BattleScribe 10th Edition 40k: The data maintainers community fights to keep your army lists alive as the app’s future hangs in the balance.
BattleScribe 10th Edition 40k: The Rollercoaster Journey of Updates
Welcome to the wild ride that is BattleScribe’s 10th Edition Warhammer 40k saga—a tale of data wizards battling against the forces of app abandonment! Whether you’re just stepping onto the battlefield or you’ve been strategizing since the days when Space Marines were just slightly bigger than their bolters, this story has something for you. From mysterious disappearances to last-minute saves, the BattleScribe community has seen it all.
BattleScribe 10th Edition 40k: A Rocky Start
Things were looking pretty grim for BattleScribe’s 10th Edition 40k update. The app was hanging by a thread as the wheels seemed to be coming off, with the data community—the real heroes behind keeping BattleScribe updated—sounding the alarm.
The announcement from the community, not the developer, had everyone worried. The developers of the app seemed to have all but abandoned ship, leaving the dedicated data team scrambling to keep things afloat.
While they say rumors of their demise have been exaggerated, the initial announcement from the data team did have everyone a little worried:
Unfortunately, as many of you are no doubt aware, the developer behind the actual application has basically abandoned all development work except anything that impacts his lazy income stream.
We are finally reaching a point where this lack of care is having major impacts on ability to maintain going forward.
As a result, the data may take longer than you probably expect. Based on what data authors know so far, we will need to rely on a functionality currently broken in battlescribe on a fairly fundamental level, so it may be that there is no 10th update until the Data community figures out how to piece things together in the crumbling architecture.
In the meantime, twitter.com/BattleScribe The official Battlescribe twitter handle is still there… If the app Dev checks it is unknown to us as he hasn’t spoken to us in 3 years.
The Data Community: The Unsung Heroes of BattleScribe
To clear things up, the folks who actually keep BattleScribe running aren’t the developers—they’re the data maintainers community. These volunteers have been tirelessly updating the app for years despite the lack of support from the actual developer. They do this out of love for the game, not for any financial gain.
Unfortunately, as 10th Edition Warhammer 40k rolled out, it looked like this lack of support was finally catching up to them. The app was struggling, and the community was unsure if it could handle the jump to 10th Edition 40k.
The announcement comes from the Battlescribe data team:
Again, to highlight something important, because people still do not know, the Battlescribe data team are a seperate entity to the Battlescribe Developer… they actually put time and effort in.
With my Jabs out of the way, here is a message from the battlescribe data team
So new edition time is nearly upon us, and that means many of you will be wondering when/how fast the data will be available for the new edition.
Unfortunately, as many of you are no doubt aware, the developer behind the actual application has basically abandoned all development work except anything that impacts his lazy income stream.
We are finally reaching a point where this lack of care is having major impacts on ability to maintain going forward.
As a result, the data may take longer than you probably expect. Based on what data authors know so far, we will need to rely on a functionality currently broken in battlescribe on a fairly fundamental level, so it may be that there is no 10th update until the Data community figures out how to piece things together in the crumbling architecture.
In the meantime, twitter.com/BattleScribe The official Battlescribe twitter handle is still there… If the app Dev checks it is unknown to us as he hasn’t spoken to us in 3 years.
If you have supporter passes, do not renew them. Tell your friends to do the same.
Battlescribe supporter $ go to him for the app, data developers get nothing.
A Glimmer of Hope: BattleScribe Data Still Working
But just when things looked bleak, a spark of good news emerged. The latest data files were released, and to everyone’s surprise, they actually work with the app! You can start building your 10th Edition 40k armies, though how long this will last is anyone’s guess.
BattleScribe’s 10th Edition 40k Data: What’s Available?
As of now, most of the data you need for 10th Edition Warhammer 40k is in the app, thanks to the BattleScribe Data Facebook group. There are still a few minor bugs, like some incorrect point values, but overall, you can start making your lists right away. If you’re having trouble with the app, the data is also compatible with the New Recruit army builder, which could be a lifesaver if BattleScribe hits more snags.
The Developer’s Absence: A Lingering Issue
Unfortunately, the dark cloud over BattleScribe’s future hasn’t fully lifted. The developer has been MIA for years, leaving the data community to do all the heavy lifting. This has led to growing frustration, as the app’s core architecture is showing its age, making updates increasingly difficult.
The community has even started talking about creating an open-source alternative to BattleScribe. This would allow them to move away from the current developer and ensure that the app stays functional for future editions. If you want to see some alternatives, you can see a bunch of other Warhammer 40k list-building apps here!
Community Reaction
As we said, there was a mixed reaction. Some people are still mad on the latest Reddit thread that the dev ghosted the community and only seemed to come back when something big like this happened. Obviously, the most annoyed seems to be the data community, as they have been keeping the whole thing going and haven’t been able to get in contact with the developer. Let’s hope things go a little bit better this time around and we don’t have too long to wait.
How to Update BattleScribe for 10th Edition 40k
Want to get started with your 10th Edition 40k army? Here’s how: simply update your data within the app. Look for the 10th Edition data files, which should be listed just above the 9th Edition in the data section. Once you’ve got the latest files, you can start building your lists with all the updated rules and point values.
BattleScribe’s Future: Uncertain but Hopeful
The fate of BattleScribe in the 10th Edition Warhammer 40k era is still up in the air. The app’s developer might be AWOL, but the data maintainer’s community has shown incredible resilience. They’ve managed to keep things running, at least for now, and we can only hope they’ll continue to do so.
If you’re a BattleScribe supporter, consider where your money is going. The data community, which does the real work, doesn’t see a dime. Voting with your hobby dollars might be the nudge the developer needs to get back on track.
Conclusion: BattleScribe’s Rocky Road in 10th Edition Warhammer 40k
While the app’s future might be as uncertain as the Emperor’s true intentions, the passion and determination of the Warhammer 40k community are anything but. So, as we wait to see what the next roll of the dice brings, keep your data updated, your lists ready, and your faith in the Omnissiah strong.
Click Here to Get The New BattleScribe Data!
What do you think about the Battlescribe Data Maintainers rocky road for 10th Edition 40k?
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
