[Colen]

(NB - I moved this post to a thread of its own because it was bumping a 12 year old, barely related thread.)

In our experience, and the experience of many store owners who we've talked to, Army Builder doesn't stop people from buying the codexes. In fact, AB is viewed as something that adds value to each game system that it supports. This is true for the players AND for the game publishers. Consider the following:

-AB lowers the barrier to entry for new players, which means more new customers (and sales).
-AB simplifies preparation so gamers can spend more time actually painting and players, which means higher sales and more deeply involved players.
-AB encourages players to experiment with new army ideas, which further immerses them into the hobby.
-AB facilitates tournaments and leagues, which further reinforces the enjoyment of large groups of players.
-Etc.

We've talked to hundreds of retailers, and they invariably tell us that AB is a sales tool for them. If it's a sales tool for the retailers, then, by extension, it's a sales tool for the game company as well.