Ubisoft to kill off paper manuals from video games

Ubisoft has announced this week that it plans to kill off paper manuals for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, "going green" if you will, in an effort that will save up to 2300 trees in the next year.

The publisher will eliminate about six million paper manuals from video game packaging.

"Ubisoft is often recognized for making great games, but it's a special privilege to be the industry leader at saving trees," notes North American president of Ubisoft Laurent Detoc. "Introducing in-game digital manuals is just the latest example of Ubisoft's ongoing commitment to being a more environmentally conscious company."

Instead of the paper manuals, the company will include digitized manuals on the game discs. Last month, Ubisoft switched to in-game digital manuals for PC games.

"We are taking steps to become an industry leader in environmentally conscious packaging," adds Ubisoft vice president of operations Rich Kubiszewski. "This obviously has impacts to the environment and the consumer, both positive. No more losing the manual, and we can provide more robust content."

The first game to ship with the "Eco-Tech" packaging will be "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction," set for release later this month.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 Apr 2010 13:26

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14 comments

SProdigy

I'm fine with this. Most games start with a beginning "tutorial" level nowadays, or have some type of training option, making a manual a waste anyway.

20.4.2010 13:45 #1

gnovak1

Yea i never use a manual when i play a game. I like finding things out myself. Most games are easy to figure out with the tutorials and all.

20.4.2010 13:50 #2

Clownzill

This makes sense but don't be fooled by the "going green" excuse. It's all about increasing profit margins. I have no problem with them wanting increased profit margins but it's kind of laughable that they say their doing it for the environment.

20.4.2010 14:32 #3

slickwill

So they are going to get rid of the paper manuals, but still charge the same price.

Next thing you know, they are going to get ride of all the discs and box and having everything download only, but still charge the same.

Originally posted by Clownzill: This makes sense but don't be fooled by the "going green" excuse. It's all about increasing profit margins. I have no problem with them wanting increased profit margins but it's kind of laughable that they say their doing it for the environment. All companies and government do this. They say something is done for the sake of the people, but there are always hidden agendas that do not benefit the people. For example, gun registration makes sure that all gun are lent to lawful owners (or something along those lines). But the hidden agenda is it will allow the police to go around and collect these guns, leaving the lawful citizens defenseless.

20.4.2010 14:35 #4

aj123

Originally posted by slickwill: So they are going to get rid of the paper manuals, but still charge the same price.

how much of a price drop were u expecting? It probably costs almost nothing per game to make a manual.

20.4.2010 15:19 #5

bobiroc

Leave the Manuals..drop the Always on DRM. Or drop both but definitely drop the DRM

AMD Phenom II 965 @ 3.6Ghz, 8GB DDR3, ATI Radeon 5770HD, 300GB 10,000RPM Raptor, 2TB Additional HDD, Windows 7 Ultimate.

20.4.2010 18:07 #6

Pop_Smith

Originally posted by SProdigy: I'm fine with this. Most games start with a beginning "tutorial" level nowadays, or have some type of training option, making a manual a waste anyway. I'd agree to this. However, I'm surprised that six million manuals only uses 2,300 trees, that means each tree can be made into 2,608 manuals, I know they are tiny but that still amazes me.

As for "going green" I believe all the ink used inside the manual probably causes more damage then the paper it's printed on to.

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=V1VZAD0O <-- Brian Regan "Take Luck" video.

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20.4.2010 18:39 #7

slickwill

20.4.2010 18:48 #8

VENOM79

Originally posted by aj123: Originally posted by slickwill: So they are going to get rid of the paper manuals, but still charge the same price.

how much of a price drop were u expecting? It probably costs almost nothing per game to make a manual. if it cost almost nothing to print a manual then keep printing, i'll plant a weed for you, there only doing it to save money and pass the savings on to themselves, corporate america cares nothing about gonig green unless it involves tax breakes or money saved while charging the same or more

20.4.2010 19:01 #9

KillerBug

Yeah, it is all just more greed from the most greedy game company on earth. This makes no difference to me; Ubisoft isn't getting any of my business as long as they have Always-On DRM anyway...and they have stated that they are keeping it.

20.4.2010 23:32 #10

ville30

About time. If you can't figure out how to play a damn video game without a manual - you are a retard.

21.4.2010 06:58 #11

xboxdvl2

dont most pc games come with a read me file that explains the game anyway.its usually more fun to play the game without the manual.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

21.4.2010 09:29 #12

pcrazy99

I don't buy the going green thing either. It's all about cutting costs. I won't miss it though. I can't remember the last time I thumbed through a manual to figure out how to play a game.

21.4.2010 21:21 #13

Gnawnivek

How about getting rid of the cover art too then? Just a clear case you can see the game disc/discs :)

Okay, maybe a small piece of paper on the back, for the bar code and tech specs.

Peace!

22.4.2010 15:42 #14

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