33 réponses à ce sujet

[Tocumi]

Yeah, haven't been a fan at all of the gaming industry moving away from printed manuals.  I suppose it saves on paper, so that's good... but I wish the alternative was something better than just "oh we have in-game tutorials" or "click here to go to our website".  Wish there was a "manual" option that we could reach by clicking "start" and would take us to some sort of in-game representation of what would've been in the game manual.

 

It saves the producers/distributers money to not include a printed manual, extras goodies, etc. I agree, but asking for $60-80 premium and getting disks that becomes absolete before you even install the game due to needing patches is a poor excuse and should not be accepted.  I love to support all the hard working people that put a lot of time into making games.  I've bought many games that I never play just to show my support and gratitude. 

 

However, I feel torned because I don't want to support these poor practices even if I stand alone in my belief.  Every car has a manual regardless of whether the buyer reads it or not.  Those that due, find important information that will enhance their driving/owner experience.

 

When I pay a premium for a game, I'm looking for the over-all experience.  People work hard to develop the lore and all the intricate details.  Heck even a hack and slash Diablo had a nice manual that included background and lore. 

 

Tocumi

[Tocumi]

It's a going green thing. For some games now they even use cases that are made from recycled materials.

I wish that I can believe them going green as the reason for not including documentation.  It's more of greed.  Beside it's not really going green when a much larger, thicker strategy guide is offered as a stand alone that includes things that should have been in a manual.

[Tocumi]

Where have you been? Manuals have been pretty much phased out in the past few years. It's all mostly digital now. I miss manuals but there is no point wasting paper for something most people look at once and never use again.

actually the manuals I refer to are similar to those found in the old BG series or original fallout where you can refer back to for lores, stats, magic info, etc.  It was design to be a guide and something to access as needed basis.  It was not merely an instruction manual that tells u how to play the game. 

[Kantr]

Actually there are some such as the witcher series, wasteland 2, Divinity Orginal Sin.

Aside from independents.

[AlanC9]

What's the advantage of putting this stuff in a manual rather than in the game?

[metatheurgist]

What's the advantage of putting this stuff in a manual rather than in the game?

You can read a manual wherever you like. Some people really enjoy prepping for the game by reading the manual on the bus home after purchase. That's harder to do with electronic media.

[Realmzmaster]

actually the manuals I refer to are similar to those found in the old BG series or original fallout where you can refer back to for lores, stats, magic info, etc.  It was design to be a guide and something to access as needed basis.  It was not merely an instruction manual that tells u how to play the game. 

 

The old BG manuals were necessary because most if not all of the manual had provide information about the D & D system for those unfamiliar with it. Most of the BG1 and BG2 manuals covered descriptions of all the available spells. The same with the other D & D based crpgs like Might & Magic, Wizardry, Ultima and Bard's Tale.

 

With DAO and other games the lore, Stats, Magic info etc is built into the codex which is in game and readily accessible. 

[Realmzmaster]

Actually there are some such as the witcher series, wasteland 2, Divinity Orginal Sin.

 

Actually my physical copy of Wasteland 2 did not come with a printed manual only an electronic one. Printed manuals were reserved for those who paid for the game at one of the higher levels. The game with printed manual cost $59.99 (Ranger edition) or $150.00 (Collector's Edition) as oppose to $39.9 standard edition.

[Element Zero]

This made me chuckle. The last game I believe the last game I purchased that came with a manual was ME2. I actually appreciate that they save the paper.