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If you pay 42 for this then you are a rube

I love this idea. I have checked out the sample of the SM codex, and it works perfectly - far better than using a PDF on either an iPad or computer, IMHO.

To address some of the main complaints in this thread:
1. That it's iOS-only. It is a shame, and I hope GW makes something equivalent for Android (it would be awesome on my SGS2), but I can see why GW focused on iOS first: mainly the larger audience, and the Apple iBooks creation toolkit. Yes, you need to have a product that costs a couple of hundred dollars to use this book, but no one is forcing you to use this GW product. It's a handy tool for players who own an iPad, nothing more. Complaining about this is like complaining about having to buy a house before you could purchase a pool.

2. The advantages of this over a regular PDF. The iBook is conveniently indexed, has a very handy glossary of rules (and these are complete rules, not just "refer to page X" lines). Tap on any rule name in the book and it will have a pop-up that explains the full rule, nullifying the biggest complaint people had with the 4th edition codex layout style (ie flipping between pages for rules and points costs). Needless to say, this is significantly better than trying to use a PDF file.

3. The cost. It's pretty pricey for an eBook, that's very true. But here in Australia, it's actually $10 cheaper than the physical book (and, IMHO, it's actually a very reasonable price difference between here and the US). And if it comes with automatic updates with FAQs and errata, then that is an incredibly convenient timesaver for me. Of course, I don't even know if this is definitely the case; I'm going to be waiting for next month to see whether GW will update the SM codex for 6th edition before making a final judgement on this one.

4. Needing a platform that requires recharging and is susceptible to fingerprints, etc. The iPad has a battery life of around 9-10 hours, depending on your usage. That should easily get through any tournament day, given that the device will be in standby for most of it. As for fingerprints, just buy an anti-glare screen protector (they're cheap as chips on eBay) and most of the problem smudges cause will be gone.

About the only thing I don't like is the price, but all GW books are pretty grossly overpriced. Compared to that, the eBook version is actually pretty reasonable, IMHO. I'll definitely be getting the Chaos codex and 6th edition when they come out.

Edit: I also wonder what will happen when new edition codices are released? Will they release a new version that you have to buy, or will you be able to update your existing eBook? I'd expect there to be some kind of fee if it was the latter, but that would make this a very worthwhile investment. I doubt it'll happen, of course, but we'll see.

Seriously $42 for a digital codex? My 2 year GW embargo will continue...

I'm very excited about this new product! I can't wait until they release one for a new codex.

actually i use the pdfs, because its much easier then carrying around 14 diffirent books. i have purchased, and will continue to purchase codex and army books as they come out, since i perfer to know what an army can do, and the army book / codex is the best way. i then scan it myself, create a pdf and use it. i do not upload or share the pdf on file sharing.

GW releasing an actual ap/ digital codex makes this process more streamlined, and i would happily pay for said. possibly instead of buying the hardcover book, as now all they tend to do is collect dust once ive scanned them. as for the price tag... well its a fully interactive codex / army builder ap, and as such should cost near about what the codex would.

this is why im speculating on a digital version of 6th... perhaps this is a preview of things to come.

Hmmm an interesting development, once again proving the "dammed if they do; dammed if the don't" adage.

So it now appears that I may be at last buying an iPad in the near future (for commuting on the train, this may be a bonus!). Price differances are large between the different models and I would prefer to get an older cheaper iPad since the chance of damage is high in the crush.

Do all iPad models meet the spec necessary to run the GW programes or is it a case that they will all download and run The iBook2 app?

I purchased the Space Marine codex and after messing around with it for a while I've posted a detailed review of the new format.

If you're interested to see what works and doesn't work so well with this new release and if it is worth the money, check it out here:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/yakface_Reviews_the_Digital_Ultramarines_Codex


Don't forget to leave me comments too, I'd love to hear what you think about my review.

kirsanth wrote:

Formosa wrote:Ipad only? fail

Not if you know anything about mobile development.
Unless GW stops there. . . .

It IS GW after all.

Odds of them importing stuff to other platforms? Heh.
When's the last time you saw an Army Builder update that wasn't fan-made?

DarkStarSabre wrote:

kirsanth wrote:

Formosa wrote:Ipad only? fail

Not if you know anything about mobile development.
Unless GW stops there. . . .

It IS GW after all.

Odds of them importing stuff to other platforms? Heh.
When's the last time you saw an Army Builder update that wasn't fan-made?

So Games Workshop are now being demonised over a completely separate companies product, Army Builder?

Only on Dakka. Some of you guys are pure class.

notprop wrote:Hmmm an interesting development, once again proving the "dammed if they do; dammed if the don't" adage.

So it now appears that I may be at last buying an iPad in the near future (for commuting on the train, this may be a bonus!). Price differances are large between the different models and I would prefer to get an older cheaper iPad since the chance of damage is high in the crush.

Do all iPad models meet the spec necessary to run the GW programes or is it a case that they will all download and run The iBook2 app?

I believe you need an iPad 2 or 3 with any specs to run iBooks 2. Which allows you to buy the digital codex. It might work on an iPad 1, but it could be very laggy.

Source: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1311254


The space marine codex works great on my iPad 2.

notprop wrote:Hmmm an interesting development, once again proving the "dammed if they do; dammed if the don't" adage.

So it now appears that I may be at last buying an iPad in the near future (for commuting on the train, this may be a bonus!). Price differances are large between the different models and I would prefer to get an older cheaper iPad since the chance of damage is high in the crush.

Do all iPad models meet the spec necessary to run the GW programes or is it a case that they will all download and run The iBook2 app?

My recommendation as someone that owns both an Ipad 2 and the "new" Ipad aka the Ipad 3. If your primary purpose in getting an Ipad is to read ebooks or pdf documents. Spend the extra scratch and get the "new" Ipad. The retina screen is really a big upgrade for reading text.

The reviews thus far have no mention of an army builder. So it seems that it is just a codex with some pop-up hyperlinks and photo rotations from their website.

Looks like something that could be on the website for free.

-Loki- wrote:If all you want is a PDf to flick through, you'll obviously balk at the price tag. But a lot of effort went into this.

Does it add anything to the game that I'm not getting out of a current rulebook? No.

Looking at a 360 view of the storm talon is kinda cool...once or twice. But I really don't think I need it in the middle of a game.

silent25 wrote:Sadly I see this happening. People whine how GW needs to go digital and once they do, they whine how they went digital.

Because when GW goes digital they suck at it. Remember the GW "forums"? Those were particularly awful.

People wanted an e-book. GW provided an e-book and raised the price above retail books. This shouldn't be a surprise, really.

Excellent article yakface this is just great. Really informative.

Really the final footnote is that the ball is truly in the court of GW as to the likely success or failure of this format of codex/rulebook going forward.

Jesus.. Whine whine whine... Must you lot insist with this incessant dripping!?

Buy it, don't buy it...whatever, I'm not getting it. Each to their own.

But there's no need to act like you just caught Jervis plugging your grandmother.

-Loki- wrote:

DarkStarSabre wrote:

kirsanth wrote:

Formosa wrote:Ipad only? fail

Not if you know anything about mobile development.
Unless GW stops there. . . .

It IS GW after all.

Odds of them importing stuff to other platforms? Heh.
When's the last time you saw an Army Builder update that wasn't fan-made?

So Games Workshop are now being demonised over a completely separate companies product, Army Builder?

Only on Dakka. Some of you guys are pure class.

I think he meant that the only army builder program is fan made, and it's something that should be officially made by GW.

biccat wrote:Does it add anything to the game that I'm not getting out of a current rulebook? No.

Looking at a 360 view of the storm talon is kinda cool...once or twice. But I really don't think I need it in the middle of a game.

That's true, but you know what I need in the middle of a game? Some obscure fething rule that I can't remember what page it's on. This has a clever search tool. For example, I'm always forgetting where the Tyranid psychic powers are, because the codex layout is atrocious. If I type in 'Catalyst', I can quickly find that page.

I mean, I'm not saying that this thing is gods gift. It's overpriced, amd the normal book will do the same thing.

I was simply saying this isn't just the indesign pages thrown into an ebook as people are comparing it to (I can just go download the PDFs off my favorite pirate site! WAAAH!). A lot of work went into this. From the smart indexing and search features to having the colour pages have interactive sections with more art than the physical codex and more. It's far more than just the indesign files that people pirate. It's not going to appeal to everyone - it didn't for me until I saw the video preview, and still doesn't considering my lack of an iPad. But it's actually a very well put together product, with more effort than people are giving credit for.

It's still priced a bit high for Americans. For Australians? It's $10 cheaper than the physical book.

This is actually notably cheaper that the codices being sold locally - which are going at the equivalent of at least about £30 or $46.

So... I'm happy! I think?

I love this. If they do this for all codices + the BRB I will have a reason to invest in an iPad. No more hauling around 7, 8 or 9 books + FAQs to seperate events. This is a winner, and if they release regular updates or even 'DLC packs' for new units it'll still be worthwhile.

Kudos GW, this looks mighty impressive indeed.

L. Wrex

Lycaeus Wrex wrote:I love this. If they do this for all codices + the BRB I will have a reason to invest in an iPad. No more hauling around 7, 8 or 9 books + FAQs to seperate events. This is a winner, and if they release regular updates or even 'DLC packs' for new units it'll still be worthwhile.

Kudos GW, this looks mighty impressive indeed.

L. Wrex

The scrolls of binding are what appeal to me. It would be amazing to be able to buy rules for units À la carte instead of having to buy an 80$ book for one unit. I think it is interesting how they packaged the rules for the cave squig in a tiny iBook. I would see huge value in selling datasheets for IA and WD add-ons per unit for people who want it.

I think the interesting thing will be is if these will be updated and all inclusive. If a new unit appears, will the unit show up in the iBook? That adds value as well if it happens.

I don't need a space marine codex at this time, but I support the concept.

You all realize its REALLY easy to port ibooks to other media right?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
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For example...

I think GW has a real opportunity to add value to their products by maintaining the i-codex in a meaningful way. The problem I see though, is how do they then maintain/satisfy the owners of hard copies in the same/ meaningful way? I'm still sore over the interactive army lists so I'll let you young bucks take this product by the horns. I hope GW is successful with this and I hope the customers are happy with their purchases.

mattyrm wrote:Jesus.. Whine whine whine... Must you lot insist with this incessant dripping!?

Buy it, don't buy it...whatever, I'm not getting it. Each to their own.

But there's no need to act like you just caught Jervis plugging your grandmother.

Matty, you forget that it's rule #1 of being a gamer, you have to act personally offended whenever a company comes out with something you don't like.
Though the amount of complaining and whining in this thread is pretty hilarious.

Personally I think that the ebook Codex is a great idea, it looks really great. None of my friends place Codex Marines but I'm sure that when they come out with more codices I can see myself getting one. Lots of nifty stuff!

Though my favorite is the small scrolls of binding. Small rules for a dollar or two have a lot of potential. A new Space Marine strike squad, an Imperial Guard formation, a new alien race for the Dark Eldar. Don't even need to have models, just the rules.

Kind Regards,
Vladsimpaler

sfshilo wrote:You all realize its REALLY easy to port ibooks to other media right?

Research more. It's IBooks2 only, using a proprietary format that has NO port so far

Vladsimpaler wrote:
Though my favorite is the small scrolls of binding. Small rules for a dollar or two have a lot of potential. A new Space Marine strike squad, an Imperial Guard formation, a new alien race for the Dark Eldar. Don't even need to have models, just the rules.

Also fit's GWs new model of no longer releasing rules without models. GW can now hold back rules for specific units until the model is released to prevent being scooped on thier own designed. Now they can release the rules piecemeal should they want to release a model. (and now we don't need to go buy a 9$ White Dwarf for one datasheet)

Lots of magazines are going electronic now. I wonder if WD will go electronic?

If it gets updated.

I wonder with all the people who praise and bought this will say if it doesn't get updated.

I just find it very funny I believe everyone who bought this already has the SM codex. So why buy it twice?

I mean you guys already complain they cost too much so now you spent over $80 now for a SM codex. One on paper the other electronic version.

All I can say it for your guys and gals sake it better be upgraded for free. I can't see why people would want to pay more to have it upgraded when it should have been done properly the first time.

Also what is this talk about Apple being the biggest share? Who cares? The GW hobby is a niech hobby so for all those people on apple will not be buying it anyways. So the few people who are already are in the hobby they are eliminating a bunch of the already few.

Unless this is GW dipping their toes into the water and I can see why they are 10 years behind. Still 10 years too late and they still look foolish no matter what they do.

Is it true that the e-codex has an army builder function? If so, that would be amazing foresight on GW's part.

I don't think it does. It would have been said by now if it did.

It would have been one of the first things said for the people who already have one.

Lycaeus Wrex wrote:I love this. If they do this for all codices + the BRB I will have a reason to invest in an iPad. No more hauling around 7, 8 or 9 books + FAQs to seperate events. This is a winner, and if they release regular updates or even 'DLC packs' for new units it'll still be worthwhile.

Kudos GW, this looks mighty impressive indeed.

L. Wrex

Really? Wow theres couple hundred bucks down the crapper on e-books right there, assuming they stick with the same price point. Hope you get your moneys worth

I very rarely ever post on news/rumors but..i feel i need to say a single simple thing. GW is raising the price of Codex up to 41$ soon. So.. if ALL codex's will be on this type of format for the ipod( or whatever format they/might expand to).. i 100% would rather buy it there with all the addons, then a book, that falls apart after about a years worth of good use.(And i LOVE books) To each their own is what i say. I Looked through the store on the ipad for their books.I found all sorts of novels i cannot find in actual paperback..Do i like paying the same price for a real book? no i do not..but i plan on buying it anyhow as i enjoy the stories so much.