Why do EA manuals suck?

[whoisKeel]

Why do EA manuals suck?

Really, why? I pay $60 for a 360 game, and the black & white manuals don't even tell you how to play the game...it's ridiculous. It's not just 360 games either...

It's a sad day when unlicensed Tengen games from the NES days outdo the current juggernaut of the gaming industry (ok, well Tengen had some sweet manuals but oh well)

[shadowkn55]

Why do EA manuals suck?

To match the quality of the game itself.

[norkusa]

Yeah, I noticed this with the last couple EA sports games I bought. Manuals are only 8-10 pages and just tell you basically how to start the game and some basic controls.

My guess is that they keep the manuals light on purpose with the hope you'd go out and buy the strategy guide and spend even more money. :roll:

[Technosis]

To match the quality of the game itself.

LOL! EA: The software company that everyone loves to hate....

[PallarAndersVisa]

I really dislike EA.

[sisko]

Moreover, how long will it be until manuals are phased out completely?

Really, when was the last time you simply *had* to read the manual to understand how to play the game? Tutorial modes are common place, and are infinitely more informative than manuals. Tutorial modes are also a cheaper alternative, since the programming is pretty much already done, and there is no additional manufacturing costs.

Don't get me wrong, I love manuals, and hope they keep producing them; but I can't even remember the last time that I actually sat down and thumbed through one.

It seems like EA has already realized this, and provides that filler pamphlet because people expect it to be there.

[MarioMania]

Just Program the Manual in the game

[PSXferrari]

Moreover, how long will it be until manuals are phased out completely?

Really, when was the last time you simply *had* to read the manual to understand how to play the game? Tutorial modes are common place, and are infinitely more informative than manuals. Tutorial modes are also a cheaper alternative, since the programming is pretty much already done, and there is no additional manufacturing costs.

Don't get me wrong, I love manuals, and hope they keep producing them; but I can't even remember the last time that I actually sat down and thumbed through one.

It seems like EA has already realized this, and provides that filler pamphlet because people expect it to be there.



No, the EA ones are particularly bad. I got Madden 07 this season, after not owning Madden since 2002. Trust me, I was lost in some aspects. The manual provides the basic controls, but there are far more in depth ones that you don't know.... apparently you are supposed to magically know them on your own. For example, the manual doesn't tell you how to run as the quarterback (a popular move with someone like Michael Vick, if your play breaks down). Sure you can move but it will be slow because you're in pass form. To take off running I guess you're supposed to use one of the trigger buttons-- for a while I just figured it wasn't possible. If they had a tutorial for all the different moves than it would be great and I'd have no complaints... instead they only offer them for the new moves for this season, which are also described in the manual.

I also don't know if I agree with you on tutorials being cheaper than manuals. I'm no expert on the cost of either, but both require A LOT of time and resources. Just because you think of the tutorial as "software" rather than a paper book, there is still a lot of money behind it. One of the game programmers worked on it, and various technical resources are used in addition... sure it's produced in the normal course of the game design, but it's still extra time that must be put in. Last time I checked, those people aren't working for free. Of course, designing a paper manual also takes time and money-- my point is just that we shouldn't automatically assume that making a manual is necessarily a lot more expensive than additional time spent programming.

[PSXferrari]

THE ANSWER LIES HERE!!! Think about this and you will realize that this MUST be the answer to why EA's manuals sucks, because nothing else makes sense:

EA knows-- yes, KNOWS, because it's true-- that most of its customers buy its games year after year after year, despite minimal gameplay updates. Yes, it's called "The $60 Roster Update." And think about it, it's true-- you, or someone you know, buys Madden EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Partly because you love football; mostly because you're a moron. I mean, come on, if someone is retarded to buy NBA Live over NBA 2K even once, then EA knows that they must be retarded enough to do it every year.

So, because EA knows that its target market has played the game for the past 10 years, they figure that all the controls should be fresh in their memory. The manual serves only as a basic refresher, and they can go back and check their manuals from Madden 95 on the Genesis if they need solid explanation on how to do a specific move. Inside of putting money towards a real manual, they type a crappy one up on an Apple II and then spend millions getting 85 licensed songs for people to listen to at the main menu (while the same 4 play over and over again). Yes, it's official, EA rules!

[ShenmueFan]

You're playing the same exact game you've played for the past ten years...why do you need a manual?

[djsquarewave]

Moreover, how long will it be until manuals are phased out completely?

Really, when was the last time you simply *had* to read the manual to understand how to play the game? Tutorial modes are common place, and are infinitely more informative than manuals. Tutorial modes are also a cheaper alternative, since the programming is pretty much already done, and there is no additional manufacturing costs.

Don't get me wrong, I love manuals, and hope they keep producing them; but I can't even remember the last time that I actually sat down and thumbed through one.
I may be in the minority here, but whenever I get a new game I flip through the manual for at least a minute or two before booting it up. Sometimes at Gamestop since they're nice enough to put open empty cases on the floor I'll flip through them there to get a better idea of a game. It irks me when I see a manual of about eight pages that's just the first six and last two pages of any other game manual for that system.

Also it's really nice when they're filled with full-color artwork. :)

[PSXferrari]

I may be in the minority here, but whenever I get a new game I flip through the manual for at least a minute or two before booting it up. Sometimes at Gamestop since they're nice enough to put open empty cases on the floor I'll flip through them there to get a better idea of a game. It irks me when I see a manual of about eight pages that's just the first six and last two pages of any other game manual for that system.

Also it's really nice when they're filled with full-color artwork. :)


I'm with you on this one. Sure back in the 8-bit and 16-bit years, games weren't that complex. With two or three buttons and the limitations on gameplay imposed by the graphics, reading the manual wasn't necessary at all, except maybe for a quick glance at the controls. Sure, today you can still do the same thing, but at a higher risk. The games are more complicated, and I'd just prefer to skim through a manual beforehand rather than get stuck at a part for an hour only to find out later that I needed to execute a move that was only detailed in the manual. Of course, all depends on the game.

[gepeto]

Yeah it is really horrible. I use to enjoy bathroom reading. With ea you barely get 12 pages most with credits and advertising it really cheapens the feel of the overall feel of the case. Just being supercheap. first manuals then Ea not supporting E3. I tell you they are getting there come uppance.

[roushimsx]

You're playing the same exact game you've played for the past ten years...why do you need a manual?

Hey guys, welcome to common misconceptionville! Just out of curiosity, have you even PLAYED a Madden game, let alone within the past 10 years? In my experience, most of the people that rail on it don't care for sports games and have never even played a Madden title (because it suxorz LOLOLOLOLZ! FUCK YOU EA!!!111oneoneone). Everyone else that shits on it preferred the NFL2K series, which is cool (though sometimes people seem to enjoy the 2k series more because it's not EA and not on its own merits).

That said, yea, EA's manuals blow...but they're not special. Manuals in general have nosedived pretty hard in the last decade and it's a bit disheartening that if you want a real "manual", you're going to have to either fork out for the strategy guide or read through a poorly written FAQ.

[Hep038]

THE ANSWER LIES HERE!!! Think about this and you will realize that this MUST be the answer to why EA's manuals sucks, because nothing else makes sense:

EA knows-- yes, KNOWS, because it's true-- that most of its customers buy its games year after year after year, despite minimal gameplay updates. Yes, it's called "The $60 Roster Update." And think about it, it's true-- you, or someone you know, buys Madden EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Partly because you love football; mostly because you're a moron. I mean, come on, if someone is retarded to buy NBA Live over NBA 2K even once, then EA knows that they must be retarded enough to do it every year.

So, because EA knows that its target market has played the game for the past 10 years, they figure that all the controls should be fresh in their memory. The manual serves only as a basic refresher, and they can go back and check their manuals from Madden 95 on the Genesis if they need solid explanation on how to do a specific move. Inside of putting money towards a real manual, they type a crappy one up on an Apple II and then spend millions getting 85 licensed songs for people to listen to at the main menu (while the same 4 play over and over again). Yes, it's official, EA rules!


Welcome to DP you will fit in nicely, with the name calling and EA/Sony bashing on stuff you have never played.

As for the control never changing for 10 years, again that must be coming from people who have never played the game in their life. Some of the button layout and game play (qb vision) has changed to the point where I had to pause the game and look up the controller layout on settings. And anytime they add something new they usually have a tutorial added to the menus, which if you ask me is much better than a paper book.

But then again I am a moron who likes to buy and play games that I like regardless of who makes them or what system they are on.

[Captain Wrong]

Hey look! It's another dogpile on EA thread. :roll: A little more hate for the sports games, throw in a dash of Sony bashing and we'll have the DP trifecta.

(I assume this wasn't the OP's intention, but I also knew this was the direction things would go, and fast.)

[Griking]

My guess is that they keep the manuals light on purpose with the hope you'd go out and buy the strategy guide and spend even more money. :roll:

Bingo!

It also probably has a lot to with space. Once the PS1 came out there really wasn't a lot of room in that small jewel case to include a comprehensive manual. The current cases are a little taller but still very thin. But yeah, ultimately I really believe it's to get you to shell out an extra $15-$20 for the strategy guide

[scooterb23]

I think the last time I read a manual was in the Sega Genesis days.

They can do away with them for all I care.

It's kind of how DVDs used to have booklets, then chapter list pages...and now no insert at all. Why spend money publishing something few people are actually going to use.

Oh yeah, EA sucks, Microsoft sucks, Nintendo sucks, Tandy sucks, Sony sucks, sports games suck, RPGs suck, real time action adventure turn based puzzle CGI FMV CD-I 3DO platformers suck, and DP Mods are Nazis...did I miss anything?

[crazyjackcsa]

To be fair EA isn't the only one that does this. Rayman Raving Rabbids is pretty thin too. Funny, but prety bare bones, and refers to things that aren't in the final game. I love a good manual and the manuals for Twilight Princess and Midnight Club 3 Remix are both fantastic!

[Daria]

What's amusing to me is back in the Genesis era EA had really great manuals. Buck Rogers, Might and Magic, Starflight... these games practically came packaged with full color guide books.

[whoisKeel]

Actually it WAS Madden '07 that caused me to create this thread. I picked it up during the 50% off Blockbuster sale, haven't not played a Madden game since SNES days. So yeah, there are a lot of controls in this game that need an explanation, and I prefer to use the manual as a reference than looking it up on the screen (especially during two player, since we are both fairly new to the game we pass the manual back and forth).

The manual Burnout for 360 doesn't even mention drifting, it is only mentioned in the loading tips. The boosting start (for online) isn't mentioned anywhere. I hadn't played the previous games in the Burnout series.

For a $60 game I want a nice color manual, with artwork, pictures, "Thank you for purchasing", Rosters/Stats would be nice, how to play, etc.

I AM NOT trying to bash EA here, I own 3 recent games: Tiger Woods '04 PS2, Burnout Revenge 360, and Madden 07 360. I think very highly of all three of these games. I've actually put more time into Burnout than Gears of War, buying them both when I got my 360.

[youruglyclone]

devil's advocate here...in some ways the tutorials and load screens act as manual replacements. I mean if there weren't tutorial modes, I'd justify all this complaining about manual girth. but frankly when you load up madden for the first time, the first thing they do is ask if you want to learn the new features and if you choose not to they do remind you that you can look at them anytime in the tutorial.

[PSXferrari]

devil's advocate here...in some ways the tutorials and load screens act as manual replacements. I mean if there weren't tutorial modes, I'd justify all this complaining about manual girth. but frankly when you load up madden for the first time, the first thing they do is ask if you want to learn the new features and if you choose not to they do remind you that you can look at them anytime in the tutorial.

Yes, as I mentioned before, a tutorial would be great. However, Madden 07 doesn't really provide a very good one. Yes, it explains the NEW features, but not the other ones added in the past 5 years. I own 07, but before that my last Madden was 02. Some of the controls have changed, so I was stuck figuring out some of the other stuff on my own (a despite what you might think, the "Controls" section in the manual doesn't even hit the tip of the iceberg of the things you can do). The 02 manual was fine, so it must be a recent change.

[PSXferrari]

Welcome to DP you will fit in nicely, with the name calling and EA/Sony bashing on stuff you have never played.

As for the control never changing for 10 years, again that must be coming from people who have never played the game in their life. Some of the button layout and game play (qb vision) has changed to the point where I had to pause the game and look up the controller layout on settings. And anytime they add something new they usually have a tutorial added to the menus, which if you ask me is much better than a paper book.

But then again I am a moron who likes to buy and play games that I like regardless of who makes them or what system they are on.


Wow, sorry for having a sense of humor. I didn't know it wasn't allowed here. Actually, I do own Madden 07 and it's one of my most played games. Is it a great football game? No, but it's a very good game-- it's reviews are in the 80% range (gamerankings.com), and that's exactly what it deserves. However, yes, you are a moron if you cannot except the fact that the games don't change much from year to year. If you can, then disregard that, because you are an intelligent human being like the rest of us. I mean, are you really going to try to tell me that there are significant improvements after each year? It has no reason too-- after buying the rights to exclusively make NFL games, they now have no competition. I will probably end up having to buy Madden 08, but only because everyone else will too, so I will be forced to if I want to continue playing online. If I didn't have access to the online games, I wouldn't buy it.

And, even worse, are you trying to defend NBA Live as a quality basketball game? Sure, great game if it was released 8 years ago, but this game doesn't hold a candle to the NBA 2K series. I will not bash the Madden or NHL series because they are both decent games (but I apologize greatly for offending you when I joked about your beloved Madden in my last post). However, Live is a joke. It's average review score on PS2 is 64.6% (gamerankings.com), while NBA 2K7 is 82.1%. That's based on tons of reviews; not just one. Yet, you actually want to defends its merits???

Listen, I have no problem with you playing whatever you want. But I think you're the one with a problem here. First of all, you call me an EA/Sony basher (DID I EVEN MENTION SONY IN MY FIRST POST???!!!). However, your need to immediately jump to their defense when I was only kidding about the quality of their MANUALS (not the game itself), only shows that you probably are some EA/Sony fanboy. Which is fine, like whatever you want. Just don't get your head so clouded, that you actually think crazy things: like NBA Live is a good basketball game, and Madden is a brand new game every year, and that everyone hates Sony despite the fact that they don't even comment on it.

[Neil Koch]

It's not just EA - most game manuals aren't much to look at anymore. The only recent games that I can think of that had nice manuals are the ones for the GTA games.

[djsquarewave]

It's not just EA - most game manuals aren't much to look at anymore. The only recent games that I can think of that had nice manuals are the ones for the GTA games.
Yeah, now that you mention it, they really do have very nice manuals, stylish and full-color and full of interesting information. Not to mention nice big poster-size maps, too. :)

It also probably has a lot to with space. Once the PS1 came out there really wasn't a lot of room in that small jewel case to include a comprehensive manual. The current cases are a little taller but still very thin.
I seriously doubt that. The GTA games fit a nice meaty 30+ page manual and a map in that little keepcase. Jump Ultimate Stars has a nearly 70-page manual in a standard DS case, along with all the other inserts Nintendo puts in first-party games.

Suddenly I'm reminded of how the manual for ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron had a little thing with some secret tips "because you actually bothered to read the manual". Guess this trend has been going for quite some time now...

[Kitsune Sniper]

Hey, at least it's not like you guys get shafted the same way PC players get shafted.

"Manual? Eh. Go read the PDF on the disc." God DAMN does that tick me off. I can't alt-tab out of a game to see how to do certain maneuvers!