Hi guys, I just wanted to check something with you. When I got my copy of FNV:UE on Feb 24th (I am based in the UK) I was surprised by the rushed packaging: there was no full manual, just a small two-page card displaying the game controls. If I wanted to view the full manual I had to go to a web link at the Bethesda site.

For the DLC installer on Disc 2, out of the six available install packs, only one (Dead Money) had a proper icon and description text, the others had generic vault-boy icons and placeholder text in the description "FNVDLC0#". It looks like the installer was rushed/unfinished.

I am wondering if people from different regions got the same packaging? I can understand why the release dates were staggered due to different region versions, but I wonder if some regions got a full manual and others did not. If lack of money was a problem (as suggested by there being no manual) why didn't they scrap disc 1 completely (it's an exact copy of the original FNV disc) and just release disc 2 as a stand alone expansion pack? You could argue that it wouldn't be an "ultimate edition" then, but it's not much of an ultimate edition with no full manual included - the original release had one. I understand that all the DLC is there (which is the most important thing) but the basic packaging was a bit unexpected.

I am also in the UK and I was a bit surprised at how crap the manual was.

I remember how the DLC on the 360 and PS3 was similar to that when they were originally released, in that Dead Money was the only piece of content that had a proper icon and such. I guess they just translated what they had on all three platforms copies onto the Ultimate editions.

Yeah, If I ever check my downloads on my X-Box Hard-drive Dead Money is the only one with its own pic.

Cheers for your replies guys!

Wow that svcka sux. I'm plannin on buyin' the Ultimate Edition, but it sounds mo like Crap-Cash-in Edition. I like buyin' games new so I get a minty fresh manual. With a crappy manual I might as well buy a used copy.

I never ONCE read a manual for a game.... i look in the options menu when i looks for mah controls.. i also use digital distribution like steam..

@grouse, I couldn't agree more. Digital distribution is fine in it's own way, but being an old fashioned kinda bloke who likes something physical to show for my hard-earned cash, opening the case and seeing a crisp new manual to browse through is all part of the expectation for me. I know ￡24.99 could be argued as not being a full-priced purchase, but it is slightly more than the average budget-priced game too. At the very least they could have just included the original FNV manual. And for anyone buying the FNV:UE who is not familiar with FNV or FO3, the included card only mentions the controls, xbox live and family settings. There is no mention of an installer on disc 2 or how it works. Disc 2 doesn't even say "Bonus content" on the CD label or anything helpful like that.

Using the link for the manual takes you to a screen where you pick a language, then you can download and/or view the relevant PDF. The PDF file is an obvious scan of a properly printed manual, which leads me to thinking that some territories may have got the printed manual included as part of the package.

Manuals for games these days are a waste of space.
If I really enjoy a game I'll buy the strategy guide. Not for the walkthrough or item lists - you can get those off the internet. I by the guides because that's where you'll find the stuff you USED to find in the game's manual: Concept art, information about the backgrounds of locations, in depth breakdown of stats and skills, stories from development, character build ideas, little 'in character' stories, notes about the world and so forth.

Compare a classic RPG manual (I recommend any ultima pre-U8, Baldur's gate or Fallout 1) and you’ll find a wealth of information, both about the game and about the world. I miss those heavy paperback tomes so much.

I bought the UE here in the U.S. and I got a full manual and an advertisemant of Skyrim and some other game. I guess the the U.K. version gets no manual, kinda lazy sounding of Bethesda.

Cheers ThatGuy91, so it may have been done to save money. GOW3 also had a "card" with a link to a PDF of the full manual, and that was a full-price release. Looks like not having to print a manual to save cash is catching on over here in the UK, which is really disappointing.

I bought it in the US and I got a full manual and an advertisemant for skyrim.

Same for me ^^