Printed Manual?

[GoodGuy]

Carton with space for 4" of literature:

http://www.brownandpratt.com/shop/PDLM1184-C407.aspx

That should provide enough space for a manual with 200+ pages (the picture just shows the 1" version, I think, so don't let that confuse you).

Page with 3 different versions:

http://www.brownandpratt.com/shop/C407.aspx
(providing space for 2", 3" or 4" of literature)

Same here, they're showing the 1" kit on the 4" page:

http://www.reidsupply.com/GrpResults.as ... d=10023407

4" should be way enough space for a fat manual.
So, unless you'd tell me that 4" ain't enough, I'd have to assume that something went wrong during your research. [;)] [:)]

[sabre1]

I would pay $100.00 for a game that came with a three ring binder, color, maps, keyboard overlays etc...

I would pay possibly even more for that kind of game if the manual was a full 8.5x11. My eyes just aren't what they use to be, and I really dislike PDF manuals, but that's just me.

[FredSanford3]

Granted, you'd have to pay, but presuming you don't want to burn up the cartridges on your printer (if you have one), why not just send the pdf to Kinko's if it's important to have.

[GoodGuy]

*Bumping this for Erik*

Pls check my posts above, thnx.

[Erik Rutins]

Goodguy,

Those look like mailers - it's true that those would allow the box to be shipped with a larger manual. What I'm talking about is larger DVD boxes themselves, that can fit both a larger than 200 page manual and multiple CDs in the DVD box itself. We separated the WITP AE manual from the box and it didn't work quite as well as we had hoped. We are still looking for a better solution for WIF though, so the links are appreciated and we will consider them as a mailing solution.

Regards,

- Erik

[Lützow]

ORIGINAL: sabre1

I would pay $100.00 for a game that came with a three ring binder, color, maps, keyboard overlays etc...

I would pay possibly even more for that kind of game if the manual was a full 8.5x11. My eyes just aren't what they use to be, and I really dislike PDF manuals, but that's just me.

Like this?
http://www.precisionmanuals.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=16

They charge $ 170,- just for the game documentation. But it's about 1500 pages iirc.

[bink]

Erik,

I can't find a listing for the large cases (probably 1" thick) that some games have come in.

However, would this work?

http://www.polylinecorp.com/DVD-VHS-combo-case.asp

[bink]

Erik,

What is an E-book manual? What file format is it in?

Thanks

[rickier65]

ORIGINAL: bink

Erik,

What is an E-book manual? What file format is it in?

Thanks

bink, mostly what I've seen are PDF format, though I haven't bought this game yet.

rick

[eMonticello]

ORIGINAL: bink

Erik,

What is an E-book manual? What file format is it in?

Thanks

The manuals are in pdf format. The manuals come in two flavors... E-Book (aka screen) that allow you to move between sections via bookmarks and hyperlinks, and a version that is set up for the printer.

[Arnir]

Erik,
How many of these products are still sold on store shelves?  I worked software retail in the 80s and 90s and saw box standardization come and go, etc.  If the store market is waning, are you still limited to DVD boxes?

[Rander]

And something like this?

http://www.scanavo.com/overlap_30mm_one.asp

On this box you can put a 17mm manual (like the WitP-AE one).

Bye.

[bink]

Nice find Rander!

Well, now Matrix can no longer say that they are constrained by the size of a DVD case.

[Rander]

Thanks.

In fact, scanavo is the company that provides Matrix their current DVD-boxes. Don't know if they rejected this option or if they didn't know about it. [&:]

Bye.

[Arnir]

I may be alone in this, but for a game that I ordered (not one that caught my eye in the store) I would rather have a nice full color manual than a nice box.  So, if it was just me, I would skip the box and take the manual especially if the box limited everything else.

[MarkShot]

Let me take a stab at it.

I believe both have hyperlinks.

The printer version uses much higher quality graphic images (charts and screenshots) to enhance the hard copy quality. The e-version is intended to be light on memory and CPU requirements for better online viewing performance.

[Arjuna]

Yes that's right Mark.

[Adam Parker]

Hey guys, I don't know whether you saw my post in my impressions thread but I printed the manual today in color - took 1/2 of an HP ink cartridge to do so and less than 200 pages of A4.

The font used is large and the graphics plentiful but not over the top, meaning an economical use of color.

I've placed the lot in a binder prefilled with plastic inserts (ie: not a flimsy one that gets added to but more of a professional marketing display finish).

I've then got 2 smaller prefilled display binders: One containing the Interface Screen by Screen section covering pages 171-187 for a quick easy to flick through reference; and a second covering the Annexes and Charts that run from page 188 to page 208 - again, for an easy to carry, quick reference.

The rules start at page 27. This is a very well arranged and easy to print rule book. Though I bought my HttR with a printed manual in its cardboard box, it was too small to enjoy and use conveniently being less than DVD case-sized. My BFtB A4 manuals are so much better for my eyes and ability to use quickly.

[blastpop]

I think a small rules book- or maybe a better description is a tutorial book- that gives a brief example of play- ala what was done with Highway to the Reich would have been a good compromise. Say, 32 pages of what you need to get quickly up and running with a reference on the back of keystrokes or maybe a pullout reference with that info.

I am in the publishing business so I know the cost of it would be nominal, as compared to the the price of the game... plus it gives the buyer something more for their money. Nothing worse than opening a game and finding it is full of only air.

[Adam Parker]

Blastpop I like your idea.

The thing I really appreciated with Uncommon Valor all those years ago, was that even though it didn't come with a printed rule book, its DVD case included a ful color, cardboard reference chart.

For BFtB I think that the "Interface Sceen by Screen" section, some of the charts, short cuts, scenario overviews and a section on victory would make an execellent mini manual for the game as you envisage. 30 pages tops.

Thing is though, some of the charts in a small booklet would be a bit hard to read for some.