Printed Manual (Full Version)

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ilovestrategy -> Printed Manual (1/13/2013 10:57:03 PM)

Is it possible to order a manual from Matrix? I printed mine off the main game menu but man, a stack of paper is cumbersome. Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated.

I'm in Coral Sea scenario. Damn Nips sunk the Yorktown. I can hear Poultryboy laughing as he reads this. [:D]



jwilkerson -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 1:39:14 AM)

I think we're either out or almost out. I say that because there is a discussion about a reprint. Once we have a schedule - we can make an announcement.



ilovestrategy -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 6:29:11 AM)

Ok, thanks JW. If anyone doesnt want theirs, I'll happily pay for the shipping and handling.



Alfred -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 9:46:57 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

I think we're either out or almost out. I say that because there is a discussion about a reprint. Once we have a schedule - we can make an announcement.


Is that the position notwithstanding the info provided in this thread?

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3168740&mpage=1&key=manual%2Cstock�

On 22 August 2012, Matrix informed us that they had run out of AE manuals. Three months later Erik Rutins told us that the manauls were back in stock and therefore people could order the physical "boxed" game with confidence that a manual would be included. However, notwithstanding enquiries from me and others, Matrix was silent on whether it would be possible to buy the manual independently of the game CD.

I still think that Matrix could develop a new profit centre by selling an updated hard copy AE manual.

Alfred



Empire101 -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 10:54:35 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred


quote:

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

I think we're either out or almost out. I say that because there is a discussion about a reprint. Once we have a schedule - we can make an announcement.


Is that the position notwithstanding the info provided in this thread?

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3168740&mpage=1&key=manual%2Cstock�

On 22 August 2012, Matrix informed us that they had run out of AE manuals. Three months later Erik Rutins told us that the manauls were back in stock and therefore people could order the physical "boxed" game with confidence that a manual would be included. However, notwithstanding enquiries from me and others, Matrix was silent on whether it would be possible to buy the manual independently of the game CD.

I still think that Matrix could develop a new profit centre by selling an updated hard copy AE manual.

Alfred



+1
I'd buy an updated manual for sure!!



Alfred -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 11:10:28 AM)

The major problem for Matrix would be to find someone to write up an updated manual. I doubt very much that any of the AE devs or original manual writers would put up their hands to do the job. Michaelm once indicated that he might be involved in some updating exercise but wih the best will in the world I really don't think he would ever have any spare time to update the manual; he is kept very busy monitoring the Tech sub forum and putting out beta updates.

So whilst I certainly believe that Matrix would find a market to sell an updated manual, the cost of hiring a new writer and them getting up to speed with the game mechanics, might perhaps turn it into a negative cashflow exercise for Matrix. Updating the manual would be no easy task and I rather think a more involved exercise than that which confronted Apollo 11 in updating WITE. One reason being that you can't update the manual with changes post the latest official patch. There are many significant changes post the official patch in the current beta series. The other reason being that many of the complaints voiced about the current manual are not really about game mechanics but the relative lack of advice of when, why and how to use the gam mechanics. IOW players want strategic and tactical discussion points in the manual to provide context to the game mechanics. That again places a premium on finding a new manual writer with the requisite skills and knowledge and therefor bring us back to the economics.

Alfred



Empire101 -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 11:30:52 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred

The major problem for Matrix would be to find someone to write up an updated manual. I doubt very much that any of the AE devs or original manual writers would put up their hands to do the job. Michaelm once indicated that he might be involved in some updating exercise but wih the best will in the world I really don't think he would ever have any spare time to update the manual; he is kept very busy monitoring the Tech sub forum and putting out beta updates.

So whilst I certainly believe that Matrix would find a market to sell an updated manual, the cost of hiring a new writer and them getting up to speed with the game mechanics, might perhaps turn it into a negative cashflow exercise for Matrix. Updating the manual would be no easy task and I rather think a more involved exercise than that which confronted Apollo 11 in updating WITE. One reason being that you can't update the manual with changes post the latest official patch. There are many significant changes post the official patch in the current beta series. The other reason being that many of the complaints voiced about the current manual are not really about game mechanics but the relative lack of advice of when, why and how to use the gam mechanics. IOW players want strategic and tactical discussion points in the manual to provide context to the game mechanics. That again places a premium on finding a new manual writer with the requisite skills and knowledge and therefor bring us back to the economics.

Alfred



Ok, so its a question of economics.

Your post got me thinking;

Surely a cheaper approach for Matrix would be to harness the knowledge of AE's legion of fans;

1.Appoint an editor who would have final say of what is right and proper, and to say write some 'strategy & tactical notes' for the various relevant sections.

2. Farm out the chapters to AE volunteers. Say one chapter to each volunteer.
Matrix supplies the relevant patch change info for that particular chapter to the volunteer.
He then updates the chapter with the relevant information and passes it back to the editor.

3. The editor formalises the submissions and the manual is ready for publication.
Some notes in the appendices could cover the latest beta patch under consideration.


I'm sure the volunteers would be happy with a writing credit, nothing more.
I would certainly volunteer to be considered.






jwilkerson -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 4:56:56 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Empire101

I would certainly volunteer to be considered.




Oh my, be careful what u wish for - how do you think the AE team came to be in the first place! [:D]



CaptDave -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 9:18:30 PM)

I think it would be much more cost-effective (obviously) and useful if we, the players, would make an effort to update the AE Wiki. It's not my creation, but I certainly find it a lot easier to use than having to search through the forum for old threads! Besides, it can carry information on everything we're looking for: mechanics, strategic considerations (i.e., how to use the mechanics, as mentioned above), mods, betas, and so on.

This is assuming we keep it in a useful format. I still have OpenOffice on my computer because it uses tradition Help screens, whereas LibreOffice -- the superior program -- has a Wiki format in which it's impossible to find anything!



jwilkerson -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 10:51:48 PM)

I think an "online" manual is good - but there are still a few who want to hold printed manuals in their hands.



Alfred -> RE: Printed Manual (1/15/2013 11:57:50 PM)

It is no longer good enough to produce "online" manuals only in PDF format. With the rise of ereaders and smartphones, electronic or "online" manuals/documents need to also be in EPUB format too.

PDF format is really only of practical use on desktop/laptops which due to their size, are reasonably static platforms. For mobility, a tablet is the modern platform but it has its own limitations.

Ereaders and smartphones is the way of the present and the future. With their relatively small screen sizes, manuals/documents in EPUB format are much easier and less frustrating to use. Having to use b/w instead of colour diagrams/screenshots to explain the various game screens is not an insurmountable problem as the writer can highlight the relevant areas rather than relying upon colour to differentiate the different fields. Plus with Matrix/Slitherine moving to establish a presence in the smartphone/tablet market, it is going to have to produce manuals/documents which are most compatible with those platforms.

Alfred



ilovestrategy -> RE: Printed Manual (1/17/2013 4:29:33 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

I think an "online" manual is good - but there are still a few who want to hold printed manuals in their hands.


It's just convenient to hold.



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