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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derekisagod
I really like the back story that some games put in their manuals. It always makes for an interesting read, but a lot of games don't do back stories anymore.
Let's be honest though... this is really about EA saving money to make more profits. Blaming everything on "going green" just for companies to reap the profits, is getting old now. Don't kid yourself.
NineDragons
Now i wouldn't complain if they dropped the price of their games. Less we get in a package, less out of our pockets, makes sense right?
sixshotstoomany
Its kind of lame, they save money but I will guarantee that they wont kick back any discount to people who buy the games.
ChiefN602
Pouring over the manual is somthing that cant be forgotten, the art and detail would help bring you into the developers world, I seriously doubt Ea is passing the savings onto the customer, atleast this will help save a large amount of paper
lustinius
I'm sad about this one. My favorite thing to do when I was younger and had saved up my allowance for two or three months for the big new game was to tear it out of it's package as soon as we got to the car and read through the manual. I don't do that as much anymore now that I'm an adult, but still, I'd get a brand new game and the first time I'd open up the box to put it in, I'd remember all those rides home.
ROOST3R117
Wait games have manuals? LOL
Aerindel_Prime
Bummer.
ProudFilipino
That sucks its like a end of a Era in EA's gaming history :( I still read some of the manual before I play the game
Griever2112
NNOOOOOO!!!!!! I liked the Manuals, because they had backstories and Bios of characters in them as well... this sucks... now how am I going to catchup on the story of Mass Effect 3 after I pick it up at work and have to go and take the browns to the super bowl? I have to actually wait till I am out of work and get home? that's not cool.
Wozman23
Disappointing. I still like to thumb through the manual when I get a game. Not long ago, they focused on actual information, like an introductory story or artwork, but lately they have become bloated with unneeded system and controller information, legal warnings, and ads.
EA wants to get rid of paper, but where do they expect to put their stupid online passes? If you're going to give me less, it only makes sense for me to give you less. New games $58.99!
Gumburculeez
What will i read when i am on the can?
p.s. sorry to anyone who bought a used game with a manual from me
Rayzorshark
If all video games had the same control scheme, this would be a great idea. Unfortunately they don't, so I will be forced to print up a bunch of reference material from the internet...and that ain't gonna save any trees at all.
Malidicus
This has "NOTHING" to do with all that Left-Wing Environmentalist bull crap. This is simply a way for companies to save money. I understand the need for it in this bad "Obama" economy. This move is not about a "greener Earth" but is rather a tactic to insure better profit margins to be able to pay bills, high taxes and employees. It's business. I'm not happy about it but it is just economic reality. Personally, I will miss the manuals.
BONERJAM
I like game manuals, I usually flip through them while I'm watching tv(after buying a new game).
gambitjuggalo
man i remember back when zelda came out for the nes that had a big beautiful brightly colored book it had everything you needed to know about the game.. i miss those days i like to read the manual and learn everything i can about the game before hand... when im not playing games i like to read about them and do my research on them its just interesting to me
fghjkl
What will children read on there way home from gamestop now?
macross2012
so what are the reg codes for PC going to go on now? Many PC games require manuals still. EA is cheap and need to learn people have PDF manuals
lngun4311
Greener indeed, but for who? The environment, or the wallets of the company? probably both
EKG
Good. Manuals are useless in todays gaming landscape. We all know how to control games. We don't need manuals to tell us how to shoot in Call of Duty, or how to jump in Ratchet & Clank. We don;t need manuals detailing all the weapons either, or the story. We have the internet for that if you are dying to know. Plus, for those who do want all this useless info, the games will come with digital manuals built right in.
Manuals cost extra $$$ that cold be used on the game itself. I would much rather see that money go to improving the game, rather than be wasted on a paper booklet that only a select few gamers enjoy reading. It has nothing to do with the actual gameplay, so this is a non issue.
Grublet
I like having manuals in some games. Like MVC3 and I choose a random team against my friends online. Sometimes it's helpful to find out the character's moves list.
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