Game Manual in HTML Format ??????

[Richard]

Guys,

I understand how you might be frustrated by this but is a fact that games that have PDF's manuals are pirated MUCH more than games that don't have them as folks have to buy the game to get the manual.

And normally would promote this sort of community involvement but we are forced to do these sorts of things STRICTLY becase of pirating.

Now I have no problem with used generated FAQ's or strategy guides or tech tree's being posted, but out copyrighted manual being posted would just make it an easier target for the warez crowd.

------------------
Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

[rdouglass]

Wait a minute Richard. I'm losing some respect for you guys. Why couldn't you just say that its copyrighted material and leave it at that. You really don't need to be quoting false (IMO) "facts" about pirated S/W. I've been in this computer business for almost 20 years and there are no REAL facts about pirated software - only estimates - no one really knows. If they did really know, there'd be a lot less of it (pirating). Now if your talking about how getting a PRINTED manual with the game discourages piracy, I totally agree. However, we're talking about an electronic manual.

Again, please just tell us the real fact - instead of percieved facts - that it's copyrighted material. Most adults will be able to live with that. If you REALLY want to support the paying customers and are REALLY concerned with the piracy aspect of providing a PDF, then take 15 minutes, build a PDF, and put it on the next release of the CD. If not, quit feeding the bull and p*ssing off your paying customers.

Besides, its not a whole lot more difficult to post an HTML file than a PDF.

[This message has been edited by rdouglass (edited 15 November 2000).]

[Richard]

To be perfectly honest we did no want to publish an html manual at all but once we determined how large it would be converted we had no choice.

The pdf is different in that it is an easily transportable and printable format where html is not. In either case we are opposed to posting of this manual (html ot pdf) anywhere.

However if you personally want to make a pdf from the html for your use, more power to you and I would encourage that, just don't post it to another site.

In either case the decision isn't up to me but due to the current state of affairs I support this decision. We are taking steps to ensure that such things don't happen again (ie a manual not being thoroughly checked until far too late in the QA process).

------------------
Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

[rdouglass]

I'm not sure I agree with you on the ease of PDF vs HTML - to me they're both a "no brainer". Reguardless, I want to thank you for the clear, concise, and (seemingly) honest answer to my ravings.

Thanks!!!

[Instar]

Id buy the full manual, hey its only 8 bucks! I like having the full manual. (At my house I have to shared the computer, so Id rather be playing than reading a manual, I could read while someone else is doing stuff on the computer.)

[James Sterrett]

I've uploaded a SEIV Tech Tree listing as a Word doco, to http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/ubbuploads/James+Sterrett/SE4TechTree.doc. It lists all of the techs, makes their inter-relationships & costs more clear, and ought to be easily printable. It also includes some basic info on the various weapons systems.

[This message has been edited by James Sterrett (edited 15 November 2000).]

[This message has been edited by James Sterrett (edited 15 November 2000).]

[Dime Greenback]

Richard, would it be acceptable to Shrapnel to mail out a PDF manual to those paying customers who request it?

From what I have read on the forum someone has already made a PDF which he could give you, and you have the email address of your customers anyway. So where is the problem with that approach?

Just a suggestion...