EA's stance on manuals

[SCHUMI_4EVER]

Kiss em goodbye on all platforms. Physical ones at least.
Now you'll have to get the PDF off the disc on PC or go online to get it there which is your only option for console games now.

:( This is sad sad news for someone who like me who likes collecting physical manuals, even the most useless one is a nice trophy to have.
And who wants to bet that despite no longer publishing manuals which represents an eliminated cost for them this won't drop game prices by even a cent :(


Minimises eco-harm, maximises profit

Following Ubisoft’s example, perhaps, EA has now also announced that they’re doing away with printed game manuals for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 forever, and replacing them (for those people who need to be frequently reminded which button does what) with online and on-disc versions.

According to the company’s COO John Schappert, “EA is committed to a healthy and sustainable environment.” Also, by crossing printing costs off the production list, they’re saving cash. But saving printing cash also means saving on cash-printing costs, so it’s a sort of self-sustaining cycle of eco-friendliness when you think about it like that. I think.

Ubisoft previously worked out that manufacturing a single ton of game manual paper was costing the planet thirteen trees, 6000lbs of CO2 gas, 15000 gallons of waste water, and a hundred thousand million unicorn tears.

EA has also recently swapped over to those new “reduced material DVD cases” (RMCs). RMCs require fewer materials and energy to produce than a regular DVD case, are made from 100% polypropylene, are easy to recycle, and break if you look at them too hard.


EA chucks printed game manuals forever (http://mygaming.co.za/news/news/10877-chucks-printed-game-manuals-forever.html)

[snickothemule]

The pro steam cloud will be cheering this, but it's unfortunate to see them go, despite the efforts being put into them for modern games being lackluster at best.

[SCHUMI_4EVER]

The pro steam cloud will be cheering this, but it's unfortunate to see them go, despite the efforts being put into them for modern games being lackluster at best.

Typo strangely appropriate

[Hyuga]

Not a bother really, hardly anyone reads those anyhow.

[Noja87]

I liked them in the old days when they were nice looking and very detailed. Lunar had the finest manual in consoles.

[ElijahTW]

EA Sucks.

I can't play my used copy of Madden 2011 online unless I pay them? I pay $50 a year for XBL and I can't play my used copy of Madden online without paying EA too? (Not that I'd want to play it anyway - game is effing awful)

[Dafdon]

I have very fond memories of when I was a young child and I went to the mall with my mother to buy me a new game, the first thing I did when we were back in the car was to open up the case and read the manual. I really enjoyed them and still do. Sad to see them go :(

[Cid Highwind]

What happened to manuals that had official artwork in them, that made you read it time after time again because they were so well written they inspired you to continue the game? Basically manuals have become obsolete because they in the past 5 years most game manuals didn't contain more info than how to turn on your console, a button lay-out and some legal bullcrap. Because of that no one really cares anymore in the first place.

I miss the days of Black Isle.

[koko]

Not all booklets are shiny to read them. Most of them are in black and white and don't have details.

Best booklet I have ever seen is MGS4's. Colorful, 60 pages, artworks.
Also, I think PSone cases are the best.

BTW, Mass Effect 2 PS3 version doesn't come with a manual. I think they aren't kidding.
EA Sucks.

I can't play my used copy of Madden 2011 online unless I pay them? I pay $50 a year for XBL and I can't play my used copy of Madden online without paying EA too? (Not that I'd want to play it anyway - game is effing awful)
THQ too.

[Xblade]

EA= Does not equal gaming industry.

When I pop open my copy of FF XIII-2 in the future you best believe they'll be a booklet in it.

[Exodus]

It's just about the second part about that statement in the article: maximizing profit. Here's betting games don't become a couple $s cheaper.

[Spyhop]

kiss em goodbye on all platforms. Physical ones at least.

hooraaaaaay!
Useless rags. Waste of goddamn paper.

[Ahielia]

Wait, people still read manuals?

When I was younger, I'd rather do math homework than read the useless manuals.
Later on in life, I'd rather just go to the internet for any questions I had, much faster, and much more accurate information.
I'm glad to see them go. Too bad it took them this long.

[Dafdon]

Wait, people still read manuals?

When I was younger, I'd rather do math homework than read the useless manuals.
Later on in life, I'd rather just go to the internet for any questions I had, much faster, and much more accurate information.
I'm glad to see them go. Too bad it took them this long.

I guess you never bought any good games then? ;)
The most awesome manual I ever had was the one from Megaman X2. I remember reading it over and over again, mostly because of how good the art stlye of the enemy robots was...so colourfull, unlike that black and white **** I used to see with the PS2 games, that was always a dissapointment to me.

[Phil]

I'm with Cid on this one. Most of the newer manuals are not fun to read. I bought a old copy of FF7 and was surprised how readable the manual was...all like 60 pages of it (in full color too).

[Hard core Rikki]

Following EA's logic, it would be great for their business if developers could routinely die of heart attacks right before shipping. Woohoo, extra profits!

I beckon there will come a day when EA will start selling for 50$ a small paper note in a DVD case with a code to use online for downloading the game. MS already did that for selling Office codes (!!).