most other game files for nothing, ya know.[/quote]
More reading less rant huh? To recap, AoI gets updates quicker than AB3. BTW: Warmachine has more than 5 armies (not that it's important).

$30 on AB3 is $30 not spent on lead men. I'd rather spend my cash on lead men, your milage may vary.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306812.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306812.page GMT
How is any effort a better deal than zero effort?[/quote]
When I play 40k I don't always play from GW codicies (such as when I play with my Squats) therfore Excel is less effort.

[quote=Stelek]Of course warmachine gets updated more often.

There's only 5 frigging armies to keep updated, and they aren't GW armies with all kinds of weird dependencies to account for.

The 40k file isn't 3x as large as most other game files for nothing, ya know.[/quote]
More reading less rant huh? To recap, AoI gets updates quicker than AB3. BTW: Warmachine has more than 5 armies (not that it's important).

$30 on AB3 is $30 not spent on lead men. I'd rather spend my cash on lead men, your milage may vary.[/quote]

preach it brother.. preach it..]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306915.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/306915.page GMT
This is why I don't buy superglue or paint for my models. I just stick them together with white glue and leave them their natural silver and gray colors like god intended. Also I get to save money for lead men.

No wait, I don't do that, I shelled out 3% of the money I have spent on models for Army builder which allows me easy configuration to play with them in a variety of ways and helps my future spending decisions.

If you had the license once, you can reinstall on the same code without calling support as long as it has been over 30 days since your last one, if your computer goes down faster than that you have other more important issues. I bought it several years ago and have reinstalled several times, never had to call. I have also had all the updates because while you have to click 6 times instead of one, you still get the same updates (have to update manually, which is about as hard as it was to update normally in AB2). I suppose the support could be worth it, but I have never had issues with 3 although I had plenty of issues with 2.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307018.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307018.page GMT
in your underwear?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307055.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307055.page GMT
Actually, I kind of agree. I get by just fine with Excel and the trial version of AB3. Ditto not buying other stuff. Not buying stuff does not add up after a while.

But if someone bought it for me, I would be all smiles. In fact, someone did once, only the g a k - ing LGS couldn't get it, so I had a gift certificate on something else, which was fine. Or if I got a deal on it (say $10) in something like a DCM deal I would go for it, just for the awesomeness of it all.

"Is that Army Builder version 3.10?"
"NO. IT IS THE DAKKDAKKA ARMY BUILDER. SEE THE COOL THEME." "Also, check out these dice ...."]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307058.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307058.page GMT
No wait, I don't do that, I shelled out 3% of the money I have spent on models for Army builder which allows me easy configuration to play with them in a variety of ways and helps my future spending decisions.[/quote]


That would be your mileage varying... but your pedantry is noted non the less.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307061.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307061.page GMT
No wait, I don't do that, I shelled out 3% of the money I have spent on models for Army builder which allows me easy configuration to play with them in a variety of ways and helps my future spending decisions.[/quote]


That would be your mileage varying... but your pedantry is noted non the less.[/quote]

I guess he drives a hummer, seriously bad gas mileage there..]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307092.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307092.page GMT
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307283.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307283.page GMT BTW, as the original poster stated, he would rather have a 'cracked' copy, to avoid situations like this.

Pathetic. Why do you think they make a Reg. file so cheapkates CAN'T crack it.

I think the editors/developers/volunteers do a fething great job.[/quote]

I read the original post as being the same as my own stance - I happily pay them for their product, but would MUCH rather not have to jump through DRM hoops afterwards.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307293.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307293.page GMT
No Mac version (I can understand it, but it's still annoying.)

Uses non-standard GUI controls (This is more serious for me. AB2, and I believe I tried AB3 and it did the same thing, bot use a lot of Windows controls that don't quite work the way you'd expect... Just little things, like scrolling weird. I'd rather see the app support standard controls (including idioms like scroll wheels) and not look as dubiously 'pretty' but match the OS it's built to run on. It's also part of why, despite being a mac fan, I use Firefox as the browser of choice on my Windows boxes as opposed to Safari.)]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307296.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307296.page GMT
Pathetic Akira? Find somewhere else to post please.

I'm just someone who expects to not be hassled when I pay for software and think that pirates have it easier than those who pay $$. I bought a hard copy retail.

I'll send them another email and give an update here in a few more days. It would be nice to have a phone number or something. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307754.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307754.page GMT
I can't see either happening.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307773.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307773.page GMT lol]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307791.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307791.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307806.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307806.page GMT DCM's get treated the same way as anyone else. But, since you're being antagonistic as well, I'm going to let it slide.

As an aside, you do know that you get two license keys with AB3, right? ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307809.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/307809.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/314592.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/212672/314592.page GMT