Let's talk manual

[Joram]

All I ask (besides a physical manual) is just that you make it very clear that the physical shipment, if one is offered, is nothing more than a small CD and case. I was quite peeved when I ordered CoG and all I got was a box and CD. If that's what I wanted I would have just burned the CD myself. And to head off the inevitable "it was mentioned", the omission of a manual on the content description of the order is not always obvious when the norm is for one to be included.

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: Joram

All I ask (besides a physical manual) is just that you make it very clear that the physical shipment, if one is offered, is nothing more than a small CD and case. I was quite peeved when I ordered CoG and all I got was a box and CD. If that's what I wanted I would have just burned the CD myself. And to head off the inevitable "it was mentioned", the omission of a manual on the content description of the order is not always obvious when the norm is for one to be included.

Since the Matrix people do read this forum, presumably they will take note of your suggestion.

[Erik Rutins]

To respond on the manual question, the norm with our titles has always been a PDF manual, but we will try to make the description highlight that no printed manual is included.

However, more importantly we are more than aware that a subset of our customers really want printed manuals. However, another subset wants PDF and the majority don't seem to care much either way. To cater to all these tastes, we've been working hard behind the scenes for well over a year to make these options happen, with the goal of giving the customer the choice. It's not an easy thing to do for the price we wanted and integrated into the "on demand" system we have developed behind the scenes, but it looks like it will happen soon. I'm not sure when exactly everything will be ready, but I'm sure that at some point in the early part of 2007, if you want a printed manual you'll be able to get one, just like you can ask for a printed CD + Box now.

Regards,

- Erik

[Hard Sarge]

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

ORIGINAL: kmb

What about tutorials for the people that are on the little yellow bus,,,,,,,,,,,,,,like me

Eric has put together a flash tutorial. It's not the same thing as a demo, but will help anyone when they first get the game.

and to me at least, it is impressive, kind of neat too

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins
...
However, more importantly we are more than aware that a subset of our customers really want printed manuals.

...but it looks like it will happen soon.

...but I'm sure that at some point in the early part of 2007, if you want a printed manual you'll be able to get one

That is FANTASTIC news

[Joram]

That is fantastic news, thanks Erik!

[Harvey Birdman]

Gil Is someone going to do a Ralegh tip guide for FoF? The Ralegh guide for CoG was useful reading when I first got CoG.

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: Harvey Birdman

Gil Is someone going to do a Ralegh tip guide for FoF? The Ralegh guide for CoG was useful reading when I first got CoG.

Well, jchastain back in mid-beta days wrote up an economic guide, and might be inspired to update it. Beyond that, I don't know of anything offhand.

I've been thinking of the ongoing PBEM AAR as something similar -- a way for people to learn about the game and the sorts of decisions to consider. It's certainly not the same thing, but should serve an educational role in addition to be entertaining.

(By "educational," I mean, "Don't do what I do.")

[pompack]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

To respond on the manual question, the norm with our titles has always been a PDF manual, but we will try to make the description highlight that no printed manual is included.

However, more importantly we are more than aware that a subset of our customers really want printed manuals. However, another subset wants PDF and the majority don't seem to care much either way. To cater to all these tastes, we've been working hard behind the scenes for well over a year to make these options happen, with the goal of giving the customer the choice. It's not an easy thing to do for the price we wanted and integrated into the "on demand" system we have developed behind the scenes, but it looks like it will happen soon. I'm not sure when exactly everything will be ready, but I'm sure that at some point in the early part of 2007, if you want a printed manual you'll be able to get one, just like you can ask for a printed CD + Box now.

Regards,

- Erik

This discussion comes up on every game release [:)], but to keep the usual pot boiling I am one of those people who insists on PDF.

I will spend a couple of hours reading the manual cover to cover before I play the game, but I will probably reference it or try to clarify some obscure point several hundred times the first year. This can be overly time consuming without a searchable file or a super paper index. Now the second year, I will be unlikely to even find the paper manual if I need to check something. I don't mind paying extra so the people who like it get a paper manual, but PLEASE don't leave out the PDF. [:D]

[Vyshka]

ORIGINAL: Mike Scholl

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

I know....I'm hoping for the day when manuals make their way back into gaming life.

There is nowhere, locally for me, who can print a manual. The one guy I did find said the manual I was discussing at the time (can't remember which one) wasn't in the proper order for him to print in normal booklet fashion, and so wanted more money to reshift things.

Decided against it. Turned out I started reading my HoI2 manual and started playing that, dropping the game that didn't have the manual because I couldn't get into it because I didn't know how it worked because I hate reading PDF and cannot abide carrying unweildy A4 , unbound manuals between rooms when wanting a quiet read.

I always post the same drivel. Hate PDF, want printed. It'll never happen, but as long as there's a "manual" thread, I'll voice my opinion. [;)]

Know the feeling. Heaven is having a good, clear, readable manual in one hand; and the mouse in the other... Everything else is just settling for "second best" (and sometimes "third" or "fourth"). But that's the Economics of the game business.

Geesh, what is it with you guys? [:D] That is why you have the laptop sitting next to the computer. [;)] It is a shame that printed manuals have pretty much gone the way of the dodo, but I would rather have a 250 page pdf that I can take to Kinko's than the little 20 page pamphlet that ships with most games these days.

[JudgeDredd]

ORIGINAL: Vyshka
Geesh, what is it with you guys? [:D] That is why you have the laptop sitting next to the computer. [;)] It is a shame that printed manuals have pretty much gone the way of the dodo, but I would rather have a 250 page pdf that I can take to Kinko's than the little 20 page pamphlet that ships with most games these days.

Geesh...what is it with you guys? [;)]

If only I had a kinkos to take the bloody pdf to!

I just prefer to read a paper book than e-Book. It really hurts my eyes reading text on a screen