150°

Getting Rid Of Paper Game Manuals Is A Good Thing

EA Sports recently announced it will no longer be producing paper instruction booklets to its games. The decision was made to be more environmentally friendly and to reduce printing costs. And for those worrying “How am I supposed to play the game without instruction?”, don’t sweat it. All instruction manuals will now be digital available for you to view on the game disc itself.

This is a change that’s long overdue. Who read the paper instruction manuals in games anyway?

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captainstarball.com
Solidus187-SCMilk4784d ago (Edited 4784d ago )

But I am sad about that because they always smell really good to me and I like to sniff them when I get a new game.

I guess ill have to sniff them while I can. Ummm crysis 2 manual smells nice....all nine pages of it.

jc485734784d ago

they should've done this ages ago. I was getting obsessed about having the games complete.

@ Solidus187
only 9 pages?

captain-obvious4784d ago

yah yah
one more thing
do you guys know those slim DVD packages
its like the normal thing but much much slimmer

i like those ones better too
much more convenient and saves a lot of space
since now their is going to be much less Paper Game Manuals
i would love to see games packaged in those

ChrisW4784d ago

Yeah, but some gamers still need to know how to open the drive bay and insert the disc...

nix4784d ago

lol.. i like the smell of it too... plus i always like to flip through it when i'm not heading straight home after buying the game. while having dinner, i just like to go through it.

i'll miss doing that.

koehler834784d ago (Edited 4784d ago )

Paper doesn't come from trees in the forest. It comes from trees on tree farms that exist for the sole purpose of making paper. Saving trees is a bullshit fallacy.

However, it does save manufacturing and printing costs. Electricity, ink, water treatment, recycling costs and waste. But I think that's probably more detrimental to the economy surrounding such products than it saves EA specifically. And it doesn't really do consumers any good at all.

All that said, I'm not going to bitch about it. I understand overhead. I'm just not going to be fooled by environmental smokescreens.

MagicAccent4784d ago (Edited 4784d ago )

Thank you for saving me the trouble of pointing that out. bubble

On topic:
I'll never forget reading through the KotOR manual before playing, I felt like a little child who knew what he was going to get for christmas :P
There's something really hardcore and exciting about 50 page manual. Reading it all the way thought before playing a game you've looked forward to is the best hype there is.

They will be sorely missed.

BlackTar1874784d ago

if you can cut down less of those trees for something and use less trees on these farms by doing so since you then can allocate other paper products to those trees then to me your saving if a bunch of stuff went paperless(In general) then you would need less of those farms and maybe they would reallocate those trees to the environment and not cut down farms.(Again i know im reaching).

But ill be honest we close those farms lol were just gonna put housing there :)

Oner4784d ago

Funny how corporations are all about being "green" now yet they don't pass those savings onto the consumers of which they charged additionally for to begin with for those "higher costs" originally.

bumnut4784d ago

what am I going to read while taking a dump?

Pillville4784d ago

The online guide to the game using your smart phone.

itsralf4784d ago

WAIT FOUR YEARS TO PLAY CRYSIS 2
SNIFF GAME BEFORE PLAYING

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4784d ago
Alpha_Gamer4784d ago

I`ve always liked manuals. Not only do I consult them when needed, but they add value to your game. My collection is worth literally hundreds more because my games are complete with manuals.

This day was always bound to happen though. If there are ways to cut costs, then they will be used. No need to fight it.

Legion4784d ago (Edited 4784d ago )

I stopped playing most EA games anyways...

We will see how far this goes. I still like my manuals. Easy to goto while paused in the middle of a game. Are we going to be able to pause the game and go into the manual in-game??? That would be the bigger issue...

CrazyForGames4784d ago

saving trees my foot EA not using any paper manuals isn't gonna save any trees the same amount of trees will still be cut down annually regardless
only green this is is saving is the millions EA is gonna save from this

im not saving anything from this but EA is gonna save millions
sooo why is this a good thing???

in the end i really couldn't care less though the EA manuals were always black and white and like 3 pages long so its not a big deal

the only manuals i actually care about are the big/colorful nice ones that some of the publishers use

jc485734784d ago

they've discriminated us as color blinded customers for way too long.

Baka-akaB4784d ago

Of course it's done for selfish reasons ...

And of course they mostly cut trees now specifically grown for paper ..

But it still does change something . When most big publishers ditch it along with a few other companies , it still free paper for another use , and diminish the need for paper tree surfaces .

BlackTar1874784d ago

I agree with Baka. If you don't use those trees for this they will be used for other stuff but then that frees up some trees. I knwo the specific i work for a really green company but stop the use to cut down any trees is always gonna help.

Not that long from now the older genration is gonna be gone and the only generations left will be the ones that were raised in Internet anywhere culture from phones to everything. I understand not everyone has a smartphone etc. or internet but pretty soon here they will be quite the norm for EVERYONE just how stuff works thing overtime will be mass adopted kinda like TVs and Automobiles.

lochdoun4784d ago (Edited 4784d ago )

They need to atleast keep a single sheet with the controls on it to refer to.

If I open the case and there is absolutely nothing on the left side I will be pissed.

40 pages isn't necessary but something like the Crysis 2 manual (8 pages in black ink, the controls and basic explantion of game features/modes) is perfect.

DelbertGrady4784d ago

Why not just completely implement the game manual in the game? Make it accessible through the pause menu etc.

Baka-akaB4784d ago

exactly .

And for those that want to print them or read on their pda/phone/tablet an online or not pdf as well

Pillville4784d ago

How are they going to know how to control the menu to get to the manual?

I know that sounds stupid, but for 0.0001% of the people this could be an issue, and I'm sure game companies will have to at least put some paper in there that explains how to access the manual in game. Maybe on the back cover?

juanvan4784d ago

What happened to the days of the manual tell you a story?
The manuals of the old days has some 3 pages of story before you started the game. This was great for the car ride home from the game store...

Now we want the whole game in graphic clarity with all the story in Play time with a more cut scenes.

AntiHeroComplex4784d ago

i agree with u. I remember reading manual for legend of zelda for nes. It was so mysterious and cool. Recently ive noticed that game manuals are very simple and dont include much background story or illustrations. It makes me sad.

Im boycotting ea games so this is no loss for me. But i know for sure i wont buy games w.o manuals if another company does it. I love smelling it too much.

Im actually surprised all of you gamers are so easily willing to accept this change. You really want game manuals gone?

Baka-akaB4784d ago

but you guys said it . They rarely do manuals with stories anymore , let alone really usefuls infos .

So i wont shed a tear for something that has been crappy for years .

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220°

EA Hopes to Use Generative AI to Drive Monetization and Make Development 30% More Efficient

Today Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson provided a look into his ideas for the use of generative AI in the company's development processes.

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techraptor.net
thorstein53d ago

I wonder what the next buzz word they'll slap in front of AI to make it sound exciting next? "Generative" as if it's creating its own content. Lol.

Cacabunga52d ago

EA is already dying a painful death..

peppeaccardo52d ago

i have a better idea .. why the whole exec team doesn't get replaced by chat bots ?

just_looken53d ago

Though i agree the ai thing is already in other forms of media there have been ai translations/scripts/voice over and even full ai commercials aired on tv. Ubisoft has created a ai game creator story/vo/music except the building of the game

The new unreal engine has auto terrain creation tools

In the world of greed in which it is winning without any major blow back ai is our future.

everyone want's biden dead on the mic or a criminal instead of a woman and now we are getting ai everything because no one will stop watching/playing ai created media.

GamerRN52d ago

Maybe they should just focus on making good games?

Just a thought...

Kiryu199252d ago

Exactly EA are just pure evil. When they are beating Bank of America to be voted the worst company to work for that’s saying a lot

Good thing I don’t buy their games day one and wait for deep deep sale years after launch (the select few games I am actually interested in)

Gaming is making so much money yet the greed of these companies is never ending

CEO’s and people on board making millions yet cutting jobs to those who are actually making the products

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 52d ago
Knightofelemia53d ago (Edited 53d ago )

EA is still a shady shitty company even with or without the help of Skynet. All they will use AI for is new ways to milk loot boxes and come up with the same sports title with a different year on the label. They are one company I truly do hate with a passion. They single handedly ruined some great franchise with their death touch. ME, Dead Space, Alice Returns, Dante's Inferno.

Stuart575653d ago

EA layoffs followed by 'Generative AI to Drive Monetization'

I knew it. Wonder what AI salary looks like? Nothing.

ChasterMies53d ago

I having a feeling that most of the layoffs in the industry are based on the idea that AI will do the same job for less.

DarXyde52d ago

Very likely, yes.

Made worse by the fact that the execs aren't changing their compensations.

My deepest fear at this point is that we are now in the capitalism endgame.

At this point, we really should just burn AI to the ground. Executives cannot be trusted to do the right thing.
How are those people expected to support families if everything gets automated?

Barlos53d ago (Edited 53d ago )

And take away creativity, and people's jobs as we've been seeing. Got it.

No thanks. I want my games created by people, not AI.

CobraKai53d ago

Exactly. If or when games start becoming more AI than people, im done with gaming. AI and companies like EA can suck donkey d***k.

just_looken53d ago

Though i agree remember this is no ps3/360 era were we got up to 3 games in one generation from on developer like gears/halo/bioware/sony/ms

The people today are pro esg/sweet baby for the most part AAA gaming is imploding right now.

We should be stepping back re evaluate everything as a whole this year xmen 97 written/directed by a woman that is nuts and its also being made by a group reshaping bodies to be less sexual like wtf. A dam famous cartoon from the 90's is being rebuilt with millions spent to be worse in everyway.

Gaming/movies/tv shows made today are worse than what we had 7years ago ai won't change this but that ai is also being made by these groups so either way we are screwed.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Eonjay52d ago

Don't be of afraid of women. Sexy characters in games and movies still exist. Got my Stellar Blade on preorder!!! Everything all the time doesn't need to be sexual...that's stupid, childish and dull.

Chocoburger53d ago (Edited 53d ago )

EA doesn't want to lose their title of worst gaming company ever, always trying their best to remain the champs!
What's sad is that they have so much potential to be a decent publisher.

SSX Tricky / SSX 3
Def Jam Vendetta / Fight for New York
NBA Street
NFL Steet
Mirror's Edge
Bad Company
Burnout 3 / 4 / 5

Remember when EA used to be awesome? It's all over with now. Unpolished, if not out-right broken games these days. Endless monetization and gambling in their sports games, and let's not forget wasting hours of your life trying to unlock characters or equipment using "surprise boxes!"

Show all comments (38)
80°

EA And Sony Layoffs, Entertainment News And More Skewedcast

Gareth, Justin, and JoeyZ look at Layoff news for EA and Sony and reasons behind the downturn in the industry and more.

220°

EA - Continuing to evolve our business and teams

EA CEO Andrew Wilson writes: "In this time of change, we expect these decisions to impact approximately 5 percent of our workforce. I understand this will create uncertainty and be challenging for many who have worked with such dedication and passion and have made important contributions to our company. While not every team will be impacted, this is the hardest part of these changes, and we have deeply considered every option to try and limit impacts to our teams. Our primary goal is to provide team members with opportunities to find new roles and paths to transition onto other projects. Where that’s not possible, we will support and work with each colleague with the utmost attention, care, and respect. Communicating these impacts has already begun and will be largely completed by early next quarter."

LG_Fox_Brazil60d ago

All the big ones doing the same stuff. Terrible. I just hope that all these people are able to get a new job as soon as possible, God know that it is horrible to be left jobless when you have your kids or your parents depending on your financial help

Jin_Sakai60d ago (Edited 60d ago )

2024 so far.

Feb ’28 Electronic Arts (EA) 670 (5%)
Feb ’24 PlayStation 900 (8%)
Feb ’24 Vice Media Group Several hundred
Feb ’24 Buzzfeed 16%
Feb ’24 NowThis 26 (50%)
Feb ’24 Paramount Global 800 (3%)
Feb ’24 SiriusXM 160 (3%)
Feb ’24 Snapchat 10%
Jan ’24 TechCrunch 8 + subscription product
Jan ’24 U.K.’s Channel 4 200
Jan ’24 Business Insider 8%
Jan ’24 Microsoft Gaming 1,900
Jan ’24 Riot Games 530
Jan ’24 Sports Illustrated Possibly all
Jan ’24 YouTube 100
Jan ’24 Pitchfork (Conde Nast) Undisclosed
Jan ’24 Universal Music Group Hundreds
Jan ’24 Discord 17%
Jan ’24 NBC News 50-100
Jan ’24 Audible 5%
Jan ’24 Google Hundreds
Jan ’24 Amazon Hundreds
Jan ’24 Duolingo 10%
Jan ’24 VideoAmp 20%

DATA AS OF FEB. 28, 2024

outsider162460d ago

Is it possible maybe this whole ai thing is in play?

just_looken60d ago

Another long list that skips over UPS cutting 12,000 jobs those workers as we know work without ac low pay and old box trucks but that company had to cut 12k jobs do too loosing billions of dollars year 2 year.

https://edition.cnn.com/202...

The greed and lack of transparency/oversight is disgusting.

Ups are still making bang but not enough for a golden boat fleet.

Remember we all use ups at some time even stuff in our stores this is going to be a huge issue gong forward i know in my area they removed half the state ups stores northern half least population got some 3rd party running packages now from minivans.

Sonic188160d ago

When I explan this I get called a troll 🤔 like wtf

thorstein60d ago

@just_looken

UPS is a different story altogether.

They are paying the people doing the actual work/ earning the money more and eliminating management.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 60d ago
CrimsonWing6960d ago (Edited 60d ago )

You do realize around this time this happens all throughout many industries (not just the game industry), right? It has to do with taxes for these major companies, like tax subsidies for downsizing. You want to know a little secret? Around May or so you’ll see a spike in hiring…

It blows my mind that people are oblivious to corporate workings.

Andrew33660d ago

So over 25 huge companies cut jobs every year like this and it only got noticed this time?

CrimsonWing6960d ago (Edited 60d ago )

@Andrew336

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Google it up if you’re uninformed of how corporations work. Only gamers seem to live in a bubble and when they see things like crunch, acquisitions, and lay-offs they act like this is the only industry it happens to and how shocked they are about it.

Welcome to the real world, kid.

thorstein60d ago (Edited 60d ago )

EA CEO Wilson's total compensation was 20 million. Let's take away 19 million (I'm sure he can survive on 1 million.... somehow).

1 million is the salary of an in the chair developer @100,000 for 10 years.

He could earn 1 million a year.

And save the jobs of 15 in the chair devs for A DECADE (plus benefits) with ONE YEAR'S compensation.

RhinoGamer8860d ago

No Executive accountability or firings I see...

just_looken60d ago

Do not worry they will take over 40mill say sorry then get hired by playstation or xbox

blackblades59d ago

I heard Japan does it better, they do layoffs like what's happening with companies in the west. The higher ups also being agreeing to to lower there own salary. These MFs like jim and Phil isnt gonna do that they want that $

Sonic188160d ago

Like I said earlier, this is happening all around the gaming industry.

Petebloodyonion60d ago

The point I feel is problematic about all of this is that focusing on Owned Ip means more sequels, remasters and more of what was selling last year.

TheColbertinator60d ago

EA is certainly among the worst,if not the worst

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