Updating manuals via Steam - interesting

Everyone knows that computer games are often updated with patches.

However, manuals also get updated, but how many people even think about that? In fact, I bet some publishers only make them available inside new batches of boxed games.


I reinstalled X3 Reunion a couple of days ago. For anyone that doesn't know what it is - X3 is an Elite-type space trading/combat game.

X3 was (and still is) notorious for being difficult to master - not helped by the manual and the fact that there is so much to find out by just playing the game.

Anyway, I was Googling information on playing the game when I noted you can download a manual from Steam - so I did.

My original manual is 83 pages - the one on Steam is 97 pages. The Steam version is an extra 14 pages which, for a game like X3, is a big deal.

My manual is v1.0 - the Steam version is v1.4 - this leads me to think that there has probably been at least 4 updates to the manual since the game was released.


So, Steam may have many more updated manuals that nobody has ever thought about looking at. Anyone can download manuals from Steam, you don't have to buy the game.

I know there are a few Blitzers who have X3 - here you go: http://store.steampowered.com/app/2810/

The v1.4 of the manual is on the right-hand side, about halfway down the page.

puki

Good luck with X3 R - I tried to get back into it lately, but the interface was so frustrating I gave up and ordered X3 Terran Conflict. They've improved the interface quite a bit, but the very first training mission (trading), the tutor asked me to destroy a crate with my lasers. Turns out traders don't have lasers ergo mission is broken. Grr


I posted a snarky message on their forums. Turns out it's a 'known issue' - so not a good start. On the plus side, the game does come with a big, printed manual.

http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=238744

It is frustrating to learn the game, but I am now becoming a bit of a stud at it.

I gave myself 999 million credits and can now buy anything I want. I can buy huge freighters and factories and just stud-sausage all over the place.

This bending of the rules makes the game less frustrating to play as money is no object to me - it matters not that a herd of rodents (pirates) obliterate any of my stuff - I just lollop back there, flash the sausage, and replace me stuff.

Dripping.

<bangs head against wall>

*facepalm*

I think you can get the manual from egosoft.com

Yeh, you probably can. However, it was Steam that gave me the thought that there are updated manuals out there for computer games. For strategy/simulation type games, the newer manuals will be desirable.

I think some people may not have contemplated looking for an updated manual.