Manual

[ayoung3]

ay
I have just purchased Civ 3 Gold and Conquests. Whilst thewre is a manual in Conquests there is none in Civ 3 Gold. My supplier informs me that there is no manual except for the one on the CD.
Given the complexities of the game, I am sure that this is an error.
Anyone know?
Alan

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

Tip- Don't bother reading the manual.

The are lots of errors in the manual, like the unit stats in the back, they were the wrong version in mine. Just do what everyone else here does, ask around when they have a problem. And the manual on the cd is the same as the written one.

 

[kb2tvl]

heh, read this web board and don't bother with the manual.

 

[Padma]

The general consensus is that the paper manuals (and the ones on the CD, which are identical) are not worth the paper thery are written on.

They were written while the programs were still in beta, and have several mistakes, and other "oddities". As SuperBeaverInc and kb2tvl mentioned above, use this site as a *substitute*.

Look in the Strategy & Tips forum for information on strategies, and some in-depth knowledge about the game. Also review this (the "General Discussions") forum for info. Pay particular attention to the FAQ thread stickied above. If you have specific questions, just ask in the Quick Answers thread, also stickied above.

And of course, don't forget the Conquests forum for information about the new expansion pack.

 

[MadScot]

There certainly was a manual with the original release of Civ 3, so it does seem odd not to include a manual in the "upgraded" gold edition. Of course not only is it riddled with errors when compared to the initial release (and so was deeply flawed from day one) but now you'll be getting, I assume, v1.29f of Civ 3 (i.e. the last patch) with the Gold Edition. Which means the manual is even less useful (if that is possible).

While the manual does explain some basic concepts it is so inaccurate that you'll likely get very confused if you rely on it. Ask around, as suggested, or take a look in the "War Academy" area.

PS Welcome to CFC!

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

When I got the game I actually read the manual, and never really understood the strategies of the game like settler factories. I blame the manual for keeping me on chieftain until August.

Originally posted by Padma
The general consensus is that the paper manuals (and the ones on the CD, which are identical) are not worth the paper thery are written on.

I didn't know that the manual on the CD was written on paper

--Padma

 

[Xink]

Mine is the same - the Gold edition containing two seperate DVD style boxes with a type of inlay to 'grip' a manual in each but.... no manual.

The Conquests box, identical to the other two, does have a large manual within it.

I do feel rather cheated with what is bundled with some games these days. The exception, for me, being the Medieval Wars game.

Then again I just bought the Civ 3 strategy guide of e-Bay for a very cheap price - have a look there the person selling them had quite a few.

I do enjoy manuals for the unit stats etc rather than just a pdf document.

Morgan

 

[ybbor]

i agree with everyone here, for my thoughts on how helpful the manul is, read my sig (i'm told it lost a lot in the translation)

 

[ayoung3]

Thanks one and all!
I've played previous versions of Civ., before so I'm getting on alright. I really look at the paper manual as a ready reference and I felt a bit put out at the thought of having to print 235 pages or so. The games don't come cheap and not to include a paper manual is verging a bit towards "Sharp Practice".
My appreciation again.
Alan

 

[MadScot]

@Morgan

The strategy guide - the Prima one - is a more useless document than the actual game manual. The advice varies between the ludicruously self evident and the banal, with a touch of the "totally incorrect" thrown in for good measure.

Unless some kind of nationwide toilet paper shortage develops, neither has much intrinsic value

 

[Turner]

Originally posted by MadScot
[BThe strategy guide - the Prima one - is a more useless document than the actual game manual.[/B]

Feh. . . I bought the Starcraft Battle Chest, because it had the strat. guides in it. Talk about worthless! Oh, it got me through the missions alright, but it didn't actually teach me anything.

No, best place to go to find out about the game you're playing is a fan board.

 

[Xink]

Whilst I am not experienced enough with the game to decide how much value can be placed in the guide that I bought ( cost 3 UK pounds) I am still enjoying reading it.

However a poorly written manual being worthless is not an excuse for having no manual at all.

This board has been a salvation for me, just a pity that the search option can't be used, but I wonder just how many people who buy the game gve up in sheer frustration of not understanding what to do...?

Not everyone who buys a game has access to the Internet or patches and game fixes - they get just what comes in a box. As I sit looking at my Caesar 3 manual of 224 pages, all in one language, but then again that did come in a box...!!!


Morgan

 

[Ivan the Kulak]

Someone should create a massive manual in pdf format that contains all the tech trees for Vanilla, PTW, and C3C, a large chapter dedicated to the units, with up to date stats, req resources, etc. and a huge chapter on game concepts, plus detailed strategy tips for all levels of play. I agree, the manuals that come with the games are essentially useless, you need the Civilopedia (too bad you can't run this outside of the game).

So, who will make this for us

 

[Xink]

That's a good point you make Ivan - I would love the contents of the Civlopedia available outside of the game.

Maybe it's just me but I actually like a manual to read as a book away from the computer and not just as a pdf file - I have enough of a monitor tan playing the game.

Still I will look forward to your creation Ivan

Morgan

 

[ybbor]

Originally posted by Ivan the Kulak
Someone should create a massive manual in pdf format that contains all the tech trees for Vanilla, PTW, and C3C, a large chapter dedicated to the units, with up to date stats, req resources, etc. and a huge chapter on game concepts, plus detailed strategy tips for all levels of play. I agree, the manuals that come with the games are essentially useless, you need the Civilopedia (too bad you can't run this outside of the game).

So, who will make this for us

well, a site that's good (in my opinion anyway) at walkthroughs/guided is

http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/game/31518.html