Digital Download + Retail Version question and rant

[oi_you_nutter]

last week i bought the Digital Download and the Retail box version combination

the retail boxed version has just arrived, after ripping open the packaging all i find in the dvd style case is a lonely CD-R with its pretty printed label, no manual or booklet is included.

so i look on the cd and all i find is a 400meg file for the installation, that is probably the same installation package that i downloaded last week.

i can burn a cd and print a pretty label and put it in a dvd case without having to fork out another extra $10 plus shipping as there is no effective difference between what i downloaded and what i was shipped

is this because i bought the combo deal or is the retail package alone the same as i was shipped ?

suggestion: if the retail version does not come with a manual or quick reference guide etc then make it clear on the store website. telling people that electronic documentation is included is the fair way to advertise a product.

sorry for the rant but i am a bit annoyed

[Hertston]

I agree, although at least from the point of view of my own wallet I was aware of it beforehand. I really don't see the point of the "both" option, unless its for the 1 in 50 maybe who have a fast connection but no CD burner. Physical shipping alone makes sense to help those without a fast connection.

For a "both" option to have any real function, it needs a printed manual. Make it a nice printed manual and people would happily pay the extra - indeed I'd just buy the manual if that option was given.

[wodin]

I bought both just so I could have a boxed version. You only pay etxra for the shipping whihc I thought was worth it.

You should have read some of my old posts about no manuals.

I find it very annoying myself especially as where dealing with wargames and not something like an FPS which lets be honest no manual is needed.

[Erik Rutins]

We've never said anything other than that the physical version is a box + CD, both professionally printed. It's not a retail box (though retail boxes elsewhere in the world are often based on the DVD case format), but rather really a more attractive and somewhat more durable backup option for those who don't have a CD burner themselves or want something to keep on a shelf or give as a gift. We cannot presently do manuals as part of this process, but it is one of our top priorities as far as store improvements to add manuals on demand as an option.

Sorry to hear you were disappointed, is there something in the description of the different options that we could have changed to make it clearer for you?

Regards,

- Erik

[oi_you_nutter]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

We've never said anything other than that the physical version is a box + CD, both professionally printed. It's not a retail box (though retail boxes elsewhere in the world are often based on the DVD case format), but rather really a more attractive and somewhat more durable backup option for those who don't have a CD burner themselves or want something to keep on a shelf or give as a gift. We cannot presently do manuals as part of this process, but it is one of our top priorities as far as store improvements to add manuals on demand as an option.

Sorry to hear you were disappointed, is there something in the description of the different options that we could have changed to make it clearer for you?

Regards,

- Erik

i read through a lot of posts concerning the pdf manual and its side by side layout but i did not see any that said the boxed copy did not come with a printed manual.

so far i have got GGWaW and CoG via download and the boxed games that I have bought i.e. KP and HTTR both have booklets / manuals included, so i assumed that CoG physical shipment would have some printed documentation with it. thats my fault for assuming as i saw nothing to contradict it.

just tell people what they are getting or not getting, especially if there is a difference between the digital download and retail versions.

perhaps put a contents list in the "Game Data" sections on the website and in the digitalriver store site.

[Cyrano]

As someone who believes quite strongly that PC games should be all but exclusively marketed via digital download (boxes are for sissies!! [:D]) I still admit to being surprised the boxed version didn't come with a printed manual. Not that I read it very closely, I'll warrant, but it's still a surprise.

Also, @Wodin: So you decided to buy after all, eh? Good news indeed! Early-adopters are CoG's best prostelytzers and, I hope in time, best test bed for future improvements.

Best,

Jim

[oi_you_nutter]

"boxes are for sissies"

glad to here it, as i throw the boxes out because they take up too much space

but i do like a printed manual, there is no adequate electronic replacement for a ink splattered recycled tree... yet

[Marc von Martial]

just tell people what they are getting or not getting, especially if there is a difference between the digital download and retail versions.

From the shop main page where it describes the different options:

"What is a Physical Shipment?
If all you want is a copy of the game without any digital download, select this choice. If you select "Physical Shipment" you will be billed to have the game shipped to you. Our Physical Shipment provides you with a printed CD with your serial number enclosed in a printed DVD case."

[wodin]

ORIGINAL: Cyrano


Also, @Wodin: So you decided to buy after all, eh? Good news indeed! Early-adopters are CoG's best prostelytzers and, I hope in time, best test bed for future improvements.

Best,

Jim

Not yet![;)]

I think Im going to wait for EiA and then decide which is for me.

[Moltke71]

Marc,

For clarity's sake, I think you should say explicitly that no printed manual will come with the physical document.

[Reg Pither]

ORIGINAL: Bismarck

Marc,

For clarity's sake, I think you should say explicitly that no printed manual will come with the physical document.

I would have to agree with this. I can certainly see how people would think that, unless specifically stated, a boxed version would come with a manual. I assumed it would until I read differently here, otherwise, why have a 'digital download + box ship' option? Surely the only point in having a boxed version would be to get a printed manual if you have already downloaded the program?

[ravinhood]

Surely the only point in having a boxed version would be to get a printed manual if you have already downloaded the program

Boy I agree with this 100% and it shouldn't cost anymore either. $10 extra CD/Manual included.

[Gem35]

You people should quit wasting your time complaining about the dumb manuel and play the game. What a waste of time to read posts about trivial manuals. It's included with the download, print it out and shut up already.

[oi_you_nutter]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck

just tell people what they are getting or not getting, especially if there is a difference between the digital download and retail versions.

From the shop main page where it describes the different options:

"What is a Physical Shipment?
If all you want is a copy of the game without any digital download, select this choice. If you select "Physical Shipment" you will be billed to have the game shipped to you. Our Physical Shipment provides you with a printed CD with your serial number enclosed in a printed DVD case."

Marc


(as an example) here are different ways to get HTTR
option 1) "retail version" a cardboard box with printed manual and cd as sold in stores
option 2) digital download from digitalriver of a large file
option 3) physical shipment from digitalriver of a dvd case with the same contents as option 2)
option 4) both options 2 and 3 from digitalriver

so option 1 includes a printed manual, the other options do not, nowhere on the matrix website does it mention that there is or is not a manual, yet depending on the method of purchase you may or may not get one !

just tell people what they are getting or not getting, especially if there is a difference between the digital download and retail versions.

so i stand by my request

please make the web sites clearer, so for each product and each method of purchase the customer will know what they will receive

[JWW]

I bought the digital download plus CD and got exactly what I was expecting. However, I would recommend you look at the wording of your product descriptions if it confused some of your customers.

[jchastain]

ORIGINAL: Gem35
You people

Always a bad start. The same phrase got Ross Perot into trouble.

should quit wasting your time complaining about the dumb manuel

Actually, the compaint here is that they did not get what they expected. I think that is a reasonable discussion and if the language is unclear, I assume Matrix would be interested in that. Also, for a variety of reasons, some people do prefer a preprinted manual.

and play the game.

finally, something we agree on. The game is a lot of fun to play.

What a waste of time to read posts about trivial manuals.

If you feel that way, then don't read these threads.

It's included with the download, print it out

Some people prefer preprinted manuals. Others don't have printers at home. For whatever reason, they might have a desire for a preprinted manual. That doesn't mean it makes good business sense for Matrix to provide one, but they absolutely should be allowed to state their preference.

and shut up already.

That was totally rude and uncalled for. By itself, it pretty much invalidates anything you might have said and makes one want to ignore you completely. If you want to join these discussions, some basic etiquette would be appreciate by all.

[oi_you_nutter]

ORIGINAL: Gem35

You people should quit wasting your time complaining about the dumb manuel and play the game. What a waste of time to read posts about trivial manuals. It's included with the download, print it out and shut up already.

thanks for you valuable addition to the thread

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: oi_you_nutter
please make the web sites clearer, so for each product and each method of purchase the customer will know what they will receive

HTTR is all game on demand now, but you're right that previously it was not as we went through our remaining retail stock from the original release.

I will work with DR next week to make the description explicit as far as a manual is concerned and see if we can do something even better (with pictures) in the long term.

Regards,

- Erik

[U2]

ORIGINAL: Reg Pither

ORIGINAL: Bismarck

Marc,

For clarity's sake, I think you should say explicitly that no printed manual will come with the physical document.

I would have to agree with this. I can certainly see how people would think that, unless specifically stated, a boxed version would come with a manual. I assumed it would until I read differently here, otherwise, why have a 'digital download + box ship' option? Surely the only point in having a boxed version would be to get a printed manual if you have already downloaded the program?

Hey I get the digital + box so that I can have it in my nice collection! [:)] So all people are not like you. For me it has always be quite clear that no manaul will be included. Maybe because I have been a customer for so long I don't know...

[marc420]

This is why I'll never get rich. It just never occurs to me that people would pay $10 extra for a cardboard box. Dang, I missed out on pet rocks too. Never believed people would by a rock.