Will the game be distributed in Australia (e.g. through EB Games, GAME, JB Hi-Fi etc.) and will the boxed version (or perhaps even the downloadable version) come with a manual?

Yes I've read that the game is being released worldwide but that doesn't mean it's actually being distributed worldwide - that might just mean placing the game on Steam or Fileplanet or something. While I'm not averse to downloading a game I'd be a bit peeved if there was no manual included (since the Tropico games are ones that can really benefit from the inclusion of one - I already am confused about some elements of it, e.g. how many people does one corn farm feed?).

Thanks in advance,

Mark G

Zero Punctuation, is that you?

apparently some shops over here in germany already sell the game. one user on he german forums posted "Die beiliegende Anleitung umfasst 67 Seiten", which means the game (retail) ships with a manual that contains 67 pages.

hope this will help you

That is quite some manual. Hopefully full with usefull information.

The Tropico Gold manual was 80 pages. Every chapter fully explained and four appendixes "building types", "people chart", "Presidenté attributes" and "Edicts", which each contains all the information you need for setting up a great island.

chrono Wrote:Zero Punctuation, is that you?

lol no sorry I'm not, I wish I could claim to be Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw though .

Thanks for the heads-up TropicoTim. Good to hear a manual is being included - just need to find out whether both the downloadable and physical versions will get them or just the physical one.

Agreed BeSD, I really enjoy games that come with decent manuals since they help either to get you immersed or in the case of complex strategy games, are pretty much required (if the game doesn't come with an in-game help).

also it appears that the german version contains multiple languages, including english

Not sure if this is of any help now, but I did see the game at JB Hi-Fi 2 weeks ago... What doesn't that place have?