C-IV PDF Manual

[superslug]

However, it's your forum and you may do as you wish, and I hope that we are all free to discuss your actions

No, actually we're not free to discuss moderator actions:

Respect the authority of moderators
Public discussions of moderator actions are not allowed on the forum.

 

[meowsqueak]

Fair enough - disappointing, but if thems the rules I guess we either follow them or leave.

 

[ainwood]

No, actually we're not free to discuss moderator actions:

That rule is actually to prevent people complaining about warnings etc - I (personally) don't mind these types of discussions.

@meowsqueak - whether its an objective opinion or not is moot - the point is that we have zero-tolerance on piracy. I am entitled to form my opinons, and I am empowered (somewhat) to act on them. I don't pretend that I am correct all the time - as I said, if the manual is made available through what we consider to be 'official' channels, then I will quite happily link to it - probably in one of the FAQ threads. Just because a vendor has made it available to their clients through a subscription service does not give me any confidence that it should be freely distributed. Just because other (essentially file-sharing) sites have made it available does not give me any confidence either. If someone wants to pursue this with firaxis or take2, then good luck to them.

In the meantime, I'll continue to interpret the forum rules and apply them as well as I can.

 

[Grimshok]

No, actually we're not free to discuss moderator actions:

And, technically, we're supposed to keep the focus of the thread (Civ4 PDF manual availability). Personally, I say let Moderators stick up for themselves. I bet they can do a pretty good job of it.

However, my interpretation of what meowsqueak was saying is "if a recognized, financially responsible, distributor of Civ4 is offering the manual to the public, for public use... might it be possible to have it available here as well?"

Direct2Drive is part of IGN Entertainment, a unit of Fox Interactive Media, Inc., and probably not likely to release something to the public if it would hurt their income, or the income of the games they market. Given that information, I think it was a fair and reasonable process for meowsqueak to question the initial conclusion to not make the manual available here. I think things were handled in a very civil manner, and I hope that we can find out soon what the ultimate decision will be on whether or not the .pdf will be available for your convenience, here.

 

[meowsqueak]

@meowsqueak - whether its an objective opinion or not is moot - the point is that we have zero-tolerance on piracy. I am entitled to form my opinons, and I am empowered (somewhat) to act on them. I don't pretend that I am correct all the time - as I said, if the manual is made available through what we consider to be 'official' channels, then I will quite happily link to it - probably in one of the FAQ threads. Just because a vendor has made it available to their clients through a subscription service does not give me any confidence that it should be freely distributed. Just because other (essentially file-sharing) sites have made it available does not give me any confidence either. If someone wants to pursue this with firaxis or take2, then good luck to them.

In the meantime, I'll continue to interpret the forum rules and apply them as well as I can.

Good answer. Let's wait and see what the official ruling is (as I have been wondering this myself for the last week).

 

[slothman]

Is there a way of downloading, i.e. buying, just the manual?
I don't mind spending a few dollars, obviously not the whole amount, on it.
Or is it all or nothing?
I would end up getting the paper version eventualy when I buy the real verion but I don't want to wait for the manual.
Can Direct2Drive do something like that?
Or another company?
I could wait but I don't want to.
Since I will already wait to play then maybe I can spend 5$ or so now to get the manual or strategy guide.

 

[nerovats]

Direct2Drive doesn't count as making it "okay", since they're not handing it out for free, only as part of a Civ4 purchase.

Depends on which country you´re in.
In the Netherlands it´s legal to download just about anything, it´s just the sharing/distributing which prohibited.

 

[Halberd]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but as someone who actually BOUGHT Civ4 from Direct2Drive, I don't think there's a manual provided. I certainly couldn't find one (and yes, I've done a recursive search in the installation dirs). It also lacks Leonard Nimoy's voiceover.

I'm gone out and bought the Bradygames strategy guide instead...

 

[ludite]

PS: I bought the game and mine didn't come with a pdf manual. Guess what? I'd rather have pdf than printed for the searching ability.[/QUOTE]

I hear you ! Ive already spilt coke all over my original

 

[Cyberstar]

Pretty easy why they don't want a PDF available. They want you to have to purchase the game in order to have it. Otherwise, people who don't have a legal copy can download the manual also.

The copied games I've seen also came with the pdf manual. I'm not condoning it, just sharing what I've seen.

 

[Sadan01]

The copied games I've seen also came with the pdf manual. I'm not condoning it, just sharing what I've seen.

Good then that the illegal copied version doesn't come with a printed manual

We are talking about two (or more) separate distributions here. I have the Australian version (well I bought it here in Australia - could be the U.K or European version. Maybe someone could confirm whether we did get our own localised release??¿&#191 which came with a printed manual. NO PDF ON THE DVD .. Others are talking about this PDF that comes on the DVD/CD however no printed manual comes in the box (was that the U.S. version?) .. Maybe there is another version that comes with both... Who knows...

So in as far as pirated copies are concerned we are only talking about a certain distribution that has been abused. Moving away from this piracy garbage (Note to self: keep in mind discussions on piracy are against forum rules ), if your copy comes with a PDF manual and not the printed, take it up with Take2 or Firaxis. I am sure, for a small cost, you will be able to purchase, at the very least, a printed manual direct from them. Wait and see what the official answer is.

If the other way around, take it up with Take 2 or Firaxis for those that want the PDF, proposition Firaxis for it.

Besides, who needs the manual anyway when you have these forums where the manual is obsolete.

As a footnote, I cannot believe that the manual does not even have an index! Would've been nice to include that.

 

[Shivam]

I dont know about anybody else, but my PDF manual came with the review copy they sent me.
I haven't distributed my copy to anyone, though, as stipulated in the conditions of the review. it's just unprofessional.

 

[Mercade]

We are talking about two (or more) separate distributions here. I have the Australian version (well I bought it here in Australia - could be the U.K or European version. Maybe someone could confirm whether we did get our own localised release??¿&#191 which came with a printed manual. NO PDF ON THE DVD .. Others are talking about this PDF that comes on the DVD/CD however no printed manual comes in the box (was that the U.S. version?) .. Maybe there is another version that comes with both... Who knows...

There is no Australian localised release. You got the Euro/International DVD release. Everybody got a printed manual (either in English or in their local language) with the exception of Canada. In Canada two PDF manuals (English and French) were on a third separate CD, so it wasn't on the game CD's for them either. The people who got this 3rd CD didn't get a printed manual.

As a footnote, I cannot believe that the manual does not even have an index! Would've been nice to include that.

One of the reasons why I enjoy my PDF in dispite of the fact that I got a paper copy with the UK version I purchased. I can search through it electronically.

 

[ChuckLe]

Is there a way of downloading, i.e. buying, just the manual?
I don't mind spending a few dollars, obviously not the whole amount, on it.
Or is it all or nothing?
I would end up getting the paper version eventualy when I buy the real verion but I don't want to wait for the manual.
Can Direct2Drive do something like that?
Or another company?
I could wait but I don't want to.
Since I will already wait to play then maybe I can spend 5$ or so now to get the manual or strategy guide.

slothman (and superslug and ainwood and Halberd),

The manual IS free to download from Direct2drive.

You don't have to buy the game in order to download the manual!

The link I gave on page 2 of this thread to buy the game also contains a link to download the manual separately.

The only requirement is to set up a FREE account with fileplanet in order to actually get the file. The manual file that Direct2drive/fileplanet supplies also contains a copy of the tech tree btw.

 

[player1 fanatic]

I haven't read the whole thread, but my personal oppinion is that PDF Manuals should be made downloable for free, since that's the BEST way to promote the game.

Reading manual for game such is this, is better then reading a dozen of reviews.

 

[SPQR300]

I just tell you that the pdf manual has been uploaded to almost all the pirate P2P networks. So now the situation is that all the pirates have it, and the legit users who really needed it for some reasons don't. BTW I know it's not your mistake etc... but I don't think it would make any sense not to publish it. A lot of games even have pdf manuals of the CD/DVD. As a proverb from my home country says: you are making an elephant from a tiny tick.

PS: I DON'T HAVE THE MANUAL! DO NOT ASK ME FOR IT!

 

[Fibber]

Forget I said anything. I only read the first page before postiong.
Sorry. wON'T HAPPEN AGAIN!

 

[Padma]

I agree having a PDF manual would help a lot!

BUT

Posting *any* files copyrighted by a third party (e.g., Firaxis) without their consent violates our zero tolerance on piracy rule. As soon as Firaxis/Take2 say we can post this, I guarantee it will be done!

 

[reddragon72]

for those that have the printed manual is there a copyright stamp anywhere in the manual. It has to be one that states that this maual/book is copyrighted by XXXXXX company....and so on and so forth. Do not say yes to a simple (c) placed next to a name, that refers for that name not the manual/book. If there is no copyright statement concerning the manual in the manual then it can be freely distributed, as per copyright laws. simple enough? and trust me I know this copyright stuff


I have just seen the printed manual from a guy here at work and yes it is copyrighted. The manual is included in the statment "software" so no you must purchase the game and then you may have the manual. SO that means if you own the game then you can legally download the manual in electronic form. But if the moderators say no then no it is. Always lean on the side of caution, it is a slow, but secure path.

 

[ChuckLe]

for those that have the printed manual is there a copyright stamp anywhere in the manual. It has to be one that states that this maual/book is copyrighted by XXXXXX company....and so on and so forth. Do not say yes to a simple (c) placed next to a name, that refers for that name not the manual/book. If there is no copyright statement concerning the manual in the manual then it can be freely distributed, as per copyright laws. simple enough? and trust me I know this copyright stuff

Doing a search using '(c)' reveals nothing of note.

Doing a search using 'copyright' reveals at least this paragraph:

OWNERSHIP. LICENSOR retains all right, title and interest to this Software, including,
but not limited to, all copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, trade names, proprietary
rights, patents, titles, computer codes, audiovisual effects, themes, characters, character
names, stories, dialog, settings, artwork, sounds effects, musical works, and
moral rights. The Software is protected by United States copyright law and applicable
copyright laws and treaties throughout the world. The Software may not be
copied, reproduced or distributed in any manner or medium, in whole or in part, without
prior written consent from LICENSOR. Any persons copying, reproducing or distributing
all or any portion of the Software in any manner or medium, will be willfully
violating the copyright laws and may be subject to civil and criminal penalties. Be
advised that Copyright violations are subject to penalties of up to $100,000 per violation.
The Software contains certain licensed materials and LICENSOR’s licensors may
protect their rights in the event of any violation of this Agreement.

Searching on 'copyrighted' NADA