Army Builder 3.0

Army Builder provides a comprehensive set of facilities enabling miniatures gamers to quickly create rosters that are virtually guaranteed to be compliant with the established rules for a given game system. The intuitive interface and powerful feature set are ideal for novices, veterans, and casual players alike.

Army Builder is built around a general purpose engine for roster creation, making it suitable for use with fantasy, science fiction and historical games alike. All of the particulars of a given game system are encapsulated in a set of data files for that game system. The user selects the game system he wants, the corresponding data files are loaded, and the product configures itself for the mechanics of that game system.

Data files are separate from Army Builder. However, they are provided as free downloads that are retrieved directly by the product. This method allows the data files to be updated regularly as new supplements are released for games, and it allows user to download the specific files for the games they want.

A complete tool-set for creating data files and/or customizing existing data files is also available. This Construction Kit makes it possible for gamers to add their own custom troops, make adjustments for house rules, or even write complete data files for a game system.

V3.0 adds a huge array of new features and capabilities. The most important enhancements include the following...

• Flexible Rulesets – Mix and match army construction rules to form complex rulesets that model virtually any combination of rules a publisher can come up with. Change the selected rules "on the fly", and your roster is automatically re-validated.
• Stylized Data – Data file authors can embed graphics and icons within text to more closely reflect a particular game. Stylized text (e.g. bold, italic, etc.) can also be used by authors to enhance the usability of data files.
• Hot Zones – Use of hot zones allows authors to include descriptions of special abilities and other aspects within data files. Hot zones are mouse-sensitive areas that display the corresponding descriptions when clicked.
• Fully Configurable UI – Change the columns shown and their widths. Take advantage of higher resolution displays to show more information, or simply tailor the display to your personal tastes. Save named views to quickly switch between common settings.
• Filter and Sort Units – Instantly sort the list of available units by clicking on a column header. Filter the available units on any criteria, from the simple (e.g. all fast attack units) to the complex (e.g. all units with special ability X that cost less than Y points).
• Roster Tree View – Rosters now use a tree view, much like Windows Explorer. Expand and collapse any level to see exactly what you want, when you want it.
• Group Units Into 'Squads' – Combine separate units visually into 'squads', which are validated to ensure the groupings are legal. Move units between squads with drag-and-drop simplicity.
• Option Grouping – Options are now grouped, with tabs to select each group in the options panel. This makes it much easier to manage options, and it eliminates the need for a separate "items" form (items are now treated as options).
• Options Quick Reference – View an instant summary of all available options for a unit. See the price and description of available options for easy selection.
• Global Options – In some game systems, individual options must effect all units in the entire roster (e.g. Imperial Guard doctrines in 40K). AB3 fully supports this capability.
• Customizable Info Windows – Users can customize the contents of the main form to display a range of important details about your roster. These include composition profiles, army statistics, unit details, roster notes, etc.
• Model Images – Users can view images of models from the manufacturer website. Links can be included by data file authors to allow viewing.
• Skin Support – Custom skins can be created easily and distributed via the Updates mechanism. Users can switch between skins with a few mouse clicks.
• Compilation – Data files are now compiled when first loaded by a user, after which subsequent loads are virtually instantaneous.
• Simplified Data File Authoring – The new engine is much easier to write data files for. This should translate into more users being comfortable writing/editing data files, faster development of files for games, and fewer bugs in those files.
• Print Preview – That pretty much sums it up.
• Foundation for Inventory Tracking – The new engine is designed to support inventory tracking of the models you own. Inventory tracking is NOT implemented in V3.0, but the foundation is in place so that we can add it in a subsequent release.
• No More CD Hassles – The need for the CD key disc is eliminated, so the nuisance of finding and swapping CDs is a thing of the past.
• Language Translation – V3.0 was designed to enable language translation (western languages only). In an upcoming release, both the product and data files will be able to be readily translated to other languages (V3.0 is English only).
• Customized Output – Control for customizing roster output has been enhanced, allowing rosters to be tailored separately for each game system

Unlike most of the latest software, Army Builder has only moderate system requirements, running quite smoothly on a Pentium III class machine for most game systems. Please note that the size and complexity of the data files for a particular game system DO have a significant impact on the time it takes to initially compile the data files, but load times after compilation should be fast for all games. The exact requirements for typical game systems are outlined below for your reference

• PC running Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
• 64MB RAM memory
• Minimum 800x600 resolution
• Minimum 16-bit color
• 10MB free hard disk space (plus room for data files)
• Mouse or other pointing device
• Internet access (to obtain data files and activate license)

Retail Price $49.95

$39.95 (You Save $10.00)