Electronic Arts yesterday revealed that the company will no longer be including printed game manuals in its video games. EA isn't the first publisher to stop including manuals--Ubisoft stopped including printed guides almost a year ago-- but it is the largest game-maker to stop including manuals. If you absolutely can't get by without a diagram that says the left stick is move and the right stick is look, you'll be able to see any EA game manual online at EA's support page.
EA says it will reduce printed material in its packages by 40 percent, and that ultimately means less waste, less pollution, and a greener earth. "EA is committed to a healthy and sustainable environment," said EA COO John Schappert in a statement.
Also, you gotta figure EA is committed to maximizing profits as well; they'll likely increase profits by lowering printing costs.
These days, if you need to use a manual, it sort of means the game design iis lacking, but as an older gamer-cat, it's hard to not feel nostalgic for the days when a big game release came with elaborately printed manuals, props, cloth maps, and other add-ons. Of course, most of that was to make up for the technical limitations of game devices and PCs of the time, but still, that stuff was cool and created an extra layer of immersion.
What do you guys think? Do you ever look at/use game manuals?
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komradkyle
The environment is only there because they save money but not including a manual. Same thing with the box design, its about saving money first environment second they are a business.
CollinDS
As a graphic designer, this saddens me a little. The field of Information design, much like what you see in game manuals, is a very profitable market. I understand the developer/publishers argument for cutting the cost of the games production but by doing so they are also eliminating jobs for people like myself, who ironically love playing video games too. Also, I doubt that cutting this expense will do much to benefit the consumer. The publishers are still gonna charge $60 with or without the manual. So which scenario is better? Do you cut production cost to help better your profit margin [slightly] or do you risk loosing that profit because your target audience can't afford the cost after having lost the opportunity for income?
Mkveli2pac
The only green they are concerned with is the money they will be saving on printing and development costs. Are these savings going to get passed on to the gamer? I doubt it very much. The only one who is benefiting is the company's bottom line. The pay more get less theory otherwise know as GREED is in full effect.
Erremian
I still read manuals i like the manuals i like to see the pretty pictures and read the bios and backround info. Sometimes they give you an extra peice of info for the game. Others it just passes the time i still read my Diablo 2 manual a lot more now that three is coming it fills that time when your waiting.
RPG-fan
Wait it's EA. They are dumbing down their RPGs i.e. Dragon Age II and strategy games i.e. Command & Conquer 4 so yes, we probably don't need manuals when it comes to games with the EA brand.
spiderpigface
At least its EA. I don't need a manual for Madden.
spiderpigface
At least its EA. I don't need a manual for Madden.
EarstotheGround
This is all about Cutting Costs / Boosting Profits (lol...'saving the environment' my foot), and none of the aforementioned savings will be passed on to the consumer.
While not essential to the gaming experience as in the past (because internet access is prevalent and more games now have in-game tutorials), manuals are still very useful as a quick-reference guide while in-game (for those 'special / combo moves', as well as a collectible for the cool artwork, character bios / backstory etc.
They will be missed, and my response will be not to give EA another dime for downloadable (DLC) content like screensavers, background screens and art.
RPG-fan
Somehow I doubt EA is doing this to be more green but will use need the money so they can put more ads or do some sort stupid promotions of their games. Dragon Age Facebook! Oh how great...
TromboneFanatic
I read the manual. It is part of the game. Sometimes it gives a little background. Other times, it is a quick reference for a control button. Either way, it ain't conserving anything, environmentally. It's a way to cut costs and increase profits without increasing prices. And this move cuts into my core experience.
Gaucho420
And anyone new to gaming is screwed, apparently. Good luck getting a new player into sports games...I guess they'll have to guess or waste time online to figure out how to do headers, certain passes, etc??
This is a stupid decision, by a stupid company looking to save a buck. And it does the industry a huge disservice in attracting new gamers into the more complicated console games.
I'll make sure to buy EA games only used in response.
XenMastre
Boo.
Symicide
Great. Now it's gonna feel like every game you buy is used. I'm all for going green but fcuck this
thewhatnow97
they have to have something paper or something for the key for the game
i would advise to go get adobe acrobat reader now for on cd manuals
also what will they do for those confusing ea console games
Spidey817
Yeah, and, uh, it also saves money.
Bonedegon
Well I would think if they are spending less money on not having manuals then you could lower the prices of the games right?
BertSaxby
"These days, if you need to use a manual, it sort of means the game design iis lacking,"
Really? To me it means the game design isn't innovative enough. Just another been there done that.
Obviously movement controls are expected to be a certain way, but there are many cases where games have characteristics that need to be explained, which does not indicate poor design.
That1guy34
It'll take getting used to, but I actually read those things. I like to know what I'm doing before I play the game.
wolflee
Well, that sucks. I actually collect game manuals. I like the character descriptions, among other things.
wolflee
Well, that just sucks. I actually collect game manuals. I like the character descriptions in them, among other things.
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