As mentioned in our Fight Night Champion review, it has been confirmed that EA, or at the very least EA Sports, have done away with printed manuals in an effort to produce games in a more environmentally friendly manner.
Instead of a printed manual we will get an in-game manual to browse, as well as any tutorial the game includes. EA join Ubisoft in abandoning the printed manual, and interestingly enough the retail copy of Top Spin 4 I received from 2K had a reduced sized manual with a link to a much more in-depth booklet online.
Source: Kotaku
Jim H [Teabags]
Personally, I like to have something tangible to read from, hence why I hate eBooks.
Will this stop EA from filling cases with pamphlets for their other upcoming games and club offers, no.
Kevling
I was about a post a long rant about how this is nothing to do with the environment, it was just a cost cutting exercise with positive spin. But a bajillion other people have beaten me too it.
Personally, I don’t miss in-game manuals, (although the black and white Mass Effect 2 ‘Insert’ did grate somewhat), but I love to see something in the case with a bit of thought that complements the game (Like the GTA map, or Heavy Rain’s origami) – I’d be sorry to see the end of those.
Kevling
Beaten me TO it. Gah.
djdustb
I like the manuals myslef, I read through them on a more complex game, and often find myself coming back to them when I need to be reminded of a key combo or button press that I use less often, or for a game I haven’t used in a while.
How about recycled packaging for games, I am sure the excessive use of plastic does more harm than the little booklet.
carson321
how about, an iphone and android app that contains all PS3 manuals, a little code printed on the disk will let you download the corresponding manual, then you can still sit on the crapper and read your shiny new manual!
Bladesteel
No need to reinvent the wheel, this already exists. It’s called “the web” and the little code is called “an URL”.
I really don’t understand the need to make “apps” out of things that logically are better off as *expletive* web pages and documents that can be read with existing tools.
Foxhound_Solid
I do like a manual – it adds to the new game smell. Shame :-(
mcphatty
Mmmm yeah, like a new car smell. Then your mates have to ruin it by leaving a kebab on it all night. Bring back manuals!
Smallville2106
I think for some games this won’t work. Newcomers to games like Fifa will need a printed copy of the controls whilst they’re playing in their early hours of play.
I agree with others though. think it is more about the profits.
Bilbo_bobbins
Yeah, without it for FIFA I have no chance at all.
ibu
They will pass on the savings to customers in the form of better tutorials and in-depth and emotional sporting experiences. This will all combine and create wonderful value for money for you and I the gamers, and the burgeoning strength of our industry.
note: I am a shit liar.
Bilbo_bobbins
WHAT ?! Is this an early April fools?
Charmed_Fanatic
Its not good as i like manuals and feel of the game case … however, yes, i do not read them lol
lukieboy1981
Awww I love reading them on the bus home, it prolongs the excitement!! I will also miss them on the loo :-(
kevatron400
Oh I didn’t see that when I posted my comment below! Well, ditto.