Absolutely Awesome! Great Job!

[jayormsby]

I have been enjoying my download for several days now, and I got my hard copy today in the mail. The manual is much more than I expected. I just wanted to say a big thank you to all those at Matrix that put this together!!

[&o]

[blastpop]

ORIGINAL: jayormsby

I have been enjoying my download for several days now, and I got my hard copy today in the mail. The manual is much more than I expected. I just wanted to say a big thank you to all those at Matrix that put this together!!

[&o]

Much more in what way, please elaborate? I am on the fence whether to order the hard copy version or not.

[jayormsby]

High quality binding and packaging. I buy $65 games for my sons xbox that dont even have a manual.

[B/snafu]

ORIGINAL: blastpop

ORIGINAL: jayormsby

I have been enjoying my download for several days now, and I got my hard copy today in the mail. The manual is much more than I expected. I just wanted to say a big thank you to all those at Matrix that put this together!!

[&o]

Much more in what way, please elaborate? I am on the fence whether to order the hard copy version or not.

It is well worth paying the extra ten dollars. Received my copy roughly 3 buisness days after d/l. Great packaging, double size dvd case, great cover art (the ad art), Thick manual, actually fells heavy in your hand (for a game manual). looks good on the desk. besides the astetic(sp) value---for a new player like me --great to just pick up off the desk for reference while in a mission. I'm new to the series but I believe the new manual is an almagation of the past manual editions. Matrix made a great descicion in giving this option---hopefully this becomes an industry norm again.

[Elwro]

Unfortunately, it's not a bargain if you live in such a country as Poland . In order to get the manual, you have to 1) Pay 7 Euros extra for the boxed set and 2) Pay 6.16 Euros extra for shipping and handling. In total, it's 13 Euros for the manual (since you can burn a backup CD for 16 cents ).

I'm not angry about anything, since I'm quite satisfied with my digital download But in future I'd like to have a possibility of ordering a digital download with a printed manual: maybe without the box and CD it would be cheaper?

[B/snafu]

I guess what I stated doesn't apply to the international customers with the extra cost of shipping and such[:(]
Although for me, I enjoy actually having the physical product which I can dust off years down the road.

ORIGINAL: Elwro

....................a printed manual: maybe without the box and CD it would be cheaper?

I'm with you on that one---It would be nice if they could do an excess print run of the manuals and sell them seperately---something like strategy guides that are sometimes sold on the market for different games. Also option of just mailing the manual w/dd for those who want it but not the box--although I guess you will still take a hit on the international shipping---Who knows, matrix seems to come out with good suprises for their customers.

[1925frank]

The manual contains a lot of the same information and has the same format as the old manuals.  The manual is smaller.  The only place I thought the smaller size diminished the product was with the pictures of the hexes and hexsides that went along with the description of how the hex or hexside impacts the game.  When I was first learning the game those pictures were invaluable, but if I had to rely in these pictures, I think I'd find it a little frustrating.
 
I'd be interested in bigger stand-alone manual with additional unit information, with articles, and with a list of websites for various mods, scenarios, or whatever.  At one time, you could download from Talonsoft a boatload of unit information for all the countries.   Thumbing through that just to see what was out there was a lot of fun.  Also, some of the terrain has different impacts in different games.   I think a village in RS afforded less protection than a village in WF.  I'm not sure about the suburbs and city hexes.
 
Matrix has advertised more than just the games, and the manuals seem to be something Matrix takes a lot of pride in -- and deservedly so.  If there were a bigger manual with additional features, I'd buy it even though I have the current manual.  I might be the exception, so if there is anyone else out who'd be interested in a "Campaign Series Encyclopedia" or even something less ambitious, you may want to speak up.

[british exil]

Yeah I'd be interested in a printed Manual.
I find it nice to read along when the AI is taking it's turn.
I sometimes read things I'd forgotten about or maybe never even knew.
The more info Matrix packs in a manual the better.

Maybe a section about how different units were used IRL.
How to use units best/or not to use.

Package and Post are things that I'd have to accept. It's normal.

If the Matrix Boys could get CS working, whats a printed manual gonna be for them, it's a childs game

[1925frank]

I would be curious to see how other people use various units.  For example, someone posted they were using their reconnaissance vehicles to more or less lead the charge into unknown territory, and this resulted in the tremendous loss of reconnaissance vehicles.  I tend to use them in just the opposite way.  I try to keep them far away from the action but somewhere where they can see what's going on from long range.  Their greatest utility is their mobility.  Their greatest liability is their vulnerability to any other unit on the map.  Since I play only against the AI, I have no idea how other people use them.  I also don't know if there's a better way to use them than I am currently using them.  Some of them have decent fire power against soft targets and are useful supporting attacks.
 
Under the heading of "Comments and Annotations," Matrix might even reprint some of the better posts in this forum.  Who knows, you might even find one of your own posts in the book! 

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: 1925frank

I would be curious to see how other people use various units.  For example, someone posted they were using their reconnaissance vehicles to more or less lead the charge into unknown territory, and this resulted in the tremendous loss of reconnaissance vehicles.  I tend to use them in just the opposite way.  I try to keep them far away from the action but somewhere where they can see what's going on from long range.  Their greatest utility is their mobility.  Their greatest liability is their vulnerability to any other unit on the map.  Since I play only against the AI, I have no idea how other people use them.  I also don't know if there's a better way to use them than I am currently using them.  Some of them have decent fire power against soft targets and are useful supporting attacks.

Under the heading of "Comments and Annotations," Matrix might even reprint some of the better posts in this forum.  Who knows, you might even find one of your own posts in the book! 

As noted, I do have a wonderful manual/strategy guide planned and I am slowly putting the pieces together, but this is a big project so don't expect it anytime soon.

Jason Petho

[CJMello63]

I will do the artwork for it:

[1925frank]

Awesome, CJ!  But you've been playing coy with us.  Why haven't you shared this artistic ability with us before?

[british exil]

Great stuff CJ.

Burst out laughing when I saw the "artwork"!![:D]

[&o]
I bow to your skills.

Mat

[Marc von Martial]

ORIGINAL: Elwro

Unfortunately, it's not a bargain if you live in such a country as Poland . In order to get the manual, you have to 1) Pay 7 Euros extra for the boxed set and 2) Pay 6.16 Euros extra for shipping and handling. In total, it's 13 Euros for the manual (since you can burn a backup CD for 16 cents ).

I'm not angry about anything, since I'm quite satisfied with my digital download But in future I'd like to have a possibility of ordering a digital download with a printed manual: maybe without the box and CD it would be cheaper?

It would not be cheaper at all. Maybe 50 cent.

The shipping of 6 Euros to Poland is a very reasonable price also actually,

[Elwro]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck
It would not be cheaper at all. Maybe 50 cent.

Too bad...

The shipping of 6 Euros to Poland is a very reasonable price also actually

Yes, it's reasonable. It's just that e.g. I just bought War in the Pacific (boxed, but without the printed manual) and (before that) SPWaW General's Edition, both for the normal retail price of about 5.40 Euros here (in Polish currency of course). I wouldn't want to pay more for shipping than for each of those two great games.

[Arctic Blast]

Now...if I'm to interpret the 'artwork' correctly...the best game strategy is to use your helicopters to blow a trench in the land that will prevent the forest ranger from reaching the boy scout? [:D]

[Peever]

Now that is what I call camouflage!

[Warhorse]

Man, I'm busting a gut!!! Thanks for the belly-ripper CJ!!![&o]

[Ladmo]

CJ,

Please convert your image to show all six positions needed for the game. I'm going to replace all the original artwork with your masterpieces.

[CJMello63]

ORIGINAL: Arctic Blast

Now...if I'm to interpret the 'artwork' correctly...the best game strategy is to use your helicopters to blow a trench in the land that will prevent the forest ranger from reaching the boy scout? [:D]

That is a volcano which spews sewerage and herpes. I have many more that I did for the BF series and the PoE mod. Strangely they were never used. I am hoping that MCS picks them up now.

Actually PoE was supposed to put some of them on a fridge render as if they were kids' drawings.