For many, the mere presence of a weighty manual was an important feature, especially for complicated strategy, simulation or RPG games. In other words, despite their moaning and groaning, certain gamers actually want a weighty manual, even if they don't read it first. There are two basic types of manuals. Typically found in console-style action games, these manuals are designed to slip into the top of a CD jewel case. Compact manuals work well if the game has just one or two main screens, and one or two simple control sets - usually based on the buttons of a game controller.
Compact manuals can appear in PC games.
Normally found in complicated PC games, these manuals help the user understand a variety of cluttered screens with numerous controls. Talonsoft wargames, Interplay RPGs, or EA Jane's simulators are classic examples that all demand and receive tomes. Such complicated games require 50-100 pages just to explain all the screen graphics, controls, plus title, contents, boilerplate and an index. Compact manuals can be expanded to greater size by adding background material such as hints, strategies, or storylines. In both cases, the extreme brevity of the compact no longer applies.