No instruction manual? What a load of crap.

[iamaelephant]

Just posted in the Valve Info Thread.

Doug Lombardi:
Hi,
There is no instruction booklet in any version of the game. However, Prima will be publishing the official strategy guide.
Thanks for your interest in our games and for taking the time to write to us.
Cheers

That's bullshit. Why no instruction manual? When was the last time you bought a game without a manual? Furthermore, he tells us if we do want an instruction manual, we have to go out and pay more money for it.

 

[joule]

Is this retail or Steam?

 

[Solver]

There probably wouldn't be much in the manual to say. And nothing that wouldn't be in the training in-game. The manual could just state what the default movement keys are, how to use the use key and select weapons. And that will all be in in-game training probably, and more.

 

[iamaelephant]

Both retail and Steam.

 

[joule]

Both retail and Steam.

Wow! I am kinda disappointed and surprised. But if they say we don't need it, then we probably won't need it. Everything you need to know will be in-game and in training.

 

[GuNzABlaZiN]

There's probably like a card that says how to install the game, how to run it, etc.

 

[Prince of China]

Maybe they'll have some sort of Hazard course.

 

[SmokeyMcBacon]

big whoop

 

[Seppo]

Well anyone who needs an instructional manual to be able to play a first person shooter surely isn't the brightest person on earth. Although it's always nice to have something to read while the game installs

 

[Dr0ndeh]

they actually HAVE to put an instruction manual in im sure. even if its just installation instructions.

 

[Robert]

.... This is the first time I'm wondering: What the HELL!?!?

 

[f|uke]

When was the last time you bought a game without a manual?

Whens the last time you've actually needed an instruction manual? The controls are listed in the menu, and we all should already know how to play from HL1. There is a hazard course, anyways.

Manuals are pointless. IMO, VALVe is saving trees. :thumbs:

 

[Someone]

Although most of us won't need it (or even look at it ) have to say that is kinda odd.

 

[Seppo]

Now we're sure Half-Life 2 is revolutionary

 

[soul]

I like that Valve is cutting costs... but how about passing the savings onto the people that are going to be paying their wages?

 

[Esquire]

It is indeed! It's traditional to have the game manual. But true we dont really need it. Quite possibly there'll be a readme.txt on the dvd/cd which will tell people who want to know about blah-de-blah.

 

[lans]

That's exactly what the pc games guy was saying. How the **** do people who don't visit these fansites know about the steam activation crap?

 

[f|uke]

I like that Valve is cutting costs... but how about passing the savings onto the people that are going to be paying their wages?

Thats what I said when the Steam prices were announced. I threw a shit fit! But the concensus here is that VALVe is under contractual obligation not to undersell Vivendi Universal.. and its most likely VU who set the price. (still, the cost of putting a manual together and printing it couldnt add more then 50 cents or so to the manufacturing cost.)

 

[Seppo]

Well, I'm pretty sure that Steam will automatically install itself and give instructions on how to activate. You really don't need a manual for that.

 

[Ames]

That's exactly what the pc games guy was saying. How the **** do people who don't visit these fansites know about the steam activation crap?

I'm pretty sure there is something on the box saying Internet connection required or something.

 

[KagePrototype]

I honestly don't see the problem...

 

[f|uke]

I'm pretty sure there is something on the box saying Internet connection required or something.

You really expect people to read the box?

 

[iamaelephant]

Yeah sure I don't need a manual, it is traditional to have a manual with your game, and it just sounds like a bit of a cop-out when you don't get one. It's like when you buy a game and it comes in those shitty paper sleeves instead of CD cases.

 

[KiNG]

not a big deal, only thing its good for is building anticipation on the way home and while installing.

oh and valve is all about breaking tradition.

once again, a big thing out of nothing.

 

[f|uke]

it is traditional to have a manual with your game.

Traditioooooon! Tradition! Tradition!
Traditioooooon! Tradition! Tradition!

Ahem.

Tradition is outdated.

 

[KagePrototype]

Yeah sure I don't need a manual, it is traditional to have a manual with your game, and it just sounds like a bit of a cop-out when you don't get one. It's like when you buy a game and it comes in those shitty paper sleeves instead of CD cases.

Yeah, but "a load of crap"? Honestly, I think you're over-reacting to something I'm sure you won't be bothered about later on...

 

[Seppo]

Subject: Valve Software

Crime: Negligence of traditions
Punishment: Sentenced to hatred of fanboys

 

[Ames]

You really expect people to read the box?

"Hey guys, I've just got HL2!!!1"

"LOlOLz0rz m4ng 1ns74115 17!!!"

"WEHTF?!?!? W3 CANTZ PL4YZ0RZ?!?!?! W3 N33D T3h INT4rW3b"

"LOLOL0LOLZ0rZ...U G0tZ SCREWED!!!!?!?! T3H 1NT4RW3B is F3R N00bz0rz!!!/1/1oneoneomgwtfbbgyos!

"V4V1E 15 T3H SUCKS!!!!"

And thus the story ends happily with the stupid "1337h4XX0rs" not being able to play HL2 and most importantly CS:S.

 

[SoSorry]

Lombardi never said there was no instruction manual .
He said there was no instruction booklet.

 

[subtlesnake]

Instruction manuals are almost never useful. They cover basics like - "this is a shotgun *top tip* use at close range for added effect".

Their sole worth is their novelty value. Buying a game is all about leafing through the manual as the game installs. So this would bother me, if I wasn't ordering from Steam.

As it is, I'm quite happy. All I miss from the full retail version is that plastic case and sexy picture of Alyx.

 

[iamaelephant]

Subject: Valve Software

Crime: Negligence of traditions
Punishment: Sentenced to hatred of fanboys

Don't call me a fanboy asshole.

 

[Seppo]

As it is, I'm quite happy. All I miss from the full retail version is that plastic case and sexy picture of Alyx.

Are you telling me that is not a big deal? What's wrong with you?!

 

[UKchaos2]

The game teaches you as you play, thats the beauty of it.

Come on, you point you shoot, you dont need a flippin manual.

Besides, the TWO (strat guide, making of) prima books should satisfy your manual fetishes...

 

[subtlesnake]

Well I have plenty of those on my HD anyway.

 

[Ownzed]

Lombardi never said there was no instruction manual .
He said there was no instruction booklet.

*slaps*

 

[Seppo]

Well I have plenty of those on my HD anyway.

Oh, then it's ok. I thought you're some kind of a freak

 

[PvtRyan]

Ever since DVD cases, manuals are only a vague shadow of their former self. I liked the HL1 manual, cool artwork, nice non-glossy paper.

The only recent DVD case game with a decent manual is RTW afaik.

 

[rocklegendfm99]

Whens the last time you've actually needed an instruction manual? The controls are listed in the menu, and we all should already know how to play from HL1. There is a hazard course, anyways.

Manuals are pointless. IMO, VALVe is saving trees. :thumbs:

We dont need those trees anyway.

dumbass tree hugger

 

[Voodoo_Chile]

We'll get a PDF file id say,And a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.Not that it matters really anyone with the taste and intelligence to choose HL2 will surely know how to play or know someone who can give them an overview.THats not including the HAZARD course etc.

 

[azz0r]

Instruction manuals are for losers