Prima Games is shutting down

  • 51 results
  • 1
  • 2
Avatar image for SolidGame_basic
SolidGame_basic

44939

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

90

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

 • 
Avatar image for Telekill
Telekill

12061

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

#1 Telekill
Member since 2003 • 12061 Posts

I still have a few of their guides. This is no surprise though given how many flock to the internet for essentially the same information. I personally only bought guides for favorite game series.

Avatar image for Archangel3371
Archangel3371

43988

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

#2 Archangel3371
Member since 2004 • 43988 Posts

I find this news sad to hear myself. I have a bunch of strategy guides myself. I typically buy them for JRPGs that I enjoy because I love all the artwork and detailed specs for enemies and equipment. While I preferred the Brady Games strategy guides it’s still sad to hear Prima going out of business. I know that you can find all the information online for these games now but there is something special in having a physical and tangible guide to look through.

Avatar image for DocSanchez
DocSanchez

5557

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

#3  Edited By DocSanchez
Member since 2013 • 5557 Posts

It's unfortunate but in the days of the internet guides like these were on borrowed time no doubt. They used to be invaluable once upon a time and I know people still prefer them but for convenience and price it's no surprise to me that they went out of business.

Hope the employees land back on their feet soon.

Avatar image for davillain
DaVillain

55898

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

#4 DaVillain  Moderator
Member since 2014 • 55898 Posts

I'm amazed they've existed this long already. They were cool and useful in the N64/PS1/PS2 days when the internet wasn't nearly as big, but since then, sites like GameFAQs and Youtube make them really unnecessary at times. I rarely do buy Prima's guide books but the very important I needed a guide was Skyrim because that game is fucking huge due to all the quest but that was my last guide book I bought for a game. I still buy Pokemon Pokedex index book just to look at what type of Pokemon team I wanna try out despite we have Serebii.net.

But I guess the true death blow is the fact that games are so freaking simple these days, no one needs guides any more. Fan made wikis are just too damn good and useful now. I never really pay any attention to GameFAQ, so can't really comment on how it's useful.

Avatar image for navyguy21
navyguy21

17401

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

#5 navyguy21
Member since 2003 • 17401 Posts

Sadly, it was bound to happen.

They failed to adjust their business model to fit the modern era.

No one buys guides anymore, not even a subscription.

Ive said time and again that their guides are amazingly detailed.

All they needed to do was provide free guides, start reviewing content, sell ads, and provide short bite sized walkthroughs on youtube to stay current and modern.

They got lazy.

Avatar image for Ibacai
Ibacai

14459

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#6 Ibacai
Member since 2006 • 14459 Posts

Specific informational print is dying, it’s too easy to find something on an electronic device for free than to buy something at a store.

It’s sad but that’s just how it goes nowadays.

Avatar image for Basinboy
Basinboy

14495

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 19

User Lists: 0

#7 Basinboy
Member since 2003 • 14495 Posts

I had a handful of guides included with LEs I purchased, FFXII and KH2 being the foremost on my mind. But I’ve never gone out of my way to buy a printed game guide. I’m also quite confident the ones I own are produced by Brady Games.

Avatar image for davillain
DaVillain

55898

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

#8  Edited By DaVillain  Moderator
Member since 2014 • 55898 Posts

@navyguy21 said:

Sadly, it was bound to happen.

They failed to adjust their business model to fit the modern era.

No one buys guides anymore, not even a subscription.

Ive said time and again that their guides are amazingly detailed.

All they needed to do was provide free guides, start reviewing content, sell ads, and provide short bite sized walkthroughs on youtube to stay current and modern.

They got lazy.

The last one I bought was Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, it's a good long read and I prefer it over the digital guide counterpart. But yea, I don't buy guides anymore other then Pokemon just on the Pokedex content.

Avatar image for Sevenizz
Sevenizz

6462

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#9 Sevenizz
Member since 2010 • 6462 Posts

I didn’t even know they were still around. The last time they slipped into my conscience was Titanfall 1 and while I loved the game, I felt no need to buy a guide for it. It was a rather large book too.

Avatar image for uninspiredcup
uninspiredcup

58643

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 86

User Lists: 2

#10  Edited By uninspiredcup
Member since 2013 • 58643 Posts

Most games are that easy and obvious now they don't need guides.

Avatar image for nepu7supastar7
nepu7supastar7

6773

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 51

User Lists: 0

#11 nepu7supastar7
Member since 2007 • 6773 Posts

Last game Guide I got was for Silent Hill 3. Turns out that I never needed it.

Avatar image for Archangel3371
Archangel3371

43988

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

#13 Archangel3371
Member since 2004 • 43988 Posts

For me strategy guides weren’t purchased out of necessity but as a way to further enjoy games that I was really into.

Avatar image for BassMan
BassMan

17763

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 225

User Lists: 0

#14  Edited By BassMan
Member since 2002 • 17763 Posts

Overpriced shit guides.

Avatar image for xantufrog
xantufrog

17875

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 5

#15 xantufrog  Moderator
Member since 2013 • 17875 Posts

@Archangel3371: I agree. I didn't buy many, but it was always bought in advance, kind of like a companion comic book or something, rather than "I'm stuck and need a guide"

Avatar image for navyguy21
navyguy21

17401

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

#16 navyguy21
Member since 2003 • 17401 Posts
@xantufrog said:

@Archangel3371: I agree. I didn't buy many, but it was always bought in advance, kind of like a companion comic book or something, rather than "I'm stuck and need a guide"

Same here.

The last one I bought was Fallout 3 before release.

I was so hyped I think I read it from cover to cover before the game released lol

Avatar image for mrbojangles25
mrbojangles25

58155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

#17  Edited By mrbojangles25
Member since 2005 • 58155 Posts

Always seemed like more of a collector's/enthusiast's item to me, never really something you needed. Especially since internet has been widely available for two decades now.

It's too bad, though, fond memories; I'd often read the guides at the book store to vicariously experience games I didn't own.

Avatar image for Vaasman
Vaasman

15541

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

#18 Vaasman
Member since 2008 • 15541 Posts

A shame, Prima guides were always a cool thing to me as a kid, as they were the only good source for things like screenshot guides, top-down 3d maps, and clear 100% guides. But obviously as the internet improved and games moved away from collectathons, they became more and more obsolete, and their online presence is less than stellar.

I still have a few left for games like DK64 and Majora's Mask, so a tip of my hat for the nostalgia they bring at the very least.

Avatar image for onesiphorus
onesiphorus

5234

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 6

#19  Edited By onesiphorus  Online
Member since 2014 • 5234 Posts

It is too bad and is an example where technology makes something that is available for generations irrelevant and obsolete. Just like how digital cameras and smartphones drove celluoid cameras into obsoleteness. How Amazon.com and online shopping drove catalogue shopping (Sears) irrelevant.

Avatar image for AcidTango
AcidTango

3211

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#20 AcidTango
Member since 2013 • 3211 Posts

As sad as it is I understand why they are shutting down. They were very useful back then but today we have the internet for our guide now and because of this it makes those strategy guides outdated today.

Avatar image for deactivated-60bf765068a74
deactivated-60bf765068a74

9558

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#21 deactivated-60bf765068a74
Member since 2007 • 9558 Posts

omg they had the best strategy guides why did people stop buying them? FFS man gamefaqs is shit compared to these

Avatar image for MonsieurX
MonsieurX

39858

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#22 MonsieurX
Member since 2008 • 39858 Posts

@ProtossRushX said:

omg they had the best strategy guides why did people stop buying them? FFS man gamefaqs is shit compared to these

Because it's free on the internet

Avatar image for vfighter
VFighter

11031

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#23 VFighter
Member since 2016 • 11031 Posts

@BassMan: Aren't you just the cutest little ray of sunshine.

Avatar image for bigfootpart2
bigfootpart2

1131

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#24  Edited By bigfootpart2
Member since 2013 • 1131 Posts

GameFAQs and YouTube ate their lunch a long time ago. I'm amazed they've lasted this long. Now if you get stuck in a game all you have to do is pull up a video of someone playing it on youtube.

Avatar image for GarGx1
GarGx1

10934

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

#25 GarGx1
Member since 2011 • 10934 Posts

Not really surprising, they are dinosaurs in a digital age.

I hope the employees easily find other work

Avatar image for BenjaminBanklin
BenjaminBanklin

11002

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#26 BenjaminBanklin
Member since 2004 • 11002 Posts

I'm shocked to see how any print materials in gaming have still made it this far, honestly.

Avatar image for lamprey263
lamprey263

44503

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

#27 lamprey263
Member since 2006 • 44503 Posts

Yeah, surprised game guides were still a thing with YouTube guides these days, maybe bought my last one years back when I got GTA IV.

Avatar image for Planeforger
Planeforger

19550

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#28 Planeforger
Member since 2004 • 19550 Posts

Internet walkthrough guides were popular back in the mid-late 90s, so I'm shocked the printed strategy guides still exited into the 2010s.

The trend toward Early Access releases, regular content releases, and half-finished launches killed off any chance printed strategy guides had left.

Avatar image for schu
schu

10191

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#29 schu
Member since 2003 • 10191 Posts

I think the guides were cool after you completed the game, but the fact that they started selling them at launch of the game was really lame in my opinion.

Avatar image for FinalFighters
FinalFighters

3410

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#30 FinalFighters
Member since 2013 • 3410 Posts

Damn that sucks, but it was to be expected. i haven't bought a game guide since Batman: Arkham City, back in 2011.

Avatar image for deactivated-6092a2d005fba
deactivated-6092a2d005fba

22663

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#31 deactivated-6092a2d005fba
Member since 2015 • 22663 Posts

@uninspiredcup said:

Most games are that easy and obvious now they don't need guides.

Cows still need them for when they're not playing Sony's movie games lol.

Avatar image for Litchie
Litchie

34469

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 0

#32 Litchie
Member since 2003 • 34469 Posts

I've never heard about them.

Avatar image for navyguy21
navyguy21

17401

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

#33 navyguy21
Member since 2003 • 17401 Posts
@ProtossRushX said:

omg they had the best strategy guides why did people stop buying them? FFS man gamefaqs is shit compared to these

This is the site I use. This is the top site but IGN also does great, in-depth guides complete with pictures, videos and maps.

Prima never adjusted their business model.

https://guides.gamepressure.com/

Avatar image for ArchoNils2
ArchoNils2

10534

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#35 ArchoNils2
Member since 2005 • 10534 Posts

I mostly bought them for the artwork and the only one I ever used as some kind of walkthrough-help was FFX-2 so i don't miss the 100s of optional things you can do.

Avatar image for vfighter
VFighter

11031

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#36 VFighter
Member since 2016 • 11031 Posts

@ProtossRushX: Why did people stop buying them, is this a serious question?!? Online guides and YouTube, both free, and both do the same or better job then a mag.

I'm sad to hear them go, I have a few from years ago (FF7, Parasite Eve just to name a few) but they're basically just a collector's item now, and a very niche one at best it seems.

Avatar image for deactivated-60bf765068a74
deactivated-60bf765068a74

9558

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#37 deactivated-60bf765068a74
Member since 2007 • 9558 Posts

@navyguy21: no dude prima guides and blockbuster video should still be alive today give people choices is what i say look at this book has pictures and walkthroughs you feel safe as **** with this walkthrough going into a hard game. I don't feel safe looking at IGN or youtube thats retarded.

Avatar image for Vaasman
Vaasman

15541

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

#38  Edited By Vaasman
Member since 2008 • 15541 Posts

@ProtossRushX said:

no dude prima guides and blockbuster video should still be alive today give people choices is what i say look at this book has pictures and walkthroughs you feel safe as **** with this walkthrough going into a hard game. I don't feel safe looking at IGN or youtube thats retarded.

What am I even reading?

Avatar image for onesiphorus
onesiphorus

5234

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 6

#39  Edited By onesiphorus  Online
Member since 2014 • 5234 Posts

@Litchie said:

I've never heard about them.

I assume you are not American or Canadian.

Avatar image for SchnabbleTab
SchnabbleTab

1488

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#40 SchnabbleTab
Member since 2013 • 1488 Posts

@i_p_daily said:
@uninspiredcup said:

Most games are that easy and obvious now they don't need guides.

Cows still need them for when they're not playing Sony's movie games lol.

PS is living in your head rentfree 24/7, lol.

Avatar image for deactivated-6092a2d005fba
deactivated-6092a2d005fba

22663

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#41 deactivated-6092a2d005fba
Member since 2015 • 22663 Posts

@SchnabbleTab said:
@i_p_daily said:
@uninspiredcup said:

Most games are that easy and obvious now they don't need guides.

Cows still need them for when they're not playing Sony's movie games lol.

PS is living in your head rentfree 24/7, lol.

I didn't mention PS, you did, maybe its living rent free in your mind, better luck next time :)

Avatar image for SchnabbleTab
SchnabbleTab

1488

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#42 SchnabbleTab
Member since 2013 • 1488 Posts

@i_p_daily said:
@SchnabbleTab said:
@i_p_daily said:
@uninspiredcup said:

Most games are that easy and obvious now they don't need guides.

Cows still need them for when they're not playing Sony's movie games lol.

PS is living in your head rentfree 24/7, lol.

I didn't mention PS, you did, maybe its living rent free in your mind, better luck next time :)

Well, I'm supposed to be a cow, right? So of course PS lives rent-free in my mind. :)

Avatar image for 360ru13r
360ru13r

1856

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#44 360ru13r
Member since 2008 • 1856 Posts

The internet ruined them like the internet ruined blockbuster.

Avatar image for koko-goal
koko-goal

1122

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#45 koko-goal
Member since 2008 • 1122 Posts

I'm surprised it didn't die in the 2000s, like many print magazines.

Avatar image for robert_sparkes
robert_sparkes

7181

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

#46 robert_sparkes
Member since 2018 • 7181 Posts

Sad to hear this news still have my ocarina of time and wrestlemania 2000 guides somewhere.

Avatar image for onesiphorus
onesiphorus

5234

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 6

#47 onesiphorus  Online
Member since 2014 • 5234 Posts

@koko-goal said:

I'm surprised it didn't die in the 2000s, like many print magazines.

You mean the first ten years of the 21st Century?

Avatar image for neatfeatguy
neatfeatguy

4397

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 20

User Lists: 0

#48  Edited By neatfeatguy
Member since 2005 • 4397 Posts

Only guide/strategy book I ever picked up was when I got Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. Wasn't even a Prima book, it was by BradyGames.

I always drooled over the Prima books when I was young, though. Never did get them because my money was either to be used towards a game or the book, but I never had enough for both. So, what good was the book if you didn't have the game?

Avatar image for deactivated-6092a2d005fba
deactivated-6092a2d005fba

22663

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#49 deactivated-6092a2d005fba
Member since 2015 • 22663 Posts

@SchnabbleTab said:
@i_p_daily said:
@SchnabbleTab said:
@i_p_daily said:
@uninspiredcup said:

Most games are that easy and obvious now they don't need guides.

Cows still need them for when they're not playing Sony's movie games lol.

PS is living in your head rentfree 24/7, lol.

I didn't mention PS, you did, maybe its living rent free in your mind, better luck next time :)

Well, I'm supposed to be a cow, right? So of course PS lives rent-free in my mind. :)

I don't know are you a cow???

You know what they say though right? if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck & sounds likes a duck, then it must be a cow lol.

Avatar image for koko-goal
koko-goal

1122

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#50 koko-goal
Member since 2008 • 1122 Posts

@onesiphorus said:
@koko-goal said:

I'm surprised it didn't die in the 2000s, like many print magazines.

You mean the first ten years of the 21st Century?

Yes