Update Space Marine Codex/Apple, GW and You!

[PaintHater]

Is it worth it?

Ive got the Necon Codex rather than the Space Marine one, but I think as a general concept it's awesome. Particularly with the recent changes to things such as the Universal Special Rules, you can just tap on a rule anywhere it is listed as applying, and it will bring up the definition and specifics. It's the same with things like weapon profiles, no mid-game page flipping or profile memorizing. There is still some 'See page xx of the rule book', but they are for the basics like 'Jetbike' and 'Jump Infantry'.

[MajorWesJanson]

Once these come out on a non apple product, I will get them (and a padd to run them). Hope that GW decides to add army building software into the codex as well in the future.

Good to see updates this fast. And besides Marines, I wonder if GW is working backwards through the codices to get them digital. Also curious if CSM will come out digital at the same time as the paper codex, or later to encourage sales of the paper one.

[KazenX]

Once these come out on a non apple product...

If only One of our local red shirts said they will be sticking with apple for security reasons (silly IMO I keep a pdf copy of the codices I own on my droid), and though the android OS market is large it is not as large as iOS there's not the incentive to switch to it. Hopefully the windows x86 tablet will be able to run itunes and my problem will be solved.

I imagine they are working back through the books due to content. I bet that the newer books have more digital elements that are easier accessed than the older stuff where they might have format issues and an lack of content in necessary formats and will have to do more work to get em show ready. Trickling out current books gives them a buffer.

[Starchild]

Windows 8 on a tablet will certainly be able to run iTunes but you'll still need an iPad to get the digital GW books.

[MajorWesJanson]

I imagine they are working back through the books due to content. I bet that the newer books have more digital elements that are easier accessed than the older stuff where they might have format issues and an lack of content in necessary formats and will have to do more work to get em show ready. Trickling out current books gives them a buffer.

Newer books are also generally used more, as the bandwagon effect does have some lag time to it. I'd expect say 1 digital codex a month or so, as at that rate, counting new books, at least CSM, DA, and Tau will get new books before they get around to making the old ones digital. That or they will only digital the 5th edition books, and wait for new versions instead of doing any of the 4th edition books.

Also, they could either speed up releases or drag them out more by starting to do digital fantasy army books.



Why do you need an ipad? iPad only for things like iBooks would be somewhat of a selling point, but porting it over to the new Windows tablet would let Apple steal some more market share for digital books from Microsoft.

[KazenX]

Why do you need an ipad? iPad only for things like iBooks would be somewhat of a selling point, but porting it over to the new Windows tablet would let Apple steal some more market share for digital books from Microsoft.

Apparently apple requires a iPhone, iPod, or iPad to view iBooks...this is unfortunate. Gonna have to run them on that iPod touch that I was planning on picking up... still a bit unfortunate though.

I do wonder if the recent wolfslair kerfluffle means that they might be releasing an integrated army builder to the books, would be fantastic and help add value to a digital copy that is the same price as the physical unit.

[Glen_Savet]

If they're only available on Apple products, they'll never see a penny from me for these.

[Tebrey]

Couldn't you just use an epub reader? I know windows has one.

[Gorbad Ironclaw]

From what was said in some of the other threads because its an iBook2(I think) file it basically only runs on iPads. Not even on iPhone. Don't have any of the Apple gadgets so don't know, but I remember it being discussed.

[nosebiter]

The ecodexes are created using apple software, so i would not hold my breath in hopes of seing them on other platforms.

[Azzy]

From what was said in some of the other threads because its an iBook2(I think) file it basically only runs on iPads. Not even on iPhone. Don't have any of the Apple gadgets so don't know, but I remember it being discussed.

This. If you don't have an iPad, you can't use it.

[MajorWesJanson]

I wonder if someone will create their own Ibook2 reader.

[Onisuzume]

If only One of our local red shirts said they will be sticking with apple for security reasons (silly IMO I keep a pdf copy of the codices I own on my droid), and though the android OS market is large it is not as large as iOS there's not the incentive to switch to it. Hopefully the windows x86 tablet will be able to run itunes and my problem will be solved.

And what about all those folks with netbooks and the like?
Those are, in general, not apple products, and some come with android (mine has 2.1 or some such).
I got tons of pdfs on it from games that I don't (actively) play.
Not to mention all those FAQs and other update pdfs you got from GW/FW.

They should use BattleTech as an example and use a multi-platform filetype.
CGL still makes more than enough money on sales of both digital and dead-book versions.

From what was said in some of the other threads because its an iBook2(I think) file it basically only runs on iPads. Not even on iPhone. Don't have any of the Apple gadgets so don't know, but I remember it being discussed.

Until someone eventually cracks the security.

[tiger g]

The digital books are not pdf's.

[Starchild]

@Onisuzume: Cracking the security would be only the first step. The next step would be building a compiler to read the iBooks files on other platforms. That would require some serious low-level programming, up to and including Assembler code.

[Sai-Lauren]

If they're only available on Apple products, they'll never see a penny from me for these.

iAgree.

Personally, when I do my army lists, I do it in Word and add all the rules, weapons stats etc that I need at the end, then print it off.

Codex updates I would guess will be done on those codexes that aren't going to have new versions ship any time soon, and likely in order of army popularity (hence Marines geting done very early).

As for Marine air defences, I'm sure it's not that difficult to go bits box diving and make your own Hyperios platform/pods.

[Zabousta]

I picked up the Necron digital codex and I have to say that I really like it. I am not an Apple fanboy, I actually prefer Android. I got an iPad when Asus refused to make enough Transformer Primes. I didn't want to wait, and thats how I ended up with an iPad 3.

The codex runs pretty smooth, with maybe a half second to sharpen the image. Its pretty easy to navigate, much easier than a PDF. Plus it comes with great pictures (more than in the book) and some extra stuff like each Dynastys colors and symbols. It gets updated, and is in fact ready to go for 6th ed. Most of the time you can click on the special rule and it will open a box detailing it for you, so less flipping.

I like it better than a book. Flipping through books is fast, but I find that the bindings go on GW codex pretty quick. I lucked out and got Necrons when they announced the iBook releases, so I just waited, and didn't bother buying a hard copy.

I would recommend getting it if you don't have a hard copy. Even if you do, its not a bad buy since it gets updated.

I run Numbers (excel) on the iPad, and have a simple army builder on it. You still need to fill in the boxes, but it auto calculates the numbers for you. It's pretty quick and easy to use, especially if you run similar lists in between games.

[Vegeta365]

Did they update the marine codex to stop terminators going in a rhino etc?

[Starchild]

Since when could Terminators ride in Rhinos? 2nd edition?

[Vegeta365]

Since the discussed format in this thread allowed it! An obvious mistake and I was keen to see if they have removed the error whilst updating other bits. If they have then they are showing how good this format can be for correcting future issues. These mistakes can not be changed in our books.