(wasn't sure where to put this, so apologies if this is in the wrong forum)
I've had these original Unreal manuals for a long time now, and it's about time I was about to properly scan them all in high resolution for everyone. Been wanting to share these for a long time. There are a lot of really interesting things in these manuals, including stuff that isn't seen or talked about elsewhere or in the games. You'll have to read through these to see for yourself, but one of the main things is the prequel story which takes place right before the Vortex Rikers crashes and you wake up as prisoner 849. What's more is that this story seemed to differ between the different versions of the manual, as the German version I have goes on to tell more story and continue it where the English version of the story originally stops. I also figured this could probably help with the recreation of Unreal for UE4.
Anyway there's a ton to go through really, so I'll start with this zip:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uw8gzvkmzupw5g9/Original%20Unreal%20Manuals%20%28English%20%26%20German%20-%20Mac%20%26%20PC%29%20scanned%20by%20Shivaxi.zip?dl=0This is all 3 manuals, every page plus front and back covers scanned in high res. I included a but of additional info for each one in a text file, which I'll paste here:
► Show Spoiler
Original CD Case Cover
Scanned by Shivaxi
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This is from the jewel CD case for the game disc, you know, the little flip books inside you used to pull out and flip through and then lose somewhere under your bed in in your couch cushions for about 5 years? Usually from music CD's =P
This copy is from my Dad's original copy he bought back in 1998 when Unreal was first released. I don't know where the original box or manual that came with this went, possibly lost somewhere in our old house which is no longer our house...kinda long story. Remember when games used to come in giant boxes? Loved those...good times.
Nothing terribly special about this little flip-book except the no longer available merchandise which is pretty cool. Plus it's notable that most (if not all) of the screenshots shown are from the beta Unreal, like the shot of Nali Castle, plus the old Krall and Brute skins, etc.
-Shivaxi
► Show Spoiler
Original Manual (English) - MAC
Scanned by Shivaxi
====================
This is from the MAC version I bought a long time ago when I wanted to test Unreal on my school's MAC computers...shh don't tell them. I believe I bought this on eBay, and the version was v220 on disc. The MAC version also included some old music files from the beta Unreal that did not come on the PC release. This manual contains an interesting back story prior to the start of the game which is not seen in game, and also includes false information about certain things like how it says the Rifle's secondary fire is a triple burst shot, which used to be true during the beta of Unreal in 1997, however was changed later to a zoom in scope before release. This manual also contains some information about MAC hardware and such instead of PC hardware, so I have no idea what the original manual for PC says differently compared to this one, but there's bound to be some differences.
It's also notable to point out how certain things are named in this manual that are otherwise left unnamed in the actual game, like how they call the Krall's staff a "Concussion Staff". Also some interesting additional information we never knew like how the core of the ASMD has enough power to bring down a building if released all at once. Also love how they constantly hint at a "combo attack" for the ASMD but never tell you how to do it.
There's some really neat hand drawn artwork of things in the game with little bits of description or story next to each one, as if someone writing a log report. All the creatures have brief but cool descriptions, and listed weight, height, aggressiveness, and agility. Every weapon also has a description and bit of background to it, and even goes as far as to explain the workings of these weapons, like how for the razorjack secondary fire it says "The blades can alter their pitch and roll in accordance with transmitted motion signals from the RazorJack, giving them limited guidance." They even explain that Bio sludge from the GESBioRifle explodes on contact with living tissue, but sticks to other surfaces for a few seconds before exploding (though in game it also explodes on contact with decorations like trees and boxes due to the way it's coded). Sniper Rifle is referred to as the "Assault Rifle" which would explain the triple fire burst it used to have as secondary fire.
So yeah, lot's of really cool stuff to look through in this manual. Love the way they talk like a gamer to another gamer, you know, recommending which hardware to upgrade to, describing things like "A little shrapnel can dish out a hell of a lot of damage", and even listing the system requirements in 3 categories other than the normal 2 which is usually minimal and recommended, but here they list Minimum, Typical, and AWESOME system requirements, lol. This whole thing really only furthers my love for Epic and that "old style" of gaming we were all used to growing up in the 90's.
-Shivaxi
► Show Spoiler
Original Manual (German) - PC
Scanned by Shivaxi
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Now here's where things get a little interesting. I definitely bought this one on eBay, and I don't remember exactly why but I think I was looking for an original copy or an older version of the game for something. So this was on eBay for about 2 bucks, and for those wondering, it turned out to be Unreal version 205, which had some interesting stuff in it.
This manual though is a bit different, mainly the story in the beginning. I haven't translated the entire manual, and I'm hoping someone who is fluent speaking in both German and English will take the time to do so to find out what's different, but I did at least translate (or attempt to translate with google translate....sorry lol) the story in the beginning of the manual. The story comes out the same for the most part, but actually extends a bit further beyond where the original English version of the story ends, going on to add more about what happens after you wake up, finding a weapon, encountering your first Skaarj on the ship, and making it outside to the unknown world..also something about watching out for Nali's I guess?. Idk it's awkward and broken up. It's weird they would go on to tell this in the story though when you play this part in the game. It makes me wonder if the game was supposed to start somewhere else originally. No way to know really (unless Tim Sweeney graces us with his mighty presence perhaps <3) but it's all pretty interesting.
Below I have included my translated version of the rest of the story from the German version here, poorly I might add, with google translate. So the wording is pretty off but it gets the point across. If anyone actually speaks German and can translate it to English, that would be awesome, please do!
-Shivaxi
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"later - perhaps hours, perhaps even days - you wake up. You are mauled and dried out, but somehow you have survived the crash. Plasma lock is deactivated. Beyond the entrance to your cell calls freedom.
But where do you find yourself? has anyone survived? And what awaits you beyond the limits of the shattered "Vortex Rikers"? There is only one way to find out, you tell yourself.
Slowly, laboriously, but determined you step out of your cell.
As you spähst a corridor bend, you see between smoldering ruins a monstrous creature with reptilian features.
You stürmst forth with the released weapon out of hiding and give off a few warning shots.
The Beast turns his severe head in your direction and fixes you with curious eyes - too impressed they do not seem to be, yet she bustles with a Spring in your line of fire.
Once you have the hull unsuccessfully searched for survivors and supplies your worst wounds, you step out of the wreckage into the open air and behold the first time an unknown world - a world lurking in the enemies and hazards. If you want to survive here, you must not only your reflexes and leave an unerring hand - but also have to adapt yourself and find allies foreign cultures. Left to yourself you do not have the slightest chance: So watch closely and think of something good, on who you are targeting - it can be a friend."
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On top of what I already mentioned in the additional info texts, there's tons of extra little info about all the weapons, items, and creatures in the game. My favorite thing out of all of these are the illustrated drawings for individual things. It's really neat, and especially how the English MAC manual is presented overall, presented like a log book on the cover, and each page having that crumpled diary paper background. Really sucks you in. I'm hoping someone fluent in German and English comes along and translates the German version, to see if there are more differences, like perhaps in the descriptions of the weapons or monsters, who knows.
For those who don't want to download anything directly, I put together a gallery you can view the English manual from on Imgur. I'm sure most die hard Unreal fans like me though will want to download these for record keeping especially, so I'll leave my Dropbox link up as long as I can (hopefully forever!).
English Manual (online gallery)Full Gallery -
http://imgur.com/a/8tWUvCover (Front & Back) -
http://i.imgur.com/VnNQwZS.jpgTable Of Contents -
http://i.imgur.com/7OGc4S4.jpgPage 2 & 3 (Story) -
http://i.imgur.com/xPnetrY.jpgPage 4 & 5 (artwork #1) -
http://i.imgur.com/LypvxpZ.jpgPage 6 & 7 (artwork #2) -
http://i.imgur.com/ZidtyWC.jpgPage 8 & 9 -
http://i.imgur.com/iN59qKk.jpgPage 10 & 11 (artwork #3) -
http://i.imgur.com/eRfgRZJ.jpgPage 12 & 13 (artwork #4) -
http://i.imgur.com/MKF1XJ5.jpgPage 14 & 15 (artwork #5 & #6) -
http://i.imgur.com/3XxuCvh.jpgPage 16 & 17 -
http://i.imgur.com/Gcvs7U5.jpgPage 18 & 19 (Weapons Database) -
http://i.imgur.com/2ESbi8R.jpgPage 20 & 21 (Inventory Database) -
http://i.imgur.com/Q8ny0Ei.jpgPage 22 & 23 -
http://i.imgur.com/oujIL8i.jpgPage 24 & 25 (Creature Database) -
http://i.imgur.com/EbZPjs5.jpgPage 26 & 27 -
http://i.imgur.com/L9nb1PO.jpgPage 28 & 29 -
http://i.imgur.com/IkpHVfI.jpgPage 30 & 31 -
http://i.imgur.com/kGvypmG.jpgPage 32 & 33 -
http://i.imgur.com/j5ba2JU.jpgPage 34 & 35 -
http://i.imgur.com/QlpqYJh.jpgPage 36 & 37 -
http://i.imgur.com/wQI8Pkn.jpg