Mike "Scrimshaw" Potts discusses the sad decline of the instruction booklet, as demonstrated by comparing Halo CE's manual to Halo 4's.
(Halo, Halo 4, Xbox 360)
I used to love reading the instruction manual. I agree with the author, I wasn't always with my game console, so sometimes I would read the instruction booklet to tide me over until I could play the game. Or sometimes I just liked to learn more about the story before I jumped in and started playing.
I guess some kids nowadays don't have the patience us older gamers have. They are all in guns blazing without a care in the world. What story they say.
I understand with companies trying to cut costs where they can, they figure that all games share the same basic controls now, so why show them when they can just learn it on the fly. Plus, they figure they can just give us a story synopsis during the opening credits of the game.
I prefer an in game guide in the menus. I'd rather pause to look something up, instead of grab the case and pull out the book. Plus most games first levels hold your hand with a tutorial... which is getting old in itself. How many virtual target ranges do I have to visit?
I don't think I have ever used one of those "manuals". But I think we can all agree that when we were younger we tried to find "cheat codes" or "level walkthroughs" in the manuals. Or maybe that was just me.
All it boils down to is they are saving money by not printing out these pointless books because in the first level games tell you how to play anyway. No point really anymore to have them.
Its sad for an old school gamer like myself, I used to love the big instruction books that came with classic NES, Super NES and Genesis games. Honestly the books have been getting smaller and smaller, and with the internet available and tutorials in game, it saves money and trees.
Pretty sure I remember a lot of the big name studios talk about doing away with the manuals a few years ago. Not many people bother with them, there's obviously a cost saving to be had and its more environmentally friendly to have online or in game tutorials and the like.
Other than the odd bit of concept art, I'm not missing much.
Getting a big box with a huge manual and other bits and pieces was always a joy for me years ago. I'd sit on the bus on the way back home and read a great deal of it before I got off, it built up my anticipation for the game I was about to play even more.
I understand the reasons for not having all that now, boo hoo poor trees and all that, plus it saves the publishers a shed load of cash. But I'll miss those days.
Some games like a Skyrim or Witcher 2 absolutely need an instruction book... COD, Halo, BF3...don't. As long as they have good tutorial sections to start and a good online manual that is more than enough.
I can't believe people miss those things. Games are so streamlined and accessible these days it's not really necessary to have manuals anymore for the majority of games.
I really enjoyed those booklets that were actually as thick as books and in colour. They used to give a lot of information not just the controls, with artwork extra information. These were things that you could sit and read whether in the bath or on the toilet lol.
They stopped being informative at the end of last gen... All they do is waste paper, ink and hides the artwork on the inside of the sleeve on quite a few PS3 cases.
Things are evolving, why have an instruction manual when a tutorial can cover the mechanics and Halo Waypoint and the Halo wiki can cover the characters and backstory.
Not gonna lie some ppl need the instruction booklet. Halo 4 has so many different weapons and gameplay variations from the past games if your new to halo you might be a little lost.
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I guess some kids nowadays don't have the patience us older gamers have. They are all in guns blazing without a care in the world. What story they say.
I understand with companies trying to cut costs where they can, they figure that all games share the same basic controls now, so why show them when they can just learn it on the fly. Plus, they figure they can just give us a story synopsis during the opening credits of the game.
May the instruction booklet Rest In Peace.
Now I'm a bit older I don't really care that much.
I do still enjoy all the R* instruction booklets and the free maps. I hope they continue.
Metal gears little comics
I read the Halo 4 Instruction booklet (and a lot more) 2 weeks before release here: http://www.halowaypoint.com...
Although I still enjoy a small instruction booklet, they aren't really needed and in this day and age arguably quite wasteful.
It's sad, to be sure, but at least it's cost effective and saves trees.
I have no problem with it.
Other than the odd bit of concept art, I'm not missing much.
I understand the reasons for not having all that now, boo hoo poor trees and all that, plus it saves the publishers a shed load of cash. But I'll miss those days.
I will make my own Halo instructions booklet!
1) Epic baddassery coming your way
2) Shoot enemies until all gone
3: if dying run like hell
The end
They stopped being informative at the end of last gen... All they do is waste paper, ink and hides the artwork on the inside of the sleeve on quite a few PS3 cases.
No I definitely see your point. I'd have loved to see the art on the inside of ME3 rather than the "buy our stuff now" leaflets.
I knew it would happen eventually.
Simply there is no need for these things anymore.