Game Manual in HTML Format ?????? - Page 3

Richard · #21 November 15th, 2000, 05:33 PM

I know Aaron had talked about having something to that effect built into the game.

I think it is a good idea and you guys would probably get it if enough of you suggested it to Aaron.

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

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

rdouglass · #22 November 15th, 2000, 07:44 PM

I do completely understand about copyrights and I do respect it and will not distribute PDF's to people (I will make one for myself though).

However I fail to see the logical connection behind posting a PDF and pirating the game. If you're suggesting that we all bought the game to read the manual, well that's even too dumb to suggest. Maybe you ought to consider making the PDF a download and sell it for $1 since you dont have to ship or print it. If a printed manual is the only solution, then you guys are sounding like the "Big Guys" more and more - that's something we'd here from Microsoft to support another one of their profit centers - Microsoft Press!

If someone is posting WAREZ of SE4, then they'll probably include the manual anyway since its' on the CD. Some people are going to pirate reguardless - in fact some are probably doing it already. That really sucks for us that believe in MM's and SG's products and are putting up the $$'s so you can continue to develop (IMO) the best 4x game out there.

Again, thanks for cleaning up the copyright question. Maybe you can take 5 more minutes and clear up the pirating issue? That is "How does posting a PDF of the manual promote pirating??" Personally, I would think the demo would do more. Just look at some of the other SE4 forums and look at the threads about getting around the 100 turn limit!!!

Well, enough said. Thanks for listening...

Commander G · #23 November 15th, 2000, 07:46 PM

I'm surprised Shrapnel will not encourage distribution of the full manual so that people can better evaluate whether or not they want to buy the game. I thought they were enforcing ownership by scanning the CD, but I suppose people can make an image copy and pirate that way. I was really surprised when I installed from the CD that I did not have to enter a license number to validate the game. In Stars players who share license numbers can never be in the same game because the game will trash their empires if two players submit turns with the same license number.

Dime Greenback · #24 November 15th, 2000, 08:24 PM

A printed manual as an extra option sounds interesting, but considering the cost of production and shipping it is going to be quite expensive (since it would be an international shipment for me). Probably another $19 for shipping, since it will be just as heavy as the original game.

Not an option for me.

I _do_ want to get a decent printout of the manual, though. That's what laser printers are for, as far as I am concerned.

So is it possible to hit a button and get the complete manual printout in one print job?

If not, then please find a way to get such a manual to us paying customers. I would not mind getting it by email attachment or whatever.

I do not look forward to printing out hundreds of pages separately...

Richard · #25 November 15th, 2000, 09:16 PM

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 · #26 November 15th, 2000, 09:54 PM

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 · #27 November 15th, 2000, 10:14 PM

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 · #28 November 15th, 2000, 10:38 PM

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 · #29 November 16th, 2000, 12:19 AM

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 · #30 November 16th, 2000, 12:37 AM

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).]