Poll: Do you read the instruction manual for a game?

[DrDeath3191]

We've all seen them: those nicely decorated little booklets you get when you buy a new game. They tell you all sorts of things, like how to play, basic rules, and on occasion the basic story. Who among us reads those?

I read them sometimes. Like right now, I'm reading the manual for Fable: The Lost Chapters. Other games, I don't. It just depends, I suppose.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

I only read it after I've started playing.
Unless I'm the passenger in a car and have nothing else to read.

 

[HardRockSamurai]

Not really; it depends on the game. For most FPS games I play, I usually don't have to read the instruction manual. However, for RPGs, I may have to read it.

 

[Ddgafd]

Yes. I usually read it while the game is loading.

 

[Legion]

Yes, because I like to. There should be an option for that.

I don't ever need to though, I can pick up games very easily with no help.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

I do sometimes. It depends how long it takes for the game to install. If it looks to be taking a while then I'll crack open the manual and see what's going on.

 

[infinisynth]

Yeah, its good toilet reading. I love the GTA manuals.

 

[walls of cetepedes]

Yes, because I like to. There should be an option for that.

Yeah, I like to... too. They usually give a bit of background to the characters, that you wouldn't get in normal play.

 

[IamQ]

Hardly. I usually learn games on the fly while palying them, gets more entertaining that way.

The only time I read the manual, is if the game has a really long loading time.

 

[Strategia]

Often. I voted Yes. I usually skip over the parts I know already (I know right-clicking orders my currently selected unit to move or act, and golly gee, you can select MORE than one unit by clicking and dragging the mouse? Go figure) and go into the unique gameplay mechanics. When those aren't present, I just flip through the booklet and put it away.

I used to love the big manuals that came with games when they still shipped in those large cardboard boxen. One of my favourites was the Heroes of Might & Magic III manual, it had detailed descriptions of every piece of gameplay, every creature and every spell. I used to pick it up and browse it just for fun every now and again. Another favourite was the Earth 2140 manual, about half of which consisted of pictures and very detailed descriptions and backstories for the units and buildings, I loved it.

These days, manuals are little, twelve-page booklets, if that. Such a shame.

 

[Snuggle]

I usually read it while the game is loading or installing if I haven't got something better to do.

 

[Radeonx]

Yes, because I like to. There should be an option for that.

Yeah, I like to... too. They usually give a bit of background to the characters, that you wouldn't get in normal play.

This. It gives me knowledge I wouldn't have had unless I was familiar with it's sequel or prequel.

 

[Spaghetti]

I used to. I remember a time when the manual gave a little bit of backstory and introduction to the charachter, enticing you to read the rest of it. Now it's just an informative slip of paper with the controls on it which I might gloss over. Most games have a tutorial section anyway.

 

[Stormz]

I like to read them while in the car or just later on when I feel like it. Some of the stuff can be quite interesting.

 

[squid5580]

I don't do it as often as I should. Has made more than one game alot harder than needed since the tutorial will often forget to mention something important.

 

[happysock]

I only ever use the instructions if i'm putting together the flatpack that came with it...
OT: I only refer to them if I get stuck and generally don't know how to do something

 

[electric_warrior]

only if i get to a bit and don't know which button to press to achieve what i need to, like in gears2 when ur in the worm and you need to run under those giant flesh hammer things in it's stomach. i didn't know how to duck and after being crushed several times had to read the manual. that's actually one of the few times i ever have read a manual.

 

[Abedeus]

Rarely. Only RPGs, and the last time I read a manual was either The Witcher or Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark.

 

[MrSnugglesworth]

Sometimes.


Never.