So I have a map that was created in gamestudio A3 (around the time it was called Acknex) that I would like to load into A8. Problem is that A8 throws an "unexpected end of file" error and all of the 3rd party and conitec tools I've tried have failed to convert. I have been unable to acquire a copy of version of the engine to just load the file and see the map. Are there any suggestions as to how to go about importing this?

A user, Firoball most likely, once tried to convert old A3 maps into A7/ A8 maps, a few years ago. I think he did that by writing a self made tool. Wait...

http://www.opserver.de/ubb7/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=374797&page=1

Seems like that was the beginning of his endeavour. Are you aware of that thread and the following posts (over a few weeks I guess)?

Yes, I had already found his tools website (never saw the thread) and gave that a try before posting here. I was just curious if anyone had another method that was not along the normal lines of thinking.