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Not sure if this was posted, but you can see the Eldar Codex on something other than an iPad: http://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/the-eldar-collection

POsted two pages ago. Hence the ensuing discussion...

I'd be down for digital codex editions if purchasing the physical book meant I could get the digital edition for a small upgrade fee, but I'm not paying £20 on top of the hardback price.

I would be tempted to switch completely to digital for FW books due to a) the big books are not that convenient to use at club/event gaming tables and b) being left with large redundant FW books as FW release new editions makes me sad.

Indeed, frankly the price the codexes are at now they should come with a digital copy for free (I'd even accept a small charge because you know GW) Same with Black Library books.

I'm really curious to hear more from anyone who has purchased the Eldar epub/mobi about their thoughts about how easy it is to navigate in real-world use (i.e. in-game) when you have to jump around to find rules or wargear on different pages because of the way GW splits up its books.

I've bought the ibooks version of the codexes up to this point I do find that the rules pop-ups are in many ways much easier to read and play with than actual physical codexes, because you can basically 'live' in the army list section and then just use the rules pop-ups (or glossary if need be) to check out specific rules text.

I also have PDFs of codexes that I've scanned from my personal collection previously and have always bookmarked them so that I can jump to specific pages and points, but overall I do find the ibook format to be slightly faster within an individual codex (although if you have to switch between different codexes, the ibook format takes FOREVER, relatively, to switch).

So I'm tempted to buy this new version just to try it out and see how it goes, but I really don't want to dump $32 just to buy something I already own in the ibook format...

So, the more commentary someone can break down on how they find it to be, the better, please!

Maybe even a little mini 'review' or something like I did when the first SM ibook codex came out?

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

It was only 2 months ago that GW customer services replied to an email that they had no plans to do this.

I've bought the codex for the Android. I have the hardback book, but having it to hand anywhere is good, too.

Does anyone have suggestions on apps to view it best? I'm trying the HTC one, Google's Play Book and Nook.

 yakface wrote:

I'm really curious to hear more from anyone who has purchased the Eldar epub/mobi about their thoughts about how easy it is to navigate in real-world use (i.e. in-game) when you have to jump around to find rules or wargear on different pages because of the way GW splits up its books.

I've bought the ibooks version of the codexes up to this point I do find that the rules pop-ups are in many ways much easier to read and play with than actual physical codexes, because you can basically 'live' in the army list section and then just use the rules pop-ups (or glossary if need be) to check out specific rules text.

I also have PDFs of codexes that I've scanned from my personal collection previously and have always bookmarked them so that I can jump to specific pages and points, but overall I do find the ibook format to be slightly faster within an individual codex (although if you have to switch between different codexes, the ibook format takes FOREVER, relatively, to switch).

So I'm tempted to buy this new version just to try it out and see how it goes, but I really don't want to dump $32 just to buy something I already own in the ibook format...

So, the more commentary someone can break down on how they find it to be, the better, please!

Maybe even a little mini 'review' or something like I did when the first SM ibook codex came out?

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

Realistically it's not going to be any harder than the home made PDFs to use, as it comes with a table of contents built in that will get you close to where you need to be. If you only use the built in contents you'll probably have to swipe through a few extraneous fluff pages to get to the rules you want, but not a huge imposition usually. You can almost certainly add your own bookmarks as well to any frequently accessed pages and bypass the extra swiping.

The Bestiary section basically goes: 1 or 2 pages of fluff, 1 page of picture, 1 or 2 pages of rules. The contents entry points to the first page of fluff obviously. The "Forge of Vaul" section takes up a stupid number of pages, but they have been nice enough to reproduce the codex specific special rules for each weapon category that uses them. So at least you don't have to go searching for the Shuriken weapons section to find out what Bladestorm does on your Scorpion Claw.

So not as convenient as I imagine the iBook versions to be, nor as convenient as print with it's greater information density per page. But the difference is pretty negligible or manageable provided the hardware is responsive and your chosen eReader app has basic Table of Contents and Bookmarking functionality (which I imagine all do).

 insaniak wrote:

Tetsugaku wrote:
Lot's of piracy for GW to deal with - they may well stop releases if it gets out of control (and it will).

The format that GW chooses to use makes absolutely zero difference to piracy, since people have been sharing PDF scans of the print codexes since well before eBooks were even a thing. What the ePub format does do is give those people who want digital codexes without resorting to illegal downloads or breaking the spines of their books on their scanner the chance to actually obtain them.

 scarletsquig wrote:
Android users aren't willing to pay for anything.

I'm an Andriod user, and I'm more than happy to pay a reasonable price for eBooks.

Android users are unwilling to pay for aps simply because there are so many free alternatives. eBooks are a whole different kettle of squig.



So, kudos to GW, both for finally realising that not everyone has an iPad, and for releasing the eBook codex at an almost realistic price. It's still more expensive for Oz customers than it should be compared to the UK price, but it's a step in the right direction.

For me personally it will bean ease of use. I downloaded the pdf of the rule book on y phone to use when i was out and about for games but it wasn't that convenient if truth be old. To quickly find something. So I still bought the paperback vengeance book from somebody so it is easy to flick and find a page.

I have a kindle and i do have a pdf of my Imperial Guard codex (I have the hard copy too) as I work away so saves me carrying the book about. Even on the kindle though PDFs with columns aren't that easy o navigate. So my hope is this makes it easier to browse electronically through my codexes. A big plus for me, and ill reserve judgement to see how it compares to the paper version.

So far, the Nook app shows the part-pages better than the HTC or Google's Book app. When turned, the summary tables are spread over 3 pages, and sometimes the last few entries get lots off the bottom. The Nook app shows more of the table.
What I don't remember seeing from the hardback Codex was weapon profiles for power weapons. These are in the epub version.

Oh, and there is a 'free copy' of Munitorium: Shuriken Catapults at the end.

I'm really excited for the digital codices, especially since it looks like the codex supplements are going to be a thing. I love physical books, but being able to cart around every book I need for my armies in my pocket sounds a lot easier, and considering I already have my tablet with me for BattleScribe, it's a no brainer.

 shamikebab wrote:
Indeed, frankly the price the codexes are at now they should come with a digital copy for free (I'd even accept a small charge because you know GW) Same with Black Library books.

Why should they come for free? The digitial copies rarely come for free with blurays; they typically cost an extra $3-$5 over the 'bare bones' edition.

An upgrade fee would be fine and would fall in line with pretty much every other industy precedent.

Comic books come with a free digital edition (at least my Marvel comics did) But I'm with Cincy, I don't think they should come for free (for the most part), I think the codices are currently too expensive for their size and page count, but if they were like 39.99 normal and 50 for the "Digital Weapon" Version which would come with a pdf code, I wouldn't be opposed to that.

 Skinnereal wrote:
It was only 2 months ago that GW customer services replied to an email that they had no plans to do this.

If you had e-mailed them later in the day, they would have given a different answer. CS never knows what is going on from a strategy standpoint.

 Alfndrate wrote:
Comic books come with a free digital edition (at least my Marvel comics did) But I'm with Cincy, I don't think they should come for free (for the most part), I think the codices are currently too expensive for their size and page count, but if they were like 39.99 normal and 50 for the "Digital Weapon" Version which would come with a pdf code, I wouldn't be opposed to that.

Do they do this with every issue now?

 cincydooley wrote:

 Alfndrate wrote:
Comic books come with a free digital edition (at least my Marvel comics did) But I'm with Cincy, I don't think they should come for free (for the most part), I think the codices are currently too expensive for their size and page count, but if they were like 39.99 normal and 50 for the "Digital Weapon" Version which would come with a pdf code, I wouldn't be opposed to that.

Do they do this with every issue now?

Yes

 Alfndrate wrote:

 cincydooley wrote:

 Alfndrate wrote:
Comic books come with a free digital edition (at least my Marvel comics did) But I'm with Cincy, I don't think they should come for free (for the most part), I think the codices are currently too expensive for their size and page count, but if they were like 39.99 normal and 50 for the "Digital Weapon" Version which would come with a pdf code, I wouldn't be opposed to that.

Do they do this with every issue now?

Yes

Well how about that. I knew they were piloting it before on some of the "larger" issues.

I mean, don't get me wrong; I think if you own a physical copy you should be allowed to have the digital copy as well (and I think you're protected under the law for this?) but that doesn't mean they have to provide it for you free of charge.

July releases:

Apocalypse in three separate releases:
1.) Rules
2.) Datasheets
3.) Warzone Armageddon (backrgound, rules and scenarios for Third Armageddon War)

Farsight - A Codex Tau Empire supplement !

 Kroothawk wrote:
July releases:

Apocalypse in three separate releases:
1.) Rules
2.) Datasheets
3.) Warzone Armageddon (backrgound, rules and scenarios for Third Armageddon War)

Farsight - A Codex Tau Empire supplement !

Will this be in relation to the White Dwarf stuff for July?

 Kroothawk wrote:
July releases:

Apocalypse in three separate releases:
1.) Rules
2.) Datasheets
3.) Warzone Armageddon (backrgound, rules and scenarios for Third Armageddon War)

Farsight - A Codex Tau Empire supplement !

Is that on the Black Library page?

 cincydooley wrote:
; I think if you own a physical copy you should be allowed to have the digital copy as well (and I think you're protected under the law for this?) but that doesn't mean they have to provide it for you free of charge.

It's a good policy for companies worried about the perception of the quality of their product. Going by GW's oft-stated idea that inferior pictures of their product damage perception of the quality of that product, if copies are going to get out onto the internet (and they will) it would seem to be better for them to be good-quality, professionally done copies rather than dodgy scans...

The release is announced in the WD.

 insaniak wrote:

 cincydooley wrote:
; I think if you own a physical copy you should be allowed to have the digital copy as well (and I think you're protected under the law for this?) but that doesn't mean they have to provide it for you free of charge.

It's a good policy for companies worried about the perception of the quality of their product. Going by GW's oft-stated idea that inferior pictures of their product damage perception of the quality of that product, if copies are going to get out onto the internet (and they will) it would seem to be better for them to be good-quality, professionally done copies rather than dodgy scans...

I understand what you're saying, but I don't agree with it. So because people are going to pirate copies anyways we may as well give a good scan for free so the pirated copies at least look good?

Just got the preview, and this is going to be the only way I'll be going with codexes for the future. I got the preview on my Nook Tablet (so the epub on a 7" android device) and was surprised with how nice the format is. People suggesting this is the same as a pirated PDF are out of their minds-- there's no comparison between this format and any PDF I've used. I did turn the text size all the way down, so that I can get a whole entry on a single page, but it's still 100% readable.

The only downside I can see is file size: my Nook only has 8GB for actual use because B&N wants to force you to buy crap from them. 400-600MB files would kill that, much less the memory on a smaller Kindle e-reader. It means that I'll be loading all my content before I go to a tournament, because otherwise I'd have no room for anything else. Obviously that's not really an issue with the codex though, since there's nothing GW can do about B&N trying to push selling their drek.

In short, I'm 100% happy with this development, and plan on actually going back to buying every codex and army book on this format from now on, versus just getting the book for the army I am currently playing in hardback.

 cincydooley wrote:
So because people are going to pirate copies anyways we may as well give a good scan for free so the pirated copies at least look good?

It's a matter of pragmatism.

If you accept that copies of your printed material are going to be distributed on the internet regardless of what you do to stop it (and frankly, while not endorsing[/i the dispersal of copyright-infringing material, in this day and age anyone producing printed material needs to accept that this will happen) and[i]- if - you are concerned that people seeing dodgy scans will form a lesser view of your product as a result, then it's in your best interests to give them something prettier to look at.

Piracy is going to happen. People are going to scan the books, or take screen shots of every page of an iPad codex, so releasing ePub and Mobi versions at a cheaper price at least gives the incentive to pay less for the same material.

The iPad version, imo, should be the same price as the eBooks, and the eBooks should be considerably cheaper. The only way to stop piracy is to make paying for the thing look more appealing. Unfortunately for GW, hard cover books aren't enough.

Matney X wrote:
. Unfortunately for GW, hard cover books aren't enough.

Entirely the opposite, for some of us. Hardcovers are ok if you're gaming at home, but if you have to take them anywhere, it's just extra weight.

I would still love to see GW release a softcover version of their codexes in the same small format as the starter set rulebook.

Matney X wrote:
.

The iPad version, imo, should be the same price as the eBooks, and the eBooks should be considerably cheaper. The only way to stop piracy is to make paying for the thing look more appealing. Unfortunately for GW, hard cover books aren't enough.

People still pirate the hell out of music and its rare for an album to cost more than $14. People pirate ebooks already and they typically cost $10 or less. Reducing the price isn't going to reduce the piracy. People that are going to pirate them are going to do so regardless of price.

Also, I COMPLETELY disagree that they iBook should cost the same as ebooks. The iBooks have a considerable amount more production and interactivity to them. Additionally, I think the eBooks are quite fairly priced considering the cost of the hardcovers. And yes, I'm sure you think the hardcovers are overpriced but that's not the topic at hand.

 cincydooley wrote:
People still pirate the hell out of music and its rare for an album to cost more than $14. People pirate ebooks already and they typically cost $10 or less. Reducing the price isn't going to reduce the piracy. People that are going to pirate them are going to do so regardless of price. .

Some people are going to pirate regardless of the price. Some people only pirate because they feel the price is too high.

It's a fairly straightword equation to assume that those who only pirate because of high prices would be a smaller group if the prices were lower.

Codex's are the kind of thing people won't pirate first thing imo, it's a bit awkward showing up with tourneys with printed out rules that are clearly pirated. And GW stores in particularly have a reason not to allow such things (though they probably wouldn't want you gaming there in the first place these days).

The obscene prices of these codex's are what is hiking piracy rates up imo, they really need to go back to softcover black and white

 insaniak wrote:

 cincydooley wrote:
People still pirate the hell out of music and its rare for an album to cost more than $14. People pirate ebooks already and they typically cost $10 or less. Reducing the price isn't going to reduce the piracy. People that are going to pirate them are going to do so regardless of price. .

Some people are going to pirate regardless of the price. Some people only pirate because they feel the price is too high.

It's a fairly straightword equation to assume that those who only pirate because of high prices would be a smaller group if the prices were lower.

Some people are going to steal regardless. Some people are only going to steal things they can't or don't want to afford. How is that better?

And I'm sorry, how can you make that assumption? Do you have anything to substantiate that claim?

Also, going back to gakky black and white codices is going to make just as many people unhappy as happier.