Manual incompleteness

Zweiblumen · 07-11-2013, 08:08 PM

There seem to be a lot of incomplete/empty sections in the manual. Is there any indication that these will ever be filled in, or do we have everything we're ever going to get on this front?

Steve

tcblcommish · 07-11-2013, 08:17 PM

I would assume that this is something that is somewhat abandoned due to this forum and the difficulty of writing it.

If you have any questions of how things work, just ask on here... 100x better than a manual

Déjà Bru · 07-11-2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcblcommish

I would assume that this is something that is somewhat abandoned due to this forum and the difficulty of writing it.

If you have any questions of how things work, just ask on here... 100x better than a manual

I'm not so sure about that, for the following reasons:

The manual is better organized. These forums are a bit chaotic.
The manual is authoritative. These forums can be a bit misleading as, uh, not everybody here knows what he is talking about all the time.
The manual is comprehensive (WHEN COMPLETED). You can skim through or search it to find topics that you did not even know existed.

I'd like the online manual to be updated, please, as part of the price that I paid for this game.

Déjà Bru · 07-12-2013, 09:31 PM

This deserves a bump or two.

r0nster · 07-12-2013, 09:44 PM

the manual is very good for all its changes and improvements over the years.... most programs or games will not update the manuals. It has been a help for me when I had a few questions I would refer to it and if I couldnt answer it on my own I would address it on here.

Déjà Bru · 07-12-2013, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r0nster

and if I couldnt answer it on my own I would address it on here.

One more thing about the manual: It makes it easier, and therefore more likely, that experienced game players can and will answer questions. And the more we answer questions, the happier new customers are and the more likely they will stay customers.

hefalumps · 07-13-2013, 08:01 AM

I would also like to see the manual fleshed out. Some of the newer features in OOTP13 and 14 don't even get covered.

And I would really like it if the manual went into detail with regards to the Front Office screens to let us know how it's calculating all those numbers. I can usually figure out most of them or get close to the number it's getting, but I usually feel like there's still something I'm missing.

Déjà Bru · 07-13-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hefalumps

I would also like to see the manual fleshed out. Some of the newer features in OOTP13 and 14 don't even get covered.

A while back, I defended OOTPD for not having an updated OOTPB manual immediately upon releasing a new version. I know they have other projects and, of course, other things happening in their personal lives but the time between new versions is when the manual should be brought up to date. We are currently in one of those periods, now.

Charlie Hough · 07-13-2013, 02:09 PM

The problem is this: the OOTP manual has been a voluntary effort for years. And the leader of that effort had to step away several versions ago. So it left OOTP Developments with only a few volunteers who do the best they can while also helping with beta testing and handling their real life responsibilities.

I would love to see a complete and updated manual as well, but I think the company would prefer to expend its available resources on continuing to improve the game. If Markus or Andreas starts spending a lot of time on the manual, it's going to mean fewer new features for the next version.

Obviously, if sales can increase, then maybe more resources can be hired, but for now it remains a voluntary effort.

Déjà Bru · 07-13-2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Hough

The problem is this: the OOTP manual has been a voluntary effort for years. And the leader of that effort had to step away several versions ago. So it left OOTP Developments with only a few volunteers who do the best they can while also helping with beta testing and handling their real life responsibilities.

I would love to see a complete and updated manual as well, but I think the company would prefer to expend its available resources on continuing to improve the game. If Markus or Andreas starts spending a lot of time on the manual, it's going to mean fewer new features for the next version.

Obviously, if sales can increase, then maybe more resources can be hired, but for now it remains a voluntary effort.

I know to whom you are referring in the first paragraph, but the manual has been updated since he left. Who has been doing the honors recently?

Charlie Hough · 07-13-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

I know to whom you are referring in the first paragraph, but the manual has been updated since he left. Who has been doing the honors recently?

I mentioned that it's a volunteer team of people that work on it. I don't know who is specifically on that team, but I believe it's been several members of the beta testing team.

Déjà Bru · 07-13-2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Hough

I mentioned that it's a volunteer team of people that work on it. I don't know who is specifically on that team, but I believe it's been several members of the beta testing team.

I should volunteer, I know.

07-11-2013, 08:08 PM	#1
Zweiblumen Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 326	Manual incompleteness There seem to be a lot of incomplete/empty sections in the manual. Is there any indication that these will ever be filled in, or do we have everything we're ever going to get on this front? Steve

07-12-2013, 09:31 PM	#4
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: United States Posts: 10,456	This deserves a bump or two. __________________ - Bru

07-11-2013, 08:17 PM	#2
tcblcommish Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,435	I would assume that this is something that is somewhat abandoned due to this forum and the difficulty of writing it. If you have any questions of how things work, just ask on here... 100x better than a manual

07-12-2013, 09:44 PM	#5
r0nster Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	the manual is very good for all its changes and improvements over the years.... most programs or games will not update the manuals. It has been a help for me when I had a few questions I would refer to it and if I couldnt answer it on my own I would address it on here.

07-13-2013, 08:01 AM	#7
hefalumps All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,357	I would also like to see the manual fleshed out. Some of the newer features in OOTP13 and 14 don't even get covered. And I would really like it if the manual went into detail with regards to the Front Office screens to let us know how it's calculating all those numbers. I can usually figure out most of them or get close to the number it's getting, but I usually feel like there's still something I'm missing.

07-13-2013, 02:09 PM	#9
Charlie Hough Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,625	The problem is this: the OOTP manual has been a voluntary effort for years. And the leader of that effort had to step away several versions ago. So it left OOTP Developments with only a few volunteers who do the best they can while also helping with beta testing and handling their real life responsibilities. I would love to see a complete and updated manual as well, but I think the company would prefer to expend its available resources on continuing to improve the game. If Markus or Andreas starts spending a lot of time on the manual, it's going to mean fewer new features for the next version. Obviously, if sales can increase, then maybe more resources can be hired, but for now it remains a voluntary effort.