Would you pay more for an extensive manual? - Page 2

Highbury · 06-26-06, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I still have my Their Finest Hour manual, and the game too. It's fun to look at, even if I do know a lot of the stuff. There's always more, and I'd be willing to pay for it.

Exactly. I still have most of my old ones for the good games if it was a good manual. I'll even bet that most of the ppl who say it is not necessary with books, internet etc have a few around still that they couldn't part with even though they have more detailed books on the topic.

Immacolata · 06-28-06, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highbury

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I still have my Their Finest Hour manual, and the game too. It's fun to look at, even if I do know a lot of the stuff. There's always more, and I'd be willing to pay for it.

Exactly. I still have most of my old ones for the good games if it was a good manual. I'll even bet that most of the ppl who say it is not necessary with books, internet etc have a few around still that they couldn't part with even though they have more detailed books on the topic.

I don't care any more. I used to love good manuals. I'd be happy to see one, but pay extra? Nah, feels like being one of those fools buying "collector's editions". I'd just worry too much about having paid extra for paper when I know they shipped a buggy game.

Immacolata · 06-28-06, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safe-Keeper

I prefer booklet over printed Web site any day. Lots easier to handle. So there's that advantage, too.

Make your own then

I do not care for paper booklets, rather printable data sheets if anything.

rls669 · 06-28-06, 07:13 PM

A decent manual should be a given, not something to pay extra for. How about Ubi gives us a good manual for SH4, and a rebate to apologize for the embarrassment that was the SH3 manual.

don1reed · 06-28-06, 08:45 PM

Safe Keeper,

I see you don't have a choice for HELLNO!

...being an old curmudgeon and cheap bastar_ as well...thats where I'd place my vote.

Remembering back a cupla years, here at Subsim, I can't tell you how many times, both noobs 'n salts alike, have asked stupid questions re SHII and SHIII where the answers were plainly hidden in the MANUAL...or the readme files...and it's still happening today

You can give your money away if you please, but...

edit: It's just as easy to show up here and learn all you need to know.

...so to all who say "buy a book"...this Bud's for you

Drebbel · 06-28-06, 11:45 PM

If I had to choose between more letters (extra manual) or more code (extra features) I would definately choose more features.

There are zillion very good books about the submarine war in the Pacific. No need for the devs to do that all over.

An extensive manual would be nice, especially for new comers. But for me personally I want lines of code. Books & maps I can buy in the bookstore or find on the web.

Just buy the standard work about the US sub war (writting by Th. Roscoa), then you have all you want. Maps, text, tactics, vessels, events, nations, leaders, weapons, combat, doctrine, organization, strategy...... etc

Title is "United States Submarine Operations in World War II". New you can get it for 40$ and second hand for as litle as 10$, that leaves 65 $ for a subsim with extra lines of code

06-29-06, 11:19 AM

I wouldnt mind some extra stuff for the game, like strategies and stuff but just that, I dont need to have a buncha mumbo jumbo on what really happened, i'l go to the damn libary if I wanted to know about actual submarine history

Harry Buttle · 07-09-06, 02:52 AM

Given how fast patches can obsolete a printed manual, I'd go for a .pdf manual set up to go into a 3 ring binder, that way updates can be addressed by a 'delete page 3 and 4, print and insert these pages' process.

Drebbel · 07-09-06, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Buttle

Given how fast patches can obsolete a printed manual, I'd go for a .pdf manual set up to go into a 3 ring binder, that way updates can be addressed by a 'delete page 3 and 4, print and insert these pages' process.

Great idea. I love it.

A printable manual.

Complete with a cover that looks like it is a real WWII manual, stains on pages and graphical damage to some pages

Eichenlaub · 08-06-06, 07:44 AM

I certainly prefer bigger and more detailed manuals. However, when offered the choice between historical manual and game manual, I too would have to vote for the game manual. That's the book that will help me play the game. The history I can find elsewhere. I don't mind paying some extra euros to get decent manuals, but 70 euros for a game is so much I'd have to wait several months for prices to fall so I could afford it - computer games aren't my only hobby you know.

I purchased SHIII (DVD version) for 20 euros and the game was less than one year old. I would happily pay double that for a good manual a la CAOD, but not much more.

Microprose usually got it right with their games and manuals, a shame such standards are slipping. Silent Service II had an excellent manual including an overview of the naval war in the Pacific.

Kind regards,

Eichenlaub

liuzg150181 · 08-06-06, 09:43 AM

Obviously for a game of such depth I'd rather pay more for the manual.

don1reed · 08-06-06, 10:06 AM

Hello all.

I am not for paper manuals, unless...

they cost about $20 USD...

found in trendy booksellers' shelves, along with other items of that ilk...

such as...

Everything you need to know about any GAME you purchase is in the read-me files. SHIII had the "Naval Academy" to run you through finding out which computer key did what. Do you really need to have a "book" to learn that? After a few sea-trials you get pretty dang familiar with the keyboard, dontcha?

not to offend anyone here...but really, everything you need to know about WWII submarines games/simulations etc...is already in print and is easily found at SUBSIMS.COM

EDIT: Instead of

at the gals, you should have been paying more attention to the math teacher. (Doh! Now he tells me!!!)
Statistics show that you'll eventually breakup with your wife and/or girlfriend for a lot of reasons, one of which, for playing SubSims into the wee hours...
a manual is just another thing they're going to throw in the trash before you can get a court order to...oh well, you get the idea.

Cheers

08-06-06, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

I already know more about the subject than any game developer manual could offer. Most of you do, too.

I know... but I still like to read it once more just to be sure the GAME knows what it's doing :p

View Poll Results: If Ubi released two packed versions of SHIV, which'd you buy?
I'd pay more for the version with the extended manual.	56	77.78%
I'd buy the one with the SH3-style manual.	10	13.89%
Don't care/don't know.	6	8.33%
Voters: 72. You may not vote on this poll

06-28-06, 08:45 PM	#20
don1reed Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Valhalla: Silent Generation Posts: 1,149 Downloads: 910 Uploads: 0	Safe Keeper, I see you don't have a choice for HELLNO! ...being an old curmudgeon and cheap bastar_ as well...thats where I'd place my vote. Remembering back a cupla years, here at Subsim, I can't tell you how many times, both noobs 'n salts alike, have asked stupid questions re SHII and SHIII where the answers were plainly hidden in the MANUAL...or the readme files...and it's still happening today You can give your money away if you please, but... edit: It's just as easy to show up here and learn all you need to know. ...so to all who say "buy a book"...this Bud's for you __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~ George Orwell Last edited by don1reed; 06-28-06 at 08:54 PM.

08-06-06, 07:44 AM	#25
Eichenlaub Electrician's Mate Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nijmegen Posts: 132 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I certainly prefer bigger and more detailed manuals. However, when offered the choice between historical manual and game manual, I too would have to vote for the game manual. That's the book that will help me play the game. The history I can find elsewhere. I don't mind paying some extra euros to get decent manuals, but 70 euros for a game is so much I'd have to wait several months for prices to fall so I could afford it - computer games aren't my only hobby you know. I purchased SHIII (DVD version) for 20 euros and the game was less than one year old. I would happily pay double that for a good manual a la CAOD, but not much more. Microprose usually got it right with their games and manuals, a shame such standards are slipping. Silent Service II had an excellent manual including an overview of the naval war in the Pacific. Kind regards, Eichenlaub __________________ "Despite living in a country where soft-drugs, prostitution, gay-marriage and euthanasia are all legal, I've never felt any inclination towards any of them." When SHIV hits the scene, we should not fear the double D Geisha escort...we should welcome her...

08-06-06, 09:43 AM	#26
liuzg150181 Swabbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Obviously for a game of such depth I'd rather pay more for the manual. __________________ "In times of change learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."

08-06-06, 10:06 AM	#27
don1reed Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Valhalla: Silent Generation Posts: 1,149 Downloads: 910 Uploads: 0	Hello all. I am not for paper manuals, unless... they cost about $20 USD... found in trendy booksellers' shelves, along with other items of that ilk... such as... Everything you need to know about any GAME you purchase is in the read-me files. SHIII had the "Naval Academy" to run you through finding out which computer key did what. Do you really need to have a "book" to learn that? After a few sea-trials you get pretty dang familiar with the keyboard, dontcha? not to offend anyone here...but really, everything you need to know about WWII submarines games/simulations etc...is already in print and is easily found at SUBSIMS.COM EDIT: Instead of at the gals, you should have been paying more attention to the math teacher. (Doh! Now he tells me!!!) Statistics show that you'll eventually breakup with your wife and/or girlfriend for a lot of reasons, one of which, for playing SubSims into the wee hours... a manual is just another thing they're going to throw in the trash before you can get a court order to...oh well, you get the idea. Cheers __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~ George Orwell Last edited by don1reed; 08-07-06 at 07:45 AM.

06-28-06, 07:13 PM	#19
rls669 Torpedoman Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 117 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A decent manual should be a given, not something to pay extra for. How about Ubi gives us a good manual for SH4, and a rebate to apologize for the embarrassment that was the SH3 manual.

06-28-06, 11:45 PM	#21
Drebbel Dutch Sea Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Almost at periscope death ! Posts: 1,665 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	If I had to choose between more letters (extra manual) or more code (extra features) I would definately choose more features. There are zillion very good books about the submarine war in the Pacific. No need for the devs to do that all over. An extensive manual would be nice, especially for new comers. But for me personally I want lines of code. Books & maps I can buy in the bookstore or find on the web. Just buy the standard work about the US sub war (writting by Th. Roscoa), then you have all you want. Maps, text, tactics, vessels, events, nations, leaders, weapons, combat, doctrine, organization, strategy...... etc Title is "United States Submarine Operations in World War II". New you can get it for 40$ and second hand for as litle as 10$, that leaves 65 $ for a subsim with extra lines of code

06-29-06, 11:19 AM	#22
Rilder Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I wouldnt mind some extra stuff for the game, like strategies and stuff but just that, I dont need to have a buncha mumbo jumbo on what really happened, i'l go to the damn libary if I wanted to know about actual submarine history

07-09-06, 02:52 AM	#23
Harry Buttle Soundman Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 144 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Given how fast patches can obsolete a printed manual, I'd go for a .pdf manual set up to go into a 3 ring binder, that way updates can be addressed by a 'delete page 3 and 4, print and insert these pages' process.