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A new article titled yakface Reviews the Digital Space Marines Codex has been added to the dakka articles system.

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Thanks for taking the time to do this review and for keeping it unbiased and fair. It does look like a very exciting format, and if they address the issues you have pointed out with updates, it will make rule lookups in game very fluid.

Exciting, but I am holding my breath to see what future updates (if any) take place. Cheers again!

Thanks for the review

I would agree its a luxury product, a I-pad most likely hinting at the ability of the user to afford GW prices...
OtoH, those I-pads are useful for building management/control systems too.

I'd like to know if there are any updates offered or mentioned at all. A self containing system with regular updates wouldn't have to rely on page numbers of FAQ's for example and new units released with a WD article as downloadable content aren't so bad if they don't cost you an arm and a leg. Free updates is what I would hope for, costly DLC is what I fear they may aim at...




PS: Maybe there is something missing: ( a "g" ? )

GW setting the price at more than the cost of the physical version is certainly going to rub many people the wrong way, as does their normal practice of charing a premium price for all of their products.

1hadhq wrote:Thanks for the review

I would agree its a luxury product, a I-pad most likely hinting at the ability of the user to afford GW prices...
OtoH, those I-pads are useful for building management/control systems too.

I'd like to know if there are any updates offered or mentioned at all. A self containing system with regular updates wouldn't have to rely on page numbers of FAQ's for example and new units released with a WD article as downloadable content aren't so bad if they don't cost you an arm and a leg. Free updates is what I would hope for, costly DLC is what I fear they may aim at...

Like I said, all of the current errata is pretty much included in the digital book, with a few exceptions (that may just be a mistake).

Remember that they consider their regular FAQs as simply questions and answers to existing rules in the book, so a FAQ answer really shouldn't be a 'change' to the existing rules text...however there are a few instances where the FAQ answer has clearly been utilized to make a change in the rules text.

But there is of course no indication that they are planning on ever updating this book to include new rules or FAQ updates...so at this point only time will tell.

Therefore, I think when you buy it, you kind of have to assume that they will never update it, because if you have any other expectation there is that very real chance you are going to be let down.

PS: Maybe there is something missing: ( a "g" ? )

GW setting the price at more than the cost of the physical version is certainly going to rub many people the wrong way, as does their normal practice of charing a premium price for all of their products.

Thanks, I kind of just published the article and have been going back through and editing it after the fact. However, it is a wiki so feel free to jump in and correct any other grammatical issues you find!

Great review. A good read. Thanks for making it.

My two cents, could you maybe put the date of publish at the top of the article? Just to avoid possible confusion.

I was reading some Dark Eldar tactics the other day and couldn't tell which codex edition they were for. If it had the date of publish on it I could have worked out which edition it was for pretty quickly.

yakface wrote:

Therefore, I think when you buy it, you kind of have to assume that they will never update it, because if you have any other expectation there is that very real chance you are going to be let down.

No updates is a let down, especially since digital media's main advantage is unused this way.
Seems also not to be localized like the printed codices.

Excellent review.
Just a note...after the price rise Codex Space Marines is listed to cost 41.25.

Very comprehensive review!

Thanks for the review. I'm currently having a play with the freebie version and agree that it's a great idea, especially if they can fix the issues you've pointed out with incorrect text etc. I'm not sure if I'll be buying this codex though as I don't play Marines either... but it might be worth while just to show some support for the new format.

As for faq updates being applied... they don't get applied to the printed version either, so it's not a massive deal breaker for me if they don't fix rulings in it.

It will certainly be interesting to see if they release the new core rules in this format as that would certainly be worth purchasing.

Thanks for the review.


If their future versions add an army builder utility with the ability to click on the special rules from your list, I would be all over this.

In terms of straight rule references, if they supplied a solid TOC for the 6th edition rulebook I would be interested in that as well.

Good review that,

I do think its a bit naughty they tout the ebook as having 330+ pages when a lot of those are just the codex pages split up, any idea of what the actual new content entails?

DiabolicAl wrote:Good review that,

I do think its a bit naughty they tout the ebook as having 330+ pages when a lot of those are just the codex pages split up, any idea of what the actual new content entails?

The only new content to my knowledge are the pics and rules for the stormtalon and a few changes/additions to the rules to accommodate their errata & FAQs. But I certainly didn't do a pic by pic comparison against the print book.

Really good read, I was wondering how they managed to buff the codex to work as an ebook and not just a PDF.

Although not having a iPad I'll stick to PDFs ATM, at least they're easy to find/make for the armies I own.

Also, does this ebook come with any DRM? I could see piracy of it to be quite common if this takes off.

Wow, great review, yak!

This was an excellent, well written, and even-handed review.

FM Ninja 048 wrote:Also, does this ebook come with any DRM? I could see piracy of it to be quite common if this takes off.

Only the iBooks application can read the file format of the codex and it'll be like iTunes where it knows which account is allowed to use the file.

Great overview, Just to note, the price of the dead-tree codex on GW's site has gone up to $41.25

That's a well done review. Thanks for putting so much time into it! I think I will pick up an IG version if GW ever produces it.

I just had a quick comment to say about your ending of the review. Though I do not own an Ipad, and if I did this sounds like it would be really tempting, but my comment is on codexes being updated for free, or codexes being given away.

Personally, if GW could think about it a bit instead of trying to get every single buck they can squeeze, they probably would increase the model sales dramatically if they offered free PDFs of the rules and/or codexes. The fact that it would be cheeper to understand and get into the game would mean people would be more willing to buy more models to play said game. You don't know how many people I know of who wont even think about picking up the game because its "too expensive". Honestly, with the way GW has been going, it was an expensive game to begin with, but now it's just getting to become "too expensive". I've heard rumors (which I actually believe knowing GW's reputation so far) that prices on select models are going up... again. Stormravens are predicted to become $79.00 from what I've been told. (I'll wait and see what really happened, but if that's the case, no more landraiders/stormravens in my army anymore. I wouldn't be able to afford them.) If I could, say, not spend the $50 some-odd on rule books, and an extra $30-40 on just one codex, then I could have bought far more models and had a larger army to actually enjoy and play the game. Then, spending the little more on the models would seem worth it.

Also, if they could update things more frequently, it would also help too. I mean, they finally got the Necron codex updated, which went from what? 2nd edition to 6th? That's some gap! Several rule changes later... If they could just update all codexes at once with the rule book, and then have model releases throughout the rest of the time... it would make gaming a lot easier. (And if I recall right, they are as much about wargaming as they are about the hobby... so improving the game improves sales and the hobby.) And providing free updates (instead of having people go off and "rebuy" their army again, save them the codex) with the digital format would really not be too hard. Even if it's just as you stated with FAQ and Erratas being changed in the digital codex. It would prevent a lot of frustrations and really give the digital codexes something over the printed version.

Honestly, if the digital codexes came with auto-updates with FAQs and Erratas, it would make me want to buy an Ipad, buy the digital copy and go. Even if I wouldn't get new releases of the same codexes years later, it would make it more tempting than the printed version at that point.

Okay. I think I've rambled on long enough. Great review and great job giving us without an Ipad insight into this new device and concept. You do us all a service with this!

A good review, which confirms my thoughts about the release.

Unfortunately, going IOS only, and charging more than for a physical book is going to limit acceptance of the new format. My concern is that they'll take this as a failure of concept, not a failure of execution, and give up on it altogether.

I'd have preferred reasonably priced PDF copies, as at least they're not tied to one platform. This isn't the app that will drive me to buy an iPad.

Good review. I downloaded the free sample on my ipad and loved it but was turned off by the fact the iPhone can't use it also not to mention the hefty price tag.

I've now updated the article to include the fact that the physical price of the codex has now been raised to essentially match the digital version's price.

I agree that it's pretty impressive and all, but I'm one of those who would wish for just a PDF version as well.

Honestly, I didn't realize all the bells and whistles they had added. This is far preferable to a PDF. If I get $42 to burn, I may buy it. Thanks for the comprehensive review, Yakface.

Redbeard wrote:A good review, which confirms my thoughts about the release.

Unfortunately, going IOS only, and charging more than for a physical book is going to limit acceptance of the new format. My concern is that they'll take this as a failure of concept, not a failure of execution, and give up on it altogether.

I'd have preferred reasonably priced PDF copies, as at least they're not tied to one platform. This isn't the app that will drive me to buy an iPad.

Agreed! I think the idea itself is an excellent one, but the execution couldve been handled better.

Also, concerning the point made about GW not wanting their stuff pirated and hence not releasing any digital copies of codices. Thats not viable in the world we live in. Theres multifunctional print/scan-devices almost everywhere these days, and it really doesnt take a genius to scan and convert into pdf. Any printed medium can be digitalized in a matter of minutes ... the biggest issue being, as yak has mentioned, organizing it in a fashion that really helps the user (i.e. booksmarks etc.).

Even if I had an Ipad, I would not be willing to pay the same price simply because they digitalized the text, added in recent changes and additions (that should be expected) and some pretty pictures. Yes, I realize that it takes effort to do this, but is that effort on a level with the costs of printing, materials and distribution?

Thanks again to yak for writing this up and keeping it fair!

Thanks Yak!

I was wondering about this and I think you hit every point I had questions about.

The review was very well thought out!

Thanks for the review. I am tempted but I think the fixes you mentioned would be critical. I can dream that they would do this for the BRB as that book often mentions tests or refers to rules without giving the page number and/or re-stating the rules so (complete) pop-ups would be awesome. Free updates of corrected or updated versions would also be required

Not that GW would read this but my suggestions would be to offer a subscription so you get Codices/Army Books, Rule Books and updates.

They never discount for quantity so it is a silly suggestion but I would be more inclined to sign up at $20 a month for a 40K package if they would do it than to buy the individual books at full price.

A really helpful review yet again Yak

It seems like (as long as GW commit to updating these regularly enough) the digital versions will be infinitely better once the little bugs are ironed out. I've been looking for a reason to get an iPad, so if they keep up the good work (and release a DE, CSM and Eldar version ) I'll embrace them too.

A very even handed review that really helps to show what this format can and cannot do. Far better than the GW attempts to show off their products.

It takes me less than 2 seconds to pick up my army book and find the page I'm looking for. I don't see how an ebook could ever compete with that?
Especially on something that only has a gig of RAM...