I used to enjoy reading manuals - often they would give nice tidbits of story to add to the game. I also liked how the old RPG's would give skill and spell information.

Unfortunately manuals were one of the first things to be cut when costs started to rise (at least I hope it was due to costs rising) and we started getting those cheesy 3 page manuals with basic controls and credits :/

Now most games come with in game tutorials (remember, early games didn't really have this convention) - but I have often come across games where the in game tutorials were seriously lacking in detail (or completely missing) and a manual would have been nice. WIth digital distribution it is easier to distribute a manual (just add a PDF file) but I find myself less willing to read a PDF manual because I generally don't want to tab out of a game to read it.

I think I was able to take off once in TFX as a kid :D

I used to only play Zulu Alert in F-29 Retaliator because you started out in the air.

@NoNewTaleToTell
True, one of the main reason to read a manual: plot info! Woodruff and the Schnibble of Azimuth is the first game that comes to my mind.

@carlosjuero
"but I have often come across games where the in game tutorials were seriously lacking in detail (or completely missing) and a manual would have been nice."

You're absolutely right! Do you remember Two Worlds 2? Dat tutorial...

Two Worlds 2? I forgot all the mage controls I had learned five seconds after the mage tutorial. To be fair I didn't know the mage controls when i was doing the mage tutorial and I simply got lucky and passed it. I'm still not sure if that was my fault or the game's fault.

Basically, due to consolisation and dumbing down, games are a lot easier these days and a lot less detailed.

Try playing (as discussed above), TFX, Battlecruiser, Tornado, Microprose strategy games and simulators, without ever reading a manual.

I like them because they explain game mechanics; think Scrabble - yes, it's pretty easy to pick up and play, but unless you read the instructions, you might be upset when people tell you that you can't do things.

Some manuals were good for reading lore and backstory, but if a game is frustrating to play without a manual - I say it is poorly designed.

It was different before, when games were severely limited by how much you could actually have room for, but today (much larger storage devices and 100% digital downloads) this is no longer an excuse and all information needed should be self contained within the game.

Nowadays a quick glance at the key bindings list is all you need in terms of a manual/tutorial. These bindings not only tell you how to play, they reveal much about the nature of the game. Say a first-person shooter has a "creep" button in addition to "crouch", you know there's a stealth element in it. But with the key layout being pretty much standard WASD fare, five minutes spent at the beginning of the game to get your bearings is all you need to get started. Forced tutorials are a nuisance, especially those in some of the earlier games that wanted to teach you how to move forwards and backwards and look around.

I only read entertaining manual, and even then I don't bother in most cases.

Manuals are needed because games are systems with their own rules and lore, so you need a manual to learn about those rules and lore. At least that's true for older games, 'cause newer games aren't rules or lores but mostly some fucking and badly told jokes....

[/rant]

A well designed game explains those rules and lore without relying on any external agency (i.e. manuals ) :)

Not necessarily. I fucking hate 3-hour long tutorials. Or a too-simple control system.

Or intuitive UI, apparently :-P

Ever tried playing some of the more realistic fligh sims on max relasim settings without reading the two 500 page manuals that come with them. ;-p