A New Manual to Reflect All the Changes?

from Stardock Forums
Frogboy,

Will there be a updated manual to reflect all the changes the game has gone through? Will the manual really be useful since there are many things that seem to be talked about on these boards that may be part of the game upon release?

I am presupposing that the manual is already printed and waiting for the CD. If this be true, it would seem to not reflect the game that we will get in the stores.

I for one am very keen about manuals. They can really make a game better by giving the user a solid place to go to find answers as the game is played.

I think it would be great if the manual was in color and covered ALL aspects of the game in a detailed manner.

Bottom Line: How will all the changes be reflected in the manual?

Toothy
403 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
The Encyclopedia will be constantly updated (well regularly updated) to take into accoutn changes.

Plus, I really want to sit down and write out some of the algorithms in the game for the economy and such. that sort of thing doesn't really belong in the manual (too esoteric) but I think many players would enjoy seeing how the economy works in depth.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

By far the largest number of complaints about MOO3 in the various MOO3 forums today seem to revolve around the apparent complexity of the game coupled with a manual with a minimal amount of info on what makes the game run.

How does one strategise if one doesn't have the info on which to make sound decisions ? And once one does know what one wants to do how does one go about letting the game know what that is if the manual isn't clear in its presentation of what game elements effect what and exactly how and to what degree ?

I have the .pdf of the manual and the readme file and I am enjoying them immensely. But with no index and no detailed descriptions of what is going on under the hood I can see what many will find bothersome.

To me a good manual is worth it's cost in customer relations and good will. A bad one can lead to more bad press and negative conjecture then otherwise would be warrented.


Elrikk


PS. My copy of Moo3 should get her in the next day or so. No matter what, it should at least tide me over until GalCiv gets here. ;o)
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I think the manual is still a work in progress.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
The manual that comes with GalCiv is pretty thorough.

Indeed, the game also includes a walkthrough and a "Survival Guide" to walk players through the game.

The game mechanics in GalCiv are pretty straight forward.

Building a fusion plan says it will increase production 10%. Build it and production increases 10%.

We stayed away from things like Factory +1. Improvements and technologies and the like do things on a percentage basis.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Brad...any word on manuals for us beta testers. Will we get one with the CD or is it a .pdf for us?? Or still undecided?

Asmodean
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Actually, I *prefer* either a pdf or even an "in-game" manual to a printed manual. And since (from what I read) each game is "serialized" (for updates, etc), I don't see why having the manual in pdf would be a piracy issue.

Of course, I do much of my gaming on a laptop, frequently while traveling, and thus seldom bring printed manuals along. It's nice having the manual on the CD (and harder to misplace also).

Note: I'm not a beta tester (nor do I play one on TV), but I wish I had known about galciv back when I could have been. I sure wish moo3 had been delayed (yet again) rather than galciv. Seems like this would make more sense from marketing anyway (give the moo crowd like me something to tasty for during the long wait). Oh well...
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Personally, I really like a hard copy manual as I like to read them and see how to do things a bit better then I am at times. I like JoWooD's manuals the best as they make them all in color which allows you to see things just as they are in the game.

I think this is one area that should not be skimped on in this game (or any game) as I think it can make or break a game that really needs a reference tool.

Toothy