Game Manuals

[Dis]

I got 2 games for christmas. Actually both are expansions- but one game, dungeon seige, I have not played the full game. I want to play, but I always feel a need to read the manual first.

Are you the type to dive right into a game without reading the manual, do you ever read the manual. Must you read every page including appendices before playing the game?

discuss

Lately I only read the important stuff like interface before playing. I used to read every page. A few instances I brought a manual to work and read it while I was working. But my my attention span has dropped, and I cannot wait to read the whole manual first.

[Sava]

I only read the manual if it is complicated... usually I dive right in, maybe glance at the manual to get an idea of controls. Later on, I'll use the manual as dune reading material (duning=pooing)

[Imran Siddiqui]

I read the manual for interface and stuff and end up usually reading the whole thing within a week. I hate it when the make ****ty manuals. I prefer the ones that have a nice little backstory as well.

[Skanky Burns]

For the more complicated games such as Civ, I will read the manual first. With pretty much every game released nowadays though, the manual is largely useless. Most games are remakes of previous ones, so the interface is obvious and the function of things in the game are standard.

[Paddy]

I like to read the manuals after the 3rd or forth attempt at a game, or when totally frustrated by it...

Otherwise they are great for on the train to and from work...

[Case]

I used to read the manuals from cover to cover, but these days I only consult the 'quick keys' sections upon installation, and generally only dive into the rest of it if the games confusing/doesn't work.

That said, I'm still prepared to pay more for a game with a proper manual then one with a two page installation guide and/or a .pdf file on the CD.

[Rubychaser]

A good manual is worth so much.

But then companies are run by scrooges, there for the profit.

[Space05us]

I usually go right to playing until I get stuck or I just cant seem to get the hang of it, then I read the manual from front to back and return to gaming. Sometimes, as in the case with most of my games, I wont read the manual until Im bored and want something to do. They're like short stories

[Skanky Burns]

Most newer manuals aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

[Alex]

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Most newer manuals aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

Ditto.

Having said that, I'm still one of the few who reads manuals from cover to cover before playing. It's just an obsession to me, I simply cannot play before reading the manual. I even read the Civ2 manual TWICE before actually playing the game. But I did it in 4 hours.

[Maquiladora]

I read the manual as im playing, but as said most arent worth **** nowadays. The last manual that was any good to me was Pharaoh, but that included a nice poster too.

I really wish theyd get rid of those PDF manuals, dont people know its awkward to read them, let alone while playing the game

[General Ludd]

A good game doesn't require a manual. I prefer tool-tips and in-game help or tutorials.

[Maquiladora]

Maybe im old-skool then but i prefer serious flight sim size manuals for every game, its the feeling of a small manual can mean a rushed game, although my Deus Ex original release came with a very tiny book, surprising really inside one of the old style pc game cardboard boxes.

[DrSpike]

Games like Civ I skim, then refer back later if I am confused about something.

Most manuals I don't read until there is a problem.

[Adagio]

I hate manuals... it's the worst thing ever invented...

Last time (and first time) I read a manual was the one for Civ2... and I only read it because I was bored...

I'm glad they release games in those DVD boxes now, so there's not room for some 1000+ pages large manual...