Why aren't video game manuals awesome like they used to be?

Isara · February 24, 2015, 11:13:26 PM

I am one of those few people who actually read the manuals, just because they featured some back story, list the features, and some other information about the game's world. What do you think of video game manuals now? Do they serve a purpose? Should a manual offer some light on the back story? Should the manual not even be given with the game anymore?

Sandtrap · February 24, 2015, 11:16:11 PM

Damn I didn't even know they included manuals anymore. I thought they just phased them out entirely.

I remember going through the Halo manual as a kid and just gawking at all the pictures of aliens and descriptions like, "Fuck this is cool."

I miss ye manuals of olde.

Isara · February 24, 2015, 11:18:00 PM

They do. Call of Duty games don't, but I don't think the average IQ involved in playing Call of Duty considers the ability to read a few pages.

Quote from: Sandtrap on February 24, 2015, 11:16:11 PM

Damn I didn't even know they included manuals anymore. I thought they just phased them out entirely.

Hahahaha very funny Zonda · February 24, 2015, 11:18:36 PM

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Sandtrap · February 24, 2015, 11:20:13 PM

Quote from: Isara on February 24, 2015, 11:18:00 PM

They do. Call of Duty games don't, but I don't think the average IQ involved in playing Call of Duty considers the ability to read a few pages.

Quote from: Sandtrap on February 24, 2015, 11:16:11 PM
Damn I didn't even know they included manuals anymore. I thought they just phased them out entirely.

Few years back I stopped checking them out because I noticed their severe lack of content and figured, "Well, this is a trend that won't ever be stopping from now on."

I'm actually curious now. I'm going to check out the latest game I have and see what it has for a manual.

Isara · February 24, 2015, 11:20:32 PM

Most people would skim through a manual. The idea is that you make your game accessible, so it phases out the manual's necessity. (Plus considering the time, monetary and talent cost of writing a manual...) Instead, I think a manual should rather be used as a place to host some lore, or back story.

Quote from: ねこ on February 24, 2015, 11:18:36 PM

I remember why, something about being green or people didn't read them, I was one of the ones who read the manuals, heck I read the halo manuals more than I played those gaymes

Hahahaha very funny Zonda · February 24, 2015, 11:24:19 PM

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Jono · February 24, 2015, 11:41:06 PM

I remember those days. The manuals were basically the Wiki for the game you were about to play.

Now all we get in game cases is reminders to buy the Season Pass/DLC pass and all that shit.

A Cheese Potato · February 24, 2015, 11:43:44 PM

There was a good one that came with Dark Souls II, I enjoyed it because it reminded me of those kinds of manuals that aren't just a safety warranty leaflet with game art on them.

Kiwicake · February 24, 2015, 11:45:44 PM

I used to love reading the really big manuals that came with games haha, now they're little 2 page things that only contain how to play the game ;_;

Naru · February 25, 2015, 12:10:07 AM

My favorite one was Halo 2's manual. Greatest thing ever.

Doctor Doom · February 25, 2015, 01:00:08 AM

I remember reading them on the way home when I was younger, to hype myself up even more.

Now I open the case and see nothing in the little holder-things and wonder why they're even there if there's no manual for them to hold.

BaconShelf · February 25, 2015, 01:54:32 AM

Quote from: Naru | The TotesCaller on February 25, 2015, 12:10:07 AM

My favorite one was Halo 2's manual. Greatest thing ever.

The LE one is cool as fuck. It's written from the POV of Thel 'Vadamee analysing the human weapons and tactics used on Alpha Halo and his recommendations for deployment in the Battle of Earth.

>tfw I have both versions of H2's manual

Girl of Mystery · February 25, 2015, 01:59:42 AM

Quote from: Plotmaster on February 25, 2015, 01:00:08 AM

wonder why they're even there if there's no manual for them to hold.

They're there for the advertisements to buy other shit, of course.

Silly keksworth

Doctor Doom · February 25, 2015, 02:19:08 AM

Quote from: Lemön | The British Sod on February 25, 2015, 01:59:42 AM

Quote from: Plotmaster on February 25, 2015, 01:00:08 AM
wonder why they're even there if there's no manual for them to hold.
They're there for the advertisements to buy other shit, of course.

Silly keksworth

Yeah, but more often than not there's nothing there. There's a disc and nothing else in the case. The holders have absolutely no purpose.

True Turquoise · February 25, 2015, 02:36:03 AM

Quote from: A Cheese Potato on February 24, 2015, 11:43:44 PM

There was a good one that came with Dark Souls II, I enjoyed it because it reminded me of those kinds of manuals that aren't just a safety warranty leaflet with game art on them.

That manual basically told you that you will die. A lot. Lol.

big sponge · February 25, 2015, 02:36:09 AM

I have the original Bauldars Gate and Neverwinter Nights manuals. Those things are like 200 pages long.

Mat Cauthon · February 25, 2015, 03:11:59 AM

It's time and money that companies aren't willing to spend if it saves them any cash.
Which is a pity, I enjoyed looking at them.

Isara · February 25, 2015, 07:44:06 AM

Considering that nowadays time doesn't even go to actually properly finish the game. Sure, that makes sense.

Quote from: Nagato on February 25, 2015, 03:11:59 AM

It's time and money that companies aren't willing to spend if it saves them any cash.
Which is a pity, I enjoyed looking at them.

Turkey · February 25, 2015, 07:49:33 AM

Cost-cutting to respond to unchanging game prices?

Statefarm · February 25, 2015, 07:50:51 AM

Devs are lazy

challengerX · February 25, 2015, 08:03:56 AM

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