DDI: Monster Builder "Update"

I was pretty excited to get a message at work that the “brand new” Monster Builder was launched today. Unfortunately, when I got home and fired up Adventure Tools, I was pretty bummed to see that it not only still has the graphic indicating that it’s Beta software, that–aside from perhaps an Import feature–there is nothing about it to differentiate it from the beta software. Naively I hoped it was a mix up, and checked back a few hours later to discover that, no, same old beta-build. Fortunately directly beneath it is a link to download the older, yet oddly more functional Monster Builder, so DMs with a creative itch still have an avenue.

What I don’t understand is why it is taking so long for them to simply take an existing software application and transitioning it to another platform. I know why they want to–mitigation of piracy and hopefully integrate it with Virtual Table and other tools–but it’s been in a second beta for months. At this point, we have a monster viewer, with limited ability to rename a monster’s name and powers, and to adjust its level (again, same as before). In terms of utility, this places it far beneath D&D Compendium, which has the added benefit of being able to view any content.