I saw an artcile yesterday detailing Ubisoft's decision to 'go green' by ceasing to print game manuals in any of their future releases. They estimate they could save a few million trees alone by doing this, so from an environmental standpoint it sounds good. But, there are other questions. 
 
One is, isd the manual now going to be in digital format on a disc, which seems good until you realize that; if it is only accessible from the menu, one would have to quit their game if they need to figure something out from the manual. Also, what about game collectors. For years I have always bought games new in order to have the manual with the case and disk, as it then becomes a nicer 'package' overall. But what now? Thirdly, does anyone read the manual anymore? I just like having them from a collection perspective, but I rarely read them unless I am really confused about something. I admire Ubi's effort, but was the idea of a paper (now usually four page) manual outdated anyway? What are other folks thought's on this?

I saw an artcile yesterday detailing Ubisoft's decision to 'go green' by ceasing to print game manuals in any of their future releases. They estimate they could save a few million trees alone by doing this, so from an environmental standpoint it sounds good. But, there are other questions. 
 
One is, isd the manual now going to be in digital format on a disc, which seems good until you realize that; if it is only accessible from the menu, one would have to quit their game if they need to figure something out from the manual. Also, what about game collectors. For years I have always bought games new in order to have the manual with the case and disk, as it then becomes a nicer 'package' overall. But what now? Thirdly, does anyone read the manual anymore? I just like having them from a collection perspective, but I rarely read them unless I am really confused about something. I admire Ubi's effort, but was the idea of a paper (now usually four page) manual outdated anyway? What are other folks thought's on this?

Don't really care : / never looked in those damn things anyway.  Most recently I skimmed the booklet for FF13...which by the way DOES NOT tell you which button to press to bring up the aerosol (veils) menu.  It's a small gesture toward the greater good, but it's not enough to for me to forgive them for their recent DRM choices.

As far as I'm concerned there best efforts to go green was their new DRM system, because once they added it to all there games most people refused to buy them anymore. So if no one buys them then they don't need to make more, and that just means less waste all around!

 
Aren't trees sustainable? 
 
From now on, if you want to read the manual, you'll have to turn your console or PC on every time. How energy saving is that?
 
Sounds to me like corporate cost cutting, dressed up as "doing us all a favour".

Don't care, manuals aren't like they were before...my copy of MW2 had a fucking 4 page manual of crap, as did most of my games of 2008-2010, the only exception to this was the Metal Gear Solid 4 manual which was not just informative but also fucking hilarious.

Manuals are useless nowadays. I sorta agree with Jeff in that before I got a licence, manuals had a place. Now they don't. I have a bigger problem with the cases with holes in the back perfect for being disposable. I mean sure, if I wanted to throw away the thing I payed 60 dollars for it'd be slightly less bad, but I'm not doing that because I intend to keep my fucking games.

Ubisoft is going green alright...

I don't care that they're getting rid of manuals, but I'm also not impressed by this weak idea of a "going green" initiative.
Now if tomorrow UbiSoft says they are going to use video conferencing to reduce their air travel by 50% I might give a thumbs up.
 
@luce said:

" Ubisoft is going green alright... "

Let me repeat what I said in the primary thread about this. 
 
Yes I somewhat care because I read manuals on the toilet. However, Ubisoft and EA have shitty, flimsy, uninforming manuals so I don't really care if they stop. I wanted to check the Assassin's Creed 2 manual for something the other day and it wasn't even in there. What the fuck is the point? However, if a company knows how to make a good manual on GOOD paper in color then by all means keep it up. Who the fuck really gives a shit about the trees anymore. We're all FUCKED.

" Ubisoft is going green alright... "

I'm more upset about those new stripped down cases than about the manuals

" @Dom: What are these stripped down cases everyone keeps talking about?  Please excuse my ignorance on this as I haven't bought a 360 game in years, and the PS3 BD cases are still the same...and PC games....don't need boxes?  "

" @Dom: is that really cheaper?  I would think you need a machine to poke out those holes or buy a new machine to make the casing like that.  That looks so stupid... "

More like UBi saving money...........

I'm cool with it, though trying to spin it as a "green" initiative instead of a cost-cutting measure seems a bit trite these days.  
 
I usually recycle my cases and put the discs in a CD wallet, but for some reason I keep the manuals.  I have no idea why, as I never read them.  I just can't bring myself to toss them in the recycling bin.

All they are doing is cutting cost for them which I think is fine because it is getting harder and harder to make money off of Mr White... 
I don't   recycle because there is no point and it "kills" the environment more. The whole green thing is a lie...   

" All they are doing is cutting cost for them which I think is fine because it is getting harder and harder to make money off of Mr White... I don't   recycle because there is no point and it "kills" the environment more. The whole green thing is a lie...    "

" @Gmanall said:

" All they are doing is cutting cost for them which I think is fine because it is getting harder and harder to make money off of Mr White... I don't   recycle because there is no point and it "kills" the environment more. The whole green thing is a lie...    "

Don't really get that. Surely re-using paper or whatever saves cutting down some trees,  job done.    

You're the 5th whiny blog I've seen on it today, so I guess you guys do care.

Um, i love ubi, they are one of the most innovative companies in gaming

They may be trying to go green, but they are still the black heart of evil with that DRM scheme.