i went to www.replacementdocs.com and i have a hard time trying to download the manual for age of wonders 2. Could someone just post it in this forum for me? thank you

I would really like to know what the issue is with GOG and the AOW manuals.

I know what you mean. how hard is it for the gog team to acquire a manual and include it with the game? its just little things like that that concern me.

Here:

http://www.replacementdocs.com/download.php?view.1517

you can find the appendix to the AoW2 manual; I think it is the closest there is to a AoW:SM manual, it is 62 pages long and it starts at chapter nine, one after the last chapter in the AoW2 manual

Thank you Svmariscal!

I had seen the Appendix in my travels, but didn't realize it's importance. Appreciate your making it available and explaining it to me...

I just had major surgery (home now, recovering) so trust me, your help meant a lot to me!

You're welcome, get well soon and happy gaming!

I've got an AOW:SM manual with the game. 192 pages in total. Much of it is stats and tables which reminds me of first opening my AD&D 2nd ed book. Quite clearly labelled Shadow magic with a different introduction. otherwise it seems to go through most of the same motions as the AOW2 manual linked. There's some extra passages compared to the AOW2 manual and some passages seem to have been shortened or at least moved.
Haven't compared this much but the index reads as follows:
Installation/Quick start...2
Introduction...3
Interface...10
Main window...14
Combat...28
Units...36
Wizards and heroes...40
Magic...46
Diplomacy, Reputation, Race relations and morale...56
Age of wonders: Shadow magic editor...66
Appendix one: Unit stats...76
Appendix two: Spells...151
Appendix three: Wizard skills...170
Appendix four: Abilities...171
Appendix five: cities...184
Credits...188

The title page for GOG.com is showing that the manual should be included in the bonus material.

Thanks for the link.

THe Manual is NOT in the bonus sections for any of the AOW games.
I wish GOG would at least explain why the manuals are not available.

Thanks!

Game bits are probably easier to transfer accurately than documentation whose base files are likely missing. It is sometimes hard to remember a time when you couldn't buy a $300 netbook that would run professional document imaging software briskly and fit in a small backpack. Back when a lot of these games were made, documentation went out to a publishing house and was formatted on their specific systems, or typeset, pasted together and photographed. You can scan and make PDF's if you have the original manuals, but archival copies are not something software companies going out of business or just bought out of existence pay much attention to..

www.megaupload.com has been shut down by the US government. However, I didn't have any problem with www.replacementdocs.com. The Shadow Magic manual was not quite192 pages, but close.