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?
Comments are Closed
Comments
Displaying 61–63 of 63
31234
JustTheBeginning
Yeah I love reading the manual and finding any tiny hidden jokes, like in Bad Company 1 it said something in the fine print like "we do not endorse noobs who run over teammates with jeeps", that just made my day.
DarkStrategies
I am one of the rare gamers that do read every manuel before playing a game. It may be a little OCD but I guess growing up with NES games and the inspirational character artwork in the manuals has planted that routine in my subconscious. However, I am not upset about the whole going green thing and the cost of printing is definitely a money saver, we are doing that within my corporation also. I will however continue to still read the online versions, but not out of necessity as I consider myself a competent as a core gamer. Regardless, I would like to see more concept art be brought back the online manuals now that the cost of color printing and such is not a factor.
ossiss
this saddens me. i still use game manuals. not because the game is lacking, oh no. but simply because i love to read. and a game manual is something quick and easy.
Displaying 61–63 of 63
31234