BattleScribe 1.13.05 Released, Store Open!

The new version is finally here, with the main addition being the ability to add and remove forces to/from your roster as you create it, which was badly needed. There are also some additional minor changes and a big pile of bug fixes.

The other big thing is that BattleScribe has now moved to a free/pro model, where the free version is supported by advertising and the pro version has some additional features. You can now purchase a pro license key from the shiny new store and for the first month it will only cost you £0.99 - get 'em while they're hot! For more details on the advertising, take a look at the previous blog post.

Here's what's in the release:

• Pro: Added a dice statistics tool much like on mobile.
• Ability to add or remove a force from an existing list.
• Force Types can now have min/max points/selections/percentage. This is validated on a per-force type basis.
• Output files are now saved with the XML formatted and indented by 2 spaces. Great for those using version control for their data repositories.
• You can now import a downloaded .bsi index file from the Manage Data screen.
• Small improvement to View Roster output where if a rule's name is the same as the parent selection's, it will output a '*' instead of the full rule name.
• Catalogue-level rules are now always outputted when viewing a roster, even if they have no description.
• Added validation to prevent circular references in catalogue file shared items - this would cause Roster Editor to crash when loading the file.
• Fixed crash when opening rosters with multiple forces.
• Various bug fixes around shared items and modifiers
• Fixed bug where min/max in roster wasn't working for shared entries.
• Probably some other minor bug fixes I don't remember...

BattleScribe Pro For Desktop Coming Soon

That's right, BattleScribe on desktop is moving to a free/pro model, much like the mobile versions. This means that the free version is going to be supported by advertising/sponsorship, and there will be the option to buy a "pro" licence key to remove the advertising and gain additional features.

Don't panic! This post will hopefully explain the details and answer any questions. Of course if you have any additional questions or concerns, let me know in the comments (or Facebook / Google+ / Twitter / the forum / etc).

• Why? Developing BattleScribe takes a massive amount of time and effort, yet there is still a huge amount left to do. Going this route will help a lot towards letting me developing BattleScribe full-time (I have a day job too, unfortunately), meaning I can really put in the time to realize it's potential. Basically, I will be able to introduce more features, faster.
• What ads? The promotions will all be for awesome wargaming products and services, curated by myself (I will not be using a third party ad service, so no "click the monkey to win an iPad" crap). I really hope to make the ads useful and interesting so you will actually find something cool you didn't know about before.
• Are you going to break the free version? Absolutely not. The free version is still going to a fully featured army list editor, with no restrictions on your army, points etc. The free version is not going to be turned into a "demo". Any new features that I consider "core" to the army list builder will appear in the free version at the same time as the pro version. The one feature I have moved to the pro version is the ability to give units custom names and background information.
• So what do I get in the pro version then? The promotional banner ads and the affiliate button will be removed (though they can be turned back on from the options menu). There will also be additional, non-essential features that are cool or just nice to have. To start with, I've added the dice statistics tool that's available in the pro mobile versions, but there is more to come (e.g. the ability to save "favorite" units and re-use them in multiple lists).
• What's it gonna cost? For the first month, as a thank you to everyone who's supported BattleScribe over the years, I'll be selling license keys for £0.99. This gives you all a chance to jump on the pro version for a nominal fee. After that I'll be putting the price to up £4.99. Oh, and that's a one-time fee, not a yearly subscription...

Here's a screenshot

I hope that answers most of the questions you have, but as I said, please do let me know if you have any other concerns. I want to try and be as open and honest about this as I can. I've also put up the latest pre-release in the forum which includes the advertising so you can take a look (you can't buy a pro license just yet though).

Finally, if you have your own wargaming company / product / service that you wish to promote via BattleScribe, please do drop me an email. I'll be running ads for free for the first few months, so get in there while you can!

BattleScribe 1.13.04 Available on iOS!

This latest version contains some major (and long time coming) bug fixes and brings the iOS version into line with what's currently available on Android and the desktop. There's also some user interface improvements and support for the iPhone 5's bigger screen, giving you a bit more room when editing your roster.

Looking a little nicer

You'll also be glad to hear that I've finally nailed the "random crashing" issue that has been plaguing the free version on iOS for some time. It was a tough bug to track down, but it's finally been squashed - rejoice! This has been a real frustration for many users and has contributed to some (deserved) poor ratings on iTunes. If you're pleased with the fix, I'd love to see your feedback with an iTunes review - hopefully BattleScribe is now worthy of a higher rating. If you previously gave up on it due to the crashes, perhaps now is time to give it another try...

If you experience any other crashing issues please do let me know via the website and I'll get right on it.

Here's the full change list:

• Fixed "random crash" issue that was causing a lot of people frustration. Hooray!
• User interface updated to provide more space when editing your roster.
• Added support for the larger screen on the iPhone 5.
• Relevant book and page references included when viewing/printing a roster (as long as the data files include this information).
• Data file author name, contact details and website for your current files can be seen in the About box (as long as the data files include this information).
• Using a link to a ".bsr" repository file as a repository URL will be handled correctly - the data is imported from the file and any URLs it includes will be added to your list.
• Clicking a link to a repository will allow you to open it in BattleScribe and set it up automatically for you (as long as it's a repository that's created with v1.13.04).
• Added a "What's New" popup to keep you up to date with changes/new features - shown each time BattleScribe updates.
• Added occasional (monthly) prompt to remind you to check for new data files.
• Other bug fixes.

On The Radio Again (and other news)

After being stricken by Father Nurgle's blessing and then indulging in huge amounts of food and whisky over the festive season, I fell into a state of hibernation (read: laziness) for a while there. But never fear! Myself and BattleScribe are still alive! Here's some news.

First up, you have another chance to listen to my drivel via your audio-holes. The fine folks over at Noobhammer Radio grabbed me for a quick interview which is up on their site now. I had an awesome time (though I suspect they regret the entire ordeal) and I highly recommend giving them a listen - along with the Of Dice And Men podcast they also produce. A word of warning though: podcast-induced laughter will get you some strange looks in public, and plays merry hell with your brushstrokes...

Here's a link to the episode, and my hearty thanks to Noobhammer's Nate and Jason for having me on!

In other news, I've finally gotten around to finishing off version 1.13.04 for iDevices and have submitted it to Apple. With luck it'll be available sometime next week. Other than my laziness holding me up, I also wanted to get a couple of extra bits and pieces fixed, so it's taken a little longer than usual to get it finished. Here's the major bits that'll be in the release (I'll post full release notes when it becomes available).

• Fixed the "random crash" issue that's been plaguing it for a while - this bug has taken some time to hunt down, but I think I've finally resolved it.
• Support for the iPhone 5's  bigger screen.
• Some layout improvements to provide more space when editing your roster.
• The same stuff included in the v1.13.04 release for Android and desktop (see previous post).

Finally, I'm working on catching up with emails and forum posts at the moment. I think I've responded to pretty much all of them now, but if you're still waiting for a response please do contact me - you can use the "Send Email" link that's now on the website.

Happy gaming, and a belated happy new year :)

BattleScribe 1.13.04 Released!

This is now available for Android and Desktop. As usual, the iOS version will be forthcoming, depending on how long it takes Apple to approve it (there's also a couple of extra bits I want to clear up for iOS, so I haven't submitted it quite yet). I've also submitted to Amazon, so it should be available for Kindle once approved... Hopefully*.

This version has a couple of minor new features and some bug fixes. The main stuff is some more new features and upgrades for data file authors and hosts.

All Versions

• Relevant book and page references included when viewing/printing a roster (as long as the data files include this information).
• Data file author name, contact details and website for your current files can be seen in the About box (as long as the data files include this information)..
• Using a link to a ".bsr" repository file as a repository URL will be handled correctly - the data is imported from the file and any URLs it includes will be added to your list.
• Fixed bug where catalogues containing links that had modifiers on would loose those modifiers when a roster was created with the catalogue.
• Fixed crash when creating a roster from a catalogue that contained links with modifiers/conditions that pointed to shared items.
• Fixed bug where the global min/max for shared entry groups wasn't being checked.

Android

• Clicking a link to a repository will allow you to open it in BattleScribe and set it up automatically for you (as long as it's a repository that's created with v1.13.04).
• Added a "What's New" popup to keep you up to date with changes/new features - shown each time BattleScribe updates.
• Added occasional (monthly) prompt to remind you to check for new data files.

For Data File Authors & Hosts

• Data Indexer now lets you specify specific files from the source folder to include in your repository. The rest of them are ignored.
• New option to "cleanse" rules - this will remove rule descriptions from the resulting repository files (leaving the original source file intact of course!). This is useful to make the files "safer" for hosting publicly on the Internet - some hosts prefer you didn't include this information in files.
• You can optionally include your name, contact details and a website in your data files. This is so you can appropriately take credited for your hard work, and gives users a means of contacting you if they want to report a bug for example. This is shown in the About box.
• Rules, profiles and entries in catalogue files can now have a "book" and a "page", which is outputted when viewing the roster. This provides an "official" means to include this information, and prevents it being cleared out if you're "cleansing" rule descriptions when creating your repository.
• When creating a repository, a new "index.bsi" file is created. This is just the normal "index.xml" file, but zipped and with a ".bsi" extension. This lets mobile users import your repository just by clicking a link to this file (rather than messing about with copy/paste). You can start linking users to "index.bsi" instead of "index.xml" if you want - just make sure your users know they must have v1.13.04 to make use of it.
• The old-style "index.xml" is still created when creating a repository (and should still be hosted with your repository) so existing users that already use the URL to this won't have anything break.
• More reliable repository creation - hopefully this should prevent an occasional case where files created on non-English language computers couldn't be loaded on some systems.

* A note for Kindle users: Amazon approve apps for their general Android store first, and then it goes through another round of approval for Kindle. Now, they do inform me when/if the first round of approval is successful and I can see it appear in their store. However, with the second round of approvals there is no feedback whatsoever - not even to say if it's passed or failed. I have no idea when/if it gets approved for Kindle and no way of looking. Which, I know, is ridiculous. If someone could let me know if v1.13.04 shows up at some point - or can even tell me which version is there right now - I'd be grateful.

BattleScribe 1.13.03 Available On iOS

Apple have now approved v1.13.03 and it's now in the App Store - get those update-fingers clicking ;)

This update contains additional data sharing options, and it's easier to set up repositories.

• You can now include all your data files and repository URLs when sharing BattleScribe by email - give it a go to help your friends get going with BattleScribe. 
• Clicking a repository file sent to you by email will allow you to open it in BattleScribe, which will import all data and repository URLs for you automatically.
• Clicking a link to a repository file on a website also give you the option to let BattleScribe automatically import it.

BattleScribe 1.13.03b Released!

Here we are with another update - with some nice new features. It's currently available for desktop and Android devices, but will soon be available for iPhone too, once it's approved. I'll post here again when it becomes available.

The main additions are around sharing and importing data files. This has always been the biggest barrier to entry with BattleScribe - it's a pain to dig around the internet for data files, and can be confusing for new users to get set up. The idea is to make things a bit more "viral" or "peer to peer", where users who are already set up can send all their files and repository URLs to others in one go. A new user can import the file sent to them and voila! Everything is configured and they're good to go.

What this means is that if you want to help a friend get set up with BattleScribe, you can hit the Share BattleScribe button and send them an email that includes a link to download the app and a file that they just have to click to get the whole thing set up - much easier!

To this end, I've basically added a new file format which is an entire repository of data files all bundled together into a single file (with the ".bsr" extension, for the techies among you) which can be sent around by email for example.

The other major improvement is for those who create and maintain data repositories - finally Data Indexer has had a major overhaul and is much better than it was.


Android

• When clicking Share BattleScribe, you are given the option to include your data files. Your files and repository URLs are bundled into a "repository file" and attached to your email (or uploaded to DropBox or wherever else you decide to send it).
• Clicking a repository file on an email (or in another app, such as clicking a link to one in the browser or in DropBox) will fire up BattleScribe and automatically import all the data contained in it including any repository URLs.
• Clicking any other data files from a browser, file manager or other app will send it to be opened in BattleScribe, which will import it for you. 
• Some apps (such as your browser) will try to open the file themselves and just show you it's contents. In this case, you can hit Share and send it to BattleScribe from there. This also works for an online repository's "index.xml" file.
• You can now (finally) install BattleScribe on an SD card.
• Improvements to the speed and reliability of saving - it should no longer lag when switching between screens.
• Fixed a bug where if you had a corrupted/broken roster file, you wouldn't be able to open any other rosters. Broken rosters are now ignored.

Desktop

• You can import BattleScribe data from a repository (.bsr) file from the Manage Data dialog.
• Much (much!) improved Data Indexer, which you can now access from the Manage Data dialog (see separate change list below) via the Share Data button.
• Manage Data can now be accessed from the menu in Game System Editor and Catalogue Editor.
• Editors will now prompt you to update your repository if you have changed your files. This is really important! If you don't re-create your repository when you change files, none of your users will get your lovely new files!
• Editors now flag many more data file errors for you to fix - making sure you don't end up with broken files...
• Links to shared entries can now have a category, so a single shared entry representing a unit can be used in multiple categories.

Data Indexer

• More options so you can specify where the data for the index comes from. You can choose to use all your current data, or specify a specific folder manually.
• More options to specify where the repository gets created. You can create it "in place" (ie the same location it's getting the data files from), specify a specific folder manually, or choose to output to a single .bsr repository file (for emailing or whatever).
• Data Indexer now remembers all your chosen settings - repository name, input/output options and paths to data file source and destination folders/files.
• All data files get updated to the latest format and individually zipped correctly when creating a repository.
• Command line usage added. You can run "java -jar DataIndexer.jar [repository name] [input directory] [output directory]" to create a repository from the command line.

Interview On The Overlords Podcast

Listen ma! I'm on the radio!

Inquisitor Steve from The Overlords podcast was kind enough to drop me a line a little while ago and arrange an interview to chat about BattleScribe. I had a lot of fun talking a bit about my history with 40k, before moving on to discuss how BattleScribe came about and how it's developed since then.

If you're interested in listening to me babble incoherently about some of the reasons behind BattleScribe, where it's at now and a where it's going in the future, I recommend giving it a listen! In fact, if you're not already following The Overlords, what's wrong with you? These guys are great fun to listen to - they make my drive home from work something to look forward to :)

Thanks for having me on guys!

BattleScribe 1.13.02b Available For iOS

Apple have finally approved version 1.13.02b and it's now available in the App Store! Sorry it's taken so long - once I've submitted to iTunes, it's out of my hands until they get around to reviewing it (usually a week or so...).

This version contains a major bug fix where in some cases nothing would show up for you to select for your list (notably a large selection of Warhammer Fantasy catalogues). This was because for some catalogue files the process of upgrading them to the 1.13.xx file format would eat the contents of the file and break it. Very nasty.

Important: 
If you have experienced this bug, and you were unable to see anything to choose for your army you will need to delete your data files and re-download them from your repository. Go to "Manage Data", click the menu and choose "Delete all data". Once this is done, click "Update Data" again to get your files back. Your new files will be properly updated to the 1.13.xx format and all should be well.

Sorry I let this one get through. File format updates are one of the biggest changes BattleScribe can go through, and it can be a bit of a rocky road. I'd tested many data files to make sure the process worked, but evidently I missed this particular case. My apologies if it's caused you any issues.

Full Change List:

• Fixed bug where some old data files were not being properly upgraded
• Prevented categories showing up if they contain nothing to select
• Fixed crash when using multiple catalogues (ie allies) in some cases
• Fixed crash when using catalogues with deeply nested shared items
• Fixed bug where data files with accented characters (ó, ñ etc) would break

If you find anything else that's amiss, please don't hesitate to let me know. You can leave a comment on this post or in the forums, or catch me on Google+, Twitter or Facebook. I'm also available via email: feedback [at] battlescribe [dot] net.

If this has resolved your problem, or you're just a fan of BattleScribe on iOS, please do leave a review on iTunes!

BattleScribe 1.13.02 Released

Update: One more bug fixed today:

• Fixed crash when using catalogues with deeply nested shared items

This is available for Android and desktops, and has been resubmitted to Apple (I've requested an expedited review so hopefully it won't take as long as usual to become available).

---

Just a small update today with a couple of bug fixes:

• Fixed a problem where some older data files weren't being properly upgraded to the 1.13.00 format. This is causing a problem particularly on iOS where in some cases you can't see anything to select when creating Warhammer Fantasy lists (nasty...)
• Prevented categories that don't contain any entries from being displayed (mobile versions only)
• Fixed bug where data files with accented characters (ó, ñ etc) would break
• Fixed a crash when using multiple catalogues (e.g. when making a list with allies)

Note: If you are having problems with your data files, I recommend deleting them and re-downloading from your repository. This will mean any files get re-updated to the the 1.13.00 format, fixing the problem mentioned in the second bullet point above.

This is now available on Android and desktops and is currently going through approval for iOS. I'll let you know when it becomes available in iTunes.