Manual for US version of X³: Reunion

Rowgue · Post by **Rowgue** » Mon, 5. Dec 05, 10:31

I understand some things are being updated and added to it to create a final version. What I'm saying is wouldn't it make sense to post what was the correct version at launch so at least current players have something that is 300% more correct than what we have now? The one that is now in progress could then replace that one once it was finished. Apparently it's not being produced in print so we're just talking about files that need to be uploaded to the site here.

Spaniel · Post by **Spaniel** » Mon, 5. Dec 05, 14:36

Oh absolutely. This is a joke. I just bought this game on Saturday thinking that a lot of the quirks and bugs would be fixed. Wow. I was wrong. Not only does the manual have incorrect information, but it also has more type-o's then a first draft of a 9th grade history paper. That's pathetic and unprofessional. If that were my job, I would have been fired for the kind of incompetence.

I also agree that we should get a printed version of the manual. WE PAID FOR IT! We deserve it.

willbevan · Post by **willbevan** » Mon, 5. Dec 05, 18:22

I would be happy with a updated pdf version we could simply download...

would be nice to have it on my palm top with a search function hehe

Spaniel · Post by **Spaniel** » Mon, 5. Dec 05, 18:58

I agree. Let's see it! The game has a long enough learning curve.

NarcissusG · Post by **NarcissusG** » Tue, 6. Dec 05, 03:07

spds31apocalypse wrote:i think registerd users should get a printed manual, Is costly Im sure, but hey didnt we pay for it.. PDF isnt an option while you are playing since windowed is a joke & alt-tab is bad..

No, no, no ... we can't alt-tab out. We can't play in windowed mode (some of us can't play at all). So:

Their answer will simply be that it isn't cost effective to print out and mail copies of the correct manual ... therefore, we need to purchase second computers so that we can refer to the .pdf manual (when/if it actually gets here) while playing the game.

Corrections still must be made as noone has a correct manual for the game because they need to find a way to fill all those blank pages that used to explain features that aren't in the game (but will be patched in, months after the game's release!).

Publishers are so at fault for messing up everything about this game. Yup. The publishers.

Narcissus

Skeeter · Post by **Skeeter** » Tue, 6. Dec 05, 03:14

Im woundering how the publisher got the draft version in the first place. Maybe egosoft was to blame for sending the wrong documents.

Even tho it doesnt effect me personally, if the manual is that bad for US then it should be reprinted and sent to those that paid for the proper manual as its not their fault its the publishers so publisher a new manual its there fault they should pay for it.

Tho if people want to download a new manual in pdf format and print it all or just important sections then they can.

Or just return it and get it later when a new printed manual is available do to a new stock made.

ChuckB · Post by **ChuckB** » Tue, 6. Dec 05, 18:50

To be honest - I don't really care if Egosoft itself or the US Publisher screwed up the whole manual thing.
I, as a paying customer, don't want to get caught between the Developer and its Publisher and I don't want to know about their internal problems. I bought the game X3 with a faulty manual and I want the correct one, no matter who is "really" responsible.

Egosoft is probably in a worse position as the Publisher when it comes to my Customer satisfaction, because I have shelfed an Egosoft game that I'm not able to enjoy at the moment and I'll remember this when I'll spend money on a game in the future, whereas I never buy a game (or don't buy a game) because of a specific Publisher.

This should be reason enough for Egosoft to take care of the problem, not matter who is at fault here ...

Chuck

ricktheski · Post by **ricktheski** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 05:52

While I dont agree with the the thought that egosoft is to blame.
I have to agree with CHUCKB, egosofts fault or not, they will get the black eye for it.

Wurtzel · Post by **Wurtzel** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 06:00

Just out of curiousity, will the USA manual (updated) be applicable to X3 in other countries, such as UK or Australia?? I am in Australia and the manual that came with my game has that much mis-information that I feel sorry for people who have bought X3 but don't have an internet access, thus wonder why things don't work as stated...

The_Abyss · Post by **The_Abyss** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 09:09

As already stated, the updated manual will be available to all registered users. Whether any publisher decides to make a newly printed manual is up to them, much as the production of the manual at retail was their responsibility as well.

Player. · Post by **Player.** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 09:12

The_Abyss wrote:As already stated, the updated manual will be available to all registered users. Whether any publisher decides to make a newly printed manual is up to them, much as the production of the manual at retail was their responsibility as well.

Abyss

Where's your avatar?

Spaniel · Post by **Spaniel** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 13:57

Any idea when that's actually going to happen? Through all this trial and error and the forums, by the time it gets out I'm going to know more than the manual. It's a lot nicer when it doesn't have to be the hard way though.

NarcissusG · Post by **NarcissusG** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 14:12

The_Abyss wrote:As already stated, the updated manual will be available to all registered users. Whether any publisher decides to make a newly printed manual is up to them, much as the production of the manual at retail was their responsibility as well.

I'm just curious about one thing ...

Are you saying that it is the publisher's fault that we received a manual that describes features that were never added to the game? Did you send them correct versions of the manual and then they somehow got their hands on a previous version and decided to print it instead? For some crazy reason, from reading statements given above, I was under the impression that EgoSoft admitted to being at fault for not supplying manuals that were relevant.

Forgive me if I sound jaded, but I (in no way) see how everything is blamed on the evil and greedy publisher. The game not being complete (or anywhere near it) and the manual describing features that are obviously not in the game (and months and months worth of patching away) just seems rather childish to blame on the publisher.

Could someone (anyone) maturely explain to me why everything wrong with this game is the publisher's fault (including the manual) and EgoSoft is squeaky clean? Seriously, I just don't get it ...

Narcissus

Post by **CBJ** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 15:43

This thread is not about casting blame. It is about stating the situation as it stands and explaining what Egosoft are doing about it.

The manual was originally written at a time when features for X³ were not completely finalised. Because of this, some of the text was initially based on X² or design notes for X³ and later adjusted to match the actual functionality of X³. All the publishers were sent several drafts of the manual over a period of time. The US publishers printed one of the early draft versions; the other publishers printed the final one.

There are still some errors and omissions in the final version of the manual printed by the other publishers, largely because the manual had to go to print before the game was finalised.

All known errors will also be addressed in the PDF update.

Player. · Post by **Player.** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 16:05

Dont worry Egosoft we dont blame you its those

publishers

Heath Charnock · Post by **Heath Charnock** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 16:31

It seems unbelievable to me that no one at either Ego or publishers sat down and checked a printed version of the manual before running the printing presses??

It's just another example of why this game should not have been released when it did, to me it feels like 6 months too early!!

NarcissusG · Post by **NarcissusG** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 17:39

CBJ wrote:This thread is not about casting blame. It is about stating the situation as it stands and explaining what Egosoft are doing about it.

The manual was originally written at a time when features for X³ were not completely finalised. Because of this, some of the text was initially based on X² or design notes for X³ and later adjusted to match the actual functionality of X³. All the publishers were sent several drafts of the manual over a period of time. The US publishers printed one of the early draft versions; the other publishers printed the final one.

There are still some errors and omissions in the final version of the manual printed by the other publishers, largely because the manual had to go to print before the game was finalised.

All known errors will also be addressed in the PDF update.

While I'm not entirely satisfied with the answer, I appreciate someone from EgoSoft stepping in and attempting to explain things.

CBJ,

Does this mean that we will not be receiving an updated and corrected manual in some form of hard-copy?

To offset EgoSoft's cost, I'm sure that there are many of us who would even be willing to pay the shipping. I'm not saying that I want to pay the shipping as this mistake is in no way my fault ... yet I'm willing to compromise to get a manual that is actually relevant to the game.

Thanks for replying,

Narcissus

Post by **CBJ** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 17:47

It is the publishers who deal with the production of physical items such as the game CDs/DVDs, packaging and printed manuals, and it would be they who would have to decide whether to provide hard-copy updated manuals. To be perfectly honest, I think the likelihood of them doing so is small.

Player. · Post by **Player.** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 17:54

Try emailing Deepsilver and Enlight and ask them

NarcissusG · Post by **NarcissusG** » Wed, 7. Dec 05, 18:08

CBJ wrote:It is the publishers who deal with the production of physical items such as the game CDs/DVDs, packaging and printed manuals, and it would be they who would have to decide whether to provide hard-copy updated manuals. To be perfectly honest, I think the likelihood of them doing so is small.

I'm not sure of your position in the company, but do you think that EgoSoft might be willing to 'go the extra mile' and step up and have manuals made? Customers could give proof of purchase by submitting their registration and then send shipping costs ... there are numerous methods this could be done and would restore a lot of faith back in EgoSoft even by the customers that are uninterested in the manual or unwilling to pay shipping. Just the fact that EgoSoft was willing to 'step up' for their customers would mean a lot.

The reason I'm asking is I also think that the chance that the publishers would be willing to do this is nil. They don't have a customer base or an image to uphold as people rarely look at a game and say they won't purchase it due to the publisher.

Thanks again,

Narcissus

egosoft.com

egosoft.com

Manual for US version of X³: Reunion